"I don't think it's necessary. We'll only be bothering Mr. Lu here!"
The Xia family head stated directly, "When we have time another day, we'll drink our fill then!"
"Since the Xia family head thinks so, I won't insist on inviting you further," Yang Shihai nodded slightly.
The Xia family head said no more, and with Xia Junwen, he left the courtyard. It was a great fortune that Lu Fan was not pursuing the matter; if he were to, the Xia family could not bear the consequences.
Leaving the courtyard dusty and disheveled, the father and son finally breathed a sigh of relief. Especially the Xia family head, who had felt a sense of oppression the moment he entered the courtyard. Now that he could finally release it, he felt completely at ease.
"Dad, what do you think his background is? Even the City Lord is so fawning towards him. Even if he came from the capital, he probably wouldn't have this much authority!"
"What do you know!"
The Xia family head said coldly, "Someone who can make the City Lord so humble cannot be an ordinary person. Don't be rash in the future!"
Xia Junwen nodded, feeling even more helpless. He knew it was already quite difficult to escape this ordeal today.
As night fell, the Yang family mansion was brightly lit. Yang Shihai ordered a banquet to be prepared, and he himself seemed much more energetic.
It was a stroke of fortune for the Yang family to have the Southeast City Lord personally preside over their home. The Yang family had never received such treatment before.
"Southeast City Lord, I'll toast you!"
Yang Shihai raised his cup, a smile on his face. "It is truly the fortune of my Yang family that the Southeast City Lord can dine with us!"
"Master Yang, you flatter me!"
The Southeast City Lord quickly stood up. "It is my life's fortune to be able to drink with Mr. Lu!"
After speaking, the Southeast City Lord looked towards Lu Fan. "Mr. Lu, I toast you!"
"Southeast City Lord, there's no need for such formality!"
Lu Fan gestured slightly, raising his wine glass at the same time.
After everyone had finished their drinks, they began to converse merrily.
Yang Shihai fawned over the Southeast City Lord, yet the Southeast City Lord was extremely respectful, not daring to show any arrogance. He was very aware that Yang Shihai was Lu Fan's maternal uncle and not someone he could offend.
Yang Shihai also clearly felt that the Southeast City Lord was being very polite to him. If it were in the past, this would have been impossible. Today, it was truly surprising.
It made him look at Lu Fan a few more times. Even the Southeast City Lord was so deferential to Lu Fan. Lu Fan's status in the capital must be extraordinary, but Yang Shihai dared not ask any more questions at this moment.
After the banquet ended, the Southeast City Lord rose to leave, a hint of intoxication on his face.
Yang Shihai personally escorted him to the door before returning to the living room. By then, Lu Fan had already left and gone to his maternal grandmother's room to keep her company.
After a few days of care, Madam Yang's condition had improved considerably. She would likely wake up soon, and Lu Fan naturally wanted to spend more time with her.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Yang Shiyun and Yang Shihai exchanged glances, both filled with surprise, unsure of what had happened today.
"Dad, why don't I go and ask Xiao Fan directly?"
Yang Shiyun said, "What has he experienced all these years? Why is even the Southeast City Lord so respectful to him, and even the Xia family acts this way!"
"If Xiao Fan doesn't want to talk about it, let him be,"
Yang Shihai said, "He must have his own difficulties. If he doesn't wish to confide, we shouldn't force him. Now that the Yang family's most troublesome issue has been resolved, other matters are not important!"
"But I'm very curious, why does Xiao Fan have such abilities?"
Yang Shiyun's expression was solemn, filled with doubt at this moment. If she didn't get a clear answer, she wouldn't be able to calm her heart.
"When the old lady recovers, we'll go find your second uncle!"
Yang Shihai said, "Since you are so curious about Xiao Fan, when we get to Chuzhou, ask your second uncle. He will surely know!"
Yang Shiyun nodded slightly and said no more. In fact, she had always treated Lu Fan as her own younger brother, but it seemed this time, the abilities Lu Fan had displayed were far beyond their Yang family.
In the old lady's room, Lu Fan had been keeping vigil. At this moment, the old lady had opened her eyes and looked at the sleeping Lu Fan with a hint of confusion.
"Grandmother, you're awake?"
Lu Fan suddenly woke up and looked towards the old lady.
"Who are you?"
The old lady trembled. She had only one daughter, and her entire family had been wiped out over ten years ago. For the past decade, she had refused to mention it or even think about it. Now, being addressed as grandmother, it stirred something within her.
"I'm Xiao Fan, I'm Xiao Fan!"
Lu Fan was extremely excited. When he was young, his grandmother always protected him and gave him all the good things. Now that his grandmother was safe and sound, how could he not be overjoyed.
"Xiao Fan, are you really Xiao Fan?"
The old lady clutched Lu Fan's sleeve, her eyes filled with affection, as if afraid Lu Fan would run away. After all, so many years had passed, and the past she didn't want to mention had suddenly reappeared with Lu Fan's arrival, leaving her unsure how to face it.
"I am Xiao Fan. I escaped a disaster eighteen years ago, which is why I am still alive today!" Lu Fan nodded solemnly.
"Xiao Fan, my Xiao Fan, you're still alive!"
The old lady sobbed uncontrollably, hugging him tightly. Tears streamed down her aged eyes. All these years, she had constantly thought of the past. Now, learning that Lu Fan was still alive, how could she not be moved.
In fact, she should have guessed long ago that the person before her was Lu Fan. He looked too much like her daughter. It was a pity that the events of that year were still a sensitive topic for her.
"Grandmother, you're finally awake!"
Yang Shiyun walked in, her face beaming with joy.
"Shiyun, this is your brother Xiao Fan, he is Xiao Fan!" the old Yang lady said repeatedly, her body even starting to tremble.
"Grandmother, I already know," Yang Shiyun smiled. "If Xiao Fan hadn't appeared, you would have been in danger, Grandmother. So we have to thank Xiao Fan!"
"This child Xiao Fan, I never expected him to grow up so much!"
The old lady cried, "I truly never expected to see him again in my lifetime!"
Lu Fan quietly stayed by the old lady's side, his eyes also filled with years of longing.
After a long while, the old lady finally drifted off to sleep. Her condition had just improved, and she naturally could not overexert herself.
After the old lady had fallen asleep, Yang Shiyun and Lu Fan went out to the courtyard.
"I never expected Grandmother to be so emotional upon seeing you. In all these years, I've never seen Grandmother like this," Yang Shiyun said with a solemn expression.
"Perhaps it's because she's been suppressing it for too long," Lu Fan smiled.
"Xiao Fan, I've always been very curious about you. Can you tell me what exactly happened?" Yang Shiyun said directly. "The Southeast City Lord has a noble status, and even he is so wary of you. You must have quite a background!"
"Sister Shiyun, it's probably better if you don't know some things,"
Lu Fan said with a solemn expression. "The reason I don't say anything is to protect you all."