"Brother, you were so cool tonight, so satisfying!"
On the way back, Chen Xing'er sat beside Chen Fan, her face still flushed with excitement.
She didn't care much about the Chen family's power, but the expressions on the faces of their relatives when their grandfather handed over control of the Chen family to her brother were truly remarkable.
Chen Fan had been away from home for over ten years. While the Chen family hadn't officially split, everyone had their own little schemes.
Of course, this was unavoidable in any family. In comparison, the Chen family, under the old man's stern leadership, had relatively few internal squabbles.
Even so, Chen Xing'er had endured her fair share of grievances.
As soon as she started university, she couldn't wait to move out of the old Chen family mansion, only visiting her grandfather occasionally for this very reason.
Everything tonight had given her a chance to hold her head high, sweeping away a lingering sense of resentment that had been building for years.
The Chen family, after all, was the direct lineage's Chen family, the one that should have belonged to her father.
With her father gone, it was only natural for her brother to manage everything in the Chen family.
But her paternal aunt, and the collateral branches, had all been vying for control, which naturally made her uncomfortable.
Chen Fan smiled and said, "Xing'er, if you become outstanding enough, the Chen family will be yours to manage in the future!"
"Can I?" Chen Xing'er blinked in surprise.
"There's nothing you can't do, as long as you are my sister," Chen Fan said.
Chen Xing'er's eyes lit up at his words, but then she shook her head. "Forget it. I don't have the cunning for all that scheming and calculating."
Chen Fan just smiled. "Whatever makes you happy."
Upon returning to their residence, Chen Fan, after washing up, didn't rest immediately. Instead, he picked up the notebook the old man had given him and began to read.
Listed within were names, including several individuals at the pinnacle of power in Da Hua.
However, these personal connections were not to be invoked unless the Chen family faced a life-or-death crisis.
The old man had specifically warned him about this later on.
These relationships were too precious; once used, the Chen family's standing in the eyes of these individuals would plummet.
Consequently, the Chen family's status would immediately fall, sliding from a top-tier influential clan.
Personal connections were incredibly complex, impossible to describe in a few words.
Simply put, for the Chen family, a top-tier clan, to need the assistance of these top figures meant the situation was dire.
After such a favor was called in, the ensuing losses would be immeasurable.
Furthermore, the act of calling in a favor would lead these powerful figures to look down upon the Chen family.
The initial impression would be: you're coming to me for a favor, which means your Chen family is in decline...
Uncalled-in favors were the best favors.
Unless, at the same time as using these favors, a deeper connection was forged, leading to an even closer relationship!
Chen Fan continued to flip through the pages and suddenly caught sight of a name.
Xiang Kan, the current patriarch of the Xiang family.
The notebook stated that the old man had some dealings with Xiang Kan and shared a tacit understanding on certain matters.
If needed, he could seek help from the Xiang family, but only in exchange for equivalent benefits.
This was not surprising. The Xiang family was also a top-tier clan, and it was normal for the two families to have a tacit understanding to some extent.
The Xiang family was currently on a strong upward trend, ranking among the top three of the seven top-tier clans in the capital.
To restore the Chen family's influence to what it was three years ago, it was necessary to foster a closer relationship with the Xiang family.
Just then, his phone rang.
Picking it up, Chen Fan's eyes brightened, and he quickly answered.
The call was from Han Tong.
"Han Tong, have you found anything?" Chen Fan asked.
"Brother, I might have a slight lead," Han Tong said. "But I'm not entirely sure, it might be a wasted effort."
"Tell me," Chen Fan said. "Don't let any clue slip by, just tell me. I'll judge its value and decide."
Han Tong hesitated, appearing somewhat embarrassed. "It's my elder sister. After she found out I was investigating the events of three years ago, she warned me."
"She said the situation three years ago was far more complicated than I imagined, and she even pressed me to reveal who asked me to investigate."
"What did you say?" Chen Fan asked.
"I... I said it was a friend. My elder sister immediately told me to cut off contact with that friend. I feel like she knows something, but I might be overthinking it."
"Help me arrange a meeting with her."
Chen Fan's mind raced, and he then said.
"Uh, I can't arrange it!"
Han Tong replied, "She refused, saying she wouldn't meet anyone who was my friend, no matter who they were. She also warned me to stay home and threatened to ground me if I dared to go out and fool around again."
Chen Fan frowned, thought about the information on the Han family, and asked, "Your elder sister, her name is Han Wei, isn't it?"
"Yes."
Han Tong continued, "If you want to see her, I do have a way."
"What way?"
"The Yang Youji Archery Hall. Every Sunday afternoon, she goes there to practice archery. It's her biggest hobby."
"Alright, I'll go see her tomorrow!"
Chen Fan said immediately.
"Then I'll wait for you at the archery hall tomorrow afternoon at two-thirty," Han Tong said. "Also, my sister has a bit of a temper, so please be understanding when you meet her."
"No problem."
After hanging up, Chen Fan considered calling the old butler but then decided against it.
It was too late at night, not a suitable time to disturb him.
The next morning, Chen Fan called the old butler.
Although the Chen family didn't have a dedicated intelligence department, they had people tasked with recording the specific situations and key members of major families and influential households in the capital.
Soon, Chen Fan received a file on Han Wei.
Han Wei was thirty years old, the eldest daughter of the Han family, and Han Tong's biological sister. She currently held a significant position in the Kyoto Security Department.
Han Wei, known for her fiery temper, had hobbies quite different from other children of influential families. She enjoyed archery and was the president of the Kyoto Archery Players Club.
She practiced at the archery hall at least once a week.
Compared to Han Tong, Han Wei held a considerably higher position within the Han family, and her status made it easier for her to investigate certain matters.
The events of three years ago had indeed alerted the security department, so it was normal for Han Wei to have paid particular attention to them.
Around noon, after lunch, Chen Fan, without bringing Chen Xing'er, drove directly to the archery hall.
Outside the hall, Han Tong was already waiting in the parking lot.
"Brother, you're here?"
After getting out of the car, Han Tong walked up and said, "My sister has already gone inside with a group of friends."
Chen Fan smiled. "Can we get in?"
"Of course. It's open to the public. I'm a member here too, and my sister forced me to come play a few times. But I'm not interested in archery. Who plays this anymore these days?"
"Um, Brother, if my sister isn't cooperating, please bear with it," Han Tong added with a hint of worry. "I'll try to convince her later. Honestly, I have no standing in front of her."
Chen Fan smiled. "Don't worry, you've already helped this much. I'll handle the rest myself."
Chen Fan and Han Tong walked into the main entrance together. Chen Fan asked again, "Have you found anything else?"
"Not yet," Han Tong shook his head. "The events of three years ago were covered up by various parties, all the archives and documents were hidden, and not a single witness could be found. It's as if they vanished from this world."