Yesterday, he was dressed in formal attire.

He looked every bit the powerful magnate.

Today, however, he was dressed casually.

A T-shirt on the top and shorts on the bottom.

He preserved his elegance while adding a touch of comfort.

Xu Yan exuded the charm of a mature woman.

Plus, her beauty was in no way inferior to Xu Nuo's, even surpassing her by a notch.

To the average man, women like Xu Yan were beyond their control; after all, her cold and aloof demeanor was enough to keep most men at a respectful distance.

Chen Fang had just sat down.

Xu Yan then asked, "A beverage or red wine?"

"Red wine, I suppose. I'd like to try what you wealthy folks usually drink,"

Chen Fang said.

Xu Yan picked up the decanter on the table and poured Chen Fang a glass.

At that moment,

The yacht slowly started, making its way into the depths of Tianjing Lake.

The sun was gentle today, the breeze mild, and the lake surface sparkling; it felt very comfortable.

Chen Fang gulped down the bit of red wine in his glass, smacked his lips, and said, "Not bad, quite delicious."

Xu Yan chuckled disdainfully and said, "Deputy Mayor Chen, such red wine must be savored, with the flavor experienced on the tip of the tongue. The way you drink, it's a waste."

"Oh? Shouldn't one just do whatever feels comfortable? Must one really conform to some predefined set of rules not to waste? I thought Chairman Xu represented independence and uniqueness. Now it seems, you're just like everyone else."

As soon as Chen Fang finished speaking,

Annoyance flashed across Xu Yan's face.

She snapped, "What you say has nothing to do with drinking."

"Why is it different? The principle remains the same—it's all about the attitude towards life. Didn't Chairman Xu break free from constraints and courageously leave the Xu Family, all for the sake of freedom? Why should we act according to a predetermined framework?"

Chen Fang's words startled Xu Yan.

She lifted her head, scrutinizing the man before her once again.

She let out a long sigh and said, "After returning home last night, Nuo explained it all to me. I've asked you to come here today to apologize for last night's incident."

"I accept!"

Chen Fang said cheerfully.

Xu Yan hesitated, then said, "I have a question for Deputy Mayor Xu."

"Ask away."

Chen Fang sat up straight and said.

"By rejecting the goodwill of both the Xu and Dong families, you have essentially dragged their dignity through the dirt. Have you thought about the consequences of this action?"

"Are you suggesting that both the Xu and Dong families will want to retaliate against me for the sake of their bruised pride?"

Chen Fang inquired.

Xu Yan nodded, her gaze intently fixed on Chen Fang.

Chen Fang smiled and said, "If the leaders of the Xu and Dong families are smart, neither will do such a thing."

"Why not?"

Xu Yan asked.

After all, in her view, a great family's pride was paramount, sometimes even superseding interests.

Chen Fang explained, "First off, let's talk about the Xu Family that you know best. The incident with Tang Zhuqing dealt a heavy blow to the Xu Family, and the mastermind behind it all was the Hou Family. It was I, Chen Fang, who single-handedly thwarted the Hou Family's scheme. Of course, the old Mr. Xu won't thank me for that. But if he decides to retaliate against me over a matter of pride, he would be playing right into the Hou Family's hands. From a certain perspective, it could be misconstrued that the Xu Family wouldn't dare to offend the Hou Family and eliminated me to diffuse the situation. Wouldn't that be even more humiliating than my refusal to become the Xu Family's son-in-law?"

"And what about the Dong Family? They don't have such concerns."

Xu Yan asked.

"The Dong Family is even less likely to resort to such action. Among the three great families, the Dong Family is the weakest; the Hou Family pays them no heed. An alliance with the Xu Family is their only way out. Just like me, they have, in a way, also slapped the Xu Family's face. While previously they simply didn't agree, if things escalate to outright opposition, there would be no benefits for them. In such a situation, the Dong Family would constantly face obstacles and would never have a chance to rise."

With that, Chen Fang finished speaking.

She had to draw in a cold breath.

Last night, she and Xiao Nuo talked all night long.

Xu Nuo told Xu Yan that Chen Fang was very clever, which was why both the Dong and Xu families wanted to take him under their wings. She hadn't believed it at first.

After a brief conversation today,

she realized that Chen Fang dared to do this because he had a thorough understanding of the situation.

He had made himself the balancing point of several forces.

In this way, he himself was actually the safest one.

"Xiao Nuo wasn't wrong, you are indeed very smart,"

Xu Yan said.

Chen Fang smiled and responded, "Thank you for the compliment, Chairman Xu."

"I met with you today to discuss two things. The first is to apologize to you, and the second... I hope... "

At this point,

Xu Yan seemed somewhat hesitant.

Chen Fang said, "Chairman Xu, please speak."

As if mustering all her courage,

she said, "For the second matter, if one day, you stand against the Xu family, I hope you can show mercy and spare the Xu family."

"Chairman Xu must be joking. At what level am I, and at what level is the Xu family? If one day we stand opposing each other, the one to vanish into smoke and ashes would surely be me, Chen Fang,"

Chen Fang replied with a wry smile.

Xu Yan became serious.

She said, "No one knows what the future holds. I just hope you can promise me this. If you can, I'm also willing to fulfill one of your requests, whatever the conditions, as long as I can manage. I think it's a fair deal."

Indeed.

Considering Chen Fang's current status, making this deal with Xu Yan would be sure to pay off.

With a slight smile, he nodded and said, "It seems, Chairman Xu, although you have distanced yourself from the Xu family, you still care about them in your heart."

Xu Yan did not respond to Chen Fang's remark.

She simply raised her glass and said, "Then I'll take it that Deputy Mayor Chen has agreed."

Chen Fang was just about to lift his glass too.

Just at that moment,

a young man in a suit hurried over and said, "Chairman, we might have to head back."

Xu Yan furrowed her brows.

She asked, "What's the matter?"

The young man pointed at the surface of the lake and said, "You should take a look for yourselves."

Chen Fang and Xu Yan both stood up, confused, and walked to the side of the deck. As they looked over the water, both were stunned.

They saw that the originally clear waters of Tianjing Lake were now dotted with large amounts of black, murky liquid; it was quite disgusting to look at.

Upon taking a strong whiff,

they could even smell a nauseating foul odor.

Looking into the distance, the polluted part of the lake stretched over not just a small area, but a vast expanse of water.

Even among the filthy waters, they could see dead fish floating, a shocking sight to witness.

This area was already the deep-water zone of Tianjing Lake.

As it was yet undeveloped,

this stretch of water was typically off-limits to tourists.

If not for this trip on Xu Yan's yacht, Chen Fang would have had no idea that the pollution in Tianjing Lake had reached such a critical level.

Xu Yan looked at Chen Fang.

She said teasingly, "Deputy Mayor Chen, it seems you have a long and arduous task ahead of you..."

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