“You are ridiculous!” Mu Qiqi exclaiming, tugging at Sheng Xiao’s hand. “Well, I shall wait until you become a big shot in Jianchuan once again, Xiao Xiao.”


  Because when that happened, even Old Sheng would not dare to provoke him so easily.

  “It’s going to be easy with Grandpa, Second Uncle, and Dad. But why do I feel like a white-collar worker from a working-class background?”


  “Live-in sons-in-law can’t afford to be picky.”


  Sheng Xiao beamed at Mu Qiqi’s words and promptly picked her up and headed towards their bedroom. “Such a good deal…”


  Mu Qiqi had wrapped her arms around his neck and was smiling dazzlingly too.

  Still, when Sheng Xiao tucked her into bed, he whispered devilishly into her ear, “I want our first child when you’re twenty.”


  “But… I’m not…”


  “We’ll register outside the country and then come back here for the notary.”


  “Do you have to be in such a hurry?” Mu Qiqi couldn’t help glaring at the man on top of her. “Or is the great Crown Prince afraid that I would run away?”


  “Silly thing.” Sheng Xiao rebuked her gently before leaning in for a kiss…


  ***

  Back at the Sheng family, the board of directors had been giving Second Brother a hard time in Sheng Xiao’s absence. It was fortunate that he was competent enough to keep the internal structure of Huang Yao stable despite the suddenness of Sheng Xiao’s departure, which assuredly made Old Sheng look at him in a new light.

  Still, Second Brother fell short in contrast to Sheng Xiao because Sheng Xiao was as ambitious as the old man.

  Sheng Xiao had been active in expanding Huang Yao’s influence, whereas Second Brother was much more conservative.

  Nonetheless, the old man was very pleased that Huang Yao was able to maintain their current order.

  Late in the night, Second Brother was still reporting to the old man in his study about the work he had done over the last two days, which made the old man thoughtful.

  “You’ve done well, Second Brother. Thought Eighth Brother is gone, you did not disappoint me.”


  “I’m only doing what I can, Grandpa.” In truth, Second Brother himself did not imagine that he could shoulder Huang Yao in such a short time.

  “I’ve already made the call to bring your Third Brother home to help you. I’m planning to retrain a new faction so that we won’t have to be threatened by Eighth Brother anymore.”


  After all, it was only natural that the old man had gotten more ideas when he saw Second Brother’s competence for himself.

  “I’ll work even harder, Grandpa.”


  “If you really could hold things together, you will rise as the Crown Prince of Huang Yao.”


  “Grandpa, that’s Eighth Brother’s title. I…’


  “The one who strengthens Huang Yao will be her heir. Maybe I don’t need Eighth Brother all that much.”


  Of course, those were cheap words on the old man’s part that did not necessarily reflect his thoughts. Once Second Brother makes a mistake, he would immediately remember how Sheng Xiao was better—that was how inconsistent the old man would always be.

  Still, there is no person who doesn’t like flattery.

  Thanks to the old man’s sweet words, Second Brother certainly wanted to do better… even surpassing Sheng Xiao, at that.

  “In two days, an old acquaintance of mind will send over her granddaughter as a guest. Help me take care of her—with your eldest aunt leaving the family, your mother would have to come back to oversee family matters.”


  And that was equal to promoting Second Brother’s family to temporarily hold things together at Huang Yao.

  “Don’t worry, Grandpa.”


  The old man would never believe that Sheng Xiao could remain unaffected, especially with things being moved around at the Sheng family.

  That being said, what waves would stir in the family when Gu Ziling shows up?

  ***

  Meanwhile, the employees of Xu Holdings were behaving very differently around Jing Yun ever since his reunion event. The ones who had always bothered him and steal his credit no longer dared to act insolently around him, since none of them expected him to be the Xu family’s young master before.

  It was more so a pity that he would soon marry the young mistress of the Sheng family.

  Otherwise, the ladies of Xu Holdings would probably get in heat.

  Now, it was three days since the day Xu Yihong suggested bringing Jing Yun to the family’s factory.

  Jing Yun knew perfectly well that those three days was period in which Xu Yihong had planned everything.

  In the evening, when Xu Yihong came home and found Jing Yun having dinner with the family, he told Jing Yun, “We’re visiting the factory tomorrow. I’ve arranged everything, and even Eldest Uncle would accompany us.”


  “Sorry for the trouble, brother.” Jing Yun remained impassive, because he had been waiting for this moment over a few days now.

  “We’ll leave early tomorrow.”


  With that, Xu Yihong went upstairs to rest, while Mama Xu told Jing Yun, “Your brother really cares for you. Feng’er, promise me to always respect your brother.”


  “I know, Mom.” Jing Yun said, and returned to his meal while Mama Xu turned to Sheng Minglan and started discussing about getting things ready for the wedding.

  It was only when Sheng Minglan and Jing Yun returned to their bedroom that she asked him, “Will it be safe going there tomorrow? Do you have any responses ready?”


  Jing Yun shook his head. “He would be suspicious if I bring someone else with me.”


  “But there is no telling what trap he’s set. I’m worried about you going alone.”


  Jing Yun embraced Sheng Minglan at that and stroke her back. “Trust me, Minglan. Having followed young master over the years, I’ve become immune to this stuff. Believe me.”


  Having no choice, Sheng Minglan could only nod. “Then be careful. Tell me immediately if anything happens.”


  “Don’t worry.” Jing Yun never stopped stroking her back, intent on calming her down.

  Be that as it may, if Xu Yihong did make a move, he would definitely make him pay.

  ***

  Next morning, the two brothers went downstairs together and had breakfast with the Xu couple.

  “Old-timer, sometimes I really feel like I’m dreaming… it really is my greatest fortune to get Feng’er back.”


  “Mom, I’ll hang around with you more with Third Brother. It would be even better if our sister could come back to the country.”


  “That’s true. That girl hasn’t even come back to visit your brother.”


  Jing Yun actually has an elder sister, but she was overseas at the moment. Since the Xu couple did not mention her, Jing Yun decided not to ask.

  Soon, the brothers left the Xu manor and got on a car Xu Yihong had prepared.

  “Yifeng, I will show you a whole new world today.”


  If Jing Yun did not know beforehand that Xu Yihong was ready to hurt him, he would really have believed that his eldest brother was kind enough to let him visit the heart of the Xu family’s business.

  “When you’re formally in the family, I’ll transfer you to a key department. I trust your ability, and with you sharing part of our business, I will be very relieved.”


  Jing Yun smiled calmly, letting nothing slip against Xu Yihong’s acting.

  It wouldn’t be long until they get this good show on the road!