A private jet from China landed at Kansang Airport. Chu Zhenbei stepped out with his entourage.
Not long after, a private jet from San Francisco also touched down. Situ Meixin's father, Situ Xinghe, had arrived.
Both had come for the oilfield project. Two convoys headed straight to the Cao family estate. To secure the project, they needed to curry favor with Cao Tailin.
The Cao estate was bustling that day. Chefs and servants scurried about, preparing for the evening reception.
Situ Meixin and Chu Baiwei wandered through the estate, acting as the advance party—they wouldn't have a say in the evening negotiations, only wait for the banquet to begin.
Cao Tailin sat in the backyard, Cao Yang standing beside him, holding a photo of Cao Ying.
"Do you know how your great-grandfather died?"
Cao Yang nodded, signaling that he did.
"Do you know whose hands he died in?"
Cao Yang shook his head—this he did not know.
"My father died at the hands of Chu Xiaomao."
"During the Nationalist-Communist cooperation, your great-grandfather even saved Chu Xiaomao, but he turned around and attacked him."
"Who's Chu Xiaomao?"
"He's the grandfather of the girl outside."
Cao Yang frowned: "Her grandfather's name isn't Chu Yizhong?"
"Hmph. Once famous and a general, of course he'd adopt a more imposing name."
Cao Yang nodded, confused. Why was his great-uncle telling him all this? Was he being sent to exact revenge?
"He's in China, I have no way to touch him. But now his son and granddaughter are on my turf. What do you think I should do?"
Cao Yang inhaled sharply. From his great-uncle's tone, it sounded like he planned to take revenge on Chu Baiwei and her father?
If that happened, his rescue plan would be ruined. He wanted to advise his great-uncle, but if he did, he might be branded unfilial.
While Cao Yang struggled with this dilemma, Cao Hua entered.
"Dad, the guests have arrived."
Cao Tailin nodded, and Cao Yang helped him inside.
…
"Mr. Situ, it's an honor to meet you."
"Mr. Cao, you're too kind. I've long heard of your name."
As they exchanged pleasantries, Cao Yang pushed Cao Tailin into view, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Cao Tailin wasn't disabled—he could walk; the wheelchair was just laziness.
"Uncle Cao," Situ Xinghe greeted with a smile, glancing at Cao Yang behind him. He knew of Cao Yang, though today was their first meeting.
Cao Tailin smiled and nodded: "Mr. Situ, traveling so far makes you an honored guest. We could even be considered old acquaintances—your grandfather and my father knew each other."
Situ Xinghe laughed: "General Cao Ying is legendary. I've heard his stories since childhood."
In terms of age and seniority, Situ Xinghe was Cao Tailin's junior, so calling him "Uncle Cao" was natural.
Chu Zhenbei, however, felt slightly awkward. His father and Cao Ying were contemporaries, so technically he and Cao Tailin were of the same generation.
Cao Ying was more than a decade older than his father, had multiple sons early on, and Cao Tailin's age was similar to his father's. Being the youngest child himself, Chu Zhenbei wasn't sure whether to call him "uncle" or "brother," and simply followed Situ Xinghe.
"Hello, Uncle Chu," he greeted.
Cao Tailin didn't smile at him. His eyes locked onto Chu Zhenbei, a faint glimmer of lethal intent flashing.
Chu Zhenbei noticed but ignored it, instead scanning Cao Yang behind him. He had reviewed Cao Yang's dossier but was seeing him in person for the first time.
"So, you're the youngest son of Chu Xiaomao?"
Chu Zhenbei nodded, finding Cao Tailin a little rude.
"Hmph. You dare come to my territory. You've got guts!"
At that moment, a large group of soldiers, AKs in hand, dressed in military uniforms, charged in and surrounded them.
Situ Xinghe was taken aback, unsure what it meant.
Chu Zhenbei was slightly startled but quickly regained composure.
Situ Meixin and Chu Baiwei were equally shocked, turning to Cao Yang for guidance.
Cao Yang hurried over, whispered a few instructions to Chu Baiwei, and then leaned to whisper in Situ Meixin's ear.
He told her that his great-uncle might want to harm Chu Zhenbei and asked how he should intervene.
Situ Meixin, hearing this, surprisingly felt calm.
She whispered back: "Are you serious? Chu's family knows the history. If they dared come, nothing will happen. You're the only one taking it seriously."
Cao Yang considered it reasonable but still had questions, which Situ Meixin patiently answered.
Amidst the tense atmosphere, the two were speaking privately, utterly oblivious to the onlookers, drawing even more attention.
Chu Baiwei was a little annoyed. Yesterday, Cao Yang said they were like "scallions with tofu," yet today he acted so intimate?
Situ Xinghe was even less pleased, watching Cao Yang's lips near his daughter's ear. If not for the public setting, he would have scolded immediately.
"Uncle Cao, what do you mean by this?" Chu Zhenbei asked calmly.
"Your father killed my father. Today, I'll kill you in return, to avenge him!"
"Hahaha… Uncle Cao, you're still caught up in old history!"
"Two armies clashed; death was inevitable. General Cao Ying chose to commit suicide, not killed by my father's hand."
"Hmph!" Cao Tailin snorted. "But your father pushed him to it!"
"Uncle Cao, that's mistaken. You know the situation then—the Nationalist army was doomed. No matter who led the troops, it couldn't change General Cao Ying's fate."
Chu Zhenbei added: "It's fortunate it was my father. Otherwise, General Cao Ying wouldn't have died with such dignity."
His words were true. Had another captured Cao Ying, he wouldn't have been given the chance for a dignified death.
Cao Tailin seemed unconvinced, his eyes fixed on Chu Zhenbei.
Chu Zhenbei did not flinch. Cao Tailin would never touch him—he represented the state. Cao Tailin had a family, and harming them would bring trouble.
Sometimes, those with power are easier to manage than lone wolves.
"Father, the guests are here," Cao Hua reminded him.
"General Cao, what is the protocol here?"
At that moment, a group entered—the Prince of Nanda had arrived.
Cao Tailin nodded at him and waved the soldiers back.
"I was joking with an old friend, Your Highness. Hope it wasn't inappropriate."
"General, Mr. Chu is an honored guest," the prince reminded, careful not to intervene.
"Your Highness, no worries. I may be old, but I'm not foolish."
"Discuss the cooperation. Once the prince approves, the Cao family will fully cooperate."