"I still want to stay at the Xia Family’s house. Now, even if I stay there, they wouldn’t dare do anything, they’d only treat me well. I don’t want to cause any trouble for Mr. Xu." Xia Xingchen had made up her mind. "Anyway, I’m only staying for one day tomorrow night, and we’re leaving early the day after that. I’ve already taken a day’s leave; we definitely won’t stay longer."

Yi Roujing saw this and didn’t persuade her further, but she still advised her, "Even if you know they wouldn’t dare, you still have to be cautious. Before going to eat tomorrow, isn’t Brother Gu going to take you to deposit some of your mom’s things in the bank? If they find out about this, you can’t guarantee they won’t do something, as money can stir the heart."

"Yes, big sister-in-law, I know." Xia Xingchen nodded.

"I’m also worried they’ll have designs on your marriage. You must lock the door before you sleep, and also..."

"Big sister-in-law, I know all of this." Xia Xingchen hugged Yi Roujing warmly, "I wasn’t cautious before, but I’m not foolish now."

Yi Roujing smiled, patted her, and nodded.

Early on the sixth day, Gu Shizhao arrived bright and early to take Xia Xingchen out. Xu Zongyin had Uncle Cao accompany them the whole time to facilitate things.

"Have you gotten involved in the Gu Family’s affairs?" After breakfast, Xu Zongyin asked Xu Ancheng to the study.

"Not at the moment," Xu Ancheng replied honestly, "but I’ve given Gu Shizhao a few ideas."

"You, your courage is quite impressive." Although Xu Zongyin said this, his eyes betrayed an uncontrollable gleam, mixed with a hint of pride. "Since you came to Jing City, it seems from late September the Gu Family has quietly centered around Gu Shizhao."

Xu Ancheng was unfazed, "Gu Shizhao has the final say in the Gu Family’s affairs. I’m just helping him out. However, once Gu Shizhao separates from the Gu Family, then I can get involved in their matters."

Xu Zongyin was somewhat surprised, "Gu Shizhao wants to separate from the Gu Family?" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Reflecting on something, "Is it because of that girl, Xingchen?"

Xu Ancheng nodded, "He followed her all the way to the commune in Huaixi County to become a ’zhiqing’, chased her for so long to win her over. But considering the existing relationship, and what Gu Yiyi did to Xia Xingchen, Gu Shizhao doesn’t want Xia Xingchen to suffer, so forming their own family is more comfortable."

"Looks like he’s a man who values love over power." Xu Zongyin chuckled, as if recalling something, and sighed. He’s the same kind of person, once he sets his heart, no one else can enter it.

"Power can be fought for again, they’re still young." Xu Ancheng commented.

"If you need help with anything, don’t hesitate to ask me," Xu Zongyin looked at Xu Ancheng, "Since acknowledging you, others might think you’ve gained a great advantage, but as your father, I’ve given you nothing. Everything you have now, whether connections or money, you’ve earned yourself."

"Let your father play his role, otherwise, how boring for me." Xu Zongyin glanced at Xu Ancheng, his eyes carrying a hint of accusation and grievance.

Xu Ancheng found this amusing, "You’re my big support now, Minister Xu. As long as you hold your position firmly, I’ll use that to progress further, so do your job well."

Xu Zongyin laughed loudly, pointing at Xu Ancheng, clicking his tongue, "Don’t worry, your father hasn’t worked day and night for so many years in vain, and before your grandparents passed, they left me ample connections. Once you formally come to Jing City, I’ll introduce them to you one by one."

Xu Ancheng raised his eyebrows, understanding the meaning behind this. Previously at the banquet, the guests invited were friends and those who could be moved, but there were also those who usually don’t attend these events. They were well hidden.

Though Xu Ancheng had investigated the Xu Family while studying in Jing City, he didn’t have the authority to delve deeper at the time—only shallow information. The Zhou Family, Zhou Zeyuan, being young, wouldn’t know too much either, and Professor Zhou Jinruo, focused on academia, cared little for these matters. It seems the Xu Family’s current status still has higher connections up the ladder.

Yi Roujing was busy organizing the gifts received yesterday. Xu Zongyin had said to give her full control of the Xu Family’s internal affairs, so she made a booklet, listing everything in detail for future gift reciprocation.

The Xu Family had a separate storeroom for storing items. Yi Roujing was amazed at the richness of yesterday’s revenues. When she opened the storeroom, she realized how narrow her view had been. The room was filled to the brim with things accumulated over several generations, leaving only a narrow walkway for passage. There was also a separate booklet in the storeroom, recording the origins of all the items.

Yi Roujing categorized everything, locked up the storeroom, and went to turn in the key to Xu Zongyin, but was refused, receiving two keys instead.

"There are originally two keys to the storeroom at home. I still have one, and the other will be for you two," Xu Zongyin said. "As for this key, it’s for the house in the small villa on Yuanxue Lane, which I’m giving to you. Once Ancheng changes the name, we can transfer ownership. You can check it out first; it contains a secret room, and the other key is for it—it holds Ancheng’s grandmother’s dowry."

"Back then, the Zheng Family was very wealthy. Your grandmother was married with a splendid dowry. She only had me, so the dowry went to me. These things will be yours in the future. See what you like, and you can take some with you to Huaixi County this time."

"We don’t lack stuff..."

"There are quite a few good medicinal herbs." Xu Zongyin interrupted Xu Ancheng, "The Zheng Family used to be a textile magnate and a renowned medical family. Dad knows how you initially connected with those people, so things that are useful can help maintain relationships."

"There are a lot of medicinal herbs left. I’ve already taken some previously, but there are still many. Some good ones are kept separately for our use, or maybe useful later. Take the ordinary ones if needed." Xu Zongyin said.

"Mm, got it." Xu Ancheng nodded in agreement, and Xu Zongyin smiled seeing this.

"Alright, today you’re free to enjoy yourselves. I’ll take Brother Weihe and his wife for a stroll, and we’ll dine out today too." Xu Zongyin said.

At ten o’clock, Xu Ancheng drove Yi Roujing, Ding Anguo, Ding Anmin, and Huang Xiaobao to the Xia Family. The Xia Family lived in the textile factory’s employee dormitory, a tube-shaped building with two rooms and a living room. The living room was slightly larger, and the washroom and toilet were outside. The stove was also set up outside. Fortunately, being on the first floor made it more convenient.

As Xu Ancheng’s group arrived with net bags, Xia Donghe and Gu Yiyi, among others, were waiting under the building. Xia Donghe eagerly approached to greet them, "Welcome, welcome! It’s just that my home is small, so today we’ll eat in the private room of the Employee’s Canteen, specially booked by Director Xue."