Huayan’s current life could only be described as heavenly. She lived in a retreat built by the mainland for elderly superhumans who didn’t want to go abroad.

To outsiders, this place was known as the largest national forest protection zone. Apart from the forest rangers, no one was allowed to enter all year round.

These forest rangers appeared uneducated and looked like ordinary farmers, but they were actually seasoned warriors. Each year, warriors from special training bases were selected to perform this duty.

Each ranger only worked here for a year before being replaced. They didn’t know what was in the depths of the forest but were strictly instructed that no one without special permission was allowed to enter.

Through thousands of acres of towering trees, past habitats filled with tigers, wolves, leopards, lions, rabbits, deer, venomous insects, and pythons, and across a three-meter-wide, half-meter-deep stream formed by mountain springs, lay the area where Huayan and the others lived. The houses here were individual pavilions with pathways paved with pebbles. There were small plots of farmland for those who enjoyed farming, pavilions, long corridors, chess tables, tea seats for playing chess, drinking tea, and chatting, sports facilities for exercising, and anything else one could think of.

Some people lived here with their spouses, but no children were present. This place was a paradise for recluses, but not suitable for ordinary people.

Huayan’s family moving in was a first. They had lived in a pavilion for three months before moving into a specially built quadrangle courtyard. Their home was separated from others by a simple fence.

Once housing was settled, they quickly became familiar with the residents. Huayan’s father, in particular, got along well with the old superhumans and became even more famous than Huayan.

The old superhumans here had already heard about Huayan’s father from those abroad, who often mentioned him in their calls. Not only was he a great cook, but his skills in Chinese chess and Go were unforgettable.

Whenever they played chess with Huayan’s father, no matter whether they were attacking or defending, they would ultimately be defeated by his unexpected moves.

As soon as the old superhumans heard that Huayan’s father was here, they eagerly invited him to play chess, drink tea, and occasionally have a drink together. He was enjoying his time immensely.

Hu Li and Huayan still slept in separate rooms. Sometimes Aunt Chang cooked in their small kitchen, and other times Hu Li took over. After meals, Huayan and Hu Li would take walks along the paths. Sometimes, Hu Li would watch chess games or exercise, while Huayan would go to the library pavilion to read with other elderly people, chat occasionally, or play board games with the old ladies.

With her memory restored, Huayan also began absorbing jade every three months, brought by Old Qiao, for the superhumans with injuries or issues.

She discovered that old superhumans could also absorb the jade she had processed, though at a very slow pace. It took them a year to absorb a jade piece the size of an adult’s hand.

Despite the slow process, every old superhuman received a piece of top-grade jade because they found that daily absorption improved their old injuries and pains.

This discovery greatly benefited many and made many happy. After all, these old superhumans were treasures. As the saying goes, “An elder at home is like a treasure.”

Aunt Chang spent her free time dancing and exchanging cooking tips with other old ladies. Some superhumans cooked in their own kitchens, only notifying the cafeteria in advance when they didn’t feel like cooking.

There were not only elderly people here but also younger superhumans like Hu Li, or those in their forties. Unable to continue their duties due to injuries and not wanting to leave the military, they came here to recuperate while managing the dining and entertainment facilities.

Sometimes, Huayan would help out in the cafeteria, preparing vegetables or assisting with cooking.

On holidays or when there was a communal meal, Hu Li would roll up his sleeves and cook in the cafeteria.

Since Huayan’s family arrived, the place had been filled with more laughter.

However, life outside this paradise wasn’t as peaceful for the Hu family. Hu Li’s sudden disappearance left Hu’s father busy every day, and the family had mixed opinions about Hu Li’s departure.

Hu’s father’s reputation kept dissent in check, but some secretly tried to have their descendants take the family head position.

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With the Hu family in turmoil, several prominent families in Germany began to stir.

First, the Ke family and the Cai family formed an alliance through marriage. Ke Shaozheng, the eldest grandson of the Ke family, and Cai Cai, the only daughter of the Cai family, got engaged two months after Hu Li’s disappearance.

Business cooperation between the Ke and Cai families became closer, and they took over some of the Hu family’s businesses.

When Hu’s father learned of this, he remained calm, as if he had anticipated it. Hu’s mother, on the other hand, was furious. She cried in Hu’s father’s arms, both angry and heartbroken.

“How could they do this to us? Whenever they had difficulties or needed favors, I always helped them, despite the gossip and trouble it caused you. Now that Hu Li is gone and our family is unstable, they’re teaming up with outsiders to steal our business. It’s infuriating…” The more she spoke, the more upset she became, feeling increasingly guilty toward her husband, and cried even harder.

Father Hu was indeed angry about the actions of the Ke family, but he knew that his wife still cared about her family. Now, with the Ke family acting like this, he didn't blame her. Seeing her, who rarely cried, sobbing so sadly, he softly comforted and coaxed her.

This scene was remarkably similar to Hu Li comforting Huayan, truly showing they were father and son.

"After you've cried it out, don't dwell on it anymore. You know I won't blame you for this. As for the Ke family, I know what to do. But you must not speak on their behalf anymore."

Mother Hu, tears still on her cheeks, seriously nodded, promising not to get involved with the Ke family matters anymore. She knew she couldn't. They dared to take from the Hu family, and Father Hu certainly wouldn't let it slide.

She had already warned the Ke family that the Hu family was not to be trifled with, that they should maintain good relations and not harbor ill intentions.

But, as the saying goes, a married daughter is like spilled water. The Ke family treated her words as mere noise, thinking she was just boosting the Hu family while belittling her own.

What they didn't realize was that the Hu family didn't need to use additional forces to deal with them. Otherwise, even ten Ke families couldn't withstand a single retaliation from the Hu family.

Each generation of the Hu family heads wasn't just living off their ancestors' legacy; they had their own achievements. This made them one of the foremost families in the world.

They also didn't easily use their lethal moves to annihilate other families. They preferred competing on equal footing, step by step, enjoying the process of winning.

Mother Hu was still worried about one thing. Despite Father Hu's extensive efforts, there was still no news of their son.

"Have you found any news about Hu Li?"

"Not yet," Father Hu said, feeling a mix of anger, surprise, and regret. How could there be someone the Hu family couldn't find? He regretted not using more resources to find Huayan earlier, which wouldn't have led to their son being taken away.

"How can he not be found?"

Seeing Mother Hu's worried and puzzled expression, Father Hu explained, "Do you think the mainland is as simple as other countries? I only know that Hu Li is still in the mainland. This might be due to Huayan, with the government’s help, they’re probably in a secluded place."

"There are only so many places in the mainland. Could they have gone to the sea or flown to the sky?" Mother Hu muttered.

Father Hu smiled and didn't continue discussing the unanswerable topic. Instead, he changed the subject, "The Cai family is also causing trouble along with the Ke family. I was originally planning to give them some business because of Cai Cai."

Mother Hu snorted coldly, her tone unkind, "If the Ke family wants to go down a dark path, we can't stop them. The Cai family used to look down on Ke Shaozheng, the playboy, but now they've quickly married their daughter to him."

Regarding the Ke and Cai families' cooperation, Father Hu's strategy was to secure internal stability before dealing with external threats. He would first handle the internal problems before addressing them.

In fact, the Ke and Cai families had already discussed how to survive after falling out with the Hu family.

They decided to quickly seize business opportunities while Father Hu was dealing with mainland issues, hoping to establish a strong foothold. They also initiated business ventures in the mainland.

In a café in Seaside City, a man and a woman were talking.

"As long as you don't bring people home, I don't care what you do outside," Cai Cai said, sipping her coffee slowly.

Ke Shaozheng smiled slightly, "It seems I can never make you jealous. But don't worry, those women outside are just playthings. I won’t be that careless." Despite having many women, Ke Shaozheng distinguished clearly between his wife and his playthings. The sweet words and promises he made were just empty words to the playthings.

"Sorry, but I can only promise to be a competent wife for now. As for feelings, I can't do that at the moment," Cai Cai said frankly. "And it's not all because of Hu Li. I'm just tired of being hurt by love all these years."

Ke Shaozheng didn't walk away angrily but continued to smile, "To be honest, I haven't fallen for you either. We're in the same boat. But I admire your honesty about your feelings. So, you don't have to worry. As long as I don't say anything, the family can't do anything. But having children after marriage is a must."

Cai Cai smiled radiantly, "Of course, that's what a competent wife should do."

"To our happy marriage, cheers," Ke Shaozheng said, raising his coffee cup.

Cai Cai, smiling charmingly, raised her coffee cup, the clinking sound marking their shared smile.

"Speaking of my cousin, I really admire him. He actually gave up the position of head of the Hu family for a woman."

Cai Cai's expression froze for a moment, then she calmly said, "Only he could do something like that. But you can't entirely blame him. You should know that Aunt Hu gave him a drug. With his pride, how could he not be angry?"

Ke Shaozheng laughed, "But he's lucky. Uncle Hu only has one child. No matter what Hu Li does, Father Hu will eventually leave the position for him."

"His luck isn't the only reason. His exceptional talent is another major factor. Without talent, even if he became the head, he wouldn't last long."

Ke Shaozheng nodded in agreement. Although he was reluctant to admit it, he understood it was true.