Chương 1581: Thương Dận trở về quê hương

Thanh Lôi promptly bowed respectfully and said, "If the young master has no further instructions, I will take my leave."

The moonlight was bright, and the night lanterns dim.

Thương Dận sat down in the chair, his clear eyes revealing respect and seriousness.

"During the coming Coming of Age Ceremony, Grandfather will hold a clan gathering and announce you as the successor to the Thương family," Thương Tung Hải said as he studied the young man's expression. "What do you think?"

Within two hours, word had spread about their names: the eldest brother was named Hạ Ngôn Y, and the younger sister, Hạ Ngôn Mạt.

There were also whispers that the siblings were from a wealthy family, as some had seen them holding a cane with the initials RR.

Thương Tung Hải lowered his spectacles and rubbed his furrowed forehead. "It's too soon. Let's wait until after the Coming of Age Ceremony before returning," he said.

"Understood. I'll listen to Grandfather's advice," Thương Dận agreed cheerfully. "I'll have Thanh Lôi adjust the schedule to return home."

Today, Thương Dận formally accepted the position of the 23rd generation head of the Thương family in front of the clan.

Three days later, on the twentieth of the eighth month, the private jet *Diễn Hoàng* landed in Nam Dương.

Thương Dận stepped through the doorway and approached where Thương Tung Hải sat at the highest seat. As he stood behind the old man, his imposing presence filled the room.

Thương Tung Hải rotated the Buddha bead in his hand but said nothing. No one dared to rush him. When the footsteps echoed in a steady rhythm, Thương Dận looked up and saw Thương Úc and Lê Tiếu walking toward him, followed by Thương Diệu and Thương Khởi.

He walked toward them, smiling as he stood before them. "Why have Mother and Father come here suddenly?"

Lê Tiếu adjusted his tie and spoke gently, "We couldn't miss the young master's Coming of Age Ceremony."

Yet, there was a subtle difference between father and son.

Thiếu Diễn had been bold and decisive, even at a young age, having ventured alone to Nam Dương in his teens. Family responsibilities could not bind him. In contrast, Văn Toản was not as rebellious as his father. The boy was clever, filial, and from the age of ten, he had expressed his willingness to bear all responsibilities.

The next day, Thương Dận went from the Piper manor to the main house.

In the tea room, Thương Tung Hải, nearly seventy, calmly brewed tea. "Leaving right after graduation?"

Thương Dận stretched out his fingers, examining the old-fashioned white jade bangle on his wrist, and smirked slightly.

In a month, he would be able to return home.

Someone commented bitterly, "I heard the siblings are loaded. Even their canes are Rolls-Royce. Rich kids these days really push themselves."

As they chatted, the room outside suddenly buzzed with noise. The atmosphere fell silent as people turned to look, some making way.

Thương Dận remained composed, his handsome features bearing a striking resemblance to Thương Thiếu Diễn—seven parts, at least. "Grandfather, I can," he said.

Thương Tung Hải seemed to falter for a moment, a flicker of memory crossing his mind. He, too, had once stood in this very room, facing a similar question from Thiếu Diễn about when he would take over the family.

On the first day of school at the Institute of Space Science and Physics, the school had welcomed two new students. But within an hour, the school's original 'hot girl' and 'hot boy' had been replaced.

Rumors spread that the new 'hot girl' and 'hot boy' were twins, only seventeen, who had achieved top scores in the notoriously difficult Space Physics program.

At the time, Thương Dận was fourteen, holding a Parma medical book and answering decisively, "I am of the Thương lineage, the eldest son. If I don't return, Văn Tuyên or Vân Hi would be the one standing here now. Grandfather, if you need someone to bear the burden of the Thương family, as the eldest grandson, I should be the one."

Hearing such a response, even a seasoned fox would struggle to swallow without choking.

Someone asked, "Did they lie about his age? Seventeen and already in university?"

Another replied, "Surely not. Maybe he skipped grades."

Thương Tung Hải looked up. Despite his age, he was still strong and agile.

He gestured to the chair near the tea table. "Văn Toản, come sit down."

Time seemed to have been particularly kind to the couple. Years had passed, but their elegance remained undiminished.

Thương Thiếu Diễn watched Thương Dận from afar, and Lê Tiếu stopped smiling as she looked at him.

Among the three grandchildren of the Thương family, Thương Dận was the one who most resembled Thương Thiếu Diễn in both temperament and presence.

Thương Tung Hải placed the teacup down with a sigh. "Văn Toản, you will be the 23rd generation head of the Thương family. We are proud of you."

After many years away, Thương Dận had returned home.

On the other side, at the Nam Dương University of Science and Technology.

Thương Tung Hải had once asked him why he had been willing to return to Parma for training and education under the distant clan. If he had stayed in Nam Dương, life would have been much easier.

Thương Dận's answer at the time was one Thương Tung Hải would never forget.

In the grand hall, the guests stood one by one, calling out, "Elder Brother, Elder Sister-in-law."

Before the crowd, Thương Úc appeared even more composed, while Lê Tiếu had gained an additional gracefulness from years of refinement.

Early in the morning, Thương Dận stood before the mirror, adjusting his perfectly tailored vest and tie, his expression calm.

From his face, one could see traces of Lê Tieu, but his features and posture inherited the perfect demeanor of Thương Thiếu Diễn.

On the seventeenth day of the eighth month, Thương Dận's Coming of Age Ceremony was held.

The main Thương house also hosted its annual clan gathering.

"Yes, Grandfather," Thương Dận replied.

Standing before the tea altar, his tall frame of one meter eighty-five exuded confidence.

In the sunlight streaming through the doorway, two figures approached, silhouetted against the light.