Courtyard House: I'm surrounded by celestial beauties on either side.

"In other people's eyes, Cao Guohao's wife is just that kind of person, plus he has a relationship with a certain high-ranking leader, so taking action against him is the same as taking action against that person."

"There's a lot more to this than meets the eye."

He Xueyi frowned and said, "I've been working in the countryside for many years and only recently returned. I don't know the specifics, but I do know that the Cao family's network of relationships is very complicated."

Fang Chengxuan listened quietly.

My fingers gently caressed the rim of the teacup.

Seeing that he didn't speak, He Xueyi continued, "I've also heard that Cao Guohao wants his son to marry Rong Xinrui, but I think it's unlikely."

"Even if you hadn't come to see me today, I was planning to anyway, so you'd be prepared and not get tricked."

Fang Chengxuan nodded: "Okay, I understand."

Done.

He looked at He Xueyi, his eyes flickering slightly: "Your dad must treat you pretty well, otherwise he wouldn't have arranged for you to work at the steel mill."

He Xueyi gave a wry smile: "Tell the outside world that I came back after ten years of working in the countryside."

"But actually, I was admitted to university from the countryside, and only after entering Beijing was I assigned to work in the countryside again."

Fang Chengxuan understood.

He had investigated the He family. He Xueyi was the son of the first wife. He grew up in the countryside. Later, his father remarried, and their relationship was not harmonious.

This is also why, although the Rong family acknowledged Rong Yushu, they had little contact with the He family.

"I originally wanted to get closer to the He family, but now it seems I have to reconsider."

Fang Chengxuan smiled faintly, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

"I see."

He Xueyi asked in confusion, "What do you understand?"

"It's nothing. Since your relationship with the He family is just so-so, you should just live your own life and not meddle in other people's business."

Fang Chengxuan put down his teacup, got up and left.

He Xueyi nodded: "If you need any help, just let me know, and I'll definitely help if I can."

"Um."

Fang Chengxuan responded.

After leaving the steel rolling mill, he asked Xu Pei to buy some things, which he then took to the compound on Pingxifu Road.

Just entered the compound.

Skillful.

Cao Gaoyi had just stepped out the door when she bumped into Fang Chengxuan.

She subconsciously glanced at him a few more times, but he ignored her and walked past her.

Gazing at that tall, straight figure, Cao Gaoyi stopped and frowned: "What's he doing in the compound?"

Her gaze swept in the direction of He Xueyi's house, and she felt even more suspicious: "This is clearly not the way to He's house."

Driven by curiosity, she turned around and followed.

When she saw Fang Chengxuan knock on the Shen family's door, her pupils contracted slightly: "The Shen family?"

Seeing the Shen family's warm welcome, Cao Gaoyi bit her lower lip and murmured, "He actually has dealings with the Shen family? The Rong family has a military background, the Shen family is in politics, these two families..."

The original travel plans were immediately put on hold.

She went back home and kept a close watch on the Shen family's movements from the window.

Inside the Shen family hall, Shen Qing was visibly taken aback upon seeing the visitor: "Fang Chengxuan?"

"I should have paid a visit long ago. I've come today specifically to thank Shen Ao for his previous guidance." Fang Chengxuan was very respectful, and his gentle and refined demeanor was like a spring breeze.

Shen Qing paused in his tea-making.

Recalling the incident with the Luo family, she gently pushed the teacup towards them: "I am the one who should thank them."

If you hadn't pointed it out, I would still be completely in the dark.

"It's just a mutually beneficial arrangement." Fang Chengxuan sipped his tea, when the other party suddenly cut to the chase: "Is it perhaps more than just a thank you visit today?"

"Living in the same compound, how could the Shen family not even know that the Cao family was eyeing the Rong family..." Fang Chengxuan hadn't finished speaking when Shen Qing chuckled knowingly, "Trying to use the Shen family's power to deal with the Cao family?"

"The Shen family always needs to profit from their actions." Fang Chengxuan shook his head. "I don't know if I can offer that kind of benefit."

Just as Shen Qing was about to reply, Shen Ao, looking travel-worn, strode in and said with a smile, "A rare guest! Is it about the Cao family?"

"Looks like you've been waiting for me for a long time." Fang Chengxuan raised an eyebrow.

Shen Ao nodded readily: "Not bad."

"For the Shen family to be so concerned, the feud between the Cao and Shen families must be quite serious." Fang Chengxuan tapped the coffee table lightly with his fingertips.

Shen Ao smiled bitterly: "It happened thirty years ago."

My uncle was robbed but was rescued by Cao Guohao, who later died a violent death in the street—while Cao Guohao married his fiancée.

"They haven't been able to find out even after decades?" Fang Chengxuan couldn't hide his surprise.

"Back then, in those chaotic times..." Shen Ao clenched his fist, "it wasn't until the Luo family's incident that we connected the two events."

As the tea smoke curled upwards, Fang Chengxuan's gaze deepened.

"As soon as the news spread that the Cao family was targeting you, I knew that with your personality, you would never sit idly by and wait for your doom." Shen Ao leaned against the mahogany tea table, his fingertips gently stroking the rim of the cup.

Fang Chengxuan raised an eyebrow: "You want me to investigate a case from thirty years ago?"

"Looking across the entire city of Beijing, who else but you can see through Luo Ziping and his son's schemes and distinguish the true from the false Rong Yushu?" Shen Ao poured tea into a celadon cup, the amber tea reflecting his burning gaze.

A rustling sound came from outside the window. The two elders of the Shen family were pruning the flowers in the courtyard, the scissors flashing with a cold light as they opened and closed.

"You know the Shen family's ways," Shen Ao suddenly lowered his voice. "As long as you can find out about my uncle's affairs while dealing with the Cao family, the Shen family is at your beck and call."

Fang Chengxuan paused, his hand still swirling the teacup. "I can only say I'll do my best."

"That's enough!" Shen Ao suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "Let's go to the study and talk in detail."

In front of the sandalwood bookcase, Fang Chengxuan's fountain pen scratched across the notebook.

Shen Ao frowned as he looked at the densely packed timeline: "Does it have to be this detailed? Even my grandparents might not remember it clearly back then."

"The older the case, the more we need to look for clues in the smallest details." Fang Chengxuan paused, "Then we need to prepare a copy of the Cao family's genealogy, including the details of all their distant relatives."

Shen Aoqi laughed: "You've got a really clever plan."

"Do we really have to wait until the Cao family holds a knife to my throat?" Fang Chengxuan closed his notebook, a cold glint in his eyes. "The clues from thirty years ago have long since run dry. If we don't start with these scraps, do you expect me to dig three feet into the ground?"

As dusk fell, two figures flashed across the Cao family's balcony.

Cao Gaoyi's nail-painted fingers gripped the curtains tightly as she heard the door open behind her.

"Dad, Fang Chengxuan stayed at the Shen family's house for a full four hours." As she turned around, she saw her mother hunched over wiping the antique display shelf, her coarse cloth sleeves stained with oil.

Cao Guohao's movement of loosening his tie suddenly froze: "The Shen family?"

"Should we continue..." Cao Gaoyi hadn't finished speaking when the sound of breaking dishes suddenly came from the kitchen.

She glanced sharply at her mother and saw her frantically squatting down to pick up the broken pieces, oblivious to the bloodstains on her rough fingers.

"Let's settle the score with Qin Huairu first." Cao Gaoyi picked up a cherry from the fruit plate, its bright red juice staining her fingertips. "As for Fang Chengxuan..."

The moment the streetlights came on, Fang Chengxuan looked up as if he had sensed something.

At the second-floor window, beside Cao Gaoyi's arrogant figure, the drab woman was secretly raising her eyes.

The moment their eyes met, the woman shrank back into the shadows as if burned by fire.

"That's Liu Luanyue?" Fang Chengxuan narrowed his eyes.

The night wind rustled the sycamore leaves by the roadside, drowning out Shen Ao's heavy reply.

Shen Ao noticed Fang Chengxuan's gaze toward the Cao family and followed suit, explaining in a low voice.

Fang Chengxuan withdrew his gaze and pondered for a moment.

Liu Luanyue's reaction just now made him think to himself: "I thought she was being controlled by Cao Guohao through psychological manipulation, but now it seems that she still maintains her self-awareness."

He turned to Shen Ao and asked, "Is Liu Luanyue a maid in the Cao family, responsible for household chores?"

"Hmm." Shen Ao nodded and sighed softly, "I really don't understand what she got out of marrying Cao Guohao."

For the first few years, they were quite loving. Later, Cao Guohao rose to prominence by leveraging the Liu family's influence and brought his mother to live with them. Liu Luanyue, once a pampered young mistress, was transformed into a hardworking and subservient servant.

The Liu family had a dispute over this. Although Cao Guohao sent his mother back to the countryside, the condition was that each child had to be sent to the countryside to be raised after birth, and only brought back when they were seven or eight years old.

Therefore, the two children felt no maternal affection towards Liu Luanyue.

Fang Chengxuan's eyes flickered slightly: "Does she rarely go out?"

"She hardly ever leaves the house, saying that the accident involving my uncle years ago left her with psychological trauma," Shen Ao replied.

"Keep an eye on the Cao family's movements and see when Liu Luanyue is home alone," Fang Chengxuan said, standing at the courtyard gate.

Although Shen Ao was puzzled, he still agreed: "That's not difficult, but why are you investigating this?"

"There's a hypothesis that needs to be verified," Fang Chengxuan said calmly.

As Fang Chengxuan pushed his bicycle away from the compound, he was still deep in thought.

Today's trip to the Shen family yielded results beyond expectations, but some clues still need further verification.

He walked toward his office, lost in thought, not even noticing He Xueyi approaching him.

"Chengxuan?" He Xueyi waved his hand in front of his eyes.

"Uncle." Fang Chengxuan snapped out of his daze.

"What are you thinking about so intently?" He Xueyi asked curiously.

"A friend suspects that the child is not his biological child. Blood tests are unreliable, so he is looking for other methods to verify it."

He Xueyi raised an eyebrow: "Could it be that you suspect Xinrui? We can't just make wild guesses."

"You're overthinking it," Fang Chengxuan said helplessly.

"There is now a new technology for paternity testing that can be done at the First Hospital."

I know someone who can help arrange it.

"Then I'll trouble you, Uncle." Fang Chengxuan nodded. "By the way, Aunt said she'd treat us to dinner?"

"Yes, yes, what kind of food does your family like?" He Xueyi took out his notebook and wrote it down carefully.

Fang Chengxuan couldn't help but smile: "Grandpa loves braised pork, Grandma isn't picky, and Xinrui craved sour and spicy food during her pregnancy..."

After getting off work, Fang Chengxuan went to the courtyard house and saw that everyone was gathered in the backyard.

Lin Mu told him, "It's Qin Huairu causing trouble again. She always uses Banggeng's disappearance as an excuse, but it's always a lie."

"Someone's backing her up." Fang Chengxuan understood, then asked, "You're about to be transferred, aren't you?"

"Three days later." Lin Mu nodded.

Fang Chengxuan lowered his voice: "Do me a favor before you leave..."

Lin Feng and Ran Qiuye greeted Fang Chengxuan warmly upon his arrival, saying, "Brother Fang."

Fang Chengxuan nodded slightly: "Are you getting used to living in this courtyard house? Leng Si owns a courtyard house, but I actually bought it."

If you find this place too noisy, you can talk to Leng Si about moving there.

"No need, it's fine here." Ran Qiuye replied generously, glancing at Lin Feng with a slight blush on her cheeks. "Besides, I can't let others affect my life."

And Lin Feng will protect me.

Fang Chengxuan and Lin Mu exchanged a smile, looking at the young couple with the satisfaction of elders.

"As long as you're doing well, that's all that matters."

Fang Chengxuan turned to Leng Si and joked, "Look around, all the young men are married, and you're still single. Aren't you planning to find someone?"

"We'll see," Leng Si replied casually.

Fang Chengxuan didn't press the issue: "If you meet someone suitable, you should take the initiative. You can't expect the girl to make the first move, can you?" Leng Si scratched his head awkwardly and changed the subject: "I've heard some news. Should I move to the compound on Xuanfang Road?"

"You've heard about it too?" Fang Chengxuan asked, somewhat surprised.

Leng Si nodded: "That's why Brother Wen Yao asked me to stay in the first place."

"That's perfect, do me a favor." Fang Chengxuan leaned close to Leng Si's ear and whispered a few words.

Leng Si's expression gradually became serious: "Okay, I'll hand over the kitchen to Liu Yang and then go and get on it."

"be safe."

"Don't worry, I learned reconnaissance in the army," Leng Si said confidently.

Subsequently, Yang Yuande, Guan Chi, Li Shi, and Zhao Yi arrived one after another.

Zhao Yi reported his work to Fang Chengxuan privately, handing him a detailed document on the Cao family.

"Well done, we can close the net now," Fang Chengxuan said approvingly after reviewing the documents.

Zhao Yi smiled憨厚ly.

"I've been learning a lot from Lin Feng lately. Once things improve, doing business will be more promising than working in the factory."

"Take this time to plan for the future," Fang Chengxuan advised.

"Okay, Brother Fang," Zhao Yi replied respectfully.

Everyone was enjoying a pleasant meal together, while Zhang Yangde watched from a distance, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

After the meal, as Fang Chengxuan was pushing his cart to leave, Lin Mu saw him off and asked, "You need the blood for a paternity test, right?"

"You could have guessed that?" Fang Chengxuan laughed.

Lin Mu smiled and said, "Tongjia Province is close to the coast and has close ties with foreign countries."

But why not just take blood samples from the parents?

"The Cao family's situation is special, and we are afraid of alerting them."

"I'll go myself after I've found out the details," Fang Chengxuan explained.

"Understood. Come back in three days to collect the blood sample." Lin Mu understood.

When Rong Xinrui returned home, she was doing needlework with her grandmother and **Ying, while her grandfather was reading the newspaper.

"You're back a little late today. Have you eaten?" Rong Xinrui asked softly.

"I've already eaten with Lin Mu and the others at the courtyard house." Fang Chengxuan sat down next to her.

"Grandpa Zhong and Aunt Yushu invited us to dinner, and I accepted," Fang Chengxuan said, mentioning the matter.