novelden Chapter 1876 Then Weave a Net for Them
Chapter 1876 Then Weave a Net for Them
Whether Hongluo Temple is related to the Shangguan family is like a thorn stuck in Li Xiangnan's heart.
The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light; the opponent is like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to strike a fatal blow at any moment.
Having experienced so much, Li Xiangnan knew all too well that being passive meant being vulnerable to attack, and that passively defending was never a good strategy.
Li Xiangnan was never one to sit idly by and wait for his doom.
Since the other party took advantage of his "weakness" in guarding his home to launch a sneak attack, why doesn't he turn the tables and do the opposite?
A bold plan quickly took shape in his mind.
Using the occasion of their daughter Li Xitang's full moon celebration, they orchestrated a 'grand banquet with a hidden agenda'!
He wanted to hold a grand celebration for the wedding banquet, exposing the Li family's joy and "relaxation" to everyone.
He wanted to see which monsters and demons would be unable to restrain themselves and would jump out on their own initiative under this relaxation!
So how did the Shangguan family, who gained something from every meeting, react?
Will that mysterious gentleman slip up and give himself away?
More importantly, he had a deeper purpose.
Li Xiangnan really wanted to take advantage of this grand banquet, which would surely attract a large number of guests, to test the deepest expectations in his heart.
Will Grandma Mu Huanying return and appear at the wedding banquet to attend Xiao Xitang's full moon celebration?
And will Aunt Mu Huanrong appear with her?
Recently, there have been quite a few strangers coming to the courtyard seeking medical advice and treatment. After quickly dealing with them, Li Xiangnan, having made up his mind, hurriedly went to find his grandfather, Li Dequan, alone.
The old man's room was right across the street, the west wing of Xu Damao's old house.
The aroma of tea filled the room. Li Xiangnan refilled the old man's teacup and casually mentioned, "Grandpa, Xitang has been born for half a month now. Ruobai and I are thinking, should we pick a date to hold a full-month celebration for Xitang, so that the neighbors and relatives can share in the joy?"
Li Dequan paused slightly in his teacup, raised his eyes, and his wise gaze lingered on his grandson's face for a moment.
Having experienced many hardships, how could he not see that his grandson's actions were not simply a celebration?
However, he always trusted his grandson, so he didn't point it out at the moment. He just nodded slowly and reached out his hand.
When Li Xiangnan handed over the calendar on the table, he flipped through it and said with a smile, "This is indeed something we should do! According to tradition, the addition of a new member to our Li family is a big event! As for the date... I think the sixth day of next month is an auspicious day, suitable for all activities. You can think about it!"
"The sixth day?"
Li Xiangnan took the calendar and saw that there were still eighteen days left. It was indeed an auspicious day, so he nodded and agreed: "Okay, Grandpa, I'll take care of it!"
He felt a slight sense of relief. His grandfather had seen through his plan, and his eyes were full of tacit approval. It seemed that the old man supported him.
With the date set, the next step is to build momentum.
While Song Yi and Qiao Henwan brought over the crucian carp to help with lactation, Li Xiangnan quickly conscripted men.
"Song Yi, it's so late! I have a favor to ask you!" Li Xiangnan handed over the red paper he had bought from Yuejin Store and a rough guest list. "Xitang is having her one-month celebration on the sixth day of next month. My handwriting isn't very good, unlike your large family where everyone has beautiful handwriting since childhood. Could you please help me write the wedding invitations?"
"Oh my, this is wonderful news! That's great!" Song Yi's eyes lit up immediately as she happily accepted the red paper. "When I first arrived, I was telling Henwan that Xiangnan would definitely be holding a wedding banquet. Now that's great, the date for Xitang's full moon celebration has been set. Don't worry, we'll definitely write this invitation beautifully!"
Qiao Henwan was overjoyed and said, "Don't worry, Brother Nan, we guarantee we'll complete the mission!"
Under Li Xiangnan's arrangements, the Li family was also immersed in a festive and busy atmosphere.
Zhu Qiuju then began discussing the menu with the old lady Jiang Guiying.
Li Fugui then tallied up where he could borrow tables, benches, pots, pans, and other utensils for the banquet, and called He Dashuang and Xu Damao to help with the arrangements.
After calling his hometown, Li Xiangnan told his uncles about wanting to take leave to visit Xitang in Yanjing. Li Dequan then went back to the backyard to make another call and came back saying that the children had grown up.
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangnan knew that the old man hadn't been able to dissuade his eldest and third uncles from coming. Judging from the wide smile on his face, the old man was actually hoping for a family reunion.
Zhang Jingyang and Miao Xiaonian came over in the morning and heard that the date for the full moon celebration had been set. They insisted on helping the Li family renovate the roof tiles, so the two went out to contact a tile setter.
Li Xiangnan originally wanted to contact He Dashuang to see if there were any chefs nearby who could cook for banquets, but Hu Yubin, He Jingting, and a few others who came to offer their congratulations overheard this and insisted that they hire a head chef, leaving the matter to them.
Once the tasks were assigned, the courtyard began to bustle with activity.
However, Li Xiangnan knew in his heart that beneath this peaceful facade, undercurrents were also surging.
Of course, he still wanted to ensure that nothing went wrong.
Taking advantage of the noise and crowd in the courtyard, he casually ran to the back building to buy a few packs of cigarettes, and saw Zhou Yuejin repairing a bicycle at the door.
"Busy, Yuejin." Li Xiangnan offered him a cigarette.
Zhou Yuejin took the cigarette and tucked it behind his ear, but his hands didn't stop working. "The chain is loose, tighten it! I heard my niece has her one-month celebration on the sixth of next month? That's great news!"
"Yes!" Li Xiangnan sighed, a hint of worry appearing on his face. "With so many people coming and going, I'm not afraid of anything else, but I'm worried that with so many people watching, we won't be able to take care of them all. Ruobai and Xitang won't be able to withstand the strain!"
Zhou Yuejin paused, looked up at Li Xiangnan with a sharp and clear look in his eyes, patted the oil off his hands, and spoke in a low but firm voice.
"Don't worry, I've got you covered in the front yard! You've forgotten our comrades-in-arms, haven't you? I'll call a few over for drinks and keep an eye on things for you! I'll see who dares to cause trouble on our turf!"
Li Xiangnan was certain that this was exactly what he wanted to hear, so he clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Then thank you very much, Brother Yuejin!"
"No need to thank me, we're all on the same side!"
Li Xiangnan left the front yard and then casually wandered to the back yard. He took some candy and gave it to Lei Jin's mother. He saw Hao Jian sitting at the door reading a book. When Hao Jian saw Xiangnan, he stood up as well.
"Squad Leader Hao, reading a book?" Li Xiangnan greeted him with a smile. "Xitang's one-month celebration is on the sixth of next month. If you're still in Yanjing then, you must come to the celebration!"
"If nothing unexpected happens, I'll definitely be there!" Hao Jian smiled gently. "Congratulations!"
Li Xiangnan offered him a cigarette, feigning concern, "Now that we have a child, there are more worries. This is such a big event, even bigger than my wedding. I know a lot of people now, and I'm afraid we won't be able to entertain them properly, or something might happen that might disturb the child and their family..."
Upon hearing this, Hao Jian's smile faded slightly. He looked at Li Xiangnan and then at the Li family's house in the backyard, and said in a steady tone, "We all came from the same army. When one family has a happy occasion, it's a happy occasion for all our comrades! Don't worry, I may not have any other skills, but I haven't lost my old job of standing guard and keeping watch with my comrades. With us here, not even a fly can get into your backyard!"
Looking at the sincerity in Hao Jian's eyes, Li Xiangnan knew that the old squad leader had understood his meaning and made a promise, so he thanked him and said, "Old squad leader, with your words, I can finally rest assured!"
On the surface, preparations for the full moon celebration were in full swing.
Behind the scenes, an invisible security network is being woven.
With Song Ziming's subordinates and Guo Qian's group of police officers present, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they would form an inescapable net.
Li Xiangnan couldn't help but look forward to the day of the full moon celebration, anticipating the Shangguan family's reaction.
Of course, I also long for that faint hope in my heart, that Grandma might come back...
"Dr. Li, Dr. Li..."
Just then, a series of footsteps mixed with hurried calls came from next door, startling the two people who were talking.
"I'm going now!" Li Xiangnan said goodbye to Hao Jian and strode towards the Central Court, but his steps suddenly stopped, and a perfectly timed expression of surprise and confusion appeared on his face.
Just then, Yuan Zhencheng from the front yard came running over, shouting, "Dr. Li, there's a man named Shangguan Wuji at the gate who says he wants to visit you!"
Shangguan Wuji!
He actually showed up at this very moment!
The day after Li Xiangnan decided to hold a full moon celebration!
Was this unexpected visit a gesture of goodwill or a test?
Or is this the first ripple caused by the hidden agenda behind the banquet?
Li Xiangnan quickly composed himself, a sharp glint flashing deep in his eyes.
That's perfect, just what I wanted!
This game is getting more and more interesting!