Aunt Lin's home was located in Southland City's newly developed district, a place with fresh air and especially lush greenery. Trees were everywhere, and the streets were remarkably clean.
Their vehicle entered the residential complex.
This was considered a mid-to-high-end development in Southland City, featuring Western-style houses with refined stepped terraces. Driving straight out from the entrance, both sides were lined with villas, and about two kilometers ahead lay the vast and tranquil Clearview Lake.
Bang.
The car door closed.
Andrew Han stepped out of the car right at the entrance to the building, with Lily Lin following closely behind.
From the car, Aunt Lin called out, "Lily, your father is home. You take Andrew up first, I'll go park the car."
"Alright."
Lily Lin waved her hand.
Lily Lin, with her delicate features, tucked her shoulder-length black hair behind her ears and smiled gently. "Andrew, this area is one of the quieter parts of Southland City. If you really get into Southland University, you can come play at Clearview Lake whenever you like."
Andrew Han nodded. "The air here is nice."
"Of course," Lily said, heading toward the entrance as she explained, "Being right next to Clearview Lake, the air is definitely better than in the city center. But it's a bit far from Southland University, about seven or eight kilometers away."
"Still, it's not exactly close to Clearview Lake."
Lily Lin opened the entrance door, pouting slightly. "My mom is just too modest. She insists on living in this area with Western-style houses, saying those villas are for real big shots and we're not fit to live there. It's just a house—if you can afford it, why worry about not being able to live in it?"
She shook her head.
Andrew Han smiled faintly, lost in thought for a moment.
Real big shots?
Chances are, the villa district near Clearview Lake is mostly home to martial artists. After all, the closer you are to the lake, the better the air and environment. Aunt Lin probably knows this too.
No matter how high your status, you can't afford to offend a truly powerful martial artist.
When martial strength is enough to crush everything, and is intertwined with economic and political power, it becomes an almost unstoppable force.
"However."
"Greenfield City truly deserves its reputation as a top-tier city. It is a place where talent and spirit converge, a land of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. Riverdale can't compare at all."
Han Dong mused quietly, following Lily Lin into May Lin's home.
...
This was a Western-style villa of over two hundred square meters, tastefully and elegantly decorated. Upon entering, one was greeted by a blue-and-white porcelain vase and a shoe rack inlaid with fine gold threads. Calligraphy scrolls and landscape paintings adorned the walls.
The atmosphere was steeped in culture.
In the living room, a middle-aged man with glasses, a dignified face, and calm, composed brows was watching television.
The sound of the television filled the room.
He turned off the TV and walked toward Han Dong, a smile appearing on his face: "Hello, Han Dong."
Han Dong replied, "Hello, Uncle Jiang."
After May Lin's brief introduction in the car, Han Dong knew that this man was May Lin's husband, Lily Lin's father, and also an important official in Greenfield City's government—Mark Jiang.
"Dong, since you're here, make yourself at home," Mark Jiang said with a gentle smile, then turned to his daughter: "Lily, go cut some watermelon. Dong must be tired after the long ride."
With that, he patted Han Dong's shoulder and led him to sit on the simple, elegant sofa.
Lily Lin furrowed her brows in surprise, glancing repeatedly at her father and Han Dong before hesitantly turning to the refrigerator and opening its door.
A wave of cool air rushed out.
"How strange," she murmured.
Lily pursed her lips, feeling the cool air on her face. Her spirits lifted, but she couldn't help feeling more puzzled: "Dad is a government leader in Greenfield City, yet he personally greeted Han Dong—who's just a latecomer. This... this is unusually warm. It's not like Dad's usual style at all."
Something is off here.
There's something strange going on.