The rain in the central region of the Grand Xia Kingdom continued to pour down, covering a vast area. Not only was it raining in Qianjiang City, but even Beijiang City, several hundred miles away, was experiencing a heavy downpour.

In a hotel in downtown Beijiang City, after arranging for Gao Weiwei and Xiaoxiao to settle in, Tianyi went out to take care of some business. By noon, Xiaoxiao had woken up again. As soon as she woke up, she ran to the hotel entrance and squatted there, watching the rain pour down outside. No matter how much Gao Weiwei called her, Xiaoxiao refused to move because she was waiting for her father.

Gao Weiwei, watching Xiaoxiao squat by the hotel door and hearing her words, couldn’t help but feel a deep sorrow. She believed there was a strong possibility that Xiao Tiance might never return. But at that moment, she didn’t know how to explain it to Xiaoxiao.

As the rain outside grew heavier, Gao Weiwei couldn't bear it any longer and said, "Xiaoxiao, didn’t Uncle Tianyi say that even if Daddy comes back, it’ll be in two or three days? He won’t return today. The rain is too heavy; you don’t want to catch a cold. Come back inside and wait for Daddy, okay?"

But Xiaoxiao shook her head and smiled, saying, "Mommy, it’s okay. I just thought, what if Daddy comes back early? Then he would have to go upstairs to find me. So, I’m waiting here so that when Daddy returns, I’ll be the first one he sees. Mommy, if you’re tired, you can go rest. I’ll wait here for Daddy."

Xiaoxiao spoke with a smile, but her gaze outside was full of longing for her father. She had a strong feeling that her daddy would come back today to find her.

Gao Weiwei felt a sting in the corners of her eyes and tilted her head back, trying not to cry in front of her daughter. She suppressed her heartache and continued to comfort Xiaoxiao, "Xiaoxiao, listen to Mommy, and trust what Uncle Tianyi said. Daddy won’t be coming back today."

Xiaoxiao looked up at Gao Weiwei and said, "Mommy, I feel that Daddy will come back today, really. I have a very accurate feeling. Just like last night, I felt Daddy would show up, and he really did! Then Daddy drove away the bad guys. Really, Mommy, Xiaoxiao’s feelings are very accurate! Daddy will definitely come back today. You have to believe me, Mommy."

Gao Weiwei looked at Xiaoxiao for a long time before nodding and smiling, "Okay, Mommy believes Xiaoxiao. Daddy will come back today."

Gao Weiwei couldn’t bear to deceive her daughter any longer. She felt a deep sadness, an overwhelming sadness. She never imagined that her four-year-old daughter could be so understanding, knowing so much. In the past, Xiaoxiao had hidden her longing for her father in front of her. But after seeing Xiao Tiance once last night, she could no longer hide it. Her heart was so eager to have her daddy by her side.

"Xiao Tiance, Xiao Tiance, you must return safely! You must! You may never know in this lifetime just how much your daughter misses you!" Gao Weiwei bit her lip hard, struggling not to cry. But she couldn’t hide the sadness in her heart.

She took a deep breath and, seeing Xiaoxiao looking outside again, took out her phone and sent a message to Shen Yuxuan: "Yuxuan, no matter what, please help me. You must help me. I don’t care about myself, but Xiaoxiao can’t be without a father. I beg you." After sending the message, Gao Weiwei took a picture of Xiaoxiao and sent it to Shen Yuxuan.

At the gate of a luxurious villa in the center of Qianjiang City, Shen Yuxuan, dressed in a white long dress, looked down at the two messages sent by Gao Weiwei. After reading the first text message and then seeing the second picture of Xiaoxiao, she stood there for a long time, unmoving.

Her father, Shen Qingtian, had returned to Qianjiang City at 8 a.m. that morning. She had immediately told him about Xiao Tiance and pleaded with him to help, no matter what. After listening, Shen Qingtian had her leave the room. He was extremely solemn because this matter was significant. Moreover, he had always been at odds with Zhou Zhenghao and had his own concerns. Even though Shen Yuxuan had begged him, he had not made a decision.

Staring at the picture of Xiaoxiao for over ten minutes, Shen Yuxuan took a deep breath and, with a resolute expression, replied to Gao Weiwei, "Weiwei, don’t worry. I guarantee that my dad will definitely step in, absolutely!" Then she turned and went back inside to continue talking to her father.

Shen Qingtian, the second most powerful figure in Qianjiang City, second only to Zhou Zhenghao, was backed by the Shen family, the only family in Qianjiang City on par with the Zhou family. Though overall slightly weaker than the Zhou family, the Shen family was nearly equal in the eyes of the city’s residents. Especially in recent years, under Shen Qingtian’s efforts, the Shen family had been thriving in Qianjiang City, with influence extending beyond the city itself.

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In the study of the Shen family villa, Shen Qingtian sat alone, deep in thought. He was struggling with whether to intervene in his daughter’s request to confront the Zhou family. As a shrewd man, he fully understood that "two tigers cannot share one mountain." He knew that the Shen family would inevitably clash with the Zhou family sooner or later. Even without this incident, he had already planned to test the Zhou family’s strength.

Yes, before he returned, he had already decided that he would visit the Zhou family after his return and have a face-to-face discussion with Zhou Zhenghao. But he never expected that Xiao Tiance would actually attack Zhou Jie, Zhou Zhenghao’s only son and future heir. Of course, in Shen Qingtian’s mind, Zhou Jie was nothing but a useless person. He was delighted that the Zhou family had such an heir.

Shen Qingtian could find any excuse to intervene in the Zhou family’s affairs, but if it involved Zhou Jie, things would be more complicated. He had also received information that Zhou Zhenghao was planning to take full action tonight.

Sitting in his chair, playing with two jade balls in his hand, Shen Qingtian pondered his position. He couldn’t directly oppose the Zhou family in this matter, as doing so would risk the entire Shen family. His daughter’s friend’s husband wasn’t worth that much. However, he also knew that Zhou Zhenghao was aware of his thoughts. In other words, even if he didn’t go looking for trouble with Zhou Zhenghao, Zhou Zhenghao would eventually come after him. And he might take advantage of this opportunity to make a move against the Shen family.

Should he gamble? Shen Qingtian furrowed his brows deeply, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and felt the tension in his temples. He had two thoughts: one to gamble, and one not to.

At that moment, the study door was pushed open by Shen Yuxuan, who entered and immediately knelt on the ground with a determined expression.

Shen Qingtian frowned deeply and asked, "Yuxuan, what are you doing? I haven’t said I won’t help your friend. Why are you kneeling? Get up quickly!"

Shen Yuxuan shook her head and said, "Dad, I know you're in a difficult position. I'm not stupid; I understand everything. Our Shen family and the Zhou family are bound to clash sooner or later. There can only be one family rising in Qianjiang City! It's impossible for both to coexist. And there's something I want to say— even if you want to continue enduring, will Zhou Zhenghao give us the time? No, Dad, Zhou Zhenghao isn't foolish."

Shen Qingtian nodded and said, "But Xuan'er, you have to understand, if we bet and lose, the Shen family will be finished."

Hearing this, Shen Yuxuan looked up at Shen Qingtian with a bitter smile and said, "Dad, haven't we already lost? From the moment Zhou Zhenghao came to Qianjiang City alone over a decade ago, we were already defeated, weren't we? And now, all the forces in Qianjiang City know that I let Weiwei stay at our house for three days. If we retreat again, will we ever have another chance?"

Shen Qingtian's body trembled. He looked at Shen Yuxuan for a long time before saying, "You... you let that Gao Weiwei stay in the Shen family villa?"

Shen Yuxuan lowered her head and said, "Yes, Dad, Weiwei has been staying here these past few days. And when Zhou Jie was crippled by Xiao Tiance, I was there."

Shen Qingtian sighed deeply, "Ah, Yuxuan, how could you be so foolish?" His expression was extremely complex; in that moment, he understood everything.

Shen Yuxuan said, "Dad, I'm sorry. I've dragged you and the Shen family into this. I'm sorry. Honestly, I'm not just doing this to help Weiwei. I also wanted to stand up to the Zhou family, to help the Shen family hold its head high. Dad, the Shen family has no way out anymore. I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Shen Yuxuan shook her head, overwhelmed with conflicting emotions.

"Yes, there's no way out anymore... there's none left," Shen Qingtian murmured, and then fell silent. Shen Yuxuan knelt on the ground, not getting up for a long time.

After a while, Shen Qingtian took a deep breath, stood up, and was instantly filled with an indescribable aura. Squinting his eyes, he said, "Yuxuan, notify all the elders of the Shen family to come to the main hall for a meeting immediately! Gather all the Shen family forces! Head to the Lakeside Villa! Didn't Zhou Zhenghao declare that no one is allowed to interfere? Ha, I want to see if his Zhou family can really dominate everything!"

Shen Yuxuan's eyes lit up instantly, and Shen Qingtian's aura grew stronger and stronger, his back straighter and straighter! He continued, "It seems that everyone in Qianjiang City has forgotten that our Shen family is the real leader here! The Zhou family is an outsider! Today, I want to see if Zhou Zhenghao can really bring me down!"

As the head of the family, Shen Qingtian made his decision the moment he heard his daughter's last two sentences. Over a decade ago, he bent the knee to Zhou Zhenghao, and had been oppressed by him ever since! He would never allow his daughter to bow down as well!

"Thank you, Dad! I'll go notify all the uncles right away and have them come for the meeting," Shen Yuxuan exclaimed joyfully as she stood up and quickly left to rally support from all sides. Of course, she was also happy for her best friend. In her heart, since her father had made the decision, he would definitely follow through!

Qianjiang was in chaos, complete chaos. The Zhou family had taken action, and now the Shen family was also moving. After the Zhou family left the Xuntian Division, the Shen family arrived. Everything was in disarray, and all sides began their preparations, waiting for the night to fall.