The Crazy Son-In-Law

Tan Haohan was genuinely shocked by the strength Xiao Shun had displayed. Although he was not a cultivator, he had a clear understanding of the status of the Old School Society in their nation.

Xiao Shun dared to offend such a behemoth; what then was the Tan family in comparison?

As Tan Haohan pondered, his son, Tan Guangqi, spoke up.

“Dad, if our Tan family loses the Tans Group, do you think we can continue to live as lavishly as before?”

His son’s words left him speechless.

Tan Haohan’s ventures spanned various industries, but it was the daily goldmine of the Tans Group that truly amassed his fortune.

“The reason Xiao Shun left us half of the shares was not out of goodwill. It was merely to show the merchants in Harrow and Oars that they wouldn’t monopolize the market,” said Tan Guangqi, pausing before continuing seriously, “Yao Cen’s involvement with the Tans Group from the start was a strategy to devour our family assets to bolster Starline’s growth!”

“How could I not know?” Tan Haohan replied, sounding deflated.

“Persimmon Commercial has fallen, and the ledger that could doom me is in Xiao Shun’s hands. I’m at their mercy.”

Hearing this, Tan Guangqi shook his head.

“Dad, you’re overthinking it.”

“What do you mean?” Tan Haohan looked at his son, puzzled.

“That ledger is something Xiao Shun won’t use lightly as a threat. And the big shots in Harrow’s officialdom won’t allow it to be exposed. It’s a ticking time bomb that could cause an earthquake in Harrow, even in Oars!”

Speaking confidently, Tan Guangqi believed the ledger, with its many examples of official-business collusion, wouldn’t be revealed.

Tan Haohan gestured towards the ceiling, “You mean those people wouldn’t let Xiao Shun use it?”

“It’s evident,” Tan Guangqi nodded, his smile brimming with confidence.

Tan Haohan fell silent, deep in thought, but soon a certain answer formed in his mind. He had been blindfolded by Xiao Shun and the ledger, failing to consider the deeper implications. His son’s words had now brought a smile to his lips. As long as the ledger remained unpublished, he could counterattack with his business acumen.

Seeing the relieved smile on Tan Haohan’s face, Tan Guangqi felt a weight lift. Since yesterday, he had been thinking about how to persuade his father to fight a decisive battle with Xiao Shun and Starline Bio. It seemed his lobbying was going smoothly.

“Guangqi, I’m getting old,” Tan Haohan said with a sigh, patting his son’s shoulder. “I’ll leave this matter to you. Whether you succeed or fail, I’ll have no complaints.”

Excitement flickered on Tan Guangqi’s face as he gripped his father’s hand on his shoulder.

“Dad, rest assured, I’ll do my utmost!”

Meanwhile, at the Riverland Bay villa, Xiao Shun found Fatty, who had just completed his treatment. The kid was still chubby, but he looked much healthier than before.

“Boss, what do you need?” Fatty curiously offered Xiao Shun a cigarette.

Taking the cigarette, Xiao Shun lit it, inhaled deeply, and asked as he exhaled, “What’s been happening with the Harrow Chamber of Commerce these days? Tell me everything you know.”

Wang Daming was a member of the Harrow Chamber of Commerce. Due to Xiao Shun’s recent support, Fatty had significant influence there, even rivaling the “real estate tycoons.”

“Activity…”

Upon hearing Xiao Shun’s question, Fatty pondered.

After a moment, he said, “Boss, there seems to be a big project brewing there.”

Xiao Shun’s interest piqued, “What big project?”

“I don’t know the details, but it was proposed by those who are closest to Tan Haohan!” Fatty shook his head.

“It seems likely that this project is targeting me and Starline,” Xiao Shun smiled faintly, piecing things together.

“I’ve heard about Miss Yao’s situation. Boss, how are you planning to deal with it… Maybe let Little Fei take some people and wipe out the Tan family for being so blind?” Fatty suggested, gauging Xiao Shun’s reaction.

He had been hanging out with Little Fei recently, picking up a bit of the jianghu air.

Considering this, Xiao Shun sighed, “Tan Haohan obviously wants to provoke me. If I take the bait, it will cause panic in Harrow, disrupting Miss Yao’s plans.”

“What should we do?” Fatty was anxious.

He had recently separated from his family and was now the spokesperson for Starline Bio in Harrow, handling all local affairsTan Haohan was truly stunned by Xiao Shun’s demonstrated power. While not a practitioner himself, he had a certain understanding of the Old School Society’s stature in the country. Xiao Shun’s boldness to offend such a leviathan made the Tan family seem insignificant in comparison.

As Tan Haohan reflected, his son, Tan Guangqi, voiced his thoughts.

“Dad, if we lose the Tans Group, can we still live as luxuriously as before?”

His son’s straightforward question left him without words. Tan Haohan had diversified business interests, but the real wealth came from the daily profits of the Tans Group!

“Xiao Shun leaving us half of the shares wasn’t kindness. It was to show Harrow and Oars’ merchants that they won’t monopolize the market,” Tan Guangqi explained, pausing before adding, “Yao Cen’s entry into Tans Group was a ploy to consume our family’s assets for Starline’s growth!”

“I’m well aware,” said Tan Haohan, his voice lacking strength.

“Persimmon Commercial has collapsed, and the ledger that could ruin me is with Xiao Shun. I’m at their mercy now.”

Tan Guangqi shook his head at his father’s words. “Dad, you’re overthinking it.”

“What do you mean?” Tan Haohan asked, confused.

“Xiao Shun won’t use that ledger against you lightly. Moreover, Harrow’s bigwigs wouldn’t let it come to light. It’s a time bomb that could cause an upheaval in Harrow and Oars.”

Tan Guangqi spoke with confidence. That ledger detailed too many examples of collusion between officials and businessmen, including many high-ranking officials, something no one would want exposed.

Tan Haohan pointed upwards, asking, “You’re saying the higher-ups won’t let Xiao Shun use it?”

“It’s quite obvious,” affirmed Tan Guangqi, his smile filled with self-assurance.

Tan Haohan didn’t reply, sinking into contemplation. But soon, he had a definite answer. Previously, Xiao Shun and the ledger had blinded him, but now his son had enlightened him. A smile crept across his lips. Without the ledger’s publication, he could leverage his business prowess for a counteroffensive.

Seeing Tan Haohan’s relieved smile, Tan Guangqi relaxed. He had been trying to convince his father to stand against Xiao Shun and Starline Bio, and it seemed he had made significant headway.

“Guangqi, I’m old,” Tan Haohan said with a sigh, patting his son’s shoulder. “This matter is yours to handle. Success or failure, I’ll have no complaints.”

A flush of excitement spread across Tan Guangqi’s face, and he firmly held his father’s hand on his shoulder. “Dad, don’t worry, I’ll do everything in my power.”

At the same time, in the Riverland Bay villa, Xiao Shun met with the freshly treated Fatty, who remained chubby but looked healthier than before.

“Boss, what’s up?” Fatty curiously passed a cigarette to Xiao Shun.

Taking the cigarette, Xiao Shun lit it and deeply inhaled before asking, “What’s new with the Harrow Chamber of Commerce? Tell me everything.”

Fatty, now a member of the Chamber and empowered by Xiao Shun’s recent support, had significant sway there, even compared to established real estate magnates.

“Something big…”

Fatty pondered Xiao Shun’s query before revealing, “Boss, they seem to be planning a major project.”

“What kind of project?” Xiao Shun prodded.

“I’m not sure, but it’s spearheaded by those closest to Tan Haohan!” Fatty replied.

“It seems they’re likely targeting me and Starline,” Xiao Shun said with a slight smile, sensing the beginnings of a strategy.

“I’ve heard about Miss Yao’s ordeal. How do you plan to handle it, boss… Maybe have Little Fei take care of the Tan family?” Fatty suggested, looking to Xiao Shun for approval.

He had been mixing with Little Fei recently, absorbing some of the underworld’s air.Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.

Xiao Shun sighed helplessly, “Tan Haohan wants to draw me into a fight. If I engage, it’ll unsettle Harrow, disrupting Miss Yao’s arrangements.”

“So, what do we do?” Fatty asked anxiously.

He had stepped away from his family and was now the face of Starline Bio in Harrow, managing all local affairs and intimately linked with Starline’s fortunes.

Tan Haohan’s desperate counterattack spelled trouble for Wang Daming.

Observing Fatty’s unease, Xiao Shun smiled reassuringly, patted his shoulder, and said, “Don’t worry, leave it to me.”

Fatty chuckled, “Heh, when the boss steps in, it counts double.”

To Fatty, Xiao Shun was nothing short of heroic. Having heard of Fatty’s admiration for Xiao Shun, who had proven his mettle during the “Hero Cup” event, was unshakable. Despite the complex emotions stirred by the situation, his respect and stance towards Xiao Shun remained steadfast.

“Head back to the company. Help Miss Yao with her workload,” Xiao Shun instructed as he waved Fatty off and stepped inside the villa.

Just as he entered, he was greeted by Ning Zhiyuan and his disciple, who were stepping out for some fresh air.

Together, they greeted him, “Sect Leader Xiao!”

Xiao Shun nodded with a smile, “Are you two settling in alright?”

Since they hadn’t yet found a place to stay, Xiao Shun had arranged for them to stay temporarily at the Riverland Bay villa. He had another purpose for this arrangement, which was yet to be revealed.