These uninvited guests ate a simple meal that the Chen family hadn't prepared, and a few of them who were on good terms with Old Master Chen stayed behind.
After several rounds of back and forth, a time was finally agreed upon for me to visit their homes.
The Chen family finally had some peace and quiet.
As soon as the man left, Old Master Chen immediately called Chen Zikang to his study alone.
Upon hearing that his found granddaughter had not only become the godfather of the famous martial arts master Long, but she also received a personal welcome from Master Zhang and the chairman of the business association upon disembarking from the ship.
Old Master Chen wished he could find a stick and beat this grandson to death.
"Zhang Bang is now a favorite of the government. The treasury is in deficit, and the military pay can't be paid. He spearheaded the purchase of national bonds. He also brought over a group of merchants from Southeast Asia, allowing the government to make a fortune."
The higher-ups had long wanted to give him an official position to keep him in check, but he didn't want it. To associate with someone like that, with such a good opportunity—where's your brain? How did I raise you?
That child, I could tell at a glance, was no ordinary person. When we were engaged, I even divined for you two, predicting that things would turn around and bring great fortune. It was said that a hidden dragon lies dormant in the abyss, but will soar to the heavens. And now it's all happening here.”
Grandpa Chen paced back and forth excitedly in the house.
“Our Chen family has moved to the city, but we haven’t been able to establish connections with anyone. Now that we have this connection, we can start interacting with those above us. If we do well, it’s possible for your brothers to enter politics.”
"Seventh son, yes, the seventh son of the third branch is clever and resourceful. I think he's quite good. His in-laws have some connections. If you could give him another hand..."
Grandpa Chen was lost in his own world, completely oblivious to his eldest grandson's expression, and continued excitedly...
"My Chen family finally has a successor. If we do well, even if we don't make a name for ourselves in history, we can at least bring honor to our ancestors. It will not have been in vain that I brought you all out here."
He knew it would be like this. Chen Zikang smiled respectfully in response, but inwardly he was sneering.
Entering politics was always my grandfather's wishful thinking. Back in town, the Chen family was a prestigious and respected clan. Wherever they went, everyone treated them with utmost respect.
While they might not be able to control everything, there's practically nothing the Chen family can't do in that area.
As a result, my grandfather insisted on moving the whole family to the city.
Once they entered the city, the Chen family's meager resources weren't enough to even make a living. Even after they later married into the Li family...
In the eyes of the truly wealthy and powerful families in the city, the Chen family was no better than ordinary people. They were simply not worthy of their attention.
They traded his lifelong happiness for the Chen family's comfort. Now they want him to be the bride for the third wife's sake.
His grandfather had told him since he was a child that he was the eldest grandson of the Chen family. But as the eldest grandson, he never got the good things, but he was always the one who had to step up when things got tough.
He won't care this time; all he wants now is money.
Fortunately, his grandfather shared one idea with him: he also wanted to use this daughter to make connections and smooth things over.
Therefore, nothing in this world is purely good or bad; many things are double-edged swords.
Just like how Master Zhang kindly helped Xu Keke build momentum, this was originally a good thing.
But now it's turned into a bad thing. After accepting invitations from several families, Old Master Chen wanted to make it easier for him to visit guests in the next few days, and also to ensure that people who came to visit later could see Xu Keke at any time.
He kept the Chen family of five with him.
The third wife was a sweet-faced but bitter woman, especially after learning about Xu Keke's role. As soon as Old Master Chen finished speaking, she began making arrangements.
First, have someone vacate a room for Mr. and Mrs. Chen Zikang.
My husband's attitude towards me today is better than before. In addition, since the Chen family members can speak properly now, they have also become more considerate and thoughtful in their words and actions.
Therefore, even though she felt that staying would be inconvenient, Li Wan wasn't particularly opposed to it.
As for Chen Pu, he was the only one who was genuinely happy about staying.
He didn't need a room; he could squeeze into any of his cousins' rooms and stay for a few days. As a truly carefree child, he even said he could stay there indefinitely.
As for Xu Keke and Huihui, the Third Madam's initial idea was for them to follow Chen Pu's example and live with several of her cousins.
Unexpectedly, Huihui, who had been sitting quietly to the side with her lips pursed, suddenly shouted that she didn't want to go home.
Fearing that her grandfather would get angry again and punish her, Chen Zikang quickly went over to comfort her. Xu Keke saw that her sixth aunt, standing behind Old Master Chen, had a disdainful smile on her face again.
This made Xu Keke no longer feel unhappy about staying.
Huihui's identity, Li Wan's unusual relationship with the Chen family and Chen Zikang—all these piqued her interest.
Chen Zikang suggested that another room be vacated so that Huihui and Xu Keke could live there.
The third wife was very disappointed. She had originally planned to let the younger generation get closer to Xu Keke.
So she suggested several combinations. But Chen Zikang was adamant and wouldn't budge in the end.
To Xu Keke's surprise, even Huihui herself preferred to live with her rather than with these cousins from the Chen family.
Looking at the dignified and low-key Chen family ladies, Xu Keke couldn't understand why Huihui and Chen Zikang were acting as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
There were several unmarried women in the Chen family, of the same generation as Chen Zikang, whom the original owner should have called aunts. However, the youngest among them looked to be almost twenty years old.
In their eyes, Xu Keke is at a suitable age, neither too young nor too old.
There was too much talk; she couldn't understand it. She's also past the age of being cute and endearing. And Xu Keke's behavior today was anything but cute.
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