Chapter Twenty-One: Zhang Chulan

“I attended the Council of Ten today, and my candidacy was officially approved. From this day forward, I am one of the Ten Elders.” Feng Zhenghao shared this heartening news with Ye Yan and Jia Zhengyu. Upon hearing it, Ye Yan sincerely offered his congratulations.

“Congratulations, Uncle Feng.”

“Congratulations.”

“Haha.” Feng Zhenghao’s joy was unrestrained.

After so many years of hard work, he had finally reached the position he had always dreamed of. The status of the Tianxia Society and the Feng family within the circle had taken a step forward.

“The reason my appointment was delayed for so long was because Xu Xiang, the head of the North China region from Doutu, has been seriously ill and unable to attend,” Feng Zhenghao explained. “But today, the elderly man, bedridden, sent his son Xu San to the meeting. Xu San cast the vote his father had been holding onto for me, giving me the majority and granting me legitimate recognition.”

Feng Zhenghao spoke with emotion. He hadn’t expected, at such a critical moment, that the Xu family would give him this precious vote.

Both families held sway in Tianjin. Moreover, there was a tacit rivalry between them. Victory and defeat were always in sight. Xu family's actions were truly unexpected; Feng Zhenghao hadn’t seen it coming.

Ye Yan, holding his teacup, smiled slightly, “Uncle Feng, your strength and experience are well known. Entering the circle of the Ten Elders was only a matter of time.”

“Even without the Xu family, you would have made your way in. That goes without saying.”

“Haha, you really do have a silver tongue,” Feng Zhenghao laughed, his joy irrepressible.

Suddenly, as if recalling something, he turned to Ye Yan and asked, “By the way, Ye, Shayan just messaged me—she’s brought Zhang Chulan here. He’s in our headquarters. Would you like to meet him together?”

“Zhang Chulan?” Ye Yan’s interest was piqued—genuine curiosity.

He had just finished a conversation with Xu Si, whose intentions were clear: he wanted to pave the way for Ye Yan at the Luo Tian Dajiao, helping him secure the position of Celestial Master.

“Let’s meet him, then,” Ye Yan replied nonchalantly.

“Alright, I’ll ask Shayan to bring him in so we can take a look together,” said Feng Zhenghao, dialing his phone.

Soon after, the office door swung open, and Feng Shayan entered, leading Zhang Chulan in.

“Dad, I brought Zhang Chulan,” she announced upon entering. She immediately noticed Feng Zhenghao in the main seat, as well as Ye Yan and the red-haired Jia Zhengyu by his side. Somewhat surprised, she remarked, “Oh, Ye, you’re here today as well.”

“What do you mean, ‘also here’?” Ye Yan protested, lines of exasperation etched on his forehead. “I’m at the office every day, working nine to five diligently. If you keep talking like this, I might sue you for slander.”

His righteous indignation made Feng Shayan laugh. “Alright, alright, you win! You’re the model employee, Mr. Ye.”

“That’s more like it,” Ye Yan said, showing off his deadpan expression.

Meanwhile, Zhang Chulan, following behind, took a good look at the people in the room, first and foremost the master of expressions, Ye Yan, whom he’d met before.

“Aren’t you…?” Zhang Chulan pointed at Ye Yan, trying to recall his name but failing. Ye Yan prompted him, “Ye Yan.”

“You’re with the Tianxia Society?”

“Yes, I am.”

Zhang Chulan remembered Ye Yan vividly; he was one of the few who had spoken for him, and someone who even his cheap little master was wary of. Though he had never seen Ye Yan in action, his first impression was that Ye Yan was very strong.

Even Zhang Lingyu, proud as he was, regarded Ye Yan as a formidable rival. The reputation of Ye Yan must be well-deserved, perhaps on par with Feng Baobao.

“Ye, you two know each other?” Feng Zhenghao watched the exchange between Ye Yan and Zhang Chulan, curious.

“I went with Shayan to join the fun one day,” Ye Yan explained simply, helping Feng Zhenghao understand.

“I see.” Smiling, Feng Zhenghao rose from his seat, walked over to Zhang Chulan, and extended his hand. “Welcome, Chulan. I’m glad to finally meet you. Don’t be so tense.”

Zhang Chulan was somewhat overwhelmed by Feng Zhenghao’s warmth. After all, he was just an ordinary university student, and the man welcoming him so enthusiastically was the head of Tianxia Group, valued at over three hundred billion.

Politely, Zhang Chulan greeted him.

Then, Feng Zhenghao introduced the others. “The one who brought you here is my daughter, Shayan—you probably know her.”

“This is Master Jia Zhengyu, from the West, a renowned expert in today’s world of the gifted.”

“Nice to meet you, Master Jia,” Zhang Chulan said respectfully.

“And this one you’ve met as well, Ye Yan—the Night Watchman. He’s now one of the Tianxia Society’s top experts, hailed as the Third Hero.”

“The Third Hero? Him?” As a newcomer to the world of the gifted, Zhang Chulan didn’t know what the title implied. Yet, for someone who intimidated Zhang Lingyu and warranted such a serious introduction from Feng Zhenghao, it sounded impressive.

Zhang Chulan dared not be negligent, even though the man before him seemed about his own age.

“Hello.”

Ye Yan nodded politely.

After a brief exchange, Feng Zhenghao threw an olive branch to Zhang Chulan.

“Chulan, our Tianxia Society is eager for talent, and my attitude toward you is no different. So, what do you think? Would you consider joining us?”

Zhang Chulan scratched his head shyly and smiled. “So it’s come to this, huh? Lately… I really am in demand.”

His voice was tinged with both emotion and a hint of helplessness.

“I won’t push you for an immediate answer. Take your time to think it over,” said Feng Zhenghao, a seasoned veteran who knew that pressing too hard could make someone uncomfortable and ruin what was otherwise a good situation.

He would give Zhang Chulan time to consider, until he agreed to join the Tianxia Society.

“Thank you.”

Zhang Chulan nodded, feeling respected by this approach, and rather comfortable.

“Uncle Feng, you all carry on, I’m stepping out for a smoke,” Ye Yan said, cigarette in his mouth, searching for his lighter, prepared to leave the space to Feng Zhenghao and Zhang Chulan.

“Dad, I’ll go out as well,” Feng Shayan said, following Ye Yan out the door.

With Ye Yan and Feng Shayan gone, Jia Zhengyu, the newly inducted guest, also excused himself and swiftly departed.

With everyone gone, the room was left quiet, occupied only by Feng Zhenghao and Zhang Chulan.

“Come, Chulan, now it’s just us. Sit down, let’s have a proper talk,” Feng Zhenghao said, gesturing to the sofa nearby.

Zhang Chulan, not shy, took a seat, curious to see what Feng Zhenghao truly intended.