"No way, is the Sleeping Dragon of Fog City kowtowing and confessing to us? I must be dreaming."
"Didn't you hear? Everything was fake! What a load of crap, the so-called Sleeping Dragon of Fog City, it was all a bluff. He was expelled from the sect by the Dragon Warlord, and he's a deserter from the battlefield. We've all been fooled by him all these years."
"So the so-called Sleeping Dragon of Fog City is just a spineless deserter. And he has a warlord background, ha, turns out he has no background at all."
"Are all these confirmed to be true? It wouldn't be some act they're putting on for us, would it?"
Everyone was guessing, unsure if what Han Shichong said was true.
Even Han Yun was bewildered.
Han Shichong hadn't said anything like this when he returned to Fog City. He had claimed to have made great contributions on the battlefield, and the Warlord had specially appointed him as the Sleeping Dragon of Fog City to govern the city.
How had everything changed now?
"Brother, you must be joking, right? Everything you're saying isn't true. It's New Year's Day, you're just trying to entertain us, aren't you?"
Entertain?
Would the dignified Sleeping Dragon of Fog City resort to kneeling and kowtowing to entertain everyone?
It was absurd!
Han Shichong said sincerely, "No, everything I've said is true. I have profoundly realized my mistakes. From today onwards, there is no more Sleeping Dragon of Fog City."
How could this be...
Han Yun was on the verge of tears, anxious.
Han Shichong continued, "All my subordinates have been dismissed, and all my assets have been donated. From this moment on, I will enter the monastic life, spending my days with a green lamp, and never stepping foot into the mortal world again!"
That's too harsh! Going to become a monk? Why be so ruthless to himself?
In fact, this was Han Shichong's clever move.
Stepping back to reveal a boundless sky.
By voluntarily giving up everything and entering the monastic life, he might still move the Warlord and avoid a dead end.
In fact, five years ago, when the Warlord banished Han Shichong to Fog City, he intended for him to do this.
For the past five years, Han Shichong had not heeded the Warlord's words. He had indulged in pleasure, enjoyed himself, and now, for the rest of his life, he would obediently be a humble monk in a temple, chanting sutras and ringing bells.
As a sign of his resolve.
Han Shichong directly picked up a dagger and fiercely cut off his hair.
"With this act of cutting my hair, I swear! If I, Han Shichong, break this promise, may the heavens strike me with thunder and blast me into smithereens!"
To make such a venomous oath was truly undeniable.
Lu Ming said nothing more, merely placing his hands behind his back and turning slightly. This gesture indicated that he accepted Han Shichong's promise.
Han Shichong, overjoyed, kowtowed a few more times and walked out.
The crowd exchanged glances.
For a moment, they didn't know how to react to the situation.
Halfway out, Han Shichong suddenly turned back to Han Yun and said in a pleading tone, "Good sister, aren't you going to see your brother off?"
Han Yun was startled, then rushed forward, "Brother, are you really going to become a monk?"
Han Shichong smiled bitterly, "I have committed such a great sin. Being able to enter the monastic life is already a great fortune. You should be happy for me. Come, send your brother off."
Saying that, Han Shichong tightly gripped Han Yun's hand, and they left together.
However, their actions looked strange. It was less like Han Yun was seeing Han Shichong off, and more like Han Shichong was dragging Han Yun away forcefully.
As they left, Han Shichong encountered his 'old comrade,' Yao Gang, who was standing by the roadside, smoking a cigarette and smirking at Han Shichong.
Han Shichong glanced at him and understood everything.
Han Shichong said, "Yao Gang, you knew everything all along, didn't you? You knew my opponent was that man, that's why you deliberately provoked me at the Water Pavilion nightclub, didn't you?"
Yao Gang didn't deny it. "Yes, I wanted to see you embarrassed, see you fall. But I have to say, seeing your current predicament doesn't bring me much joy. After all, we're old comrades of many years. Here's a word of advice for you—a prodigal son's return is worth more than gold."
Heh.
Han Shichong chuckled bitterly, "In the end, you won."
With that, Han Shichong, holding Han Yun's hand, left silently, not even taking the sedan chair they had arrived in. They disappeared into the night sky.
On a distant skyscraper.
Xue Zong, the spokesperson for Fog City's Sleeping Dragon, Han Shichong, was stunned into silence upon witnessing the scene.
"Lord Sleeping Dragon is going to become a monk? Why, why?" Xue Zong's faith completely crumbled, and he wept uncontrollably.
Dragon King grabbed Xue Zong by the collar. "Now you know what kind of garbage you've been worshipping? Let's go, I'll send you to prison for re-education, so you can properly repent for your sins."
Dragon King dragged Xue Zong away.
The Sleeping Dragon of Fog City thus exited the stage of history.
Later, some people inquired, and Han Shichong did not go back on his promise. He did indeed disperse his wealth, dismiss his subordinates, and enter the monastic life alone, ringing bells and chanting sutras, becoming a monk.
But what was puzzling was that Han Yun's attitude also underwent a 180-degree change after she left with Han Shichong.
Originally, Han Yun did not understand Han Shichong's actions at all, and she had intended to support the puppet Su Fei'ang. However, after leaving with Han Shichong, she suddenly had a great awakening. Without saying a word, she packed her bags and left Fog City.
Han Yun seemed to have vanished into thin air, no longer appearing before anyone.
No one understood why, but Lu Ming knew in his heart that Han Shichong dragging Han Yun away that night was the last thing he, as a brother, could do for Han Yun.
After leaving, Han Shichong told Han Yun the truth.
When Han Yun learned that Lu Ming, who had been opposing her all along, was actually the true Dragon Warlord, she nearly lost control of herself from shock!
After learning the truth, Han Yun stopped contending and chose to leave quietly.
...
Returning to the banquet hall.
Everyone stared at each other blankly, watching Han Yun and Han Shichong leave. They were all stunned, not knowing what to do.
They had all thought that Han Shichong's appearance would undoubtedly help Su Fei'ang become the head of the family, but Lu Ming had stepped forward and scolded Han Shichong, somehow 'waking him up,' and he went to become a monk.
So, what about the matter of the family head now?
In Lu Ming's opinion, it should be handled as it should be!
He said loudly, "The Fog City Sleeping Dragon Han Shichong, who was merely bluffing, has repented and left. Old Madam, we should return to the main topic. Su Wanran has completed the research on 'Shuibo Sakura' according to Grandpa Su's will. The position of Su family head, for reasons of emotion, logic, public, and private, should belong to Su Wanran!"
What a domineering statement.
Lu Ming spoke with absolute finality, leaving no room for others.
Shen Dianlan and Su Fei'ang's faces were extremely grim. The rest of the people also looked embarrassed. Those who supported Su Fei'ang dared not speak.
Even the Fog City Sleeping Dragon had been 'taken care of,' Han Yun had mysteriously disappeared, and Su Fei'ang was just a puppet.
Furthermore, it was indeed Su Wanran who had researched 'Shuibo Sakura.'
Regardless of how one looked at it, the position of family head should go to Su Wanran.
Su Wanran was both surprised and delighted. Earlier, she thought she was going to be killed by Han Shichong. She never expected such a turn of events, and tonight she still had a chance to become the family head.
It was a roller-coaster ride, like watching a Hollywood blockbuster, thrilling.
Just as Shen Dianlan was in a state of awkward indecision, a beautiful figure walked in.
The newcomer was a woman in her early thirties, appearing sickly, but with a fierce glint in her eyes.
"Who is she?"
"Don't know, never seen her."
"How can an outsider attend our Su family's New Year's Eve banquet?"
While everyone was guessing, the woman bowed to Shen Dianlan and publicly exclaimed, "Mom, Happy New Year."
Mom?!
One strange event after another tonight, everyone had become accustomed to it.
Upon seeing the woman, Shen Dianlan burst into laughter. She introduced her to everyone, "On this New Year's festive occasion, I'd like to introduce to you all someone you may not know, but she is indeed this old woman's youngest daughter—Su Ru!!!"
Hearing the name, everyone finally reacted.
Shen Dianlan did indeed have a younger daughter named Su Ru, who had been sent abroad at birth and had never returned. They hadn't expected her to return specifically today.
Shen Dianlan beamed and exchanged a look with Su Ru, deciding to forcefully support Su Ru to take the position.
Shen Dianlan and Su Ru had already discussed it beforehand: at tonight's New Year's Eve banquet, in front of all relatives and friends, they would forcefully make Su Ru the head of the Su family.
Now that Su Ru had arrived, they would proceed with the original plan.
They wouldn't even bother with Su Wanran or Su Fei'ang!
But just as Shen Dianlan was about to speak, Su Ru, as if she had anticipated it from the beginning, interrupted, "Mom, congratulations. Someone has finally fulfilled Dad's dying wish."
Then, Su Ru looked at Su Wanran and congratulated her, "Niece Wanran, congratulations on ascending to the position of family head! As your paternal aunt, I offer my congratulations in advance."
This...
Shen Dianlan was utterly bewildered. She didn't understand what was going on.
Hadn't they planned to support Su Ru to take the position? Why was Su Ru now voluntarily ceding the family headship to Su Wanran?
What was going on?
She couldn't understand, she really couldn't understand.
Su Ru looked at Shen Dianlan and said directly, "Mom, what are you still hesitating about? Hurry up, announce that Niece Wanran is the next Su family head!"
Shen Dianlan's face contorted. She stared at Su Ru with wide eyes, as if asking: Are you sure? Are you going to give up the position of family head so easily?
Su Ru didn't answer, but a confident and cold light emanated from her eyes.
"Mom, trust me."
After a long period of internal struggle:
Shen Dianlan sighed heavily. At this point, she had no other choice. Even Su Ru firmly supported Su Wanran as the family head, so what else could Shen Dianlan say?
So be it!
Shen Dianlan poured herself a glass of wine, raised it high, and announced loudly, "Distinguished relatives and friends, on this New Year's festive occasion, I ask you all to bear witness to the ascension of the new generation Su family head. Su Wanran, she spared no effort in fulfilling the old master's wish. According to the old master's dying instructions, she is the new Su family head!"
"Now, please raise your glasses together to congratulate the new Su family head on her accession!"
"Cheers!"
All the guests stood up, filled their glasses, and raised them to congratulate Su Wanran on her accession to the position of Su family head.
Jiang Mengxin also drank a glass with great satisfaction.
The only one in the entire hall whose expression slightly changed was Lu Ming. Su Wanran had successfully become the family head, and his plan was complete, but he wasn't overly happy.
Lu Ming's gaze fell upon Su Ru.
His intuition as a Warlord told him that this woman named Su Ru was no ordinary person. Su Ru's voluntary concession of the family headship must have some hidden agenda.
Su Wanran's path to becoming the family head was not over yet!