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Nie Jialei’s tone was so serious and formal, he even used the word “order”. Nie Zhenbang was witnessing this for the first time. However, Nie Zhenbang was certain that this time, Elder Nie must be serious. “Order” is a term regularly used in the military, and now just Elder Nie, Nie Guodong, and Nie Jiamin liked to use it in the Nie family. As for himself, even though he had some military experience, he still wouldn’t consider himself military personnel.

“Big Brother, can you let me in on what’s going on?” Nie Zhenbang changed from his usual stern demeanor in front of his subordinates and asked somewhat irresponsibly.

On the other end of the call, Nie Guodong seemed to sense Nie Zhenbang’s reaction and continued: “Third Brother, you’ll know everything once you come back. But, I’m going to be getting married. The date has been set for the fourth day of the New Year. Considering that it’s not easy for everyone to get together given our usual circumstances, my father and I discussed it, and grandfather agreed. The Chen family also gave their consent, so the date has been set. Regardless, you should come back.”

Upon hearing this, Nie Zhenbang was also astonished. His oldest brother was going to get married, and he had chosen the time when most of the children of the noble families in Jingcheng returned home. What was the hidden message here? The Nie family was officially confirming the successor?

After all, Nie Guodong’s wife’s background was a little below par. In this case, Nie Guodong’s marriage signals that he’s withdrawing from the contention for the successor of the Nie family. At this thought, Nie Zhenbang nodded: “Okay, I’ll go to Urumqi today and try to catch the flight back to Jingcheng tomorrow morning.”

Because of the New Year, Li Lixue and Dong Wan had already rushed back early. Dong Wan had no significant issues being away during the rest of the year. Besides, the Dong family knew that Dong Wan was in Xinli City and normally turned a blind eye to it. However, if she failed to return home for the New Year, that would be too excessive. Although the Dong family ignored Dong Wan’s marital affairs, they wouldn’t let it go that far.

As for Li Lixue, she was now at the height of business at the Dynasty Club during the New Year period. Without Li Lixue’s management, they might struggle to keep up operations.

So, Nie Zhenbang ended up flying on his own. This year, the returning flights to Jingcheng on New Year’s Eve were sparsely populated.

The 9 am flight landed at Jingcheng City International Airport at 12:10 pm. As soon as he left the airport, a familiar figure immediately appeared in Nie Zhenbang’s vision.

Nie Jiamin was at the exit grinning widely with his gangly posture. After several years in the military, Nie Jiamin had an extra burly aura around him even though he was lopsided in his stance.

“Third Brother, you’ve finally deigned to come back. This morning, grandma and grandpa were anxiously expecting you. Uncle and auntie have already returned.” Nie Jiamin approached and the two brothers hugged tightly.

The military car with the Jingcheng City Military District license plate sped all the way and stopped in front of the courtyard gate. The gate of the quadrangle was already open. When Nie Ziyu spotted Nie Zhenbang, she rushed out to greet him. At 21 years old, Nie Ziyu had grown into a willowy young woman.

Nie Zhenbang hadn’t seen Nie Ziyu for two or three years. At this moment, seeing Nie Zhenbang, Nie Ziyu excitedly rushed towards him and hugged his neck, cooingly saying, “Brother, did you miss me?”

“You silly child, you’re too old for that. Your brother just came home, he hasn’t even put down his luggage yet.” At this moment, Ye Shuxian also came out from the courtyard.

Ye Shuxian seemed very delighted at this moment. Even though Nie Zhenbang was not her biological son, he was still her son. In the past, her daughter-in-law and other relatives barely took notice of her. But as Nie Zhenbang’s status rose, her own status in the family improved.

Nie Zhenbang also smiled and said, “Mum, it’s fine. I’m happy to see Ziyu like this.”

The group entered the courtyard, where the reunion dinner for New Year’s Eve had been prepared in the main hall. According to the custom in Elder Nie’s hometown, the whole family would gather for lunch on New Year’s Eve to pay tribute to the ancestors. Originally, it should have started at noon, but it was delayed until now to wait for Nie Zhenbang.

Seeing Nie Zhenbang, grandmother also came over. Looking at Nie Zhenbang, the old lady’s face was full of kindness. After observing him for a while, she smiled, nodded, and said, “You’ve tanned and lost weight. I really don’t know what that old man was thinking, the children of other people’s families are all left in Jingcheng, are our children not human? Birds of a feather flock together, we sent both of them to the bitter cold of Xibei, such a sin.”

After hearing the old lady’s complaints, Elder Nie made a neutral noise but avoided that topic by saying solemnly, “Let’s all come and pay tribute to our ancestors. Let’s start the meal.”

After lunch, Nie Zhenbang didn’t leave the house. Elder Nie stood up, his hands clasped behind his back, and said, “Guodong, Guowei, follow me to the study.”

After a moment, the elder’s gaze swept over the third generation of the Nie family, and he continued, “Jialiang, Jiamin, and Zhenbang, you come over as well.”

Inside the Nie family’s study room. This time, the family meeting was somewhat different from past ones. At this moment, the elder naturally sat at the front of the desk, while the brothers Nie Guodong and Nie Guowei sat in the middle of the sofa. Historically, the middle of the sofa, precisely in front of the Elder, was usually occupied by Nie Jialiang. But at this moment, Nie Jialiang willingly sat on the side, while Nie Jiamin sat on the edge of the sofa.

Once Nie Zhenbang had sat down, the elder finally began, “Now, the older generation has all stepped down. With Elder Nan sitting firmly, I fear no one would dare to cause any mischief. Comrade Kang An’s status is also solidified. As the times progress, now, each family is scrambling for their descendants.”

The elder’s explicit opening statement surprised Nie Zhenbang and others. It is worth noting that the elder used to prefer speaking in riddles. This kind of directness is rare, and in Nie Zhenbang’s memory, it only happened twice, the first time when Nie Jialiang wrote an article, and the second time when Nie Guowei did the same.

At this moment, the elder mused before continuing, “Guodong and Guowei, both of you had some insufficiencies congenitally and, likely, this should be your potential for upward mobility in this life. Conversely, Jialiang, Jiamin, and Zhenbang give me an inspiring feeling.”

The elder’s words were very blunt, which left Nie Guodong and Nie Guowei feeling somewhat disgraced. In front of their own sons, to be evaluated in such a manner by their father, they felt a complete loss of dignity.

Then, the elder’s gaze landed on Nie Zhenbang as he calmly asked, “This time, both Zhenbang and Jialiang have successfully been promoted to the position of deputy bureau-level cadres. Comparatively, Zhenbang still holds a slight advantage. Now, Jialiang’s marriage has been settled, Zhenbang, what are your plans?”

Although the words were calm, the elder’s tone was insistent and unchallengeable. In the system, usually, at the rank of deputy bureau-level cadres, whether or not to get married becomes an important measure of competency.

By now, Nie Zhenbang was already at the deputy bureau level, and he was 24 years old. It was time for him to get married. Otherwise, moving up the ranks for Nie Zhenbang would prove even harder.

Upon hearing the elder’s words, all the brothers turned their gaze to Nie Zhenbang. Beside them, Nie Guodong and Nie Guowei were also looking at him.

Nie Guowei initiated by asking, “Zhenbang, how have you decided? Speak up. Dong family or Yang family, you should at least have a clear attitude. Keeping both options open like this is not a solution.”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang felt somewhat troubled. If he had to choose between Dong Wan and Li Lixue, barring courtesy, he would naturally choose Dong Wan. However, the current situation was making things extremely difficult for him. No matter if he chose Dong Wan or Yang Anna, either decision would be excruciatingly hard.

Right now, it seemed like Nie Zhenbang was seeing Yang Anna puckering her lips in front of Elder Nan and claiming him as hers. He could also see her saying that she would marry Zhenbang once she grows up. It’s hard to bear a beauty’s favor. Nie Zhenbang deeply felt the true meaning of this phrase.

While Nie Zhenbang was silent, the elder suddenly interjected, “Since you cannot make a decision, let me help you. After discussing it with your grandpa, we have decided on Old Yang Head’s granddaughter Yang Anna. Once your elder brother gets married, we will have an engagement banquet for you before you return to Xibei.”

Over at the Dynasty Club.

By now, at the top floor of the Dynasty Club, Nie Zhenbang, Nie Jiamin, Liu Kun, Li Hua, and Zhao Xinglong were all sitting together. At the moment, Liu Kun was engrossed in mixing drinks behind the bar.

Nie Jiamin was huddled on the sofa, swirling the glass in his hands, and he laughed, “Third brother, I’m afraid you can’t avoid it this time. If you were to get engaged now, Dong’s family attitude towards Dong Wan would surely not be the same as now.”

Beside them, Zhao Xinglong chuckled, “Young Master, why not quit the system? Aren’t you familiar with Iran and Iraq? You might as well pick up an Arab nationality. There are no limitations to getting a wife there. Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?”

Nie Zhenbang was also starting to feel a headache. Running his hand across his head, regardless of anything else, he felt his authority was still too low. If he could delay this for a few more years until he has amassed enough power, the discussion about this matter wouldn’t be as passive as it is now.

Just then, Li Wenge burst in from the outside. Seeing Nie Zhenbang and others, Li Wenge quickly said, “Third brother, Zhou Stutter and Li Guohua are creating a ruckus downstairs, and it doesn’t look good.” (To be continued. If you like this story, please vote and recommend it on . Your support is my biggest motivation.)