The middle-aged man was named Xiao Hongyuan, with the English name Arthur Xiao. He was one of the high-ranking members of the Hongmen, primarily responsible for some Hongmen branches in several eastern US states, including Canada.
His overall strength ranked fourth among the Hongmen high-level members, and he was also a strong contender for the next chairman.
Luke walked to the center of the study and bowed slightly, "Uncle."
Xiao Hongyuan glanced at his son, who was following behind, and casually said, "Sit down!"
Luke pulled a chair and sat opposite him, while Danny stood by.
Xiao Hongyuan took a puff of his cigarette, pointed at the oil painting on the wall, and said, "Luke, do you think the Hongmen resembles this ship about to be swallowed by the waves?"
Luke shook his head. "The Hongmen is not a wooden mast ship, but a super battleship. It won't be swallowed by the waves; it will only be abandoned by the times."
"How can it avoid being abandoned by the times?"
Luke smiled and said, "That's something you and Grandpa should consider. I'm too young and not qualified enough."
Xiao Hongyuan took a puff of his cigarette. "But Grandpa wants you to be the captain!"
His calm words were as still as an ancient well, without any emotional fluctuations, but both Luke and Danny could feel the hidden anger in them.
Regardless of strength or prestige, Xiao Hongyuan was a strong contender for the next chairman. However, Grandpa had given the candidate position to his grandson.
According to Hongmen election rules, once Luke became a candidate, Xiao Hongyuan, from the same family, would not be allowed to participate in the chairman election.
Xiao Hongyuan was only 47 years old, in the prime of his life, full of vigor and ambition, and unwilling to step back and assist his nephew.
This was a dead end, an unsolvable knot.
After a long silence, Luke spoke, "You should know that's Grandpa's idea, not mine. I'm not interested in being a candidate, nor will I contend for it."
"Not contending is the greatest contention!"
Xiao Hongyuan stared fixedly at Luke. He used to be proud of having such an outstanding nephew, even treating him like his own son. Now, he had to treat him as a rival.
"If you don't contend, your subordinates will force you to contend, force you to gain a high position. Zhao Kuangyin's ascension to emperor, Li Erlang's Xuanwu Gate Incident, Wang Mang's usurpation of the Han and establishment of the Xin dynasty—weren't they all like this?"
"This isn't about contending or not contending; you have no choice."
Luke pondered silently, not offering any defense. Danny watched anxiously, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say. Caught between his father and his boss, he was in a difficult position.
Time passed slowly, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
"It seems no matter what I say, Uncle won't believe me. In that case, as your nephew, I'll say something disrespectful." Luke raised his head, his chin slightly lifted, and a domineering aura naturally emerged.
"If I were to contend, all of you combined wouldn't be my match!"
As his words fell, the air became incredibly still, as if about to solidify.
Danny's heart jumped to his throat. His boss was crazy, completely crazy.
Xiao Hongyuan also hadn't expected his usually good-tempered nephew to say such a thing. He was stunned for a while before coming to his senses, taking a deep puff of his cigarette. Remembering something, a hint of mockery appeared on his face.
"Well said. Even my own son is on your side, so how could we possibly contend with you?" With that, he sighed deeply, his words full of desolation.
"Grandpa often praises you to me, saying you are smart, filial, and understand the bigger picture, the future pillar of the Xiao family. If you become the family head, the family will surely soar to new heights. Uncle also admits you have this ability, but this feeling…"
He pounded his chest vigorously. "It just doesn't feel right."
Danny stepped forward. "Dad…"
"Shut up! You have no say here."
Xiao Hongyuan roared, glaring fiercely at his son. Luke sighed softly.
"Cousin, you should go out first."
Danny looked at his father, then at his boss, pursed his lips, and turned to leave.
Stepping out of the study, he saw his mother, Chu Xuan, and his sister, Julian, peeking from the opposite door.
"Why are you two here?"
"Be quiet, you brat!"
Chu Xuan pulled her son closer, nervously asking, "How was it? They didn't fight, did they?"
"Where are you thinking? How could they fight?"
"What do you mean, 'how could they'? Your dad is stubborn and never knows how to compromise. Luke is also not one to suffer losses. When they're together, it's like a tiger against a lion. It would be strange if they didn't fight!"
"And you…"
Chu Xuan pinched her son, annoyed, "Why did you come out instead of staying inside?!"
Danny said aggrievedly, "Luke told me to come out."
"He tells you to come out, and you come out? You clueless brat, hurry back in! If they start fighting, you can break it up."
Julian said speechlessly, "Mom, don't make things worse. Luke and Dad obviously have something to discuss."
"What could they be discussing?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Chu Xuan fell silent, then sighed, saying helplessly, "Contending for a candidate position, is it worth it?"
The conversation in the study lasted a very long time, from noon to afternoon, and still hadn't ended when night fell.
The three outside were anxious, fearing a conflict would erupt inside. Chu Xuan finally couldn't take it anymore.
"No, I'm going in to check."
Before she finished speaking, the door opened, and Luke walked out with a smile on his face.
"Aunt, I won't be having dinner here tonight. I'm meeting some friends."
Chu Xuan glanced into the study, worriedly asking, "You two… settled things?"
"Yes! Everything's clear. We're family, after all; what misunderstanding can't be resolved?"
"That's good, that's good."
Chu Xuan patted her chest, letting out a long sigh of relief. With the matter resolved, her mood also improved.
"Where are you planning to have dinner tonight? I'm warning you, don't go to those shady places again. Look at the 'good things' you did before, the kind of people you hung out with—not a single decent one. Your grandpa is right; we should arrange a marriage for you to curb your philandering."
Marriage?
Julian was stunned for a moment. "What marriage? Luke, are you getting married? Why don't I know?"
Danny interjected, "Grandpa arranged it."
"Really or fake?"
Julian still didn't believe it, her expression even a bit astonished. "Are you sure you're getting married? If those little sluts… those crazy women find out you're getting married, they'll tear your fiancée limb from limb."
Luke said speechlessly, "It's nothing; don't talk nonsense."
"What do you mean 'nothing'? Grandpa has spoken, so it must be true. By the way, who is your fiancée? What does she look like? Is she prettier than me?"
Chu Xuan poked her daughter's forehead. "Much prettier than you."
"You've seen her?"
"I've seen a picture!"
"Where's the picture? Let me see."
"It's in your grandpa's study. If you're brave enough, go look for yourself."
Julian instantly wilted. Among the Xiao family's grandchildren, no one except Luke wasn't afraid of Grandpa; he was like a mountain.
After half an hour of talking and laughing, Luke got up to leave, with Danny following behind.
Inside the BMW, Danny couldn't help but ask, "How did your talk with my dad go?"
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