Qing Niao shrugged and said, "The Xu Family as one of the Eight Great Top Families of the Great Xia has a legacy spanning a thousand years, vast wealth of hundreds of billions, and a complex web of connections."
"If the state takes over the Xu Family’s assets, do you think others will believe that the Xu Family’s downfall was solely because of your personal vendetta?"
"Will they think that the state wants to eliminate the secular families?"
Xu Wendong nodded in acknowledgment, understanding why he had to take over the Xu Family’s assets. If he refused, the other seven families would certainly be in disarray.
If that were the case, the consequences would be unimaginable.
After all, if the Seven Great Top Families united, it would be like detonating a nuclear bomb in a busy district.
Xu Wendong said, "I will handle the Xu Family’s matters properly."
"Then I won’t disturb your meal!" Qingluan turned around, walking towards the exit with graceful steps.
When she reached the door,
she stopped, slowly turned her head, and displayed an enchanting smile, "My earlier proposal remains valid. You can call me anytime if you are interested." With a raise of her eyebrows, she disappeared into the night.
Xu Wendong felt a slight bitter laugh in his heart, not expecting Qingluan to actually want to engage in dual cultivation with him.
He looked at Ye Qingxin, Nie Xiaoyu, Jiang Hongyi and said, "Let’s eat!"
The three women took their seats.
Xu Wendong then looked at the four young women in the restaurant and said, "You can go have your meals too, no need to stand here like waitresses."
"Yes, sir," they replied respectfully and exited the restaurant.
As the four of them ate and drank, Xu Wendong said to Ye Qingxin, "Here’s what I’m thinking, from now on, you’ll manage the Xu Corporation, and also arrange respectable jobs for these sisters within the Xu Clan."
Although he agreed to take over the Xu Corporation, Xu Wendong couldn’t focus primarily on it due to his position within the system. Plus, since the Spring Festival was over, his new job assignment would likely be implemented soon.
Therefore, handing the Xu Corporation to Ye Qingxin made the most sense.
Because among the many women around him, Ye Qingxin was the most capable and the one he felt most at ease with.
"Okay." Ye Qingxin paused and then said, "Now that you’re the Xu Clan Leader, you should probably organize a gathering and invite the leaders of the other seven great families. It’s a traditional process among the Eight Great Families."
"That’s unnecessary." Xu Wendong disliked those kinds of events and decisively rejected Ye Qingxin’s suggestion.
However, after reconsidering, since it’s an established process, he shouldn’t make an exception.
He said, "Tomorrow Xiaoyu and I will return to Qingyuan. Please host a banquet for me."
Xu Wendong changed the subject, with a mischievous grin on his face, "Come on, let’s eat first, and afterwards, the four of us can play some poker!"
Jiang Hongyi blushed slightly,
even Ye Qingxin appeared a bit uneasy.
However, Nie Xiaoyu said innocently, "I don’t know how to play poker!"
Xu Wendong cleared his throat, "It’s just the sound of clap clap clap!"
the four of them began a memorable group activity.
Indulging themselves until late into the night, they finally embraced and fell asleep.
Though it was exhausting,
it was immensely enjoyable.
Xu Wendong, Nie Xiaoyu, and Ye Qingxin arrived at the Xu Corporation and met with the company’s executives, where he announced the appointment of Ye Qingxin as the new chairman.
Afterwards, they boarded a plane, leaving Jingdu for Qingyuan County.
During this trip to Jingdu, he had eradicated the Xu Family, avenging his father’s grievances buried in the Blood Sea.
His cultivation level had also reached the Fifth Level of Qi Refinement.
Moreover, he became the head of The Outer Eight Sects.
It was undeniably a worthwhile journey.
Xu Wendong and Nie Xiaoyu returned to Qingyuan County.
After getting back to the Mid-mountain Villa, he didn’t rest and drove his Mercedes pickup truck straight to the Xu Family Village by himself.
a tranquil little mountain village came into Xu Wendong’s view.
Seeing the smoke rising from the village chimneys, a faint smile appeared on his face, even though he had visited many places.
But only this small village held the most beautiful memories of his life.
this was the place that raised him!
He lowered the car window, curled his right index finger, placed it in his mouth, and gave a loud, long whistle.
The moment the whistle sounded,
the previously quiet Xu Family Village erupted with the clucking of chickens and barking of dogs.
Many people had a slightly bitter smile on their faces.
Some even herded their household poultry back into the coops.
"What’s going on? Why does it suddenly feel so lively?" Lin Yiren, who was cooking dinner with her mother-in-law, furrowed her brows with curiosity.
Xu Wenjian’s mother chuckled, "That little rascal is back!"
Lin Yiren was momentarily stunned,
then she realized that her mother-in-law was referring to Xu Wendong as the "little rascal." She immediately said, "Mom, should we call Wendong over for dinner?"
She hadn’t seen Xu Wendong in several days and genuinely missed him, especially the thrill of playing with him and his brother.
"No need to worry about him, he won’t starve," Mother Xu said with a smile.
Xu Wendong drove into the village.
As soon as he entered, he saw many familiar faces—elders, people of his grandfather’s generation, and his peers.
Though he was an orphan, he had good relations in the village. Not to mention, when Xu Jianghe was alive, he was the village doctor; who hadn’t benefited from his care?
This alone ensured that Xu Wendong wouldn’t lack friends, and of course, if he didn’t engage in thievery, it would have been even better.
Seeing those familiar faces in the village, Xu Wendong got out of his car, offered cigarettes to the elders, and greeted them.
After some pleasantries, he drove to the easternmost point of the village, to a rundown adobe house.
The house was surrounded by a fence, with a crooked pomegranate tree growing in the yard.
Since Xu Jianghe passed away this year, red spring couplets couldn’t be posted for three years, but there were purple couplets on the door.
He found the key, unlocked the door, and entered.
A damp, musty smell hit him in the face.
The empty yet familiar surroundings came into view, especially the benevolent smile on the framed photograph on the table, which made his nose sting, and he then knelt before his grandfather’s portrait and kowtowed three times.
"Grandpa, the matters with the Xu Family have been completely resolved, you can rest in peace now!"
"This is a special gift I brought back for you from Zhongnanhai." He said as he placed cigarettes he bought in Jingdu in front of the portrait.
Because he knew his grandfather’s favorite brand was Zhongnanhai.
Just as Xu Wendong took out a cigarette and was about to take a puff, a pair of cool hands covered his eyes from behind, followed by a pleasant voice saying, "Guess who I am!"