Inside the reception room, Xu Zhenzhen, with Chu Jiu's help, had already gotten dressed and was sitting next to Xu Tianying.
Chu Jiu stood behind Xu Tianying.
“Brother Xu, look at this, it’s such a small matter, why do you, as the head of the family, have to come all the way here personally?” Shen Lang said casually from the main seat. “It’s just that the kids are competitive, we can just give them a lecture behind closed doors.”
"What? What kids? I'm older than you, okay?" Xu Zhenzhen's lips trembled slightly, whether from pain or anger at Shen Lang, it was hard to tell.
Shen Lang's words clearly implied that he placed himself in Xu Tianying's generation, while he himself was inexplicably a generation younger than Shen Lang.
For a long-established family like the Xu family, seniority is of particular importance.
However, at this time, Shen Lang's seniority was too high, and Xu Tianying and his son Xu Zhenzhen could only accept it.
There was nothing they could do; the one with the bigger fist was the one who caused the trouble. Even Sun Minghui, who had dealt with the previous local tyrant of S Province, was wary of this person, let alone them.
To put it nicely, the Xu family is a family with a thousand-year history; to put it bluntly, they simply rose to prominence by taking advantage of the new policies implemented after the establishment of the new dynasty. There are more than just one or two people envious of the Xu family's assets; Lu Weidong, for example, has targeted them more than once.
At this time, it is even more important not to give others any ammunition to criticize us.
Xu Tianying straightened his face and said righteously, "Men of the Xu family dare to take responsibility for their actions and are not afraid of losing face. If we are wrong, we are wrong, and it is only right to apologize with a bundle of thorns on our backs."
Shen Lang gave Xu Tianying a thumbs up: "As expected of a thousand-year-old family, their family tradition is truly extraordinary."
The thunderstorm came and went quickly, and soon the sun came out again.
Shen Lang invited the Xu family father and son, saying, "Patriarch Xu, Young Master Xu, my White Cloud Manor has a unique scenery after the rain. Would you two do me the honor of joining me to enjoy the view?"
Xu Zhenzhen didn't dare to reply, but Xu Tianying said, "I would be honored to accept Young Master Shen's invitation."
"Haha, come with me." Shen Lang laughed and took the lead out of the reception room.
Xu Tianying and his son followed closely behind.
After the thunderstorm, the Xu family father and son finally saw the full view of Baiyun Manor.
In this mountain villa hidden in the city, you can see maids in ancient costumes everywhere.
This is not a drill, nor is it anything special; it's just how it is.
The antique architecture of Baiyun Manor instantly gave the three of them a feeling of being transported to another world, as if they had stepped into the ancient capital of Chang'an a thousand years ago.
"I never imagined that such a magical resort existed in our X city!" Xu Zhenzhen exclaimed involuntarily.
Xu Tianying nodded as well.
He was a regular customer when Baiyun Villa was still called Baiyun Restaurant. However, back then, Baiyun Villa was a commercial establishment, not a private residence.
It's a world of difference compared to now.
Shen Lang led the group to the artificial lake in the backyard, where several maids were feeding the koi in the lake.
Upon seeing Shen Lang arrive, he immediately put down what he was doing, bowed, and said, "Young Master."
Shen Lang waved his hand and said to them, "You can go now. Just give me the fish food."
"Yes, young master."
Then the maids went out to the backyard.
Shen Lang picked up a jade jar and handed it to Xu Tianying: "Brother Xu, are you interested?"
Xu Tianying waved his hand and laughed, "Young Master Shen, I am a rough man and cannot do such refined things."
Shen Lang grinned to himself.
A boor? A descendant of the Duke of Ying of the Tang Dynasty, calling himself a boor is nothing but blatant lying.
However, Shen Lang didn't bother with these things. Instead, he carried the jade jar to the artificial lake, grabbed a handful of fish food, and sprinkled it on the lake surface.
The once calm lake surface was instantly rippled, and then one after another, huge red koi carp rushed to the surface, vying for the fish food on the lake.
Then Shen Lang led the Xu family father and son to the artificial lake on the other side.
The lake is home to edible carp and crucian carp.
Shen Lang picked up another jade jar and threw a handful of it into the lake.
At this moment, Shen Lang changed his previous frivolous demeanor and smiled faintly with his back to Xu Tianying: "Patriarch Xu, do you think the fish that are swimming freely in this lake know that they are being raised here by humans so that humans can enjoy them at any time?"
Shen Lang then pointed to the small fish in the distance and said, "Look at this small fishpond, it demonstrates the iron law of the jungle in nature."
"The little fish are eager to grow up quickly, but little do they know that they are just food for the big fish."
"The big fish thought it was the biggest creature in the lake, but it didn't realize that they were just fish meat that could be placed on a chopping board at any time."
"Some big fish are lucky enough to escape being slaughtered, but in the end they are just fish in a pond, and eventually they will just become food on a plate."
Upon hearing this, the Xu father and son's expressions changed drastically, and Xu Tianying was drenched in cold sweat.
“Young Master Shen is right.” Xu Tianying swallowed and echoed.
Shen Lang turned around with a bright smile on his face: "Brother Xu, why are you so nervous? Relax when you come to my house."
Xu Tianying forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, thinking to himself: Your wolfish tone clearly indicates that you want to take over the Xu family. How can I not be nervous?
Xu Tianying wiped away his cold sweat and forced a smile, saying, "Young Master Shen is joking. I was just feeling unwell."
Shen Lang placed the jade jar on the stone table by the lake, walked up to Xu Tianying, and put his arm around his shoulder, saying, "Brother Xu, you really need to take care of your health. The Xu family will rely on you for the next few decades. If you collapse, won't the Xu family collapse with you?"
These words sounded very strange to Xu Zhenzhen.
"Young Master Shen is too kind. I am getting old, and the Xu family will eventually be handed over to the next generation," Xu Tianying said with a smile.
"Nonsense," Shen Lang said, feigning displeasure. "I think you're still going strong, Brother Xu. You could easily keep going for several more decades."
He then beckoned to Dongxue, who had been following him, and instructed, "Xue'er, tell the kitchen to prepare two koi fish for lunch today."
"Yes, young master."
Then Shen Lang put his arm around Xu Tianying's shoulder and said with a smile, "Brother Xu, this is your first time visiting my home. Don't leave at noon today, let me do my part as your host."
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do. We'll do as Young Master Shen says," Xu Tianying said with a smile.
"That's more like it." Shen Lang chuckled. "Let the people below eat the ordinary fish. We'll eat koi carp. They're nutritious and have good luck on them!"
Then he instructed a passing maid: "Prepare a fish tank and catch two plump koi in the lake for Master Xu. It is a gift I will give to Master Xu."
"Young Master Shen, this is too precious," Xu Tianying said somewhat reluctantly.
Shen Lang waved his hand: "Brother Xu, you flatter me. It's just two fish. If you like them, I'll have someone deliver them to your residence anytime."
"Brother, you may not have many other things here, but you definitely have a lot of lucky koi fish."
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