The three people in the hall turned to look at Chen Fan at the sound.
Their expressions varied.
The middle-aged woman stood up, sizing Chen Fan up, a flicker of excitement and a touch of emotion in her eyes.
"My, a prodigy! I haven't seen one in years. You must have suffered a lot in the army all these years. Come, let your aunt have a good look!"
Chen Fan chuckled, "The army is a furnace, forging raw iron into steel. Suffering isn't the word!"
The woman stepped forward, affectionately taking Chen Fan's hand. "Let me see, you've grown so tall, even taller than your father was at that age, and your posture is so upright. Ah, if your parents could see this, they would be so proud!"
As she spoke, her eyes began to well up.
Chen Fan held her hand, changing the subject. "Aunt, you've certainly become more prosperous, but you're still as beautiful as ever!"
"You child, you never used to be so sweet-mouthed!"
Hearing Chen Fan's words, the woman laughed and asked, "How have you been all these years?"
"Very well!" Chen Fan smiled slightly, looking at the young man and woman. "Are these my cousin and cousin? They've grown up in the blink of an eye."
"Yes!" the woman nodded with a smile, then turned and chided, "He'er, Xi Xi, aren't you going to greet your cousin and cousin?"
The young girl looked at Chen Fan with curiosity and called out, "Prodigy cousin, Star cousin!"
Chen Fan nodded in greeting and said, "Xi Xi has grown into a young lady!"
"Cousin, Sister Star!"
Unlike the girl, the young man's eyes held a hint of distance and caution, tinged with a trace of hostility.
Chen Fan also nodded and asked, "Chang He, what are you doing now?"
"Still studying, pursuing a doctorate!"
The young man said with a calm but proud demeanor.
"That's truly excellent," Chen Fan smiled and sat down beside his aunt, making small talk.
His aunt's name was Chen Wenrui. She had been decent to him back then.
Of course, "decent" was all there was to it; there was nothing exceptionally good about it.
Especially after she got married and started her own family, her attention to Chen Fan and his sister waned considerably.
After all, Chen Fan and his sister were merely her nephew and niece. Once she had her own children, the familial bond naturally loosened.
"Uncle isn't here?" Chen Fan asked.
"Your uncle is busy with company matters and has many social engagements. He'll be here in a while."
Chen Wenrui smiled, "Another subsidiary of his energy company is going public, so he's busier than usual lately."
"His career has certainly developed well over the years, with good connections and resources, but he's never home!"
Chen Fan chuckled, "As long as he's doing well, that's what matters!"
"We're managing."
Chen Wenrui was quite content with her current life and asked, "Prodigy, you joined the army and were away for over a decade. I must ask, how has your career progressed in the military? What's your rank now?"
"Serving the country is enough, there's no talk of career progression," Chen Fan said with a smile. "As for my rank, it's not worth mentioning!"
Chen Wenrui shook her head. "In my opinion, you should have come back much sooner. You were away for over a decade, only to return home in the end?"
"Serving on the frontier is a glorious undertaking, but you must also consider your own future."
Chen Wenrui continued, "With your grandfather's influence, you could have done so much more. Being a soldier ultimately leads to retirement, and the meager severance pay is meaningless!"
Chen Fan smiled faintly at this.
It seemed his aunt had misunderstood, believing he had served until retirement and had now returned.
His experiences in the military were kept confidential, and his aunt was clearly not well-informed.
Even if she asked his grandfather, he wouldn't say.
It was no wonder she misunderstood. The old housekeeper had told them that the family banquet was being held because Chen Fan had returned to the Chen family, so she naturally assumed Chen Fan would not be returning to the army.
However, Chen Fan had no intention of correcting her. "It's alright!" he replied.
"I think you've been in the army too long and gone a bit… never mind. What are your plans now that you're back? Has your grandfather made arrangements for you?"
Chen Wenrui's voice rose slightly.
Chen Fan smiled and nodded. "Arrangements have been made, so you don't need to worry, Aunt!"
"Is your grandfather arranging for you to enter politics?"
Chen Wenrui's eyes lit up with understanding. She nodded, "Although some years have been delayed, your starting point will be a little behind other noble heirs. But with your grandfather here, it's not a significant issue."
"If there's anything you need help with, don't hesitate to ask. I have a company myself, and I know some people in the capital. Coupled with your uncle, we can certainly provide some assistance!"
A warmth flowed through Chen Fan's heart. "Okay, Aunt!"
"That's the spirit." Chen Wenrui patted Chen Fan on the shoulder. "We're all family. With your parents gone, your other aunt and I have an obligation to look after you and your sister."
Chen Fan smiled and nodded.
Chen Xing'er, who had been listening, secretly curled her lip.
Others might not know, but did she not know Mr. Long's identity as Chen Fan?
The scale of the Longteng Group was far beyond what her aunt's company could compare to.
Of course, she wouldn't interject. She knew her aunt had always been quite good to her and her brother.
On the other side, Dong Changhe also curled his lip, a hint of disdain appearing in his eyes.
He had thought that after disappearing for so many years, his cousin must have achieved something remarkable. To think that he had returned in disgrace!
And he needed his mother's help?
He had been wary and somewhat hostile towards Chen Fan earlier, but now he couldn't help but look down on him, completely dismissive.
Just then, steady footsteps echoed from outside.
Two figures entered, drawing Chen Fan's attention.
The two who entered were young men, with tall, imposing figures, dressed in military uniforms.
The one in front was a man nearing thirty, with a calm and resolute face. He moved with an agile gait, his crisp and efficient military demeanor particularly evident.
Looking at the epaulets on his shoulders, he was clearly an officer.
The one behind was no less impressive. Although his rank was one level lower, he was still striking at such a young age.
Chen Fan was slightly surprised.
Not by the identity of these two soldiers, but by the excellence of these two Chen family scions.
He wasn't entirely oblivious to the other Chen family members. He knew that his second uncle's side had two cousins who had joined the army and were doing quite well.
They had joined the Beijing Military Region, so they were not in the same service branch as Chen Fan.
However, their bearing and temperament were indeed commendable, living up to the reputation of the older generation.
"Brother Tianyang, Brother Tianhua!"
Dong Changhe strode forward, greeting them.
"Changhe!"
The two greeted Dong Changhe and then called out, "Aunt Wenrui, Sister Xing'er!"
After the pleasantries, their gazes fixed on Chen Fan.
Their eyes were sharp, scrutinizing Chen Fan.
Chen Fan stood up and nodded, smiling. "Tianyang and Tianhua?"
"Prodigy?"
The elder Chen Tianyang squinted. "It's been too long since we last met, over a decade!"
"I've forgotten what you look like. If I saw you on the street, I wouldn't recognize you at all!"
The younger Chen Tianhua lunged forward, grasping Chen Fan's hand. "You've been in the military for over ten years without any news. I guessed you must be in some secret special forces unit!"
As he spoke, he began to apply pressure.
His grip was quite strong, whether he was testing the waters or had some ulterior motive.