360: Chapter 359 Chu Weimin's reminder unveiled the prelude to the Zhao family's crisis.

"Haha, Young Master Zhao, there's no need to be angry," Chu Weimin said unhurriedly, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes. "As they say, excessive anger harms the body, so you should take better care of yourself."

"Besides, I don't think I need to remind you how those 50% shares under your name came to be, do I?" Chu Weimin intentionally drawled. "I'm willing to buy them back at the original price. Is there anything else you're dissatisfied with, Young Master Zhao? This is a guaranteed profitable deal."

Zhao Lintai clenched his fists tightly, the veins at his temples bulging. It was fortunate they were speaking over the phone; otherwise, he might not have been able to resist rushing over to give Chu Weimin a beating.

Zhao Lintai spat through gritted teeth, "How the shares came to be? Heh, Boss Chu, don't forget that back then, you were the one who begged me to get those shares from Wang Hongtai. And now you're asking me how they came to be? Do you think playing this game is interesting?"

"Yes, I admit that in the acquisition of Hongtai Construction, Young Master Zhao's contribution was indispensable. However, times have changed. The current situation is not like it was back then."

"What... do you mean?" Zhao Lintai felt his heart suddenly lurch as an ominous premonition flooded his mind.

"What I mean is that Hongtai Construction is dispensable to me. If Young Master Zhao wants to continue running Hongtai Construction, at most, I'll just transfer my shares and find another company," Chu Weimin spread his hands, feigning indifference. "But based on my understanding of you, Young Master Zhao, Hongtai Construction is merely a burden to you. The longer you stall, the more troublesome it becomes. It would be better to exchange it for hard cash. Don't you agree, Young Master Zhao?"

Zhao Lintai took deep breaths, trying to steady himself, but his ragged breathing still betrayed his inner fury. He let out a long sigh and asked, "Boss Chu, you're being so ruthless today. Does this mean you and I, Zhao Lintai, will no longer cooperate in the future?!"

"Heh, Young Master Zhao, didn't I just say? Times have changed. The situation is always shifting, and our cooperation can no longer adapt to these changes." At this point, Chu Weimin paused. Worried that Zhao Lintai wouldn't understand the implication, he added, "I think Young Master Zhao should be able to understand the meaning behind my words, right?"

"Fine! Then I wish Boss Chu a prosperous business!" Zhao Lintai squeezed out each word through his teeth, the sound seemingly forced through the gaps.

"Haha, so does that mean Young Master Zhao agrees to sell the shares in his hands?"

"Go find Wang Ming tomorrow!" Zhao Lintai said coldly.

"Understood. Since Young Master Zhao is being so straightforward, for the sake of our past partnership, I'll give you one more suggestion."

"Speak!"

"I heard that Young Master Zhao has been getting very close to those merchants from Southeast Asia lately. Haven't you thought about going abroad? Perhaps the situation overseas would suit you better?" Chu Weimin intentionally emphasized the words "going abroad."

Zhao Lintai's heart tightened as the ominous premonition grew stronger. He couldn't help but press, "Boss Chu, we were partners after all. Tell me the truth—have you heard some news?"

"Heh, Young Master Zhao, I've said all I have to say; further talk is useless." After speaking, Chu Weimin hung up the phone directly without waiting for Zhao Lintai to ask more.

Zhao Lintai stared at the disconnected phone, his mood sinking to rock bottom.

In the call, although Chu Weimin didn't say it explicitly, phrases like 'times have changed' and 'going abroad' were all reminding Zhao Lintai that his deeds had come to light. He had originally thought of using the Si Family as his new backer, but judging by the attitude of Si Yao and the Si Family today, it was likely impossible.

Qin Yi! It's all because of this Qin Yi! When we took your father's steel mill back then, we should have pulled up the weeds by the roots! The more Zhao Lintai thought about it, the angrier he became. He slammed his fist onto the tea table, his eyes flashing with a frenzied rage as if he wanted to swallow Qin Yi alive.

"Qin Yi! You've ruined my plans time and time again. Even if I have to leave, I'll kill you first!" Zhao Lintai said, gnashing his teeth.

Immediately, Zhao Lintai picked up his phone and called Wang Ming, delegating the sale of the shares to him. He hung up before Wang Ming even had a chance to ask a question, as if saying one more word would only fuel his rage.

...

Meanwhile, at the Si Family Old Residence.

The wind whipped up by the helicopter rotors gradually subsided. Si Zhengxiong, Si Yao, Qin Yi, and Si Hongbin stepped onto the bluestone slabs of the front courtyard one by one.

Qin Yi instinctively took a step forward, intending to push Si Zhengxiong's wheelchair, but Si Hongbin seamlessly beat him to it, grabbing the handles. His tone was gentle yet carried an air of finality: "Mr. Qin, let me handle it."

"Yaoyao," Si Zhengxiong turned to Si Yao, his gaze sweeping lightly between her and Qin Yi, "show Qin Yi around first. Later this evening, both of you come to my room. I have some things to discuss." With that, Si Hongbin pushed the wheelchair toward the inner depths of the courtyard.

Only after the two figures disappeared behind the screen wall did Qin Yi have the chance to carefully observe this Si Family Old Residence, which was steeped in the marks of time.

Ancient trees reached toward the sky, shading the upturned eaves and bracket sets. The bluestone path had been worn smooth by time, and the mountain breeze blowing through the courtyard carried the fresh scent of greenery, making him praise in a low voice, "This really is a wonderful place."

Qin Yi's gaze eventually landed under a vigorous ancient tree nearby.

Si Yao was currently standing there with her back to him. The mountain wind brushed past, fluttering her elegant skirt and outlining her slightly slender yet straight back. She stood perfectly still, as if she had merged with the old residence and the ancient tree.

Qin Yi felt a slight stir in his heart, thinking, "Stripped of her usual sharpness, she truly has the poise of a daughter from a prestigious Family when she's this quiet. It's just... within this tranquility, there seems to be too much hidden."

He stepped forward slowly and stood side-by-side with Si Yao, asking softly, "Si Yao, what are you thinking about?"

As he spoke, he noticed that Si Yao's eyes were lightly closed, her thick lashes casting faint shadows on her eyelids. She didn't seem to be looking at the scenery, but rather trying to absorb a familiar and comforting aura, or perhaps suppressing the surging emotions in her heart.

Hearing Qin Yi's voice, Si Yao took a deep breath. The air was full of the scent of her homeland's greenery, yet it didn't seem to truly soothe her mind.

She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the distant mountains. Her tone was so flat it betrayed no emotion: "Nothing. It's just that being back in the place where I grew up feels... exceptionally comfortable."

"Yes, indeed. This place has abundant Spiritual Qi; it's a good spot for self-cultivation. It's a pity Magic City doesn't have such a nice place. Otherwise, one could really find a hilltop and build a residence like this," Qin Yi said, following her lead to lighten the atmosphere.

"True," Si Yao agreed with a nod. She then turned her gaze toward Qin Yi, a faint, almost imperceptible curve appearing at the corner of her mouth—one that held a bit of scrutiny and a touch of self-deprecation. "What do you think my grandfather wants to discuss later?"

Qin Yi didn't answer immediately. He glanced toward the main house, pondered for a moment, and then asked with a smile, "On the way to the hotel, did you already come clean with your Family?" He had already guessed most of it, but he needed Si Yao to confirm how the act had been seen through.

"You are indeed very clever," Si Yao paused, a flash of complexity in her eyes—half helplessness, half expected resignation. "However, I wasn't the one who took the initiative to come clean. My grandfather saw through it."

"Hahaha," Qin Yi shook his head with a helpless laugh. "It seems our acting skills still lack a bit of polish."

Si Yao didn't laugh. She looked at Qin Yi and continued to press, her voice carrying a hint of undetectable fatigue, "Then why do you think, even though my grandfather saw through us pretending to be a couple, neither he nor my father exposed us at the hotel? Why were they willing to play along with our act?"

This question was less about asking Qin Yi and more about sorting through the answers in her own heart. She wasn't ignorant of the Family's balancing of interests, but when it was laid out so bluntly, a chill still rose in her heart.

"That goes without saying. Naturally, they also don't want you to marry into the Zhao Family," Qin Yi gave the most logical answer.

"Yes," Si Yao responded softly, her gaze fixed on the layered roof tiles in the distance, her voice dropping a few decibels. "In the car, my grandfather explained it to me. When Zhao Lintai first arrived, my grandfather did consider fulfilling the marriage contract; after all, the Zhao Family was kind to the Si Family back then. But during this time, as Zhao Lintai worked alongside my father, his ambition was fully exposed. My father believes that his desire to marry me is nothing more than an attempt to annex the Si Family's resources. More importantly, given his ability and ambition, once we are married, my brother Si Wenruo wouldn't be able to suppress him at all. By then, it's hard to say whether the vast assets of the Si Family would end up belonging to the Si or the Zhao."

She calmly repeated the words of her grandfather and father, each word like a small hammer striking her heart. It turned out her marriage had been a gamble regarding the Family's fate and resource control from the very beginning.

"Heh, so that's how it is," Qin Yi laughed self-deprecatingly. "I thought it was because Elder Si couldn't bear to see his granddaughter marry someone she didn't like." He had originally held a sliver of a naive thought, but now it seemed that in great families, such tender considerations often gave way to cold reality.

Si Yao shook her head, a barely audible sigh escaping her lips, one that contained too many unspeakable emotions.

"In families like ours, marriage is never just about one person. However, I'm actually doing alright," she paused, as if comforting herself or stating a settled fact. "After all, I still need to inherit the Family's martial arts. My grandfather would never allow the Family's martial arts Legacy to be broken in my generation. So, regarding marriage, as long as I am unwilling, they won't force me too much."

"Then that counts as a blessing in disguise for you."

"Heh, yes. Blessings and misfortunes are intertwined. As a person, one can't have everything. Having enjoyed the Family's best resources, I naturally have to bear the corresponding responsibilities for the Family." Si Yao laughed self-deprecatingly. There wasn't much joy in that smile; instead, it held a deep sense of powerlessness. She turned around, no longer looking at Qin Yi, and stepped toward the inner courtyard, her skirt swaying gently in the mountain wind, her back looking exceptionally slender and lonely. "Let's go, I'll show you around the place where I grew up."

Qin Yi watched her back and said nothing more. He simply quickened his pace silently to walk beside her, entering the deep courtyard of the old residence together.

In the main house, Si Hongbin had already helped Si Zhengxiong change into a comfortable set of home clothes and served a cup of freshly brewed hot tea.

"Hongbin, go call Hongjun and ask how things are going with the media."

"Yes, Elder Si." Si Hongbin responded and took out his phone to dial.

Before long, Si Hongjun's voice came from the other end: "Hello, Hongbin, you've returned to the old residence?"

"Yes, Brother Hongjun, we're back. Elder Si asked me to check how things are going with the media."

"Oh, tell Elder Si not to worry. The news drafts and photos from those media outlets have already been sent to me. I'll review them, and if there are no issues, I'll let them publish."

Si Hongbin looked at Si Zhengxiong. Si Zhengxiong raised his hand, and Si Hongbin immediately handed the phone over.

Si Zhengxiong held the phone to his ear and instructed in a steady voice, "Hongjun, pay attention to the wording of the news drafts. Be sure to maintain the right tone. There must not be any words that slander or defame the Zhao Family, lest it give people cause to say our Si Family is ungrateful."

"Don't worry, Elder Si. I will review them carefully and won't give anyone ammunition to use against us."

"Good. Also, how is Zhao Lintai? Has he had any reaction?" Si Zhengxiong continued, his eyes sharp.

"I've arranged for people to keep an eye on him. That kid is actually being quite restrained. Aside from being angry, he hasn't made any drastic moves yet."

"Mm. I'm worried that once the media reports break, he might take desperate actions. You must have people watch him closely. We cannot allow anything to happen to Zhao Lintai in the Southwest territory, otherwise our Si Family will be held responsible."

"Understood, I'll add more men to keep him pinned down," Si Hongjun agreed, then changed the subject and asked tentatively, "By the way, Elder Si, what do you plan to do about Yaoyao and Qin Yi?"

"You don't need to worry about that," Si Zhengxiong's tone left no room for doubt. "I will talk to them myself later. Go back to your work for now." After saying that, he handed the phone back to Si Hongbin.

Si Hongbin took the phone, exchanged a few more brief words with Si Hongjun, and then ended the call.

Si Zhengxiong looked at the clock on the table and ordered, "Hongbin, in twenty minutes, have Yaoyao and Qin Yi come over."

"Yes, Elder Si. Then please rest, I'll be waiting outside." Si Hongbin bowed and withdrew from the main house, gently closing the door.

Silence returned to the room.

Si Zhengxiong pondered for a moment, then stood up slowly with his cane and walked steadily back into the inner bedroom.

He walked to the bedside and skillfully lifted the heavy bed board, revealing a hidden compartment.

Inside the compartment lay a dark wooden box.

He reached out with his wrinkled hand, carefully took out the box, and slid open the lid.

An ancient, thread-bound book with yellowed pages lay peacefully inside. On the cover were four bold, powerful ancient characters—Blazing Sun True Art!

The Foundation of the Si Family and the hope of the Si Family all originated from this. Si Zhengxiong's gaze fell upon the book, deep and inscrutable, as he contemplated something unknown.