"You're stretching it a bit there. You say the Hou Family has made no economic contributions, yet Hou Jingjing is clearly a high-ranking executive in a state-owned company. Doesn't that count?"

Xu Li retorted.

Chen Fang shook his head and said, "No, a state-owned company is national property, not her private enterprise. Moreover, given the current trends, the monopoly of state-owned enterprises will eventually be broken. Even some will step towards shareholding reforms. Take Boiling Point Group for example; although the Guyang City State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission holds the majority, it has become entirely marketized. Guan Xiaoxian isn't on a permanent contract, but he is still the key decision-maker of Boiling Point Group. Do you understand what I mean, Secretary Xu?"

"That makes sense, the future of state enterprises will be dominated by the market."

Xu Li hadn't yet spoken.

Xu Guan, on the other hand, nodded in agreement.

For some unknown reason, Xu Li just couldn't stand the sight of Chen Fang.

Perhaps, it was because the Xu Family scandal was exposed by this very young man in front of him.

He muttered, "I still think it's alarmist nonsense."

Xu Mao pondered for a while.

He said to Xu Nuo, "Nuo, take Comrade Chen to the guest room to rest and arrange some lunch."

"Okay, Dad."

After Xu Nuo spoke, he stood up.

Chen Fang slightly bowed to Xu Mao and then headed out the door.

He knew that the Xu Family would start internal discussions now.

As soon as Chen Fang left,

Xu Li couldn't wait to ask, "Dad, you can't seriously believe what he says, can you? He's all smooth talk; what else does he have?"

Xu Mao replied, "A young man, not even thirty and from a small town, yet able to see through the times – that alone makes him better than you. You don't really believe that becoming the head of this Ministry was solely your own doing, do you?"

"I…"

When his father spoke, Xu Li still didn't dare to talk back.

The words choked up in his throat, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

After a pause, he said, "But our Xu Family's disgrace, this big mess, it's all because of this young man."

"I think you are blinded by Tang Zhuqing, haven't you thought about it? The child she's carrying isn't even yours. Doesn't such a woman deserve to be ousted from our Xu Family?"

Xu Mao's voice gradually raised.

At that moment, Xu Li dared not speak.

"Guo, what do you think?"

Xu Mao turned to his second son, Xu Guan, and asked.

Xu Guan thought for a moment and said, "I actually find this young man quite interesting."

"As for the matter with Tang Zhuqing, as of now, it's not to be mentioned in our Xu Family anymore. Let's turn this page."

Xu Mao declared.

Xu Guan was stunned and asked, "Dad, if it really is as Chen Fang said, are we just going to let it go?"

"What else can we do if we don't let it go? The Hou Family is too powerful, we're no match for them, and, moreover, do we have any evidence?"

Xu Mao countered.

Xu Guan clenched his fist, glanced at the dejected Xu Li, and said, "This is really frustrating!"

"Frustrating as it may be, we have to endure it. You guys aren't as smart as others. However, we're not out of moves yet. Since the Hou Family has already made moves in Wulan City, it's time we got involved too..."

Xu Li suddenly looked up and said, "But, Dad, we haven't established any power in Wulan City."

Xu Mao's eyes narrowed, and he said, "Right now, don't we have one ready-made option?"

"Are you talking about Chen Fang?"

Xu Li asked incredulously.

Xu Mao slightly smiled and said, "Right now, Chen Fang has been expelled, and besides us, no one dares to help him. That's also why he wanted to see us. Your three children have already been reduced to two, and Guo has always been unmarried. The third generation of the Xu Family has no hope, so we might as well place our bets on Chen Fang. There might still be a turn of fortune..."

"Dad, are you suggesting… to pair Xiao Xue with..."

Xu Li asked.

Xu Mao nodded and said, "It's apparent that Xiao Xue is quite infatuated with Chen Fang. She's come to me several times after returning, pleading for me to save Chen Fang. More importantly, Chen Fang is also Xiao Xue's lifesaver. To have him marry into our Xu Family wouldn't be treating Xiao Xue unfairly."

"Dad… Chen Fang he…"

Xu Li was still reluctant, but before he could finish, Xu Mao interrupted him.

"I just said, Tang Zhuqing's matter is not to be mentioned again. No matter how much resentment you hold, the interests of the Xu Family come first. I'm going to ask Xiao Xue what she wants, and if she agrees, then it's settled."

Xu Mao was very firm.

Xu Li knew his father's temperament all too well. He opened his mouth but didn't dare contradict him further.

In a room on the second floor.

Xiao Xue was pacing anxiously.

She had already heard the news of Chen Fang's arrival home, helplessly, her father simply wouldn't let her leave the house, so she was scratching her ears and itching with urgency.

With a creak,"

the door suddenly pushed open.

Xu Mao wheeled in from outside.

Seeing Xu Mao, Xiaoxue was delighted.

"Grandfather!"

She exclaimed and greeted him.

"What, can't stay in your room?"

Xu Mao asked Xiaoxue, who kept glancing towards the door.

Xiaoxue's face turned red, and she shyly said, "Not really?"

"If not, then never mind, I'll be going,"

he finished.

Xu Mao was about to turn around.

Xiaoxue panicked.

She grabbed the wheelchair and said, "Grandfather, you are teasing me again. Auntie told me Chen Fang has arrived, but dad won't let me go out."

"Do you want to see him?"

Xu Mao asked.

Xiaoxue blushed, nodded, and hummed a confirmation.

Xu Mao, never having seen his granddaughter like this, felt somewhat clear about the situation and asked, "Tell Grandfather, do you like Chen Fang?"

"Grandfather..."

Xiaoxue twisted her body and acted coquettishly.

"Grandfather isn't teasing you, I'm asking you very seriously, tell me the truth,"

seeing Xu Mao so earnest.

Xiaoxue shivered a bit.

After hesitating for a while, she nodded and said, "I like him."

"Then if I let you marry him, would you agree?"

Xu Mao asked.

Xiaoxue's mouth opened wide in surprise, her face and neck flushed with color, she nodded slightly and said, "I would, but I don't know if he would agree."

Xu Mao scoffed, "My granddaughter marrying him, how could he possibly refuse? First, you have to agree. Once you agree, Chen Fang isn't a problem at all."

"Grandfather, you don't understand him, Chen Fang is different from other men,"

Xiaoxue defended.

Xu Mao smiled indulgently and said, "How many men have you met? What's so different about men? Our Xu family is influential and wealthy, and my granddaughter is so beautiful. As long as Chen Fang is a normal man, he'd nod in agreement without hesitation."

"Grandfather..."

Xiaoxue was just about to speak.

when Xu Mao interrupted her.

He said, "Alright, just stay calm in your room. I'll go meet him first. Wait for my good news."

After finishing.

he turned and left.

Already uneasy,

hearing that her grandfather intended to marry her to Chen Fang, Xiaoxue felt as if she was pricked by needles, unable to stand or sit properly.

Her heart was both fluttering and filled with anticipation and worry.

The feeling was indescribably uncomfortable.

Thinking again about the scenes of Chen Fang treating her, a silly smile appeared on the corners of her mouth.

In the living room downstairs.

Chen Fang had already finished his meal.

Having stayed in the detention center for seven or eight days, today's meal was the most delicious he had eaten in days.

Xu Nuo's hands were propped on her chin, watching Chen Fang devour his food, she couldn't help but giggle.

"What's the matter? Why are you laughing?"

Chen Fang asked puzzledly.

Xu Nuo smiled gently and said, "You eat so heartily, as if you haven't eaten for several lifetimes."

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