CHAPTER 1023: CHAPTER 1020: NING JIANXUN

This Ning Jianxun seems to have heard of me. Lin Tian had reason to suspect that the information the man knew came from Ning Luoxi, because they both have the surname Ning.

"I am her elder brother. She mentioned you to me, saying you are very capable. I have never seen Luoxi care about a man so much," Ning Jianxun said truthfully.

"Elder brother?" Lin Tian was taken aback and didn’t notice the latter half of the sentence. Then he shook his head and said, "No, I remember that Luoxi’s elder brother went missing during a mission, and his fate remains unknown."

Hearing Lin Tian mention this, Ning Jianxun’s face darkened a bit. He glanced at Lin Tian, said nothing, and quietly left.

Watching Ning Jianxun’s departing figure, which appeared somewhat sorrowful, Lin Tian couldn’t help but ask Wang Wanxi, "Aunt Wang, what’s going on here?"

Wang Wanxi also sighed slightly, saying, "Ning Jianxun is actually Luoxi’s cousin. He and Luoxi’s elder brother joined the military together. During a mission, Luoxi’s elder brother disappeared, and he returned alive."

"Ning Jianxun is a few months older than Luoxi’s elder brother. The two grew up playing together and being cousins, their relationship was naturally close. The disappearance of his younger brother was a huge blow to him because he felt he failed to fulfill his duties as an elder brother and didn’t protect his brother well."

"To this day, he has not let it go. I don’t know if this incident is the reason for Ning Jianxun’s actions. After the incident, he retired and started managing the family business. That’s basically the situation, though I’m not entirely sure about the specifics," Wang Wanxi explained.

So that’s how it was. Lin Tian suddenly understood. The loss of a close relative is a great blow, whether it’s Fang Ming or himself, Lin Tian deeply empathized.

"Alright, let’s hurry up and go. Ning Jianxun came last, and the Ning Family must have already arrived. As the Family Head, the Yun Family must set an example and not be late," Yun Haoyu reminded.

The skirmish between Lin Tian and Ning Jianxun was just a minor episode. With Yun Haoyu’s reminder, the group continued walking deeper into Ziwei Garden.

As the group just left, several people appeared in the distance, the foremost being Qian Jin, accompanied by Lin Tian’s old acquaintance, the head of the Bai Family, Bai Yuanhao, with the Bai Family’s eldest son, Bai Yuze, following behind.

It seemed they had witnessed Lin Tian’s recent fight. Bai Yuanhao asked curiously, "The young man in the white shirt, which family does he belong to?"

"He is a young master from the Ning Family, Ning Jianxun, and it’s probably his first time attending a chamber event. Sigh, these young people, despite being told not to cause trouble in Ziwei Garden, as soon as I look away, they start fighting. Every year something happens, and the old folks are unwilling to intervene. As the secretary-general, it’s hard for me to manage them," Qian Jin said, looking genuinely distressed.

Bai Yuanhao, however, smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Qian, why be troubled? Your hard work as the secretary-general of the chamber is well acknowledged by everyone. If Mr. Qian runs for chairman, I believe no one would disagree. Once you become chairman, you can naturally establish some rules and regulations. Surely, you won’t worry about controlling these young people."

Qian Jin’s eyes brightened with a hint of a smile, but he quickly concealed it and modestly said, "Mr. Bai, you are too kind. That’s all within my responsibilities, not worthy of praise. As for the chairmanship, even if I intend to do more to serve the chamber and bring more benefits, I am still somewhat powerless."

"Why would Mr. Qian say that?" Bai Yuanhao asked deliberately.

"The Ning Family has a long-standing history and strong economic strength, just second to the Yun Family in the chamber. If the Ning Family wants to run for the chairmanship, I have no chance at all," Qian Jin said, shaking his head.

"Mr. Qian, may I say a word?" Bai Yuze suddenly interjected.

Qian Jin turned to look at him and nodded, "Mr. Bai, feel free to speak."

Bai Yuze’s gaze flickered as he said, "I know the person who was sparring with Ning Jianxun just now. His name is Lin Tian, and he has always been arrogant and looks down on others. I think because of this, Ning Jianxun couldn’t tolerate him, and that’s why they fought."

"And this Lin Tian seems to be closely associated with the Yun Family. The conflict between Lin Tian and Ning Jianxun implies a clash between the Yun and Ning families. Although we didn’t hear what they were discussing, Ning Jianxun left in a huff, suggesting it wasn’t pleasant. With the conflict between the two families, if the Qian Family maneuvers well, Mr. Qian’s chances of becoming chairman will be substantial."

"Oh, Mr. Bai, you have a keen perspective. Xiang’er, you should learn more from Mr. Bai," Qian Jin said with a smile, though Qian Xiang secretly curled his lip.

"Mr. Qian, on behalf of the Bai Family, I can express support. If Mr. Qian runs for chairman, I will surely raise my hand in approval. Furthermore, I will persuade those close to the Bai Family to support Mr. Qian," Bai Yuanhao said seriously.

Qian Jin was delighted, politely said, "Well then, I thank you in advance. If I become chairman, there will be benefits for the Bai Family. For instance, the Xiao Family has those top-quality jades. What merit does the Xiao Family have to monopolize such top-tier resources? The Bai Family, being a jade dynasty, surely deserves a share, which would be fair."

"Then, here I also thank Chairman Qian," Bai Yuanhao replied with a faint smile, already addressing Qian Jin as chairman.

Upon hearing the term chairman, Qian Jin’s face lit up with a smile. The two exchanged glances, as if everything was understood without words.

Bai Yuze, however, smirked coldly in the background, secretly thinking to himself, Lin Tian, Xiao Manxue, your good days are numbered. Today’s chamber event will be your doom. What I cannot obtain, I will destroy it.

At this moment, Lin Tian had already arrived in front of an ancient building, its structure resembling the Yun Family’s "Yunhe Hall" somewhat. The plaque above the gate read "Ziwei Hall," indicating that this "Ziwei Hall" was likely a place for holding significant gatherings in ancient times.

As they entered the building, a chubby middle-aged man greeted them. ’Chubby’ because the middle-aged man had a round head and big ears, with a protruding belly, his waist circumference probably longer than his height, and his facial skin was as white as a steamed bun, beaming with a rosy glow when he smiled.

"This is the head of the Shen Family, Shen Liyan, vice-chairman of the chamber," Yun Haoyu whispered, quickly introducing the background of the chubby middle-aged man to Lin Tian.

"The Shen Family? Isn’t that the descendants of Shen Wansan?" Lin Tian asked curiously.

Shen Wansan was a greatly wealthy merchant during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasty, exceptionally skilled in business, whose wealth was said to rival that of nations. Widely talked about was the legend of his treasure basin that could produce endless riches.

Yun Haoyu chuckled and shook his head, saying, "I know of the Shen Wansan you mentioned. At that time, his wealth did indeed rival nations, but he was envied by Zhu Yuanzhang and subsequently exiled along with his family. The Shen Wansan lineage was cleansed multiple times after that, eventually vanishing. I know a bit about this Shen Family’s genealogy, and they bear no relation to that Shen Wansan."