Chapter 38: Aunt Wants to Marry You Too

Lu Ye once again employed his signature technique of healing and reviving the wounded.

Yang Shengbo was already able to walk on his own, though his steps were still a bit unsteady. After all, he had truly been drained dry last night, and such exhaustion wasn’t something that could be remedied solely by the healing punch.

“I used to hear Alan talk every day about how miraculous the son-in-law of the Su family was, to the point my ears were growing calluses. I didn’t believe her at first, thought she was exaggerating on purpose…”

“But today, I’m thoroughly convinced. Mr. Lu, you truly have remarkable skills!”

Yang Shengbo deliberately spoke the last sentence with a double meaning—not only praising Lu Ye’s extraordinary healing punch, but also subtly hinting at Lu Ye’s role in stirring up the internal strife within the Yang family.

This old fox’s mind was indeed as clear as a polished mirror.

However, Lu Ye knew there was no blame intended, just a casual mention.

First, Lu Ye had just saved his life.

Second, the internal conflicts within the Yang family had long been simmering; brothers turning against each other was inevitable. Lu Ye had merely added fuel to the fire, playing the role of a catalyst.

By laying their grievances and issues bare and resolving them in one fell swoop, the Yang family would benefit in the long run. Yang Shengbo understood this truth all too well.

“Yang Tianfeng, from now on, we sever all ties. You’ll leave with nothing. When you go out, don’t ever say you’re my son.”

“Yang Tianyu, you must strive to improve yourself. The future of the Yang family will depend on you.”

Yang Shengbo’s decision upended Yang Tianfeng’s plans; he never expected to be the one banished with nothing. As the saying goes, every cause has its effect—he had woven his own web and now tasted its consequences.

“Mr. Lu, name your price for the consultation fee.”

“Of course, I’m not as generous as Lin Zhongtang—eleven hundred million is beyond my means.”

With Gao Lan’s support, Yang Shengbo took the initiative to shake Lu Ye’s hand as a gesture of goodwill, not forgetting to tease him about the incident at Yue Ming Restaurant, hinting that he shouldn’t ask for an outrageous sum.

Lu Ye chuckled, “Uncle Yang, I won’t charge for this. I have only one small request.”

Yang Shengbo’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Oh?”

Lu Ye continued, “Regarding the five families’ joint attack on the Su Group, I hope the Yang family won’t go too far.”

Yang Shengbo was puzzled and asked, “When did the five families decide to besiege the Su Group? I haven’t heard of such a thing.”

Yang Tianyu then laid out the entire plan: Xu Fugui had formed the Young Masters’ Alliance, aiming to bring down the Su Group.

Gao Lan was shocked—after all, it was her good friend Li Shuqin’s family business.

“Husband, we absolutely can’t be accomplices in this!”

Yang Shengbo became furious, “Nonsense! This is utter madness!”

“We’re all prominent families in Mingzhu City. Why should we let some kid lead us around by the nose? Just because he’s from the Xu family in Shangjing? Ridiculous!”

“Tianyu, you quit that absurd Young Masters’ Alliance right now. Our Yang family has no interest in collaborating with Xu Fugui!”

Yang Tianyu looked troubled, “Dad, I’d like to quit, but what if Xu Fugui retaliates?”

Yang Shengbo pondered and decided to pass the problem to Lu Ye.

“Mr. Lu, what do you think?”

Lu Ye smiled calmly, patting Yang Tianyu’s shoulder, “Brother, to be honest, Zhang Yunjie and Lin Bei have already chosen to side with me.”

“The five families may act against the Su Group, but their involvement is merely for Xu Fugui’s face. Do you catch my meaning?”

Yang Tianyu was shaken—if the Yang family was included, Lu Ye had quietly won the loyalty of three out of the five families.

It seemed the outcome of the five families’ siege of the Su Group was far from certain.

Yang Tianyu immediately nodded in understanding, “Lu, I get it!”

“I’ll stay in close contact with Zhang and Lin, observe their actions, and follow their lead. How’s that?”

Lu Ye nodded in satisfaction, “Excellent.”

“Since we’ve reached an agreement, I won’t disturb Uncle Yang’s recovery any longer. Farewell!”

Yang Shengbo smiled and nodded, signaling Gao Lan, “Alan, see Mr. Lu out.”

“Alright!”

On the short walk to the door, Gao Lan showered Lu Ye with endless praise, none of which repeated itself.

“Lu, you’re simply amazing!”

“Auntie really admires you!”

“I envy Qianqian more and more—she actually found such a wonderful husband among the vast sea of people!”

“Sigh, if Auntie were twenty years younger, I’d certainly marry you!”

Lu Ye’s mouth twitched, begging, “Aunt Gao, please save these compliments for next time when my wife is present, and then you can praise me all you want, okay?”

Gao Lan paused, then smiled, “Alright!”

At the door, Lu Ye suddenly slapped his forehead, “Oh! I have a prescription for strengthening muscles and invigorating the waist, all-natural with no side effects—should suit Uncle Yang’s constitution. My own father-in-law uses it too!”

Gao Lan’s eyes lit up, “Really? Could you sell it to me?”

“Not selling—it’s a gift for you.”

“Auntie absolutely adores you!”

Faced with this charming older lady’s coquettishness, even Lu Ye couldn’t withstand it. He quickly said goodbye and made his escape.

That evening, Zhang Yunjie invited Lu Ye out dancing, and he planned to accept.

But Liu Yiyi intercepted him with a call, “Captain Lu, I’ve finished copying the contents from the hard drive. Should I hand them over to you?”

“Alright, let’s meet on the yacht.”

Driving to the Apostle’s Walk yacht, Lu Ye found Liu Yiyi waiting on the deck, clad in tight black attire and knee-high black boots, with a black cape draped around her, concealing herself completely—a truly bizarre sight.

“Why are you dressed like that?”

Liu Yiyi whispered, “Shh, I’m afraid someone will discover I’m a secret agent.”

Lu Ye teased, “You look more like you’re hoping someone will notice you’re a secret agent!”

Inside the cabin, Lu Ye examined the backup files copied from the hard drive—they were indeed high-level confidential documents from cutting-edge research fields.

Suddenly, he grabbed Liu Yiyi’s hand.

“What are you doing?” she exclaimed in surprise.

Lu Ye then activated a small mysterious device, input his operation credentials, and pressed Liu Yiyi’s hand onto a liquid crystal panel.

“Ding!”

“Fingerprint and palm print successfully recorded.”

Lu Ye smiled, “Congratulations, you’ve passed the entry exam and officially joined the Apostle’s Walk. I just registered your identity—your name is now on the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent roster.”

Since the hard drive’s contents checked out, it proved Liu Yiyi had indeed risked her life to protect the nation’s vital intellectual property. Even if she had acted out of desperation, Lu Ye felt those minor faults were insignificant; she was still worth keeping and nurturing.

Liu Yiyi asked, bewildered, “What’s S.H.I.E.L.D.? Is there another agent organization besides Apostle’s Walk?”

“Of course. S.H.I.E.L.D. is the official agency overseeing all agents. Teams like ours are just one of many under its command.”

Liu Yiyi squealed with delight, “Ah! Following you feels like stepping through a door into a whole new world!”

Lu Ye put on a stern face, “Why do I remember someone once called me a troublemaker, said I was a buffoon who never played by the rules?”

“Hehe.” Liu Yiyi laughed awkwardly.

“I need to deliver these files to the contact point. Be careful on your way home.” Lu Ye weighed the portable hard drive in his hand.

Liu Yiyi nodded obediently, “Got it!”

Passat, start!

Mingzhu City’s only legally recognized shooting range—Starfire Shooting Club!

It was already deep into the night, well past the club’s operating hours.

Yet when Lu Ye arrived, the gates opened automatically, and he passed unhindered to the deepest part of the range.

“Whoosh!”

A high-velocity 7.65 caliber rifle bullet skimmed past his scalp, embedding itself in the wall behind him…