Chapter 289 - 287: Comprehensive Arrangements

Chapter 289: Chapter 287: Comprehensive Arrangements

"Has it really gotten this bad?" the eldest son murmured.

Taking a step forward, Li Xiu said quietly, "The authority Elder Ping currently wields makes him a target. But without it, the Ping Family would be like a three-year-old child carrying a gold ingot through a crowded city street. Your sister-in-law’s unborn child is also a target for all sides. But since she’s here with me, I’d like to see who dares to make a move. If anyone reaches out, I’ll chop their hand off!"

"The hearts of men..." the eldest son said softly, a note of frustration in his voice.

Li Xiu smiled and said quietly, "Eldest Brother, are you still not used to it? The human heart is the most unreliable thing. But since I dared to bring your sister-in-law back, I am determined to protect her. By the way, Eldest Brother, the eldest daughter doesn’t know about her return, does she?"

"She doesn’t know. My wife didn’t want me to say anything. Only my parents, my wife, and I know," the eldest son said softly. He didn’t quite understand his wife’s reasoning, but figuring fewer people knowing meant more safety, he went along with it.

Glancing at the eldest son, Li Xiu said gently, "It’s not that I don’t trust the eldest daughter. It’s Director Sun I can’t see through. We can’t use the Ping Family’s only third-generation heir to test him, can we?"

The eldest son shuddered at his words. He looked up at Li Xiu, saw the mockery in his eyes, and wiped the cold sweat from his face. He murmured, "You’re right. This is the only heir our Ping Family has."

Gently covering his eyes with his hand, the eldest son gave a self-deprecating laugh. Ever since that incident, he had been disheartened, caring for nothing besides his family. He could no longer have children of his own, so his brother Ping’an’s child was the Ping Family’s only heir. When his wife told him not to tell his older sister, he had agreed, but not without some resentment in his heart. ’He had forgotten how treacherous people’s hearts could be!’

He recalled a few days ago when his brother-in-law came over and asked where he and his wife were going. "To the Southwest to see your little brother?" he’d asked. What had been his reply? He had almost blurted out the truth. Thankfully, his wife had cut in sharply with a retort, "If you miss him so much, brother-in-law, why don’t you pull some strings and go to the Southwest to keep him company?"

"Jin Chen, a few days ago..." Thinking of this, the eldest son recounted the day’s events to Li Xiu. Right now, nothing was more important than his sister-in-law and the child in her belly. As for his eldest sister, it was best she knew nothing. Otherwise... ’Has everyone forgotten? Back in the day, the Ping Family’s eldest son, Ping Jing, was also known as a young wolf, the most brilliant and dazzling of all the scions in the Capital City!’

Li Xiu smiled nonchalantly. "It’s fine. He probably just caught wind of something. He wouldn’t dare to openly oppose me. He can’t, and he won’t. But Director Sun has made one miscalculation. He may not dare, but I do. Just wait a few days, I’ll make some time for him."

Looking at Li Xiu like this, the Ping Family’s eldest son, Ping Jing, suddenly remembered something his parents once said: if Li Jincheng wasn’t so dead set on being a gentleman, he could probably become a devil. At the time, Ping Jing hadn’t paid it any mind. ’No matter how brilliant he was, he was still a farmer’s son from the countryside. His experience and perspective were limited. How could he possibly compare to the children of prominent families who received elite educations from a young age?’ Unfortunately, reality had delivered a swift slap in the face. When his mother entrusted his younger brother to Li Jincheng, he had been thoroughly unimpressed.

’Looking back, I was too arrogant.’ The sole direct disciple of the legendary Elder Yun Qi could never be an ordinary person. ’Look at my brother’s abilities now, look at his political achievements these past few years. Even I might not have been able to accomplish that. And my brother, Ping’an, isn’t even thirty yet! Yet Jin Chen has only been mentoring him for about a year.’

"Jin Chen, I won’t waste time with pleasantries. I’m leaving all external affairs to you. As for matters within the family, my wife and I will handle them. Just as you said, this time, if anyone reaches out, I’ll be the one to chop off their claws. I can tolerate other things, I can concede, I can choose not to care. But the child in my sister-in-law’s belly is the only heir for us two brothers, for the Ping Family. Do what you must!" Taking a deep breath, Ping Jing spoke with a casual air that belied his words.

A slow smile spread across Li Xiu’s face. He understood the meaning behind Ping Jing’s casual tone. ’It’s time for him to pull himself together. How could the great eldest son of the Ping Family, who once captivated the Capital City, be broken by a single setback? It’s about time. Things will probably be a little easier for me from now on!’

Checking the time, Li Xiu figured the children should be back from school. He asked Ping Jing to go and speak with the former soldiers while he hurried back to the courtyard. Sure enough, they had all returned. After telling Huaitai and Yizhen to watch Nuonuo and Yanyan, he led Mr. and Mrs. Zhou into the study.

"Go on. Whatever it is, just say it. We can figure it out together," Mr. Zhou said gently, sitting down and looking at his son-in-law on the opposite sofa, who seemed to be struggling with how to begin.

Li Xiu, who was trying to figure out how to phrase things, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at his father-in-law’s words. "Father-in-law, it’s not like that. Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, you’ve heard of the Ping Family from the Capital City, right?"

Mr. and Mrs. Zhou nodded. Li Xiu cleared his throat and said, "Their youngest daughter-in-law is pregnant, and she’s staying here on the estate. The eldest son and his wife are here as well. Right now, things in the Capital City feel like the calm before the storm. Their presence here is a secret, and I’ve brought in some people as a precaution. From now on, whenever you go out, you’ll have close protection. Everyone in the family will."

Seeing Mr. and Mrs. Zhou’s nervous expressions, Li Xiu quickly reassured them, "It’s not that serious. I’m just taking precautions. Besides, the company is doing better and better, which is attracting some attention. Getting bodyguards was going to happen sooner or later anyway. Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, just act as if you don’t know anything. Carry on as usual. Don’t worry, everything is under control!"

"Jin Chen, what if something goes wrong? What will you do?" Mr. Zhou asked worriedly after a moment’s thought.

"Father-in-law, there won’t be a ’what if.’ No one on the outside knows she’s been brought back to the Capital City. Plus, the Ping Family’s eldest son and his wife are here too. Father-in-law, don’t worry. I never take unnecessary risks. If for no other reason, for Bao’er’s sake, I would never put myself in a dangerous situation. Besides, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, it’s really not as serious as you think. Just act as you normally would," Li Xiu said gently to his father-in-law. ’A "what if"? How could I ever let that happen!’

Nodding, Mr. Zhou sighed. "As long as you have a plan. Your mother-in-law and I have always been at ease with how you handle things. We’re old now; the children of the family wouldn’t tell us about this stuff anyway. You go do what you need to do. We’ll take care of Nuonuo and Yanyan. It’s just... about Huaitai and Yizhen..."

"Don’t worry, Father-in-law. I’ll talk to them tonight," Li Xiu said solemnly, understanding Mr. Zhou’s concern. After all, one was his eldest grandson, and the other, his eldest maternal grandson.

Just as they were talking, Sun Chengdong drove up. Li Xiu went to greet him at the floral-gate with a smile. Seeing the two soldiers with their luggage, his smile widened. ’Perfect timing!’

"Do you have to rush back tonight?" Li Xiu asked Sun Chengdong softly.

"No need. As long as I don’t delay tomorrow morning’s training."

"Perfect. Stay here tonight and go back tomorrow morning!"