Zhang Haike had not visited the Xie family mansion for some time. Receiving the message and being summoned by Xie Yuchen felt rather novel.
The mansion was unusually lively at the moment, with people coming and going, making it almost resemble an internal family reunion, yet the atmosphere was exceptionally solemn.
Zhang Haike keenly noticed that everyone was dressed in dark-colored attire.
... Unlike the Zhang family, who habitually chose dark colors, the Xie family followed their leader, always at the forefront of fashion. Given the current solemnity, it was likely they were attending a funeral.
"Calling me at this time... isn't it a bit inappropriate?" Zhang Haike looked around, not seeing the clan leader or anyone else he knew. He surmised that it wasn't the passing of a Xie family member they had interacted with.
"It's alright, feel free to do as you please," Xie Yuchen slowly stepped out from the doorway. He was still wearing the white shirt and pink shirt, but a black armband was wrapped around his arm.
"We just found Xie Lianhuan's body and are now holding his funeral. It's not a big deal."
Zhang Haike: ...?
He had heard of Xie Lianhuan, who was said to be an elder Xie Yuchen had been searching for.
Logically, Xie Yuchen and Xie Lianhuan should have had a deep bond. Yet, looking at him now—
To be honest, Zhang Haike even felt there might be some animosity between them.
Zhang Haike felt it was inappropriate to pry into the Xie family's private affairs, so he complied with Xie Yuchen's request, relaxed his demeanor, and intended to treat this as a casual conversation.
However, this time Xie Yuchen did not take him to a meeting room but to a more secluded secret chamber, which made Zhang Haike subtly raise his guard.
"... I can't recall if we have any conversations that necessitate this level of security," Zhang Haike casually scanned the surroundings, identifying a few weak points for a potential forceful escape, before slowly shifting his attention back to Xie Yuchen.
"No need to look, I'm not armed," Xie Yuchen sat down very calmly, even crossing his legs slowly and taking a leisurely sip of tea.
"I don't like meaningless conversations. You know that your clan leader accompanied me to the Emei Forbidden Land a few days ago," Xie Yuchen put down his teacup, his voice somewhat gentle.
"I must say, I can somewhat understand your obsession with Zhang Qiling now."
Zhang Haike found the words agreeable. He let out an "Oh?" and sat down, his expression becoming more placid, but his mind grew even more cautious.
... It seemed Xie Yuchen was about to discuss matters related to the clan leader.
But what could the clan leader possibly possess that Xie Yuchen would value so highly?
Zhang Haike's mind raced, but the more he thought, the more he felt that given his ancestor's demeanor, he might very well discuss major secrets as if they were trivial matters.
... It couldn't be that he revealed the matter of the Qilin blood, could it?
However, in the next second, Xie Yuchen abruptly changed the subject, his tone turning serious, disrupting Zhang Haike's thoughts: "I already know about Zhang Qiling's longevity. What I want to know now is whether the inner clan members you sent to Song Shuning pose any risk of exposing secrets."
Zhang Haike: ...
... Ancestor, oh ancestor, why do you tell him everything?!!
The atmosphere in the small secret chamber instantly tensed. Xie Yuchen noticed Zhang Haike's fingers on the table tremble slightly before quickly becoming still, likely an effort to suppress the urge to erupt on the spot.
Zhang Haike wouldn't make a move here. Xie Yuchen leisurely refilled his tea, but suddenly heard a piercing resonance.
It was Zhang Haike's communication device ringing.
Zhang Haike's previously expressionless face softened. He had set this specific alert tone for only one person.
... Zhang Qiling.
"Clan leader," he glanced at Xie Yuchen and immediately answered the communication.
Logically, he should have kept such a conversation private from outsiders. But at this point, since Xie Yuchen already knew about longevity, Zhang Haike couldn't imagine what more explosive secret could be leaked, so he decided to go all out.
Zhang Qiling's voice was as calm as ever, even when discussing a disaster prediction that would shock everyone.
Zhang Haike's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly suppressed his emotional fluctuations with his strong psychological fortitude.
"Understood, Clan Leader. I will inform the clan to cooperate with Song Shuning." At this point, he sensed that Zhang Qiling was about to end the communication and quickly added, "Clan Leader, I have one more important matter I wish to inquire about."
There was no response from the other end; presumably, Zhang Qiling was waiting for him to speak. However, Zhang Haike hesitated, unsure how to phrase his question, as he couldn't exactly accuse Zhang Qiling of not keeping secrets.
So, he said hesitantly, "That Xie Yuchen from the Xie family..."
Before he could finish formulating his thoughts, Zhang Haike's voice faltered, but Zhang Qiling quickly interjected.
"You can trust Xie Yuchen."
Extremely simple, yet the implication was so firm.
Zhang Haike was taken aback by this trust. When he intended to ask further, he heard a "beep" sound, indicating Zhang Qiling had hung up.
Zhang Haike: ...
To be honest, he couldn't fathom why Zhang Qiling would trust Xie Yuchen, whom he had only recently met, so implicitly. But upon careful consideration, Zhang Haike realized that he himself hadn't known the clan leader for long when he was trusted.
The Zhang family was a dangerous place, with people coming and going in a constant flux, but Zhang Haike was certain that, as of now, he was the only person Zhang Qiling trusted within the Zhang family.
... To doubt Xie Yuchen's trustworthiness would be akin to him proclaiming his own untrustworthiness.
Perhaps he shouldn't doubt the clan leader's judgment. Although Zhang Qiling appeared detached from worldly affairs, his eyes might be able to see through a person's essence.
With this thought, Zhang Haike sighed. When he looked up at Xie Yuchen, Xie Yuchen was smiling back at him.
"... I need to have my communication device isolated," Zhang Haike slowly said, rubbing his fingers together, "And then, I will tell you what you wish to know."