Chapter 317 - Zhou Linfeng and Xiong Zhi

Linfeng's strong resolve wavered. 

He felt ashamed of himself. His Young Miss loved him without fail, even if she had to suffer. While he dared to have the guts to make this plan which could ruin her peaceful days.

"I..." Linfeng had been planning and investigating on breaking the treaty his whole life.

Before he met his Young Miss, the passion of achieving something bigger than a butler could do was the one that fueled him to endure the life of servitude. He had always been a person of great pride and ambitions. He had always dreamed that one day, he would break the treaty and take off his and the Zhou family's shackles. 

He would set his own path. He would achieve great things and become a legendary person in the world.

He wanted to imprint his name in the annals of history, not as a butler serving others, but as a person who had made a great contribution to the world. 

Yes, he was ambitious. Greedy. He wanted to be the boss of his own life. He did not want to serve anyone. He wanted to be the one called 'Master'. 

That was his greatest dream. And he promised himself that he would achieve just that, and more.

Yet... he began to realize that deep within his proud heart, there was a hidden inferiority as well, something which he had never realized, not until he met the Young Miss.

He felt unworthy of his Young Miss and tried to suppress his emotions.

But facing the Young Miss who loved him unconditionally, who knew his heart and thoughts and accepted him despite it all, who changed him by her soft smiles and gentle eyes, he decided to face his hidden inferiority and use it as fuel to become a worthy man for her. A person not shackled by servitude. 

There was a thin line between pride and inferiority. With Xiong Zhi as a motivation, he was able to overcome this hurdle.

Linfeng's dream slowly changed.

A figure was slowly forming in his dreams. Xiong Zhi was standing there in his future. There was no disputes for power and authority, just her.

He initially wanted to reach an agreement with Old Xiong. This would both release the shackles on the Zhou family and ensure that his Young Miss would not be hurt. But it had now become apparent that Old Xiong would never allow that.

Now, he was given two choices. 

His ambition. Shall he break the treaty right now at this moment, but hurt Zhi'er in the process?

Or to protect Zhi'er. Shall he give up this chance of immediately destroying the treaty on this very day, ensuring that Zhi'er would not be affected by his ambitions?

…Perhaps, he could find another way to avoid hurting the Young Miss, even if it meant postponing his ambitions. 

"I..." Linfeng looked at Xiong Zhi. The trusting image of the girl bore into his eyes. She was always willing to bow for him and care for him in anyway, unwilling to let him suffer.

But… he was also the same.

Somewhat, his eyes felt sour and his nose astringent. He closed his eyes for a long moment.

He did not want to betray his Young Miss's feelings. And he did not want to abandon his own family.

His mind ran in circles, until he found a decision.

He opened his eyes and a determined look appeared inside.

"I admit defeat. For now, I will not publicize this matter. I don't want to lose Zhi'er."

Linfeng resolved himself. His mind was now a lot clearer. To him, his Young Miss was more important. Even if it meant to momentarily abandon his years of effort. He could still find happiness in serving by her side.

Of course, he would not let go of his dream. He simply decided to prioritize his Young Miss. It could follow later.

He already got his hands on the method of breaking the treaty, he did not mind waiting a bit more for the right time when he could implement it. The right time when the Old Xiong would finally be willing to compromise.

"Master Xiong, I love Zhi'er. If I can be with her always, I am willing to be her aide for the rest of my life," Linfeng said. 

"Ha, you are just an exiled person with no such rights. You are no longer qualified to serve her," Old Xiong said. How dare this young man confessed in front of him?

The truth was, he himself began to doubt. This boy, although rebellious, was definitely a talented genius, rare in the Zhou family. Could it be possible? Truly?

There really was a way to break the treaty?

Linfeng knew from his expression that the elder was already starting to doubt. It was good news, it meant that there was still hope that he would take his words seriously.

So he continued his words with utmost seriousness and sincerity. "Master Xiong. I truly am not joking when I said I have found a way. Whether I am exiled or not, if I do so, then being expelled by the Xiong and Zhou family will not matter at all."

Old Xiong's face began to twitch in anger again. No, if it truly was… the impact to the Xiong family would be great. The Zhou family would not be left unscathed by the Xiong family either.

As if hearing his mind, the boy continued.

"I will definitely break the treaty with what I have, but privately, to avoid harming the Xiong family. The Xiong family, undeniably, was highly respected by the Zhou family. At least in the short term, our family will not have the mind to harm the Xiong's interest."

"Easy for you to say, but what about our reputation when this become known?" Old Xiong taunted angrily.

"This is why I shall not publicize at the moment. In return, I shall devote my loyalty and serve Young Miss, and help her achieve the highest peak, and prepare both of our families for the inevitable. But make no mistake, it is not because of a treaty or a covenant between our ancestors, but because of my own will and my heartfelt desire to help her establish her power in Xiong Empire."

He would be by her side not because he was lowly servant forced into servitude, but as a free man who willingly chose to help her out of love for her.

His eyes shone with firm determination and sincerity.

Old Xiong was caught off guard at the resolve in the young man's eyes. He was taken aback, seeing his determined gaze and stubbornness.

He had prepared to insult and negate his words in every way, but suddenly he could not say anything.

Xiong Zhi watched as her man voluntarily enter a compromise for her sake. 

Her eyes misted. She knew how important this matter was to him, yet he decided to put her first before that obsession. Her heart ached but at the same time, she felt happy.

But she did not want him to suffer a grievance for her. 

Xiong Zhi looked at his wavering grandfather. She knew that this alone would not be able to convince the old man. She wanted to help Linfeng persuade the elder. She wanted to voice out her determination as well.

She took a step closer to Linfeng and held his hand.

Since Linfeng was willing to go such length for her, even courageously confessed his heartfelt feelings in front of the old man, then how could she just stand around and do nothing? 

In this second chance at life, the number one thing she wanted the most was only one thing. Everything else was secondary.

Xiong Zhi tightened her hold and looked at her grandfather. "Grandfather, you know of my stubborn personality. I have long made up my mind. I love him. Once everything was settled, I fully intend to marry him in the future. By that time, no one will be able to say anything."

Old Xiong's body trembled.

The people who was watching the show was shocked again at the new development. Another bomb had dropped! 

They could not hear what they were saying, but they saw how the dignified Young Miss of the family fitted her hand to Linfeng's.

Obviously, a pair of lovers stood before them.