Chapter 579 Issuing A Warning
“Ms. Ouyang, your first reaction wasn’t to lodge a police report and seek help or have people search the river for Nan Xing. Instead, it was to phone Mr. Ouyang. Why was that so? Could it be that he’s a police officer or God himself that he knew whether Nan Xing was alive and so decided solemnly not to lodge a police report in consideration of the Nan family’s interests? If that’s really the case, then I indeed have to offer my compliments. Do forgive my ignorance,” Nan Chen scoffed.
“I didn’t phone my father as I was afraid that he’d be angry after learning about the matter. He didn’t know anything at all!” Ouyang Qing knew that she had fallen into the man’s trap.
Argh! I was already exceedingly careful, but he still managed to trap me!
“Exactly! I didn’t know anything at all! I only knew about the matter today,” Ouyang Duo hurriedly seconded.
“Oh, I see. Then, what did you do after those ruffians left, Ms. Ouyang? Why didn’t you phone me or anyone else related to Nan Xing to seek help? Or did you forget all about him having been thrown into the river?” Nan Chen continued pressing.
“I…” Ouyang Qing stammered, words eluding her.
“All right, let’s call it a day here and not talk about this matter anymore. Grandpa, I’m hungry. When are we eating?” Nan Chen abruptly called a halt to that conversation.
“Soon, soon. I’m also rather famished. It’s indeed time to eat after having chatted for such a long time,” Nan Zhengde responded.
Meanwhile, Nan Xing was mystified. Huh? He already managed to get her to the point that she was speechless, so why did he suddenly stop instead of striking while the hammer was hot?
“Old Master, we came today to pay you a visit in conjunction with Lunar New Year. We’re going back to Pearl City tomorrow. There are still a few friends I’m planning to visit, so please excuse us.” Ouyang Duo got to his feet.
“The food is almost ready. Why are you leaving out of the blue now?” Nan Zhengde deliberately inquired.
“I’ve got to visit a few other friends. Otherwise, it’ll seem as though I’m playing favorites. See you again next year.” Ouyang Duo insisted on leaving.
“All right, then. Go and see Mr. Ouyang out, Chen.”
“Sure!” Nan Chen assented.
It was a long distance from the living room of the Nan residence to the gates of the Commoner Residence.
As everyone kept quiet, the two-minute distance seemed to drag on.
When they had finally reached the gates, Nan Chen waved as he greeted, “Goodbye, Mr. Ouyang, Ms. Ouyang, and Mdm. Feng.”
“Ah, it’s already time to eat, yet you don’t invite your guests to dine together. How inhospitable!” Ouyang Qi grumbled at the side.
“All you know is to eat! Did you come here to eat?” Ouyang Duo roared.
“Feel free to dine with us first before leaving, Mr. Qi. Indeed, the food will be ready soon,” Nan Chen offered mildly.
“Never mind. They’re in a hurry to leave, so next time. Bye!” Ouyang Qi muttered in exasperation.
“Goodbye, Mr. Qi. Until we meet again.” Nan Chen waved at him.
Before getting into the car, Ouyang Qing threw Nan Chen a bitter look.
Nan Chen so happened to be looking at her, his eyes brimming with frost. Ouyang Qing hastily averted her gaze, not daring to look him in the eye.
Nan Chen watched until Ouyang Duo and his family left before turning around and walking back into the house.
When he returned to the dining hall, food was being served.
“Phew! Fortunately, they left. Otherwise, we’d have to entertain them begrudgingly, ruining the entire meal,” Nan Zhengde commented.
“Chen, you already rendered Ouyang Qing speechless with your line of questioning, no? Why didn’t you continue asking but let them leave instead?” Nan Xing voiced the question playing in his mind.
“Even a cornered rabbit will fight with teeth and claws. Without any evidence, it’s best to maintain the status quo,” Nan Zhengde chimed in.
“Then, why did he mention all that in the first place? He could’ve just waited until he had proof.” Nan Xing was still baffled.
“Your brother was issuing them a warning. After all, Lunar New Year is around the corner. He wanted the Ouyang family to leave Flower City as soon as possible and stop making trouble so that everyone can celebrate Lunar New Year peacefully,” Nan Zhengde explained.
“Whoa! You know all of Chen’s thoughts, Grandpa?” Nan Xing marveled.
“I’m Michelangelo, while Grandpa is Splinter. No matter the tricks up my sleeve, he knows them all,” Nan Chen interjected.
Nan Zhengde chuckled in response. “That’s true! I share your sentiments about this matter, so I understand your perspective since our thoughts coincide.”
After saying that, he heaved a sigh. A trace of concern clouded his eyes.
“Why are you sighing now, Darling?” Feng Wan queried.
“The Nan and Ouyang families have always been on good terms. Despite some conflicts of interest, our relationship has always been pretty amicable. I never expected Ouyang Duo to finally reveal his ambitiousness. If this continues, a battle between the two families will be inevitable. On the whole, the economy is on the decline right now, and the general environment isn’t looking too good. I’m afraid that both parties will suffer massive losses. Truth be told, I’m a bit worried,” Nan Zhengde uttered.
“I believe that Chen can deal with it well, so don’t worry.” Feng Wan, on the other hand, was relatively more optimistic.
“That’s right! Therefore, don’t worry, Grandpa, Grandma. I can handle it. I won’t allow Ouyang Duo to shake the foundation of the Nan family,” Nan Chen reassured as well.
“What has the Ouyang family done thus far that you’ve both been keeping secret from me?” Nan Zhengde stared at Nan Xing intently.
He only fixated his eyes on Nan Xing because he knew that the latter’s mental fortitude was weaker, and it would be easier to get the truth out of him.
Nan Xing didn’t dare answer, for he wasn’t sure what he was permitted to say and otherwise. Hence, he turned his gaze to Nan Chen, hoping that the latter would answer that question instead.
“Nothing much. They just attacked Nan Xing, but there’s no evidence to prove that until now. It’s all mere speculation,” Nan Chen answered.
“No, that’s not right. The two of you are hiding something from me. Although I seldom leave the house now, it doesn’t mean that I don’t know anything. Your intention is good to save me from worrying, but I’ll be even more worried if I don’t understand the situation. Don’t tell me you both want me to celebrate Lunar New Year with my heart in my throat? Is this filial piety to you?” Nan Zhengde demanded with a stern expression on his face.
Nan Xing glanced at Nan Chen once more. Frankly speaking, he had the urge to come clean about things.
Nan Zhengde was one of the shrewdest people he knew. If Ouyang Duo and his family hadn’t come over and put on a show, they might still be able to keep the man in the dark.
Following the fuss, however, things could no longer remain a secret.
“Someone poisoned Erbao. She’s still in the hospital right now, but she has almost recovered fully. Please don’t worry, Grandpa.” Nan Chen had no choice but to speak the truth.
“He poisoned my great-granddaughter? I’m never going to let him off the hook! Phone Ouyang Duo and tell him to come back! I want answers from him!”
Feng Wan went off the deep end before Nan Zhengde could even utter a single word.
Dabao and Erbao are my precious great-grandchildren, yet someone actually dared to make a move against them?
“Why are you getting all up in arms? Didn’t he say that there’s no evidence? This is a law-governed society, so everything requires proof!” Nan Zhengde was still calm and unruffled.
“So, we’re supposed to let it slide? Who does Ouyang Duo think he is that he dares come to Flower City and hurt the members of the Nan family? You’re all men, yet you’re only going to allow others to step all over you? My poor great-granddaughter! I’m going to visit her right away!”
Feng Wan was truly anxious, so much so that her eyes had turned red-rimmed.
“Don’t panic, Grandma. I didn’t tell you about it precisely because I was afraid that you’d worry. Erbao is already out of the woods now and is recuperating. She’s really fine,” Nan Chen comforted.
“No! I’m going to visit my precious great-granddaughter now! Who of you dares to stop me?”
