So, this is what they were after. While the Wu family was strong in martial arts, their financial power was lacking. They couldn't compare to even ordinary business families, let alone giants like the Liu and Ye families. It was now clear that the rapid rise of the Autumn Group, which seemed to have no apparent backing, must have provoked their jealousy.
Realizing they couldn't take down the Autumn Group on their own, they sought help from the Liu family. Liu Yiru sneered inwardly.
Even if they didn't have a secret agreement with the Autumn Group, she would never cooperate with the Wu family, knowing their ulterior motives.
Liu Fengyi smiled and said, "But I don't see the Autumn Group as a threat to our family. What do you think, Yiru?" Although unaware of her sister's agreement with Li Xueer, she shared the same opinion.
"Exactly," Liu Yiru agreed. "There are many companies out there as strong as us, but they aren't all our enemies. Besides, both the Autumn Group and we are developing in Wanghai. There could even be opportunities for cooperation in the future."
Wu Shiying, seeing his excuse dismissed so easily by the two sisters, felt his anger rise. His polite demeanor slipped away, and he shot them a dark look. "So, you're refusing to cooperate with me?" he asked in a threatening tone.
Liu Fengyi smiled calmly. "I'm sorry, but we don't seem to have a shared interest on this matter. Of course, if there's a legitimate business proposal, we'd still be open to working with the Wu family." She made sure to emphasize the word "legitimate."
When persuasion failed, Wu Shiying resorted to the one card he thought would always work—the Martial Alliance. "As a member of the Martial Alliance, is this really your response to the Alliance's request?"
Liu Yiru's eyes narrowed, and she sneered. "The Wu Alliance's request? Do you think that just because your surname is Wu, the Martial Alliance belongs to your family? Once, the Martial Alliance stood for fairness, but now it's become a den of corruption, controlled by villains like you. It's a disgrace to its founder!"
Normally, Liu Yiru would never speak so harshly, but after Wu Shiying's earlier insult to her son, she couldn't hold back her anger.
Liu Fengyi was startled. Her sister's words would undoubtedly put the Liu family at odds with the Wu family, which was far from ideal. However, given how things had escalated, she chose not to contradict her sister in front of Wu Shiying.
Judging by his expression, it was clear that, regardless of her sister's words, the Wu family would not take this lightly.
Wu Shiying's face turned blue with rage, but he knew better than to act impulsively. While he was confident he could overpower one of the Liu sisters, taking on both would be a losing battle.
However, his gaze shifted to Ye Fei, who had been sitting quietly throughout the conversation, looking harmless. A sinister idea crept into his mind. Wu Shiying had hoped to use this negotiation as a stepping stone to distinguish himself among the Wu family's heirs, securing his position in the family's future leadership.
Now that the sisters had dismissed him, he needed leverage. He had heard that Ye Fei, although deemed a weakling, was dearly beloved by the Liu sisters. If he could capture him, he could force their cooperation. And perhaps, with Ye Fei as a hostage, he might even get closer to the two sisters who had stirred his lust.
Having made his plan, Wu Shiying slammed the table, stood up, and barked, "Fine! Remember what I said today. I hope you won't regret your decision!"
He stormed towards the door, but halfway there, he suddenly turned and lunged at Ye Fei with his hands formed into claws, aiming to grab him.
Liu Fengyi, realizing his intentions first, gasped and leaped forward, but Ye Fei was seated too close to the door, and Wu Shiying's speed outmatched hers. She couldn't reach him in time.
Hearing her sister's exclamation, Liu Yiru also turned to see what was happening. In her panic, she momentarily forgot her son's abilities and rushed forward, shouting, "You bastard! Stop!"
Despite the sisters' efforts, they were far too slow. Just when they felt a surge of desperation, the situation shifted dramatically.
Although Ye Fei had already decided to kill Wu Shiying, he hadn't wanted to do it in front of witnesses. His plan was to deal with him after he left. However, seeing Wu Shiying foolishly rush towards him, he reacted instinctively.
In a flash, Ye Fei stood, twisting his body slightly to evade Wu Shiying's grasp. In one swift motion, Ye Fei leaned forward, his right hand forming a claw, and struck out like lightning, grabbing Wu Shiying by the neck.
What Ye Fei had just displayed was a movement from the Liu family's martial arts, techniques he had observed since childhood. Though he wasn't able to practice martial arts growing up, he had seen his mother and sisters training, so the moves were ingrained in his memory.
He had always thought the Liu family's martial arts, with its light and agile techniques, were better suited for women, finding them somewhat too delicate for a man. But when he used them himself, there was no trace of femininity—only grace and strength.
He realized now that he could use these techniques going forward, and it filled him with satisfaction.
However, while Ye Fei was pleased with his own performance, he was also slightly disappointed. Was this the martial prowess of the feared Wu family
It was laughably weak. What Ye Fei didn't know was that, while he was unimpressed, the others in the room were stunned. Liu Yiru, who already knew her son possessed great strength, was nonetheless astonished by what she had just witnessed.
Wu Shiying, while not quite on the level of her younger sister Liu Junyi, was still considered a top-tier martial artist. Yet, Ye Fei had taken him down in a single move.