Chapter 139: Besieged on All Sides

The group arrived at Shangguan Qingcai's residence. Throughout the journey, the two people most unsettled in their hearts were none other than Shangguan Yudie and Huo Ye. Huo Ye was doing relatively better; he was merely troubled, having yet to clearly see the thoughts within his own heart. Shangguan Yudie, however, was a different story.

She had been summoned back without any foreshadowing whatsoever, completely baffled. Although she had noticed three people heading in the direction of her home when she exited the station, their direction happened to lead toward the commercial hub of Sola City, so a single direction of travel proved nothing. It wasn't until she heard Shangguan Qingcai mention that the other three members of House Holst had all arrived that Shangguan Yudie finally understood what was going on.

This was a setup, a trap deliberately laid out for her and Huo Ye. Oh no, this is going to ruin everything! The pace of things has been completely disrupted! I wanted to slowly level up and accumulate experience points, yet you people have quietly placed the final boss right in front of my eyes. What is the meaning of this?!

Shangguan Yudie felt her mental waves were entirely scrambled, tangled together like a ball of yarn. Forget sorting it out; she couldn't even find the starting thread.

"What should I do? Are they planning to repeat what happened to my aunt back then? No way, didn't my aunt's situation end in tragedy? What if I get rejected too? No! I'd rather just die than face that! I finally made up my mind to take things slowly, aren't they just messing things up for me? Ahhhhh! This must be Grandpa's idea. Grandpa, you idiot, idiot, idiot!!!"

All of the above constituted Shangguan Yudie's internal monologue. Meanwhile, however, she maintained an expressionless face as she walked in with the group, entered the living room, and saw Alice and Shangguan Qingcai seated on the sofa.

"Oh, Xiao Ai?" Huo Ye was startled for a moment, though not overly surprised. If she had noticed and not followed along, she wouldn't have been Xiao Ai at all. Even so, this made the situation even more complicated! Big-mouthed Xiao Ai—damn it, we're finished!

Upon seeing the group, Shangguan Qingcai first wore a cordial expression, but the moment his gaze brushed over Huo Ye, he let out a deliberate cold snort, though no one said anything aloud.

At that moment, the butler stepped up to the entrance and said respectfully, "Everyone, dinner is ready. Please move to the dining room."

"Alright, let's go then. Since this is a family matter, let's eat and talk at the dinner table," Shangguan Qingcai nodded, then turned and walked toward the dining room.

Where lies the difference between high society and ordinary folks? There are many, but one distinct difference lies in lifestyle. When hosting formal banquets, the latter tend to go out to restaurants to feast, whereas the former lean toward hosting a family banquet.

As for the kinds of delicacies the Shangguan family's wealth could produce, it went without saying; yet for Huo Ye, this meal tasted like chewing wax. The tableware was the same combination of chopsticks and knives and forks—the standard configuration for tableware in the Era of Abilities. With all his heart and mind, he kept asking himself:

"Huo Ye, what on earth are you thinking? Hurry up, find the answer before anyone asks you."

Shangguan Yudie noticed that Huo Ye was using chopsticks to pick up the red wine-braised beef brisket—using uniquely Chinese tableware to pick up French cuisine. Such behavior was terribly impolite at the dining table. With hollow eyes, absent-minded, and mental waves as chaotic and tangled as her own, what was he thinking?

Shangguan Yudie did not read Huo Ye's mind. Minds should not be read carelessly, nor should one peer into another's inner thoughts at will. If she hadn't so casually read Huo Ye's mind back then, she should still be living happily inside her fantasies right now.

***

"Can I bring her happiness?"

Suddenly, Shangguan Yudie heard a voice. It was a voice she knew all too well—Huo Ye's voice. Huo Ye's mouth hadn't moved; this was his inner voice. Yet she clearly hadn't used mind-reading!

"No, I am using it. I wanted to know so badly that, without realizing it, I released my ability. But because it wasn't consciously driven, the amount was small, and the only thing I sensed was the inner voice of Brother Xiao Ye, whose mental waves were the strongest at this moment." Shangguan Yudie realized the answer.

Having heard Huo Ye's words, she could no longer restrain the agitation in her heart. She lowered her head, and where no one else could see, her eyes bloomed with a brilliant golden luster.

"I don't feel guilty toward Qingxue; there's nothing to feel guilty about regarding such matters. I'm just scared. I can't figure out matters of the heart anymore; might as well just choose a decisive method!"

Driven by her understanding of Huo Ye, Shangguan Yudie felt that a major event was about to unfold.

Elderly people tend to eat relatively little, and Shangguan Qingcai finished his meal quite quickly. He then laid down his utensils, gave a light cough, and said, "Ahem, well... Huo Ye."

Hearing Shangguan Qingcai call his name, Huo Ye instantly snapped out of his daze and hurriedly said, "Ah, Grandfather Qingcai, please speak."

Shangguan Qingcai took a breath and then asked, "Ever since you were a child, I've never cared for you. For no other reason than that you share the exact same temperament as that scoundrel of a father of yours back then. He lacked all vitality, while you are relaxed and carefree. You look different, but you share one common trait: others think neither of you cares about contending for anything, and you just seek ease in all matters. But the moment you truly set your mind on something, both of you become stubborn as mules. I despise that kind of temperament! But do you know why, despite that, I was able to remain friends with your father for so many years?"

Huo Ye shook his head. He didn't know, and undeniably, Shangguan Qingcai saw through both father and son completely.

Eddie glanced at Shangguan Qingcai, but said nothing.

Shangguan Qingcai continued, "It's very simple: because of human nature. He was a man who would risk his life for a friend. We shared a bond of life and death, so we are friends. Having lived for decades, I consider myself capable of seeing through someone of your age without a problem. I may not care for you, but your character, your strength, and your future are impeccable, and I feel reassured. You are also an intelligent person; I'm afraid you guessed long ago what this dinner is really about. Now I ask you, are you willing to take our Shangguan Yudie as your wife?!"

Everyone turned to look at the hesitant Huo Ye. At that moment, he merely pressed his lips together, looking somewhat helpless, yet he said nothing.

Five seconds later, Huo Ye smiled and then said, "Haha, Grandpa, you really know how to joke. How old are Xiao Yu and I? We're still several years away from the legal age of marriage."

"Son..." At that exact moment, Vivian suddenly interrupted Huo Ye. Watching his expression, she said with deep concern, "Don't change the subject. Talk about the serious matter."

***

Even the mother who always shielded him wanted him to make a decision. Only then did Huo Ye truly feel that he was riding a tiger and unable to dismount.

Shangguan Qingcai suddenly spoke up as well. "It seems someone is unwilling. Well played, you brat. Then today, I, the old man, will put my words right here: if you agree, everyone rejoices, and I still have some strength left in me—at that time, I will personally forge a divine weapon for you as a wedding gift. If you refuse, from this day forward, the Shangguan family and House Holst will sever all ties!"

Following Shangguan Qingcai's declaration, Shangguan Hong and Shangguan Jing wanted to say something, but held it back.

Vivian looked at Eddie, and Eddie shook his head.

Alice looked at Huo Ye, then looked at Shangguan Yudie.

Shangguan Yudie abruptly stood up and shouted, "Grandpa..."

"Grandfather, please don't back me into a corner. Besides, have you ever asked for Xiao Yu's opinion?" Huo Ye suddenly spoke up, his gaze burning as he looked at Shangguan Qingcai.

Shangguan Qingcai let out a cold snort, then turned to Shangguan Yudie and said, "Come, granddaughter, speak your true feelings. To have you marry this scoundrel of a brat—are you willing or not?"

Shangguan Yudie was struck as if by lightning. Her face flushed crimson, and she inadvertently bit her ruby lips until blood welled up, before softly nodding and uttering a single word: "Yes."

As expected, Huo Ye sighed inwardly. He had anticipated this outcome long ago; the moment Shangguan Yudie spoke those words, he was cast into a besieged position from all sides. Yet he did not regret asking that previous question, because without confirming Shangguan Yudie's true feelings, he could never make a decision for himself.

Huo Ye took a deep breath, then spoke calmly and evenly to Shangguan Qingcai: "Alright, I understand. Grandpa, how about this—I have a proposal. I wonder if you would agree?"

Shangguan Qingcai sneered, "Speak!"

"Let's fight. If you win, Xiao Yu and I will marry, and I won't ask for your divine weapon. If junior here manages to win by some fluke, this marriage will be called off, and my personal affairs shall not affect the relationship between our two families. Xiao Yu and I will remain friends forever."