Taishu Yuanxiang held the little monkey, teasing it for a while before speaking. "Grandpa, there is nothing left to hold a grudge about. A family has fallen into decline; survival is the most important thing. They should be grateful that it is not ancient times. If it were, once a family fell, there would be no hope for anyone. Now, as long as they work hard and manage their own small families well, they can still survive. Besides, didn't Zhu Yanyi give them one-fifth of the property?"
Zhu Xinfu listened and looked at Zhu Yanyi. "You started planning for the Zhu family in Zhushi years ago. When exactly did you start?"
"I don't remember," Zhu Yanyi answered willfully. "Probably the first time I met Uncle Chan Yao on the train, when she came to Zhushi to claim relatives. Then I had people investigate. As the years passed, I began to lay plans. I don't remember the specific date. Anyway, I think it is good to be cautious. It is always better to be prepared."
Zhu Xinfu looked at Zhu Yanyi, then said to Zhu Shun Yao, "Is this daughter of yours a bit of a monster?"
Zhu Shun Yao shrugged. "Dad, don't say that. I consider myself smart in our family, but I can't compare to them. Each generation is stronger than the last."
"After all this talk, you are actually praising yourself for being better than me, your father," Zhu Xinfu teased, looking at Zhu Shun Yao with a speechless expression.
Zhu Shun Yao shook his head quickly. "How could that be? Dad, don't wrong me. I would never say that."
"You didn't say it, but you thought it." With the matter of the Zhushi Zhu family settled, Zhu Xinfu felt relaxed and had time to banter with Zhu Shun Yao.
Zhu Yanyi watched Zhu Shun Yao and Zhu Xinfu’s happy expressions, but her heart was not at ease. Zhu Yongfu had been punished, but the true mastermind behind the scenes had not.
That was right. There was still someone behind the Zhushi Zhu family. The information from the old camphor tree had told her clearly that this person controlled everything for the Zhushi Zhu family. The reason Zhu Yongfu valued the Military Advisor Token so much was also proposed by this person. After all, the token’s power had not appeared in that spatial rift.
However, this person had not appeared since ten years ago. Thinking positively, perhaps this person had died, but Zhu Yanyi did not believe this person would die so easily.
Zhu Yanyi sat on the bus, looking at the sky outside. For some things, until the time is right, no one knows the result. At least, the surface of the Zhushi Zhu family had been suppressed.
After the bus left, Zhu Jinfu sent Zhu Yongfu back home. There was no need to go to the hospital. The medicine from the little divine doctor was likely something ordinary hospitals could not cure. Now, as a brother, the only thing he could do was take good care of his brother.
"I am ultimately too late." A voice, neither clearly male nor female, sounded from behind Zhu Jinfu. Zhu Jinfu was terrified and turned around to see a white mask. "Who are you?" Because of the mask, it was impossible to tell if the person was male or female.
The masked person looked at Zhu Jinfu. "You do not need to know who I am. I already know about your Zhu family's affairs. Now that the Zhushi Zhu family is in this state, at least it can be preserved."
"What do you want to do?" Zhu Jinfu looked at the masked person with some worry.
The gender-ambiguous voice came from behind the mask. "Whatever I do, I will not drag the Zhushi Zhu family into it. The price you have paid is too high. Rest assured, I promised your Zhu family ancestors back then that I would leave one lineage for you. I will not touch you." After speaking, the person turned around. "You will not see me again. Just take good care of your clan members."
Zhu Jinfu watched the masked person leave, his heart full of doubts. However, as long as this masked person did not harm the current members of the Zhu family, he would pretend not to know that the masked person had appeared.
Zhu Yanyi and her group did not stay in Zhushi. Since the person had been treated, they left Zhushi directly. As for the aftermath, there would naturally be people to handle it.
Zhu Yanyi returned to the capital and rested for only one day before starting work.
During work, she heard some news. For example, the Shangguan family and the Chen family in Xiangshui had finally entered the final battle.
"This is the last project. If the Chen family loses this project, they will truly decline. In the future, when people mention the Chen family, it will only be a historical reference," Ma Tianliang said to Shangguan Haohan, pointing at the project in front of them.
Shangguan Haohan nodded. "Mr. Ma, even if we fail this time, the Chen family does not have the financial power it once had." During this period, the two groups had competed not only in connections but also in financial strength. They had poured all their efforts into the struggle.
Ma Tianliang smiled lightly. "That is nothing. We are all doing this for the young master."
The Chen family was currently in a difficult situation. The Godfather looked at Chen Jiahao and had to admit that the purpose of coming to Xiangshui was no longer there. He glanced at Chen Jiahao and said, "If this project fails again, do not come to me in the future."
The Godfather was never a saint. Although his sect was named the Holy Sect, he never did saintly things.
Chen Jiahao’s face changed slightly, and he said, "Godfather, we are partners. Cooperation requires sincerity from both sides."
"You are wrong," the Godfather said calmly. "You have been a businessman for so many years. How can you say such naive things? Cooperation is never about sincerity from both sides. It is about the relationship of interests. If the interests are balanced and large, the cooperation is naturally good. If there are no interests, the cooperation does not exist."
Hearing this, Chen Jiahao’s face looked embarrassed. "Godfather, can you give us one more chance?"
"I have always been giving you chances. It is just that sometimes you did not grasp them well. You should know that I never do unnecessary things. Chances are not endless. If you want me to give you a chance, you must show me the benefits you bring to me."
The Godfather’s words were ruthless, but undeniably true. Without the link of interests, neither side would care about the other.
Chen Jiahao knew that he was now fighting with his back to the river. If this project succeeded, the Chen family could still catch its breath. If it failed, the Chen family would truly have no hope.
After returning to his study, Chen Jiahao paced back and forth continuously. Finally, as if he thought of something, he took a deep breath, seeming to make a decision.
Then he moved a painting of a tiger descending the mountain on the wall behind his desk. A safe appeared on the wall behind it. He opened it and took out a long box. Opening the box, he saw a plant inside that looked similar to mugwort.