It was said that the Xi Family in London was also losing money year after year, a problem that the elderly master had not solved for three consecutive years.
Xi Nian had his suspicions but did not speak much.
Although the elderly master found Xi Gu’s response a bit strange, he quickly suppressed this odd feeling. Over the years, these grandsons had been openly and secretly competing for his favor. Although there was a deviation now, he indeed had his favorites.
But who wouldn’t covet the vast Xi Family?
Even if he appeased them now, how could they rebel?
The power of life and death was in his hands; naturally, he was fearless.
"Hmm, you still understand," the elderly master said expressionlessly, "After your aunt gets the hang of the business, Grandpa hopes you will return to London. I am getting old, and this side might be too much to handle; it will be good for you to take over. Do you have any objections?"
Xi Nian’s suspicions were confirmed, and he grew even more disappointed with the elderly master. In fact, he had not expected much but now only saw the elderly master as shameless.
He looked at him indifferently, his gaze devoid of any emotion, "What about my ’City of Temptation’?"
"Xi Nian, actually, the bet between brothers is just a joke. Regardless of who loses or wins, the result will still fall on you brothers. What do you think is the meaning of it? It might be better for Xi Gu to develop new territories in the country while you come back and support Grandpa.
That way, with the Xi brothers, who could clearly see us?"
The elderly master, although reluctant to admit it, indeed found Xi Nian the most capable among his grandchildren. He was extremely tactful in handling matters and had good private relationships with many people.
These connections, if brought to the London headquarters, would benefit the Xi Family.
The elderly master planned Xi Nian’s demise in his heart.
Yet he felt not an ounce of pity.
Xi Nian knew the elderly master’s hollow grandeur, but this sudden strategy indeed left him no time to respond. He looked up at the elderly master’s merciless, ruthless face, forcing himself to calm down, "Grandpa, I understand. Let me think about it."
The elderly master snorted, "Do you need to think about being at Grandpa’s side, and by his knees?"
Although his attitude was firm, he was actually quite clear that pressuring Xi Nian too much might not yield the results he wanted. He waved his hand, putting on a show, "Alright, alright, let’s leave it at that. I’ll give you two days to think about it."
After ending the video call, a fierce, crimson hue of malice quickly rose in Xi Nian’s eyes, very dangerous. He stood up in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows in his office, organizing the events he had gone through from leaving the Xi Family to returning.
The resentment in his heart was like a mountain, suffocating him.
His usefulness was merely to pave the way for the Xi Family, while Xi Gu, that useless person, was always enjoying the benefits. Were his parents innocent? Did they deserve to die over the elderly master’s scandal?
Doesn’t he have nightmares when he goes to sleep at night?
The office door was pushed open from the outside, and Xi Gu’s detestable face appeared in front of Xi Nian, who knew that he was eager to boast about his imminent rise by stepping on him.
"What are you here for?"
Xi Nian’s tone was flat as he looked at Xi Gu.
Xi Gu crossed his arms over his chest, looking at Xi Nian with a mocking gaze, his voice full of scornful mockery, "So, you just got off the phone with grandfather? Xi Nian, can’t you see the reality? No matter how excellent you are, you can only serve as a stepping stone for me, Xi Gu."
Xi Nian sneered, "Aren’t you worried that your arrogance might cost you the control of Huanya?"
Xi Gu didn’t take it seriously and raised an eyebrow, "If you’re jealous, just say it. I won’t laugh at you."
Xi Nian turned his head away, not looking at Xi Gu’s smug expression. In the direction Xi Gu couldn’t see, the color in his eyes was sinister, making one shiver, "Xi Gu, you better hold firmly to that throne then. I wish you luck."
Upon hearing this, Xi Gu involuntarily shuddered, feeling as though he had overlooked something.
But thinking of the old man backing him up, he instantly recuperated, responding to Xi Nian’s words with a displeased smile, "There’s no need to provoke me with your words; I’m not buying it. Go ahead and throw your threats, I’m curious to see, when the fruits of your labor come crashing down on my head, what will you do then?"
What will you do then?
Xi Nian sneered, not responding.
Xi Gu, finding no joy in this, didn’t linger in his office and left with a flick of his sleeve.
Meanwhile, Yuran had never thought that she would meet Catherine, whom she had always wanted to see, under such circumstances. Bai Leyao had collaborated with a musician who had just returned from abroad and he had agreed to work on a song with her. She had come along with Bai Leyao and Kang Zhenyu to meet him, but his plane was delayed, so the trio could only wait in the previously booked hotel. After waiting for two hours, he finally appeared.
Bai Leyao had been secluded in songwriting, and stepping out this time made her realize how long it had been since she’d been out in the world. Seeing Kang Zhenyu and Yuran felt comforting, and she babbled on one side while Kang Zhenyu listened absent-mindedly, occasionally responding with trivial comments.
Yuran couldn’t handle it; she was dragged along, enduring Bai Leyao’s endless chatter as if it were torture to her ears.
Eventually, Yuran heard a name too familiar to be mistaken; the person Bai Leyao was supposed to meet was named Ao Chen.
Yuran was momentarily stunned, lost in thought.
Bai Leyao also paused her chatter and seriously lectured Yuran, "Yuran, let me tell you, you cannot be fickle-hearted, okay? The great movie star has money and looks and treats you well, and you two have Zhizhi between you. You cannot dream about someone else."
Yuran was thunderstruck by her words, "What are you talking about?"
Bai Leyao, "What I’m saying is, you can’t emotionally cheat. I know Ao Chen is famous, looks good, and is talented, but you can’t just go into a daze when you hear his name! The great movie star is even more famous than him."
Yuran’s brow twitched, and she flicked Bai Leyao’s forehead with her finger, making Bai Leyao wince and cover her forehead, pitifully looking at Yuran, "What are you doing? That’s mean."
Yuran, "I think you need to be straightened out. When did I ever say I liked Ao Chen? Are you sure you aren’t just excitedly assigning me feelings here? Are you sure?"
Bai Leyao was stunned, suddenly uncertain.
Kang Zhenyu watched the two arguing without joining in, just enjoying the spectacle from the sidelines.
Just then, Catherine’s voice came from the corridor outside. She was arguing in English with a waiter who kept apologizing politely, but she was relentless, seemingly unconcerned about the issue. It seemed she knew Yuran was here.
Ironically, Catherine didn’t know at first, but as she passed through the lobby, she overheard the staff discussing that they had just seen Yuran in their hotel, looking as beautiful as in the pictures.
After a brief check, she got the information, leading to the scene of Yuran in the suite hearing the noise from the corridor.