Leading the way was a Hongqi sedan. As soon as it stopped, Zhao Min stepped out, helping Zhang Keqin alight—it was his duty as a secretary to serve his superior.

Zhang Yang’s Mercedes followed, with Long Feng’s Hummer bringing up the rear.

As the Hummer door opened, a pale shadow emerged. Zhuifeng lifted its proud head, swept a disdainful glance over the assembled people at the entrance, and then immediately raised its chin again, the picture of arrogance.

This display of pride didn't invite resentment; instead, its striking appearance drew widespread attention, even overshadowing Shandian.

“Squeak, squeak, squeak!”

Shandian called out a few dissatisfied notes. Previously, it was always the center of attention, but now Zhuifeng had stolen the show, leaving it feeling somewhat deflated.

Long Feng stepped out of the vehicle, accompanied by Qu Meilan.

Zhang Yang’s engagement was a major event for them, something they couldn't miss. Furthermore, the spirit beasts dared not be left home alone, so they had to be brought along. If those three little ones were left unsupervised at the villa, who knew what chaos they might cause.

After getting out of the car, Qu Meilan glanced back at the three little ones with a lingering sense of apprehension.

She knew perfectly well that any one of those three possessed the ability to instantly defeat her. That time Long Feng had been instructing her, she had shown a slight hint of disdain towards Wuying, but after Wuying shattered a massive boulder with a burst of internal energy, she hadn't dared utter another word.

Zhang Yang’s car door opened next; the main protagonist of the day had finally arrived.

Su Zhantao, Wang Chen, and Hu Xin were all waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing Zhang Yang, everyone froze for a moment.

Zhang Yang wasn't wearing a formal Western suit today; he was dressed in a white Tang suit, something akin to martial arts attire. Clad in this outfit, Zhang Yang exuded an entirely different aura.

The suit was tailored perfectly. Zhang Yang was already a peak master of the fourth layer of Internal Energy. Even without intentionally releasing any presence, the natural charisma radiating from him overshadowed everyone else present.

Looking at Zhang Yang’s clothing, Su Zhantao and the others instinctively lowered their heads.

They had all planned to outshine Zhang Yang today, dressing in their finest, traditional Western suits. Yet, no one expected Zhang Yang to choose a Tang suit—a simple garment that, worn by him, looked infinitely better than any of their formal wear.

More than that, a Western suit was an imported style; the Tang suit represented genuine Chinese heritage. Zhang Yang wearing it carried a much deeper significance than their suits.

“Uncle Zhang!”

Mi Xue approached, offering a greeting to Zhang Yang Keqin, then immediately slipped her arm through Zhang Yang’s, leaning on him intimately.

The couple had already taken the final step; soon to be engaged, they were practically family already.

“Still calling him Uncle Zhang? It won’t be long before you need a different address!” Zhao Min quipped with a smile. Mi Xue blushed faintly and looked down again. Zhang Keqin chuckled as well.

According to Changjing custom, one was supposed to change terms of address after an engagement. People here took engagements very seriously; once engaged, the couple was considered united, and changing address was part of that.

Zhang Keqin wasn't originally from Changjing, but since they were here now, they would follow the local custom.

Word spread that Zhang Yang had arrived, and many more people came out. Fortunately, Long Feng and Qu Meilan had already guided Zhuifeng inside; the two of them would look after the three little beasts, and they would occupy a separate room.

The first to emerge were Gu Fang and Cai Zhelian.

They had been watching the entrance closely. Since Mi Xue hadn't come out when she arrived, they immediately left their room upon seeing Zhang Yang, preparing to greet him.

Neither man was surprised to see Zhang Keqin. Cai Zhelian had visited Changjing before, and Gu Fang had accompanied Zhang Yang on his quest to uncover the past ten years; he was even more aware of the relationship between Zhang Yang and his father.

“In-law, you have arrived!” Mi Zhiguo approached with deference. He no longer called Zhang Keqin Secretary Zhang, but the deep respect remained ingrained.

It couldn't be helped; the gap between them was simply too vast. Before the engagement ceremony, he had been nervous, fearing the entire event was illusory. He never imagined he would become in-laws with a Provincial Party Secretary.

“My apologies for the delay; I trust you haven’t been waiting long!” Zhang Keqin offered a slight smile. He had indeed been delayed; he should have arrived much earlier, but a last-minute call had set him back half an hour. For something to detain Zhang Keqin on this particular day required a matter of great import.

He had taken an important call that even Zhang Yang was unaware of.

“Not at all, we only just arrived ourselves!” Mi Zhiguo quickly shook his head. Even if Zhang Keqin had been later, he wouldn't have dared object; Zhang Keqin’s presence was what mattered today.

“Why does Zhang Yang’s father look so familiar?” Liu Ming, Mi Xue’s second uncle-in-law, murmured, clearly puzzled. He was just an ordinary employee but did watch television and read newspapers occasionally, and Zhang Keqin frequently appeared in both.

“I have that feeling too, but I can’t quite place him!” Wang Zhi, Mi Xue’s fifth uncle-in-law, nodded in agreement. He worked at the Civil Affairs Bureau, holding a deputy section chief rank.

“I feel it too!” This time, the speaker was Mi Xue’s maternal uncle, Wu Jiang. He was a driver, though not in Lieshan; he worked at the Municipal Labor Bureau, serving as the director’s driver.

Although he held no formal rank, drivers in those days were trusted confidants, and his standing was slightly higher than Liu Ming and Wang Zhi’s. When he spoke, the other two glanced his way.

“You feel it too? But he’s Zhang Yang’s father; he shouldn’t be one of our people, right?”

“Exactly! He looks so familiar; I must have seen him somewhere!” Wang Zhi and Liu Ming resumed their discussion, confusion etched on their faces. Zhang Yang wasn't from their circle, so they shouldn't have met his father, yet this sense of familiarity persisted.

The three were ordinary employees, not officials, so their attention to prominent figures wasn't as acute as Mi Zhiguo’s, who could recognize Zhang Keqin instantly.

Zhang Keqin and Mi Zhiguo had already moved into a room. The hotel had a large hall, but it was reserved only for the engagement ceremony; it remained unused otherwise, allowing the space to feel more open.

Liu Ming, Wang Zhi, and Wu Jiang entered one room, where Zhang De, Mi Zhiguo, and Zhang Keqin were also present—this was the primary gathering space.

Zhang Yang and Mi Xue were absent; this was the elders' table, and they were waiting outside to join later.

The table in the room was already laden with various pastries. Liu Ming and the others were still perplexed, but they remained silent now; discussing such matters at this moment would be disrespectful to the hosts.

Many people had arrived from the Mi family’s side, while Zhang Yang’s party was noticeably smaller.

Zhang Keqin was attended only by Zhao Min, but Zhao Min was articulate and effectively kept the atmosphere lively. Liu Ming and Wang Zhi interjected occasionally, though they found it strange how overly respectful Mi Zhiguo and Zhang De were toward Zhang Yang’s father.

In the smallest room, Zhuifeng, who had been drinking quietly, suddenly lifted its head.

Shandian and Wuying also became alert. After a moment, Wuying chirped a few times, and Shandian relaxed, but Zhuifeng remained tense.

On the other side, Zhang Yang paused; the reason for the little beasts’ reaction was that they sensed the arrival of masters.

More than one master had arrived this time—two, both being peak masters of the fourth layer of Internal Energy. Wuying and Shandian recognized one of them: Zhang Yungan, whom they had met before. They were familiar with Zhang Yungan’s connection to Zhang Yang, and their expressions relaxed considerably. Only Zhuifeng had never met Zhang Yungan and thus grew nervous sensing two peak masters appearing simultaneously.

“Excuse me, I need to step out for a moment!” Zhang Yang told those at his table with Shi Yan, then quickly led Mi Xue outside. He didn't have the keen senses of the spirit beasts, but he too felt the presence of two masters.

One was Zhang Yungan; the other was unfamiliar, but since Zhang Yungan was here, he had to go out and welcome him. Zhang Yang had notified Zhang Yungan of his engagement via phone but hadn't expected him to travel all the way since the distance was significant. With Zhang Yungan’s arrival, Zhang Yang wasn't surprised; as a direct descendant of the Zhang family, his marriage was a matter of considerable importance.

At the entrance, only the greeters were present. Zhang Yungan and another man were standing there. Zhang Yungan wore very ordinary casual clothes, while the other man was dressed in an unremarkable, old-fashioned black overcoat. Standing together, they looked utterly common, but only Zhang Yang knew their true power.

“Uncle, you’ve arrived!” Upon seeing them, Zhang Yang strode over quickly, casting a confused glance at the other man—there was a strange sense of familiarity about him.

“You little rascal, hitting me with a surprise attack! You only told me a few days before the engagement. Do you still not have me, your uncle, in your heart?” Zhang Yungan said with a laugh, striking Zhang Yang’s shoulder.

His blow carried internal energy. The internal energy within Zhang Yang instinctively resisted, and Zhang Yungan’s eyes suddenly brightened.

“The Old Master didn’t lie to me; it truly is the fourth layer. The trip to the Long family wasn't in vain this time!” Zhang Yungan spoke using Chuanyin Rumi (sound transmission into secrecy). Judging by his expression, he must have already known about Zhang Yang’s breakthrough and his recent trip to the Long family.

“It was all luck. Without the Old Master, I might not have returned!” Zhang Yang shook his head lightly, also using Chuanyin Rumi for his reply. There were many ordinary people around, and it was best not to let them know about internal energy matters.

“Hmph. These few muddled, old established families think they’re the greatest. They dared to lay hands on someone from our Zhang family; they will pay for it later!” Zhang Yungan snorted coldly, a sharp glint appearing in his eyes as a chilling aura slowly permeated his body.

The Zhang family might have fewer members, but every member was an elite. Even the youngest, Zhang Yang, was at the fourth layer—a force that couldn't be underestimated by any established family.

Zhang Yungan’s brow suddenly furrowed again, and he said to Zhang Yang, “You boy, you see your maternal grandfather and don’t even speak? I spoiled you and taught you for nothing back then!”

Zhang Yungan’s words made Zhang Yang freeze. He turned his head, looking at the man beside Zhang Yungan with disbelief. At that moment, he finally remembered why the man felt familiar; he had seen him in a photograph. This was his maternal grandfather, Zhang Daofeng.

Chapter Two concludes. Time for some food; two more chapters follow!!! (To be continued)