A guest of Elder Song.

There weren’t many who qualified to be Elder Song’s guests.

Min Xiaoju drove to Xiangshan, and after navigating the winding mountain roads, they finally reached Elder Song’s recuperation place.

From Xia Xiaolan’s perspective as an architecture student, this location was well-chosen – not at the mountain peak, but on the mountainside.

Cool in Xia and not too cold in winter.

Though given Elder Song’s age, the warm south would be more suitable for winter.

Perhaps he couldn’t leave Beijing due to pressing political matters?

As Min Xiaoju parked, guards immediately approached to check the vehicle, verifying the license plate and Tang Hongen’s identity, while also ensuring other passengers weren’t carrying dangerous items.

Xia Xiaolan had never experienced such high-level security before.

Min Xiaoju whispered to her, “The car model and plate number must be reported in advance – it’s always like this when meeting high-ranking officials.”

This meant that before even meeting Elder Song, their backgrounds had been thoroughly investigated.

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help but become solemn, affected by the atmosphere.

Liu Fen found it strange – during her last visit, none of these procedures existed. The car had driven straight into the courtyard, which was why she hadn’t realized she was meeting someone important.

Tang Hongen explained quietly in her ear:

“There are many Song family members here today, so security checks are stricter.”

Interesting.

So when Tang Hongen came alone, such strict checks weren’t necessary, but with Song family members present, things became different. Liu Fen felt her mind struggling to process this – these were Song family members, Elder Song’s own family, hence the term ‘Song family.’

This wasn’t the time for details. As soon as the guards cleared them, Tang Hongen saw someone coming out.

Huo Chenzhou stepped out quickly:

“Uncle Tang, Grandfather asked me to escort you in. He’s waiting in the study.”

Elder Song wanted to see him first. Tang Hongen squeezed Liu Fen’s hand, “This is Elder Song’s grandson Huo Chenzhou. You and Xiaolan follow him inside, warm yourselves by the fire in the hall first, alright?”

Liu Fen hadn’t expected this situation.

Elder Song suddenly calls Tang Hongen away, leaving her alone to face the Song family.

No, she wasn’t alone – if she panicked, she wouldn’t just embarrass Tang Hongen, she also couldn’t protect Xiaolan.

Xia Xiaolan came over, “Uncle Tang, you go ahead. I’ll take care of Mom.”

Tang Hongen nodded, “You and Chenzhou are old acquaintances. If you need anything, just ask him.”

Xia Xiaolan and Huo Chenzhou were indeed old acquaintances.

Though they’d had some unpleasantness.

But compared to other Song family members, Huo Chenzhou was marginally more reliable – at least while he needed something from them, he wouldn’t oppose Tang Hongen until his goals were met.

Xia Xiaolan’s eyes flickered, “Of course, Manager Huo and I are quite familiar.”

Huo Chenzhou was deeply frustrated. Earlier, when Tang Hongen suggested they address each other as siblings, he hadn’t been too pleased. Now that Xia Xiaolan had become Tang Hongen’s stepdaughter, they would have to use sibling terms anyway:

“Xiaolan, we don’t need to be so formal. You can use my name, or call me Big Brother.”

Tang Hongen hurried away, and Xia Xiaolan took the olive branch Huo Chenzhou offered, calling him “Brother Huo.”

Huo Chenzhou had his schemes, probably no better than Sheng Xuan and the others.

But his game was mainly targeted at Tang Hongen, and she had benefited somewhat – when the bank pressed for early loan repayment, he had offered to lend money to Qihang. Though they hadn’t taken the money in the end, Xia Xiaolan still had to appear grateful on the surface.

“Aunt Liu, Xiaolan, let me show you in.”

Having decided to change his strategy, Huo Chenzhou’s previous arrogance had vanished, giving Liu Fen a good first impression.

If all the Song family members were like Huo Chenzhou, they wouldn’t be too difficult to deal with.

Reality proved Liu Fen’s thoughts too optimistic. When Huo Chenzhou led the mother and daughter inside, there were probably more than a dozen men and women – some sitting on sofas, others leaning against pillars. A roaring fire in the fireplace warmed the entire room.

The extensive use of glass windows made the room bright, allowing them to enjoy both warmth and snow views – truly a pleasure to be here.

Just as everyone was engaged in their own conversations, the moment Xia Xiaolan and Liu Fen entered the room, these people suddenly fell silent as if someone had hit a pause.

Many eyes fell on the mother and daughter pair, then quickly looked away.

Even this glance would make those with weak psychological fortitude weak in the knees.

How many people are qualified to enter such a room?

After the brief silence, these people acted as if they hadn’t seen the mother and daughter, resuming their conversations.

Was it embarrassing?

Xia Xiaolan found it childish.

She turned to look at Liu Fen, who wasn’t a simple person anymore.

Having experienced Old Lady Xia’s abuse – cursing at the slightest displeasure and rolling on the ground when she couldn’t win an argument – Liu Fen found other forms of difficulty insignificant.

Though Tang Hongen wasn’t with them, she remembered his words: respond to those who make you happy, ignore those you dislike.

Now the Song family members were ignoring her – it wasn’t her fault, but rather their discourtesy.

Why should she feel uncomfortable because of their poor manners?

Having a thick skin had its advantages. Xia Xiaolan knew her mother too well and could guess Liu Fen’s thoughts.

Xia Xiaolan held back her laughter. It was cold outside but warm inside, so she took off her coat.

Liu Fen followed her daughter’s example.

Following her daughter’s lead would never be wrong.

Huo Chenzhou was very attentive, helping both mother and daughter hang their coats. Seeing them so at ease, not at all flustered, the Song family members were surprised.

Song Minglan was the same.

She had expected Tang Hongen not to marry an ugly woman, but Liu Fen’s appearance and temperament still surprised her.

While Sheng Xuan was beautiful and young, Liu Fen wasn’t without merit.

Sheng Xuan’s beauty was aggressive, while Liu Fen’s was refreshing.

Standing beside Liu Fen, Xia Xiaolan also caught Song Minglan’s attention – Xia Xiaolan was truly beautiful, Song Minglan had never seen anyone who could match Cousin Sheng Xuan’s beauty!

“These are indeed vixens, born to bewitch men.”

A thought crossed Song Minglan’s mind: her earlier attempt to provoke Cousin Huo had failed – could it be that he had taken a liking to this baggage?

Just as Xia Xiaolan was about to lead Liu Fen to their seats, another person entered the room, bringing in the cold air:

“I’m late, have the guests arrived? How discourteous of me!”

The newcomer was a middle-aged woman.

Neither beautiful nor ugly.

Her enthusiasm was perfectly measured: “I’m Chenzhou’s mother, Song Nanzhen. I’ve been wanting to meet you but never had the chance.”

Song Nanzhen extended her hand to Liu Fen, leaving the Song family members bewildered.

What was Song Nanzhen doing?

If anyone in the Song family was most pragmatic and mercenary, it would undoubtedly be Song Nanzhen – had she taken the wrong medicine today?