CHAPTER 123: CHAPTER 120: THE AURA OF THE SUPERIOR

When Ye Qiu saw the elderly man with a head full of white hair, leaning on a cane and dressed in a traditional Tang suit, a single glance from the man made Ye Qiu’s breath catch.

"Such terrifying eyes!"

Ye Qiu quickly looked away, avoiding the man’s eyes, while noticing the genuine fear in the eyes of the surrounding influential people.

Ye Qiu could see that those people, including the previously overbearing Ouyang Feng and Ye Han, now revealed genuine fear and dread at the sight of this elderly man.

And from Ye Xuan calling him grandpa, Ye Qiu knew that this man’s identity in the Ye Family was certainly no simple matter.

"Grandpa, why did you come here!"

Once the elderly man appeared, Ye Xuan joyfully ran over like a little girl, hugging the man’s arm and asking.

Ye Han also cautiously approached the old man, respectfully saying, "Hello, Grandpa!"

Ouyang Feng also carefully approached the old man, saying, "Hello, Grandpa Ye."

"Hmm."

The old man looked at Ouyang Feng and asked, "Whose son are you in the Ouyang family?"

"I am from the Ouyang family, the youngest son of the current patriarch, Ouyang Taotian." Ouyang Feng replied.

The old man nodded, "So you’re the little puppy of that brat Ouyang Taotian..."

Ouyang Feng’s face twitched at these words, and the people around stifled their laughter.

Given that the Ouyang family’s power was on par with the Ye Family as one of the four great families of Shangjing, even if the old man’s identity was significant, he shouldn’t call the current patriarch of the Ouyang family like that.

However, seeing Ouyang Feng responding without any discontent, Ye Qiu secretly nodded, thinking, "It seems that although the reputation of the four great families is mutual, the Ye Family firmly holds the top position, and this old man might be the most powerful existence in the Ye Family."

While Ye Qiu was pondering the old man’s identity, the old man seemed to sense something and turned his head towards Ye Qiu.

In that instant, Ye Qiu felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him, causing his breathing to quicken noticeably.

As the old man’s gaze fell on Ye Qiu, some of the surrounding people also looked at Ye Qiu, and then began to discuss among themselves.

"Who is this kid? How did he get into our Ye Family?"

"Never heard of him, never seen him in Shangjing. Could it be the second young lady, Ye Xuan, brought him back?"

"Don’t know, but seeing the old master spot this kid, if he doesn’t get angry, it’s fine. But if he does, even the second young lady can’t bear it. The old master did say outsiders are not allowed in the Ye Family premises."

Amidst these discussions, Ouyang Feng nudged Ye Han’s arm, mocking Ye Qiu, who was under the old man’s gaze and looked troubled, and said, "Hey Xiao Han, it seems Ye Lao is about to lose his temper. This kid Ye Qiu is probably in for some bad luck."

Knowing his grandpa’s temper, Ye Han was aware that Ye Lao had set a rule that non-Ye family members were not allowed inside the Ye Family gates. So, seeing his grandpa staring at Ye Qiu, he agreed with Ouyang Feng, nodding, "Heh, that kid brought it upon himself. He thinks being friends with my sister entitles him to come into the Ye Family. He needs a reality check."

Ye Han’s first impression of Ye Qiu was not favorable. First, he couldn’t stand Ye Qiu’s conceit, and second, seeing Ye Qiu and his sister together displeased him.

Ye Han was proud, and his sister was so excellent. If Ye Qiu were to become his brother-in-law, Ye Han would be completely unwilling.

To become his brother-in-law, he must at least earn his admiration.

The words of the people around reached Ye Qiu’s ears, making his expression even grimmer, his face notably bad, as the eyes of the old man seemed to see through all his secrets.

It felt like before this old man, all his secrets were no longer secrets.

Cold sweat dripped from his forehead, and his back was already wet, but since the old man did not speak, neither did Ye Qiu. After all, he had a clear conscience and had done nothing wrong or criminal.

Moreover, his entry into the Ye Family was aided by Ye Xuan, so thinking of this, he straightened his back, holding the old man’s gaze.

His eyes were sharp, and his aura slowly recovered.

Ye Qiu’s body, having been systemically strengthened, had undergone some subtle changes, although he wasn’t entirely aware of them himself.

The aura in his gaze radiated confidence, fearless courage, and a strong will.

"Hmm?"

At the moment Ye Qiu’s gaze changed, a gleam flashed in the old man’s eyes, and he thought to himself while looking at Ye Qiu, "Interesting!"

At this moment, Ye Xuan saw Ye Qiu being oppressed by the old man’s presence and hugged the old man’s arm, saying, "Grandpa, Ye Qiu is my friend, I brought him..."

Before Ye Xuan could finish her sentence, the old man waved a hand to interrupt her and looked at Ye Qiu, finally speaking, "Your name is Ye Qiu?"

The old man’s voice was steady and magnetic, and just by speaking, he exuded the aura of someone in a higher position.

The so-called aura of an authoritative figure, it’s indescribable, inexplicable, something one can only feel when facing it in person.

Ye Qiu took a deep breath, nodded, and replied without humility or arrogance, "Yes, sir, my name is Ye Qiu."

"This brat talking to Grandpa with such an attitude, he’s looking for trouble."

Seeing Ye Qiu’s unyielding attitude, Ye Han, who had a poor first impression of Ye Qiu, pouted in disdain.

Ouyang Feng also let out a cold chuckle, evidently ready to see what consequences Ye Qiu would face if he angered the old man.

"Ha, ha ha ha..."

Unexpectedly, upon seeing Ye Qiu’s unyielding demeanor, the old man paused in silence for a moment before bursting into a hearty laugh, which only grew louder and more cheerful.

The people around were puzzled, and Ye Qiu knitted his brows in confusion, then looked at Ye Xuan, who shook her head at him, indicating her own uncertainty.

"What’s happened to Grandpa? He called Ye Qiu to our Ye Family and now only asked for his name, then burst into laughter!"

Ye Xuan dared to bring Ye Qiu to the Ye Family naturally because the master of the Ye Family in front of her had asked her to bring him.

Otherwise, even though her grandpa usually indulged her, she wouldn’t dare to bring outsiders into the Ye Family lightly. But now the old man’s reaction was confusing to her, making her wonder why he had this reaction.

"Could it be that Ye Qiu is really...?"

As if realizing something, Ye Xuan’s beautiful eyes widened, looking at the old man and then at Ye Qiu, covering her mouth in disbelief, but then a trace of sadness flashed across her face.

"If he truly is my brother, then I..." Ye Xuan shook her head.

After his laughter subsided, the old man looked at Ye Qiu with a kindly face and said, "Ye Qiu is a good name, a very good name..."

After saying this, he waved to Ye Qiu and, amidst the surprised eyes of others, said, "Come, follow me to the backyard!"