Under Yang Shiwen's guidance, Lu Fan arrived at the Chuzhou Apartments, where many residents, mostly from the lower class, resided.
Upon reaching home, Lu Fan saw a woman, heavily made up, emerge from the kitchen.
"Auntie!"
Lu Fan called out softly, feeling no particular sentiment towards the woman before him.
"Who are you?"
Lin Xiuhua asked, surprised.
"Can't you tell?" Yang Shiwen chuckled. "This is Xiao Fan, he's not dead, and he's grown so much!"
"Xiao Fan?" Lin Xiuhua was taken aback. "That's impossible! You must be mistaken. Xiao Fan was eight years old then, how could he still be alive!"
"Mom, he really is Xiao Fan!" Yang Zixin said with a smile. "I didn't believe it at first either, but then he knew about my birthmark, and about things from my childhood, so he must be!"
Lin Xiuhua frowned. Even though she was sure of Lu Fan's identity, she didn't seem happy, rather displeased.
"Wife, what's wrong?" Yang Shiwen asked. "Xiao Fan is alive, shouldn't we celebrate? Why the long face?"
"If it weren't for the Lu family back then, the Yang family wouldn't have ended up like this!" Lin Xiuhua complained. "We've only just started living a stable life, and now he shows up. If the Five Great Families find out, what will we do?"
Lu Fan felt a touch of awkwardness and quickly said, "Auntie, don't worry. I've already eliminated the Five Great Families. From now on, no matter what danger arises, Xiao Fan will not let you suffer any grievances!"
"You say all the right things!" Lin Xiuhua said coldly. "What's the use of just talking?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Yang Shiwen frowned and said, "Xiuhua, that's enough. He is my sister's son, how can I not look after him!"
"Are you saying we have to provide for him from now on?" Lin Xiuhua asked unwillingly.
"Mom, what are you talking about!" Yang Zixin said with a stern face. "The medicinal herb factory needs someone, isn't it better to let Xiao Fan help me!"
Lin Xiuhua did not speak, but her heart was filled with dissatisfaction. In her opinion, another mouth to feed would likely be added to the household.
Lu Fan felt a bit helpless. He already possessed immense wealth, yet he was now perceived as idle, which felt somewhat unfair.
"As the saying goes, surviving a great disaster brings great fortune!" Yang Shiwen said with a smile. "Don't worry, Xiao Fan, there will be such a day!"
"Thank you, Uncle!" Lu Fan smiled faintly, eating the food in his bowl.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Lu Fan said softly, "Uncle, I'll come to see you again another day. I'll be leaving now!"
"Where are you going?" Yang Shiwen asked repeatedly. "You don't know anyone here, how can you go alone!"
Lin Xiuhua glanced at him, then said coldly, "Your uncle is right. You're alone outside, it's better to stay here, so no one can say I, your aunt, am heartless and drive my nephew away!"
"This..." Lu Fan looked a bit awkward.
He had originally intended to return to Jiangjing Bieyuan and visit with gifts later. Now, it was difficult to refuse.
"Don't hesitate. You can stay in the room next to mine from now on!" Yang Zixin stated directly.
Lu Fan could only nod in agreement. To prevent them from knowing too much, Lu Fan could only remain silent.
Even if Lu Fan were to tell them now that he was Master Lu from Jiangnan, no one would believe him.
"By the way, Xiao Fan, I have to sign a contract later!" Yang Zixin said. "Accompany me, will you? It might get late when we return tonight."
Lu Fan nodded slightly, while Yang Shiwen frowned. "Is it with the Xia family?"
"That's right. The Xia family's company is large. If we can sign with them, the medicinal herb factory will not lack orders in the future!" Yang Zixin said seriously.
"I've told you before, the Xia family has great influence, why would they even look at our medicinal herb factory!" Yang Shiwen shook his head.
"Don't worry, Dad, I know what I'm doing!" Yang Zixin smiled. "If we can't sign it, we won't sign it!"
Yang Shiwen nodded and said nothing more.
After Lu Fan and Yang Zixin left, he looked at Lin Xiuhua. "Wife, I knew you had a heart of gold beneath your sharp tongue!"
"What else can we do!" Lin Xiuhua rolled her eyes. "He's all alone, we can't just let him fend for himself!"
"Xiao Fan survived a brush with death, it's a sign of good fortune. From now on, let him stay with me!" Yang Shiwen said with a smile. "We may not become rich, but at least he'll have enough to eat!"
"You're so capable!" Lin Xiuhua said exasperatedly. "You promised to give me the jade bracelet you were going to buy me, and it's still nowhere in sight after five whole years!"
"It's just that the family's medicinal herb factory is facing financial difficulties. Once things ease up, I'll buy you a pair!" Yang Shiwen comforted her.
Lin Xiuhua looked unconvinced and didn't take it seriously at all.
Outside the Chuzhou Apartments, Yang Zixin rode her electric scooter and gestured for Lu Fan to get on.
Lu Fan was stunned and quickly hopped on. In all these years, he seemed to have never ridden one.
"Sister Zixin, why are we discussing business so late at night?" Lu Fan asked in surprise.
"Perhaps Boss Xia is too busy!" Yang Zixin said directly. "He only has time to sign contracts at night, right?"
"Is that so?" Lu Fan muttered.
A short while later, they arrived outside a villa. Yang Zixin parked her scooter and said, "Wait for me outside, I'll be right back!"
Lu Fan's brow furrowed. "If anything happens, Sister Zixin, remember to shout!"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine!" Yang Zixin smiled, her expression sweet.
In the villa's living room, a middle-aged man sat on the sofa with his legs crossed.
"Boss Xia, please take a look at this contract. If there are no issues, please sign it!" Yang Zixin said with a smile. "This contract should be beneficial for the Xia family!"
"No rush!"
Boss Xia squinted his eyes. "This contract can be signed, but I, Xia, have a small condition!"
"A condition?" Yang Zixin frowned. "When we discussed this before, Boss Xia didn't mention any other conditions!"
"Miss Yang is indeed new to society!" Boss Xia chuckled. "If my Xia family were to choose a medicinal herb factory, the Chuzhou Medicinal Herb Factory would be at the end of a long line. Why must we choose your Yang family?"
Yang Zixin's brow furrowed. "Boss Xia, just state your condition directly, as long as I can accept it!"
"Spend a night with me!" Boss Xia said directly. "As long as you spend a night with me, I'll sign this contract, and I can even extend the contract for the Yang family for three years!"
"You..." Yang Zixin's face turned ashen. "You scoundrel!"
"Of course, if Miss Yang is unwilling, I, Xia, will not force you!" Boss Xia said directly. "However, you should consider whether the Yang family's medicinal herb factory can continue to operate!"
"Even if the medicinal herb factory goes bankrupt, I will not do such a thing!"
Yang Zixin ran out of the villa crying, her heart filled with immense grievance.
She had only recently entered society, wholeheartedly wanting to help Yang Shiwen improve the medicinal herb factory. Now, she realized how treacherous society could be.
"Sister Zixin, what's wrong?" Lu Fan asked, frowning. "Did they bully you?"
"No!" Yang Zixin shook her head. "Xiao Fan, let's go back!"