Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 232 First Arrival in Lin City, Patriarch Han Pays a Visit

"Finally arrived." Fatty Li breathed a sigh of relief, placed the car keys on the octagonal table in the living room, and curiously looked around at the furnishings. The furniture was all made of Ming-style mahogany, simple and elegant. On the table were purple clay tea sets and a small can of tea. On the wall hung a landscape painting with a profound artistic conception, and there was a faint sandalwood fragrance in the air.

Wei Qingyi chose the east wing room, put down the cloth bag on her shoulder, walked to the window, opened the window, and quietly looked at the babbling stream outside the window and the verdant mountain wall opposite.

Huiming then put his palms together and said, "Master Chen, Master Wei, this humble monk may stay in the west wing." After saying that, he picked up his blue cloth bundle and went inside.

Chen Anran sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard, gazing at the clear blue sky above the courtyard. The babbling of the mountain spring was constant, mixed with the faint voices of people in the distant garden, making the small courtyard even more tranquil.

"Let's rest for a while," he said to Fatty Li and Wei Qingyi. "Later, Fellow Daoist Han might come over to say hello."

Fatty Li quickly agreed, first boiling a kettle of water to make tea for Chen Anran and Wei Qingyi, then wiping the sweat from his forehead and sitting down on a low stool in the corridor, looking around curiously.

Wei Qingyi stood by the window for a moment, then turned and walked back to the living room, sitting down opposite Chen Anran. She picked up her teacup but didn't drink; she simply warmed her hands, her gaze fixed on Chen Anran's face.

"Junior brother," she suddenly spoke, "you seem quite concerned about what's happening in Lincheng?"

Chen Anran looked up, meeting her calm gaze, and smiled. "I wouldn't say I care, but since I'm here and have heard some rumors, I just want to get to the bottom of it. After all..." He paused, "the spiritual energy is reviving, and many things are emerging. It can't hurt to know more."

Wei Qingyi nodded, asked no more questions, and took a sip of tea.

Huiming emerged from the west wing, carrying a palm-sized brass incense burner. He walked to a stone stool in the corner of the courtyard, set the burner down, took out three incense sticks from his sleeve, lit them, and inserted them into the burner. Wisps of smoke rose, carrying the calming aroma of sandalwood, quickly filling the air of the courtyard.

Fatty Li watched with curiosity and couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Master Huiming, what are you doing...?"

Huiming clasped his hands together and bowed slightly: "I am temporarily staying in this new place. I burn incense to purify the ground and pray for peace and tranquility."

Just then, less than ten minutes after they arrived at the courtyard, footsteps were heard outside the gate, followed by a soft knock.

Fatty Li immediately got up to open the door. Two people were standing outside. The one in the lead was the manager who had greeted them earlier, and behind him was a middle-aged man with a kind face, wearing a dark blue Chinese-style long gown. He was none other than Han Bailian, the head of the Han family.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, Fellow Daoist Wei, Master Huiming, I apologize for disturbing you." Han Bailian greeted them with a smile, cupping his hands in a respectful bow. His voice was loud and sincere. "You have all come from afar. I apologize for not welcoming you properly. Please forgive me."

Chen Anran and the others rose to greet them. Chen Anran smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Han, you're too kind. We already feel bad for bothering you two days in advance."

"Not at all!" Han Bailian waved his hands repeatedly. "You all's presence is an honor for the Han family and a blessing for my mother. Please, have a seat."

Everyone sat down again, and Fatty Li busied himself refilling tea. The manager brought by Han Bailian tactfully retreated to the courtyard gate to wait.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Han Bailian looked at Chen Anran with a sincere expression: "Fellow Daoist Chen, last time the earth dragon raged in Chongqing, it was thanks to the great help of your Yunyin Sect that a great disaster was averted. I have always wanted to express my gratitude in person, but I have been tied up with worldly affairs and have not been able to do so. This time, on the occasion of my mother's birthday, I finally have the opportunity to thank you in person."

"Fellow Daoist Han, you flatter me. It's just my duty," Chen Anran said modestly. "It's more of an honor to be invited to the old lady's 95th birthday celebration, to share in the joy, and to have the latest work by author Wangchuan's Dried Rice King, 'Senior Sister, Stop Working and Come Home for Dinner,' exclusively released here!"

Han Bailian laughed heartily, appearing very pleased. However, his gaze kept drifting behind Chen Anran, and when he noticed that Su Wan was not among the group, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly masked by a smile.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Chen, why isn't Sect Leader Su here?"

Chen Anran replied, "The sect has been busy lately, and the resort at the foot of the mountain also needs someone to stay and take care of it. So the eldest senior sister stayed in the mountain. She specifically instructed my second senior sister, Wei Qingyi, and me to convey her regards to the old lady and present her with a gift, wishing her good health and longevity."

"Sect Leader Su is presiding over the Cloud Hidden Sect and is very busy with sect affairs, which I understand. Fellow Daoists Chen and Wei have already given me a great deal of face by coming in person." Han Bailian changed the subject, his tone becoming concerned, "You gentlemen must be tired from your journey. Are you settling in well? If you feel that anything is missing in the courtyard, or if you have any preferences for food, please feel free to tell the servants."

Chen Anran said, "This place is quiet and elegant, and the arrangements are extremely thoughtful. Fellow Daoist Han, you have gone to great lengths."

"Of course." Han Bailian picked up his teacup and exchanged a few more pleasantries about the birthday banquet arrangements, such as the formal banquet starting the day after tomorrow morning, followed by a simple gathering for social exchange in the evening, and the invitation of a well-known guqin player from Lincheng to perform.

After chatting for a while, Han Bailian changed the subject slightly, saying with a hint of apology, "To be honest, I should have spent more time chatting with you all, but unfortunately, several more guests are arriving from afar today, and I need to attend to them. I've prepared a welcome dinner at the main building this evening; if you don't have anything urgent to attend to, please do me the honor of joining me."

Chen Anran readily agreed: "Fellow Daoist Han, please go ahead with your business. We will definitely arrive tonight."

Han Bailian rose to take his leave. Reaching the courtyard gate, he seemed to remember something and turned back, saying, "By the way, Fellow Daoist Chen, Lin City has recently seen quite a few visitors. If you encounter any unfamiliar faces while strolling in or around the garden, don't be surprised. During the birthday banquet, Yue Ran Residence will be peaceful, but outside the garden… well, some people inevitably come hoping to seize an opportunity. I've already increased manpower to keep watch, so it won't disturb your peace."

The words were tactful, but the meaning was clear—Lin City had indeed been quite turbulent recently, with many cultivators coming to "seek opportunities." The Han family knew this and had taken some precautions.

After seeing Han Bailian off, the courtyard gate was closed again.

Fatty Li gently closed the courtyard gate, then turned around and saw Chen Anran looking thoughtful. He couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Master, was Mr. Han's last sentence something he was trying to remind us of?"

Chen Anran picked up his teacup; the tea was already warm. He slowly took a sip: "This is both a reminder and a statement. It means that he will ensure a quiet environment at Yue Ran Ju during the birthday banquet, but he hopes that the guests will not get too involved in the outside turmoil."

Wei Qingyi sat down next to Chen Anran. "His phrase 'coming here on the wind, hoping for a chance' must have been referring to the rumors about the old forest in the east of the city."

"So, the Han family knew about those 'waste hunters' all along?" Fatty Li asked in surprise. "Then why did they choose this time to hold their birthday banquet here? Weren't they just asking for trouble?"

Huiming also stepped out of the west wing, his hands twirling prayer beads, and slowly said, "Perhaps this is precisely the opportunity. With all the fellow cultivators gathered here, even if some petty people want to take advantage of the chaos, they'll have to think twice."

Chen Anran put down his teacup and glanced at the three people in the courtyard: "Since we're here, let's make the best of it. Our primary purpose for coming here is to celebrate a birthday. As long as we don't actively seek trouble, I don't think we'll encounter any problems."

Even so, he had a vague feeling that this trip to Lincheng was probably not just about having a meal.

"Everyone, get some rest first." Chen Anran stood up. "Fatty, you should also go to the side room and get some sleep. We have a welcome banquet tonight."

Fatty Li nodded repeatedly and obediently went to the remaining room.

To all the die-hard fans of the Wangchuan family's "King of Dry Rice," the latest chapter of "Senior Sister, Stop Working and Come Home for Dinner" has been released!