Located on the mountainside of Quan Tian Xia, along the Mingyue Mountain Stream Avenue, most of the villas here were old architectures from the Republic of China era. Due to its suitability for retirement, most residents, like Fang Shoushan, were wealthy businessmen on the verge of retirement.
Fang Shoushan lived in the old Villa No. 11 in Quan Tian Xia, a three-story villa covered in vegetation on its exterior walls. The garden was filled with various flowers and green plants, and a small fish pond housed a diverse array of ornamental fish.
In a nearby tea pavilion, with old carved stone tables and benches adorned with tea sets, Fang Shoushan sat in a wheelchair with three other elderly men, all around sixty years old. They were all retired magnates who had once dominated the business world of Huadu.
"Old Fang, what's the occasion today, inviting us old brothers over for a meal?" The speaker, Lian Maoguo, was the retired chairman of the Lian Group in Huadu.
"Indeed, is there some good news?" another old man, Mao Tong, chimed in.
"Haha, of course, it's good news, otherwise, why would I spend money to invite you old geezers?" Fang Shoushan said spiritedly, waving away what he perceived as a look of melancholy, and chuckled heartily.
This prompted Mao Tong and Lian Maoguo, along with another gentleman named Xu Dehou, to ask, "What exactly is this good news that makes you so happy?"
"I won't tell you, you'll know later," Fang Shoushan said, playing coy, making the three elders roll their eyes.
"Dad, I'm back."
Just then, a middle-aged man in a suit entered, who was Fang Shoushan's second son, Fang Xingteng, accompanied by his wife, Zhang Huifen.
"Xingteng is back."
Fang Xingteng looked at the three elders and said politely with a smile, "The elders are all here as well."
Upon seeing his second son, Fang Shoushan's demeanor was rather indifferent. "Why hasn't Kangning returned yet?"
Fang Xingteng smiled, "Dad, Kangning is still at the company. He'll be back a bit later."
"That boy Kangning is good. With more guidance, he can take over Xingteng's position in the future," Lian Maoguo said with a smile, and Mao Tong and Xu Dehou nodded in agreement. However, Fang Shoushan's face darkened, "As long as he doesn't cause trouble outside, that's good enough."
Seeing her father-in-law's displeasure towards his son, Zhang Huifen snorted and entered the villa.
Fang Xingteng smiled subtly, then saw another middle-aged couple enter – Fang Shoushan's eldest son, Fang Guowen, and his wife, Du Xiumei. Fang Yanxi also followed them.
Fang Yanxi was dressed beautifully tonight, wearing a white dress that made her look pure and captivating. Her elegant hair cascaded over her shoulders. Without any makeup, her face was like a peach blossom, her eyes bright and her teeth white, possessing an ethereal beauty and a noble aura.
"Big brother, sister-in-law, Yanxi is back too."
Fang Xingteng greeted this family with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Xingteng is back."
Fang Guowen exuded an air of a refined scholar, and his wife, Du Xiumei, was no different. Their every move displayed grace and poise, and their charm was still evident, indicating that Fang Yanxi's beauty inherited from her mother.
"Ah, Guowen is back."
The three elders, Mao Tong, enthusiastically pulled him over to sit and have tea. "I recently acquired a painting. I'll bring it to you for appraisal another day."
"Alright."
Fang Guowen was a renowned figure in Huadu's art circles and the president of the Literati Association. He had a deep understanding of ancient paintings and books, thus earning the admiration and patronage of the older generation.
Du Xiumei entered the villa first, wanting to see how the banquet preparations were going.
Fang Yanxi naturally accompanied the elders. Mao Tong said enviously, "Old Fang, with Yanxi, this business prodigy, managing your Fang Group, it's truly thriving."
Xu Dehou and Lian Maoguo nodded in agreement. Since Fang Yanxi took over as the CEO of Fang Group more than three months ago, her achievements were evident for all to see. She was now recognized by the Huadu business community as the most influential young talent.
Fang Shoushan's face was full of smiles; he was very pleased with his granddaughter. Xu Dehou suddenly remarked, "If Yanxi were a boy, she would surely succeed you as chairman!"
The words were said without thought, but they struck a chord with Fang Xingteng standing nearby, whose eyes darkened!
Mao Tong chuckled, "In recent years, taking in a live-in son-in-law has become popular. Guowen only has one daughter, Yanxi. If they find a live-in son-in-law, wouldn't Yanxi then rightfully remain in your Fang family?"
"A live-in son-in-law, that's not appropriate, not appropriate at all," Xu Dehou shook his head and waved his hand. "Those willing to become live-in sons-in-law are all mediocre individuals. Take the Wang family a few years ago, for example, the live-in son-in-law Wang Anrong took in was just one such instance!"
"You're talking about that 'soft-rice king' who was all the rage, Wan Dongming, right?" Lian Maoguo said.
"Heh heh..."
Although they had retired many years ago, the reputation of the 'soft-rice king' was too widespread, and they had heard quite a bit about him.
Fang Yanxi, standing nearby, remained silent, knowing they were talking about Wan Yunting's second brother…
"Grandpa, I'm back."
As they were speaking, Fang Kangning walked over, but he was not alone. Beside him was Chen Tao, wearing a blue suit and gold-rimmed glasses, with a kind smile on his face.
Also accompanying them was a middle-aged man carrying a traditional Chinese medicine case, clearly a physician.
Fang Shoushan and Fang Guowen, sitting in the pavilion with the three elders, all turned their heads. Upon seeing Chen Tao, Fang Yanxi's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"Kangning, didn't I tell you that tonight is a family dinner and it's not convenient to bring outsiders?" Fang Xingteng immediately said.
Fang Kangning pointed to Chen Tao and the physician, "Dad, this is Chairman Chen Tao of the Chen Group. He knows Grandpa's legs were crippled in a car accident, so he specially brought a Chinese physician from out of town. That's why I invited them over to examine Grandpa's legs!"
Chen Tao nodded slightly at Fang Yanxi in greeting before politely smiling at Fang Shoushan and saying, "We came uninvited. We hope that Grandpa Fang will not mind."
Fang Shoushan's old face darkened slightly; he was displeased that Fang Kangning had brought an outsider without permission.
Moreover, his legs no longer required other doctors to examine them.
Hmm, speaking of which, why hasn't Old Lin brought Young Wan over yet!
"This physician Feng is a renowned Chinese physician in Yuntong City, specializing in orthopedics," Chen Tao said with a smile, introducing him. "The reason he could come to Huadu is because he was invited to attend the Chinese Medicine University exchange conference next week, so I had the opportunity to invite him to take a look at your legs, Grandpa Fang."
The physician, named Feng Weiying, looked at Fang Shoushan, who was sitting in the wheelchair, with his nostrils pointed upwards, seeming to regard these wealthy businessmen with disdain.
"Old Fang, why don't you let him take a look? Perhaps he can heal your legs," Mao Tong said, turning his head.
"Yes," Xu Dehou and Liang Maoguo also nodded in agreement.
Even Fang Guowen and Fang Xingteng nodded, because apart from Fang Yanxi, no one else present knew that Fang Shoushan's legs could now stand.
Furthermore, Fang Shoushan had been somewhat skeptical of Wan Yunting's previous treatment, so he hadn't actively told his eldest and second sons to avoid worrying them.
Fang Yanxi had visited him the day before yesterday, and Fang Shoushan couldn't help but tell her, so now she was the only one who knew.
"No need."
However, Fang Shoushan waved his hand, seeming to dislike Physician Feng. Just as he was about to say something…
"Master, Doctor Wan has arrived."
At that moment, Lin Si personally led Wan Yunting over.
When Chen Tao turned his head and exclaimed in surprise, "Wan Yunting!"
Fang Yanxi, sitting in the pavilion, suddenly looked up and saw Wan Yunting walking with the old housekeeper. Her eyes widened in astonishment, and she was also stunned.