Different Gains

As the Xiao Family elders had said, they began taking action that very afternoon, shamelessly running back to discuss the matter with their grandsons and granddaughters.

The result was naturally mixed—some rejoiced while others worried. Some agreed, of course. Who would refuse something that could bring benefits? Even losing a little face did not matter!

But some were unwilling, especially the pampered young members of the Xiao Family. The one most opposed to it was Xiao Ning, who had previously had an unpleasant encounter with Yun Shenwei.

"Grandfather, I absolutely refuse to agree to this. A true man is born between Heaven and Earth—how can he remain beneath another forever?"

In the room, Xiao Ning said this with a flushed face. This was also the first time in his life that he had dared to oppose his grandfather.

Slap!

A resounding slap rang out. Xiao Ning clutched his face, looking deeply aggrieved.

"You bastard! If Grandfather tells you to curry favor with someone, then do it! Status is not important, understand? Besides, is your so-called young master status really higher than his?"

The Great Elder of the Xiao Family was furious. He had spoiled this grandson for many years, but today, he felt that he might have been wrong.

"This is a world where the strong are revered. Shouldn't you think carefully about your future path and direction? Your grandfather has lived for so many years, yet I am still cowering within this family. Look at Xiao Zhan—does he outrank your grandfather by seniority? Yet he became the clan leader!

"Why does everyone support him? Have you ever thought about it? Isn't it because his cultivation realm and talent are the best in the entire family?

"If your grandfather were a few decades younger, would he still have had any chance of becoming clan leader? Do you think that would have been possible?"

The Great Elder of the Xiao Family spoke with bitter frustration. Speaking of these matters now also reminded him of all the dissatisfaction he had endured within the family over the years.

Perhaps in the eyes of others, a family's Great Elder should stand below only one person and above countless others. Yet it was precisely this position below one person that restricted him at every turn. After all, he was not the clan leader, and he had no final say!

"Grandfather..."

Xiao Ning's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down his face.

"That is why Grandfather is acting this way today. It is the result of considering many things. You are still young, so do not act on impulse. Use your brain more when doing things. Do not envy, resent, or hate others. You must show respect toward the strong. Do not think of opposing them. Rather than that, why not honestly become their lackey? Wouldn't you gain even more benefits that way? Why use an egg to strike a stone and bring suffering upon yourself?"

The Great Elder of the Xiao Family rubbed his grandson's cheek and earnestly tried to persuade him.

"Grandfather, Ning'er understands! A true man can bend and stretch, capable of anything!"

Xiao Ning nodded heavily. At that moment, he decided that he would become Yun Shenwei's little follower, even if others treated him as nothing more than a dog.

"It is good that you understand. Such an opportunity is rare in a thousand years. They only came here to break off the engagement, after all. Of course, it is enough that you know this. Do not let it slip out."

The Great Elder of the Xiao Family let out a long sigh...

At the same time, similar scenes continued to unfold elsewhere in the Xiao Family.

People ultimately lived to fight for benefits for their own development. Whether their flattery before others was false or sincere did not make it wrong. Everyone sought to curry favor with the strong and invest in young geniuses for no more than a better life!

As the person involved, Yun Shenwei knew nothing of this. He told Ge Ye, the Steward, that the matter had been successfully handled.

"Mm. Your thinking is meticulous, and you have the potential to strategize from behind the scenes. In the future, you and Yanran should stay together properly. It is only a matter of time before our Yun Lan Sect grows stronger."

After Ge Ye, the Steward, finished speaking, he took a few sips of cola and tore open a bag of Spicy Sticks.

Over the past few days, Ge Ye had basically had nothing to do. Aside from ensuring their basic safety, he had almost no other duties.

Moreover, Yun Shenwei had given him plenty of delicious snacks, allowing Ge Ye, the Steward, to thoroughly satisfy his cravings.

Having served the Yun Lan Sect for many years, he had always worked conscientiously and followed the rules, never daring to relax in the slightest. Now that he had come out on a mission and had the chance to take it easy, he could finally rest for once.

"Fine, since the matter has been settled, I will send word back later. Also, the Second Elder will still need some time to handle matters. Until he returns, the two of you should stay here properly. This old man will ensure your safety."

After finishing his Spicy Sticks, Ge Ye thought for a moment before saying this. Then he looked up and noticed Yun Shenwei eating some delicacies he had never seen before. He immediately said, "Hey, give this old man some. Come on... Don't spend every day eating everything by yourself. This old man works hard protecting you two, you know?"

"Alright, alright, you have worked hard, Steward!"

Seeing Ge Ye's old-childish appearance, Yun Shenwei could not help but laugh.

In the original work, Ge Ye was portrayed as sinister, cunning, and narrow-minded.

Yun Shenwei had initially thought the same, but later changed his view.

Good and evil were never absolute!

It still depended on the angle from which Yun Shenwei viewed the matter, and the identity from which he considered it.

At the very least, after he came here, Ge Ye, the Steward, had changed.

Furthermore, there was no conflict of interest between him and Ge Ye, the Steward. The Yun Lan Sect was Yun Shenwei's home!

Therefore, Yun Shenwei had no reason to force Xiao Yan's perspective from the original work onto himself. Wouldn't that be completely mismatched?

"No problem. There's plenty!"

Yun Shenwei laughed heartily and shared many specialty snacks from Blue Water Star with Ge Ye. Seeing Ge Ye act like such a glutton also made him happy.

That evening, Yun Shenwei declined the Xiao Family's dinner invitation. Instead, he borrowed a place in the Xiao Family's back kitchen and cooked for himself, preparing several ordinary home-style dishes from the Celestial Dynasty.

After the dishes were ready, he called Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye, the Steward, over. The three gathered together to sample them.

"Wow, Shenwei Senior Brother, the Kung Pao Chicken you made is so delicious! I never imagined food could be prepared like this!"

After taking a few bites of the dishes the young man had introduced to her, Nalan Yanran could not help but praise them.

"You really have so many secrets. Speaking of which, that mysterious teacher of yours is truly incredible. He actually managed to train you into such an amazing all-round genius without anyone in our Yun Lan Sect noticing."

Ge Ye took a sip of cola and lavished praise upon the dishes covering the table.

"They are just small matters. If possible, I hope our Yun Lan Sect can also get into the food business in the future."

An idea suddenly emerged in Yun Shenwei's mind. Before his future career became successful, perhaps he could try doing business as well. Maybe there would be different gains?