Turns Out They All Know Each Other

After a week of continuous work, the weekend finally arrived. It was early in the morning, just as the sky was brightening, Jiang Fan stood outside the residential compound wearing pajamas, looking at the refreshed BMW 525 that had just been waxed. He couldn't help but sigh.

Aunt Ji was being overly 'dedicated'.

"Nephew, I don't know which senior you're visiting, so I prepared some things casually. This way, you won't have to buy them yourself. Here's a set of Lancôme cosmetics, and these are two bottles of Wuliangye liquor. They're not expensive. I didn't know what kind of food to buy, so I just bought a set according to what's served at hotel banquets. Here are the car keys, and it's fully fueled."

Jiang Fan looked at the car's trunk filled with items and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. This made him want to smoke, but when he searched up and down, he realized that his new pajamas didn't have pockets. At this moment, Ji Jing turned around, went back to the car, took out a pack of soft Chinese cigarettes and a lighter, and walked towards Jiang Fan. She had already opened the pack of cigarettes and handed one to Jiang Fan with a gentle voice.

"I don't know what brand of cigarettes men like, but I heard of this one, so I bought two packs and put them in the car. Anyway, they're for you. Here, have one."

Jiang Fan tilted his head and looked at Ji Jing as she handed him the cigarette. Just as he was about to light it, a gust of wind blew. When Jiang Fan turned to shield the flame, Ji Jing unbuttoned her thin windbreaker and stepped closer to block the wind for him. This gesture made Jiang Fan's hand tremble slightly.

This kind of treatment!

It only happens in TV dramas.

Jiang Fan recalled what Guan Dagou had said.

The Empress of the East Palace, the Empress of the West Palace, and two concubines.

One of them must be Ji Jing.

She was so considerate that it made people feel heartache.

Seeing that Jiang Fan had lit the cigarette, Ji Jing stepped back two paces, lowered her head, and spoke softly.

"Don't refuse. This is the only way I can feel at ease. What you've done for me far outweighs anything money can solve. Compared to your lavish spending, these things today are insignificant. I heard that you're going to see Mr. Qian tomorrow, so you can use the car first. The fuel card is in the glove box on the passenger side. Um! I'll leave now. It wouldn't be good if Vice President Tang sees me. Don't say anything!"

Ji Jing walked away quickly, almost fleeing in a hurry. Jiang Fan, with a cigarette in his mouth, didn't say anything. He just watched Ji Jing leave.

Concubine?

Jiang Fan didn't know whether to laugh or cry now.

As Ji Jing got into the taxi, she clenched her fists, cheered herself up, and then sighed and lowered her head in despair. If Mr. Su knew, he would be angry.

Jiang Fan looked at the things prepared in the trunk and sighed helplessly.

A beauty's kindness?

This was a beauty repaying kindness.

※※※

Outside the residential compound, Tang Wan was driving. She liked cars and wanted to try driving any car she hadn't driven yet. Tang Wan held the steering wheel with one hand and said softly,

"Ji Jing? Is she the quiet woman who didn't eat or drink anything last time?"

"Mm-hmm."

"She's very pretty and quiet and reserved. Compared to Su Qing, I prefer women with this kind of personality."

"Mm-hmm."

"She's one of the two concubines Guan Junbiao mentioned, right?"

"Mm-hmm. Mm? No."

Tang Wan pursed her lips and didn't dwell too much on this matter. After driving for a short distance, Tang Wan suddenly stopped the car, opened the window, and smiled gently at the woman outside the car.

"Ms. Tong? Where are you going? If it's on the way, can I give you a ride?"

Hmm?

Jiang Fan, who had been closing his eyes and covering his forehead, suddenly opened his eyes.

Ms. Tong?

Tong Yao?

How does Tang Wan know her?

Tong Yao, who was waiting for the bus, smiled at Tang Wan. When she saw Jiang Fan in the passenger seat, Tong Yao squinted her eyes and then told Tang Wan that she was going to the new district to meet a parent. After hearing this, Tang Wan invited Tong Yao to get in the car.

Li Jinhai's house was also in the new district.

Tong Yao sat in the back seat. Today, she wore a long dress, holding books and wearing glasses, looking very youthful. Tang Wan drove the car and smiled at Tong Yao through the rearview mirror.

"Ms. Tong, you don't look well. Didn't you rest well last night? The last time we met was when I sent Jiawei and Tukun to the remedial class, right?"

Tong Yao, sitting in the back, pushed up her glasses and smiled gently.

"Thank you for your concern, Vice President Tang. I didn't rest well last night. I met someone, but I misjudged him. He left me in the residential compound late at night and ran away without even giving me a chance to thank him. I felt uneasy after returning home."

"A pursuer? Ms. Tong should have many pursuers."

Tang Wan asked with a careless smile. Jiang Fan, sitting in the passenger seat, felt uncomfortable all over. He couldn't understand how Tong Yao could know Tang Wan. How could Tang Wan, with her timid personality, make friends?

The two women seemed to have similar personalities and chatted a lot on the way, from literature to life. Finally, they somehow started talking about men. Mentioning men, Tong Yao sighed again.

"Ah, Vice President Tang, mentioning this man makes me a bit annoyed. He was fine on the way back, but after we separated, he said something like 'we're far apart, let's part here'. It's as if I'm not worthy of him!"

"Ms. Tong, don't sigh. It's this man who doesn't know what he's doing. He can't see such a beautiful woman like you. Missing such a blind man is not a loss. The next one will be better."

"Vice President Tang is right. I didn't know that Mr. Jiang is Vice President Tang's partner before. Mr. Jiang is very fortunate."

"Him? Ms. Tong, please don't say that. He's been dissatisfied with me for a long time."

"Then he's really blind."

Jiang Fan, sitting in the passenger seat, felt very uncomfortable. Tong Yao, this monster, was acting so convincingly. The two women scolded him for being blind. If Tang Wan knew that Jiang Fan had sent Tong Yao back last night, she wouldn't say she was blind.

Tong Yao got off the car halfway. As she got off, she squinted and smiled at Jiang Fan.

"Mr. Jiang, it's nice to see you again."

Jiang Fan didn't bother with this abnormal monster. When the car started again, Jiang Fan frowned and said,

"When did you know Tong Yao? This woman's mind is not normal. Stay away from her."

Tang Wan turned her head and looked at Jiang Fan obliquely, pursing her lips and saying,

"Even if she's abnormal, she's still a woman. She's better than you, a playboy. Jiang Fan, you're really amazing. The general manager gives you rides, and the minister prepares gifts and a car for you. You should just mind your own business. I know Tong Yao to avoid her being harmed by you."

"Am I a seducer or something? Do I harm everyone I meet?"

"Shall I believe that I'm using the elimination method to find out the two concubines around you? Ji Jing is definitely one of them. I'm looking for the other one, and then I'll deal with both of them. Xiao Jiang Fan, you'd better hope that I can't find her soon."

"You believe whatever Guan Dagou says? What? Are you the Empress of the East Palace?"

"Definitely not."

"Then it's settled!"

"I'm the Empress!"

This conversation couldn't go on. Why are they all a bit abnormal?

Nine o'clock.

Jiang Fan and Tang Wan, carrying things, pressed the doorbell of their second uncle Li Jinhai's house. It was Li Er who opened the door. He seemed to have been waiting there for a long time. Li Er sweetly called out to Tang Wan, "Sister," and then grinned at Jiang Fan, saying, "Brother-in-law, you're finally here!"

In Li Jinhai's household, no child could sleep until after seven, whether it was a school day or a holiday. They all had to wash their faces and get ready at seven on time. Although Li Er was rebellious, he still abided by this family rule.

Li Jinhai's house was very clean. Second Aunt Ding Yan took the cosmetics from Tang Wan's hand and scolded affectionately, "You've come, so why did you buy these things? Do you think of your aunt as an outsider? You came to eat at home but still bought groceries. Did your uncle threaten you?"

Tang Wan sat on the sofa with her legs crossed, peeling an orange and mumbling, "I said we shouldn't buy anything, but Jiang Fan insisted on preparing them. Whoever bought these things should cook. Second Aunt Ding, come and comfort me. I have so many rivals!"

Ding Yan was already accustomed to Tang Wan's behavior. She walked over to the sofa, took Tang Wan's hand, and asked what happened. Li Er stood in the living room, his eyes constantly shifting between Tang Wan and Jiang Fan, looking curious and puzzled.

"Rivals? Brother-in-law, did you find a mistress? Who is it? But I think it's not bad. My sister can't do any housework at all. Brother-in-law, you've had a tough time."

After speaking, Tang Wan grabbed an orange from the table and threw it at Li Er. Li Er caught the flying orange with lightning speed and grinned, "My sister still loves me. She knows to give me an orange to eat, hehe!"

"Get out, get out, get out!"

Although the relationship between the older generations was not good, the younger generation was very close. Tang Wan's orange didn't hit Li Er, but Li Jinhai kicked Li Er's buttocks and scolded coldly for being disrespectful. Li Er grimaced and sat next to Tang Wan, peeling an orange for his sister to eat.

Li Jinhai looked at the ingredients on the dining table, frowned, and said in a deep voice, "Why did you buy these things? Did I invite you here for a meal, or did I ask you to bring me meat to eat? And Wuliangye? Do you feel uncomfortable because I'm not being investigated?"

Jiang Fan was also a bit scared of Li Jinhai. He scratched his head and smiled without speaking. At this time, Tang Wan spoke up, "Second Uncle, that's enough. When my mom and dad got married, you were just a small police station chief. Now you're the deputy director of the municipal bureau, and no one says anything about you. Don't bully Jiang Fan."

"Oh? Little girl, when did you start protecting Jiang Fan so much? Last time when Jiang Fan fought with Guan Dagao, you were so worried that you rushed to the municipal bureau to find me. Now you can't even say a few words? Li Er, go wash the vegetables."

Li Jinhai was also very spoiled with Tang Wan, his only niece among relatives. Li Er, however, grimaced in protest, "Li Jinhai, don't bully me. I'll tell you, my brother-in-law is here."

Jiang Fan looked at Li Er and laughed, scolding, "Do you feel uncomfortable without getting beaten? Go wash the vegetables and then bring the test papers over. I'll tell you, I've already beaten Devil May Cry."

"Okay, my brother-in-law!"

After Li Er left, Li Jinhai sat opposite Jiang Fan and threw him a cigarette. When Jiang Fan took out a lighter, Li Jinhai frowned and asked, "How did Gao Luxing's precious lighter get into your hands?"

Huh?

Jiang Fan was slightly taken aback, then said, "Second Uncle, you also know about this lighter? It's really Gao Luxing's treasure? I promise I got it through legitimate channels. I didn't steal or rob it."

Li Jinhai frowned and nodded. After lighting the cigarette, he lifted his head, his face cold, and his voice stern as he angrily asked, "Explain to me what's going on between you and Tu Xiao from the eighth district! Jiang Fan, if you explain it clearly today, we'll share those two bottles of Wuliangye. If you can't explain it, you'll drink both bottles."

"Second Uncle..."

Before he could finish speaking, the antique phone rang. Jiang Fan's face turned stiff instantly when he took out his phone. When he answered the call, he was almost crying.

"Tu Lao, you really know how to pick your timing."

"Haha, is your nephew's uncle still busy? I thought of inviting you and Ms. Su to have a simple meal at home this weekend."

"Uh... The deputy director of the municipal bureau is sitting here in front of me."

"Li Jinhai? Then finish your business and come over later. Take your time. If you don't come, we won't start the meal."

After the call ended, Li Jinhai stood up, walked past Jiang Fan, and patted his shoulder.

"Come to the study with me."

Li Jinhai walked into the study and asked Jiang Fan two questions: one was about how close his relationship with Tu Xiao had been recently, and the second was whether Tu Xiao's sudden and smooth transition was related to Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan honestly replied that their relationship wasn't close, but Li Jinhai didn't believe him, saying Jiang Fan was fooling him and threatening to use family discipline.

Afterward, Jiang Fan said that Tu Xiao's transformation was indeed related to him, and it was a significant relationship.

Li Jinhai took out boxing gloves and wanted to go to the basement to practice with Jiang Fan. Jiang Fan smiled at Li Jinhai and said,

"Uncle, do you believe I can refuse you today?"

Without giving Li Jinhai a chance to react, Jiang Fan opened the door and shouted towards the living room,

"Auntie, my uncle wants to hit me."

Ding Yan, Tang Wan, and Li Er rushed into the study, seemingly united with Jiang Fan to resist Li Jinhai's authority. Naturally, Li Jinhai was defeated. Ding Yan glared at him and complained,

"The children don't come home often. Don't always be so strict. They're not government officials. What's the matter? Come on, Fan, let's go cook with Auntie."

"Right! You're just spoiling him, letting him hang out with Tu Xiao."

"Why shouldn't I spoil my younger generation? I should have spoiled him earlier. Otherwise, Xiao Yi wouldn't have gone abroad and not returned. Put aside your bureau director's authority at home. Let's go!"

Usually, Ding Yan was the one bullied by Li Jinhai at home. Today, with the children around, she stood up straight. As they left, Li Er looked up at Li Jinhai, snorted, and muttered about being just a mere bureau director.

It seemed rare for a son to worship his father from ancient times to the present. Li Er had inherited this less admirable tradition. In his eyes, Li Jinhai was nothing but an old man who liked to use his hands.

Actually, Li Er was a very sensible child, but the path he chose was what Li Jinhai disliked most. He wanted to attend a film academy and become a star.

In Li Jinhai's eyes, which were both conservative and traditional, a secure job in a government unit was the right path. What were those stars who sang and danced on stage? They had colorful hair, exposing their shoulders and hips.

The generation gap led to constant quarrels between this father and son. Li Yi went abroad to escape the job arranged by Li Jinhai and simply didn't return.

Li Er couldn't cook, but he could help wash vegetables. Jiang Fan was also assisting, cutting vegetables, while Tang Wan, who was quite tall, was just loafing around in the kitchen, not doing anything, which was really annoying.

When the meal was served, Li Jinhai poured a glass of Baijiu. When he was pouring for Jiang Fan, Tang Wan snatched the bottle away instantly and said coldly,

"He doesn't drink!"

"It's fine, just to accompany Uncle... Never mind, Uncle won't drink."

Under the table, Tang Wan used her toes to press Jiang Fan's instep, coercing him not to drink. How could Li Jinhai not know what was happening under the table? Then Li Er brought two bottles of beer from the refrigerator. Li Jinhai sipped his drink, lowered his head, and said in a low voice,

"Jiang Fan, I don't know what you're doing now, but I'm telling you not to step onto any criminal path. I know clearly about what you did those years, even though others don't. You're very smart, don't be too complacent."

Jiang Fan nodded and said he understood in a low voice. Seeing that Jiang Fan was a bit unhappy, Ding Yan picked up a crab and put it in his bowl, gently saying,

"Don't listen to your uncle. He's just accustomed to being an official. Have a crab. It's very fatty."

"Mom, my sister-in-law doesn't eat crabs."

"Auntie, he doesn't eat seafood."

Li Er and Tang Wan spoke at the same time and reached out to take the hairy crab from Jiang Fan's bowl. Li Er was a bit slow, and Tang Wan looked at him triumphantly, making a funny face. Li Er wrinkled his nose and said Tang Wan was fat, which Tang Wan didn't care about at all.

These two immature children were misbehaving, and Li Jinhai put down his glass again and said,

"Tell me how you got involved with Tu Xiao. I'll help you with it. It's difficult for me to advance at my age. I won't be able to do anything after I retire next year or the year after."

Today, Li Jinhai wouldn't stop until he got an answer. Jiang Fan had to tell the truth.

"Initially, I didn't know Tu Xiao. I knew Guan Junbiao. Lin Xuan promised to pay Guan Junbiao 400,000 for these two legs."

After Jiang Fan finished speaking, Li Jinhai's face turned iron-gray instantly. He frowned and said in a low voice,

"Continue."

"I met Tu Xiao's daughter first. Then the little girl repaid me by letting Guan the Big Dog come to apologize to me. After that, I learned about this matter. Tu Xiao is the biggest underworld leader in our city. This is recognized. He can solve problems that government units can't. I pocketed the 100,000 advance from Lin Xuan. Then I gave Tu Xiao a benefit, which also meant one less trouble of him paying someone to cause trouble for me."

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"

"No evidence, how could I say it? Can you believe Guan the Big Dog? Or would anyone believe that Lin Xuan is causing trouble for me? He's a lofty rich businessman's son. What am I?"

Li Jinhai pursed his lips, picked up his glass, and glanced at Tang Wan with the corner of his eye, saying softly,

"Is it because of this girl? Tang Wan, stay away from the Lin family in the future. They're all bad."

Tang Wan lowered her head and hummed, without much emotional fluctuation.

After the meal, Li Er took Jiang Fan to his room to play games, while Tang Wan stayed in the living room and chatted with her aunt.

It was one o'clock.

Tu Xiao's calls came one after another, followed by Tu Kun's, and then Guan the Big Dog's. They were all urging Jiang Fan to come over for dinner, saying that Tu Xiao was cooking himself, with his daughter supervising.

After receiving over ten calls, Jiang Fan couldn't refuse anymore and had to agree.

When leaving, Li Jinhai didn't see him off, saying he had drunk too much and needed to sleep for a while.

In the car, Tang Wan frowned and asked,

"Going to Tu Xiao's place?"

Jiang Fan covered his head, nodded slightly, and sighed.

"Ugh. With so many calls, it's not right not to go. If you're tired, just drop me off and go back first. I'll come home after eating. Ugh! I have to go to Mr. Qian's place tomorrow. I want to rest."

Tang Wan held the steering wheel with one hand and placed the other on Jiang Fan's face, saying softly,

"Your face is a bit hot. You looked a bit lethargic this morning, not very talkative. I'll go with you to Tu Xiao's place to avoid them filling you with alcohol. Let's see how it goes. If it's not good, we'll go for an injection tonight."

Jiang Fan's face was hot, and Tang Wan was also worried about his health. Jiang Fan's life was easy before, but now he suddenly started working intensively. Tang Wan was concerned about his health. Jiang Fan didn't speak. He thought he was drunk.

In front of Tu Xiao's company, Jiang Fan got out of the car. Guan Junbiao seemed to have been waiting for a long time, but his expression changed when he saw Tang Wan. When he walked forward and noticed that Jiang Fan's face looked a bit off, he put his thoughts aside and helped Jiang Fan with his arm, frowning and saying,

"Brother Jiang, are you sick?"

Jiang Fan weakly shook his head.

"It might just be a minor cold. It's nothing. Let's go in. Tu is waiting for a long time."

Supporting the weak Jiang Fan, Guan Dagou walked alongside him, with Tang Wan's fingers intertwined with Jiang Fan's, showing her deep concern for his health. As they entered the company restaurant, Tang Wan's expression turned cold instantly. She let go of Jiang Fan's hand and spoke in a chilly tone.

"Su the Fox, why are you here?"

"Tang the Giant Infant, I was about to ask you the same thing. What are you doing here?"

Su Qing had also received a call from Tu Xiao when Jiang Fan agreed to come. Before she could even settle in, she saw Tang Wan holding Jiang Fan's hand and walking in.

Ignoring the two women, Jiang Fan tried to put on a brave face and smiled at Tu Xiao.

"Shall we start the banquet?"