The long street was filled with all sorts of sights; everywhere, people were stopping in their tracks, gathering around to watch.
Among the crowd that filled the street, there were elderly people and children mixed in. The noise and clamor—if one didn’t know better—might have made them think it was a tourist attraction. There was none of the solemn atmosphere that should have been present.
Even when it came to an ordinary family changing its head, they would invite someone of status. Only after the proper rites were completed would the succession take place quietly and solemnly.
There had never been any family that allowed so many unrelated people to come in, making such a racket that it felt like a vegetable market.
Just look at those people touching things so casually, even chewing on food as they talked—there truly wasn’t the slightest bit of etiquette.
Any family with even a bit of standing, upon seeing this, would all be secretly mocking them in their hearts.
The successor personally chosen by the Old Master Fang was really a little too willful.
Fang Jingluo didn’t know what others were thinking, but even if he did, he probably wouldn’t have changed his approach.
He had always been flamboyant and unrestrained. Since when had he ever cared what others thought?
At the moment, his face carried a faint smile, but his eyes kept glancing toward the entrance, as if he were waiting for someone.
President Wang Chang’an of the Jade Appraisal Association noticed the young man’s lack of focus. The expression on his own face immediately faded a bit.
As the president, whoever met him outside would treat him with utmost respect. Even Old Master Fang, five years his senior, had to greet him with a smile—yet this Fang Jingluo, who wasn’t even of age, didn’t understand even this bit of basic courtesy?
Wang Chang’an paused for a moment, lifted his chin slightly, and slowed his pace of speech, no longer as gentle as before:
“I noticed little Jingluo keeps looking outside. What is it, are you waiting for someone?”
Only seeing Rong Xu and not Chi Han had already caused Fang Jingluo’s heart to sink.
Just then, another voice filled with veiled reproach came to his ear. His eyes showed a trace of impatience, and he forced a smile as he replied, “Not waiting for anyone.”
Wang Chang’an crossed his arms over his chest, swept a glance over the crowd that was continuously pouring in, and exclaimed in admiration, “Even back then, your grandfather didn’t have such a grand display. Just how many prestigious families have you invited here? Why do they all look so unfamiliar to me?”
He deliberately laughed, his voice pitched just right for those nearby to hear: “Don’t tell me you even invited people from our neighboring province? Otherwise, how come I don’t recognize a single one of them?”
“Pfft.”
Faintly, a couple of stifled laughs sounded from within the crowd.
They were all people who had come with Wang Chang’an. Though the Fang family was powerful, Wang Chang’an was, after all, their direct superior.
There was no need to even think about who they ought to flatter.
Besides, judging from the current situation, with the Fang family falling into Fang Jingluo’s hands, who knew how it would develop?
The smile on Old Master Fang’s face gradually faded, and a slight twitch appeared between his brows.
Wang Chang’an was an extremely vain man, fond of being flattered by others. Before coming, Old Master Fang had already warned Fang Jingluo about this, but still, something had gone wrong.
Though Jingluo was at fault first, this Wang Chang’an was simply too tactless, starting his snide remarks the moment he stood at the door.
He clearly didn’t take the Fang family seriously at all!
Having sat in a high position for many years, Old Master Fang was full of pride. He immediately stomped his cane on the floor, his aged face turning cold.
Fang Jingluo inherited the arrogance of his grandfather completely.
He couldn’t even be bothered to put up a front.
“Teacher Wang is getting on in years, naturally he doesn’t recognize as many people as he used to. If Teacher Wang is willing, I can help introduce them to you, so you won’t find every face unfamiliar. That would be quite embarrassing, wouldn’t it?”
Fang Jingluo imitated Wang Chang’an’s tone, spitting out each word deliberately, one by one, just like he had done—but his lips were curled with mocking disdain.
An old thing who relied on seniority, did he think that no matter where he went, people would line up to kiss his boots?
Wang Chang’an froze, a breath stuck in his chest that he couldn’t exhale for a long while. His twisted expression looked absolutely ridiculous.
“Well. Well done indeed. Fang Deming, is this how you teach the younger generation?!”
Fang Deming—Old Master Fang—let out a short snort of laughter, glanced up and down at Wang Chang’an, and after a long moment, said with a half-smile that wasn’t quite a smile, “Courtesy is something used for people.”
Wang Chang’an: “…………”
He was gasping for air, his face turning a deep, purplish-pig liver color.
Truth be told, he very much wanted to curse out loud right now. But aside from the Fang family and ordinary commoners, there were also quite a few prestigious families present, all watching. Wang Chang’an really couldn’t bring himself to act like some vulgar fishwife on the street.
“Well done, Fang Deming. Then let me first congratulate you on raising such an outstanding successor.” Wang Chang’an gave a sinister smile toward Fang Jingluo. “Young Master Fang, I do hope that in the future, you can still speak to me with such bravado. I’ll be watching.”
Fang Jingluo rolled up his sleeves, revealing his lean and muscular forearms. Hearing this, he waved a hand at Wang Chang’an and said, “Oh, got it. Now get lost.”
The surrounding onlookers watched as Wang Chang’an strode off in large steps, each with their own thoughts.
The old master of the Fang family was famous for being fiercely protective. He usually spoke with a smiling face, but once someone stepped on his bottom line, it didn’t matter who was right or wrong—he would crush them first and talk later.
Wang Chang’an really was getting more muddled with age, insisting on dancing on one of the Fang family’s landmines.
Then again, even when Fang Deming was at the peak of his power, he had never been this aggressive before. This newly appointed successor seemed a little too hot-blooded and impulsive.
Some of the families who had originally intended to cooperate with the Fang family, after witnessing this farce, couldn’t help but start reconsidering.
They did want to cooperate with the Fang family to get a share of the benefits—there was no denying that. But that didn’t mean they were going to throw their dignity to the ground and act like a bunch of groveling lackeys, did it?
Fang Jingluo was simply too disrespectful. No matter what, Wang Chang’an was still his elder.
Even if that elder’s conduct was rather questionable.
The crowd exchanged glances. In each other’s eyes, they saw schadenfreude.
It seemed the Fang family wasn’t going to have it easy in the future.
Fang Deming had long since become shrewd to the core. He could see through what those around him were thinking at a single glance.
He let out a cold snort.
Want to watch my Fang family make a fool of itself? You’d better take care of your own mess first!
Fang Jingluo said a few polite words to invite the crowd inside, showing not the slightest hint of regret for what he had just said.
Wang Chang’an was already so old and still shamelessly clinging to the president’s position. Who knew how many people under him were itching to kick him aside and take over?
As long as he made a few moves, Wang Chang’an would soon roll off that position, and the next president would remember the favor.
So, for a president whose days were numbered, was there any need to flatter him?
Fang Jingluo raised a hand and called someone over, instructing him to keep an eye on Rong Xu and also to find out why Chi Han hadn’t shown up.
The thin man who had been following by his side all along paused in his steps when he heard this, then made an excuse about needing to use the restroom and left.
***
Wang Chang’an had just stepped outside when someone blocked his way. He looked at the strangely alluring man in front of him and said with an unfriendly expression, “What is it? Does your father have something to say to me again?”
Fang Chen, Fang Jingluo’s uncle, shook his head with a smile and spoke gently, “My nephew is young and ignorant. My father is also getting on in years. Teacher Wang, there’s no need to take their words to heart.”
Wang Chang’an let out a string of cold laughs. “Ignorant? Acting that arrogant in front of so many people, he was well taught by Fang Deming!”
“Truly cut from the same mold.”
The corners of Fang Chen’s long, narrow eyes lifted slightly. Beneath his warm voice was a cold, sinister edge that sent chills down the spine:
“Teacher Wang must be dealing with quite a few troublesome matters within the Jade Appraisal Association lately, yes? Why don’t we find some time to have a talk? Perhaps… I could offer a bit of help.”
Wang Chang’an’s angry expression paused, replaced with a hint of hesitation. “You mean that?”
Fang Chen pressed his lips into a smile. “Of course I mean it. And… if I’m able to take the Fang family head position, then Teacher Wang’s son… will likely have a solid seat as the next president.”
Wang Chang’an’s gaze shifted slightly. After a moment, he finally gave a nod and smiled, patting Fang Chen on the shoulder.
At that moment, Chi Han—sitting on the sofa—received a message from an unfamiliar number.
It contained a photo.
A wheelchair was tipped over by the side of the road, but the person who had been in it was nowhere to be seen.
Below the photo was a line of text showing an address.
It was the Fang family’s old street.
