Zhu Xian clasped Chen Chuan's hand and smiled broadly. "Chief Chen, when my colleagues and I heard you were returning, we were overjoyed! The moment everyone found out, they all rushed over to welcome you."
Chen Chuan said, "I only came back to celebrate the New Year and visit my family. I had no intention of disturbing everyone. Thank you all for your thoughtfulness."
"Not at all, not at all! Chief Chen, you are one of our own from Yangzhi. With your return, the people of your hometown have been waiting with bated breath. As local administrators who listen to the voice of the people, of course we had to come welcome you properly! If we didn't, the people of Yangzhi wouldn't stand for it, and my colleagues here would say that I, Zhu, lack basic courtesy, wouldn't they?"
As Zhu Xian spoke, he glanced left and right behind him, prompting a round of agreeable laughter from the surrounding officials of the Civil Affairs Department.
Zhu Xian knew how to strike the right balance. He understood that Chen Chuan was a martial artist, not a career bureaucrat like them. Reaching such a high position was entirely due to his own martial prowess, and laying on too much bureaucratic flattery would only breed annoyance. So after exchanging a few polite pleasantries—concise and to the point, observing official etiquette—he said no more.
At this moment, Guan Yuming stepped forward. He had watched Chen Chuan grow over the years, but now he was technically Chen Chuan's subordinate. It was impossible for his feelings not to be complicated. Yet he did not adopt the slightest posture of an elder; instead, he snapped to attention with a grave expression, gave a crisp salute, and barked with full vigor, "Chief Chen!"
Yet that single salute was enough to make everyone sense that his relationship with Chen Chuan was far from ordinary.
Chen Chuan returned the salute, nodded, and said, "Director Guan."
Only then did the other key officials of Yangzhi City—both familiar faces and strangers—step forward to shake Chen Chuan's hand. Some were exceedingly enthusiastic, while others wore solemn expressions. Under Zhu Xian's discreet orchestration, however, no one lingered long in conversation; after exchanging a few brief courtesies, they all tactfully stepped aside.
Chen Chuan finally found a moment to turn around. He ordered the squad members who had followed him to dismiss. The men saluted him and dispersed in their respective directions.
Straightening his uniform, he walked toward Nian Fuli's family waiting in the rear. From a distance, he could already see the two little ones jumping up and down, waving their hands and shouting, "Cousin! Cousin!"
Chen Chuan smiled and walked up to Nian Fuli and Yu Wan. "Aunt, Uncle, I'm back. How have you both been?"
Yu Wan felt a sudden warmth well up in her eyes. She quickly dabbed them with the back of her hand, then lowered it to reveal a warm smile. "Good, we're all good."
Nian Fuli looked at him—clad in a crisp, sharp uniform, standing tall with a natural aura of heroic valor—and his heart swelled with emotion. He nodded and said, "Good! Xiao Chuan, we're all doing well."
The two little ones raised their hands and chimed in, "Cousin, Cousin, we're good too! We're good too!"
Smiling, Chen Chuan patted their little heads, then gave a call toward the sky. Chaoming swooped down from above, landing beside the family. Its size had grown considerably by now, drawing gasps of surprise from the onlookers nearby. After wide-eyed stares, the two kids let out delighted squeals and swarmed forward, throwing their arms around Chaoming, their little bodies practically burying themselves in its soft feathers.
Yu Wan watched with a smile and said to Chen Chuan, "Chan'er, let's head home first."
Chen Chuan nodded.
As the family started walking back, Wei Chang'an took off his cap and walked up to Wei Laohu. "Dad, I'm back."
Wei Laohu puffed out his chest, looked left and right, and delivered a heavy thump to Wei Chang'an's shoulder. "Good son! You've really made your old man proud! That uniform looks sharp—my boy Wei Laohu's son is as handsome as they come! I just want to know if anyone dares disagree!" That last sentence was hollered so loudly half the street could hear it.
Wei Chang'an didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Dad, it's all thanks to Junior Chen taking care of me."
Wei Laohu said, "That's right, so you'd better thank him properly." Stepping closer, his expression turned solemn. "Do your work well alongside him. That junior of yours is capable. Your old man has seen plenty of talented men get stuck knee-deep in mud, never able to climb out without someone pulling them up. Giving you a leg up is the greatest kindness you could ever receive. Don't go getting cocky and forgetting who you are! We in the Wei family don't raise such ungrateful fools!"
Wei Chang'an answered solemnly, "Dad, I understand."
Wei Laohu nodded with satisfaction, then grabbed his arm and glared at him. "You came back and only remembered to greet your old man? What about all your uncles here? These are elders who watched you grow up since you were in diapers! You can't forget your roots!" Turning around, he roared toward his colleagues, "Let me tell you, not a single one gets skipped today!"
Wei Chang'an felt rather helpless, but seeing how happy his father was today, he indulged him.
The constabulary colleagues all wore broad smiles on their faces while cursing Wei Laohu in their hearts. A few made up their minds to go home and give their own sons a sound thrashing—why couldn't they bring their fathers some glory like that?
Further back, Secretary Xiao Pan walked up and handed Zhu Xian two documents. "Administrator, here are the press drafts for today and tomorrow. Please review them."
Zhu Xian took and inspected them. At a mere twitch of his hand, Xiao Pan promptly handed him a pen. After making a few edits, he said, "Publish them like this." He added an instruction: "Remember to bring the photographs for me to check first once they're developed."
Secretary Xiao Pan replied respectfully, "Rest assured, sir, I'm keeping a close eye on it. As soon as they're ready, I will deliver them immediately."
Zhu Xian glanced toward the airship, lingering for a moment, then said, "Let's head back." As if recalling something, he added, "Make sure nothing stirs up any trouble inside or outside Yangzhi over the next couple of days."
Secretary Xiao Pan hurried to comply and added, "Director Guan has arranged everything. Please be at ease, sir."
Zhu Xian said nothing more and walked toward his private car.
Meanwhile, the packages and vehicles brought from Center City by Chen Chuan and his entourage were being unloaded from the airship. Once on the ground, dedicated service personnel helped transport them over to Nian Fuli's family.
As Chen Chuan walked with Nian Fuli's family into the mouth of the alleyway, most of the neighbors clustered around them, chatting continuously from both sides throughout the walk.
Many neighbors also stood on both sides of the alley, watching them pass by their doorways and buzzing with discussion.
"Xiao Chuan has grown taller again. Look at that uniform—so sharp and dignified!"
"Haven't you heard? Xiao Chuan is a martial artist, and now he's a department chief! Do you even know what a chief is? How could he not look impressive?"
"Keep your voices down, you two! What do you mean, 'Xiao Chuan'? You should call him Chief! Chief Chen!" The speaker gave a thumbs-up. "That's a top official in Center City, on equal footing with the highest official there—someone who can go toe-to-toe with them!"
"Right! I saw it out there just now—Administrator Zhu was grinning so hard the wrinkles covered his face! Talk about buttering someone up! He bowed so low his head practically brushed the dirt!"
This provoked a burst of laughter from the crowd. For some reason, hearing it felt immensely satisfying, as if Administrator Zhu had been fawning over them instead.
After Chen Chuan and his aunt's family arrived home, the neighbors helped carry inside the things he had brought. Chen Chuan distributed quite a few gifts among them on the spot.
He had brought back a great deal of gifts: some from the Bhesa Khanate, some from the Outer Ocean, and others presented by the Convergence Boundary Company. Yet even after handing out bag after bag, the remaining items nearly filled the living room to the brim.
The two little ones were the happiest. There were tons of gifts for them, including a white fluff-ball for each of them. This creature was native to the Confluence; possessing no lethality, it had later been bred into pets.
Fluffy on the outside, it was a round, plump ball somewhat resembling a rabbit that bounced like a rubber ball when patted. Every time someone patted it, it gave off a cheerful, piping chirp. Once hungry, it would burrow into soil on its own to absorb nutrients, so keeping it in a sizable flowerpot was all it needed—making it exceptionally popular with children.
Yu Wan simply sent the kids to play in the courtyard. Chen Chuan sat down and chatted with his aunt and uncle about everyday matters and shared some stories about Center City. Once he finished his cup of tea, he said, "Uncle, Aunt, why don't you bring my cousins along and return to Center City with me this time?"
Nian Fuli felt his chest. Yu Wan stood up, handed him a pack of cigarettes, and whispered, "Don't smoke too much."
Nian Fuli lit one and pondered. "About this... Xiao Chuan, you mentioned it last time, and your aunt and I discussed it back then. At that time, we felt staying in Yangzhi was better. Your aunt and I have lived in Yangzhi for nearly half our lives; we've known our neighbors and acquaintances since childhood. If we had to move away, I'd hate to leave it all behind.
"But after you came back today, I started thinking: will people still treat our family the way they used to? I'm afraid even Xiao Lu and Xiao Mo might be affected, won't they?"
He took a drag of his cigarette and shook his head. "Things aren't the same anymore."
Chen Chuan nodded. That was certain. Now that his position was so elevated, sycophants and people with ulterior motives would inevitably flock around. If they couldn't reach him, they would seek out Nian Fuli's family.
The better he treated Nian Fuli's family, the more frequent such occurrences would become. He had only just returned, yet before long, the telephone was sure to ring off the hook with person after person calling to offer greetings and concern. Having his cousins grow up in such an environment was neither healthy nor safe.
After finishing his cigarette, Nian Fuli stubbed it out a few times in the ashtray. "Yu Wan, what do you think?"
Yu Wan took his hand and said, "Lao Nian, you're the head of the household. You decide."
"Mm."
Nian Fuli looked up, having stubbed out the cigarette completely, and said, "Xiao Chuan, your uncle and aunt, along with your cousins, will follow your arrangements this time."
Seeing that they had agreed, Chen Chuan felt happy inside. He said, "Aunt, Uncle, don't worry. I have everything arranged in Center City. As for my cousins, I can hire good tutors to teach them or send them to specialized schools.
"Yangzhi isn't that far from Center City either. Whenever you want to visit Yangzhi, or if neighbors wish to visit the two of you, I can arrange transport for them at any time. If there is anything else you need, just let me know."
Nian Fuli said, "Good, Xiao Chuan. You've thought of everything."
Chen Chuan's expression turned more solemn as he said, "There is one more thing I need to explain to you both beforehand. It is also another reason why I want the whole family to move to Center City."
...
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Chapter 844