Helian Yi, contemplating the task before him, found himself at a loss for words, feeling a sense of difficulty.
He first engaged Helian Yue in a lengthy conversation, as discussions often require a gradual approach. Then, Helian Yi slowly steered the topic towards Ye Tiancheng.
Helian Yi asked his daughter, Helian Yue, "Yue'er, you've spent a considerable amount of time with Ye Tiancheng during your outings. In your opinion, what kind of person is Ye Tiancheng?"
Helian Yue was a little confused by her father's intentions and hadn't expected the conversation to suddenly turn to Ye Tiancheng.
Seeing his daughter's reaction, Helian Yi elaborated, "Because there are some rather important matters, I wish to understand this person better. Therefore, I wanted to ask you about the impression Ye Tiancheng left on you, so I can gain a more comprehensive understanding of him."
Upon hearing this, Helian Yue nodded.
She had assumed it was related to family matters, as Helian Sheng had previously mentioned that whether they could invite Ye Tiancheng back was crucial to the survival of the Helian family.
Helian Yue believed that Helian Yi's desire to understand Ye Tiancheng stemmed from this reason, so she pondered for a moment before replying, "Actually, it's hard to tell what he does. We don't interact much, and he maintains a certain distance from us. I can only vaguely sense that he is a very capable person. He..."
Hearing Helian Yue's words, Helian Yi realized his daughter had misunderstood. He quickly interrupted, "I'm not asking about that. I'm asking about your impression of Ye Tiancheng as a person. What kind of person do you think he is?"
This struck Helian Yue as rather peculiar, and she couldn't fathom why her father wanted to know.
However, since her father was asking, Helian Yue didn't harbor any suspicions. She reconsidered and began to answer again.
"Hmm, as I said, we don't interact much. I can only offer an impression based on our brief encounters."
"I feel he must be a very loyal and righteous person. He has a very close bond with his two brothers, and they care deeply for each other. His brothers are the same. He is also quite humble, but he doesn't excessively lower himself. He's not overly arrogant either."
"He is truly good to Mingzhu. I can sense his devotion and how much he cherishes Mingzhu. He listens to her in everything. Even when there are disagreements, they discuss and negotiate. He also consciously keeps his distance from other women to avoid causing Mingzhu any misunderstanding. He is also a good father, deeply caring for his daughter. I feel he is a very devoted person."
Helian Yi frowned as he listened. This portrayal differed somewhat from what Helian Sheng had conveyed.
According to Helian Sheng, he had investigated Ye Tiancheng and found that the man seemed to have quite a few confidantes and admirers around him.
After learning Ye Tiancheng's status, Helian Yi felt that it was not entirely surprising for someone of his standing to have such a situation. But why did his daughter describe him in such a completely opposite manner?
Moreover, regardless of the reason, such a situation would create many problems for them.
Helian Yi was confident in his daughter. He believed Helian Yue was exceptionally outstanding and could hold her own. Even amidst many accomplished women, most would pale in comparison to his daughter.
Even when compared to some of the absolute top tier women, Helian Yue would never be outshone.
However, as much as he said this, matters of the heart could not be measured so simply.
If Ye Tiancheng had no one in his heart, or if he wasn't particularly devoted, that would be easier to handle. But if Hou Mingzhu held a significant place in Ye Tiancheng's heart, and if Ye Tiancheng genuinely loved Hou Mingzhu, then it would be truly difficult to intervene.
Helian Yi thought with a complex mix of emotions. He asked Helian Yue, "So, in your opinion, you must have a very good impression of that Ye Tiancheng?"
Helian Yue naturally nodded. She had witnessed Ye Tiancheng's character during their time together. To be honest, her impression of Ye Tiancheng was indeed not bad.
She replied, "It can certainly be said to be very good. I am truly happy for Mingzhu that she has found someone who cherishes her so dearly to spend her life with."
Helian Yi fell into deep thought. His hand rested on the coffee table, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the surface. Helian Yue didn't know what he was contemplating but dared not disturb him, so she sat quietly beside him, waiting for Helian Yi to speak again.
After a long while, Helian Yi suddenly asked, "Yue'er, then in your view, what would you think if I were to betroth you to that Ye Tiancheng?"
Helian Yue didn't react immediately. She couldn't comprehend what Helian Yi was saying. She understood each word he spoke, and the combination of them made sense, yet the content of his statement felt ethereal, unreal, and extraordinarily absurd.
"...What?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief and astonishment, seeking confirmation from Helian Yi.
Helian Yi himself found the matter difficult to broach, but he had to push through. Thus, he replied, "I mean, both I and the elder have the intention of betrothing you to that Ye Tiancheng, to form an alliance."
"Yue'er, I know this is a sacrifice of your marriage, but it is all for the sake of the family. You know how much effort your father has put into you since you were young, and how much resources and strength the family has invested in you. In this regard, your father may not be able to grant you complete freedom, but he will try his best to choose a good match."
"Since Ye Tiancheng is indeed a good person, and your impression of him is also very good, then it is likely not a bad thing for you to marry him in the future."
At this, Helian Yue truly understood.
She shot up from her seat, her eyes filled with disbelief and extreme disappointment. Helian Yue exclaimed, "That's Mingzhu's husband! Ye Tiancheng is already married! You know that!"
Seeing his daughter's reaction, Helian Yi felt a sense of foreboding.
He quickly stood up as well, attempting to placate his daughter by saying, "Yes, yes. I know that, but that's not a problem. It's quite normal for men of power and influence to have more than one woman around them..."
Helian Yue was on the verge of collapse. She couldn't believe what her father was saying.
If she had to sacrifice for the family, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness, Helian Yue wouldn't have been afraid. She would have accepted it, knowing that with her status, some things were beyond her choice. Helian Yue would have resigned herself to fate.
But now, Helian Yue realized that there could be something even more terrifying.
"But he is Mingzhu's husband! Mingzhu is my good sister! We have such a deep friendship, we are very close. Mingzhu is even married to him and has such a grown daughter, yet you want me to..."
Helian Yue felt suffocated. She absolutely could not accept such a thing; it was too absurd and terrifying.
Helian Yi said, "Yue'er, you don't understand. That Ye Tiancheng is too important to our family! And we have already offended him. Given his personality, think about it, if we don't do this, can we truly mend our relationship with him?"
"The impending doom for our Helian family is at hand. Although you may not fully understand what we are facing, Yue'er, I must tell you, the scythe of death is already upon us!"
"If we don't cling to Ye Tiancheng, it's possible at any moment, perhaps even the next second, our entire Helian family will be annihilated!"
Helian Yue was utterly shocked. The news Helian Yi revealed was completely unexpected. She couldn't imagine what kind of disaster could lead to such consequences.
However, even so, it didn't mean she could accept this matter.
Helian Yue was at a loss for words. After a long silence, she suddenly spoke, her voice soft and trembling slightly, "Father, I beg you. This one thing, please, you absolutely cannot do. I cannot do it!"
"I can plead with him, I can beg Ye Tiancheng. No matter what price he demands from me, I am willing to accept it, in exchange for his help to our Helian family. Even if it costs me my life, I wouldn't hesitate!"
"But, Father, don't make me marry him!"
Seeing his daughter like this, Helian Yi truly felt reluctant. But what could he do? If there were a better way, would he willingly do this? It was simply a matter of having no choice, or rather, no better option.
"Will your pleading with him be effective? Moreover, even if we survive with great cost, our Helian family will only be able to eke out a meager existence!"
Helian Yi sighed and continued to persuade, "Having Yue'er marry Ye Tiancheng is already the lightest of prices. And he is a good person, so marrying you to him gives me more peace of mind than marrying you to someone else."
Helian Yue was filled with despair.
She asked, "But, Father, aren't you being too presumptuous? Even if you are willing to marry me to him, and even if I ultimately choose to compromise and sacrifice myself, will Ye Tiancheng necessarily agree to marry me?"
"No, he will not betray Mingzhu."
"And just this matter alone, regardless of whether this plan succeeds in the end, how will you teach me to face Mingzhu?"
The father and daughter remained in confrontation. Ultimately, Helian Yi took a temporary step back.
Helian Yi said, "I also know that it is naturally difficult for you to accept such a thing all at once. If possible, your father truly does not want to make things difficult for you."
"Your emotions are too agitated right now, and you may not be able to think rationally."
"Father will give you space to think about this matter properly. As for the feasibility of this matter, even if it seems impossible, for the sake of the Helian family, your father and the elder will do our utmost to find a way to make it possible. As for abandoning this plan, it is absolutely impossible. Yue'er, you must understand this."
After speaking, Helian Yi said to Helian Yue with a somber expression, "For now, that's all. You should rest well today and think carefully. Think about your identity, think about the family behind you, and what you should do."
"Father will leave now. This matter cannot be accomplished overnight, and there is no rush."
Then, Helian Yue watched as Helian Yi turned and left her room.
Helian Yue stood there blankly, a profound sadness filling her heart, leaving her unable to move for a long time.
She understood her identity. Even if it meant marrying the same husband as another woman, if it came to a desperate situation, Helian Yue would have accepted it. Even if her heart couldn't accept it, for the sake of the family, Helian Yue would have done so.
But that person truly couldn't be Ye Tiancheng. She couldn't betray Hou Mingzhu, couldn't betray the trust between them as sisters. If this matter were allowed to proceed, let alone Mingzhu, how could she face her other sisters in the future?
Helian Yue had never felt such despair. What should she do?