How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Yuan Liang almost lost his composure because of Yuan Yuelang's gaze, and hurriedly got up to protect Yan Ru.

"It's okay, I'm at home."

Yan Ru returned a reassuring look, "I know. You play chess, I'll go prepare the meal. Young Master Long, it seems you'll be having dinner at my humble abode today."

Long Jinzhi smiled, but his eyes were upright and did not have any lewdness that was annoying.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Miss. The food at the Lü family must be something special, which is why it is so unforgettable."

Yan Ru smiled faintly and then left. Qing Ru was distracted, but she was still somewhat concerned.

Yuan Liang was relieved to see that Long Jinzhi no longer had that covetous look in his eyes when looking at Yan Ru. However, his mind was still in turmoil, and he quickly gave in.

Seeing his white pieces being surrounded and almost completely destroyed, Yuan Liang shook his head helplessly, "I lost."

Long Jinzhi also stopped at the right time, saying, "Young Master Song didn't lose to me, but... he lost to that beauty."

Yuan Liang became wary. "Young Master Long, a gentleman does not take what others cherish."

Long Jinzhi laughed heartily, “Young Master Song, why are you so nervous? I am not interested in women. I only admire beautiful women and have no intention of offending them.”

Qingru looked over suspiciously, while Long Jinzhi accepted her scrutiny without flinching.

Yuan Liang had no idea what grudges had been between the two of them. He simply said, "Beauty is not a crime, but possessing a treasure is. In this world, I have to be extra careful. Please don't take offense."

Long Jinzhi expressed his understanding, saying, "If I had such a treasure, I would cherish it as my own life. I understand you."

Yuan Liang was also quite embarrassed, his eyes filled with Yan Ru's image. "That's exactly what I think. I love Yan Ru more than life itself."

Qingru couldn't stand it anymore and got goosebumps all over her body. "I'm going to the kitchen too. You two can play by yourselves."

With the courtyard quiet, Long Jinzhi asked Uncle Yu to guard the gate and said seriously, "Young Master Song, I know you come from the Song family, the richest family in the country. I have a business deal to discuss with you."

Yuan Liang shook his head with a self-deprecating smile, "I have no property. Young Master Long, you've come to the wrong person. If you want to discuss business, you'd be better off turning right outside and going to the Song family to talk to the head of the family."

Long Jinzhi didn't quite understand. "Young Master Song, you know that your father has been quite elusive in recent years. If you are willing to act as the middleman, you will be richly rewarded after the matter is accomplished."

Yuan Liang wasn't stupid; he immediately understood Long Jinzhi's meaning. There must be something difficult that prevented him from getting Song Laoye to agree directly, so he wanted Yuan Liang to mediate first.

The idea was correct, but unfortunately he was unaware of the discord between himself and his father.

"Young Master Long is joking. I can't possibly make a profit from you in business and then take your gift in return. I can't do that."

Long Jinzhi refused to give up, "Young Master Song, are you going to refuse without even listening?"

Yuan Liang said solemnly, "First of all, I must clarify that I am still studying and have not been involved in any of the family business. Secondly, Yunnan is rich in resources and there is actually no need to import anything from outside. If Young Master Long is so eager, then it must be something that cannot be easily obtained. I know that I cannot make such a decision, much less on behalf of Master Song."

"What if we only need Young Master Song to act as a go-between?"

"As you know, Master Song is my father. If I try to make this connection, it will be seen as a sure thing by those with ulterior motives. So why don't you go directly to the Song family to make things clear, Young Master Long? Or have you already been to the Song family but were rejected?"

Long Jinzhi shook his head and smiled, then said nothing more. "I was being presumptuous. Please don't take offense."

Song Yuanliang readily agreed, "It's nothing, it's just that I've never been in charge of the family business, so I hope you won't take offense."

The two stopped talking about anything else and focused on playing chess, which worked out quite well together.

Inside the main courtyard of the Guo residence, Commander Guo sat high in the main seat, unapproachable, which made the Yuan siblings, who were visiting for the first time, dare not act presumptuously and obediently sit at the end of the table.

Especially since Guo Zixing left without saying goodbye and was cold and aloof during their meeting, it was clear that he knew her identity. But how much did he know about their schemes? The Yuan siblings dared not speculate.

After a long while, as if he had taken a nap, Commander Guo finally spoke, "What brings you here?"

Upon hearing Commander Guo speak, Yuan Yuelang breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "I've come here today to discuss my younger sister's marriage to Young Master Guo. Commander, you may not know, but when Guo Zixing was living in Shanghai, he and my younger sister were engaged. They have been married for some time, and my younger sister is now pregnant. What do you think?"

General Guo stomped his cane and pondered, “Although it is now the Republic of China, no large family would arrange a marriage without informing their parents. I cannot agree with what Boss Yuan said.”

Yuan Yue'e said urgently, "The child in my belly is Guo Zixing's, you can't deny it."

Zheng Peilan could no longer contain herself and came out from the back room. "Without a matchmaker, Miss Yuan is so promiscuous. Who knows whose child it is?"

Yuan Yue'e was filled with shame and anger, but seeing the other person's protruding belly, she couldn't be sure of the other person's identity for a moment.

Commander Guo glared at Zheng Peilan with displeasure. "Go back."

Zheng Peilan gritted her teeth, wanting to force herself to sit down and listen, but also afraid that going against Commander Guo would damage his prestige in front of outsiders. After thinking it over, she reluctantly withdrew.

Yuan Yue'e immediately welled up with tears, looking pitifully at Guo Zixing, but Guo Zixing didn't even spare her a glance.

Commander Guo said, "If Miss Yuan is willing to give birth to the child and confirm its identity, we will naturally recognize it."

Yuan Yuelang was initially delighted, but then realized, "Does the General mean you don't intend to give her a formal title?"

Commander Guo smiled coldly, "Reputation? There are plenty of women like your sister. Do you think any of them can enter the Guo family? Besides, I know exactly what you and your sister do in Shanghai and what you've done for Zihang."

Commander Guo suddenly opened his eyes and looked straight at Yuan Yuelang.

Yuan Yuelang trembled, and cold sweat broke out on his back. Commander Guo was a decisive and ruthless man on the battlefield, and the fierce killing intent in his eyes was something that ordinary people could not withstand.

Especially now that Commander Guo has unleashed his full pressure, his eyes filled with a compelling sharpness, the Yuan siblings feel as if they are being publicly judged, with nowhere to hide.

Yuan Yuelang, his face pale, argued, "My brother and I haven't done anything wrong. Is it wrong for us to marry Young Master Guo? Even if we were to pledge our lives to each other, it was before we knew Young Master Guo's identity."

Commander Guo suddenly stood up and looked down at Yuan Yuelang, "Since neither of you siblings is telling the truth, there's nothing to talk about over there. Men, take them away and treat them well."

Yuan Yuelang, though outwardly fierce, said with feigned weakness, "Are you going to use torture to extract a confession?"

Commander Guo didn't take him seriously at all. "Torture? No, it's just a formality. Since your sister is pregnant with a child that is suspected to be from the Guo family, then just wait and see. I also want to see if I have wronged you."

After Guo Dashuai finished speaking, he turned and left. Soldiers came and took the Yuan siblings away. Yuan Yue'e tried to call out again, but her mouth was gagged and her hands and feet were tied.

Guo Zixing's lips curled into a cold smile. "Yue'e, you're pregnant, so you might not be getting enough rest. I'll prepare plenty of milk for you, so remember to drink it."

Yuan Yue'e opened her eyes wide in horror and looked at Guo Zixing in disbelief.

Guo Zixing merely watched coldly, without reaching out.