Chapter 7: A Solution Found, Unstoppable and Unbridled (Part One)

Yi Beidou was already accustomed to Xu Zifu’s abrasive attitude and found nothing strange about it. Although she was two years his junior, his long-term diagnosis of severe autism—a result of his practice of the Heart of Freedom Technique—had led her to adopt the role of a protective older sister. She operated under the simple creed: "I can bully my people, but no one else can."

Back when they attended the same school, because Yi Beidou started late, Xu Zifu was technically his "senior." When classmates bullied him for his "autism," she would rush into their classroom without a word and punch the offender until their nose bled, nearly getting herself expelled as a result. Despite her delicate appearance, she was quite a formidable woman—a fact echoed by the rugged vehicle she drove.

"Let’s go." Yi Beidou scanned the QR code to pay and slowly stood up.

Xu Zifu was nearly 1.75 meters tall with long legs and a slender waist. While she stood out in a crowd, she appeared dainty beside Yi Beidou. Now that he had attained a state of true freedom, he radiated a presence that drew gazes, even when he intentionally suppressed it. Ordinary people in his presence for too long would unconsciously experience physiological reactions: elevated adrenaline, a racing heart, and nervous tension. It was the same primal instinct humans feel when trapped in a room with a predator, a response etched into the biological code.

Xu Zifu felt this same unease. Even though they had seen each other less frequently since she started university, she was keenly aware of the change in him—in his eyes, his temperament, his movements, and his words.

"Did your autism get cured?" she asked, looking him up and down with a hint of confusion.

"You could say that." Yi Beidou nodded, offering no further explanation as he walked toward the SUV parked by the roadside and took the passenger seat. Xu Zifu hurried to follow.

As the car started and headed toward the Jinlin Manor in the northern suburbs of Wencheng, she began to vent. "Do you have any idea how frantic we’ve been? The company is your parents' life's work, and you hold a stake in it too. Do you even realize the main branch is about to seize control of the management?"

"And here you are, footloose and fancy-free, disappearing whenever you please. You don't even tell us your condition has improved."

She grumbled while driving, clearly burdened by the recent string of disasters. Glancing at Yi Beidou in the passenger seat, she saw him sitting with his eyes closed, silent as if he hadn't heard a word. Her frustration only mounted.

"Hey, are you even listening to me?!" She couldn't help but raise her voice. This guy acted as if it had nothing to do with him; he didn't grasp the gravity of the situation, nor had he asked a single question about what was happening from start to finish. His attitude was infuriating.

"I will resolve this matter shortly," Yi Beidou said calmly, as if discussing something mundane.

"Resolve it? How? Do you have any idea how complex this is? Do you think this is child's play? Has your brain gone soft now that your autism is gone?"

Yi Beidou’s words had fully triggered Xu Zifu’s acerbic nature. The company crisis was indeed tangled. In recent years, Xu Yao had led the company into international markets with heavy investments across Southeast Asia. Recently, however, their products had been hit with sudden scandals, leading to massive compensation claims, while numerous overseas factories were shut down.

The main branch then leveraged this to coordinate with other shareholders, pushing Xu Yao to the brink of losing her position as Chair of the Board. They had called a family meeting specifically to force her into a corner and seize control. The entire affair reeked of a conspiracy. Xu Yao had put years of hard work into those overseas operations, building strong relationships with local politicians and powerful families, yet now, those same people were either silent or passing the buck. Clearly, the main branch was colluding with external forces—forces powerful enough to silence such influential figures. The situation was dire.

Xu Zifu had a mouthful of complaints she wanted to spit out, but after one look at Yi Beidou, she could only sigh inwardly. *He's only just recovered from his autism; what could he possibly understand?*

"Don't do anything reckless later; just stay behind me," she said, losing the desire to continue the conversation.

Yi Beidou was perfectly happy to be left alone. He was indeed ignorant of the details, and trying to learn them now would be a futile effort. Besides, he didn't need to understand them; he had his own way of solving things.

Jinlin Manor, located in the northern suburbs of Wencheng, was the private residence of the Xu family. It featured five main buildings, traditional Chinese gardens, pavilions, and every amenity imaginable, including a private equestrian arena. It had been established by the family patriarch, though now only the main branch resided there permanently; the other branches had moved out, keeping only nominal rooms.

Recognizing Xu Zifu’s SUV, the guards at the gate let them through immediately. They drove to the central building and walked toward the entrance. Inside the opulent hall, a crowd had gathered—men and women of all ages, including direct Xu descendants, sons-in-law, and extended relatives of social standing. Everyone knew the gravity of this meeting.

Those waiting in the hall were mostly younger members or relatives without real power; the true decision-makers were already in the main conference room in the back. As Xu Zifu and Yi Beidou appeared, the hall fell briefly silent, with most eyes turning toward him. He hadn't set foot in the manor in years, and his parents' shares were crucial to the outcome of this meeting. The gazes directed at him were a mix of scrutiny, mockery, and schadenfreude. Everyone knew the current plight of the fourth branch.

"Well, well, Cousin Yi is here. It’s been a long time. I thought you’d forgotten you were a member of the Xu family."

A young man of about thirty stepped forward. He was handsome, his hair meticulously groomed, wearing casual clothes and a pair of expensive silver-rimmed glasses. It was Xu Kehong, the youngest son of the main branch’s leader, Xu Guanren.

He walked right up to Yi Beidou, looking him over with a smile. "Oh, forgive me, I forgot you had autism. Which mental institution have you been staying at all these years? I would have liked to pay a visit."

Seeing this, Xu Zifu’s eyes widened, and she stepped forward, ready to shield Yi Beidou.

But suddenly, a broad hand sliced through the air. Before anyone could react, it connected with Xu Kehong’s face.

*SMACK!*

The sound of flesh striking flesh echoed like a gunshot. The sheer force sent Xu Kehong spinning off balance, lifting him off his feet before he crashed heavily onto the floor. His eyes rolled back and his body went limp. His silver-rimmed glasses flew ten meters away, and the side of his face swelled instantly, leaving his mouth hanging open as saliva dribbled onto the ground.

"Where is the conference room?" Yi Beidou pulled back his hand and didn't even spare a glance at Xu Kehong, asking Xu Zifu as if he had merely swatted away an annoying fly.