The Duan family patriarch sighed, "Second brother, why don't our family have any outstanding juniors like Yu Xi and Nan Xiao? If we did, why would we still be worrying and toiling at our age?"
Elder Duan gently patted his shoulder, "If it's tiring, then let go of power. Look at Old Nan; he handed over the reins early, which led to Nan Xiao's success. As for Yu Xi, she's a rare and brilliant person. You should stop hoping."
Just then, footsteps were heard outside the door.
Elder Duan exchanged a look with the Duan family patriarch, who quickly lay back down.
The next second, Duan Laoda and Duan Lao'er strode in.
Seeing his two sons enter, the Duan family patriarch stopped pretending and sat up against the headboard, "Feiyang, Senze, you've come at the right time. I have something to tell you."
Duan Feiyang looked at his father with joy, "Dad, are you better?!"
Duan Senze also joyfully held his father's hand, "Dad, your complexion is much better than it was at dinner! Yu Xi is truly a divine doctor; it's only been a short while!"
"We should thank Yu Xi properly, but now is not the time. I have more important things to tell you."
Duan Feiyang and Duan Senze immediately stood up straight with serious expressions.
The Duan family patriarch looked at Nan Xiao and Lan Yu Xi, "Xiao'er, Yu Xi, you've come with a purpose this time, right? All the decision-makers in our family are here now. You tell us; no matter if we can do it or not, we will do our utmost."
Lan Yu Xi curled her lips slightly. As expected of the patriarch, even when ill, his mind was sharp.
"Husband, you say it."
Nan Xiao nodded and began, "Xi Bao and I indeed have something. However, it's not our business, but a matter of national importance..."
Nan Xiao clearly and logically analyzed the current situation and then conveyed Ming Zi Cheng's words to them.
After listening to Nan Xiao, the Duan father and sons looked at Elder Duan.
Elder Duan's eyes immediately widened, "What are you looking at me for? You are the decision-makers!"
The Duan family patriarch pondered for a moment, then looked up at his two sons, "Xiao'er has finished speaking. I have a few words to say as well. I've decided that from today onwards, Feiyang will be the head of the Duan family. Senze, do you have any objections?"
Duan Senze, hearing his father address him, quickly replied, "Dad, don't worry. My relationship with Big Brother is no less than yours and Second Uncle's. Although I've been in the military, I will always be there to protect Big Brother if he needs me."
"Second brother, wait a moment." Duan Feiyang frowned slightly, "Dad, the will didn't say this before. I'm still young. If you want to rest, then let me help Second Uncle manage the household."
The Duan family patriarch pointed to the scraps of paper on the floor, "Your second uncle has already stated his position. This means you have to be the head of the family whether you want to or not! From now on, it's up to you, the head of the family, to decide whether we join the four great families."
Duan Feiyang pursed his lips tightly, "Yes! Setting aside Yu Xi's life-saving grace, just based on the relationship between our Duan family and the Nan family, we have to join. Nan Xiao is going to be Prime Minister in the future. We must have a place among the four great families to ensure Nan Xiao has no worries. If another family like the Zheng, Xue, or Wang families were to emerge, Nan Xiao would definitely have to be hesitant in his actions, let alone develop."
Duan Senze also nodded in agreement.
The Duan family patriarch said solemnly, "Joining the four great families means our family will become a target. The whole country will be watching us. Are you prepared for that?"
"Dad, there will be pressure, but your son is also a man. Nan Xiao is bearing so much pressure, and I have no reason to back down. Moreover, behind me, I have you, Second Uncle, Second Brother, and so many outstanding Duan family disciples as my support. I will definitely not drag my brother Nan Xiao down."
The Duan family patriarch smiled with satisfaction, "If I had known you had such courage, I would have let go earlier."
"If you had let go earlier, I really wouldn't have dared to take over, because I was too young then and couldn't manage this large family properly."
Elder Duan snorted, "Hmph, you're already in your forties and still have the nerve to call yourself young! Alright, I'll take them, the family of four, to eat. You guys chat."
Duan Feiyang heavily slapped his forehead, "I'd forgotten why Second Brother came. Nan Xiao, Yu Xi, quickly take the children to eat."
Nan Xiao nodded and reached out to take Lan Yu Xi's hand.
The Duan family patriarch winked at his second son, "Senze, go have a few drinks with Nan Xiao. Also, don't reveal the news of my recovery yet, not even to your wife."
Duan Senze was slightly stunned, then nodded and followed them out.
Elder Duan had already picked up Chao Chao and Mu Mu and led the way out.
Duan Senze accompanied Nan Xiao and Lan Yu Xi, following behind and making small talk.
Halfway, Lan Yu Xi suddenly changed the subject, "Second brother, does your former father-in-law Chen Mo occasionally visit?"
Duan Senze's expression darkened slightly, "That ungrateful wretch hasn't come even once since divorcing my aunt!"
"What about the child? He doesn't care?"
"When he divorced my aunt, it was because of a paternity test that declared my cousin wasn't his. Why would he care about Tingting?"
Nan Xiao frowned slightly, "How many paternity tests have been done?"
"He did one, and my aunt did one. The results were the same. But I always felt there was something fishy about this, because my aunt lived with us all along. If she had an affair, we would have known."
Lan Yu Xi raised her eyebrows slightly, "Is it possible they were switched at birth?"
Duan Senze shook his head, "No, they weren't switched, because my aunt and my cousin also did a paternity test."
Lan Yu Xi narrowed her eyes, "Where is your cousin now?"
"She's studying for her master's in the US. She probably won't come back because she's very self-conscious about this matter. She studied there for university and even brought my aunt over in her sophomore year... Why are you suddenly asking about Chen Mo? Did he get into trouble?"
Lan Yu Xi smiled and shook her head, "No, I just thought of him and asked casually."
Duan Senze looked at her with a smile and said no more.
"Ding—"
Lan Yu Xi heard a notification and quickly took out her phone to check.
"They've met. Let's go!"
Duan Senze asked in confusion, "What?"
Nan Xiao made a shushing gesture and pulled him along, following closely behind Lan Yu Xi. When Elder Duan turned to look, the three of them had already disappeared into the night.
Elder Duan paused, thought for a moment, and returned to his courtyard with the two children.
Meanwhile, Lan Yu Xi led Nan Xiao and Duan Senze through a series of turns to the back garden, where a dark figure flashed before them.