Chapter 316: Angel Association
Lin Feng's heart ached at the mention of Lin Chuyue's name. "We're all here this year, leaving Chuyue to spend the New Year alone in Jiangcheng..."
Jian Qiuyan felt bad too, but it wasn't something they could decide.
It was no exaggeration to say that the entire Lin Family now had to listen to Lin Chuxing.
If she didn't let them go, no one could leave. Otherwise, what would they do if they offended the Xiao Family?
Even Lin Aoshan hadn't said anything, so they certainly couldn't just leave as they pleased.
Jian Qiuyan's heart ached for her as well. "Chuyue has been wronged. When we get back, we must make it up to her. Chuyue is like us, but Chuxing's personality is just such a headache."
"She doesn't listen to us at all, and she has no sense of propriety. I can see that even Xiao Ye is getting tired of her. If this keeps up..."
Lin Feng interrupted her. "Qiuyan, don't forget, we have two daughters. And we still have Chuyue."
"Chuyue and Xiao Ye knew each other first, and they had feelings for each other. She withdrew on her own initiative. As her parents, we can't keep helping Chuxing."
"If Chuxing and Xiao Ye can make it work, that's for the best. If they can't, then that's Chuxing's problem, right?"
Lin Feng saw the bigger picture. He could clearly sense that Lin Chuxing's personality was a huge problem.
If she really became the future Lady of the House for the Xiao Family, she might bring trouble to the Lin Family.
If it were Lin Chuyue, they wouldn't have to worry at all.
But Lin Feng couldn't say more. He could only hope that everything would develop in a positive direction—ideally, that Xiao Ye would come to dislike Lin Chuxing, and their engagement would be called off.
Lin Chuxing's personality was completely unsuited for life in a great family. Otherwise, she'd likely be eaten alive, with not even the scraps left over.
Jian Qiuyan nodded helplessly. "I understand. Let's just leave it at that. This is all we can do."
「The twenty-ninth of the lunar calendar.」
Only one day remained until New Year's Eve.
His subordinate finally sent word.
Xiao Ye, who was busy calculating the company's year-end dividends, immediately stood up and walked to the balcony. "What did you find?"
"Patriarch, our men tracked Ouyang Cheng, the Young Master of the Ouyang Family. Yesterday, he met with a foreign woman. She's a very famous movie star from Country A."
"Following this lead, we discovered that the Ouyang Family has been doing business overseas for the past two years and has opened several companies."
"In contrast, they don't seem to care as much about their domestic companies. Moreover, all their foreign companies were established as joint ventures with famous noble families in Country A."
'Country A?'
Xiao Ye's brow furrowed tightly.
Of all the countries in the world, the one he hated most was Country A.
Unlike the peace-loving Dragon Country, Country A was a complete shit-stirrer.
They were constantly starting all sorts of battles and causing trouble.
Moreover, Country A's ambitions were not small. They had always wanted to dominate the globe and become its true masters.
As for other countries, they would become their vassals, or even slaves.
"Continue the investigation. Specifically, find out which noble families the Ouyang Family's overseas companies are partnered with. Compile the information and send it to my email."
"Oh, and send over the file on that celebrity as well."
Xiao Ye hung up and went back to work.
By the time he finished with the dividends, it was the middle of the night.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose and began to consider who he could find to manage the Xiao Family in his stead. He had no intention of being permanently tied down to one family.
After a short break, Xiao Ye opened his email. Two new messages were waiting for him.
The first was the file on the female celebrity.
It contained the titles of the various films she had starred in, as well as a collection of photos.
Xiao Ye's eyes were immediately drawn to one of the photos.
The woman in it was very beautiful and young, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and an enchanting allure.
But Xiao Ye wasn't looking at her appearance; he was looking at her hand gesture.
The celebrity had one hand raised to her eye. Her thumb and index finger formed a circle around it, while her other three fingers were extended.
It looked like a common "orchid finger" gesture, but that was in the Dragon Country.
In Western countries, however, this gesture represented—the Angel Association!
Xiao Ye leaned back in his chair and dialed his subordinate. "Do you have a file on the Angel Association?"
"Yes, Patriarch. Should I pull it up now?"
"Give me a rundown on the Angel Association, then go investigate. Once you're done, compile the new information and send it to me."
Much of the Xiao Family's information was outdated and needed to be re-investigated to stay current.
"Yes, Patriarch. The Angel Association is a well-known Western organization. It has existed since the eighteenth century."
"It started as a simple fraternity, but it has now grown into a global organization, a club for the powerful elites of the West to network."
Xiao Ye already knew all this. He even knew that many Western Sovereigns, nobles, scientists, and other top talents from various fields were members of the Angel Association.
"On the surface, the Angel Association preaches universal love, freedom, and charity, and the pursuit of personal perfection and the betterment of human society. But now... its nature has long since changed!"
The subordinate continued, "Based on what's been exposed over the years, the Angel Association now pursues demons and power. And a lot of people have died because of it."
Many famous celebrities in Western countries are members of the Angel Association.
Over the years, the number of celebrity deaths has been steadily rising.
And the method of their deaths is always very similar—hanging.
Within the Angel Association, anyone who betrays the organization or makes a mistake is forced to die in a manner that corresponds to their crime.
Hanging is one of those methods. Otherwise, those celebrities could have simply chosen other ways to commit suicide.
Hanging is agonizing. Slitting one's wrists or jumping off a building would be quicker.
A trace of unconscious resentment crept into the subordinate's voice. "To join the Angel Association, you need to go through a ritual. I've heard it involves drinking human blood."
"And that's just for the lowest level. High-ranking members might have to kill someone to prove their loyalty to the Angel Association!"
"Currently, among the Eastern nations, Country H has been the most heavily infiltrated by the Angel Association. The Dragon Country, on the other hand, is doing relatively well."
This is mainly because the Dragon Country has very strict regulations in this area, and its ancient culture makes the Angel Association's practices completely incomprehensible to its people.
Having heard all this, Xiao Ye now had a much deeper understanding of the Angel Association. "I understand. Keep an eye on the Ouyang Family!"
"Especially any foreigners they come into contact with. Gather information on all of them. I suspect... the Ouyang Family may have joined the Angel Association!"
「New Year's Eve.」
The final night of the year.
As soon as dawn broke, the sounds of all kinds of fireworks and firecrackers filled the air.
The Xiao Family estate was also filled with a festive atmosphere.
Xiao Ye slowly opened his eyes, which were faintly bloodshot.
He took out his phone and checked on Lin Chuyue's situation.
Chu Yan was still with her, and her spirits were much better than before.
Relieved, Xiao Ye began to busy himself with the day's affairs.