Chapter 286: Yang Shoucheng Admits Defeat

At the headquarters of Emperor Entertainment, Yang Shoucheng stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, a cup of coffee long since gone cold clutched tightly in his hand, his gaze fixed dead on the documents — Emperor Entertainment's stock had plunged 40%, evaporating nearly three billion Hong Kong dollars in market value.

"Mr. Yang, the bank is on the phone again, demanding we repay the loan…" The secretary stood at the doorway, her voice trembling.

Yang Shoucheng did not turn around, only said coldly, "Get out."

The secretary retreated in a panic, and Yang Shoucheng was left alone in the office. He walked slowly to the mirror, looked at his hair, which had turned more than half white overnight, and a bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Xiang Fei…" he ground out the name through clenched teeth, only to find he no longer even had the strength to be angry.

The next morning, Yang Shoucheng dialed Huo Yingdong's number.

"Mr. Huo, this time… please, help me." Yang Shoucheng's voice was hoarse, as though he had aged ten years in a single night.

On the other end of the line, Huo Yingdong was silent for a few seconds, then finally sighed: "Little Yang, if you knew it would come to this, why did you do it in the first place?"

Yang Shoucheng gave a bitter smile: "I underestimated the Xiang brothers, and even more so I underestimated Xiang Fei's Feimin Entertainment."

Huo Yingdong deliberated for a moment: "Alright then, I'll give it a try, but I can't promise anything."

After hanging up, Huo Yingdong shook his head and dialed another number — Xiang Butong, Xiang Fei's grandfather, and a close friend of his for several decades.

When the call connected, before Huo Yingdong could speak, he heard Xiang Butong's hearty laughter: "Old Huo, what is it, missing me?"

Huo Yingdong gave a helpless smile: "Old Xiang, your grandson is really ruthless — Yang Shoucheng is nearly ready to jump off a building now."

Xiang Butong snorted: "He deserves it! Anyone who dares to provoke our Xiang family has to pay the price!"

Huo Yingdong sighed: "Old Xiang, if this blows up, it's no good for anyone. How about… let A-Fei come by? I'll play peacemaker."

Xiang Butong was silent for a moment, then finally said: "Fine, for your sake, Old Huo, I'll have A-Fei go over tomorrow."

That evening, the Xiang family old mansion.

In the study, Xiang Butong sat in the seat of honor, his great-grandson Xiang Yang in his arms, his gaze sweeping over Xiang Yan, Xiang Qiang, Xiang Sheng, Xiang Tai, and Xiang Fei, who stood before him.

"Everyone's here?" Xiang Butong spoke mildly, his voice carrying an authority that needed no anger.

Everyone nodded; no one dared speak first.

Xiang Butong first lowered his head to play with Xiang Yang. The little fellow giggled and reached out to grab his great-grandfather's beard. A faint smile appeared on Xiang Butong's face, but it quickly cooled again.

"Uncles and aunts — not a single one of you acts like an elder!" He slammed the table with a sudden crash, startling Xiang Yang into a shudder, nearly bursting into tears.

Xiang Butong quickly patted his great-grandson's back, his tone softening a little: "Yangyang, be good, don't be scared."

Then he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like a blade.

"Xiang Yan!" Xiang Butong called out the first name. "You, as the elder brother — when your younger brother is bullied, helping is only right! But who told you to send Xin Yi'an to trash their film crew?!"

Xiang Yan kept his head lowered, not daring to argue back.

"Xiang Qiang! Chen Lan! Xiang Sheng!" Xiang Butong pointed at the two of them again. "For the sake of an outsider, how much money have you lost?! What on earth is in your heads?!"

Xiang Qiang and Xiang Sheng flushed deep red, overcome with shame.

Finally, Xiang Butong's gaze settled on Xiang Fei.

"And you!" Xiang Butong's voice rose sharply. "Feimin was founded by your own hands — what, were you planning to let the state step in and take Feimin down?! Leave Yangyang without a father, leave A-Min without a husband?!"

Xiang Fei jerked his head up, a flash of shock in his eyes.

"Grandpa, I…"

"Shut up!" Xiang Butong cut him off sharply. "Tomorrow, you go to the Huo residence. Huo Yingdong wants to see you."

The study fell deathly silent; everyone kept their heads lowered, not daring to make a sound.

Xiang Tai stole a glance at Xiang Fei and saw that his face was pale, his fists clenched tight — clearly struck right where it hurt.

Xiang Butong looked at the expressions on their faces and gave a cold snort: "What, now you know fear?"

He stood up, carried Xiang Yang to the window, his back to the crowd: "What is it that has brought the Xiang family to where it is today? Unity! Rules!"

"But now? Over some petty matter, you've stirred up a storm across the whole city!"

Xiang Butong turned around, his gaze blazing: "Tomorrow, A-Fei goes to the Huo residence and puts this matter to rest. The rest of you, behave yourselves!"

After leaving the study, Xiang Fei stood alone in the courtyard, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.

His grandfather's words were like a basin of cold water, dousing him awake completely.

Only now did he realize how dangerous his actions this time had been — Feimin now stood too tall and drew too much wind; if it truly drew the attention of those above, the consequences would be unthinkable.

"A-Fei." Xiang Qiang walked over, patted his shoulder, and said, "The old man's right. This matter… we were too impulsive."

Xiang Fei gave a bitter smile: "Uncle Qiang, I was far too overconfident."

Xiang Qiang shook his head: "No, it's that we relied on you too much."

The two were silent for a while, then Xiang Qiang suddenly smiled: "Shall I go with you to the Huo residence tomorrow?"

Xiang Fei shook his head: "No need. I'll go alone."

The next day, the Huo family villa.

Xiang Fei walked into the reception hall alone; Huo Yingdong and Yang Shoucheng were already waiting there.

"Mr. Huo." Xiang Fei bowed respectfully.

Huo Yingdong smiled and nodded: "A-Fei's here, sit down."

Yang Shoucheng stood up, his expression complicated: "President Xiang…"

Xiang Fei glanced at him and said mildly: "Boss Yang, sit."

The three took their seats, and Huo Yingdong spoke first: "A-Fei, this matter has blown up rather badly."

Xiang Fei nodded: "It was the younger generation's impulsiveness."

Huo Yingdong smiled, satisfied: "Since that's the case, let's lay it all out today. From now on, we'll all still be friends — how about it?"

Yang Shoucheng quickly declared: "President Xiang, what I did before was too much out of line. Please forgive me."

Xiang Fei was silent for a moment, then finally said: "Alright."

When leaving the Huo residence, Yang Shoucheng let out a long breath, as though a thousand-pound burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

Watching Xiang Fei's car drive off into the distance, Yang Shoucheng murmured to himself: "The Xiang family… truly has produced a true dragon."

That evening, the Xiang family's ancestral home.

After listening to Xiang Fei's report, Xiang Budong nodded in satisfaction: "Well done."

He patted Xiang Yang's small head and smiled: "Yangyang, your father is a clever man."

Xiang Fei watched his grandfather and son, warmth filling his heart.

In that moment, he truly understood—**family is his greatest strength. **