To Love You Again

Old Xiong's firm gaze finally turned to Xiong Zhi.

"Zhi'er, we are getting that plaque precisely because of what you said. For our empire, family name, and our status. We can strengthen all of them, including our reputation in society, with just this plaque."

Xiong Zhi inwardly sighed. How was that even possible? 

"Grandpa, you seem to have become duller because of your age."

Old Xiong: ╬ This brat….

Xiong Zhi: "If we get that at a price that costs us most of our yearly income, then what is the use of having honor? Besides, we would constantly worry about protecting the plaque. Do you think that the Lu, the Tang, and the Guan families would just let you take it away easily?"

"Our family is strong enough to protect it. Also, our yearly income is way more than that..."

Xiong Zhi stared at Old Xiong until the latter's voice trailed off.

Xiong Zhi sighed.

"Then let's say that we got this legally. How about the families that are waiting to strike at us? They might use this opportunity to get rid of us and join hands with the Lus and the Tangs. Though I doubt it, it can still happen. The possibility might be marginal but it still exists. Think it wisely, Grandpa. We are businessmen."

"..."

Old Xiong looked at the stage. The lights shining over it reflected the wrinkles on his face. 

His mind also slowly calmed down.

"If what you said is true, then will the other families have trouble with it, too? No matter who takes it, it may as well happen like what you say. But like I have said, we are capable enough to protect what is ours. Do not fret on things like this. Our family's dignity and power is not something that will be shaken so easily."

The Tang family overbid the Lu family's bid once again.

The surroundings were already deadly quiet with dull eyes and open mouths, as people doubted the sanity of the representatives from the legendary families. 

Only the loud voices of Mistress Tang and Old Lu were heard in the hall, as well as Ming Zhi Yi who acted as the auctioneer.

Some members glanced at the Xiong family's table, wondering why Old Xiong stopped bidding.

Old Xiong was currently still engaged in an argument with his granddaughter.

Xiong Zhi frowned. "Grandfather, you do not understand what I mean. I'm not only talking about the 'other' families or the 'other' hidden enemies, I am talking about the man behind it all."

Old Xiong looked at his granddaughter, wondering what she was saying.

Xiong Zhi: "I am talking about Ming Zhi Yi. If you bid more and fought with the other families, then you are giving in exactly to what he wanted. To weaken you and make the other legendary families fight with you. Then he can strike like a mantis stalking the cicada."

"... That's a bit too imaginative." Although he said these words, he slowed down.

"Grandpa, can't you see that the plaque is a mere trap?"

Old Xiong's eyes were wide. He was surprised for many reasons. 

It appeared that his granddaughter knew about Mng Zhi Yi? 

Also, she knew about the real and underlying situations between him and the legendary families. And not only that, she seemed to know this man well to recognize a petty scheme.

But what if, like his granddaughter said, this became the start of a conflict between him and the other legendary families?

The man was truly cunning and manipulative. He had a certain charm that could rile up and persuade people.

Ming Zhi Yi, this man whom they did not know what he was capable of, would definitely use this opportunity to weaken them all.

He was using a strategy of borrowing the hand of others.

Old Xiong's eyes became grave. 

Like a fog being wiped from the windshield, his heart and mind suddenly became clear and alert.

It was just a petty trap… but he almost fell for it.

He held his head and sighed.

Like his granddaughter had said, he might be becoming dull.

Old Xiong did not know if he should laugh or cry. He ended up showing an undesirable expression instead.

He looked at his granddaughter. "Then what do you suggest we should do? We can stop bidding. But the price will just continue to increase and one still has to win in order to stop this bidding. After that, what you said is bound to happen." 

Old XIong felt that this trap that Ming Zhi Yi laid was really a good one. It was a trap that was not fated to fail.

No matter what the outcome was, a conflict between the legendary families would still develop after the auction, all in order to obtain the plaque.

Because the thought of another family getting it while they failed was too hurtful to their pride.

Xiong Zhi's eyes swept towards the stage. 

In her ears, the sound of the two heads battling was still continuing.

"Ninety four!"

"Ninety five!"

"Ninety eight!"

"One hundred!"

Her eyes reflected the lights on the stage. She tucked a stray black strand behind her ears.

"Don't worry about it, Grandpa. Just leave it to me."

Beside them, Linfeng who was quietly listening understood what Xiong Zhi meant. 

He smiled. 

Right. His Young Miss was the only one who could stop this and use 'that'. 

Without waiting for Xiong Zhi to ask him, he pulled out something from within his coat. It was handed to his young miss earlier together with the other placards. He handed a red placard to Xiong Zhi.

Xiong Zhi accepted it. She deliberately brushed her fingertips on his hand with a satisfied smile.

As expected. Her man knows her best.

The calm voice of a woman suddenly echoed in the hall.

"I call truce."