Dong Xuebing wiped his mouth and said he was full, then went to the bathroom to wash his face and check his appearance in the mirror to make sure everything looked good. Only then did he bid farewell to his family. When Xie Ran handed Dong Xuebing the keys to the Audi A8 he had bought for him, Dong Xuebing took them. He hadn’t driven when he returned, and Hui Lan’s Porsche was still parked in the villa garage, so he needed a car.
“That’s my cue,” Dong Xuebing said.
Han Jing looked at him, “Do you know the way?”
Fang Shui Ling suddenly remembered and quickly wrote down an address, “Here you go, Brother Dong.”
“Okay,” Dong Xuebing took the note and tucked it into his pocket. “Everyone, chat for a bit first. If I hurry, I might make it back for dinner this afternoon.” He knew that they probably wouldn’t keep him for dinner, and he wasn’t even sure if he’d get through the gate there now. The road ahead looked rough.
“Take care, Brother Dong.”
“Be careful on the road, brother-in-law.”
Everyone said a few things. Xie Guobang and Xie Guoliang’s expressions were calm, but Xie Ran and Fang Shui Ling seemed a bit nervous, and their faces weren’t natural. After all, they were now just one step away from the final decision, and the bigger the hope, the greater the fear. If Fang’s family disagreed, if Xiao Ling’s family were really firm in their stance, they didn’t know what to do. Now, they were hoping Dong Xuebing could help them out and see if he could resolve the issue for them.
Dong Xuebing left and found Xiao Ran’s car, got inside, and tested its feel. The Audi A8 felt good, so he stepped on the gas and drove away.
Thirty minutes later.
Behind a group of villas.
From the outside, it didn’t seem particularly special. However, as he circled the group of villas, several detached houses came into view a few hundred meters away, set against towering mountains in the distance and lush green lawns below. Adding to the view, on the left side was an artificial lake. It was a high-end residential area. Dong Xuebing parked in front of one of the houses. Seeing there wasn’t much space to park around, he left the car by the gate. Getting out, there was no one around. The gravel path was empty, except for one detached house. This seemed to be the only one in the area, with another villa located further away, accessible from the east. Essentially, each had its road, with no conflict. Detached houses like these were already valuable, but this one’s private road suggested the property was even more expensive—at least three or four times more than Dong Xuebing’s villa in the western suburbs.
This wasn’t Grandpa Fang’s home. The Prime Minister had a specific residence for that, so this should be Fang’s family’s private mansion. It was just unclear whether Grandpa Fang was home today. Since Xiao Ling provided this address, it was likely that Fang’s family members were all here today.
Two well-armed guards were stationed there, mirroring the setup at Senior Xie’s house. The guards stood stiffly and expressionlessly, not even glancing at Dong Xuebing when he parked. They stood straight.
Only when Dong Xuebing walked up did they simultaneously focus their attention on him.
One guard raised his hand. “Private residence. Outsiders are not allowed inside.”
“Outsiders?” Dong Xuebing looked at them. How can I be an outsider?
The other guard said coldly, “Who are you looking for?”
Dong Xuebing replied, “It doesn’t matter who I’m looking for, as long as it’s someone inside who can make decisions.”
The guard glanced at Dong Xuebing again, then turned and went into the villa—probably to notify someone.
Approximately five minutes passed, and the guard slowly came out. He didn’t even acknowledge Dong Xuebing and just resumed his post by the gate with his gun.
Dong Xuebing sighed, “Can I go in now?”
“Sorry, please leave,” the guard said sternly.
Dong Xuebing was annoyed, “Why should I leave?”
The guard repeated, “Outsiders are not allowed inside.”
Got it. Dong Xuebing understood now. The people inside didn’t welcome him; they wouldn’t even let him through the door. Dong Xuebing chuckled to himself at the situation—this wasn’t easy. When he arrived, he had wondered if they would let him in, but it was clear that they wouldn't. From this, he could also tell that Fang’s family definitely knew about him, and they probably knew why he was there.
Just stand out here like an idiot.
Dong Xuebing took out his phone again and called Fang Wenping. He knew she was probably inside the mansion.
Beep beep. Beep beep.
The phone went unanswered again.
Dong Xuebing felt frustrated, looking at the two guards. Waiting outside for sure wasn’t going to work. If it were just him, it wouldn’t be a problem, but today, Dong Xuebing was representing the Xie family to propose marriage, not just himself. He certainly couldn’t let the family’s dignity be undermined. However, if they didn’t let him in, he couldn’t force his way through. These two guards were no match for Dong Xuebing. Heck, even if there were ten of them, he could handle them with his eyes closed. But today wasn’t about fighting—it was about proposing. If things got out of hand, this situation would only become more complicated, and the proposal might fail. For Xiao Ran and Xiao Ling, Dong Xuebing certainly couldn’t afford to do that. He needed to prioritize the big picture and not lose his temper now.
Dong Xuebing calmed down, glancing lightly at the mansion’s structure. He walked to the side, hoping to see if there was a back door. The guards didn’t pay him any attention. Turning a corner, Dong Xuebing saw another patrolling guard on the side, holding his gun and watching Dong Xuebing warily. Damn, it was a complete blockade. Trying to get in through ordinary means wasn’t going to happen. There was also an obscure electric fence along the high walls surrounding the mansion.
Returning, Dong Xuebing leaned against his car door, lit a cigarette, and glanced at the mansion, mentally strategizing.
In the grand hall on the first floor, many people were seated, including both the old and the young, as well as men and women.
Fang Wenping was on the couch, watching TV by herself. She seemed the only one paying any attention, while the others were preoccupied elsewhere.
“What’s the son-in-law from the Xie family doing here?”
“Sister-in-law, he’s here to propose to you.”
“Pfft, what does he think he’s doing? What's good about that clumsy guy, Xie Ran? How could he ever be worthy of our Xiao Ling?”
“I don’t get it. Why would they agree to this?”
Whether they agree or not doesn’t matter to us. I refuse.”
The second son of the Xie family didn’t stop arguing with our eldest brother at the time, causing quite a stir. Didn’t Xiao Meng get transferred because of it? Just after he recovered, and now his son wants to marry our Xiao Ling? He is dreaming,” one of the women said. These were probably some of Grandpa Fang’s daughter-in-laws.
The other male members of Fang’s family, including the sons, didn’t say anything, sitting there quietly.
Seeing this, the second sister-in-law, who had been complaining, looked towards a middle-aged man, “Third brother, why don’t you say something? Xiao Ling is your daughter too.”
The middle-aged man responded indifferently, “Let Dad decide.”
The middle-aged woman was anxious, “Wenping, Xiao Ling is closest to you. Why don’t you say anything? Are you just going to watch her jump into the fire?”
The second sister-in-law harbored a strong dislike towards the Xie family, so she was angrier than anyone else when the Xie family came to propose.
Fang Wenping glanced at the TV without saying much, “This is their business to discuss. I’ve already agreed to Xiao Ling. Don’t ask me about it.”
It was clear, though, that none of the people present from Fang’s family seemed willing for Xiao Ling to marry into the Xie family. Only Grandpa Fang was upstairs resting and hadn’t made a decision yet. The outcome, including the pros and cons, would ultimately depend on Grandpa Fang’s stance. In the Xie family, Senior Xie had already stepped back due to his health, so most family matters were decided by Xie Guobang, the elder brother. In contrast, Fang’s family was different. Grandpa Fang was still very much involved, effectively the second-in-command of the Republic. So, Fang’s family decisions, whether about Xiao Ling’s marriage or the alliance with the Xie family, clearly required Grandpa Fang’s input.
Upstairs, Grandpa Fang was in his study, reviewing documents. His bodyguard was respectfully standing behind him, reporting on the situation outside.
“Okay, I understand,” Grandpa Fang said without expression.
The bodyguard asked, “Shall I have them drive him away?”
Grandpa Fang didn’t even turn around, “Don’t worry about it.”
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” Grandpa Fang thought it might be the eldest or second son.
The door swung open, but the bodyguard was taken aback—standing there was Dong Xuebing, who should have been stopped outside.
Dong Xuebing smiled, stepping inside and closing the door, “Hello, Grandpa Fang.”
Grandpa Fang seemed unsurprised, glancing at him.
The bodyguard’s expression changed, his hand moving towards his gun, “How did you get in here?” The mansion’s security was so tight that he couldn’t figure out how Dong Xuebing had gotten inside without anyone noticing.
Grandpa Fang waved his hand, “Enough, put the gun away.” Then he looked at Dong Xuebing. “Even the country’s museums, with such strict security, couldn’t stop him.” What hope does this little mansion have?”
He was pretty familiar with many of Dong Xuebing’s activities.
Dong Xuebing laughed, “Grandpa Fang, I know I’m uninvited. I couldn’t help it; please forgive me, and don’t hold it against me.”