Chapter 2, Diverse Ecosystems

Although it was just a subtle hint from the Zhu Xu family, it seemed to pierce the heart of Master Zhu Er, causing his old face to flush with embarrassment, and he suddenly felt a bit at a loss. Thirty years ago, relying on years of experience in trade and commerce, the Zhu family moved from northern Jiangsu to this place. Unlike his late elder brother who managed the business with great effort, in recent years, Master Zhu Er has merely been living off the dividends from the family business.

Fried, fried corpse, corpse

Burn the corpse!

Cousin, cousin, I was wrong, I was wrong, please forgive me...

Upon hearing her say this, Zhu Yitao immediately jumped out to support her waist

Indeed, when the time comes, we must bring these ungrateful individuals to justice! Lingyun, rest assured, I will definitely assist you then

What is said is precise and just, the words are grand and dignified, yet the sordid thoughts hidden deep within are concealed behind that layer of skin, unknown to the outside world. However, how could Xu Lingyun fail to see that sordid appearance, and how could she give the other party any opportunity

However, one cannot imagine that although the young girl of the Xu family is still small in age, she possesses her own ideas. Not only did she silence outsiders with a single retort, but she also left her own family members speechless.

Moreover, compared to the Xu family, the Zhu family, originally from Anhui, is merely a newcomer, having only engaged in business for a few years. In the context of Shanghai, they could still be considered notable figures, but now their family has also fallen apart

Upon witnessing his actions, everyone turned their gaze towards the coffin, and immediately, two housemaids from the family exclaimed in unison

As for those who were originally either watching the spectacle or sympathizing with Xu Lingyun, upon witnessing this scene, they immediately fled in a panic. Even the few who did not escape were trembling and huddled together, no longer daring to utter a word.

There is no need to trouble Uncle with this matter. Although Uncle and the young master are closely related, both the father-in-law and the second uncle have long since separated and established their own households. Now, although the Zhu family's main branch has only me left, as long as I still draw breath, this lineage cannot be considered extinct. Therefore, matters of the household should not involve outsiders.

Suppressing the fear within her, she cautiously stepped forward

Looking at the young lady of the Xu family before him, Master Zhu Er felt a sense of regret for being too eager. This Xu Lingyun is indeed the young lady of the Xu family. Although the Xu family is not as prominent as it once was, just a few decades ago, merely mentioning the Xu family of Shanghai would command respect from all. Even now, despite the decline of the Xu family, its foundation still remains.

Did Zhu Yitao not realize that she was mocking him? Just as he was about to explode in anger and curse, he was grabbed by his father. The previously awkward expression of Master Zhu Er had now calmed down, but he continued to speak after his son.

One person turned and fled, while the other collapsed as if his legs had turned to jelly, falling to the ground, foaming at the mouth, clearly having been so frightened that he lost consciousness

This bizarre scene caused Liang Wenzuo, who prided himself on his courage, to suddenly retreat in fright, trembling as he pointed at the coffin.

As the man with the surname Liang came to demand repayment of the debt, targeting the Zhu family's capital, it was only natural for Master Zhu Er, who had long regarded the Zhu family's main residence as his own estate, to step forward and protect the assets of the "Zhu family"

He wanted to escape, but his legs felt weak and he could not move them. He could only watch helplessly as fingers emerged from the gap of the coffin lid, while the desire deep within his heart had long since scattered to who knows where.

Perhaps the elder brother has his shortcomings, but for Master Zhu Er, he fundamentally admires the elder brother, especially his vision. Just like the land in the concession and the warehouses built on that land, when the concession was first established, who could have imagined that the price of this land would multiply by dozens of times? Moreover, it is now a case of having a price but no market—those foreign devils no longer lease to Chinese merchants on a perpetual basis.

This is truly a unique occurrence of scorpion excrement

Indeed, she truly lives up to the reputation of a young lady from a wealthy family. Even if she were born of a secondary wife, she still possesses the foundation of a prominent household! ... This mindset ...! ... is truly meticulous!

In the midst of his heartache, he still harbored a glimmer of hope, contemplating that after his elder brother's demise, the possessions of the Zhu family would naturally not fall into the hands of others. The reason he had previously stood up for Xu Lingyun was merely because he calculated that the Zhu family's main residence still included this estate and several shops in the city. Of course, more importantly, there were the warehouses in the concession, which were truly valuable assets that many envied.

Just at that moment, the coffin lid was suddenly pushed open. As the sound of the lid falling echoed, the already terrified Zhu Er Ye, whose three souls and seven spirits had fled, let out a scream, instantly foaming at the mouth and fainting from fright. As for the seemingly calm Zhu Yi Tao, he collapsed directly to the ground, mumbling to himself.

Xu Lingyun, dressed in mourning attire, did not even glance at Zhu Yitao, but instead coldly responded.

My goodness ... ... this ... ... this ... ...

Now, the subtle hints hidden in Xu Lingyun's words caused a moment of embarrassment on Zhu Erye's face. He also realized that although this niece-in-law was merely a young lady from a side branch of the Xu family, she was certainly not someone to be easily bullied. Breaking a bone is connected to the tendons; if the Xu family were to be provoked...! At that time, it would indeed be quite troublesome

Unlike the fear and terror experienced by others, although she was equally afraid, she nervously covered her eyes with her hands while cautiously parting her fingers to look towards the coffin.

Despite being a Christian, she was raised in China and was naturally influenced by supernatural beliefs. The scenes she experienced after her husband's death filled her with a certain hope regarding this 'resurrection of the dead'.

It is necessary to proceed gradually and with careful consideration

The pitch-black wooden coffin had not yet been nailed shut, allowing people to pay their respects and take a final look. Under Liang Wenzuo's gaze, he saw the heavy coffin lid actually shift slightly to the side, and in that instant, a few pale fingers reached out and rested on the coffin board.

Could it be that he returned from the underworld to the world of the living because he felt so bullied by others?

The fundamental reason for his "concession" is his fear of provoking the Xu family. After all, compared to the Xu family, the Zhu family is merely an unestablished client in this area. Some matters cannot be rushed.

Just as Zhu Erye's delicate thoughts were stirring, Zhu Yitao, the only heir of the Zhu family's second branch, was greedily gazing at his sister-in-law, who was dressed in mourning attire and appeared even more charming. In fact, ever since his cousin married this woman, he had often scrutinized her with his eyes, but it had only been mere observation. However, the situation was different now; his cousin was dead, and according to reason, the possessions of the Zhu family's main branch should rightfully belong to the second branch. Naturally, this included Zhu Xushi. Upon thinking of this, a warmth surged in his heart, and he instinctively began to regard her as a possession of his own.

Since the year before last, the business of this firm has been declining day by day, and after the elder brother's passing, the business has plummeted even further. Although the nephew is exceptionally intelligent and passed the scholar examination at the age of seventeen, he is not cut out for business. In less than a year, the firm not only closed its doors but also accumulated a mountain of debt. In a fit of anger and distress, he succumbed to a cold and passed away.

In the midst of the conversation among the crowd, Liang Wenzuo, who initially appeared to be offering condolences but was actually there to press for repayment, found himself in a difficult position. He wanted to leave, yet no one was there to see him off; he wished to stay, but having already lost face, he could not do so.

Xu Lingyun was naturally oblivious to the grotesque scene around her; the sudden change startled her so much that she let out a sharp scream and quickly covered her eyes with her hands

He regretted being too eager, especially regarding his disappointing son, who was nothing more than a little widow... Truly...! However, his niece-in-law was indeed quite charming! His elder brother had an eye for beauty! While he sighed inwardly, Master Zhu Er found himself feeling somewhat envious of his deceased elder brother.

The niece-in-law said, this is indeed the reasoning behind it

At the moment when Liang Wenzuo was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to stay or leave, he suddenly widened his eyes in shock and looked towards the coffin in the mourning hall. Fear instantly appeared in his eyes, and even his legs began to tremble, turning weak.

Thus, it should be so, it should be so...

As for Zhu Erye, who was dragging his son along, he had already lost more than half of his soul at this moment. Feeling guilty, he thought that his petty thoughts had been seen by his nephew's spirit, and in a moment of unwillingness, he wanted to tidy himself up. If it weren't for his son supporting him, he would have probably collapsed to the ground by now. On the contrary, Zhu Yitao stood there, maintaining a calm demeanor, but in reality, he was already soaked below the waist. As the wetness trickled down to the ground, he was still mumbling to himself. If it weren't for his son supporting him, he would have probably collapsed to the ground by now. On the contrary, Zhu Yitao stood there, maintaining a calm demeanor, but in reality, he was already soaked below the waist. As the wetness trickled down to the ground, he was still mumbling to himself.

Xu Lingyun, whose face was pale from fear, did not flee; after all, the one lying inside was her man. Even if he were to explode, it should not harm her, right