Supreme Heir Son-in-law
Chapter 196: Nitpicking

Chapter 196: Chapter 196: Nitpicking

"First of all, let’s be clear, the Xu Group will not be involved in this matter, and I myself will not participate in any of your actions. Also, I won’t be at your beck and call. If you can accept this, then we can consider it cooperation. If not, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear any of this." Xu Ke’s voice grew increasingly cold, like the winter wind, cutting through you painfully.

But Chu Lian didn’t mind, "It’s okay, I don’t mind." Chu Lian said excitedly.

Then her cheeks turned an odd shade of red, and she said, a bit shyly, "I heard from Rongrong that you’ve auctioned a Heart of Eternity at the auction house. It’s said to be beautiful. Can I take a look at it?"

"No." Xu Ke flatly refused, causing Chu Lian’s expression to freeze abruptly. But remembering Xu Ke had just agreed to stay by her side, she held back the anger rising within her and put a smile back on her face.

"It’s getting late; I still have things to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first. Take care and I wish you a speedy recovery." Xu Ke stood up from the chair and said calmly, without any fluctuation in his voice. Without giving Chu Lian a chance to say anything else, he pushed the door open and walked out, his steps quick as if something were chasing him.

"Family Head, did something happen? You seem like you’ve encountered some trouble," Housekeeper Zhao asked concernedly, looking at Xu Ke, who was frowning deeply.

"There’s been a bit of a hiccup in the plan." Xu Ke slumped on the sofa, rubbing his head, his voice slightly heavy.

"What kind of hiccup, Family Head? Why not speak it out; maybe I can give you some advice." Housekeeper Zhao made a cup of calming tea for Xu Ke and said softly.

"It seems that Chu Lian has fallen for me. I can feel her unhealthy obsession. Things have become quite tricky now. I’ve already made so many arrangements earlier. I won’t be content if I withdraw now, but if I do nothing and let Chu Lian’s feelings grow, I’m just setting a time bomb for myself. One never knows what a mad person might do, especially one with money and power." Xu Ke said, somewhat troubled.

You could tell from Xu Ke’s tightly furrowed brows that he was conflicted inside. After hearing Xu Ke’s account, Housekeeper Zhao didn’t know what to say either. Matters of the heart, unseen and intangible, are beyond human control, and he had no way of easing Xu Ke’s burden.

"It’s best if the Family Head makes a decision early regarding this matter. The longer you delay, the more it’ll disadvantage you."

"Grandpa Zhao, I understand. I’ll handle this properly, it’s just that I’m a bit unsure about what to do now, but I’ll make the right choice."

"Actually, I feel the Family Head doesn’t need to make a choice at all. Just proceed according to the original plan. Even if Miss Chu likes you, so what? Once things are concluded, the Chu Family will be finished. She won’t have any power or influence by then. And even if the Chu Family is still around, with their resources, she still can’t really do anything to you. You’re the head of the Xu Group; the Chu Family is eager to curry favor with you, they don’t dare drive you away." Housekeeper Zhao said.

"What’s stopping me from making a decision isn’t this matter, but her feelings for me. If it were just about power and influence, would I be afraid?" Xu Ke raised an eyebrow and asked back.

"I just feel that using a young woman’s affection to achieve one’s goals is a very despicable thing. I can’t get past the hurdle in my heart." Xu Ke said, somewhat troubled.

"Family Head, whether it’s underhanded scheming or open and direct manipulation, both are manipulation with no real difference. You need not feel burdened by this. You didn’t ask Miss Chu to fall in love with you, so you don’t need to feel conflicted or troubled by this. You’re an outstanding man; it’s perfectly normal for a girl to have admiration for you. You just need to move forward firmly according to your own plans and don’t need to be weighed down by the mountain that is Miss Chu." Housekeeper Zhao said.

"If you consider Miss Chu your responsibility, there will be countless similar responsibilities tying you down in the future. You can’t consistently make concessions for these kinds of matters."

"Grandpa Zhao, you’re right. I was overthinking things before. Now I know what to do." Xu Ke, after hearing Housekeeper Zhao’s words, felt as if a hand had brushed away the fog in front of him, making everything instantly clear.

"From the start, our positions have been different, yet I sympathized with my enemy. I must have been muddle-headed to worry about such unnecessary things." Xu Ke laughed softly, his demeanor returning to its former composure.

"The Family Head is just too kind-hearted. But sitting in your position, sometimes you need to put away that kindness. Too much kindness isn’t a good thing; it just gives others a handle to attack you." Housekeeper Zhao stood by Xu Ke’s side, looking at him with affectionate eyes, his voice having an ancient, time-transcending quality, bringing out a peculiar charm.

"You are right. In the future, I’ll need you by my side to remind me more often." Xu Ke looked at Housekeeper Zhao with a smile in his eyes, an affinity he himself hadn’t noticed. Housekeeper Zhao, seeing Xu Ke like this, felt slight ripples in the deep, dark ocean of his eyes.

"Of course, I’ll always be by your side, fulfilling my duties." Housekeeper Zhao performed a standard ceremonial gesture from the Empire where the sun never sets, his smile as ever, making others feel as if a warm light bathed them upon first glance.

"Grandpa’s no longer around, but thankfully you’re still here, otherwise I truly wouldn’t know what to do." Xu Ke lowered his head, a deep sense of nostalgia evident in his eyes.

"The difficulties before you are only temporary. I believe the young master can overcome them all. Only by our success can we bring peace to sir’s spirit in heaven." Housekeeper Zhao placed his aged hand on Xu Ke’s shoulder and patted it.

"You’re right, everything will pass. I’m fine now. You’ve been exhausting yourself every day over my matters. You must be tired too. Go back and rest; there’s nothing here needing your attention." Xu Ke said, looking at the aged Housekeeper Zhao.

"Alright, call me if you need anything." Housekeeper Zhao collected the empty teacup Xu Ke had finished and turned to leave.

After sitting for a while longer on the sofa, Xu Ke took out his phone and called Lin Mengyao.

"Why are you calling me at this time? Don’t you have errands to run?" Lin Mengyao, upon receiving the call, glanced at the sun outside the window, slightly surprised, and then a trace of joy revealed itself in her heart, "Tomorrow marks a week. Have you bought your plane ticket? Which flight is it? What time shall I pick you up?"

Feeling Lin Mengyao’s joy through her voice, Xu Ke felt as if he had bitten into a piece of sweetly sour candy, the complex taste melting in his heart made him both pained and happy, "Yaoyao, I might go back on my word. I have some unresolved matters here, so it might be a bit before I return home."

"Ah?" On the other end of the phone, Lin Mengyao was silent for quite a while before speaking again, "Then when will you be able to come back?"

"I don’t know how long it’ll take. There’s been a slight change in circumstances, but I promise you, as soon as I’m done with it, I’ll come back right away, okay?"

"But what if I miss you?"

Xu Ke could already hear the quivering tone in Lin Mengyao’s voice over the phone, and in his mind appeared an image of Lin Mengyao crying with reddened nose, his heart instantly gripped with anguish.