Chapter 218

"Mm, my grandma's hand-rolled noodles are the best."

Yan Li held a bowl of hand-rolled noodles, eating while praising them; beside him, Grandma Yan beamed, using her chopsticks to pick meat and place it in his bowl.

"Eat more—you've gotten too thin, my eldest grandson. There's still noodles at home; if you want more, I'll make them again tomorrow."

"No need, I'm leaving tomorrow."

Yan Li swallowed the noodles in his mouth and said: "I still have matters to finish in Beijing; I came back just to see home, and since Qingming was near, I came to burn paper for Grandpa."

"With all that work, why not stay a few more days?"

Yan Li shook his head: "I really can't stay."

Grandma Yan felt a pang of loss—among all her grandsons, the second son's boy was the most accomplished, bringing countless honors to her and the Yan family.

But ambitious children are rarely seen; they don't return even once a year, not even for New Year's, rushing back briefly before rushing off again.

Yan Li looked at the old woman, silent and downcast, and smiled: "You're reluctant to let me go, aren't you?"

Among the Yan family's grandchildren, Yan Li was neither eldest nor youngest, nor the top student, and even a bit mischievous; on top of that, his mother Zhang Hong had a strained relationship with the old lady—total negative buffs stacked high.

But he'd always been sweet-tongued and good at soothing people; though not the absolute favorite, he was at least second in line, with a shot at first.

The old lady had lived through famine, frugal in daily life—good food was never eaten right away, always saved for New Year's or guests.

Of all the grandsons, only Yan Li could sneak tasty bits from her hands; as a child, he'd once been the role model for his two cousins.

Now, he was the most successful among them—and seen the least.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder—he'd become the old lady's most cherished treasure; he came back and left immediately, so of course she wouldn't want him to go.

Grandma Yan, of the old generation, rarely expressed emotion outright; she didn't speak up, only nodded. Yan Li finished every last strand of noodles in his bowl.

"That's easy—you just come to Beijing with me."

Since his stay in his hometown was short, Yan Li had decided to get his parents and grandmother to move to Beijing for a while; after all, he had plenty of space in Beijing.

"Me? Go to Beijing?"

"Yes—your son and daughter-in-law are coming too, and your younger sister-in-law will go to see Xiao Xin. You come along too, visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square."

Grandma Yan was tempted but hesitant: "What about the chickens? Someone has to tend the fields..."

"Don't worry about that—I've already arranged it with your son and daughter-in-law. Just pack your things."

Last night, Yan Li had argued with his parents for hours; he'd learned his lesson and now settled matters decisively.

As for the chickens, ducks, cats, dogs, fields, and restaurant—all left to his eldest cousin. Feed the animals so they don't die; run the business if you can, abandon it if you can't—it's not worth much anyway.

His younger cousin Yan Xin got along well with Yan Li; his eldest cousin was tempted, but Yan Li felt someone had to stay behind to watch the home, so he persuaded him to remain.

Of course, Yan Li wouldn't let him go empty-handed.

Direct cash felt too impersonal; if he wanted to start any business back home, Yan Li would invest.

In Yan Li's mind, once he convinced his parents to settle in Beijing, he'd hand over the restaurant and the braised meat recipe to his eldest uncle and younger uncle.

Even if he fell on hard times later, he'd never be short of one braised meat recipe—it was better to use it to help his relatives.

…

The next day, Yan Li arranged an extra car and took his parents, grandmother, and younger aunt all to Beijing.

Aside from Old Yan, who'd come to Beijing twice before—to take Yan Li for exams and school—everyone else was visiting Beijing for the first time, even leaving their province for the first time.

Yan Li took a detour, bringing them to Tiananmen Square first, then stopped at a courtyard gate in Yangjiao Deng Hutong, near the Prince Gong's Mansion.

"Get out and take a look."

Yan Li called to his parents and grandmother to get out and enter: "I feared you'd be uncomfortable in an apartment—this Sihe Academy is similar to our old flat-roofed house back home. The renovation's all new; take a look. If you don't like it, I'll get another place."

Yan Li had only recently learned his parents couldn't stand living in apartments.

When his wealth became public, fearing for their safety, he'd told them to halt their restaurant business, leave the village, and move into a residential compound for protection.

But both had been deeply uncomfortable.

One couldn't get used to the toilet; the other felt uneasy with neighbors above and below; worse, there was no courtyard—they could only huddle on the balcony, feeling stifled and suffocated.

Both were miserable, and Yan Li figured his grandmother, who'd spent her whole life in the countryside, would suffer just as much.

When he happened to own a 200-square-meter, standalone Sihe Academy, he had it tidied up specifically as their residence.

"This house is nice."

Zhang Hong walked around inside and out; it wasn't as spacious as their home village house, but the renovation was excellent—clean, elegant, refined.

Old Yan, ever the professional, went straight to the kitchen, nodded: "The stove's a bit small, but it'll do."

Grandma Yan had already begun bending over, hands behind her back, choosing rooms; the younger aunt, however, looked disappointed by the Sihe Academy.

Though nicely renovated, it was still a flat-roofed house—she'd expected to see some luxury mansion in Beijing, not be led deep into hutongs.

"Didn't you say your brother is a billionaire? Doesn't he give this house to his grandma and uncle?"

She quietly pulled aside her son Yan Xin, who Yan Li had asked to help, and questioned his wealth.

"Oh my god."

Yan Xin slapped his forehead, utterly exasperated: "You think this is our village? This is a Beijing Sihe Academy—it's more expensive than an apartment. My brother spent nearly six million buying and renovating it—it's his most expensive property, and he won't even live in it himself."

"How much?"

The younger aunt's voice nearly cracked, drawing everyone's attention; she didn't care, only stared in disbelief at Yan Xin.

"This broken house and yard? Six million?!"

"Uh."

Yan Xin saw his uncle, aunt, and cousin staring at him, panicked, and hurriedly explained.

"This land borders Prince Gong's Mansion, right next to Shichahai and Houhai—it's one of Beijing's best locations. It's a standalone courtyard with clear ownership, fully renovated and restored—a top-tier Sihe Academy. This price is absolutely fair."

Zhang Hong looked at Yan Li: "Did this house really cost six million?"

"Mm."

Yan Li nodded, then ended all debate with one sentence: "I bought it early. With the Olympics coming, prices in scarce areas keep rising—this one's already climbing toward eight million."

Buying expensive didn't matter—what mattered was making money!

Hearing the house had gained nearly two million, all shock and surprise vanished, replaced by delight.

Still, knowing the price, everyone became stiff and cautious, sitting lightly as if afraid of breaking the floor.

Yan Li shot Yan Xin a glare—he'd kept quiet about the house's value precisely to avoid this, but the kid couldn't keep his mouth shut.

Fortunately, learning Yan Li had given them his most valuable and finest property, the elders were moved by his filial devotion; though slightly restrained, they didn't suggest changing houses.

Seeing this, Yan Li relaxed—he knew that once they lived here long enough, they'd stop treating it like a treasure.

…

Yan Li had planned to help his family settle in, but an urgent work matter came up, forcing him to leave first.

Still, he left behind his cousin Yan Xin and driver Wu Maowen to help—they were familiar with the family, so the elders wouldn't hold back giving orders.

But unlike Yan Li's expectation, the elders didn't care whether the two could work—they seized them instead to interrogate about Yan Li.

"Which one's your brother's girlfriend? Is she in Beijing?"

Zhang Hong pressed Yan Xin, who shook his head like a rattle: "Auntie, I've told you dozens of times—I don't know."

He'd been sent back home before, even for New Year's, and had faced endless questioning—but he'd always refused to speak.

Zhang Hong knew asking him was useless; she turned to Wu Maowen: "Xiao Xin says you're always with Yan Li—you must know who he's seeing."

Wu Maowen glared at Yan Xin, head down, silent. Zhang Hong grew impatient.

"Why play dumb?"

"Enough."

Grandma Yan glanced at her daughter-in-law: "If Xiao Li wants to say something, he'll say it. Why pressure them?"

"I'm not trying to force anything—I just want to know who the real daughter-in-law is."

Zhang Hong's head throbbed thinking of the past year's wild rumors about Yan Li—this little brat wouldn't really give her a group of seven fairy daughters-in-law, would he?

Neither would speak, and Grandma Yan sided with them; the interrogation ended in stalemate.

Yan Xin, sent out to buy missing daily items, sighed in relief—his brother was too accomplished, so the elders gave him face, but took it out on him.

The older brother dates, the younger brother takes the blame...

As he muttered to himself, his phone rang. He pulled it out, scalp prickling. After hesitation, he answered.

"Hello, sister-in-law."

Qin Lan's warm, gentle voice came through: "I heard from your brother that Grandma and your uncle and aunt have arrived in Beijing. I've prepared some things—come over to my place and pick them up."

Yan Xin couldn't tell if Qin Lan genuinely knew or was testing him, wasn't sure if she wanted him to deliver goods or just get the address, and most crucially, had no idea what Yan Li wanted.

"Sorry, sister-in-law, I'm out of town right now—my brother sent me to check out cinema locations."

"Oh, I see."

Qin Lan said nothing more, hung up after a few words. Yan Xin patted his chest, relieved, then immediately called Yan Li to report.

"Got it."

Yan Li sounded like he was in a meeting, replied briefly, then hung up. Yan Xin could only pray his cousin had luck.

After buying the items, Yan Xin carried them back. As he opened the courtyard gate, his scalp exploded again.

Dong Xuan, long hair flowing, dressed in a light blouse and umbrella skirt—elegant, poised, refined—smiled warmly as she chatted with Zhang Hong and Grandma Yan in the courtyard.

Seeing Yan Xin return, Dong Xuan greeted him familiarly: "Xiao Xin, you're back. I came to see Grandma and your uncle and aunt."

"Ah, uh, oh."

At that moment, Yan Xin dared not casually call her "sister-in-law," mumbled a vague reply, then went to find Wu Maowen and whispered: "What's going on?"

"I don't know. She showed up suddenly. Li Ge's phone went straight to voicemail—I sent him a text."

Wu Maowen remained calm; Yan Xin, however, was scratching his head.

Wu Maowen remained relatively calm, but Yan Xin scratched his head.

Since this sihe Academy was where Yan Li's parents lived, he supervised the renovation closely before taking over its management.

According to Yan Xin's knowledge, very few people knew about this house—Qin Lan certainly didn't, and even fewer knew Yan Li's parents were visiting and staying here today.

Plus, as Yan Li's cousin, he had often been courted and bribed by Dong and Qin; if word leaked, he would be the first to blame.

"Yan Li replied."

Wu Maowen showed Yan Xin his phone: "He said it himself—none of our business."

"Phew~"

Yan Xin dramatically wiped his brow, then couldn't help sighing: "I told you—my brother's got a soft spot for old feelings; Dong Xuan holds the highest place in his heart."

Wu Maowen said nothing aloud, but nodded inwardly.

He also believed Yan Li valued Dong Xuan most.

Previously, he'd heard gossip on set from insiders: Dong Xuan had voluntarily abandoned her cultivation, hidden herself away as a teacher at Beiyingchang, and could never compete with Fan Xiaopang.

But then again, is a business partner more important than a wise, supportive wife?

Dong Xuan as a teacher is respectable, has time to care for the family, and can still ease the burden on Yan Li, who's busy with work.

Plus, she doesn't have to expose herself to the messy chaos of the entertainment industry.

Yan Li's thoughts are unknown, but Wu Maowen firmly believed women were better off staying quietly at home.

So in Wu Maowen's view, Dong Xuan might seem unremarkable, but she cultivates steadily, with solid foundations—he was most confident she'd win in the end.

On the other side, Dong Xuan had no idea Wu Maowen—Yan Li's personal driver and childhood friend—was rooting for her; right now, she was giving her all to impress Yan Li's family.

Yan Li was filial; if she won over his family, whether Qin Lan or Fan Xiaopang, they could both go cool off somewhere else.

Dong Xuan kept performing, while Yan Nainai, Zhang Hong, and others observed her, directly or subtly.

They knew this girl—Yan Li's college ex-girlfriend—but never imagined their breakup was fake.

After a brief chat, Zhang Hong and the others were quite satisfied with Dong Xuan.

A campus romance, beautiful and fair-skinned, elegant demeanor, decent family background, and now a university teacher—what a perfect daughter-in-law for a harmonious household.

Especially Zhang Hong, after chatting awhile, grabbed Dong Xuan's hand and wouldn't let go, her affection obvious.

Seeing the mood was good, Yan Xin and Wu Maowen relaxed and agreed to step outside for a cigarette.

But no sooner had they stepped out than they saw a stunning woman in sunglasses, fox-faced, stepping out of a Mercedes G-Class; she spotted them and nodded approvingly.

"Looks like I didn't come to the wrong place—you're just here, come help me carry my things."

"What the hell!"

Yan Xin's jaw dropped—Fan Xiaopang was filming in Jizheng Province, so how did she suddenly show up in Jingcheng?

Wu Maowen was stunned too, but reacted quickly: he told Yan Xin to stall Fan Xiaopang while he pulled out his phone to call Yan Li.

Yan Li's side hung up again; the situation was urgent, so Wu Maowen didn't care what Yan Li was doing—he dialed twice more.

Probably realizing something was wrong, Yan Li answered on the third call.

"What's wrong?"

Wu Maowen explained the situation; Yan Li went numb.

He'd told Dong Xuan himself, prepared Qin Lan's side, but hadn't told Fan Xiaopang at all—so how did she know, and why did she show up so precisely?

There's a traitor!

Yan Li's first thought was this—surely Fan Xiaopang didn't have her own intelligence network.

"Bro, you've got to come quick—she's here, do we stop her?"

"Don't hang up—go inside and check."

Yan Li ordered Wu Maowen to livestream via phone; the latter didn't dare delay and followed him into the courtyard.

Fan Xiaopang apparently didn't know Dong Xuan was there; she entered with a bright smile, cheerfully greeting the curious onlookers—until her eyes landed on Dong Xuan, and her smile froze on her face.

Dong Xuan, who had been smiling warmly and gently toward Zhang Hong and the others moments before, instantly turned cold upon seeing Fan Xiaopang walk in with her bags.

As the popular leading actress and Yan Li's publicly acknowledged girlfriend, Fan Xiaopang was impossible for Yan Li's family not to recognize.

Old Yan and Mrs. Zhang exchanged a glance; a shadow fell over both their hearts.

I told you not to come to Jingcheng—that little bastard kept digging holes for us…

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ps: Today's full update (6000/9000)

(End of chapter)