I couldn't take it anymore; when I went home for Chinese New Year, the family genealogy book ha

Night completely swallowed the last rays of light, and Jiang Chen's Audi A6L, guided by the navigation system, drove off the flat and wide highway.

The moment the wheels hit the county road, a familiar bumpy feeling came from the chassis. Although the air suspension had filtered out most of the vibrations, Jiang Chen could still feel it clearly.

The road has deteriorated.

Home feels closer now.

When the car headlights swept over the faded, yet undeniably familiar road sign, Jiang Chen's heart skipped a beat.

The road sign had the words "Jiangjia Village 3 km" painted in large white letters.

It's these last three kilometers.

In his mind, this was the longest and most rugged road in the world.

This road doesn't test driving skills; it tests the quality of a triumphant return home.

This is a "prestige road".

The matrix LED headlights illuminated the bumpy, familiar dirt road.

Jiang Chen felt like a king about to tour his territory, driving his invincible chariot toward the somewhat dilapidated kingdom that held his entire childhood.

He pressed the window button.

"Whoosh—"

A sudden rush of air, carrying the fragrance of earth, the scent of withered grass and trees, and the crisp chill of winter, swept in.

This scent dispelled the "money smell" created by the expensive fragrance in the car, but it invigorated Jiang Chen.

This is the taste of home, the taste of roots.

A smile appeared on his face, and then he made a gesture that seemed somewhat comical to outsiders.

He took out a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses from the center console and slowly put them on.

Although it was already dark, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

This isn't about showing off; it's a ritual, a mask he's putting on for the role he's about to play.

From this moment on, "Jiang Chen, a migrant worker in Shanghai" officially went offline.

"General Jiang," returning home in glory, makes a dazzling appearance.

The car was moving very slowly. The massive body of the A6L on the narrow village road resembled a black behemoth surveying its territory, quiet yet imposing.

Soon, the familiar lights at the village entrance appeared at the edge of the field of vision.

The village's only shop is also the village's "information exchange center" that never closes.

A dim 15-watt light bulb hangs under the eaves, its light faint yet attracting moths from all over the village.

Under the light bulb, around a roaring charcoal brazier, several figures gathered, the sounds of cracking sunflower seeds and chatting mingling together, creating the only lively atmosphere on the winter night.

Jiang Chen's car headlights startled them from afar.

[Ding! System notification: You are about to enter a high-energy gossip field. Your family reputation is facing its first test. Please maintain your persona; the first battle is crucial!]

Looking at the virtual screen that appeared before him, Jiang Chen's lips curled into a confident smile.

He responded consciously, "Don't worry, I'm a professional."

Even when the car was still dozens of meters away, he could already hear the conversation of those middle-aged women. Their voices weren't loud, but they were extremely penetrating.

"You didn't see it! That car, it's gleaming!" A sharp female voice pierced the night sky. It was Wang Dama from the east end of the village, a core member of the intelligence center.

As she spoke, she gestured with her hands, spittle flying under the light.

"Li Wei from the village chief's family drove back today! A brand new Volkswagen! He's really showing off!"

"What Volkswagen? I heard from my daughter-in-law that it's a Magotan! It costs over 200,000 yuan to get one!" A slightly plump Aunt Li immediately corrected her in a tone full of envy and awe, as if the word "Magotan" itself was shining with golden light.

"Over two hundred thousand? My goodness!"

"Isn't that the best car in our village?"

"Absolutely! In the future, any family that gets to marry off their daughter will be so proud to have this car as the lead vehicle!"

The crowd chattered amongst themselves, their faces filled with longing for the "luxury car worth over 200,000 yuan," as if it were a distant dream.

Just as everyone's praise for the "Magotan" reached its peak, and they were about to start discussing Li Wei's annual salary.

"Buzz..."

A deep, yet extremely oppressive engine sound quietly approached from afar.

The car came to a steady stop in the only open space in front of the convenience store.

Its massive body and innate powerful presence made the Magotan, which was just hailed as a "god car" by everyone, instantly look like an inconspicuous tin toy.

Their eyes were fixed on the "official car" they had only ever seen on television, their minds completely blank.

Grandma Wang swallowed hard, squinted her old eyes, and spoke in a trembling voice, filled with disbelief and astonishment.

"This...this car...a four-ring Audi...how many Passats would that be worth?"

No one answered her.

Because everyone's eyes were fixed on the driver's side door that was about to open.