“Wasn’t it you who begged me to go back? I agreed. Is there anything else? If not, I’m hanging up.”
Ye Zhishu’s voice was calm and indifferent.
Ye Wanqing: …
When did she ever beg her? She had just been persuading her.
Besides, it was Ye Zhishu herself who had made a mistake. Their mother had generously forgiven her, preventing their father from sending Ye Zhishu to prison, yet she still harbored resentment… it seemed a little excessive.
Ye Wanqing bit her lip.
But after a moment, she took a deep breath and held it in.
“Nothing else, sister…”
‘Beep, beep, beep—’
Ye Wanqing: …
“Qingqing, what did she say?” Yi Lan’s voice came over.
“Mom.”
Ye Wanqing put down the phone and pouted. “Sister agreed.”
Yi Lan was twenty-three weeks pregnant, her belly round and firm. She had seen the master, who said this child would definitely be a boy.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to move into the Ye family so openly and become the legitimate lady of the house.
“Mom knows, Qingqing, that you’ve been wronged, but it’s temporary. Once you successfully marry into the Ji family and become the young mistress, who would dare make you suffer?”
Yi Lan patted her daughter’s shoulder reassuringly.
Ye Wanqing sniffled. Hearing this, her eyes flickered. “But mom, I heard… the eldest son of the Ji family is sickly, and…” she hesitated, “…might die at any time.”
This time, the Ji family was holding a charity dinner and had invited many high-society ladies. Anyone with eyes could see it wasn’t really a charity event—it was a matchmaking event.
Apparently, because the eldest son’s illness had worsened, the Ji patriarch was trying to find someone to “cheer him up” through marriage.
Ye Wanqing pouted. When she had gone with her mother for a prenatal check, she had seen the sickly young master—he was hideous. She certainly didn’t want to marry someone ugly and on the verge of death.
But she didn’t dare say this out loud.
She could tell that her father valued this dinner highly. The Ji family had specifically requested that her sister attend, and yet her father had forgiven Ye Zhishu so easily and asked her to make the call.
“What does it matter? The Ji family is a top-tier aristocratic household that even your father is desperate to attach to.”
Yi Lan patted Ye Wanqing’s head.
“Qingqing, do you still want to live like before, hiding from everyone with mom?”
Ye Wanqing shook her head.
She had heard from her mother that her parents had originally been a loving couple, but because of Ye Zhishu’s mother’s forceful interference, they had to separate.
Her mother had no choice but to rent a tiny 100-square-meter apartment. Although there was a maid, it couldn’t compare to the Ye family villa.
Thinking back to the excitement of her first time moving into the Ye family villa, Ye Wanqing clenched her fists and looked at Yi Lan. “I understand, mom. I’ll prepare properly.”
“Yes. Our Qingqing is so beautiful, she’ll captivate the eldest son of the Ji family completely.”
“Mom…”
Ye Wanqing lowered her head shyly.
…
“Really curious. What is Ye Zhikuan up to?”
After ending the call, Ye Zhishu rubbed her chin, murmuring to herself.
Without Ye Zhikuan’s consent, Ye Wanqing wouldn’t have called on her own—given her personality.
After a brief moment of thought, Ye Zhishu gave up trying to figure it out.
Anyway, she had already planned to visit the Ye family—now was just the right time.
Ye Zhishu now had the means to support herself and live comfortably.
With her personality, she didn’t want to get too entangled with Ye Zhikuan. But…
Ye Zhishu touched the scar on her wrist.
That villa, the company, and the assets—all had been built from nothing by the original owner’s mother and Ye Zhikuan. She wasn’t about to give it all away for free!
Dream on.
Ye Zhishu put on her coat, grabbed her fully charged phone, and left the rental apartment.
Even though the original owner loved cleanliness, living in such a small space for so long inevitably caused some odors. She now had over 200,000 yuan and certainly wouldn’t shortchange herself.
She hailed a cab and headed straight to the city center’s five-star hotel.
Money was meant to be spent, after all.
Stepping out of the taxi, Ye Zhishu looked at the hotel, decorated in an antique style.
The driver had recommended it, saying it was a five-star hotel under the Ji Group, with top-notch service and the strictest hygiene standards.
Even the decor suited her taste.
A doorman approached, respectfully welcoming Ye Zhishu into the lobby.
“Hello.”
The front desk attendant smiled warmly.
Ye Zhishu booked a one-bedroom suite for 1,100 yuan per night, covering the entire month. She figured that by then, she would have earned enough for a down payment.
“Hello, here is your room card. Please keep it safe.”
Ye Zhishu took the card and walked toward the elevator.
It was nearly three in the morning, and the lobby was almost empty.
While waiting for the elevator, she heard the sound of wheels scraping the floor behind her. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a figure in a wheelchair.
‘Ding’—
The elevator doors opened. Ye Zhishu entered first, swiped her card. The fifth floor lit up, and she tilted her head to meet a pair of jet-black eyes.
Ye Zhishu arched an eyebrow.
This man… was quite good-looking.
His features were sharp and striking. When not smiling, his thin lips were pressed together, radiating a distant, unapproachable aura.
He wore a black suit, his shirt buttoned to the top, and his flirtatious, peach-blossom-colored eyes were slightly narrowed—cold and deep.
The elevator lights above highlighted his pale skin and lips, and the dark circles under his eyes were obvious.
Though in a wheelchair, he didn’t appear subordinate. On the contrary, he exuded the aura of a ruler—commanding respect without anger.
What drew Ye Zhishu’s attention the most was the faint black-red resentment and death aura lingering between his brows.
Though his facial features were symmetrical and surrounded by a faint aura of blessing, he was gravely ill. If nothing changed, he might not survive a month.
What a waste of such a handsome face, Ye Zhishu thought.
She calmly looked away and stepped aside.
A man in his fifties, wearing a suit, pushed the wheelchair—likely his butler.
The elderly butler didn’t use a card but pressed the screen lightly, and the tenth floor lit up.
The elevator doors closed and slowly ascended.
Ye Zhishu idly studied the elevator, watching the advertisements. She wasn’t in the habit of checking her phone.
Her gaze caught the reflective side panel and once again met the man’s eyes.
This man… was watching her?
Ye Zhishu raised an eyebrow and deliberately turned her head, meeting his gaze directly.