Shocking! The Fake Young Master Has Been Won Over by the Real Young Master!

17: GenealogyThe guests were all outside; it wouldn’t do for the hosts to stay hidden the whole time.

After slacking off in the kitchen for a while and being fed a Throat Lozenge by his second brother, Yan Zhuohua pulled himself together and hurried back out. It was about time to lead the guests to the reserved restaurant.

The restaurant was booked at the club Sheng Xufeng owned in the suburbs. This was something Sheng Xufeng had begged for, crying and shouting at their house a few days ago after hearing the news. His club was set to open in half a month, and he was desperate to build up its reputation now.

By the time Yan Zhuohua arrived at the club with the guests, the few who were already working had long since arrived.

Yan Qinghe was waiting at the entrance for Yan Zhuohua, acting as a greeter as well. For the heir who was about to take over the family business to personally come out and welcome them was already showing a lot of respect; after all, many of the Yan Family’s branch members barely managed to squeeze into the elite circles by relying on the main family.

The moment he saw Yan Qinghe, Yan Zhuohua’s eyes brightened slightly. He maintained his composure and didn’t run straight over, but he unconsciously quickened his pace.

Yan Qinghe had intended to walk out to meet him, but Yan Zhuohua stopped him with a look, so he could only stand there smiling. Once Yan Zhuohua reached him, he immediately pulled him to his side, reached out to touch his forehead, and asked in a low voice, ”Why didn’t you use an umbrella? Did you get too hot?”

Yan Zhuohua also wanted to chat for a bit, but with the guests right behind him, he felt a little shy and only replied softly, ”No, it only took a minute from the car to here. It’s not hot.”

After saying that, Yan Zhuohua pulled him along to welcome the guests. Although the people behind them were elders, they didn’t have much confidence in front of the two. After exchanging pleasantries, they all entered the restaurant together.

Because there were many people, the restaurant had been arranged on the second floor.

Jiang Fuyue and An Qingman also went up to meet them as they entered, arranging everyone’s seating.

The banquet soon began. Many of the attendees were older elders, so the food service was arranged quickly. Uncle toasted with the various elders, while several young people, prompted by their parents, took the initiative to chat with Yan Qinghe and Yan Zhuohua.

Yan Zhuohua accompanied Yan Qinghe in chatting with a few promising young people, discussing their future career developments. While looking down to eat, he noticed a wechat message come through.

”Qinghe,” Yan Zhuohua put down his chopsticks and nudged Yan Qinghe, ”I’m going to the restroom.”

This was Sheng Xufeng’s place, so there wouldn’t be any danger. Yan Qinghe nodded without hesitation.

Yan Zhuohua got up and left, walking quickly out of the restaurant.

He headed toward the restroom, where someone was waiting at the entrance.

”Zhuohua.” It was Yan Ru, a young master from a branch of the Yan Family. He was quite capable and had trained with Yan Zhuohua in the Military Camp long ago.

”Brother Ru, long time no see.”

”This is the latest stuff I’ve found; there’s progress on both matters. I intended to give this to you long ago, but I didn’t expect you to be grounded at home.” Yan Ru handed Yan Zhuohua a USB drive. ”The electronic files are in here. It wasn’t convenient for me to bring the hard copies.”

”Thanks, Brother Ru. No one noticed, right?”

”Don’t worry, I personally arranged for people in other locations to investigate using different excuses. The whole circle won’t know a thing.”

”Good, I can take it from here myself.” Yan Zhuohua tucked the USB drive away.

”Zhuohua, the family won’t let you investigate that matter, why must you...” Yan Ru couldn’t help but try to persuade him, but he was interrupted.

Someone was walking over. Yan Zhuohua and Yan Ru tacitly moved past each other and departed.

Yan Zhuohua went straight back to the restaurant. Yan Qinghe was already by Uncle’s side chatting; seeing Yan Zhuohua return, he immediately waved for him to come over.

The matters had mostly been discussed. This gathering was not only for the marriage of Yan Zhuohua and Yan Qinghe, but more importantly, to pave the way for the transfer of the Head of the Family’s power in two months.

Early the next morning, the family drove to the Yan Family Ancestral Hall.

The ancestral hall was located in a garden in the north of the city near the suburbs. The Yan Family had bought that land; instead of developing it, they kept it for greening and environmental protection. This not only protected the environment of the ancestral hall but also involved paying for construction land to build a semi-open park that met the green space ratio indicators of the local planning. It killed many birds with one stone.

Yan Zhuohua’s name had once been on the Genealogy, but when he left, he had requested it be removed. However, his household registration remained with the Yan Family and was never moved. In Yan Zhuoyang’s words at the time, ”We already compromised on removing your name from the Genealogy; it would be impolite if you moved your household registration too.”

The Genealogy concerned family resources, but the household registration didn’t have much impact, so Yan Zhuohua didn’t argue further. Thinking about it, wasn’t he just someone raised by the Yan Family who then married the Yan Family’s young master? This was a classic ’child bride’ plot! That troublemaker Yan Zhuoyan was actually right—I really am the child bride!

Yan Zhuohua was startled by his own analysis. When getting out of the car, he was still immersed in this ’child bride’ setting and actually subconsciously hurried out and circled around to the other side to open the door for Yan Qinghe.

Yan Qinghe was also startled. ”What’s wrong, Zhuohua? You...” Yan Qinghe really wanted to ask if he was possessed, but he didn’t dare.

Yan Zhuoyan in the car behind them had no such scruples; he immediately burst into laughter. ”Hahahahahahaha, Zhuohua, why are you acting like a little daughter-in-law? Hahahahahahaha!”

Yan Zhuohua only barely suppressed his rage by reminding himself that he was an adult and murder was illegal, allowing the culprit who caused his foolishness to survive for the time being.

”I... it was just a habit, a habit,” Yan Zhuohua explained casually. Yan Qinghe didn’t dare disbelieve him; he was certain he had just felt a murderous aura coming from Yan Zhuohua. Although it wasn’t directed at him, it was better not to provoke him right now.

The family soon reached the ancestral hall. It was considered an ancient building with a plaque hanging at the entrance, though it was only open on weekends and could only be viewed from the outside. Architecture and planning students often came to visit, survey, and sketch; since they couldn’t go inside, they could just draw the main gate, making it a great tool for slacking off.

Since it was the Head of the Family’s grand wedding, quite a few people had come.

After a series of sacrificial rituals, Uncle led the members of the Yan Family’s main branch and several highly respected elders into the ancestral hall. Before the ancestral tablets, he brought out the Genealogy. It’s worth noting that the Genealogy isn’t usually kept here because it’s considered a cultural relic and might be stolen.

Placing the Genealogy on the altar, Uncle led them in kowtowing and worshiping. He then announced that the thirty-sixth Head of the Yan Family would succeed today and that the Genealogy would be modified.

”?” Yan Qinghe was a bit dazed. Although he was indeed about to succeed and no one opposed it, why so suddenly? However, the current situation wasn’t suitable for him to stand up and ask questions, so he could only endure it for now. He turned slightly to look at the others and found that except for the elders and his eldest brother, everyone else also looked dazed, so he felt relieved.

It’s not just me being kept in the dark, so it’s fine.

Uncle took up a brush to modify and supplement the Genealogy, then led the group in worship again before saying: ”The thirty-sixth Head of the Yan Family’s wife today announces to the ancestors her entry into the Genealogy.”

With that, under everyone’s witness, Yan Zhuohua’s name was rewritten into the Yan Family Genealogy, right next to the Head of the Family, Yan Qinghe.

The ceremony was complete.

After one last worship, Uncle led everyone out of the ancestral hall and closed its doors.

The ceremony didn’t take long, but the meaning it carried was incredibly heavy.

Uncle turned to Yan Qinghe and said, ”My path leading everyone ends here. The next time the ancestral hall opens should be for the ancestral worship during the New Year; at that time, you will be the one leading everyone.”

The people outside saw them come out and flocked to meet the new Head of the Family and his wife. No wonder so many people came today; it turned out the succession was also being held today.

By the time Yan Qinghe and Yan Zhuohua finished meeting those who wanted to see them and returned to the car, a long time had passed. The Genealogy had already been handed over to them. Yan Zhuohua held the Genealogy and flipped to the page of the thirty-fourth Head of the Family; it was Yan Jinming’s name.

Yan Zhuohua stared blankly while stroking the name. Beside him, Yan Qinghe’s hand reached over and grasped Yan Zhuohua’s hand, and the two smiled at each other. Yan Zhuohua closed the Genealogy, looking at Yan Qinghe with a face full of smiles, thinking to himself that he would find those people sooner or later.

There was another banquet at noon, an internal Yan Family celebration for the succession and the grand wedding; almost all the Yan Family members had arrived. For the wedding in a few days, only the more familiar Yan Family members would attend, not everyone. The succession banquet in two months would also be mainly for outsiders, and not many Yan Family members would go.

Before the banquet began, Yan Qinghe took Yan Zhuohua to confront Uncle about today’s events.

Uncle looked completely fearless. ”I did this to save trouble. Look how convenient it is to do it all together; otherwise, everyone would have to come back again later, which would be so unfriendly to the elders.”

”Then why keep it from us? It’s not like we wouldn’t have agreed.”

”Isn’t it because I was afraid of complications from delays?” Uncle’s answer was completely non-sequitur.

I think you just wanted to give us a shock. Yan Qinghe and Yan Zhuohua gave him sharp looks.

Uncle wasn’t intimidated by his two nephews’ gazes at all. ”Look, you’re the Head of the Family now, and Zhuohua is the Matriarch. Can’t you be a bit more mature? Don’t have such a big reaction over these small things; it lacks dignity.”

Yan Qinghe pulled Yan Zhuohua and prepared to leave; they wanted to get away from this old child.

Uncle quickly called them back. ”Why are you in such a hurry? I haven’t finished speaking. Are you going to stop listening to me just because I’m not the Head of the Family anymore?”

Yan Qinghe spoke through gritted teeth: ”Please, go ahead.”

Uncle said nonchalantly, ”I’ve discussed it with your Aunt. We plan to move out after your birthdays. The house is already bought—a suburban villa, a two-story building that can only fit me and your Aunt. Be sensible and don’t come bothering our private time for no reason; I won’t even let you sleep on the sofa. Alright, that’s all, you can go now.”

Having said that, before the two of them could react, Uncle had already slipped away.

Yan Qinghe and Yan Zhuohua looked at each other, both their faces full of helplessness.

This banquet still required the new Head of the Family and his wife to preside, so there was no time to go and argue with their Uncle. The two could only accept this outcome and hurry to prepare for the banquet.

The bustling banquet didn’t end until after two in the afternoon. Everyone communicated freely at the banquet, and all gained something good from it.

After the banquet dispersed, Yan Zhuohua and Yan Qinghe still had to follow Uncle to the study on the fifth floor of the house to handle the transfer of interests.

They first put the Genealogy back in the records room on the fifth floor and then began organizing the documents.

Tedious documents came one after another. They were busy for the entire afternoon before the documents were roughly sorted out. The specific document change procedures couldn’t be completed in a short time; they had to follow the process, and it was estimated they might have to wait until before their birthdays.