Chapter 11 is about the valiant effort to turn the tide.

Today is the Zhao family's monthly family dinner day.

Old Mrs. Zhao caught a cold recently. She went to the ancestral hall to burn incense in the morning and then went back to her room to rest, leaving everything to Zhao Zonglan's mother, Xie Yunfan.

Xie Yunfan is a well-educated and sensible young lady from a prestigious family. She is meticulous in everything she does and has always managed the affairs of the household, which puts the old lady at ease.

The Zhao family's old residence is a traditional courtyard house passed down from their ancestors. It is located in the heart of Beijing and its blue brick walls are solemn and dignified.

The entrance is a large gate with red pillars, and a plaque made of golden nanmu wood hangs above the gate with the name of the house inscribed on it. There are also guards on both sides.

Zhao Yueling just returned to China yesterday, and she brought a man with her. Afraid of her mother nagging, she didn't stay at home.

But she returned early, thinking she should go see her grandmother first.

Passing through the foyer and into the front yard, the crabapple blossoms on both sides of the bluestone slabs were in full bloom, their colors bright and vibrant. The servants who passed by all nodded respectfully when they saw her and called her "Sixth Miss".

She was the youngest in Zhao Yueling's generation, ranking sixth.

Zhao Zonglan was the fifth child in his family. People outside respected and feared him, so they all addressed him as "Mr. Zhao". The servants or some acquaintances at home sometimes called him "Fifth Master".

As soon as Zhao Yueling entered the inner courtyard, she met Aunt Ruan, who was serving the old lady, and saw her carrying a bowl of medicine as she came out of her grandmother's room.

"Oh dear, Miss Six, you've come at a really bad time. The old lady has just taken her medicine and fallen asleep. You'll probably have to come back this afternoon."

Zhao Yueling frowned. "Why has Grandmother been ill for so long this time? Has a doctor been called to see her?"

"I've seen it." Aunt Ruan nodded. "Fifth Master instructed that the doctor comes every day."

"The old lady was still talking about it yesterday, saying that she left some good things for the sixth young lady."

The Zhao family matriarch doted on Zhao Zonglan and his sister Zhao Yueling the most.

From childhood to adulthood, they were always given the best things, which spoiled Zhao Yueling so much that he became unruly.

"My fifth brother is back?" Zhao Yueling asked.

Aunt Ruan: No, Chang An called to say that Fifth Master is still dealing with work and will be coming later.

Zhao Yueling chuckled, "What a busy man! I don't know what he does with all that money. He's all alone."

Zhao Zonglan's car didn't arrive at the Zhao family's old residence until close to noon.

The Zhao family has many descendants, and almost all of the younger generation, except for Zhao Siyuan who is still "exiled" in Shanghai, have come.

Inside the luxuriously decorated restaurant, on several large round mahogany tables, in the center of the table, there was a celadon vase containing winter plum blossoms that the servants had just picked from the backyard that day.

The servants in charge of catering were serving the dishes in an orderly manner.

When Zhao Zonglan came in, he saw Zhao Tian sitting in a chair next to the dining table, holding a paintbrush and concentrating on painting the red plum blossoms on the table, which was nearing completion.

"Well done." He rarely praised it, and handed his coat to Chang An behind him. "But it's mealtime now, so put your things away first."

Zhao Zhen just turned eighteen this year and has suffered from autism since childhood.

He was a man of few words, loved to paint, and often kept those around him out of his own world.

But he listened to Zhao Zonglan.

"Okay, Uncle."

The boy expressionlessly put away his paintbrush and drawing board. The servant behind him came to take them, but he didn't give them to him. Instead, he placed them on the chair next to him, keeping them within sight and treating them like precious treasures.

Zhao Yueling joked with a smile, "Our little Tian Tian cherishes his paintbrush and drawing board the most, so don't go looking for trouble."

The maid nodded in response, "Yes, Miss Six."

When Zhao Luoxi and the other younger members saw Zhao Zonglan, they all greeted him as "Uncle" before taking their seats.

These family gatherings were quite boring for Zhao Zonglan.

After lunch, Zhao Zonglan played a game of chess with his fourth brother, Zhao Zhe. He was listless and uninterested throughout the game.

Zhao Luoxi has never liked crowds since she was a child. After doing some handicrafts with Aunt Ruan, she felt sleepy and prepared to take a nap.

On the way back to the West Courtyard, I met Zhao Zonglan in the corridor.

"Uncle." She wore a light purple cheongsam in a modern Chinese style, with a white fur shawl over it, and her demeanor was dignified and elegant.

Zhao Zonglan held a cigarette in his hand, but hadn't lit it yet, and simply responded with a faint sound.

"I had Chang'an inquire about that batch of Song brocade yesterday. I had it cut into garments as soon as my second brother delivered it. Is there anything wrong with that batch of Song brocade?"

It was quite unusual for my uncle to inquire about a batch of inconspicuous brocade for no reason.

Therefore, Zhao Luoxi had doubts.

Zhao Zonglan toyed with the silver lighter in his hand, his eyes narrowing slightly, his voice indifferent: "It's already been cut?"

"yes."

"There's nothing wrong, don't worry about it."

He slowly flicked the lighter, and with a "ding," the flame shot up. He tilted his head and lit a cigarette.

After Zhao Luoxi left, Zhao Zonglan remained standing under the corridor.

In the courtyard, a rockery is piled up in a circular pond, the water is clear, and several koi carp are swimming happily.

He exhaled smoke from his thin lips and instructed Chang An in a deep voice: "Find a few teams that hand-weave Song brocade, and let them name their prices."

Having spent a long time by Zhao Zonglan's side, Chang An naturally knew that it was Miss Shen.

"yes."

After dinner, several of the younger generation went to visit the old lady.

Xie Yunfan had been busy all day, preparing some gifts for them to take back with them.

New Year's Day is just around the corner.

No matter how deep the family's heritage, a harmonious family atmosphere is the most important thing.

So for every holiday, people from the old house would send gifts to the younger generation, such as antiques, jewelry, checks, or red envelopes...

Xie Yunfan finally had some free time and called Zhao Zonglan for a talk.

She looked a little awkward, and her tone was somewhat consultative: "Your father called yesterday and said... that our family should go to London for Christmas. Yue Ling is also back now, so I was thinking of asking for your opinion."

Zhao Zonglan's father, Zhao Yanhe, went to England eight years ago.

She was sent abroad by Zhao Zonglan.

The father and son have not seen each other for eight years.

Zhao Zonglan sat in a grand chair, smoking with his long legs crossed. He flicked the ash from his cigarette and scoffed, "Isn't this a redundant question?"

"If I go, how will your family celebrate the holiday?"

Xie Yunfan frowned helplessly, her voice unconsciously deepening, "Zong Lan, no matter what, he is still your father."

Even if bones are broken, tendons still connect them; blood is thicker than water, and they are not so easily severed.

Zhao Zonglan seemed to have heard a joke.

He chuckled, a shadow falling over his eyes. "It's precisely because he's my father that I ensure he'll have enough to eat and wear for the rest of his life. Otherwise, I would have returned the favor by shooting him back then."

Xie Yunfan fell silent.

She closed her eyes and exhaled a deep breath.

Everyone says that Zhao Zonglan was born for his family.

He is swift and decisive, and has a deep and shrewd mind. No matter the situation, he can always easily control the overall situation.

Some even say that the character "澜" in Zhao Zonglan's name means "to turn the tide".

Because of him, Jingyao Capital was able to successfully expand its territory globally, becoming one of the most influential business forces in the world, and the Zhao family's century-old foundation was able to stand firm and remain renowned.

But few people know that when he was ten years old, Zhao Yanhe, on his own initiative, left him in New York for training.

How can a ten-year-old boy survive in a foreign country?

Although there were people sent by Old Mrs. Zhao to take care of and help them.

But it will also be a tough journey.

Ten years later, Zhao Zonglan returned to China, and the father and son began to clash, with many disagreements.

When Zhao Zonglan turned twenty-four and was about to take over the Zhao family, Zhao Yanhe tried to control his marriage.

At this point, the father-son relationship was completely severed, to the point of resorting to violence.

It was almost ten o'clock when I came out of the old house.

Zhao Zonglan sat in the car, leaning lazily against the back of the seat, and loosened his tie around his neck in a bit of annoyance.

His Adam's apple bobbed, he took a deep drag of his cigarette, his eyes half-closed, his gaze unreadable.

The surrounding air pressure was frighteningly low.

Chang An knew that his master was in a bad mood, so he even breathed very carefully.

"Where's today's letter?"

Zhao Zonglan spoke in a cool, clear voice, casually stroking the ring on his left index finger.

Chang An answered cautiously, "Miss Shen did not send a letter today."

"Maybe it's because I'm too busy."

"Busy?" Zhao Zonglan sneered. "Then let's go see just how busy she really is."