As soon as the matter was raised, Ruan Su's face darkened. "Yin Shan," he said, "you have disappointed me greatly. You should spend more time learning from Qingshan how to properly raise your children."

The corners of Ruan Qingshan's mouth lifted imperceptibly.

The usually timid Ruan Yinshan actually spoke up in a quiet voice, "Father, Ruan Jin is clearly just doing this to please you..."

"What's wrong with a grandson trying to please his grandfather?" Ruan Qingshan sneered. "On the contrary, it was Ruan Tang's scandal that caused the Ruan Family's reputation to plummet. Ruan Lan's refusal to marry into the Fang Family of Hangcheng also cost us the chance to make a comeback."

"I..." Ruan Yinshan's face turned pale.

"Yin Shan, you've really raised two fine daughters. My Ruan Family's downfall is all thanks to them," Ruan Su said, filled with resentment.

Seeing that Ruan Yinshan still wanted to speak, he said coolly, "I'm tired. All of you may leave."

"Then, Dad, I'll be going first," Ruan Qingshan said cheerfully. "Get up early tomorrow. Our family is going to Haitang Court to watch the sunrise."

After leaving the Ruan family home, Ruan Qingshan looked at his younger brother walking behind him, his smile radiant. "Yin Shan, on what grounds do you think you can compete with me for the position of Family Head?"

Ruan Yinshan lowered his head and said nothing.

Although he had never been the old master's favorite, who would willingly remain subordinate forever? He wanted to be the Family Head too!

"Just wait until I take Dad for a tour of Haitang Court tomorrow. The position of Family Head will be mine completely," Ruan Qingshan declared, leaving with a hearty laugh. "What do you have to compete with me?"

「Early the next morning」

Ruan Su waited at the Ruan family's doorstep. He was dressed in new clothes, sported a new hairstyle, and had even made a point of calling his close friend, Zhou Heng, to come along.

And Zhou Heng hadn't come alone; he had brought his wife with him.

When Ruan Qingshan saw two more people than planned, his expression changed.

He had originally planned to sneak in. With so many people now, how could they possibly be discreet?

"You old coot, are you trying to pull a fast one on me?" Zhou Heng challenged. "No one has ever been able to get into Haitang Court! How are we supposed to go there for tea and to see the ocean?"

Facing Zhou Heng's skepticism, Ruan Su scowled. "Ridiculous. When have I ever made an empty promise? If you don't want to go, then don't."

In truth, Ruan Su had his own ulterior motives. He had invited Zhou Heng along mainly to show him that the Ruan Family was not completely destitute yet.

"Of course I want to go, how could I not?" Zhou Heng replied hastily.

He wasn't joking. The villa district at the base of Mount Haitang was the exclusive domain of the Wealthy Families of the East Sea and Hangcheng. Just like Ruan Su, they all dreamed of one day moving their entire clans there. Now, the chance to bypass the foothills and go straight to the Tower King at the summit, Haitang Court, felt unreal.

"Let's go." Ruan Su got into the vehicle first, and Zhou Heng and his wife followed.

"Son, what do we do?" Ruan Qingshan asked in a low voice, seeing that they had two more people than expected.

Ruan Jin hesitated, his gaze finally sweeping over to his uncle, Ruan Yinshan, and his aunt, Zhu Fen.

"Uncle, Aunt, the minivan only seats six. I'm afraid you two can't come," Ruan Jin said.

"What?" Zhu Fen's expression changed instantly.

When Ruan Yinshan had come home yesterday and told her about the trip, she had been annoyed by the attitude of her brother-in-law's family but was also incredibly excited. She had even bragged to her girlfriends in their group chat, enjoying a moment in the limelight.

And now you're telling me I can't go?

"Big Brother, this is going too far," Ruan Yinshan said angrily.

"Second Brother, you can see for yourself. Uncle Zhou and his wife are here. There are too many people for the car," Ruan Qingshan said with a helpless expression.

"We'll drive ourselves!" Zhu Fen wasn't about to pass up such a great opportunity.

"Drive yourselves?" Song Ru scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. That old Mercedes we gave you is an embarrassment at the foot of the mountain, let alone at the summit."

"Yinshan, you two just stay and watch the house," Ruan Su added, lowering the passenger-side window.

Since the head of the family had spoken, Ruan Yinshan and Zhu Fen could only clench their teeth and nod in agreement.

As the minivan drove away, Zhu Fen pointed a finger at Ruan Yinshan's nose and began to berate him. "I was the campus beauty in college! So many men pursued me. How could I have been so blind as to marry a good-for-nothing like you?

"They say we're the second branch of the wealthy Ruan Family, but we live a life worse than pigs and dogs, constantly bullied by your older brother's family!" The more Zhu Fen spoke, the angrier she became, and tears began to fall. "You promised to buy me a luxury car and a villa, but what happened? The car was your brother's hand-me-down, and we only bought the house with the down payment from my family. What good are you? If I rely on you, I'll never live in a mansion in my lifetime. Now, even looking at one has become an impossible dream..."

Ruan Yinshan stood silently, taking the abuse.

「On the other side」

The departing minivan echoed with Ruan Su's booming voice; it was clear he was in high spirits. His mood improved even further when, under the cover of the dim dawn light, they showed their staff passes to the security guards, were waved through, and began walking through the villa area at the foot of the mountain.

Compared to ordinary people, the Ruan and Zhou Families were already grand clans. But on Mount Haitang, which was home to numerous powerful families, they were merely average.

Yet at that moment, Ruan Su gestured around the villa district he had always dreamed of living in, acting as if it were nothing special. He even claimed that if he were to buy a place, it would have to be the Tower King, Haitang Court.

"I wonder who the mysterious person who bought the Tower King is," Zhou Heng mused. "Old man, since you were able to get us in here, you must know them, right?"

Just as Ruan Qingshan was about to say he didn't, Ruan Su declared confidently, "Of course! The owner of Haitang Court and I are sworn brothers. How else could I have brought you here?"

Zhou Heng was skeptical. "Really?..."

"I'll introduce you next time, then you'll know if it's true."

Ruan Su's lie was so smooth he didn't even bat an eye, which made Ruan Jin break out in a cold sweat.

A next time? He had spent two hundred thousand just to buy a temporary staff pass from a good friend!

But since his grandfather had already said it, he couldn't expose the lie. He could only pray that Zhou Heng wouldn't ask again in the future.

They continued up the main road. The petals of the Haitang flowers on both sides of the road glistened with dew, swaying beautifully in the breeze. The scene was as enchanting as an immortal realm, and the group marveled at the sight.

Zhou Heng's wife looked around in bewildered disbelief. She was a botanist and had noticed that every variety of Haitang on the mountain was in full bloom.

But some of these Haitang varieties were supposed to flower in March or April, while others only bloomed in the cold of winter.

What is going on here? This completely defies everything I know about botany!

After walking for over an hour, they finally reached the summit, all panting with exhaustion. Fortunately, Haitang Court was now within reach.

Gazing at the courtyard, which looked like a work of art, both Ruan Su's and Zhou Heng's weary eyes lit up with a sharp glint.

"We're here, we're here," Ruan Qingshan said hastily. "Son, take out the key and open the gate."

"Okay," Ruan Jin agreed, carefully taking the key from his pocket and walking toward the black iron gate.

Under everyone's expectant gaze, beads of sweat formed on Ruan Jin's forehead. He cursed inwardly. This key—

It wouldn't open the iron gate

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