Volume One, Chapter 25: This Bizarre Family

Yan Fengjia smiled. "Since you are part of the Yan family, paying a dowry is only appropriate."

"Although my third brother has already died in the line of duty, and you and he had no romantic ties, you have been with the Yan family for many years."

"Even if your family doesn't ask for a dowry, as the only remaining son of the Yan family, I should naturally show some gesture."

Just as Qin Wanqiu was about to refuse this absurd kindness, her phone rang.

"Qin Wanqiu, what did the Yan family say? Are they paying the ten million dowry or not? Your brother and I are waiting here."

Qin Wanqiu trembled with anger and immediately prepared to refuse.

However, Yan Fengjia snatched the phone away. "Mrs. Qin, the ten million is no problem, but it is not a dowry. Sister Wanqiu is not an object; she is not for sale."

"Who are you?" Li Huijun was stunned to hear a young man's voice.

"I am the fourth son of the Yan family."

Li Huijun had heard that the Yan family had an adopted son. He had left the family suddenly after turning eighteen, but that didn't matter now. Upon hearing that she could really get ten million, Li Huijun and her son were beside themselves with excitement. With this money, her precious son could marry a girl from a wealthy family, and wouldn't he look grand in front of friends and relatives?

Yan Fengjia set a time and place to meet the following day. After hanging up, he handed the phone back to Qin Wanqiu.

"Sister Wanqiu, it’s decided. Say no more."

Qin Wanqiu sighed, feeling no joy. She knew her family all too well. They were already insatiable in their bloodsucking of her alone. Now that Yan Fengjia had opened this door, they would surely cling to the Yan family and feast greedily.

The next morning, Yan Fengjia took Qin Wanqiu to the breakfast restaurant they had agreed upon. As soon as they entered, they heard Li Huijun berating a part-time student waitress.

"What is wrong with you, girl? Do you have no eyes at all?"

"I told you, wait for my daughter and the others to arrive; they will pay. Why do you keep standing behind me? Are you afraid I’ll skip out on the bill?"

The teary-eyed girl was being berated mercilessly, which drew the owner over.

The owner smiled and explained, "Madam doesn't look like that kind of person. This child is a relative of mine working a summer job. Please, don't take it out on her."

"Why would I take it out on her? How about this: I haven't touched this table, so waive the bill for me, or I'll file a complaint against you, do you hear?"

The owner’s expression darkened; this was being unreasonable.

"I’ll pay for this table. It’s alright, boss," Yan Fengjia said, forcing a smile as he approached.

"Mom," Qin Wanqiu followed behind him, looking sullen.

"Oh, you're here. You must be Young Master Yan, right? Come, come! Look, I ordered this whole table for you, eat whatever you like."

Yan Fengjia glanced at the spread of breakfast food without much interest. As long as this family stopped interfering with Qin Wanqiu's life in the future, that was all that mattered.

"Mrs. Qin, Sister Wanqiu is on a tight schedule and needs to head to the company today, so let’s get straight to business."

Yan Fengjia pulled a bank card from his pocket. "There is ten million here. Let me be clear: this is absolutely not a dowry for selling your daughter, but an advance on Sister Wanqiu’s salary for the year."

Li Huijun’s eyes were fixed on the card; she didn't even hear what he said, nodding repeatedly and saying it was fine. Yan Fengjia let go, and Li Huijun snatched the card, finally flashing a fawning smile at Qin Wanqiu.

"Daughter, you've really done well for yourself. From now on, you'll be living the good life with the Yan family. Mom wishes you all the best."

"However..." Li Huijun suddenly changed her tune. "Young Master Yan, the Yan family is wealthy, but raising a daughter hasn't been easy, you know."

"In that case, why don't you find a way to get my son a position at your company? Give him some official title. Would that be possible?"

"Absolutely not!" Qin Wanqiu stood up, furious. "Mom, the company isn't a playground. Does Qin Haoran even have the capability? He’d only cause trouble. I won't agree to it."

Qin Haoran, who had been engrossed in his phone game, looked up, startled. "Sis, what do you mean? I’m a university graduate. Even if it’s just a second-tier school, I’m still an educated talent."

"In terms of ability, I don't think I’m any worse than others; I just lack the opportunity."

"You know exactly how you got that degree," Qin Wanqiu said, her blood boiling. She had scrimped and saved, spending a fortune to ensure his graduation, while he spent those four years chasing girls and drinking. Someone like him would be nothing but a parasite in the company.

Yan Fengjia smiled faintly. "Sister Wanqiu is in charge of that side of the company. If your brother wants to try, he can submit his resume to the HR department. If he qualifies, he will receive the standard salary and benefits."

Li Huijun was clearly displeased. "Enough. You said we’d be family; why can't you help with such a small favor?" She stood up, her demeanor instantly shifting. "Boss, he has money, let him settle the bill. Son, let’s go."

"This is too much," Qin Wanqiu said, on the verge of tears. She didn't mind if they disrespected her, but to think they would try to sponge off the Yan family company?

Yan Fengjia gave a bitter smile. "Sister Wanqiu, let it be. You are worth far more than ten million. If a problem can be solved with money, it’s not a real problem."

"Fengjia, I will pay back that ten million from my salary every month. Please, I won't take it for nothing," Qin Wanqiu said gratefully.

"I only said that for your mother's benefit. Did you really think I was paying you a year's salary in advance?" Yan Fengjia shook his head. "Alright, I have things to attend to. Sister Wanqiu, you should head to the company; I won't delay you any further."

"Okay," Qin Wanqiu looked at him deeply and replied obediently. Though they were five years apart, Yan Fengjia was clearly much more mature in his handling of affairs. She wondered which woman would be lucky enough to marry him one day.

As Qin Wanqiu rode away on her small pink electric scooter, Yan Fengjia sat back down. He was waiting for someone.

Soon, his visitor arrived—a pale, trembling old man who walked into the restaurant. It was Zhao Kangnian of the Shanghai Zhao family.

In front of everyone, Zhao Kangnian knelt on the ground, trembling. "Mr. Yan, I am guilty of a capital offense, truly guilty."

The easygoing expression Yan Fengjia had worn earlier vanished, replaced by a cold mask.

"Zhao Kangnian, you already know about the matter concerning Shen Congwen, don't you?"

"I... I do. I never expected that rebellious disciple to be so blind as to provoke you, Mr. Yan. Please rest assured, I will provide a reasonable solution."

"He is already dead. How do you intend to solve it?"

"This..." Cold sweat poured down Zhao Kangnian’s forehead; he didn't know what to say.

Yan Fengjia lit a cigarette, squinted, and said calmly, "How about this: I will give you a chance to prove yourself."

"Mr. Yan, please speak. I will certainly do my best," Zhao Kangnian said, kowtowing in gratitude as if he had grasped a lifeline.

"Since you are under the protection of the military, you must have some connections within the armed forces, right?"

"Naturally, naturally," Zhao Kangnian said, puzzled by Yan Fengjia's intent.

Yan Fengjia could not easily contact the military himself. First, the Jiang family of the Heavenly Palace did not yet know he had mastered his seven masters' arts and left prison. Second, the Chinese military was wary of his identity as the son of the Jiang family; any personal investigation might lead to suspicions of leaking classified information.

"Help me investigate why the three sons of the Yan family died on the battlefield. If you can uncover even a little, I will not only forgive you but reward you handsomely."

"Yes, I will order an investigation immediately."

"Good. This table of breakfast hasn't been touched; you can eat it before you start. Take care of your health."

Yan Fengjia patted Zhao Kangnian on the shoulder with a meaningful look and stood up to leave. As the terrifying pressure dissipated, Zhao Kangnian collapsed onto the floor. After a long while, he pulled out his phone and dialed his granddaughter’s number.

"Child, I need a favor. It concerns the survival of the Zhao family. Please, take this very seriously."

The roar of a helicopter could be heard on the other end, followed by a pleasant female voice.

"Grandfather, go ahead."

"Help me investigate the specific records regarding the sacrifice of the three Yan brothers. The sooner, the better."