Changqing Street, heavily guarded, was the gathering place for top aristocratic families and old mansions of influential clans.
On this quiet, long street, outside a somewhat aged courtyard.
Chen Fan parked his car, his expression somewhat complex.
This was none other than the Chen family mansion.
Once it had flourished, bustling with guests.
However, in recent years, it had become too quiet.
Compared to the other residences on the same street, this place seemed rather desolate.
Getting out of the car, Chen Fan walked towards the main gate.
Two guards stepped forward, motioning for Chen Fan to reveal his identity.
This was no ordinary place; unless one was a familiar face, entry would not be granted easily.
Chen Fan chuckled and said, "I am Chen Tianjiao. I'm home now."
The two guards blinked, still uncertain, and gestured for Chen Fan to wait while they reported to the butler.
Chen Fan felt a sense of helplessness.
The feeling of needing to wait for notification to return to his own home was peculiar.
Of course, the Chen family was no ordinary household; it was a top aristocratic clan, so such a situation was understandable.
While he was waiting, a person emerged from the main gate.
About to get into his car to leave, his gaze swept over and landed on Chen Fan. The man froze, thinking he had seen incorrectly.
Then he strolled over and said, "Isn't this Chen Fan? Tsk tsk, you actually found your way here?"
The person who came out was none other than Xu Shengqing.
Chen Fan smiled faintly.
"What, are you here to see my cousin, or to seek an audience with the Old Master?" Xu Shengqing paced, his chin held high, speaking from a position of superiority. "Chen Fan, this is not a place you should be. That 'Mr. Long' won't work here!"
"Even if you were as wealthy as a nation, in this place, you're just a mere merchant, of the lowest status."
He sneered and said, "If you need something, you can approach me. In this little corner of the capital, I still have some influence."
Chen Fan found it amusing and said, "I'm afraid your influence isn't enough."
"My influence isn't enough?"
Xu Shengqing's face darkened, finding Chen Fan as obnoxious as ever.
He knew about the events in Hangjiang, of Su Yuhua's departure and Yuan Liangping's imprisonment... all of which were caused by Chen Fan.
He wasn't likely to be implicated by Yuan Liangping, but thinking of the grievances between himself and Chen Fan, he felt extremely displeased.
If it weren't for Chen Fan, why would he have had to slink back from Hangjiang, returning empty-handed?
"It seems I need to teach you a lesson," Xu Shengqing said sarcastically. "My influence may not always be enough, but it's more than sufficient to make you unable to find help in the capital. With a single word from me, you could stand at the Chen family gate until the end of time and it would be useless."
"If you were smart, you'd try to appease and flatter me now, instead of offending me!"
Chen Fan was slightly speechless and said, "Are you sure?"
Xu Shengqing said coldly, "What? You think I'm joking? Then just wait and see. Whatever your purpose in coming to the capital, I'll make sure you can't move an inch. And as for the Chen family's gate, you'll never get through it in your lifetime."
Saying this, he strode towards the gate.
With his status, a word to the Chen family's butler would be enough to grant him face.
Combined with his standing in the capital, making Chen Fan unable to move an inch wasn't an empty threat.
Having suffered repeated setbacks at Chen Fan's hands in Hangjiang was bad enough. The fact that this guy had come to the capital without being driven away like a loser made him, Young Master Xu, unable to swallow his pride.
He had taken only a few steps when he saw an elderly figure hurrying out.
"Grandpa Fu!"
Upon seeing the newcomer, Xu Shengqing plastered on a smile and went to greet him. "I was just about to talk to you about something."
"It's Young Master Shengqing. You haven't left yet? Then don't go, stay a while," the old man said with a smile. But he hurried past Xu Shengqing and went up to Chen Fan.
Seeing this, Xu Shengqing's face stiffened.
"Young Master, is that... is that really you? You're back!"
Approaching Chen Fan, the old man bowed, his face full of joy. He looked at Chen Fan's face and said, "You've lost weight. It seems you've suffered a lot!"
"Grandpa Fu."
Chen Fan greeted him, smiling. "The guards have changed. I can't even get into my own home."
"Ah, look at this mess. I'll scold them later." The old man was not annoyed, his voice filled with happiness.
The two guards showed a hint of embarrassment.
"It's fine, I was just making a joke," Chen Fan said with a smile, waving his hand. "Let's go see Grandpa first."
Meanwhile, Xu Shengqing's mouth hung open, wide enough to fit two duck eggs.
"Young Master Shengqing, don't just stand there, come in with us. The Old Master is overjoyed that the Young Master is back. Let's celebrate together!" Grandpa Fu said with a smile.
Xu Shengqing's face twitched violently, his expression incredibly complex.
Shock, disbelief, shame, and indignation flashed across his face, making it difficult to describe his current emotions.
Chen Fan stopped and looked at Xu Shengqing, smiling. "Cousin, I'm really curious, how exactly will you prevent me from entering the Chen family gate for my entire life?"
Xu Shengqing raised his hand, but it trembled. He let it drop feebly. "You... you are Tianjiao?"
He still refused to believe this was a fact.
How could he have imagined that the enemy who had opposed him in Hangjiang and made him look so pathetic was actually his own cousin, the only eldest young master of the Chen family whom he had always envied and been jealous of?
He had tried his best to perform and curry favor with the Old Master, even spending hundreds of millions on calligraphy and paintings to please him. All for what? Wasn't it to replace the cousin he hadn't seen for many years and become the heir of the Chen family?
He had thought Chen Fan was at the Chen family gate to seek help.
Who would have thought he was coming home?
He had had such a falling out with Chen Fan, even plotting to kill him more than once, only to discover he was his cousin?
His expression changed incessantly.
Chen Fan smiled and said, "Cousin, you say you'll prevent me, Chen Tianjiao, from entering the Chen family gate. That's truly domineering. Shall we go in and have a seat together?"
"I..."
Xu Shengqing desperately wanted to vomit blood and smash Chen Fan's mocking face to pieces.
But he naturally dared not. Suppressing his inner turmoil, he changed his expression and said, "It seems there's been a misunderstanding. I truly didn't recognize you, cousin, in Hangjiang. After all, you've changed so much after so many years. Please don't mind, cousin. I apologize."
Chen Fan smiled and said, "No need for apologies. In Hangjiang, it was indeed my intention to pretend I didn't know you, cousin. Well, cousin was using the Chen family's name, so I had to give you a lesson and a reminder!"
Xu Shengqing felt nauseous. He forced a smile that was more like crying. "Then thank you for the lesson, cousin. I will never forget my experiences in Hangjiang. I have something to attend to today, so I won't come in. We'll have a good chat another time. I'll be going now!"
He fled, hurrying away.
He felt as though he couldn't bear to stay another second, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into.
"Alright, there will be plenty of opportunities to have a good chat with cousin. I'll be waiting," Chen Fan said leisurely.
Xu Shengqing stumbled, not looking back, and got into the Lexus parked outside before driving away.
Chen Fan withdrew his gaze and smiled.
Grandpa Fu chuckled beside him, "Young Master Shengqing must be very disappointed!"
He was a loyal servant of the Old Master, having followed him for most of his life. He knew the family affairs like the back of his hand. Saying this was also a gentle reminder.
Chen Fan and the old butler walked through the Chen family gate. "He still has a long way to go."