CHAPTER 431: CHAPTER 430

Tian Zhi didn’t feel particularly close to this second aunt. According to his mother, even before she got married, her relationship with this older sister wasn’t very good. It was only because both of them faced significant criticism that they started having more to talk about than before.

Tian Zhi was no longer a child. He had long developed a sense of right and wrong. During the time when the Tian Family was on the brink of collapse, this second aunt, who usually visited often, didn’t come even once. Now that the Tian Family has regained its former glory, even surpassing previous heights, he sees this second aunt again!

Tian Zhi called out to his second aunt with a faint greeting, then turned to Luo Xuhua and called him uncle, saying no more. He then focused on Beisitian, talking about the changes he experienced in the past six months.

Ever since Tian Zhi became a named disciple of Beisitian half a year ago, his status in the Tian Family had drastically changed. This change wasn’t reflected in attitudes or behaviors but in the focus of his upbringing.

The family had always valued his development, but now, all the family’s resources were at his disposal, available anytime, and he could freely leave the inner courtyard and participate in the family’s affairs large and small.

This was unprecedented.

This also made Tian Zhi feel that he had truly grown up and was no longer treated as a child by the family.

Tian Zhi was not arrogant because he had his own pride. He knew that all these changes were not due to his own efforts but because of his cousin Beisitian. Instead of making him arrogant, it stimulated his self-esteem and immense potential.

Shao Simin hadn’t been to the Tian Family for over a year. Her smile remained unchanged, but she felt a bit sentimental, thinking that the Tian Family wouldn’t survive. Who could have imagined a twist of fate? General Zhou’s issue was resolved by the Military Department, and they benefited from it indirectly.

Luo Xuhua had a habit of remaining silent in unfamiliar or less familiar environments, but his eyes were always observing, discovering many things from people’s expressions and unintentional words.

His success was definitely not by chance.

At this moment, his gaze wandered around the Tian Family members. They seemed scattered, but if you looked closely, you would notice they were all subtly centered around Beisitian.

This thought slightly bewildered him, then he shook his head with a smile, thinking he might have overthought. How could a family like the Tian Family center around a woman in her early twenties?

However, Beisitian was indeed well-liked by the Tian Family, even Tian Qinghui spoke to her with a gentle demeanor.

Tian Qinghui believed his intentions weren’t very obvious. He mainly wanted to convey something to Beisitian, but unexpectedly, several women surrounded her, chit-chatting about trivial things, leaving him no space to enter.

Tian Qinghui was quite anxious; discussing it after entering the inner courtyard would be too late. But with outsiders still around, he couldn’t just ask the women to step aside. Standing next to Beisitian would be inappropriate!

Tian Qinghui kept signaling to his wife Gao Ya with his eyes, but Gao Ya was oblivious, unable to see him. This frustrated him; when did these women become so close to Beisitian!

If Gao Ya could discern his discreet signals, that would be surprising. Tian Qinghui, wanting to avoid being noticed by outsiders, was very nuanced in his signals. So much so that even their own family didn’t notice.

However, Gao Ya’s attention was genuinely focused on Beisitian, which was understandable for Tian Qinghui’s frustration.

After settling Luo Xuhua, Zhou Quan, and others in the outer courtyard, Tian Qinghui had to stay behind to host the guests. After all, they came with Beisitian and Luo Xudong, and one of them was Luo Xudong’s cousin. He couldn’t be too casual.

Among the women, Gao Ya and Shao Jia Min stayed, while Su Lan followed Beisitian into the inner courtyard. Tian Qinghui watched their backs, wishing he could gaze up at the sky. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to speak; he simply had no opportunity!

Su Lan, along with Tian Zhi, Beisitian, and Luo Xudong, went into the inner courtyard.

"The elders mentioned having a meal together. They’re probably upset with you for not saying anything," Su Lan joked.

How could Tian Heming and Dong Fengzhen get upset over such matters? But if they intended to eat together, why call Beisitian separately?

Su Lan thought there must be something important. Tian Zhi had only just arrived and upon hearing visitors had come, hadn’t gone to the inner courtyard, planning to go with Beisitian now.

"Third Aunt, didn’t they say guests have arrived?" Tian Zhi asked.

Su Lan nodded, "I heard someone came, but your uncle didn’t mention it. They might have already left."

If the guests were still there, they shouldn’t be heading over.

As everyone thought this, they entered the inner courtyard, finding the door of the North House’s hall open, with voices faintly heard inside, suggesting someone was indeed there!

Su Lan and Tian Zhi exchanged glances, seeing the disbelief in each other’s eyes. If there were guests, why weren’t they asked to avoid them?

The group stopped subconsciously, pondering if Tian Qinghui forgot to inform them about the guest, especially since Tian Heming was personally accompanying the guest, making it inappropriate for juniors like them to appear, which seemed somewhat disrespectful.

Su Lan and Tian Zhi paused, as did Beisitian and Luo Xudong behind them.

"What’s wrong, Third Aunt?" Beisitian asked.

Su Lan shook her head and told Tian Zhi, "Xiao Zhi, you go take a look."

The reason for sending Tian Zhi was that the elderly particularly doted on him. He wouldn’t be scolded, and even if he were, a grandparent scolding a grandchild was no big deal. However, she, as a daughter-in-law, couldn’t afford the discomfort of receiving disapproving looks for days.

"No need to look, come in," Tian Heming’s voice came.

Everyone exchanged puzzled looks and walked in.

As they entered the hall, they saw an elderly man with graying hair sitting there, unusually seated above Tian Heming!

Who was this person?

Coming to the Tian Family with quite a stance, even letting the host sit below.

Neither Su Lan nor Tian Zhi recognized him, but Beisitian did!

Tao Hailin!

Why was he here?!

Tao Hailin, with graying hair and a clean-shaven face, had age evident on his wrinkled face.

Upon seeing Beisitian, Tao Hailin immediately recalled seeing her at Wu Yuekai’s place. Combining what Wu Yuekai and Du Kai Bo said, he guessed she was the person he was looking for.

"Doctor Bei, it’s been a while," Tao Hailin’s gaze locked onto Beisitian. Instead of directly questioning, he decided to test the waters, as gathering information to reach here was indeed challenging.

Beisitian smiled lightly, "Hello, Doctor Tao."