In an instant, the heads of the four great families of the Xijiang Provincial Government all stood up at the same time, each with a smile as they greeted Wang Ye, and each of them bowed deeply.

Their behavior appeared to be the ultimate form of flattery.

"Hmm."

Wang Ye merely nodded and took the chair at the head of the office.

Just as Wang Ye was about to sit down, Zhao Han immediately came up behind him, pulling the chair out for Wang Ye, and as Wang Ye sat down, he pushed the chair a bit further in.

This caused Tan Long to look towards Zhao Han with a touch of helplessness in his gaze.

You act and just act, but what are you doing stealing my job right here?

Wang Ye and Zhao Han had plotted together yesterday, and Tan Long had been listening in, so he knew their plans for today like the back of his hand.

While Tan Long was internally grumbling, he was also deeply shocked.

The heads of the five great families of Xijiang Province all showed such respect to Wang Ye!

To be aware, the heads of the five great families of Xijiang Province, in the context of the Xijiang Provincial Government, were akin to tyrants, and even within Dragon Country, were formidable figures.

And yet, it was these individuals who, in the presence of Wang Ye, were now displaying such respectfulness.

Like mere servants.

Although Tan Long had known of this since yesterday, knowing in advance and witnessing it firsthand brought a very different kind of shock.

After Wang Ye took his seat at the head of the table, Zhao Han also returned to his own place, and the gazes of all five men were focused on Wang Ye.

As if waiting for the leader to speak, like five subordinates.

If others were to see this scene, they would surely be astonished beyond words.

Who would have thought that the five great families of the Xijiang Provincial Government would show such compliments and civility to a young man in his twenties?

Wang Ye, however, had no intention of being polite with them and simply assessed the five men with his gaze before directly saying:

"I've heard your plans from Zhao Han yesterday."

Having said that, Wang Ye glanced at Zhao Han, and his look conveyed a sense of lingering anger, yet sparing Zhao Han for the moment.

If Zhao Han wanted to act, then Wang Ye had no issue continuing the charade with him.

When Zhao Han was seen by Wang Ye with that look, his face immediately showed a deferential and extremely flattering expression, as if just one glance from Wang Ye would make Zhao Han wish he could kneel down and polish Wang Ye's shoes.

Tan Long watched this scene with a mix of emotions.

Uncle and nephew, Wang Ye and Zhao Han, their acting skills were truly one greater than the other; they were so compelling that, had he not known the truth in advance, he might have been deceived by the two of them.

"Next, I want to see what kind of sincerity you have. If your sincerity is satisfactory, then we will let bygones be bygones. But if it's not, then don't blame me for being inhospitable," Wang Ye said.

With those words, the atmosphere in the office grew colder, as if the temperature had been enveloped by the very words spoken by Wang Ye.

Still, despite this, the heads of the other three families showed a trace of joy on their faces.

Since Wang Ye had already said as much, it meant that negotiations... could proceed.

However, the expression on the face of the Head of the Tan Family was far from pleasant, for he knew that no matter what, he had to step down from his position as the Head of the Tan Family.

As expected.

Just as the Head of the Tan Family had this thought, Wang Ye's gaze shifted instantaneously toward him, and he said to the Head of the Tan Family, "Head of the Tan Family, you should recognize the person behind me, right?"

With just one sentence from Wang Ye.

Instantaneously, it made both the Head of the Tan Family and Tan Long, standing behind Wang Ye, catch their breath.

Tan Long knew that the thing he had been longing for ever since he was ousted from the Tan Family was about to come true.

With this thought, Tan Long's body began to tremble slightly.

"I do."

The Head of the Tan Family sighed, stood up, and bowed slightly in the direction of Wang Ye.

This bow was, on one hand, a gesture of respect toward Wang Ye, and on the other, an apology to Tan Long.

The Head of the Tan Family spoke, "Tan Long, I wronged you before and made many mistakes. Now, I won't make excuses. At this point, to be in such a state is no less than I deserve."

"This position as the Head of the Tan Family... I will now hand it over to you."

After finishing his words, the Head of the Tan Family took steps toward the office door, each step trembling, seemingly unsteady.

It was as if... the previously youthful Head of the Tan Family had aged considerably the moment he uttered that sentence.

Meanwhile, several Family Heads present watched the Head of the Tan Family walk step by step toward the office door, feeling rather heavy-hearted.

After all, they were all Family Heads of the five major families in the Xijiang Provincial Government and had cooperated with one another for mutual benefits during this period.

They had also used some underhanded tactics against one another for their interests.

But overall, they were competitors as well as friends, so it was discomforting for them to see one of their old friends step by staggering step leaving the office.

Zhao Han stood up at this moment, glanced at Wang Ye, and pleaded with him, "Let me see him off."

Wang Ye nodded slightly, giving his consent.

He knew Zhao Han was doing this both for himself and to build goodwill.

Today, with Zhao Han's actions, the rest of the five major families in the Xijiang Provincial Government would acknowledge Wang Ye's leadership, and in Wang Ye's absence, they would look to Zhao Han for direction.

And Wang Ye, certainly had no intention of managing so many affairs, so it was convenient for Zhao Han to gain favors now and take over the management of the Family Heads in the Xijiang Provincial Government afterward.

As expected.

The other three Family Heads also looked at Wang Ye and Zhao Han with gratitude.

The departure of the Head of the Tan Family made them experience a feeling of shared sorrow, yet the actions of Wang Ye and Zhao Han brought some comfort to the hearts of the other three Family Heads.

And after all these Family Heads had exited the office, Wang Ye turned his head to look at Tan Long, only to find that Tan Long had, at some point, already been weeping profusely.

From the clenched teeth of Tan Long, it was clear he was desperately trying to suppress his emotions, but to no avail.

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