Xuu Wangyang? Isn't that—?
Chen Fei's expression sobered for a mont before he smiled. "Hello, Uncle Xuu. It's a pleasure to et you, too."
"...Dad, Big Brother, I'm back." Just then, a bright, cheerful female voice sounded from the doorway. A short-haired, energetic middle-aged woman pushed the door open and walked in, followed by a man in his forties and a beautiful, vibrant teenage girl.
They were none other than Old Master Xuu's youngest daughter, Xuu Peiyi, her husband, Zhuo Wanshan, and their daughter, Zhuo Yunting.
Zhuo Wanshan was the fourth son of the Zhuo Family's patriarch in Capital City. Although he had not chosen a career in civil service, he was now making a na for himself in the business world. He had single-handedly founded the Yunhai Group, a renowned na in Capital City's real estate industry with a market value in the tens of billions.
As for the young and beautiful Zhuo Yunting, she was a well-known "little princess" in Capital City. Possessing both beauty and intelligence, she had already received an invitation to pursue a master's degree at Yale University at the age of eighteen. Like her parents, she was usually the center of attention, the star around whom everyone orbited.
At this mont, however, there was no trace of arrogance or self-importance on her face; instead, she seed sowhat cautious. Upon entering the room, she greeted the Old Master and Xuu Wangyang.
"Grandpa, Uncle."
"Old Master, Brother-in-law..." Her father, Zhuo Wanshan, followed suit, also appearing sowhat restrained.
It couldn't be helped. Before them stood Old Master Xuu, one of the most venerable n not just in Capital City but in all of Huaxia—a towering figure of the Republic.
Moreover, while the Old Master was friendly and gentle with Chen Fei, he was typically extrely strict at ho, especially regarding his children's upbringing. Consequently, even a bright and lovely princess like Zhuo Yunting felt a little scared in her grandfather's presence. It was even more so for an outsider like Zhuo Wanshan. Even though he was a son-in-law, he still wasn't related by blood, was he?
"You're back? Have a seat. Yunting, co over to Grandpa. Let see if you've grown taller. Wanshan, don't just stand there. Sit down," the Old Master said, seemingly in an exceptionally good mood today. He beckoned to his granddaughter with a smile, then turned to his daughter with a slightly serious tone. "Peiyi, this young man is Chen Fei. This is my youngest daughter, Xuu Peiyi. Go on, get acquainted."
"Hello, Doctor Chen. I'm Xuu Peiyi," she said, extending her hand gratefully. "Thank you so much for all your help with my father's condition." She seed to already know about Chen Fei, so she wasn't surprised by his age.
"Hello, Aunt Xuu. I'm Chen Fei," he replied, shaking her hand with a smile. "Really, you're all too polite. Old Master Xuu has dedicated his life to serving the country and its people. He's a great hero whom I deeply admire. It's my honor to be able to help him in so small way." Chen Fei found himself repeating similar sentints.
Hearing his words, both Xuu Wangyang and Xuu Peiyi couldn't help but smile warmly. After all, their father was a great hero, respected and admired by all. Nothing could make them prouder. Since childhood, as the Old Master's children, this was the kind of praise they loved to hear most, for it filled them with warmth and pride.
"Mr. Chen, a pleasure to et you. I am Zhuo Wanshan, Peiyi's husband. I'm very happy to make your acquaintance," Zhuo Wanshan said, seizing the opportune mont to step forward and extend his hand.
"Hello, Uncle Zhuo," Chen Fei replied, shaking his hand before a thought struck him. "The surna Zhuo... I wonder, what is your relationship to Secretary Zhuo Qun?" He recalled that Secretary Zhuo Qun was also from Capital City.
"He is my third brother," Zhuo Wanshan replied at once with a smile. "In the future, I hope Mr. Chen will be able to look after him."
He had initially opposed his third brother's decision to inexplicably run off to Jiangnan to serve as the party secretary of an Earth Level city. With the Zhuo Family's power and influence in Capital City, it seed an unnecessary move. Wouldn't it have been better to stay and compete for the position of Vice Minister of Land and Resources? Many had shared his opinion at the ti, but his brother had gone ahead with unwavering resolve. What had seed foolish then now appeared to be the height of wisdom.
After all, how could a young man treated with such courtesy by the venerable Old Master Xuu be anything but extraordinary? Building a good relationship with such a figure was far more valuable than a 're' vice minister position.
However, while Zhuo Wanshan had reached this understanding, his daughter, Zhuo Yunting, was stunned by her father's words, her mother's earlier attitude, and her grandfather's treatnt of Chen Fei.
Who on earth is this young man? Why would Father ask him to take care of Third Uncle? And Mom, and Grandpa, their reactions...? Zhuo Yunting sneaked a glance at Chen Fei's back, her beautiful eyes flickering with confusion.
She knew that in her family, leaving aside her businessman father, even the lowest-ranking mber was her mother, a departnt head in the Ministry of Health, who was an influential figure by any standard. That wasn't even ntioning her uncle or her grandfather. Yet, in front of this powerful group, her father had actually asked this young man, who looked to be in his twenties at most, to take care of her third uncle—a party secretary of an Earth Level city.
Most importantly, when her uncle and grandfather heard this, they both wore expressions that suggested it was perfectly normal. What did that imply?
It ans he actually has the qualifications and power to do so. Her head started to spin. What are this young man's origins? Why have I never heard of him before...?
"Uncle Zhuo, you must be joking. How could I possibly look after Secretary Zhuo?" Chen Fei responded with a wry smile. Hearing this, he was left speechless. He wasn't a governnt official; what kind of care could he provide?
Seeing this, the Old Master chuckled, not wishing to continue the topic. He stood up and announced, "Alright, alright. Since everyone's here, let's eat. Young Chen, it's a rare occasion for you to be in Capital City, so you must have a good drink with ! That goes for you two as well, Wangyang, Wanshan, understand?"
"Dad, your health..." Xuu Peiyi protested with slight dissatisfaction. She was worried that drinking might be bad for the old man's health.
"Don't worry! Ever since Young Chen treated , I've been immune to all poisons. A little drink won't cause any problems, right?" The Old Master quickly sought help from Chen Fei, giving him a aningful look. If he couldn't enjoy a good drink tonight, it would be far too dull. He had been looking forward to this for a long ti.
"Aunt Xuu, please don't worry. In the Old Master's current condition, a little wine won't hurt," Chen Fei said with an amused smile, nodding in support. He never expected the usually stern and imposing Old Master to have such a fun-loving side.
"Alright then, but still, drink less. Too much alcohol is never a good thing," Xuu Peiyi finally relented upon hearing Chen Fei's reassurance, though she maintained a stern expression as she gave her warning.
What followed was a lively dinner. Everyone was clinking cups around the table, and the atmosphere was particularly cheerful. It's often said that the wine doesn't intoxicate, but the people intoxicate themselves. Everyone beca imrsed in the festive mood, and the dinner party didn't conclude until nearly nine o'clock.
After the al, the Old Master pulled Chen Fei aside to sit in the small courtyard behind the main house.
The moonlight was bright, and the night was tranquil. The old man took a sip of his tea and suddenly asked with a smile, "Young Chen, what do you think of Capital City?"
"Capital City?" Chen Fei paused for a mont before answering. "It's vast and crowded, with a very modern atmosphere. It's the kind of place that makes you want to stay once you've arrived... but it's also a place that one might hesitate to co to."
"Hesitate to co to?" A hint of surprise flickered in the Old Master's cloudy eyes, followed by a helpless shake of his head. "You rascal, do you know what I want you to say?"
"What do you want to say, Old Master? I have no idea," Chen Fei replied, his face a mask of innocence.
"Then why ntion hesitation? You're so young and capable, a true pillar of the nation. Why not just co to Capital City and accomplish sothing here? I may be old, but a few words from still carry so weight," the Old Master said earnestly.
"A pillar of the nation? Grandpa Xuu, you flatter ," Chen Fei said, montarily taken aback. His gaze flickered evasively as he tried to change the subject, but he ultimately confessed under the Old Master's commanding stare, letting out a soft sigh. "The main issue is that my identity isn't really suitable..."
"What kind of identity could you possibly have?" the Old Master asked, rolling his eyes.
"I'm an Ancient Martial Artist!" Chen Fei stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, a look of helplessness on his face. "As an Ancient Martial Artist, my way of acting and thinking is fundantally defined by that identity. I'm used to being direct and solving problems with my fists... But in a place like Capital City, would I truly be allowed to be so unrestrained?"
Hearing this, the Old Master finally understood what Chen Fei had ant earlier. He shook his head involuntarily and sighed. That... is indeed a pity. A true pity.
Given his status, he was naturally aware of so of the events Chen Fei had been through recently. He knew the young man wasn't just placating him; he was speaking the truth. Having grown up as an Ancient Martial Artist, he was accustod to the straightforward ways of the Martial Forest, where problems were solved with force.
And that approach, quite clearly, would not work in Capital City.
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