“Why?” Zhao Xueqing looked at him suspiciously.
“Heh heh!”
Jiang Daya clamped the cigarette between his teeth, revealing his yellowed front teeth, tilted his head, and glanced sideways at Jiang Tian. “Young Master Qingfeng gave the order. Jiang Tian has been removed from the family genealogy. He can’t use the Jiang surname anymore, he’s not considered a member of the Jiang family, and from now on, he’s not allowed to set foot in Jiangzhuang Village again!”
“Who does Jiang Qingfeng think he is? We came to Jiangzhuang to wish Grandfather a happy birthday, and we have the old man’s permission!” Zhao Xueqing’s face flushed with anger as she spoke sharply.
“That’s none of my business. Anyway, Young Master Qingfeng is the chairman of the Medicine King Group. As the head of security, I just follow his orders. You two need to leave now! Don’t make me resort to force!”
Jiang Daya rolled up his sleeves and threatened viciously.
Several other men also cracked their knuckles, looking ready to beat them up if they didn’t get lost.
Just then, a cold voice rang out, like a demon whispering: “Today, whoever dares to stop me!”
The tone was low, grim, and chillingly stern.
It sounded like the death summons of the King of Hell from the depths of the underworld, or like a demon god commanding all living beings.
Jiang Daya shuddered all over. Seeing it was Jiang Tian who spoke, he sneered disdainfully:
“Kid, you’re not a member of the Jiang family anymore. What do you have to be so arrogant about? I said you’re not getting in today, and that’s final. If you’ve got the guts, go ahead and try!”
As he spoke, several men had already pulled iron bars, pickaxe handles, and other such weapons from the trunk of a car.
“Man Ge, take them down!”
Jiang Tian smiled faintly, his gaze contemptuous, as if looking at mere ants.
“Yes, Master!”
Shen Mange darted forward swiftly, her movements graceful and agile like a startled swan or a swimming dragon. Her fists and palms struck out simultaneously in a flurry of blows.
There was a series of thuds and sharp cracks, and the burly men flew out like scarecrows, landing in various poses in the rice paddies on both sides of the road. Covered in mud, their faces bloodied, they groaned in pain, a truly miserable sight.
“Hiss—! This little girl, how is she so incredibly skilled?”
Only Jiang Daya was left. He gasped, stunned, standing alone in the middle of the road, utterly bewildered in the wind.
Seeing Shen Mange approach, he backed away with fear in his eyes, his voice trembling as he threatened, “Stay back! If you dare hit me, I’m the head of the security department for the Medicine King Group! I’m middle management!”
“I’ll handle this one myself.”
Jiang Tian spat into his palms, his figure flickered, and in an instant, he was right in front of Jiang Daya.
“What are you going to do?”
These words were still in Jiang Daya’s mouth,还没来得及 and sprayed out with his spittle.
Jiang Tian had already raised his right hand and then brought it down viciously.
With a sharp smack, Jiang Daya was sent flying seven or eight meters by the slap, then crashed heavily to the ground.
He was completely dazed by the hit.
He never imagined Jiang Tian would be so strong, and… that this good-for-nothing who had been kicked out of the family actually dared to hit him!
Jiang Tian took a silk handkerchief from Shen Mange and carefully wiped his hands. Looking down at Jiang Daya, who was groaning on the ground with his hand over his face, he said softly:
“You know I can be quite the spoiled, arrogant brat. So don’t come looking for trouble with me. It seems since I’ve been gone so long, you’ve forgotten how I operate.”
Jiang Daya lay miserably on the ground, his face a bloody mess. Half his teeth and his two front teeth were knocked out, his mouth felt drafty, and bloody froth bubbled out as he looked at Jiang Tian in utter terror.
Jiang Tian smiled mockingly. “Consider this a little reminder, then. Even though I don’t mistreat servants, I’m happy to show you what the style of a rich young master really means.”
“I really don’t get you people. Did you think I wouldn’t dare or wouldn’t want to hit you? Seems you forgot your place. You’re just a dog of the Jiang family. Now that I’ve hit you, do you dare to bite me back? All you can do is take it, or maybe go cry to your master, that punk Qingfeng? That’s fine, suit yourself. Oh, and pass this message along for me: if he dares to block my way, I’ll slap him around just the same!”
After leisurely finishing these words, Jiang Tian had cleaned his hands. Finding the handkerchief dirty from Jiang Daya, he tossed it onto his face, then stepped forward into Jiangzhuang Village.
Unfortunately for Jiang Daya, Jiang Tian’s foot landed squarely on his hand, seeming to give it a slight twist.
“Ahhh! It hurts so much!”
Jiang Daya convulsed in pain, grimacing and screaming miserably, his voice carrying for miles.
When Jiang Tian lifted his foot, his right hand was a bloody pulp, with white bone showing through.
Watching Jiang Tian’s retreating figure and the bloody footprints left on the ground, the other men couldn’t help but show expressions of sheer terror. They stood rooted to the spot, unable to snap out of it for a long time.
They had thought that after being expelled from the family for a few years, he might have mellowed out a bit. But actually, that wasn’t the case at all.
A troublemaking demon had left, but a far more powerful, ruthless, and tenfold more formidable demon lord had returned!
…
At the eastern end of Jiangzhuang Village, a pair of couplets was posted on the gate of a large, three-courtyard residence: “May there be no sickness in the human world; rather let dust gather on my medicine shelves.”
The vast residence was bustling with activity. Colorful awnings were set up, and red lanterns hung high.
Master chefs hired from five-star hotels in Jinling, along with nimble young women and wives from the village, were killing chickens and preparing fish under the awnings for the feast.
Inside and outside the courtyard, children set off firecrackers, their muffled pops invariably drawing scolding from parents.
Adults were scattered around the yard – some on phones inviting friends and relatives, others sharing cigarettes and chatting, creating a lively atmosphere.
At the entrance of an alley to the west of the gate, an elderly man in his twilight years, dressed in a red silk Tang suit, his back slightly hunched, leaned on a cane and gazed anxiously towards the village entrance, coughing incessantly.
“Grandfather, please go back inside. The guests probably won’t arrive until noon. It’s chilly out here; your health is most important…” Jiang Qingfeng supported the old man, his voice anxious.
Today, he was dressed smartly and energetically in a perfectly tailored custom suit, the trouser creases sharp as knives. He was tall and upright, with handsome, heroic features, deep eyes, and a calm, mature demeanor.
“Where is Jiang Tian now? Give him a call, tell him to drive carefully…” Jiang Changgeng seemed not to hear Jiang Qingfeng’s劝说, his dim old eyes still scanning the distance.
At this moment, Jiang Qingfeng and Jiang Banxia exchanged a glance and both shook their heads helplessly.
“Grandfather, why did you even let him come back? He caused such a huge mess, put our Jiang family in a difficult spot. It would have been merciful not to beat him to death!”
Jiang Banxia pouted, very displeased.
She was jealous.
Jiang Tian was utterly hopeless – refused to study, a complete waste. He only scored just over 300 points on the college entrance exam and went to some third-rate, garbage school.
That might have been acceptable – after all, a dragon gives birth to nine different offspring, and almost every big family has a few useless, spoiled members who hold nominal positions in the family company, collect a bit of money, and cause no trouble.
The real problem was Jiang Tian’s terrible personality: arrogant, domineering, seeing nothing, impulsive, and violent. He was always stirring up trouble in Jinling, leaving the family with endless messes to clean up.
Later, he even had the nerve to hit that young master from Yanjing, causing an enormous disaster that affected the entire Jiang family!
At the birthday preparation meeting a few days ago, he had even spoken arrogantly, showing no regard for his own father – truly ignorant of his place.
Yet despite him being such a waste, Grandfather still cared so much about him.
“What kind of talk is that?”
Jiang Changgeng finally looked back at them, a hint of displeasure on his face.
Jiang Banxia quickly lowered her head, but secretly pouted, unconvinced deep down.
“Expelling Jiang Tian from the family was just for show, a truly helpless move!”
A trace of bitterness appeared on Jiang Changgeng’s face as he spoke earnestly:
“No matter what, Jiang Tian is my own grandson, your cousin. We are connected by blood, a bond that cannot be severed. You must be united and fraternal, help each other. Always remember the principle that when brothers are of one mind, their sharpness can cut through metal!”
“Yes, Grandfather!”
Jiang Qingfeng nodded with a smile, patiently accompanying his grandfather as they waited.
“Grandfather!” Suddenly, a familiar voice called out.
Jiang Changgeng’s eyes reddened, and through a blur, he saw a tall figure approaching quickly from a distance.
He reached out shakily, as if trying to grasp something, peering into the distance, his voice choked with emotion: “Is that Xiao Tian back?”
“Grandfather, I’m back!”
A pair of warm, strong hands grasped his own. Jiang Changgeng dropped his cane, felt the young man’s head, and carefully looked him over. Hot tears streamed down his face as he said in a trembling voice: “Good! It’s good that you’re back! A bit thinner, but much stronger!”
“Grandfather!”
Zhao Xueqing also quickly caught up, sweetly bowing and offering her regards before joining Jiang Tian in supporting Jiang Changgeng.
“My girl, you’ve had a hard time!” Jiang Changgeng said emotionally.
He fumbled in his pocket and brought out something wrapped in red silk cloth, handing it to Zhao Xueqing with a smile. “I’ve troubled you to come all this way just to see this old man. This was left by Jiang Tian’s grandmother. Take it as a small gift!”
“Thank you, Grandfather!”
Zhao Xueqing opened it.
It was a pair of jade bracelets, crystalline and transparent, with excellent translucency. Judging by the carving, it seemed to be an antique.
“That dragon and phoenix jade bracelet! Grandfather, that’s our family heirloom! How can you give it to her?”
Jiang Banxia’s face was full of jealousy, her eyes turning red.
This bracelet was an ancient item, passed down from their grandmother’s side. It must be worth millions!
Every year on her birthday in the past, she had begged her grandparents for this treasure, but they never gave it, wouldn’t even let her look at it. But now, giving it to an outsider? Jiang Banxia really couldn’t stand it.
Zhao Xueqing quickly protested, “Grandfather, this is too precious. You should keep it…”
“My girl, you deserve it. Take it!” Jiang Changgeng smiled kindly.
As they entered the residence and walked under the awning, Jiang Yangming immediately hurried over, frowning. “Dad, why did you go outside? Several important guests are waiting in the inner hall!”
Jiang Changgeng grabbed a handful of candy for Zhao Xueqing and said with a gentle smile, “You two stay here and have some fruit and melon seeds. I’ll go greet the guests!”
“Grandfather, please go inside quickly! It’s cold out here!”
Jiang Qingfeng helped the old man inside, not even bothering to glance at Jiang Tian.
Jiang Banxia also headed inside, not forgetting to cast a disdainful look at Jiang Tian, as if to say, “See? You’re not even qualified to enter!”
Only distinguished guests, the second generation, and the most outstanding members of the third generation like Jiang Qingfeng and Jiang Banxia could enter the inner hall. People like Jiang Lin and Jiang Chao, brother and sister, weren’t qualified; they were far beneath that level.
Although Jiang Changgeng deeply loved and pitied Jiang Tian, he also knew that showing such obvious favoritism would cause dissatisfaction.
Jiang Tian wasn’t in a hurry, though. He and Zhao Xueqing drank tea and chatted about various interesting things. Shen Mange was very beautiful, but she wore large sunglasses covering most of her face, so no one paid her much attention.
“Jiang Tian, don’t be too envious. Once your dad becomes a provincial or ministerial level official like you’re always saying he will, then you’ll be able to get in too!”
Beside them, Jiang Chao, who was playing a card game with some other young guys from the clan, puffed on a cigarette, blew out smoke, and gestured with his chin towards the inner hall.
