A brave man may not live, but he cannot die

Chapter 276 Reeve's Heartache

Reeve Branson's illness dates back to the year Elon graduated.

This marks the fifteenth anniversary of the completion of Airswell Airport. After a series of complex transactions, sales, and power struggles, the Branson family has secured full management rights over the Grindelwald Eye commercial routes and the operation rights of the entire airport.

Even with the Northern Continent shrouded and sealed off by the Misty Sea, and the Western Continent mired in war, Aiswell Airport could still stably operate more than thirty routes, with nearly four hundred airships taking off and landing daily. It was the only airport on the Southern Continent, and the only originating station with transcontinental space propulsion capabilities. Given this monopolistic background, the daily resupply, berthing, and logistical revenue from the airport alone was a figure that would make any bank envious.

Although the Branson family is also responsible for the maintenance of the airport, the benefits it brings go far beyond what is publicly known. There is also the unseen benefits of transcontinental trade, the acquisition of high-quality shares in exchange for route operating rights, and business cooperation opportunities with greater bargaining power.
Reeve Branson deserves much credit for enabling the Branson family to achieve this level of success in just a few decades.

With a visionary foresight that transcended his time, he gambled everything on the construction of an airport, a project that required enormous investment and had an uncertain future. His exceptional social skills also allowed him to navigate the power struggles among various factions with ease. He married the daughter of the Earl of the Kingdom of Ron, sent his son to study in Bavaria, and through these various gestures of goodwill, secured a majority vote in parliament, ultimately defeating the local power, the Alexander family, and winning the rights to operate the airport.

Reeve wasn't the only one with foresight. Several foundations controlled by cults, Ron's Cavendish family, and even the British royal family all clearly expressed interest in the airport. However, such an important asset naturally couldn't fall into the hands of foreign powers. The Academy's condition for opening the Eye of Grindelwald was that it could only be operated by locals. Reeve had all the advantages, bringing his family to a scale that no Branson family head had ever achieved in the past thousand years.

If Reeves had any worries, it was only about his offspring.

For the past thousand years, the Branson family has been overshadowed by the Alexandrian family. Besides the fact that trade was less profitable than real estate before the era of airships, another important reason lies in the issue of offspring—

The Branson family has almost exclusively had a single heir to this day, and it's unclear whether it's a genetic defect or just sheer bad luck. Reeve's father didn't have his son until he was sixty, and his grandfather was around the same age; it took going back four generations for two sons to emerge as heirs. Although the Branson family's genealogy is thick, it's very thin, with almost no heirs who could have three or four children.

The same applies to these descendants; many have no offspring, or the biological nature of their offspring is highly questionable. For example, it's a miracle that the bloodline of Branson, the "chocolate baby," has continued to this day, given that both parents are white. Southern nobility take pride in having many children, not only for aesthetic purposes in family portraits, but also to fully utilize educational resources and cultivate reliable managers for the family's vast business.

The small population has been a disadvantage for the Branson family for the past thousand years, but it has become an advantage only in the matter of the ownership of the airport. Compared to the Alexandre family, whose distant and close relatives can form a reinforced company in various countries of the Southern Continent, the Branson family, with only Reeve as the main figure, is obviously easier to control. This is why Bavaria and Ron are willing to bet on Reeve.

By the time it came to Reeve's generation, perhaps it was because the ancestors who had been unable to conceive for thousands of years had accumulated enough good karma in the underworld to grant them a guarantee, because only two or three years after Reeve married Jenny, Jenny became pregnant with Elon.

Reeve's first reaction was to thank the goddess.

Although some brave souls have proposed concepts like "genes," Temurian's medical expertise is certainly insufficient to diagnose whether a genetic defect truly exists. The ancestors of the Branson family attributed fertility problems to a "curse," and those cursed sought solutions from a religion, which happened to be the White Religion, renowned for its medical practices.

Bishop Eswell of the White Church baptized young Elon and told the Reeves that they might have more than one child.

A few years later, perhaps it was a miracle from the goddess, or perhaps it was the result of Reeve's tireless efforts, Jenny became pregnant with a girl and was born healthy and safe after ten months of pregnancy.

Elon, the son of the Reeves, could walk at the age of one and read at the age of two. While other children were still playing with building blocks, he was already holding "The Tale of Merlin the Hero" and starting to think. He was old at a young age. During his adolescence, his prodigy attributes were fully exposed. He was the third hero among such an outstanding student at Salem Noble School.

However, Xia Dai'er was different from her brother. The little girl was far less intelligent than her brother—although she wasn't stupid, she only had the aptitude of an ordinary person. She didn't learn things quickly and her views on things were very naive. She was just an ordinary child.

But Miss Chaldale has one special trait.

That means she's exceptionally beautiful.

Admittedly, the prerequisite for having good-looking offspring is that the parents cannot be ugly. The descendants of all the long-established families in the Southern Continent are not bad-looking, after all, they have the genetic improvement of their stallion ancestors. However, not everyone with outstanding appearance can have equally good-looking offspring. For example, the mother of the fat-headed Alexandre family head was once the most beautiful woman in Aiswell.

Besides the political marriage, Reeve was able to win over the count's daughter because he was also quite good-looking. Elon, on the other hand, was the kind of person who should have inherited his parents' looks normally. He was handsome, but not exaggeratedly so. His good looks came more from his temperament and physique. He was still a bit short of Ancua's level and could only be described as an ordinary handsome guy.

However, Chaldale was different. She inherited all the best features from her parents, including Reeve's high nose bridge and romantic eyes, and her mother's petite face. Her elegant features grew as she matured. Although the title "Pearl of Eswell" was a media hype, those who had met Chaldale felt that it was well-deserved.

With a smart son, a beautiful daughter, a successful career, and no shortage of heirs, vision, and family prospects, Reeve naturally encountered the common anxieties of successful and powerful figures in the Southern Continent—how can I have more children?

Besides the customs of high society, the Kagyu religion's promotion of procreation was also a reason why he wanted to have more children. The Holy Spirit and the Goddess of Order: the aspect of 'order' is reflected in law, arbitration, and commerce, while the aspect of 'holy spirit' is the universal values ​​of the Kagyu religion. The religion interprets behaviors such as 'kindness,' 'healing,' 'following one's nature,' and 'closeness to nature' as manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

This is why the teachings of the Kagyu school do not impose too many restrictions on believers; enjoying pleasure and pursuing wealth are seen as manifestations of 'following one's nature'.

The same applies to childbirth.

Doctrines promoting childbirth are common in theological societies, since the more believers the better, and faith from the family is the most stable and reliable. As a devout believer, Reeve naturally decided to respond to the church's call to have more children.

However, more than a decade has passed since Chaldale, and Jenny's belly still shows no signs of pregnancy.

"Mmm." Accompanied by soft, panting breaths, she said intermittently, "Back then... I was only twelve years old."

"My father and mother seem to be arguing, they're having a fight. I don't know why. Ah."

Upon hearing the crucial point, Quinn slowed her pace, leaned down, and pressed her body against her fair, smooth back, waiting for her to continue.

Reeve Branson's rise to wealth is hardly a secret. As a legendary figure representing the "Ashville Dream," every bookstore carries tales of the billionaire's early life. While these books often employ artistic license and omit the power struggles between various kingdoms and the academy, they are still quite close to the truth.

Only what Chaldale was about to tell was a secret that no one else knew.

“Back then,” she said sullenly, her face buried in the soft pillow, “my father always said he wanted to give me a younger brother or sister, but… it never happened.”

“I didn’t understand why they were arguing back then. But now, Quinn, I’m about to tell you something you won’t laugh at.”

“Of course,” he said.

“My mother was a very career-oriented woman. She always wanted to prove to my grandfather and my uncles and aunts that marrying a businessman could be just as good as marrying a nobleman, and might even be better.”

Quinn drew circles on the smooth back, the delicate skin trembling slightly from the tickling sensation. This trembling was then fed back to him through the touch of his fingertips, like a big bad wolf watching a lamb struggle. He couldn't help but take a deep breath. How lewd.

"Jenny, yes, Aqua did say that even if she inherits the title, there won't be any problem."

During the two years that Reeve was on sick leave, Jenny quietly took the helm of the Branson family. From initial skepticism to recognition from partners and business rivals, she proved her ability and skill. Chaldie's grandfather also expressed his regret on more than one occasion for not keeping this daughter by his side.

"Back then... well, no, no, the important thing is, Father always kept Mother by his side. I asked my brother why they kept the door closed. My brother just laughed."

"Do you understand now?" Quinn asked with a wicked grin.

"I love kissing you."

After a brief French kiss, she continued, "But...my mother hasn't gotten pregnant. She wants to work, and I can tell...she's unhappy staying at home."

That's true. Jenny and Reeve's marriage was a political alliance. Before Reeve took control of the airport, his aristocratic wife held an even higher social standing than him. In any case, he couldn't be as chauvinistic as other wealthy men, such as Kraft Alexander, and control his wife like a servant.
So even if the seven-year itch can be maintained with medication, it's like forcing an old married couple to stay together—it's like trying to force a relationship that won't blossom. How can it be sweet?

"Later, they had a fight. I don't know what they were arguing about, but it must have been something to do with..."

"My older brother went to persuade him, and it was the first time I'd ever seen my father get angry at him."

"What did you say, bro? Wait, let me think."

She slid out, and the girl tilted her head back, mimicking her brother's expression, and said in a pretentious tone, "I'm sorry, Father, I shouldn't have argued with you so logically and clearly, using words you couldn't refute, when you were acting unreasonably and impulsively."

He said his father was a 'typical parent'.

Quinn narrowed his eyes slightly. What kind of parent?

There was only one word that came to his mind subconsciously.

"Turns out he's a very filial son."

Anyway, after that, Father became much colder towards Mother.

After thinking for a moment, Quinn concluded that Reeve could not possibly have a mistress.

Jenny is, after all, the Earl's daughter. Marrying a businessman is already a step down for her. He doesn't care if he's the richest man or not; bringing another woman home would be a slap in the face to her father. A divorce and a complete falling out are inevitable, and the Branson family would lose Ron, a crucial ally behind the scenes.
Illegitimate children born outside the family have no right to inherit, and Jenny would never allow illegitimate children to get involved in the family business; giving birth to them would be pointless.

"Your father doesn't plan to have any more children?"

Xia Dai'er gently shook her head.

"I don't know. But it seems he's found a special treatment."

"I don't know the specifics. But during the years his brother was studying abroad, he stayed up late and woke up early every day, dieted, and didn't eat much meat, so he became less cheerful. I don't know if that's the reason. He got stomach problems and kidney problems, all caused by his lifestyle habits."

He found a doctor. A man from the Western Continent.

Quinn knew the important part was coming.

"Is his name Jack?"

How did you know—

About twenty minutes later.

Chaldie, carried out of the bathroom by Quinn, collapsed onto the bed, her skin steaming. He dried her with a towel, a feeling of satisfaction washing over her, but she was so tired she didn't want to move a finger. She languidly hummed twice, "Pervert."

"That's so we can get down to business quickly."

Quinn looked at the sunset with a refreshed expression.

Perhaps the method of indulging in hobbies is right, suppressing the loss of control through doing what one loves. He is now clear-headed, without the slightest sense of confusion, and the extraordinary qualities in his soul are exceptionally stable.

"Hmph, but you can't... Hmph... Using your feet is so weird."

"Go on, keep going." Quinn coughed twice.

"You're so concerned about my father. Where were we?"

"Jack?"

The girl looked curious: "How do you know that doctor's name?"

"Because I was secretly inquiring about your family situation," Quinn said seriously. "I was just curious."

"Why, why?" she asked, shaking Quinn's hand.

"because I like you."

"hey-hey."

He chuckled sheepishly, "I don't really know that doctor, but his treatment was definitely effective. My father and mother's relationship has improved again, but..."

Xia Dai'er paused, "But, well... just over a year ago, Dr. Jack suddenly disappeared, and no one could contact him. It was from that time that Father never appeared again; he's been recuperating in a side room."

"My mother and brother told me not to mention him to anyone, so it's okay to tell you," Xia Daier added to herself.

You are not an outsider.

"Have you seen how Jack treated your father?"

Xia Dai'er pondered for a long time.

"I don't know if it counts as me being scolded by my mother once. I was very sad and ignored her, so I secretly went to find my father and pushed open the door to see Mr. Jack giving him an injection. When the doctor saw me, he immediately hid the syringe. My father was also very flustered and told me to leave."

"That syringe is blue, I saw it."

"Blue, sparkly, like it's glowing."

(End of this chapter)