Xie Yu listened, half understanding and half not.
But this did not prevent him from realizing that Zhou Yu indeed had a plan in mind.
So, before Zhou Yu could become disappointed, he quickly apologized.
"Doctor Zhou, I am truly sorry. I didn't mean to doubt you."
"I was just..."
Zhou Yu glanced at him, "I know, you were just anxious."
Xie Yu scratched his head, feeling embarrassed.
He was, after all, quite young, and while he had no issues with general social interactions, he was still unfamiliar with dealings and collaborations between major families.
Now, Xie Yu secretly rejoiced that Zhou Yu was by his side to remind him.
Otherwise, he might be sold one day and still be counting money with the shackles on.
"Learn more, observe more, speak less."
"Why did the Shi family fail?"
"Besides their lack of sincerity, it was also because the Shi family head visited them directly!"
Zhou Yu said calmly.
The head of the Shi family was the decision-maker.
A direct visit would undoubtedly lead to discussing the terms they could offer.
If someone without the authority to make decisions visited first,
and the price offered was insufficient, there would still be room for negotiation.
Any difficulties could be explained away by saying they needed to consult and discuss back home.
Even if the negotiations failed, it wouldn't lead to animosity.
But the Shi family head's direct visit,
if the price he offered was too low, it would be different!
The Zhu family would immediately assume that this was the Shi family's bottom line.
And that was why animosity ensued!
"There's really a lot to learn here," Xie Yu clicked his tongue.
Zhou Yu closed his eyes, resting.
At this moment,
regarding the Zhu family, whom they were discussing,
things were, as Zhou Yu had predicted, far from calm!
"Ling'er, how many times have you come to the study these past few days?" The Zhu family head asked helplessly.
Ever since they decided to cooperate with the Xie family,
Zhu Ling'er had been coming to her father's study every day, eager for the latest news.
Unfortunately,
the Xie family remained as steady as an old dog,
revealing no information whatsoever.
On the other hand, Zhu Ling'er was practically antsy with anticipation.
She had urged her father several times to release the news of the falling out with the Shi family.
"Dad, I'm just anxious!"
"Do you think the Xie family has already found a way to deal with it? Otherwise, why haven't they come calling?"
Zhu Ling'er pouted and asked, sitting beside the Zhu family head.
The Zhu family head looked helpless, spreading his hands. "How would I know? But the Xie family probably has no other choice. After all, not many in Jiangnan City dare to oppose the Shi family."
On the surface, only the Zhu family did!
"Then why don't they come?" Zhu Ling'er asked, puzzled.
The Zhu family head paused and analyzed, "Of course, it's to negotiate a better price with us.
"Our stance has already been made clear, so now it's a battle of who can hold out longer!"
"This concerns the distribution of benefits, and they must have had expert advice."
When he thought of this expert, the Zhu family head's first thought was Old Master Xie.
Of the entire Xie family, the Zhu family head only respected Old Master Xie.
Zhu Ling'er nodded, as if she understood, and felt somewhat agitated.
She had initially thought there would be a great show to watch soon.
But now, it was a matter of waiting and waiting!
If not for Zhou Yu's involvement, given Zhu Ling'er's personality, she would have lost patience long ago!
"Alright, let's wait a few more days."
"No more unnecessary information can be leaked."
The Zhu family head said helplessly.
Leaking information to the Xie family repeatedly had already put the Zhu family at a disadvantage in this negotiation.
If it continued,
wouldn't the Zhu family end up working for the Xie family for free?
The Zhu family head doted on his only daughter, which was understandable.
But everything had its limits!
Even if the Zhu family head was willing to let them work for free, others likely wouldn't agree.
Just as the father and daughter were sighing,
suddenly, the gatekeeper came in to report.
"Someone from the Xie family has arrived."
"Master, Miss, shall I have them wait in the reception hall?"
The gatekeeper, a sharp-looking young man, raised his eyes and observed the Zhu family head's expression, trying to glean some information.
Before the Zhu family head could say anything,
Zhu Ling'er jumped up, her face beaming with joy. "Dad, they're here!"
"Quick, let's go welcome them!"
Saying that, Zhu Ling'er was about to run out.
Her eagerness was so intense that anyone would call it terrifying!
The Zhu family head shook his head helplessly and turned to the gatekeeper. "Take them to the reception hall. I'll be there shortly."
The gatekeeper immediately understood the Zhu family head's intentions.
He responded with a nod and hurried out to greet the Xie family members.
Working for a large family like this required one to be adept at reading the master's mood.
Just like the Shi family before.
No matter how many times they came, they were turned away by the gatekeepers.
Yet, these gatekeepers were exceptionally sharp, knowing not to bring disrepute to the master.
So, the excuses were always along the lines of the master sleeping or coincidentally being out,
subtly giving them the cold shoulder!
But for guests like the Xie family,
according to the Zhu family head's attitude, they should be welcomed warmly and immediately!
When the gatekeeper reached the entrance,
Zhou Yu and Xie Yu had only waited for a few minutes.
Xie Yu was carrying the gifts Zhou Yu had prepared earlier.
He felt a little uneasy.
"Could the Zhu family be trying to give us a hard time?" Xie Yu worried.
Zhou Yu gave him a sideways glance and saw the gatekeeper running towards them.
He couldn't be bothered to reply.
Instead, he stepped forward, waiting for the gatekeeper to approach.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting. The Master is waiting in the reception hall. Please follow me!"
The gatekeeper's face was as bright and cheerful as a blooming chrysanthemum.
It was incredibly radiant!
Just by looking at the gatekeeper's attitude, Zhou Yu already understood the Zhu family's stance.
Without another word to Xie Yu, he immediately pulled him along and headed inside.
The group arrived outside the reception hall.
The gatekeeper then completed his task. "The Master is inside. Please go in."
After saying that,
Zhou Yu lifted his foot and walked inside.
Meanwhile, the Zhu family head, who had been pretending to sip tea,
stood up as soon as he saw Zhou Yu's figure. "Welcome, welcome."
"The two of you..."
The Zhu family head's words got stuck in his throat!
Because he realized that the people from the Xie family were not what he had expected.
Although the Zhu family head knew that the first visitors wouldn't be the Xie family head or Old Master Xie,
he had assumed that at least Xie Yu and Xie Shishi would have come together.
Now, Xie Yu was here, but who was this Zhou Yu beside him!
He wasn't even a member of the Xie family!
Zhou Yu didn't miss the expression on the Zhu family head's face.
He immediately nudged Xie Yu with his elbow and then smiled, introducing himself, "Greetings, Master Zhu. I am Zhou Yu, Old Master Xie's physician."
"During this period, as Old Master Xie has been unwell, I have been attending to him on his behalf."
"Whatever Master Zhu says, I will convey it to the Old Master without omission."