Chapter Seventy-Six: Preparing to Move

In the afternoon, the two arrived at a teahouse not far from the Fan family estate. The atmosphere of the teahouse was quiet and peaceful, making it an ideal place for conversation. Many people chose to conduct business here, as such an environment helped them remain calm and collected. Unlike the dining table or the drinking table, where too much alcohol could lead to rash decisions—one might impulsively sign a contract and regret it later.

"Master Yan, what is the matter? You seem unusually serious," Fan Yongfeng asked in puzzlement.

Yan Yuanqing smiled gently, though his smile carried a hint of bitterness. He then told Fan Yongfeng some of the troubles he and Shi Yurou had encountered within their family, recounting only a portion.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Fan Yongfeng slapped the table in outrage. "What? Such things happen? This is deliberate bullying! The Shi family must be blind to abandon someone as talented as you, Master Yan."

"In my view, you shouldn't stay with the Shi family. Remaining there will only bring you more suffering and hardship. Since you've come to me today, you must see me as worthy and have given me the honor. I will certainly do all I can to help you through this difficult time!"

After their conversation, Yan Yuanqing returned home and relayed the good news to Shi Yurou.

Shi Yurou was overjoyed. "Really? Lord Fan is willing to help us without asking anything in return? That's amazing! Can we leave tonight?"

Yan Yuanqing smiled and nodded. "Of course. We'll leave tonight, and you won't have to endure any more torment in this suffocating place. Call your mother and let her know, and give her the new address. When she's calmed down and comes back, she'll find us easily and won't make a pointless trip back here."

"Yes, I'll do it right away!"

The two spent the rest of the afternoon packing and called a moving company to take all their important belongings. For appliances and furniture that were too cumbersome to move, Shi Yurou, at Yan Yuanqing’s persuasion, decided to leave them behind.

"Don’t worry," Yan Yuanqing reassured her, "Fan Yongfeng told me the place he’s arranged for us is fully furnished. We don’t need to bring anything—everything we need is already there."

Riding in the moving company’s vehicle toward their new home, both Yan Yuanqing and Shi Yurou felt a growing sense of anticipation for the future.

When the car arrived at their destination and they saw the scene before them, both were stunned. Yan Yuanqing had never imagined that, when Fan Yongfeng said he would arrange a place for them, he would choose the most expensive location in the city—the priciest villa in the city center.

The villa district in the city center! Its value surely ranked among the top nationwide. If Cangzhou’s development were more advanced, the price of these villas could easily reach tens of millions, perhaps even over a hundred million for a single unit.

"Yuanqing, are you sure we’re in the right place? Any home here must cost at least ten million," Shi Yurou asked uncertainly, gazing at the scene before her.

Yan Yuanqing calmed himself. "It should be correct. Fan Yongfeng wouldn’t play such a crude trick on us."

Indeed, the moving company’s vehicle passed through the security check with ease—clearly, Fan Yongfeng had notified the guards in advance. Entering the community felt like stepping into a whole new world. It was hard to believe that this place was in the heart of Cangzhou city.

The landscaping throughout the neighborhood was immaculate, and all the houses were stand-alone villas. Though the distance between each house wasn’t particularly expansive, the investment required for such a villa district in the city center must have been enormous.

"I've heard that Cangzhou’s big shots, including the wealthiest people, all want to buy a house here," Yan Yuanqing remarked. "Many even say that a person’s success is measured by whether they can afford a villa in this district. I didn’t expect we’d achieve such a goal so easily!"

He smiled, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of life. No one can foresee what will happen in the next moment, nor imagine what consequences a past action might bring in the future.

As evening approached, Ji Chunyan had not yet returned, and Shi Yurou grew worried. Despite her mother’s harsh attitude toward Yan Yuanqing, she was still her mother. Now that she was getting older and had not come home so late, Shi Yurou feared something might have happened to her.

Just then, they heard the doorbell ring and hurried to open the door.