Seeing the child, whom she remembered as always being playful and cheerful, glaring at her angrily, a hint of sorrow flashed in Yun Zhan's eyes.
"Child, you still hate me for sending you to the experimental platform back then, don't you?" Yun Zhan asked, his voice trembling.
"Hate? What's the use of hating you? I've tried to understand you. Sitting in that position, having lost your only son, you needed an excellent successor, not a mediocre grandson. I don't hate you, but you should know that from that day on, I haven't called you 'Grandpa'! Because that grandson who loved you so much has been strangled by you!"
"Since then, I've tried to believe you. But what was the result? My mother was forced to leave for overseas, and my Sister Mei, who grew up with me, almost lost her life at a young age! It was you who put the greater good first time and time again! Tell me, how can I still believe you?"
"You always say that the Yun Family is dwindling in talent and weak, but isn't all of this a sacrifice made for your greater good? You always say that a country must exist before a family can exist! But what have those bastards done that was for the good of the country?"
Stop indulging in self-deceptive illusions.
Yunyi turned and walked towards the mansion's gate. Just as his hand rested on the door, he turned to Yun Zhan and said, "I don't need a Yun Family that only cares about the big picture. Find someone else for the position of young master of the Yun Family. From this moment on, I, Yunyi, represent only myself. Those who have harmed me, those who have tried to manipulate my life behind my back—this time, I will not let any of them get away with it."
After saying that, Yunyi pushed open the door and walked straight out.
As soon as he left, the Yun Family's old butler hurriedly came out of the room.
He watched Yunyi's departing figure, then looked at Yun Zhan, who was slumped in a chair, and sighed heavily.
"Master, let me help you to rest. From now on, let Boy Yi make his own decisions," the old steward advised.
Yun Zhan pushed the old butler aside and stood up. He looked at the open door, his emotions churning.
The child he once protected has now grown up and is independent. But this child has completely lost touch with the Yun Family.
"The world is about to change." Yun Zhan sighed and walked unsteadily towards his room. The old butler watched his retreating figure, sighing inwardly as well. But no matter how many times they sighed, they could not change the fact that had already happened.
Leaving Yunyi Yun Family did not bring him relief; he was simply disappointed in this corrupt family once again. He had anticipated this outcome before his return. As Shen Yi had said, Old Master Yun Zhan had been obsessed with the big picture his entire life and would not change his mind because of their relationship.
Although not staying overnight at the Yun Family's residence wouldn't necessarily leave Yunyi in a desperate situation, his sudden return to the Alliance still needed to be kept secret for the time being. Otherwise, if certain individuals found out in advance and those rats hid, he would have to go through the trouble of catching them, which would be quite troublesome.
After much thought, the only place he could think of was that one. However, when the call was connected, the voice coming from the receiver made Yunyi pause slightly.
"Hello, who is this?"
Completely different from the steady voice she remembered her aunt, this energetic voice reminded Yunyi of a little guy.
"You are... Xiao Lei?"
The person on the other end was clearly surprised to hear Yunyi's question.
"Hey, how do you know my name? Grandma, there's a strange phone call, and you even know who I am!" The innocent voice seemed to be explaining the situation to the person on the other end of the phone.
A moment later, Yunyi's familiar voice came through the receiver.
"Hehe, when Xiao Lei said it was an unfamiliar number, I was wondering who it could be. I didn't expect it to be you, Boy Yi."
"Yes, Auntie, it's me. I'm back. I was thinking of coming to stay with you for the night, but since Xiao Lei is here, I won't disturb you from enjoying your family time," Yunyi said.
"What are you saying? You rarely come back, how can you not stay at home for a couple of days? Besides, Xiao Lei knows you, what's there to be afraid of?"
"No, Auntie, I came back this time on business. It wouldn't be good if the news got out, would it? How about I visit you after I'm done with my work?" Yunyi explained helplessly.
The person opposite Yunyi fell silent upon hearing his words.
" Boy Yi, are you back this time to cause trouble for those people?" After a moment, the person opposite asked.
"That's roughly how it is," Yunyi said.
"Good, good, it's good that you're back! Let me tell you, those people are getting more and more outrageous! Xiao Lei is only eleven years old! They want to recruit her into the army! If it weren't for your Uncle Liu stopping them, they would have succeeded! Boy Yi, don't forget what you promised me and your Uncle Liu. Before, when you weren't in the country, your aunt couldn't contact you. Now that you're back, you have to teach these people a lesson, understand?"
Hearing this string of complaints, Yunyi's heart sank deeper and deeper. Eleven years old? He was forced into the army when he was nine. Back then, not a single person stood up for him! Compared to him, Liu Lilei at least had a grandfather who could protect her!
"Auntie, don't worry. I promise no one will dare to bother you with this matter again, so please rest assured."
After reassuring the other party, Yunyi hung up the phone. He turned to look at the Yun Family mansion behind him and finally let out a cold snort.
What happened between him and Liu Lilei was not an isolated incident within the Union. This country's development in various aspects of magic was not top-notch, but because of the existence of the hostile nation of Japan, the Union had to adopt the most extreme policy to increase the number of mages in the army.
Born in this country, almost everyone with magical talent, regardless of level or field, is recruited into the army.
If magicians born in other countries simply face more restrictions and scrutiny, then magicians born here have only one path to take: becoming a soldier.
(Please don't nitpick or argue about this part based on the original plot, thank you.)
After hanging up the phone, Yunyi looked up at the somewhat gloomy sky and murmured softly, "Since there's no suitable place to stay, I'll announce my return a little earlier."