Urban Seduction: Housewives Club Chapter 2102 - 431: Widespread Debts of Infamy 4

Waiting around for updates from the Warriors Alliance is merely a polite way to dodge the issue. Even your own Zhang family hasn't lifted a finger—how could anyone possibly believe the Warriors Alliance would step in?

Once the patriarch issued this directive, the Zhang family members experienced a mix of relief and irritation.

Once upon a time, as one of Tianhai's four great families, the Zhangs wielded immense influence.

Yet these days? They first endured devastating setbacks from a scheme aimed at Tianhai, losing not just a key direct heir but also seeing the second patriarch vanish entirely.

Currently, a single individual has cornered them into this dire predicament. The third patriarch met his end directly outside their residence, yet they lack the courage to strike back. All they can do is cower indoors, uncertain when the nightmare might conclude.

This entire mess traces back to the Zhang family's aggressive moves in Jinling, where they set their sights on the city's three dominant families.

Reflecting on it, the choice to intervene in Jinling appears to have been a solo decision by the family head, made without seeking input from others.

In typical scenarios, such matters wouldn't raise eyebrows. Jinling is, after all, merely a modest urban center. Given the Zhang family's strength, it hardly seemed a cause for concern—the head might have viewed it as a minor diversion.

However, the circumstances have shifted dramatically. It's akin to probing for tiny insects and unearthing a massive explosive instead.

In truth, following the second patriarch's disappearance, several had pondered this already. But with Zhang Jianyuan firmly in charge as family head—and the lost one being his nephew—no one pressed the matter.

Today, though, one individual could no longer contain their curiosity. They inquired, "Head of the family, you chose to move against Jinling without ever sharing your motives with us. Now that we're all gathered, would you care to clarify?"

Even as the family head, Zhang Jianyuan's youth meant his authority within the clan remained somewhat limited. Take the questioner, for instance—a near relative from his grandfather's generation.

Given the patriarch's presence, Zhang Jianyuan swallowed his irritation at the probing tone and responded steadily, "Fourth Master, you're reading too much into it. The truth is, there's no deep mystery here. The Zhangs in Jinling share marital ties with our branch. They sought dominance there, and I figured adding another ally for us wouldn't do any harm. So I lent a hand, never imagining it would spark such chaos."

Toward the close, Zhang Jianyuan's tone carried a heavy note of remorse.

No one in the room questioned Zhang Jianyuan's explanation. Backing proxies in lesser locales was standard practice for powerhouse clans like theirs.

Jinling might not qualify as a minor spot—it ranked as a top-tier metropolis, just shy of the elite ten—but it fell outside the Zhang family's core interests, rendering it low-priority.

For a place like that, it made sense for family head Zhang Jianyuan to call the shots independently, bypassing wider consultation.

Per the lineage records, Jinling's Zhang branch did indeed connect to Tianhai's through marriage. Though the link predated the spiritual energy resurgence, it qualified as a valid modern extension.

A handful sensed something off, yet silence prevailed. In the Zhang family, challenging the head without proof amounted to a grave violation.

As the Zhangs stewed in tense anticipation of developments, Wang Yue roamed Tianhai City's streets, masquerading as "Wang Tiezhu."

Zhang Hong handled surveillance on the Zhang clan's activities. Wang Yue's role was simply to await reports and choose his next steps—no further burdens fell on him.

With this uncommon opportunity to explore Tianhai, he aimed to snag some local specialties unavailable in Jinling, all for his loved ones back home.

"Hey? Brother Tiezhu!" Abruptly, a lively voice hailed him from behind while he strolled a bustling lane lined with unique local wares.

He didn't need to glance back to identify the caller. Only three people used "Tiezhu" for him these days.

Turning, he spotted the charming loli twins, Zhou Pingping and Zhou Tingting, waving with boundless enthusiasm. Beside them, the poised and alluring young attorney Zhou Yifei offered a warm grin.

Assured it was truly their "Brother Tiezhu," the pair of little ones dashed forward in delight, each latching onto one of his arms.

Aboard the vessel, these socially awkward girls had embraced him fully as kin. Thus, even the shyer Zhou Tingting found such warm closeness instinctive.

"Wang Tiezhu" posed as an everyday trader who dabbled in martial pursuits alongside commerce. Flaunting advanced treasures like a space ring would invite unwanted scrutiny.

To mask this secret, Wang Yue avoided using it. He stowed his acquisitions in a hefty duffel instead, intending to transfer them to the ring later in private.

The duo of young girls soon eyed the bag slung over his shoulder. Zhou Pingping queried with wide-eyed interest, "Brother Tiezhu, did you pick up these items?"

"Yes," Wang Yue answered, lowering the bag with a grin. "Go ahead and peek inside—grab anything that catches your eye, and it'll be my treat for you."

Utterly pure and untainted by worldly guile or manners, the two eagerly consented and set about unzipping the duffel.

Naturally, this stemmed from the giver being Wang Yue, already family in their hearts. From a stranger, they'd politely decline—not out of show, but genuine disinterest.

Zhou Yifei remarked with a touch of chagrin, "I've indulged them too much; they lack any sense of decorum."

"That's what makes them wonderful—no artifice or show," Wang Yue replied smilingly. "Treating me like family means they'll gladly take what I offer."

At that point, the girls had unzipped the bag and dove in, buzzing with excitement as they picked out treasures.

Zhou Yifei had at first dismissed "Wang Tiezhu" as a true trader; his straightforward demeanor and clear, innocent eyes lacked the sly edge common among dealers.

Yet upon closer acquaintance, she occasionally caught a roguish glint in his gaze—nothing more than typical guy impulses, which didn't faze her.

Renowned in Jinling for her sharp insight into character, Zhou Yifei trusted her initial read on him.

This occasion forced her to concede her error. Wang Yue's duffel brimmed solely with headpieces, earrings, and necklaces—hundreds apiece of each variety.

Who else but a bulk-buying seller would stockpile such quantities of identical goods?

The twins swiftly claimed a matching trio each, in hues and designs suiting their tastes. They donned them immediately and paraded before Zhou Yifei, asking, "Mom, do they look nice?"

Wang Yue's purchases consisted of premium craftsmanship. Beyond superior materials, they aided martial artists in steadying their thoughts and vitality; for civilians, they boosted wellness. Plus, each piece gleamed with exquisite allure.

Already lovely by nature, the girls shone even brighter adorned thus, evoking flawless gems enhancing radiant maidens.

"They look nice," Zhou Yifei affirmed, beaming her approval.

Wang Yue chimed in, "They're stunning. Pingping and Tingting are genuine little gems."

Basking in acclaim from Mom and Brother Tiezhu, the pair beamed with pure joy.

"Aunt Zhou, why not choose a set for yourself?" Wang Yue suggested to Zhou Yifei.

"This..." Zhou Yifei paused, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face.