The shareholder had known from a young age that people like them were different from ordinary wealthy families and aristocratic clans.
As long as they wished, they could easily decide the fate of other races, planets, or even entire industries.
Their asset allocation was also different from that of ordinary people. From the moment a child was born, the family would establish a trust fund for them and place it under the management of a professional institution created by the family.
The elders all had different requirements.
Some required their children to attend and graduate from a specific university.
Others required them to have a certain number of children before reaching a certain age.
Only after meeting the preset conditions would they receive the trust fund payments each month.
The shareholder had heard that some people didn't want their descendants living off family wealth, so they deliberately set rules.
The monthly trust amount depended on the child's salary.
They could only receive funding equal to the amount of Credits they earned.
Even if their parents had left behind tens of billions in trust funds, they still had to go out and work honestly.
His family was no exception. They possessed a number of extremely special assets, most of them priceless antiques and jewelry that couldn't be bought on the market.
The condition set by their ancestors was to catch up to a certain man.
The shareholder had been chosen as the heir early on and didn't need to compete with his siblings, so he had never cared much about this asset.
He vaguely remembered that the man was a high-ranking figure on the Xianzhou and very old.
The shareholder could understand their choice.
Who wouldn't want to build ties with the Xianzhou?
What relationship was closer than marriage and blood ties?
Of course, understanding was one thing...
The shareholder only wanted to say, 'Fine, you're all chasing the same man, but how have you still not succeeded? Isn't that embarrassing? Can't you use your brains and try a different method? Why insist on walking one path all the way into a dead end?'
Many ideas that violated morality and law flashed through his mind.
And by now, that person was probably dead.
As the saying goes, respect the dead.
But a man who wouldn't budge no matter what, and who had made the family lose face... Really made him angry.
The shareholder didn't show it on his face, but inwardly he couldn't help feeling a bit pleased at the misfortune.
He continued speaking softly in the manner of an experienced elder.
"Anyone would be attracted when they meet a mature and steady person of the opposite sex with rich life experience."
"Besides, he's a great hero who protected the Xianzhou."
"It's only natural for young people to fall for someone like that."
On the surface, the shareholder seemed to be comforting the Marshal.
In reality, he was adding fuel to the fire.
"Forget a few hundred years. Even if they're thousands of years apart, as long as they truly love each other, it's not a problem."
Seeing the expressions of the two people before him becoming increasingly strange, the shareholder stopped while he was ahead.
"Who hasn't had a reckless youth? Even if he disagreed with you, he'll definitely understand someday that you meant well."
The shareholder then returned to talking about his own family.
"If you ask me, he's already pretty good."
"At least it wasn't some relationship with a several-thousand-year age gap, right?"
Guanliang's expression became difficult to read.
A May-December romance referred to a romantic relationship with a huge age difference.
How had Zero suddenly gained a bunch of ex-girlfriends just from the shareholder moving his lips?
Considering that the other party wasn't from the Xianzhou and might have expressed himself poorly, Guanliang asked for confirmation.
"A May-December romance... What? Someone in your family... dated a person thousands of years older than them?"
The shareholder thought, 'Dated my ass.'
Even if that man was a high-ranking Xianzhou official and the person in front of him might know the truth...
He couldn't bring himself to admit it.
The shareholder caught a flaw in Guanliang's wording. His eyes flickered, and he shook his head as though disappointed.
"Ah... don't mention it."
Then another thought came to him.
His relatives weren't love-struck fools.
If they had all fallen for that man...
Then he must have had some extraordinary qualities.
At the very least... he wasn't the type to use women who pursued him as conversation topics and brag about it everywhere.
Besides, how could a subordinate's private life ever reach the Marshal's ears?
Between a failed relationship and not even succeeding in the pursuit...
The former definitely sounded better.
A flash of inspiration struck the shareholder, and he thought of a perfect candidate.
As long as he brought up this person...
He could slip in some personal grievances and insult someone indirectly.
The shareholder's expression gradually turned pained as he sighed.
"It didn't work out. They broke up."
Hua's smile froze for a moment.
'What's this?'
Did he think her father was dead, so he could make things up in front of her? Ruin her father's reputation? How dare he?
Before Hua could question him, the shareholder sighed again, sounding as though he were the heartbroken victim who had been abandoned.
"That woman... sigh..."
Guanliang and Hua exchanged a glance.
'Since when did Daiyang start liking women?'
'Wait.'
This person didn't know the full story. He only knew that the man was a high-ranking figure on the Xianzhou.
The shareholder had left himself room to maneuver. He had never directly identified his relative's romantic interest, and he had dragged Daiyang into the story.
That left Hua and Guanliang unable to refute him.
The more the shareholder thought about it, the angrier he became, and he started venting.
"Using life experience to bully young people."
"What is he, some kind of monster?"
"How can people lose their minds the moment they see him?"
Hua, "..."
'What a coincidence. You'll be seeing a monster soon enough.'
Guanliang, "..."
What did he mean by losing their minds?
He thought this guy couldn't speak Xianzhou language properly...
Turns out he could. He was even playing word games.
How could they argue back?
Refute that Zero had never dated anyone?
The shareholder hadn't named anyone.
If they got upset over it, he would definitely say with complete confidence, "Oh dear, I misspoke and caused a misunderstanding. I was talking about that female general..."
If they pressed further, the shareholder might take advantage of Daiyang's inability to remember faces and continue making things up.
"I dated that female general..."
And if they actually confronted Daiyang...
Neither Hua nor Guanliang felt confident.
What if they really had dated?
Guanliang and Hua stayed silent. Seeing this, the shareholder wisely shut up.
The group arrived at the reception area.
Directly ahead stood a six-meter-high flower wall made from different kinds of roses.
The two sides exchanged the usual formal greetings before the shareholder followed the Xianzhou staff and led the others to their assigned seats.
The shareholder raised a hand.
A bodyguard handed him the gift package that had already been inspected and opened.
He smiled to himself.
So the Xianzhou had fallen this far too.
A good bamboo producing a bad shoot.
No, that wasn't right.
What goes around comes around.
The shareholder casually picked up a sheet of stationery.
At the top was written, [Two carp reflected in mirror-like waters become a blessed couple, sharing one boat as witnesses to ten thousand autumns.]
His movement froze, and his eyes moved downward.
Half a minute later, the shareholder's fingers trembled, and the paper slipped from his hand.
He stared blankly at the names of the newlyweds.
That person wasn't dead?
No, wait, they're really that bold? They actually dared pursue him?
How was this any different from a human falling in love with the Aeon of Destruction, Nanook, and actively chasing him?
Wait...
Then what exactly had he just been saying?
The shareholder spoke weakly, "Help me up."
The bodyguard hurried forward and supported him.
The group rushed out of the banquet hall. After walking for over ten minutes, they finally spotted Guanliang by the lake.
Following his gaze, the shareholder looked toward the lake.
A newlywed couple sat in a small boat covered in flowers, interacting under the guidance of photographers along the shore.
This wasn't a place for entertainment or photos.
It was where the Luofu received foreign guests.
The moment the shareholder realized this, he had a very bad feeling.
He whispered to his bodyguard, "Look at the man on the boat. Get a good look at his face."
The bodyguard observed for a while before replying quietly, "Black hair. Amber eyes."
The shareholder staggered back a step.
He turned his head toward Guanliang.
Understanding immediately, the bodyguard supported him forward.
The shareholder said softly, "Lord Guanliang, I have a personal matter..."
In other words, he was making a request as an individual.
Not asking the Xianzhou as a corporate shareholder.
Guanliang held his jade abacus and pointed the camera at the boat on the lake.
Without much interest, he said, "What is it? Just so you know, I may not be able to help."
Seeing how casually he was being treated, the shareholder felt no resentment and remained completely humble.
"It's like this..."
Before he could finish, a woman's voice shouted from the lakeside, "Daddy..."
"Just do it for your daughter and kiss already..."
Guanliang's hand shook, and he nearly dropped the jade abacus.
Suppressing laughter, he zoomed in.
Standing beside him, the shareholder inevitably saw the image on the screen.
The man suspected to be the former Marshal was just...
So easily having his tie grabbed by a woman.
The shareholder, "..."
His cheek twitched slightly, and his gaze drifted away.
Yet from the corner of his eye, he could still see the intimate interaction on the screen.
That person... Had just been forcibly kissed by a woman?
Guanliang narrowed his eyes and clicked his tongue.
Someone by the lake complained, "Ah... what a shame..."
The shareholder instantly relaxed.
So it was just forced perspective.
Just an angle issue.
In a polite tone, he brought up the clan-emblem necklace his family had once given their benefactor.
He explained that the family had lost contact with the benefactor and could only turn to Guanliang, an experienced elder, to help find the benefactor's descendants.
Both of them knew this was just an excuse.
Guanliang smiled faintly.
"So you're looking for your benefactor. I thought you were looking for that mind-stealing monster."
The shareholder smiled as well.
"You joke, sir."
"As the saying goes, a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring of gratitude."
"If the benefactor's descendants ask..."
"I'll go through fire and water without hesitation, even if it costs me my life..."
Guanliang glanced at him.
After that person died, he hadn't seen any of them rushing to fulfill their promises.
Still, Guanliang could understand.
People who offer help in times of need were rare.
Owing a favor to the Marshal of the Xianzhou and owing a favor to a diviner were completely different things.
Besides, humans didn't fall in love with the "Lord of Ruin."
How could the shareholder have imagined his family would pursue Nanook?
Following the shareholder's words, Guanliang asked about the details of the clan-emblem necklace.
After asking about the token, he waved a hand.
"Got it. I'll keep an eye out."
The shareholder noticed that Guanliang had only said he'd keep an eye out, not that he'd pass on the message.
He immediately became anxious and spent a long time flattering him.
Only when the boat reached shore did Guanliang finally relent.
"Fine. Once I find the benefactor's descendants, I'll ask for you."
He put away the jade abacus, ignored the shareholder, and walked straight to the lakeside.
Guanliang asked everyone, "Need any help?"
The Foxian who had met him once before nodded repeatedly and hurried over, stuffing the white cat into his arms before immediately turning and running toward the lake.
Zero stepped off the boat first.
Before Baiheng could reach the shore, the moment Jingliu steadied herself, he extended a hand and firmly caught her.
Holding the parasol used during the photo shoot high above her head, Jingliu blocked the sunlight for Zero.
A smile filled her eyes as she watched her lover bend down and lift the overly long train of her dress.
Standing a few steps away, Baiheng slowed down.
By chance, her eyes met Zero's.
Without changing expression, she looked away and asked Jingliu, "How do you feel?"
Not a trace of exhaustion showed on Jingliu's face.
The moment they arrived, Daiyang and Chanzhen had surrounded them.
The two talked endlessly, but their point was simple.
A wedding only happened once. They had to leave behind photographs.
Jingliu had originally wanted to ask Zero's opinion.
But after seeing dozens of men's formal outfits, she immediately agreed.
The clothes Zero had bought for her filled an entire wardrobe.
Likewise, she had bought countless clothes and accessories for him.
Children liked dressing up their favorite dolls.
Jingliu also wanted to see her lover in different styles.
Every new look felt fresh to her.
Jingliu stared at him intensely. After a moment, she raised a hand and removed the gold-rimmed glasses from the bridge of his nose.
With a soft laugh, she said, "You look very good in formal wear."
Zero lowered his eyes and replied quietly, "You... look beautiful in that."
Beside them, Baiheng couldn't help complaining inwardly.
Yeah, Zero didn't just look good in formal wear.
He looked good in round-collar robes, wide-sleeved robes, and everything else too.
Every time they changed outfits, the two of them spent ages praising each other.
After being fed dog food for several system hours straight, the Foxian couldn't even be bothered playing third wheel anymore.
She immediately changed direction and went to chat with the others.
Zero's gaze shifted briefly.
After he and Jingliu began dating and his identity became known, many people felt they were a perfect match.
Only Baiheng had ever expressed dissatisfaction toward him.
Throughout the photo shoot, she had been scrutinizing him.
Being questioned didn't give Zero any negative feelings.
Instead, he felt happy for Jingliu.
Having a sincere friend who truly considered her wellbeing was a good thing.
Close friends were the hardest to come by.
After thinking for a moment, Zero said, "I have an idea."
"Let's cancel the bouquet toss."
"Just give it directly to Baiheng."
Jingliu's expression shifted slightly.
Instinctively, she looked toward the Foxian's back and hesitated.
Baiheng was free-spirited and had always wanted to become a Nameless.
Someone like her was destined never to stop for a man.
And the guest who caught the bouquet was traditionally considered the next person to marry.
While she hesitated, Zero gently wrapped an arm around Jingliu's shoulder.
"The bouquet does symbolize passing on happiness."
"But this is our wedding."
"Its meaning should be defined by us."
"She'll like it."
Jingliu no longer hesitated and gave a slight nod, agreeing to Zero's suggestion.
A moment later, Baiheng, the subject of their discussion, turned around and shouted to Jingliu, "Hurry up, it's time to change clothes again..."
After Jingliu left, Guanliang walked over carrying the cat, neither fast nor slow.
His tone was unusually cheerful.
"I retired."
Zero looked stunned for a moment before smiling.
"Going back to the Yaoqing?"
Guanliang scratched the cat under its chin.
"Yeah."
"When you come to the Yaoqing, let me know beforehand."
"Someone wants to see you."
Zero looked thoughtful.
"The one you're talking about... is that former Cauldron Master?"
Guanliang felt no surprise that Zero had guessed the person's identity.
He was already used to Zero's overly sharp and overly unconventional thinking.
Calmly, he said, "Yeah. If you could burn incense for him, he'd be very happy."
At first glance, there seemed to be nothing unusual about Zero.
But after looking carefully, Guanliang couldn't help laughing.
He was even using makeup now. Just how obvious were those dark circles?
Guanliang couldn't resist enjoying his misfortune.
"I heard you recently became classmates with Marty and have been busy attending classes together? How many all-nighters have you pulled?"
Zero smiled without smiling.
"Yeah. Learning never ends."
He quickly struck back.
"What about you? What kind of retirement gift do you want?"
"Need my autograph?"
"Or maybe..."
Zero smiled.
"My clothes?"
The veins on Guanliang's forehead twitched.
"...Don't make me curse you today."
Before they could chat much longer, someone started urging Zero to change clothes.
A while later, Zero and Jingliu appeared before everyone in fitted riding outfits with narrow sleeves.
Zero's long hair was tied high with a red ribbon embroidered with gold thread, with elaborate ornaments hanging from both sides.
Guanliang watched the group leave.
He thought there was still one last thing left to do.
He had rehearsed it countless times in his mind.
Once Zero had completely disappeared from view, he took out his jade abacus, opened the office software, entered the Luofu contact directory, and selected Divination Commission personnel management.
Guanliang scrolled directly to the bottom and found Zero's name.
[Do you wish to remove "Luofu Divination Commission: Zero" from the "Luofu Divination Commission"?]
Without the slightest hesitation, he pressed the option.
[You have dismissed this person]
Looking at the system notification on the screen, all the frustration in Guanliang's heart vanished.
He burst out laughing.
"Feels great..."
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