Evan Lin left the Rowe clan.
He didn’t bother setting any rules for the Rowe Patriarch to guarantee loyalty.
After all, with absolute strength, any other restraints are just a joke.
If the Rowe Patriarch ever grows a second heart, Evan can always pay him another visit.
Besides, Evan Lin couldn’t care less about the Rowe clan’s so-called legacy—it’s practically worthless to him, whether he takes it or not.
He took a car to the high-speed rail station and bought a ticket back to Beijing.
On the way, Lily Liang sent Evan Lin a text—just two words: thank you.
As for Sisi Shao, Evan didn’t bother with her anymore.
Beijing.
A private villa.
Ju family ancestral hall.
Outside the hall, someone knelt on the flagstones, head bowed.
A rain had just fallen in Beijing; the air was damp, and large patches of water still lingered on the ground.
The person was soaked through by the rain, looking miserable from a distance, but up close, there was a quiet resilience.
You’ve been kneeling here for days—do you admit your mistake?
Inside the hall, an elder sat watching Allen Ju outside—soaked, pale, and miserable. His voice was calm: "Our Ju family has always avoided conflict with Nightstar, but you broke that rule."
Now you’re kneeling for your friend, punished for days. If you still don’t understand, keep kneeling.
His voice carried authority without anger. The elder’s hair was white, and his gaze toward Allen Ju was sharp.
A brief pause.
He is my friend.
Allen Ju’s voice was hoarse as he knelt there; his knees were swollen from days of punishment.
Even while kneeling, he stubbornly kept his back straight, refusing to admit fault.
To the onlookers, the scene stirred complex emotions.
Some felt sympathy, others took pleasure in his misfortune.
There were many people inside the hall; Selina Wu, Martin Wu, and others were kept aside. Even if they wanted to speak up, they had no right.
The Ju clan was vast and powerful, its businesses spread across China. As the third generation, Allen Ju had made plenty of mistakes growing up, but never had the family made him kneel in front of the ancestral hall like today.
He had been kneeling for days.
He never rose from the ground.
Even when sleeping, Allen Ju was made to kneel.
Xing’an, just admit your mistake to your grandfather.
Beside him, a woman in her forties or fifties with remarkable poise looked at Allen Ju, her eyes full of endless concern: "Your grandfather is doing this for your own good."
Our Ju family never gets involved in messy affairs. We’ve never said much about how you conduct yourself, but this time, you crossed the line.
The woman tried to persuade him further.
Mom, he is my friend.
Allen Ju repeated his stance.
Earlier, Evan Lin clashed with Nightstar and Xiaoyuan Xu at the Yannan Club, and Allen Ju stepped in to back him up, helping resolve the matter.
Now, it turned out the issue was much more troublesome than Allen Ju had expected.
At the very least, the Ju family had no intention of getting involved, and Allen Ju’s stance had only made them more dissatisfied with him.
Xing’an, you’re wrong. You should understand your status—Third Young Master Ju. Can you just casually make friends with anyone?" A man stepped forward, looking at Allen Ju kneeling, his eyes full of satisfaction.
His name was Chase Ju, a branch member of the Ju clan. His status could never compare to Allen Ju.
But he still carried the Ju family blood; if Allen Ju really refused to listen, his Third Young Master Ju status might be revoked by the family patriarch.
In that case, Chase Ju thought, if he behaved well enough, he might even replace Allen Ju.
This status wasn’t ordinary—just seeing how Allen Ju, as Third Young Master Ju, could challenge so many people in Beijing showed its importance.
Previously, Allen Ju’s uncle Liu Tangguo, a member of the Beijing Liu family, was sent to Bai Nan to manage the Liu family’s business there. The Liu and Ju families’ influence was evident from their involvement in every aspect of Bai Nan’s industries.
Besides, Allen Ju could represent the Ju family to some extent, but Chase Ju obviously couldn’t. These were the calculations and considerations, both open and hidden.
Who I choose as friends is none of your business.
Allen Ju glanced at him coldly, his face pale as he knelt, struggling to keep his back straight.
Of course it matters who you make friends with! After all, I’m part of the Ju family too!
Chase Ju straightened his chest: "If you make reckless friends outside, it’s not just your reputation at stake—it’s our whole family’s reputation!"
How could someone from the Ju family become friends with just any alley cat? That’s lowering yourself. Worse yet, that alley cat could drag our Ju family into the mud!
If just one friend of yours, Allen Ju, drags the whole Ju family into trouble, tell me—doesn’t that concern me?
Chase Ju spoke with conviction.
Nightstar isn’t someone ordinary people can afford to provoke.
Everyone in Nightstar is powerful—even though the Ju family is wealthy and influential, there’s no need to risk unnecessary conflict with them.
Especially for an outsider?
Allen Ju remained silent.
During this time, Martin Wu was also punished for this issue, though his punishment was less severe than Allen Ju’s.
By comparison, the Wu family patriarch still favored Evan Lin.
But the Ju family patriarch had never actually met Evan Lin.
He only knew that Allen Ju, who had always acted within the rules, had finally crossed the line.
All for an outsider.
This could bring unnecessary trouble to the Ju family, even push them into opposition with other clans.
This was something the Ju family patriarch didn’t want to see.
Not talking now? Hmm?
Chase Ju saw Allen Ju silent and sneered: "You keep saying he’s your friend, but have you ever thought—you might just be a pawn to him."
A few days ago, the patriarch invited Evan Lin to our home—so why did he leave?
Never even saw his shadow!