Supreme Hidden Dragon in the City
Chapter 261: Return to Pingyun County

Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Return to Pingyun County

"How about that, quite the surprise, huh? I heard you got divorced, and Jiang Ning is still single, so I invited her over too," Sun Yuze said with a smile.

Jiang Ning curled her lip, "Sun Yuze, cut the crap. The reason I came is to see what this guy has turned into over the years. Even if I’m still single, do you think I’d still be interested in him?"

Sun Yuze grinned sheepishly, "Ah come on, I was just joking. Don’t start picking on Chen Fan right away."

Jiang Ning snorted, crossing her arms and carrying a haughty attitude.

Chen Fan looked at her, a smile appearing on his face, "You’ve become prettier than before."

Jiang Ning looked Chen Fan up and down, "You’re still as plain as ever."

Chen Fan just smiled, unconcerned.

Jiang Ning was a classmate of his and Sun Yuze’s and Wang Zhipeng’s. Back in school, she and Chen Fan had a somewhat ambiguous relationship. When youth first bloomed and everyone was in the throes of first love, Chen Fan even dreamed about a future with Jiang Ning. But after graduation, when everyone went their separate ways, there was no follow-up.

To lighten the mood, Sun Yuze said with a laugh, "Chen Fan has finally come back; let’s find a place to celebrate. My treat!"

The three of them went to a mala tang store they often visited during their school days.

Sun Yuze was all smiles, "Order away, don’t worry about saving me money."

Jiang Ning glanced at him disdainfully, "After all these years, you’re still so lacking in ambition, to actually bring us here for mala tang."

She then glanced at Chen Fan, "You and him, plus Wang Zhipeng, are truly Pingyun County’s famous trio of losers. No wonder everyone loves to laugh at you."

Sun Yuze frowned, "What do you know, this is called nostalgia. We might not be successful, not like you, Sir Feng’s assistant. Just order something, stop belittling us already."

Jiang Ning wore a look of pride, "Becoming Sir Feng’s assistant was something I achieved through hard work; I just want to push you guys to be more ambitious."

Ignoring her, Sun Yuze turned to Chen Fan and asked, "So Chen Fan, how have you been lately? I heard from Zhipeng that he’s doing quite well in Longhai, and apparently, it’s all thanks to your blessing."

Chen Fan smiled, "My situation isn’t bad either, I suppose."

Jiang Ning’s face was full of scorn, "Be honest for once. It’s fine to want to save face in front of others, but even in front of us, you’re being so fake. You really think we don’t know you got kicked out on your ass."

You have no connections, no influence, no skills, how could you possibly be doing well. She added in her mind.

Chen Fan suddenly felt like showing off, smiling as he said, "I’m actually worth a hundred billion now, with countless assets under my name, and respected by people from all walks of life, so it’s probably not an exaggeration to say I’m doing well."

Jiang Ning burst out laughing, "Your ability to show off is the only thing that seems to have improved."

Sun Yuze, a bit skeptical himself, said with a laugh, "Chen Fan, why bother taking her seriously? Come on, let’s drink."

Chen Fan shrugged, thinking if you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do about it.

The three of them ate mala tang together, reminiscing about the past.

Although Jiang Ning’s attitude was somewhat arrogant, Chen Fan could feel that she still cared about their old classmateship, otherwise, she wouldn’t have come to welcome him back.

Before long, Jiang Ning received a phone call and then stood up, saying, "Sir Feng needs me to fetch some documents, I’m going to head out, I’ve already paid the bill. You two better try harder from now on, or I’ll be embarrassed to say I was your classmate."

After saying that, she hurried off.

Chen Fan asked Sun Yuze, "Who is Sir Feng?"

Sun Yuze said, "He’s the big shot in Pingyun County now. He owns real estate, KTV, bars, transportation, and a host of other industries. He can be considered the most formidable person in our Pingyun County. Jiang Ning is currently his assistant. Otherwise, why would she be so arrogant?"

Chen Fan nodded, didn’t take it to heart, and changed the subject, "How have you been recently?"

Sun Yuze gave a dry laugh, "How could I be? Just scraping by, still delivering medicinal herbs for others. But it’s always small-scale, just enough to get by."

"However, I heard that recently, Qingfan Pharmaceuticals from the Provincial City is planning to open a branch here. Since they’re a pharmaceutical company, they’ll definitely have a huge demand for medicinal herbs. I’m thinking of trying my luck when the time comes to see if I can get a cooperation deal with them."

Chen Fan smiled slightly, "You definitely can."

Sun Yuze said with self-mockery, "It’s just a fantasy. I have neither the connections nor the background. How could they possibly take notice of me? Let’s not talk about that anymore, come on, let’s have a drink."

Chen Fan and Sun Yuze sat together, drinking and chatting. After a long while, remembering he had to meet his mother, he made plans to have a proper drink with Sun Yuze next time before they parted ways.

Chen Fan made his way to an old residential complex at the edge of the county town, looking at the familiar building and the rusted entrance door, he suddenly felt an apprehension as he neared his hometown.

"So many years have passed since I’ve returned. The houses here have gotten so old. When I have time, I will buy the best apartment in the county for mom, to improve her living conditions."

Thinking this, Chen Fan took a deep breath, entered through the entrance door, climbed up to the fifth floor, and knocked on the door of his home.

After a short while, the door opened, revealing a middle-aged woman with a deeply affectionate yet somewhat haggard appearance, her temples graying, her demeanor gentle and amiable, and it was clear that she had been a gentle and pretty woman in her youth.

The two locked eyes, and the air fell silent.

Chen Fan, visibly moved, took a moment before he finally called out, "Mom!"

Wang Suyun was stunned for a long time before she came to her senses, her eyes instantly filling with tears, as she tremblingly raised her hand, "Fan... Fan? Is that you?"

Chen Fan stepped forward and embraced her, saying excitedly, "It’s me, Mom. I’ve been unfilial, not doing well these past years and not visiting. But now things are different. I have made something of myself. This return, I will make sure everyone respects our family, and you won’t have to worry about being laughed at anymore."

Wang Suyun cried with emotion, then lightly patted Chen Fan a couple of times, "You silly child, Mom doesn’t fear others’ ridicule. Mom just wants you to visit more often, no matter what you become outside, you’ll always be my child!"

The two were emotional for quite some time before their feelings gradually settled down.

At night, Wang Suyun made a rich dinner for Chen Fan. Mother and son sat together and shared many heartfelt words.

Chen Fan, looking around the house which, although clean and tidy, had mostly old and aged items no longer fit for use, said, "Mom, I have money now. I’ll buy you a big house tomorrow, so you can live somewhere more comfortable."

Wang Suyun smiled and said, "I’m fine anywhere. Even if you’ve made quite a bit of money, buying an apartment might deplete it completely. You should save that money for getting married instead."

Chen Fan smiled and didn’t say anything more.

The next morning.

Chen Fan was searching for new homes in Pingyun County on his phone when Lu Jinyuan called.

"Mr. Chen, I have arrived in Pingyun County. Our company is opening a branch here, and the county is giving it great importance. The head of the county and the local real estate magnate, Sir Feng, would like to invite Mr. Chen for lunch at noon. I wonder if Mr. Chen has the time?"

Chen Fan thought for a moment and said, "Okay."