Chapter 210: Secret Plans

Translator: Timothy Editor: Chrissy

In Ning Hai, Su Jingwen sat with her mother, a frown etched on her brow. She was irritated by her cousin's sudden proposal, delivered through her mother, with an October 1st deadline.

She was grateful for Xie Weizheng's companionship and playful nature, but her feelings were fraternal, not romantic. She'd already rejected his advances several times, not because she hadn't noticed his intentions, but because she felt unprepared.

Su Jingwen's mother, Mu An, had assumed her daughter wouldn't refuse, believing Xie Weizheng's return had made Su Jingwen happy. Instead, her daughter's unthinking response revealed a lack of romantic consideration, not shyness.

While Mu An liked Xie Weizheng, she respected her daughter's autonomy, offering only suggestions and refusing to pressure Su Jingwen.

"Jingwen, this is your life," Mu An said. "You're not young. Xie Weizheng is handsome, an American doctor, and hasn't changed since he left for America. Think about it. It's your decision." A sigh escaped her lips, a reminder of her own unhappy marriage and her estranged relationship with Su Jingwen's father.

After her mother left, Su Jingwen sighed and rubbed her temples. She struggled to reject her cousin. Despite her mother's assurances, she found him possessive, believing—perhaps subconsciously—that she belonged to him. Still, he was far preferable to Wang Peng.

Even with his possessive feelings, he should wait until they were romantically involved. Currently, she only felt brotherly affection.

Su Jingwen recalled her cousin's attempt to force a bracelet on her, a memory that made her uncomfortable. She glanced at her own simple two-beaded bracelet, thinking of Ning Qingxue, who'd mentioned going to a dangerous place. Su Jingwen wondered if she'd returned.

She called Ning Qingxue, but the line was dead. Had something happened? Su Jingwen decided to call Li Mumei.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Ning Qingxue. "Qingxue! You're back? Where are you? I'll come immediately!"

...

Beijing, Song Family:

In the Song family's meeting room, Song Qiming, the family head, presided over a serious meeting. Even Song Yuanyi, Song Qiming's father, sat below him, signifying Song Qiming's absolute authority.

Besides the Song family members, two outsiders were present: a handsome man in his thirties, scholarly in appearance, and an older man in his sixties with striking black hair, seemingly tied up, and sunken eyelids—an unusual sight in modern society.

"Our family's glamorous facade hides a precarious reality," Song Qiming declared, addressing the assembled family members. "Ye Mo repeatedly humiliates us, even killing three direct lineage members. Our inability to retaliate threatens our very existence."

His face hardened.

"Qiming has highlighted the danger," Song Yuanyi interjected. "Our family has overcome many trials. Can we not resolve this?"

Song Qiming nodded. "Besides our family, we have Ou Feng from the Ou family and Li Mingqiang. The Ou family was nearly annihilated by Ye Mo over a minor dispute, losing two family heads. Li Mingqiang's disciple, Hu Qiu, was also killed. Ye Mo is bloodthirsty and ruthless. We are next."

Ou Feng's face paled, his clenched fists betraying his anger.

The older man suddenly opened his eyes, sneering. "These young people are arrogant! Hu Qiu was my disciple. I must avenge him!"

"Predecessor Li, we want to kill Ye Mo, but he's powerful. We need a decisive strike, preventing him from recovering. Mr. Hu Qiu's death also involves our family," a Song family member said.

The statement shifted the narrative from the Song family seeking Li Mingqiang's help to them assisting him. Li Mingqiang, astute and old, noticed this. He glared at the man but remained silent.

Song Qiming rebuked him. "Song Hu, stop manipulating the situation. Predecessor Li Mingqiang is here to help us."

Song Hu, his face flushed, fell silent.

Song Hai stood. "Leader, Predecessor Li, Ye Mo is exceptional. Only Predecessor Li might stand a chance. We can't use conventional methods; he's Flying Snow's head instructor. But there's someone who can confront him. I can bring him here."

"Who? Invite him in," Song Qiming urged, desperate for a solution. Even Li Mingqiang's strength was uncertain against Ye Mo. He couldn't use government resources against Ye Mo, and brute force seemed futile.

Song Hai brought in a thin, middle-aged man with triangular eyes and long eyebrows. He seemed at ease in the prestigious setting.

"Leader, this is Dongfang Xi. He offered to help against Ye Mo," Song Hai introduced, then withdrew.

Song Qiming rose. "Dongfang Xi? The advisor of Nan Qing, who established their base in Sai Na?"

Dongfang Xi bowed. "Indeed. An honor to meet the Song family leader."

"Please, sit," Song Qiming said. He knew of Dongfang Xi's reputation: the mastermind behind Nan Qing's rise, a formidable organization even countries couldn't easily control. He'd heard of Dongfang Xi's ambition and regret at not living during the Three Kingdoms period to contend with Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi. His talent, unused in the modern political system, had been channeled into Nan Qing, a dream shattered by Ye Mo.

Dongfang Xi sat calmly. "Is the Song family troubled by Ye Mo?"

Song Qiming confirmed their predicament and appealed for Dongfang Xi's help.

Dongfang Xi smiled. "I'm here to assist. I also have a personal vendetta. But first, I need to know the Song family's resources."

[1] TL note: Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi were renowned strategists of the Three Kingdoms period.