This day, Tang Haoran and Old Master Cao arrived at the Han family villa as scheduled.
Han Zhongyi was overjoyed to see them both arrive at the same time. He warmly welcomed them in, poured them tea, and inquired, "You two gracing my humble abode, are you here to see Lang'er about something?"
Tang Haoran did not decline and answered truthfully, "Indeed, there's something I need to discuss with Brother Han. What's wrong? Isn't he here?"
Han Zhongyi replied with a look of regret, "Unfortunately, he hasn't returned yet! I'll give him a call right away!"
Old Master Cao quickly stopped him, "No need, no need. Our matter isn't urgent. Since he's not back, it's good for us old fellows to just chat! Haha..."
Tang Haoran feigned a mournful expression and joked, "Who are you calling an old fellow? You're the only old fellow here; Brother Han and I are still in our prime!"
"Haha..." Old Master Cao burst into laughter. Instead of being offended, he went along with it, "Alright, alright. If that's the case, then you young man, don't blame me for acting my age!"
He then immediately adopted a senior's demeanor and continued, "Come, little Tang! Pour your uncle some tea!"
Tang Haoran, being a good sport, readily played along.
He busied himself with pouring tea for Old Master Cao, repeatedly replying, "Yes, yes, this junior offers his respects. Please, Old Master Cao, enjoy your tea!"
Their comical display had both Old Master Cao and Han Zhongyi roaring with laughter.
After a brief chat, Han Zhongyi became more familiar with them.
At this moment,
Han Lang and Luo Jiaying, having just finished dealing with Shen Zhengyi, walked through the door, chatting and laughing.
They were somewhat surprised to see Tang Haoran and Old Master Cao seated in the living room.
"Brother Cao, Brother Tang, why are you here?"
Before they could reply, Han Zhongyi stood up with a smile and said, "You're back? Quickly, quickly, both family heads have been waiting for you!"
Han Lang was even more perplexed upon hearing this, "Waiting for me?"
Luo Jiaying, being very sensible, knew they had something to discuss upon hearing this. She politely greeted everyone and then quietly returned to her room.
Han Lang quickly approached Tang Haoran and the other, pouring them another cup of tea and asking urgently, "You two brothers made a special trip. Has something significant happened?"
Tang Haoran and Old Master Cao exchanged glances, then looked at Han Zhongyi, hesitating to speak.
Han Lang understood.
Knowing that the matter they wished to discuss was likely not convenient for Han Zhongyi to know, he immediately turned to Han Zhongyi and said, "Dad, could you go help Mom prepare some food and drinks? We'll have a drink together tonight!"
Han Zhongyi was even more delighted to hear that Tang Haoran and Old Master Cao would be staying for dinner. He replied repeatedly, "Okay, okay! You all chat first, I'll go find your mother to cook!"
Saying this, he rushed to the bedroom to call Su Su, like a child who had just been praised.
Seeing Han Zhongyi walk away, Tang Haoran said apologetically, "My apologies, Brother Han! We came here specially because Gou Feng already knows about your identity as a cultivator. However, we don't know if your father is aware, so..."
Hearing Tang Haoran's explanation, Han Lang was deeply touched. "Thank you, Brother Tang, for your thoughtfulness. I have indeed been keeping this from my parents! It was expected that the Gou family would know about my identity. I've been making arrangements to guard against the Gou family these past few days. However, it is somewhat surprising that Old Brother Cao knows about cultivators!"
Old Master Cao chuckled and feigned anger, "You have the nerve to say that! I'm this old, and you consider me a brother, yet you kept the fact that you are both cultivators from me? That's truly unfair! If the Gou family hadn't asked us to mediate with you this time, I would still be in the dark!"
Old Master Cao's grumbling made Tang Haoran double over with laughter, but Han Lang was full of surprise.
"Mediate? Mediate what?"
Tang Haoran and Old Master Cao then remembered the main purpose of their visit and quickly explained.
"It's like this! The Gou family somehow learned that you are a cultivator. They are probably afraid of retaliation, so they specifically asked the Wang family to find us and act as mediators to resolve the grievances between you!"
"That's right!" Old Master Cao added impatiently, "However, we initially refused this matter! We know how many excessive things the Gou family has done to you! Why should they be able to attack and then seek peace whenever they please? But after listening to the young man explain about the Special Investigation Bureau for Cultivators, we both felt that this matter absolutely needed to be discussed with you first!"
Han Lang knew they were thinking of him, and from their explanation, he had a basic grasp of the situation.
The fact that Master Jin and the Gou family sent cultivators to assassinate him, but were instead killed by him, must have reached their ears.
Therefore, the Gou family naturally knew his identity as a cultivator.
Thus, Gou Feng, fearing his retaliation, found a way to ask Tang Haoran and Old Master Cao, with whom he had a better relationship, to help mediate.
However, Tang Qin had not informed Tang Haoran about Han Lang encountering cultivators for an assassination beforehand, so the two, not understanding the situation, were naturally unwilling to be mediators at first.
Later, for some unknown reason, they thought of the Special Investigation Bureau.
Fearing that he might make a grave mistake by attacking the Gou family in anger, they patiently agreed to the Gou family's request.
In other words, although Tang Haoran and Old Master Cao appeared to be Gou family lobbyists today, in reality, they were just here to remind him out of concern for him.
Understanding this, Han Lang was truly moved and thanked them repeatedly, "I am truly grateful for your consideration, brothers. However, as things stand, do you brothers have any suggestions?"
Tang Haoran smiled first and then replied, "We don't interfere in matters that don't concern us. You are the one who has the deepest feelings about the grievances with the Gou family. Our opinions are not important!"
Old Master Cao echoed, "Yes! No matter what you decide, we both support you! As long as you don't wrong yourself!"
Han Lang was almost moved to tears by their words.
He quickly replied, "Actually, as long as the Gou family doesn't provoke me, I really can't be bothered with them. However, they have done so many excessive things to the people around me before, so it's naturally impossible to forgive them easily!"
"If they sincerely wish to seek peace, then Gou Feng, Gou Xingzhi, and Gou Tuizhi must personally apologize to my family and friends for all their past actions! As long as they are ultimately satisfied and agree to forgive, I am willing to let bygones be bygones!"
Old Master Cao nodded, "Hmm, this request is very reasonable. I agree!"
"The request is indeed not excessive, but..."
Although Tang Haoran also agreed, he had some reservations.
"To be honest, Brother Han! I believe the Gou family's attitude this time is credible! At least for now, they are even willing to cede the markets of the entire Yiyang District and Pingyang District to facilitate this reconciliation."
"Therefore, they will definitely agree to the apology! But getting those past victims around you to accept their apology, that might not be so easy!"