Chapter 109

Chapter 109

"Everyone, the tides have turned. Both the Bai and Huang families now have the strength to take on the role of chairman. As for the presidency of the Five Colors Association, I believe it's time for someone else to take a turn, don't you think?"

In the conference hall, Patriarch Huang stood on the stage with a haughty expression.

The seats below were filled with businessmen in suits; just about all the big-name entrepreneurs of City A were present.

Over the past two years, over eighty percent of the enterprises in City A had joined the Five Colors Association.

Now, the Five Colors Association essentially functioned as City A's Chamber of Commerce, and its president was equivalent to the city's Chamber of Commerce President. Naturally, both the Huang and Bai families wanted this spot.

"I propose that the presidency should be re-elected every three years," Patriarch Huang said, looking at the other family heads.

"Well said!" A loud voice suddenly interrupted him.

Everyone turned towards the entrance to see Yan Shiying coming down the red-carpeted stairs.

"However, when the Five Colors Association was first established, it was Patriarch Huang who begged and pleaded, swearing solemnly that all matters would henceforth be led by the Yan family. It was only then that the Yan family reluctantly agreed to join. Has Patriarch Huang gotten so old he's forgotten all this?" Yan Shiying's gaze was icy as he looked at him.

Patriarch Huang sneered, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Nonsense! We agreed on helping each other out back then. How can you call it begging and pleading? Furthermore, for the association to remain stable, we cannot listen solely to the Yan family's dictates."

Patriarch Bai chimed in, "That's right. I agree with Patriarch Huang. The presidency should naturally go to whoever is most capable."

"In that case, I have no objections. Let's proceed with an open vote," Yan Shiying said, raising his hand first. "I cast my vote for my elder brother, Yan Shiqi."

As soon as these words were spoken, a wave of murmurs swept through the hall.

"Young Master Yan, this joke is going too far," Patriarch Huang said, his face turning red with anger.

People looked at each other, uncertain.

Patriarch Bai was also stunned for a moment. "But your elder brother has already..."

Over the past few years, although Yan Shiying had consistently claimed Yan Shiqi was receiving treatment abroad, the major family heads only needed to make a few inquiries at the police station to understand: Yan Shiqi was dead.

Yan Shiying feigned surprise. "My elder brother has recently returned. Haven't you received the news?"

"Is that so? Then where is your elder brother?" Patriarch Huang asked, struggling to maintain his composure.

If not for his fear of the Yan family's standing in the southern province, he would have already lost his temper at anyone daring to mock him like this.

"My elder brother isn't in a good mood today, so I'm representing him."

"Yan Shiying, are you throwing a tantrum because you can't become president? Is this your way of smashing the pot since you can't have it?"

Yan Shiying pushed aside the finger pointing at him. "Don't be impatient. I have a video message from my elder brother. Let's watch it first."

He pressed a button on his phone, and everyone looked at the projection screen on the stage.

A face that sent a shiver down everyone's spine appeared on the screen.

"I apologize. Due to some personal matters, I am unable to attend this meeting in person. My intention to run for the presidency of the Five Colors Association will be conveyed on my behalf by Yan Shiying, General Manager of the Yan Corporation."

The familiar voice spoke directly and concisely to the point. The innate leadership, the unique centripetal and cohesive force within human groups, were all vividly embodied in Yan Shiqi.

Apart from Yan Shiqi, the business world had not seen a face that commanded such authority in a decade.

"Is that really Yan Shiqi?"

"Those eyes... there's no mistaking them."

"It really is Yan Shiqi..."

"Hmph, everyone knows the Yan Corporation excels at imaging technology. Are you sure this video is genuine?" A heavy cloud of suspicion passed through Patriarch Huang's eyes.

Yan Shiying smiled. "Everyone present is a leader who has fought their way up in the business world. Whether this video is real or not, you all can judge for yourselves."

Patriarch Chen, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "I cast my vote for Mr. Yan Shiqi."

"I also vote for Mr. Yan," Patriarch Zhu raised his hand.

Patriarch Bai frowned, hesitated for a moment, then finally made up his mind. "The Bai family also votes for Patriarch Yan, Yan Shiqi."

Among the five major families, only Patriarch Huang was left standing alone in an instant.

Not only that, but the majority of the other member entrepreneurs also voted for Yan Shiqi.

Patriarch Huang, who originally had the best chance of becoming the new president, lost the election.

Patriarch Huang was utterly perplexed: the Huang family's current strength was no worse than the Yan family's, especially since he had lobbied all the necessary connections in advance. How could he still lose to a Yan Shiqi who had been missing for three years, whose life or death was unknown, and who hadn't even appeared in person?

Yan Shiqi had managed to overshadow him with just a two-sentence video.

"Patriarch Huang, perhaps what I'm about to say sounds naive, but in the business world, financial clout is indispensable. However, character is sometimes the key to victory."

"Character? Hmph..." Patriarch Huang sneered. "Where is your elder brother?"

"As I said, personal matters."

"I should have guessed earlier. He's at Cloud Banner, isn't he? The Cloud Banner Group, which has been growing like wildfire lately, is your elder brother's venture these past few years, right?" The more Patriarch Huang thought about it, the more alarmed he became.

Yan Shiying smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying.

In reality...

Outside the airport, in the parking lot.

"Mr. Yan, weren't you supposed to attend the Five Colors Association? You didn't have to go out of your way to accompany me to the airport."

In the car, Xie Yunshen felt somewhat apologetic.

After seeing the news of Blakeney's death, Xie Yunshen received another call from the royal butler.

He could tell the other party was emotionally distraught over the phone: "Mr. Xie, His Highness was murdered. He absolutely did not commit suicide."

"Who killed him?"

"I don't know. But Prince Blakeney said that if he died, the next target would be the young prince. I'm afraid this might come true. Please help the young prince."

Xie Yunshen's eyes turned bloodshot, reminded once again of that phone call where Blakeney had pleaded with him to protect his child after his death.

"..." Xie Yunshen was caught in a painful dilemma.

He couldn't leave Mr. Yan. Before the worlds merged, it might have been possible, but now they were in the world of the novel. This world was too dangerous for Mr. Yan; he couldn't leave him.

Seeing his silence, the butler quickly added, "Mr. Xie, that's not what I meant. I'm not asking you to come here. Prince Blakeney said you already have someone you love; it's impossible to ask you to be in a foreign land and in grave danger again..."

Xie Yunshen's heart ached. That little brat... how did he grow up to be so considerate?

Yan Shiqi watched him from the side, his gaze fixed on his lover. The deep winter snow gradually layered in his eyes, only to be covered once more by a deep crimson blood.

But his expression quickly regained its firmness, effortlessly wiping away that past world of blood.

"...Who killed him?" Xie Yunshen's voice was hoarse as he tightened his grip on the phone.

"I only know it's related to the Other Shore God. Ever since His Highness proposed eradicating the Other Shore Divine Sect, he has been targeted and assassinated."

Xie Yunshen understood—it was the same as that cult Yan Shiling had dealt with before.

"The Other Shore Divine Sect has even bewitched members of the royal family. I can no longer let the young prince stay in the palace. Xie, I've brought the child out and will soon arrive in Country A." The butler's voice carried urgency.

Xie Yunshen was in disbelief. "Where did you say you are?"

"I'm at the largest airport in Country A. No place is more dangerous than the palace right now. He will be safer with you."

Xie Yunshen looked at Yan Shiqi. "Mr. Yan, I have to go. I need to go to the airport." As he spoke, he reached for the car door.

Yan Shiqi held him back. "I'll go with you."

"But didn't you say you were going to the Five Colors Conference?"

Yan Shiying, who was nearby, chimed in, "Don't worry. The Five Colors Conference isn't important. I'll go."

"Of course it's not important. Compared to Xie Yunshen, the Five Colors Conference is nothing in big brother's eyes."

Xie Yunshen, overwhelmed with grief, didn't think too much and simply nodded.

Thus, Yan Shiying went to the Five Colors Conference alone, while Yan Shiqi accompanied Xie Yunshen to the airport to pick up the little prince.

Amidst the bustling airport crowd, Xie Yunshen immediately spotted the haggard butler.

"Mr. Xie, thank you." The butler, holding the child, still managed a graceful bow.

The little prince in his arms also bent slightly, nearly toppling over.

"Good heavens, Prince Yuvius." The butler broke into a cold sweat.

Xie Yunshen swiftly caught the child.

Although he had seen photos of this two-year-old prince, he was still struck by how adorable he was in person.

After all, he was of royal blood.

With a head full of beautiful golden hair and sparkling lake-blue eyes, dressed in a gold and blue cloak and small leather shoes, he radiated royal dignity.

"Mr. Yan, look! How adorable he is." Xie Yunshen showed him the child.

Yan Shiqi saw the two faces, one large and one small, pressed together, and a trace of tenderness appeared in his authoritative gaze.

...*How could he be so cute?*

"He looks exactly like that little brat." The thought of the child's father again filled Xie Yunshen with bitterness.

"Prince Yuvius needs milk three times a day. He isn't allergic to anything, likes cod, black tiger shrimp from Country H, special lotus root paste from Country K, and only drinks bottled water from Country L. He must nap at 2 p.m., or he'll throw a tantrum. This is the lullaby he listens to every day. These are his diapers and formula. Please make sure to buy this brand."

The butler pushed the suitcase forward with both hands and offered a gold card, speaking solemnly, "Thank you for your trouble."

Xie Yunshen only took the suitcase, not the card. "Are you sure there won't be consequences if you take the little prince away?"

"I have Prince Branken's will. The prince will be under special protection in Country A, and I am the guardian. There's nothing they can do."

"Then you're not coming with us?"

"His Highness's funeral still requires my presence." The butler placed a hand on his chest, then turned and left.

"Diado!" The little prince's tender voice called out.

The butler's figure paused but did not stop.

Xie Yunshen watched his straight-backed figure depart, then looked at the child before him. A vague sense of confusion and guilt welled up, slowly tightening around his heart like threads.

Mr. Yan's hands rested on his shoulders from behind, providing comfort.

Yan Family Manor.

The little prince stood in the living room, looking up at the unfamiliar yet handsome faces before him.

Yan Shiling: "...This isn't big brother and sister-in-law's child, is it?"

Yan Shizhou: "Are you crazy? You look more like their child."

Yan Shiling: "..."

"..." Yi Wuyi was already too charmed to speak.

Yan Shiying took the bottle from the housekeeper and smiled. "Little prince, your milk is here."

The little prince took the bottle and drank it down in big gulps.

"Let's all hold out our arms and see who he goes to?"

Xie Yunshen: "He's sure to come to me."

So, everyone reached out.

After finishing his milk, the little prince carelessly tossed the bottle aside and ran straight to Yan Shiqi, who was sitting on the sofa making a phone call. He climbed onto his lap.

Yan Shiqi had to hang up and place the child on his lap.

The little prince fell fast asleep.

Xie Yunshen stood there, stunned, watching as his Mr. Yan's lap was occupied by a little brat.

The sky was falling...

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Author's Note: Happy Winter Solstice, everyone! [Fighting!]