Chapter Thirty-Six

Gu Liuyun stepped into the ancestral hall. A heavy, stifling scent of sandalwood mingled with the tense atmosphere, as if an invisible hand were tightening around his throat. Inside, the family members sat like wooden puppets, yet the light flickering in their eyes was like that of beasts in the dark—filled with calculation and greed.

"So, you've returned?" Grandfather Gu stared at Gu Liuyun with murky eyes, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

Gu Liuyun gave a slight nod and scanned his surroundings. To his left sat his uncle’s family, wearing hypocritical smiles, while his cousin sat with a gloomy expression, casting furtive, resentful glances his way. He knew this family feud would be far more grueling than any battle in the cultivation world.

"Hmph, Liuyun, look at yourself. What have you turned the family business into?" his uncle struck first. His bloated frame took up almost the entire chair, and his tone dripped with disdain. "All you know how to do is run wild outside, wasting all the cultivation resources!"

Gu Liuyun let out a cold laugh. "Uncle, you can eat whatever you want, but you shouldn't say whatever you want. How long have I been running the company? The revenue has doubled. You call that a failure? As for the cultivation resources, I earned them through my own ability; how is that a waste? Now, as for you, always looking for ways to syphon money from the company—what do you call that?"

"You... you brat, don't you dare spout such slander!" His uncle’s face flushed red, his finger trembling as he pointed at Gu Liuyun. "Who do you think you are? Just a piece of trash who can't even cultivate, daring to speak to me like that!"

"Trash?" Gu Liuyun...

The surrounding family members dared not breathe. They had not expected Gu Liuyun to talk back to his uncle so boldly; the family conflict seemed even more intense than they had imagined. Just as his cousin prepared to take advantage of the chaos to chime in, he was interrupted by a cough from Grandfather Gu.

The old man struck his cane heavily against the floor, his dull eyes sweeping the room. His voice was low, yet carried an unquestionable authority. "Silence, all of you! Brawling like this—is this any way to conduct yourselves?" The hall fell instantly silent; one could hear a pin drop.

Grandfather Gu spoke slowly, his tone surprisingly calm. "Whether it is Liuyun or any of you, you are all descendants of the Gu family. As for the family business and the resources, I will treat everyone fairly. Whoever has the ability shall take them." These words struck the room like a thunderclap.

His cousin’s expression froze, the retort he had prepared stuck in his throat, leaving him so embarrassed he wished he could crawl into a hole. The other relatives exchanged glances, clearly taken aback by the old man's decision. What was this old fox really up to?

Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao stood to the side, watching the farce with cold detachment.

Ye Manman wore a tight red dress that accentuated her exquisite, curvaceous figure, her eyes captivating and bright. She frowned slightly, thinking Gu Liuyun was still too green; he should have been much firmer when dealing with an old fox like that.

Chen Jiaojiao, dressed in a sharp, professional black suit, stood with her arms crossed, her eyes filled with concern. She felt Gu Liuyun was being too impulsive; if he provoked Grandfather Gu, the losses would outweigh the gains.

"Manman, don't you think he's being too impulsive?" Chen Jiaojiao whispered, a hint of frustration in her tone.

"Impulsive? I think he's playing the pig to eat the tiger," Ye Manman chuckled.

Chen Jiaojiao rolled her eyes. "You, you're just biased toward him. I think he's just a hotheaded kid who will suffer for it sooner or later."

Ye Manman raised an eyebrow, about to retort, when she saw Gu Liuyun walking toward them. The tension between the two women felt as if it could snap at any moment.

"Manman is right; I am indeed harboring some mischief," Gu Liuyun said, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. He swept his gaze between them with a playful glint. "However, this mischief isn't meant for you..."

Gu Liuyun wore a wicked, charming smile, much like the manipulative protagonists in those CEO novels. He strolled slowly until he stood between Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao, his movements as gentle as if he were touching the world’s most precious treasures. He first locked eyes with each of them, as if peering into their very souls, then took both their hands.

"Why are you two arguing again? It’s all my fault for not taking better care of you." Gu Liuyun’s voice was deep and magnetic, like a whisper against the ear, tickling the heart.

Ye Manman’s alluring face instantly flushed with a rosy hue, like a ripe peach, succulent and tempting. Chen Jiaojiao was not to be outdone, but her usual fiery temper melted like ice in warm water, turning gentle.

The surrounding family members let out clicks of astonishment, their eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred, as if they wanted to devour Gu Liuyun alive. His uncle was so angry his mustache twitched, and his cousin looked on with a dark, sullen expression, wishing he could take his place.

"Sigh, these days, looks really are justice," Gu Liuyun mused to himself. This 'handsome man scheme' really worked every time.

Just then, Butler Lin’s shrill, sarcastic voice rang out again, buzzing like a fly and disturbing the peace. "Oh my, Master Liuyun certainly has his ways, keeping two women spinning around him. However, this is hardly a way to solve the problem." He paused, continuing to fan the flames. "A family business cannot be held up by a pretty face alone; one must keep their feet on the ground."

His words were like needles piercing the hearts of the wavering family members. Those who had begun to change their minds about Gu Liuyun started whispering again, their faces filled with doubt and resentment. Gu Liuyun felt the malice around him and felt a weight in his heart. He knew that relying on temporary charm and theatrics could not truly solve the problem. The real battle was yet to come.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Gu Liuyun. He straightened his back, and a powerful aura erupted from him, like a king descending, instantly silencing everyone in the room. The hall, which had been buzzing, went deathly quiet.

"Quiet, everyone!" Gu Liuyun’s voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

He scanned the crowd and spoke slowly. "I know you all have doubts about my ability. Today, I will give you a proposal—a plan that can temporarily balance everyone’s interests." He paused, then continued, "I will divide the company into several departments, each managed by those here who are capable. The annual profits will be distributed according to everyone's contributions. How about that?"

At these words, everyone present was stunned. They had not expected Gu Liuyun to propose such a plan. While it was not a long-term solution, it was at least enough to temporarily quell the strife.

Watching the backs of the departing crowd, Gu Liuyun’s eyes were deep and unreadable.

"Let's go. We're heading to the company," Gu Liuyun said softly, taking Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao by the hands.