The lights of the banquet faded, and the guests began to disperse—some left disappointed, others returned with great satisfaction.
For the Ye family, this was likely the case.
In the same car, Ye Yanxia, still wearing her evening gown, had already methodically instructed her secretary to prepare for contacting the projects they had connected with tonight.
Sitting opposite her, Ye Yanqiu looked displeased, frequently glaring intently at Ye Fei.
She seemed to want to speak but hesitated, restrained by Gu Zhi’s presence.
“Yaoyao, do you know Zhi Huai?” Gu Zhi finally voiced the question she had been holding back throughout the journey.
Ye Fei stared at the friend request appearing on her phone, yet nodded, “We’ve met twice.”
Seeing her reaction, Gu Zhi understood clearly—the attitude of the Zhi family’s young master earlier was unmistakable; they had obviously known each beforehand.
Observing this, Gu Zhi gained confidence. From Grandpa Zhi’s attitude, it was evident he leaned more toward the Ye family.
Additionally, Ye Fei had some connection with the Zhi family, making the Ye family the biggest winner in this marriage alliance.
“Grandma,” Ye Yanqiu suddenly called out.
“Hmm?”
She stared at Ye Fei and said meaningfully, “Until the final moment, who knows what changes might occur.”
Upon hearing her words, Ye Yanxia looked at the person opposite. Compared to Ye Yanqiu’s vigilance, Ye Fei’s attitude appeared much colder.
She knew Ye Yanqiu had liked Zhi Yuan for many years, harboring this affection for so long, and now Ye Fei had suddenly emerged midway.
If this marriage arrangement failed, Ye Yanqiu would likely not let it go easily.
While the person opposite gritted her teeth in resentment, Ye Fei pondered over her phone.
The person with no remarks and a dark avatar reminded her of Zhi Huai.
She had recalled it when Grandpa Zhi spoke earlier.
Although her memory wasn’t entirely complete, scattered fragments could piece together some truths.
When Ye Fei was young, she accompanied Luo Qishan to Huading Temple because her health was indeed poor, often falling ill.
Her grandfather took her to stay at the temple for a month, every day taking her to eat vegetarian meals and chant Buddhist prayers, praying for Buddha’s blessing for her health.
During that time, she also met Zhi Huai, who had followed Zhi Yuanhong up the mountain.
He was five years older than Ye Fei—a ten-year-old boy whose appearance was very delicate at that time, the most handsome little older brother she had ever seen.
But this person truly only had a good face; his temper was genuinely bad.
Their first meeting indeed didn’t make him very likable.
The rooms they stayed in faced each other. Every morning, Ye Fei would return with her grandfather after cleaning and chanting, while he leisurely emerged from his room.
Compared to Ye Fei, who followed the daily schedule of chanting and worshiping Buddha, Zhi Huai seemed more like he was on vacation.
If not pressured by Zhi Yuanhong, he would spend his days roaming the mountains and rivers or chasing wild rabbits, never engaging in chanting.
Ye Fei was young then, adhering to her grandfather’s teaching to be kind to others.
She often went to the opposite room to bring him snacks, but he was always indifferent.
Now recalling it, he probably didn’t like her much either, but the five-year-old Ye Fei hadn’t realized it at the time.
As if a lifetime has passed
“You don’t have any announcements to make?” Ye Yanxia asked Ye Yanqiu.
Her schedule was already booked until the end of the year, leaving no free time to wander around like this.
“There have been some adjustments on their end. I have a two-week break and only need to film in Jiangcheng.”
Before settling the marriage matter, how could she possibly have the heart to focus on work?
Gu Zhi’s attention was now entirely on Ye Fei. Watching Ye Fei fiddle with her phone for a long time, she smiled and spoke.
“In the future, Yaoyao should keep in touch with Mr. Zhi Yuan. He currently holds significant influence within the Zhi family. Grandpa Zhi has long stepped back from managing affairs, and now the one holding real power in the Zhi family is Zhi Yuan’s father.”
If Ye Fei could truly succeed in marrying into the Zhi family, the Ye family could also ride this favorable wind to reach new heights.
This alliance would only bring benefits to the Ye family, with no downsides.
“I’ve just returned, and you’ve already schemed me into your plans?” The person holding the phone looked at Gu Zhi with a half-smile.
She had always appeared obedient in front of others; such a tone would never normally surface.
Gu Zhi was immediately stunned. Ye Yanqiu looked at her coldly, saying, “As if you’re guaranteed to marry into the Zhi family.”
“That’s right.” Ye Fei replied very seriously, propping her chin as she spoke unhurriedly, “It seems now that my chances are somewhat greater than yours.”
Before she could retort, Gu Zhi called out with a warning tone.
“Yanqiu.”
Ye Yanqiu fell completely silent, controlling her emotions as she looked out the window, her teeth nearly grinding.
Ye Yanxia had no interest in their conversation, focusing solely on handling her own work.
As soon as they arrived at the entrance of the old mansion, Jing Chu rushed over and immediately pushed her away.
“What’s the rush? Did something happen?” Ye Fei, sitting in the wheelchair, looked up at the young man behind her.
Without stopping, Jing Chu led her to the garden at the back and handed over the tablet in his hand.
“Boss, take a look!”
Ye Fei glanced at it, and several photos on the tablet caught her attention.
“Sister Xi said the person reconstructing the judicial department’s system this time is Ker.”
Ker, currently ranked first on the entire continental leaderboard, is a hacker whose systems no one can breach.
A top hacker who has dominated the rankings for five years, no one has ever seen his appearance. Every program he writes leaves his signature inside.
Once, he infiltrated the defense system of M Country, the largest nation in the Northern Continent, in just two minutes, reaching a level almost no one could stop.
Chu Xi’s battles against him could only be described with one phrase: repeated defeats.
There must be someone influential within the Jiangcheng Judicial Department; otherwise, how could they have persuaded such a formidable figure to step in?
“Boss, should we try another approach? After all, even Sister Xi couldn’t breach this system,” Jing Chu advised.
Chu Xi’s skills were not weak, but they still fell short compared to this prodigy who emerged out of nowhere.
Ye Fei flipped through the images Chu Xi had sent over. A simple string of code formed a unique pattern.
She stopped scrolling, staring at the tablet and pondering for a long time.
This pattern was Ker’s exclusive signature. Every system he infiltrated would display this pattern, flaunting it arrogantly.
But now, as Ye Fei looked at it, the pattern seemed more and more familiar.
“Boss, what are you looking at?” Jing Chu leaned in to take a glance.
After a long while, Ye Fei, with a sudden flash of insight, finally spoke, “Number Thirty-Nine…”
“What?” Jing Chu looked utterly confused.
In that instant, Ye Fei understood why the Ministry of Justice had been able to invite Ker, a figure of such immense stature…