Reborn as a Noble's Son

Upon hearing Elder Dong’s words, a great weight lifted from Nie Zhenbang’s expressions. To be honest, even with a background like Nie Zhenbang’s, and being the adopted grandchild of Elder Nan, it was still extremely stressful in front of people like Elder Dong.

Nowadays, Elder Dong has given a verdict on the issue, clearly lightening Nie Zhenbang’s load. Dong Wan at the side seemed very excited, her eyes sparkling. Her sense of relief was even more intense than Nie Zhenbang’s. The old man’s words moved Dong Wan greatly.

Subsequently, Dong Wan murmured softly: “Grandpa, I’m sorry!”

In this apology, there was immense heartache, expressing Dong Wan’s frustration and guilt towards the Dong family. The old man looked somewhat worn out, waving his hand and saying, “Alright, stop acting like a child. I’m tired, I need to rest.”

That was essentially him asking them to leave. Immediately, Nie Zhenbang stood up, nodded and glanced towards Dong Wan. Then he spoke, “Wan, stay here with Elder Dong. I’m leaving now.”

After leaving the Dong family home, Nie Zhenbang got into his car. He had just started to drive out of West Hill, had just appeared on the highway when a Rolls-Royce parked by the road came into view. Its double yellow warning lights were flashing. Yang An Bang alighted from the car.

Having seen Yang Anbang, Nie Zhenbang slowed his car down and parked it beside the Rolls-Royce. He didn’t care if they were occupying the road. It was a private road anyways, very few civilian cars take this route, so he wasn’t worried about causing a traffic jam.

He slowly rolled down the windows. Seeing Yang Anbang’s solemn expression, Nie Zhenbang knew something serious had occurred. He then asked, “Anbang, what’s the matter?”

Nie Zhenbang was well aware of Yang Anbang’s ventures. With the Wal-Mart Group becoming so significant presently, only a fool would be here this early. Quite evidently, Yang Anbang had deliberately waited here. It was definitely related to his visit to the Dong family.

Just as he had expected, Yang Anbang’s expression was complicated. He looked at Nie Zhenbang and said, “Anbeng, don’t blame your elder brother for not warning you. My old man blew his top today. He asked me to intercept you here. Come to our home with me once. Prepare yourself, the old man is quite angry this time.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded and then asked, “Are you going back? If you’re not going, I will leave.”

Starting his car, Nie Zhenbang led the way, after they passed the checkpoint at the outskirts of West Hill, he turned his car towards the Yang family home.

The reason was clear. His return wasn’t a secret as he had taken the public route. Anyone who wished to track him probably already knew. His itinerary, too, was not a secret. The first place he visited in Jingcheng was Dong’s home. This inevitably infuriated the Yang family, especially the old man from the Yang family.

Regardless, the Yang family’s reputation had suffered a heavy blow from this escape. Initially, the Nies had preferred the Yangs. When Nie Zhenbang fled from his wedding, it was a direct blow to the Yang family’s dignity. And the first thing he does after his return is to visit the Dong family. No matter the purpose, it infuriated the Yangs once again, after all, even the most patient people have their limits, let alone Elder Yang.

When Nie Zhenbang arrived at the Yang household, the scene was as if they were preparing for battle. Elder Yang took the main seat in the living room. Beside Elder Yang was Grandma Yang, and next to her was Yang Shengli. At the back stood Yang Anguo, Yang Anbang, Yang Anjun in a row. Of them all, Anna was nowhere in sight.

The positions were clear. Elder Yang and Grandma Yang were Nana’s grandparents, Yang Shengli, the birth father. Behind them stood her three brothers. They were the closest to Nana.

Like a three-course gavel, the moment Nie Zhenbang walked into the living room, he immediately felt the gaze of everyone present on him.

Standing in the living room, Nie Zhenbang did not sit down. He bowed and greeted, “Good day, Grandpa Yang, Grandma Yang, Uncle Shengli.”

Elder Yang snorted coldly, clearly dissatisfied. Beside him, Grandma Yang was the first to speak, “Zhenbang, what’s going on? You tell me, this child of ours, our Nana was so adamant about marrying you. But you, first you flee the wedding and now you’ve shown up at the Dong family’s doorstep. This has really upset Nana.”

Yang Anguo’s attitude at the moment was not very pleasant either. In the political arena, to some extent, Nie Zhenbang was also a rival. A marriage alliance would not do him good either.

Among the children of the noble families, those who entered the system and were somewhat capable, all aimed for the top. Yang Anguo was no exception. At this moment, he snorted coldly, “Nie Zhenbang, what you’re doing is quite unkind and dull. Are you perhaps taking us, the Yang family, for easy prey?”

First, the old lady spoke out, and then Yang Anguo expressed his stance. It seemed that the Yang family had come prepared. These words must have been instructed by Elder Yang. After all, when said by Yang Anguo, it had a totally different meaning than when spoken by Elder Yang. If Elder Yang said it, it would appear as if the Yang family was oppressing Nie Zhenbang, giving off the impression that they were forcing Nie Zhenbang to marry Yang Anna. But now, spoken from Yang Anguo’s mouth, it portrayed him as a caring older brother.

Nie Zhenbang’s eyebrows furrowed upon hearing this, then looked at Elder Yang and said, “Grandpa Yang, my choice does not bear any meaning of disrespect towards the Yang family. On the matter of marriage, my stance is to let Dong Wan and Anna choose. Regardless of the outcome, I will not partake in making the choice. Even if it costs me my political future, I still hold this stance. Because between Dong Wan and Anna, I do not want to harm either of them. This is my answer.”

Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Grandpa Yang abruptly stood up, lashing out angrily, “You say you don’t want to harm either of them, but have you ever thought that your current actions are harming our Anna? Giving up your political future, Nie Zhenbang, you are truly a hopeless romantic. It’s ridiculous and absurd.”

“If your capabilities remain as they are now, I truly cannot trust you with Anna. Based on your current behavior, I don’t know how much suffering Anna would endure in the future if she follows you.” Grandpa Yang looked like he was ready to send him away.

Nie Zhenbang was slightly taken aback by Elder Yang’s words. They were profound and hit a nerve, echoing a love for beauty over power. This kind of thinking was indeed a big taboo in official circles, but Nie Zhenbang didn’t care. In his previous life, he had endured hardship, and he didn’t want to repeat the same mistakes.

Nie Zhenbang’s understanding of power was not inferior to anyone else’s. The history of being abused by others in his last life was not something Nie Zhenbang was willing to recall. If his own marriage was to be oppressed, hurting another woman, even if he got past it, it would affect his mentality.

Consequently, Nie Zhenbang insisted, “Grandpa Yang, no matter what you say, I will not make a choice. Even if this means I will stay at my current level forever, even if I get expelled from the party and removed from public office, my stance remains unchanged. Let me choose, I can’t do it. Call me a hopeless romantic or indecisive, my attitude remains the same. Between Dong Wan and Anna, I will not choose one over the other. I respect their choices.”

Listening to Nie Zhenbang’s stubborn words and his defiant look, Yang Anbang was also stunned. The third child’s courage was too great, he didn’t even flinch at standing up to grandfather.

Yang Shengli was also taken aback. The man his daughter valued was not just stubborn, he was extremely so. Grandpa Yang seemed to Have stood up abruptly again, pointing towards the door, he roared angrily, “Get out! Get out right now! In respect of Old Nie, I will not make it difficult for you. Just disappear from here. Get back to the Northwest!”

Nie Zhenbang seemed to ignore Grandpa Yang’s words, as if they were not directed at him. He bowed deeply and said, “Grandpa Yang, Grandma Yang, Uncle Shengli, brothers, I apologize for causing trouble. I will take my leave.”

By the time Nie Zhenbang had left, Yang Anna had unknowingly appeared in the living room. Her eyes filled with tears, she whispered, “I think Zhenbang is right. Regardless if he chooses me or Wan, we will both be thoroughly heartbroken. Especially Wan, who has given herself to him. Grandpa, I think what Zhenbang is doing is right.”

Yang Shengli was a little puzzled and asked Elder Yang, “Dad, what’s going on today? What are you playing at?”

The character of Elder Yang was very transparent to his own son. Despite his dislike for someone, at most he would just ignore them, never losing his composure like today.

Listening to Yang Shengli, Grandpa Yang nodded his head with satisfaction, praising, “Shengli, you see through this point, very good. Among the second generation of the Yang family, in my view, only you are qualified to enter the Political Bureau.”

Grandpa Yang laughed and said, “Nie Zhenbang, this kid’s bravery truly surprised me. With Old Nie still being angry, it is uncertain whether he can help him, yet he dared to provoke me. This indirectly proves the boy’s deep affection for Miss Dong and our Anna. So be it, I don’t care who it is anymore, I’ll let Anna and that Dong Wan girl choose for themselves. I’ve said it before, Anna’s marriage is her choice. I will keep my word. You guys shouldn’t intervene in this matter anymore. Let them decide everything.”

Then, Grandpa Yang turned to Yang Anbang and said, “An Bang, you and Nie Zhenbang are on good terms. The fact that he came back abruptly must not be solely for this reason. If you can help, then give him a hand. Also, about your marriage with that girl from Xiao family, it should also be put on the agenda. Don’t think I will let you off just because you are not in the system.”