Connections

"Nephew Yaoguang, relying on yourself alone, it will be very difficult to inherit Su Huaifeng's share of the assets," Zhang Hong said hurriedly. "However, our Zhang family is your solid backing. With our help, not a single cent of what belongs to you will be lost." Yaoguang paid him no heed, finishing packing his things and preparing to head out. Beside them, Zhang Ya saw how utterly devoid of manners he was and was about to snap, but Zhang Hong stopped her. Zhang Hong did not explain, instead saying to Yaoguang, "Even though you share blood with Su Huaifeng, you have never lived in the Su family after all. Furthermore, it looks as though Su Huaifeng doesn't have much time left. Once he is gone, you will be all alone in the Su family without any support. Who there would take you seriously? But the Zhang family is different. Your mother is still here, and when someone in the family falls on hard times, it is impossible for kin not to help. Therefore, Nephew Yaoguang, I hope you will think it over carefully. Once you have thought it through, the doors of the Zhang family are open to you at any time." With that, he led Zhang Ya and Zhang Rufeng out the door. This puzzled Zhang Ya somewhat. Zhang Hong did not rush to explain, only speaking once they stepped into the elevator. "The relationship between you two, mother and son, has been somewhat strained lately. It still takes time to smooth things over." "I just didn't expect that after only a year or two without keeping him in check, his guts would grow this big," Zhang Ya said with a frown. "He used to be thoroughly meek." "It doesn't matter." Zhang Hong smiled. "A newborn calf fears no tiger. Though he has entered society, at his level and with the people he interacts with, disputes over interests reach tens or hundreds of thousands at most. That kind of stake isn't enough to make people stoop to truly vile measures. But an interest of several hundred million, or even several billion... that is enough to turn good people into devils." He spoke with utmost confidence. "Once he truly witnesses the methods of those people in the Su family, he will naturally understand that only by relying on us can he take back what belongs to him." "Su Huaifeng can't last much longer," Zhang Ya said. "If we don't hurry, we might end up drawing water with a wicker basket—getting nothing in the end." "The people of the Su family still have to keep up appearances. It's impossible for his assets to be carved up cleanly the moment Su Huaifeng dies." Zhang Hong looked at Zhang Ya. "During this time, you should ease the tension between you and Su Yaoguang a bit. I know his lack of promise has disappointed you, but for the sake of those billions, you should humor him and give him some face when appropriate." ... "Let's go." Yaoguang packed his belongings and placed them into the suitcase. "Wait a moment." Lin Xiaowei was staring at the Chengying sword in Yaoguang's hand. Even though it was encased in a scabbard that was as exquisite as a work of art, having personally witnessed Yaoguang slit people's throats with this sword more than once, Lin Xiaowei still felt a strong sense of foreboding. "You're just going home... Why are you bringing a weapon?" "A weapon?" Yaoguang glanced at the sword at his side. "The Chengying sword—an ancient blade of a thousand years, worth tens of millions. Is there a problem with carrying such a valuable collectible with me?" "Uh..." Lin Xiaowei was momentarily at a loss for words. Su Yaoyu, on the other hand, recalled the hour-long phone conversation she had with Lin Xiaowei the previous night and asked curiously, "Yaoguang, have you... really achieved success in martial arts? Hearing Xiaowei tell it, you seem quite formidable?" Yaoguang glanced at Lin Xiaowei. Involving major cases of the caliber of Yulong International, Lin Xiaowei obviously dared not disclose too much to Su Yaoyu. Furthermore, even if she was convinced in her heart that Yaoguang was the culprit behind the dozen or so serial murders, as long as the matter remained unconfirmed, she could not make it public. As a result, what she had mentioned was quite vague. Yaoguang, however, made no attempt to conceal it. "Yes, I have already attained the realm of Grandmaster," he stated plainly. As soon as those words left his mouth, Lin Xiaowei's expression changed. Even though she had long prepared herself mentally based on Xia Wuyuan and the others' speculations about the killer's strength, hearing Yaoguang admit it personally still made her draw in a sharp breath. As for Caiyun, who was entirely unprepared... She looked on in complete astonishment. Her eyes were filled with sheer disbelief as she stared at Yaoguang, who had just uttered those words. Yet that look of disbelief lasted only a moment before she secretly shook her head. She knew very well that Yaoguang had begun practicing martial arts barely a year ago. A single year... No matter how extraordinarily gifted he might be, reaching the rank of Martial Master would already be one in ten thousand. As for a Grandmaster?! Having practiced martial arts for only a year, did he even understand what a Grandmaster was? Did he know the true weight a Grandmaster carried? On the other hand, Su Yaoyu, as an outsider to the martial world, could not help but exclaim in admiration, "A Grandmaster! I've heard of that—it's a title only those with grand attainment in martial arts can hold! As expected of you, Yaoguang, earning such a high-level title in just one year. That's truly amazing, truly incredible!" Yaoguang glanced at her and quickly realized that she did not truly understand the weight of a Grandmaster. Still, that was only natural. Setting aside Grandmasters in the martial arts community, even with the government officials ordinary people encountered every day, normal folk could hardly comprehend the full extent of their privileges. Su Yaoyu was not an ordinary person, but as someone outside martial arts circles, her understanding of a Grandmaster was limited to merely being exceptionally outstanding. Yet as for how outstanding exactly... In her mind, at least, it could not compare to the middle generation of the Su family, who practically summoned wind and rain in Tiannan. What was more... Whether she completely believed his words was another question entirely. He was hardly going to hold her down and repeatedly insist, 'I really am a powerful Grandmaster.' "Let's go. Time to meet the helmsman of the Su family," Yaoguang said. Su Yaoyu nodded. "Grandfather will definitely be very happy that you've returned. What he loves most is seeing the Su family thrive with many descendants." "Su Yaoguang..." Lin Xiaowei opened her mouth, wanting to say something. After a moment, however, she felt it was inappropriate. What right or standing did she have to meddle in Su Yaoguang's affairs? Yet the situation in the Su family was rather complicated, and she feared that once Su Yaoguang arrived there, another disaster would break out. With that in mind, she phrased it differently: "I'd also like to visit the Su family for a tour. Would I have the honor?" "Of course," Su Yaoyu said with a smile. "Old Master Lin had a deep relationship with Grandfather back in the day, and they've kept in touch frequently over recent years. If you're willing to come over, Xiaowei, we'd certainly welcome you warmly." She was just worried that her brother might feel lonely returning home by himself. The Lin family... Though not quite on par with the Su family, Old Master Lin doted heavily on his granddaughter Lin Xiaowei. Under such circumstances, her standing was not much lesser than direct descendants of the Ye or Zhang families. Accompanying Yaoguang back as a friend would, to some extent, lend him some support and prestige. ... The Tiannan Su family. Across the entirety of Tiannan Province, they were undeniably an illustrious, top-tier clan. In particular, Buzhou Group, which Old Master Su had built and developed with his own hands, was one of the foremost corporate conglomerates in all of Tiannan. Even if its growth rate had moderated after reaching the peak of Tiannan, looking across the province, the only entities capable of rivaling it were the few enterprises backed by royal shares and controlled by prominent patrician clans. Its annual revenue exceeded one hundred billion, with net profits surpassing twenty billion. Although there were other shareholders in Buzhou Group, nearly half of the profits flowed directly into the Su family's hands. Holding such a golden goose capable of providing tens of billions each year, the extent of the Su family's power and influence in Tiannan could easily be imagined. At that moment, in a business van bound for the provincial capital of Tiannan. Caiyun was behind the wheel. Su Yaoyu, Lin Xiaowei, and Yaoguang were all inside. The one speaking right now was Su Yaoyu. "Aside from several brothers and sisters, Grandfather has three sons and two daughters in total. Among them, those who hold a seat on the board of directors are Father and Second Uncle. And Second Uncle has even been groomed by Grandfather as the future successor..." Su Yaoyu introduced the circumstances of the Su family. Among the three sons of the Su family, although Su Huaifeng was the eldest, he was utterly worthless mud that could not stick to a wall. Not only had he spent his life fooling around among flowers, but he had also contracted a body full of ailments. He had secured his seat on the board entirely through sheer luck years ago by investing in the plot of land for 'Xingyu Center,' which later became the headquarters of Buzhou Group. Under such circumstances, the helmsman of the Su family—Su Huaifeng's father, Su Chiming—naturally stopped placing heavy bets on him. Coupled with the fact that the second son, Su Huaigu, had displayed exceptional business talent from a young age, Su Chiming gradually shifted his focus toward grooming him over time. At present, the ones looking at the assets in Su Huaifeng's hands with the greediest eyes were Su Huaigu and their youngest aunt, Su Huaiyue. After finishing her overview, Su Yaoyu seemed to remember something and cautioned, "Yaoguang, you need to watch out for Second Uncle. Although he seems very affable on the surface..." Halfway through, she felt it was improper to speak ill of an elder behind his back, ultimately shaking her head. "In short, just be careful. Don't agree to anything he says easily." "Though I shouldn't pry into the Su family's internal affairs... would Old Master Su really permit the other sons to divide up the eldest son's assets? How is that any different from internal clan strife?" Lin Xiaowei asked, unable to hold back out of concern that Yaoguang might stir up trouble. "The inside story is somewhat complicated," Su Yaoyu explained. "Of the nine directors of Buzhou Group, the Su family holds four seats... Among them, Grandfather has served as chairman for ten consecutive years. In theory, Buzhou Group should be monolithic, but recently, its development has encountered some resistance, stirring dissatisfaction among quite a few shareholders. That dissatisfaction has manifested through the other non-Su directors..." She took a deep breath. "If our Su family can still maintain four seats on the board of Buzhou Group, then relying on our relationship with the other two directors, it won't be much of a problem. But if my father steps down, and his directorship isn't taken over by someone from our Su family..." She did not finish the sentence. Yet Lin Xiaowei already understood her meaning. If this matter was not handled properly, it would compromise the Su family's absolute control over Buzhou Group. No wonder that up until now, almost no one had reached out to Su Yaoguang, the 'only' male heir of Su Huaifeng's line. Aside from immediate relatives like Su Yaoyu, there were likely very few people pleased to see Yaoguang return to the Su family to share in the assets and interfere with the successor's directorship. However, Yaoguang himself cared nothing for the Su family's opinions. His purpose in going to the Su family was merely to demand a reasonable explanation from them. If they were reasonable, he would reason with them. If they were unreasonable... He would not mind handling things the unreasonable way.