Chapter 436: Who Is the Real One
His subordinate's voice was urgent. "President Xiao, there's a problem. That fake young master has shown up, and he's presented his own evidence. The public opinion we worked so hard to suppress has flared up again!"
"The Xiao Family Company's stock is already fluctuating. If this continues, we could be in big trouble!"
For a company of their size, stock market volatility...
...could easily vaporize billions, or even tens of billions!
"President Xiao, the PR department just sent word. The only way to calm this down now is for you to make a public statement!"
If the fake young master makes an appearance, then the real one must as well.
This head-to-head confrontation was the only way to stabilize the situation.
Otherwise, if the public only heard one side of the story, there would undoubtedly be a massive shift in support.
It had only been an hour since Xiao Qi released his statement, yet it had already caused such a huge uproar. It was frightening to imagine what would happen if it were allowed to fester.
"I know."
Xiao Ye hung up, opened his phone, and recorded a video on the spot, posting it online.
Compared to Xiao Qi's extremely solemn attitude, Xiao Ye seemed much more casual.
Soon, countless netizens saw the video.
The first thing they saw upon opening it was the striking impact of Xiao Ye's handsome face.
"I am Xiao Ye, the current Patriarch of the Xiao Family. I would like to make the following clarification regarding the matter of the true and false young master currently circulating online."
"I am the son of Xiao Ling. Before returning to the Xiao Family, I underwent various tests and investigations. There are no discrepancies with my identity."
"As for the person named Xiao Qi, his words and the evidence he has presented are all fake. My side is already collecting evidence and will be filing a lawsuit against him shortly."
The video ended there.
The comments quickly flooded in.
"Xiao Ye is so handsome... but it feels like he didn't really say anything. Xiao Qi, on the other hand, seemed to have facts and reasoning on his side."
"Yeah, why do I get the feeling Xiao Ye seems guilty?"
"I'm so confused. Who's the real one and who's the fake? I'm not daring to pick a side. It's not like plot twists are rare these days, right?"
When Xiao Qi saw Xiao Ye's clarification, he laughed smugly. "He must be out of options to be spouting such high-sounding nonsense!"
Without another word, he immediately whipped out his phone, started a livestream, and brazenly branded himself as the true young master of the Xiao Family.
As the livestream began, countless viewers poured in.
Xiao Qi said triumphantly, "You all should have seen it. Everything Xiao Ye said was just empty platitudes, with nothing to prove his identity!"
"But I'm different. I have plenty of proof!"
"He mentioned 'various tests'—what tests exactly? Xiao Ye, if you're watching my stream, come out and explain yourself!"
"If we're talking DNA, I have the most authoritative report right here, enough to prove I am a member of the Xiao Family!"
"I dare to show my DNA report. Do you? I bet you don't even have one, do you? If you can't produce one within half an hour, then I'll have to assume you're off faking one."
Xiao Ye was indeed watching the livestream, but he had no intention of using some report to prove who he was.
If it weren't for the Xiao Family's reputation, he wouldn't have even bothered to issue a clarification.
In his eyes, Xiao Qi was nothing more than a buffoon.
Xiao Ye had never been concerned with the pawn; he cared about the one pulling the strings from behind.
"Pinpoint Xiao Qi's location. I'm going to see him in person."
'I thought I'd dealt with him last time, but he just doesn't know when to quit!'
Xiao Ye had no desire to waste any more time on him.
Still, Xiao Qi had done one good thing: he had exposed the disloyal members of the Xiao Family.
「Two hours later.」
「Outside a villa.」
Xiao Ye got out of the car. With a wave of his hand, his men immediately moved forward.
The so-called smart lock was useless against them.
CLICK.
The door opened.
Xiao Ye strolled inside.
Xiao Qi, still unaware that someone had entered, had just finished his livestream and was comfortably lounging on the sofa, talking on the phone.
"Hmph, a piece of trash like Xiao Ye dares to fight me? He should take a good look at himself and see what he's worth!"
"Oh, right, find me a couple of women, the kind with big tits and a nice ass. Send them to my place."
After saying that, he hung up, humming a little tune. He swayed and danced as he turned around—
The next second, he froze on the spot.
"Xiao Ye!"
Xiao Qi was so scared he nearly jumped out of his skin!
"You... How did you get in?"
"The natural way. I walked in." Xiao Ye's gaze swept the room, and then he clapped his hands.
His men immediately went in to check for cameras or any other devices.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" Xiao Qi tried to stop them but was shoved aside, nearly falling to the floor.
He glared at Xiao Ye resentfully. "What are you trying to do?! Trespassing is against the law!"
Xiao Ye smiled faintly. "This is my house. You probably didn't know, did you? This villa is an asset of the Xiao Family, which naturally means it's under my name."
"Is there a problem with me returning to my own home? You, on the other hand... who gave you permission to live here?"
"I'll have my men take inventory in a moment to see if anything's been damaged. If there is, you can get ready to pay up."
"You..." Xiao Qi had heard that Xiao Ye was an honorable man. He never expected him to resort to such vicious tactics!
"Xiao Ye, you can't do this to me! I'm the true young master of the Xiao Family! You, you impostor, you have no right to—"
His voice cut off abruptly.
Xiao Ye had grabbed Xiao Qi by the throat. "My patience is limited. I'll give you ten minutes. Tell me everything you know."
"If you can't... you can experience the consequences for yourself."
With that, he released his grip.
Xiao Qi collapsed to the floor, coughing nonstop. It took him a long while to recover. He spat hatefully. "Pah!"
"I'm the one from the Xiao Family! I'll never let you beat a confession out of me!"
'If a beating doesn't make him confess, it just means he hasn't been beaten enough!'
Since he was asking for it himself, Xiao Ye had no reason to refuse.
"Fine. I'll grant you your wish."
A moment later, screams echoed through the room.
Xiao Ye sat on the sofa, quietly enjoying the scene.
'Didn't he like the idea of being beaten into a confession?'
'I hope he still likes it now.'
"Stop... Stop hitting me!" Xiao Qi said weakly.
Only then did Xiao Ye wave his hand. As expected, Xiao Qi was now black and blue, his original appearance completely unrecognizable.
"How was it? Feel good?"
Those words completely broke him. "You... You're a monster!"
"Now I'm only giving you five minutes. If you still haven't satisfied me after five minutes, we'll continue."
"I have countless ways to make you wish you were dead!"
"I don't believe you!" Xiao Qi gritted his teeth, still trying to hold on. "You think you can just do whatever you want? Let me tell you..."
Xiao Ye sneered. "Keep hitting him."