In the capital, in a heavily guarded area.
An old man lay in a rocking chair, fanning himself with a palm leaf fan and listening to opera on the radio.
A guard approached softly. After the old man finished listening to a song, he respectfully said, "Old Chen, there's a call from Su Yingxia from Hangzhou, asking to say hello to you."
"Oh?"
The old man perked up a bit, squinting as he asked, "Just saying hello?"
"Yes, but her voice was choked with sobs, tearfully."
The old man gently rocked his chair and smiled, "That's interesting, that brat."
The guard stood by respectfully, not understanding.
"It's rare. Call her back, ask if she's in trouble, and make arrangements."
The old man seemed amused, smiling as he said, "Yes, use the excuse of helping the Su family, or rather, Su Yingxia's name."
"Yes!"
The guard withdrew.
When the phone rang a dozen minutes later, Jiang Lizu's heart was filled with joy.
Su Yingxia pressed the answer button.
A voice came from the other end, "Old Chen is well. He asks if you're in trouble and to say it, and we will arrange a solution."
Su Yingxia was overjoyed.
However, she still let out a voice as if on the verge of tears and said, "Thank you for Old Chen's kindness, but the matter is a bit complicated and cannot be explained clearly over the phone."
The other side pondered for a moment before asking, "Is the matter particularly urgent?"
Su Yingxia didn't know how to answer, and looked at Jiang Lizu.
Jiang Lizu thought quickly. First, he shook his head, then felt it wasn't appropriate, and nodded.
"No... not urgent!" Su Yingxia was stunned after speaking, and quickly added, "Actually, it can't be delayed too long."
Hearing Su Yingxia's words, the other side said, "Understood. Someone will go to Hangzhou tomorrow to contact you."
With that, the other side also hung up the phone.
Su Yingxia looked at Jiang Lizu.
Jiang Lizu breathed a sigh of relief and then laughed.
He gave Su Yingxia a thumbs-up and said, "Yingxia, you did very well. This time, the Su family and the Jiang family are going to soar!"
Hearing Jiang Lizu say this, Su Yingxia also became excited, full of anticipation.
However, she was still a little confused and asked, "Dad, is it because Old Master Chen said he would send someone over?"
Jiang Lizu nodded, got up, and paced, "Precisely!"
"Sending someone over represents Old Master Chen's will. We will have much more leeway to speak. As long as we curry favor, who in Hangzhou will dare to refuse us?"
"Is it like having an imperial envoy?"
Su Yingxia said with a charming smile.
"Haha, that's the idea."
Jiang Lizu was smug and said, "If we seize this opportunity, our two families will immediately ascend to the ranks of the wealthy and reach the pinnacle. This incident can be considered a blessing in disguise!"
He didn't consider for a moment that Captain Qin would not give them face.
Since Captain Qin was from the capital, how could he not know the foundation and immense power of the Chen family?
Thus, the father-in-law and daughter-in-law, casting aside their worries, eagerly awaited the arrival of tomorrow.
The next day, at eleven in the morning.
West suburbs, the Shao family ancestral home.
In Hangzhou, the Shao family was not considered top-tier, but they were a gentry family, rooted locally for decades, with deep foundations and numerous businesses.
At this moment, the Shao family ancestral home was bustling with people, and guests were everywhere.
A BMW car stopped not far from the main gate.
As he got out of the car, Chen Fan glanced around and smiled, "What a coincidence?"
"It is said that it is the Shao family patriarch's eightieth birthday. The Shao family is holding a grand banquet, and even passersby are welcome to partake."
Qin Tianyou, who got out of the driver's seat, said.
Chen Fan nodded slightly and said, "Then I wish Old Master Shao a long life and prosperity."
With that, he walked towards the Shao family's main gate.
"You two are just in time. Please come in. There are two seats missing at the northeast table, please be seated!"
A middle-aged man at the entrance greeted guests. Seeing that Chen Fan and the other man had an unusual demeanor, he smilingly invited them in.
He was indeed quite hospitable.
Chen Fan and Qin Tianyou took their seats, and the food began to be served.
Although it was common fare such as chicken, duck, fish, beef, lamb, and seafood, and not exquisite, it was still quite abundant.
"Let's try the local banquet."
Chen Fan picked up his chopsticks and said.
Qin Tianyou naturally obeyed.
The people at the same table, seeing two strangers, paid no mind and ate and drank heartily, talking loudly.
The Shao family had a good reputation locally, especially the generation of Old Master Shao, who had a reputation for integrity and benevolence.
However, the younger generation of the Shao family were all unremarkable. Below Old Master Shao, each generation was worse than the last.
As the meal was almost finished, they heard many rumors about the Shao family.
At this moment, the welcoming middle-aged man came over, holding a stack of red envelopes, distributing them one by one.
Qin Tianyou's expression was a little strange.
The red envelope was handed to Chen Fan and the two of them. Chen Fan smiled and blocked it, saying, "No need for red envelopes. We've benefited from your hospitality, and we're grateful for your family's kindness. May we offer our congratulations to the patriarch in person?"
The middle-aged man was taken aback.
He had already sensed that Chen Fan and the other man had an extraordinary demeanor, but he didn't know their identities or origins.
However, since it was a banquet, it was common for guests to express their gratitude to the host afterward.
He asked, "May I ask your names?"
"My surname is Chen, and his surname is Qin," Chen Fan said with a smile. "We originally came to discuss some matters with Young Master Shao, but we unexpectedly coincided with the patriarch's birthday and enjoyed the banquet. It would be impolite not to express our gratitude."
Seeing Chen Fan's relaxed tone, the middle-aged man didn't think much of it and said, "I am Shao Baihua. My father is in the main hall, and Moqing is also accompanying him. Please follow me."
Chen Fan calmly got up and entered the main hall of the second courtyard.
Old Master Shao, with white hair and beard, was in robust health. He sat in the hall, receiving the blessings of his children and grandchildren.
Chen Fan stepped forward and said loudly, "A family that accumulates virtue will surely have abundant blessings. Old Master Shao, I wish you a longevity as vast as the East Sea and a life as steadfast as the South Mountain!"
The old man looked up at the sound, a little confused, and smiled, "Thank you, thank you. We have guests. Please sit and have some tea!"
Shao Baihua, with a look of confusion, pulled a young man in his late twenties aside and asked in a low voice.
The young man looked distracted. After looking at Chen Fan and the other man, his expression changed slightly.
"Patriarch, there's no need for tea."
Chen Fan said, "I fear our unwelcome presence might disrupt the patriarch's birthday. We apologize in advance."
The words were abrupt, causing the expressions of all the Shao family disciples to turn unfriendly.
Old Master Shao also frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"
"Patriarch, you are a virtuous elder, but you have failed to teach your descendants well. If one of your descendants has made a grave mistake, how would you handle it?"
Chen Fan stared at the old man and asked.
"What do you two mean?"
Sensing that Chen Fan and the other man's intentions were not friendly, a burly man stepped forward and asked in a deep voice.
The other Shao family disciples also gathered around.
Shao Baihua regretted bringing Chen Fan and the other man in.
"Who is Shao Moqing?"
Chen Fan did not answer but scanned everyone and said in a deep voice.
The young man standing next to Shao Baihua's face suddenly turned pale.
He gritted his teeth and said, "I don't know you. Who are you? How dare you come to the Shao family to cause trouble?"
"Impudent! Don't you know where you are? How dare you run rampant here?"
"Do you think our Shao family is easy to bully?"
"Throw them out, don't annoy Grandpa!"
"..."
The younger generation of the Shao family were aggressive, rolling up their sleeves.
"Patriarch, this doesn't seem right, does it?"
Chen Fan said loudly.
Crack! Old Master Shao struck the ground with his cane and shouted, "All of you, stand aside! What kind of behavior is this?"
The Shao family disciples dared not disobey and spread out to both sides.
Old Master Shao squinted and said, "Gentlemen, what mistake has my Moqing made?"
"Why doesn't the patriarch let him say it himself?" Chen Fan looked at Shao Moqing and said with a smile.
"Moqing, kneel down. They've come all the way here, why aren't you confessing honestly?"
Old Master Shao said in a deep voice.
Shao Moqing hesitated and knelt before the patriarch, saying, "Grandpa, I really haven't made any mistakes. I don't know these two people at all."
Even so, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.