Even as a "normie," I'm completely oblivious to it.

She was furious just thinking about it. Her loyalty to her brother was as clear as day!

That tearing was so satisfying.

This feeling also struck Yu Che as strange. She leaned her upper body on the spacious dining table, tilted her head, and looked at Yu Zhe as she spoke.

“My brother tore it up just like that. Does this mean that we can do whatever we want with the Su family from now on? Hehe.”

"That's not called doing whatever you want; it's just that by separating the family, we don't interfere in other people's business, and we're more efficient at getting things done."

Yu Zhe took a sip of soup and added, "And after this New Year, I estimate that it won't be long before I can contact my mother and ask her to come back. Well, although I don't have her contact information either, whatever."

"What? Why bring that woman back?!"

Yu Che sat up straight and asked.

Zixiao coughed twice to remind her, "Ahem... She's still my mother, can't you speak a little more tactfully?"

"That's not important!"

Yu Che's little head turned quickly, and she continued to ask, "Does brother know why that woman disappeared back then? Could it be... related to the division of the family?"

43. I've already surpassed you.

Yu Zhe stood up and, through the window of the first-floor restaurant, could see another residence on the other side of the villa, echoing this residential building.

That used to be Yang Qiuyun's residence in this villa, but it has been vacant for many years since she left.

Yu Zhe sighed softly.

"That's right. If I'm not mistaken, our mother left the main family because of these family division issues."

"What's your basis, brother?" Yu Che didn't quite understand.

"There's no basis for it," Yu Zhe replied. "Do you think someone as smart as Mom would resort to such desperate measures, even feigning death, to disappear unless there was some insurmountable external force at play? The Su family was already very powerful ten years ago; there's no external force involved. The only thing I can think of..."

"Is it just internal competition...?"

“That’s right.” Yu Zhe’s azure eyes seemed to have seen through a lot. “I’m afraid that the power of the family division was too strong at the time. If Mother hadn’t taken some measures, the status of the main family might have been in jeopardy.”

"I don't understand. Even so, what's the point of pretending to be dead? No matter what, she's still a stupid woman."

Even if she used some strategy to preserve her family's status, Yu Che still thought she was stupid. Because of these trivial matters, she made her brother sad for ten years. Isn't it obvious which side is more worthwhile?

Nothing is more important than family.

"Haha... I'm too lazy to guess. Anyway, with the main family's development to this point, it shouldn't be a big problem for her to come back now."

At this point, Zixiao suddenly realized: "Ah! Last time in that underground parking lot, when Mom appeared, didn't she say, 'When I can show up depends on you'? Did Brother already guess back then that it was because of the family division?"

"I guess so," Yu Zhe nodded. "At the time, that was the only explanation I could think of, wasn't it?"

Upon learning this, Yu Che became increasingly angry: "Tsk, I remember she was called some kind of super genius back then? That's all she's capable of. In the end, she needs her brother to handle everything, and she hides away, too afraid to come out."

"That's not quite right. The power dynamics of the family when they split up were very different back then. Rather, it's because our mother paved the way for us that we were able to reach where we are today. Without her, we wouldn't be doing so well today."

Waaah... My brother is still speaking up for her. Yu Che is really angry. Yu Che hates Yang Qiuyun's actions the most.

Yu Che felt that it didn't matter that Yang Qiuyun had left and abandoned her, but the important thing was that you couldn't let your brother get hurt!

Perhaps sensing that Yu Che was still extremely resentful, Yu Zhe patted her little head with a wry smile.

"Yu Che deserves half the credit for this. At least half of the development of our family's strength was brought about by you during the time you ran the company. You truly deserve to be my sister, the rising star of the business world in Fenghai City. You are too strong."

"Hehehe, can all the money I earn for the Su family be used to buy my brother's love?"

"Little rascal..."

"Cough cough!"

Zixiao had to speak up to break the somewhat awkward atmosphere.

It's a good thing that the two have a harmonious relationship, but every time Yu Che takes advantage of this atmosphere, she secretly climbs onto Yu Zhe.

And the older brother's reaction speed always slows down in this kind of atmosphere, which is quite dangerous!

Another thing is that, from this window, you can see that all the lights in the auditorium are on.

Zixiao pointed in that direction: "By the way, brother, do we still need to go over there? It seems like the New Year's Eve banquet is about to start."

The New Year's Eve dinner is a regular event that the Su family holds every year.

All the branch families gathered at the main family's home; it was a family banquet attended only by members of the Su family.

But this year is different... Just now, Yu Zhe made that announcement in the council hall, which meant that the relationship between the main family and the branch family this year would not be as "harmonious" as in previous years.

Well, the harmony in previous years was just a facade.

In response, Yu Zhe immediately stood up and said, "Go ahead, why not? It's a banquet that our family paid for ourselves, wouldn't it be a waste if we didn't attend?"

"Ha, brother, that's just like you."

Zixiao had anticipated his response and had already stood up.

Having just settled the matter of the family division, it's impossible for my brother not to add fuel to the fire.

Little did she know that as soon as Zixiao got up to clear the dishes as was her habit, several maids who had been waiting at the door rushed over in a panic.

"Miss Zixiao! Leave this to us!"

"Oh? I'm...it's okay, I'll help you carry the tableware to the kitchen, it's on my way anyway."

"No, no, no! Miss Zixiao, you should rest!"

Oh dear, Zixiao forgot that she had returned to her ancestral home.

There are maids on duty everywhere, so there's basically nothing for you to do.

In the end, they couldn't win against the maids, so they quickly took the trays, cleared away the dishes, and ran to the kitchen.

Seeing this, Yu Che smiled and said, "Goodness, does our family still need a maid corps in the future? With Zi Xiao around, won't they soon be out of a job?"

"That's the effect of living away from home for a while."

Yu Zhe remarked with some emotion, "After living away for a year, it's normal to feel out of place when you come back. Let's keep the maid troupe; after all, they're all with the Su family."

So many years have passed, but we need to discuss with them when we can come back to live with them. We'll have to take responsibility for our own dishes and such, because that's life, after all.

The mundane details of daily life are what make life peaceful and idyllic. But you know what? On the day he returned, the maids took care of everything. Yu Zhe hadn't thought much of it before, but now that Zi Xiao had mentioned it, he felt a little uncomfortable.

After all, the Su family's maid squad is also known as the all-powerful maid squad.

for example...

The maid standing at the door right now!

Even though I'm going out now, you absolutely don't need to lay carpet on the outside! Are you going to carpet it all the way to the auditorium?!

....................

Finally, they stopped the maids' outrageous behavior. They always felt that they should work harder for the family during the New Year, but there was no need for that. The New Year is a time for everyone to rest.

Yu Zhe brought his two younger sisters to the outside of the auditorium.

The meeting at noon took too long. I went back to have lunch, and when I came out again, it was already getting dark.

As dusk was drawing to a close, the auditorium was already brightly lit and decorated, and festive music could be heard playing from inside.

With the addition of these elaborately decorated red lanterns outside, it really creates a festive atmosphere for the Chinese New Year.

Yu Zhe pushed open the doors of the auditorium and went inside. He found that the entire auditorium was decorated in a magnificent style, displaying the current strength of the main family everywhere.

"Haha... Brother, look around, there's not a single stubborn old man. Did they all get angry and leave?"

"I guess so, but that's not important. Let's not think about anything else. Let's enjoy the New Year and have some dessert!"

"Okay!" "Hey, you can't eat too many desserts, well... today is another day."

Yu Che and Zi Xiao were also very happy to see this.

The hall is now filled with young people from the branch families, as well as some children. The elders who were having a meeting in the council hall are not here, except for Third Grandfather, who is talking to Su Zhenfeng on the third floor of the hall.

This is a good start.

Yu Zhe watched Yu Che and Zi Xiao grabbing cakes from the shelf and eating them while making a fuss, and couldn't help but smile knowingly.

Being in a large family, only by being strong enough can you protect their smiles.

Mom, I'll do what you couldn't do.

Just like what Yang Qiuyun said to Yu Zhe when they were children.

"Yu Zhe, although it's cruel, you still have to walk the road ahead by yourself. In order to protect the people you want to protect, you must become strong, even stronger than your mother."

Come to think of it, hehe, it seems I've already surpassed you.

44. You can't do it alone.

Looking around, most of the people who stayed behind in their respective homes were probably young people.

Those elders from the branch families who had more volatile tempers probably left with their people. In other words, those who stayed behind were those who had decided to support the main family.

This ratio is already much better than Yu Zhe had expected.

Yu Zhe does know quite a few people among the younger generation. Although everyone is dressed in suits and ties, they don't have the same restraint they would have at other family gatherings, after all, they are all children of the Su family.

Ahem... Even if he's not too reserved, Yu Zhe is still a bit out of place wearing just a T-shirt and casual pants.

Yu Che and Zi Xiao were still eating cake over there. Yu Zhe didn't really like these desserts, so he leaned against the wall near the door and waited.

Let them eat for a while, then go back.

He stood there for a short while, and then several people walked towards Yu Zhe.

There were men and women, and they were all dashing and heroic.

"Hey! Yuzhe, I saw you from far away. Don't you look even more beautiful than before?"

"Yes, your appearance made the whole venue pale in comparison."

Wow, can you please not use the word "pretty"... And, you think my T-shirt can make everyone else pale in comparison?! You're overestimating it.

Oblivious to his own appearance, Yu Zhe once again forgot about his own level of attractiveness.

These people are all relatives' children, and Yu Zhe, as a member of the same family, naturally welcomes them.

"No, not at all, cousins, it's been such a long time! How have things been going for you all lately?"

A black-haired boy standing at the front quickly replied, "It went smoothly! This is all thanks to you, cousin. We were just talking about this. With you in the Su family, we all benefit from your success."