Protect Our Clan Leader

"Qian most enjoys making friends with young elites, and if you don’t mind, Qian would like to start a new banquet to entertain all the young talents here," said Qian.

Ever since Qian Xuehan ascended to the position of Family Head, he gradually revealed a mature and stable charm, maintaining composure at all times, a stark contrast from the overly cautious figure who would often cry out for "Shouzhe to save his life."

After all, Wang Shihai was just a man in his twenties, brimming with celestial pride—how could he be a match for Qian Xuehan?

Within just a few words, he was coaxed by Qian Xuehan into a joyful mood and, with a little bit of reservation, agreed to his invitation.

Of course, this was also because Qian Xuehan was the Noble Family Head of a Grade Five Prominent Family. If he had only been the head of a 7th-rank Aristocratic Family, trying to befriend Wang Shihai, he would have likely been looked down upon with noses turned up in the air.

At the scene, only the Mo family head and the two Celestial Beings who were Old Ancestors had unnatural expressions on their faces, as if they were somewhat gloomy and displeased. But even with resentment and anger in their hearts, they dared not express it in front of Qian Xuehan.

Wang Shouzhe silently watched this scene with a mind as clear as a polished mirror.

Was he someone easy to contend with, having led the destitute Wang family from Rank 9 to the strong brink of Rank 7 and 6?

The knowledge and vision from his past life were merely the foundation for this one. He had grown up through hardships to reach this point, already far from the person he was at eighteen.

The Mo family’s banquet invitation this time, with Wang Shihai and the dandies barging in to cause trouble, seemed on the surface to be like the brainless conflict and hatred typical of third-rate fantasy novels.

But various details indicated that this was mostly likely a trap laid by the Mo family.

They deliberately booked the spot reserved by Wang Shihai, to infuriate the young and impetuous Wang Shihai, so he would bring a crowd to stir up trouble. And the dandy who began by provoking them might very well be a pawn arranged by the Mo family ahead of time.

And that seemingly casual mention of "the Wang family’s Little Devil" by the Mo family head could also lead Qian Xuehan to unconsciously think that the other party was causing trouble without reason.

They probably reckoned that since Qian Xuehan had risen to the position of Family Head in his forties, he would be in his most vigorous and proud state. Should a conflict arise, they would just need to fan the flames a bit to worsen the relationship between the Qian and Wang families, thereby firmly tying the Qian Family to the Mo family’s warship.

It was just too bad.

The Mo family underestimated Qian Xuehan too much—he was best at enduring and scheming.

He had long known that his stepmother meant no good, so he usually pretended to be meek and harmless, while in secret, he had already cozied up with his father’s first wife’s maids. With sweet talk, he won their hearts, secretly promising them all sorts of benefits and a bright future.

Leveraging that girl, he received intelligence at the right time, and using various conditions, he orchestrated a mighty counterattack.

As for how Wang Shouzhe knew about these things, it was because of Qian Xuehan’s previous actions that had the suspicion of exploiting the Wang family, leading Wang Shouzhe to feel there was more to him and hence, he conducted a secret investigation. The results confirmed Wang Shouzhe’s expectations; it was all true.

That wasn’t even the most impressive part.

The most impressive thing was that Qian Xuehan, despite not yet having an official wife and disregarding others’ objections, actually took that maid as a favorite concubine. The concubine’s maternal family, a Rank 9 family affiliated with the Qian family, also rose in status due to their connection, much like "chickens and dogs ascending to heaven."

All the promises and benefits he had offered to the girl were fulfilled one by one.

This move even made Wang Shouzhe silently praise his clear-headedness.

After all, his previous calculations were just going with the flow, but ultimately they couldn’t hide from deliberate investigation. With such a move, while slightly damaging his reputation and potentially making it challenging to marry in the future, it also set up a reputation for keeping promises, indirectly showing that his manipulation was merely out of necessity, for self-preservation.

By this point, even Wang Shouzhe found it difficult to fully understand Qian Xuehan and had to proceed with caution.

How could such a person be led by the nose by the Mo family’s little scheme?

He took the opportunity to invite and make friends with Wang Shihai, not only resolving the conflict but also delivering a blow to the Mo family as a warning to mind their own business. Stay updated via NovelBin.Côm

Soon after, someone cleaned up the scene and set a new table.

This time, Qian Xuehan was no longer listening to the Mo family’s arrangements; like a host, he took the initiative.

As for the Mo family group, now having been upstaged, they were indeed hard-pressed to voice their pains, as they had pre-calculated and were thus in the wrong.

Besides, even if they were not at fault, facing the "ruckus" of the Qian Family Head, they could only let him have his way.

Qian Xuehan first reassuringly put Wang Shihai’s party at ease with a spring-like manner, then he proceeded to the front of Wang Shouzhe and Taoist Master Longyan, bowing deeply: "Master Shouzhe, Taoist Master Longyan. Earlier, it was not I who invited the guests, and as the guests follow the host’s lead, it wouldn’t have been appropriate for me to take charge."

"This new large table is at my personal expense, and even if you two do not mind, I wouldn’t have the audacity to let you two, with your esteemed status, be put in a less honored position."

"What?"

Both the Mo family group and Wang Shihai’s party were shocked at this scene.

Especially the Mo family line, who were completely at a loss. Wasn’t he introduced as someone from a 7th-rank Aristocratic Family before? Why is the head of the Fifth Grade Purple Abode so respectful and courteous to them?

"Master Xuehan, these two... what exactly..." hurriedly, the Mo family head moved closer and asked in a faltering whisper, "Could it be... I was disrespectful earlier?"