“Here?” Xiao Jie asked in surprise, but still pulled over to the side.
Ji Shaojun got out of the car and thanked Xiao Jie, “You can head back first, no need to wait for me.”
Not used to formal wear, he took off his suit jacket and loosened his tie, walking towards the entrance wearing just his shirt.
Ji Shaojun had visited Jiang University with Shen Qing before. The administration office had personally called back then. Though it had only been two months, the security guard noticed something different about Ji Shaojun’s demeanor, but still recognized him.
“Oh, it’s you.” He directly gave Ji Shaojun the green light to enter.
“Thanks,” Ji Shaojun was about to message Bai Lian, but seeing the guard open the gate, he pulled out his cigarette pack from his pocket and offered one to him, “I’m here to see my niece.”
He briefly explained his reason and entered after exchanging a few words with the guard.
Bai Lian said she was at the Celebrity Bronze Statue Plaza, so Ji Shaojun went straight there to find them.
As Xiao Jie drove away, he watched through the rearview mirror as Ji Shaojun chatted pleasantly with the guard, even offering him a cigarette before entering. Since when did Ji Shaojun become so familiar with Jiang University’s security?
Meanwhile, at Yonghui Garden.
The venue for the Xu family banquet.
Not everyone could visit 29 Changping Street. Those who could personally deliver gifts to the Xu residence today all had some political or business dealings with the Xu family.
Most people only received the address for Yonghui Garden.
A middle-aged man was greeting Old Madam Xu and others.
“Wenyao,” Old Madam Xu smiled as she introduced him to Xu Wenyao, “Just call him Second Uncle.”
Xu Zhengfei looked at Xu Wenyao, nodding slightly with a warm tone, “So you’re Wenyao. I heard from your grandmother that you’re preparing for graduate school. Not bad.”
After exchanging a few words with Xu Wenyao, he looked behind Old Madam Xu, “Didn’t you say both children in the family did well in their exams? Wasn’t one of them this year’s top scorer?”
Hearing Old Madam Xu mention Bai Lian, Xu En couldn’t help but glance at her.
“Well…” Old Madam Xu sighed, “The children have run into some issues lately.”
Xu Zhiyue had been discharged from the hospital a few days ago. Xu En had arranged counseling for her. Old Madam Xu should have brought her today, but given the crowd, Xu En didn’t let Xu Zhiyue come.
“I see, let’s head inside,” Xu Zhengfei said, showing some disappointment.
Xu Zhengfei led the Xu family group into Yonghui Garden.
Ji Mulan nervously grabbed Xu En’s hand as she noticed several people passing by whom she recognized from the news.
Yonghui Garden was vast. After walking nearly two hundred meters down the main path, they saw the magnificent banquet hall ahead, with a large artificial lake beside it.
There was a pavilion in the middle of the artificial lake, lit up with lights.
As Ji Mulan approached, she noticed a black motorcycle parked at the banquet hall entrance. It had sleek lines, with a helmet hanging on the left side, reflecting cold light under the lamps like a fierce beast crouching at the door.
Seeing Ji Mulan and others looking at the motorcycle, Xu Zhengfei lowered his voice: “That should be Young Master Three’s bike.”
Everyone who knew Xu Nanjing was aware of the Third Young Master’s hobby.
“Third Young Master?” Neither Xu En nor Xu Wenyao were interested in motorcycles, but hearing it belonged to the Third Young Master Xu, they took another look.
“Who else would dare park their bike here?” Xu Zhengfei also looked at the vehicle.
He led Xu Wenyao and Xu En inside. The lounge area was already filled with people, most acquaintances sitting together chatting, exchanging friendly nods when meeting.
At such a grand feast, those who had connections to get in were all extraordinary people.
Xu Zhengfei took Xu En’s group to the second floor, respectfully knocking on the first door: “Uncle Lin.”
The door opened from inside, and Uncle Lin, wearing a black robe, scanned Xu En’s group, “The child you mentioned didn’t come?”
“She’s not in good condition,” Xu Zhengfei answered, lowering his head.
Uncle Lin nodded slightly, not asking further, only reminding Xu Zhengfei, “The Old Master is meeting important guests on the third floor. Don’t go up there.”
After paying respects to Uncle Lin, Xu Zhengfei went back downstairs.
The Xu family members didn’t get to say much, only glancing at the third-floor stairway as they left.
The stairway was heavily guarded.
On the third floor, in the lounge.
Behind the heavy doors.
When Old Chen arrived, all the direct Xu family members were present.
Old Master Xu was shaking hands with the Chen family patriarch, Chen Xiao, “Old Chen, with your poor health, we’ve troubled you to come all this way.”
Chen Xiao coughed lightly, “I had to come for such a joyous occasion.”
Xu Jueling and Xu Jueming also rose to greet Old Chen.
“Recently, I don’t know what Nanjing and Beixuan have been up to,” Old Master Xu wore a Tang suit, holding a white jade teacup, glancing at Xu Nanjing who was slouching nearby, idly peeling sunflower seeds, “They’re causing quite a stir.”
The Yunxiao District clubhouse was completely shut down for rectification, and many bureau officials were replaced from top to bottom.
Not only were people speculating online, but the commotion was big enough for Old Master Xu to know about it.
Chen Xiao smiled, “Nanjing is doing very well.”
Speaking of Xu Nanjing, Old Master Xu was naturally very pleased, “Indeed, he’s more capable than his father.”
As they talked, sitting below, Xu Jueming’s expression notably changed.
The heavy lounge door opened, “Master, Young Master Jiang has arrived.”
At these words, the lounge instantly fell silent. Xu Nanjing quickly stood up, looking towards the door. Old Master Xu and Chen Xiao also put down their cups and stood.
Xu Jueming glanced at his two children, his expression worsening.
He knew Xu Nanjing was close to Jiang Fuli, but hadn’t expected Jiang Fuli to actually come.
Outside the main door, several figures slowly walked in.
The leader wore a white shirt, silk striped tie, and unusually, a black suit, making his face appear even colder, his gaze frosty.
“Old Master Xu, Old Master Chen, I apologize for being late.”
Jiang Fuli looked back, and Ming Dongheng stepped forward to hand the gift to Old Master Xu.
“This is the perfect time, Young Master Jiang, you’ve arrived just right.” Old Master Xu smiled, the wrinkles on his face showing his delight.
Jiang Fuli sat beside Old Master Xu, and only then did the others sit down one by one.
Xu Jueming led Xu Jinyi and Xu Jin to greet Jiang Fuli, “Young Master Jiang.”
Jiang Fuli raised his eyebrows slightly, nodding, noble yet cold.
Today was Old Master Xu’s birthday, so they discussed light topics.
Jiang Fuli didn’t participate, only picking up the nearby teacup and lowering his gaze to blow on it gently. His expression was so cold that people several meters away could feel the chill, and no one dared ask him anything.
The lounge became much quieter than before.
A few minutes later, Jiang Fuli’s phone rang once, and he took it out to look.
It was Bai Lian replying to his message.
She was eating in the cafeteria with Ji Shaojun and Yang Lin, and sent him a balance screenshot—
[999662.9]
Jiang Fuli ignored the card balance, his slender fingers tapping the phone screen, replying directly: [Is Uncle Ji still there?]
His expression noticeably softened.
After sitting for a few more minutes, he gripped his phone.
Standing up, he politely bid farewell to the Xu family.
Old Master Xu hadn’t expected him to leave so hurriedly, but didn’t question it, knowing Jiang Fuli was a workaholic and assuming he was returning to the laboratory.
They took a private elevator directly from the third floor to another exit, passing through areas all guarded by security.
After Jiang Fuli left, Xu Jueling remembered something earlier and turned to look at Xu Nanjing, “What’s really going on in the Yunxiao District?”
“I’m not too sure either.” Xu Nanjing was actually also puzzled. Regarding Bai Lian, he knew Jiang Fuli wouldn’t let Yu Hongjing and his group off easily.
Xu Nanjing had anticipated the matter would be serious.
But he hadn’t expected it to be this serious – everyone in the Yunxiao District being replaced?
Had the matter escalated to such a level?
Nearby, Xu Jueming’s group stopped at the elevator.
Someone respectfully called out to Xu Jinyi: “Young Miss, Miss Chen has arrived.”
“Jinyi,” Xu Jueming turned to look at his daughter, then came back to his senses, “Which Miss Chen?”
The socialite circle in Jiangjiang was led by Xu Jinyi, who was also the only young woman among several major family clans in the area.
Xu Jinyi looked at the closed elevator doors, “Chen Beixuan. Yu Hongyi’s family has been causing trouble for her recently. I don’t know the situation, but they’re begging me to arrange a meeting with Miss Beixuan.”
Because of Old Master Chen’s connection, Xu Jueming also knew about Yu Hongyi.
Hearing this, he didn’t say anything more.
Xu Jinyi turned and went downstairs.
On the second floor, Yu Hongyi was no longer as spirited as before. Standing at the stairway waiting, upon seeing Xu Jinyi, she forced herself to speak, “Young Miss.”
Chen Luping beside Yu Hongyi also looked dejected as he greeted Xu Jinyi.
Yu Hongyi hadn’t directly participated in the clubhouse incident.
But she was under investigation too, nominally cooperating with the investigation, but in reality, all her work had been suspended.
Xu Jinyi had extensive connections and could network in any circle.
Chen Beixuan was in the end lounge, with the door open.
Even at such an occasion, she still wore combat gear, one hand across her chest.
Her gaze swept past Yu Hongyi as she nodded slightly to Xu Jinyi.
Xu Jinyi didn’t interrupt their conversation.
“Miss Beixuan,” Chen Beixuan wasn’t Ming Dongheng. Chen Beixuan had been on countless battlefields, and her killing intent was real. Yu Hongyi spoke under pressure: “I know my brother offended someone he shouldn’t have, but isn’t the proposed sentence a bit too harsh?”
Her implied meaning was that things had become this way because the Chen and Jiang families had interfered quite a bit.
Beside Yu Hongyi, Chen Luping also nodded, “If this gets out, it won’t be good for Miss Bai either…”
Chen Luping had heard about Bai Lian, the person from North City.
The Jiang family was also involved in mediating this matter.
Hearing them mention these things, Chen Beixuan dropped her hand, putting both hands in her pockets, looking at them askance, “You think things have developed this way entirely because of the Jiang or Chen families?”
Yu Hongyi and Chen Luping lowered their heads without speaking, but that was clearly what they meant.
Those few people with Xu En didn’t have much family background.
And Bai Lian was from North City, with no records of them in Jiangjiang. Besides the Jiang and Chen families, who else could it be?
“By now, neither the Chen family nor the Jiang family can control this matter anymore,” Chen Beixuan looked at the two, “The people handling this case now are from the CLA. Ordinary people might not know, but you two should understand, right? They haven’t thoroughly investigated your Yu family’s past three generations only because of my grandfather’s face.”
“What?!”
Hearing those three letters from Chen Beixuan’s mouth, Chen Luping and Yu Hongyi’s expressions changed dramatically.
CLA, the national special department, the highest-level secret agency.
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