The Day I Landed a Government Job, My Dad Framed Me for Stealing the Neighbor’s Gold Bars

On the day I was released, Dad personally drove over to pick me up. He wore a crisp suit, and his hair was slicked back with wax.

He looked like he was celebrating some huge happy occasion.

He even held a bouquet of flowers out to me. “Congratulations, son, you successfully passed Dad’s stress test.” “From now on, Dad won’t test you anymore, because you’ve matured.” I felt as if I had fallen into an ice cellar, and I said, “Thank you so much, Dad!” A crowd of reporters and gossiphungry onlookers surrounded the prison gates.

Dad was an influencer and a PhD in psychology. More than that, he was a selfhelp success expert.

He had always treated me like a lab rat to test whether I had the traits of a successful person. Facing the reporters surging toward him, Dad looked like a hawk spotting prey.

He held a microphone and spoke smoothly to the crowd. “My son is undoubtedly outstanding, and he inherited my powerful genes.” “He can stay calm in extreme situations and resolve crises.” “He was sent to prison by his own father and still holds no resentment, which shows an extremely strong mind.” I clenched my fists tightly, and my nails dug hard into my palms.

Dad, how do you know I hold no resentment in my heart? Do you even know what I went through in prison? I was wearing a prison uniform, and my face was numb.

Under my clothes were bruises and pinch marks, blue and purple all over. The camera flashes stung so badly that I could barely open my eyes.

I used my hand to block my face so they would not see the hatred in my eyes. This press conference lasted a full half hour. By the time I got home, I was already exhausted.

Mom had made a whole table of good food and was waiting at home. My younger brother had also bought a gift and was waiting for me to come back. Everything looked so harmonious.

When Mom saw how thin I had become, she seemed a little pained. “My sweet boy, you’re finally back, and I was worried sick about you.” My brother poured me a drink and said, “Evan, congratulations on becoming stronger.” With trembling hands, I picked up the glass. “Thank you, all of you, my family!” “Thank you for working together to send me to prison!” “Thank you for giving me the ultimate life experience!” The bitter liquor slid down my throat like poison.

This home was an even bigger prison.

Dad sat across from me, and his eyes were full of evaluation as he looked at me. “Son, you’ve changed.” “This month of training has helped you grow a lot.” “You are the work I am most satisfied with.” I tugged the corner of my mouth in mockery. “Of course Dad is satisfied, because you gained ten million followers this month.” “I’m the work you’re most satisfied with, aren’t I?” Dad nodded and looked at my brother. “You really are outstanding, and your brother is just a useless loser, so I’m too lazy to train him.” Mom patted her chest and said, “Then I’m even more useless.” “I’m not worthy of the eye of a psychology PhD like you!” “But isn’t it too cruel for you to train your son like this?” Something stirred in my heart, and I looked up at Mom. “You also think it’s cruel, so why didn’t you stop Dad?” “From the time I was nine until I was twentytwo, Dad accused me of stealing ninetynine times, an average of six times a year.” Mom sighed and said, “Your dad is doing this for your own good, so don’t be ungrateful.” I was completely hopeless, because this home was truly no place to stay.

On the third day after I got out, I started masssending resumes. As long as I found a job, I could leave this home.

I did not dare dream about a government job anymore, because I had a criminal record. It was the greatest shame of my life.

I specifically chose small companies with low requirements. I even picked unpopular positions and only wanted a job that could support me.

With my Ivy League degree, I figured someone would be eager to hire me. Sure enough, I sent applications to a dozen companies, and every single one replied.

But every time I interviewed, I was rejected. They gave no reason, only one vague sentence: not a good fit.

When I interviewed at the last company, I finally could not hold back and asked HR. “Can you tell me why I didn’t pass the interview?” “Is it because of my jail experience?” “The notice has clearly clarified everything, and I was framed.” “From beginning to end, I never committed a crime.” The HR employee gave me a sympathetic look. “Actually, this was your dad’s idea.” “How many resumes you sent and which companies you interviewed with are all under his control.” “We wanted to hire you too, because you really are excellent, and I also believe you’re innocent.” “But a small company like ours can’t afford to offend your dad, because he’s a major influencer.” I smiled bitterly and left the company.

When Dad saw me come back dejected, excitement flashed through his eyes. “You really are Dad’s most outstanding work.” “You started actively looking for a job on the third day after prison, and your courage is commendable!” I could not take it anymore, and I jumped up and grabbed Dad by the collar. “Why?

Why do you have to drive me into a corner?” “You already ruined my government job, so isn’t that enough?” “Now I just want to find a job to support myself, and you won’t even let me have that?” “Do you want me to die?” Dad pushed me away, and disappointment flashed in his eyes. “You’re very irritable.” “Is this necessary?” “You survived prison!” “You also survived when the prison bully abused you.” “Now you’re losing control over a tiny thing, and this isn’t your normal level!” I froze. “The prison bully abusing me was part of your design too?” Dad smiled in satisfaction and said, “Smart boy!” I was furious beyond control, grabbed a fruit knife, and stabbed at him! “Do you know what kind of life I lived in prison?” “You bastard, you’re nothing but an animal!” But my knife never reached him, because the bodyguards had already stopped me.

Dad shook his head and said, “Anger is the most useless performance of incompetence.” I knelt on the ground and broke down sobbing. “Dad, please let me go!” “Have you forgotten your promise?” “You said you would let me go after I got out of prison.” Dad smiled cunningly and said, “All is fair in war.” My heart sank completely!

This bastard would never let me go. I sank into despair for two days and did not eat or drink.

My brother brought me bubble tea and bread. “Evan, you have to stay alive before you can fight him, because he’s making another move.” Looking at my brother’s young face, a sliver of hope ignited in my heart. “Logan, let’s escape together, and are you willing to come with me?” Logan sighed. “You need to survive first.” “Right now, we are no match for Dad.” “Look at his latest move.” After Logan finished speaking, he opened his social feed.

Dad had posted a photo of me in prison clothes, paired with an extremely controversial caption: “Congratulations to my son on getting out of prison, because this is the most valuable training experience of his life.” “Parents can come to me to customize success training camp courses.”

“Coldblooded! Despicable! He doesn’t deserve to be a father at all!” I cursed through gritted teeth.

Logan sighed helplessly. “But his social media accounts have tens of millions of followers.” “Do you know how fanatical those followers of his are?” “They’re all scrambling to beg Dad to send their children to prison.” I fell silent.

What did that have to do with me? I could barely protect myself now, so how could I worry about anyone else?

Logan reminded me, “Evan, if you die, I’m the one who’s doomed.” “And so are thousands upon thousands of people like you and me.” “Don’t you want to win, and don’t you want to defeat Dad?” Looking at Logan’s innocent eyes, I regained my fighting spirit.

I ate all the food Logan had brought in one go. After recovering my strength, I began looking for a new job. This time, I no longer focused on local jobs.

Using the connections I had from college, I contacted friends overseas. I figured Dad’s reach could not possibly extend abroad, no matter how long it was.

Soon, an older schoolmate studying overseas was willing to help me. I packed my clothes overnight, and while Dad was out, I carried my suitcase out the front door.

But as soon as I arrived at the airport, Logan appeared with Dad.

Dad gave me a thumbsup and smiled with relief. “Son, you really are outstanding!” “You’re like an unkillable cockroach, because you can always find a way out of trouble.” “But compared with me, you’re still far behind!” “Did it ever occur to you that having your brother provoke you was also part of my plan?” I looked at Logan, and a chill ran through me. “You betrayed me?” “You were the one who told him my itinerary?” Logan lowered his head guiltily and said, “Evan, I had no choice.” “If you left, I’d be the one who suffered.” Dad patted Logan’s head and said, “A wise man submits to circumstances.” I smiled sadly and said, “A coldblooded father and a coldblooded son are both animals!” Dad did not care about my insults.

He simply ordered the bodyguards to gag me.

Then he started lecturing me again, saying, “Emotions are the most useless thing, so follow me and learn properly.” After I returned home, I sank into despair for another three days.

Then Dad brought back new prey: an eightyearold boy.

Dad brought him in front of me to show him off. “This is the new product I picked from the orphanage.” “He has the same personality you had as a child.” “I want to see which of you two is better.” I wanted to curse at him, but I had no strength left.

If he could be so vicious to his biological son, he would be even more ruthless to an outsider.

The little boy hugged my leg and said, “Evan, save me!” In his eyes, I saw myself as a child. Fine, I would save this poor little thing.

For the first time, I softened before my father. “Dad, you’re right, and I have no need to defy you.” “Let’s create hype together and make your business bigger and stronger.” “Whatever you arrange for me in the future, I won’t refuse again.” Dad pinched my chin and examined me with satisfaction.

Then he gave a new order and said, “Go work at an escort club tomorrow.” My whole body trembled, and I said, “Dad, what did you say?” Dad gave me a warning look. “You’ve been to prison, so other than an escort club, what company would dare hire you?” “If you don’t go, then let this little boy go in your place.” “There are plenty of people who like children, so this is actually an opportunity.” My blood rushed upward, and I said, “I’ll go!

Are you satisfied now?” Dad smiled and said, “Satisfied.” After he left, the little boy handed me a steaming bun. I bit into it and bit out a note.

When I opened the note, the information written on it was what I had dreamed of. “Evan, your dad is suspected of child abuse, but there is a lack of evidence.” “I need your cooperation.” I swallowed the note into my stomach, and the corner of my mouth curved into a smile. “Dad, you’re finished.”