Chapter 251: A Warning from the Father-in-law

Chapter 251: Chapter 251: A Warning from the Father-in-law

Everyone left the courtyard. Liu Quan felt a chill seep into his bones, as if Death itself had wrapped him in its embrace.

He had completely lost the ability to think. He originally thought he could easily handle this by throwing Nalan Jia’s name around and riding on his coattails.

But he never expected that Nalan Jia actually knew Jiang Fan. Left with no choice, he had played his trump card—the Hua Family’s third young master. But who could have imagined that Jiang Fan’s backing was even more powerful than the entire Hua Family?

Now, he didn’t dare to leave. All he could do was remain kneeling here obediently.

He didn’t even dare to hope Hua Qinyun would so much as glance his way. He knew the man all too well.

This entire incident was his fault. If he could, Hua Qinyun would have no qualms about killing him to solve the problem.

In fact, he’d probably inflict a fate worse than death.

...

"Dad..."

Once they were in the car, Hua Qinyun had barely opened his mouth before Huayang’s hand swung out and slapped him across the face.

"Do you have any idea how much effort our entire family put into my promotion this time? How much effort *I* put in? Do you know how many of our interests the family had to concede?"

"And now, because of one mistake from you, all of it has gone down the drain."

Huayang’s voice was low as he suppressed the fury raging inside him.

"Then... Then, Dad, what should we do now?"

Hua Qinyun asked in terror, his face sporting two bright red handprints.

’How could I have known there were such high stakes involved?’

"Can’t you use your brain before you act?"

"When I saw him in my office today, I knew the sky was falling. What I didn’t expect was that my own son was the one who brought it all crashing down."

Huayang clenched his fists, then forced them to relax.

There was no use saying anything more now.

"Find a way to repair your relationship with Jiang Fan."

"If he puts in a good word for us, there’s still a chance to turn this situation around. The great price we paid and all our efforts won’t be for nothing."

"If you can’t smooth things over, then we are absolutely forbidden from ever causing him any more trouble."

"In fact, you need to make it clear to our subordinates that they are to help him in any way possible, whenever the opportunity arises. Do you understand?"

"Do you understand what I’m saying, Hua Qinyun?!"

Huayang was truly weary. He didn’t want to say any more.

"But, Dad..."

Seeing the conflicted look on Hua Qinyun’s face, Huayang knew his son was still trying to protect his pathetic pride and save face.

"The fact that Secretary Li would show up to back him up—during an official inspection, no less—doesn’t that tell you enough?"

"What makes you so much better than him? Without the Hua Family, you’re nothing compared to him! Do you understand that?"

"If you can’t handle this, then you’re out of the Hua Family. I’ll make sure you’re financially secure for life, but nothing else belonging to the Hua Family will ever have anything to do with you again."

After saying his piece, Huayang closed his eyes.

Beside him, Hua Qinyun’s expression was dark and uncertain.

He absolutely could not lose everything the Hua Family represented. Yet, the thought of someone as proud as himself apologizing to Jiang Fan, of taking the initiative to bow his head and repair their relationship...

...it felt like an impossible task.

...

"I’m so sorry to have troubled you with this, Mr. Li."

Jiang Fan said with sincere gratitude.

"Don’t thank me. If you’re going to thank anyone, thank Elder Lu. After all, he’s the one who cashed in such a huge favor for this."

Li Jiaxiang waved his hand dismissively.

"This orphanage may look small, but it seems to have everything it needs."

"Yes. My grandfather established it back when he was still alive. This is where we grew up."

Jiang Fan and Yin Ruxue stood by his side as he looked around.

Nalan Jia had already slipped away quietly. Given his status, it really wasn’t appropriate for him to stay.

"I’ll talk to the relevant people later and get all the orphanage’s permits and documents properly sorted out."

Li Jiaxiang said after surveying the place for a moment.

"Really? Thank you, Mr. Li! But wouldn’t this be considered an abuse of power?"

Jiang Fan teased with a smile.

"If it meant more things like this could happen, I’d gladly abuse my power every single day."

"You’re really something else, kid."

’In truth, Li Jiaxiang was quite satisfied with his prospective son-in-law. For one, his daughter genuinely liked him. For another, the young man certainly knew how to handle himself.’

’Loyal, principled, wealthy, and responsible—what’s not to like?’

’In all his years in such a high-ranking position, he had seen far too much of the world’s darkness.’

"This is... the young lady from the Yin Family, isn’t it?"

The two men had been talking for a while, and all along, Yin Ruxue had been sitting quietly to the side without interrupting.

Li Jiaxiang glanced her way, deciding to bring her into the conversation.

"Hello, Secretary Li."

Yin Ruxue stood up to greet him.

"Mm, you can call me Mr. Li, just like this kid here."

"But what brings you here? Do you know him as well?"

Jiang Fan, who had been smiling just a moment before, nearly broke out in a cold sweat.

He hadn’t forgotten the cover story Li Muwan had created for him...

’If his cover was blown...’

Fortunately, it was as if Yin Ruxue could read his mind.

"He helped me out in a big way once, so when he reached out to me for this, I came."

"I didn’t expect you to be here as well, Mr. Li. If I had known, I wouldn’t have come and made a fool of myself."

For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, she chose not to tell the truth, opting instead for a white lie.

"You’re quite something, kid. The people who owe you favors... none of them are simple folk."

Li Jiaxiang was genuinely surprised.

He knew better than anyone what the Yin Family represented.

As the eldest granddaughter of the Yin Family’s main branch, Yin Ruxue’s beauty, methods, and capabilities were renowned. She wasn’t just famous in Yang City—legends about her circulated throughout the entire region North of Jiangel.

"I’m just a warm-hearted guy. When I see an injustice, I have to step in and help."

Jiang Fan said shamelessly.

"Fan, is the problem solved?"

Jun Yue came running out from the backyard.

"Why are you out here? Where’s the director?"

Jiang Fan was startled. He’d been so busy with everything out front that he’d forgotten the director’s health was too fragile to withstand such a shock.

"Grandma said she was feeling a little unwell, so she’s resting in the backyard for a bit. She sent me to come and check on things."

"But don’t worry, it doesn’t seem to be anything serious."

"That’s good. Let me introduce you. This is Jun Yue; we grew up together."

"Jun Yue, you can just call him Mr. Li."

"Mr. Li."

"What a remarkably beautiful young woman."

Even someone as worldly as Li Jiaxiang, who had seen so much in his life, was momentarily stunned by Jun Yue’s beauty.