In the depths of the bamboo grove, within a grand mansion.

Xu Mao was dozing off in the study while listening to the radio.

Amidst the melodious opera sounds, his snores gradually grew louder.

After all, he was over seventy years old, and his body was no longer as it had been in the past.

Originally quite robust, he had fainted upon hearing about Tang Zhuqing's incident. When he had regained consciousness, his legs were already unsteady. After a visit to the hospital, the doctor said there were signs of a stroke.

Among the second generation of the three major families in Yuanjing, Xu Li's achievements were the highest.

But such accomplishments weren't obtained through Xu Li's abilities alone.

Rather, it was the result of Xu Mao channeling all resources towards him.

The only person in the family who truly had brains was the third child, Xu Yan.

Regrettably, due to his favoritism towards sons over daughters, Xu Yan had already fallen out with the family and rarely returned home.

Frankly speaking, among the second generation of the three great families, Xu Family's two sons were the most mediocre in terms of talents.

The Hou Family, needless to say, had four sons, each one a ruthless character. One could glimpse this through Tang Zhuqing's "extermination of descendants" plan.

The two sons of the Dong Family were both serving in the military.

Compared to the sycophancy of the political scene, they were naturally much steadier, making progress step by step in a solid and secure manner.

Now Xu Mao's health was failing again.

He was becoming increasingly worried about the future direction of the family.

This was why he was making a desperate gamble by placing his bet on Chen Fang.

"Thud, thud, thud."

A series of urgent knocking on the door suddenly awakened Xu Mao from his feigned sleep.

He opened his eyes and said with some displeasure, "Come in."

The door creaked open.

Xu Guan hurried in and said, "Dad, Chen Fang is missing."

The still somewhat groggy Xu Mao suddenly widened his eyes and exclaimed, "What did you say? Missing?"

"It's not exactly missing; I checked. Chen Fang was taken away by Dong Youying from the Dong Family, and there has been no news since," Xu Guan explained.

"Dong Youying?"

Xu Mao muttered.

Suddenly sitting up, he said, "Not good, the Dong Family is also trying to win over Chen Fang. How could I have overlooked this?"

"Dad, what do we do now?" Xu Guan asked.

It was clear from Xu Mao's face that he was becoming increasingly anxious.

Having dominated the political scene for so many years, he could tell that Chen Fang was a talent. The only reason he had driven him out of the Xu Family was to discipline him.

Now, it had turned out to be a loss of both wife and troops.

At this point, he had no choice but to yield.

Xu Mao let out a long sigh and said, "Prepare the car, we are going to the Dong Family to fetch him."

"Dad, we were the ones who drove him away, and now we are the ones going to fetch him. Does the Xu Family's dignity matter at all?" Xu Guan said somewhat displeased.

Xu Mao gave him a glance and said, "Dignity is a minor matter; losing a person is a major problem. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have let him leave…"

Around ten in the morning.

Inside a villa in a certain military district compound.

An elderly man dressed in a Tang suit was feeding chickens in the courtyard.

You heard right; he was indeed feeding chickens.

In the large courtyard, surrounded by a chicken pen, there were several old hens.

The elderly man looked full of vitality, holding a bowl and scattering feed inside the pen.

At this moment, a middle-aged man hurried over.

This man was quite robust-looking, with a square face and an air of military authority about him.

"Dad."

The middle-aged man called out.

The elderly man turned around and asked, "Has your sister not returned yet?"

The middle-aged man was taken aback and said, "I don't know where she's gone wild again, I can't get through to her phone, Dad, I'm not talking about that. The guardhouse called saying a guest has arrived."

"Guest? Don't see them! It's finally a weekend, and I don't feel like dealing with it," said the elderly man, waving his hand dismissively.

This person was none other than Dong Fuzhong, the head of the Dong Family.

And the middle-aged man beside him was his eldest son, Dong Ankui.

"Dad, the guests are Lord Xu, and his second son, Xu Guan,"

Dong Ankui whispered.

The movement in Dong Fuzhong's hands paused abruptly, and he turned to look at Dong Ankui and asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yes! I was quite shocked as well at first, but after confirming, it really is them!"

Dong Ankui said.

Dong Fuzhong muttered, "Ever since his eldest grandson died, the two families have ceased contact. Back when your brother and his third child Xu Yan were engaged, it was this old man who sabotaged it. It's been so many years, and now suddenly he shows up at our doorstep."

"Dad, I heard..."

Having said this, Dong Ankui whispered a few words in Dong Fuzhong's ear.

Dong Fuzhong was startled.

He asked, "Are you sure?"

"The death of Tang Zhuqing is all over the small circles in Yuanjing. However, the Xu Family hasn't held a funeral, and I've also checked with the military district in Wulan City, it's almost certain it's true."

Dong Ankui explained.

A smile appeared on Dong Fuzhong's face.

He said, "Interesting, it seems this old man is here to ask for help. Notify the security office, let them in."

Having said this,

Dong Fuzhong set down the bowl he was using to feed the chickens.

He walked into the living room.

A few minutes later,

Xu Guan, pushing a wheelchair, entered the grand hall of the Dong family's villa.

Upon seeing Xu Mao,

Dong Fuzhong was first taken aback, then hurriedly stood up, his face filled with worry as he approached and asked, "Old pal, what happened to you? How did you end up in a wheelchair?"

"Are you disappointed to see me still alive?"

Xu Mao asked with a frown.

Dong Fuzhong said disdainfully, "What kind of talk is that, we were once in-laws after all, having arranged a marital alliance between our children, how could I wish you dead?"

"Old Dong, I won't beat around the bush. Hand the person over to me, and I won't hold it against you,"

Xu Mao stated gravely.

Dong Fuzhong was taken aback.

He furrowed his brows and asked, "A person? What person, to hand over to you?"

"Stop playing dumb. I don't want to waste words. Chen Fang is my chosen grandson-in-law, don't compete with me for him. I also know what you're scheming, trying to poach him as revenge for me ruining your son's marriage with Xu Yan. If you have demands, just state them, but Chen Fang must be handed over to me,"

Xu Mao said coldly.

Dong Fuzhong had never even heard of the name Chen Fang.

But he was also a cunning fox.

Hearing Xu Mao speak so decisively, he knew there was a problem.

He paused, then feigned profundity, "Old Xu, I don't understand what you mean. If you're here to visit, I welcome you, but if you're here to cause trouble, I won't indulge you. The Dong Family might not be as strong as your Xu Family, but don't push me too far. I, Dong Fuzhong, am not to be trifled with."

In Xu Mao's view,

Dong Fuzhong's words meant he didn't want to give up the person.

He said, "Old man, stop putting on a show here. I have checked everything. Chen Fang and your daughter Youying got on the same car. Still pretending you don't understand? Do you think that's interesting?"

Youying?

Upon hearing this,

Dong Fuzhong's heart skipped a beat.

He truly did not know about this.

But the more urgently Xu Mao demanded, the more comfort Dong Fuzhong felt.

Who wasn't holding back a grudge, after all?

He scoffed and said, "Old fool, I think you're getting more and more confused. You say he's supposed to be your grandson-in-law, so why did he get into my daughter's car? I don't understand how young people think, but since he has befriended my daughter, you can't interfere, right?"

"So, you're clearly saying you want to compete with me?"

Xu Mao asked through gritted teeth.

Dong Fuzhong replied coldly, "So what if I am? Who he belongs to will depend on who is more capable. I haven't forced him at gunpoint to stay out all night with my daughter..."

"Stayed out all night"—these were the key words.

Deliberately spoken for Xu Mao to hear.

Upon hearing this, Xu Mao immediately felt his teeth itch with hatred.

This look delighted Dong Fuzhong immensely.

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