Reborn as a Noble's Son

During the Spring Festival, the scions of the ancient houses in Jingcheng gathered most frequently. Many who lived abroad returned. Those working within the system and holding offices all around the country returned as well. Moreover, many offspring from the military compounds also returned to Jingcheng.

At this moment, Jingcheng was the most lively. It was also the busiest time for social engagements. It was the same for Nie Zhenbang and his associates.

Unlike Li Guohua and his associates who gathered at the Ivy Club, Nie Zhenbang and his group were concentrated in the Dynasty Club. Even Yang Anbang, who himself had opened the Tang Dynasty Club, ended up in the Dynasty Club.

With the development of these years, various private clubs of different natures sprang up in Jingcheng like mushrooms after the rain. However, in Jingcheng, no one could challenge the positions of the Dynasty and Great Tang. Within the system, the Dynasty Club has become a hub for social connections, while the Tang Dynasty Club is more focused on commercial properties.

Therefore, scions of Jingcheng’s noble families generally stay in the Dynasty Club. The club’s membership card is a symbol of status since the Dynasty Club is no longer providing membership services to the public. Unless recommended by five regular members or three ‘white card’ members, one cannot become a member. In her management, Li Lixue mastered this ‘rarity sell’ mode.

On the 7th floor of the Dynasty Club, Li Lixue set up a tea bar like setting, with large and luxurious private rooms with good sound insulation, which assured the privacy of each space. This kind of place was well received by the members of the club. After all, the main purpose of coming here was for entertainment, but sometimes a quiet place was needed to discuss some matters. The arrival of the tea bar perfectly met this need of the customers.

At this moment, inside the largest private room in the tea bar on the 7th floor were Nie Zhenbang and his associates. On his left were Yang Anbang, Liu Kun, Zhao Xinglong, Li Hua, Qian Jin, Liang Ligui and others. On the right were Li Wenge, Liu Bin, Gao Wei, Ning Zhiyuan, Guo Ming and more. Looking at it, on the left were those who were tired of the system’s life, all dedicated to a life in business. On the right were those who had already entered the system. Li Wenge, this young man, couldn’t resist his family’s arrangement and now he held a small government post in the Department of European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, advancing his career. Ning Zhiyuan and Guo Ming, now serving under their fathers, Ning Zhiyuan was Party Committee Secretary of a town in a county-level city under Jingzhou City, Jiangbei Province, which was the start of his political career. Guo Ming, on the other hand, has been made the Deputy-head of a county under Shaouzhou City, Yuedong.

At this moment, there were no outsiders, even the waiter and the tea brewer had been asked to leave. In the middle, beside a set of exquisite tea set, Nie Zhenbang personally made tea, following the steps of the tea ceremony one by one. Although the movements seemed a bit clumsy, the meaning was different.

“Younger brother, you are really capable. This Wuyi Da Hong Pao mother tree, produces about two kilograms per year. Besides the special supply to the central government, about half a kilogram of tea leaves gathered each year can be considered a bountiful harvest. You managed to get these fine things. Impressive connections.” Under these circumstances, the person who could speak like this would only be Yang Anbang. The Yang and Nie families were very close. For one, Yang Anbang’s fiancé, the daughter of the Xiao family, Xiao Yali, was Nie’s granddaughter. Also, Yang Anbang’s sister was Nie Zhenbang’s fiancée. Yang Anbang was both a cousin-in-law and an uncle-in-law. With this relationship, he was much more relaxed than the others.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also smiled and said, “Older Brother, I don’t have that kind of ability, these tea leaves were all brought in by Lixue through her own channels. The prestigious Dynasty Club, if we don’t have these kind of things, won’t it be like smashing our own signboard?”

After a round of jokes, Zhao Xinglong suddenly said, “Third Brother, recently, the Zhou family has been very strange. Several brothers of the second generation of the Zhou family have returned. These past few days, they have gathered at the General Military Hospital. Zhou Chen and several younger generations of the Zhou family have also been staying there, even eating and living in the guest house of the General Military Hospital. It looks like the old man of Zhou’s family might not last much longer.”

After the discussion turned serious, everyone became solemn. When gatherings happen in the circle, it’s not only for leisure. In fact, most of the time, they discuss matters within the circle. Whether to go into business or politics, those who have entered the circle need to understand the dynamics within it. Whose family is prospering, whose family is down on their luck, these are the things they need to work out.

As soon as Zhao Xinglong’s voice fell, Li Hua on the side also added, “Xinglong is right. I heard some news, as my older aunt works at the General Military Hospital.”

Li Hua’s entire family is from the military system; his father is the General Staff Department, so it was only natural for his older aunt to work at the General Military Hospital.

Seeing Li Hua’s teasing manner, Li Wenge, who was sitting next to him, grumbled, “Hua, you’ve learned to speak in half-sentences now, haven’t you? Just spit it out, we’re all watching you.”

Li Hua picked up a pack of special Panda cigarettes on the table and lit one. After taking a deep puff, he continued, “My aunt works at the Military General Hospital and happens to be the head nurse in charge of the high-cadre ward. According to her information, the old man of the Zhou family is unlikely to make it through. He has advanced-stage lung cancer. Now, all the members of the Zhou family have returned. I believe the Zhou family is facing a downfall.”

Upon hearing the news of late-stage lung cancer, Nie Zhenbang seemed to recall something. In his previous life, his memory did contain such an event. However, at that time, the Nie family had already completely fallen, and Nie Zhenbang didn’t care too much. Moreover, in his previous life, the Zhou family was in its heyday, and the death of the old man of the Zhou family did have an impact on the family, but not significantly.

But now, things are different. This time, the Zhou family failed to hitch a ride with Elder Nan and the relationship with Secretary Yuan also wasn’t very good. Although they are now vassals to the Li family and have hopes of rising again, being a vassal is still being a vassal. The old man of the Zhou family was still alive and his reputation was significant. But once the old man of the Zhou family is gone, the little power and position held by the second generation of the Zhou family would simply be marginalized. No wonder the Zhou family is so tense.

Considering what Zhou Chen had done to him in the past life and what he’s doing this life, a hint of a smile appeared on Nie Zhenbang’s face. It was time for him to take action.

As Nie Zhenbang pondered, Liu Bin voiced his opinion, “The Zhou family is now purposely suppressing the news, but it’s just a futile move. In Jingcheng, which family doesn’t have its sources and information? It’s not a small matter, but not too big. Now, all eyes are on the Li family.”

Liu Bin may come from a military family, but his political awareness is unquestionable. It’s a pity that his family doesn’t have much of a foothold in the government, not to mention any influence. Otherwise, his achievements could be far more significant.

Indeed, as Liu Bin said, the head of the Zhou family is the pillar of the family. The sudden illness of the old man has thrown the Zhou family into disorder. They are trying to suppress the news. With the old man and without him are completely different scenarios. But they didn’t realize that in a place like Jingcheng, it’s impossible to keep the news secret. The Zhou family’s action gives people the impression of fear and trepidation. Speaking bluntly, it makes the other families in Jingcheng look down upon the Zhou family.

After a moment of contemplation, Nie Zhenbang stood up, his voice full of determination, “If the Zhou family descendants were capable, then it’s a different story. But just based on their current state, they are under expectation. I don’t think it’s realistic for them to expect much care from the Li family. In my opinion, the good days for the Zhou family have come to an end.”

As all the families and circles in Jingcheng were discussing the Zhou family’s situation, within the Li family of Jingcheng, in their villa at Xiangshan. At this moment, the old man of the Li family, the backbone of the second generation, along with Li Guohua, and several other younger members, were all seated in the study.

“Dad, the old man of the Zhou family fell ill so suddenly. Now, all the families in Jingcheng are watching us. If we don’t lend a hand, I’m afraid our reputation will be ruined in all the families in Jingcheng,” said Li Jianghe, Li Guohua’s second uncle and the current Secretary of the Caiyun Province Communist Party Committee.

Li Guohua’s father, Li Jiangshan, the Municipal Committee Secretary of Hucheng, pondered, “Jianghe, I think there are two sides to everything. To me, I believe that we can basically give up on the Zhou family.”

Seeing that the old man didn’t react, Li Jiangshan became more firm in his idea. He continued, “The Zhou family has no successors. That’s a fact. Neither from the second generation or the younger ones, there are no outstanding figures. The help this can bring to our Li family is negligible. If we step in to support the Zhou family, we will also drain our own resources. This is a situation where we lose more than we gain and mustn’t happen. As for the reputation issue, Jianghe, you really don’t have to worry about it. As long as we don’t fall, I believe we will not lack followers.”

Just as he finished speaking, the old man of the Li family opened his eyes and gave a final decision, “Jianghe, did you understand your elder brother’s words? You handle this matter. Your elder brother and I won’t get involved.”

PS: The third update is here. I’m asking for your monthly ticket support. I’m about to lose my position. It seems that I might not be able to keep the sixth place in the city genre monthly ticket ranking. Brothers and sisters, can you support me? (