“Since Elder Yan insists, Yunxiang, you should accept the money.”
Ye Feng spoke calmly. In the original novel, Ye Feng had taken Yan Wenjing’s money and also gained his appreciation.
There was no conflict in that.
The key was that this transaction must not become a purely commercial purchase.
“Alright, thank you, Elder Yan.”
Seeing Ye Feng’s stance and knowing she could not persist, Gu Yunxiang carefully put away the bank card.
“Young Master Ye, how long have you been studying calligraphy and painting?”
After the deal was settled, Yan Wenjing asked with interest.
“I wouldn’t call it studying. I’m just interested in it in my spare time,” Ye Feng replied modestly.
“At such a young age, you possess such insight. As the son of a wealthy family, yet neither arrogant nor impatient, and humble and polite. Young Master Ye truly has great potential.”
“This is my contact information. If you ever come to Yandu, I will certainly play host.”
With that, Yan Wenjing handed his contact details to Ye Feng.
The crowd was once again astonished. As expected of Young Master Ye. Not only did he earn Yan Wenjing’s admiration, but he also pocketed 20 million yuan.
“This is obviously a setup,” Lin Yi muttered under his breath. He often used this trick himself, but unfortunately, hardly anyone paid attention to him.
Bai Jianhao, however, did notice him. With a wave of his hand, two security guards came forward and “escorted” Lin Yi out.
As for the Blue-and-White Porcelain Bowl? What Blue-and-White Porcelain Bowl? I know nothing about it!
Bai Susu wanted to intervene, but Bai Jianhao glared at her and scolded, “Haven’t we lost enough face already?”
“I’m warning you. From now on, you are not to have any contact with Lin Yi.”
“And Lin Fengjiao too. Cut ties with her.”
Just now, Lin Fengjiao had helped Lin Yi target Ye Feng. Bai Jianhao was worried Ye Feng might hold a grudge and implicate the Bai family.
They had to draw a clear line at this moment.
“Dad, why are you so overbearing?” Bai Susu felt deeply wronged.
“You still remember I’m your father?” Bai Jianhao’s eyes widened in anger. “Our Bai family is on the verge of bankruptcy, and you don’t care at all. Do you even see me as your father?”
“If you had any ability, that painting would have been given to our family.”
“Our Bai family wouldn’t be stuck in such a dilemma!”
“Dad, I…”
Bai Susu began to feel worried too. If the Bai family truly went bankrupt, she and her parents would have nothing left.
“Susu, think of a way to finalize the investment with Young Master Ye.”
“Dad believes in you.”
Bai Jianhao softened his tone.
“But Brother Ye Feng already has a girlfriend.”
“She seems to already…”
Bai Susu looked at Ye Feng, who was talking with Yan Wenjing and the others not far away, and sighed silently.
“You silly girl, why don’t you think? How long did Ye Feng chase you? And how long has Gu Yunxiang been around?”
“He’s only acting out of hurt pride. If he had truly let everything go, would he have come to my birthday banquet today?”
“Lower your stance and get along with Ye Feng properly. He will come back to your side.”
Bai Jianhao sounded like a seasoned veteran in love, endlessly instructing his daughter.
“I’ll try later.”
Bai Susu had never thought about developing romantic feelings with Ye Feng. She only wanted to return to how things were before.
Back to the Ye Feng who doted on her.
…
The Bai family’s birthday banquet lasted until 9 PM before gradually dispersing.
After eating and drinking to his fill, Ye Feng prepared to leave with Gu Yunxiang.
When they reached the garden in front of the villa, Gu Yunxiang took out the bank card and handed it to Ye Feng. “Brother Ye Feng, you should take this money.”
“Why?” Ye Feng asked.
“You bought the painting. It should belong to you.”
Gu Yunxiang still wanted to rely on her own efforts and did not want to be a decorative vase.
“Fine, then I’ll return the 500 yuan to you.”
As he spoke, Ye Feng prepared to transfer the money.
“Ah!”
Gu Yunxiang panicked and quickly grabbed his hand. “Brother Ye Feng, I’m your girlfriend. There’s no need to calculate everything so clearly between us.”
“So you remember you’re my girlfriend? You should know the one short on money between us is you.”
“And this money wasn’t mine to begin with.”
Ye Feng pursed his lips and said, “It was picked up for free.”
“Well…”
Gu Yunxiang was speechless. It did seem that way. She had been with Ye Feng the whole time.
The painting had been “taken” from Lin Yi.
And the money had come unexpectedly.
Gu Yunxiang said, “Brother Ye Feng, I can only take half of it. I must return the remaining 10 million yuan to you.”
“That works.”
Ye Feng nodded. 10 million yuan was already enough for Gu Yunxiang’s business venture.
What he wanted was, first, to temper Gu Yunxiang’s abilities, and second, when she eventually married into the Ye family, someone would need to manage the vast family business.
So Gu Yunxiang needed to grow quickly.
In the original novel, Gu Yunxiang had planned to treat her company as her dowry when she married into the Ye family.
In Ye Feng’s eyes, there was no need to distinguish so clearly between yours and mine.
In the end, it would all belong to them anyway.
“Oh, Miss Bai?”
Gu Yunxiang suddenly noticed Bai Susu standing not far behind them.
“Do you need something?” Ye Feng asked.
“I…”
Bai Susu suddenly found herself speechless. She had been standing there for quite a while.
She had seen the affection between Ye Feng and Gu Yunxiang just now.
They were completely like a loving couple.
Especially Gu Yunxiang. Bai Susu could feel that her feelings for Ye Feng were genuine, willing to give everything.
Thinking of the praise from Master Huang when Gu Yunxiang played the piano earlier, Bai Susu felt inferior from the bottom of her heart.
She no longer had the courage to talk to Ye Feng about the investment.
She did not want to humiliate herself.
“What exactly is it?” Ye Feng asked curiously. Since he had changed the original plotline, he did not know why Bai Susu had come.
“I… I actually wanted to ask Sister Gu Yunsu, why you refused to learn music from Master Huang.”
Bai Susu hurriedly spoke. She had always been curious about this.
“Because I want to start my own business. I want to prepare a dowry for myself and then marry Brother Ye Feng in a grand and glorious way.”
Gu Yunxiang answered with a smile.
“Oh, is that so?”
Bai Susu felt even more dejected. Was becoming a world-class musician not for marrying Ye Feng?
She could not understand it.
Suddenly, she remembered what Ye Feng had said earlier to Huang Jiaxiang: “The master leads you to the door, but cultivation depends on the individual. Master Huang should simply go with the flow.”
She nervously asked, “Brother Ye Feng, do you think Master Huang finds me stupid and won’t teach me anymore?”
“No, Master Huang is very principled,” Ye Feng said, waving his hand lightly.
In the original novel, Bai Susu became a world-class musician not only because of her own effort but also due to guidance from famous teachers.
Back then, first Ye Feng had doted on her, and later Lin Yi had helped her, so her path had been smooth.
Her teachers had not been limited to Huang Jiaxiang.
Ye Feng only wanted to make it clear to Huang Jiaxiang that Bai Susu had nothing to do with him. He could handle her as he wished.
Huang Jiaxiang was a proud and aloof person. He would never favor Bai Susu just because she was pretty.
Nor would he casually sever their teacher-student relationship.
He would simply teach normally. That was what it meant that cultivation depended on the individual.
Under such circumstances, Bai Susu’s musical path would most likely end there.
But Bai Susu felt as though she had swallowed a reassurance pill. Her mood was no longer downcast.
She believed her talent was not lacking. As long as Master Huang was willing to continue teaching her, even without Ye Feng, she could still soar to great heights.