Lei Zhengyang knew what Old Master Lei wanted to probe, but he couldn't spill the truth. He couldn't say his mind held forty years of future memories, revealing the North Wolf Gang as a looming scourge on the Lei family, demanding ruthless action to uproot them.
The old man's earlier frostiness had thawed. Gazing at Zhengyang, a rare warmth softened his stern features. He didn't grasp Zhengyang's motives, but the decisiveness and precision of his actions filled him with pride. For a clan like the Lei family, such a figure was vital.
"Zhengyang, you moved too fast against the North Wolf Gang," he said, voice measured. "And dragging your Third Uncle into it? He's a soldier, bound by iron discipline. This could ruin his career."
Zhengyang flashed a sly grin. "Grandpa, I know what you're getting at. Truth is, I didn't tell you beforehand because I had to do this—no choice. Even if it stirs trouble for Third Uncle, it's not a big deal."
The old man's brows knitted. "The North Wolf Gang's strong, but in the north, they don't hold enough sway to make the Lei family flinch. Zhengyang, was killing Zhang Feng really just about last year's betrayal?"
"Why not?" Zhengyang's tone sharpened. "The capital is the Lei family's stronghold. I won't allow any threat to us. Killing Zhang Feng was a message: don't play me for a fool, and don't play the Lei family for fools. Grandpa, our family's in a shaky spot right now, and it's because you've lost your killer edge."
"Zhengyang, politics is beyond you," the old man countered.
Zhengyang nodded. "I don't get it, and I don't need to. I know one thing: power rules the world. I'll build my strength, and the rest is just smoke."
Lei Yunbao sighed, weary. "The Lei family isn't one man—it's a whole. You're part of it, Zhengyang. Even if I let you run wild, people don't blame you—they blame the Lei family. Understand?"
"I get it, Grandpa," Zhengyang said, eyes steady. "That's why I won't let the Lei family fall. Anyone scheming against us? I'll crush them one by one. I'm already the reckless playboy—dirty work suits me."
Lei Yunbao studied him. A year ago, Zhengyang couldn't have spoken like this, nor faced him with such calm resolve. Now, his grandson seemed to have aged a lifetime overnight. What happened in that missing year? The old man didn't know, and since Zhengyang didn't volunteer, he didn't press. But since his return, Zhengyang had brought the Lei family waves of pride. Old-fashioned as he was, Lei Yunbao saw it all.
The Science Academy's report on the new operating system had stunned him. At the last core committee meeting, whispers had already begun—proposals to nationalize the system, knowing its launch would rake in global wealth. The motion failed; seizing it outright was theft, and Southern Tech had rebuffed offers to partner or sell shares. Why would they? It was a guaranteed goldmine. Yet, the collaboration between Southern Tech and Tianhua Group hinted at something bigger: the Lei family was steering this epoch-defining IT revolution. Old allies were suddenly cozying up to Lei Yunbao, their motives crystal clear.
Such colossal profits demanded ironclad political protection—no one could hog them alone.
"Zhengyang, about your Southern Tech shares—what's your plan?" The old man veered off-topic, probing a seemingly unrelated issue. Zhengyang knew the new system's buzz had finally caught the capital's eye.
"I hold ninety percent of Southern Tech," Zhengyang replied. "I'll part with twenty percent—that's my line. If the higher-ups push too hard, I'll halt the domestic launch and list abroad. I'd probably make even more."
The East was advancing fast, but its conservatism often shackled progress. Even Lei Yunbao couldn't single-handedly shift that tide. "Don't talk nonsense!" he snapped. "Letting foreigners siphon our wealth?"
Zhengyang smirked, teasing. "Plenty of folks think foreign stuff's better than ours these days."
"Enough," the old man growled. "I'll negotiate with them. Zhengyang, this new X-material—you behind it?"
Such a groundbreaking discovery naturally drew scrutiny, so Zhengyang wasn't surprised. "I just scribbled some equations, gave a starting point. Academician Wang did the heavy lifting. Him name-dropping me probably puts some shine on your face, right, Grandpa?"
No question—it did. A Lei family member driving X-material's discovery was a feather in their cap. Though Zhengyang downplayed it, Academician Wang, a titan in his field, wouldn't lie. He'd even pushed to recruit Zhengyang into the Science Academy, claiming it'd speed up research. The old man was still mulling it over, given its impact on the family.
"Zhengyang, ever thought of joining the Science Academy?" he asked. "You've played around long enough. Time to make a name, bring the Lei family some glory."
Zhengyang glanced at him, amused. "Grandpa, you know my limits. The Science Academy? Waste of time. If they need a hand, I'll pop in for a day or two. Don't get any ideas."
As the old man opened his mouth to persuade, Zhengyang cut in. "I'm working on a new submarine command program. No time for distractions. If it succeeds, it'll boost submarine attack power by fifty percent. Imagine Fourth Uncle as the navy's golden boy then."
Lei Yunbao had been set on nudging Zhengyang toward the X-material project—success there, even shared, would cement his name. But a fifty percent naval boost? That could vault the nation's navy to new heights. He reconsidered. "Fine, I'll fend off the Science Academy. But the submarine program's no small deal—talk it over with your Fourth Uncle. If it works, tell me first. Year-end naval inspections are coming; it'd give your Fourth Uncle a chance to shine, boosting the Lei family's clout. Now, about your Third Uncle's wedding—what's your take?"
Business done, now for family matters. Zhengyang grinned. "Dragon with dragon, phoenix with phoenix. Third Uncle and Instructor Wu Xiaomin are a perfect match. Don't oppose it, Grandpa—push it through fast. The Wu family's a key ally for us."
The old man eyed Zhengyang, a knowing smirk tugging his lips. "And you? Old Man Song was joking the other day—says he'd love you as a grandson-in-law. What do you think?"
"Really?" Zhengyang laughed. "Guess I'm flattered. That old coot's got thick skin—me cussing him out must've sparked something. Too bad, even if I'm game, Song Yingfei's not. She wants things I can't give."
Sensing the old man deliberately steering to his personal life, Zhengyang didn't dodge or comply. His choices were his own. He was destined to be a roguish playboy—last life, he sank; this life, he'd rise. But his love for the game? That stayed.
"Zhengyang," the old man said, voice soft, "I don't know what changed you, and I can't read you sometimes. But whatever you do, remember who you are. Don't shame the Lei family. I'll always back you."
With his sons, Lei Yunbao was a bulldozer—his word was law. But with this grandson, he felt an odd weight. The weathered depth in Zhengyang, a heaviness even a seventy-year-old like him couldn't match, was uncanny. What happened in that lost year? He'd tried every channel to dig up clues, but found nothing. Still, the transformation brought the Lei family honor, so the how mattered less than the result.