Great Power Reclamation

Chapter 3011 Zhao Ling'er's Methods
Yang Geyong was "escorted" back to their residence in Beijing by Zhao Ling'er, and the next few days were like being in two extremes.

Zhao Ling'er didn't lay a hand on him again, but her cold, scrutinizing, and mocking gaze, along with her omnipresent sense of control, made Yang Geyong feel extremely oppressed.

She cut off most of his contact with the outside world, ostensibly to "let him calm down."

Yang Geyong was seething with anger and resentment, but due to decades of habit and the complex feelings he had for Zhao Ling'er, a mixture of kinship and guilt, he chose to endure it for the time being, hoping that the storm would eventually pass.

However, he underestimated Zhao Ling'er's anger and determination, and even more so, he overestimated her "bottom line".

In Zhao Ling'er's view, Yang Geyong's actions this time were not just "cheating," but a complete "defection" of his spirit, and the object of his affections was a seemingly impeccable "perfect" woman, which severely damaged her pride and sense of control.

What she found even more intolerable was that Yang Geyong actually begged her in public (in front of Ye Yuze) to protect that woman! This was an utter disgrace!
Beneath the surface of calm, Zhao Ling'er had already used all her resources and influence, both domestically and internationally, to lay an invisible net against Song Qingyun.

She doesn't need to resort to violence or vulgar insults; that would be too low-class.

What she wanted to destroy were the things Song Qingyun cherished most—her artistic reputation, her social circle, and the environment in which she conducted her quiet research.

First, several official cultural institutions and foundations that were originally interested in the Song Qingyun Ancient Music Project suddenly suspended contact or withdrew their funding intentions for various vague reasons.

Following this, rumors began circulating in the art world about Song Qingyun, saying that she appeared aloof but was actually cunning and adept at using her admirers to acquire resources. Some even implied that she had ambiguous relationships with certain "married business tycoons" and that the source of her project funding was questionable.

These rumors are like a poisonous fog, penetrating everywhere, yet their source is difficult to pinpoint.

Then, Song Qingyun's originally peaceful studio and social life were disrupted.

Unidentified people began to frequently visit under the guise of "discussing cooperation" or "interviewing," but their words were full of probing and harassment.

At some academic events she attended, she would often encounter "enthusiastic individuals" who would subtly inquire about her private life and "sponsors." Even her students felt inexplicable pressure.

The most devastating blow came from the small, elite professional circle she had painstakingly cultivated for many years, which she regarded as her spiritual home.

Several highly respected senior colleagues suddenly became cold and distant towards her, and no longer offered her the same enthusiastic guidance on professional matters as before.

At an important academic conference, her carefully prepared speech was deliberately shortened by the host, while some of her ideas, which were based on ideas she had shared before but were obviously much rougher, were elaborated on by another scholar with a strong background and won applause.

Song Qingyun wasn't stupid; she quickly realized that she was being systematically and deliberately ostracized and suppressed.

But she couldn't figure out, no matter how hard she tried, who she had offended by being so unassuming and focused on her studies.
Until one day, a colleague who used to have a decent relationship with her but now seemed evasive vaguely reminded her in private:
"Qingyun, did you... accidentally get involved in someone's family affairs? I heard... the other party has a powerful background, is very influential, and specifically asked to 'take care' of you..."

Family matters? Someone with a powerful background?
Song Qingyun felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave. Yang Geyong's face, sometimes honest and sometimes anxious, flashed through her mind, along with the complex and indescribable expression on his face when he mentioned his wife.

Everything seemed to have an answer. Humiliation, anger, resentment, and a sense of utterly tainted innocence overwhelmed her like a tsunami.

The academic sanctuary she cherished, the musical career she regarded as her life, and the dignity she carefully protected were all so vulnerable in the face of invisible power and malice!
She tried to explain, but the rumors had already spread; she tried to continue working, but encountered obstacles at every turn; she tried to seek help, only to find that most of her former friends avoided her.

She was like a delicate porcelain vase suddenly thrown into a storm, isolated and helpless, at risk of being shattered at any moment.

The immense mental pressure and unwarranted stigmatization caused this woman, who was originally pure and resilient, to begin to doubt herself and feel deep despair.

In the early hours of the morning, after a sleepless night, watching the sky gradually lighten outside the window, Song Qingyun, consumed by loneliness and helplessness, had that terrifying thought for the first time—

Perhaps, only by disappearing completely can she find peace and prove her innocence? Tears silently streamed down her face, wetting the ancient musical scores she treasured on her desk.

Meanwhile, Yang Geyong, who was under de facto house arrest, finally pieced together a small part of the truth from a phone call he overheard between Zhao Ling'er and her confidant.

He heard Zhao Ling'er give the order in a cold and decisive tone:

"...Yes, continue to apply pressure, but don't show your face. I want to make it impossible for her to stay in Beijing or in this circle. Let her know when to back off... Anyone who dares to touch my things will pay the price."

"My things..." Yang Geyong felt his blood run cold! He instantly understood what Song Qingyun was going through!
The purity and beauty he had carefully cherished and appreciated were being trampled and destroyed by Zhao Ling'er in the most cruel way! And he was the root cause of this disaster!
The pent-up frustration of many days, the worry for Song Qingyun, the anger at Zhao Ling'er's domineering methods, and the long-suppressed, unyielding spirit of the men of the Northern Frontier all erupted at this moment!
Decades of habits, guilt and family ties—all were shattered when his true bottom line (involving the innocent and destroying the good) was crossed!
Like a lion utterly enraged, he flung open the study door, rushed to Zhao Ling'er, his eyes bloodshot, his chest heaving, and his finger pointing at her trembling.

"Zhao Ling'er! You... what the hell did you do to Teacher Song?!"

Zhao Ling'er was taken aback by his sudden outburst and ferocious expression, and then her anger flared even more:

"What? Feeling sorry for her? What did I do? I just told her to face reality and stop dreaming! What, did that touch a nerve?"

"You're talking nonsense!" Yang Geyong roared, the sound echoing throughout the room.
"My relationship with Teacher Song is completely innocent! I simply admire and respect her! How dare you treat her like this?! Do you even know what kind of person she is? Don't you feel ashamed of using those despicable methods on her?!"

"I've done nothing wrong?" Zhao Ling'er retorted shrilly, tears streaming down her face. "Yang Geyong! Do you have any conscience at all? I've spent most of my life with you, bearing your children and taking care of everything for you, and what have I gotten in return?"

"You're old and you're going to talk to a young girl about appreciation and respect? Where do you put my reputation and the reputation of our family?!"

"Home? Face?"

Yang Geyong gave a bitter laugh, his eyes filled with an unprecedented resolve and coldness:

"Zhao Ling'er, in your eyes, is control and face all you care about? Ask yourself, all these years, besides treating me as your possession and forcing me to live according to your ideas, have you ever truly respected me? Have you ever cared about what I'm thinking?"

He took a deep breath, and with all his might, said, word by word:

"I've had enough of this life! Listen carefully—I, Yang Geyong, want a divorce! Tomorrow! All the assets, the company, the funds—take whatever you want! I, Yang Geyong, can leave with nothing! But let me tell you, from now on, mind your own business!"

He paused, looking at Zhao Ling'er's face, which had turned deathly pale, and continued to shout, his voice now carrying a hint of sorrow and an unwavering determination:

"Furthermore, if Song Qingyun suffers even the slightest harm because of this petty matter of yours... Zhao Ling'er, our decades-long friendship will truly be over! I, Yang Geyong, will risk my old life to never let you go! Right now, I'm going to find her! Nobody can stop me!"

After saying that, he didn't even look at Zhao Ling'er, who stood frozen in place as if all her strength had been drained away in an instant. He turned around, slammed the door, and left. The heavy sound of the door slamming echoed in the empty mansion, like the end of an era.

Yang Geyong rushed out of his house and made his first call to Ye Yuze, his voice hoarse and urgent:

"Old Ye! Something's happened! Ling'er... she's driving Teacher Song to the brink of death! I'm going to find her now! You... you have to find a way to help her! Don't let her do anything foolish!"

Then, he jumped into the car and drove like a madman toward Song Qingyun's studio.

At this moment, he completely forgot about being afraid of his wife, his habits, his wealth and status.

He had only one thought in his mind: find Song Qingyun, protect her, and tell her that none of this was her fault. Even if the sky were to fall, he, Yang Geyong, this "roughneck," would hold it up! Divorce, he was determined to get a divorce!

Yang Geyong is determined to protect this woman who has suffered so much injustice for him!
The inherent courage and sense of responsibility of the men of northern Xinjiang, suppressed for decades, finally erupted in their hearts for what they believed was "worth it." And this family storm, triggered by their "straightforward pursuit," has finally reached the critical point of tearing apart and rebuilding.

Yang Geyong's car sped along the nearly empty streets in the early morning, the tires screeching as they rubbed against the ground, running several red lights without him even noticing.

He had only one thought in his mind: Faster! Faster! Song Qingyun is a girl with a gentle exterior but a strong interior. She's suffered so much injustice and slander, and she's been unwittingly ostracized by the industry. What if she really does do something rash...?

He dared not think any further; his heart felt as if it were being gripped by an icy hand, the pain almost suffocating him.

For the first time, he realized so clearly how much Song Qingyun held in his heart. It wasn't the youthful impulse for beauty, nor the calculation of weighing pros and cons in the business world, but a complex emotion mixed with guilt, heartache, admiration, and a strong desire to protect.

He absolutely could not allow her to suffer any harm because of him!
At the same time, Zhao Ling'er, who was stunned by Yang Geyong's resolute words and the loud slamming of the door, seemed to have all her strength drained away in an instant. She staggered back a few steps and collapsed into the expensive leather sofa.

Her meticulously applied makeup was washed away by tears, revealing deep wrinkles. Her previous assertiveness and coldness crumbled like shattered masks, exposing a heart pierced and bleeding beneath. Divorce? Leaving with nothing?
How could he say such a thing for a woman he'd only known for a short time? Decades of marriage, years of hard work together, the hardships of raising children... In his heart, is none of that worth as much as that pretentious "artist"?
After the initial surge of anger came a deeper panic and a profound despair of being utterly betrayed and abandoned. Zhao Ling'er had always been a strong-willed woman. Whether as a leader in the military corps or operating a fund in a foreign land, she had never bowed her head to anyone, nor had she ever imagined that one day her marriage and dignity would be trampled upon in such a brutal way.

Yang Geyong's final words, "I will never let you go," were met with a gaze so cold that they felt unfamiliar and frightening to her.

She knew that this man, who usually seemed afraid of her and yielded to her, would unleash a decisiveness and power that she could not control or resist in the same way as before, once his sore spot was touched.

"Why...why is this happening..."

She muttered to herself, her carefully styled hair falling loose, making her look ten years older in an instant. Was she beginning to regret using those methods against Song Qingyun? Perhaps a little.

But more than anything, she felt resentment and a deep-seated pain. She grabbed a crystal ashtray beside her, intending to smash it, but in the end, she could only let go helplessly, allowing it to roll onto the carpet with a dull thud.

This "home" that she had run for half her life now seemed incredibly empty and cold.

When Ye Yuze received Yang Geyong's almost incoherent phone call, he was practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard of a traditional courtyard house.

Upon hearing that Zhao Ling'er had used such ruthless methods against Song Qingyun, possibly even driving the girl to suicidal thoughts, his brows furrowed instantly, and a rare surge of anger welled up in his usually calm eyes.

"That Ling'er! So foolish!"

He stopped his attack and immediately made a phone call, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable pressure:
"It's me, Ye Yuze. There's a young ancient music researcher named Song Qingyun who's run into some trouble. She's being maliciously slandered and ostracized. You need to investigate immediately who's behind this and who they've contacted. I need to know the whole story within an hour."

"Also, have someone check on her studio and the places she frequents to make sure she's safe, immediately!"

He hung up the phone and took a deep breath. Zhao Ling'er had indeed gone too far this time.

Jealousy and rivalry are fine, but you can't drive innocent people, especially someone like Song Qingyun who is purely dedicated to scholarship, to their deaths.

This crossed his bottom line. He and Zhao Ling'er were childhood friends with a deep bond, but precisely because of this, he couldn't bear to see her go astray, nor could he tolerate her harming an innocent junior.

He thought for a moment, then dialed Zhao Ling'er's number again. It rang for a long time before being answered, and Zhao Ling'er's voice, thick with a nasal tone and forced composure, came through:

“Yuze… if you’re here to speak for that bastard or that woman, then forget it.”

Ye Yuze sighed, his tone serious: "Ling'er, I'm not here to speak for anyone. I'm here to tell you that you've made a huge mistake this time."

Zhao Ling'er remained silent on the other end of the phone.

"Don't you and I know what kind of person Yang Geyong is? If he really had something shady with Song Qingyun, given his personality, he would have made a big fuss about it long ago. Why would he be acting like this, cautiously and clumsily engaging in some kind of 'cultural concern'?"

Ye Yuze said earnestly, "This time, he may have really had some different thoughts, but he definitely didn't cross the line. You investigated so thoroughly, you should know what kind of person Song Qingyun is."

"You're using the same tactics you use in the business world and the martial arts world on her, Ling'er. Don't you think that's going too far? She's a girl who values ​​her reputation and art more than her life!"

"I went too far?" Zhao Ling'er's voice suddenly became sharp, trembling with sobs. "Yang Geyong is thinking about other women, and I'm wrong?"

"He was wrong, wrong in not handling things well, wrong in causing you misunderstanding and hurting you. But you were wrong in trying to solve it the wrong way, which dragged innocent people into it and could even have resulted in death!"

Ye Yuze emphasized, "Ling'er, listen to me, stop immediately. Withdraw all your underhanded tactics against Song Qingyun. There's still a chance to salvage the situation."

"Otherwise, if you really push Ge Yong to the brink and cause Song Qingyun any harm, your decades-long marriage will be over! By then, it will be too late for you to regret it!"

Suppressed sobs came from the other end of the phone. Zhao Ling'er didn't answer and hung up immediately.

Ye Yuze gripped his phone, his brow furrowed. He knew Zhao Ling'er was stubborn; how much she would heed his words, or even if she would follow them, was uncertain. Right now, the most important thing was ensuring Song Qingyun's safety.

At that moment, Yang Geyong had already rushed to the cultural and creative park where Song Qingyun's studio was located.

As dawn broke, the park was quiet. He pounded on the familiar door with the wooden sign that read "Qingyun Ancient Music Study," but there was no response from inside.

"Teacher Song! Song Qingyun! Open the door! It's me, Yang Geyong!" He was extremely anxious, and his voice echoed in the empty corridor.

Still no response. An ominous premonition coiled around his heart like a cold, venomous snake. He took two steps back, raised his foot, and made as if to kick the door!
“Mr. Yang?” A slightly surprised and tired voice came from behind him.

Yang Ge turned around sharply and saw Song Qingyun standing at the top of the stairs, carrying a simple canvas bag, wearing a thin jacket, her face almost transparently pale, her eyes red and swollen, her gaze empty and tired. She looked like she was about to go out, or perhaps she had just returned from outside.

Upon seeing Yang Geyong, a complex mix of emotions flashed across her eyes—surprise, grievance, and anger—ultimately transforming into deep estrangement and defensiveness. She instinctively took a half-step back.

"Teacher Song!" Yang Geyong felt a sense of relief mixed with heartache. He wanted to go forward, but was afraid of frightening her, so he could only stay where he was and said urgently:

"Are you...are you alright? I...I know everything! I'm sorry! It's all my fault! I've dragged you into this!"

Song Qingyun looked at him, the man who had once brought her clumsy warmth, but now seemed like the source of disaster.

She recalled the unfounded accusations, the strange looks, the sudden interruptions in cooperation, and the vague reminders from her colleagues... All the grievances and anger instantly overwhelmed the strength she had been forcibly maintaining for days.

“Mr. Yang,” her voice was hoarse and trembling, yet carried a cold politeness, “please don’t come again. And please tell… tell your family that I, Song Qingyun, have always been upright and honest, and have never had any improper thoughts. I will find a way to calculate and return all those resources and assistance. I only beg you to be merciful and let me go.”

After saying that, she lowered her head and tried to walk around him, but tears welled up uncontrollably and dripped onto the ground.

Seeing her struggling to hold back her tears and hearing her say "Let me go," Yang Geyong felt as if his heart was being torn apart. All his passion, guilt, and indescribable emotions erupted completely.

He suddenly reached out, not to grab her, but to block her way, his posture almost humble, yet carrying an unyielding resolve:
"Song Qingyun! Listen to me! This whole thing is my fault from beginning to end! I didn't handle things at home well, and you've suffered so much! I know what Zhao Ling'er did, and I've already confronted her! I've asked her for a divorce!"

Song Qingyun suddenly looked up at him, shocked, as if she couldn't believe her ears.

"I'm telling the truth!" Yang Geyong's eyes also reddened. This man, who had dominated half his life, now resembled a child who had done something wrong, and a warrior defending a precious treasure.
“I, Yang Geyong, have been a scoundrel for most of my life, but this time, I don’t want to be a scoundrel anymore! You’re not wrong, the wrong one is me, and the wrong one is those who hurt you! They’re the ones who should get lost, not you!”

He took a deep breath, looked into Song Qingyun's tearful eyes, and spoke each word with resounding force:

"From today onwards, your business, Song Qingyun's business, is my business, Yang Geyong's business! If anyone dares to lay a finger on you or say a bad word about me, Song Qingyun, I'll make them pay!"

"If the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you! If you want to continue your research, I'll support you! If you want some peace and quiet, I'll send you away! You can do whatever you want! Just please... don't do anything foolish, and don't blame yourself for other people's mistakes!"

His words were rough, yet they carried an unwavering promise and a burning sincerity. There were no flowery words, only the most straightforward and heartfelt sense of responsibility of a man from the northern frontier.

Song Qingyun stared at him blankly, at the bloodshot eyes, the anxiety, the guilt, and the undeniable determination in them.

The immense pressure, grievances, and loneliness I've endured over the past few days seem to have found a temporary foothold at this moment.

The strong shell she had been maintaining, however carefully constructed, began to crack in the face of this clumsy yet fervent promise of protection. Tears welled up again, but this time, they seemed to carry more than just bitterness.

A storm begins with a ripple, and a wave is formed from a gentle ripple. A storm sparked by "naivety" suddenly escalates under Zhao Ling'er's extreme methods, drawing everyone into a vortex of emotions.

Yang Geyong's outburst and choice, Song Qingyun's despair and glimmer of hope, Zhao Ling'er's rage and panic, Ye Yuze's intervention and mediation...

All the contradictions converge here, and the future trajectory affects everyone's fate. This entanglement surrounding courtyard houses, ancient music, wealth, and true feelings is far from over.