Chapter 17: Thinking from the Opposite Perspective
When his grandfather put it that way, Bai Zhouyun finally realized the reality of the situation. It wasn’t like before, where Nan Yu was the one clinging to him; he was the one who needed to hold onto Nan Yu.
At the very least, he had to ensure everything centered around the boy until they were married. Otherwise, he would never find another mental power user as powerful as Nan Yu to be his partner.
But his pride and inner reluctance were at odds. Years of being spoiled by Nan Yu’s good temper had made him arrogant. Being told to lower his status and seek a reconciliation felt humiliating, as if admitting he was wrong was an unbearable ordeal.
Old Man Bai saw the struggle on his face and knew exactly what he was thinking. “You’re a grown man and an Yineng Zhe. What’s wrong with bowing your head slightly to a Jingshenli Zhe?”
“Is it that shameful? Or is bowing your head just that hard for you to accept?”
Bai Zhouyun frowned, his expression turning conflicted and sour even in front of his grandfather. “Is this the grace of an Yineng Zhe?”
“Grandpa, you don’t know the whole story…” Bai Zhouyun started.
“I know it all!” the old man interrupted. “You took Xiao Yu to the Heiye Senlin to find herbs, encountered two classmates and a beast, and instead of protecting your fiancé, you stood with those classmates.”
“And then you were hugging and holding them! Even if it was an accident, you still hugged them, didn’t you? You hugged someone right in front of your fiancé who had just been left in danger!”
“After all that, you still think you aren’t in the wrong?”
“Let me tell you,” the old man snarled, “someone like you on a real battlefield would be the first one kicked out of the army—if you even lived to come back!”
“You…” He wanted to call him a “waste,” but realizing Bai Zhouyun already was one, he didn’t bother continuing that line of thought.
“There is something else you need to know,” he said. “I got news from Nan Ming—yes, your Uncle Nan.”
“He told me Xiao Yu is leaving the Capital Star for several months. His return date is uncertain, and his current location is a military secret that cannot be disclosed.”
“Do you understand what those words mean?”
Bai Zhouyun froze. He had always wanted to enter the military, especially Marshal Yu Lanfeng’s army! But his talent was poor, and he remained stuck as a Middle-Level Yineng Zhe.
“Do you know what this represents?” Old Man Bai asked again.
Bai Zhouyun knew exactly what it meant. Out of interest, he had followed such news before. It meant Nan Yu was currently on a mission with a certain unit. When he returned, he would have military merit. Combined with his outstanding mental power, he might actually get into the Marshal’s army!
Did that mean an idle waste of an Yineng Zhe like himself would no longer be worthy of an elite mental power user with a military background and massive potential?
It was highly unlikely he could still match up. Other families might even risk the Emperor’s displeasure to move against the Bai family so they could snatch Nan Yu for themselves once he was single.
The worst-case scenario was that other families would unite against the Bai family first to force them to let go of Nan Yu, then compete for him individually.
“Grandpa… you mean…”
“Are you finally starting to understand?” Old Man Bai asked. “I’ve said my piece; it’s up to you whether you listen. In the end, it’s between the two of you.”
“Whether you stay together depends entirely on Xiao Yu. The moment he stops being willing, there will be plenty of people happy to help him leave you. Do you understand?”
“Grandpa, are there really that many people willing to…” Bai Zhouyun started. Would they really move against the Bai family? The Emperor himself was behind them!
“You idiot!” the old man barked. “Do you think the Emperor just acts on a whim? I saved his life once when he was a prince and I was a low-ranking officer. He is grateful and supports us, but that doesn’t mean he cares about the marriage of a Bai family junior! As long as the family isn’t being wiped out, he won’t lift a finger. You think he’ll manage your marriage? Wishful thinking!”
Bai Zhouyun deflated completely. This was different from everything he thought he knew. But his grandfather’s words made perfect sense—this was the harsh truth.
“So, Grandpa… when Nan Yu comes back, I have to go admit my mistake and make up with him?” Taking the initiative to admit he was wrong felt like death to him. His “superior” attitude toward Nan Yu was the root of the problem.
“Fine, go get some rest,” the old man said. “From now on, if you aren’t home by 11 PM, don’t bother coming back at all. Coming back so late disturbs everyone’s sleep. Understood?”
“I understand, Grandpa,” Bai Zhouyun said dejectedly. “I’ll be back before eleven every day.”
Bai Zhouyun was quickly ushered out, and the old man rose to return to his room. Despite his title, Old Man Bai didn’t look old at all. In an era where the average lifespan was 500, one didn’t enter the “elderly” stage until after 400. At 200, he was in his prime.
His wife had passed early due to poor health. He could have remarried, but to maintain his “devoted man” persona in front of the Emperor and gain his favor, he didn’t dare. He hadn’t even kept any mistresses. He was terrified that if his persona were exposed, his favor with the Emperor would plummet.
Otherwise, why would he pin his hopes on a waste like Bai Zhouyun! The boy was an embarrassment to him and the family. He couldn’t remarry yet, but his annual check-ups showed he was perfectly healthy. If he did remarry, he could definitely have more children.
If Bai Zhouyun couldn’t secure Nan Yu, then his only remaining value would vanish.
Back in his room, Old Man Bai sat on his bed and, in the darkness, let out a silent, eerie smile.
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