Chapter 12 Cousin’s Forcible Seizure of You

Chapter 12: The Cousin's Ruthless Takeover

Lou Han gave a light cough upon hearing this.

Xi Jingqi held his hand, his gaze lingering on Lou Han with a faint smile.

Lou Han was led by Xiao Jing just like before. Xiao Jing's aide brought over a stool, and Lou Han sat down beside him.

Xiao Jie was also standing not far away, watching them.

This represented more than just sitting beside Xi Jingqi; it was a declaration of status.

The Lou family members present represented several factions. After all, there was only one family fortune for so many descendants. No one could fight alone—and it was an audacious move for Lou Han to sit so intimately beside Xi Jingqi, an outsider, right in front of everyone.

Lou Yihua quietly retreated, as if casually going for tea, and walked over to his confidant.

His gaze was unusually fierce as he asked in a low voice, "How did it go?"

The man was about to speak when he heard Xi Jingqi's dignified and elegant voice calling from afar: "—Third Uncle, I won this round. You should join the next one." Though he said "Third Uncle," his tone was as if calling a stray dog, carrying a completely commanding attitude.

Lou Yihua gritted his teeth, thought of something, and sneered mockingly.

When he turned around, he was all smiles. Yet, on a face like his, this smile was as terrifying as a tiger eyeing its prey, as if he would bite at any moment. He strode over, laughing, "Come on, come on. Since my nephew says so, I'll play a round with you."

The atmosphere became palpably tense. Everyone could sense something was wrong.

But surprisingly, no one dared to say anything more. The ladies and young misses of the Lou family also stopped playing cards, gradually gathering around this table.

All eyes were on them, yet Xi Jingqi remained composed and self-assured, possessing an innate aura that seemed to dominate everyone.

Xi Jingqi smiled and looked at Lou Han. The young man was quite obedient, as elegant and straight as a bamboo stalk, allowing his hand to be held and stroked.

Lou Han stole glances at his wife as he used to. Such moments were rare in their usual life, so Lou Han couldn't quite describe the feeling.

Pursing his lips, he thought, Xiao Jing was like an extremely sharp dagger. When he intentionally sheathed the blade, not showing its edge, his every move was very approachable. But whenever he wished, he could strike lethally at any moment.

Among all these Lou family members, only Xiao Jing resembled a true noble gentleman.

Just as others described Xiao Jing—noble, handsome, with every pore exuding an aggressive sense of oppression.

Xi Jingqi's thin lips were closed, his eyes seemingly disinterested, but this seemed limited only to the matters at the table. His hand firmly held Lou Han's slender, fair fingers, playing with them.

Slowly, with his hand being held so intimately in front of so many people, knowing it was all fake, Lou Han still began to feel a slight sense of unease.

"Would you like something to drink?" Perhaps afraid he would be bored sitting there, Xi Jingqi asked him with concern.

Lou Han replied without blushing or his heart racing, "Just juice, please."

Xiao Jie, observing the situation, personally served the boss's "treasure" some juice.

Lou Yihua was a master at cards and originally wanted to save some face.

But quite ironically, Xi Jingqi's luck was exceptionally good, as if he could always one-up him.

And when others played with them, Xi Jingqi often blocked his plays.

After a while, Xi Jingqi glanced down at his wristwatch. "It's getting late. Shouldn't we serve the dishes?"

"...Alright." Lou Yihua's face flushed red, but he forced himself to remain calm and nodded. "We'll listen to my nephew. Serve the dishes."

This was actually an absurd scene. This was the Lou family's home banquet. The patriarch was critically ill, and the Lou family was about to decide the future direction of the family.

Yet, on such an occasion, an outsider with a different surname suddenly intervened, dominating the current situation.

His words were like imperial decrees from ancient times; no one even thought of refuting them. Not even the respected elders of the Lou family, who were of the same generation as the patriarch.

Those who knew were restraining themselves; those who didn't were baffled. But seeing that no one around them objected, they simply watched as this man appeared in their main hall, giving them orders.

Since the host said to serve the dishes, the servants naturally obeyed. The butler, who had been missing earlier, now ran out wiping sweat. He clapped his hands, and the servants who had long been ready to carry out the dishes were about to file out like a school of fish.

Only then did Lou Yihua see the butler.

The weight in his heart suddenly lifted.

—One gaze was as fierce as a tiger's, the other steady and stern. The two gazes collided in the air. Lou Yihua seemed to have gained some reassurance. He steeled himself, stood up, and cast a fierce glare at everyone around—except Xi Jingqi. His words clearly defied Xi Jingqi as he shouted:

"—Wait. Before serving the dishes, I have something to say to all the elders."

Lou Yihua's eyes were bright and piercing, filled with wildness and contempt, as if everything was under his control.

He stepped forward, stopped everyone, and announced shocking news: "—I just received word that the patriarch has passed away."

An uproar ensued.

Someone slammed the table and stood up. "Lou Yihua, what do you mean! When did the patriarch pass away? And how did you know in advance?!"

"I am Father's most beloved son." Lou Yihua wore a cold, sinister smile, revealing his white teeth. "Of course I would be the first to know. The butler just informed me. Moreover, he told me one more thing: before his death, the patriarch named me as the primary heir to the property."

"You!" None of them were good people or fools. Hearing this, some guessed the truth and were incredulous. "How heartless! You actually killed the patriarch!"

"Tsk." Lou Yihua held a mocking smile. "There are some elders present, so I shouldn't say too much. But you can't falsely accuse me in front of the younger generation, can you?"

"My filial piety towards the patriarch is clear for heaven and earth to see! It's also a fact that the patriarch favored me most. Someone, bring the will to make them give up!"

This sudden change happened in the blink of an eye. In an instant, the atmosphere had completely shifted.

Amidst the tension, no one paid attention to Xi Jingqi, the outsider, anymore. But Lou Han's hand was still being held by him, gently stroked. From this subtle touch, Lou Han sensed that something had changed.

Lou Yihua called for someone.

—But no one brought the will.

From around the corner, someone slowly wheeled out the patriarch. The old man's attire was still crisp and impeccable. As soon as he entered, he looked at his son and remained silent.

The sound of rain was still fierce, only the sparse, pattering noise could be heard.

Lou Yihua took several steps back.

Xi Jingqi smiled at Lou Han. Lou Han looked at him, utterly bewildered.

With a "thud," the butler knelt before Xi Jingqi. Xi Jingqi looked at Lou Han, unhurriedly placed his hand on Lou Han's shoulder, and gave it a gentle pat. But the strength was as if touching a fragile piece of porcelain.

The butler wept bitterly. "I was wrong. I was following Third Master's orders to poison the patriarch before noon. Thankfully, the young master sent someone to stop my evil deed."

Lou Yihua was trembling all over, wanting to angrily retort, "What kind of 'young master' is Xi Jingqi?!" His origins were unclear; did others even know his true identity?

But his last shred of reason pulled him back. He had witnessed Xi Jingqi's methods. Originally, he thought if he could accomplish his plan, even Xi Jingqi wouldn't have much to say. But Xi Jingqi, like a devil, had thwarted his plan in advance!

Just as Lou Yihua was about to move, Xiao Jie stepped forward and had already restrained him. Xiao Jie smiled without warmth. "Third Master, won't you admit it yet? Do you think the people you sent are still here?"

"The people you sent last night have already been neutralized. As for these few amateurs you've brought today—don't even bother trying to show off."

The children and pregnant women had already been led out.

A person covered in blood was hauled into the hall, stirring up a wave of gasps and screams.

Xi Jingqi’s cold palm covered his "little brother's" eyes, not wanting him to see such a gruesome scene—we wouldn't want to frighten him, would we?

A swarm of bodyguards entered, surrounding everyone.

"I thought," his voice was calm and deliberate, yet it made everyone's hearts leap into their throats. He scanned the room, his eyes lingering on each person, his lips quirking into a faint smile as if joking, "you'd have something more interesting for me. But if your skills are this low, don't bother stepping out to amuse me. We can skip the appetizers. The old master isn't dead yet, so why don't you all wait a little longer?"

The old master sat in his wheelchair like a statue, as if everything was now left to Xi Jingqi's discretion.

Lou Han blinked. Before, Xi Jingqi had treated him like a doll, but now he finally felt seen as a real person.

Xi Jingqi felt the soft flutter of Lou Han's eyelashes against his palm, like the brush of two butterflies.

He lowered his gaze, looking at Lou Han sitting upright—this time, he was being quite well-behaved.

"Scared?" Xi Jingqi whispered to Lou Han.

Lou Han: ……

Xiao Jing, tell me, what kind of clichéd TV drama plot is this?

But then his eyes lit up again—this was still a pretty good show.

"However, regarding the family fortune…" Xi Jingqi drew out his words. He didn't need Lou Han to answer, because he subconsciously assumed Lou Han wouldn't respond. Instead, he stroked Lou Han's hair, giving him the illusion that he was petting a dog.

Xi Jingqi’s eyes held a faint, amused smile, as if pondering for a moment. "Everyone has been worrying about it, which isn't good for family harmony. Why don't we settle it today? Hmm, until the old master makes up his mind, let's designate Lou Han as the heir."

Lou Han stared at his wife in disbelief.

The others were also stunned by the series of shocking events.

Who was Lou Han?

Why him… Lou Han usually had no presence at all…

They turned to look at Lou Han, and upon seeing his face and noticing Xi Jingqi intimately holding his hand, everything became clear.

Being good-looking really has its advantages…

"Does anyone object?"

Silence fell. Someone wanted to speak but was held back by others. Surrounded entirely by Xi Jingqi's people, they were like birds trapped in his palm.

"Good." Xi Jingqi smiled. "It's settled then."

Author's Note:

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Update!!!! Anyone here?!