Chapter 37 Jiamen Blessings

Chapter 37: Jiamen Fuxi

A full week passed after the meeting, with no word from the association—no yellow card, no fine.

Tan Youming casually inquired twice, and Yang Shiyan explained that the processing deadline had fallen on a non-working day and thus had to be postponed.

Tan Youming had no patience for delays. He called a senior contact directly. It wasn’t that he feared GU could successfully file a case, but…

He was in a foul mood and had no intention of holding back: "What are you playing at? If you’re going to punish us, just get it over with."

"Look, Tan," Feng Weijie said, half-amused, "after how that meeting went down, you still have the nerve to rush us? I should be asking what Pinghai and Huantu are really up to."

Having handled countless unfair competition cases—at least hundreds a year—Feng had seen it all before: "What’s the deal? Are you both so rich you’re competing to pay fines?"

The delay was largely Tan Youming and Shen Zongnian’s own fault. The investigation record was hopeless.

On one hand, they displayed uncanny coordination, presenting a flawless defense with airtight evidence and logical consistency that made GU’s accusations untenable.

On the other, when it came to internal risks, they both were quick to claim responsibility, frustrating their subordinates, who kept bringing case files to Feng, asking how to proceed.

Everyone knew Huantu and Pinghai were thick as thieves: "Can’t you two sync your stories? You both claim responsibility for everything, as if afraid the other will get penalized."

Feng, accustomed to deceit and betrayal, had never seen such chivalry: "I know you’re partners with deep camaraderie, but there’s no need to take the fall for each other like this."

Tan Youming felt embarrassed. He’d called in a rage, only to be put in his place. Irritated, he snapped, "What nonsense! Just record it as I said and wrap this up, or I’ll report you for negligence."

"Ha, the emperor isn’t worried, but the eunuch is," Feng replied, brushing it off. "Fine, we’ll handle it. By the way, Elder Tan’s birthday is coming up, right? Remember to pass on regards from me and my old man."

Though many were eager to attend the birthday celebration, the Tan family had announced no external banquet and no gifts. Everyone could only try to send greetings through various channels to make their presence known.

"Sure."

Feng added, "Don’t forget." With everyone scrambling to show respect, many would try to reach out through Tan Youming.

Tan Youming replied, "I won’t forget yours."

The day of the birthday arrived with rare clear skies. Tan Zhongshan held the banquet at a hotel under Pinghai's management.

The Jiamen Fuxi Hall was adorned with white jade treasures and nanmu tea pavilions, complemented by elegant and dignified clivia plants.

The Bentley and Cayenne passed each other in the parking lot. Two tall figures stepped out one after the other, wearing similarly styled suits—one in wind chime gray, the other in light champagne. Their ties, cufflinks, watches, and shoes were of comparable quality; even their tie clips looked somewhat similar.

They glanced at each other, then simultaneously looked away.

Walking silently into the elevator, they stared straight ahead as if the intense meeting and childish race on Maili Mountain had never happened.

As adults, they knew when to argue and when to stay silent—an understanding born of familiarity.

The atmosphere was tense. Not wanting to spoil the old man’s big day, Shen Zongnian broke the ice: "Did you come from Jianxin?" Jianxin’s meetings were always on Tuesdays.

Tan Youming kept his back turned, scoffing, "Why does Mr. Shen care where I came from, when you’re heading overseas soon?"

"…"

The elevator doors opened. Tan Youming strode out first, Shen Zongnian following a step behind.

Whether the hall brought fortune or not, it was certainly packed with lively guests.

Guan Kezhi, relieved to see them arrive together, asked, "Did you come together?"

Tan Youming mumbled, "...Yeah." Sharing an elevator from the parking lot basically counts.

Afraid she’d probe further, he added, "I’ll go find the old man." He wanted to show off his gift.

But someone had beaten him to it. The old man opened both grandsons’ gifts at once. An uncle nearby exclaimed, "Wonderful!"

"One with cranes and pines for longevity, the other with peaches for blessings—a matched set, doubling the fortune."

Shen Zongnian was also surprised. Though the jade carvings differed in design, their material, hue, and craftsmanship clearly came from the same artist—they were a set.

Tan Youming took a deep breath, fuming internally. So much for the master’s "unique, one-of-a-kind masterpiece." Tomorrow, he’d report Jiang Ying to the consumer protection agency for fraud.

Gao Shuhong feigned jealousy: "How come you only gave me one joint gift for my birthday, but the old man gets two fine jades?"

Tan Youming stammered; Shen Zongnian stayed silent.

The old man, delighted, raised his white eyebrows and patted his wife’s hand: "No point being jealous—the kids like me more."

Gao Shuhong scolded him teasingly. The birthday star laughed heartily, generously offering, "I’ll give you one! We’ll put it in our room and admire it every day!"

Relatives marveled: "Elder Tan, you’re incredibly fortunate—not only with a rare pair of jades, but also with such devoted grandsons."

"Exactly," an elder uncle remarked. "You used to say the family was small and quiet, but it's quality over quantity. Brotherly devotion is everything. With Zongnian here, one grandson is worth ten."

"True. Having many sons means nothing—look at the Huang family, ripped apart by internal strife until they lost everything. Unlike our united family."

Elder Tan beamed with pride, unusually boastful: "You’re right. My grandsons have always been close—never fought or argued, thick as thieves. Even blood brothers can’t compare."

Tan Youming burned with shame; Shen Zongnian also felt uneasy. Neither dared look at the other, their eyes darting awkwardly.

The birthday star, on a roll, added: "When Nianzai was sick as a child, no one could get him to take medicine except Zongnian. He’d give all his gift money from relatives to his brother, and if he got in trouble at school, he’d run to Zongnian first. I think Zongnian must’ve owed this little devil a life debt in a past life, now repaid."

The crowd laughed. Tan Youming winced, thinking it was he who owed Shen Zongnian eight lifetimes—otherwise, why would he be so tormented by him now?

Elder Tan and his wife continued sharing childhood anecdotes, delighting the relatives while leaving the two protagonists uncomfortably fidgeting.

When velvet antler soup and seafood congee were served, Tan Youming still hadn’t touched his. Shen Zongnian understood his anger but couldn’t stand him starving himself. He instinctively chided, "Are you going to eat or not?"

Tan Youming froze, then raged silently. How dare Shen Zongnian pick a fight first? The nerve!

He hissed under his breath, "You’re leaving overseas soon—why care if I eat? Let me starve!"

Shen Zongnian frowned.

The table was too lively for anyone to notice the supposedly inseparable brothers now bickering.

Everyone toasted Elder Tan, wishing him longevity and praising Zu Yi’s good marriage. They said once Tan Youming and Shen Zongnian married and had children, the family would enjoy four generations under one roof.

Elder Tan’s eyes shone with hope as he raised his glass: "Then let’s toast to your kind words and blessings."

Glasses clinked, laughter filled the room, truly living up to the hall’s gilded plaque: "Jiamen Fuxi."

After two rounds of dishes, Tan Youming and Shen Zongnian went to make the rounds with toasts. To avoid awkward alone time, Tan Youming roped in Tan Zuyi, who was still busy eating.

Tan Zuyi, worn out from the energy project, was unsteady on her feet, but both siblings were quick-witted and charming, winning over both close and distant relatives.

The close relatives knew Shen Zongnian well, but Elder Tan’s second elder sister, who’d moved to Shenzhen decades ago, didn't know him as well.

Tan Youming raised his glass and smiled at the elderly lady, "Grand Aunt, this is Shen Zongnian. He is also my grandfather's grandson, my mother's son, and Zuyi's elder brother."

No matter how much they argued or clashed in private, Tan Youming would never let anyone outside see even a hint of it—it was a matter of principle and his bottom line.

From a young age, he had keenly realized that his attitude represented the Tan family's attitude. Only if he valued, supported, and cared for Shen Zongnian would social climbers show respect to Shen Zongnian.

If anyone were to detect even the slightest rift between them, others would kiss up and kick down, looking down on and mistreating Shen Zongnian even more.

Yet he forgot that Shen Zongnian had long since become fully fledged and no longer needed anyone's protection.

Tan Meizhen, over seventy-five years old with sharp and resolute features, took the glass offered by Tan Youming and scrutinized Shen Zongnian. "I've heard of you. You're the Shen family boy."

Shen Zongnian also raised his glass, slightly bowing his head, neither humble nor arrogant. "Yes, I am Shen Zongnian, your junior."

Tan Meizhen said boldly, "Back in the day, I went to Guangzhou with Zhongwang for an inspection. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye."

Shen Zhongwang was Shen Zongnian's grandfather.

At that time, many people from the mainland flowed into Shanghai to do business, but few left Shanghai. Shenzhen was not yet a special economic zone, but Tan Meizhen had unique insight and extraordinary courage and determination, insisting on going there to invest and develop.

Others laughed at her foolishness, but riding the wave of reform and opening up, she became the first to "eat the crab."

Later, her business grew larger and larger. Nowadays, who in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and across the Mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan doesn't know the renowned Ninth Aunt Tan?

Tan Meizhen recalled, "Back then, there was no cross-sea bridge. Zhongwang, my younger brother, and I took a boat back and forth every time. Zhongwang always said he felt dizzy, and once he even caught a cold."

"They were all just young men fresh out into the world, and I was only a few years older. I didn’t know much about taking care of others, but I never expected Zhongwang to be so resilient. Even with a fever, he followed us through more than ten factories and was willing to trust me, investing money together."

The cooperation between the Shen and Tan families had a long history. Shen Zongnian replied, "When I was young, my grandfather did mention his experiences inspecting and investing in the mainland during his youth. He said the Tan siblings took great care of him and praised Ninth Aunt Tan for her courage, attention to detail, and sense of justice—calling her an outstanding woman. Those were his exact words."

Huantu's close cooperation with the mainland over the years was partly influenced by Shen Zhongwang's early experiences with Tan Meizhen.

Tan Youming seized the moment to add, "Grand Aunt, Huantu still has many collaborations and businesses in Shenzhen and Guangzhou."

Tan Zuyi looked up and noticed her brother quietly watching her, so she quickly chimed in, "Yes, Grand Aunt, I currently work at Huantu. Several of our company’s joint projects there were among last year’s top ten benchmark projects in the Bay Area."

Tan Meizhen looked at the two of them acting like two guardian deities and understood immediately. Among all the cousins and relatives present tonight, they had specifically brought this person to her, making their intention to facilitate connections all too obvious.

She looked meaningfully at Shen Zongnian. "It seems the siblings both like you very much."

Shen Zongnian was slightly taken aback, and the usually quick-witted Tan Youming fell silent. It was a cousin's wife who laughed and said, "Of course, Second Aunt. You weren’t here last time, but Zuyi’s engagement banquet was held at her Brother Zongnian’s hotel."

"Exactly," another aunt praised Shen Zongnian enthusiastically. "Oh, the scale and grandeur were exceptional. The gossip newspapers wrote about it for half a month! Zongnian also said he would cover all expenses for Youming’s wedding banquet too, right?"

Shen Zongnian opened his mouth slightly. He was willing to witness Tan Youming’s happiness and give him everything he had, but he wasn’t sure if he still had the time or opportunity. He could only lower his head and softly hum in agreement.

To Tan Youming, this seemed distant and reluctant. He had set aside their differences and gone out of his way to pave the way for Shen Zongnian, only to be met with such coldness. He felt disheartened, a sour ache churning inwardly with no way to express it.

Tan Youming never expected anything in return for treating people well. Whether it was the overlooked Zhuo Zhixuan or the unlucky-in-love Xie Zhenlin, he helped without asking for anything in return.

But this was Shen Zongnian. Tan Youming couldn’t bear the slightest cold shoulder or change—it was something he had inherently, something he’d had since childhood, but now it was gone.

He felt heartbroken and disappointed, even an unfamiliar pain tugging at his heart. Overwhelmed with anger, he couldn’t maintain his composure and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "No need to force yourself. I won’t invite you to my engagement. I certainly won’t delay CEO Shen’s journey overseas to expand his business."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Tan Youming regretted them.

Shen Zongnian’s back went rigid, as if struck by a heavy blow. The corridor light cast shifting shadows on his profile. After a moment, Tan Youming heard him say softly, "Fine, Tan Youming."

"Don’t invite me."

Tan Youming’s heart sank heavily.

Tan Zuyi returned from the restroom to find her brother standing in the corridor, looking pale, leaning against the wall with his hand on his stomach. She was startled and asked with a frown, "Brother, what’s wrong? Are you unwell? I’ll go get Brother Zongnian!"

Since childhood, whenever Tan Youming had any trouble or caused any mischief, Tan Zuyi’s first instinct was not to seek out Guan Kezhi or Tan Zhongshan but to find Shen Zongnian.

"No need," Tan Youming stopped her, relying on her support to endure a few seconds of dizziness. Hoarsely, he said, "I’m fine. I just drank too quickly."

Tan Zuyi opened her mouth, looking at his slightly pale face. It didn’t seem like just drinking too much, but she didn’t dare ask further. "Then... let me help you to the lounge for some sobering tea. You should sit down and rest for a bit."