Chapter Fourteen: Return to the Xiao Family

“As long as I hand over the Xiao family’s assets to the Situ family, will they really be willing to protect me?”

“Of course. You know the Situ family is one of Jianghai’s top clans. With them backing you, you’ll be perfectly safe!”

Zhao Liu’s words slipped from his tongue with practiced ease, his eyes glinting with a sharp light.

Hearing this, Xiao Minghui’s face was overtaken by excitement.

“Good. Contact the Situ family immediately. I’m willing to give them everything, as long as they promise to ensure the Xiao family’s safety!”

Meanwhile, in the villa where Qin Xue’er and Old Madam Li lived.

Having resolved matters with the Shangguan clan, Xiao Ye had just returned home when Old Madam Li hurried over.

“Xiao Ye, I heard the Shangguan clan has been wiped out. Was that your doing?”

A smile played on Old Madam Li’s face. She had already heard the news of the Shangguan clan’s destruction.

Xiao Ye hadn’t expected her to take an interest in this, but he nodded in confirmation.

“Excellent! You’d best get rid of the other clans as well. The sooner they disappear from Jianghai, the better!”

A savage gleam flashed in Old Madam Li’s eyes.

The humiliations she had endured over the years had long since made her wish for the utter demise of the four great clans.

Xiao Ye nodded slightly. Even if Old Madam Li hadn’t said it, his target was indeed the three remaining clans.

The reason he had dealt with the Shangguan clan first was simply because they had made the first move against him.

“By the way, you’ve come back at just the right time—come and see this.”

Suddenly, Old Madam Li beamed and hurried into Qin Xue’er’s room, soon pushing her out.

As Xiao Ye’s eyes swept over, his expression changed instantly.

Qin Xue’er, seated in her wheelchair, wore a plain white dress.

Her graceful form, draped in the simple gown, appeared all the more striking.

But when Xiao Ye’s gaze moved to her neck, a sharp pain twisted in his heart.

Qin Xue’er’s face was concealed behind a white fox mask, leaving only her eyes and a touch of red lips visible.

Old Madam Li grinned, her tone dripping with pride as she addressed Xiao Ye.

“Xiao Ye, what do you think? This is the mask that Xue’er herself wanted to wear!”

At these words, Xiao Ye’s heart grew even heavier.

He moved to her side, knelt, and gently took Qin Xue’er’s delicate hand.

“Xue’er, if you don’t want to wear the mask, you don’t have to.”

“I promise, even if you go outside, no one will dare speak ill of your appearance.”

As he spoke, the warmth in Xiao Ye’s tone cooled noticeably, a murderous aura radiating from him in an instant.

Five years ago, his lack of ability had led to Qin Xue’er’s face being ruined.

Now that he had returned, he would never allow such a thing to happen again.

Through the white fox mask, Qin Xue’er’s bright eyes rested on Xiao Ye.

She only nodded slightly at his words, then softly whispered two syllables.

“Bracelet.”

Bracelet?

Xiao Ye frowned, momentarily puzzled by her meaning.

But in the next instant, a memory from five years ago surfaced.

At that time, the Xiao family had not yet been betrayed by an insider or targeted by the four great clans. The two of them had been living blissfully.

During that period, Xiao Ye had once given Qin Xue’er a bracelet.

It wasn’t particularly valuable, but it was a token of their affection.

After they were forced apart, the bracelet had remained in the Xiao household.

He hadn’t expected that after all these years, Qin Xue’er still remembered it.

“Don’t worry, Xue’er. I’ll get the bracelet back for you right away.”

With those words and a decisive turn, Xiao Ye got to his feet.

“Lord Xiao, where are you going?” asked Chi Long, hurrying over as he saw Xiao Ye leaving.

Xiao Ye’s eyes shone with resolve.

“I’m going to the Xiao house, to take back what’s rightfully mine.”

...

For this trip to the Xiao family estate, Xiao Ye brought only Chi Long with him.

Jinmen District—once the place Xiao Ye had called home.

But after the upheaval five years ago, it had become the domain of Xiao Donglin’s family.

Returning now, Xiao Ye felt a surge of melancholy.

The unchanged surroundings brought memories of his life before the age of twenty flooding back.

Collecting himself, Xiao Ye stepped into the compound.

Inside the Xiao household, Xiao Minghui was frantically packing. He was about to leave for good.

Just moments ago, the home he’d lived in for over twenty years had been handed over to the Situ family.

“Young master, don’t worry. Once Xiao Ye is finished, we’ll rise again!”

Zhao Liu wore a broad smile as he spoke to Xiao Minghui.

He had already acted as the intermediary, arranging the agreement between the Xiao and Situ families.

Xiao Minghui had surrendered all the Xiao family’s assets to the Situ family; in return, they were allowed to move into the Situ estate and receive their protection.

“Housekeeper Zhao, you’ve served the Xiao family loyally for so many years. We’ll have to trouble you all the more now.”

Xiao Minghui looked around and sighed.

From this moment on, he would no longer be the eldest son of the Xiao family, but merely a lapdog for the Situ clan.

Yet to him, it was worth it.

At least, unlike Xiao Donglin, he wouldn’t be killed by Xiao Ye, left without even a whole corpse.

“Don’t worry, young master. The old master took care of me for years; from today on, we’re family,” Zhao Liu replied with a smile, though a glint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

Outside, over a hundred members of the Xiao family were waiting to leave with Xiao Minghui.

Every face was dark; after all, they had lived in luxury here.

Now, all of them would have to go and serve as lackeys for the Situ family.

Who could be pleased with that?

Carrying his suitcase, Xiao Minghui addressed the assembled crowd as he and Zhao Liu stepped out the door.

“We’re setting out at once for the Situ family!”

At his command, everyone rose to leave.

At that moment, a tall man appeared at the entrance.

“Xiao Minghui!”

That familiar voice sent a jolt through Xiao Minghui—he recognized it instantly.

It was his own cousin, Xiao Ye!

Outside the Xiao residence, Xiao Ye and Chi Long walked in with measured steps.

At the sight of them, everyone inside paled in terror.

Ever since Xiao Donglin’s death, they had learned who Xiao Ye truly was.

He was a King of Foreign Surname in the Dragon Kingdom—one of only four in history.

Although he had never cared for this cousin, it was Xiao Donglin’s mistake, not his.

Xiao Ye was surprised to see everyone carrying luggage, as if preparing for a long journey.

Before he could speak, Xiao Minghui rushed to say,

“Xiao Ye, I’ve just handed the family assets to the Situ family. From now on, we belong to them. If you dare harm us, beware—Situ won’t let you off!”

At these words, fury exploded through Xiao Ye.

“You gave away all the family’s assets?!”

His furious roar seemed to turn the clear sky above to gloom.