When the Yue family patriarch learned that Xia Qingtian was trapped in the mine, his life hanging in the balance, he fainted on the spot.
After being rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, he slowly regained consciousness. He was then observed for another two hours before being taken back home by his three sons.
Upon returning to the Yue residence, the patriarch still felt weak all over, and he repeatedly asked, "Any news about Qingtian?"
"The rescue team has no news for now. The mine officials are worried that rescue efforts might cause a secondary collapse, so the progress is quite slow," Yue Chengdong said, his own complexion grim. However, out of concern for his father's health, he tried to phrase his words as gently as possible.
"No news is the best news for now," Yue Chengzong said, clenching his fists in front of him, trying to keep his voice calm.
"Qingtian is a person blessed by good fortune; she'll be fine," Yue Chengfeng didn't know what else he could say.
"Sigh..." The patriarch let out a heavy sigh, his face paling further.
At that moment, a servant announced, "Second Master's family has arrived."
"Second brother?" the patriarch said, "He probably heard about the mine collapse and Qingtian's predicament, coming to offer his condolences. Chengdong, you brothers entertain them."
Could he be that considerate?
The three Yue brothers exchanged glances, all feeling that their second uncle was not someone easy to deal with.
Normally, he used his position as the third largest shareholder to form cliques and dictate terms within the company.
Just two days prior, it was the patriarch's birthday. No matter what, the patriarch was Second Master Yue's elder brother, yet not only did he fail to send a gift or offer birthday wishes, he didn't even extend a greeting, pretending ignorance. He clearly didn't take the patriarch seriously at all.
Would he come today to express concern and offer condolences for Qingtian?
It was more likely that he had come to kick them while they were down!
He was the epitome of petty and sarcastic, always believing himself superior to the patriarch.
Knowing he wouldn't inherit the position of patriarch, he insisted on being called Second Master Yue.
The main branch of the Yue family knew all these things. The patriarch chose to turn a blind eye, not allowing his three sons to make a fuss.
Second Master Yue was also adept at putting on airs. When the main branch chose not to engage with him, he would scoff, claiming the main branch looked down on him now that they held the position of patriarch.
What a character!
Knowing Second Master Yue's nature, the three Yue brothers had no good impression of him.
However, seeing the patriarch's state, the brothers dared not say anything more. They merely asked Yue Chengfeng to help the patriarch back to his room to rest. Yue Chengdong and Yue Chengzong stayed behind to greet Second Master Yue's family.
Second Master Yue was only a few years younger than the patriarch, but his sharp, unkind face made him appear older than the patriarch.
Upon seeing Yue Chengdong and Yue Chengzong, he put on an air of superiority, his eyes flicking towards the two brothers as he asked, "Where's your father?"
"The patriarch is resting in his room. Does Second Uncle need him for something?" Yue Chengdong's gaze swept over the people behind Second Master Yue as he continued, "Yue Feng and Yue Lan are here too. Yu Yueqiang is quite the young man after a few years. Please, have a seat."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Yue Chengdong signaled for tea to be served.
"I heard the Yue Corporation's mine collapsed, and someone was trapped?" Yue Lan asked first, "Is it serious?"
"Yue Corporation? I haven't heard of any Yue Corporation mine incidents," Yue Chengzong said, his foxy eyes narrowing. "That mine was my father's private property earlier, and now it's Qingtian's private property. It has nothing to do with Yue Corporation."
"Nonsense! How is it not Yue Corporation's property?" Second Master Yue exclaimed with an expression of barely suppressed annoyance. "While I was away, you've been so clear about who gets what. Did I agree to this? Did I consent?"
"You did agree, and you forced my father to sign the contract clarifying that the mine was not Yue Corporation's and that profits and losses were irrelevant to Yue Corporation. You wouldn't have forgotten that, would you?" Yue Chengdong said, his hands resting on his knees.
"Times have changed!" Second Master Yue said, lifting his eyelids and scoffing. "In any case, the mine has collapsed. I'm too lazy to fuss over your deliberate, disgusting actions. Get your father out here."
"Whatever it is, you can tell us brothers," Yue Chengdong said with a plastered smile.
"You brothers can't make decisions on this matter," Yue Feng sneered, exuding an air of arrogant triumph. His face, as gaunt and sharp as Second Master Yue's, added a touch of drama. "Hurry up and call your father out."
"You haven't even said anything, and you already think we can't make decisions?" Yue Chengzong chuckled. "Surely not? What's such a big deal? Has Yue Feng secured a multi-billion project that increased Yue Corporation's revenue? Or is Yue Lan going to represent the Yu family in a new cooperation with the Yue family? A multi-billion cooperation? We haven't heard you mention anything like this before!"
Upon hearing Yue Chengzong's words, a flicker of embarrassment crossed Yue Feng and Yue Lan's faces. While they had received substantial dividends over the years, they hadn't really landed many projects.
However, it wasn't their fault. The jewelry business was difficult, the market was unfavorable, and the Yue Corporation Jewelry platform was also lacking. It was too old-fashioned and didn't align with the aesthetic trends of young people. This couldn't be blamed on them!
"Less nonsense," Second Master Yue clearly felt the same, even more so. Yue Corporation was declining year by year, all because the current patriarch was incompetent. If it were him, things would be different.
"Yue Qiang, go find him! You can hide from the first day, but not the fifteenth!" Yue Lan, whenever she met Yue Chengzong's smiling eyes, felt a surge of infuriated shame. She impatiently ordered Yu Yueqiang.
Yu Yueqiang had clearly come today to bolster his maternal grandfather and uncles. Moreover, the businesses he had been handling recently were all disreputable and unsavory. With a rough, thuggish aura and the fleshy parts of his face trembling, he started making a scene in the living room, threatening to smash things and shouting.
Yue Chengdong and Yue Chengzong's faces immediately turned cold. Second Master Yue's family, however, looked quite smug.
"Someone, escort Second Master's family out!" Yue Chengdong, not tolerating Yu Yueqiang's behavior, coldly issued the order.
"Don't think the main family is the only one with people!" Yu Yueqiang snorted and clapped his hands. Dozens of men, all tall and burly with fleshy faces, entered.
"You came prepared?" Yue Chengzong slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "What do you think this place is?"
"Of course, it's the Yue family's place!" Yue Feng, seeing that his side had superior numbers, immediately gained confidence.
Yue Chengdong was about to say something when he heard the patriarch's voice, "What are you arguing about?"
"Dad, why did you come out?" Yue Chengdong and Yue Chengzong immediately rushed to the patriarch's side, supporting him while glaring at Yue Chengfeng.
Didn't they tell him to take the patriarch back to rest? What was going on!
Yue Chengfeng looked conflicted. He didn't want the patriarch to come out either, but Yu Yueqiang was simply too noisy.
"Came out?" Second Master Yue gave the patriarch a sidelong glance. Seeing his pale, near-death appearance, Second Master Yue felt he had come at the right time.
How could such a short-lived man be the patriarch of the Yue family?
If he had come a day later, and Yue Changshan had died, this position might have gone to Yue Chengdong.
Then it would have been even more difficult to sort out.
He was indeed wise. That position should have been his.
Siblings Yue Feng and Yue Lan clearly thought the same. Their shifty eyes exchanged a glance, a triumphant smile curving their lips.
It seemed that position was already theirs.
Yu Yueqiang, like a local bully, plopped himself onto a chair, his flesh overflowing into the gaps. The fleshy parts of his face quivered with his sly smile.