At Kaiyuan Tower, just as the group settled in, Xiao Bin hurried in. Compared to before, Xiao Bin possessed a newfound steadiness, accompanied by a quiet-looking girl—his new girlfriend, Gao Xiaowen.
As the Student Union President, Xiao Bin was something of a campus figure; starting a relationship this late was actually rather late for him. “Zhang Yang, what have you been busy with lately?
Haven’t seen you around in ages!” As soon as he sat down, Xiao Bin greeted Zhang Yang, his face showing a hint of deference. Having fully grasped the nature of the Student Union, he now understood why Zhang Yang had initially abandoned those powers and quit so directly.
Compared to the outside world, this was merely a toy; he would step down next month as well, preparing for his new job after graduation. “I’ve been quite busy recently, coming to school less often!” Zhang Yang smiled faintly.
He hadn't been back to campus once since the semester started, and this return visit was solely to see Mi Xue. Students like him existed, but none disappeared without so much as a word, though that was just Zhang Yang—he could do anything on campus, something others couldn't dare attempt.
“How is the job situation coming along?” Zhang Yang asked with another smile. A trace of dejection immediately appeared on Xiao Bin’s face as he shook his head gently.
“Not great. It’s too hard for undergraduates to secure a position at the university.
This year, there are only two slots, and both are reserved—one taken by Vice Principal Zhou, the other by Director Xu. I have no chance!” Speaking of staying at the university, Xiao Bin was somewhat disheartened.
He genuinely wanted to work there; he loved this place, this school. Unfortunately, he had neither connections nor money; securing a position was too difficult.
Despite all his efforts, he saw no hope and had now given up, planning to look for a job elsewhere. Even if he couldn't get into a government office, with his university graduate status, finding a suitable job wouldn't be hard.
“It’s alright, you tried your best!” Zhang Yang smiled again, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes. When Zhou Yichen was desperate, he had once asked Zhang Yang for a loan.
Zhang Yang had made one demand then: to have the staff position reserved by his uncle given up for Xiao Bin. Zhou Yichen had agreed back then, but now it seemed he had merely paid lip service and never intended to relinquish that spot.
It didn't matter if he didn't give it up; Zhang Yang had plenty of ways to make the man hand it over—and give up even more besides. The food arrived quickly.
Hu Xin and Gu Cheng were no longer wolfing down the delicacies as they once did. Having been major bosses for so long, they had tasted countless delicacies and were no longer impressed by such fare.
This showed that their lives had truly improved; they had risen above, certainly better off than many of their classmates. While Zhang Yang was happy for them, he felt a slight regret.
While they ate, Gao Xiaowen kept stealing glances at Zhang Yang. As Xiao Bin’s girlfriend, she heard Zhang Yang’s name the most from him.
Every time Xiao Bin mentioned Zhang Yang, an unnatural hint of reverence colored his tone—a nuance even Xiao Bin himself didn't realize. He often said that his current standing was entirely thanks to Zhang Yang; otherwise, with his qualifications and ability, there was no way he could have become Student Union President, much less the most powerful one in Changjing University’s history.
In short, in Xiao Bin’s narrative, Zhang Yang was an omnipotent powerhouse. However, today's Zhang Yang left Gao Xiaowen somewhat disappointed.
He appeared ordinary, perhaps even more so. The only difference was that his girlfriend, Mi Xue, was truly beautiful, undeniably the most famous beauty on campus.
“Xiao Bin, don’t worry, you will definitely get to stay at the school!” After the meal, Zhang Yang left with Mi Xue, while Hu Xin and Xiao Dai also departed elsewhere. Before leaving, Zhang Yang said this to Xiao Bin, leaving the latter stunned in place for quite a while.
Only after Zhang Yang was far away did Xiao Bin become somewhat excited. He knew Zhang Yang well, understood his influence within the school, and if Zhang Yang was willing to help, staying at the university was truly not impossible.
He hadn’t asked Zhang Yang for help before because he felt too awkward to bring it up. Now, hearing Zhang Yang imply he intended to help proactively, how could he not be thrilled?
“Xiaowen, Zhang Yang is willing to help me, that’s wonderful! I can finally stay at the university this time!” Xiao Bin grabbed Gao Xiaowen’s shoulders, speaking excitedly, almost bursting into spontaneous gestures.
“He was probably just comforting you. How do you know he’ll help?
Even if he can help, he isn’t the principal. Staff positions are too precious; how could he possibly secure one for you?” Gao Xiaowen shook her head gently.
Today’s Zhang Yang had somewhat disappointed her. She couldn’t fathom why Xiao Bin held such adoration for this man.
Was it just because he was rich? Her own family wasn't poor; at least her father, who dealt in medicinal herbs, drove a very nice BMW sedan.
“You don’t understand him. Zhang Yang never promises anything lightly.
Since he said that, he intends to help me. Things he can’t do, he never speaks of.
Since he said this, he must have a way!” Xiao Bin shook his head and asserted, his faith in Zhang Yang perhaps exceeding even his faith in himself. Sometime along the way, Zhang Yang had transformed into an omnipotent figure in his mind.
Gao Xiaowen just watched him, saying nothing this time. Whether it worked out depended on the future.
If Xiao Bin could stay, that would be best; a university teacher position was excellent, and her family wouldn't object to their relationship. Zhang Yang’s Mercedes drove back to the villa.
Before the car had even fully stopped, Qu Meilan came over. In fact, Zhang Yang had returned once before, but immediately driven out again.
Over the past few days, he had missed Mi Xue terribly. Especially after Huyan Feng’s threat, he worried more about Mi Xue, which was why he headed straight to the school upon arriving home, only feeling completely relieved after seeing her.
“Young Master, you’re back. Mr.
Li and Mr. Long are already here!” As Zhang Yang stepped out of the car, Qu Meilan spoke softly.
Mr. Li and Mr.
Long referred to Li Changfeng and Long Jiu, respectively. These two did not reside in Zhang Yang’s villa but had not left Changjing either.
They visited almost daily to check if Zhang Yang had returned. They were all acutely aware that the Zhang family’s move against the Huyan family was a major event, and the clan members were awaiting news.
As for Long Feng, he hadn't left his room these past few days, remaining in secluded cultivation. “Mr.
Zhang!” As soon as he entered the living room, Li Changfeng and Long Jiu stood up together. They used the same form of address for Zhang Yang.
Facing such a young man, they found it impossible to call him "Senior," yet they dared not address him as an equal. They settled on this respectful title.
“Let’s go upstairs to talk!” Zhang Yang gestured upstairs, and Li Changfeng and Long Jiu immediately headed up. Qu Meilan deftly started brewing tea.
“Darling, wait for me, we’ll talk later!” Turning back, he gently kissed Mi Xue’s forehead before heading upstairs. Mi Xue smiled sweetly, touching her forehead.
This time, Zhang Yang seemed slightly changed upon his return—more attentive to her, caring for her more deeply. “Mr.
Zhang, please forgive our intrusion,” Long Jiu spoke first after they entered the study. Li Changfeng had intended to say something similar, but Long Jiu beat him to it, leaving him to settle for sitting beside him.
Long Jiu was, by seniority, his superior, and stronger too; he could only sit quietly for now. “It’s nothing.
I know what you want to know. All eighty-nine members of the Huyan family, including their guardian Huyan Feng, and Elder Hu Yanming, have been annihilated.
Only their Patriarch, Huyan Baisheng, remains, but he won’t be active for much longer. The Huyan family is completely wiped out!” Zhang Yang smiled lightly, disclosing the final result before they could even ask.
The reason these two visited daily was to learn the outcome of the confrontation between the Zhang and Huyan families. Since Zhang Yang had returned, victory presumably belonged to the Zhang family, but seeing him alone left the final details unknown.
Now that Zhang Yang confirmed it, they realized the Huyan family was destroyed. “The Huyan family, completely wiped out?” Long Jiu subconsciously repeated Zhang Yang’s words.
Though he had anticipated this outcome, hearing Zhang Yang state it confirmed the shock. This was a venerable lineage spanning a thousand years.
While the Huyan family’s overall strength didn't surpass the Long family's, it wasn't far behind. Yet, the Zhang family, with only a few members, managed to eradicate such a large, established clan.
“Mr. Zhang, how are the esteemed elders of the Zhang family?
Are they unharmed?” Li Changfeng asked anxiously. Long Jiu quickly composed himself and looked at Zhang Yang as well.
They were equally concerned about the price the Zhang family paid to destroy the Huyan clan. Of course, for them, mutual damage would have been ideal, but Zhang Yang’s appearance suggested that was unlikely.
“Not a single member of my Zhang family suffered injury. They haven’t returned yet because there are still remnants of the Huyan family that must be thoroughly purged, but I am no longer needed for that work!” Zhang Yang smiled again.
Announcing the results was an instruction from the Old Master. Even if they hadn't asked, Zhang Yang would have found a way to publicize the outcome, letting others know the might of the Zhang family.
“Not a single injury!” Both Li Changfeng and Long Jiu’s bodies trembled slightly. Eliminating a thousand-year-old great house without a single loss—the Zhang family’s power was truly terrifying.
Although the Huyan family was inferior to the Long family and slightly weaker than the Li family, they were still comparable, all being thousand-year lineages. If the Zhang family destroyed the Huyan family so easily, didn't that imply they had the strength to destroy the Long or Li families as well?
The thought sent a chill down their spines, leading them to form a new understanding of the Zhang family, tinged with dread. Seeing their reaction, Zhang Yang smiled with satisfaction internally.
This was the effect he sought. This decisive annihilation of the Huyan family officially marked the end of the Zhang family’s low profile.
From this moment on, the Zhang family would inevitably become a major focus of attention; every action taken by every Zhang family member would carry immense weight. Anyone considering action against a Zhang family member would have to first calculate whether they could bear the consequences; after such consideration, they would surely think twice.
This was the effect Zhang Pinglu and Zhang Daofeng desired. The resurgence of the Zhang family, their glorious days, had begun.