Zhao Yunhai didn't press further. Since his mother had arranged it, he would go with the flow. Perhaps someone from a prominent family would be a better match for him.
Although there was a significant gap compared to the Zhao clan, the Yang family was a renowned aristocratic family in Luoyang, Zhongzhou.
The dramatic changes of the past few decades had not caused the Yang family to fall behind. Instead, they had secured a ticket for the new era and soared ahead.
The reason was simple: the Yang family was originally a direct descendant of Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty.
During a time of chaos and great calamity, they sought help from the Zhao clan and were ultimately given a helping hand.
They eventually became the Zhao clan's foremost subordinate family, and to this day, they remained subservient to the Zhao clan.
The marriages arranged by the Zhao clan differed from those of other families. Zhao clan marriages were purely based on personal liking, arranging suitable unions for their descendants.
Other families, however, arranged marriages to serve family interests and to build more stable bridges of relationship with the Zhao clan.
The Yang family was no exception. Yang Hui, as the daughter of the Yang family patriarch, was the same age as Zhao Yunhai, both twenty-one years old. For the sake of the Yang family, Yang Hui had no choice.
As the patriarch's daughter, Yang Hui had been groomed to be a refined lady since birth.
Qin Siwan meticulously screened the young women from various prominent families, comparing their personalities and appearances repeatedly, all to find someone compatible with her precious son.
In Qin Siwan's heart, she would never let her beloved son be wronged, even if it meant inconveniencing others.
Yang Hui stood out from a crowd of exceptionally talented and beautiful women, catching Qin Siwan's attention. However, the final decision rested with her precious son.
If her precious son was pleased, Qin Siwan would allow her to stay; if not, she would naturally send her away and continue her search.
"Where are we going now?" Yang Hui suddenly asked.
"Home," Zhao Yunhai said, reclining his seat completely and lying down. He closed his eyes to rest.
Yang Hui stole a glance at Zhao Yunhai, her lips curving into a smile she hadn't realized she had.
Before meeting Aunt Qin, she had had a lengthy conversation with her father for nearly half an hour.
She had lived in the Yang family for twenty-one years, enjoying all the conveniences it offered. She knew it was time for her to repay the family, and she would not back down.
The hopes of the Yang family members were pinned on her, and she was determined to become Zhao Yunhai's wife.
Some might find Yang Hui pragmatic, but if one considered her situation, would they have done better than her?
If Yang Hui had chosen to resist the arranged marriage, it might have led to a different story, perhaps even making her the protagonist.
But there were no "ifs." Yang Hui was simply a traditional woman cultivated by the Yang family.
Zhao Yunhai, resting with his eyes closed, was still contemplating whether the other party would resist the arranged marriage and show up with some unknown fellow to embarrass him.
This needed to be investigated to avoid being outdone by the protagonist.
However, judging by Yang Hui's demeanor, she seemed genuinely willing and showed no signs of reluctance. He thus abandoned this unrealistic thought. After all, where would so many protagonists come from?
On the outskirts of Yunshui, in the Zhao clan territory, the entire suburban area belonged to the Zhao family's private domain.
The periphery was heavily guarded by specialized patrol personnel, preventing any stranger from entering, not even a strange mouse.
Even someone of Zhao Yunhai's status would be scanned by instruments upon entering the Zhao clan territory, confirming their pupils and fingerprints matched.
The Zhao clan territory had never relocated and had always remained here. In Jingzhou's Yanjing, the Zhao clan's word held more weight than official documents.
The perimeter of the Zhao clan territory consisted entirely of villa complexes, inhabited by Zhao clan members. However, the core members of the Zhao clan did not reside here.
Enclosed within these villa complexes were ancient buildings steeped in history and tradition.
This was a fusion of modern and ancient architectural features, blending the best of both worlds to showcase their strengths.
It was cool and serene in summer and warm and cozy in winter.
It was here that the core members of the Zhao clan resided. Countless Zhao clan members aspired to live here one day, making it one of their goals.
After Yang Hui escorted her precious son to the car, Qin Siwan's mahjong game dispersed, and the sounds of chopping vegetables frequently echoed from the kitchen.
"Mom, what's for dinner tonight?"
Upon entering the house, Zhao Yunhai headed straight for the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of iced cola from the refrigerator on the way.
"Tonight, we have your favorite dishes."
Qin Siwan's smile was uncontrollable upon seeing her precious son, her maternal love overflowing.
"Aunt Qin, let me help you," Yang Hui expertly took the spatula from Qin Siwan's hand.
Qin Siwan's eyes were filled with warmth, and she was very pleased with her future daughter-in-law.
The fact that her son brought her home meant he didn't dislike her, which was a good start.
"Is my dad coming home today?"
Zhao Yunhai took the pear his mother offered and bit into it, his mouth filling with its sweet fragrance.
"What? You only think about your dad. I'm right here in front of you; don't you even ask if I'm eating at home?"
Qin Siwan's brow furrowed slightly, and she glared at him playfully.
"Of course, Mom will be eating at home. Otherwise, my meal wouldn't taste good."
Zhao Yunhai leaned against the doorframe, playfully coaxing his mother.
Qin Siwan's smile widened as she pointed to Yang Hui, who was diligently cooking and ignoring everything else, and whispered, "What do you think? My taste is good, isn't it?"
Qin Siwan had only one son, whom she had doted on since childhood. No matter how old he got, in her eyes, he would always be a child.
Zhao Yunhai had to give his mother a thumbs-up; her taste was indeed to his liking.
Hearing the mother and son chatting and laughing, Yang Hui maintained her own sense of composure and did not join their conversation.
Just then, Zhao Yunhai's phone rang.
Seeing that it was from Yu Manlou, Zhao Yunhai informed his mother and went upstairs to take the call.
"This child, he has quite a few secrets."
Qin Siwan grumbled softly as her precious son slipped upstairs.
Yang Hui remained silent, continuing with her tasks. She knew that Aunt Qin's grumbling was just for show; her precious son was the apple of her eye.
If she were to butt in rashly, it might create a negative impression with Aunt Qin.
Upstairs, Zhao Yunhai answered the phone. "What is it?"
"Brother Yunhai, Zhang Yunyi has been released."
On the other end, Yu Manlou's voice was grave. "We still can't figure out who helped him."
Zhao Yunhai's expression turned cold upon hearing this. He said calmly, "You don't need to worry about this. Continue to suppress Yunmi Company using the methods I gave you."
After hanging up, Zhao Yunhai stood there in thought for a moment, then made another call.
"Take care of Zhang Yunyi. Make it clean."
Since Zhang Yunyi had managed to escape, he might as well make him disappear permanently.
Why bother with so-called business tactics to defeat him? Wouldn't physical elimination be more effective?