"I think it's best not to. 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 Shaihai nodded slightly.
The Xia family head said no more, and took Xia Junwen away from the courtyard. It was fortunate that Lu Fan was not pursuing the matter; if he had, the Xia family would not have been able to bear the consequences.
Leaving the courtyard with their faces smudged with dirt, the father and son let out a sigh of relief. The Xia family head, in particular, had felt a sense of oppression as soon as he entered the courtyard. Now that he could finally release it, he felt completely relaxed.
"Dad, who do you think he is? Even the City Lord is so respectful to him. Even if he's from the capital, he wouldn't have this much authority, would he!"
"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, a sense of helplessness accompanying him. He knew that it was already a great fortune to have escaped unscathed today.
As night fell, the Yang residence was brightly lit. Yang Shaihai had ordered a banquet to be prepared and was in much better spirits.
It was a blessing for the Yang family that the Southeast City Lord personally presided over their residence tonight. The Yang family had never received such treatment before.
"Southeast City Lord, I'll toast you!"
Yang Shaihai raised his cup, a smile on his face. "It is the honor of my Yang family that the Southeast City Lord can dine with us!"
"Patriarch Yang is too kind!"
The Southeast City Lord quickly stood up, "It is my honor in life to be able to drink with Mr. Lu!"
After speaking, the Southeast City Lord looked at Lu Fan, "Mr. Lu, I toast you!"
"Southeast City Lord, there's no need to be so polite!"
Lu Fan signaled slightly and raised his wine glass.
After everyone had finished their drinks, they began to converse merrily.
Yang Shaihai fawned over the Southeast City Lord, but the Southeast City Lord was extremely respectful and did not dare to show any arrogance. He knew very well that Yang Shaihai was Lu Fan's uncle, and not someone he could afford to offend.
Yang Shaihai 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 astonishing.
It made him look at Lu Fan more closely. Even the Southeast City Lord was so deferential to Lu Fan. Lu Fan's status in the capital was likely not simple, but Yang Shaihai dared not ask further at this moment.
After the banquet ended, the Southeast City Lord got up to leave, a hint of drunkenness on his face.
Yang Shaihai personally saw him to the door before returning to the living room. Lu Fan had already left and gone to his maternal grandmother's room to be by her side.
After a few days of recuperation, Madam Yang's condition had improved significantly. She would likely wake up soon, and Lu Fan naturally wanted to spend more time with her.
In the living room, Yang Shiyun and Yang Shaihai looked at each other with surprise, both wondering what had happened today.
"Dad, why don't I go 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 is like this!"
"If Xiao Fan doesn't want to say, then let him be!"
Yang Shaihai said, "He must have his own difficulties. If he doesn't want to confide, there's no need to force him. The most troublesome matter for the Yang family has been resolved, and other things are not important!"
"But I'm very curious, why does Xiao Fan have such abilities!"
Yang Shiyun's expression was solemn. At this moment, she was filled with questions. If she didn't get a clear answer, she would likely not be able to calm her heart.
"When the old lady is well, we'll go find your second uncle!"
Yang Shaihai 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 this time, it seemed that the abilities Lu Fan had displayed had completely surpassed their Yang family.
In the old lady's room, Lu Fan had been waiting. At this moment, the old lady had opened her eyes and was looking at the sleeping Lu Fan with a hint of confusion.
"Grandmother, you're awake?"
Lu Fan suddenly woke up and looked at the old lady.
"Who are you?"
The old lady trembled. She had only one daughter, and her entire family had been wiped out more than ten years ago. For the past decade, she had been unwilling to mention it, let alone think about it. Now, being called grandmother touched 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 whatever good things she had. 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 tenderness, as if afraid Lu Fan would run away. After all, so many years had passed, and she was reluctant to mention the past. Lu Fan's sudden appearance made her unsure how to face him.
"I am Xiao Fan. I escaped 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 herself tightly. Tears fell from her aged eyes. In recent years, she had thought of the past moments without end. Now, knowing that Lu Fan was still alive, how could she not be excited.
In fact, she should have guessed long ago that the person in front of her was Lu Fan. He looked too much like her daughter, but unfortunately, the events of that year also held many taboos for her.
"Grandmother, you're finally awake!"
Yang Shiyun walked in, a smile of joy on her face.
"Shiyun, this is your brother Xiao Fan, he's Xiao Fan!" the old Madam Yang said repeatedly, her body even starting to tremble.
"Grandmother, I already know!" Yang Shiyun said with a smile. "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 didn't expect him to have grown so much!"
The old lady wept, "I never expected that I would be able to see him again in my lifetime!"
Lu Fan quietly stayed by the old lady's side, his eyes also showing years of longing.
A long time later, the old lady fell into a deep sleep. Her condition had just improved, so she naturally couldn't be too tired.
After the old lady had fallen asleep, Yang Shiyun and Lu Fan went to the courtyard.
"I never imagined Grandmother would be so emotional when she saw you. She's never been like this in so many years!" Yang Shiyun's expression was solemn.
"Perhaps it's because she's been suppressed for too long," Lu Fan said with a smile.
"Xiao Fan, I've always been very curious about you. Can you tell me what's going on?" Yang Shiyun said directly. "The Southeast City Lord is of noble status, and even he is so wary of you. You must have considerable standing!"
"Sister Shiyun, it's better if you don't know some things!"
Lu Fan's expression was solemn. "The reason I don't say anything is to protect you."