Ye Tiancheng considered for a moment and found the little fox's idea to be quite reasonable.
After thinking it over, he said to the little fox, "Your thoughts aren't entirely wrong. If one interprets this behavior as an effort to get closer to us, to show goodwill and declare their intentions, it's actually quite understandable."
The little fox mused that it did seem plausible. Casual conversation could indeed be a way to build rapport. It was precisely these down-to-earth interactions that were better at winning people over, fostering affection, and improving relationships. Thinking about it this way, it suddenly seemed logical.
This way, it wouldn't be considered a waste of time. It was likely that in Helian Yi's eyes, spending so much time chatting with Ye Tiancheng to build a connection was valuable enough to warrant such an effort.
The little fox nodded thoughtfully, "This way, it seems normal. What do you think, big brother? Would you accept the Helian family's overtures?"
Ye Tiancheng shrugged slightly upon hearing this, "It's already saintly of me not to dwell on past matters. I can only manage to not hold a grudge. Asking me to establish friendly relations with the Helian family? That would truly test my willpower."
He considered himself to have nowhere near that kind of patience. From a perspective of self-interest, achieving this much was already a significant concession in Ye Tiancheng's eyes. To ask him to step back further, or even more?
That was absolutely impossible; he couldn't do it!
This time, Qingcheng was unharmed, but what if something had happened? What if he had arrived late, what if that energy had completely gone out of control beforehand, leading to indiscriminate attacks even on its host, or other terrible possibilities?
One couldn't ignore the mistakes made by others simply because those possibilities hadn't materialized or because no harm had been done.
The nature of attempted murder was just as malicious as that of a completed murder. There was no such thing as one crime being less severe than another. Attempted meant failure to execute, not a lack of intent. Therefore, one shouldn't expect forgiveness simply because the other party failed.
In Ye Tiancheng's view, perhaps only a true saint could achieve such a feat. He, for one, admitted he couldn't.
The little fox's attitude naturally shifted in accordance with Ye Tiancheng's. So, the little fox said, "Then we should try to keep our distance. No matter what they do, let's not get too close to them, to avoid any misunderstandings later."
"What if they themselves believe they've resolved everything, that we've sided with them, and then, in their arrogance, cause some trouble for us?"
Ye Tiancheng found this reasoning sound, "That's how it is. I'll be more mindful."
"This matter this time was indeed very difficult. If it weren't for considering Mingzhu's position, to be honest, after all this commotion, regardless of whether anyone in the Helian family was innocent, I fear I wouldn't have been able to avoid taking my anger out on them."
He shook his head, feeling as though he had sighed away all the sighs he would need for his entire life in recent times.
The little fox said, "Big brother, that's a normal reaction. Anyone facing such a situation wouldn't be able to remain rational. It's enough to make even Buddha furious. The fact that you could still hold back shows you have a very good temper."
Ye Tiancheng denied this, "My temper is not good at all, don't speak nonsense."
Hearing this, the little fox smiled and said, "I understand, I understand. It's all because of love."
Seeing that the little fox dared to tease him, Ye Tiancheng immediately playfully wrestled with him. He didn't truly exert any force or strength. When it was just family behind closed doors, there were generally no major conflicts, unless it involved matters of principle. This was different from the situation with the Helian family.
As for Helian Yi, he left the courtyard where Ye Tiancheng and his companions were temporarily staying, filled with worry. After some thought, he decided to find his daughter, Helian Yue, first.
Within this plan, persuading Helian Yue and changing her attitude was also very important. Helian Yi felt it necessary to prepare in advance.
Otherwise, if things escalated too quickly, and people acted based on instinct and impulse in moments of heightened emotion, the situation might become even more complicated. Even with his rational daughter, Helian Yue, Helian Yi wasn't confident that she could maintain her composure and prioritize the family's interests in such a scenario.
Although it felt somewhat unfair to ask his daughter to sacrifice her marriage for the family's interests, as long as she was a member of the Helian family, she would forever be one. Having enjoyed the benefits brought by the Helian family, she should rightfully make sacrifices for the family; this was an awareness every member should possess.
As the family head, Helian Yi knew best that despite their outward prosperity, they all had their own constraints and hardships behind the scenes.
Furthermore, Helian Sheng had indeed convinced Helian Yi that their current plan and ideas were not entirely a sacrifice for Helian Yue without any benefit; at least, that was how they saw it.
Being together with Ye Tiancheng, Helian Yi carefully considered it. With his newfound understanding of Ye Tiancheng, Helian Yi believed that Helian Yue being with Ye Tiancheng would also be a good thing, further binding Ye Tiancheng to the Helian family.
Then, all the crises facing the Helian family could be resolved by Ye Tiancheng alone.
Ye Tiancheng was truly important to the Helian family now. The most significant crises the Helian family faced could all be solved by aligning with Ye Tiancheng. Helian Yi couldn't abandon such a shortcut; the Helian family would never have another opportunity as good as this.
Therefore, he absolutely had to persuade Helian Yue and find a way to facilitate this relationship.
Helian Yi could probably guess what Helian Yue would think upon learning of this matter. She would surely feel she had let her friend down. However, given Helian Yue's sensible nature, Helian Yi also believed she wouldn't disregard the family's plight.
For people of their status, personal happiness was no longer as important as the family's interests.
In wealthy families, the autonomy over marriage was generally not in one's own hands.
At this juncture, Helian Yi could only feel fortunate that he knew his daughter was not an unreasonable person. Even if she couldn't accept it immediately, she wouldn't do anything irreversible.
Helian Yi took a deep breath and arrived outside his daughter Helian Yue's residence. The servants responsible for her care immediately stepped forward upon seeing him.
"Family Head."
Helian Yi nodded at the servant and asked, "Where is the eldest young lady? Is she not here? What is she doing?"
The servant replied to Helian Yi, "The eldest young lady should be in her room. She returned about two hours ago and went into her room, asking us not to disturb her."
"Does the family head wish to see the eldest young lady?"
Helian Yi then said, "Yes, please inform her. If the eldest young lady is not yet resting, tell her I have something to discuss with her."
The servant acknowledged this and walked into the residence. Helian Yi waited outside. Due to the strict separation between men and women, even as father and daughter, Helian Yue was now of an age where Helian Yi couldn't just barge into her room. It would be highly impolite and would certainly lead to gossip if known.
Helian Yi waited outside for a while before the servant hurried back.
Helian Yi asked the servant, "How is it? Is the eldest young lady awake? Has she retired?"
The servant replied to Helian Yi, "The eldest young lady is still awake and has not retired. I have conveyed your message to her. She acknowledged it and is waiting for you inside."
Upon hearing the servant's reply, Helian Yi strode towards Helian Yue's room. Reaching her door, he gently knocked three times. A response came from inside, "Is that Father?"
Helian Yi said, "It is I, Yue'er."
After receiving the confirmation, Helian Yue walked to the door herself, opened her room, and invited Helian Yi in.
Once inside Helian Yue's room, Helian Yi first looked around and then sat down by the tea table. Helian Yue closed her door and followed Helian Yi, sitting opposite him after he was seated.
She asked Helian Yi, "It's so late, Father. What is it you wish to discuss with me?"
The time was indeed no longer early.
Helian Yi had left Ye Tiancheng's place quite late, and the Helian family's main estate was vast, spanning several mountain ranges. Traveling from one place to another took a significant amount of time.
By the time Helian Yi arrived, leisurely contemplating his thoughts, it was almost eight o'clock.
Considering what he was about to say, Helian Yi decided to proceed gradually, as it wouldn't be easy to discuss such sensitive matters right from the start.
Therefore, Helian Yi began by asking, "I just came over to chat about a few things. Have you eaten, Yue'er?"
Helian Yue replied, "I ate before returning."
Helian Yi nodded slightly and continued, "I actually just came from your good friend's place."
Hearing Helian Yi say this, Helian Yue hadn't yet considered the implications. She couldn't possibly fathom his current intentions. If she knew, she would undoubtedly find it completely unacceptable.
Helian Yue merely assumed that Helian Yi was troubled by the recent events and was also concerned about Hou Mingzhu's situation, wanting to know how her niece Ye Qingcheng was doing. She proactively inquired, "Father, you came from Mingzhu's place? How are they? Has little niece Qingcheng gotten any better?"
Helian Yi told her, "Yes, that child has improved. Overall, there are no major issues. She might be a bit sleepy lately and feel drowsy throughout the day, requiring some time to recover, but there are indeed no significant problems."
Upon hearing Helian Yi's words, Helian Yue also breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good. If Qingcheng had suffered any harm because of our Helian family, I wouldn't know how I could face Mingzhu in the future."
Helian Yue's words made Helian Yi's brow twitch involuntarily.
Her attitude made things difficult. Helian Yue was already good friends with Hou Mingzhu, and now, due to Ye Qingcheng's situation, she felt immense guilt towards Hou Mingzhu. Under these circumstances, how could he persuade her to intervene in her good friend's relationship with her husband?
Given Helian Yue's personality, this would likely be extremely difficult. Moreover, discussing such matters made Helian Yi himself feel rather ashamed.
If there wasn't a better alternative, if the Helian family wasn't in its current predicament...
Helian Yi sighed inwardly, "You don't need to worry about that child. A senior has also examined her and confirmed there are no problems. The treatment was timely, and there were no lingering side effects. It's truly fortunate."
Unaware of what she would face next, Helian Yue's lingering anxiety finally subsided.
What she feared most was being unable to account for herself to Hou Mingzhu, and the destruction of their years of sisterly affection, leading to them never speaking to each other again. That was the scenario she least wished to see.