The Shen Family.
Today was the third day after Jun Chen and Shen Liuli's wedding, the traditional day for a bride to return to her parents' home.
The wedding had not been particularly grand; neither the groom's parents nor his relatives and friends had been present. However, they had gone through the formal wedding procedures in front of the social elites of Modu, so the Shen family naturally had to acknowledge the marriage. The Jun Family would undoubtedly hold another formal wedding banquet later on—that went without saying.
Shen Huaiqiu was all smiles, radiating high spirits. On the day of the wedding he had been genuinely furious, but today he was genuinely happy!
As a father, when his daughter was bullied, he ought to be angry; but when his daughter found happiness, he ought to be even happier!
Elder Shen asked, "About what time will Jun Chen and Liuli arrive?"
Xu Manyu replied, "Liuli said she still has some company matters to deal with. She'll come right over after she finishes."
Elder Shen nodded.
In the main household of the Shen family, there were only Elder Shen Yin, his son Shen Huaiqiu, and his daughter-in-law Xu Manyu. There were no uncles, aunts, or cousins to worry about. They could return whenever they liked, and do whatever made them happy.
Shengxin Group, President's Office.
Shen Liuli was buried in her work, reviewing documents. For once, instead of playing games, Jun Chen was deep in thought—pondering the matter of the Japanese spies.
Today was already Saturday, and this coming Monday he was supposed to report for classes at Modu University. The Japanese spies had yet to make a move, and he was uneasy about leaving the pregnant Shen Liuli under the protection of the Earth Pavilion agents. The only solution was to take the initiative and eliminate the hidden danger.
Yanhuang Pavilion was affiliated with the military, and its intelligence capabilities were beyond question. It both kept the martial arts underworld in check and handled dirty work for Huaxia Country, such as dealing with overseas criminal syndicates or carrying out decapitation strikes...
A mighty dragon cannot crush a local serpent—this saying made a lot of sense. Some tasks simply could not be accomplished by an outside force; they required the local underground to step in.
Yanhuang Pavilion represented the authorities, and no matter how great its power, it still had to adhere to evidence. It could not simply execute people on the spot and call it a day—especially in foreign-related affairs. The best outcome was catching the culprits red-handed with undeniable proof, leaving them no room to argue. Otherwise, it would inevitably spark international public opinion and disputes, a heavy burden no one could bear. But local underworld syndicates and criminal organizations were different. Even if the matter were exposed, should the foreign sovereign nation shameless enough to demand an explanation for its citizen, they would be given one: a private civil grievance, the criminal had been apprehended and severely punished. A mere formality, and it was over. Could they really launch an international investigation?
Jun Chen had obtained photos of the undercover Japanese agents from Wenren Mo, and had asked Meng Liang to help him get in touch with Chu Jue—Lord Chu, leader of the Chu Sect, one of the three major underworld syndicates in Modu! They had arranged to meet at Yun Zhi Dian that evening.
Once Shen Liuli finished her tasks, the two of them left Shengxin Group and headed for the Shen family residence.
Since this was Jun Chen's first time visiting the Shen family, he naturally could not go empty-handed. The trunk of his car was packed with gifts that Elder Shen had specially had people deliver to him all the way from Kyoto. Among them was a bottle of tribute liquor that Elder Shen had treasured for a long time, which the old man had never been willing to drink. The production line at the distillery had long since been shut down; it was priceless and unavailable on the market—every bottle consumed meant one less left in the world.
Carrying the gifts in both hands, Jun Chen followed Shen Liuli into the Shen family courtyard.
Beaming with joy, Elder Shen stepped forward to welcome them, saying, "Why did you bring gifts just to come home!"
Jun Chen placed the gifts on the table and smiled, saying, "These were sent over from home by Grandfather, ready-made. It's the thought that counts, not the gift—I hope you'll forgive the informality, Elder Shen."
Elder Shen smiled. "Anything Elder Jun sends out is naturally precious."
Pausing for a moment, Elder Shen asked, "Does that mean Elder Jun already knows that you and Liuli have registered your marriage?"
Jun Chen nodded. "Such a major event as marriage must certainly be reported to the elders at home. Please rest assured, Elder Shen, our Jun Family has never cared about social standing or family status. In our household registration, the only status for a marital relationship is either bereavement or lifelong union; divorce does not exist. My grandfather is also very pleased with Liuli. Once my parents return from abroad, they will come to Modu to discuss the wedding date with you and my parents-in-law. As the granddaughter-in-law of the Jun family, she must definitely have a grand and glorious wedding."
Elder Shen nodded, feeling much more at ease.
During the meal, the family was warm and harmonious. As the atmosphere reached its peak, the old man declared that the three generations of father, son, and grandson must share a drink together.
Shen Huaiqiu, sitting close by, casually reached out and grabbed the bag of liquor Jun Chen had brought, preparing to open the bottle.
Elder Shen cried out in alarm, "Don't move! Put it down!"
Just as Jun Chen had said, the liquor had been sent over by his grandfather without any fancy gift box—just randomly tossed into a shopping bag. Now that its true face was revealed, Elder Shen, who was himself a connoisseur of fine wine, instantly recognized this unremarkable bottle of white liquor as that long-discontinued vintage tribute wine, incomparably precious. The age of this wine was roughly the same as his own age.
Shen Huaiqiu hurriedly and carefully placed the bottle back on the table, letting go with both hands, stepping back and retreating a step before stopping.
Elder Shen let out a breath—thank goodness, a narrow escape!
Perplexed, Shen Huaiqiu asked, "Dad, what's wrong?"
Elder Shen instructed, "Go to the wine cabinet in my room and fetch any bottle of wine you like. This bottle is strictly off limits."
Rubbing the back of his head, Shen Huaiqiu went upstairs to get the wine.
Elder Shen picked up the tribute liquor from the table and studied it closely, treating it like a priceless treasure.
Xu Manyu and Shen Liuli, mother and daughter, looked at each other in bewilderment.
After thinking for a moment, Jun Chen found a straightforward and easy-to-understand way to explain: "This wine is priceless on the market and is practically a unique collector's item now. A bottle once sold at an auction for one million."
After a satisfying meal, Jun Chen had a long, heart-to-heart talk with his father-in-law.
As night fell, Jun Chen accompanied Shen Liuli through dinner with the Shen family, said his goodbyes, and drove off toward Yun Zhi Dian to keep his appointment.
Jun Chen parked his car and took the elevator straight to the top floor. Outside the private dining room, he stated his name, only to be blocked by Chu Jue's underlings, who refused to let him enter.
Jun Chen sneered. "What? Calling him Lord Chu to his face really made him think he's some kind of big shot?"
Jun Chen did not believe a mere underling would dare be so presumptuous; someone must have given the order.
With a cold chuckle, Jun Chen turned on his heel and left. Chu Jue wasn't the only option in town—if he didn't want to cooperate, plenty of others would.
As soon as Jun Chen left, the underling hurried inside the private room to report.
Inside, Chu Jue sat leisurely on the sofa, enjoying the unspeakable services of a young woman.
Upon learning that Jun Chen had left, Chu Jue said with utter indifference, "Young people nowadays can't endure the slightest setback, yet they want to ask others for favors? Good riddance. At least I'll have an explanation to give Young Master Meng."
When Jun Chen reached the lobby on the ground floor, he did not leave immediately. He had come today specifically to eliminate any hidden dangers that might threaten his wife Shen Liuli's safety as quickly as possible. Since the matter wasn't settled yet, how could he give up halfway?
He would just have to handle it himself. He really didn't want to deal with the Qing Gang and Hongmen, especially during this sensitive period when the fallout would be massive... That was why he had sought out the Chu Sect in the first place, only to be given the cold shoulder.
Then let the storm rage even harder!
Bring out the Qing Gang and Hongmen together.