Chapter 4: RelativesVincent's relatives' representatives finally arrived. The representatives were two people, one old and one young.Steven had to set aside his work to prioritize receiving these two.After observing them, Steven made an initial assessment: typical Inner Ring upper-class demeanor. Such people always exude a sense of superiority, look down on Outer Ring residents, and lack caution in details.Steven led the two to another meeting room. This room was larger and tidier than Shan Xiaoxi's, even equipped with a beverage dispenser.Steven skillfully poured two cups of hot coffee and politely placed them on the table in front of the old and young visitors.Having dealt with Inner Ring people frequently, he knew it was best to give them full face to get things done smoothly. To complete his work on time and return home, Steven didn't mind lowering his position to some extent.The two Third Ring residents curiously picked up the coffee and took a sip—just one sip, as expected. Public coffee from a Fourth Ring police station could hardly meet the taste standards of Third Ring people.Seeing the two frown openly without making any trouble, Steven gained an initial understanding of their composure.Steven continued probing: "What a coincidence. After searching for over six years, we finally found you, but it's a pity Mr. Li Zheming couldn't witness this day."As the saying goes, "Better to arrive at the right time than early," but arriving too coincidentally was thought-provoking.The older of the two cleared his throat and spoke: "It's not a coincidence. We never gave up looking for him these six years."Never gave up searching? More likely, they knew Vincent was in the Fourth Ring all along but deliberately avoided contact. Letting him fend for himself, waiting to claim everything after his death.The Third Ring police station's missing relatives notices had been suppressed, showing the Li family relatives' "deep care" for Li Zheming. And as soon as the Fourth Ring police station issued the death notice, they eagerly stepped forward to claim him, indicating they had likely been monitoring Vincent all along.Eager to inherit Li Zheming's estate, after all, the first step in inheritance procedures was presenting the official death certificate of the property owner.These two didn't know about Vincent's will yet. Steven somewhat looked forward to their expressions when they heard Vincent left his estate to Shan Xiaoxi.The younger one lacked patience. After listening to a few sentences, he couldn't help interrupting: "Isn't the death certificate ready? Don't waste time. We need to get back to the Third Ring before lunch."It was already past eleven. It seemed these two planned to take the death notice and leave. Since they wanted to be direct, Steven wouldn't beat around the bush either.Steven said with difficulty: "Actually, you may not be able to take Mr. Li Zheming's death certificate immediately. Before that, we have another matter to handle. According to our information, he left a will. Regarding the specifics of the will, since the beneficiary and executor are both here, I'll call them over so we can clarify everything together."Without waiting for their response, Steven stood up to call Shan Xiaoxi and Charlie.Shan Xiaoxi finally met the so-called relatives of Vincent.Judging by their facial features, both the elder and the younger bore a resemblance to Vincent, yet their temperaments were worlds apart from his. Especially since these two were currently fuming with anger. People often become unpleasant to look at when they are angry.The two of them did not seem surprised to see Shan Xiaoxi, as if they had long known of her existence. In Steven's observation, this behavior confirmed that they had indeed been secretly keeping tabs on Vincent, which was how they knew who was around him.Their attitude toward Shan Xiaoxi was, of course, far from friendly. However, their disdain for her was overshadowed by their anger over the sudden appearance of the will.Out of courtesy, Charlie extended his hand to them first, but they ignored him. The younger one’s eyes even betrayed undisguised contempt.Since the other party were not true gentlemen, Charlie felt no need to be polite to them either."Greetings, esteemed gentlemen. I am Charlie from the Fourth Ring Aid Center, and I am both the witness and executor of Mr. Li Zheming’s will. I understand that you must be in a poor mood right now, but I must remind you that the will Mr. Li Zheming left at the aid center is fully documented, legally compliant, and protected under the laws of the 13 Cities."Charlie’s opening statement was firm. But the two representatives from the relatives were no pushovers either. The two sides almost immediately launched into a back-and-forth exchange.Shan Xiaoxi hardly spoke. Knowing she was not skilled in verbal sparring, she sat quietly and listened intently to Charlie’s arguments with the two men.Perhaps sensing that Shan Xiaoxi was a "weakling," the two representatives cast their eyes toward her several times, but she pretended not to notice.With Shan Xiaoxi’s silent support, Charlie remained resolute and unyielding.By the end of the discussion, the younger one resorted to something of a shameless tactic: "Even if this will is legal, as relatives of Li Zheming, we have the right to challenge it. We can file a lawsuit with the Third Ring court. From the first trial to the second trial and then to the final appeal, as long as we are determined, we can drag this out for over a decade. We will sue both you and that welfare institute, and of course, we will also apply to freeze all assets under your names, leaving you without even money for food."The tactic of delay was the most shameless yet effective method to deal with the poor.Challenging the validity of the will and taking the matter to court were indeed legitimate rights of the relatives. Even though Charlie was an official, he could not prevent them from doing so.If a lawsuit were truly initiated, neither Shan Xiaoxi nor anyone from the welfare institute would be able to enter the Third Ring, and they would have to rely on Charlie to represent them in court. But if the other party truly employed the delay tactic, even Charlie could not bear the dual losses of time and money.In this unequal world, if the other side used the law as a weapon, they would truly have a stranglehold on Shan Xiaoxi and the others.However, although the younger man said this, the elder one did not seem to agree. This indicated a disagreement between the two, or perhaps they did not truly want to take the matter to court.Charlie exchanged a glance with Steven.Steven, who had been observing and witnessing the proceedings, spoke up: "It’s almost noon. I suggest we take a break."Charlie and Shan Xiaoxi nodded. They needed to discuss some matters privately. The two representatives also agreed, as they needed to discuss how to handle the matter of the will.After Shan Xiaoxi and Charlie left, Steven also departed.An elderly man and a young man deliberated in the conference room for a long time, even arguing at one point."Why should we concede? What right does that commoner from the Fourth Ring have to inherit our Li family's assets?""Don't you understand? That will is legal and protected by government law. Although we could raise objections like scoundrels, how would the other families in the Third Ring view us? Is it worth losing the family's reputation over a small sum of money?Also, don’t forget what we did to Li Zheming. If someone investigates what happened over these six years, if someone discovers we bribed the Third Ring police to suppress the missing persons notice, do you know what the consequences would be?It’s just giving some money to those orphans—consider it the family doing charity. Besides, this money doesn’t come from your personal funds. As long as we reclaim Li Zheming’s shares, we can report back to the family."Clearly, the elder was more persuasive and decisive than the younger man. In the end, the two of them reached an agreement.

The Fashion Rookie and The Mysterious Gentleman