Great Power Reclamation

September in London was shrouded in mist and drizzle. Ye Guigen stood on the steps in front of the main building of the London School of Economics, watching the bustling crowd of students—

Young faces from all over the world, each with their own dreams and ambitions, gathered at this world-class social science institution.

He was wearing a custom-made suit, but he looked somewhat out of place compared to the casual attire of the students around him.

My phone vibrated; it was a text message from Elizabeth.
"Meet me at Knightsbridge at 3 p.m. I'll take you somewhere."

During the first week of school, classes hadn't officially started yet. Ye Guigen selected four courses:
International finance, strategic management, cross-cultural negotiation, and a required course in academic writing. The reading lists for each course are dauntingly long, and the professors' first lesson is always a daunting challenge.

"What you learn here is not knowledge, but a way of thinking."

The professor of strategic management, a former McKinsey partner, said in his opening remarks:

"Five years from now, some of you will be in investment banking, some will be starting businesses, and some will be in politics. But whatever you do, remember: strategy is not about planning the future, it's about creating the future."

Ye Guigen sat in the back row of the classroom, taking notes diligently.

He could feel the gazes directed at him—curious, scrutinizing, and even somewhat hostile. As the only undergraduate student from China in the class (although holding a US passport), he felt like an intruder.

At 2:30 p.m., following the address Elizabeth had given him, he arrived at a Georgian-style townhouse in Knightsbridge. He rang the doorbell, and the butler answered.

"Mr. Ye, Miss Cavendish is waiting for you in the meeting room."

The villa's interior is decorated in a classic and luxurious style, with family portraits hanging on the walls, exquisite mahogany handrails on the staircase, and the air filled with the scent of cedar and old books.

Elizabeth was in the second-floor meeting room, standing by the window making a phone call. Seeing Ye Guigen, she gestured for him to wait a moment and continued her conversation in fluent French. After hanging up, she turned and smiled.

Welcome to London. How are you feeling?

"Still getting used to it."

“No problem.” Elizabeth walked to the wine cabinet. “What would you like to drink? Tea, coffee, or perhaps try the traditional British afternoon tea?”

"Tea is fine."

She brewed the tea herself, her movements elegant and practiced. "The first week is an observation period. You'll see all sorts of people—true geniuses, pretentious aristocratic scions, and commoner elites desperately climbing the social ladder. It's important to remember everyone's name and background."

"why?"

"Because in London, relationships are everything."

Elizabeth handed him a cup of black tea. “Among your classmates, there are those who may become Chancellor of the Exchequer in the future, those who will inherit billions of dollars, and those who will become your competitors. The relationships you build now may be crucial ten years from now.”

She sat down and crossed her legs: "Now, tell me your plans. Besides classes, how do you intend to use your time in London?"

Ye Guigen thought for a moment: "I want to understand the industrial landscape of Europe, especially high-end manufacturing and new energy. In addition, I want to build my own network of contacts."

“Very good,” Elizabeth nodded, “but don’t just focus on the business world. The true essence of London lies in the unseen realms—”

"Private clubs, charity dinners, weekend gatherings at country villas. That's where information flows and deals are made."

She picked up a black card from the table: "This is a membership card for the 'Athena Club.' It's the most exclusive club in all of London, with only two hundred members. After I take you there once, you can go by yourself."

Ye Guigen took the card; it felt heavy, and it only had the club's name and a number on it: 207.

“I’m taking you shopping for clothes today.” Elizabeth stood up. “You’re dressed too formally. In London, you need to know the difference between occasions—be modest in academic settings, appropriate in social settings, and professional in business settings.”

They went to a bespoke tailor shop on Savile Row. While the old tailor took Ye Guigen's measurements, Elizabeth stood by and gave instructions.
"Three suits are needed: one dark gray, one navy blue, and one black. Ten shirts are needed, half Oxford cloth and half Egyptian cotton. Ten ties are needed, nothing fancy."

After leaving the tailor shop, I went to a shoe store, a shirt store, and even an underwear store.

Elizabeth's attention to detail surprised Ye Guigen—she could distinguish the differences between cotton from different origins, knew which type of thread was more durable, and even had requirements regarding the material of the buttons.

“Appearance is the first impression.” On the way back, Elizabeth said:
"In this circle, people judge your background and taste based on your clothing. You can't let them look down on you."

"Did you learn all of this on your own?"

"Part of it was taught by my mother, and part of it was learned on my own."

Elizabeth looked out the window. "When I was thirteen, my mother took me to London to shop and taught me how to choose clothes, how to coordinate outfits, and how to show my status through details. She said that the women of the Cavendish family even had to have their underwear custom-made."

Her tone was calm, but Ye Guigen detected a hint of bitterness in it.

Dinner was held at the "Athena Club." The club was located in an unassuming building in the Mayfair district, yet its interior was lavishly decorated. Members conversed in hushed tones, and waiters moved about silently.

Elizabeth introduced him to several people—

A former foreign minister, a renowned art collector, and the founder of a private equity fund. Everyone was polite, yet their eyes were sharp, and their conversations, though seemingly casual, were actually laced with wit.

“Ye Guigen, Ye Feng’s son,” Elizabeth introduced him.

Upon hearing the name "Ye Feng," people's expressions would change. Ye Guigen gradually realized his father's status in the international financial world—it wasn't just about wealth, but also about influence.

After dinner, Elizabeth took him to the club library. It housed rare books, and the walls were adorned with original works by Rembrandt and Turner.

“Now, let me give you your first lesson.” Elizabeth sat down on the sofa in front of the fireplace. “In London, you will learn three things: to see, to hear, and to wait.”

"What are you looking at?"

“Observe people. Observe their clothes, behavior, and speech. Observe who is with whom, who avoids whom, and who is trying to please whom.”

Elizabeth said, "Listen to what they say, but listen even more to what they don't say. Wait for the opportunity, wait for the right moment, wait for others to make a mistake."

She raised her glass: "London is a stage, and everyone is acting. You have to learn to see through the costumes and understand the essence of things. At the same time, you also have to learn to play your own role well."

What is my role?

"The heir of the Ye family, Ye Feng's son, a promising young man."

Elizabeth looked at him. "But for now, you need to keep a low profile. Listen more, talk less, learn more, and show off less. Wait until you truly have the ability before revealing your true strength."

That night, Ye Guigen stayed at the club until late. He listened to people talk about politics, economics, and art, observed their interactions, and noted down everyone's name and background.

It was already 1 a.m. when he got back to his dorm. His roommate was an Indian student studying economics, who was writing a paper on his computer.

"Hi, it's Raj," his roommate greeted him. "Back so late on your first day?"

"Something came up," Ye Guigen said.

“I understand.” Raj laughed. “London has a vibrant nightlife. But I should warn you, the professor is particularly strict in tomorrow morning’s International Finance class; you’ll be marked late.”

Ye Guigen nodded, washed up, and lay down on the bed. His mind replayed the day's events—Elizabeth's teachings, the people in the club, and the ancient and complex city of London.

He knew he had stepped into a completely new world. This world had its own rules, its own language, and its own way of playing the game.

He needs to learn it as soon as possible.

In the following weeks, Ye Guigen's life settled into a routine.

In the morning, I attend classes; in the afternoon, I go to the library or attend academic seminars; in the evening, I sometimes discuss my homework with classmates, and sometimes Elizabeth takes me to various occasions.

He gradually adapted to the pace of London and began to see the true face of this circle.

One weekend in early October, Elizabeth took him to a party at the Cavendish family's country estate in Oxfordshire. It was a multi-acre estate with lakes, forests, and horse farms.

Most of the guests were members of the British upper class—hereditary nobles, old money families, and a few political figures.

Ye Guigen met his father's old friend, Mr. Schmidt, and several other people he had met at a dinner party in New York.

“Ye Guigen, we meet again.” Schmidt shook hands with him. “I heard you’re at the London School of Economics? That’s great. My grandson is there too, studying economics. You two should get to know each other.”

Schmidt's grandson, Max, was the same age as Ye Guigen, but had already interned at the family bank for two years. He showed Ye Guigen around the estate, and the two quickly became acquainted.

"How's the London School of Economics?" Max asked.

"Very challenging."

“Definitely,” Max said. “But the most valuable thing isn’t the classroom, it’s the people. We have a guy in our class whose father is the Minister of Mines in some African country. Another girl’s family controls the shipping industry in Northern Europe. These are the people who will be important in the future.”

They were taking a walk by the lake. The English countryside in autumn is beautiful, with golden leaves and fresh air.

"I heard your father is in talks with the Elizabethan family about a collaboration?" Max suddenly asked.

Ye Guigen became wary: "I'm not quite sure."

Max laughed: "Don't be nervous, it's no secret. The Cavendish family wants to enter the Asian market through you, and you want to consolidate your European business through them. It's a perfectly normal business alliance."

He paused. "But let me warn you, Elizabeth... she's no ordinary woman. The Cavendish family has five children in this generation, and she's the only daughter, yet she's the most likely to inherit the family business. Do you know why?"

Ye Guigen shook his head.

"Because she's smart enough, and ruthless enough," Max said.
"Her two older brothers, one is obsessed with art and the other is mediocre. Her three younger brothers are still young. So the family places all their hopes on her. And she, in order to prove that she is better than men, will stop at nothing."

He looked at Ye Guigen: "You are her chosen partner, or perhaps just a pawn. Be careful."

That evening, a banquet was held at the manor. Silver cutlery was laid out on the long table, candlelight flickered, and waiters in uniform served quietly.

Ye Guigen sat next to Elizabeth. Today she wore a deep green velvet dress, her hair was up, revealing her graceful neck. In the candlelight, she was stunningly beautiful, and also stunningly cold.

During the meal, an elderly nobleman asked Ye Guigen about his views on the relationship between China and Britain. Ye Guigen answered cautiously, expressing both his willingness to cooperate and pointing out the existing obstacles.

"The young man has great insight," the nobleman nodded. "Ye Feng has done a good job raising his son."

After the dinner, in the smoking room, several men smoked cigars and chatted about the international situation. Ye Guigen listened quietly, only offering his opinion when asked. "Guigen, do you hold a US passport?" a former ambassador asked.

"Yes, I was born in the United States."

“That’s very interesting,” the ambassador said. “You stand at the crossroads of three worlds—Chinese roots, an American identity, and a European education. This diverse background is a great advantage.”

He exhaled a puff of smoke: "But it's also a burden. Because every world demands your loyalty, and it's difficult to completely belong to any one world."

As night deepened, the guests gradually departed. Ye Guigen went out onto the terrace for some fresh air, and Elizabeth came over and handed him a glass of whiskey.

"How are you feeling? Are you comfortable in this kind of situation?"

"Still learning."

"You did a good job today," Elizabeth said.

"However, there are a few areas for improvement. First, when Lord Howard asks for your opinion on Brexit, you shouldn't criticize directly; you should first affirm first and then offer suggestions. Second, when talking to ladies, ask more questions and talk less. They like to be listened to."

She leaned against the railing, gazing at the night sky: "Did Max say bad things about me to you?"

Ye Guigen was taken aback.

"Don't deny it, I can tell." Elizabeth smiled.
“He’s right, I am indeed not simple. In the Cavendish family, simple people can’t survive. But ultimately, you have to understand that in this circle, everyone is using others and being used by others. The important thing is that you know what you want and what you are willing to give up.”

She turned to face him: "What I want is to become the head of the Cavendish family and prove myself in a male-dominated world."

“For this, I need a strong partner. Your father is one, and you are another. I will help you grow, give you resources, and make you strong. In return, you will stand by my side in the future.”

"It's that simple?"

“It’s that simple,” Elizabeth said. “Of course, we might develop feelings for each other, become true friends, or even more. But at the core, it’s an alliance of interests. Can you accept that?”

Ye Guigen looked at her. In the moonlight, her face was like a marble statue, beautiful yet cold.

“I can accept it,” he said.

“Very good.” Elizabeth extended her hand. “Then, partners?”

Ye Guigen grasped her hand: "Partner."

That handshake felt like the signing of a contract. In the autumn night of Oxfordshire, in an ancient manor, two young people from different worlds formed their own alliance.

On the way back to London, Ye Guigen kept thinking. Elizabeth was right; this world is a place of exchanging interests. But besides interests, is there anything else? Trust? Friendship? Even…love?
he does not know.

But he knew that once he embarked on this path, there was no turning back.

In early November, Ye Guigen received a call from Ye Xin. Everything was going well for her in Berlin; her work in the lab was progressing well, and her German was improving rapidly.

"Germans are meticulous, but once they accept you, they will treat you with sincerity."

Ye Xin said on the phone, "I'm working on a new project about urban rainwater purification systems. If successful, it can solve the problems of many water-scarce cities."

Do you need help?

"Not for now," Ye Xin smiled. "I want to achieve something on my own. Ye Guigen, how are you doing in London?"

"Still getting used to it."

"I heard you're getting quite close to Elizabeth?"

"She is my guide."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone:

“Be careful. That woman… I’ve looked into her background. When she was sixteen, in order to win a business competition, she leaked her best friend’s design to her rival. Her friend dropped out of school, and she won.”

Ye Guigen's heart sank.

“I’m not saying she’s necessarily a bad person,” Ye Xin said. “But you have to understand that in this industry, some people value success above all else. Don’t be so naive.”

After hanging up the phone, Ye Guigen stood by the dormitory window. Outside, the night view of London was dazzling, yet shrouded in mist.

December marks the start of the Christmas season in London. Streetlights are adorned, shop windows are beautifully decorated, and the air is filled with the aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.

Ye Guigen finished his first semester of classes with straight A's. The professor wrote on his paper: "Insightful and insightful. I look forward to your future development."

Elizabeth took him to several important Christmas parties. At one party in the City of London, he met his father—

Ye Feng came to London on a business trip and took the opportunity to attend the annual meeting of the European branch of the Brothers Group.

"Well done," Ye Feng said to him privately.

"I've heard about your grades and your social skills. But ultimately, remember, grades and social skills are just the foundation. The real test is whether you can seize opportunities when they arise."

"What opportunity?"

“You’ll find out soon enough,” Ye Feng said. “Next spring, Brothers Group will be involved in a major acquisition, involving a German industrial robot company. I’ll need your involvement then.”

On Christmas Eve, Ye Guigen received an email from Su Xiao. She had passed the interview for the Royal Academy of Dance in London and received a full scholarship to come to London next September.

"I don't know how to thank you," Su Xiao wrote in the email. "You gave me a chance to start over. See you in London."

Ye Guigen replied to the email with his blessings. Looking at Su Xiao's photo on the screen—her radiant smile and determined gaze in the dance studio—a complex mix of emotions welled up within him.

The girl who once needed his protection is growing up in her own way. And he, too, is growing up, heading towards a world she may never understand.

During the Christmas holidays, Ye Guigen did not return to the United States but stayed in London. Elizabeth took him to Scotland, where they lived in the Cavendish family's Highland Castle.

There was no cell phone signal, no internet, only vast wilderness, clear lakes, and ancient stone walls.

“I come here every Christmas,” Elizabeth said. “Away from the hustle and bustle of London, away from family feuds, I can just be myself, think, read, and take a walk.”

They strolled along the lake, their breath turning into white mist. The Scottish winter was cold and pristine, a vast expanse of white.

"Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I weren't a member of the Cavendish family."

Elizabeth said, "Maybe I could be an ordinary white-collar worker in London, rent a small apartment, have a cat, and live a simple life."

"But you can't."

“Yes, impossible.” She laughed. “So I choose to accept fate and then change it. Ultimately, you also have to make a choice—accept the fate of the Ye family, or create your own destiny.”

On New Year's Eve, they returned to London. On the banks of the Thames, they watched fireworks light up the night sky, welcoming the new year.

“Happy New Year,” Elizabeth said.

"Happy New Year."

Fireworks illuminated her face, and at that moment, Ye Guigen saw a certain vulnerability in her eyes—a side of her that she rarely showed.

“You know,” Elizabeth whispered:

"Sometimes I envy you. You have choices, you have a way out. If things don't go well, you can go back to China, back to Junken City, that will always be your home. But me... I only have this one path, I can only move forward, I can't turn back."

Ye Guigen took her hand. Her hand was cold.

“I will go with you,” he said.

Elizabeth looked at him, her grey-green eyes reflecting the colors of fireworks. Then she smiled, a smile that held both emotion and a certain resolve.

“Remember what you said today,” she said.

As the New Year's bells rang, people cheered, hugged, and kissed.

In the chilly wind along the Thames, Ye Guigen and Elizabeth stood together, watching the first rays of the new year descend upon London.

He knew that a new year meant new challenges and a new beginning.

And he was ready.

For that coming spring, for that important merger and acquisition, for that wider world.

The road ahead is still long.

But he's already on his way.

And this time, he was no longer alone.

With Elizabeth by his side, his father in front of him, and the entire Ye family behind him, he was ready to face any challenge.

He will keep going.

Keep going.

Until one truly returns to one's roots.

The Thames flows quietly, witnessing the changes of this ancient city, and also witnessing the growth of an Eastern boy in Europe.

But the story has only just begun. (End of Chapter)