Chapter 217: A Situation About to Spiral Out of Control

In the room.

Yu Mingyuan woodenly turned his head to look at his aunt, his eyes completely lifeless.

Looking at her nephew, Yu Zhen didn't get angry or curse, only continued speaking coldly: "I've lost my brother, your mother's lost her husband - whose emotions in the family are better than yours? Whose heart doesn't hurt more than yours?! You're a man, you need to act like one! Can you handle it? If not, go back to Zone One immediately, stay in a room - you'll have plenty of time in the future to show your grief."

Hearing his aunt's words, Yu Mingyuan clenched his fists and forced himself to sit up.

"Go wash your face in the bathroom, change clothes, come downstairs in two minutes to receive guests," Yu Zhen said pointing at her nephew's face. "Let me tell you, of the people outside, half are here to mourn, half are here to watch the Yu family's drama! Think about what expression you should use to receive them."

With that, Yu Zhen turned and left.

In the room, Yu Mingyuan sat on the bed with his face buried in his hands. After a long while, he suddenly stood up and walked toward the bathroom.

......

About three or four minutes later, Yu Mingyuan put on a black suit and forced himself to gather his spirits, coming down from upstairs to begin receiving guests together with Yu Zhen.

During this time, Yu Mingyuan didn't show his emotional breakdown - though his face had no smile, his overall behavior was proper. Yu Zhen showed even less sadness or loss of composure, briefly communicating separately with people from the garrison, Management Association leadership, and some of Yu Jinrong's former connections.

In the living room, Big Bai stood in a corner saying softly to Su Tianyu: "Good thing An Qiqi's mother is here to take charge - her arrival has stabilized quite a few people's emotions."

Su Tianyu nodded hearing this.

"Little Yu!" Just then, Zhou Tonghui came over calling out.

"Coming," Su Tianyu went to meet him. "What is it?"

"Let's talk outside," Zhou Tonghui pointed outside the door.

A little while later, the two walked together to the side of the Yu family villa and began talking softly.

"...Though at this time, bringing up such things... seems a bit heartless, but... but I have no choice, company people keep asking me," Zhou Tonghui said somewhat awkwardly.

"Asking you what?" Su Tianyu replied with furrowed brows.

"They're asking me... is there still any need to stay long in Dragon City?" Zhou Tonghui explained softly. "Uncle Yu... with this happening, the company executives feel the association probably can't continue, planning to return after attending the funeral."

When Su Tianyu returned from Huadu this time, he had brought the Zhou family people together - those executives were parachuted-in cadres, prepared to help manage and operate the Tongji Association together, but now with Old Yu's incident, they all felt this operation would likely collapse, with very slim hope of continuing.

Hearing this, Su Tianyu immediately replied: "Uncle Yu is gone, but the Yu family has other people - haven't you seen Mingyuan's aunt and Second Uncle have come?"

"I said that, but even if they've come, it doesn't solve the fundamental problem," Zhou Tonghui responded very objectively. "The Dragon City association needs someone at the helm, but Mingyuan's aunt and Second Uncle... aren't here - if continuing in the future, only Mingyuan can lead, but he... can he handle such a big operation?"

Su Tianyu fell silent.

"The dock side isn't stable yet, the association's internal operations have just started, maintaining upper-level city relationships, including the garrison, and stabilizing supply channels - all these need a strong person to balance..." Zhou Tonghui continued. "I'm not saying Mingyuan's abilities aren't good, but saying... with his experience, it's very hard to win trust from multiple parties."

Su Tianyu looked at him asking: "Is the Zhou family... wanting to withdraw investment?"

Zhou Tonghui was stunned: "No, no, that's not what I mean. First, the money has already been transferred and what needed to be spent has been spent - even if we withdrew investment now, the association couldn't fill the investment hole. Moreover, with Uncle Yu just gone, my father absolutely wouldn't mention money to the Yu family - my old man has at least this much vision."

Su Tianyu slowly nodded.

"It's just everyone feels if there's no hope continuing, then the team should withdraw - otherwise staying here is just wasting time," Zhou Tonghui lowered his voice. "And to be honest with you, the executives assigned this time didn't want to work in Dragon City to begin with, since they can't return home for long periods, so they want to leave."

"Tonghui, I'll be honest with you - I can't say for sure what the future will be like now," Su Tianyu paused before replying. "It depends on the Yu family elders' future intentions and Mingyuan's own wishes. How about this - if the executives want to leave, we won't stop them, but if they have some patience, I suggest still waiting a bit longer to see the Yu family's attitude later."

"Ah, alright then," Zhou Tonghui sighed helplessly. "I was hoping to gain some experience here in Dragon City - didn't expect to run into this."

"Let's see first!" Su Tianyu patted Zhou Tonghui's shoulder, comforting him.

......

At the Dock Workers Association headquarters.

Jing Yan sat in the boss's chair looking down at documents asking: "How's the situation at the Yu family?"

"Receiving guests - quite a few people have gone," Zhang Ming replied softly. "The Yu family's eldest sister has returned."

"Yu Zhen?" Jing Yan looked up asking.

"Yes."

"This woman isn't simple - heard she's preparing to run for State Legislative Assembly Chief Representative - she's the Yu family's power bank," Jing Yan replied standing up. "Keep an eye on their situation."

"Good," Zhang Ming nodded before asking: "Then Wei Xiangzuo's position as Zha'nan gang leader...?"

"These two matters don't conflict," Jing Yan waved his hand. "If the Yu family falls, then we have even more reason to let Wei Xiangzuo be gang leader. His supporters are all gone - why still block his rise?! The General Association must have the General Association's bearing."

"Understood!" Zhang Ming instantly comprehended.

......

Around 2 AM, all the Yu family's guests had dispersed, and at this time Su Tianyu also had a chance to talk face-to-face with Yu Mingyuan.

At the back of the Yu family villa, Yu Mingyuan sat in a chair drinking red wine while looking into the distance with bloodshot eyes.

"Mingyuan, what's happened has happened..." Su Tianyu wanted to offer some comfort.

"That batch of people who dealt with the Xue family last time - can I use them?" Yu Mingyuan asked hoarsely while drinking.

Hearing this, Su Tianyu replied with tightly furrowed brows: "What do you want to use them for?"

"Killing," Yu Mingyuan turned to reply.

"Kill who?!" Su Tianyu asked with some anger in his heart. "Do you know who did it? Can you be sure?!"

"The Dock Workers General Association, Changqing Group, Xue family, Longkou District people, and Gu Tongshan's son - it's just these few," Yu Mingyuan replied softly. "I'm not sure, but I can kill them all!"