Standing outside the door was Qu Nanzhi, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
The moment she opened the door, she saw Duan Muxing in an intimate and sweet moment with the strange woman beside him.
Qu Nanzhi's face was filled with disbelief and anger!
These past few days, she had been confined by Duan Muxing to reflect on her mistakes, and she had no idea what was happening in the outside world.
It wasn't until she came out that the first thing she was told was that Lin Xingwan was dead, and that Duan Muxing had a fiancée named Xu Qingdai. Not only that, but Duan Muxing had even hosted a banquet in Yanjing, where he had solemnly introduced Xu Qingdai's identity to everyone.
Upon hearing this news, Qu Nanzhi was furious.
That bitch Lin Xingwan had finally died, and she never expected another Xu Qingdai to appear.
The young master could only be hers, and no one could take him away.
"Young Master, is this woman really your fiancée?" Qu Nanzhi, now consumed by anger, rushed to Duan Muxing and Lin Xingwan, glaring at Lin Xingwan with malicious eyes, and then questioned Duan Muxing with a wronged expression.
"Mmm." Duan Muxing saw Qu Nanzhi and retracted the emotions in his eyes, answering without emotion.
Qu Nanzhi felt as if her heart was being torn apart by something, and she was extremely uncomfortable.
"I don't want you to marry another woman, Young Master... They don't truly love you at all, and I haven't seen this Xu Qingdai woman in all these years. Young Master, you can deceive everyone outside, but you can't deceive me. I'm the one who has been with you for over ten years." Qu Nanzhi openly displayed her strong dissatisfaction and anger in front of Lin Xingwan. In her opinion, in this world, only she was worthy of the young master, and only she was sincere towards him.
Duan Muxing's face darkened, and he frowned, then spoke with great authority, "My marriage is not for you to decide, and who I want to marry is my business. I've indulged you for over ten years, which is why I've been so lenient. However, now, I feel that I've truly spoiled you over these past ten years." Duan Muxing's words made Qu Nanzhi's face turn fearful.
With a slight return of reason, Qu Nanzhi said, "I'm sorry, Young Master, it was my mistake. I was just... just too worried about your safety."
Although Qu Nanzhi was extremely suspicious of Xu Qingdai's identity, she didn't dare to argue with Duan Muxing now. Moreover, she was afraid that Duan Muxing would confine her again. She had already suffered many setbacks, and this time she had become smarter.
"From now on, my affairs will be handled by Qingluan. You will go and manage some of the Duan family's business matters. Nanzhi, I see that your state of mind is not yet calm enough. It's time for you to undergo some training." Duan Muxing's words were a devastating blow to Qu Nanzhi.
Her current status was Duan Muxing's personal maid, meaning that in the Duan family, besides Duan Muxing, her word carried the most weight.
If she were to manage the Duan family's business, she actually knew nothing about it and had no real power.
Most importantly, she would have very, very few opportunities to see Duan Muxing in the future.
"Young Master, I truly know I was wrong. I will never overstep my bounds again. Young Master, please don't punish me."
Qu Nanzhi, terrified, knelt directly before Duan Muxing. Her face turned extremely pale, making her look inexplicably pitiful.
Lin Xingwan, standing beside them, watched the once arrogant Qu Nanzhi now so humble and sighed helplessly in her heart.
Why make things worse for yourself?
"My decision is made. If you dare to say another word, you will be kicked out of the Duan family immediately."
Duan Muxing's tone was firm, and there was a sharp coldness in his eyes as he looked at Qu Nanzhi.
Qu Nanzhi looked up at Duan Muxing in shock and said with a heartbroken voice, "Young Master, I've been with you for over ten years. Can you really bear to drive me away?"
Over the years, Qu Nanzhi had always been incredibly proud that no other woman could compare to her, because she was the person who knew the young master best in the world.
But now, seeing the coldness and decisiveness on Duan Muxing's face, she finally realized that all these years, she had been deluding herself. This man didn't even have a shred of affection for her.
"I've given you plenty of benefits. If you think that accompanying me for so many years means I should be eternally grateful, then you shouldn't have accepted so many favors from the Duan family in the first place."
Duan Muxing's words sent Qu Nanzhi to the eighteenth level of hell.
Master and servant, master and servant. All these years, in Duan Muxing's eyes, she had been nothing more than an expendable maid from beginning to end!
Qu Nanzhi clenched her fists by her sides. She stood up from the ground and then looked at Duan Muxing, smiling as she said, "Nanzhi won't be able to take care of the Young Master all the time from now on. I hope the Young Master can take good care of himself."
After speaking, Qu Nanzhi turned and left. As she brushed past Lin Xingwan, she gave her a fierce glare.
Only after Qu Nanzhi slammed the door shut did Lin Xingwan speak, "Qu Nanzhi likes you. Is this how you treat someone who likes you?"
"It's precisely because I know she likes me that I'm doing this," Duan Muxing replied. "To me, her affection is a burden. Furthermore, because she likes me, she imbues any task I assign with personal emotions, which is very dangerous."
Duan Muxing's words left Lin Xingwan speechless.
However, this was a matter between Duan Muxing and Qu Nanzhi. As long as it didn't affect her, Lin Xingwan didn't want to meddle.
"And this." As Duan Muxing spoke, he took out an invitation and handed it to Lin Xingwan.
"Tomorrow night is the birthday banquet of the Oriental family elders. Many people will be there, and Helian Diejin, as the head of the Helian family, will attend, however unwilling she may be. You can take this opportunity to see what kind of person Helian Diejin is, and... it's time for us to prepare a grand show for her."
"What grand show?" Lin Xingwan didn't understand what Duan Muxing meant and couldn't help but ask.
Duan Muxing looked at Lin Xingwan's curious expression and beckoned her over. Lin Xingwan had to bend down and lean closer to Duan Muxing, listening to the 'grand show' he spoke of.
Duan Muxing didn't leave until midnight.
As for Lin Xingwan, her mind was filled with the 'grand show' planned by Duan Muxing, and she was so excited that she didn't fall asleep until past five in the morning.
When Lin Xingwan woke up, it was already afternoon.
Nie Manyu had wanted to ask Lin Xingwan out shopping, but Lin Xingwan refused.
She used the excuse of accompanying Duan Muxing to a banquet that evening and left the private villa where they were having a hot spring.
Lin Xingwan had originally thought that traveling from Yanjing to the Oriental family's mansion would be more convenient by helicopter.
Unexpectedly, Duan Muxing took Lin Xingwan to the dock. In the sunset, a very large and classical flower boat appeared in Lin Xingwan's sight.
Looking at the flower boat, Lin Xingwan's mind was instantly filled with many images, such as a peerless beauty holding a pipa, singing and playing on the flower boat, or a young lady from a wealthy family standing at the bow choosing a suitable husband for herself, or even... a brothel madam leading her daughters to pose seductively on the boat...
"What a beautiful boat," Lin Xingwan couldn't help but exclaim, and Duan Muxing, seeing her like this, simply smiled faintly.
Qingluan, standing behind Duan Muxing, was incredulous seeing her young master smile so easily. She even began to doubt if the man before her was still her usually stoic young master.
"Is it? Thank you for the compliment." Duan Muxing's mood was like the clear weather. After speaking, Qingluan pushed him onto the flower boat.
Lin Xingwan, seeing this, was stunned.
So... this flower boat belonged to Duan Muxing?
This man's hobbies were truly expensive!
However, Lin Xingwan also happily followed Duan Muxing.
"Duan Muxing, I didn't expect you to be a fan of ancient styles. How much did such a flower boat cost?" Lin Xingwan walked onto the flower boat, touching things here and looking around there. Everywhere were intricate patterns carved from top-quality wood, clearly very valuable. Especially when combined, Lin Xingwan felt it was no longer just wood, but money!
"If you like it, why not have Zhou Jinbai get one for you too?" Duan Muxing turned to look at Lin Xingwan. The setting sun shone on the woman, her fair skin appearing crystal clear, and she was enveloped in a faint halo.
Duan Muxing felt ripples forming in his heart, and his smile became even more gentle.
Lin Xingwan, however, didn't notice Duan Muxing's change. Instead, she replied, "If I can survive in the future, I'll definitely have Zhou Jinbai get me a boat like this. It's so beautiful."
After speaking, Lin Xingwan realized the mistake in her words and dejectedly corrected herself, "Forget it, forget it. If I can survive in the future, I'll earn the money myself to get one."
Duan Muxing naturally knew why Lin Xingwan had changed her words so suddenly. It was because she was afraid that Zhou Jinbai would die.
He felt a surge of impatience, and finally, he walked inside without a word.
The sun slowly set, and a full moon hung high in the sky, making the entire sea surface shimmer.
When the boat carrying Lin Xingwan and the others arrived at the Oriental family's port, someone was waiting there.
"Young Master Duan, this way, please."
A man with an extremely respectful attitude said this to Duan Muxing. Duan Muxing nodded slightly and then walked inside.
Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Zhou Jinbai sat on the sofa with a dark expression, lost in thought.
Jia Yanzhen supported the old lady, standing about ten meters away from Zhou Jinbai. Seeing her grandson looking so dejected and absent-minded, she couldn't help but sigh.
"Do you think Jinbai will be unable to bear the blow and become useless all of a sudden?"
The old lady's face was full of worry. She had been depressed lately because of Lin Xingwan's affairs, and now with her grandson also dispirited, the old lady felt that life had lost its hope.
"Who knows? But if he becomes useless, so be it. Why must one strive to be normal? The Oriental family can afford to support a useless person."
Even at this moment, Jia Yanzhen remained sharp-tongued.
As far as he was concerned, he knew that unless Zhou Jinbai figured it out himself, no amount of persuasion from others would be effective.
"You rascal, what nonsense are you spouting?" The old lady took her anger out on Jia Yanzhen, hitting him a few times. Jia Yanzhen could have easily escaped, but he endured the blows without a word.
After hitting him a few times, the old lady found it pointless and finally withdrew her hand.
"Jinbai, tonight is the hundredth birthday of the Oriental family elder. Grandma knows you're in a bad mood, but you still need to show your face at such an occasion, to let these people know that you are Dongfang Junze."
The old lady walked to Zhou Jinbai's side. She knew her grandson disliked such events, but the Oriental family had rarely had such a lively occasion in recent years. Moreover, with Zhou Jinbai's current capabilities, he was fully capable of becoming the leader of the Oriental family.
It wouldn't hurt to increase his presence tonight, otherwise, others might think that Zhou Bingwen was now managing the Oriental family.
"Let Uncle handle it." Zhou Jinbai had no interest in such activities.
"Uncle, Uncle, you only talk about Uncle all day. If you let Zhou Bingwen handle everything, what prestige do you have in the Oriental family? Jinbai, your father was the previous Dongfang Junze, and you were also granted the title of Dongfang Junze by the elders of the Oriental family. You are the head of our family."
The old lady persuaded Zhou Jinbai earnestly. Towards the end, her tone became like coaxing a child, "Be good, Jinbai. Just go this once, and Grandma promises not to force you to do things you dislike anymore."
Zhou Jinbai looked up and cast his lifeless gaze at the old lady, retorting, "But I don't want to be the head of the Oriental family at all. My uncle is doing a very good job, so why not let him do it? Not everyone likes to be in that position."
Zhou Jinbai's words were utterly rebellious to the old lady's ears.
"Although your uncle has managed the entire family in an orderly fashion over the years, he can never become the head of the Oriental family. He is not Dongfang Junze. Only the Dongfang Junze of successive generations can be the head of our family. His personality is volatile and his methods are cruel. If our family falls into the hands of such a person, it will be a catastrophe for the entire family!"
The old lady's face was now full of seriousness. She knew very well what kind of person her son was.