Yi Beidou had grown accustomed to Xu Zifeng's awful attitude, so he wasn't particularly surprised.
She was two years his junior, but since his cultivation of the Free Heart Technique had led to a diagnosis of severe autism, Xu Zifeng had always played the part of his protective older sister. She lived by the simple philosophy that she could bully him, but no one else could.
Back when they were in the same school, Yi Beidou had started late, making Xu Zifeng his senior. When a classmate bullied him for his "autism," she had stormed into the other student's classroom without hesitation, punched him until his nose bled, and nearly got transferred for it.
Needless to say, despite her delicate features, she was a remarkably fierce woman—something you could guess just by looking at her car.
"Let's go."
Yi Beidou scanned the code to pay and slowly stood up.
Xu Zifeng was nearly five-foot-nine, with long legs and a slender waist. She was tall enough to stand out in any crowd, but next to Yi Beidou, she looked almost petite.
Especially now that Yi Beidou had attained mastery. Even though he was intentionally suppressing it, the aura he naturally emanated was still enough to make people stare.
If an ordinary person stayed by his side for too long, they would unconsciously experience physiological reactions like an adrenaline rush, a racing heart, and heightened tension.
It was like being in the same room as a wild beast. The body prepared to flee at a moment's notice—an instinct etched into one's very genes.
Xu Zifeng felt this same unease. Even though they had seen each other much less since she started college, she could still keenly sense that Yi Beidou was different.
His eyes, his aura, his posture, his words...
"Is your autism cured?"
Xu Zifeng looked Yi Beidou up and down for a moment, asking with some confusion.
"I guess so."
Yi Beidou nodded without further explanation, then walked over to the SUV parked by the road, opened the door, and got into the passenger seat.
Xu Zifeng hurried to follow.
The vehicle started and headed toward Jinlin Manor in the North Suburb of Wen City.
"Do you have any idea how frazzled we've all been lately? The company is your parents' life's work, and you have a stake in it. Don't you know that the first branch is about to snatch away control?"
"But look at you, all carefree and relaxed. You disappear whenever you feel like it, and you don't even bother to tell us your autism is cured."
Xu Zifeng grumbled as she drove, clearly having gone through a lot of trouble lately.
She glanced at Yi Beidou in the passenger seat and saw that his eyes were slightly closed. He was silent, looking as if he hadn't heard a thing, which only made her more furious.
"Hey, are you even listening to me?!"
Xu Zifeng couldn't help but raise her voice.
'This guy… He's acting like none of this concerns him. He has no idea how serious this is. He hasn't even asked what's going on. His attitude is infuriating.'
"I'll take care of this later."
Yi Beidou said calmly, as if discussing something utterly mundane.
"Take care of it? How are you going to take care of it? Do you have any idea how complicated this is? You think this is child's play? Did your autism get better only for you to lose your mind?"
Yi Beidou's words completely activated Xu Zifeng's venomous tongue.
The company's situation this time was very complex. In recent years, Xu Yao had led the company in expanding into international markets, making significant investments in the Nanyang region. But recently, their products were suddenly hit by a scandal in Nanyang, leading to massive claims for damages and the shutdown of numerous overseas factories.
Then, the first branch, representing the Xu Group, secretly coordinated with company shareholders to launch a simultaneous attack, putting Xu Yao in danger of being ousted as chairwoman of the board.
The first branch had called this family meeting to force Xu Yao to back down and completely hand over control of the company.
The whole affair reeked of conspiracy. Xu Yao had worked tirelessly over the years to establish factories abroad, building good relationships with local political figures and powerful families. But this time, these contacts had either gone silent, claiming they couldn't help, or were just shirking responsibility and passing the buck.
It was obvious the Xu Family had colluded with outsiders to orchestrate this. Moreover, any force capable of silencing so many political and business magnates over there had to be terrifyingly powerful. Their chances this time were slim.
Xu Zifeng had a stomach full of complaints she was dying to let out, but one look at Yi Beidou and she could only sigh internally.
'The guy's autism just got better. What could he possibly understand about any of this?'
"Don't do anything rash later. Just stay behind me."
Xu Zifeng said, then lost the desire to talk with Yi Beidou any further.
Yi Beidou, of course, was happy for the quiet.
'He really didn't know the details of the situation. There wasn't enough time to learn them now anyway; it would be a pointless effort.'
'But he didn't need to know. He had his own way of solving things.'
「North Suburb of Wen City. Jinlin Manor.」
This estate was the private residence of the Xu Family. It featured five main buildings in a Chinese courtyard design, complete with pavilions, gardens, pleasant scenery, and a full range of amenities, including a private equestrian field.
The estate was originally commissioned by the old patriarch of the Xu Family. Currently, only the first branch resided here long-term. The other branches had all moved out, though they still retained some rooms in their name.
The manor's gatekeeper immediately let them through after recognizing Xu Zifeng's SUV. The two drove all the way to the main building at the center of the estate, parked, and then walked toward its entrance.
As they reached the entrance, they saw that a crowd had already gathered in the lavishly decorated hall. There were men and women, old and young, including not only direct relatives of the Xu Family but also some successful and socially prominent sons-in-law and extended family members.
Everyone knew this family meeting would have major consequences, so nearly all the important figures of the Xu Family were present.
Those waiting and chatting in the hall were the younger generation of the Xu Family, along with women and uncles who held no real power. The true higher-ups, the ones with authority, were already in a meeting in the large conference room inside.
The moment Xu Zifeng and Yi Beidou appeared, they drew the attention of everyone in the hall, causing a brief silence. Most of the gazes were fixed on Yi Beidou.
He hadn't set foot in Jinlin Manor for several years since becoming an adult, and for this family meeting, the shares his parents held were crucial.
These gazes were scrutinizing, mockingly amused, and gloating.
Everyone was well aware of the fourth branch's current predicament.
"Well, well, if it isn't Cousin Yi. Long time no see. I was starting to think you'd disowned your Xu Family relatives."
Just then, a young man of about thirty spoke up.
He was handsome, with his hair combed immaculately. He wore casual clothes and a pair of expensive silver-framed glasses.
Xu Kehong, the youngest son of Xu Guanren, the current head of the first branch.
The man walked up to Yi Beidou in a few steps. He looked him up and down, a smile on his face as he continued, "Oh, my apologies. I forgot you have autism, cousin. Which psychiatric hospital have you been getting treatment at all these years? I'd love to pay you a visit."
Hearing Xu Kehong's words, Xu Zifeng's eyes widened in anger, and she was about to step forward to shield Yi Beidou behind her.
But just then, a large palm cut through the air and, before anyone could react, slapped Xu Kehong across the face.
SLAP!!
The collision of flesh on flesh created an explosive crack. The immense force sent Xu Kehong's body flying sideways off his feet, and he crashed heavily to the ground.
His eyes rolled back in his head and his body went limp. The silver-framed glasses flew ten meters away. The side of his face that had been struck swelled up at a visible rate, forcing his mouth open as drool trickled down his cheek and onto the floor.
"Where's the conference room?"
Yi Beidou withdrew his hand, not even sparing Xu Kehong a second glance. He turned to Xu Zifeng and asked, as if he had just swatted away an annoying fly.