Protect Our Chief-Chapter 618 - 58: I Am Your Grandpa_2

"I, Qiaan, favor befriending young and outstanding talents. If you do not mind, I have set up a banquet to welcome these young junyans."

Since ascending to the position of Patriarch, Qiaan Xuehan has gradually shown a mature, composed demeanor, distinct from his previous cautious and meek image that always called for "Shouzhe’s help."

Wang Shihai, after all, is just a young celestial pride in his twenties. How could he be a match for Qiaan Xuehan?

In a few words, he was enticed by Qiaan Xuehan, and after some hesitance, agreed to his invitation.

Of course, this was because Qiaan Xuehan was the patriarch of a Fifth-Grade Noble Family. Had he been merely a Seventh-Grade Noble Family’s patriarch, Wang Shihai would likely have looked down on him.

Only Patriarch Mo and the two Celestial Human Ancestors at the scene did not look very natural, appearing somewhat gloomy and displeased. Yet, even if they harbored dissatisfaction and anger, they dared not express it openly in front of Qiaan Xuehan.

Wang Shouzhe watched this scene quietly, his mind as clear as a mirror.

To have brought the declining Ninth-Grade Wang Family to its current strong Seventh nearing Sixth Grade level, how could he be someone easy to deal with?

The knowledge and vision from his previous life merely laid the foundation for this one. Throughout this life, he has labored diligently to grow into his current self, no longer the eighteen-year-old boy he once was.

This time, with Mo Family’s banquet, Wang Shihai and the idle youths barging in seemed like a mindless conflict and hatred-stream trope from a third-rate fantasy novel on the surface.

Yet various details indicate that this is likely a setup orchestrated by Mo Family in secret.

They intentionally took over the reservation Wang Shihai had made to provoke the young and impulsive Wang Shihai, prompting him to lead others inside and cause trouble. That idler who provoked first might well have been a pawn planted by Mo Family early on.

The casual mention by Patriarch Mo of "Little Demon King of Chaos from Wang Family" would unwittingly lead Qiaan Xuehan to think that the other party is causing trouble without reason.

They probably counted on Qiaan Xuehan, who ascended to the patriarch position just past forty, to be at the height of his ambitions and pride. Once conflict arises between the two sides, they would need only fuel the fire a little more to worsen the relations between Qiaan Family and Wang Family, thereby securely binding Qiaan Family to Mo Family’s warship.

What a pity.

Mo Family underestimated Qiaan Xuehan, as that fellow is adept at endurance and scheming.

Initially, he had long known that his stepmother harbored ill intentions, hence he usually appeared harmless and servile outwardly, but secretly grew close to the maid beside his stepmother, whispering sweet talk that made her head spin. He covertly promised the girl many benefits and a bright future.

Later, he utilized the girl to pass on information, mastering the timing, and executed a comeback utilizing various conditions.

How Wang Shouzhe knew of these things certainly came from Qiaan Xuehan’s prior actions, which seemed to exploit the Wang Family. Wang Shouzhe sensed that he was not ordinary and secretly ordered an investigation. It was as expected—all true.

This wasn’t his most remarkable move.

The highlight was that Qiaan Xuehan, disregarding the fact that he hadn’t taken an official wife and the opposition from others, indeed made the maid his favored concubine. The concubine’s family—affiliated with Qiaan Family as a Ninth-Grade Noble Family—thrived alongside, displaying a spectacular rise.

He fulfilled the various promises and benefits he had committed to the girl.

This move earned the silent praise of Wang Shouzhe for its clarity of thought.

After all, although his prior maneuvers were merely steering with the tide, they couldn’t escape the investigation of those mindful. By operating thus, despite slightly tarnishing his reputation and complicating future marriage prospects, he established a brand of keeping his word, indirectly indicating that his strategies were purely self-preservative of necessity.

At this point, even Wang Shouzhe had temporarily no means to truly decipher Qiaan Xuehan, only treating him with caution.

Such a character, how might he be led by the nose with Mo Family’s petty scheme?

By naturally inviting Wang Shihai to befriend him, he resolved the conflict and simultaneously delivered a warning blow to Mo Family, cautioning them to abide by their duties more closely.

Soon, the scene was tidied, and a new table rearranged.

This time, Qiaan Xuehan no longer followed Mo Family’s arrangements, taking the initiative like a host.

Regarding the Mo Family members whose roles were usurped, they now found themselves unable to voice their grievances, realizing their prior schemes were indeed lacking rationale.

Moreover, even if they weren’t at fault, facing the "nonsense" of Qiaan Family’s patriarch, they had to let him have his way.

Initially, Qiaan Xuehan pleasantly calmed Wang Shihai and the others, then solemnly approached Wang Shouzhe and Ancestor Longyan, giving a deep bow: "Patriarch Shouzhe, Ancestor Longyan. Earlier was not the juniors’ invitation, merely following the host’s lead, hence the junior did not dare to act presumptuously."

"This newly set table is personally paid for by the junior, and even if you do not mind, borrowing ten of my guts, I wouldn’t dare let you participate inconvenienced as a minor guest."

"What?"

Patriarch Mo and the others from Mo Family, along with Wang Shihai’s group, were utterly surprised by this scene.

Especially the lineage from Mo Family, who were left scratching their heads. Wasn’t the introduction about a Seventh-Grade Noble Family? Why would the patriarch of a dignified Fifth-Grade Purple Mansion show them such respectful courtesy?

"Patriarch Xuehan, these two... ultimately..." Patriarch Mo hurriedly stepped forward, faintly nervous and whispered, "Could it be... I was disrespectful earlier?"