NOVEL NEXT Chapter 146 Fishing by the Lake
Chen Family Courtyard, Chen Ningxue tiptoed her way in. She had had a quarrel with her dad yesterday, leaving some of her belongings behind in the heat of the moment. Now, taking advantage of the empty house, she hurried in to retrieve her things.
"Miss, you're back!?" The housekeeper, Aunt Chen, walked up and greeted Chen Ningxue upon seeing her.
Chen Ningxue made a shushing gesture, "Aunt Chen, are my dad and the others home?"
Aunt Chen replied, "The master left early this morning, saying he had a reunion with some comrades. Old Master Chen is gone too, off to fish with Old Master Bai from the Bai Family."
"It's so cold out, where would they go fishing!" With her two most feared foes out of the house, Chen Ningxue couldn't help but relax, "Alright, Aunt Chen, you go on with your work; I have some things to pack up."
As she said this, Chen Ningxue headed toward the backyard. However, she failed to notice the look of helpless affection on Aunt Chen's face.
When Chen Ningxue happily pushed open the door to the backyard, her smile froze. Her dad was standing there with a look of triumph on his face.
"Sorry, I took the wrong door!" Chen Ningxue forced an awkward smile and then turned, ready to slip away.
"Come back here! This is your home, what 'wrong door'?" Chen Zhendong spoke coldly, "You've really grown a temper, haven't you? Where did you go last night? Running off during the New Year's holiday; do you really want to anger your grandfather to death?"
Chen Ningxue stood still, pouting, "It's not like I wanted to leave. Who told you to keep scolding me?"
"I can't scold you?" Chen Zhendong chuckled, "No matter how old you are, you're still my girl! Now tell me, where'd you go yesterday?"
Chen Ningxue's eyes darted about, and then she said loudly on purpose, "I naturally went to see my boyfriend!"
"Boyfriend?" Chen Zhendong nearly choked on his own saliva.
Since when did his daughter have a boyfriend? Remembering the previous discussions about marrying his daughter to Lin Song, how unhappy and reluctant she was—could it have been because she already had someone she liked, and that was why she had been so opposed?
It made sense; after all, his daughter was so beautiful. It was inevitable that men would like her. However, a feeling of discomfort began to rise in Chen Zhendong's heart. While he had always wanted his daughter to marry, the actual news of her having a boyfriend she liked made him feel quite sour.
The feeling was like someone stealing away a pet he had raised with care, lured away by a mere sausage. No wonder they say a son-in-law and a father-in-law are enemies from past and present lives, growing ever more annoying the more one looks at them!
Nevertheless, Chen Zhendong suppressed his displeasure and said seriously, "Xiaoxue, do you really have a boyfriend? Don't bring us some Tom, Dick, or Harry to fool us, okay?"
Chen Ningxue replied impatiently, "How could I fool you? If you weren't constantly pressuring me to get married, I wouldn't want to reveal our relationship so soon! And besides, with my natural beauty, being twenty-four and having men interested in me is quite normal, right?"
"You child, I never said it was abnormal!" Chen Zhendong pondered for a moment, then took out his phone and called some of his old comrades, cancelling his plans for the day.
He then looked at Chen Ningxue and said, "Your matter is very important. I need to tell Elder Master Chen right away. Stay at home and behave yourself. By the way, isn't there a scandal about you on the internet now? You should go out less, to avoid being photographed and giving rise to more rumors."
Chen Ningxue furrowed her brows, "But I have to discuss my new album with my agent today!"
"Then wait until tomorrow. If it really can't wait, she can come to the Chen Family Courtyard! I guarantee it's safe here!" said Chen Zhendong lightly, before turning and leaving.
At that moment, by Qianming Lake, Elder Master Chen and Old Master Bai were fishing, each only accompanied by two bodyguards, dressed just like regular old men, showing no sign of their renown in the military world.
"Chen the Fool, the internet is going wild with rumors about your younger daughter, don't you have anything to say about it?" A kind-looking old man asked with a chuckle.
Chen Biao glared at the old man, "I say, Bai Frenzy, stop pretending to be the good guy here. Aren't you just trying to enjoy my misfortune? What's the point of being so hypocritical?"
Bai Frenzy, the elder of the Bai Family, Bai Censheng, was one of the famed 'Five Tigers' in the military, known for his ferociousness in battle. However, now, the nickname 'Bai Frenzy' was known by very few people.
"Look who's talking, do I, Bai Censheng, seem like that kind of person?" Bai Censheng said with a smile: "Look, in my opinion, children from military families should not enter the entertainment industry. Who doesn't know that it's like a dye vat today? How many of them are clean?"
Chen Biao, somewhat displeased, replied, "Bai Frenzy, you can't make sweeping generalizations. Even in the entertainment industry, there are a good number of role models."
"True!" said Bai Censheng, "Society has changed so much nowadays. Just yesterday I was trying to persuade our Feifei, why should a girl from her background become a Criminal Police officer? It's so dangerous! But there's no stopping her, being a Criminal Police officer is her lifelong dream, and as her grandfather, I can't stand in her way, can I?"
Chen Biao's mouth twitched. Bai Feifei from the Bai Family was an exceptional case in the upper echelons! A girl who disliked rouge and makeup but loved to wield guns and clubs. But for military families like the Bai and Chen families, this was a matter of pride!
"By the way, does Ningxue have a partner yet?" Bai Censheng asked, "I say, you shouldn't sacrifice the happiness of your children for family interests. If you can't even ensure their happiness, what's the point of having a family?"
Old Master Bai was clearly aware of the Lin Family's contact with the Chen Family, so he took the opportunity to bring it up. He was very fond of Chen Ningxue, who often used to visit the Bai Family when she was younger, making a favorable impression on him with her clever and lively nature.
Elder Master Chen replied unhappily, "You needn't worry about that. I have my reasons! Speaking of which, the Dragon Group has recently gathered young talents from the Ancient Martial Arts Families again. I wonder what this special training is all about!"
"Ancient Martial Arts Families, eh?" said Bai Censheng in a grave tone, "With the development of modern weapons, the position of the Ancient Martial Arts Families has become increasingly unstable. Traditionally, why would they heed the Dragon Group's call? But in the last few decades, people from the Ancient Martial World have gradually started to engage with the wider society.
I'm not sure if that's good or bad!"
"Whether it's good or bad, it's not for us to worry about anymore!" Chen Biao said with a laugh, "But I think it's mostly for the better. Not long ago, there was a Werewolf sighting in Yanjing. I guess the Dragon Group is also trying to consolidate because of this situation!"
"Since when have Werewolves dared to step foot on Huaxia's land?" A flash of severity passed through Bai Censheng's eyes, "It seems they haven't learned their lesson from the invasion fifty years ago?"