Great Power Reclamation

January in London was cold and damp, with a thin mist hanging over the Thames. Ye Guigen's second semester had begun, and the courses were noticeably more difficult, but he had already adapted to the pace.

On Tuesday afternoon, he had just stepped out of his international finance classroom when his phone vibrated. It was Elizabeth, her voice unusually urgent:

"Come to Knightsbridge immediately, something has happened."

Half an hour later, Ye Guigen arrived at the Cavendish family villa. The butler led him directly to the study on the third floor, where Elizabeth was standing by the window, holding a document in her hand, her face ashen.

"What's wrong?" Ye Guigen asked.

Elizabeth threw the documents on the table: "My second brother, Charles. Behind my father's back, he used the family trust to leverage an investment in a cryptocurrency fund. Now the fund has collapsed, and the losses could reach £200 million."

Ye Guigen picked up the document and quickly scanned it. Behind the complex financial terminology lay a simple fact:

Charles Cavendish, Elizabeth's "art-obsessed" older brother, secretly pledged part of the family assets to invest in a high-risk cryptocurrency project three months ago. Now the project team has absconded with the funds, and the collateral faces liquidation.

"Does your father know?"

"I don't know yet." Elizabeth rubbed her temples.

“Charles came to me this morning, kneeling and begging me to keep it a secret for him. He said that if his father found out, he would kick him out of the family.”

What are you planning to do?

Elizabeth turned around, her grey-green eyes burning with rage:

“I wanted to kill him. But killing him wouldn’t solve the problem. The £200 million hole had to be filled before the family’s annual audit, or the entire Cavendish Bank would be implicated.”

She walked to the liquor cabinet, poured herself a large glass of whiskey, and drank it all in one gulp: "Charles said there's a way to make money quickly."

"any solution?"

“Underground boxing,” Elizabeth said in a low voice. “There’s an underground boxing betting circle in East London with huge stakes. If you bet right, you can win tens of millions in one fight.”

Ye Guigen frowned: "This is illegal, and extremely risky."

“I know!” Elizabeth slammed her glass down.

“But I had no choice. The family audit starts next month, and if this loss is discovered, not only will Charles be finished, but the entire Cavendish family will become a laughing stock. My father’s heart can’t take that kind of blow.”

She walked up to Ye Guigen and grabbed his arms with both hands: "I need your help."

How can I help?

“Come with me to that boxing match,” Elizabeth said.

"I need someone to watch me and prevent me from doing anything foolish. I also need someone... to pull me out when I've lost everything."

Ye Guigen looked into her eyes. The Elizabeth who was always calm, composed, and in control was gone, replaced by an anxious, vulnerable, and desperate woman.

"When?" he asked.

"tonight."

The nights in London's East End are another world. Narrow streets, graffiti-covered walls, and the air thick with the smells of marijuana and garbage.

Elizabeth was wearing a black leather jacket and sunglasses, and driving an unremarkable old car.

"The person we're going to meet is called 'Razor,' and he's the organizer of underground boxing matches."

As she drove, she said, "He and my second brother are 'friends,' and if what Charles said is true, Razor should be willing to give us a chance."

The car stopped outside an abandoned factory. Two burly men stood at the entrance. Upon seeing Elizabeth, one of them spoke a few words into a walkie-talkie and then gestured for them to go inside.

The factory interior had been converted into an underground boxing ring. In the center was an iron cage ring, surrounded by makeshift chairs, all of which were already full. The air was thick with the smells of sweat, blood, and the pungent odor of performance-enhancing drugs.

Razor was a bald man in his fifties with a scar on his face and a spider web tattoo on his neck. He sat in the best seat, with a scantily clad woman on each side.

“Miss Cavendish, what a rare guest.”

Razor grinned, revealing his gold teeth. "Charles told me about your troubles. Trying to turn things around?"

“Give me the best odds,” Elizabeth said.

Razor sized her up, then looked at Ye Guigen: "And who is this?"

“My people.”

“Alright.” Razor beckoned to his men. “Next match: ‘Siberian Bears’ vs. ‘Bangkok Vipers’. Odds: 3 to 1. ‘Siberian Bears’ is the favorite.”

Elizabeth glanced at the ring. Two boxers were warming up.

"Siberian Bear" is a two-meter-tall, muscular Russian man, resembling a real bear. "Bangkok Viper," on the other hand, is a lean Thai man, agile in movement, with a cold, sinister gaze.

“I’m betting on ‘Bangkok Vipers’,” Elizabeth said.

Razor raised an eyebrow: "Are you sure? 'Siberian Bear' has won twelve games in a row."

"determine."

How much to bet?

Elizabeth pulled a check from her bag: "Five million pounds."

There was a moment of silence. Five million pounds was a huge sum, even in this circle.

Razor took the check, examined it carefully, and smiled: "The Cavendish family certainly has guts. Okay, deal."

The match began. Just as Razor had predicted, "Siberian Bear" held a decisive advantage. Every punch he threw was like a hammer blow, forcing the Thai boxer to retreat steadily. At the end of the first round, "Bangkok Viper" was covered in blood.

“You made the wrong bet,” Ye Guigen whispered in Elizabeth’s ear.

"It's not over yet." Elizabeth stared intently at the ring.

In the second round, "Siberian Bear" continued his fierce attack. But Ye Guigen noticed that although "Bangkok Viper" was being hit, he was able to avoid vital points each time. Moreover, his eyes were very calm, too calm.

In the third round, the situation suddenly changed. "Siberian Bear" missed a powerful punch, revealing a huge opening.

"Bangkok Viper" darted out like a real venomous snake, delivering a precise elbow strike to his opponent's Adam's apple. "Siberian Bear" collapsed to the ground, clutching his neck, and the referee began the count.

Ten, nine, eight...

The Siberian bear struggled to stand up, but failed.

Three, two, one!

"Bangkok Viper" won!
Gasps and curses erupted from the audience. Most people had bet on the "Siberian Bear" and were now bankrupt.

Razor's face was grim, but he still returned the check to Elizabeth and added another one:
"Fifteen million. Miss Cavendish has excellent taste."

“Next game,” Elizabeth said.

"Still want to gamble?"

"I want to win two hundred million."

Razor stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed: "Interesting. The next match is a special, 'Black Panther' versus 'Grey Wolf.' Both are rookies with no prior record, and the odds are 1 to 1. Do you dare to bet?"

"Introduce them."

Razor called over two boxers. "Black Panther" was a black man with perfectly defined muscles and a fierce look in his eyes. "Grey Wolf" was a white man with a relatively slender build, but his movements were extremely coordinated.

Elizabeth carefully observed the two men, then said, "I bet 'Grey Wolf,' ten million."

The match began. This time, Elizabeth misjudged. "Black Panther" was clearly stronger, surpassing "Grey Wolf" in speed, power, and skill. In the second round, "Grey Wolf" suffered a broken rib and collapsed to the ground.

Ten million, gone.

Elizabeth's face was pale, but her eyes were even more frantic: "Again."

In the third round, she bet five million and lost again.

The fourth game, eight million, another loss.

In less than two hours, she lost all of the 15 million she had won and even lost several million more.

"That's enough." Ye Guigen grabbed her arm. "We should go."

"No!" Elizabeth shook him off. "I have to win this back!"

"You'll only get deeper into trouble this way!"

Just then, Razor walked over: "Miss Cavendish, it seems you're having a bad night. But I can give you a chance to turn things around."

"What opportunity?"

"The final match is the championship challenge," Razor said. "Our defending champion, 'The Grim Reaper,' hasn't lost in a year. Tonight, whoever beats him will win £50 million."

What are the odds?

"One to ten. Bet on 'Death' to win, odds 1 to 1.1. Bet on the Challenger to win, odds 1 to 10."

Elizabeth looked toward the ring. A boxer wearing a skull mask was warming up; that was "Death."

He is about 1.9 meters tall, and his muscles are not as exaggerated as other boxers, but each muscle is as hard as steel. His movements are concise and efficient, without any unnecessary steps.

“Who is the challenger?” Elizabeth asked.

Razor laughed: "That depends on whether anyone dares to take the challenge. So, Miss Cavendish, are your people interested?"

He looked at Ye Guigen.

Ye Guigen was taken aback: "I don't box."

“What a pity,” Razor said. “Then you’ll have to place bets. Betting on ‘Death’ is a sure win, but the payout is small. Betting on the Challenger is riskier, but if you win, you’ll have fifty million.”

Elizabeth bit her lip. She had already lost nearly twenty million. If she bet on "Death," she could only win a small amount, which wouldn't solve the problem. If she bet on "Challenger"...

“I’m betting on the challenger,” she said.

"Are you crazy?" Ye Guigen said. "There are no challengers at all!"

“It will happen.” Elizabeth looked at Ye Guigen. “You go.”

"what?"

“Go up to the ring.” Elizabeth grabbed his hand. “Ye Guigen, I know you can fight. I watched the video when you faced Old Scar and his gang in Junken City. You were very strong.”

"That's a street fight, not a professional boxing match!"

“It makes no difference.” There was a mad light in Elizabeth’s eyes. “I need that fifty million. If you win, half of the losses will be covered. Please.”

Ye Guigen looked into her eyes. The once aloof and high-and-mighty eldest daughter of the Cavendish family was now like a drowning person, clinging tightly to him as a lifeline.

“What if I lose?” he asked.

“You won’t lose,” Elizabeth said. “I believe in you.”

Razor chuckled beside him: "Interesting. Kid, are you sure you want to fight? 'Death' never leaves anyone alive. There was a challenger last month, and he's still in intensive care."

Ye Guigen took a deep breath. He remembered his great-grandfather's words about "the blood of the Corps," his grandfather's words about "there are no cowards in the Ye family," and his father's words about "playing your own game within the rules set by others."

“I’ll hit him,” he said.

Razor's eyes lit up: "Good! You've got guts! We'll start in ten minutes!"

In the locker room, Ye Guigen changed into boxing shorts and put on gloves. Elizabeth followed him in and closed the door.

“Ye Guigen, listen up,” she said quickly. “'Death’s' real name is Andrei, a former Russian special forces combat instructor.”

“His weakness is his left knee, which he injured three years ago. Also, he has a habit of finishing the fight with a right hook in the second round. You need to avoid that punch and attack his left knee.”

How do you know all this?

“Charles told me,” Elizabeth said. “He used to come here often and knew every boxer like the back of his hand.”

She walked up to Ye Guigen and cupped his face in her hands:

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this. But if you win, I swear I'll never let you take any more risks in my life."

Tears welled up in her eyes. It was the first time Ye Guigen had ever seen her cry.

“I will win,” he said.

Elizabeth stood on tiptoe and kissed him. This kiss was different from the one in the provincial capital; it was urgent, desperate, as if grasping at the last glimmer of hope.

"We must win," she whispered in his ear.

At the edge of the ring, Razor announced: "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's special challenge match! The defending champion 'Death' versus 'Dragon,' a mysterious challenger from the East!"

Ye Guigen put on the dragon mask provided by the organizers and walked into the iron cage. The audience erupted in boos and laughter—he was half a head shorter than "Death" and much thinner.

The "Grim Reaper" shrugged his shoulders opposite him, his eyes beneath the mask as cold as the real Grim Reaper.

The bell rang.

In the first round, "Death" didn't rush to attack but observed. Ye Guigen moved cautiously, maintaining his distance. Thirty seconds later, "Death" suddenly launched an attack, a straight punch aimed at his face.

Ye Guigen dodged to the side, simultaneously delivering a low sweeping kick to the opponent's left knee. "Death" staggered, but quickly regained his balance, a hint of wariness appearing in his eyes.

The two began to spar tentatively. Ye Guigen discovered that "Death's" power was indeed astonishing; every punch was accompanied by the sound of wind.

But he also has weaknesses—he's not fast enough, and as Elizabeth said, his left knee isn't very flexible.

The first round ended with neither side landing a significant hit.

In the second round, "Death" intensified his offensive. His combination punches came like a storm, and Ye Guigen could only dodge. A minute later, Ye Guigen was forced into a corner.

It's now!

As expected, "Death" unleashed his signature right hook.

Ye Guigen was prepared; he crouched to dodge and simultaneously landed an uppercut on his opponent's chin. "Death" swayed for a moment, and Ye Guigen seized the opportunity, delivering three consecutive heavy punches to his left knee.

Death kneels on one knee!
The stands erupted. No one had expected this young man from the East to defeat the defending champion.

But "Death" quickly stood up, his eyes turning ferocious. He removed his mask, revealing a face covered in scars.

“You’re asking for it,” he said in Russian.

In the third round, "Death" completely abandoned defense and launched a frenzied attack. Ye Guigen took several punches, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, his ribs throbbing with pain. But he gritted his teeth and persevered, always aiming for his opponent's left knee.

Time ticked by. Ye Guigen's strength was waning, and "Death" was in no better shape; his left knee was visibly swollen, and his movements were becoming sluggish.

With thirty seconds left, Ye Guigen saw an opportunity. "Death" missed a powerful punch, his body leaning forward. Ye Guigen used all his strength to deliver a spinning kick that struck his opponent's left knee.

A crisp "snap" sounded.

"Death" screamed and fell to the ground, rolling around while clutching his knees.

The referee begins the countdown. Ten, nine, eight...

"Death" tried to stand up, but his left knee was completely deformed.

Three, two, one!

The match is over!

Ye Guigen won!
The stands fell silent, then erupted in wild cheers. No one had expected this outcome.

Razor walked onto the ring with a grim face and announced, "The winner is 'Dragon'!"

Elizabeth rushed into the iron cage and hugged Ye Guigen: "You won! You really won!"

Ye Guigen removed his mask, gasping for breath. His whole body ached, but seeing the tears and smile in Elizabeth's eyes, he felt it was all worth it.

Backstage, Razor handed over a check: "Fifty million. Kid, you're pretty good. Interested in coming back for more games?"

"No need," Ye Guigen said. "Just this once."

Razor shrugged. "Suit yourself. But let me warn you, 'Death' won't let this go so easily. He has connections in Russia, so be careful."

On the way back, Elizabeth clutched the check tightly, laughing and crying at the same time: "Fifty million! Adding to the fifteen million I won before, that's a total of sixty-five million! It can cover half of my losses!"

Ye Guigen leaned back in his seat, his whole body aching: "What about my other half?"

“I have a way,” Elizabeth said. “Charles said he has a lot of artwork that he can use as collateral. That should be enough.”

She turned to look at Ye Guigen, her eyes softening: "Thank you. I would have been finished today without you."

"Don't do such a foolish thing again."

"I swear, it won't happen again."

Elizabeth grasped his hand. "Ye Guigen, today you showed me something different. Not just your fighting skills, but... the courage to never give up in dire straits. I thought I understood you, but I didn't."

She leaned on his shoulder: "You know, from childhood to adulthood, the people around me are either afraid of me or want to take advantage of me. Only you, when I was at my most vulnerable, did not run away, but instead stood up to protect me."

"Because we are partners."

“More than just partners,” Elizabeth said softly. “From today onward, you are someone I can trust. Perhaps… more.”

It was almost dawn when the car entered Knightsbridge. The butler was waiting anxiously at the door.

"Miss, the master has arrived."

Elizabeth's expression changed: "Father? Why is he here?"

"He has found out about Young Master Charles and is waiting for you in the study."

In the study, Henry Cavendish sat in his wheelchair, his face grim. Seeing Elizabeth and Ye Guigen enter, he said coldly, "Explain."

Elizabeth placed the check on the table: "Father, I've taken care of Charles's matter. Half of the loss has been covered, and I'll resolve the other half within a week."

Henry glanced at the check, then at Ye Guigen: "I heard you went to a place you shouldn't have tonight, and even made Mr. Ye participate in underground boxing?"

That's the only way.

"Foolish!" Henry slammed his fist on the table. "The Cavendish daughter has stooped to resorting to underground boxing to solve her problems! Do you know what the consequences will be if word gets out about tonight's events?"

"But the problem is solved."

“Solving a problem with the wrong method is worse than not solving it at all!” Henry coughed violently, and Elizabeth quickly handed him water.

After calming down, Henry looked at Ye Guigen:
“Mr. Ye, thank you for helping my daughter. But I hope this matter ends here. If any rumors spread…”

“There will be no word from you,” Ye Guigen said. “Everyone in the boxing match wears a mask, so nobody knows who I am.”

Henry nodded, then closed his eyes wearily.
“Elizabeth, I will handle Charles. You did the right thing, but the method was wrong. From today onwards, you will be in full charge of the family trust fund. As for your second brother… let him spend a few years on a farm in Australia.”

"Yes, Father."

After Henry was pushed away by the butler, Elizabeth slumped onto the sofa.

“Your father is very strict,” Ye Guigen said.

“But he was right.” Elizabeth smiled bitterly. “I did use the stupidest method. Ye Guigen, I’m sorry to have shown you the most despicable side of the Cavendish family.”

“Every family has its unpleasant side.”

Elizabeth looked at him and suddenly asked, "Why don't you ask why I'm so desperate to protect Charles? He was so stupid, he almost ruined the whole family."

"Because he's your brother?"

“Not just.” Elizabeth closed her eyes. “Before my mother died, she held my hand and said, ‘Lisa, take care of your brothers.’ She loved Charles the most because Charles was most like her—sensitive, romantic, and not suited to this cruel world.”

She opened her eyes, tears welling up: "So I must protect him, even if he makes mistakes again and again. This is my promise to my mother."

Ye Guigen took her hand. This time, Elizabeth did not refuse; instead, she held it tightly.

“I will remember everything you did for me today,” she said. “Ye Guigen, from today onwards, I owe you my life. Whenever you need me, I will be there.”

As dawn broke, Ye Guigen prepared to leave.

“Your injury,” Elizabeth said, “I’ll have the family doctor take a look.”

"No need, it's just a superficial wound."

"At least let me help you with this."

In Elizabeth's bedroom, she personally treated Ye Guigen's wounds. Ye Guigen gasped in pain as the medicine was applied.

"Bear with it." Elizabeth's movements were gentle. "Your back is covered in bruises, and you might have a fractured rib. You need to go to the hospital for a checkup."

"Let's go tomorrow."

After treating the wound, Elizabeth did not leave, but sat on the edge of the bed:

"Don't leave today, just rest here. I'll stay with you."

Ye Guigen was too tired and fell asleep quickly. In his dream, he returned to the military reclamation city and practiced boxing in the courtyard. His great-grandfather watched from the side, nodding and smiling.

When she woke up, it was already afternoon. Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, and Elizabeth was asleep by the bedside, a damp towel in her hand.

Ye Guigen gently got up, but still woke her up.

"You're awake?" Elizabeth rubbed her eyes. "How are you feeling?"

"much better."

She touched his forehead: "He has a slight fever. I'll call the doctor."

"No need." Ye Guigen grabbed her hand. "Sit with me for a while."

The two sat by the window, gazing at London outside. The afternoon sun bathed the city in a golden light.

“Returning to one’s roots,” Elizabeth suddenly said, “If I weren’t the eldest daughter of the Cavendish family, and you weren’t the heir to the Ye family, would our relationship be different?”

"What relationship?"

“A simple relationship,” Elizabeth said. “Like a normal couple, dating, arguing, making up, planning for the future. No need to consider family, no need to consider interests, just the two of us.”

Ye Guigen remained silent.

“But we are,” Elizabeth said with a wry smile. “I am Cavendish, and you are Ye Guigen. Our relationship is destined to be anything but simple.”

She turned to face him: "But after today, I want to tell you something—I like you. Not just the liking of a business partner, but the liking of a woman for a man."

Ye Guigen looked at her. Sunlight shone on her face, and her gray-green eyes were clear and bright, without calculation or pretense, only sincerity.

“I like you too,” he said.

Elizabeth smiled, a smile that contained relief, joy, and a certain sadness.

She kissed him. The kiss was tender and lingering, like a promise, like a farewell, like a love whose ending was known even before it began.

“But we can’t be together,” she whispered between kisses. “At least not now. I have my responsibilities, and you have your path. We need to become strong enough to decide our own destiny.”

When can we do that?

"When the Cavendish family and the Ye family are no longer our constraints, but our support."

Elizabeth said, "When the day comes that we can stand on equal footing, not as representatives of the family, but simply as Elizabeth and Ye Guigen."

She cupped his face in her hands: "Until then, we must be patient, we must grow, we must become stronger. Can you wait for me?"

Ye Guigen nodded: "Yes."

“It’s settled then.” Elizabeth kissed him again. “Now, let’s deal with what’s in front of us. Your injury, Charles’s mess, and… Death’s revenge.”

Mentioning "Death," Ye Guigen frowned: "Will he seek revenge?"

“Definitely,” Elizabeth said. “Underground boxing has its own rules. If you ruin his reputation, he will definitely come after you. Stay here for the next few days and don’t go out alone.”

"I can't keep hiding forever."

“I know,” Elizabeth said. “So we have to strike first. ‘Death’s’ real name is Andrei Ivanov, a former Russian agent who defected to Britain three years ago. His identity is fake, and if it’s exposed, he’ll be extradited back.”

"You have something on him?"

“Charles has it,” Elizabeth laughed. “My good-for-nothing second brother, he’s good at nothing else, but he’s got a knack for collecting dirt on people.”

“Andrei once laundered money for an oligarch, and Charles has the evidence. If he dares to touch you, we will release this evidence.”

Ye Guigen looked at her. At this moment, he saw the real Elizabeth—beautiful, intelligent, dangerous, and willing to use any means necessary for those she cared about.

“You don’t have to do this for me,” he said.

“I have to do this,” Elizabeth said, “because you risked your life for me. Back home, in London, in this cruel world, you gave me something I haven’t had in a long time—a sense of security. So I will protect you, at all costs.”

Outside the window, the London afternoon sun shines brightly. The Thames flows quietly, bearing witness to the city's secrets and promises.

In this villa in Knightsbridge, two young people made a vow to each other—not sweet words, not grand promises, but to become each other's support and strength in this complex world.

The road ahead is long, and danger still lies ahead.

But at least for this moment, they have each other.

Some feelings, once they sprout, will never disappear.

Some bonds, once formed, are destined to last a lifetime.

The path of returning to one's roots and Elizabeth's path intertwine at this moment.

No one knows what the future holds.

But they know that from this day forward, they are no longer alone.

That's enough. (End of Chapter)