"At this moment, if you withdraw from the heir competition, it's very likely he'll make a choice that stands in complete opposition to me."

Jiang Chen said calmly, "So, you must participate in this heir competition, and you must win. Otherwise, there's a real possibility that one day, the Ge'er Family will become our enemy!"

"What!? This…"

Ge'er Yan was startled, his brows furrowing tightly, and he asked gravely, "What choice is he making?"

"You don't need to know for now, lest you overthink it. Wait until the heir competition concludes, and I'll tell you then!" Jiang Chen lightly shook his head.

Ge'er Yan showed a hint of surprise, glanced at Jiang Chen, but didn't press further.

He absolutely trusted Jiang Chen. Since Jiang Chen said knowing now wouldn't be beneficial, he decided not to concern himself for the time being—after all, he would learn sooner or later.

Screech!

The car stopped in front of a distinctly Western-style, three-story villa. Ge'er Yan said softly, "Mr. Jiang, this is the accommodation prepared for you."

"Alright!" Jiang Chen nodded, and the group stepped out of the car.

Ge'er Yan led Jiang Chen and his group into the villa, chuckling gently, "Mr. Jiang, take some time to rest. I'll go arrange the dinner banquet and come find you afterward to show you around."

"Alright!"

Jiang Chen nodded lightly and closed the door.

…

As Jiang Chen and his group entered the villa's premises, a middle-aged man and an alluring woman stood by the window in a study within the manor's central villa, quietly watching the scene outside.

When a stretched Lin Ken limousine passed in front of the villa, the alluring woman spoke softly, "Kusi, is that Yan and Jiang Chen in there?"

"Yes," Ge'er Kusi nodded.

The alluring woman looked at Ge'er Kusi quizzically, "Why are you targeting him so much? Having the guards at the gate stop the car for registration—such a childish move doesn't seem like you!"

"I'm just feeling a bit indignant. During that incident at the Spa Training Camp, that kid outmaneuvered me."

Ge'er Kusi exhaled a long breath and said, "Actually, it wasn't even him outmaneuvering me—it was my unfriendly approach toward him first. He was only retaliating appropriately."

"But… why were you targeting him?" the alluring woman asked again.

"He's the common target of three major organizations and, more importantly, the Soul Devouring Group's must-have target!"

Ge'er Kusi's gaze became complicated as he stared outside and spoke in a low voice, "I've been deflecting the Soul Devouring Group all along, never giving them a clear answer. His stance is very obvious—if he participates in the heir competition, I worry the Soul Devouring Group will think I've already stood directly against them!"

"Kusi! I don't quite understand how powerful those three major organizations you speak of are, but I imagine they're not stronger than the Chaide Family and the Holy Court, are they? Our Ge'er Family is a vassal of both the Chaide Family and the Holy Court—we don't have to fear them, do we? Or perhaps we could just remain neutral?" The alluring woman spoke in confusion.

Ge'er Kusi gave the woman a glance and gently shook his head, "It's not that simple! Absolute neutrality doesn't exist. Alright, don't concern yourself with this matter anymore—go call Ge'er Yan over for me!"

"Alright!"

The woman nodded and left the study.

Watching the woman leave, Ge'er Kusi's face instantly darkened, "Na Lita, what exactly do you mean by this? Are you implying that even if the Chaide Family and the Holy Court join forces, they can't protect the Ge'er Family? Or are you suggesting they absolutely will protect our family? Which side are you really on?"

Knock-knock-knock!

A while later, a knocking sound echoed, and Ge'er Kusi's expression calmed. He called out softly, "Come in!"

Click!

The door opened, and Ge'er Yan walked in.

Looking at Ge'er Kusi, Ge'er Yan spoke with a complicated expression, "Father."

Noticing the hint of emotion in Ge'er Yan's eyes, Ge'er Kusi frowned slightly and asked in a deep voice, "What has Jiang Chen told you?"

"Nothing… nothing much!" Ge'er Yan stammered nervously.

"Speak!"

Ge'er Kusi's face darkened, his voice sharp.

Ge'er Yan flinched, bit his lip, and stared straight into Ge'er Kusi's eyes, speaking solemnly, "I'll tell you, Father, but can you first tell me what choice you are making?"

"Why do you ask that?"

Ge'er Kusi raised an eyebrow, his eyes flickering with intent surprise. "He only told you I'm making a choice but didn't specify what choice? Why would he share this with you?"

"Yes,"

Ge'er Yan nodded heavily, his expression clouded, "The guests of the Ge'er Family have always been brought in by our own, never requiring registration. It's obvious you're targeting him. Yet to call him directly as he did—that gave me a strange feeling, so I asked him. He told me…"

Ge'er Yan gave his explanation before once again asking, "What choice are you making? What choice would set you directly against Mr. Jiang?"

Ge'er Kusi fell silent, his brows furrowed tightly in thought.

Ge'er Yan fixed his gaze on Ge'er Kusi, his eyes unblinking as he awaited an answer.

"Ge'er Yan, this matter is not your concern. Leave now!"

Ge'er Kusi turned to look out the window, speaking indifferently.

Ge'er Yan froze slightly, furrowing his brows in displeasure and calling out reluctantly, "Father!"

"Leave!"

Ge'er Kusi swiftly turned his head, glaring at Ge'er Yan with sharp eyes, his tone stern.

Ge'er Yan held Ge'er Kusi's gaze for a moment, then spoke gravely, "Father, you don't have to tell me what choice you're making, but I want to tell you—I, Ge'er Yan, do not want to become an enemy of the Ge'er Family. Please, don't force me!"

With those words, Ge'er Yan turned and walked out of the study, closing the door behind him.

Ge'er Kusi was momentarily stunned, staring at the tightly shut door. Then he chuckled and cursed lightly, "You little brat, are you threatening your old man?"

Shaking his head faintly, Ge'er Kusi turned his gaze back toward the window.

"Jiang Chen, can you really succeed? Do you truly understand the strength of the three major organizations?"

Ge'er Kusi frowned deeply, muttering in a low voice:

"That call of yours at the gate—you're trying to compel me to step out of the shadows, to face things head-on, to make a direct choice, aren't you? You told Yan I'm making a choice, even hinting that one option opposes you outright—was that to have Ge'er Yan persuade me?"

Huff!

Drawing a deep breath, Ge'er Kusi muttered again, "You kept it from Yan—was it to protect him? And I… I don't want him involved either. Yet, he respects you so much, he absolutely cannot withdraw. So if that's the case, there's no point in me hesitating further!"

Hmm?

Raising a brow, Ge'er Kusi suddenly looked toward the direction of the manor's entrance in surprise.

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