Fantuan was playing with his younger siblings at the gate, flying kites. When it wasn’t Xiao Doubao’s turn, Fantuan pushed him to the back door to feel the wind. After running for a while, Xiao Doubao didn’t want to run anymore, so Fantuan went alone. But just as he reached the back door, he saw someone peeking through the crack into the yard.

Fantuan let out a shout and shouted, “Grandpa, who are you? Why are you sneaking around our yard?”

Jiang Huai was startled, but quickly recovered and asked in reverse, “I came here to play chess with an old friend. Who are you?”

Fantuan had never met Jiang Huai, or if he had, he didn’t remember. Generally, he didn’t bother about people he deemed unimportant; forgetting them was easy. Besides, this old man seemed rather suspicious. “Are you looking for my great-uncle? He used to live here, but he’s moved out. If you want to play chess, you can go to the other side of the cassia tree and find someone else to play with.”

Jiang Huai stared at the handsome young man a few more times, his eyebrows and eyes carved from the same mold as Han Cheng, so it was hard to guess. “You’re Han Cheng’s eldest son, right? Is your father inside? I need to speak with him.”

Fantuan looked at him and said, “I’m sorry, but my father is busy. Today, we can’t entertain guests at the Han Mansion. You can leave your name, and my father will visit you another day.”

During the conversation, Fantuan had already self-proclaimed changed the Han family’s old mansion to  “Han Mansion”, not to mention, that the name was quite fitting.

Seeing that Fantuan was unyielding, Jiang Huai simply ignored him and there were already various activities echoed from inside. Maybe the gold had already been found. The Han family’s gold and silver treasures could be said to be Jiang Huai’s obsession. Even if he couldn’t get them, he would seize any opportunity to explore. Paying no attention to Fantuan, he knocked on the back door and called out loudly, “Han Cheng, it’s me. I need to talk to you!”

Fantuan had never encountered such a stubborn old man before. No wonder his father had asked him to guard the door; there really were people as clueless as this.

“Grandpa, can’t you understand what I’m saying? I said, our house, will NOT. ENTERTAIN. GUESTS. TODAY.” 

The three little ones all rushed over when they saw their brother hadn’t come back for a long time.

The children, seeing their big brother standing defiantly against an old man, lined up beside Fantuan, wearing matching expressions of indignation. “Brother, what does this old man want!?”

Fantuan said, “I’ve told him that Mom and Dad are not available today. This person doesn’t know manners but still insists on coming into our house.”

Seeing the four children coming out to guard the door, Jiang Huai became more and more certain that Han Cheng was digging gold inside. These little brats must have been arranged by Han Cheng to keep watch.

Originally, Jiang Huai had no intention of getting entangled with these children, but now he finds himself cornered by them. He had no choice but to threaten them, saying, “I know Han Cheng is inside digging for treasure. If you don’t let me in, I’ll make a scene until everyone in the alley knows that your family is hiding gold. Then I’ll report you to the authorities and have your family branded as landlords. Let me in now!”

Even at a young age, Fantuan had grown into a clever young man. Over the years, he had encountered many shameless individuals, but the level of shamelessness displayed by this old man was truly unprecedented.

Though the back door wasn’t a main thoroughfare, Jiang Huai’s commotion would surely attract a crowd. Fantuan’s quick-thinking brain swiftly conjured up a plan: knock out the troublesome old man, gag him, and tie him up behind the door to silence him!

Just as Fantuan had decided on this course of action, the door of the “Han Mansion” opened from the inside, and Su Xiaoxiao, with a slight dimple showing as she smiled, stepped out. “Who is causing such a ruckus at our doorstep?”

The four cubs looked at the door and shouted in unison, “Mom! This troublesome old man!”

Fantuan said, “Mom, this terrible old man insists on coming inside our house, even saying that we’re digging for gold, and threatens to report us to the authorities and have our family branded as landlords!”

Su Xiaoxiao looked at Jiang Huai with a half-smile and a half-smirk. “Is this old man half asleep or has he lost his mind?” She pointed upwards. “What era do you think this is? Things have changed. Who talks about landlords anymore? We mind our own business and keep our doors closed. What does it have to do with you? And why involve the police?”

Jiang Huai naturally knew times had changed. People who had been sent to the countryside for re-education or had volunteered were now returning to the cities in large numbers. Many had even shed their hats, indicating their return to society. Families like the Hans, who were both prominent and aligned with the powerful Zhang family, could do whatever they pleased, even if they paved their roads with gold. They couldn’t be labeled as landlords. Jiang Huai was just trying to fool the children into letting him in; he knew involving the police wouldn’t work.

“I was just joking with the kids. Besides, our families are related. I was passing by and thought to come in for some tea,” Jiang Huai said, his heart feeling like a thousand ants were gnawing at it. He was itching to see how much gold and silver the Han family had hidden. He had to play along for now.

Before Su Xiaoxiao could respond, another authoritative voice interjected, “Uncle Jiang, what joke are you playing? The Han Cheng family doesn’t even have a water kettle. They’re just here today to fix the flowerbed. They even borrowed tools from us. If they want tea, they’ll have to come to our place. If you want tea, come to our house; we have some excellent Da Hong Pao. Besides, my father also wants to play chess with you. Why don’t we go to our house now? Or does Uncle Jiang have other plans?”

Zhang Hongtu touched his holstered gun as he spoke.

Jiang Feng was living a mediocre life despite being nearing forty. He was just a low-level clerk, and that’s why Jiang Huai was so desperate to secure a better future for Jiang Xue through her marriage, and Han Cheng wasn’t his only option. Any influential family that could help the Jiang family was acceptable. However, Jiang Xue was even more stubborn, and after Jiang Feng’s retreat, the Jiang family was constantly being suppressed by the Zhang family. Not just the elder Zhang but also Zhang Hongtu, who was about to be promoted to battalion commander, Jiang Feng had no confidence in facing them.

He knew he wouldn’t be able to enter the Han family today, so he could only smile and say, “Thank you; I’m not thirsty anymore. Perhaps another day.”

Zhang Hongtu patted his gun again, shaking his head. “My father rarely comes home on weekends. He’s been waiting at home. Uncle Jiang, why don’t you come with me now?”

Zhang Hongtu felt it was best to keep an eye on Jiang Huai until Han Cheng was finished with his business to prevent any trouble from arising later.

Jiang Huai half-squinted his eyes and said, “Are you threatening me?”

Zhang Hongtu shook his head and said, “Uncle Jiang, what are you talking about? I respect the elders most; how dare I? But my father happened to be addicted to chess and couldn’t find anyone to play with, so I’ll have to trouble Uncle Jiang to come with me.

Jiang Huai said, “What if I say no?”

Zhang Hongtu smiled and said, “Then I have to shamelessly follow Uncle Jiang until you agree. After all, I can’t find anyone with better skills in chess than you in this neighborhood, you are the only person who can relieve my father’s chess addiction.”

Jiang Huai: This Zhang Hongtu…

Su Xiaoxiao stopped herself from laughing out loud.

Jiang Huai gritted his teeth and snorted coldly, then shook his sleeves and walked away bitterly.

Zhang Hongtu said loudly, “Xiaoxiao, let Han Cheng know he can peacefully fix his flowerbed. If anyone dares to disturb him today, they’ll have to deal with me, Zhang Hongtu, first!” With that, he followed Jiang Huai closely.

Su Xiaoxiao finally couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter, unable to straighten her spine. “I never knew that your Uncle Zhang could be so funny.”

Zhang Hongtu was usually a very serious and upright person, and it seemed like his seriousness was somewhat inherited by his son, Zhuzi. Who would’ve thought that when dealing with this old fox, he could actually suppress him?

Fantuan gave his Uncle a thumbs-up. “It’s not funny. I just think Uncle Zhang is just too powerful. This bad old man is just a rogue. I was ready to knock him out, but Uncle Zhang just said a few words and made him retreat, leaving with a green face. It’s really satisfying.”

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t laugh anymore and said, “Han Fantuan, how many times have I told you not to resort to violence? Why did you want to use force again? You’ll influence your younger siblings.”

Fantuan sincerely admitted his mistake, and his attitude improved. “I’m sorry, Mom. Uncle Zhang just taught me a lesson. I won’t resort to violence easily. I’ll try to follow what you always say:’solve  problems without shedding blood.'”

Su Xiaoxiao rubbed the baby’s head and said, “You must remember that there are many ways to solve things, and force is the worst and the most undesirable option. If you end up facing legal consequences, it’s not worth it.”

Fantuan nodded hard and said, “I understand, Mom. If I ever have to resort to violence as a last resort, I’ll make sure to cover their eyes with a sack first so the other person can’t identify me. That way, even if they want revenge, they won’t find me. I’m really clever, right?”

Su Xiaoxiao: “…” o_o!

“No, absolutely not. Under no circumstances should you resort to violence unless it’s for self-defense.”

Fantuan hugged his mom’s shoulder. “Just kidding, Mom. Look how civilized we are; how could we resort to violence?”

Xiao Doubao nodded vigorously. “Mom, don’t worry, I’m the most obedient and never get into fights.”

Xiao Roubao flexed his chubby fist and then withdrew it. “Mom, everyone’s afraid of me, but I never have to use my fists.”

Xiao Tangyuan blinked innocently, his small dimples showing as he looked at Su Xiaoxiao. “Mom, I have four big brothers to protect me. I don’t need to fight.”

Su Xiaoxiao：“…………”