The Jiang Family.
Located at the heart of Hai City, Silver River No. 1 is the city's most elite residential area.
Despite being in such a prime, high-priced location, the villas boast an impressive 80% greenery rate, featuring a man-made lake and a meticulously designed garden with artificial mountains, all crafted with a huge investment.
The security in these villas is top-notch, with ex-special forces personnel stationed as guards. Purchasing a property here requires verification of financial qualifications, as this place serves as the residence for Hai City's wealthiest and most influential families.
Guan Xu Xu knows this place well.
Her father, Guan Bao Cheng, had always dreamed of buying a house here.
Because living here meant being neighbors with the elite, it meant being part of the elite.
A line of helicopters was parked on the vast helicopter pad in the villa area, with a black Maybach waiting beside it. The three of them switched vehicles, and as they drove past the expansive lawns, they finally stopped in front of a four-story mansion.
Jiang Huai led Guan Xu Xu out of the car, but Chu Bei He stayed seated.
When people reunite with their family, no matter how close the relationship, it's customary not to interrupt. This is basic etiquette.
Jiang Huai waved his hand, signaling the Maybach to start again, and it headed deeper into the villa area.
"Chu's residence is further up ahead; I'll take you there to visit properly later."
After explaining, Jiang Huai led Guan Xu Xu inside.
The European-style mansion exuded an air of opulence and grandeur.
They passed through the garden and entered the mansion. After passing through the entrance hall, they entered the living room, where Guan Xu Xu was greeted by a large group of Jiang family members seated together.
On the way over, Jiang Huai had already given her a brief introduction.
Just as Guan Xu Xu had guessed, the Jiang family is one of Hai City's Four Major Families. There are four main branches, with three sons and one daughter, each with their own family.
The elderly patriarch had stepped down two years ago due to health reasons, and the leadership of Jiang Hai Group was handed to the eldest son, Jiang Yu Cheng.
The second uncle, Jiang Yu Min, was once a top singer in China, later starting his own entertainment company. Now, he is one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry.
The third uncle, Jiang Yu Tong, serves as the vice president of Jiang Hai Group, overseeing several key sectors of the group.
The aunt, Jiang Yu Xin, is a successful businesswoman who created a global luxury brand and has a significant influence in the fashion world.
As for the younger generation, perhaps due to the overwhelming vitality of the Jiang family, all of the young male heirs come from the three branches, except for the youngest daughter of the second branch and a foster daughter, Lu Xuexi, who was adopted by the Jiang family from the maternal side of the grandmother.
Looking at the scene before her, it was clear that almost all the key members of the Jiang family had arrived.
When they saw Guan Xu Xu and Jiang Huai enter, everyone raised their heads in unison. Their gazes were a mix of scrutiny, curiosity, disdain, and... subtle displeasure.
"Grandfather."
Jiang Huai walked forward as if nothing had happened, stepping towards the elderly man sitting in the middle of the sofa. He called out warmly and introduced, "This is Xu Xu."
He then gestured toward Guan Xu Xu, saying, "Xu Xu, call him grandfather."
Guan Xu Xu turned her gaze towards the elderly man sitting in the middle. Despite her lack of expertise in physiognomy, she could still tell that the elderly man exuded a commanding presence. His prominent nose bridge, broad forehead, and deep-set eyes marked him as someone who was accustomed to giving orders.
In other words, he was a person who liked to be in charge.
"Grandfather." Guan Xu Xu called out obediently.
The elderly man nodded with a warm smile, "Good, it's good to have you back. From now on, you are the eldest young lady of the Jiang family. No one is allowed to bully you."
Jiang Huai then turned towards the man sitting next to the elderly patriarch, introducing, "This is my father."
Guan Xu Xu followed his gaze and looked at the man. Compared to the patriarch's warm expression, Jiang Yu Cheng gave off a colder, more composed aura. Especially when he turned his face slightly, his sharp, defined features exuded a sense of authority and power. His well-defined facial features showed that he had been quite handsome in his younger days, and the subtle wrinkles on his face only added to his mature charm.
His demeanor was quite different from her father's.
Guan Xu Xu opened her mouth and softly said, "Father."
Jiang Yu Cheng's lips tightened slightly at her address, and when he looked at her, his face showed little emotion. After a long pause, he simply responded with a low, "Mm."
Jiang Huai then led her around the room, introducing her to the rest of the Jiang family.
Guan Xu Xu quietly observed. Except for the grandmother who was still in the nursing home and one cousin, almost everyone was present.
However, there was one person missing—her mother.
According to Jiang Huai, her mother had been pursuing the kidnapper who took her when she was younger, but she fell into the sea during the chase and was never found, not even her remains.
Perhaps because she was feeling a little quiet, the woman who had been referred to as "Second Aunt" earlier took the initiative to step forward. She affectionately put her arm around Guan Xu Xu's and looked at her with compassion and love in her eyes.
"Xu Xu must be tired after coming back. I've already arranged a room for you. You can take a look and tell me if you like it. If there's anything you don't like, just let me know."
The elderly patriarch, who adhered to traditional values, insisted that the family should stay together. Apart from the fourth daughter, who had already married, all the other branches lived in this grand mansion.
The woman's name was Yao Lin, probably around forty years old. Despite her age, she had maintained an impeccable figure and smooth skin, presenting the image of a refined, aristocratic woman.
However, the affection she showed, paired with her somewhat vain and obsessive expression, felt somewhat off to Guan Xu Xu.
Guan Xu Xu subtly pulled her arm back and was about to politely thank her when suddenly a young boy, about thirteen or fourteen, jumped out.
"Second Aunt, why don't you give her another room? The one you gave her used to be Xuexi's room. If you give it to her, Xuexi won't have anywhere to sleep."
The boy was the youngest son of the third branch, named Jiang Su. Among all the younger generation of the Jiang family, he was the most impulsive.
As soon as he spoke, several people in the room exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Jiang Yu Tong, the third uncle, immediately furrowed his brow and scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about?! What does this have to do with you?"
"Why are you yelling at me? I didn't say anything wrong." Jiang Su retorted stubbornly, "There are so many rooms in this house, and she comes in and takes Xuexi's room. Why should she get it?"
Among the younger generation, a girl had stood up at some point. She had a delicate, flawless face, and she spoke with a trace of guilt.
"Su, stop talking."
This was the girl Jiang Su had referred to as Lu Xuexi.
Lu Xuexi was the granddaughter of the Jiang family's grandmother. After Guan Xu Xu had been lost, to comfort the eldest son, and also to balance the overwhelmingly male-dominated atmosphere in the Jiang family, the grandmother had brought Lu Xuexi into the family when she was three years old, and she had grown up with the other cousins.
She turned toward Guan Xu Xu, speaking in a soft voice, "Xu Xu, don't mind him. Su doesn't mean any harm. If the room's given to you, it's yours. I don't mind at all."
Her manner was gracious, but every word subtly emphasized how she had been wronged.
It sounded strangely familiar to the way Guan Rui Rui acted.
Guan Xu Xu couldn't help but reflect on herself.
Was it her unusual disposition that attracted all these drama queens?
Just as she thought that, Lu Xuexi turned her head and pretended to scold, "Su, apologize. Xu Xu is your sister."
"Tch," Jiang Su sneered, clearly dismissive, "What sister is she to me?"
Just then, a loud "clink" rang through the room as a glass was sharply knocked against the marble table. The room fell silent.