Mr. Suan, people don’t live up to their names; though his name includes the character "small," he is certainly not young.
Mr. Suan has white hair; even his beard is long and gray. His back is slightly hunched, yet he exudes the aura of a sage, possessing the demeanor of a wise man.
It cannot be said that Mr. Suan is physically weak due to old age, nor can it be said that he is stronger in his old age; rather, his health is average. In his right hand, he carries an unadorned rosewood walking stick as he entered the Fang Family’s living room.
Following Mr. Suan, there was a girl about thirteen or fourteen years old, smart and clever, adorable, with a hint of baby fat, giving her a poised and graceful appearance.
In the living room, seated in the seat of honor, was an elder who looked even older than Mr. Suan, but his face bore a towering and domineering air. The sheer majesty in his eyes was terrifying, causing the little girl who followed Mr. Suan to lower her head immediately after one glance; she didn’t dare look again.
Apart from the elder, several middle-aged men and a woman were also present. One of the middle-aged men was Fang Jupeng, who was visibly restless and impatient.
"Serve the tea," the woman suddenly spoke out as the elder sat down.
Her dress was fashionable, but not overly so. She was not one to be outdone by the vulgar and gaudy, stunningly beautiful. Even the little girl inwardly sighed about how beautiful this aunt was.
A servant brought tea over which the little girl took for Mr. Suan.
The living room was enveloped in quiet, no one spoke first as the elder seated at the head hadn’t spoken yet, clearly indicating his absolute authority – he was the patriarch of this house.
The elder scanned everyone present and ultimately, his gaze rested on Mr. Suan, a trace of a smile appearing on his imposing face: "Mr. Suan, how have you been lately?"
"Not good," Mr. Suan shook his head.
"Why do you say it’s not good?" the elder asked.
"Recently, my mind has been unsettled. My sleep is fitful, and I abruptly think of old friends who used to drink and chat with me who are no more. My heart, for some reason, feels as if it’s bleeding."
Mr. Suan touched his chest, conveying deep anguish.
The middle-aged men present changed their expressions upon hearing this, lowering their heads deliberately as if they hadn’t heard a word, and the mature woman also bowed her head.
The elder’s face darkened, a flicker of gloom passing through his murky eyes, but it was fleeting.
"Mr. Suan misses his old friends and regrets their absence. I too am saddened by this, but since that person is gone, Mr. Suan, please state the purpose of your visit tonight," the elder said.
Mr. Suan seemed to let out an awkward laugh and replied, "Very well, I shall state my purpose then."
Mr. Suan paused, then said, "I don’t know if Elder Fang remembers the baby from twenty-five years ago."
At that moment, as Elder Fang was lifting his teacup, upon hearing these words, the cup in his hand suddenly dropped to the floor, shattering with a snap, tea splashing everywhere. The next moment, Elder Fang abruptly stood up.
Elder Fang’s demeanor was as if he had stepped onto a battlefield, his aura murderous, his eyes and brows sharp as a drawn Heavy Sword.
"Mr. Suan, please accompany me to the study," Elder Fang turned and left.
Mr. Suan, supported by the little girl, followed.
The living room fell silent.
After a long while, a middle-aged man suddenly spoke up: "Could it be... that bastard still lives in this world?"
"I don’t care if that bastard is still alive! But someone broke my son’s legs, and I must deal with that. Farewell, brothers," said Fang Jupeng, rising to leave.
"Fourth brother, please wait," the woman suddenly said.
"Do you have something to say?"
"Dad instructed us to stay here; it’s best if you don’t move around freely. Your son was incompetent, letting people break his legs; to step in as his father would only show how weak and useless he is," the woman said with a smile.
Fang Jupeng huffed, but didn’t take it seriously.
Two hours later, Elder Fang and Mr. Suan came out together.
"Jupeng," Elder Fang spoke.
"Dad," Fang Jupeng quickly responded respectfully.
"I heard that Tian Qi was crippled in Moon City?" Elder Fang asked.
"The person responsible is the child of an old friend of mine from years past. You must not harm him. Elder Fang’s tone was calm, yet carried an irresistible authority.
Fang Jupeng’s expression instantly changed: "Dad! But Tian Qi is your grandson!"
At that moment, Mr. Suan suddenly spoke: "How about this, I’ll make a decision for that child. For the next three years, he must not set foot in Tianjing."
Fang Jupeng looked up suddenly: "Mr. Suan, even though you are highly respected, this is quite disheartening."
Mr. Suan smiled and said, "Then, I personally will heal your son’s legs, and after three years, let your son settle scores with him. How does that sound?"
Fang Jupeng hesitated, looking toward Elder Fang. Seeing his stern and commanding demeanor, he finally nodded.
Moon City, by the sea.
Fang Yi lit another cigarette, having listened to Cai Qin describe various matters concerning the Fang Family, felt increasingly that the Fang Family was a mysterious and formidable entity, a massive force hardly movable.
The Fang Family was flourishing, robust.
Among their offspring, some were in the Military Department, others in the business world, highly influential.
Such a thriving, powerful family was indeed not something Fang Yi could shake or withstand alone; even if he was the world’s top fugitive, merely staying in Xuan Cang would mean certain death.
"Now you understand the gap between you and the Fang Family. I really don’t know what you were thinking, to actually break Fang Tianqi’s legs. Why didn’t you just castrate him?" Cai Qin seemed to mock, somewhat disappointed.
"But I don’t regret it," Fang Yi asserted stubbornly.
Cai Qin held her forehead with one hand and said, "You might not regret it, but this will implicate Shen Binan. You should know, in Xuan Cang, you and she are the closest. Even if you ran away, Fang Tianqi definitely wouldn’t let her off."
Fang Yi’s eyes suddenly narrowed, his gaze turning strange: "What do you mean by that?"
Cai Qin explained: "What I mean is simple, join the Dragon Team. Having the entire Dragon Team as your backing, Fang Tianqi would fear a mutual destruction scenario and certainly wouldn’t dare make a move."
Fang Yi replied teasingly: "But I don’t believe the Dragon Team would confront the entire Fang Family just for a fugitive like me."
Cai Qin asked, "I just want to ask you one thing, do you agree or not?"
Fang Yi smiled slightly and said, "I don’t agree."
Frustrated, Cai Qin’s phone suddenly started ringing at that moment.