Compromise

This somewhat peculiar conversation came to an end with an urgent call from a Su Family maid.

Regarding the topic of Li Nanbei, Su Xiao ultimately didn't elaborate much.

Ronan only knew that they were childhood sweethearts. The little kid who, in Su Xiao's memory, had only declared he would marry her during playtime, had suddenly risen three years ago after leaving the Emerald Star Region and undergoing training from a well-known figure in the Imperial Military. He was like the most dazzling comet, sweeping across the sky of the Emerald Star Region.

They hadn't seen each other in many years. Although they occasionally corresponded, Su Xiao always felt a sense of unfamiliarity.

As for how powerful he was, Ronan's question would seem very laughable to others, perhaps even beneath a response.

But Su Xiao answered seriously:

"Very, very powerful."

This was an extremely high evaluation.

But it was also an evaluation that left Ronan speechless. It was as good as saying nothing.

After that came the call from the maid who was covering for her at the spa. Something had happened at home, and she had to go back.

Before parting, Ronan said he owed her a favor.

The girl just smiled and didn't say much more.

Perhaps this private meeting was very likely the last time they would talk face-to-face, like friends. She didn't feel that Ronan owed her anything; he had given her a rare night of freedom at the banquet before, which was already a very pleasant thing.

Now they were even. Su Xiao said to herself seriously.

The conversation with Su Xiao greatly benefited Ronan.

Although that uncomfortable feeling lingered in his heart, he knew that what Su Xiao spoke of was reality and truth. Whether it was the speculation about Wei Wei's thoughts or the tit-for-tat between Yi Lin Manor and the Li Family.

This insightful girl even predicted the undercurrent that had recently arisen because of Ronan and Wei Wei.

"Within a week, the Li Family will definitely soften and compromise. There's nothing they can do about it. The Earl's attitude is too firm and tough. The Li Family cannot choose to go to war head-on with Yi Lin Manor at this time."

"So, they can only compromise."

Ronan didn't know how the situation would develop, so the only thing he could do was do his own thing every day and then wait and see.

In the upper levels of Bo Ning District, in a study deep within Blackwater Fortress.

A middle-aged man sat upright, holding a pen, seemingly writing something. To his left, an old envelope was pressed down.

The Director of the Investigation Bureau, nearing seventy, sat hunched on the sofa.

"This is Yi Lin Manor's attitude?" the middle-aged man said in a deep voice.

The old man said expressionlessly, "He came directly to me."

The middle-aged man fell silent, a trace of annoyance in his eyes.

In this storm and undercurrent, Yi Lin Manor's attitude was frighteningly tough.

That seemingly old Will had actually shown the courage to fight to the death. From the political and business circles to private armed forces and the intervention of the Investigation Bureau, he had launched a massive, all-around pressure campaign.

Earl Will publicly claimed to be apprehending the Rose Blood Knight assassin, but in fact, he was showing an attitude of wanting to perish together with the Li Family!

The news brought by the Director of the Investigation Bureau made him even more angry.

Yi Lin Manor had actually proposed such harsh conditions!

This had completely exceeded his control and expectations for the situation!

"Surprised, aren't you?"

The old man sneered and said, "Perhaps the smooth sailing in recent years has made you forget what it means to follow the rules. You also underestimated that even if a tiger is old, it still has the sharpest claws and teeth. If you really push Will too hard, do you think you'll have the upper hand if it goes to the Lower House?"

The middle-aged man fell silent.

He knew that the Li Family's success today was partly due to generations of accumulation, and partly due to Li Nanbei's sudden rise, especially being appreciated by that gentleman in the military.

The power struggle in the Emerald Star Region could be carried out in secret; quietly changing dynasties, gradually weakening the profits and influence of the Tri-Alliance Group and Yi Lin Manor, these were what he should be doing.

This incident was indeed a bit too reckless. Perhaps he was too eager to open up a situation for his son, who was several light-years away, and leave him a great foundation, so he wasn't cautious enough in his actions.

Earl Will firmly seized this weakness and launched a fierce counterattack against him. The Li Family wasn't afraid of the other party's counterattack, but the timing was simply not right now.

If they really went to war with Yi Lin Manor, both sides would likely suffer heavy losses. At that time, the Red Hat Snake Group would find it difficult to dominate the Emerald Star Region, and might even be taken advantage of by a third party.

"It seems the Earl cherishes his daughter very much."

The middle-aged man asked tentatively.

The Director of the Investigation Bureau snorted, too lazy to respond. After a long time, he finally spoke:

"The Governor's Mansion mentioned the relationship between Yi Lin Manor and that tiger yesterday, intentionally or unintentionally. Although so many years have passed, intelligence shows they rarely contact each other, and their relationship is likely shallow, but Will is still that tiger's subordinate. Politically, their influence in the Second Chamber may not be worse than yours; the military is the same. If you want to truly open up the situation, I advise you to restrain yourself and start from the business world."

The old man said with some emotion, "Since you already know that the Li Family's rise is the general trend, why be in such a hurry?"

He had personally seen how talented that child was, which was why he had painstakingly advised the Li Family head.

The middle-aged man pondered for a moment, stood up, and bowed solemnly to the old man.

"Thank you, Old Mr. Zhang. This matter has really troubled you."

The middle-aged man said in a low voice, "The terms for Yi Lin Manor, give them to them."

The old man was a little surprised, "Not going to negotiate further? Haggle a bit? This isn't your style?"

The middle-aged man laughed heartily, "You're right, why rush? I was stimulated by Ronan's appearance. From the current intelligence, he's just a target to attract fire. I shouldn't have fallen for the Earl's simple trick."

"Let's just let this matter go."

He placed his hand on the envelope and tapped it three times lightly.

The Director of the Investigation Bureau nodded, but his heart felt heavy.

The Li Family truly had many talented individuals. Li Nanbei was extremely dazzling, but few paid attention to his father who had been steadily building things up.

This man was patient, meticulous in his calculations, and his only flaw was his slightly smaller perspective.

But to give up such a large interest just like that, this kind of courage was beyond ordinary people.

Yi Lin Manor, even if it could win for a while now, would likely face difficulties in the future.

After Old Mr. Zhang left, a communication signal appeared in the study.

On the light screen that opened, there was a handsome young man.

"Dad. I heard about what happened this time."

"My teacher asked me to tell you something: Don't rush things."

"I'm still on a mission, so I won't say much more; the good news is, after this mission is over, I should be coming back for a visit. Keep an eye on Xiao Xiang, don't let him go too far. Xiao Su is a girl after all, the Su Family's face still needs to be given."

"There are a lot of demonized creatures on this planet. I'll be back after I clean them up."

On the light screen, the child he was proud of quickly jumped into the cockpit of the Empire's latest generation mecha, and then the signal disappeared.

A warm smile appeared at the corner of the Li Family head's mouth:

"Nanbei."

"Father knows. I'm not in a hurry. As long as I can live to see the day you take charge, I'll be satisfied."

The next second, violent coughing sounds came from the study.

The neat wastebasket quickly gained several pieces of white tissue with bloodstains.

"It's over? The Li Family compromised?"

Three days later, when Ronan learned from the young butler that the Earl had lifted his restriction on going out, he couldn't help but be surprised.

The Su Family's young lady's prediction was actually so accurate, which made Ronan look at her with new eyes.

The young butler smiled gently:

"That's probably how things are with the nobles, I'm not too sure about the specifics. In short, Young Master Ronan and Miss Wei Wei can now travel freely, but the master has arranged new personal bodyguards for the two of you, all elites from the White Dove Company. They will accompany you to Azure Ring Island."

"Some specific details will be described in detail in the Bo Ning Secondary Academy's freshman admission notice. School starts in about a week. Oh, right, Miss Wei Wei is planning to hold a party tonight to celebrate. She invited you to come too."

"After all, we're all family."

With the last sentence, the young butler smiled ambiguously.

Ronan was speechless. He wondered if that girl would continue to tease him.

Should he take advantage of meeting tonight to make things clear?

As long as he let her know that he wasn't interested in her at all, it should be fine, right?

Ronan thought to himself.

Night quickly fell.

In Yi Lin Manor, the lights were bright, and in a separate building, laughter and cheerful sounds came in waves.

The party to celebrate Miss Wei Wei's recovery from her serious illness slowly began.

Early update, Xinghe is rushing the new book list, currently ranked tenth. To move forward, every collection, recommendation, and click is very important. I hope everyone can continue to support! The good show is just beginning