eurekapd Chapter 2040 Why is it Qian Hou who came in?
Chapter 2040 Why is it Qian Hou who came in?
Cui Xingjian's deliberately high-pitched "Qian Jia Dao," which sounded like a reminder and had a strong ending tone, was like a boulder thrown into a deep pool, creating not only ripples but also a sudden tension in the atmosphere.
Inside the main room, the warm and joyful laughter truly froze for a moment.
Li Xiangnan slightly raised his wrist, his gaze sweeping over the Shanghai brand watch on his wrist.
8:35.
The timing was incredibly precise, coinciding with the peak start of guests arriving one after another.
The Qian family, one of the five lower-ranking families, chose this time to arrive. It wasn't the earliest, nor was it too late. This avoided the awkwardness of running into the elders of the five upper-ranking families. Perhaps they didn't expect the elders to arrive so early, and it just so happened to be right before the banquet officially started, when the crowds were at their busiest.
"Sure enough, it's here!"
Li Xiangnan silently recalled that all the previous plans and the repeated deductions by Guo Qian, Song Yi, Zi Mo, De Fa and others had turned into a heavy reality at this moment.
The ten families of Yanjing, the top five in the middle, and the five fake families in the lower—these forces, each with their own agendas and entrenched in their own territory, ultimately did not let this opportunity slip by.
The Qian family is merely a stepping stone, the first to eagerly step onto the stage after the curtain rises!
He subconsciously exchanged a glance with his wife, gave her a smile that said "I'll take care of everything," and Li Xiangnan's smile didn't diminish at all. In fact, it became even more relaxed and warm, like a host welcoming a guest. But the sharpness in the depths of his eyes was like a cold blade just drawn from its sheath!
He quickly glanced at the expressions of the elderly people in the room.
Qin Zongheng was still smiling, but it was clear that his eyes, which had been through the baptism of war, no longer held the previous complete relaxation. Instead, they flashed with a knowing look and the calm scrutiny of an old general.
Jiang Huaiyuan frowned slightly, then regained his composure, but gently put down his teacup, showing his concern.
Yu Haoran's expression was the calmest, showing almost no change. However, the fingers that were originally casually resting on his knees had curled up and were loosely clenched into fists.
Song Qiankun chuckled and shook his head, saying, "These little rascals have such keen noses, like dogs, they come right after smelling the scent!"
Calling them monkeys, though a joke, wasn't entirely unexpected; they must have learned about the Li family's situation from Song Yi and the other members of the Song family.
Song Cijiu had already quietly stood up, his eyes meeting Li Xiangnan's in a quick glance, everything understood without a word.
We must not lose our composure, and we must not let the elders think that the Li family has mishandled the situation, thus allowing others to look down on us!
Li Xiangnan instantly devised a plan.
He stepped forward, bowed slightly to his grandfather Li Dequan, who was in the main seat, and several other elderly people, his voice clear and calm.
"Grandpa, Grandpa Qin, Grandpa Jiang, Grandpa Yu, Grandpa Song, and all elders, we have some guests arriving. I'll go out to greet them! It's rare for you elders to get together, so I'll spend some time with you, Grandpa, and let you see Xiao Xitang! Don't worry about what's going on outside; Uncle Cijiu and I will take care of things!"
That was a well-chosen statement. It fulfilled the proper etiquette and showed respect for the guest. After all, everyone had heard Cui Xingjian's shout earlier, so it wouldn't be appropriate not to go.
They also placed several highly respected elders in a transcendent position.
Some external matters do not require their personal attention.
More importantly, Li Xiangnan's words directly demonstrated the confidence and responsibility of the younger generation of the Li family to stand on their own.
Li Dequan looked at his grandson's calm and composed demeanor, feeling both gratified and slightly worried. However, he understood and trusted his grandson, and knew that his own presence in the central command tent was the greatest support he could offer. So he nodded and said, "Go ahead and make sure everything is taken care of! My old brothers, let's continue our conversation and let the younger generation get busy!"
Qin Zongheng gave Li Xiangnan an approving look, then waved his hand, "Xiangnan, go! No matter who comes, the Li family is on home turf today. Do as you please, and just let us know if you need anything!"
Jiang Huaiyuan and Yu Haoran also nodded slightly. Although they didn't say much, their tacit agreement was itself a form of support.
Song Qiankun then said to his second son, Song Cijiu, "Cijiu, go with Xiang Nan and see if there's anything you can help with!"
"Yes, Father!" Song Cijiu replied, exchanged a glance with Li Xiangnan, and walked out.
Li Xiangnan bowed again, then calmly turned and walked out.
As he passed by Lin Jianzhou and his daughter Lin Chuqiao, he didn't stop. He simply nodded to Lin Jianzhou, his gaze meeting Lin Chuqiao's worried eyes briefly before giving her a reassuring look and then striding out of the main house.
Stepping out of the house and through the corridor, the gentle, smiling mask faded slightly, Li Xiangnan quickened his pace, and his eyes became calm and focused.
Wang Defa and Song Ziming had already followed in tacit agreement, one on the left and one on the right, like two generals.
Song Cijiu turned around and stood still, looking at Li Xiangnan.
Li Xiangnan smiled slightly, everything was under control.
"Xiao Li, why would the Qian family come at this time? And with such a grand display?" Wang Defa lowered his voice, his usual playful face now devoid of its usual smirk, filled with tension.
"A test, and also a show!" Li Xiangnan said in a low voice, his steps unwavering. "They just want to see our reaction, and also show their faces in front of so many guests, to let us know they're here! Are there any unusual signs among our people, or around us?"
Song Ziming summarized in a very fast voice: "Don't worry, Brother Nan. Our Song family members, as well as Zhang Long and Zhao Hu's brothers, have been working in shifts, both overt and covert, from dawn until now, in four directions. So far, we haven't found any suspicious individuals approaching in large numbers or gathering unusually!"
Wang Defa also said in a low voice, "The comrades reported that everything is normal in the alleys, the observation points around Yuejin Store and the grocery store. They haven't seen any unfamiliar faces crowding together! Squad Leader Hao's side is also stable, and the area around the back gate is very quiet!"
Li Xiangnan nodded slightly, his brows furrowing slightly.
Everything is normal?
This only made him more on edge.
Now that the ten families of Yanjing have come, they certainly wouldn't just send a representative to drink a cup of wedding wine and leave.
The whereabouts of Grandma Mu Huanying and the account books she left behind are the enemy's biggest targets!
Perhaps they realized that a direct assault would be suicidal, given the Li family's current tight security and the presence of several powerful figures.
Then they must have other plans, or they must have found a more covert and civilized way to do it!
"We must not let our guard down!" Song Cijiu reminded him.
"Yes, tell our people to keep their eyes peeled, especially on unfamiliar faces. Have Wei Dong, Sun Jie, and Lei Jin disperse. They know my friends! Be careful not to alert them. De Fa, go and check with Cui Xingjian again to confirm who the Qian family members are, how many cars they have, what their entourage looks like, and whether they brought anything unusual!"
"Understood!" Wang Defa replied, and with a nimble gait, he twisted his plump body and ran towards the front yard.
Li Xiangnan and Song Ziming walked away quickly.
Just as I passed through the moon gate in the central courtyard, I saw Cheng Kui rushing over.
“Brother Xiang Nan!” Cheng Kui lowered his voice and quickly explained, “The Qian family sent two cars, a Shanghai sedan and a Jeep! Five people got out of the cars. The one in the lead was Qian Houjin, the third son of the Qian family! And his son, Qian Shenquan. The other three looked like henchmen, with bulging waists, probably carrying weapons! They didn’t come in directly. The cars stopped at the entrance of the alley, and the people stood outside the courtyard gate, talking to Xiao Cui. Their attitude… seemed polite enough, but their eyes were a bit off, glancing around everywhere!”
Li Xiangnan's heart skipped a beat.
Why is Qian Hou the one who came in?