Three cars lined up in front of the Song family's gate, the sound of their engines startling the gatekeeper.
A middle-aged man with a fierce face peeked out from the side door. Upon seeing the scene, his expression changed, and he immediately shrank back.
The doors of the two vans opened simultaneously, and twenty "bodyguards" dressed in black suits and sunglasses quickly got out and lined up in two rows behind Su Jianguo.
They were all burly men, with faint gun marks deliberately showing at their waists.
More and more villagers gathered to watch, but they all kept a safe distance and whispered among themselves.
Someone recognized Village Chief Zhang and pointed at him in surprise.
"Isn't that Village Chief Zhang from the next village?"
"Who's that young man in the suit up there? He's making quite a show of force!"
"The Song family has probably messed with a tough opponent this time..."
Su Jianguo stood at the front of the line, took off his sunglasses, and his sharp gaze swept over the Song family's gate.
He didn't need to say anything; the well-organized "bodyguards" behind him were the best deterrent.
Rapid footsteps and shouts came from inside the gate, and then the red-lacquered gate was slowly pulled open.
A lean old man in his seventies strode out with seven or eight burly men.
The old man wore a silk jacket with a double-breasted front and cloth shoes with multiple layers of soles. Although his hair was gray, he stood up straight and had sharp eyes like an eagle.
A grotesque scar on his left cheek stretched from the corner of his eye to the corner of his mouth, adding to his fierce appearance.
This is Song Tieshan, the eldest son of the Song family.
Song Tieshan stood on the steps, looking down at Su Jianguo and his group.
When he saw the pistols on the waists of those "bodyguards," his pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Sir, what brings you with such an honored guest?"
Song Tieshan clasped his hands in a salute, his voice booming and carrying a hint of江湖气 (jianghu qi, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry).
He deliberately ignored Village Chief Zhang, who was standing next to Su Jianguo.
Su Jianguo did not answer immediately, but slowly put on his sunglasses, a move that made the atmosphere even more tense.
The Song family's thugs involuntarily tensed up, their hands reaching for the weapons at their waists.
"Old Master Song."
Su Jianguo finally spoke, his voice not loud but each word clear.
"I am Wang Xiulan's husband, Su Jianguo."
The muscles on Song Tieshan's face twitched almost imperceptibly.
He didn't even know who Wang Xiulan was, let alone Su Jianguo.
Fortunately, the fifth brother, Song Tiejun, who was also Song Guixiang's father, rushed over and, upon hearing this, hurriedly ran to his eldest brother's side and explained what had happened.
Song Tieshan nodded with a gloomy expression.
He learned how the incident started.
Wang Xiulan is the daughter of the old lady who was humiliated by her niece Song Guixiang at the funeral.
Now, the man has come to demand an explanation.
The bodyguards on the other side had an extraordinary air about them.
Song Tieshan dared not provoke him easily, and immediately spoke politely.
"So it's Boss Su."
Song Tieshan forced a smile, the scar on his face contorting into a strange shape.
"It's an honor to meet you. What brings you here today, with so many brothers? What can I do for you?"
Su Jianguo sneered.
"I wouldn't presume to offer advice. But my grandmother's body is barely cold, and your niece has already caused a scene at the funeral. Shouldn't the Song family provide an explanation for this?"
The villagers watching gasped in surprise.
This is the first time in so many years that someone has dared to question Song Tieshan so directly.
Song Tieshan's face darkened, but seeing the menacing "bodyguards" behind Su Jianguo, he suppressed his anger and forced a smile.
"Mr. Su, there seems to be some misunderstanding. Gui Xiang is a bit impulsive, but she had absolutely no intention of offending the old lady."
"Misunderstand?"
Su Jianguo's voice was very serious.
"Bringing thugs into the funeral hall and verbally abusing the deceased—is this also a misunderstanding?"
Song Tieshan's smile vanished, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes.
The thugs behind him were itching to make a move, but the old man stopped them with a gesture.
"Boss Su."
Song Tieshan said in a deep voice.
"This isn't the place to talk. Why don't you come into my humble abode for a cup of tea, and we can chat more slowly?"
Su Jianguo knew this was Song Tieshan testing him.
Once you enter the Song family compound, it's his territory.
But he showed no fear and nodded slightly.
"Then I'll have to trouble you."
Song Tieshan gestured to Su Jianguo to step forward, followed by Village Chief Zhang and four "bodyguards," while the rest remained outside the courtyard on guard.
Upon entering the courtyard, Su Jianguo noticed that it was a typical northern courtyard house, but it was more than twice the size of an ordinary farmhouse.
The ground is paved with blue bricks, surrounded by a corridor, and in front of the main house there is a pair of large blue and white porcelain jars, in which several koi carp are kept.
Two motorcycles and a jeep were parked in the corner, a testament to the owner's wealth.
Song Tieshan led Su Jianguo into the main hall.
The room was luxuriously furnished, with polished mahogany furniture and several paintings and calligraphy hanging on the walls, the most prominent of which was a painting of a tiger descending a mountain.
Su Jianguo sneered inwardly.
Song Tieshan was trying to give him a hard time.
After the guests and hosts were seated, the servants served tea.
Song Tieshan picked up his teacup, but instead of drinking it, he observed Su Jianguo through the rising steam.
"Where does Mr. Su work?"
Song Tieshan asked casually, trying to find out the other party's background.
Su Jianguo didn't touch the teacup, but looked directly into Song Tieshan's eyes.
"He's not very capable, just running a small business in Beijing, nothing special. He's nothing compared to Old Master Song, who can act like a king here."
Su Jianguo's words were utterly blunt, and Song Tieshan's expression turned sour.
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