Under Yang Shiwen's guidance, Lu Fan arrived at the Chuzhou Apartments. Many residents lived there, mostly from the lower strata.
As soon as they got home, Lu Fan saw a heavily made-up woman emerging from the kitchen.
"Auntie!"
Lu Fan called out softly. He didn't have much of a feeling towards the person in front of him.
"Who are you?"
Lin Xiuhua asked in surprise.
"Can't you tell?" Yang Shiwen smiled. "This is Xiao Fan, he didn't die, and he's grown so big!"
"Xiao Fan?" Lin Xiuhua was stunned. "That's impossible! You must be mistaken, right? Xiao Fan was eight years old back then, how could he still be alive!"
"Mom, he really is Xiao Fan!" Yang Zixin said with a smile. "I didn't believe it either before, but then he knew about my birthmark, and about things from when I was little, so he must be!"
Lin Xiuhua frowned. Even though she was sure of Lu Fan's identity, she wasn't happy at all. Instead, she seemed displeased.
"Wife, what's wrong?" Yang Shiwen said. "Xiao Fan is alive, shouldn't we celebrate? Why the long face?"
"If it weren't for the Lu family back then, the Yang family wouldn't have ended up like this!" Lin Xiuhua complained. "We've only just managed to live a stable life, and now he's come knocking. If the Five Great Families find out, what will we do?"
Lu Fan felt a bit awkward and quickly said, "Auntie, don't worry. I've already wiped out the Five Great Families. From now on, no matter what dangers come, Xiao Fan will never let you be wronged!"
"What a nice thing to say!" Lin Xiuhua said coldly. "What's the use of just talking?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Yang Shiwen frowned and said, "Xiuhua, that's enough. He's my sister's son, how can I not take care of him!"
"Are you saying we'll have to provide for him from now on?" Lin Xiuhua asked unwillingly.
"Mom, what are you talking about!" Yang Zixin said with a stern face. "The medicinal herb factory happens to need someone. Wouldn't it be better to have Xiao Fan help me!"
Lin Xiuhua didn't say anything, but she was displeased. At least in her opinion, another mouth to feed would be added to the household.
Lu Fan felt a bit helpless. He already possessed immense wealth, but now he was being considered idle, which felt somewhat unfair.
"As the saying goes, surviving a great disaster means a great fortune to come!" Yang Shiwen said with a smile. "Don't worry, Xiao Fan, there will be such a day!"
"Thank you, Uncle!" Lu Fan chuckled, eating the food in his bowl.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Lu Fan said softly, "Uncle, I'll come to see you again another day. I'll be leaving now!"
"Where are you going?" Yang Shiwen asked repeatedly. "It's unfamiliar territory, how can you go alone!"
Lin Xiuhua glanced over, then said coldly, "Your uncle is right. You're alone outside, it's better to stay here, lest people say that I, as your aunt, am not virtuous enough to drive my nephew out!"
"This..." Lu Fan looked a bit awkward.
He had originally intended to return to Jiangjing Courtyard and visit with gifts later. Now, it was difficult to refuse.
"Don't hesitate," Yang Zixin said directly. "You'll stay in the room next to mine from now on!"
Lu Fan had no choice but to agree. To prevent them from knowing too much, Lu Fan could only keep quiet.
Even if Lu Fan told them now that he was Master Lu of Jiangnan, no one would believe him.
"Oh, right, Xiao Fan, I have to sign a contract later!" Yang Zixin said. "Come with me! It might get late when we get back tonight."
Lu Fan nodded slightly, but Yang Shiwen frowned. "Is it with the Xia family?"
"That's right. The Xia family's company is big. If we can sign the contract, the medicinal herb factory won't have to worry about orders in the future!" Yang Zixin said seriously.
"I've told you before, the Xia family has great power, why would they think highly of our medicinal herb factory!" Yang Shiwen shook his head.
"Don't worry, Dad, I know what I'm doing!" Yang Zixin smiled. "If we can't sign it, we won't sign it!"
Yang Shiwen nodded and didn't say anything more.
After Lu Fan and the other left, he looked at Lin Xiuhua. "Wife, I knew you had a heart of gold despite your sharp tongue!"
"What else could I do!" Lin Xiuhua glared. "He's alone and helpless, we can't just let him wander outside!"
"Xiao Fan being able to escape death is also a sign of great fortune. From now on, let him follow me!" Yang Shiwen said with a smile. "We may not be able to become rich, but at least he can have a meal!"
"You're so capable!" Lin Xiuhua said grumpily. "The jade bracelet you promised to give me, there's still no sign of it after all these five years!"
"It's just that the family's medicinal herb factory is facing financial difficulties. Once things ease up, I'll buy you a pair!" Yang Shiwen comforted her.
Lin Xiuhua didn't believe him and didn't take it seriously at all.
Outside the Chuzhou Apartments, Yang Zixin rode her electric scooter and gestured for Lu Fan to get on.
Lu Fan was stunned and quickly hopped on. He realized he hadn't ridden on one in years.
"Sister Zixin, why are we discussing business so late at night?" Lu Fan asked in surprise.
"Perhaps Boss Xia is too busy!" Yang Zixin said directly. "He only has time to sign contracts at night!"
"Is that so?" Lu Fan muttered.
A while later, they arrived outside a villa. Yang Zixin parked her scooter and said, "You wait for me outside, I'll be back soon!"
Lu Fan frowned slightly. "If anything happens, Sister Zixin, remember to shout!"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine!" Yang Zixin smiled sweetly.
Inside the villa's living room, a middle-aged man was sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed.
"Boss Xia, please take a look at this contract. If there are no issues, please sign it!" Yang Zixin said with a smile. "This contract should be quite good for the Xia family!"
"No rush!"
Boss Xia narrowed his eyes. "This contract can be signed, but I, Xia, have a small condition!"
"A condition?" Yang Zixin frowned. "When we discussed this before, Boss Xia didn't mention any other conditions!"
"Miss Yang is indeed new to society!" Boss Xia chuckled. "If my Xia family were to choose a medicinal herb factory, the Chuzhou medicinal herb factories could form a long queue. Why must we choose your Yang family?"
Yang Zixin frowned slightly. "Boss Xia, please state your condition directly, as long as I can accept it!"
"Spend one night with me!" Boss Xia said directly. "As long as you spend one night with me, I will sign this contract, and I can even renew the contract for the Yang family for three years!"
"You..." Yang Zixin's face turned ashen. "You scoundrel!"
"Of course, if Miss Yang is unwilling, I, Xia, will never force you!" Boss Xia said directly. "However, you should consider whether the Yang family's medicinal herb factory can continue to operate!"
"Even if the medicinal herb factory goes bankrupt, I will not do such a thing!"
Yang Zixin, crying, ran out of the villa, feeling deeply wronged.
She had only been in society for a short time and was determined to help Yang Shiwen improve the medicinal herb factory. Now she realized how treacherous society was.
"Sister Zixin, what's wrong?" Lu Fan asked, frowning. "Did they bully you?"
"No!" Yang Zixin shook her head. "Xiao Fan, let's go back."