Chapter 328 - Wrapping up (II)
Old Xiong was very furious when he heard the whole matter from Xiong Zhi. As a man who stood at the peak of the society for many years, he knew what the goal of those perpetrators was in humiliating his granddaughter.
He was truly livid.
However, the girl in front of him just stood calmly and told him that she would handle them herself. All the old man needed to do was to transfer all of Xiong De's shares in the country that he has gathered in the second branch to Xiong Bilan.
When he heard of those two names, he immediately realized who the perpetrator was supposed to be.
"Is the mastermind of this incident your Third Uncle?"
Xiong Zhi nodded, her face expressionless. "But I don't have concrete proof. The confession doesn't count. There's no way you can punish him justifiably because of testimonies alone."
Old Xiong snorted. "If that really happened, just the thought of harming you is already an act of treason against the main branch. Especially now that you are titled as my heir."
Xiong Zhi looked blankly at her grandfather. Her grandfather sounded very protective right now. What happened to the old man who did not even blink when his relatives conspired against each other?
It felt strange.
"I understand, Grandpa. But let me handle it." This was her fight. She did not want to give them a way out so easily. Although she would be able to weaken them if she used this chance, but they would not be truly obliterated.
Also, she was not done playing with them yet. She wanted them to feel totally hopeless with no chance of comeback.
Old Xiong scrutinized her face. There really was no hesitation in her eyes.
"How do you want me to help?"
Xiong Zhi lightly smiled, though it made her cold face appear a bit wicked.
"I just want you to make him panic. Maybe right now he had not committed mistakes yet. So, we need to push him into making one."
Xiong Zhi wanted Xiong De to feel like he was sinking. What could a desperate man do when he was about to lose everything he had work hard for?
He might be careful and meticulous in his every scheme until now. But when he was desperate, he would surely make mistakes.
Old Xiong understood what she meant.
He touched the smooth rounded surface of his cane while deeply thinking. In what way should he ruffle his insidious nephew to make him lose his marbles?
Soon, Xiong Zhi gave him idea.
"Grandpa, since First Uncle is here in the country, why don't you make him the head of the second branch? He is the eldest, and he is also quite capable. Transferring to him the shares that Xiong De had gathered would be quite amusing to see."
"..."
Old Xiong stared at Xiong Zhi. That would be a good idea. However...
"Did you owe your First Uncle or something?"
"Something like that."
It was just a part of her deal with him to help Linfeng out, and also her ploy. Xiong De would panic and become guarded with Xiong Bilan. All of his focus would be on him.
Same with Xiong Bilan. Her First Uncle was not an easy pawn, he was also a snake.
It would be best if the two fight amongst themselves.
And while they were fighting, she would lay down her traps one by one for the both of them.
"Hmm. It seems like you have some plans for them. Alright, I want to see how you handle it. I will send a notice to the board to have a meeting amongst shareholders. I believe you want it first thing in the morning?"
"Yes, please," Xiong Zhi nodded.
Old XIong harrumphed.
"Are you sure you're not doing it just to cover up for what transpired today with your butler?"
"Partly. And he is not my butler anymore."
Old Xiong raised his eyebrow. "But he will be, two years later."
"And not now. We have the same standing. Even two years later, he is no longer a simple butler, but a voluntary aide."
Old Xiong knitted his brow.
"We haven't broken the treaty officially yet...never mind. If you have nothing else to say, then go away." He waved her off. Hearing his grandaughter's proclamation of love in front of him irked him.
Xiong Zhi bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Grandpa. Have a good rest."
After that, she walked away. The old man stood alone in the garden. He gazed towards the sky, unsure of what he was really feeling.
*****
At the same time, Linfeng finished convincing the elders and his father with leaving everything to himself.
The elders, although shocked, trusted him more.
They were feeling conflicted.
They were old enough, and breaking this treaty would not affect their personal life. However, the Zhou family's entire business and future was at stake. If this was not handled well, it could only go downhill for them.
So the elders decided to leave this matter to Linfeng, who seemed to have prepared everything. They agreed to keep it a secret for now, so that their loss would not be too great and to ensure the stability of their family as well.
Two years later, once the two families split up, they would prepare themselves to answer the questions of their family members.
Zhou Min was silent all this time. His heart was feeling conflicted but none of it showed on his face.
It was late in the afternoon when they finished their discussion.
Linfeng escorted the tired elders towards the car.
After they left, the father and son went back into the Xiong Mansion.
Zhou Min called Linfeng.
"Linfeng."
He looked questioningly at his father.
Zhou Min stared at his son. Then, a smile slowly appeared on his face.
"I am proud of you. Your father is useless, I can only leave everything up to you," he patted Linfeng's shoulders. His mouth had a taste of bitterness in it. But undeniably, he was full of pride for his son.
Linfeng looked at his father's ashamed eyes. He opened his mouth.
"Father, you are one of the biggest reasons why I wanted to break free from the Xiong family."
Zhou Min's hand froze, his face stunned. 'Me?'
Linfeng answered the question in his father's mind.
"When I was young, you always told me to study hard and train hard. And when I ask you why I need to become a butler," his eyes lowered, "...your answer was different to any other answers I heard before."
Zhou Min blinked. It was a long time ago. What did he say?
"You said, it was because I was born this way. And it is your fault, your father's fault, and our ancestors' fault." A wry smile appeared on Linfeng's face. "That if I don't want to work hard as a butler, then break the treaty myself. Then you said that that would be harder, so why not just train myself hard?"
Zhou Min's eyes turned wide. Back then, he answered like that?
He found it a bit unbelievable. He was always composed. He would never answer so rudely and irresponsibly like that.
Then, it suddenly clicked in him.
There was a day when he was stressed out because of his brother's situation.
Was it the day when I helped my brother escape from the Xiong family's punishment?
Yes, he was so upset with sending his little brother away. His inner thoughts and heart came out. He was mad at the rules imposed by the treaty.
It could only be that time.
"Ha, ha," Zhou Min laughed, his eyes misty.
Who would have thought that a single mishap would result into this? Though, it was all his son's hard work and effort.
He sighed.
"I'll be waiting when you take the Zhou family to another level. I am not against you choosing to work under the Young Miss. However, if it was only because you are worried she might be harmed, then don't. I'll be taking care of her."
Zhou Min was wondering how Linfeng would take care of the Zhou family business, while taking care of his Young Miss at the same time.
"Don't worry father. I only need two years to stabilize the Zhou family's business. Once I come back to her side, I will leave everything to the elders."
"Oh. Perhaps can I... recruit someone?" Zhou Min thought of his younger brother rotting away in that rural farm. His brother was talented but quite lazy. And a coward sometimes.
Since the treaty would be broken and the rules that Xiong and Zhou built together would no longer be in effect, it might be the chance for his brother to come back.
Linfeng nodded. "Yes, may I know who he is?"
"It is your uncle."
Linfeng was surprised, but immediately thought it was a given. He had known long ago that his uncle was still alive. Now, he was glad his uncle would soon be able to come back.
"Alright, I'll be needing every hand that I can get."
Zhou Min shook his head, so his son really knew. He had suspected it.
If Young Miss knew of it, then of course his son, her trusted aide, should know of it, too.
Zhou Min's eyes suddenly caught something behind Linfeng.
'Young Miss Zhi.'
It was obvious who she was waiting for.
He patted Linfeng's shoulder once more.
"I'll be going. Looks like someone is waiting for you."
Linfeng's eyes lit up and he turned around.
The slender figure of a girl stood not too far away. Her facial features were beautiful, with a faint expression on, slightly cold. Her hair fell to her shoulders and h.i.p.s, and her dress wrapped around her slender body gracefully, highlighting her tiny waist.
Linfeng's eyes turned brighter and his smile contained sincere happiness.
'Ah, now, I finally have time with my Young Miss alone.'
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