Chapter 501 - 263: Jiang Guoqiang: I Won’t Stop You and Yixia Anymore

Chapter 501: Chapter 263: Jiang Guoqiang: I Won’t Stop You and Yixia Anymore

"Have a seat," he gestured.

Lu Fan sat down across from him.

Pan Lanfang went to the kitchen and brought back two cups of tea, one for Lu Fan and one for Jiang Guoqiang.

She looked at the two of them, wanting to say something but not knowing what. She turned and went back into the kitchen.

Only the two of them remained in the main hall.

Jiang Guoqiang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and set it down.

He stared at the tabletop, silent for a moment, then spoke. "Silu said you introduced clients to Sifan, helped him solve his problems, and even handled that... that rich kid business."

"It was the right thing to do," Lu Fan replied.

"The right thing to do?" Jiang Guoqiang looked up at him, his expression complex. "If you’d thought about doing the right thing back then, you wouldn’t have wronged Yixia."

Lu Fan didn’t speak, lowering his head to look at his teacup.

Jiang Guoqiang said no more, either. He picked up his cup and took another sip.

The two of them just sat there, neither saying a word.

The clock on the wall went TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK. From the kitchen came the sound of Pan Lanfang chopping vegetables, a steady THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.

After a long while, Jiang Guoqiang stood up, walked to the doorway, and looked at the osmanthus tree in the courtyard.

Lu Fan stood up as well and followed, standing beside him.

"This tree... Yixia planted it when she was a little girl." Jiang Guoqiang suddenly spoke, his voice soft. "She was only six then. She dug up a small sapling from the mountains, brought it back, and planted it here. She watered it every day for a year until it took root."

Lu Fan looked at the tree. Its trunk had grown thick, and its branches spread wide, shading half the courtyard.

"When she was little, she was even wilder than Silu—climbing trees, wading in rivers, she’d do anything." Jiang Guoqiang’s voice held a hint of a smile. "But when she grew up, she wasn’t like that anymore. She became quiet, shouldering everything herself."

Lu Fan said nothing.

Jiang Guoqiang turned to face him, his eyes a little red. "If you dare hurt her again, I won’t spare you."

Lu Fan looked at him and said earnestly, "Uncle, I won’t."

Jiang Guoqiang stared at him for a few seconds, then turned and went back inside.

Pan Lanfang poked her head out of the kitchen, glanced at the two men, and then ducked back in.

Jiang Guoqiang stood in the main hall for a moment, then picked up the dry pipe from the table, packed the bowl, and lit it.

He took a couple of puffs, looked at Lu Fan, and asked, "Are you staying for dinner?"

Lu Fan was taken aback for a second, then nodded. "Okay."

Jiang Guoqiang said nothing more, turned, and left the main hall to chop firewood in the courtyard.

He picked up an axe, stood a log on the chopping block, and brought the axe down with a single swing, splitting the log in two.

Lu Fan followed him out, walked over, and bent down to pick up the split firewood, stacking it to the side.

Jiang Guoqiang glanced at him, said nothing, and continued chopping.

Lu Fan continued gathering.

The two of them, one chopping and one gathering, worked in silent, tacit understanding. Neither said a word.

The sound of the axe striking was both sharp and dull. Wood chips flew up, landing at their feet.

After chopping wood for a good half hour, Jiang Guoqiang stopped, caught his breath, and leaned the axe against the block.

He glanced at the neatly stacked firewood, then at Lu Fan. The corner of his mouth twitched before his stern expression returned.

"Let’s go inside. It’s cold out," Jiang Guoqiang said.

Lu Fan followed him back inside.

Pan Lanfang had already set the table with dishes: braised fish, stir-fried cured pork, stewed chicken soup, and stir-fried greens. The table was full.

Seeing the two of them come in, she hurried to welcome them. "Quick, sit down. Time to eat, time to eat."

Jiang Guoqiang sat at the head of the table, and Lu Fan sat down beside him.

Pan Lanfang served each of them a bowl of rice and poured a glass of liquor for Jiang Guoqiang.

"Xiaolu, would you like some too?" she asked, holding up the bottle.

"Yes, please," Lu Fan said, holding out his glass.

Jiang Guoqiang frowned. "How are you going to drive later?"

"I can just call someone to pick me up," Lu Fan explained.

Pan Lanfang poured him a glass, then poured one for herself. The three of them clinked their glasses and each took a sip.

Jiang Guoqiang took a bite of food, chewed, and swallowed.

He looked at Lu Fan and asked calmly, "That company of yours, what does it do?"

"Investments, and some industrial projects as well," Lu Fan replied.

"Does it make money?"

"It does alright."

Jiang Guoqiang nodded and took another bite of food.

He chewed slowly, as if lost in thought.

"Sifan’s studio... how much did you help him?" he asked.

Lu Fan answered, "I introduced him to some clients at the beginning. After he got on his feet, I didn’t interfere anymore."

Jiang Guoqiang grunted in acknowledgment and asked no more questions.

Pan Lanfang chimed in from the side, "Xiaolu, eat more. Look how thin you are."

"I’m not thin, Auntie. I’ve actually gained a couple of pounds," Lu Fan said with a smile.

"What do you mean, gained weight? Your face is all sharp angles." Pan Lanfang placed a piece of fish in his bowl. "Eat more fish. It’s good for your brain."

Lu Fan smiled and agreed, lowering his head to eat the fish.

Jiang Guoqiang watched him, said nothing, and took another sip of his liquor.

After dinner, it was almost dark.

Lu Fan stood up and said he should be going.

Pan Lanfang grabbed his hand, not letting him leave. "It’s already dark. Stay the night and go tomorrow."

"That’s alright, Auntie. I have things to do tomorrow."

"Is anything more important than your life? It’s not safe to drive at night." Pan Lanfang didn’t let go.

Jiang Guoqiang sat in his chair, smoking his pipe and watching them.

He exhaled a puff of smoke and said slowly, "Just stay. Jiang Ming’s room is empty."

Lu Fan looked at Jiang Guoqiang, but Jiang Guoqiang wasn’t looking at him, just continuing to smoke.

"Alright. Thank you, Uncle and Auntie," Lu Fan nodded.

Pan Lanfang was delighted and hurried off to Jiang Ming’s room to make the bed.

Lu Fan sat in the main hall, and Jiang Guoqiang sat across from him. The two fell silent once again.