98: entertaining guests

"What's wrong?"

"News from the Fu Family—someone is probing for information on this project. One of their Researchers was nearly kidnapped on the way to visit relatives in the countryside. It happened just over half an hour ago." Yan Zhuoyan's tone was grave. "That Researcher happened to have an alarm on them, and a truck full of migrant workers heading back to their village passed by, so they managed to escape."

"How did they find the Researcher's information? This kind of arrangement doesn't seem like something easily accomplished." Yan Zhuohua also turned serious.

"No results yet; it's being investigated. Big Brother should have received the news as well; he'll likely have to end his vacation early."

Yan Zhuoyang had indeed received the news immediately. The group that went to catch fish returned quickly.

"Where are Mom and Qinghe?" Yan Zhuoyang asked directly as soon as he saw them.

"Picking out clothes with Aunt."

"Go call them out; we have to head back." Yan Zhuoyang urged them to find the others.

By the time they found Jiang Fuyue and Yan Qinghe, Yan Zhuoyang had already packed the items their uncle had prepared for them.

"Why are you leaving so soon? Didn't you say you'd stay for dinner?" Zhou Ying asked in confusion.

"There's an urgent matter. I'm truly sorry, Aunt." Yan Zhuoyang explained to her.

"There's nothing to be sorry about. If it's urgent, head back quickly. When I'm free, I'll go visit you all!"

The group loaded the items into the cars and prepared to head home. Jiang An watched them busy themselves with packing at the door, his heart full of reluctance.

"Uncle, we're heading out now. We'll definitely come see you again when we have time." Yan Zhuoyang said goodbye to his uncle and Jiang Yanshu. "Remember to tell Grandpa and Grandma for us too, so they don't feel sad."

"Alright, stay safe on the road."

The two cars drove out one after the other, with Yan Zhuohua and Yan Qinghe still together.

"What happened?" Yan Qinghe had been called out and told to load the car immediately without knowing the details.

Yan Zhuohua briefly explained the situation to him.

"So Big Brother is likely rushing back to handle the aftermath. He's worried that the longer we stay out, the higher the risk. Plus, the original plan was to drive at night, which makes it too easy for someone to tamper with things, so we're just heading back together."

Yan Qinghe nodded in understanding. "Then what happens after Mom and Second Brother get back?"

"Big Brother said he's assigned bodyguards to them. They shouldn't go out lightly, and if it's absolutely necessary, they need full security protection." Yan Zhuohua scrolled through the message Big Brother had just sent. "Aside from going for a physical exam, I probably won't be going out either. As for you, Big Brother said you should stay at the house for now, and bodyguards will be arranged to follow you whenever you go to work."

"Me too?" Yan Qinghe was surprised.

"Of course you're included. You've seen that mecha and know quite a bit." Yan Zhuohua replied. "Besides, your identity is special; they'll inevitably try to move against you. Furthermore, aside from Mom, you have the lowest combat strength in our family. How could Big Brother not worry?"

"...That's true."

"But don't worry too much. They only dare to strike in places with few people. As long as you don't wander off, it'll be fine." Yan Zhuohua comforted him. "It's good to get home early anyway. Get some good rest tonight so you'll have the energy to receive guests tomorrow."

"We're still hosting? I thought they wouldn't be coming."

"Why wouldn't they?" Yan Zhuohua was puzzled; was this person a bit silly? "Are you afraid of being kidnapped in your own home? Normal hosting is fine; it's just that you aren't allowed to go out alone with others."

"Oh."

They drove quite fast on the way back. The roads weren't congested, and they reached home in less than two hours.

Yan Zhuoyang was indeed in a hurry. As soon as he entered the house, he rushed upstairs to change and pack. In less than ten minutes, he hurriedly drove away again.

Yan Zhuohua stood at the door watching his brother's car speed away, then nudged Yan Zhuoyan beside him with his elbow.

"Why don't you have to go back and work overtime?"

Yan Zhuoyan slapped the back of his head. "Don't you wish for anything good for me!"

Although such an emergency had occurred on the second day of the Lunar New Year, the holiday still had to be celebrated.

The third day of the Lunar New Year was the time for others to visit relatives.

Before nine in the morning, the first wave of guests had already arrived with gifts.

Yan Zhuohua followed behind his mother to entertain the guests, occasionally glancing back at Yan Zhuole and Yan Zhuoyan, who were happily watching Ultraman and eating snacks with the children.

Taking advantage of a moment to go get tea, Yan Zhuohua hauled the two of them into the kitchen.

"What are you doing? Didn't you see it was getting to the good part?" Yan Zhuole was dragged into the kitchen, her heart still on the Ultraman battle against the little monsters outside.

"Heh, at least you have cartoons to watch. I've been making small talk all morning!" Yan Zhuohua complained. "My face is stiff from smiling."

"Well, what can you do? You're the Master's spouse, after all. Hasn't Qinghe been sitting there through it all too?" Yan Zhuoyan picked up a cup of tea Yan Zhuohua had just brewed and downed it under his incredulous gaze. "The tea is good; it's the kind those old folks like."

"Did I call you here to drink the tea I worked so hard to brew?" Yan Zhuohua's anger flared. "I called you to help me pick up the lunch we ordered!"

With so many people coming to eat, it was impossible to cook everything themselves; the dining table couldn't even fit half of them.

"Fine, fine, I get it. It's just picking something up, yet you have to interrupt our cartoon." Yan Zhuole picked up another cup of tea and downed it in one go. "I can't even tell the difference between these teas; don't they all taste the same?"

"Get out, get out, get out!"

The "ejected" Yan Zhuole and Yan Zhuoyan went to the door to wait for the delivery person, while Yan Zhuohua spent another while brewing several cups of tea before heading out to continue his great task of making small talk.

Outside, a strange topic seemed to be underway.

"Qinghe and Zhuohua have been married for half a year now; haven't they thought about having a child?"

The just-seated Yan Zhuohua was shocked and bewildered. "I don't think I have that biological function?"

The old lady who had spoken slapped her thigh and laughed brightly. "Oh, what are you thinking, child? I'm asking if you've thought about adopting one from our side branches? They all have Yan Family blood. If you raise them from a young age, they'll surely be close to you. When you're old, won't there be someone to look after you?"

He understood now—she was here to pitch her own child. Any child of Yan Zhuohua and Yan Qinghe would most likely be the next Family Head. The others knew this perfectly well, but who didn't have a few beautiful dreams? So they didn't stop the old lady, letting her serve as the scout to test the waters.

Yan Qinghe understood this in his heart but didn't show it, simply refusing calmly, "That won't be necessary. We still want to enjoy our time as a couple for a long while."

"That's an easy problem to solve! Even if you want to enjoy your time as a couple, you can start looking early!" the old lady said urgently. "When you eventually want one, there will be one ready. You won't have to pick someone at the last minute, which might lead to the child not being close to you."

Yan Qinghe set down his cup. "Madam, you should understand. I didn't refuse because of that reason; rather, I came up with that reason because I wanted to refuse."

The old lady was instantly struck with awkwardness.