Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 236 Hidden Dangers on the Way Home

The next day was the actual day of the Han family matriarch's 95th birthday.

Yue Ran Ju was bustling with activity from early morning. Everywhere was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, creating a festive yet elegant atmosphere. A temporary stage had been erected in the open space in front of the main building, where a well-known local opera troupe from Lincheng had been invited. The faint sounds of their singing added to the lively atmosphere.

The guests had all changed into more formal attire. Chen Anran was still wearing her simple Taoist robe, while Wei Qingyi wore a moon-white modified cheongsam, which accentuated her tall and slender figure, exuding a rare solemnity amidst her cool demeanor. Huiming's monk robe was neat and tidy, and Fatty Li had also changed into a newly bought shirt, appearing somewhat nervous.

The birthday banquet was held at noon. By the end of the morning, guests began to gather in the main banquet hall—the Juxian Hall, where the welcoming party had been held the previous day. Today, the hall was decorated even more grandly, with a huge "longevity" character hanging in the center, flanked by birthday screens and couplets sent by members of the Han family and various other groups. Dozens of round tables were covered with red silk, and exquisite cold dishes and wines were already laid out on them.

When Chen Anran and his group arrived, the hall was already packed. Senior figures such as Zhang Nanshan, Daoist Tianbao, Jiang Yan, Feng Wenyuan, and Master Liu were already seated near the main table, chatting and laughing with Han Bailian. Liu Yin waved from afar, gesturing for them to join them.

Everyone took their seats, and the atmosphere was lively. As the auspicious hour approached, Han Bailian walked to the front of the hall, his face beaming, and his voice booming: "Thank you all, dear friends and fellow Daoists, for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend and celebrate my mother's birthday! I am deeply grateful! Now, please welcome the birthday celebrant—"

As soon as the words were spoken, the side door of the hall opened, and two festively dressed maids helped an elderly woman with white hair and a ruddy complexion slowly walk in. The old woman was wearing a crimson jacket with auspicious and longevity patterns, and she was holding a dragon-headed cane. Although she was old and her steps were slightly unsteady, she was upright, had bright eyes, a kind smile on her face, and was in excellent spirits.

The guests in the hall rose one after another, cupping their hands in greeting: "Wishing Madam Han boundless happiness and longevity!"

Grandma Han nodded repeatedly with a smile: "Okay, okay, thank you everyone, thank you everyone. I love a lively atmosphere, please have a seat, please have a seat."

Han Bailian personally helped his mother to the head of the main table. The birthday banquet officially began, with fine wines and delicacies being served in a continuous stream. The opera on the stage was changed to a lively birthday celebration play, and the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely, with laughter and chatter filling the air.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Old Madam Han was clearly in high spirits. Accompanied by Han Bailian, she even left her seat to toast and thank the guests at each table. When she came to Chen Anran's table, the old lady held Wei Qingyi's hand and looked her over again and again, praising her repeatedly: "What a beautiful girl, like she stepped out of a painting." Then she looked at Chen Anran, smiled with her eyes narrowed, and said, "This young friend has a kind face and a good demeanor. Bailian often mentions the Yunyin Sect to me; they are all good children."

Chen Anran quickly stood up to offer a toast: "Junior Chen Anran wishes the old lady a long and healthy life, like a pine and cypress."

"well."

Grandma Han smiled, took a sip of wine, said a few more words, and was then helped by Han Bailian to the next table.

The birthday banquet continued, and the atmosphere grew increasingly lively. It wasn't until late afternoon that the banquet slowly came to a close amidst everyone's blessings.

Guests strolled in small groups, either taking a walk in the garden to digest their food or returning to their rooms to rest, waiting for the evening's entertainment.

After bidding farewell to their hosts and familiar cultivators, Chen Anran and his group prepared to return to the Cloud Hidden Sect.

As dusk settles, the lights in Yue Ran Ju's garden begin to illuminate. Save this book and continue reading "Senior Sister, Stop Working, Come Home for Dinner" anytime, anywhere.

The opera troupe had left the stage, and the daytime noise gradually subsided into the tranquility of the night.

Chen Anran and his group packed their belongings briefly at Tingquan Xiaozhu—in truth, there wasn't much to pack, as most items had already been stored in their storage space. Before their departure, Han Bailian personally saw them off at the courtyard gate.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, Fellow Daoist Wei, Master Huiming, I am truly sorry for not being able to entertain you properly this time." Han Bailian cupped his hands, with an apologetic smile on his face. "It was my mother's birthday, and I was entangled in worldly affairs, so I was unable to sit and chat with you all for a while. I am truly ashamed."

Chen Anran returned the greeting, saying, "Fellow Daoist Han, you flatter me. The old lady is of advanced age, and all the guests and hosts have had a pleasant time; it is already a perfect occasion. We have troubled you for many days, and we are deeply grateful for the warm hospitality of the Han family."

"Not at all, your presence is a great honor for me." Han Bailian said, taking out three brocade pouches from his sleeve and handing them to Chen Anran. "These are a small token of my mother's appreciation, which she said was for these young friends to take on their journey. They are some local candied fruits and dried fruits from Lincheng, nothing special, but they are a token of her kindness, so please don't refuse."

The brocade pouch felt soft and light to the touch, with a faint sweet fragrance. Chen Anran knew this was a gift from an elder that she could not refuse, so she solemnly accepted it: "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. Please convey our gratitude to you, Fellow Daoist Han, and wish you good health and longevity."

"I will definitely deliver it." Han Bailian nodded with a smile, then glanced at the sky. "If you set off now, you'll probably reach Yunyin Mountain late at night. Please be careful on the road, especially the mountain road from the east of the city to the national highway. Lately, the night fog has been heavy, and wild animals have occasionally been spotted."

These words sounded ordinary, but Chen Anran sensed the warning in them—the eastern part of the city was precisely the area where the "Wilderness Seekers" were frequently active and where strange phenomena were constantly rumored.

"Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Han. We will keep it in mind," Chen Anran said calmly.

After saying goodbye to Han Bailian, the four of them left the Yue Ran Ju gate. In the parking lot, Fatty Li had already driven the van closer and was carefully wiping the thin layer of dust off the windshield with a soft cloth.

"Master, Second Martial Uncle, Master Huiming, you can get in the car now." Seeing them come out, Fatty Li quickly opened the back door.

The black van slowly drove out of the Yue Ran Ju garden, following the asphalt road it had come from, and merged into the suburban highway where dusk was gradually falling. In the rearview mirror, the dimly lit antique-style manor gradually shrank, eventually disappearing behind the undulating mountain silhouette.

The car was quiet. Huiming sat in the passenger seat, holding prayer beads and silently reciting scriptures. Wei Qingyi leaned against the window, gazing at the rapidly passing scenery, her profile appearing particularly serene in the dim streetlights. Chen Anran closed her eyes to rest, but her mind was processing what she had seen and heard over the past few days.

The birthday banquet went smoothly, and the social interactions were handled appropriately. However, the undercurrents—Huiming's noticed surveillance, Shen Zui's mention of the "Wilderness Seekers," Han Bailian's subtle reminder, and the several hidden yet powerful auras faintly sensed throughout the banquet—all indicated that the waters of Lin City were deeper than they appeared.

This is also why Chen Anran didn't want to stay any longer; he didn't want to get involved in the mess in Lincheng.

What Chen Anran didn't expect was that this pool of "water" was aimed at them.

As the vehicle exited the highway and turned onto the provincial road leading to Yunyin Mountain, night had completely fallen. On both sides of the road were rolling hills and scattered trees, and the outlines of distant mountains appeared as inky silhouettes against the deep blue sky.