Ning Yanfan, well-versed in the principles of health cultivation, rarely became angry as extreme emotions went against these principles. Yet now he was furious.

He harshly rebuked Zhen Wenxiu’s excuses, having already seen through his son Ning Haodong’s thoughts from his silence. Everything, it seemed, could be used as social currency.

Ning Haodong wanted to act as a mediator rather than advocate for Grandmother Yu and Xu Zhongyi’s interests – he valued his potential personal gain over the longstanding relationship between the Ning family and Grandmother Yu!

The old man took several deep breaths and said, “Ning Haodong, if it weren’t for your Aunt Yu’s generous support back then, many of us couldn’t have completed our studies. My current success, my ability to provide for you siblings, to educate you – we owe it all to Junior Sister Yu! You ungrateful creature, you’re unworthy of being my son!”

Ning Haodong frowned.

“Father, I haven’t done anything to wrong Aunt Yu’s family. Have I said anything against helping her? Our family has repeatedly tried to locate Xu Zhongyi in San Francisco. You should understand my position – some social obligations are hard to decline. I only agreed to mediate. If Aunt Yu and her family disagree, I’ll have done my part and can explain that to others.”

This explanation might fool others, but not Ning Yanfan.

He spat viciously: “Bah! With your involvement, Junior Sister Yu and Zhongyi will surely have to compromise. You’re quite skilled at playing innocent!”

Ning Haodong fell silent under the rebuke. Zhen Wenxiu’s face was covered in spittle, but she persisted in trying to convince her father-in-law:

“Father, what Haodong’s doing isn’t exactly wrong. If that small building was truly important to Aunt Yu, why would she give it to Xia Xiaolan as a thank-you gift? If she could give it to Xia Xiaolan, why not let others build a shopping mall there? Since the Shangdu government is so earnestly seeking Haodong’s help, they’ll surely offer fair compensation. We could then give that compensation to Xia Xiaolan – wouldn’t that be the same? Does Xia Xiaolan need that specific building? She’s being too…”

Zhen Wenxiu wanted to say that Xia Xiaolan was being too greedy and inconsiderate.

If the small building at Er Qi Square was given as a thank-you gift for helping find someone, Xia Xiaolan had already accepted it.

Couldn’t the gift be replaced with something else?

Haodong could earn social credit.

Grandmother Yu and Xu Zhongyi wouldn’t have to wrangle with the Shangdu government.

It seemed perfect – why couldn’t they do it?

Zhen Wenxiu had more complaints: the Ning family had also helped search for people for Grandmother Yu without receiving any gifts. It was fine that Xia Xiaolan received something, but why did she get to specify exactly what?

Ning Yanfan was disgusted by his daughter-in-law’s words.

“I can’t believe you two could produce a child like Ning Xue. You’re terrible role models. Ning Haodong, I don’t care who you promised to mediate for, but if you go through with this, don’t consider me your father anymore! Both of you, get out! Get out now, and never set foot in my studio again!”

Zhen Wenxiu and Ning Haodong were thrown out together.

Zhen Wenxiu worried, “Haodong, what should we do? You’ve already promised others, but now to go back on your word…”

Ning Haodong shook his head, “What can we do? We’ll have to call and decline. I didn’t expect Father to react so strongly. Though his health is generally good, he’s still getting on in years. We can’t risk him getting seriously ill from anger.”

Zhen Wenxiu felt deeply disappointed.

She had always wanted her husband to advance in his career, to seize every opportunity.

“It’s all because of that Xia Xiaolan. So young, yet so competitive. She had some verbal spat with Ji Ya and still won’t let it go.”

Zhen Wenxiu had never liked Xia Xiaolan. Initially due to Ji Ya’s instigation, but now she felt even more uncomfortable thinking about her. Both studied at Cornell, but in that recent competition, Xia Xiaolan had taken first place while Ning Xue only got second… Her precious daughter had always been first in every test since childhood, never second!

Zhen Wenxiu felt wronged on her daughter’s behalf.

Her daughter was the most excellent, with both talent and diligence.

Why should she be surpassed by Xia Xiaolan, who split her time between studies and business?

Zhen Wenxiu couldn’t share these petty thoughts with anyone – even Ning Xue wouldn’t agree with them.

Ning Haodong frowned. His knowledge of Xia Xiaolan came entirely from Zhen Wenxiu – he knew this girl was competitive, had a bet with Ji Ya, and was constantly challenging his daughter Ning Xue academically.

But Ning Haodong was more rational than Zhen Wenxiu. He knew that regarding first and second place, unless there was cheating involved, one had to accept the results.

That said, subconsciously he couldn’t feel positively about Xia Xiaolan either – this was from a father’s perspective. Rationally, it was one thing, but emotionally, who would like someone overshadowing their daughter?

“Be quiet. Don’t gossip behind people’s backs. Do you know who you’re talking about?”

Xia Xiaolan was no longer a rootless village girl. No, far from it. A woman’s marriage prospects were crucial, and she had one confirmed relationship and another half-confirmed… Ning Haodong didn’t want to offend both Tang Hongen and the Zhou family.

He had just wanted to be clever, trying to earn social credit while bypassing Xia Xiaolan. When others consulted him, he responded the same way, trying to keep the matter local and negotiate with Xu Zhongyi.

Ning Haodong still remembered Xu Zhongyi – refined and scholarly, seemingly easy to negotiate with.

He didn’t know that after twenty years, Xu Zhongyi had evolved from a refined scholar into “Lord Qiu”… Even Ning Yanfan only knew a bit about the grudges between Xu Zhongyi and Zhang Jiagdong, let alone Ning Haodong!

Fortunately, Zhen Wenxiu’s slip had triggered the old man’s fury, causing Ning Haodong to abandon his mediation plans – otherwise, if he had approached Xu Zhongyi, who knows how Xu Zhongyi would have reacted, despite maintaining a polite facade!

As for Grandmother Yu, with her strong personality, she would certainly cut ties with Ning Yanfan.

No wonder Ning Yanfan had lost his temper.

With just one word from Ning Haodong, the old man’s decades-long friendship with Grandmother Yu would be ruined! Looking at Grandmother Yu’s current attitude toward the Ji family, she would likely treat Ning Yanfan the same way.

After driving away his son and daughter-in-law, Ning Yanfan remained restless. Unable to trust that Ning Haodong had completely abandoned his plans, he decided to confess everything himself.

Thinking about Junior Sister Yu’s temperament, the old man felt a headache coming on. Alone in his study, he muttered to himself, “Should I perhaps find Xia Xiaolan?”

No, that wouldn’t work – if Xia Xiaolan told Mao Dapao about this, he’d have another person wanting his head!

Steeling himself, he called Shangdu. Sure enough, Grandmother Yu answered.

“Junior Sister Yu, I have something to tell you. Could you stay calm and let me finish speaking?”

Grandmother Yu was particularly perceptive: “Are you going to talk about Building No. 45? I don’t blame you. I know there are troublemakers involved – what won’t people do for money? I’m not angry, so don’t keep worrying about it…”

Ning Yanfan thought: Yes, you’re not angry now, but once I finish speaking, you certainly will be.