However, the Zhu family head had invited him to his home, with good intentions.
Zhou Yu couldn't maintain a cold demeanor the entire time.
It would make him seem aloof and distant.
So, he had no choice but to respond to Zhu Ling'er's words.
His replies felt exceptionally stiff.
Zhu family head watched from the side, feeling anxious.
If this continued,
not only would Zhu Ling'er fail to win over Zhou Yu,
but they might end up becoming strangers!
After much thought,
Zhu family head initiated a conversation.
"I noticed Doctor Zhou seemed eager to return to Yunhai City earlier. Is there something urgent you need to attend to?"
This question was merely a probe into Zhou Yu's intentions.
If Zhou Yu genuinely had urgent matters, the Zhu family would let him go.
There was no need to create an enemy.
But if he didn't...
Zhu family head was determined to keep him for the night, no matter what.
As for what happened after tomorrow, if there was still no progress between Zhu Ling'er and Zhou Yu,
then he would have no recourse.
At least he would have done his best!
Hearing Zhu family head's words, Zhou Yu smiled slightly. "There's nothing particularly urgent."
"Mainly, I have a few brothers still living at home. I don't want to neglect them by coming out to have fun by myself."
Upon hearing this, Zhu family head subtly glanced at Zhu Ling'er.
After all, Zhu Ling'er had previously stayed with Zhou Yu at Yun Lan Tian Gong.
She would likely have more detailed information.
"Then it's our fault for bothering you," Zhu Ling'er said with a hint of guilt.
In reality, she didn't know.
Not long after she left, Da Xiong and the others had departed early to undertake a mission.
She had assumed Da Xiong and the others were still at Yun Lan Tian Gong, waiting for Zhou Yu's return!
"It's nothing, it doesn't matter if I go back later." Zhou Yu, having achieved his goal, said no more.
Soon after,
Zhu family head's vehicle stopped at the entrance of the old Zhu family residence.
Zhu family head alighted first, followed closely by Zhu Ling'er and Zhou Yu.
The group entered the old Zhu family residence.
As soon as they stepped inside, they saw, in the center of the old residence,
several elderly individuals standing there.
Among them were a few middle-aged men.
Zhu family head went up to greet them first.
"Clan elders, thank you for making the trip."
These individuals were all esteemed elders chosen by the Zhu family.
They did not typically participate in company affairs.
They only appeared when internal issues arose within the family.
The clan elders seemed to have a favorable impression of Zhu family head.
Upon hearing Zhu family head's apology, they each said, "It's nothing."
"We already know. Zhu Rong made the mistake first, and it has nothing to do with you."
"If anyone should apologize, it shouldn't be you!"
The Zhu family elders were understanding.
One middle-aged man, with a thick beard, looked quite robust.
He had a quick temper.
While the elders were comforting Zhu family head, he loudly exclaimed,
"Damn it, Zhu Rong is unbelievably audacious!"
"In all these years, our Zhu family has had internal strife, but never have I heard of kidnapping a family member for internal conflict!"
"Today, he will be ruined and forced to reflect in the sewers!"
The actions of Zhu Rong were unforgivable.
Whether handed over to the police or dealt with by the Zhu family, he would face a grim fate.
Everyone present knew this clearly.
However, it was best not to speak too harshly.
Everyone present was related by blood, and they would encounter each other in the future.
Speaking too harshly would make future interactions awkward.
Thus, other elders restrained the bearded man, advising him,
"Forget it, Zhu Rong has gone down the wrong path."
"He will be punished regardless, no need to scold him too harshly."
The bearded man clearly disapproved of the elders' demeanor.
Upon hearing this, he merely sneered.
His contemptuous gaze swept over the elders.
Then he said lightly, "You all play the good cop, letting others be the bad guy!"
Don't think he didn't know.
These elders had long been dissatisfied with Zhu family head.
The reason being, Zhu family head only had one daughter.
After Zhu Ling'er's mother passed away, Zhu family head did not remarry.
He raised Zhu Ling'er alone.
If the head of the family had no son, who would inherit the vast family fortune?
Behind Zhu Rong's actions, it was likely the elders had fanned the flames!
Fortunately, although the bearded man had a temper, he was not irrational.
Speaking the truth in such a setting was inappropriate.
Moreover,
the bearded man only disdained the elders' behavior.
He didn't have much acquaintance with Zhu family head and his daughter.
If he stood up for Zhu family head, the latter might not even accept his good intentions.
Why bother?
With the bearded man's attitude evident,
the elders, who had intended to downplay the matter, began to reconsider.
Despite Zhu family head having no sons, his influence within the Zhu family was deep-rooted.
It was not something they could overturn with just a few words.
Instead of provoking Zhu family head, it was better to remain compliant!
As everyone's thoughts varied,
someone noticed Zhou Yu's presence.
Immediately, a white-haired elder pointed at Zhou Yu, expressing his dissatisfaction.
"Who is this person?"
"Our Zhu family is holding a ancestral hall ceremony to punish our own kin today. Outsiders are not permitted!"
In the eyes of these prominent families,
holding an ancestral hall ceremony was a very solemn occasion.
Having an outsider present was extremely impolite.
Zhu family head immediately stepped forward to explain.
"This is the brave warrior who saved Ling'er."
"Zhu Rong injured him, so it is only right and proper that he should witness Zhu Rong's fate."
Despite Zhu family head's explanation, the elders clearly were not going to let Zhou Yu off the hook.
They stubbornly stated,
"No means no!"
"You can tell him later about Zhu Rong's fate, but he should not be present during the ancestral hall ceremony!"
Seeing the stubborn elders, Zhu family head felt a headache coming on.
Just then,
Zhu Ling'er stepped forward.
She linked her arm with Zhou Yu's and said with a smile, "Clan elders, you speak as if we are strangers."
"This is my fiancé, we were betrothed from childhood!"
"He even saved me this time, why can't he be present?"
Betrothed?
The clan elders present exchanged glances, seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
The older ones, however, did have some recollection.
When Zhu Ling'er was still in swaddling clothes, she had indeed been betrothed!
Thinking of this, the elders had nothing more to say.
They waved their hands and said, "Very well, time is running out. Let's proceed to the ancestral hall ceremony."
"Let me be clear beforehand, if he is not Ling'er's betrothed, this ancestral hall ceremony will have to be held twice today!"
The reason for holding it twice.
The first time was to punish Zhu Rong.
The second time would, naturally, be to punish Zhu Ling'er for lying.
Everyone present understood.