A long silence ensued once more.
Helian Sheng suddenly asked Helian Yi, "If I understand you correctly, things are also not going smoothly on Ye Tiancheng's side? What exactly is the situation? Tell me about it."
Upon hearing Helian Sheng's question, Helian Yi roughly explained the relationship between Ye Tiancheng and Hou Mingzhu. During this period, Helian Yi had also been observing secretly, even subtly hinting for people to privately approach Ye Tiancheng and test him.
The result was exactly as Helian Yue had said: Ye Tiancheng was extremely devoted to Hou Mingzhu. Even when other beautiful women threw themselves at him, he wouldn't even spare them a second glance. Wen Yao, who had been invited to help before, was now a guest at the Helian family. She often met with Hou Mingzhu and chatted with her.
However, at such times, Ye Tiancheng would even actively avoid her, maintain a distance from Wen Yao, and refrain from prolonged contact with her.
This adherence to propriety was completely inconsistent with the information Helian Sheng had provided.
After listening, Helian Sheng was also very frustrated. "This is indeed difficult to handle. I didn't expect it to be like this. Logically speaking, based on the information I previously investigated, it shouldn't be like this?"
Helian Yi then said, "Perhaps rumors cannot be fully trusted. During these past few days, I have seen it with my own eyes and tested it multiple times. It is indeed not wrong."
"Moreover, the past information that could be investigated might not be false. It's just that many people suddenly realize their mistakes, turn over a new leaf, and begin to settle down. Perhaps Ye Tiancheng is one of them, it's not impossible."
Helian Sheng pursed his lips and said, "But such a transformation is very disadvantageous for us."
Helian Yi pondered for a long time before saying to Helian Sheng, "Regardless, the current situation is as it is. Creating discord is not a simple matter. Ye Tiancheng's attitude is clear: he truly cherishes Hou Mingzhu, treats her exceptionally well, and never looks at other women."
"Hou Mingzhu also trusts Ye Tiancheng completely, without any suspicion. Ye Tiancheng's kindness towards her is genuine, and Hou Mingzhu must feel it, which is why she trusts Ye Tiancheng so much."
"This is truly difficult to act upon. Now that things have come to this, what should we do? Or should we change our approach? I fear our plan might truly not work."
What Helian Yi said were real difficulties that brought them great trouble.
He truly didn't know how to proceed.
Moreover, seeing Helian Yue being pressured so intensely, and her condition worsening over time, Helian Yi couldn't help but feel heartbroken.
Helian Sheng remained silent, but from his expression, Helian Yi knew that Helian Sheng had not abandoned his original idea. Helian Sheng still wanted to matchmake Ye Tiancheng and Helian Yue, even though the matter was very tricky.
After all, if this matter could be successful, the benefits it could bring to the Helian family would be immense. From Helian Sheng's perspective, it would be difficult to give up even if he hit a dead end.
Finally, Helian Sheng moved slightly, whether he was talking to himself or to Helian Yi.
He opened his mouth and said, "Since that is the case, if we cannot matchmake Yue'er and Ye Tiancheng through normal means, then perhaps we should try using some... other methods."
Helian Yi's heart skipped a beat.
Helian Sheng had not changed his mind; he intended to change his methods. But how could he change them in this regard? Could his elder be thinking of...?
A sense of inexplicable worry washed over Helian Yi. He felt that using overly dishonorable means would likely not lead to anything good. He didn't know what Helian Sheng intended to do, but he feared the outcome would not be good. Helian Yi had this inexplicable premonition.
However, Helian Yi also didn't know how to persuade Helian Sheng.
Furthermore, due to the difference in status and various other reasons, Helian Yi had no grounds to persuade him.
Helian Sheng thought for a long time and finally made a decision. He said "perhaps," but he had already made up his mind to do so. However, thinking about what he was about to do...
He glanced at Helian Yi and did not voice his thoughts.
His new idea was not suitable for Helian Yi to know.
Firstly, Helian Yi might not agree or might find it difficult to accept. Secondly, even if Helian Yi could accept it, given his identity as the head of the Helian family and Helian Yue's biological father, and his consistent doting on Helian Yue, it was not suitable to entrust this matter to Helian Yi.
It was best for Helian Yi to remain unaware.
For the benefit of the Helian family, he, Helian Sheng, would be the villain. If Ye Tiancheng wanted to hold someone accountable later, he could just blame him alone.
His personal safety and fate were insignificant compared to the future of this Helian family.
Having made up his mind, Helian Sheng dismissed Helian Yi, telling him to think again and come up with a better plan. Helian Yi was unaware of Helian Sheng's intentions. Since Helian Sheng told him to withdraw, Helian Yi dared not linger and immediately left Helian Sheng's residence.
After Helian Yi had gone far, Helian Sheng summoned others and issued some orders, asking them to make preparations in advance.
The next day, Helian Sheng called Helian Yi and said that regardless of other matters, since they needed Ye Tiancheng's help, they should repair their relationship with him. He suggested hosting a banquet at the family to entertain Ye Tiancheng and his entourage, as a gesture of goodwill.
Although they had already decided to betroth Helian Yue to Ye Tiancheng.
However, such a method, while ordinary, could not be considered glorious and was somewhat undignified, so some superficial efforts were still necessary.
Helian Yi found this reasonable. They had indeed not formally entertained Ye Tiancheng and his group properly before, as too many complicated matters had arisen, causing this matter to remain unresolved.
Under normal circumstances, Helian Yi would not have been so impolite.
But now that the guests were still present, Helian Yi felt it was still possible to make amends.
Helian Sheng knew that this junior, Helian Yi, was suitable to be the family head. As long as it was not detrimental to the family, Helian Yi would be obedient, capable, and always adhere to the principle of "putting family interests first." Therefore, he did not need to worry too much.
Now, Helian Sheng only needed to wait for the situation to develop further.
Meanwhile, Helian Yi, having received Helian Sheng's orders, was unaware that Helian Sheng intended to tamper with the banquet. He immediately began to organize the banquet and notified Ye Tiancheng's group.
When Ye Tiancheng learned of this, he consulted Hou Mingzhu. Hou Mingzhu expressed her acceptance, so Ye Tiancheng did not refuse.
Generally, such friendly banquets would not pose significant problems.
Ye Tiancheng was unaware that he had been lured into a trap and was just waiting for him to fall into it.
During this period, as Fatty found it difficult to adjust his attitude when facing Shao Ying, Ye Tiancheng, seeing Fatty's state, did not want Fatty to continue to suffer emotionally. This state was also not conducive to Fatty moving on from this relationship.
Therefore, Ye Tiancheng notified Nie Chongyang to directly escort Shao Ying away, and provided the evidence they had obtained. As for other matters, they were left to Nie Chongyang and his team.
In this regard, Ye Tiancheng believed that the official authorities were capable and worthy of trust, so he was not too worried.
Next, they only needed to wait for the results from Nie Chongyang.
Organizing the banquet was not a small matter, and Helian Yi spent some time on it. This also forced Ye Tiancheng's temporary stay at the Helian family to be extended.
By the time the banquet was officially held, it was a week later. Ye Tiancheng and his entire group attended, with only Shao Ying, who had been escorted away by the special operations team, missing.
Helian Yi and Helian Yue came out to greet Ye Tiancheng, showing a very humble and polite attitude. Seeing the attitude of the family head, Helian Yi, others also observed cautiously and did not dare to be overly impolite to Ye Tiancheng and his group.
As for how to proceed afterwards, they would need to investigate the cause and effect of the matter before making other considerations.
To put it bluntly, it was still about interests.
When attending the banquet, Ye Qingcheng, having recovered, also went along. She was accompanied by Hou Mingzhu and Wen Yao. Wen Yao was not from the Helian family and was a good friend of Hou Mingzhu. As fellow guests, they naturally stuck together.
Ye Tiancheng, accompanied by Little Fox and Fatty, was introduced to many people by Helian Yi. Some of them were familiar faces. When big families held such banquets, they generally did not keep them private.
Such events, suitable for socializing and building connections, would certainly not be missed, and other outsiders were invited.
The Helian family had spared no expense in hosting this banquet, showing how much importance they placed on Ye Tiancheng and his group.
However, some people who were not privy to the situation were a bit confused. They didn't understand why the Helian family was suddenly promoting Ye Tiancheng and his group, whether it was because of Ye Tiancheng himself or because of Hou Mingzhu, who stood behind him.
Although Ye Tiancheng was not an unfamiliar face in prominent families, his reputation was not so widespread that everyone knew him. Many people did not recognize Ye Tiancheng and therefore did not understand what kind of person he was. Thus, based on logical analysis, they would consider whether the Helian family was acting this way because of Hou Mingzhu.
However, speculation was just speculation. Most of these people were astute and would not ask directly. They would mostly plan to send people to inquire about the specific situation privately after the banquet.
As for giving Ye Tiancheng face during the banquet, it was equivalent to giving face to the family head, Helian Yi, who had lowered his stance towards Ye Tiancheng. Even if they later discovered that Ye Tiancheng had no value, they would not be at a loss.
Attending a banquet could be quite tiring. As the banquet neared its end, Ye Tiancheng, having drunk a lot of wine while accompanying others, was somewhat drunk and felt the urge to rest. Helian Yi, seeing that Ye Tiancheng was truly drunk, told him to go rest early, as the event was nearing its conclusion anyway.
Ye Tiancheng went to find Hou Mingzhu, but coincidentally, Hou Mingzhu was engaged in a business conversation with someone, talking enthusiastically and unable to disengage for a while. Meanwhile, Ye Qingcheng expressed her desire to spend more time with Wen Yao.
Ye Tiancheng thought about it and felt it was fine. To be safe, he asked Little Fox and Fatty, who were still mentally alert, to each take care of Hou Mingzhu and Ye Qingcheng. Ye Tiancheng himself had nothing to worry about and directly went to the room arranged by Helian Yi for him to rest.
The resting room he went to was not the temporary accommodation for Ye Tiancheng and his group at the Helian family.
Because the Helian family was vast, and their courtyard was far from the banquet venue, Ye Tiancheng was only going to rest temporarily to recuperate and was not in a hurry to return.