The next morning, Chen Fan was woken up by Chen Xing'er.
"Speak up, where did you go gallivanting off to this time?" Chen Xing'er stared at Chen Fan, her expression displeased. "You're never around, I don't even know what you're up to!"
"I'm doing important business, of course!" Chen Fan glanced at Chen Xing'er. "If you keep this up, I'm moving out!"
"You dare!" Chen Xing'er's eyebrows shot up. "If you dare move out, I'll tear down wherever you go!"
"Alright, Chen Xing'er, stop making a fuss," Chen Fan sat up and said, "I'm busy."
Though he said that, Chen Fan knew Chen Xing'er wasn't being unreasonable; she was just worried about him.
"I don't have anything to do today. What are you doing? Take me with you?"
Chen Xing'er changed her tune, blinking.
"I really can't take you!"
Chen Fan said.
"Where are you going that you can't take me? Are you going on a date?" Chen Xing'er scoffed.
"Don't be so superficial. I'm getting dressed, you should go out," Chen Fan said.
"So what if I don't go out?" Chen Xing'er retorted.
Chen Fan couldn't be bothered to argue. He got out of bed and started dressing.
Of course, he wasn't sleeping naked. He was wearing his underwear, and he didn't have much to hide from his sister.
Chen Xing'er gasped and, seeing the scars all over Chen Fan's body, was suddenly stunned.
"What did you go through in the military all these years?"
Chen Xing'er asked.
Looking down at the scars on his body, Chen Fan put on his clothes and said, "Nothing much, just a few minor injuries, nothing life-threatening!"
Chen Xing'er felt a pang of sadness. "I don't know what you've been busy with these days, but I always feel danger is lurking around you. You must be careful. If anything happens, tell me, and I'll ask Grandpa."
Chen Fan paused for a moment, then smiled casually. "Your brother has fought through countless battles and faced the smoke of war. What danger could there be in this little corner of the capital? Alright, I'm going to the restroom. Is breakfast ready?"
"It's ready."
Chen Xing'er's eyes were a little red as she left the room.
Chen Fan couldn't help but shake his head. He had been quite unaccustomed to life after leaving the battlefield, but things were much better now.
After tidying himself up, while still having breakfast with Chen Xing'er, he received a call from Shang Wushuang.
"Chen Tianjiao, don't forget about the banquet today!"
"I won't," Chen Fan replied. "Isn't it still early?"
"It is still early, but aren't you my boyfriend today?" Shang Wushuang said. "It's good to be prepared."
"Pick me up at the Dragon Ascent branch," Chen Fan said, hanging up.
Chen Xing'er, who was eating breakfast, heard Shang Wushuang's voice. "Who was that? Are you really going on a date?"
If she were being serious, it really was something like that.
Chen Fan wouldn't admit it. "I'm attending a banquet. If you have nothing to do, go keep Grandpa company."
"You know I don't like visiting Grandpa often. You have no idea what those relatives are like."
"Isn't it different now?"
Chen Fan said, "I really don't have time lately. Go there, see if there's anything going on in the family, and then report back to me. That way, they won't say I, the head of the Chen family, don't manage things and can't be found."
Speaking of that, quite a few of those Chen family relatives had wanted to meet him recently.
After all, he was now the head of the family, fully supported by the old man. They all wanted to build a good relationship with him.
"Alright, I'll go take a look today then."
Chen Xing'er nodded.
After breakfast, Chen Fan took Chen Xing'er's Lamborghini Aventador and drove off. On the way, he called Xiang Jingzhu, asking her to contact Han Wei to investigate Yang Shaoyu and the Yun Jian Private Club.
Not long after arriving at the company, Yu Fuguo called again, inviting him to dinner, which Chen Fan refused.
Since he was calling again, it meant the timing was almost right. Chen Fan didn't mind keeping him waiting a bit longer.
The main reason was that Yu Fuguo's social circle was too low, and Yang Shaoyu wasn't important enough. He needed to reel in someone of higher status.
Fishing was a skill. The bait had to be tempting, but the fish shouldn't be able to swallow it whole.
After not waiting too long, Shang Wushuang arrived downstairs at the company.
Chen Fan went downstairs and got into Shang Wushuang's car.
He was still dressed in a suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, looking refined and cultured.
"Your attire is a bit... never mind, you can fight anyway!"
Shang Wushuang glanced at Chen Fan and said.
She was wearing a casual sportswear outfit. After all, Fang Baiyan had a special status as someone from the martial arts world. Chen Fan's attire would seem less approachable at the banquet.
Of course, this wasn't a major issue.
"Do you know Fang Da?"
Chen Fan couldn't be bothered to care about these minor details. After sitting in the passenger seat, he asked casually.
"Yes!"
Shang Wushuang replied, "He's useless. Why are you asking about him?"
"I have something to ask him, and I need you to help create an opportunity at the banquet, is that possible?"
Chen Fan thought for a moment and said.
Shang Wushuang stared at Chen Fan. "I knew you wouldn't agree to this so easily. You have an ulterior motive, don't you?"
"What, you're not willing?" Chen Fan asked directly.
"Willing, of course, I'm willing."
Shang Wushuang rolled her eyes. "I'm helping you, so you have to reciprocate, right?"
"What do you mean?" Chen Fan asked.
"Someone might pester me at the banquet. You help me fend them off. That's not too much to ask, is it?"
"Sure," Chen Fan answered promptly.
Shang Wushuang gave him a look that said, "That's more like it," and drove towards the Fang family residence.
Forty minutes later, the car drove out of the city and arrived at the area where the eastern suburbs met the port city. They stopped outside a house that looked quite old and antique.
The Fang Residence!
The Fang family naturally had some standing, otherwise, the Shang family wouldn't be a long-standing ally.
According to what was said that morning, the Fang family had been in decline for decades. It wasn't until more than twenty years ago that Fang Baiyan rose to prominence, single-handedly supporting the Fang family and reviving their fortunes.
The reason for Fang Baiyan's revival of the Fang family, besides his own capabilities, was also his seizing of an opportunity to enter the education industry.
What Shang Wushuang didn't know was that it wasn't just about the opportunity. The Fang family's resurgence was also supported by forces behind the scenes.
Outside the Fang residence, various luxury cars were already parked, and guests were arriving in droves.
Fang Baiyan was involved in the martial arts world and also had extensive connections in secular society, so many people had come to offer their congratulations.
Two teams of young disciples dressed in white training attire, exuding a long, steady aura, were welcoming guests at the entrance. Their postures were straight and eye-catching.
The weather was already quite cold, but these disciples from the Fang family martial arts school were dressed thinly, yet they didn't seem to feel the chill, indicating they had all achieved a certain level of cultivation.
After parking the car, they got out. Shang Wushuang didn't go directly inside. Instead, she took something out of the trunk.
It was a long, rectangular wooden box, looking like an antique.
"What is this?" Chen Fan asked.
"Since we're here to celebrate a birthday, we naturally have to bring a gift. This is a spear named 'Dian Xing'."
Shang Wushuang said, "Chen... Chen Zhuo, can you have some gentlemanly manners? You hold this."
Chen Fan took it. It felt surprisingly heavy in his hands, perhaps twenty pounds.
The two walked towards the entrance.
A disciple immediately came forward to greet them.
"Sister Wushuang!" The disciple, with a crew cut and an efficient demeanor, cupped his fists. "Sister Wushuang, welcome, welcome! Please come in, you and this gentleman. I'll lead the way!"
Shang Wushuang nodded, gesturing for Chen Fan to follow, and they entered the grand residence behind the Fang family disciple.