The Mysterious Family

Yang Shuguang, carrying a bag full of cash he'd just withdrawn from the bank, arrived at the entrance of a luxurious estate located in the development district.

"What's your business here?" asked a security guard dressed in black.

"I'm here to see Mr. Liu!" Yang Shuguang replied.

"And who are you to see him?" The guard eyed Yang Shuguang with suspicion.

"I... I'm his son-in-law..." Yang Shuguang replied, feeling a bit embarrassed as he said it.

"Son-in-law?" The guard looked him up and down doubtfully but eventually pulled out a walkie-talkie and said a few words into it.

Seeing the guard willing to announce his presence, Yang Shuguang felt slightly relieved. His biggest worry had been being turned away at the gate; as long as they passed along his request, he was confident he could get in.

Before long, an older man in his fifties with a pockmarked face came out.

"This guy says he wants to see the boss!" the guard said mechanically.

The man with the pockmarked face, whom they called Manager Liu, looked at Yang Shuguang for a moment, then sneered. "So, you're Yang Shuguang? Hmph! Been a while, hasn't it? The boss probably doesn't want to see you."

"I... I already called him," Yang Shuguang answered awkwardly.

"Oh? Is that so? Fine, follow me." Manager Liu gave him a disdainful glance and gestured for him to come along.

Manager Liu knew perfectly well that Yang Shuguang was expected today; he was simply giving him a hard time on purpose. Having served the Liu family for over thirty years, he was more than just a manager—he was like a brother to the family's patriarch.

He thought of the Liu family's second daughter as if she were his own niece, and when she was young, she had been especially close to him. It had broken his heart to see her marry Yang Shuguang, only for her to die a few years later, seemingly worn down by his shameless affairs. Although her official cause of death was heart disease, Manager Liu blamed it all on Yang Shuguang.

Yang Shuguang followed nervously, barely daring to breathe as they walked. The courtyard was filled with guards wearing earpieces, and from their posture alone, it was clear these were not just any security team—they were professionals with military-level training.

After weaving through several paths, Manager Liu led Yang Shuguang to a two-story pavilion in the center of the estate.

"Manager Liu!" The guards at the door greeted him respectfully. Though officially a manager, he held a status within the Liu family close to that of an elder; he was trusted as one of the patriarch's inner circle.

"Xiao San, go inside and let the master know that Yang Shuguang is here," Manager Liu said coldly.

Xiao San, an old hand at the estate who had worked under Manager Liu for over a decade, knew well the longstanding animosity between the two. Not daring to comment, he immediately spoke a few words into his earpiece and then said, "The boss says he can come in."

"Follow me," Manager Liu said, still refusing to even glance at Yang Shuguang as he led the way inside.

Yang Shuguang quickly lowered his head and hurried to follow, keeping close behind Manager Liu as they entered the pavilion.

When they reached a door, Manager Liu knocked gently twice. A deep, elderly voice from inside responded, "Come in."

Manager Liu pushed open the door and motioned for Yang Shuguang to enter first. But Yang Shuguang was so nervous he feared a trap might be waiting inside, and he didn't dare to go in ahead of Manager Liu.

With a disdainful grunt, Manager Liu stepped inside, and only then did Yang Shuguang follow, trembling with caution.

The room was spacious, with three grand armchairs at its center. In the middle sat an elderly man, and on either side of him sat two distinguished, middle-aged women.

Yang Shuguang immediately bowed and said, "Junior Yang Shuguang pays respects to Father-in-law and both Mothers-in-law."

"Hmph! Who are you calling your father-in-law?" the elderly man replied coldly.

"Well... To me, sir, you'll always be my father-in-law," Yang Shuguang said, forcing himself to maintain his composure.

"'Junior'? It seems that ever since you became the head of the local security team, you've forgotten where you came from, huh? You must think you don't need the Liu family anymore!" the elderly man sneered.

"Never, sir! Besides, I'm not even the head of security anymore," Yang Shuguang sighed.

"Enough with the formalities. Just get to the point," the elderly man said with a dismissive wave, unwilling to entertain any more polite façades.

"This is just a small token from me," Yang Shuguang said, opening a briefcase full of cash and handing it to Manager Liu.

Manager Liu barely glanced at it before tossing it back. "The Liu family isn't lacking for money!" he scoffed. Although there were likely hundreds of thousands inside, Manager Liu, having witnessed the ups and downs of the world, found such an amount laughable. Having followed the old master through his military days, where they seized riches beyond measure, he was unimpressed by such a small sum.

"This is all I have left! I know it's hardly worth your attention…" Yang Shuguang muttered, blushing in embarrassment.

"Save your social tricks for the streets. Let me tell you, I wouldn't even keep that much at home—it'd just take up space. Even the floor you're standing on is worth more than that!" the elderly man declared. "Now, get to the point."

"Father-in-law, your grandson has been crippled! You have to seek justice for us!" Yang Shuguang said, his tone filled with grief.

"Grandson? I don't acknowledge anyone like that!" the elderly man snapped. He had long heard of Yang Kaiyuan's antics—drinking, gambling, soliciting, deceiving, fighting, and even engaging in more violent acts. He was exactly like his father, Yang Shuguang.

"Master, whatever his faults, Yang Kaiyuan was still born of the Second Miss!" one of the women beside the elderly man expressed concern upon hearing Yang Kaiyuan had been severely injured.

"Liu Xiaocui was indeed my daughter, but I don't recognize that boy as my grandson!" the elderly man said firmly, slapping the arm of his chair.

"But still, whether we like it or not, Yang Kaiyuan is partly a member of the Liu family. If this incident gets out, it could damage our family's reputation," the woman persisted. After all, the Second Miss, Liu Xiaocui, was her own daughter, and she felt some duty to protect her honor.

"Hmph! I know all about your motherly kindness. That brat Yang Kaiyuan is reaping what he's sown. Frankly, with all he's done over the years, he's lucky he wasn't beaten to death!" the elderly man scoffed. Then he added, "But you're right; even if I don't acknowledge him, he's still technically tied to the Liu family. Yang Shuguang, what do you have in mind? You must have some sort of plan, or you wouldn't have come here."

Yang Shuguang gave an awkward smile. This old master was as sharp as ever; he'd already seen through his intentions. No longer hiding anything, Yang Shuguang explained the entire situation with the Chen family but carefully omitted mentioning Liu Lei. He was well aware of the formidable influence behind Liu Lei, and he knew that even though the old master held some sway locally, people like Zhao Junsheng and, especially, Zhao Limin, were not to be trifled with.