Transmigrated as the fake young master, I'll beat up the scumbags and b*tches

"This is the current situation within the Bai family. Even as one of the Three Great Families, things inside their house don’t seem all that peaceful. But there’s something about this matter that feels off to me." Xia GaoWu explained the Bai family’s circumstances to HuMing.

Hearing this, HuMing frowned deeply, as though weighing something in his mind.

Truth be told, there was no way he could just stand by and watch Xia GaoWu endure all of this.

Setting aside the fact that Xia GaoWu was Xia XiaoXi’s father, HuMing also felt that, apart from the Gu family, he needed the support of others.

If he could seize this opportunity to truly elevate the Xia family onto the main stage in the capital, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for him.

"Uncle, I don’t know much about the Bai family, but I don’t think the situation has reached the point of being beyond repair. Since 'Blizzard' is affiliated with them, why not try negotiating?"

"Negotiate?" Xia GaoWu gave a faint, helpless smile. "The Bai family isn’t like the other two families. Their background’s rooted in the underworld, and now they’ve got 'Blizzard' at their back. More importantly, the Xia family is about to surpass them. Do you really think, under these circumstances, they’d be willing to sit down and talk?"

Xia GaoWu shook his head with a hint of resignation. He hadn’t been idle these past years, but the power of 'Blizzard' turned out to be far more extensive than he imagined. Most of the forces he had quietly cultivated had already been wiped out.

That said, Xia GaoWu had met the Bai family’s eldest daughter before—the leader of 'Blizzard' herself. She had denied any intention of moving against him.

She claimed she wouldn’t interfere with the capital’s balance of power, and therefore, wouldn’t lay a hand on them.

But lately, he couldn’t shake the feeling that things around him were becoming increasingly unsafe. Some of the people close to him… there was something off about them.

Yet, if he moved rashly to clean house, it would only stir chaos.

So—he couldn’t act.

"HuMing, the waters in the capital run deep. What I’m facing now… it's no different from what the Gu family once went through. The difference is, they’ve got far more leverage than the Xia family ever did."

With his hands clasped behind his back, Xia GaoWu looked somewhat despondent.

He hadn’t thought that after years of relentless struggle—rising from a small city, fighting tooth and nail to bring the Xia family to where it stood today—he would end up losing to tactics like these.

To be honest, Xia GaoWu felt a bit indignant. But this… this was the weight behind the Three Great Families.

HuMing silently watched him, taking in the man’s weary figure, sinking gradually into contemplation.

The night passed quietly.

When HuMing finally left the Xia residence, Xia GaoWu personally walked him to the door.

He understood well—this middle-aged man had his own plans. He wanted to keep the Xia family's fire alive, and at the same time, wanted to sharpen Xia Chen.

Because when the time came, both Xia Chen and Xia XiaoXi would have to face the reality of the Xia family’s downfall.

In the face of overwhelming power, the Xia family was nothing.

But Xia GaoWu had also made one thing clear: if they wanted to take him down, it wouldn’t come without a price. He’d make sure to take a piece of flesh from them—enough to make all of the capital wary of the Bai family.

When that day came, the Bai family would naturally implode.

As for how he planned to do it, Xia GaoWu hadn’t said. But HuMing suspected that in his hands… There was likely damning evidence on the Bai family.

Taking a deep breath, HuMing tried to clear his head.

What Xia GaoWu was facing now truly was perilous. Even if he had caught the mole earlier, it wouldn’t have changed much. Just as Xia GaoWu said—catch one, and there'll always be a second.

The Xia family couldn’t possibly avoid recruitment forever.

Which meant, the solution lay in cutting the problem off at the root.

Maybe negotiation with the Bai family was indeed crucial. But the question was… how?

Soon, a person’s name surfaced in HuMing’s mind. The only issue was… would that person actually tell him anything about the Bai family?

HuMing rubbed his chin, his gaze clouded.

Sitting quietly to the side, Gu YunZhou didn’t dare interrupt. It was obvious HuMing had just had a serious conversation, and was deep in thought over his next move.

But to be able to talk privately with the Xia family’s patriarch—clearly, the head of the Xia family thought quite highly of his cousin.

Before long, the car pulled up at the Gu estate. Since they had informed the household in advance, the main hall was empty—everyone had already retired to their rooms for the night.

After bidding HuMing farewell, Gu YunZhou left, leaving HuMing alone in the hall, as though waiting for someone.

Time ticked by. The lights in the hall remained on.

HuMing glanced at his phone. On the screen were chat records from a few girls.

This summer break, he had plans to accompany Han YunXi to his second grandpa’s old residence to retrieve a few things.

He remembered now—before passing, his second grandpa had told him he’d stored something in the bank, something he could retrieve when the time came.

Back then, HuMing had been preoccupied with dealing with Han ShuYi, so the matter had slipped his mind. Only now, this late at night, did it resurface.

As for why he was going with Han YunXi, it was because she planned to volunteer there over the summer—a little something extra for her resume.

HuMing didn’t mind. Since their paths overlapped, there was no harm in going together.

"Hm? HuMing, you’re still up? I saw YunZhou already went back to his room."

Hearing the voice, HuMing lifted his head.

Gu WeiYi stood there, holding a wine glass in one hand and something else in the other, looking at him with mild surprise.

"Good evening, Second Uncle."

"Evening. Is something bothering you?"

Gu WeiYi poured himself a glass of water, washed down whatever was in his hand, and sat beside HuMing.

"Not exactly. I’m just curious… about the Bai family and 'Blizzard'."

"Oh? Taking an interest in the power structure of the capital, are you? But if you’re asking about the Bai family and 'Blizzard,' well, I’ve heard a few things from my brother. Their relationship is… complicated. What I can tell you is—the leader of 'Blizzard' is the former Bai family patriarch’s illegitimate daughter."

The exact same thing HuMing had heard from Xia GaoWu.

HuMing rubbed his forehead. This wasn’t going to be easy.

But then, Gu WeiYi’s tone shifted. He stared at HuMing calmly.

"Is it about the Xia family?"

HuMing’s gaze sharpened at those words. Slowly, he turned to face Gu WeiYi.

Yet Gu WeiYi’s expression remained unchanged under his stare.

"You want to ask about the Xia family being targeted by 'Blizzard,' right?"

"Second Uncle, you knew about this?"

"Not just me—your uncle knows as well." He adjusted his glasses, his expression growing serious.

"But the Gu family and the Bai family… are partners."

1 Bonus chapter will be out for every 4 new paid patreon members!