The golden Bentley traveled unhindered the entire way, pulling up just over ten minutes later outside a magnificent mansion that occupied more than a thousand square meters.
"Li Family!"
The plaque above the main gate bore two exquisitely carved characters, so lifelike that they were clearly the work of a master calligrapher.
After stepping out of the car, Li Junye glanced around, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He hadn't returned in three years. Everything here seemed to have changed, yet somehow, nothing seemed to have changed at all!
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
A burst of barking snapped Li Junye out of his thoughts.
Looking closely, he spotted a Scottish dog barking furiously at him.
Li Junye lunged forward, grabbed the Scottish dog, and hoisted it into the air before delivering two resounding slaps across its face.
"Awooo! Awooo!"
The Scottish dog was left seeing stars.
"Thud!"
Li Junye casually tossed it to Wu Xiangwang and ordered, "Slaughter it! We're having dog meat hotpot tonight!"
"Huh?!"
Wu Xiangwang froze on the spot and cautiously reminded him, "Young Master, this is Lassie, the dog you used to dote on the most! Are you really going to slaughter it?"
"Damn it! A foreign dog will always be a foreign dog! It's only been a few years, and the damn thing doesn't even recognize me anymore! What's the point of keeping a beast like this?"
With those words, Li Junye strode toward the mansion. However, after taking only a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned around.
Gou Fugui and Wu Xiangwang thought he had changed his mind. Unexpectedly, the bastard simply added, "Remember to throw in plenty of goji berries!"
Holy shit!
Gou Fugui and Wu Xiangwang collapsed one after the other.
Just then...
Li Junye had barely entered the Li Family estate when a sharply dressed man in his thirties happened to approach from the opposite direction.
"Y-Younger Cousin!"
The moment the man saw Li Junye, his expression changed drastically, as though he had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
"Long time no see, Older Cousin!"
As Li Junye spoke, the corners of his mouth curled into a sinister smile.
Three years was neither particularly long nor particularly short, but it had been enough time for him to calm down and distinguish those who were genuine from those who were treacherous.
Take Li Xiu standing before him, for example. Ever since childhood, Li Xiu had taken meticulous care of him, even obeying his every word.
However...
During the Scandalous Affair three years ago, the person who had secretly instigated him to molest Ye Qingcheng was none other than this very Older Cousin!
Li Junye understood the situation perfectly.
He was the sole direct-line heir of the Li Family, while Li Xiu belonged merely to a collateral branch. If anything were to happen to him, Li Xiu would undoubtedly become the prime candidate to inherit the position of Li Family Head!
When personal interests were at stake, it was hardly surprising for brothers to turn against each other!
"Younger Cousin, when did you get back?"
Li Xiu made no attempt to conceal the horror on his face.
Although he had heard rumors a few days earlier that the family intended to pull some strings to get Li Junye out of that hellhole, hadn't they yet to put their connections to work?
Besides, even if they had started making arrangements, it would take at least six months to a year. How could he possibly have gotten out so quickly?
"Hehehe, it's a long story."
Li Junye patted Li Xiu on the shoulder, his smile unwavering. "When I have some free time another day, I'll find an opportunity to tell you all about it."
For some inexplicable reason, the brighter Li Junye smiled, the more Li Xiu felt a chill run down his spine.
It was as though he had been targeted by some terrifying primordial beast, leaving him deeply uneasy!
"Jun Ye!"
Suddenly, a powerful, commanding voice rang out.
Li Junye looked up and saw an elderly man in military uniform, his temples streaked with gray, striding briskly toward him.
"Eldest Uncle!"
Li Xiu lowered his head slightly and greeted him respectfully.
The newcomer was Li Dingguo, the current Li Family Head, Commander of the Tiger Roar Army, and Li Junye's biological grandfather!
"Old Li!"
Li Junye scratched his head and chuckled. "It's been years since we last met, but you're still as impressive as ever!"
The moment he saw his grandson, Li Dingguo, a military commander who had spent most of his life on the battlefield, was so overwhelmed with emotion that tears welled up in his eyes.
His son and daughter-in-law had died young, and his grandson Li Junye was the only person he had left to worry about!
Amid his excitement, Li Dingguo suddenly seemed to remember something. His expression turned to one of shock as he asked, "How did you get back?"
"By plane, of course! You don't expect me to have walked all the way back, do you?"
Li Junye replied with a mischievous chuckle.
"Cut the bullshit! I'm asking how you managed to get out of that place!"
Li Dingguo abruptly raised his voice.
Li Junye immediately put on a defiant expression and declared fearlessly, "Old Li, you'd better not yell at me! Keep it up, and I'll have Old Old Li give you a beating! Don't think I won't!"
"You little bastard!"
Li Dingguo instantly flew into an embarrassed rage and snapped, "You little brat! How dare you threaten me?"
As he spoke, he instinctively unbuckled the leather belt around his waist, making as though he were about to whip someone with it.
Seeing this, Li Junye immediately turned and bolted deeper into the estate.
"You little brat! Don't run away if you've got the guts!"
Li Dingguo immediately chased after him.
In front of the main residence was a vegetable patch planted with several varieties of seasonal vegetables.
An elderly man with a graying beard and a deeply wrinkled face was holding a sickle, diligently weeding the vegetable patch.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, casting dappled patterns across his body, creating an almost divine scene.
This was Li Yuanshan, the Old Master of the Li Family and one of the few surviving Founding Heroes of the Xia Kingdom. A mere stomp of his foot was enough to shake the entire Xia Kingdom, and even the current Dragon Lord had to show him the utmost respect!
"Old Old Li! Your unfilial son is trying to beat me again, and you're still in the mood to play around in the dirt!"
Upon hearing the words "Old Old Li," Li Yuanshan's entire body suddenly trembled.
As far as he could remember, there was only one person in the entire world who dared to address him that way!
Sure enough...
When Li Yuanshan turned around, that familiar figure came into view. Tears immediately streamed down his aged face as he exclaimed, "Hahaha! You little rascal! It really is you! You're back!"
Li Junye chuckled mischievously. "Are you happy? Excited?"
"Hahaha..."
Li Yuanshan stepped onto the ridge bordering the vegetable patch, then circled Li Junye twice, his voice brimming with excitement. "You've grown up! It's only been a few years, but you've become even more handsome! And you've gotten sturdier too..."
Li Junye chuckled and was just about to speak.
"You little bastard! Stop right there!"
Li Dingguo came striding over.
Seeing his son approaching in a fury, still clutching a leather belt, Li Yuanshan's expression immediately darkened. "Goddamn it! Are you trying to beat my precious great-grandson again?"
"No, Dad! Please, listen to me..."
Li Dingguo instantly became like a child who had done something wrong, not even daring to breathe too loudly.
Li Yuanshan waved his hand and interrupted him sternly. "I don't want to hear any excuses! If you ever dare lay so much as a finger on my great-grandson again, I'll skin you alive! Don't think I won't!"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Li Dingguo nodded repeatedly.
In the entire world, the only person capable of making the Commander of the Tiger Roar Army bow and scrape like this was probably his elderly father standing right before him!
Watching his Great-Grandpa lecture his grandfather, Li Junye almost burst out laughing.
Li Dingguo secretly shot him a glare that seemed to say, "You little bastard! Just you wait!"
"Oh, right!"
Li Yuanshan suddenly furrowed his brows, turned toward Li Junye, and asked, "You brat, how did you manage to get back from that hellhole?"
"I just explained it to Old Li, and now you're asking me the same thing, Old Old Li."
Li Junye curled his lips, looking thoroughly impatient.
"How else could I have gotten back besides taking a plane? You don't seriously expect me to have walked all the way here, do you? Seriously..."