When Zhou Tao arrived, his first words stunned everyone present. The Xia family was completely taken aback; they never imagined Zhou Tao would come to beg for mercy.
This seemed rather unusual. Zhou Tao, no less! He was actually begging for mercy? What was going on?
"My daughter was frightened by him. I want one of his legs. Any objections?" Ye Longlin's voice was calm, his gaze as clear as a deep pool.
Zhou Tao looked at Zhou Hao, his expression darkening. This useless fool, why did he have to provoke Ye Longlin of all people? Why him? Did you really think Ye Longlin was someone you could provoke so easily? I wouldn't dare provoke Ye Longlin, and yet this guy actually did. What was he thinking?
"You..." Zhou Tao felt stifled. Even if you were the supreme commander of the three armies, there was no need to be so overbearing. Your daughter was merely frightened, and you demand one of Zhou Hao's legs. It hardly seemed justifiable.
"Hiss, no objections, no objections." Zhou Tao took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, and said with great indignation. What could he do? He was equally helpless! Even though his heart was unwilling, all he could do now was concede.
Zhou Hao was stunned to see his own grandfather bowing to him. He couldn't tell which one was his grandfather. Shouldn't he be the one bowing to his grandfather? Why was his grandfather bowing to him now? What the hell was going on!
"Then you've already crippled one of his legs. Can I take him away now?" Zhou Tao said with resentment, keeping his posture very low. The other party's status dictated that he couldn't do anything to him. He didn't have the guts to act against a pillar of the military.
Ye Longlin chuckled lightly, "Not yet."
"We were having a family banquet, and your grandson barged in without any regard, even preparing to attack my brother and take away the two companies registered under my brother's name. It seems you owe me an explanation for this matter as well."
Zhou Tao's face grew even more ashen, and he immediately became furious. "This is too much, truly too much!"
"It was just a joke, and you, this little brat, took it seriously. Why should his company be given to you? Who do you think you are? Hurry up and apologize to me!" Zhou Tao slapped him across the face. The blow was powerful, immediately dazing Zhou Hao, a look of bewilderment appearing in his eyes. Who am I, where am I? Not only was his grandfather not standing by his side, but he was also siding with the other party and hitting him! Of course, he wasn't stupid. His grandfather's uncharacteristic behavior made him realize that the other party's status was extraordinary, and at least his grandfather dared not provoke him. With this thought, he quickly apologized, "Mr. Ye, I'm sorry. I was blinded by greed. I..."
"Should you be apologizing to me?" After speaking, Ye Longlin shook his head slightly, unwilling to continue with the matter, and walked out. In the end, it was just a bet between juniors. One refused to honor it, and the other enforced it. Of course, Ye Longlin was not concerned about the final outcome, just as Mu Hanqi had said, stepping out in such a situation was a way to signal his departure. Of course, this also allowed many members of the Ye family to know that Ye Longlin had the backing of the Murong family, and they hadn't yet guessed his true identity.
"The mayor might want to meet you. It's up to you whether you want to meet him." Xia Shijie also walked out and stood beside him.
Ye Longlin pondered for a moment, "Uncle Two is in charge of education now, right?" Xia Shijie was slightly stunned, then nodded. "In that case, let's meet."
Xia Shijie replied, "Okay." After a brief exchange, Xia Shijie also turned and drove away. Since he had other matters to attend to that evening, he hadn't had any drinks. Moreover, these few simple words had already made Xia Shijie understand that Ye Longlin was meeting Mayor Jin out of consideration for him. If it weren't for him, he might not have agreed.
More than ten minutes later, Zhou Tao, with Zhou Hao, also left. Upon returning home, he went directly to his study. The voice from the shadows sounded somewhat angry. "Why was it resolved so quickly? Our people are still on their way. When our people arrive, you won't have to be so humiliated!"
Zhou Tao snorted and said, "By the time your people arrive, it will be a question of whether my grandson and I can even return safely today!" "You want to deal with Ye Longlin, which means you have a conflict with Ye Longlin, and it's a mortal feud. Since that's the case, why should I agree to your terms? The best outcome is that my grandson and I can return safely." After a moment of silence, the person in the shadows finally spoke, "I've said all I can. Whether you cooperate or not, you'll still have to beg me to cooperate." "I will come again this time tomorrow. Tell me your answer then."
...
Although the latter part of the Xia family's banquet was unpleasant, it did allow everyone to witness Ye Longlin's domineering and strong presence. The family banquet ended with everyone departing one after another.
"Sorry for making you witness such a scene." "The Zhou family and we have always been at odds, and the younger generations also do not get along. No matter what they do, both sides must strive for first or second place. I'm also very helpless." Xia Mingzhong sighed. He didn't know why in the past, but as he grew older, he understood where this mentality originated.
"Actually, it's good. It can promote the growth of both sides, which, in a way, can be considered a good thing." Ye Longlin said with a slight smile. Looking at the cherry tree in the courtyard, he thought of that painting again. The old man looked at him and suddenly asked, "The peach blossoms in the peach forest have bloomed. That was you, wasn't it?" Ye Longlin nodded. The old man seemed to have found some peace. His daughter was gone, and he should live better. Now that her child had been found, he had nothing left to regret in his life. "Tomorrow, there will be a porridge offering. If you want to see it, you can wake up a little earlier."
At the same time, in the capital city.
The Glorious Hall suddenly announced the conferment of a six-star military rank, and the military rank and title of the Supreme Commander of the Three Armies were sealed. This caused a stir among many in the capital city. This meant that even though Ye Longlin had not yet abdicated, he was no longer the six-star commander. However, the Glorious Hall's official document contained no information regarding Ye Longlin's change in position, leaving many confused. No one knew Ye Longlin's current rank. With the sealing of the six-star commander, it implied that there would essentially be no more wars domestically, and Ye Longlin would no longer be needed. Then, did this mean Ye Longlin had become an ordinary person, or had he been demoted by one rank and was still a five-star Heavenly King? The capital city was in an uproar, while Ye Longlin, far away in Chang'an, was unaware of what was happening in the capital. Even if he knew, he wouldn't care.