Elder Song had been waiting for Ye Fei to bring this up. Hearing the question, he perked up and countered, "What kind of help can you offer us, Mr. Ye?"
Ye Fei thought for a mont and said, "As for your situation, I can't do much for now. However, I can guarantee that your family's business will not only maintain its current standing but also rise to new heights."
"Thank you, Mr. Ye," Elder Song replied, though his words lacked sincerity. Having spent his life at the pinnacle of power, stepping down was hard to accept. Still, preserving the family and maintaining a significant presence in the business world was far better than the alternative.
As a seasoned man, he understood the importance of being content.
Ye Fei could see the disappointnt in Elder Song's eyes and smiled. "This is just temporary. There's a saying, 'No destruction, no construction.' Stepping back for a while might not be a bad thing."
Though Ye Fei's words were sowhat vague, Elder Song, familiar with such indirect assurances, imdiately grasped the underlying promise. His heart swelled with hope.
While he wasn't sure if Ye Fei could achieve what he envisioned, having a glimr of hope was far better than fading into obscurity.
In just a few sentences, the two n—one the patriarch of the Song family and the other an outsider—had set the tone for the family's future developnt. Both were satisfied, making this private discussion a resounding success.
As they prepared to leave, Ye Fei added, "By the way, Song Renhui doesn't seem capable of carrying the Song family forward. It might be best to reconsider his position as heir."
"Of course. Even without your input, I've been disappointed in him," Elder Song quickly agreed, then asked, "Who do you think could take on this responsibility?"
Ye Fei smiled. "I'm not too familiar with your family, so I can't say for sure. However, Song Renzong seems promising—steady, tolerant, and with the makings of a great leader."
"Very well. I'll recall him imdiately to oversee our business operations," Elder Song decided promptly.
However, Ye Fei shook his head. "That's not necessary. He's better suited for a political career. With your full support, he could be the key to the Song family's revival."
"Then we'll follow your advice," Elder Song agreed, inwardly pleased. At his level, he understood that in Dragon Country, wealth alone wasn't always decisive.
Power was the true foundation of everything. Of course, he couldn't say this outright to Ye Fei, but he was confident Ye Fei understood.
While Ye Fei and Elder Song were having a productive conversation inside, the atmosphere in the main hall was also harmonious—at least on the surface. After learning of Ye Fei's identity and witnessing the patriarch's respect for him, Yan Ruyu, Song Xuan, and Song Ci, who had previously been marginalized, were now the center of attention.
"Song Ci, how have you been adapting to life in Wanghai?" asked a handso middle-aged man in his forties, Song Ci's father, Song Yifang. Despite his less-than-stellar character, the Song family was known for their good looks.
You didn't care about for over a month, and now you're suddenly concerned? It's all because of my master's influence, Song Ci thought to herself. Unable to hide her feelings, she replied coldly, "I'm doing fine."
Song Yifang wasn't offended and maintained his amiable deanor. "How did you et Ye Fei? What's your relationship with him?" His eyes glead with anticipation. If his daughter and Ye Fei could beco a couple, wouldn't that be a windfall for him?
"He's my master," Song Ci said bluntly, dashing her father's hopes.
"I think that young man is quite remarkable. Isn't it a bit of a waste for him to just be your master?" Song Yifang pressed, unwilling to give up.
Song Ci gave him a knowing smile. "Of course he's remarkable. Otherwise, why would my aunt fall for him?"
"Uh…" Song Yifang's expression froze. He had just tried to encourage his daughter to steal her aunt's man, right in front of her aunt. Even with his thick skin, he felt embarrassed and quickly laughed it off. "Ah, I see. My mistake."
Song Ci snorted and ignored him, while Song Xuan was surrounded by her brothers and nephews.
Song Yifang was disappointed. If Ye Fei were his daughter's boyfriend, he could have dominated the Song family. But since Ye Fei was his sister's boyfriend, he was on equal footing with his brothers. Still, he wasn't ready to give up.
Even if Ye Fei was just his daughter's master, he could still be closer to him than his brothers.
"Song Ci, why don't you and your mother move back ho? That way, we can be a family again."
Song Yifang had never been a generous man. After separating from Yan Ruyu over a decade ago, he had often thought about reconciling, drawn by her unmatched charm. But when it beca clear that was impossible, he had her move out of his house.
If it weren't for Song Xuan taking her in, Yan Ruyu might have left the Song family long ago. Now, to get closer to Ye Fei, he was making this offer.
"No, thanks," Song Ci refused again. "Mom and I will be returning to Wanghai soon to live with my master."
Seeing that Yan Ruyu didn't object to her daughter's words, Song Yifang felt a surge of resentnt. Was he just handing Yan Ruyu over to Ye Fei? He couldn't believe that young man could resist her charm. But for the sake of his interests, he forced a smile.
"That's fine too. Ye Fei is so capable. He'll surely protect Yan Ruyu and ensure she's treated well."
Yan Ruyu watched coldly, disdainful of Song Yifang's pathetic performance. She couldn't understand how she had ever fallen for such a man.
Now, she felt no sadness or disappointnt—only a sense of relief and a faint anticipation. She hoped, as her daughter had said, that she could live near him.
The mont this thought arose, Yan Ruyu suppressed it, feeling ashad.
Though the young man stirred sothing in her she had never felt before, he was Song Xuan's man.
How could she entertain such thoughts?
Yan Ruyu realized that moving to Wanghai might not bring her peace.
While it would free her from current troubles, it might also plunge her into the pain of unspoken longing. But as long as there was love in her heart, even longing could be a form of happiness. And being able to see him often would be enough. She would silently guard this feeling.
As the family mbers eagerly fawned over Song Xuan, Ye Fei and Elder Song erged. Seeing the patriarch's pleased expression, the Song family mbers were overjoyed.
When Elder Song announced the developnt plan Ye Fei had outlined, they were sowhat disappointed but overall satisfied. For them, status was important, but in tis like these, preserving their lives and maintaining their lifestyle was enough.
Only Song Renhui, stripped of his heir status, was unhappy. But he could only accept it silently. He had never been an ambitious man. During the Song family's peak, he had acted the part of the domineering heir.
But after a month of turmoil, he had sunk deeper into despair than anyone else.
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