Under One Person: The End of Technique, Company Building

The high-speed train sped by, leaving the northern plains far behind. The architectural styles outside the window gradually became more elegant and exquisite, and the white-walled and black-tiled Jiangnan-style houses began to appear sporadically in the fields.

As Zhuge Qi watched the scenery rushing past the window, his emotions gradually calmed down.

He took out his phone and sent a message to Zhao Fangxu: "President Zhao, I have set off to return home. All matters at the unit have been properly handled, please rest assured. Feng Baobao has also been settled. This is to report."

Then I sent a few more messages to my family.

Although I had already told my family that I would be coming back, I still said it again as I boarded the high-speed train.

After doing all this, he turned off his phone screen, sank completely into the seat, and let out a long, deep breath.

Next, it's time for "family matters".

Come to think of it, this is the first time I've returned to my hometown in this capacity since becoming the head of the Department of Extraordinary Persons Affairs. It can be considered a triumphant return.

When the high-speed train stopped at the station, it was already evening. The twilight in Jiangnan was covered with a layer of damp mist, the outlines of the distant mountains were soft, and the air was filled with a fresh fragrance of plants and soil, which was completely different from the dry wind in the north.

Zhuge Qi dragged his travel bag out of the station exit and immediately saw the person who was there to pick him up.

A young man in a white sweatshirt was leaning against the railing playing on his phone. He was lean and handsome, with features somewhat resembling Zhuge Qing, but with a more unconventional air.

"Ah Guan, are you here to pick me up?" Zhuge Qi stepped forward, his tone slightly teasing.

The young man called "Ah Guan" raised his head, grinned, revealing a set of white teeth: "Brother Qi, let's go, let's go, the car is over there, the clan chief is waiting for you to eat."

This person was none other than Zhuge Guan, Zhuge Qi's cousin, and also one of the most renowned sorcerers among the younger generation of the Zhuge family.

He took the bag from Zhuge Qi and walked briskly towards the parking lot, glancing back at Zhuge Qi as he went, and exclaiming in amazement, "Brother Qi, it's been a long time since I've seen you. Your aura is becoming more and more extraordinary."

He certainly had the air of a leader; he looked intimidating, and even made him stand up straight.

"Stop being silly." Zhuge Qi chuckled and patted the back of his head. "How are the others doing lately? Are they alright?"

"When Ah Sheng was practicing his kung fu this afternoon, he miscontrolled the 'Xun' character and overturned the clothes rack in the backyard. His third aunt made him stand facing the wall to reflect on his mistake."

As Zhuge Guan spoke, he chuckled to himself, "Sister Meng was originally going to come, but she saw a new milk tea shop that opened at the entrance of the village on the way and couldn't resist. She's probably still queuing up now."

The car drove out of the city and along a winding country road for about forty minutes before stopping in front of a village with white walls and black tiles.

At the entrance of the village stands a huge blue stone with three powerful characters carved on it: "Zhuge Village".

This is no ordinary village; every brick and every tile here subtly corresponds to some ancient hexagram and formation.

An ordinary person walking in might only find the scenery pleasant and the layout ingenious, but in the eyes of a sorcerer, it is almost a huge, living "Qimen Formation".

This is the foundation upon which the Zhuge family has thrived for thousands of years.

After getting out of the carriage, Zhuge Qi took a deep breath.

The familiar scent of "home," carrying the aroma of incense and herbs, finally allowed his nerves, which had been tense for several days, to truly relax a little at this moment.

They walked along the bluestone path, passing several houses. An auntie picking vegetables and an old man playing chess sat at their doorways. They all greeted Zhuge Qi with smiles, "Qi's back!"

"Brother Qi, stay at home for a few more days this time!"

"I heard you've become a high-ranking official out there? That's really something!"

Zhuge Qi responded with a smile, occasionally stopping to exchange a few pleasantries with the old man, maintaining a very humble attitude and acting as a junior even in the village.

When we arrived at a spacious courtyard, a girl wearing a red hoodie, who looked to be no more than sixteen or seventeen years old, was gulping down a large cup of milk tea.

When she saw Zhuge Qi, her eyes lit up. She shoved the milk tea into the hand of the person next to her and ran over in a few quick steps.

"Ah Qi! You're finally back!" The girl tilted her head back, hands on her hips, her voice clear and crisp, carrying an undeniable "elderly" authority. "Did you bring me that pastry from the capital you said you'd bring last time?"

"Yes, yes, I brought it. How could I forget what you asked me to do?" Zhuge Qi took out a paper box tied with a red knot from his travel bag, handed it over with both hands, his movements extremely natural, and a respectful smile on his face. "This box contains jujube paste pastries and hawthorn flatbread, and this box contains..."

He pulled another insulated bag from his bag. "It's the 'Madier Ice Cream' from that shop that I said I wanted to eat last time. I specially packed it in an insulated bag and brought it back on the high-speed train, afraid it would melt."

"Hmm, that's more like it!" Zhuge Meng nodded in satisfaction, opened the box, pinched off a piece of jujube paste pastry, and threw it into her mouth. With her cheeks puffed out, she mumbled, "Since you're so sensible, next time they talk bad about you in a meeting, I won't join in."

Zhuge Qi was both amused and exasperated.

This "aunt" is his grandfather's youngest sister, and by seniority she is his great-aunt, but in reality she is a few years younger than him.

Within the clan, because of her high seniority, even the clan chief, Zhuge Gong, had to treat her with utmost respect. She was a typical "young ancestor" who was "high in seniority but young in age".

However, he is not arrogant and is easy to get along with, though he is a bit childish.

At this moment, two more young people emerged from the moon gate next to the courtyard.

A tall, honest-looking man was none other than Zhuge Sheng, who had caused trouble that afternoon.

The other one was a small, fair-skinned, and somewhat cute boy, who was Zhuge Qing's younger brother, Zhuge Bai.

"Brother Qi." Zhuge Bai stepped forward and greeted Zhuge Qi in a low voice, which showed his good manners.

The group exchanged greetings.

The children in Zhuge Village all grew up together and had good relationships. Zhuge Qi was highly respected among his peers, but not because of his official position.

However, we haven't seen each other much in the past two years, so everyone was very enthusiastic when we finally came back.

The courtyard was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

In this large family, he plays the role of a "career man," serving as both a protector of the family outside the home and a "family member" whom the family needs to look up to.

This dual identity makes him subconsciously show some care when facing these innocent peers, but the relaxed atmosphere at this moment allows him to unload a lot of burdens.

"Alright, alright, let Brother Qi go in first. Uncle is still waiting." Zhuge Guan put away his playful expression and reminded him.

Zhuge Qi nodded, greeted the young men, and then walked alone toward the main hall of the clan.

After passing through two courtyards and walking along a long corridor adorned with portraits of past ancestors, Zhuge Qi stopped in front of a carved wooden door.

The door was ajar, letting in a warm yellow light.

He raised his hand and tapped three times lightly.

"Come in." A gentle yet authoritative voice came from inside.

Zhuge Qi pushed open the door and went inside.

The room was furnished in a simple and elegant style, with a large mahogany desk occupying the center position.

A middle-aged man stood with his back to the door, wearing a dark blue Chinese-style jacket with a front opening. He was tall with broad shoulders, and his back view resembled a steady mountain.

This person is Zhuge Qing's father, the current head of the Zhuge family—Zhuge Gong.