104 Xu Yichen’s Methods (Part Two)

Yes, life is indeed filled with countless unknowns.

It makes us lose the unshakable confidence we had in our youth, the proud and resolute promises we once made now reduced to a mere surrender to the fickleness of fate.

As the years slip by, is it only time and youth that we lose?

Those irretrievable days of adolescence!

Seeing Lin Xia gazing out the window, Zhao Xin withdrew his eyes and said, "Yes, life is truly brimming with uncertainty. You can never imagine what will happen in the next moment. To live is simply to endure 'partings and farewells,' and inevitably, it stirs a deep sigh."

"If not for those four words, what meaning would reunion and loyalty hold?" Lin Xia murmured, watching the crowded traffic and the indifferent crowd rushing by, her heart heavy with reflection.

Two souls reborn, sharing their innermost thoughts in such a moment, was itself a twist of fate and destiny, Lin Xia thought silently.

Afterwards, neither spoke.

Lin Xia’s previous words were merely a sigh; in such a state, neither had the heart for conversation.

Standing beside Zhao Xin, Lin Xia did not feel the atmosphere was awkward; instead, there was a silent understanding between them that puzzled Zhao Xin but also brought him comfort.

If only the timing were right, such a moment would be truly precious.

In the hospital, someone struggles on the brink of life and death; in the nightclub, others drown in drunken dreams, living in vain illusions while neon lights continue to glow brilliantly. The world is dirty, and people have grown accustomed to silence.

Who is willing to listen to the sound of a flower blooming?

This was an ancient, quaint courtyard in City B, a simple quadrangle with a semi-enclosed garden surrounded by winding corridors. Artificial rock formations rose like stone peaks, entwined with ivy vines and backed by emerald bamboo and famed flowers, exuding a refined elegance.

“Master Xu,” the guard standing by the gate respectfully saluted Xu Yichen.

Xu Yichen’s gaze remained steady as he passed through the moon gate.

“The young master has arrived,” said an elderly man with snowy white hair, standing at the study’s entrance. His smiling, kindly face radiated benevolence, yet no one in the estate dared to show him disrespect.

Having cared for Xu Yichen since he was a child, this old man brought a smile to Xu Yichen’s eyes as he nodded, “Uncle Wang.”

Uncle Wang pushed open the study door, smiling warmly, “Young master, please come in quickly. The master is waiting for you inside.”

Xu Yichen nodded and stepped into the study.

The study’s furnishings were simple but deeply classical.

Dominating the center opposite the entrance hung a marble wall scroll, beneath which stood a small square table. On each side were grand official chairs, with a chessboard resting on the table. To the east was a desk for handling official matters, sparsely adorned with an inkstone, brush holder, brush rack, paperweight, and seal box. Against the western wall stood a massive bookshelf filled with thread-bound books; a careful observer would notice rare, priceless editions among them.

Several Shang and Zhou dynasty bronze tripods displayed inside the bookshelf were equally eye-catching. Adjacent to the bookshelf hung a large calligraphy scroll bearing the four characters: “Rare to be Confused,” written in a vigorous, flowing style that was breathtaking.

At that moment, an elderly man with silver hair, clad in a collarless, fine blue long robe, stood behind the desk practicing calligraphy with a poised arm. Xu Yichen stood quietly with his hands behind his back. When the old man put down his brush, Xu Yichen finally spoke, “Grandfather.”

The elder lifted his head, carefully studying his grandson’s pale face.

By appearance, this grandson bore no resemblance to him; such delicate features were hardly those of a man. Yet his aura was carved from the same mold as the old man’s.

With two more years of refinement, after the old man’s passing, this grandson would surely uphold the entire Xu family.

Thinking of the Xu family’s current predicament and its next generation, Xu Tianling sighed. It was a pity about his present condition.

Under the piercing gaze that seemed to penetrate one’s very soul, exuding overwhelming power, Xu Yichen couldn’t help but frown.

In his previous life, even until death, he had never possessed such a commanding presence.

Clearly, he still had much to temper.

Seeing Xu Yichen’s change, Xu Tianling’s eyes narrowed slightly as he coughed softly, breaking and easing the room’s tension.

“Whatever you do, your heart knows best; there’s no need for me to meddle,” Xu Yichen said with a straightened spine, his tone indifferent.

Xu Tianling was deeply pleased but pointed toward a stack of papers in the upper right corner of the desk. “Take a look yourself. How many eyes are watching you from behind? Do you think no one found out what you did to that Li family brat? That ‘Midnight Poppy’ kid was already captured by the Li family’s eldest son. What he said has long been extracted. If I hadn’t used my underground forces to smooth things over for you, would you really believe City B was under your sole control?”

Xu Yichen took the documents and flipped through them expressionlessly, yet inside, turbulent waves surged.

Everything he had done to Li Shaoren was recorded clearly here, including when he took control of the ‘Midnight Poppy’ forces and the exact extent of his power.

His success in scheming against Li Shaoren was not only due to his own forces but largely because the Li family’s eldest and second sons stoked the flames, using him as a pawn.

Though Li Shaoren was a profligate, he was the youngest grandson doted on by the Li family patriarch. He was idle but held significant shares in the family’s assets. Rumor had it the patriarch left him much private property, naturally provoking resentment from his two elder brothers.

Since Xu Yichen intended to target him, they went along with it, keeping their hands clean afterward.

Watching his grandfather calmly sipping tea, Xu Yichen felt as if doused in ice water; his heart turned colder than the depths of winter.

The cunning old fox Xu Tianling surely saw through Xu Yichen’s changes and knew not to push too hard. One must offer a stick but also timely give a red date.

“Your schemes have many flaws, but your achievements in such a short time have exceeded my expectations,” Xu Tianling said, setting down his teacup and looking at his grandson. “I have already handled the aftermath of the car accident for you. You owe that girl from the Xie family her life. I won’t say more. But one must plan carefully and never act rashly without certainty—especially at a time like this.”

“Besides, though the Xie family lacks standing in City B, they hold considerable underground power. They have already sent people to investigate, and I have dispatched someone to send your shadow guard back to base for punishment.”

“All these troubles are due to my carelessness. I accept the punishment,” Xu Yichen said, lowering his proud head for the first time since his rebirth.

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