Say good night when it gets dark

"Mr. Xiang, dinner is almost ready. Shall we go down together?"

Anticipating Xiang Que's possible refusal, Chen Sanjin continued, "It's just my two children and my wife. They are all family. According to reason, our Chen family owes much to the Ancient Well Pavilion. Mr. Xiang, you should meet the next generation of my family. Perhaps you'll have future interactions with them."

Initially, Xiang Que had no intention of going downstairs. The fewer people he knew in their line of work, the better. He needed to maintain a low profile because once he got involved with more people, it could lead to the entanglement of karmic relationships, which would be unfavorable for him.

However, after Chen Sanjin's persuasive words, Xiang Que decided to go. The connection between the Ancient Well Pavilion and the Chen family was not completely severed. The ancestral instructions of the Chen family stated that during times of difficulty, they could seek refuge from the Ancient Well Pavilion. Similarly, the Ancient Well Pavilion had a rule that the Feng Shui layout, once initiated, must be completed properly. They couldn't abandon it midway. Even if Chen Sanjin retired, his descendants taking over would still involve interactions with the Ancient Well Pavilion.

Entering the dining hall with Chen Sanjin, Chen Xia, Chen Dong, and his wife were already seated at the table, waiting. When Chen Sanjin led Xiang Que down, the three stood up, nodding in acknowledgment and then glanced at Xiang Que, dressed in plain coarse clothing.

This time, Xiang Que's appearance was discreet, and apart from Chen Sanjin's secretary, He Jinzhong, who vaguely knew something, the others were clueless. The Chen family had successfully overcome the calamity, and Xiang Que's presence had a direct connection to it.

Chen Dong, who had experienced a car accident, was not seriously injured. His bedridden state was purely incidental. With the breaking of the Feng Shui formation, he quickly recovered. Chen Xia and Wang Linzhu, after the removal of impurities, appeared no different from ordinary people.

"Take a seat, everyone. Let's start the meal," Chen Sanjin instructed, then turned to introduce Xiang Que. However, he suddenly didn't know how to introduce him, as the identity of the Ancient Well Pavilion's people was not to be disclosed.

Xiang Que interjected, saying, "He's a friend."

Chen Sanjin nodded and let out an awkward "um." He found it difficult to explain Xiang Que's identity, as the members of the Ancient Well Pavilion were supposed to keep their backgrounds undisclosed.

Chen Xia, Chen Dong, and his wife all looked at Xiang Que, clad in coarse clothing. This mysterious friend seemed quite different from the usual acquaintances of their father.

Chen Dong, trying to be humorous, commented, "Dad, you have a friend who looks so poor? This doesn't quite match your style."

Xiang Que, unimpressed, rolled his eyes and ignored the comment.

Chen Sanjin, irritated by his son's words, grabbed a bowl from the table and threw it at Chen Dong. "I haven't disciplined you for a few days. You seem to have forgotten how to respect your father. I should remind you of my authority."

Chen Dong, hit by the bowl, was somewhat dazed. Having just recovered from a major illness, he was expecting a more caring treatment, not this.

Observing this, Xiang Que glanced at Chen Sanjin's children. Both had good facial features, belonging to prosperous and noble individuals. Especially Chen Xia, with a full, wide forehead, clear and moist features, and a slight elevation between the eyebrows, indicated abundant wealth. As for Chen Dong, although slightly less favorable, he still possessed a good fate. However, due to numerous misfortunes before the age of thirty, he might face minor troubles despite having no life-threatening issues.

This indicated that Chen Dong was a troublemaker who had encountered numerous adversities before reaching thirty. Although there were no concerns about his life, he was likely to encounter small mishaps and challenges frequently.

Xiang Que concluded that Chen Dong was someone who loved to provoke trouble and was probably quite arrogant on a daily basis.

"Let's sit down, and let's eat," Chen Sanjin ordered. Turning to Xiang Que, he introduced him, "This is..."

Suddenly unsure how to introduce Xiang Que, Chen Sanjin hesitated. Xiang Que intervened and said, "Just a friend."

Chen Sanjin nodded in agreement. With Xiang Que's guidance, he understood that some things should not be disclosed, especially about the Ancient Well Pavilion.

Chen Dong, however, couldn't resist making a comment, "Dad, do you have a friend who looks so poor? This doesn't quite match your style."

Xiang Que, not bothered by the remark, rolled his eyes and remained silent.

Frustrated by his son's words, Chen Sanjin grabbed a bowl from the table and threw it at Chen Dong, scolding him for disrespecting his father. Chen Dong, hit by the bowl, was momentarily stunned. Having just recovered from a severe illness, he expected a more caring reception.

Observing this, Xiang Que took a glance at Chen Sanjin's children. Both had favorable facial features, indicating prosperous and noble destinies. Chen Xia, in particular, had a full, wide forehead, clear and moist features, with a slight elevation between the eyebrows signifying abundant wealth. Chen Dong, though slightly less favorable, still had a good fate. However, due to numerous misfortunes before the age of thirty, he might face minor troubles despite having no life-threatening issues.

This indicated that Chen Dong was a troublemaker who had encountered numerous adversities before reaching thirty. Although there were no concerns about his life, he was likely to encounter small mishaps and challenges frequently.

Xiang Que concluded that Chen Dong was someone who loved to provoke trouble and was probably quite arrogant on a daily basis.

"Let's sit down, and let's eat," Chen Sanjin ordered. Turning to Xiang Que, he introduced him, "This is..."

Suddenly unsure how to introduce Xiang Que, Chen Sanjin hesitated. Xiang Que intervened and said, "Just a friend."

Chen Sanjin nodded in agreement. With Xiang Que's guidance, he understood that some things should not be disclosed, especially about the Ancient Well Pavilion.

"Does the Chen family own a Bombardier? Do you all think it's a business jet? No, those planes are for grocery shopping. Believe it or not, that Bombardier travels all over the world just to buy groceries for the Chen family. It's a flying grocery store."

The food was well-prepared, but Xiang Que only symbolically took a few bites and focused more on the vegetables and rice. Chen Sanjin was puzzled, "Mr. Xiang, doesn't the food suit your taste?"

Shaking his head, Xiang Que replied, "The food is good, but my digestion isn't up for it."

Chen Dong scoffed, "See, I told you. If someone eats cabbage and potatoes every day, suddenly serving them a table full of seafood would lead to diarrhea. Imagine dealing with that mess in a hospital."

"Jinzhong, fetch a knife from the kitchen. I want to practice," Chen Sanjin told his secretary.

Wang Linzhu frowned and said, "Enough, can we have some peace at home? Just eat your meal without causing trouble."

Chen Sanjin glared at Chen Dong and then turned to Xiang Que, "If the food doesn't suit your taste, we can ask the kitchen to prepare something else."

Xiang Que smiled, "As long as I'm full, it's fine. I'm not picky about these things."

At the Ancient Well Pavilion, Xiang Que, Lao Dao, and Master Shishu lived a simple life, consuming simple meals and wearing coarse clothes. It wasn't that they couldn't afford luxurious food and clothing, but they adhered to certain teachings. Chen Dong whispered to Chen Xia, "Sis, do you see them exchanging glances? Why is Dad licking someone else's toes? Do you really think Mom and Dad are truly in love?"

"Do you think the kitchen knives are not sharp enough? If he makes a move, you think there won't be any consequences?" Chen Xia replied casually. "Open your eyes and use your brain. When Dad is being attentive, it's not without reason."

Chen Dong, a second-generation member of the family, was known for his lack of consideration and had caused trouble for Chen Sanjin. Fortunately, the Chen family's deep roots had always been supportive, and nothing major had happened so far.

In contrast, Chen Xia and Chen Dong were complete opposites. She sat beside Chen Sanjin at the age of sixteen, listening to his guidance on managing the Baoshin Group. By the age of eighteen, she held the title of director, and by twenty-two, she had already taken control of a sector. It was evident to outsiders that the future might see a queen emerge in the Baoshin Group.

So, Chen Dong believed that Xiang Que was someone who had only eaten potatoes and cabbage. However, Chen Xia had tasted the sincerity in Chen Sanjin's attentiveness, associating Xiang Que's presence with the Chen family overcoming their recent difficulties.

Xiang Que ate slowly, chewing each mouthful thoroughly, almost like a snail. The Chen family of four had finished their meals, but he still had half a bowl of rice left untouched. Chen Sanjin hadn't moved, and the other three at the table remained seated.

Chen Dong rolled his eyes and said to Xiang Que, "Bro, let me advise you. Hurry up and finish your meal. At your current pace, by the time you finish this bowl, your digestion will be almost done. Then you'll have to go take a dump. After that, you'll have to come back to eat again. Eating this slowly, you might be eating supper until midnight. You might as well grow roots at the dinner table."

Chen Sanjin put down his soup bowl, on the verge of exploding. This troublesome child was challenging his limits. Xiang Que suddenly raised his head and said, "Lao Chen, let me advise you too. After the meal, stretch your legs a bit. Break his legs."

"Oh, come on!" Chen Dong stood up, pointing at Xiang Que. "Do you believe I'll scream right now? The Chen family's protectors will make you understand that you need to say goodnight to me when it gets dark, and disappearing is the only path you can take."

"Shut up!" Chen Sanjin cleared his throat and asked Xiang Que, "Mr. Xiang, do you want me to break both his legs, or should I choose one from each side?"