Standing at the gate to the estate was the old Patriarch of the Chen Family in Jinlu. Chen Huaian was currently suffering from cancer. Some say it was the man's just desserts for his harsh methods and biased views on how he treated his children.
Particularly how his 3rd son, who created a mess years ago, was still considered his favorite despite the hard work of the other more successful sons. Not to mention closer to the Family compared to the Chen Yuxing, who stayed far out and only visited every few months at best.
'This Master Mingyun is such a strong person, but his is in the area for some reason.' Chen Huaian was in deep thought about the gossip brought to his attention. 'Hopefully, the next few days go on without an issue. Is he here to take over Jinlu City? Or is this retaliation for what happened to his Family?'
Mixed information about Master Mingyun being from the countryside painted an odd picture. So many families and bloodlines moved about the countryside it was hard to keep track of them all.
'Chen Yuxing, my favorite son, is so talented but stubborn. Something happened to his son that I don't really remember hearing about the finer details of it so far. Maybe I can have the Chen Family get some protection from such a person?' Thinking over his health, it was best to get something to help strengthen the Family. Or someone, for that matter.
If he knew that was almost impossible, the cancer would have lost out to a stroke.
Chen Ning had found herself still puzzled on what she found out about her friend during one of her trips. Yun Ling still gave good information on her encounter with her cousin. Chen Fan was Mingyun Rexford but was distancing himself a lot by the sound of it.
"Grandfather," she called out to the old man who was in a daze it looked like. "Aunt Xiaoyun has arrived with a few of her family members." She didn't know why but she felt it best not to mention Rexford just yet.
"That is good." Smiling at the mention of his son, he wondered why Chen Ning looked so nervous. "You should try to get out more with your friends; no need to stress while young."
His granddaughter just smiled and gave a nod. With more of the Family coming over, it was all well and good.
"It has been a while since I saw your 3rd uncle's children. I heard Youya has gotten married to someone unexpectantly, and Chen Yuxing is upset they weren't consulted. Maybe he thinks she is doing the same as himself when young?"
He didn't know the half of it.
"Father." Wang Xiaoyun greeted cordially.
"Dad!" Chen Yuxing was cheerful on seeing his father.
"Greetings." Tang, Churan, Youya, and Chitang greeted together.
"I say, you are looking quite well despite the ugly business." Huaian shook hands with Tang. "Your daughter has grown into a beautiful young woman as well." Shaking her hand as well, she defintely approved. "My grandson Chen An could learn a lot if she is anything like you." He then stooped on Chitang. "Who might this be?"
"I am Mingyun Chitang, nice to meet you." Chitang stretched his hand for a shake to the frail man. "Chen An is not worthy of Ranran; best not to think silly thoughts."
"What a nice little boy." Shaking it, he was suprised by the grip and the fact he couldn't see through not just three people, but the child to. Thinking the child was just protective of Churan. "Did you say Mingyun!?"
"Yup." Chitang pulled his hand back. 'This old man is sick; I doubt Father doesn't know this already. Maybe he doesn't care.'
"Let's go inside." Chen Ning interrupted.
Chitang was giving her a really funny feeling of danger. She moved over to Youya as they went inside.
"So, did you really get married? It is not fake or anything, right?" She wanted to hear it in front of everyone.
The small side chatter was mainly left out by the other's hearing as they moved.
"Hmm, why did they leave us out of the talks?" Chitang was used to being part of the conversations in regards to the Family. This was just so.. bleagh, having to sit with people who didn't like you to the side. "I think we should move over to Aunt Tang."
"Haa, they do things the traditional way." Churan sighed. She didn't like it either. Especially if they were deciding the future of any of them, but her mom was way more open since her accident. "Don't worry; we can just ask later."
Both could hear the conversation just find thanks to being powerful cultivators, but it just sucked not to be considered. Youya didn't mind at all, as she was just relaxing, rubbing her thumb over the wedding band.
"Youya," Chen Xu called out seeing the ring on her finger. "what do you have there?" He would mess with his cousin Chen Fan if he saw him, but he was not around. The thought of her getting married never really occurred to him. "Some sort of promise ring?"
"My wedding band." Youya held it up without a care for the looks sent her way. The various members were definitely incapable of getting married without their parent's involvement. Or the Family being aware of it. "Given to me by the head of the Mingyun Family when I married into it."
"You got married!" He was shocked as well as the others of who it was to. "Why did we not hear anything of this?!" Rage started to build up as she was his to claim not someone else.
"Well, it didn't have anything to do with the Chen Family." Youya smiled as she explained just a little. "Even though I was raised under the care of certain members of the Family, I was never considered Family really. The gossip and the ridicule made sure I was not welcome over the years so I made decisions for my benefit."
To hear it outright, some were not shameless enough to say otherwise. They followed their parents' lead in kicking down the Family of Chen Yuxing. Imitation of parents was the worst no matter what culture.
"I thought the message was a joke!" Chen An voiced. Another of the essential members of the family 3rd generation. But he was just so smug and spoiled. "You are really bold!"
"Definitely not." Chen Ning was one of her close friends and one of the few people who genuinely liked her in the Family. With the bragging she did in college regarding Rexford as well best to stay on the right side during this time. "How long did you even know the guy?"
Both herself and a few other members of the 3rd generation of the Family wanted to know the finer details. Even those who didn't like the popular beauty were envious and more than enough hope she married some loser.
"Humph, good riddance!" Chen Xu grumbled lowly. Youya was one of the two goddesses in the Family, and quite a few had impure dangerous thoughts about her. Trying to mask a bit of his anger. "You would make a good little bed warmer."
*Schlick!" A cut appeared across the shit heels face. Chitang would not let them disrespect his Family like this. He even wanted to kill the one who looked at Youya with disdain a little. The young socialists were not prepared for such an instance taking place.
"Talk like that again.." Chitang eyes radiated malice as he was about 10 seconds from killing the bastard still. Luckily Churan held him in place, definitely reluctant in her action.. "..I swear they won't find your body!"
The other brats of the Chen Family took deep breaths stepping away and not daring to murmur. Youya feeling the situation was better stopped, now, stood up to leave. Taking Chitang with her of course with the help of Churan.
"Chen Ning, let's catch up another time." She waved goodbye to her friend. Very intent on leaving, of course, before someone opened their mouth. 'Oh, this will not end well!'
"Wait!" Chen Ning shouted, running over. "Everyone is going to a restaurant later; it is a really great place! You don't want to miss it!" Running fast in her heels had little Chitang laughing to himself.
Something his father said about people who run really, really fast in high heels: letting him watch the Boondocks might have been a bad idea. But Chitang enjoyed watching videos from Rexford's memories.
They made no promises about attending and definitely wanted to not be here anymore.
A few minutes before the outlash with the .. adults.
Aunt Tang was pretty fed up with her talks as well. A bunch of posturing and the few times she tried to help Wang Xiaoyun fell hard from her lack of fire to push back.
The older members were going over the business in deep discussion. The gains and the losses of the year so far when they felt the change in the air building up.
"Cheng Zhengxing has done a good job this year." Chen Huaian said. "Just a few more years until his promotion to Deputy Mayor."
"Brother has always been composed in his way of doing things, going step by step." Chen Qianxing said, encouraging his brother. The other kept a taciturn face that masked resentment for his father. "He will make a great Deputy Mayor."
Chen Qianxing, you have been doing much worse." Chen Huaian rebuked. " There's no progress in your business."
"Third brother, why don't you transfer to Jinling where you can really flourish." Cheng Qianxing's words came out a little haughtily. Any food could tell this was to provoke him. "I'll make sure you become Head of Division in three years. How's that?"
"I think you should." Aunt Tang voiced. Eyes turning to her at that. "Better to spend time with your wife instead of wasting it at work as you have been."
"Tang!" Wang Xiaoyun was shocked by her friend. She was there for support and even though she didn't listen to the advice she knew those in the Chen Family would not like this. "Chen Yuxing is doing fine in his job!"
"He won't be anything at this rate!" Chen Zhengxing was fed up with them putting Chen Yuing on a pedestal. Life would have been a lot better if his younger brother and father got their heads if their respective asses. "How has he helped the Family out there in the sticks? What has he contributed?"
Before they could get into it further, the pressure hit them. Chitang's outburst was definitely enough to cause Tang to break away with a good enough excuse for not coming back. As they moved to find out what happened, none paid attention to Chen Zhengxing.
.
A deal made in secret-
.
Chen Zhengxing left his wife to deal with the matter. Citing an important phone call to deal with regarding business as an excuse. Imagine his surprise when a Black sphere opened up in front of him.
"Master Mingyun!" He immediately bowed to the figure stepping out. Rexford arrived using his movement technique. It still needed to be polished a lot more. Currently, his entire body was cloaked black with golden twinkling light all throughout his body.
"Look up; I understand what happened already. Continue your work to push the focus as needed in talks. Do not let the fact your father loves Chen Yuxing more deter you over what must be done." Rexford barely used any of the Violence Aspect to stroke the resentment the man had. "It is in his best interest to leave his job and come back to you all."
"I understand, but if I could just.." Chen Zhengxing did not want to hurt his brother really, but enough was enough. "..If I just mention your involvement."
"Do not use me as a way to leverage the situation." Rexford cut his hand through the air, moving some qi around. His technical uncle was scared but held firm. Commendable and a lot better than his son, for sure. "Let everything unfold but try to gain better morals. Better than my own anyway."
*Woom!* A warm feeling engulfed Chen Zhengxing. The way of Purpose unfolding in him on what to do. Toying with lives to get what he wanted was not anything new to him.
"Master Mingyun, if this will save my Chen Family, I will do it." Zhengxing eyes lit up with qi. He would stay the course as needed. "The girl An Youya, I will do my best to smooth the situation in the naysayers in regards to her getting married."
"That will be good." Rexford gave the nod of approval as he pulled out a bar of gold. Slightly thicker than average gold on the market. It was produced by the Black Gold Vortex of course. "An advancement, do not waste money if you want to take over the family."
Of course, it was easier said than done with his wife and child wasting most of the money.