The gloomy atmosphere, the oppressive space, couldn’t hide the deteriorating situation.
Old Master He had long lost his former air of superiority. Now he looked like a truly aging man.
His eyes were dim, and the feeling of powerless defeat stabbed at his proud heart like a sharp blade, mocking his former arrogance.
For the sake of the He family’s continuation, he had sacrificed his daughter’s happiness and life, coldly watching a three-year-old child struggle to survive.
His heart was cold, hard, and merciless.
In truth, what he obsessed over as the growth and strength of the He family, was ultimately just a way to satisfy his pride and refusal to be beneath others.
In his youth, he was competitive and strong-willed, always wanting others to look up to him.
Even his so-called friendship with the old master of the Shang family carried a degree of calculation—he had helped the Shang patriarch during a time of crisis, a favor neither big nor small, and used that to climb up and become sworn brothers with him.
But deep down, he had always envied the Shang patriarch’s privileged family background.
Those were things he could never obtain, no matter how hard he tried.
Now, everything he had once been proud of—everything he had painstakingly built over a lifetime—had been destroyed in just a few days.
And all he could do was watch, powerless.
That kind of blow nearly crushed him.
The only reason he could still sit here today was because he hadn’t given up, and couldn’t accept it.
Inside, he was still shouting and roaring:
He was the all-powerful patriarch of the He family.
Everything the He family had today had been built by his own hands.
He couldn’t accept that all his achievements had been ground into dust just like that.
So even if he had to force himself to hold on, he wouldn’t let anyone see him become a laughingstock.
The few fallen He descendants were locked in prison.
The He family lost its foothold in official circles.
Many things were impossible to manage.
Even the companies that had been sealed could not be handled properly.
Other companies under investigation were just waiting for punishment.
The He family’s passive situation showed no sign of improving.
Everyone in the He family wore worried faces, hearts full of panic.
This time, the He family was truly doomed—this was the shared understanding in everyone’s hearts.
Newspapers, magazines, and the internet were flooded with reports about the He family.
Almost no one spoke up for them.
The major media outlets didn’t exaggerate—their reports were factual and straightforward.
That was the most fatal part.
If they had sensationalized things just to attract attention, the He family could still counterattack by claiming the reports were false, and save a bit of face.
But the newspapers, magazines, and websites all reported the truth—solid evidence, no room to refute.
The one-sided media coverage pushed the He family into yet another passive crisis.
Old Master He was coughing violently.
“Cough, cough… Everyone speak up—cough cough—this situation is very bad for the He family… cough… say whatever ideas you have… cough cough…”
No one in the living room spoke.
Every method they could think of, every contact they could use, every way to use their wealth had already been tried—but still, nothing could reverse the established facts.
He Mingfan sighed.
After the turmoil of the past few days, he had long lost his former refined scholarly air.
He slumped on the sofa, dispirited.
“Dad, we’ve thought of every possible solution. We’ve contacted everyone we could. But…”
He shook his head.
Old Master He’s aged face grew darker.
“Did you contact those few close connections?”
“We did. The ones who gave us face agreed to meet, but even they said there was nothing they could do. The ones who didn’t bother simply closed their doors to us.
Only Secretary Wang leaked some information. He said someone powerful is watching the He family’s case. It looks like we’ve offended someone.
No one dares speak up for the He family—anyone who does would be dragged down with us.”
Old Master He knew exactly who he had offended to bring this disaster upon them.
But he still wasn’t willing to accept it.
“Mingfan, go to the Shang family. Beg Madam Shang to have Shang Yushang speak up and let the He family off.”
He Mingfan sighed.
“Dad, it’s useless.
If Madam Shang hadn’t already tacitly approved of this, Shang Yushang wouldn’t have moved so quickly and so thoroughly, without even a shred of mercy.
Our attempt to claim a Shang descendant already broke Madam Shang’s bottom line.
The fact that she didn’t act personally is already more than enough face for the He family.”
Old Master He’s face turned dark.
“What do you mean we’re coveting the Shang family’s descendant? He Changning’s child is also a descendant of the He family—we have the right to raise him. He has no right to refuse.”
After days of blows and torment, He Mingfan’s last bit of patience had been completely worn away by the relentless setbacks.
“Dad, why are you still so stubborn?
Don’t forget—He Changning carries not only the blood of the He family, but also the Gu family’s.
If the Gu family also wanted to seize the Shang family’s descendant like we did, do you think we have the power to go up against two great families at once?
Even if the Gu family doesn’t intend to fight for the child, do you think Gu Cheng will just stand by and watch while the He family touches his son and grandson without reacting?
Given Gu Cheng’s nature, he’ll only eliminate the He family completely to leave no loose ends.
It’s very possible that the one behind the He family’s downfall today is Gu Cheng himself.”
Old Master He fell into deep thought.
He had overlooked Gu Cheng’s existence—and that had led to today’s disaster.
He had assumed that, since Gu Cheng hadn’t reunited with He Changning after all these years, he wouldn’t get involved in Shang family affairs now.
But people’s hearts are the hardest to read—especially when it involves his own grandson.
His one-track mind, or rather, his arrogance and conceit, had pushed the already crumbling He family over the edge.
The companies involved in smuggling that were sealed off were beyond saving.
The legal representatives had been detained.
Even with the best lawyers, the only hope was to get a lighter sentence.
The companies guilty of tax evasion and fraud faced massive fines.
Even if they declared bankruptcy and sold assets to repay the debts, they’d be lucky if it covered the penalties.
The luxury residences that had already been sold—regardless of whether people had moved in or not—were now surrounded by homeowners demanding refunds, incited by those with ulterior motives.
Residential communities that had been built but not yet put into use were sealed off and would only be reopened for sale after passing inspections by relevant departments.
Projects that were halfway through construction had been ordered to shut down completely.
A notice had already been issued, demanding that all substandard and illegal buildings be torn down and fines paid as a warning.
For the He family right now, this was nothing short of a disaster upon disaster.
With pressure coming from all sides, the He family was completely overwhelmed.
Just as everyone was drowning in gloom and despair, He Junsheng brought back a piece of news that gave the He family a glimmer of hope:
A company was interested in taking over all assets under the He Group’s name.
However, there was a condition:
They wanted to hold 70% of He Group’s shares—making them the largest shareholder.
In other words, they would control He Group, and the He family would be left at the mercy of others, surviving under someone else’s moods and decisions.
In an instant, the He family erupted in fierce debate over this rare opportunity.
Some were strongly in favor—at the very least, the He Group’s name would survive.
As long as they could get through this difficult period, the He Group might rise again.
Others, however, were firmly opposed.
They believed that a company appearing at such a time, seemingly here to solve their crisis, was actually trying to devour He Group.
Even if the name survived, it would be in name only—nothing but an empty shell.
They argued it would be better to negotiate a fair price and sell the He Group outright.
That way, they might get more money.
As for the He Group’s name—it no longer mattered.
Both sides argued endlessly.
But the head of the household, Old Master He, said nothing.
No one knew what he was thinking.
He Mingfan also kept silent.
In his heart, he had his own calculations.
To him, the timing of this person’s appearance was too coincidental.
Their target was definitely the He family.
But he couldn’t figure out whether their intentions were to help or to swallow them whole—or perhaps they had another agenda entirely.
In any case, it might not be a good thing for the He family.
“Junsheng, how did you get in contact with this company?”
He Junsheng looked rather pleased with himself.
With the He family facing bankruptcy and even basic livelihood in question, it was he who had found them a way out.
To the He family, he was now a savior.
No one would dare look down on him again.
“It’s like this, Second Uncle:
These past few days, I’ve never stopped trying to find outside support for the He family.
I couldn’t help with Dad’s situation, but I couldn’t just stand by and watch the He family collapse like this.
So I kept asking my friends to keep an eye out for anyone with the strength to work with us.
One of my friends introduced me to the CEO of this company.
His name is Liu Yunfeng, the CEO of the China branch of ZK Group in the U.S.
After learning about the He Group’s situation, he discussed it with the company’s head office.
They believe the He Group still has good prospects—it can be rebuilt.
So they’re interested in cooperating with us.
It’s just that the conditions are a bit harsh.
But right now, the He family has run out of options.
If we can partner with ZK Group, the He Group might still have hope, and we won’t have to worry about our livelihoods anymore.”
ZK Group was a powerful multinational corporation based in the United States, backed by forces shrouded in mystery.
Some said it was the legitimate front of an American mafia group.
Others claimed it was the private property of a high-ranking politician.
But no matter how wildly the rumors swirled, no one had ever truly seen the real owner behind this super-conglomerate.
Compared to its legendary background, it was the elusive and faceless big boss that people most liked to gossip about over tea.
For a giant like that to take interest in a small, nearly bankrupt company like He Group was an enormous gesture.
And ZK’s reputation far outshined that of He Group.
So the He family had no reason to refuse—nor any room to refuse.
Thus, with unanimous agreement from the He family, He Junsheng, acting as the appointed representative of He Group, signed the cooperation agreement with Liu Yunfeng.
One week after the signing, ZK Group formally began restructuring He Group.
Nearly all internal personnel were replaced.
Each position was reassigned based on individual ability.
Those who had just been coasting along were mercilessly thrown out of the office building.
Meanwhile, ZK’s newly arrived staff methodically began their work.
Competence was truly something that couldn’t be faked.
Projects that had given the original He Group employees massive headaches were handled like child’s play by the ZK team.
ZK invested a large amount of capital to fill the gaps left by the former He Group.
Even in the construction sector, issues were properly resolved—what needed to be demolished was demolished, and what needed to be sold was sold.
Thanks to ZK’s solid reputation, even the previously angry homeowners now expressed that as long as the housing quality was fine, they wouldn’t stir up trouble anymore.
Things were moving in a positive direction.
Everything appeared to be thriving.
But some members of the He family already understood what they had lost.
After taking over, ZK implemented a complete overhaul of He Group.
Nearly every position held by He family members was replaced by ZK personnel.
The few who remained only did so because they had at least some capability—not freeloaders.
As for the useless, good-for-nothing fools—they were, of course, ruthlessly kicked out of ZK.
As a result, He Group had completely vanished.
The public now only knew ZK—and no longer remembered the once-glorious He Group.
In the He family living room, the family gathered once again.
It was no longer just gloom and doom—it was a pack of beaten dogs, barely clinging to life, still scheming and arguing among themselves.
“This is all your doing, He Junsheng. Now the He family is really finished. Are you satisfied?”
He Junsheng’s face turned red and neck thickened as he shouted back,
“Blaming me now? Don’t forget—you all agreed back then!
You got kicked out of ZK because you were incompetent, and now you’re pinning it on me?
Did your conscience get eaten by a dog?”
“You little bastard, what nonsense are you spouting?
It was you who invited the wolf into our house. That’s why the He family ended up like this!”
“I brought the wolf in?
Why don’t you ask yourselves who really brought the wolf in?
If it hadn’t been for Grandpa and Second Uncle insisting on stealing Shang Yushang’s child, why would the Shang family retaliate against us?
Everything the He family is suffering now—it’s all Grandpa and Second Uncle’s fault!”
Everyone turned their eyes to Old Master He and He Mingfan.
“Is what Junsheng said true?”
Old Master He said nothing.
He Mingfan also didn’t deny it.
“Why did you do it? Why try to steal someone else’s child?”
Old Master He roared,
“What do you mean someone else’s child? That’s the He family’s child!”
He Mingfan hurriedly spoke up,
“Dad, that’s enough!”
He had no intention of letting the rest of the family know about He Changning’s pregnancy and childbirth.
After all, most people didn’t know about the Mu Yi tribe.
If Old Master He carelessly let something slip, then none of the He family members would be walking out of this alive.
Old Master He had once wanted to use He Changning’s identity as a bargaining chip to pressure Shang Yushang into stopping his relentless attacks on the He family.
But He Mingfan had stopped him.
He Mingfan had analyzed that while doing so might force Shang Yushang to hold back for a while, Shang Yushang was not someone easy to deal with.
If given the chance, he’d wipe out the He family entirely.
If that happened, the He family would truly disappear from the world.
While the He family continued to bicker and insult one another, an unexpected guest arrived.
Gu Cheng sat elegantly on the sofa, radiating a natural aura of dominance.
Though he didn’t look threatening, his presence made the He family break out in cold sweat.
Their backs were rigid, their expressions solemn—as if waiting for their master’s orders, cautious to the extreme.
Old Master He’s weathered face was filled with shame.
In the past, he had viewed Gu Cheng as nothing—a pawn in the Gu family with little influence.
But now, Gu Cheng could look down on him.
How could he possibly accept that?
But no matter how much he hated it, he couldn’t change the reality of their defeat.
He Junsheng stared wide-eyed at Liu Yunfeng, who stood respectfully beside Gu Cheng.
This CEO—whom he had seen as near-miraculous—was now like a loyal bodyguard, standing silently at Gu Cheng’s side.
