The Crazy Son-In-Law

“I understand,” Duan Jia replied.

“There’s nothing else to worry about. Just take care of him for me.” Xiao Shun quickly glanced at the room where Tian Huacheng was located.

“Leave it to me, and don’t worry. Remember what I do for a living. I’ll protect him like an important client,” Duan Jia said with a smile.

Xiao Shun glanced at the beer bottles on the ground and then at him dismissively.

“A little alcohol won’t get in the way,” Duan Jia grinned.

“By the way, Linger doesn’t know you’re back, does she? Should I tell her?”

“No need. After I finish my work, I’ll make time to see her tomorrow,” Xiao Shun said, waving at him as he walked towards the door.

He had lunch at Pearl International. Yao Jianguo took half a day off to drive him to the Yao family’s ancestral home.

“Sorry, Dad, I couldn’t find her,” Xiao Shun started to apologize as soon as they left the house.

“It’s okay. There’s nothing to apologize for. After all these years, if she wanted to hide, it wouldn’t be easy to find her. You didn’t have much time this trip. It’s not your fault. I’m sorry for troubling you. We’re family, there’s no need for formalities,” Yao Jianguo said. He hadn’t really expected much, but it was a burden on his mind.

“I’ve asked some friends in the capital for help. As soon as there is any news, I’ll go over. Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll find her.”

Xiao Shun didn’t mention the man in the black suit he had encountered that night. He didn’t want him to worry.

“You’ve told other people?” Yao Jianguo asked, startled.

“Don’t worry. How could I say that you’re looking for her? I told them I was helping another friend. Besides, the person I asked doesn’t even know you,” Xiao Shun quickly explained, afraid of shocking the old man.

He couldn’t help but think to himself, even a cautious man like Yao Jianguo has a love interest. Men, there really isn’t a good one among them, except me.

Look at all the temptations I have to face every day. I’m still a virgin. Who would believe that if I told them?

“That’s good,” Yao Jianguo sighed in relief.

“Dad, what if, I mean what if, my mom finds out about this? What would happen?” Xiao Shun asked.

Yao Jianguo weighed the situation in his heart and said helplessly, “You know your mother’s temper.”

“Would she divorce you?” Xiao Shun asked.

“Divorce is unlikely at our age, but her nagging alone could drive you crazy. You’ve experienced it yourself,” Yao Jianguo said, forcing a smile.

Xiao Shun nodded, laughing but not saying anything. He certainly knew what that was like.

After Yao Xiaoyu was imprisoned and Yao Zhenshu suddenly died, the victims who had been besieging the Yao family for half a month finally dispersed, waiting for the legal process to take its course.

When they arrived at the Yao family’s ancestral home, they saw more than ten cars already parked on the vacant lot in front of the gate, presumably the early arrivals from the Yao family.

As Yao Jianguo looked at the grand gate of the Yao family’s ancestral home, he couldn’t help but think of his childhood, playing, studying, and growing up with Yao De and a group of other Yao family children in this house.

He should have been very familiar with the place, but at this point, he found it hard to step in, feeling a bit sentimental.

“What’s wrong, Dad?” Xiao Shun asked when he saw him standing still.

“Nothing, let’s go.”

With that, he sighed heavily and walked towards the gate.

According to Stillwater’s customs, as relatives of the deceased, they needed to tie a white cloth around their waist when they entered. There was someone at the gate to take care of this. After they entered, they each received a belt to tie around their waist.

The Yao family’s ancestral home had been turned into a mourning hall. After they had offered incense at the altar, they walked towards the main hall.

After Yao Zhenshu’s death, Yao De, as his direct relative, was the most respected, so naturally he presided over this family meeting.

At this time, Yao De was seated in the main seat, and on the other side sat Yao Jianguo’s uncle, the eldest in the clan. Whenever there was a significant event in the clan, he was usually invited to bear witness.

Xiao Shun followed Yao Jianguo, walking into the main hall under the gaze of more than ten somewhat strange eyes. An empty seat awaited them at the front.

Yao De appeared somewhat worn out, possibly due to recent stress. He stood up, looked at the two men with a complex expression, pointed to the seat, and said in a hoarse voice, “Jianguo, sit down.”

Yao Jianguo walked over and sat down. The Yao family had many rules. At such family meetings, there were no seats for the younger generation or the women. Not to mention Xiao Shun, a son-in-law who had married into the family, even now there was no place for him. Therefore, he had no choice but to stand behind Yao Jianguo.

After Yao Jianguo took his seat, Yao De also sat down, and Li Chunlian stood next to him.

Although she was still heavily made up, one could still notice her eyes were somewhat scattered, listless, and she no longer carried her usual haughty demeanor.

On the other hand, Yao Han, who was nearby, looked vibrant and somewhat triumphant.

The room was very quiet, with occasional whispers.

“I think almost everyone has arrived. Let’s start now,” Yao De began.

The silence that followed was taken as consent.

He continued, “Everyone is already clear about what has happened to our Yao family recently. I won’t go over it again. At present, the Yao family is facing a crisis, coupled with the unfortunate demise of our father. The position of the family patriarch is vacant. We cannot be a dragon without a head. Our large family needs someone to step up and take on this role to help us overcome this difficulty.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“So, the purpose of gathering everyone today is two-fold: to choose a new patriarch and to discuss our father’s funeral arrangements.”

“Our Yao family has always promoted the virtuous without avoiding kinship. Everyone is free to propose someone they consider suitable for discussion.”

Xiao Shun understood: today’s meeting was not really about the patriarch’s funeral, the selection of the new patriarch was the main event.

However, he was confused. Yao De, by rights, was highly respected in the Yao family and was Yao Zhenshu’s biological son. If he wanted to sit in the patriarch’s position, presumably no one would oppose. Why would he make such a move?

As for Yao Han, he was the third generation of the Yao family and had proven himself to be incapable. He had managed to bankrupt every company he ran. Even if he wanted to step up, others would not agree.

Moreover, if Yao De took the patriarch’s position, wouldn’t it be easier for him to use the Yao family’s resources to save his daughter, Yao Xiaoyu?

Even a skinny camel is bigger than a horse. Even now, if it weren’t for Xiao Shun combining with other major families in Stillwater to sanction the Yao Group, it would still have some value.

How could Yao De possibly ignore such a big piece of cake?

It must just be a formality. After all, this way, everything would be justified, Xiao Shun thought.