My Ares Son-in-Law

“I understand.” She put the documents back into the file bag, her tone returning to calm. “Continue to keep an eye on his movements, but be sure to keep it secret and don’t alert him. Also, this information about him, especially the part related to me, should not be entered into the regular files for the time being, and must not be disclosed to anyone else in the ‘family’.”

"I understand," the old woman replied with a bow, and quietly left the quiet room.

……

The ancestral home of the Zhou family in the provincial capital.

A black sedan smoothly approached the magnificent, ornately carved wrought iron gate and slowly came to a stop.

Two guards in black uniforms, with sharp eyes and a composed demeanor, immediately stepped forward. One of them politely but distantly knocked on the driver's side window: "Hello, please show your pass or appointment letter."

The car window rolled down, revealing Xiao Chen's expressionless young face. "No," he replied succinctly.

The two guards' expressions darkened slightly, and their tone hardened: "Without a pass or appointment, please leave immediately. This is the Zhou residence; we do not receive unauthorized visitors."

Xiao Chen glanced at them indifferently and casually handed over the identification that Zhuang Yuan had given him:

“This is my identification. I have the right to enter necessary locations for contact and investigation as required by my work. The Zhou family is included in this category.”

His voice was calm and even, yet carried an undeniable force: "If you two insist on obstructing us, Zhou Yanhe will bear all the consequences and responsibilities arising therefrom."

Both guards were taken aback. They had served as guards at the Zhou family for many years and had seen all sorts of visitors, but this was the first time they had encountered someone so assertive and so directly displaying such special identification. Crucially, the department represented by the person's credentials held a prestigious and influential position.

The two men dared not delay. They exchanged a glance, and one of them immediately stepped aside to whisper a request for confirmation via the internal communication device. A moment later, he quickly returned, his face now bearing a polite, even somewhat respectful, smile. He personally pressed the remote control and opened the heavy door.

"So it's you, Commander! My apologies for my rudeness! Please forgive me..."

Xiao Chen didn't listen to his words and rolled up the car window. The black sedan silently drove into the Zhou family manor, leaving the guard staring at the rear of the car, secretly taking a deep breath. His gaze, especially when it swept past the blurry, tall figure behind the car window, held a deep sense of fear and speculation. Just who was this person?
The car stopped in front of the Zhou family's main villa. Xiao Chen got out, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping across the flowers and trees in several directions of the courtyard. He could clearly sense at least three hidden gazes fixed on him. Their eyes held scrutiny, and even more so, obvious vigilance and hostility.

They must be skilled guards within the Zhou family, or... informants planted by someone else.

Xiao Chen remained calm, ignoring the clandestine stares, and walked straight towards the main entrance of the villa. At the same time, he sent Zhou Keying a short message: "I've arrived."

Within a minute or two, the heavy oak door of the villa was hastily opened from the inside. Zhou Keying appeared in the doorway.

She was wearing a simple loungewear dress today, but it couldn't hide the panic and exhaustion in her eyes. She quickly glanced around, and seeing that no one else was nearby, she immediately reached out and pulled Xiao Chen inside, then quickly closed the door behind her.

"Quick, come upstairs with me." She lowered her voice, her tone urgent, her fingers gripping Xiao Chen's wrist icy cold, even trembling slightly. Zhou Keying pulled Xiao Chen's wrist, hurrying up the soft carpeted spiral staircase to the third floor of the villa. She pushed open a carved wooden door, pulled Xiao Chen inside, then gently closed the door behind her, even subconsciously locking it.

The room is spacious and bright, with light blue and white as the main colors. It is decorated in a simple and elegant manner, yet it reveals the girl's delicate thoughts everywhere.

A faint, elegant fragrance, similar to that emanating from Zhou Keying, filled the air. Several landscape oil paintings hung on the wall, while numerous photos of Zhou Keying from childhood to adulthood were displayed on the desk and bedside table, including solo shots and group photos with her family, documenting her growth.

This is clearly Zhou Keying's private room.

Xiao Chen glanced around, a faint smile playing on his lips, and teased, "Ke Ying, this is my first time visiting the Zhou family, and you just dragged me into your room without a word... Isn't that a bit inappropriate, a lone man and a lone woman..."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Keying glared at him, her pale cheeks flushing slightly with a blush from the glare and a hint of annoyance, making her even more charming. She wasn't in the mood for jokes, and lowered her voice, her tone filled with worry and reproach: "Why did you actually come?! Don't you know what time it is? Barging into my house like this will cause a big problem!"

"Extraordinary times?" Xiao Chen frowned slightly, his joking expression vanishing as he looked sharply at Zhou Keying. "Keying, tell me, is someone threatening you? The Provincial Martial Arts Association? The Zhou family? Or... the Lü family?"

When Xiao Chen uttered the words "Lu family," Zhou Keying's beautiful eyes visibly shrank. Although she tried her best to hide it, the momentary panic did not escape Xiao Chen's eyes.

I already have the answer in my heart.

“Ke Ying, if you trust me,” Xiao Chen’s voice was steady and firm, carrying a reassuring and powerful confidence, “tell me the details of the Lü family, especially where their leader is. I will clear away all the troubles imposed on you.”

His tone was calm, yet it conveyed a sense of certainty and unwavering resolve, as if he were stating a fact that was about to happen, rather than discussing or promising.

Zhou Keying was stunned. She slightly parted her full but bloodless lips, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion, struggle, and an indescribable flutter.

Of course, she was willing to believe Xiao Chen. From the time they met in the ancient city until now, countless seemingly insurmountable obstacles and formidable enemies had ultimately crumbled before him. He was like a silent yet unbreakable wall, standing in her way time and time again.

But... that was in an ancient city. There might be local strongmen and complex relationships there, but ultimately, the scope was limited. This, however, is the provincial capital! A true den of dragons and tigers, a provincial capital where various forces are deeply entrenched and the waters run incredibly deep!

Xiao Chen is new to the city and probably hasn't even figured out the undercurrents beneath the surface. How can he directly confront the Lü family, a top-tier martial arts family that has been rooted in the city for countless years and has unfathomable strength? This is tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock!
She absolutely did not want to see anything happen to Xiao Chen.

Honestly, I'm a thousand times unwilling.

She didn't know when it started, but her heart, which had gradually closed off due to family responsibilities and a cold marriage, was forcefully invaded by a figure who quietly occupied an increasingly important position.

She knew it was Xiao Chen. (End of Chapter)