Having moved from the main hall to the side hall, the manager waited nervously in place.
What status did the Zhi family hold in Jiangcheng? This was not a place where one could act recklessly. Just entering through the imposing main gate had left him nearly speechless.
Chi Yan, ever the spectator, naturally wouldn’t miss such an opportunity. When he sidled up to take a seat beside Zhi Huai, he earned a look of disdain from the man.
“Don’t you have work?”
Chi Yan waved his hand dismissively. “Work can’t compare to this spectacle.”
Even working a lifetime, one might never encounter such drama—especially when it involved Zhi Huai.
He had to see it through.
Zhi Huai flipped through the bill brought by the manager, his fair fingers bathed in the morning light. When he lifted his gaze, the corners of his eyes softened.
Truly the image of a refined gentleman.
“Young Master Zhi?” the manager called out cautiously.
To be honest, working in a place like Jiangcheng meant interacting daily with the wealthy and influential. Without a keen sense of perception, one would have long been sent packing back home.
Especially with a prominent family like the Zhis, recognizing their faces was of utmost importance.
But this young master—he had never seen him before.
Similarly, Zhi Huai had never made any public appearances.
Compared to his low profile, the presence of Zhi Bo and his brother, who now managed the group, was far more pronounced.
“Speak,” Zhi Huai said, glancing briefly at the man across from him.
His tone was calm and composed, yet that single glance carried immense pressure.
It was as if shards of ice had shattered the gentle, jade-like facade, jolting the manager back to reality.
His hands trembled uncontrollably.
“What would you like to know?”
Seated in a rosewood armchair, Zhi Huai lowered his gaze, his fingertips brushing over the pastries placed beside him.
“You have five seconds.”
At these words, the manager felt as if the breeze blowing against his back had turned into blades, their edges grazing his neck with the ever-present threat of cutting his throat.
“From what I know…”
The manager was aware of the incident’s cause and effect.
Miss Ye Fei had not only smashed up the restaurant but had also injured people.
The reason was simple: those wealthy young men had spoken crudely, hurling insults and even provoking Miss Ye Fei.
People in Jiangcheng valued their reputations, fearing the loss of both face and dignity.
For things to escalate to this point, Miss Ye Fei was truly bold and fearless.
Not far from Bitan Residence was Zhi Bo’s courtyard. After being taken back by Zhi Yuan, his temper had erupted completely.
Watching his agitated state, Zhi Yuan softened his tone to soothe him.
“Brother, there’s no need to make such a big deal out of this. Ye Fei and I just had a meal together. There’s nothing between us, and it’s normal for Zhi Huai to interact with her.”
Zhi Bo raised his head and drained the glass of water in one gulp, panting as he looked at his brother.
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
Regardless of whether there was anything between Zhi Yuan and Ye Fei, Zhi Huai’s sudden interference was deeply irritating.
“Tell me honestly—did he injure your hand?” Zhi Bo grabbed his brother’s wrist and asked.
“That’s not the point. The point is, you rarely come back, so there’s no need to let such a trivial matter ruin your mood.”
Zhi Bo and Zhi Yuan’s personalities were worlds apart—one impulsive, the other steady. If not for their similar appearances, it would be hard to tell they were twins.
“Besides, you know his temperament well enough—it’s best not to provoke him.”
Zhi Bo certainly knew; that man was a lunatic, through and through.
If not for the old master’s restraint, he would be a complete madman devoid of human emotion.
“What exactly is Ye Fei’s background?” Zhi Bo looked at him.
“She just returned to Jiangcheng not long ago—what background could she possibly have?” Zhi Yuan replied.
Zhi Bo clearly didn’t trust his younger brother’s words. “If that lunatic Zhi Huai cares about her, can she be normal?”
The person across from him fell silent.
Receiving no response from Zhi Yuan, Zhi Bo raised an eyebrow. “Since the old master values her so highly, I really ought to meet this Miss Ye before she enters the family.”
“Big brother, I advise you not to anger him.”
Zhi Huai never allowed anyone to covet what was his.
Whether living beings or inanimate objects, touching them meant death—no joking matter.
“What’s the use of copying Buddhist scriptures? A madman will never sit peacefully on a lotus,” Zhi Bo said coldly.
So-called blessings were nothing but the old master’s self-deception.
“Broad daylight, and you’re spouting nonsense,” Zhi Hanke scolded as he entered. “You’d better not stir up any trouble these next few days, or even I won’t be able to save you.”
Hearing Zhi Hanke’s warning, Zhi Bo turned and sat down. After fiddling with his cup for a while, he looked at Zhi Yuan.
“This time, the Tongcheng project is being transferred to me. You don’t need to handle it anymore.”
Zhi Yuan understood his meaning. The Ye family was also involved in this Tongcheng project, and the Ye Corporation was pulling out all the stops to join.
For his elder brother to take over at this moment was certainly not to further Zhi Huai’s marital prospects.
“Always so impatient,” Zhi Hanke sighed, looking at his son.
Zhi Bo walked to the corridor and looked up at the gathering dark clouds overhead. “I’ve never hidden the fact that I dislike him.”
Whether in the past or the future, his attitude toward that madman would never change.
…
Summer rain always arrives unexpectedly. Accompanied by flashes of lightning, bean-sized raindrops pelted against the glass.
Outside, the blooming flowers in the garden were battered by wind and rain, yet the resplendent, gilded hall remained entirely unaffected.
“This cake is pretty good. Expensive, but truly delicious,” Chu Xi remarked, taking a bite of black truffle cake with her spoon. “I must be costing you quite a bit this visit.”
The person across from her finished the last piece of fruit and replied nonchalantly.
“Aren’t you paying?”
Chu Xi looked at the stack of plates between them. This cake contained black truffle—ridiculously expensive.
“Are you kidding? I’m the guest here.”
Ye Fei raised her eyes to meet hers, stating matter-of-factly, “I have no money.”
She was broke lately, completely broke.
Chu Xi laughed in exasperation, though the statement held some truth.
“Your own bet, you have to bear the consequences yourself.”
Ignoring her gloating laughter, Ye Fei had already come to terms with it. So what if she lost once? She’d just win next time.
Jing Chu slid the tablet in front of Ye Fei, opening and enlarging an email.
“Boss, Ye Yanqiu’s agent has sent a meeting request.”
Ye Fei glanced at it and motioned for him to close it.
Chu Xi propped her chin on her hand and said, “They must be getting anxious now. But you really are ruthless. Ye Yanxia poured so much money into finally securing Ye Yanqiu’s position as the spokesperson for Kopi, and you shut it down with just one sentence.”
Given Ye Yanqiu’s temperament, if she found out that Ye Fei was Bree, Kopi’s elusive chief designer who was rarely seen, she would probably go mad with rage.
“What’s more, not only did you block her from getting the position, but you also promoted her arch-rival. Isn’t that just rubbing salt in the wound?”
Having spent so much time together, Chu Xi knew exactly what kind of person Ye Fei was.
If you crossed her, walking away unscathed was simply impossible.
Even if she couldn’t crush you, she would make sure you were thoroughly annoyed.
Before Chu Xi could finish speaking, Ye Fei’s phone rang.
It was a call from the Ye family’s old mansion. As soon as she answered, Ye Qingyuan’s authoritative voice came through, even without a hint of anger.
“The person you’ve been targeting has come knocking. You’d better come back and deal with this…”