Chapter 8: Liu Junhe of the Seven Minor Families

The three men had been chatting in the restaurant for hours, and now, it was already past ten in the evening. As they reminisced about past events on the battlefield, Xiao Yu's phone rang in his pocket.

Xiao Yu took out his phone and saw that it was Ye Shihan calling. He answered at once.

"Xiao Yu, are you all right?"

As soon as the call connected, Ye Shihan's anxious voice poured through the receiver. It had been three hours since Xiao Yu and Tai Sui left Nightview, and Ye Shihan was deeply worried for their safety. Seeing that they still hadn’t returned, she called to check in.

"Don’t worry, we’re fine. We’ll be home soon," Xiao Yu replied softly.

"I’m glad you’re safe. When will you be back? I’ll wait for you."

"I’m on my way now. Don’t worry."

After saying this, Xiao Yu hung up and turned to Jiang Qin. "That’s enough for today. Remember what I told you—if you run into anything you can’t handle, contact Tai Sui. He’ll help you."

"Understood! I’ll make sure to complete my task!" Jiang Qin replied solemnly.

After Tai Sui gave Jiang Qin his contact information, the two left the restaurant under Jiang Qin’s escort and headed toward the Ye family residence.

"I’ve heard the boss behind Huayi Group is from one of the Seven Minor Families of Yan Capital. Find out which family exactly, and get their contact information," Xiao Yu said calmly in the car.

Tai Sui nodded, took out his phone, sent a text, and then focused on driving.

After a moment, the phone chimed with a reply. Tai Sui glanced at the message and said, "Brother, I found it. The boss behind Huayi Group is from the Liu family, one of the Seven Minor Families. I’ve got their contact info too."

He handed the phone to Xiao Yu, who smiled knowingly. It turned out the person behind Huayi Group was an old acquaintance. Since they knew each other, this situation would be no trouble at all.

Thinking this, Xiao Yu dialed the number.

The phone rang several times before someone picked up.

"Hello!"

A voice, full of authority, came through the phone.

"This is Xiao Yu," Xiao Yu said.

At once, there was the sound of a cup dropping in the background, followed by an anxious voice, "Is it really you, Mr. Xiao?"

"If I’m the only Xiao Yu you know, then I must be the Mr. Xiao you’re talking about," Xiao Yu joked.

"Wonderful, wonderful! I can’t believe it’s really you, Mr. Xiao—it’s been two years since we last met, and you still remember me!"

The man on the line was clearly excited. He was the real boss behind Huayi Group, Liu Junhe from the Liu family of Yan Capital’s Seven Minor Families.

---

Speaking of their history, they had some ties. Years ago, the enemy sought to undermine Flame Summer economically, launching commercial warfare and dispatching masters to seize control of prominent entrepreneurs. Back then, before Xiao Yu had earned the name of Battle King, he was assigned an unusual rescue mission.

Leading the Twelve Descending Heavens, Xiao Yu fought fiercely, defeating dozens of enemy masters and rescuing over ten entrepreneurs from their captivity. To these men, Xiao Yu became something like a life-saving parent.

"All right, let’s skip the reminiscing. I want to ask, is Huayi Group in Phoenix City one of your businesses?" Xiao Yu got straight to the point.

"It is! Is there something you need, benefactor?" Liu Junhe responded, a bit surprised at Xiao Yu’s inquiry.

"I heard your Huayi Group is looking for partners in the new district development in Phoenix City. Is that true?" Xiao Yu asked.

"It’s true. Benefactor, just tell me what you need."

"My wife is from the Ye family in Phoenix City, and her company is competing for a partnership. I wondered if Huayi Group might give her an opportunity?" Xiao Yu said directly.

"You must be joking, benefactor. My life was saved by you—a mere partnership is nothing. If you wish, I could hand over Huayi Group itself!" Liu Junhe laughed.

"Let’s not get carried away. You know I prefer to do things by the book. Don’t give her special treatment because of me; just follow your company’s process," Xiao Yu said with a wry smile.

"Don’t worry, I understand. I’ll have someone draft the contract and get the project manager to contact you, benefactor," Liu Junhe said hurriedly, clearly eager to act.

He wasn’t joking—though Xiao Yu had resigned from his posts, his reputation as the God of War was still formidable. In the end, it was Liu Junhe who stood to benefit most from this partnership.

After a brief exchange, Xiao Yu hung up, while Liu Junhe immediately contacted the project manager, giving repeated instructions before finally relaxing.

"Brother, you seem like a different person," Tai Sui suddenly said, his tone playful as he drove.

"You know, you’ve been talking more since coming back with me. I’m seriously considering whether I should send you back and find someone else to keep me company," Xiao Yu said, stroking his chin deliberately.

"No, no, I was wrong! If those guys found out you had that idea, they’d come and drag me away themselves," Tai Sui replied sheepishly.

"Then focus on driving. It’s been hours—if we don’t get home soon, your sister-in-law might call the police," Xiao Yu laughed.

Though the Twelve Descending Heavens were Xiao Yu’s subordinates, the thirteen of them had fought side by side, and Xiao Yu had long regarded them as brothers.

With Tai Sui driving, the two soon arrived at the Ye family home. As they entered the gate, they saw Ye Shihan waiting anxiously at the entrance. Her expression relaxed only when she saw Xiao Yu and Tai Sui approaching.

It was a warm scene, but someone always had to spoil the mood. Just as Xiao Yu reached Ye Shihan, Ye Xuemei emerged from the house, looking at Xiao Yu with disdain.

"Xiao Yu, why did you even come back? The Ye family doesn’t welcome you!" Ye Xuemei said coldly.

"Xuemei! If you keep acting so unreasonable, be careful—I’ll cut off your financial support!" Ye Shihan, angered by her sister’s attitude, spoke up.

"It’s true! If it weren’t for Xiao Yu, our family wouldn’t have been embarrassed at the ancestral hall today, nor would you have had to make that reckless promise!" Xuemei insisted.

"This is my business, not Xiao Yu’s. Move aside, we’re going in," Ye Shihan glared at her sister.

"No! I won’t move. Mom and Dad have decided—they won’t let this good-for-nothing step foot in the Ye family ever again!" Xuemei declared, invoking their parents.

"You!" Ye Shihan was furious, about to explode, but Xiao Yu quickly intervened.

"Shihan, it’s fine. I’ll stay somewhere else tonight. Tomorrow morning, I’ll come pick you up and we’ll go discuss the contract with Huayi Group," Xiao Yu said, smiling, paying no mind to Xuemei’s words.

---

Xiao Yu no longer cared about anyone’s opinions; the only person he cared about was Ye Shihan.

Ye Shihan looked worriedly at the two men, but Tai Sui smiled, "Don’t worry, sis. We’ll manage."

"Hmph! One useless man, one big fool—you really think you’re capable? If the Ye family doesn’t take you in, you’ll be sleeping on the street," Xuemei’s mocking voice rang out again.

Tai Sui’s expression darkened; if not for the fact that this woman was Xiao Yu’s sister-in-law, he might have slapped her already.

"Make sure you get up early tomorrow. I’ll pick you up, and that’s that. Tai Sui and I will go find a place to stay," Xiao Yu said, giving Ye Shihan a reassuring smile before turning and leaving the Ye household. Tai Sui cast a cold glance at Xuemei and hurried after him.

"Brother, how can you tolerate her insulting you like that?" Tai Sui asked, baffled.

"You know, when I first joined the army, I spent a whole year in an environment like this. I’ve gotten used to it," Xiao Yu replied calmly.

"Don’t worry about it. Let’s go home," Xiao Yu said, patting Tai Sui’s shoulder and smiling.

"All right," Tai Sui sighed, resigned, and drove away.

They didn’t go looking for a hotel, but instead drove to the gates of a famous mansion in Phoenix City. In fact, the day before Xiao Yu returned, he had already instructed Tai Sui to purchase an estate in the city. A Battle King could hardly be expected to sleep on the streets.

Meanwhile, back at the Ye household—

Ye Shihan was sitting on the sofa in the living room, enduring her parents’ admonishments.

"Shihan, are you really planning to spend your life with that useless man?" Ye Kai clenched his fists, his face dark with anger. He despised Xiao Yu so deeply he wished Xiao Yu would die before his eyes.

"Shihan, we’re just thinking of you. Xiao Yu still hasn’t achieved anything, but Li Minghao is different—his family and abilities far outshine Xiao Yu’s. Why be so stubborn?" Ye’s mother tried to persuade her.

"Enough, I don’t want to hear any more. Li Minghao and I are impossible, even if things don’t work out with Xiao Yu," Ye Shihan, fed up, waved them off.

"Shihan, we know you’re prejudiced against Xiao Yu. But haven’t you noticed he’s changed since he came back? He’s nothing like before," Ye Shihan voiced her thoughts.

When Xiao Yu first joined the Ye family, he couldn’t endure their scorn and insults, so he left. But now, he seemed to have transformed, treating their words as if they meant nothing.

"Changed? I think he’s grown even more useless!" Ye Kai roared.

"Enough, I don’t want to talk anymore. I’m tired and want to rest. Tomorrow I need to discuss the partnership with Huayi Group," Ye Shihan said, realizing her words wouldn’t change her parents’ views. She stood and walked toward her bedroom.

"Discuss a partnership? Do you really think that useless man can win you the deal? Don’t kid yourself!" Ye Kai scoffed.

"We’ll know the truth tomorrow," Ye Shihan replied quietly at her door, then ignored her parents and entered her room.

Once again, the family parted in discord.