Chapter 357 - 355: Visitors from the Fang Family
Ouyang Xiu didn’t dawdle much, and ordered his servants to prepare hot tea for the guests.
"By the way, have you two had dinner yet?"
Suddenly, Ouyang Xiu remembered that it was just nightfall, and the guests might not have eaten yet.
"We’ve already eaten, stopped by a restaurant on the way," Fang Xiaoli said. Careful by nature, although not particularly skilled in martial arts, he was nevertheless meticulous in handling matters.
The two of them were here to gather some information, and the person was taken away by Ouyang Meijia, likely connected to Ouyang Manor. When things are revealed, some conflict might be inevitable.
If the hosts were prepared in advance and tampered with their food, wouldn’t they be done for?
"Is that so? Alright then, someone, please prepare a pot of fine tea!"
Ouyang Xiu didn’t dwell on the matter, quickly gave his orders, then brought Fang Xiaoli and his companion to the seats, and sat down.
Ouyang Jian had intended to go out to the town to flirt and drink, but with all the honored guests at home, he couldn’t leave, so he sat quietly beside them, listening attentively.
"Alright, since you’re both visiting Ouyang Manor, I’m sure it’s not just for a simple visit, right?" Ouyang Xiu was straightforward, cutting to the chase.
"Haha, Manor Master Ouyang truly is wise; indeed, there’s something... I heard Miss Ouyang visited Ice City a few days ago and took a young man with her," Fang Xiaoli said, looking up to gauge Ouyang Xiu’s reaction.
Sure enough, Ouyang Xiu’s brow furrowed. He knew who Fang Xiaoli was referring to.
However, he was aware of Chen Tianlong’s purpose for going to Ice City — to rescue someone. As for why he’d offended the Fang Family, he was ignorant.
Chen Tianlong was a friend of his daughter and also of the Ouyang Family. If the guests were here for revenge, providing information about Chen Tianlong would effectively harm him.
"Hmm, yes, my daughter did go to Ice City. As to whether she took a young lad, I wouldn’t know. After all, I don’t really want to meddle in young people’s affairs," Ouyang Xiu said blandly.
Fang Xiaoli listened, his brow furrowed slightly, though he quickly returned to normal. Ouyang Xiu’s words — true or false? If he was protecting someone, he might not be telling the truth.
But Fang Xiaoli understood that even for him, he might not speak the truth. To uncover the truth, it’d depend on his own efforts.
"Oh, so that’s how it is. May I ask if Miss Ouyang could come out for a moment? I wish to ask her personally; that young fellow is very important to me, and I need to repay him," Fang Xiaoli asked persistently.
On hearing these words, Ouyang Xiu hesitated not, and immediately replied with laughter, "Haha, I’m sorry, but my daughter has already gone to school and won’t return this weekend."
"Hiss!"
Fang Xiaoli gasped. This indeed seemed like such a coincidence. Even if Miss Ouyang didn’t know, Ouyang Xiu must know something, but he chose not to say.
Thinking it over, Fang Xiaoli devised a plan and said, "Alright then, it’s late at night, may I ask to stay over for the night?"
"Of course, I’ll arrange for the servants to prepare the rooms, and then the two of you can stay overnight," Ouyang Xiu said as he stood up. "Well then, I shall take my leave, if you need anything, just inform the servants."
"Many thanks, Manor Master."
Fang Xiaoli decided not to linger, and left with his uncle Fang Kun, following the servants.
Throughout the whole process, Ouyang Jian remained silent, knowing exactly who Fang Xiaoli was referring to. After leaving the sitting room, he returned to his own villa.
His sister, Ouyang Meijia, had no interest in schooling — the three years of high school education, she’d already completed at home.
Besides, with the reputation of the Ouyang Family, whether she attended school or not, the principal wouldn’t care. Ever since meeting Chen Tianlong, Ouyang Meijia had lost interest in classes; she was eager to see Chen Tianlong.
Fang Xiaoli had just entered his room when he moved to the door again. After the servants left, he hurried outside. Previously, observing Ouyang Jian’s expression during discussions, he noted Ouyang Jian kept silent the whole time.
There are two reasons: first, he couldn’t join the conversation, second, he feared accidentally revealing too much.
So, Fang Xiaoli’s goal was to follow Ouyang Jian, starting his investigation from the young master.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, Fang Xiaoli noticed Ouyang Jian leaving the villa, looking around before driving off.
This action delighted Fang Xiaoli; surely, there must be something peculiar in the villa.
He didn’t immediately enter Ouyang Jian’s villa but returned to his own room. It wasn’t deep into the night yet, and he was well aware of Ouyang Meijia’s capabilities.
She was an Ancient Martial Cultivator, while Fang Xiaoli hadn’t reached the cultivator level, naturally he couldn’t risk going, lest he be defeated by Ouyang Meijia.
Although he couldn’t handle Ouyang Meijia, his uncle Fang Kun was a skilled expert; precisely what level of strength he had was unclear, but within the Fang Family, he ranked among the top five.
The Fang Family was an Ancient Martial Clan. According to his father Fang Wuji, every member from the grandfather’s generation was a master. Especially his eldest and second eldest granduncles — though both were peculiar in character, they’d left Ice City while young, and their fate remained unknown.
His grandfather, ranking third, was fairly strong. Yet fifteen years ago, during a battle with the Ice Hall Master Bingtang, was severely injured by Bingtang’s Divine Skill, and died two years later.
Fang Xiaoli returned to his room, rested for a while, and around ten o’clock pushed open the door, arriving at the next room’s entrance, knocking softly.
"Who is it?"
"It’s me, Xiaoli!"
Fang Xiaoli said indifferently.
Immediately after, Fang Kun’s door opened; Fang Xiaoli didn’t stand on ceremony and walked directly into the room, seating himself on the bed.
"Uncle, there’s a task later; we need to meet Miss Ouyang."
"Miss Ouyang? Didn’t the Manor Master say she went to school?"
"Haha, Uncle, you believe that?"
Fang Xiaoli chuckled and said, "Miss Ouyang should still be in the manor. Today, I noticed Ouyang Jian being sneaky; if I’m not mistaken, she should be in Ouyang Jian’s villa. We’ll just need to visit there later."
"Hmm, no problem, damn, that old thing dared deceive us, courting death!"
Fang Kun had a hot temper, always ready to fight, never using wits to ponder issues.
Yet, paired together, they were a perfect match. No wonder Fang Xiaoli never studied or trained in martial arts — he had such a partner to handle it.
He provided the intellect, Fang Kun the strength; together they were quite the team.
Ten minutes later, the two arrived at Ouyang Jian’s villa — the place Chen Tianlong had come to rescue Wu Mengting.
At this moment, there was a room upstairs lit up. Fang Xiaoli surmised this must be Miss Ouyang’s bedroom without a doubt.
After all, Ouyang Jian had just left, likely not returned yet.