Yan Zhiyuan

Dong Xuewen covered her flushed cheeks, thinking, "If things go on like this... it'll be a miracle if I can even get out of bed."

She looked a few more times, then dared not look again, and prepared to go to the kitchen to make lunch.

But as soon as she turned around, she found Chen Xiao behind her.

"Bo-Boss..."

Chen Xiao's body was already soaked with sweat, and his quick-drying clothes clung tightly to him, even accentuating the contours of his abdominal muscles.

The strong scent of male hormones made Dong Xuewen's complexion even more rosy.

"I, I'll go make dinner..."

Chen Xiao smiled and said, "Mhm, go ahead."

After speaking, he took off his sweat-drenched workout clothes and turned to go into the shower to cool off.

The moment he left, Dong Xuewen glanced at Chen Xiao's strong back, and her heart beat even faster.

...

Xi Yunru did eventually get up for lunch.

But she still felt her legs weak, and after eating, she and Dong Xuewen went to the lounge chairs on the balcony to chat.

Chen Xiao had wanted to join them, but Yan Bingqin suddenly called.

"Hello? Do you have time tonight?"

Chen Xiao looked at the two exquisite beauties on the balcony and really wanted to say no, but for the sake of money, he cheerfully said, "Sister Qin is inviting, of course I do."

"Good, then tonight at seven, come to Zijing Manor."

"Who else will be there?" Chen Xiao asked.

"Hmm... My father didn't say, but Yan Yanyan should be there too."

"Okay, I know."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Xiao thought for a moment, then called Lei Yong.

"Hello? Bring more brothers tonight, we're going to Zijing Manor again."

"Yes, Boss."

Today's transaction amount was nearly ten billion, and it was even intercepted.

So, even if the possibility was very small, Chen Xiao was fully prepared.

Wasn't the investment in security forces on weekdays precisely to eliminate such potential risks?

If Shi Dun wasn't in Lan County training new recruits for Chen Xiao Security Company, Chen Xiao would have wanted to bring him along.

"Yunru, help me pick out a formal outfit; I'm attending a banquet tonight."

"Oh, okay." Xi Yunru immediately perked up.

When she had nothing to do, she also studied men's fashion, just so she could help Chen Xiao when he needed it.

Now the opportunity had finally arrived.

Xi Yunru took out several sets of clothes specifically for high-end banquets.

She personally helped Chen Xiao try on each set, then stepped back to observe.

Finally, she settled on a suitable and handsome suit.

Chen Xiao was also very satisfied, as they were going to a manor in the suburbs.

So, this Nordic pastoral style plaid suit was particularly fitting.

Downstairs at Binjiang No. 1, eight black luxury cars were lined up in a row.

Burly suited bodyguards stood on both sides.

Although the car models were different, anyone with a discerning eye could tell it was a convoy.

After Chen Xiao came down, he directly got into the back seat of the S600, and then the 10 cars of the convoy, under Lei Yong's command, slowly drove out of the community and headed towards the suburbs.

Approaching Zijing Manor, five of the cars in the convoy stopped and waited on the periphery.

The remaining five drove in.

In the parking lot, there was a man dressed as a butler, around 50 years old, waiting with two attendants.

"Hello, Mr. Chen, welcome to Zijing Manor. I am the butler, Ah Tong, and I am pleased to be of service to you."

"Hello, Uncle Tong, you are too kind."

Uncle Tong smiled, "Mr. Chen, please follow me."

"Okay."

Chen Xiao then carried a fruit basket and followed behind the butler.

Although he had been to Zijing Manor several times.

This was Chen Xiao's first time entering the manor's main building.

It was a classical pastoral-style building, covering an area of several thousand square meters.

It was exquisite, magnificent, and quite elaborate.

Upon arriving at the reception hall, Yan Zhiyuan had not yet arrived.

There were a few people in the hall; Chen Xiao knew Yan Bingqin and Yan Yanyan, and although he hadn't seen the other beautiful woman, he could guess that she was probably Yan Zhiyuan's wife, Liu Mei.

Originally, the three people in the living room had no interaction with each other, and the atmosphere was not tense, but certainly not relaxed.

The servants nearby were all cautious, as the eldest and second young misses and their mother had always been at odds, and no one wanted to incur their displeasure.

However, when Chen Xiao entered, the expressions on all three of their faces relaxed.

Yan Bingqin, needless to say, was already very familiar with him.

Yan Yanyan also smiled like a flower, "Chen Xiao, welcome to my home."

What truly puzzled Chen Xiao was Liu Mei.

As Yan Zhiyuan's wife, both her status and seniority were higher than his.

But she took the initiative to greet him and seemed very amiable.

"I've always heard that Chen Xiao is handsome and dashing. Seeing him in person today, I think he's even more handsome than what I heard. He truly lives up to his reputation as a young talent of Jinning."

Chen Xiao smiled and said, "You flatter me. Aunt Liu is young and beautiful; if Yan Yanyan weren't here, I'd think you were under 30."

Yan Bingqin rolled her eyes from the side, muttering something under her breath.

Liu Mei, however, was very happy.

Women of any age like to hear such words.

The conversation atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant.

Even Yan Bingqin occasionally joined in the chat.

To outsiders, this was simply a picture of a harmonious family.

How could one tell that their true relationship was a powder keg, at loggerheads?

After chatting for about half an hour, Yan Zhiyuan finally came downstairs.

Unlike typical nouveau riche, Yan Zhiyuan carried a scholarly and refined aura, similar to that of a literati.

His face bore a gentle smile, and his demeanor was calm yet impossible to ignore.

After he walked over, Liu Mei, Yan Bingqin, and Yan Yanyan all stood up, and were no longer as relaxed and casual as before.

Yan Zhiyuan first greeted Chen Xiao, "This must be my nephew, Chen Xiao? You are indeed even more handsome in person than in your photos."

Chen Xiao was a little surprised that Yan Zhiyuan directly said he had seen his photos.

The implication was that he had learned about or investigated him.

However, this was nothing; Chen Xiao also had quite a bit of information about him, which was normal mutual understanding.

"In front of Uncle Yan, this junior is unworthy."

To be able to give birth to such a beautiful daughter as Yan Bingqin, Yan Zhiyuan's appearance was naturally not low; even now, he belonged to the type of handsome older man who could charm many young girls.

The people in the living room, regardless of what thoughts they harbored, were at least polite and harmonious on the surface.

After chatting for a while longer, the butler came over and said that dinner was ready.

The group then walked into the dining room, chatting and laughing.

The ingredients were all exquisite, with top-tier delicacies air-freighted from abroad, as well as simple farm dishes grown on the manor itself.

The Yan Family family treated Chen Xiao very warmly.

At the dinner table, they talked about interesting anecdotes and daily life, not a single word about business.

Chen Xiao followed the local customs; since they didn't bring it up, he wasn't in a hurry either.

In short, the meal was very enjoyable, and the atmosphere was very good, so good that... it didn't quite seem like a normal family dinner scene.

Or rather, it was overly polite.

If they were outside, Yan Yanyan and Yan Bingqin would certainly be at loggerheads when they met.

But at the dinner party, Yan Yanyan even affectionately called out, "Sister Qin, help me get a napkin..."

If this scene were described to Tang Shaofei and others, they would probably never believe it.

Relaxed conversation topics always come to an end.

Chen Xiao was not here just for dinner.

Yan Zhiyuan would also not waste time inviting a junior to his home just for small talk.

When the few of them returned to the living room, the servant had already prepared tea.

The atmosphere gradually quieted down.

Chen Xiao knew that it was finally time to discuss the main topic.