411: Chapter 410 The Conversation Between the Si Family Father and Son

Meanwhile, in another presidential suite, Si Hongjun yawned as he picked up a phone call from Si Wenruo.

"Dad, Brother Bin is awake." Si Wenruo's voice was filled with uncontrollable joy. "The attending physician just checked on him and said he's recovering very well. After another day of observation today, he can be moved to a regular ward."

"Is that so? That's great!" Si Hongjun's eyes lit up, and his sleepiness vanished instantly. He flipped out of bed and said, "I'll go tell the old man the good news right now."

At this moment, Si Wenruo didn't forget to remind him, "Dad, don't forget about the trip to the capital."

"Don't worry. Once I send your grandfather and the others back to the old residence today, I'll set off for the capital." Si Hongjun paused and instructed, "During this time, you'll keep an eye on the group. If there's anything you can't decide on, wait until I get back."

"Okay, I got it, Dad." Si Wenruo agreed. Then, looking towards the ICU, he thought that if his father was going to the capital, Brother Xiao would surely follow. So, he asked, "Dad, what about the arrangements for Brother Bin?"

"Once he can be moved to a regular ward, arrange for someone to transfer Hongbin to a hospital under the group's banner for easier care."

"That works. I'll notify Southwest International Hospital today to have them send a team of experts over for a comprehensive check-up on Brother Bin to facilitate follow-up care."

"Good, go ahead and handle that."

After hanging up, Si Hongjun walked out of his bedroom and gently pushed open the door to the master bedroom.

At this moment, the lights in the master bedroom were on. Si Zhengxiong was leaning against the headboard, his expression looking somewhat solemn as if he were lost in thought.

Si Hongjun stepped inside. "Old man, did the sound of my phone call wake you up?"

"It's no matter. When you get old, you sleep less." Si Zhengxiong looked up at Si Hongjun, his expression softening as he asked softly, "Was that Wenruo calling?"

"Yes." Si Hongjun went to the old man's side and placed another pillow behind his back. He continued, "Hongbin is awake. The doctor said after another day of observation today, he can be moved to a regular ward. I had Wenruo contact the group's subsidiary hospital. We'll transfer Hongbin to our own hospital later; it'll be more convenient for his follow-up care."

"Mhm," Si Zhengxiong nodded. "That's for the best. We have Qin Yi to thank this time; otherwise, I'm afraid Hongbin's situation would have been dire."

"Indeed," Si Hongjun nodded, but there was a different kind of anticipation in his eyes. "Tell you what, Qin Yi's medicine is truly miraculous. I don't know where that kid got such good stuff. Old man, do you think that medicine could heal the internal injuries in your body?"

Upon hearing this, Si Zhengxiong glared at Si Hongjun and warned in a serious tone, "You brat, let me tell you, stop scheming against Qin Yi!"

"Sigh," Si Hongjun sighed. "Old man, I'm just concerned about you. Besides, what's wrong with asking? Since Qin Yi was willing to take out a Medicinal Pill to treat Hongbin, he might have quite a few more. As long as he's willing to give them, I'll buy them no matter the price. I'm not asking for them for free."

"Enough," Si Zhengxiong waved him off. "I'm already at this age; whether I'm treated or not doesn't really matter. However, regarding Yaoyao, ever since she returned from Zhuilong Valley this time, I feel like her aura is somewhat different than before. I didn't ask in detail in front of Qin Yi last night, so I must ask her properly today about what exactly happened in Zhuilong Valley."

"Mhm," Si Hongjun rubbed his chin and nodded thoughtfully. "I have that feeling too. Do you think our Yaoyao has actually fallen for that kid Qin Yi? I saw that the coat she was wrapped in belonged to Qin Yi. Could those two have..."

"I'm talking to you about her True Qi aura!" Si Zhengxiong interrupted crossly. "What on earth are you thinking about!"

"Uh..." Si Hongjun's face turned red, and he laughed awkwardly. "Oh, oh, so that's what you meant, old man. I thought you also felt like something had happened between Yaoyao and Qin Yi."

"You, do you even act like a father!" Si Zhengxiong frowned in reproach. "Qin Yi already said long ago that he has a girlfriend. Do you want Yaoyao to break them up or be his mistress?"

"Oh, old man, don't put it so harshly," Si Hongjun defended. "Yes, Qin Yi has a girlfriend, but so what? It's not like they're married. This is an era of free love; even if he has a girlfriend, they can still break up."

Si Hongjun paced around, paused, and then continued, "Besides, if Yaoyao really could end up with Qin Yi, that would be an absolute blessing for our Si Family! Moreover, I've already sent out the news; it wouldn't be good to take it back, right? Wouldn't that be a slap in the face for our Si Family?"

"Alright, alright." Si Zhengxiong waved his hand. "Stop pacing in front of me; you're making me dizzy! From now on, let Yaoyao decide for herself regarding marriage! As long as she likes it, anything goes."

As he spoke, his gaze fixed on Si Hongjun again, and he warned in a stern tone, "You father and son, remember this from now on: no one is allowed to use Yaoyao's marriage as a bargaining chip for the Family's development ever again! If you dare to harbor any more crooked thoughts, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Oh, old man, am I that kind of person? Yaoyao is your granddaughter, but she's even more so my daughter. Would I harm my own daughter?!" Si Hongjun responded with a helpless look.

Si Zhengxiong couldn't be bothered to argue with Si Hongjun—if it weren't for the fact that his worthless son had no talent for inheriting the Family's martial arts and was forced into business, he wouldn't have had to humble himself to go to Zhao Weiguo and set up a betrothal with the Zhao Family!

At this thought, Si Zhengxiong's expression turned stern as he changed the subject. "Is there any news from the capital? How is Zhao Weiguo? If Zhao Weiguo really passed away because of that one phone call of mine, how could I ever explain myself to the higher-ups..."

"No news for now. After I send you back to the old residence today, I'll head to the capital and ask around then."

"Hmm? You're going to the capital at a time like this? For what?" Si Zhengxiong looked at Si Hongjun with a puzzled expression.

"Oh, I haven't had a chance to tell you yet," Si Hongjun explained with feigned nonchalance. "Earlier, Xu Anguo called and said that the person at Donghe Villa wanted to see me. I was told to go to the capital after finding Zhao Lintai."

Hearing this, Si Zhengxiong frowned slightly and asked, "The leader wants to see you? Didn't he say what it was about? Could it be that he wants to hold you accountable?"

"Cough, old man, don't overthink it. Maybe it's a good thing?" Si Hongjun smiled, though the smile on his face was somewhat forced.

Although Southwest International Group was developing quite well, ranking among the top ten domestically and being one of the Fortune Global 500, it wasn't yet at the level where a leader would specifically call for an audience.

This trip to the capital was most likely to receive a scolding.

After all, Zhao Weiguo's status was there for all to see, and his own old man was also a meritorious veteran, so it was indeed difficult for the leaders to blame them. But he was just a businessman; if the leaders couldn't touch the old man, handling him would be child's play.

"Sigh," Si Zhengxiong sighed. How could he not know the issues involved? He pondered and said, "Since the leader specifically asked to see you, there's no avoiding it. But you must be prepared. If the leader asks about the marriage contract between the two families, tell the truth. Don't try to play games with the leader."

"Mhm," Si Hongjun nodded in agreement. "Actually, I was thinking the same thing. That kid Zhao Lintai doesn't follow the Righteous Path and actually dared to collude with Hongmen. This time, without Old Man Zhao's protection, Zhao Lintai is finished. Our Si Family cutting ties with the Zhao Family in time can be considered emergency risk mitigation. I believe the leader will understand."

Si Zhengxiong frowned and pondered for a moment before adding, "By the way, there's one more thing. That woman named Bai Ruoxue—I suspect she's from the Bai Family of the Western Regions."

"Ah? The Bai Family of the Western Regions?" Si Hongjun's expression turned stern, and his voice involuntarily lowered. "You mean the Bai Family that was wiped out over twenty years ago?"

"Exactly," Si Zhengxiong affirmed in a serious tone. "Mystic Ice True Qi and Mystic Ice Palm are both the ultimate techniques of the Bai Family of the Western Regions. Besides a woman from the Bai Family of the Western Regions, I can't think of anyone else in the Dragon Kingdom who would have such talent." At this point, Si Zhengxiong paused, recalling the scene when he saw Bai Ruoxue, and continued thoughtfully, "Moreover, the first moment I saw her, I felt she looked very much like Bai Mei in his youth. Do you remember the little girl Bai Mei wanted to arrange a betrothal with our Si Family back then?"

"You mean this Bai Ruoxue is the granddaughter of the former head of the Bai Family, Bai Mei?" Si Hongjun was somewhat incredulous. "This... this is unlikely, right? Weren't all of the Bai Family killed back then?"

"Regarding the events of that year, besides those few in the capital, who can say for sure? Perhaps she really is Bai Mei's granddaughter. Otherwise, I truly can't think of any other possibility for her level of martial arts."

"Hiss," Si Hongjun sucked in a breath of cold air and said with a frown, "If it's truly as you suspect, then wouldn't Bai Ruoxue be the sole survivor of the Bai Family?"

"Yes. I was an old acquaintance of the Bai Family head, Bai Mei. If Bai Ruoxue really is a descendant of the Bai Family, I truly wouldn't want anything to happen to her. It's just a pity about the six people she killed."

"Old man, I will take extra care of the families of those six people. You don't need to have any psychological burden. As for Bai Ruoxue, she will likely be handed over to the Security Bureau after the military investigation. After all, she is still a member of Hongmen. According to my understanding, Hongmen is actually supported by several major financial groups. With the size of our Si Family, we cannot yet compete with those old-money financial groups, so I believe it's not advisable to have a direct conflict with Hongmen for now."

"I understand. Now that six of our Si Family members were transferred to the Security Bureau and all six have died in battle, the Family's strength has been significantly weakened. We must find a way to replenish our power first. Oh, by the way, I've already decided that I plan to open up our Si Family's ultimate technique, the 'Blazing Sun True Art', to the Family's younger generation. Anyone who breaks through to the Anjin Stage and passes the assessment can Cultivate the 'Blazing Sun True Art'!"

Si Hongjun was startled. "Old man, then what about Yaoyao? Are you not going to let Yaoyao inherit the Family's ultimate technique?"

"Sigh, Yaoyao's Physique is ultimately not suited for the fierce and overbearing martial arts of 'Blazing Sun True Qi'," Si Zhengxiong sighed, his voice tinged with guilt. "Before, I was too narrow-minded, always feeling that our Si Family's martial arts had to be passed down through the direct Bloodline. If Qin Yi hadn't woken me up in time, I'm afraid I would have ruined Yaoyao. Now, Southwest International Group is developing well under your management. As long as the Family's ultimate technique isn't lost, it's fine. Someone like Hongbin, who has great talent and is loyal to our Si Family, is fully capable of inheriting the 'Blazing Sun True Art'. As for Yaoyao, for the rest of her life, being happy is what matters most!"

As they were speaking, a "knock, knock, knock" sounded from outside the presidential suite.

"It should be Yaoyao waking up. I'll go open the door," Si Hongjun said as he walked out of the master bedroom.

Si Zhengxiong also got out of bed with his cane and slowly followed.