An Uninvited Guest

Elder Yang clapped his hands and laughed, "Alright, you've all met now. Come on, let's take our seats and chat while we eat."

The group then followed him to the dining room next door.

In the dining room, there was a large round table with a turntable, which could seat about ten people.

All the dishes on the table had been served. After serving the last dish, the waiter quietly left.

Elder Yang walked to the main seat and gestured for Shen Jingchuan to move to his right.

"Come on, Little Shen, sit here."

In Chinese etiquette, the right side is considered the place of honor, and the first seat to the right of the host is the most honored seat for the guest of honor.

Shen Jingchuan didn't refuse, thanked him, and sat down in the host's seat.

Elder Li and Elder Wang then sat down on the other side of Elder Yang to keep him company.

Elder Yang then pointed to the empty seat next to Shen Jingchuan and said, "Siqi, you sit there."

Yang Siqi nodded, obediently walked over, and sat down next to Shen Jingchuan.

Seeing this, Wang Lezhi jogged over and said with a grin, "Grandpa Yang, I'll stay with Siqi."

Elder Yang glanced at her, nodded, and said nothing.

The remaining young people then took their seats in order.

Not a single person in the room had any objection to the seating arrangement.

These children of high-ranking officials received elite education from a young age, and each and every one of them is a shrewd and astute individual.

On the surface, no one can find fault with the rules. You can call them unruly, even spoiled, or that they're pampered, but none of them are oblivious to social cues.

Moreover, my family gave me countless instructions before I came.

This Mr. Shen is someone we must befriend. They came today specifically to get to know him, so why would they jump out and say something like, "What right do you have to sit in this position?"

Those mindless, face-slapping scenes won't happen here.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a flurry of hurried footsteps sounded outside.

The dining room door was suddenly pushed open.

A young woman in a training uniform strode in. She was tall and straight, about 1.75 meters, with long, lithe legs.

As soon as she entered, a smile spread across her face, and she called out to Elder Yang, "Grandpa, I'm late!"

Elder Yang frowned, but a smile was hidden in his eyes, and he stood up.

"Who sent you?"

Upon hearing this, the woman became displeased, put her hands on her hips, and said, "Grandpa, you're being unfair!"

"I've heard about Mr. Shen for a long time and have always wanted to meet him. It's fine if you don't arrange a private meeting."

"You clearly set this table today, why wasn't I included? Luckily, Dad told me, so nobody can stop me today."

"I won't work with an old man as biased as you!"

Elder Li and Elder Wang, who were standing nearby, listened with great amusement.

Elder Wang leaned over Elder Yang and smiled at Shen Jingchuan, saying, "Little Shen, don't be fooled by Old Yang's imposing presence outside."

"Of this whole family, only his granddaughter can keep him in check."

The woman didn't dawdle; she walked a few steps to the table, her eyes lighting up as she looked at Shen Jingchuan, who was sitting in the host's seat.

She straightened up, clasped her hands in a fist and bowed crisply, saying in a cheerful voice, "Mr. Shen, I am Yang Xiao, I've long admired your name!"

Seeing her solemnity, Shen Jingchuan quickly stood up and returned the greeting.

Yang Xiao didn't stand on ceremony. He walked a few steps to Shen Jingchuan's side, lowered his head, and looked at Yang Siqi had already taken her seat.

Yang Siqi glanced at her sideways and spoke first, "Yang Xiao, let me tell you, don't mess with me."

Without saying a word, Yang Xiao reached out, grabbed her collar, and pulled her up with a gentle lift, then sat down on his own.

"Go sit next to my brother, I'll take this seat."

"You don't know martial arts, so I'm here to ask Mr. Shen some questions about martial arts."

Yang Siqi was pulled up by her and stood aside, stomping her feet in anger.

"Grandpa, look at her! You just spoil her."

In a fit of pique, she turned around and sat down in the empty seat next to Yang Wei, not forgetting to glare fiercely at Yang Xiao.

Yang Xiao didn't take it seriously at all and casually sat down in that spot.

Beside her, Wang Lezhi was covering her mouth, laughing so hard she was shaking.

Yang Xiao glanced sideways, raised his hand, and slapped her across the face.

"What are you laughing at?"

Wang Lezhi cried out "Ouch!" after being hit.

"Oh, you're doing it again! You just know how to bully me."

"If you're so capable, let's go outside and have a one-on-one match. Who's afraid of who?"

Elder Wang, standing to the side, couldn't stand it any longer. He glared and puffed out his cheeks, saying, "You brat, how dare you bully my granddaughter right in front of me?"

"You believe me or not, I'll get your grandpa to deal with you!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao quickly stopped and said with a grin, "Grandpa Wang, I was just teasing her."

"You know we grew up together, and every time she couldn't beat me, she'd go and badmouth me."

Wang Lezhi rubbed his forehead, puffed out his cheeks, and said, "I'll just laugh once, is that not allowed? Look how strong your hand is!"

Yang Xiao curled his lip and said, "Alright, stop pretending. We both know our own limitations. What are you pretending to be pitiful for?"

Elder Yang quickly spoke up to smooth things over, "Alright, everyone, calm down. What kind of occasion is this?"

He turned to Shen Jingchuan and introduced him with a smile.

"Young Friend Shen, this is my youngest granddaughter, from my eldest son's family."

"I disliked studying from a young age, preferring fighting and violence. Right after graduating high school, I joined the army, serving in a special operations brigade. After four years, this is what I look like—not at all like a girl."

Elder Yang sighed and continued, "I was afraid that with her temperament, she might not know her place and offend Young Friend Shen, which is why I didn't let her come."

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao was displeased and immediately retorted, puffing out his cheeks.

"How dare you say that!"

When I got home, my parents were preparing dinner by themselves. I asked them where my brother had gone, but they were still keeping it from me and wouldn't tell me.

"It took me a good scolding before he reluctantly told me the truth."

She got more and more excited as she spoke, pointing her finger at Elder Yang.

"You know perfectly well that I've wanted to see Mr. Shen for a long time. How can you do this to me?"

"From now on, I'm not going to acknowledge you as my grandfather anymore, and don't expect me to massage your shoulders and legs anymore."

He looked nothing like a former elite soldier; he resembled a wronged little girl.

Elder Yang was amused by her and shook his head. He then put on a stern face and said:

"Alright, enough with the talking. From now on, shut your mouth and don't say another word."

Seeing her grandfather's change of expression, Yang Xiao realized she was still intimidated by him and understood the situation. She shrank back, pouted resentfully, and dared not utter a single word.

Seeing this, Elder Yang nodded in satisfaction, picked up the cup in front of him, and stood up.

"Come on, let's all raise our glasses."

"Those who want to drink alcohol can drink alcohol, and those who want to drink beverages can do so as they please; there's no pressure."

He looked around, a smile on his face.

"It's not yet the fifteenth of the lunar month, we're still in the New Year celebrations. Let's drink this toast as a way to celebrate the New Year together in a lively and festive atmosphere."