"Good, very good…"
Hearing his granddaughter-in-law answer his business questions perfectly and smoothly, Old Master Ouyang Shen and was surprised. No wonder his son Ouyang Zhixin valued his grandson's girlfriend so much. She seemed to be a rare talent. Although a little immature, with a little guidance, her future achievements would be limitless.
Fang Chenghe, the patriarch of the Fang family, clapped his hands and praised Fang Yanxi with a smile, "At such a young age, to possess such outstanding business talent, Old He, it seems your Ouyang family has gained another rare granddaughter-in-law!"
"Indeed…"
Chen Xuemin, the patriarch of the Chen family, and Xia Xinhou, representing the Xia family, nodded and echoed with smiles.
Fang Yanxi felt a little embarrassed by their words and nodded slightly, smiling to indicate that they were too kind.
"Where is Xiao Wan? I don't see him anywhere?" Ouyang Shen and looked around, not seeing Wan Yunting.
Ouyang Zhixin said, "He's probably drinking with friends next door."
Just then, Wan Yunting walked in. Ouyang Shen and saw him and beckoned, "Xiao Wan, you're here at the right time. We were just wondering where you'd gone."
"Grandpa…"
Wan Yunting came over and stood to Fang Yanxi's right. He gently patted her shoulder as if to comfort her. His gaze swept over everyone present, leaving only Chen Xuemin, Fang Chenghe, and some influential figures from the capital like Xia Xinhou…
Elder Fan and Elder Gu disliked dealing too much with businessmen, so they went to a quiet place to have tea and chat…
"Xiao Wan, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Fang Chenghe, the patriarch of the Fang family."
As Ouyang Zhixin spoke, he introduced Wan Yunting and then pointed to Chen Xuemin, "This is Mr. Chen Xuemin, the patriarch of the Chen family."
"Greetings, Mr. Fang, Mr. Chen…"
Upon hearing that they were from the Fang and Chen families, a sharp glint flashed beneath Wan Yunting's eyes.
He knew that Fang Tai and Chen Guangyang had tried to kill him more than once. Especially during the kidnapping of Fang Yanxi, which almost cost her her life. Wan Yunting remembered all these debts.
Although Fang Tai and Chen Guangyang were eventually silenced by Ouyang Liqun, Wan Yunting harbored no good feelings towards the Fang and Chen families. Now, seeing the patriarchs of these two families, Wan Yunting merely nodded as a polite greeting, offering no smile.
Fang Chenghe and Chen Xuemin could naturally discern something from Wan Yunting's gaze, causing their hearts to skip a beat. Their old brows furrowed slightly. Immediately, a middle-aged man sitting beside Fang Chenghe, Fang Liangji, Fang Tai's father, raised a glass of wine and said to Wan Yunting with a very sincere attitude, "Young Master Wan, I, as a father, offer this drink to apologize on behalf of Fang Tai!"
Ouyang Shen and, Ouyang Xingteng, Ouyang Zhixin, and the others present remained silent. After Fang Liangji finished speaking, he downed the glass of white wine. Following this, a middle-aged man sitting beside Chen Xuemin, Chen Qizhi, Chen Guangyang's father, also raised a glass of wine and sincerely apologized to Wan Yunting, "Young Master Wan, I offer this drink to apologize on behalf of my useless son, Chen Guangyang."
Fang Yanxi, who was sitting beside them, looked stunned. She turned her head to look at the man standing beside her, her expression filled with confusion. Wan Yunting's eyes were half-closed as he looked at Fang Liangji, Fang Tai's father, and Chen Qizhi, Chen Guangyang's father.
It was clear that the patriarchs of these two families had brought them here tonight, waiting to apologize to Wan Yunting and seek his forgiveness.
For a moment, no one spoke. Their gazes were cast upon Wan Yunting, who stood beside Fang Yanxi. Chen Qizhi and Fang Liangji, having finished their drinks, felt increasingly uneasy as Wan Yunting remained silent.
"Young Master Wan, I know our two useless sons offended you frequently when they were alive. Therefore, as a father, I offer my apologies and hope you can forgive them." With that, Fang Liangji stepped forward and gave Wan Yunting a ninety-degree bow to apologize.
Chen Qizhi followed suit, also bowing in apology to Wan Yunting…
This scene surprised everyone present. After all, Chen Qizhi and Fang Liangji were influential figures in both families and well-respected in the capital. To see them bow in apology to a junior was unexpected.
Of course, everyone present understood. Although the Fang and Chen families were among the five great families of the capital, they were no match for the Ouyang family, even when joined together.
Therefore, concerning the matters of Chen Guangyang and Fang Tai, the two patriarchs, after privately discussing, decided to seize the opportunity of the banquet tonight to apologize to Wan Yunting. After all, gaining his understanding was crucial, otherwise, the Fang and Chen families would have a difficult future.
Seeing Fang Liangji and Chen Qizhi maintaining their ninety-degree bows, seeking forgiveness, everyone present turned their attention to Wan Yunting. However, he kept his eyes half-closed and remained silent.
Ouyang Zhixin and Ouyang Zhihui watched Wan Yunting. Finally, Ouyang Shen and spoke, "Xiao Wan, debts have their due, and grievances their cause. Fang Tai and Chen Guangyang, those two useless individuals, both followed Ouyang Liqun back then. So, in the end, it's not their fault. Let's just let this matter go."
The old master was right. Chen Guangyang and Fang Tai were both followers of Ouyang Liqun. Moreover, they had already been silenced. There was no need to pursue it further. Besides, between major families, there was no need to sever business interests over a single descendant. It wasn't worth it.
Wan Yunting naturally understood his grandfather's meaning. Furthermore, the fathers of Fang Tai and Chen Guangyang had publicly bowed and apologized to him. If he continued to dwell on it, he would appear petty.
"Please rise, both of you."
Wan Yunting spoke, "The deceased are gone. I hope you both find solace."
Fang Liangji and Chen Qizhi stood up, looking at Wan Yunting with gratitude. They gritted their teeth and said, "We failed in our upbringing. Their deaths were their own doing…"
Wan Yunting waved his hand, picked up Fang Yanxi's wine glass, and smiled at everyone present, "Everyone, I'll toast you all…"
"Good, let's not mention this matter anymore. Come…"
Fang Yongjun, Fang Liangji's elder brother, seized the opportunity, raising his wine glass and gesturing for everyone to enthusiastically toast Wan Yunting…
The banquet concluded around eleven o'clock that night. Ouyang Zhixin and Wan Yunting were responsible for seeing the guests off, and they were busy until midnight before they had time to rest.
They would be staying at the ancestral home tonight…
Of course, Ouyang Zhixin had now taken over the position of the fifth-generation patriarch of the family, so their family naturally had to reside in the ancestral home.
Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao had naturally returned with Gu Yuanbai, while Fang Yanxi had stayed behind. After tidying up, she had already gone to bed.
In the bedroom of the adjacent courtyard, Xia Xiangyun saw her husband return and went up to help him affectionately with his clothes, smiling as she said, "I thought the two daughters-in-law would have a fight tonight!"
Her words made Ouyang Zhixin smile. He glanced at his wife and said, "What, are you afraid Yanxi will make things difficult for Luotang?"
Xia Xiangyun hung his coat on the hanger and smiled, "Of course. Yanxi clearly has a strong personality, while Luotang is the opposite. If they really clashed, she would definitely withdraw willingly."
"But I didn't expect Yanxi not to make things difficult for Luotang in the end!"
Ouyang Zhixin went into the bathroom to wash his face. After coming out, he smiled and said, "Does that mean you prefer Luotang as your daughter-in-law?"
"Of course, I like her. Luotang's personality suits me very well. Of course, Yanxi is also quite good. She's been with our son since college and has been inseparable from him for so long. It shows that her heart is solely for Xiao Wan."
As Xia Xiangyun spoke, she brought him a glass of water. Ouyang Zhixin took a sip and then handed the glass back to her with a smile, "I highly value Yanxi's business talent. In the future, she will be able to take charge of our Ouyang family."
Xia Xiangyun climbed onto the bed and said happily, "In short, both of these daughters-in-law are good. I like them both. I hope they give me a few robust grandsons soon, that would be even better."
Ouyang Zhixin also smiled happily, envisioning a future where a group of grandchildren ran around calling him Grandpa. What a delightful and desirable thought that was…
The next day, Wan Yunting woke up early to practice his martial arts and meditate. By eight-thirty, he joined his grandfather and the others in the dining room for breakfast. At nine o'clock, they left. He first drove Fang Yanxi to her company before heading to the office building of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association.
At ten o'clock, Wan Yunting convened a meeting to discuss the association's future tasks with Liu He and others. The first item on the agenda was educational reform.
Following the successful educational reform by Gu Yuanbai in Huadu City, the Beijing Municipal Education Bureau had already selected several renowned schools to begin reforms in elementary education, adding Traditional Chinese Medicine as a subject.
Gu Yuanbai had previously invited the core team from Huadu City to Beijing, consisting of Song Sinan, Zhang Xiaoyu, Wei Renxin, Shen Yingrui, Ding Zipeng, and Huang Jingshan. These six individuals had arrived in Beijing that very day. Wan Yunting personally went to the airport to pick them up and bring them to the TCM Association. He hosted a welcoming banquet for them at noon, and they plunged into work in the afternoon.
After all, many schools had already started classes, and everyone would be busy for the next two days, so there wasn't much time for reminiscing.
By the time work ended in the afternoon, Wan Yunting remembered something. He drove to the residential complex and went directly upstairs to Chen Qiuyun's room. In the corridor, by the window at the end, he saw two young men smoking and chatting in hushed tones. They immediately stood up when they saw Wan Yunting and said, "Mr. Wan, you're here."
"Mm, thank you for your hard work."
Wan Yunting took out cigarettes and offered them two, then knocked on the door. A moment later, Chen Qiuyun, dressed in a home-wear skirt, opened the door. Her listless phoenix eyes glanced at Wan Yunting, and without saying a word, she turned and walked away.
Wan Yunting smiled at the two police officers, nodded, then followed her inside and closed the door. Looking at Chen Qiuyun sitting on the living room chair, he asked, "Where do you want to go?"
Chen Qiuyun lowered her head, her desolate expression hidden. After a long pause, she said, "Where can I go?"
Wan Yunting raised an eyebrow and looked at her, "So, you were planning to commit suicide yesterday, to end your life?"
These words made Chen Qiuyun let out a bitter smile and say, "My life is a tragedy. Ending it and starting anew."
Wan Yunting looked at her, remaining silent for a long time. Finally, he said, "I'll take you to the mountains. You can spend the rest of your life in peace!"
Chen Qiuyun raised her head. Her phoenix eyes, filled with a glimmer of moisture, stared directly at Wan Yunting. Her calm expression could not conceal the desolation in her heart as she asked, "Why are you helping me?"