《Turns Out, I m from a Real Aristocratic Family!》 Chapter 1 The Last Meal At the Fang Family residence in Haicheng City, the nanny served the final dish onto the table, prompting Fang Liguo to finally pick up his chopsticks and place a chicken wing into Fang Yuan¡¯s bowl. ¡°This might be the last meal we¡¯ll ever share together in this lifetime. I never anticipated that your birth parents would discover the news so soon and decide to reclaim you¡­¡± Fang Liguo expressed his reluctance, his mind inevitably drifting back to what had transpired three months earlier. During that time, he had been gravely ill and desperately in need of a bone marrow transplant. While preparing to draw blood from Fang Yuan, he unintentionally discovered that she had type A blood, whereas both he and his wife possessed type B blood, making it biologically impossible for them to have a child with type A blood. After a thorough investigation, it was confirmed that Fang Yuan was not their biological child, leaving the entire Fang Family in a state of shock. Once Fang Liguo regained his health, he embarked on a search for his own flesh and blood. The Fang Family experienced immense joy upon finding their true biological descendant. As for Fang Yuan¡­ This child, who bore no blood relation to the Fang Family, had been posted on a missing persons¡¯ platform. A month later, just one day prior, Fang Liguo received a phone call from someone claiming to be Fang Yuan¡¯s biological mother, stating that she would come to collect her child today. ¡°These dishes were all prepared with your preferences in mind¡­¡± Fang Liguo momentarily paused his ruminations, placing additional food into Fang Yuan¡¯s bowl. ¡°My child, please eat more, you never know¡­¡± Based on the previous day¡¯s phone conversation, Fang Liguo discovered that Fang Yuan¡¯s birth parents were both unemployed and hailed from Qiushui County, the most impoverished and underdeveloped region in all of China. They likely couldn¡¯t afford such lavish dishes, let alone the delicacies before them. Fang Yuan remained composed, as if she had discerned Fang Liguo¡¯s thoughts. Setting down her chopsticks, she calmly uttered, ¡°I¡¯m finished,¡± before getting up and departing without even glancing back, displaying a complete disinterest in her current family. Song Ling¡¯s displeasure surfaced. ¡°This ungrateful girl doesn¡¯t appreciate the food we serve her with chopsticks! You¡¯ve spoiled her for years! She won¡¯t be able to eat anything once she returns home!¡± ¡°Mom, please calm down. I just don¡¯t want to return to the countryside right now. I¡¯m feeling a bit down,¡± Fang Jiayi said, trying to pacify her mother. She had only been back home for a month and had overheard her parents¡¯ conversation the day before, which revealed the dire circumstances of Fang Yuan¡¯s biological parents. Not only were they unemployed, but there were also five unmarried brothers at home, along with a seriously ill grandmother. It was evident that the family was burdened with difficulties. With a hint of superiority, Fang Jiayi stood up and declared, ¡°I¡¯ll see sister off.¡± Fang Liguo cast a reproachful glance at Song Ling. ¡°Yuan has been our daughter for the past 18 years.¡± ¡°Hehe¡­¡± Song Ling sneered. ¡°When I think about how we treated that wretched girl as our precious treasure while Jiayi suffered outside, it feels like a knife piercing through my heart.¡± Fang Yuan returned to the living room, picked up her backpack from the couch, and prepared to leave. Fang Jiayi hurried after her. ¡°Sister, my engagement banquet with Lu Chen is on October 1st. You¡¯ll be there, right?¡± Her eyes gleamed with expectation, but her tone carried a sense of showing off. Everyone knew about the engagement between the Fang and Lu families. If not for Fang Liguo¡¯s intervention, Fang Jiayi would have been engaged to Fang Yuan. ¡°Lu Chen is an exceptional young man, and he treats me well. If it weren¡¯t for my parents¡¯ assistance, he would have been engaged to you, my sister. You won¡¯t hold it against me, will you?¡± Fang Yuan smiled, her words laced with gratitude. ¡°Of course not. I should thank you for sending that trash where he belongs,¡± Fang Yuan replied, her tone indifferent. Fang Jiayi was taken aback. Before she could react, Fang Yuan continued, ¡°I had wanted to discard him at the waste collection center for a long time, but someone came knocking at the door to take him away.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Fang Jiayi was about to erupt in anger, but when she caught sight of the person beside her, she feigned a distressed expression, her eyes turning red. Walking into the living room, Song Ling witnessed the scene and snapped, ¡°Fang Yuan, how dare you speak to your sister like that? Your words are poisonous!¡± ¡°I have a way with words, no need to worry,¡± Fang Yuan said with a smile. ¡°However, I do think it¡¯s a good idea for you to get your eyes checked at the hospital.¡± Despite living with this deceitful person, the white lotus, for a month, she still couldn¡¯t discern the problem with her eyes! ¡°You!¡± Song Ling trembled with anger. ¡°Dear sister, let¡¯s not behave this way. I¡¯ll give you the necklace that our parents gave me. We are sisters after all, and who knows when we¡¯ll meet again¡­¡± Fang Jiayi pretended as if the past didn¡¯t matter. She reached out to grab Fang Yuan, and in that moment, her hands accidentally touched Fang Yuan¡¯s bag¡­ A ruby necklace slipped out from Fang Yuan¡¯s bag! Everyone was stunned. Fang Jiayi covered her mouth in shock. ¡°How did it end up here? Isn¡¯t that the necklace I intended to give you? Could it be¡­¡± Chapter 2 Thief Fang Yuan maintained her smile, sensing an accusation brewing in the air. Was she being framed for theft? ¡°Why is Jiayi¡¯s necklace in your bag?¡± Song Ling couldn¡¯t believe her eyes and exclaimed, ¡°Liguo, come and see! This wretched girl tried to steal Jiayi¡¯s necklace before leaving! We raised her all these years, and this is how she repays us with ingratitude!¡± Hearing the commotion, Fang Liguo rushed over and was taken aback. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, Mom and Dad,¡± Fang Jiayi intervened, attempting to defuse the situation. She spoke with a seemingly understanding tone, ¡°I intended to give this necklace to you, Sister, and have one for myself as well.¡± ¡°How can that be the same? She gave it to you, and she stole it!¡± Song Ling fumed with anger. ¡°Fang Yuan, you¡¯ve learned nothing but thieving!¡± ¡°Mom, please don¡¯t speak ill of your own sister!¡± Fang Jiayi picked up the ruby necklace and handed it to Fang Yuan. ¡°Sister, don¡¯t pay attention to Mom¡¯s words. I understand that you must have had a reason for taking this necklace, right? You¡¯re planning for the future, aren¡¯t you? I¡¯ve heard that conditions there are quite challenging. I believe this necklace can be of use to you. Take it with you!¡± The nanny couldn¡¯t help but interject, ¡°Second Miss, you¡¯re truly kind-hearted. This necklace is worth 100,000 yuan!¡± ¡°Yes, the Master and Madame had it specially designed for you. It¡¯s one-of-a-kind!¡± ¡°Your name is even engraved on it!¡± ¡°Second Miss, if you¡¯re fond of this necklace, you can give it to the Elder Miss instead¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you blame the Elder Miss for stealing your cherished necklace?¡± ¡°But the Elder Miss treats you so poorly, and yet you remain so kind-hearted!¡± ¡­. Upon hearing the nanny¡¯s praise, Fang Jiayi adopted a seemingly reasonable expression. ¡°Sister needs this necklace more than I do!¡± The nannies became increasingly emotional as they couldn¡¯t help but compare the two sisters. The more they compared, the more they felt that the Elder Miss fell short in every aspect compared to the Second Miss. Apart from being slightly more attractive, the Elder Miss couldn¡¯t match the Second Miss in any other way. Song Ling snatched the necklace away, her heart filled with anguish. ¡°You¡¯re such a foolish child! She¡¯s a never-ending pit. Even if you give her ten necklaces, it won¡¯t be enough!¡± She glared at Fang Yuan with disdain. ¡°We¡¯ve done everything to raise you, and this necklace is a gift for Jiayi. Don¡¯t even think about it! Get out before I call the police!¡± ¡°Mom!¡± Fang Jiayi anxiously interjected. ¡°Sister¡¯s parents are unemployed, and she has five unmarried brothers and a seriously ill grandmother at home. You¡¯ve shouldered so much, and selling this necklace can provide some financial relief. You need it more than I do¡­¡± The nannies were deeply moved by Fang Jiayi¡¯s kindness. She showed such understanding! ¡°Mom, you already gave me the necklace, so I have the right to decide its fate!¡± Fang Jiayi retrieved the necklace from Song Ling¡¯s grasp and presented it to Fang Yuan as if it were a precious treasure. ¡°Elder Sister, please take it. I don¡¯t blame you for anything. I had intended to give it to you¡­¡± Fang Yuan looked up, her bright, black eyes scrutinizing Fang Jiayi. Emphasizing that she was stealing? That was all this little sweet girl could do! ¡°Sister, leave it to me. I¡¯ll handle them.¡± Fang Yuan smiled, as if she saw through the situation entirely. Fang Jiayi couldn¡¯t help but feel a tinge of fear from Fang Yuan¡¯s demeanor. She appeared so indifferent and in control, exuding an air of superiority like that of a regal queen. It was intimidating and made others feel a sense of guilt. Fang Yuan accepted the necklace with a smile. She didn¡¯t care for such a low-quality ruby. Its purity, color, and cut were all subpar. Could it have been made in a small workshop? Could it truly be worth 100,000 yuan? In her eyes, the necklace held no value. As everyone watched, she effortlessly discarded the necklace into the trash can, her actions swift and smooth. Shock and disbelief painted the faces of everyone present. Even Song Ling remained stunned for a long moment before exclaiming angrily, ¡°Fang Yuan, what are you doing? That¡¯s your sister¡¯s favorite necklace. She gave it to you out of kindness, and you threw it in the trash!¡± ¡°If it¡¯s given to me, I have the right to decide its fate,¡± Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow, glancing at each person in the room. ¡°I haven¡¯t taken any of the things you¡¯ve bought for me over the years.¡± However, she didn¡¯t care about a single necklace. ¡°I bought my own clothes and bags with my own money.¡± Chapter 3 Pretending to Be Rich Upon hearing Fang Yuan¡¯s words, one of the nannies sneered. ¡°Your own money? Didn¡¯t the Master and Madame give you money as well?¡± Fang Yuan responded calmly, ¡°Do I need to disclose where I get my money from?¡± The nanny retorted, ¡°You!¡± Fang Yuan maintained her composure. ¡°Focus on your own duties as a nanny.¡± The nanny grew frustrated, unable to come up with a counterargument. ¡°Alright!¡± Fang Liguo sighed, attempting to defuse the situation. ¡°Yuanyuan, it¡¯s getting late. Let me walk you out.¡± Fang Yuan declined, saying, ¡°There¡¯s no need, Mr. Fang.¡± She was drawing a clear boundary between them. Song Ling sneered. This wretched girl had never experienced the hardships of a poverty-stricken life. If she wanted to distance herself now, she might end up begging on her knees for them to acknowledge her as their daughter! ¡°Old Master, shouldn¡¯t you check her bag? There could be many things inside¡­¡± The nanny who had previously been admonished by Fang Yuan reminded Fang Liguo. ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Fang Liguo, the wealthiest man in Haicheng City, wouldn¡¯t stoop so low as to conduct a search even if the child had taken something. He wouldn¡¯t subject himself to such humiliation. Fang Yuan walked out of the gate with a bag on her back, and there was a black sedan parked in front of the house. Strangely, the car bore signs of being involved in an accident. The back cover was lifted, the body had dents, and the windshield had numerous cracks. The driver clumsily exited the car, his eyes appearing damaged and slightly askew. He was visibly stunned when he saw Fang Yuan. The girl before him possessed arched eyebrows, starry eyes, a beautiful nose, and red lips. Her expressions were reminiscent of Madame¡¯s in her youth. However, the girl exuded a much stronger aura than Madame ever did, with a captivating charm that could steal hearts. ¡°Apologies, Sixth Miss,¡± the driver rushed over to Fang Yuan and sincerely apologized, ¡°I was involved in a collision with a truck and crashed into the railing. I didn¡¯t want to waste your time, so I didn¡¯t go home to change the car. I¡¯ve inspected it, and there¡¯s nothing wrong except for its appearance¡­¡± This revelation brought forth a wave of information. Fang Yuan hailed from a poverty-stricken village, and yet she could afford a car? If she wasn¡¯t mistaken, this was a custom-made Rolls-Royce, worth well over 100 million yuan. Fang Yuan playfully glanced at the driver. ¡°Sixth Miss?¡± ¡°Yes, you hold the sixth position, with five brothers above you,¡± the driver explained. ¡°Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I¡¯m your driver, you can call me Old Liu.¡± The driver¡¯s presence only deepened Fang Yuan¡¯s suspicions. It seemed that her biological parents were not as the Fang Family had portrayed them. ¡°Sixth Miss, where is your luggage?¡± Old Liu asked curiously, noticing that Fang Yuan only had one bag. ¡°Is it in the house? I can retrieve it for you.¡± ¡°No, all my belongings are right here,¡± Fang Yuan responded, indicating that she had nothing else to carry. The driver nodded. ¡°Please wait for a moment. I¡¯ll convey my gratitude to your adoptive parents for their kindness and then take my leave.¡± Having spoken, Old Liu opened the back door, inviting Fang Yuan to enter. But in the next instant, the door creaked and fell off! It turned out that the door had been severely damaged by the earlier collision with the truck. The Fang Family witnessed the scene unfold. Fang Jiayi was taken aback¡ªwhat kind of shoddy car was this? Was the door made of paper? How embarrassing it must be for them to drive such a rundown vehicle. How destitute were they? They only had one dilapidated car, and they had to put up a fa?ade with it. Song Ling hadn¡¯t anticipated that Fang Yuan¡¯s family would be so impoverished. The car was in such disrepair, and she was still driving it? But something didn¡¯t add up. Wasn¡¯t Fang Yuan¡¯s family situated in a destitute mountain valley? How could they afford a car? Perhaps she had borrowed it from someone else and encountered an accident due to her poor driving skills. If that were the case, things were about to become much more interesting. When they returned the car, they would make sure to exact a heavy price! Fang Liguo observed the unkempt man standing before him, his suit stained with oil marks. Was he repairing a car? He seemed older, not resembling Fang Yuan¡¯s brothers. Could he be Fang Yuan¡¯s father? Had he rushed over from the repair factory and driven a car straight from there? If that were the case, this man must have been putting on a show of wealth in front of someone like him, a wealthy man. Despite the Rolls-Royce emblem on the front of the car, Fang Liguo, being a man of high status, possessed knowledge about cars. The model of this car did not match any of Rolls-Royce¡¯s known models. He had never seen a Rolls-Royce like this before in his life. The emblem must be counterfeit! The driver had unintentionally soiled his suit while inspecting the car. However, upon spotting the Fang Family, he retrieved gift boxes from the trunk. Old Master and Madame Qiao had repeatedly instructed him to deliver the presents to the Fang Family. But the gift boxes appeared flattened and unimpressive in appearance. Chapter 4 Amazing ¡°You¡¯re Mr. Fang?¡± Liu approached Fang Liguo and presented him with the gifts. ¡°These are some presents we have prepared for you. Please accept them.¡± Fang Liguo declined politely, saying, ¡°There¡¯s no need for gifts. Just take her away and spare the family any further distress.¡± Song Ling interjected, interrupting their conversation. ¡°Exactly. No need for presents. Just take her and go. I don¡¯t want to witness this spectacle any longer.¡± With that, she turned and walked straight into the room. She dismissed the shabby gift box, assuming it held nothing of value. Why would they bother with such a shoddy item? Fang Jiayi sneered and followed Song Ling into the room, exuding a triumphant air. Fang Yuan¡¯s family situation turned out to be worse than she had anticipated. This was perfect! The nanny who had come to witness the event, either out of sympathy or to mock Fang Yuan, trailed after Fang Jiayi into the room. This left Fang Liguo standing awkwardly. ¡°Well then¡­ please have a safe journey and convey my appreciation to the elders in Yuanyuan¡¯s family. This small token is for their kindness¡­¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Old Liu hesitated, not daring to make a decision. The gifts had been carefully selected by Old Master and Madame Qiao, who insisted that the Fang Family accept them. ¡°Yuanyuan,¡± Fang Liguo¡¯s gaze fell upon Fang Yuan, as he spoke tactfully, ¡°When you return there, be obedient and show respect to your parents. Forget about this place and focus on your future over there, understood?¡± His implication was clear ¨C Fang Yuan should not think about this place, as once she returned to her biological family, she would have no connection to the Fang Family. ¡°Mr. Fang, please accept them. Inside¡­ Mr. Bai?¡± Old Liu had intended to inform Fang Liguo that the gifts contained 20 villas, real estate certificates, keys to 20 shops, a bank card with 2 billion yuan in savings, as well as 1,000-year-old ginseng and deer antlers that money couldn¡¯t buy. These were all gifts from Old Master and Madame Yuezheng. However, before he could say anything, he watched Fang Liguo turn and leave, leaving him filled with confusion. Why did he sense that this family didn¡¯t like Sixth Miss? Seeing that they were gone, Fang Yuan picked up the fallen door and closed it. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Old Liu turned around and saw Fang Yuan already inside the car. He was astonished. Had she managed to fix the door herself? How did she do that? During the journey, Fang Yuan gazed casually out of the car window. With her striking appearance, she emitted an air of elegance. Old Liu occasionally glanced at her through the rearview mirror, captivated by the presence of the young lady. Fang Yuan directed her gaze at Old Liu and asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t we heading to Qiushui County?¡± ¡°Qiushui County?¡± The driver pondered for a moment before responding, ¡°That¡¯s where Old Master and Madame are from. But your home is in Jing City.¡± Jing City was the most economically developed first-tier city in Hua Land. It comprised four districts: north, south, east, and west. The north district, particularly Youcheng County, had the weakest economy. Below Youcheng County were four towns: Haicheng City, Fengcheng City, Xiacheng County, and Youcheng County. Fang Liguo held the title of the wealthiest man in Haicheng City. After years of hard work, he had recently relocated from a fifth-tier city to Jing City. In the impoverished north district of Jing City, specifically in the underdeveloped Youcheng County, he became the richest man in a small town on the outskirts of Jing City. While he may not have been at the pinnacle, he fared far better than the bottom. His net worth had already surpassed 1 billion yuan, which was why Song Ling always looked down upon others. Fang Jiayi entered the room and glanced out the window. She couldn¡¯t believe her eyes. ¡°Mom, this car¡­¡± ¡°What about the car?¡± Song Ling followed her daughter¡¯s line of sight and replied with disdain. ¡°Jiayi, let me make this clear: from this moment onward, Fang Yuan has no connection to you. Don¡¯t consider her your sister and delete all her contact information. Even if she tries to reach out through someone else, you must not lend her any money, understand?¡± ¡°No, Mom, I just saw that the license plate is from Jing City. It seems to have several 8s behind ¡®Jing A¡¯ and five or six consecutive numbers.¡± A license plate like that held significant prestige in Jing City. Since they had only seen the side of the car, no one had noticed the license plate. It was just a rundown vehicle, and there was no need to pay close attention to it. However, upon hearing Fang Jiayi¡¯s words, Song Ling chuckled, thinking her daughter was naive. ¡°Jiayi, in Jing City, license plates with five or six consecutive numbers belong to the upper echelon. That girl lives in Qiushui County. You must have misinterpreted it!¡± They couldn¡¯t even obtain a license plate with three consecutive numbers, so how could the Fang Family possess one? ¡°Unless they live at Jin¡¯an Garden!¡± Song Ling sneered. Jin¡¯an Garden was the best, most famous and most expensive villa area in Jing City. It was located in the center of Jing City, and every inch of land was worth a lot of money. ¡­. Chapter 5 Low-Profile In the Rolls-Royce, Old Liu respectfully addressed her as ¡°Sixth Miss¡± and informed her, ¡°We are approximately 30 kilometers away from Jin¡¯an Garden, your residence. If you¡¯re feeling tired, you can take a rest.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s long eyelashes fluttered. So her home was located in Jin¡¯an Garden, the most prestigious villa area in Jing City? ¡°Could you please take me to Renyi Hospital first?¡± Renyi Hospital was known for its top-notch medical resources and reputation as the best hospital in Jing City. It was conveniently located not far from Jin¡¯an Garden. ¡°Sixth Miss, are you feeling unwell?¡± Old Liu asked anxiously. ¡°I¡¯ll take you to the hospital immediately!¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°No, I just want to visit Grandma Fang before I leave.¡± Among the entire Fang Family, only Grandma Fang had treated her with sincerity. When Fang Yuan had discovered that she wasn¡¯t a biological child of the Fang Family, Old Mrs. Fang had fallen ill and spent the entire month in the hospital. Old Liu hadn¡¯t expected his Sixth Miss to be so filial, which improved his opinion of her. Twenty minutes later, the car stopped at the entrance of Renyi Hospital. Fang Yuan stepped out and spoke gently, ¡°Uncle Liu, please find a place to wait for me.¡± Old Liu agreed, saying, ¡°Okay.¡± Inside the inpatient department of Renyi Hospital, in Ward 201, an elderly woman with white hair lay on the bed. Due to the pain, her face appeared gaunt and pale. As Fang Yuan pushed the door open and entered the ward, her grandmother remained unconscious. Her eyes were shut, and she lay motionless. The wrinkles on her face accentuated her aged appearance. Approaching the bed, Fang Yuan felt a lump in her throat. How had this once vibrant old lady deteriorated to such a state? ¡°Fang Xiaoyuan!¡± The doctor entered the room, saw her, and made a few notes in the medical record. ¡°You¡¯ve come at the right time. Let¡¯s have a chat.¡± He put away his pen, his face showing no ill intent as he turned to face her. ¡°You know very well that all heart medications are ineffective for Old Madame Fang. Even when the dosage was increased, it no longer had any effect.¡± ¡°You¡¯re aware, more than anyone else, that at the stage of heart failure, the heart¡¯s life is nearing its end, and it¡¯s an irreversible condition. Frankly, it¡¯s already a miracle that she has survived until now. What is this?¡± Before the doctor could finish his sentence, Fang Yuan tossed a small bottle toward Old Madame Fang. ¡°Heart-strengthening pills?¡± Chen Yang exclaimed in shock as he examined the bottle. ¡°Fang Yuan, where did you get these?¡± Weren¡¯t these the highly sought-after and scarce miracle pills that had been causing a frenzy in the black market lately? They were rumored to be incredibly effective in treating heart disease, and just a single pill cost over 10 million yuan¡­ Not only were they exorbitantly priced, but they were also extremely rare, with only one being auctioned off each month! How did Fang Yuan manage to obtain such a rare item? ¡°You¡¯ve done enough for the Fang Family to deserve this treatment. There¡¯s no need for you to¡­¡± Before Chen Yang could finish his sentence, Fang Yuan shot him a warning glare. ¡°What? What did I say wrong? Even her own son doesn¡¯t visit as often as you do¡­¡± Six months ago, Chen Yang had graduated from one of the country¡¯s top medical universities and started his internship at Renyi Hospital. He had been conceited ever since, owing to his family background in medicine. However, it wasn¡¯t until he encountered Fang Yuan that he realized there was always someone superior out there. On one occasion, he had spent several nights grappling with a particularly challenging medical case, yet none of the treatment options seemed suitable. However, with just a cursory look, Fang Yuan devised a brilliant treatment plan with a few simple words. On another occasion, Fang Yuan happened upon a patient¡¯s chest scans and CT scans, immediately detecting that the patient had lung cancer. Chen Yang had initially diagnosed it as pneumonia. Numerous instances like these had left him in awe. But what he admired most was Fang Yuan¡¯s repeated ability to save Old Madame Fang, whom all the doctors had given up on. Fang Yuan was merely a high school student, and yet each time she appeared, she delivered a profound shock, shattering his arrogance and ignorance, compelling him to adopt a more humble demeanor. During their time together, Chen Yang had witnessed how Fang Yuan was disliked by the Fang Family. As they got to know each other, they became friends. Chen Yang was well aware that the best chance for Old Madame Fang¡¯s survival was to undergo a heart transplant. However, due to her advanced age and high blood pressure, her heart condition had deteriorated to the point where she couldn¡¯t even move. Fang Yuan had given him a heart-strengthening pill in the hope that it would improve her condition, making her less frail and ensuring she wouldn¡¯t perish before making it to the operating table. But the Fang Family remained oblivious to this. They believed that the exorbitant fees they paid would ensure Old Madame Fang¡¯s safety. ¡°The Fang Family would never understand the true value of this,¡± Chen Yang said emotionally. ¡°Alright, please take good care of Grandma for me,¡± Fang Yuan cast a final glance at Old Madame Fang reluctantly. ¡°I have to leave now.¡± It wasn¡¯t advisable to stay too long, as if Old Madame Fang woke up and saw her, it would trigger strong emotions and worsen her condition, leading to complications they wanted to avoid. Chapter 6 Dead Chen Yang glanced at Fang Yuan and reassured her softly, ¡°I¡¯ll take care of her, don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Fang Yuan replied, turning her attention back to Old Madame Fang. There were so many things she wanted to say, but she left the ward without uttering a word. ¡­. In another VIP ward of the hospital, several doctors were in a state of urgency. ¡°What¡¯s happening? Why did Old Master Bo¡¯s condition suddenly worsen?¡± ¡°I heard he stopped taking his medication because he wanted his grandson to visit the hospital¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s preposterous!¡± As Fang Yuan walked out of ward 201, she accidentally collided with a doctor, who hurriedly rushed past her. Observing their urgency as they headed toward ward 206, Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but glance at the ward as she passed by. The elderly man inside appeared to be in a critical condition. ¡°He¡¯s risking his life by ceasing his medication!¡± ¡°What should we do now? Have we informed the patient¡¯s family?¡± ¡°The family is en route. We can only make a decision regarding the surgery once they arrive at the hospital.¡± Fang Yuan halted at the entrance of the ward and interjected, ¡°He won¡¯t make it by the time the family arrives.¡± Upon hearing her remark, the doctors turned their attention toward the door. Standing there was a young girl, seemingly 17 or 18 years old, emanating a powerful, icy presence. Her eyes were clear, and she possessed long, fair legs. ¡°What do you know, little girl?¡± One of the male doctors dismissed her due to her young age. ¡°This elderly man¡¯s condition is extremely complex. If he¡¯s willing, we¡¯ll do everything possible to save him as soon as we can.¡± He could only wait for the family to arrive before making any decisions. Fang Yuan arched an eyebrow and asked curiously, ¡°Is rheumatic heart disease really that severe?¡± ¡°You can tell?¡± The male doctor asked in astonishment. Another female doctor chimed in, equally surprised. ¡°Young lady, do you have knowledge of medicine?¡± ¡°If you can identify it as rheumatic heart disease, then you must also know that this condition requires a valve transplant. This elderly man has already undergone multiple surgeries!¡± The male doctor explained. The girl raised her gaze and rolled her eyes, seemingly unconvinced. ¡°Another operation won¡¯t suffice. Without a complete course of antibiotics, there will be infections and valve leaks.¡± The doctors were left dumbfounded by her words. This young girl truly possessed an understanding of medical treatments! ¡°She¡¯s so knowledgeable!¡± ¡°Yes, she even understands the complications¡­¡± The decision to stop the medication without authorization had led to infections and peripheral valve leakage. ¡°Why are you discussing matters with a child? How long until the family arrives?¡± A voice interrupted the conversation. It was an elderly man, Professor Wang, the most esteemed cardio specialist in the hospital. With over 50 years of experience, his voice carried a sense of authority. ¡°Professor Wang,¡± the doctors addressed him respectfully. One of them responded, ¡°Based on their current speed, it will take at least 20 minutes.¡± Twenty minutes was too long. Professor Wang knew that Old Master Bo could not hold on any longer. Having undergone a mitral valve replacement surgery abroad, Old Master Bo experienced peripheral valve leakage upon his return to the country. He sought treatment abroad once again and had another operation. However, the symptoms resurfaced shortly after the second surgery. The situation had become critical, and seeking treatment abroad was no longer a viable option. Under immense pressure, Professor Wang performed a surgery with an extremely low success rate, essentially defying medical odds. Yet, not long after, Old Master Bo found himself facing the need for surgery once more! ¡°Also, his condition has worsened. He initially had an upper respiratory tract infection, which progressed into pneumonia. Just as the pneumonia was being controlled, he experienced heart failure¡­¡± Professor Wang had just discovered that Old Master Bo had developed valve pericardium and endocarditis again, putting him in an extremely critical condition! Under these circumstances, the success rate of the surgery was less than 5%. Waiting for the family members to arrive and sign the necessary agreements seemed to be the only solution. Even if the patient passed away, the hospital would not be held responsible. They had done everything within their power. However, considering Old Master Bo¡¯s current state, waiting for the family was not an option. Without taking immediate measures, he would not survive more than 10 minutes. ¡°Professor Wang, should we wait for the family to arrive?¡± Su Jing, a young female doctor, asked. The other doctors remained silent, their gazes fixed on Professor Wang, awaiting his decision. Observing the hesitation, Su Jing decided to take charge. Ignoring the professor¡¯s silence, she firmly stated, ¡°Go and retrieve the sedative and heart-suppressing medication.¡± As the nurse was about to comply, Fang Yuan, standing at the door, spoke languidly, ¡°Injecting those medications now will surely result in his death.¡± Even if the gods themselves were present, they would be unable to save the old man once the medication took effect. His frail body would not withstand the potent impact of the drugs. Administering the two injections would be akin to delivering a death sentence. They would only temporarily revive him, but he would perish within half an hour. Chapter 7 Do It ¡°Where did this girl come from? Leave us alone, we are busy and don¡¯t have time to argue with you,¡± Su Jing retorted, growing increasingly frustrated. She couldn¡¯t comprehend why a young girl like her had appeared in the midst of their professional discussion. ¡°Quack doctors,¡± Fang Yuan muttered under her breath, not willing to engage in further arguments. She turned to leave. However, Su Jing couldn¡¯t tolerate it any longer. She snapped at Fang Yuan, ¡°Stop right there!¡± ¡°Jingjing, don¡¯t argue with a young girl. Old Master Bo¡¯s condition is of utmost importance at the moment,¡± Professor Wang tried to calm her down. ¡°But she called me a quack!¡± Su Jing couldn¡¯t tolerate such an insult. She glared at Fang Yuan, the youngest associate chief doctor in the entire hospital, who had achieved numerous accolades. How dare a young girl question her medical expertise? ¡°She knows nothing, why are you wasting your time arguing with her?¡± The male doctor grew increasingly anxious, desperate to find a solution for Old Master Bo. Regardless of the circumstances, they couldn¡¯t allow him to die in the hospital, as it would implicate everyone present. While surgery was currently not feasible, they couldn¡¯t simply watch him perish. Administering heart-suppressing medication and providing comfort seemed like the only available option. ¡°Who are you calling a quack doctor?¡± Su Jing approached Fang Yuan, her voice filled with confrontation. ¡°Tell me, I¡¯m listening!¡± ¡°Who else?¡± Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow, clearly dismissing her. ¡°You!¡± This audacious girl was pushing her limits! Fang Yuan crossed her arms and nonchalantly replied, ¡°He has no choice but to undergo the surgery.¡± ¡°Surgery? It¡¯s easy for a child like you to say,¡± Su Jing scoffed. ¡°This elderly man has already undergone five heart surgeries, and his heart is in a fragile state. No hospital, not even Renyi Hospital, would dare to perform a sixth surgery on his scarred heart.¡± ¡°Please calm down,¡± Professor Wang attempted to defuse the situation, but Su Jing¡¯s temper couldn¡¯t be contained. ¡°There is no record of a case like this in our country or abroad! It¡¯s an unprecedented situation!¡± Su Jing asserted confidently. ¡°Do you understand the complexity of the surgery? We have consulted numerous renowned cardiovascular specialists both nationally and internationally, and none have come up with a better solution!¡± Fang Yuan looked up, her expression determined. ¡°That¡¯s because you can¡¯t.¡± ¡°Oh, so you think you can do it if we can¡¯t?¡± Su Jing sneered. ¡°If you really can, go ahead then!¡± Fang Yuan glanced at the elderly man on the bed nonchalantly. ¡°You can¡¯t afford my services.¡± Su Jing found that amusing. ¡°This elderly man is no ordinary person. Money is inconsequential to him. If you can save him, I¡¯ll kneel down and call you my ancestor, let alone money!¡± Fang Yuan responded playfully, ¡°Alright, no problem!¡± Su Jing couldn¡¯t help but scoff. ¡°You have no idea what you¡¯re talking about! Have you even graduated from high school? Do you even know the location of the heart? Surgery isn¡¯t like cutting a piece of meat with a knife. It¡¯s not as simple as you think. I don¡¯t care where you¡¯re from, but apologize and leave. We can pretend this never happened!¡± Fang Yuan glanced at Su Jing¡¯s work pass and spoke disdainfully, ¡°You¡¯re just an associate chief doctor in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, and you can¡¯t even perform an artificial valve replacement. And you want me to apologize?¡± ¡°You!¡± ¡°Calling you a quack would be an insult to the word ¡®quack¡¯!¡± Su Jing exploded. ¡°Just listen to what this girl is saying!¡± The female chief doctor interjected, ¡°She even knows about artificial valve replacement¡­¡± So many professional methods were mentioned by a young girl. Could she really possess medical knowledge? The male doctor also realized this and whispered, ¡°What if we let her try? What if she actually has a solution?¡± ¡°Dean, are you out of your mind? We can¡¯t trust the words of a little girl!¡± Su Jing lowered her voice. ¡°Do you know who Old Master Bo is? If something goes wrong, none of us here will be able to escape. Do you really think a young girl can shoulder the blame?¡± The male Dean sighed helplessly. ¡°But we¡¯re running out of options¡­¡± ¡°What about¡­¡± the Dean suggested boldly, ¡°inviting Doctor Chen to give it a try?¡± Yang Chen was widely recognized as a genius in the hospital, but¡­ ¡°Doctor Chen is incredibly proud. He wouldn¡¯t treat someone who isn¡¯t his patient,¡± Su Jing responded. Chapter 8 Head Kicking Su Jing understood that very well, so she never even considered involving him. Chen Yang had a notoriously bad temper, and he would dismiss people 99% of the time, without sparing any dignity. ¡°What do we do now?¡± Perhaps because they were speaking too loudly, a crowd of eight or nine people had gathered at the door of the ward, engrossed in gossip. Professor Wang, concerned about the situation escalating, tried to console Fang Yuan. ¡°Young lady, this surgery is extremely challenging, and none of us can be certain of the outcome. Besides Dr. Hua He, there is no one in the world who can guarantee a successful operation for Old Master Bo. It¡¯s not that we don¡¯t want to perform the surgery, but we can¡¯t take the risk without assurance.¡± Without a stable heart, they would have to wait until the family members arrived to sign the consent form, enabling them to proceed with a bold attempt at saving the patient. Otherwise, they couldn¡¯t make a decision, considering Old Master Bo¡¯s influence and power. ¡°She mentioned getting paid after the surgery,¡± Fang Yuan interjected. Professor Wang paused for a moment, taken aback. ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯s true!¡± Money wasn¡¯t a concern if it meant saving Old Master Bo¡¯s life. Fang Yuan had generated substantial wealth for the Fang Family, and it all ended up in the family¡¯s coffers. With Madame Old Fang falling ill, she had no personal savings. Taking on a minor surgery could provide her with some earnings. Observing the confident look in Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes, Professor Wang couldn¡¯t help but inquire, ¡°Young lady, do you truly have knowledge of medicine?¡± Fang Yuan smiled. ¡°No problem with a scalpel.¡± Curious, Professor Wang asked, ¡°How do you intend to save him?¡± ¡°For a heart transplant, of course, but on the condition that Chen Yang acts as my assistant,¡± Fang Yuan replied. ¡°Hehe¡­¡± Su Jing must have lost her mind at that remark. ¡°Who do you think you are? And who is Chen Yang? I can bring him here, but he would never agree to be your assistant. If he does, I¡¯ll chop off my head and use it as a football!¡± Speaking of him, Fang Yuan turned to Professor Wang with a look of disdain. ¡°Professor Wang, don¡¯t waste any more time on her. We don¡¯t have much time left. Let¡¯s proceed with the heart-suppressing medicine and comfort measures!¡± Then she instructed the nurse standing next to her, ¡°Go and fetch the medicine, and also inform the security office. We have a mentally unstable individual here!¡± As the nurse went to retrieve the medicine, she happened to encounter Yang Chen in the corridor and quickly explained the situation to him. Soon, a familiar voice echoed through the hallway. ¡°Who mentioned my name?¡± Everyone looked up in astonishment as they saw Yang Chen standing there. How did the nurse manage to bring Yang Chen here? It seemed impossible for a nurse to have such influence. ¡°Doctor Chen, you¡¯ve arrived at the perfect time!¡± Su Jing seized the opportunity to speak. ¡°It¡¯s this crazy girl who wants you to perform the surgery!¡± Chen Yang glanced at Fang Yuan, who stood calmly as if unfazed by all the commotion. He frowned at Su Jing, displeased with her words. He turned to the others and inquired, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Su Jing hurriedly explained the situation to him, emphasizing that there were no known cases like this in the country or abroad. ¡°Well, what are we waiting for then?¡± Chen Yang, taking Fang Yuan¡¯s side, accepted the challenging task. He said in an expressionless tone, ¡°Let¡¯s prepare for the surgery.¡± ¡°Doctor Chen, why are you getting involved with her?¡± Su Jing was taken aback by his response. After a moment of surprise, she attempted to leave a good impression on Chen Yang. She tucked her hair behind her ears, revealing what she thought was a beautiful side profile. ¡°The success rate is less than 5%. The patient is a person of great stature, and if anything goes wrong, none of us will be able to bear the responsibility!¡± Annoyed, Chen Yang retorted, ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about bearing any responsibility if something goes wrong!¡± ¡°Doctor Chen¡­¡± Su Jing wanted to say more, but Chen Yang cut her off. ¡°I will bear full responsibility!¡± Hearing this, all the doctors were shocked. Was he really going to play a joke on his career with this girll? Chen Yang did not waste his breath on them. He glanced at Fang Yuan. ¡°Come with me.¡± He was going to take her to the operating room. When Fang Yuan passed by Su Jing, she smiled. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that you were going to rip off your head for me to play football with?¡± ¡°You!¡± Su Jing was speechless. She did say that if Yang Chen was willing to be her assistant, she would chop off her head and let her play it as the football. But she had not expected that Yang Chen would really agree to this proposal. Yang Chen was such a proud person, why did he change? Was it because the girl was good-looking? Chapter 9 Promise Fang Yuan smiled seeing her stuck in words. ¡°Don¡¯t forget your promise.¡± ¡°What promise?¡± Su Jing suddenly thought of something. ¡°Oh, I did say that if you can save Old Master, I will kneel down and call you my ancestor, but I am afraid that you don¡¯t have the ability to do so. You should avoid killing him and blaming it on us!¡± Fang Yuan smiled even more brightly. ¡°Even if you want to call me your ancestor, I would not want to accept a useless brat like you!¡± ¡°You!¡± ¡°You can spare the addressing, you can just kneel down!¡± Fang Yuan said and left with Chen Yang. Looking at her retreating figure, Su Jing could not stand that any more. She shouted in Fang Yuan¡¯s direction. ¡°If you can really save the old man, I will give up my position as the deputy director!¡± Then she patted the name tag. ¡°It depends on whether you are capable enough to take it away!¡± Hearing that, Chen Yang asked curiously, ¡°Why are you arguing with her?¡± ¡°Just someone who doesn¡¯t know the immensity of heaven and earth.¡± Fang Yuan decided to kill her spirit and let her know that there was always someone better out there. Old Master Bo was pushed into the operating room by the nurses, leaving the doctors in the ward staring at each other.¡± ¡°Crazy, they are all crazy!¡± ¡°How can he do the surgery without permit? Doctor Chen is just too young to know the consequences of failure. It is not as simple as ruining his reputation!¡± If something happened to Old Master Bo, they would all be killed. ¡°Professor Wang, are we just going to leave this alone? It is a life!¡± ¡°Old Master Bo is a noble man, how can he allow them to cause trouble like this? Professor Wang, say something!¡± ¡°Yeah, we can stop them now!¡± Compared to their anxiety, the female Dean found a glimmer of hope. ¡°Doctor Chen comes from a lineage of esteemed medical professionals. While he may not be on the same level as Hua He, he possesses exceptional medical skills. Perhaps he can accomplish a miracle.¡± The male Dean chimed in, reinforcing the sentiment. ¡°Doctor Chen is renowned as a medical genius. With his presence, there¡¯s a possibility of reviving the seemingly impossible.¡± An anxious doctor interrupted, expressing concern about the young girl¡¯s involvement. ¡°Are we all confused? She¡¯s just an assistant to Doctor Chen! How much can she possibly know about medicine at such a young age? Professor Wang, please provide some clarity!¡± Professor Wang, who had remained silent, finally spoke up. ¡°Dean Liu, I understand your concerns. However, Doctor Chen has already taken full responsibility for the surgery. If any complications arise, it will be his burden alone to bear.¡± ¡°But he is Young Master Bo¡¯s grandfather. If something goes wrong, he will hold us accountable for not intervening!¡± Dean Liu persisted. ¡°In that case, we will make it clear to him that we tried to stop Doctor Chen, but he insisted on proceeding,¡± Su Jing declared, firm in her decision. She realized that arguing with the young girl would be futile. Besides, the girl seemed oblivious to the elderly man¡¯s identity. If she knew, she would have likely fled in fear. How audacious of her to undertake such a challenge! Professor Wang, who had been observing silently, finally spoke. ¡°I will closely monitor the situation and witness the girl¡¯s approach in the surgery.¡± As Professor Wang left, other doctors followed suit, urging him not to merely observe but to find a solution before Old Master Bo arrived. Su Jing instructed the nurse by her side. ¡°Inform them to activate the surveillance camera in the operating room and record everything. I want to witness her impending failure.¡± News of the exceptionally difficult surgery spread within the hospital, drawing curious doctors who were eager to witness the spectacle. If even Professor Wang was unable to assist the patient, how could a young girl possibly succeed? Many assumed she was a fraud. In her sterile attire, Fang Yuan prepared to enter the operating room when Su Jing hurriedly approached her. ¡°Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you. Old Master¡¯s pericardium was damaged in the previous surgery, and his heart is almost adhered to the breastbone. If the thoracotomy is not performed meticulously, the heart will rupture. At that point, he will pass away, and you will bear the consequences!¡± Fang Yuan responded calmly, her gaze steady. unlike you, I won¡¯t make such low-level mistakes.¡± Su Jing¡¯s anger only intensified. ¡°Fine! Let¡¯s see what you can do with the first incision!¡± With those words, she turned and entered the observation room. Inside the observation room, a group of doctors watched with surprise as the young girl took on the role of chief surgeon. ¡°Professor Wang, where did this girl come from? Are you really allowing her to take charge like this?¡± ¡°Is she even an adult? She doesn¡¯t appear to have graduated from high school¡­ And that¡¯s Master Bo, her grandfather, on the operating table!¡± ¡°If anything goes wrong, the entire hospital will suffer!¡± ¡°She clearly wants the attention, and Doctor Chen is supporting her. What¡¯s there to worry about?¡± Su Jing crossed her arms, sneering as she observed the girl through the glass. Chapter 10 Master Bo Fang Yuan donned the surgical mask, obscuring most of her face, revealing only a pair of clear and captivating eyes. Serene and composed, she exuded an aura of authority akin to that of a seasoned chief surgeon. ¡°Take your positions,¡± Fang Yuan commanded. ¡°Prepare for anesthesia.¡± ¡°Disinfect the skin.¡± ¡°Pass me the scalpel.¡± Fang Yuan directed Chen Yang, her orders leaving the doctor taken aback. ¡°Can this girl really possess medical knowledge?¡± ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be any issues with this step¡­¡± ¡°Is it possible she¡¯s just mimicking what she¡¯s seen on TV? Don¡¯t hold your breath.¡± Su Jing¡¯s skepticism was laced with sarcasm. In her mind, if this girl had the power to save lives, she could probably ingest scalpels as well. Though some held onto a glimmer of hope for Fang Yuan, their confidence wavered when they noticed the scalpel clutched in her left hand. Panic began to ripple through the room. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her? Is she left-handed?¡± ¡°Left-handed individuals aren¡¯t as proficient with knives in their non-dominant hand!¡± ¡°If she¡¯s right-handed and using her left hand, then she must be out of her mind!¡± ¡°She¡¯s disregarding the seriousness of the surgery! Professor Wang, how can you put your faith in the words of a little girl? We¡¯re doomed!¡± No one would dare to undertake such a critical operation with their non-dominant hand. Observing the girl gripping the scalpel in her left hand, Chen Yang was astounded. He distinctly remembered that Fang Yuan was right-handed. Could her right hand be injured? The elderly man had undergone numerous heart transplantations, causing his heart structure to deviate from that of an ordinary person. Startling everyone, Fang Yuan boldly made a direct incision through the sternum. ¡°Even seasoned doctors wouldn¡¯t dare to do that. This girl is incredibly composed. Could she really be just a little girl?¡± ¡°The precision of her first cut is astonishing¡­¡± ¡°She¡¯s so fast, accurate, and unyielding!¡± Even Su Jing couldn¡¯t help but be taken aback. She muttered, ¡°How is this possible?¡± It was hard to believe that Fang Yuan wasn¡¯t a seasoned professional. As Fang Yuan opened the sternum, she discovered the old man¡¯s heart riddled with scars. The blood vessels were disarrayed, making it difficult to discern their original positions. Moreover, the heart had adhered closely to the sternum, lacking the protection of the pericardium. Chen Yang glanced at the situation and realized its severity. He had been concerned that Fang Yuan might struggle with where to begin, but she remained remarkably composed, flawlessly attending to every detail. ¡°Let¡¯s delve into the specifics,¡± Professor Wang spoke, his surprise mingled with anticipation for what would come next. Diligently, Fang Yuan meticulously detached the adhesions between the heart and the sternum¡¯s posterior wall¡ªthe most challenging part of the procedure. Considering the old man¡¯s current condition, even experienced doctors would require several hours to navigate it. However, for Fang Yuan, half an hour proved sufficient. With her head lowered and her eyes sparkling, she exuded an air of unwavering confidence. The entire medical team held their breath, well aware of the formidable task at hand. A single mistake could jeopardize the heart tissue or damage one of the blood vessels, spelling disaster. Meanwhile, a group of individuals appeared in the hospital corridor. The man at the forefront appeared to be in his early twenties, emanating an exceptionally commanding presence. Possessing sharp eyebrows, a prominent nose bridge, and exquisite features, he exuded an air of icy nobility, radiating an extraordinary aura. The medical staff instantly recognized him, respectfully stepping back and addressing him, ¡°Master Bo, you have arrived.¡± Then, his gaze fell upon the six or seven distinguished cardiovascular specialists accompanying him, each renowned in their field. Only Master Bo possessed the influence to assemble such a remarkable team from across the country within such a short span of time. ¡°Old Master Bo¡¯s condition has deteriorated. Although the pneumonia is finally under control, he is now experiencing heart failure,¡± Professor Wang respectfully reported. ¡°During today¡¯s examination, we discovered indications of prosthetic valve rejection, endocarditis, and paravalvular leakage¡­¡± Bo Yi¡¯s gaze shifted towards the chief surgeon in the operating room, his expression cold and detached. Although she wore a mask, exposing only a pair of clear eyes, it was evident that she couldn¡¯t be more than 20 years old. ¡°And who might she be?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s question hung in the air, his tone devoid of warmth. Professor Wang¡¯s heart skipped a beat as his gaze followed Bo Yi¡¯s line of sight. Revealing the truth could potentially cost him dearly. Assistant Mu Qing interjected angrily, ¡°How can there be such a young surgeon in this hospital? On my way here, I heard rumors of a high school student set to operate on Old Master Bo. That must be her, right? How can Renyi Hospital be so irresponsible? They disregard the doctor¡¯s qualifications and experience, allowing anyone with audacity to perform surgery on Old Master Bo? Do they have a death wish?¡± ¡°Assistant Mu, it¡¯s not what you think¡­¡± Professor Wang stammered, his legs trembling in fear. He desperately wanted to explain himself but couldn¡¯t find the right words. The doctors in the observation room were all dumbfounded, their shock palpable. Chapter 11 Stupid Girl Su Jing¡¯s legs trembled with fear, yet she summoned her courage and managed to speak. ¡°It was Dr. Chen¡¯s suggestion. He said that if anything goes wrong, he will take full responsibility¡­¡± ¡°And with what? Your lives?¡± Mu Qing retorted, leaving Su Jing too terrified to respond. ¡°Master Bo, allow the specialists to proceed with saving Old Master while I handle the chief surgeon and her assistants. None of them should escape accountability,¡± Mu Qing declared, casting a cold glance at the assembled crowd. They would pay the price for their actions! How dare they enlist an arbitrary high school student for such a critical operation? They must have a death wish! Meanwhile, the experts behind Bo Yi voiced their surprise. ¡°She¡¯s separating the adhesions!¡± ¡°Yes, no blood vessels are being harmed, and the heart tissue remains intact. Moreover, she¡¯s wielding the scalpel with her left hand!¡± ¡°How is this possible?¡± ¡°It¡¯s an incredibly challenging procedure, yet she moves with such speed¡­¡± In Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes, the surgery that seemed arduous to others was as effortless as breathing. As she finished separating the adhesions, she prepared to raise her gaze, revealing a pair of beautiful eyes that emanated a fresh and refined temperament. ¡°Professor Wang, who is she?¡± one of the cardiovascular experts brought by Bo Yi from abroad inquired in broken Chinese. ¡°Is she the doctor employed by your hospital? I would like to speak with her after the surgery, if I may have the honor.¡± ¡°We arrived late. We missed seeing how she opened the chest, but her adhesion separation is done perfectly. She must be more skilled than me!¡± ¡°I have a question for her, if I may be granted the opportunity¡­¡± Mu Qing wasn¡¯t the only one taken aback. The astonishment reverberated through the entire room. How could a teenage girl accomplish such a feat in such a short time? ¡°This is truly astonishing!¡± ¡°Even the most seasoned experts might struggle to separate all the adhesions within such a short timeframe.¡± ¡°Could it be that despite her youthful appearance, she¡¯s actually a teenage doctor?¡± After all, how else could her medical prowess be so exceptional? Bo Yi maintained a serious countenance, his expression inscrutable, leaving everyone guessing his thoughts. Unable to contain herself, Su Jing sneered, ¡°What¡¯s the use if the blood vessels and heart tissues remain unharmed? Old Master Bo has already undergone multiple surgeries, and the tissue available for stitching around the heart valve is pitifully limited. It¡¯s incredibly challenging for an artificial heart valve to sustain.¡± That was precisely why they had refrained from performing any surgery. ¡°Silence!¡± Professor Wang reprimanded, his displeasure evident. Nevertheless, Su Jing stood her ground. ¡°I merely want everyone to acknowledge that Old Master Bo is suffering from a severe heart infection, and his tissue edema is critical. Suturing the artificial valve poses a formidable challenge. If there¡¯s any problem with her suturing, Old Master Bo¡¯s heart function will not improve, and there¡¯s a high likelihood of severe complications.¡± Her words aimed to instigate discord, prompting Professor Wang to explain the situation to Bo Yi. ¡°Mr. Bo, this girl possesses exceptional medical skills. I firmly believe she can handle the upcoming surgery adeptly. Furthermore, Dr. Chen is her assistant. He hails from a medical family and possesses remarkable talent. His grandfather is Chen Yongchang, one of the world¡¯s top-ranking medical experts.¡± Chen Yongchang? Bo Yi suddenly realized that the male assistant was Chen Yang, the sole grandson of Chen Yongchang. Chen Yongchang was among the doctors he had invited, but he had been delayed in traffic and hadn¡¯t yet arrived at the hospital. Observing Bo Yi¡¯s indifferent expression, Professor Wang¡¯s thoughts spiraled. He couldn¡¯t decipher the intentions behind that inscrutable facade. Subsequently, Fang Yuan¡¯s exceptional suturing skills left all the attending doctors feeling inadequate. Following the surgery, astonishment engulfed the room. Old Master Bo had survived! ¡°Fang Xiaoyuan, are you truly human?¡± Yang Chen, who had closely witnessed the entire operation, felt deeply moved. This girl had surpassed his expectations by hundreds of times! He had braced himself to intervene and salvage the situation at the last moment, only to realize that his worries had been entirely unfounded. ¡°He can be moved now.¡± Fang Yuan washed her hands and exited the operating room. The doctors who had been waiting outside for quite some time applauded her and showered her with praise for her remarkable medical skills. Observing this, Su Jing couldn¡¯t help but clench her fists, her nails digging into her flesh. She never anticipated that this wretched girl would be so capable! The emergency bed carrying Old Master Bo was wheeled out of the operating room, with numerous doctors gathering around to confirm that he was still breathing and appeared to be in a stable condition. ¡°Give him some space, let him rest.¡± Chen Yang realized that the girl must be fatigued. She had been engrossed in the surgery for two hours, and it was already two in the afternoon. He wondered if she had even had lunch. Chapter 12 Promise The doctors who had gathered around for curiosity¡¯s sake departed, leaving only Bo Yi and his team of specialists, along with Professor Wang and the other doctors. ¡°I will escort Old Master back to the ward first,¡± Yang Chen said to Fang Yuan. ¡°I¡¯ll be back shortly.¡± Fang Yuan nodded, removing her mask to reveal a bright and lovely face. Her attractiveness wasn¡¯t something she deliberately showcased; it simply radiated naturally. ¡°Who is the patient¡¯s family?¡± Fang Yuan inquired, looking up. She had something to discuss with them. The man at the forefront approached her. Fang Yuan felt her vision darken as she raised her gaze, meeting the man¡¯s deep, black eyes. Towering at almost 1.9 meters, he made her 1.7-meter frame appear petite. His facial features were sharp and well-defined, while his eyes followed the golden ratio precisely. ¡°Mr. Bo, here¡¯s the situation. Old Master Bo is in critical condition, and I assure you, if this girl can save him, compensation won¡¯t be an issue¡­¡± Professor Wang, who stood by her side, began to discuss compensation on Fang Yuan¡¯s behalf. Bo Yi studied the girl before him and then exchanged a glance with Mu Qing. Mu Qing withdrew a checkbook, tore off a blank check, and handed it to Fang Yuan. ¡°Thank you for saving us, Miss Miracle Doctor! This is a small gift from my Master Bo. You can fill in any amount you desire.¡± Fang Yuan looked up, her surprise evident. Who was this Master Bo, and why was he so generous? Those around her looked on with envy or experienced eyes. Receiving a blank check not only meant financial freedom but, more importantly, it opened doors for her to further develop herself by boarding the Bo family¡¯s ship. A bright future awaited her. ¡°Very well,¡± Fang Yuan smiled, pocketing the check without hesitation. She didn¡¯t refuse, accepting it straightforwardly. ¡°Old Master will be able to come off the ventilator tomorrow,¡± Fang Yuan began to speak, but her words were interrupted by a sneer from nearby. It was Su Jing. Fang Yuan noticed the smirk on Su Jing¡¯s face. Raising an eyebrow, she spoke casually, ¡°It¡¯s time to fulfill your promise, Deputy Director Su.¡± So consumed by jealousy, Su Jing had momentarily forgotten about their bet. With Master Bo present, Su Jing didn¡¯t want to make herself look bad. Absolutely not! She shamelessly retorted, ¡°What promise? When did I say that?¡± ¡°Deputy Director Su, how can you deny it¡­¡± The nurse beside her couldn¡¯t help but interject. ¡°You said that if this lady could save the old man, you would kneel down and acknowledge her as your ancestor. You even said you¡¯d relinquish your position as deputy director¡­¡± ¡°Did I really say that? Is there any evidence?¡± Su Jing refused to admit her previous words. Another doctor couldn¡¯t tolerate it any longer. ¡°You did say it. Everyone here heard you. Even if you don¡¯t want to kneel down, at least apologize to them.¡± After all, her earlier statement had been quite appalling. ¡°Why should I apologize?¡± Su Jing remained utterly shameless. She was convinced that a mere girl couldn¡¯t do anything to her. Just as everyone felt exasperated by her audacity, Fang Yuan swiftly approached her and delivered a swift kick to her knees. Su Jing fell to the ground, her knees in excruciating pain. No one saw exactly how Fang Yuan executed the kick. They merely heard the sound of knees hitting the floor¡ªa sound that resonated with agony. ¡°You¡­ you¡­¡± Su Jing trembled with anger, her lips quivering as she struggled to exert any strength in her knees. ¡°As a doctor, it is your duty to save lives,¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes bore a significant meaning, her voice icy cold. ¡°The scalpel in your hand is meant to heal, not harm.¡± ¡°You!¡± Su Jing seethed with fury. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare slander me in front of Master Bo. I¡¯ve done nothing wrong!¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s voice remained cold as she replied, ¡°We all know their intentions.¡± Just then, the dean hurriedly approached. ¡°Mr. Bo, is Old Master doing well? I apologize, I just returned from an academic exchange. What¡¯s happening here? Su, why are you kneeling on the ground?¡± Witnessing the dean¡¯s arrival, Su Jing burst into tears. She held high aspirations for his approval. He had spoken highly of her in front of many doctors, even commending her as a role model. She was about to voice her complaints when she heard the dean¡¯s astonished voice. ¡°Yuan, what are you doing here? And why are you dressed in sterile attire? You¡¯re the high school student who performed the surgery on Old Master Bo? I heard about it on my way back. It seems Old Master Bo is alright, isn¡¯t he?¡± The revelation left everyone stunned. Not only did Dean Zheng know this girl, but he also endorsed her medical skills? As silence hung in the air, Dean Zheng grew even more perplexed. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Yuan, explain it to me.¡± Chapter 13 Human ¡°Uncle Zheng,¡± Fang Yuan greeted him. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I simply don¡¯t want to see her continue in the medical field.¡± The dean glanced at Su Jing and then back at Fang Yuan. ¡°What did Su do to upset you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not upset,¡± Fang Yuan calmly replied. ¡°It¡¯s just that it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve heard of heart failure patients being treated with heart stabilizers and comfort to manage endocarditis and valve peripheral leakage.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t that mean the patient was being given a temporary boost? Half an hour later, he would have been beyond saving!¡± Dean Zheng frowned at Su Jing. Fang Yuan remarked casually, ¡°I can only say that the criteria at your hospital are too lenient.¡± Turning to Su Jing, Dean Zheng inquired, ¡°Su, why didn¡¯t you perform the operation on the patient?¡± Su Jing confessed guiltily, ¡°Dean, Old Master¡¯s condition was extremely critical, and we felt helpless¡­¡± ¡°You were trying to stabilize his heart and provide temporary relief, but you knew there was no way to reverse the situation! As a doctor, you cannot condemn a patient to death when there¡¯s a chance for them to survive! How could you do that?¡± Before Su Jing could respond, Dean Zheng expressed his disappointment. ¡°Just leave. Renyi Hospital can¡¯t keep you, and you won¡¯t be able to work in this industry in the future.¡± Those who prioritized their own future over the patient¡¯s life were unfit to be doctors! Dean Zheng held a prominent position as the president of the National Medicine Association, and his words effectively meant that Su Jing would find it nearly impossible to secure employment in the field. ¡°Dean, please give me another chance!¡± Su Jing pleaded, aware that the dean was pushing her away out of concern for the potential consequences if Young Master Bo held her accountable. She didn¡¯t want to leave this place. The salary was generous, and everyone treated her well. Her future should have been bright. It was all because of that accursed girl! ¡°Just remove her from here!¡± Dean Zheng turned to Bo Yi and offered an apology. ¡°I¡¯m sorry that something like this occurred under my jurisdiction. But without Yuan¡¯s assistance, I would have made a grave error!¡± Ignoring the dean, Master Bo turned to Fang Yuan and asked, ¡°What is your name?¡± He was a man of few words, his expressions as cold as his words. Fang Yuan responded graciously, ¡°Fang Yuan.¡± ¡°Give me your phone number.¡± With that, Bo Yi handed his phone to her, allowing her to input her contact information herself. Fang Yuan accepted the phone and understood his intention. It meant that she would be responsible if anything happened to Old Master Bo. She left her contact number so they could stay in touch in the future. Taking the man¡¯s phone, she swiftly entered a series of digits with her fair and slender fingers. Returning the phone to him, she spoke, ¡°After the operation, Old Master may experience early morning sternal instability due to multiple previous thoracotomies. Healing may be slightly challenging, and there may be swelling from extracorporeal circulation and multiple intubations. These are all normal occurrences.¡± She made it clear that she was not lacking in medical knowledge. He gazed at her features and asked in a deep voice, ¡°How can the pain be alleviated?¡± Fang Yuan glanced at the six or seven cardiovascular specialists standing behind him. ¡°They can handle this minor issue. Uncle Zheng, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± ¡°Very well¡­¡± Fang Yuan changed out of her sterile clothing in the changing room, donned a baseball cap, and prepared to depart with her backpack. ¡°Fang Xiaoyuan!¡± Chen Yang caught up with her. ¡°Is your right hand alright? I was about to ask, what happened to your right hand? How did you perform the surgery?¡± It seemed peculiar for a right-handed person to wield the scalpel with their left hand. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Fang Yuan replied, rolling her wrist indifferently. ¡°I got into a fight last night.¡± Chen Yang¡¯s face showed a mix of emotions. ¡°So, you know how to fight?¡± What kind of mission was this? Not only could she effortlessly acquire valuable mystical medicines, but she could also fight. ¡°Are you left-handed or right-handed? Which hand do you use for surgery?¡± Yang Chen couldn¡¯t help but be curious. ¡°Either hand will suffice,¡± Fang Yuan responded. Yang Chen was stunned. ¡°Are you truly human?¡± Just then, an elderly man rushed in and exclaimed, ¡°Excuse me, excuse me, what are you doing here, Little Yuan?¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes lit up as she recognized him. ¡°Grandpa Chen?¡± ¡°Little Yuan, are you here for my surgery as well? May I have the honor of assisting you?¡± he asked eagerly. Fang Yuan replied, ¡°I¡¯m already finished.¡± ¡°What? You¡¯re finished?¡± Chen Yongchang panted heavily, having rushed here due to traffic, only to find out that the surgery was already completed. ¡°You did it yourself?¡± Chen Yongchang asked, astonished. ¡°And with his help too,¡± Fang Yuan gestured towards Chen Yang. Chapter 14 Poor People Chen Yongchang followed Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze and asked in surprise, ¡°What are you doing here, you little boy?¡± ¡°Grandpa¡­¡± Chen Yang replied helplessly, ¡°I work at the hospital.¡± It seemed his grandpa had forgotten about this. His grandpa, who always had a peculiar temperament, acted so friendly in front of Fang Yuan. He even seemed to be trying to impress her! Yang Chen was astonished. Who was she exactly? She had managed to earn his grandpa¡¯s admiration to such a degree. Could she have another identity beyond her exceptional medical skills? ¡°You¡¯re so fortunate to be Little Yuan¡¯s assistant!¡± Fortunate to be her assistant? Had his grandpa developed dementia? Yes, the girl was skilled in medicine, but was she really that incredible? ¡°I told you to take care of Madame Old Fang in ward 201, did you pay attention?¡± Chen Changhai asked casually. Chen Yang replied, ¡°I visit her every day¡­¡± ¡°Every day?¡± Grandpa Chen interjected. ¡°You will visit her three times a day, no exceptions!¡± ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m very busy too¡­¡± It wasn¡¯t feasible to spend all day with just one patient! ¡°I¡¯m reminding you to be attentive, but you¡¯re not!¡± Grandpa Chen slapped Chen Yang on the back. ¡°You rascal, it¡¯s been too long since I last scolded you. You¡¯re getting more insolent, aren¡¯t you?¡± Chen Yang didn¡¯t want to be scolded, so he quickly fled. ¡°Grandpa, we¡¯re in a hospital, keep it down¡­¡± ¡°You brat, how dare you run? Do you think I can¡¯t catch up to you? I just ran three kilometers!¡± ¡­. Ten minutes later, a worn-out Rolls-Royce pulled into Jin¡¯an Garden. Inside the garden were 22 opulent private villas, each facing the serene lake. The car cruised along the spacious, leafy road and came to a stop in front of a villa. A couple had been anxiously waiting at the gate, and upon seeing Old Liu¡¯s car, they exchanged a concerned glance. ¡°What happened?¡± Cheng Ye asked, worried about the state of the car. Where was his precious daughter? Was she safe? As Old Liu stepped out of the vehicle, the couple was taken aback once again. Qiao Xinhui exclaimed in surprise, ¡°Old Liu, your glasses and clothes¡­ Did something happen on the way? And where is Yuanyuan? Is she alright?¡± They turned their gaze towards the back of the car. ¡°Sixth Miss, I¡¯m fine. We were rear-ended by a truck on our way here,¡± Old Liu explained respectfully. ¡°Sixth Miss, you¡¯re home!¡± Fang Yuan turned around and locked eyes with the couple standing outside the car. Qiao Xinhui had been renowned for her beauty in her youth, surpassing even the TV celebrities of that era. Though she was now 50 years old and aging gracefully, she still exuded the allure of a mature woman. Tears welled up in Qiao Xinhui¡¯s eyes as she saw Fang Yuan. ¡°You must be Yuanyuan, my precious daughter!¡± Fang Yuan wasn¡¯t accustomed to such a sudden embrace, but she felt a faint sense of warmth. ¡°Come, let me take a good look at you, my child.¡± Qiao Xinhui cupped Fang Yuan¡¯s face. The child possessed exquisite features and fair, rosy skin. With tears in her eyes, she asked gently, ¡°How have you been all these years in the Fang Family?¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s simple words caused Qiao Xinhui to burst into tears once more. As long as her daughter was living a good life and hadn¡¯t been mistreated, she could find solace. ¡°We should be rejoicing that our daughter is home¡­¡± Cheng Ye spoke up, his eyes also filled with redness. ¡°Let¡¯s continue the conversation inside and make sure our daughter doesn¡¯t tire herself standing.¡± ¡°Yes, Yuanyuan, come in,¡± Qiao Xinhui said, taking Fang Yuan¡¯s bag and handing it to Cheng Ye. Cheng Ye held the unbranded bag and looked at Fang Yuan¡¯s slender figure. A lump formed in his throat. Had his daughter been leading a good life all these years? She was already an adult, yet she didn¡¯t even have any designer clothes or branded bags. With that in mind, he slowed his pace and waited for the mother and daughter to move ahead. Then he took out his cellphone and made a call. ¡°I want to have 100 sets of clothing and shoes custom-made for my daughter. They must be one-of-a-kind and delivered before sundown today!¡± ¡°Yuanyuan, from this day forward, this is your home,¡± Qiao Xinhui said, holding Fang Yuan¡¯s hands as they entered the mansion. The garden was adorned with rare and valuable blooming flowers. In the center of the garden stood numerous servants¡ªhousekeepers, drivers, chefs, gardeners, bodyguards, and maids¡­ They all bowed respectfully. ¡°Welcome home, Sixth Miss!¡± As they walked through the garden and into the living room, Fang Yuan noticed the walls adorned with precious calligraphy, paintings, and antique artifacts. So, this was the supposedly impoverished Fang Family¡­ Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze landed on an ink painting¡ªthe ¡°Seven Galloping Horses.¡± It had recently sold for 200 million at an auction. An ancient painting dating back 1,000 years, undoubtedly authentic. Chapter 15 Strange Hostility Qiao Xinhui followed Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze and seemed to have caught onto the topic. ¡°Yuanyuan, do you like this painting? Should I have someone hang it in your room?¡± ¡°No need,¡± Fang Yuan replied. She was a bit surprised to see the abundance of artwork in their home. However, this painting seemed out of place among the modern pieces. ¡°You don¡¯t like it, Yuanyuan? Guards, please store away the painting,¡± Cheng Ye heard her words and issued the order. The housekeeper felt a pang of reluctance. The painting of the Seven Galloping Horses was a rare treasure, and the Old Master had specifically hung it for this inexperienced Sixth Miss! Moreover, this painting was Lady Yuqi¡¯s favorite. Fang Yuan could sense the housekeeper¡¯s hostility directed at her, but she paid it no mind. Instead, she offered a suggestion to her parents. ¡°Hang it inside.¡± She gestured toward the nearby tea room, where other paintings by the same artist adorned the walls. The combination of tea and ancient artwork would create a harmonious ambiance. The housekeeper felt a twinge of heartbreak. This girl from the countryside didn¡¯t comprehend the value of the painting, so she wanted to display it indoors rather than showcasing its grandeur to outsiders. ¡°I agree!¡± Qiao Xinhui immediately stood up in support of her daughter. ¡°My daughter has excellent taste!¡± Butler: sighs internally ¡°Yuanyuan, we have green tea, black tea, floral tea, fruits, and snacks here. Help yourself to whatever you like. Don¡¯t be shy, this is your home,¡± Cheng Ye said lovingly. Fang Yuan poured herself a cup of Da Hong Pao and took a sip. The ordinary Da Hong Pao didn¡¯t possess the same texture and aroma. Only tea produced by the ancient trees of more than 300 years old in Wuyi Mountain had such characteristics. In ancient times, this precious tea was reserved solely for the royal family. At a recent auction, the Da Hong Pao from the same tree had cost 10,000 yuan per gram. She savored another sip, enjoying the lingering and mellow fragrance that danced between her lips and teeth. It truly was an exceptional tea. ¡°Yuanyuan, have some snacks,¡± Qiao Xinhui pushed the snacks toward Fang Yuan and said emotionally, ¡°I never intended for you to get lost.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Fang Yuan responded. Faced with her mother¡¯s sorrow, her heart softened. She believed that no mother would willingly lose her child. ¡°How did you find me?¡± Fang Yuan asked. ¡°Some time ago, the Fang Family issued a missing person notice, which mentioned the fire we just passed by. I happened to come across it, but I didn¡¯t pay much attention to it initially. However, I started having recurring nightmares afterward, so I asked your father to look into it,¡± Qiao Xinhui explained. ¡°But we discovered that you are our real daughter, and the child we had raised for 18 years is not our biological daughter¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui¡¯s voice trembled as tears streamed down her face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s Mom and Dad¡¯s fault that you had to live in someone else¡¯s home all this time.¡± Cheng Ye¡¯s expression mirrored the guilt he felt. ¡°I was foolish to bring Yuqi home without conducting a thorough investigation. We¡¯ve learned about her background now. Her mother perished in the fire, and her father is still missing. We¡¯ve raised her for 18 years, and it wouldn¡¯t be right to cast her aside. So we wanted to talk to you and ask if you would allow her to continue living in this family. From now on, you are sisters. Is that alright?¡± Having lived together for 18 years, they had already formed deep bonds with each other, not to mention Cheng Yuqi, who was raised as their daughter. Fang Yuan understood their intentions and replied calmly, ¡°You can make the decision. I have no objections.¡± A sense of relief washed over Qiao Xinhui. Their daughter was truly kind-hearted! ¡°May I show you your room?¡± As they passed by the piano room on the second floor, Qiao Xinhui asked casually, ¡°Yuanyuan, what are your hobbies?¡± ¡°Making money,¡± Fang Yuan responded nonchalantly. Cheng Ye raised an eyebrow. ¡°Hahaha, you truly are a good daughter. Even as a child, you loved the idea of earning money! I never expected we would share the same interest!¡± ¡°Nonsense!¡± Qiao Xinhui playfully exposed him. ¡°You were all about chasing after girls when you were young!¡± Cheng Ye appeared a bit embarrassed. ¡°Of course not. You were the only girl I had eyes for back then. Getting you was more important to me than making money!¡± Fang Yuan. ¡°¡­¡± She moved her eyes away and glanced out of the window. She realized that there was a landing pad at home, and there were not many planes there, only three¡­ One of them was a Boeing 747sp, a limited version worldwide. One cost 1.4 billion yuan, which was the same model as a certain head of the land¡¯s plane. ¡°Yuanyuan, this is your room, do you like it?¡± Qiao Xinhui opened the box and looked forward to her daughter¡¯s praise. What came into view was a large patch of pink¡­ be it the bed, curtains, furniture, carpet, or wardrobe, they were all pink. Fang Yuan. ¡°¡­.¡± Chapter 16 Sweet Air ¡°Your mother said that girls like pink, so we have a pink princess room for you!¡± Cheng Ye said exaggeratedly, ¡°Don¡¯t you feel that the air in the room is sweet?¡± Fang Yuan. ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if you don¡¯t like it. Your mother has other styles!¡± Cheng Ye showed her a few more rooms next door, which were Mediterranean, European, Japanese and creamy styles. Qiao Xinhui did not know what style Fang Yuan liked, but she had many rooms prepared, so she made one for each style. ¡°This one will do.¡± Fang Yuan picked the most concise style one. ¡°Then you should have a good rest. I have a surprise for you later!¡± Qiao Xinhui took Fang Yuan¡¯s hands. ¡°Auntie will call you upstairs, and you can go downstairs later, okay?¡± That was the first present for her daughter, and she was feeling very nervous about it. Fang Yuan could understand how she felt, so she nodded. She went into the room, packed her luggage, took out her phone and sent a message. ¡°Do you have any more heart-strengthening grass?¡± The other party returned the call and said with a very soft voice, ¡°Yuanyuan, are you buying heart-strengthening grass to make heart-strengthening pills again? Did the price of heart-strengthening pills on the black market increase again? You have just found a business opportunity¡­¡± Hearing her laughter, Fang Yuan laughed as well. ¡°That is just one aspect.¡± ¡°And you are still concerned about Grandma Fang¡¯s illness, right?¡± It was Tang Nan on the other end of the phone, her good friend and business partner, who knew her well. ¡°One heart-strengthening pill can be sold for 10 million yuan, and one more can save Grandma Fang. But I only have one left at the moment.¡± Heart-strengthening grass was very effective in treating the heart, and a small one was already ridiculously expensive. The price was not the top choice, but the main thing was that such a small thing was very rare, and there were only a few at each auction. The remaining one in Tang Nan¡¯s hands was bought at a high price from someone else. The others could only study the ingredients at most, and they did not know how to make it into a finished product to maximize the effect. But Fang Yuan was different. She could directly combine other medicinal herbs to make the heart-strengthening grass into a heart-strengthening pill. Such a small pill was the only hope for patients with heart disease who were sentenced to death by doctors! So every time it appeared, it would be snatched away. In Tang Nan¡¯s heart, the heart-strengthening grass could only be used to the fullest in Fang Yuan¡¯s hands, so it would not be ruined or wasted. ¡°Are you in a hurry to use it? Should I deliver it to you now?¡± ¡°No need, I will come to you in a few days. I live very close to your home now.¡± Fang Yuan told her about how she returned to the real family. ¡°What? You are not Fang Liguo¡¯s daughter? Why are you involved in such a ridiculous story?¡± Tang Nan had not expected that after not contacting her for a few days, her parents had changed. ¡°But the Fang Family treated you so badly, why do you still want to save Grandma Fang?¡± Fang Yuan said calmly, ¡°She has been good to me.¡± Since she was young, the Fang couple had been occupied with their own business, leaving Grandma Fang to take care of her. Grandma Fang, who had been very ill, needed constant attention, and Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t bear to leave her alone. ¡°You saved Grandma Fang¡¯s life! Fang Liguo still believes that his money alone was enough to secure a VIP ward at Renyi Hospital for Grandma Fang, allowing her to live for so many years! If it weren¡¯t for the fact that he repeatedly brought her back from the brink of death, he would have lost his mother!¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s expression darkened, but she remained silent. Tang Nan chimed in, ¡°But without you, Fang Liguo wouldn¡¯t have been able to expand his small workshop to this extent and move to a first-tier city. You were the one who helped him! Otherwise, he would have lost everything and never become the wealthiest person in this region!¡± ¡°He not only lacks talent, but he also frequently causes trouble for you, forcing you to clean up his mess time and time again! Otherwise, you could have become the wealthiest person yourself. What does he really mean to you? Yet you¡¯ve sacrificed so much for them, leaving nothing for yourself¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Fang Yuan responded indifferently. ¡°Money is of no concern to me. I can have it whenever I want.¡± ¡°I just feel sorry for you! They left you to be taken care of by Madame Old Fang since you were little, and they haven¡¯t been around much,¡± Tang Nan lamented. ¡°Now that they¡¯ve found their own daughter, they¡¯ll discard you. Don¡¯t they have any conscience?¡± ¡°Enough, let¡¯s forget about them. I need you to keep an eye out for the heart-strengthening grass. One is not enough,¡± Fang Yuan interrupted. ¡°Stay updated on the auctions and inform me immediately if you hear anything.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Tang Nan assured her. They exchanged a few more words before ending the call. Chapter 17 Large Order At that moment, Fang Yuan¡¯s phone buzzed, drawing her attention away. She swiftly unlocked the device and discovered a message from one of her employees. [Boss, urgent order!] [A wealthy client wants 100 sets of clothes and shoes for his daughter, and he needs them today!] [I¡¯ve given him everything in our warehouse, including the limited editions. We have zero stock left!] [When can you create some design drafts for me?] [I¡¯m incredibly anxious¡ªno, make that very anxious¡ªno, wait, I have to stress this: extremely anxious!] Fang Yuan¡¯s fingers tapped rapidly on the screen. ¡°I estimate it¡¯ll take about three days.¡± [Alright, I¡¯ll await your update. We¡¯re almost at the client¡¯s mansion, and we¡¯ll get a glimpse of his daughter. Let¡¯s make sure not to tarnish our brand.] Fang Yuan was taken aback. [You personally made the delivery?] [Considering the size of the order, we felt it necessary to deliver it ourselves, right?] After ending the call, Fang Yuan felt a sense of bewilderment. What kind of family would buy such a massive quantity of clothes all at once? Were they planning to open a boutique? Just then, an RV pulled up at the mansion¡¯s entrance. Butler Zhao approached her, opened the door, and greeted her with a bow. ¡°Lady Yuqi, you¡¯ve returned from your vacation at last. With you here, we¡¯re bound to have a splendid time.¡± Cheng Yuqi gracefully stepped out of the car. Her complexion was fair, her figure impeccable, and her makeup exquisite. She exuded confidence. The servants carried her luggage into the house while Butler Zhao trailed behind her. ¡°I refrained from disturbing you during your busy period with the college entrance exams. Now that the exams are over and you¡¯ve returned from your trip with your best friend, I have a few words to share with you¡­¡± Butler Zhao lowered his voice, indicating his intention to speak confidentially. ¡°What is it?¡± Cheng Yuqi, though ordinary-looking since her childhood, was born into a noble family and had always been indulged. She enjoyed the finest food and clothing, gradually adopting the demeanor of a privileged young lady. She was currently adorned in a voluminous dress with cascading layers of skirts, resembling a princess. ¡°But¡­¡± Butler Zhao hadn¡¯t finished speaking when Cheng Yuqi¡¯s gaze fell upon over ten people in the garden. They were hanging numerous exquisite garments and bags on display racks, organizing them and taking them inside the house. The servants were bustling about the garden as well¡ªsome were inflating balloons, others were draping colored lights over the trees, and even Auntie Wang was lending a hand. Auntie Wang was essentially Cheng Yuqi¡¯s personal servant. She had been by her side since childhood because Qiao Xinhui had given birth to five sons prior to Cheng Yuqi. However, when it was Cheng Yuqi¡¯s turn, there was no more breast milk available, and Auntie Wang was neither young nor endowed with boundless energy. From the moment Cheng Yuqi was born, Auntie Wang took charge of feeding her powdered milk, soothing her to sleep, and providing her companionship. In this household, Auntie Wang¡¯s sole responsibility was to serve Lady Yuqi diligently. As a result, Auntie Wang held a higher position within the Cheng family compared to other servants, and the two of them shared a bond akin to that of a mother and daughter. At that moment, Cheng Yuqi beamed at Auntie Wang. ¡°Auntie Wang!¡± ¡°Lady Yuqi, you¡¯ve returned?¡± Auntie Wang smiled warmly at the girl and approached her. ¡°You¡¯re finally back! You¡¯ve become so thin, my dear!¡± ¡°Auntie Wang, you¡¯ve also lost weight. Did you miss me?¡± Cheng Yuqi inquired. ¡°You mischievous child.¡± Auntie Wang chuckled at her remark, studying her closely before saying, ¡°You may have slimmed down, but you¡¯re even more beautiful now!¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s smile grew sweeter as she surveyed the bustling individuals. ¡°Are these the gifts Mom and Dad prepared for me?¡± Were they rewards for her performance in the college entrance exams? Or was it a celebration of her coming-of-age, now that she had reached adulthood? Perhaps it was an early celebration due to her exceptional academic achievements? Regardless, witnessing such a grand spectacle filled her with immense joy. All girls adored beautiful clothing and bags, and here they were, in plentiful numbers, with even a garden set up. Her parents truly doted on her! Despite having five brothers, Cheng Yuqi held a special place in her parents¡¯ hearts like never before. Upon hearing this, Auntie Wang appeared slightly embarrassed. ¡°I¡¯ll go take a look,¡± Cheng Yuqi exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. But Auntie Wang interjected, ¡°Lady Yuqi, these aren¡¯t meant for you.¡± She exchanged a glance with Butler Zhao. They didn¡¯t want to hurt the innocent girl, but Auntie Wang felt it was more appropriate for her to address the situation than Butler Zhao. ¡°Auntie Wang, I understand that you probably didn¡¯t expect me to return by flight from my best friend¡¯s place. You might not have finished preparing yet, right? It¡¯s alright, I¡¯ll pretend I didn¡¯t see anything. You can carry on with your work¡ªI won¡¯t spoil the surprise.¡± ¡°Lady Yuqi¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi happily made her way into the room. She was the only girl in the household, yet the abundance of clothes and bags clearly weren¡¯t meant for her. Could they be for her brothers? Her parents must have planned to surprise her, and the servants didn¡¯t dare reveal the truth. Chapter 18 Surprise Cheng Yuqi stepped into the living room, where an array of display racks showcased clothing and bags that seemed tailor-made for her. She eagerly navigated through the racks, filled with joy and contentment. Auntie Wang yearned to disclose the truth, but witnessing Cheng Yuqi¡¯s delighted expression, she couldn¡¯t bear to shatter her fantasies. Meanwhile, upstairs, Fang Yuan had just finished handling her tasks and was preparing to take a break when a knock resounded at her door. Outside, Auntie Du respectfully announced, ¡°Sixth Miss, the Master and Madame are awaiting your presence in the garden.¡± Fang Yuan comprehended that the surprise must be ready. She followed Auntie Du to the garden, and as they approached the entrance, darkness enveloped the entire area. The lights in the mansion were extinguished, and after a brief pause, the garden illuminated with a whimsical glow. ¡°Please, Sixth Miss,¡± Auntie Du gestured. Fang Yuan stepped into the garden, greeted by an enchanting scene. Colored lights adorned every tree, countless balloons floated in the air, and ribbons in macaron hues cascaded from above. Were all these surprises meant for her? Throughout her memory, Fang Yuan had never received presents or surprises from Fang Liguo and Song Ling. Now, she could feel the love and regard emanating from her birth parents. Meanwhile, Cheng Yuqi, still lost in her own reverie, noticed the changing lights in the garden. Although she hadn¡¯t arrived yet, the lights had already illuminated the surroundings. However, that worked well for her. She planned to capture the moment and share it on her WeChat Moments, certain that many would appreciate such a grand surprise. Just as she was about to take pictures in the garden, she caught sight of her parents rushing toward her, calling out, ¡°Darling daughter!¡± Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t help but feel a tad bashful. It was the first time her parents had addressed her with such affectionate endearment. They must have missed her dearly, assuming she was already in the garden and hastened to greet her. How adorable they were! However, their precious daughter hadn¡¯t yet arrived! Cheng Yuqi¡¯s face radiated happiness as she made her way towards the garden. After a few steps, she caught sight of her parents, engrossed in an intimate conversation with a stranger. The girl was slender yet curvaceous, her fair skin shining with a natural glow. Cheng Yuqi had undergone whitening injections, indulged in spas, and used countless expensive skincare products to achieve her current complexion. However, in comparison to the girl, she still fell short in terms of fairness. As they approached, Cheng Yuqi got a clear view of the girl¡¯s face. Although she wore plain attire, her facial features were strikingly remarkable. Her complexion was fair and flawless, and her delicate features were exquisitely small. She bore a resemblance to Cheng Yuqi¡¯s mother. Guests at home? Cheng Yuqi felt perplexed. It seemed that her parents held deep affection for this girl, which left Cheng Yuqi feeling somewhat disheartened. ¡°Yuanyuan, do you like this garden?¡± Cheng Ye began to speak but was suddenly taken aback upon seeing Cheng Yuqi nearby. ¡°Qi, weren¡¯t you returning tomorrow?¡± From Cheng Ye¡¯s words, Cheng Yuqi deduced that the surprise in the garden was intended for this girl. She felt shocked and bewildered, unable to comprehend why her parents held such high regard for an outsider. However, in the presence of guests, Cheng Yuqi maintained her composure and greeted them with a gentle smile. ¡°Dad, Mom, I returned on my best friend¡¯s plane. Who is this?¡± Caught off guard by Cheng Yuqi¡¯s unexpected appearance, Cheng Ye regained his composure and smiled. ¡°You¡¯ve returned at just the right time. Let me introduce you to Fang Yuan, your sister!¡± Sister? What sister? Wasn¡¯t she a distant relative from another family? The girl¡¯s ordinary attire seemed incongruous with being a close relative. Their close relatives were typically individuals of status. Surely, a mere distant relative like this girl wouldn¡¯t be here to seek favor or borrow money, right? Cheng Ye failed to grasp Cheng Yuqi¡¯s thoughts. He turned to Fang Yuan and said, ¡°Yuanyuan, this is Cheng Yuqi, the one I mentioned to you. She has just completed her college entrance exams and is on vacation. She¡¯ll be staying at home for a while.¡± Fang Yuan understood the situation and greeted politely, ¡°Hello.¡± Cheng Yuqi forced a smile and replied in a gentle tone, ¡°Hello, sister.¡± She referred to Fang Yuan as her sister, yet she held no genuine regard for her. Cheng Yuqi treated her as an insignificant relative, someone beneath her notice. ¡°Old Master, Madame Qiao, the clothes and bags you ordered have been delivered. The person in charge of the brand delivered them personally. They are all over there.¡± ¡°Are they here already?¡± Qiao Xinhui was overjoyed. She took Fang Yuan¡¯s hands and said, ¡°Go and see if you like them. Yuqi, mom has something to tell you.¡± Cheng Yuqi was startled again. Those limited-edition clothes and shoe bags were not for her, but for this girl? Who was this girl? Why did her parents think so highly of her? Accompanied by Cheng Yuqi and Qiao Xinhui, Fang Yuan came to the living room, where the manager of the brand was standing respectfully. ¡°Mr. Cheng, Mrs. Cheng, good afternoon. I am Qian Dawei, the manager of FY brand. You can just call me David. These clothes and bags are the latest works of our founder, Yanli. I heard that you ordered them for your daughter?¡± Chapter 19 Empty ¡°Yes,¡± Qiao Xinhui nodded approvingly as she examined the stylish clothes and shoes. ¡°Yanli¡¯s new creations are truly remarkable. Yuanyuan, take a look and see if you like them.¡± David followed her gaze, but his smile froze on his face. The girl possessed delicate features, with clear and bright eyes. Most strikingly, she bore an uncanny resemblance to his boss! Qian David was momentarily stunned, his eyes meticulously scrutinizing every aspect of Fang Yuan. From head to toe, he examined her, even noting her expressions and gestures¡ªeverything mirrored his boss! How was this possible? Three years ago, Fang Yuan had founded the FY brand under the pseudonym ¡°Yanli.¡± Each piece of clothing was personally designed by her and featured unique styles and impeccable craftsmanship. With limited production¡ªonly one piece per design¡ªFY swiftly gained fame among affluent circles, becoming highly sought after by socialites, celebrities, and daughters of influential families. Later on, the brand expanded to include footwear and children¡¯s clothing, shocking the fashion industry. Fang Yuan¡¯s works had garnered numerous international accolades. In just three years, FY had transformed from an unknown brand to a top international label. Various high-end fashion houses attempted to poach the enigmatic designer known as Yanli and even attempted to acquire FY, only to be met with rejections. ¡°Yuanyuan, let David know if there¡¯s anything you don¡¯t like. He¡¯s in charge of the brand,¡± Qiao Xinhui spoke softly. This was because the brand¡¯s founder had never made a public appearance. She solely focused on the creative aspects, leaving David in charge of the brand¡¯s operations. Suppressing the astonishment within him, David respectfully asked, ¡°Miss, what should I address you as?¡± ¡°Fang Yuan.¡± David observed Fang Yuan¡¯s raised eyebrows and voice¡ªit was undeniably his boss! Who could explain what had happened? How did his boss become the daughter of the country¡¯s wealthiest man? He was already immensely wealthy, so why bother running a fashion brand? He was earning a fortune; there was no need for him to let anyone else live. But something didn¡¯t add up. The country¡¯s wealthiest man had only one daughter, Cheng Yuqi. Could Fang Yuan be an illegitimate daughter? But if she were, why would Mrs. Cheng welcome her into the Cheng family and treat her so well? Meanwhile, Fang Yuan had estimated that the stock would last at least six months, during which she could focus on developing her medicines and other side projects. However, her parents had emptied her inventory, leaving her falling into a pit. ¡°Ms. Fang Yuan, do you happen to know our boss?¡± David inquired directly. ¡°No,¡± Fang Yuan promptly denied, making it clear that she didn¡¯t want those present to know her true identity. ¡°You¡¯re so fortunate to have parents who love you dearly. Look at these clothes, they represent the finest creations from our founder, perfectly befitting your status!¡± ¡°Yuanyuan, take a look at this casual suit¡ªit¡¯ll suit you splendidly,¡± Cheng Ye pointed out one suit displayed on the shelf. ¡°Yanli¡¯s designs truly possess a unique touch. Look at this dress,¡± Qiao Xinhui waved the garment near Fang Yuan. ¡°It will make you look stunning.¡± ¡°Fang Yuan, do you like white shoes? How about this pair?¡± Cheng Ye presented a set of white shoes to Fang Yuan. ¡°Yuanyuan, what do you think of this bag?¡± Qiao Xinhui picked up another handbag. ¡°It¡¯s custom-made for you, it has to be exquisite!¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s face turned pale, unable to fathom what she had just heard. What was happening? Why were her parents claiming that this girl was their daughter, showering her with numerous limited-edition FY items? Witnessing her parents fussing over the girl, Cheng Yuqi felt an overwhelming sense of panic. What had transpired during the month she spent away at school? ¡°They are all in your size. If they don¡¯t fit or if you don¡¯t like them, I¡¯ll buy another batch,¡± Cheng Ye doted on Fang Yuan. ¡°No need,¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s voice was sweet and melodious. ¡°They all fit perfectly.¡± David could sense his boss¡¯s dissatisfaction. Indeed, those items were his boss¡¯s early creations, intended to last for six months to a year, yet they ended up in Fang Yuan¡¯s possession. ¡°How much does this cost?¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze locked onto David. David was taken aback but responded, ¡°These are the latest creations from our founder, and the starting price is 200,000 yuan.¡± Fang Yuan, ¡°¡­.¡± Chapter 20 Difference David continued, ¡°As you may know, most of our founder¡¯s creations range from 400,000 to 700,000 yuan, and the finest pieces can cost over a million yuan.¡± It was evident that Cheng Ye had ordered the most expensive items for his daughter. The distinction between premium and ordinary pieces lay in the time Fang Yuan spent on creating the designs. David had witnessed Fang Yuan produce hundreds of design drafts in a single night, with the premium drafts taking a few minutes longer than the ordinary ones. ¡°So, how much will it be?¡± Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow, giving David a significant glance. David grew flustered. ¡°FY received 26.66 million yuan from Mr. Cheng.¡± Fang Yuan hadn¡¯t anticipated earning such a substantial sum from her parents on their first encounter. She felt a twinge of guilt. ¡°That¡¯s very expensive.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not expensive,¡± David explained. ¡°FY has limited production, with each product being unique in the world! If you wear them, you¡¯ll undoubtedly be the center of attention!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not cheap,¡± Fang Yuan emphasized, casting a displeased look at David. Understanding the hint from his boss¡¯s eyes and comprehending her words, David grasped the situation. He suggested, ¡°Yes, yes, yes, it is a bit pricey. How about this, Mr. Cheng? Since you¡¯re placing such a significant order, we can offer you a 10% discount?¡± Fang Yuan echoed his words, ¡°10%?¡± ¡°20%?¡± David couldn¡¯t quite fathom it. Seeing that his boss remained unsatisfied, he quickly amended his proposal. ¡°30%, truly, no less.¡± The prices of the brand would drop too significantly otherwise! Everyone present was taken aback. A top-tier brand was open to bargaining? And to offer such a substantial discount in one go? Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui hadn¡¯t expected their daughter to possess such strong bargaining skills. She was saving money for her parents! ¡°I will charge you 160,000,000 yuan, and I will write off the remainder,¡± David forced a smile and assured them, ¡°I will return the difference to Mr. Cheng¡¯s account later.¡± Cheng Ye interjected, ¡°No need, Yuanyuan. I have the means to afford it. Don¡¯t burden yourself.¡± ¡°No,¡± Fang Yuan firmly stated, ¡°You can¡¯t simply spend money like this. How about returning half of the clothes?¡± This way, she could sell them to others and earn money from the sales. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± Cheng Ye hurriedly replied. ¡°Here¡¯s an alternative, David. You can directly transfer the money to my daughter¡¯s account. Since she negotiated the price, the money should be given to her. Yuanyuan, provide him with your bank account number as pocket money.¡± 100,000,000 yuan as pocket money¡­ David admitted he had never encountered such a situation before. Cheng Yuqi hadn¡¯t expected her parents to be so generous, offering her such a substantial amount of money. They had never treated her this way before. Observing her daughter¡¯s faltering stance, Auntie Wang stepped forward, assisting her and whispering in a low voice, ¡°My lady, stay composed.¡± Though the truth was harsh, it wasn¡¯t the worst outcome. Cheng Yuqi gazed at her parents, who showered this girl with an affection and love she had never witnessed before. They treated her with utmost care, completely disregarding Cheng Yuqi¡¯s existence. The girl possessed an air of aloofness. While she remained composed in front of her parents, she couldn¡¯t conceal the wildness inherent in her nature. She was like an untamed wolf! Clearly, she wasn¡¯t a well-behaved girl. How could there be a wolf among the sheep? She didn¡¯t belong here! She didn¡¯t fit into this setting! ¡°Mom, Dad, who is she¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi attempted to sound composed as she forced a smile. Only then did Cheng Yuqi and Qiao Xinhui notice her presence. Qiao Xinhui instructed a maid, ¡°Someone, take the items to the Sixth Miss¡¯ dressing room.¡± Cheng Yuqi felt incredibly uneasy being addressed as the ¡°Sixth Miss.¡± She was the sixth daughter of the family, so why was there another person claiming the same title? ¡°David, thank you for coming here in person,¡± Qiao Xinhui expressed her gratitude before turning to Butler Zhao. ¡°Butler Zhao, please take good care of our guests.¡± ¡°Yes, President Qian. This way, please.¡± Recognizing that there were matters to be discussed, David exchanged a few pleasantries with Fang Yuan and exited with Butler Zhao. ¡°Come, let¡¯s have a seat and talk,¡± Qiao Xinhui said, taking Fang Yuan¡¯s hands and gesturing for Cheng Yuqi to take a seat. The sight pierced Cheng Yuqi¡¯s heart like a needle. ¡°Yuqi, let me reintroduce you. This is Cheng Fangyuan, our daughter who was left outside with Ye.¡± Hearing this revelation, Cheng Yuqi was overcome with shock. She had assumed that this girl was a distant relative seeking financial assistance, but in reality, she was her parents¡¯ daughter! No wonder they treated her with such love and care! Chapter 21 Back Then ¡°The thing is, while I was traveling with Ye, my water broke. So, I had to rush to the health center in a nearby town to give birth,¡± Qiao Xinhui recounted the memory, her mind filled with the recollection. ¡°Unfortunately, that health center didn¡¯t have a single available ward. The nurse placed me in a three-person room with two other pregnant women.¡± ¡°All three of us gave birth to baby girls one after another. One morning, the hospital unexpectedly caught fire, causing thick smoke that obscured our vision. In a state of panic, I picked up one child, believing it was Yuanyuan¡­¡± ¡°But the truth is, I carried you, and you are the child of another pregnant woman, not our biological daughter.¡± ¡°I take full responsibility for the mistake I made in carrying the wrong child¡­¡± These words shattered the last defense within Cheng Yuqi¡¯s heart. She couldn¡¯t fathom that she wasn¡¯t truly part of the Cheng Family! ¡°Yuan Yuan was taken away by the Fang Family, and the Fangs¡¯ child was mistakenly taken and raised by a cleaner. When you came to the Cheng Family¡­ if it hadn¡¯t been for the internet poster, we would never have known that all three families had the wrong child!¡± Cheng Yuqi completely lost control of her expression. ¡°And your birth mother¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui hesitated momentarily, but ultimately decided to reveal the truth. ¡°I looked into it. She suffered from hemorrhaging after giving birth and was too weak to escape the fire that night¡­¡± What? Her own mother perished that night? Cheng Yuqi¡¯s face drained of color. She couldn¡¯t accept this harsh reality. ¡°Your father is still missing.¡± Qiao Xinhui glanced at Fang Yuan and continued, ¡°We have discussed this with Yuanyuan. You can still stay with us, but from now on, she is the elder sister, and you are the younger sister.¡± ¡°We owe Yuanyuan so much for the past 18 years. We will do our utmost to make it up to her. You may not be our biological daughter, but we have raised you as if you were our own. You must establish a good relationship with your sister and be considerate towards her, understood?¡± Cheng Yuqi struggled to accept her parents¡¯ obvious favoritism. No sister would simply give in to the other. For all these years, she had taken immense pride in her family background. Her father was the wealthiest man in the country, and her mother was renowned for her beauty. Her five brothers excelled in their respective fields. Since childhood, everyone around her fawned over her and catered to her every whim. And now, she was expected to yield to someone else? However, after carefully weighing her options, Cheng Yuqi mustered the generosity to say, ¡°This is a sudden revelation for me, and I can¡¯t help but feel sorrowful.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve spent 18 years living as part of this family, and today, my beloved parents suddenly reveal that I am not their biological daughter¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi lowered her head, looking utterly pitiful. ¡°But my mother perished in the devastating fire just days after my birth, and my father has been missing ever since. I couldn¡¯t even fulfill a single day of filial duty towards them¡­¡± Tears streamed down Cheng Yuqi¡¯s face as she spoke. She tried to compose herself, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand, attempting to control her overwhelming sadness and regret. Raising her head, she feigned strength. ¡°Dad, Mom, I am already grateful and content that you¡¯re willing to let me remain in this family. Don¡¯t worry, I will strive to establish a harmonious relationship with my sister in the future.¡± Her tear-filled eyes revealed the sincerity of her words. However, having grown up in the Fang Family and witnessed countless performances, Fang Yuan could discern that Cheng Yuqi was being dishonest. ¡°Sister, welcome home,¡± Cheng Yuqi opened her arms, prepared to put on a display of sisterly affection. Under her parents¡¯ hopeful gaze, Fang Yuan responded calmly, ¡°Thank you, but no hugs.¡± Cheng Yuqi was taken aback. ¡°I apologize, but I¡¯m not comfortable with physical contact,¡± Fang Yuan maintained her usual cold demeanor. In Cheng Yuqi¡¯s eyes, however, it seemed like an act of superiority and an attempt to humiliate her. ¡°Yuanyuan takes time to warm up to others, but she¡¯ll improve in the future. We¡¯re a family, Yuqi, there¡¯s no need to be overly formal,¡± Qiao Xinhui interjected. Cheng Yuqi blushed and obediently replied, ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s eat first!¡± Cheng Ye glanced at the time. ¡°Yuanyuan, you must be hungry, missing dinner time due to our conversation.¡± ¡°Your mother and I prepared dinner today, what do you think?¡± Cheng Ye smiled at Fang Yuan. ¡°If you don¡¯t like something, just let us know, and we¡¯ll make adjustments.¡± The table was filled with all kinds of dishes. Hearing that Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui made them personally, Cheng Yuqi felt very uncomfortable. They hired four chefs, and they did not need them to make food. But today, they made an exception for Fang Yuan! Chapter 22 Last Hope Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui continued piling food into Fang Yuan¡¯s bowl, causing it to become a small mountain of dishes. While they also put some food in Cheng Yuqi¡¯s bowl to make it seem fair, it was evident that more attention was given to Fang Yuan, rendering the food less enjoyable. ¡°Yuanyuan, you have endured so much over the years. Drink this soup to nourish your body.¡± ¡°Eat more meat, you¡¯re too thin¡­¡± Auntie Wang, standing nearby, felt her heart ache witnessing Cheng Yuqi¡¯s neglect. Fortunately, Fang Yuan excused herself after dinner and went upstairs, giving Cheng Yuqi the opportunity to speak with her parents. She took her time carefully setting up the story before asking cautiously, ¡°Mom, Dad, when you saw the online poster, how did you know that my sister is your biological daughter? Were there any proof or evidence?¡± What she meant was that someone could be impersonating the daughter of the country¡¯s wealthiest man, and they shouldn¡¯t simply assume she was the genuine child just because they resembled each other. Upon hearing this, Cheng Ye was initially taken aback but then explained with a smile, ¡°I don¡¯t have any concrete evidence. I just witnessed the fire back then, and it matches exactly what we remember.¡± Cheng Yuqi wondered if she should believe his words. Cheng Ye continued, ¡°They even sent us a lock of Yuanyuan¡¯s hair. We conducted a paternity test, and the result showed a 99.99% match. After meeting her, your sister bears a striking resemblance to your mother when she was young!¡± Hearing Cheng Ye¡¯s explanation, Cheng Yuqi¡¯s heart sank. Yet, she wasn¡¯t entirely convinced. ¡°But how do you know that I am not your biological child?¡± ¡°After the paternity test with Yuanyuan, we went to your room to collect a sample of your hair¡­¡± That meant Cheng Yuqi was undoubtedly not a part of the Cheng Family. Cheng Yuqi¡¯s last glimmer of hope was shattered. ¡°Yuqi, you may not be Ye¡¯s and my biological child, but after all these years, we have come to consider you as our own daughter¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui gently caressed her head. ¡°Just stay with us. If you find a good family in the future, we will ensure you have a splendid wedding.¡± Though Qiao Xinhui looked at her with the same affection as before, Cheng Yuqi could sense that something had changed. If she could always be the daughter of the country¡¯s wealthiest man, she would at most be an adopted child, unrelated by blood, or an outsider! Her eyes dimmed. She reached out and embraced Qiao Xinhui. ¡°Mom, I love you and Dad. I will always cherish you in this lifetime.¡± After conversing with her parents for a while, Cheng Yuqi ascended to the second floor, only to discover that the entire layout had been altered. The floor had undergone a complete renovation, with each room reflecting the same style. Cheng Yuqi stopped a passing maid and inquired, ¡°What are these rooms for?¡± ¡°To welcome your return, the esteemed Old Master and Madame engaged the internationally renowned designer, Kim, and their top team to oversee the renovations. Except for your room, all the other rooms on the second floor were in ruins! Madame Yuezheng wasn¡¯t sure of your preferred style, so each room was decorated differently.¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°But¡­¡± With no one else nearby, the maid lowered her voice. ¡°The Sixth Miss grew up in a humble family, so she chose the most affordable option¡­¡± Hearing this, Cheng Yuqi felt a slight relief. The maid glanced around and continued, ¡°Since childhood, the Sixth Miss hasn¡¯t had much exposure to the world. She¡¯s never even seen a famous painting. The painting of the Seven Galloping Horses was intended to be displayed in the living room for guests, but she hung it in the tea room instead.¡± Cheng Yuqi was somewhat taken aback. ¡°She cares about these things?¡± ¡°The esteemed Old Master and Madame dote on her tremendously. They attend to her every request, even hanging the painting as she desired in the tea room!¡± ¡°They even personally cooked for her and ordered a hundred sets of clothes and shoe bags.¡± ¡°They even gifted her 100 million as pocket money¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s eyes shimmered beneath her long, fluttering lashes. ¡°Lady Yuqi, please forgive my audacity, but if you were to pursue studies abroad, your position within the household might be jeopardized,¡± the maid spoke up, mustering the courage to express her concerns. Cheng Yuqi understood her predicament better than anyone else. ¡°I understand. You may go about your duties now.¡± The maid nodded, saying, ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Wait a moment, your name is Xiao Cui, isn¡¯t it?¡± Cheng Yuqi suddenly halted her departure, removed the diamond-studded bracelet from her wrist, and handed it to her. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that you have family members who are ill in the hospital. Take this bracelet with you.¡± ¡°Thank you, Lady Yuqi!¡± Xiao Cui¡¯s face lit up with joy, grateful for the gesture. She expressed her unwavering loyalty, saying, ¡°I will always follow your lead, Lady Yuqi!¡± Chapter 23 Visit Cheng Yuqi motioned for the maid to leave, her mind filled with a plan. While Fang Yuan may be their biological daughter, Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui had shared a deeper bond with her over the years, fostering a stronger relationship than with Fang Yuan. The next morning arrived. Within Room 206 of Renyi Hospital, the door creaked open as a young man entered. His eyes possessed an unusual depth, his features were exquisite, and an air of nobility emanated from him. The elderly man lying in bed stirred his fingers and slowly opened his eyes, as if sensing something. Upon seeing his grandson, his gaze softened, and he weakly uttered, ¡°You rascal¡­¡± He parted his parched lips. ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡± ¡°Where are we?¡± The old man strained to open his eyes fully, scanning the surroundings. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me?¡± Why did he feel so feeble and frail? Bo Yi smiled. ¡°You decided to go on a hunger strike, didn¡¯t you?¡± He had refused to eat or take any medication. Bo Yi was determined to push him to his limits, forcing him to confront his deeds. The old man, with his grandson¡¯s reminder, seemed to recollect the situation. He realized his time was running out, and he desired to hasten his grandson¡¯s fate. Attempting to turn over, the old man winced in pain. ¡°Ouch, it hurts¡­ it hurts¡­¡± Bo Yi didn¡¯t assist him in getting up. Instead, he remarked, ¡°You¡¯re fortunate to still be alive.¡± The pain should be inconsequential to him. ¡°You little rascal, can¡¯t you be kinder to me when I¡¯ve just woken up?¡± The old man lamented, ¡°It¡¯s your fault. How long has it been since you last visited me?¡± If it weren¡¯t for the medication and the critical surgery, this rascal wouldn¡¯t have found the time to pay him a visit. ¡°Why do you have to bring that up?¡± Every time he came here, his grandfather would mention Cheng Yuqi, the Cheng Family¡¯s daughter, and their engagement. ¡°You! I don¡¯t care!¡± The elderly man turned his head away in anger. ¡°Look at me, I¡¯m already in this state, and one day I might pass away. You must come and visit me with your fianc¨¦e tomorrow!¡± He responded calmly, ¡°I don¡¯t have a fianc¨¦e.¡± ¡°You¡¯re trying to provoke me to my death!¡± The elderly man fumed, ¡°The Bo Family and the Cheng Family have been engaged, and you and Cheng Yuqi must get married! Otherwise, how am I supposed to explain this to the Cheng Family?¡± ¡°You were the one who arranged the engagement,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice remained indifferent. ¡°It¡¯s your responsibility to explain it.¡± ¡°You rascal, oh, my heart¡­¡± The old man suddenly clutched his chest, appearing distressed. ¡°Mu Qing, fetch the doctor quickly!¡± Before Mu Qing could act, the old man waved his hand. ¡°No need! I¡¯m telling you, if you don¡¯t show up with your fianc¨¦e tomorrow, you don¡¯t need to call me grandpa anymore, and my life will have nothing to do with you!¡± Observing the grandfather and grandson in another argument, Mu Qing attempted to defuse the situation. ¡°Old Master, please don¡¯t be angry. Master Bo has been incredibly busy lately¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re single too, why can¡¯t you spare some time to focus on your own life?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Alright, he was involved as well. How could he remain single? He was dedicated to his work! ¡°Just find a girlfriend and let others see how happy life can be with one!¡± The old man deliberately remarked. Bo Yi set the breakfast down and placed it in front of the Old Master. ¡°Mu Qing is indeed searching for a girlfriend, and you¡¯re managing his love life now?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do it!¡± The old man agreed outright. Mu Qing was about to be touched, but then the old man added, ¡°Actually, that won¡¯t happen. But Mu Qing, if you do find a girlfriend, I promise to ensure this rascal gives you more days off or guarantees no overtime work on weekends. I¡¯ll even give you a generous red envelope so that he can hire more assistants to share your workload!¡± Upon hearing this, Mu Qing felt immensely touched. ¡°And most importantly, your salary and benefits should be increased!¡± Grandpa Sheng chimed in. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right, Old Master!¡± Mu Qing was deeply moved, expressing his unwavering loyalty. ¡°You¡¯re right, Master Bo should consider his own life! Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll advocate the benefits of marriage and encourage him to tie the knot as soon as possible!¡± ¡°Yes, you¡¯re correct! Look at how Mu Qing thinks. You¡¯re the only stubborn one!¡± As Grandpa Sheng praised others, he even scolded his grandson. Mu Qing gratefully accepted the praise. ¡°Mu Qing, there¡¯s a project in Africa that requires personnel.¡± Upon hearing Bo Yi¡¯s words, Mu Qing panicked. ¡°Master Bo, what I meant was¡­¡± Bo Yi interjected, ¡°Pack your belongings tonight, you¡¯ll be leaving tomorrow.¡± Chapter 24 Dead Here ¡°Old Master Bo, please?¡± Mu Qing turned to Old Master for help. As the saying goes, the older the ginger, the spicier it gets. The old man declared, ¡°Mu Qing, I command you to come to my place every day after work and have a chat with me!¡± ¡°Young Master Bo, you see¡­ Old Master has already stated it¡­¡± At that moment, the door handle turned, and someone sneaked into the ward. ¡°Old Master Bo, it¡¯s me.¡± Su Jing, disheveled, entered and noticed Bo Yi and the others. She hastily adjusted her appearance. ¡°Master Bo, Assistant Mu, you¡¯re here too?¡± It was not yet 8 a.m., and family members were not allowed to visit at this hour. Su Jing had used her former work pass to gain access through the gate before the message expired. She had taken the fire escape and evaded the cameras to reach the ward. That was how she managed to enter. ¡°Who allowed you to come in?¡± Bo Yi didn¡¯t hold her accountable for the previous day¡¯s incident, but she was audacious to enter the ward without permission. ¡°Old Master Bo, Master Bo, please give me another chance!¡± Su Jing suddenly knelt down on the ground. ¡°I can¡¯t bear to leave this profession. Please, let me return to work at this hospital¡­ Old Master Bo, considering all the efforts I¡¯ve made in treating you¡­¡± ¡°Has she been barred from the profession?¡± Old Master Bo inquired, turning to Mu Qing. ¡°Yes, your condition worsened yesterday, yet she failed to take immediate action. Instead, she attempted to harm you. She lacks medical ethics and has ill intentions! Lady Fang Yuan, who performed the surgery on you yesterday, stated that she is unworthy of being a doctor! When Dean Zheng learned about her actions, he promptly expelled her from the profession.¡± Mu Qing harbored no fondness for this wicked woman. ¡°That wretched girl is trying to tarnish my reputation in front of the dean! Old Master Bo, I am innocent. I have done everything in my power to assist you in your illness. You should remember my dedication¡­¡± Before Su Jing could finish her plea, Young Master Bo¡¯s face darkened, displaying clear displeasure. Mu Qing hadn¡¯t expected that, at this stage, this woman would still twist the truth and slander Lady Fang. Did she believe they were all blind and unable to see through her deceit? ¡°Ms. Su, I suggest you think carefully before you take any further action!¡± Mu Qing furrowed his brow, giving her a stern reminder. She was the one who had advocated for the heart-suppressing drugs and comfort just the previous day, and now she was shifting the blame onto someone else? Lady Fang Yuan was the one who had saved Old Master¡¯s life, and Su Jing had the audacity to call her a damned girl? ¡°No one from the Su Family is permitted to set foot in Jing City!¡± Old Master abruptly declared. ¡°Remove her from here immediately!¡± Su Jing had come seeking forgiveness, yet the entire family had grown weary. ¡°Old Master Bo, what have I done to upset you? Is it all because of a misunderstanding from yesterday?¡± She clung to the legs of the bed, refusing to leave. ¡°Old Master Bo, let me explain¡­¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Old Master Bo glared at her. ¡°You are not worthy of conversing with me!¡± ¡°Old Master Bo, if you don¡¯t show mercy, I will die right here today!¡± Su Jing threatened. ¡°Then let it be. Die right here,¡± Old Master Bo responded, displaying no concern for whether she lived or died. ¡°Mu Qing, give her the knife.¡± Mu Qing picked up the fruit knife from the table and tossed it in front of her. Bang! Su Jing trembled in fear. She had only wanted to frighten Old Master Bo, not actually die. ¡°Old Master¡­¡± Seeing that the old man couldn¡¯t be persuaded, Su Jing began to weep. ¡°I come from an ordinary family. I am the only daughter, the hope of my entire family. Since I was young, my dream has been to become a doctor who saves lives and helps the injured¡­¡± ¡°A doctor? Are you qualified to be a doctor?¡± Old Master Bo seethed with anger. ¡°Don¡¯t think that I couldn¡¯t hear what you were saying just because I fainted yesterday! I overheard with my own ears how you insisted on giving me heart-suppressing drugs and comfort. The young lady explicitly told you that if I took them, I would have only a fleeting moment left to live. Even the gods wouldn¡¯t be able to save me. And yet, you were still insistent!¡± His rage seemed boundless. ¡°I¡­¡± Su Jing hadn¡¯t expected Old Master to have heard their conversation from the previous day. She was momentarily taken aback and fell into silence, unsure of what to say. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for my fortunate encounter with a girl passing by who happened to be the chief surgeon, I would have already perished! You can seek assistance from anyone else!¡± ¡°I expelled you from the profession and banished your entire family from Jing City for the sake of the Dean. Don¡¯t show such ingratitude!¡± ¡°The girl was correct. You¡¯re nothing more than a charlatan, not even deserving of the title! You can¡¯t even compare to a teenage girl!¡± Su Jing¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°Old Master Bo¡­¡± Chapter 25 Future Granddaughter-in-law ¡°Mu Qing, along with the doctor who advocated heart-suppressing medicine with her yesterday, claimed that if something were to happen, the blame should be placed on the girl. Find all of them and dismiss them. They lack the qualifications to be doctors!¡± Having voiced his displeasure, Old Master Bo glanced at the person lying beside the bed. ¡°What are you waiting for? Should I kick you out myself?¡± ¡°Old Master Bo, please calm down. You haven¡¯t fully recovered yet. Ms. Su, do you not comprehend the discussion we were having?¡± Mu Qing¡¯s tone turned cold. Realizing the futility of the situation, Su Jing muttered an apology and exited the room. ¡°Who was the girl who performed the surgery on me yesterday?¡± Old Master Bo inquired after Su Jing¡¯s departure. ¡°Have you properly expressed your gratitude?¡± ¡°We gave her a monetary token of appreciation,¡± Mu Qing replied, admiration evident in his voice as he spoke of the girl. ¡°I can hardly believe a teenage girl possesses such exceptional medical skills! It¡¯s truly astounding!¡± ¡°She stumbled upon your condition and acted swiftly to save you,¡± Mu Qing explained. ¡°If she hadn¡¯t intervened, Old Master, you might not have made it.¡± ¡°Healers are indeed compassionate beings!¡± A faint image of a young face formed in Old Master Bo¡¯s mind. Though her features were blurred and she wore a mask, her eyes and facial structure suggested she was a charming young lady with a pleasant voice. However, she was too young to be considered an adult, and Yi was already engaged to Cheng Yuqi. Otherwise, she could have been welcomed as a granddaughter-in-law! ¡°Do you happen to have the girl¡¯s contact information?¡± Old Master Bo suddenly inquired. ¡°I would like to personally express my gratitude.¡± Mu Qing was taken aback, recalling that Old Master Bo had asked for his phone number the previous day! ¡°Just leave her be,¡± Bo Yi interjected, refusing the request. ¡°Why would it be wrong to meet my savior? Can¡¯t we extend our gratitude directly?¡± Old Master Bo contemplated the situation. He was ill and bound by various limitations, but this young lady had directly saved his life. What did that signify? Her medical skills far surpassed those of any doctor! If he had heard correctly, the girl was around 17 or 18 years old, roughly the same age as his grandson. If they were to be matched, they might have a promising future together. ¡°Did you manage to obtain her contact information?¡± Old Master Bo pondered, recalling the exchange between Mu Qing and Bo Yi. That rascal must have asked for her WeChat or phone number! ¡°I don¡¯t mind; just bring the girl here!¡± Old Master Bo shamelessly insisted. Ultimately, Bo Yi relented. ¡°I will assist you in locating them. However, it depends on whether she is willing to come.¡± Old Master Bo¡¯s plan had succeeded. He replied, ¡°No problem!¡± If he hadn¡¯t insisted, he might have been intimidated by his grandson¡¯s stubbornness. Bo Yi was preparing to depart. ¡°Hold on a moment!¡± Old Master Bo seemed to have had an epiphany. ¡°When you speak to the girl, be courteous and gentle. If you¡¯re uncertain about how to act, let Mu Qing guide you. Don¡¯t scare her away, understand?¡± After all, she could potentially become his future granddaughter-in-law! Bo Yi retorted, ¡°Am I not already polite and considerate? Are you teaching me how to behave?¡± Mu Qing interjected inwardly ¨C Old Master, please don¡¯t conspire against me. I merely forgot about the project in Africa¡­ ¡°The girl is my savior; let¡¯s not frighten her,¡± Old Master Bo expressed his concern, worried that the girl might be overwhelmed due to her young age. Meanwhile, on the other side¡­ Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui sat at the dining table, placing various breakfast items in front of their two daughters. ¡°These pastries were just made in the kitchen. Here, Yuanyuan, this one is for you. Be careful; it¡¯s hot.¡± ¡°Yuqi, you¡¯ve been away at school for a month, and it seems like you¡¯ve lost weight. You should eat more as well.¡± Cheng Yuqi smiled sweetly. ¡°Mom, Dad, you don¡¯t have to worry about me. Just give some to my sister. I¡¯ve had plenty of good food growing up.¡± Qiao Xinhui smiled, appreciating her child¡¯s thoughtfulness. Cheng Yuqi didn¡¯t resent Fang Yuan for returning home; instead, she was concerned about her sister. It was a heartwarming scene beyond her expectations. ¡°Dad, this is your favorite tea of Da Hong Pao. Allow me to pour you a cup,¡± Cheng Yuqi stood up and served Cheng Ye with a cup of Da Hong Pao. Then she reached for another teapot, adorned with delicate blue ice cracks, and poured a cup of chrysanthemum tea for Qiao Xinhui. ¡°Mom, this is your preferred chrysanthemum tea.¡± Qiao Xinhui hadn¡¯t anticipated that her daughter would understand their preferences so well. She smiled and savored the tea. Observing their delighted reactions, Cheng Yuqi cast a triumphant glance at Fang Yuan, as if she had emerged victorious. So what if she was the youngest daughter? After spending countless years together, she knew her parents¡¯ habits better than anyone else. Fang Yuan could discern Cheng Yuqi¡¯s thoughts, but she remained composed and unruffled. She leisurely enjoyed the snacks, appearing as if she was unconcerned. Chapter 26 Green Tea ¡°Sister, what type of tea would you like?¡± Cheng Yuqi intended to offer Fang Yuan the freedom to choose. Before she could finish her sentence, Fang Yuan casually responded, ¡°Green tea, please.¡± Cheng Yuqi was taken aback. Was he asking her to pour the tea or calling her a ¡°green tea sort of bitch¡±? ¡°You truly adore your sister,¡± Cheng Ye chimed in, assuming that Cheng Yuqi was going to pour tea for Fang Yuan. He smiled and said, ¡°Yuanyuan, Yuqi has always been like this. She deeply cares for her family. If you don¡¯t allow her to pour the tea, she¡¯ll be quite displeased!¡± Fang Yuan glanced up at Cheng Yuqi and said, ¡°Thank you for the trouble.¡± Cheng Yuqi had no choice but to rise and retrieve the pot of green tea. She poured the tea while cautiously sizing up Fang Yuan from the corner of her eye. Fang Yuan wore a delicate blue muslin dress with thin material, and typically, the water temperature for brewing tea exceeded 95 degrees Celsius. If she accidentally spilled some¡­ Fang Yuan could discern Cheng Yuqi¡¯s thoughts with just a single look. She added, ¡°70% will suffice.¡± Cheng Yuqi hadn¡¯t anticipated that Fang Yuan could see through her so easily. She clenched her teeth and was about to pretend she hadn¡¯t heard anything when Fang Yuan continued, ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Cheng Yuqi halted her actions accordingly. She smiled and remarked, ¡°Sister, you¡¯re quite cautious. I¡¯ve been pouring tea for Mom and Dad for years without spilling a single drop. Are you worried that I might scald you?¡± Fang Yuan cast a glance at Cheng Yuqi and smiled. ¡°I noticed that you poured 80% for Mom and Dad, so I requested 70%.¡± ¡°My darling Yuanyuan, you needn¡¯t be so meticulous at home,¡± Qiao Xinhui expressed, surprised by her child¡¯s knowledge of etiquette. However, Cheng Yuqi¡¯s comment just now seemed slightly stingy, although it appeared she didn¡¯t mean any harm. Cheng Ye smiled and changed the subject. ¡°Yuanyuan, Yuqi, the college entrance exam results will be released soon. Are you both interested in attending college?¡± He set down his teacup and lovingly gazed at his two daughters. As Cheng Yuqi settled back into her seat, she felt the need to show off to Fang Yuan. Thus, she promptly responded, ¡°I plan to attend Jing University.¡± Fang Yuan lifted her head upon hearing about Jing University, her expression filled with confusion. Sensing Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze, Cheng Yuqi smiled and said, ¡°Although students often complain about the difficulty of the college entrance exam, I personally find it easier than the daily practice questions. There¡¯s not much pressure, and going to Jing University is more than sufficient.¡± ¡°Jing University is indeed the top school in the country, but¡­ if I recall correctly, didn¡¯t you express an interest in studying abroad?¡± Cheng Ye looked at her, perplexed. ¡°I used to think so, but things aren¡¯t very peaceful outside the country,¡± Cheng Yuqi replied with a smile. ¡°Jing University is close to home, and if we finish classes early every day, we can come back home and keep you company.¡± She intentionally grasped Cheng Ye¡¯s arm, flashing a coquettish smile. ¡°You¡¯ve been a diligent student since you were young. We have no doubt about your abilities,¡± Cheng Ye chuckled. ¡°What about you, sister?¡± Cheng Yuqi clung to Cheng Ye¡¯s arm and asked playfully, ¡°I forgot to ask which school you attended before. Was it Jing High School or Ash International?¡± ¡°Is it too warm in here?¡± Fang Yuan elegantly wiped her lips with a napkin, suddenly interjecting. Cheng Yuqi leaned closer to Cheng Ye, a gesture she used to get away with in the past, but now she felt it was inappropriate. Cheng Ye withdrew his arm. ¡°It is indeed a bit warm. Zhao, please lower the air conditioner.¡± Butler Zhao responded, ¡°Of course!¡± Cheng Yuqi felt a tinge of embarrassment but quickly regained her composure. She smiled and continued, ¡°Sister, you haven¡¯t answered my question. How did you perform?¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°It was fine.¡± Curious, Cheng Yuqi pressed further, ¡°What do you estimate your scores to be?¡± Fang Yuan calmly enjoyed the snacks and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Yuanyuan, do you have any preferences for a college? I can inform them in advance¡­¡± Cheng Ye interjected. Fang Yuan took a sip of tea and replied bluntly, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in attending college.¡± Cheng Yuqi silently chuckled to herself. So, he must have been a poor student? He was simply claiming disinterest because his grades were subpar. ¡°Hahaha, Dad didn¡¯t enjoy going to school either. There was this one time when he skipped class and got caught by your grandpa¡­¡± Cheng Ye reminisced about the past, rambling on for a while. Suddenly, he remembered that his daughter had mentioned her hobby was making money! An idea sparked in his mind. ¡°Yuanyuan, what are your aspirations for the future? Is there any industry that interests you? If you want to become a celebrity, I will fully support you!¡± Many girls dreamt of becoming celebrities, right? If his daughter held such a dream, he would wholeheartedly support her! Fang Yuan, ¡°¡­..¡± Cheng Yuqi, ¡°!!!¡± Chapter 27 Daddy¡¯s Company Fang Yuan responded, ¡°I don¡¯t aspire to be a celebrity.¡± Undeterred, Cheng Ye continued his inquiries. ¡°Is there any particular industry that interests you?¡± ¡°Fashion design,¡± Fang Yuan replied. ¡°That¡¯s a fantastic industry!¡± Cheng Ye exclaimed joyfully. ¡°Since it¡¯s a holiday, how about this? Dad has a small clothing company under his name, located nearby. You can take it over and explore it.¡± Fang Yuan.¡±¡­..¡± ¡°If you discover that being a business owner is more captivating than pursuing formal education, then we won¡¯t insist on schooling! The Cheng Family possesses numerous assets, and a diploma isn¡¯t something we lack, right?¡± Cheng Ye suggested. Fang Yuan hadn¡¯t anticipated her father being so open-minded. Upon hearing these words, Cheng Yuqi¡¯s fists clenched tightly. Her father was handing over a company to Fang Yuan? Although the Cheng Family had investments in various industries, with the garment industry being the slowest to develop, and this particular company having been established only six months ago, it was still a company! And Fang Yuan was inheriting it on her first day back home? ¡°If you don¡¯t want to rely on yourself, we can provide you with daily pocket money¡­¡± Cheng Ye added. Fang Yuan¡¯s lips twitched ¨C is that so? The household staff couldn¡¯t help but feel envious. Such disparities existed among people! Cheng Yuqi felt so aggrieved that her nails dug into her flesh. ¡°Oh, I almost forgot to transfer your pocket money!¡± Qiao Xinhui pulled out her cellphone. ¡°Darling, I¡¯ll transfer 50 million to you. Just let Mom know your bank account details.¡± ¡°No need,¡± Fang Yuan replied. She still had enough money with her to manage. ¡°I¡¯ll transfer 50 million as well. Just inform Dad whenever you¡¯re ready. Don¡¯t worry,¡± Cheng Ye chimed in. The household staff grew even more envious. They couldn¡¯t fathom receiving 100 million yuan from their parents every day, with no need to attend school, start a company, or earn their own money. ¡°Darling, provide me with your bank account number, or I¡¯ll have to transfer the money to your Alipay!¡± Qiao Xinhui urged. Cheng Ye chimed in, ¡°Isn¡¯t your phone number linked to Alipay? I¡¯ll transfer the funds right away.¡± Qiao Xinhui remarked, ¡°50 million seems a bit too little, doesn¡¯t it? How about 80 million? It¡¯s an auspicious number.¡± Cheng Ye agreed, ¡°Yes, that sounds good!¡± Helplessly, Fang Yuan responded, ¡°Just give me the company¡¯s address.¡± ¡°What?¡± Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui were taken aback. They understood what their daughter meant ¨C she was accepting the company? ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! I¡¯ll send you the address via WeChat,¡± Qiao Xinhui happily exclaimed. She forwarded the location of the company to Fang Yuan. ¡°It¡¯s a very small company, so it¡¯s not unusual for it to struggle and incur losses. Darling, don¡¯t put too much pressure on yourself.¡± Fang Yuan. ¡°¡­.¡± Cheng Ye added, ¡°Yes, Dad has many companies. You can take them on as a form of amusement!¡± Fang Yuan. ¡°¡­.¡± Cheng Yuqi seethed with jealousy, her mind racing with a plan. Nevertheless, she maintained a smile on the surface. ¡°Sister, the clothes and handbags Mom and Dad gave you yesterday don¡¯t seem suitable for work. I¡¯m free today, so I can take you to the biggest shopping center in the city center for a stroll. I heard you only moved to Jing City with your adoptive parents half a year ago, right? There probably wasn¡¯t such a large shopping center where you used to live, correct?¡± ¡°Yes, Yuanyuan just arrived and hasn¡¯t had a chance to go shopping yet. Prepare the car!¡± However, before Qiao Xinhui could finish her sentence, Fang Yuan declined. ¡°No need.¡± She had plenty of things to attend to and didn¡¯t have time for a shopping trip. ¡°Yuanyuan, I can show you some beautiful sights. Is there a specific place you¡¯d like to visit?¡± ¡°Darling, how about I take you to the spa for a relaxing treatment?¡± ¡°Sister, we can have afternoon tea together.¡± Fang Yuan declined each suggestion. ¡°Perhaps another day. I still have some unpacking to do. Please continue without me.¡± As she made her way upstairs, Qiao Xinhui asked, ¡°Do you need Mom¡¯s assistance?¡± Cheng Ye looked at her departing figure with concern and asked, ¡°Did you have trouble sleeping last night? Have you asked Auntie Du to help you tidy up?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s a personal matter.¡± Fang Yuan patiently answered their inquiries and retreated to her room. Just as she stepped into the room, her phone buzzed. She retrieved it and saw that Tang Nan was calling. ¡°Yuanyuan, we have six stalks of heart-strengthening grass up for auction at 3 p.m., and I have prepared your wallet!¡± Fang Yuan smiled. ¡°How generous of you.¡± Tang Nan replied, ¡°Of course! You just have to let me know, Fang Yuan. I can arrange anything for you, not to mention this amount of money!¡± ¡°Hehe.¡± Fang Yuan playfully teased upon hearing his words. ¡°Are you afraid of death?¡± Tang Nan chuckled, ¡°It¡¯s because I value your life. Alright, I¡¯ll pick you up at 2 p.m.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Fang Yuan ended the call and sent him her location. Chapter 28 Best Chance Downstairs. After breakfast, Cheng Yuqi went to great lengths to bring joy to Qiao Xinhui and Cheng Ye. She massaged them and engaged in lively conversations, eliciting laughter from them. As lunchtime approached, Cheng Yuqi breathed a sigh of relief when Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui returned to the kitchen. At that moment, Auntie Wang entered the room with a plate of fruit slices. ¡°Lady Yuqi, you¡¯ve been working all morning. How about having some fruit to refresh your throat?¡± Before Cheng Yuqi could respond, Auntie Wang lowered her voice and said, ¡°Lady Yuqi, let¡¯s talk privately.¡± Cheng Yuqi glanced at her and understood the implication. Noticing the nearby servants, she stood up and suggested, ¡°Auntie Wang, let¡¯s take the fruits to the garden. I¡¯ll eat there.¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Auntie Wang accompanied Cheng Yuqi to a secluded corner of the garden with the fruit. Once they were alone, Auntie Wang expressed her concern, ¡°Lady Yuqi, you¡¯ve endured so much! In the past, you never had to resort to such tactics to please Old Master and Madam.¡± Cheng Yuqi bowed her head, her long eyelashes concealing the sadness in her eyes, though her aura of sorrow remained palpable. Truth be told, she didn¡¯t wish to engage in such behavior, but if she didn¡¯t, Fang Yuan¡¯s position in the family would continue to rise. She needed to safeguard her own status within the family before it was too late. ¡°Lady Yuqi, these fruits are imported, and I¡¯ve prepared them specifically for you. Please eat them quickly. You haven¡¯t had anything to eat this morning¡­¡± Auntie Wang voiced her concern. ¡°By the way, I wanted to inform you that your engagement with Young Master Bo is still recognized by the public, even before we disclose the identity of the Sixth Miss¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s eyes lit up. Yes, she had Bo Yi! The daughter of the Cheng Family held no significance. As long as she could marry Bo Yi, the entire world would be at her feet! ¡°Lady Yuqi grew up alongside Young Master Bo, and although they haven¡¯t spent much time together, the Sixth Miss has never even met Young Master Bo!¡± Auntie Wang reminded her. ¡°Auntie Wang, what are you implying?¡± Cheng Yuqi already knew the answer, but she dared not voice it herself. ¡°I happen to know a few people in the Bo Family, and they¡¯re currently working at Old Master Bo¡¯s residence. I heard that Old Master was on the verge of passing away at the hospital just to coax Young Master Bo into returning!¡± Auntie Wang disclosed, shocking Cheng Yuqi. ¡°What?¡± Cheng Yuqi gasped, her hand covering her mouth in disbelief. ¡°Thankfully, he regained consciousness in time. Now, he wants both you and Young Master Bo to visit him. Lady Yuqi, you have Young Master Bo¡¯s contact information, don¡¯t you? Why not take the initiative and invite him?¡± Auntie Wang suggested. ¡°But¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi hesitated. ¡°Even though Young Master Bo must be incredibly busy managing his vast company, at the end of the day, he¡¯s still a regular man! Imagine a stunning girl like you, Lady Yuqi, taking the initiative to invite him. It¡¯s bound to move him,¡± Auntie Wang expressed confidently. ¡°Even if Young Master Bo is a bit clueless when it comes to matters of the heart and doesn¡¯t want any interruptions at the moment, there¡¯s no rush. Lady Yuqi, spend more time with him, nurture a strong bond. Once you have a solid relationship with Young Master Bo, what more is there left for you to do, Sixth Miss?¡± ¡°Old Master Bo has always wanted to arrange a match for you. Once you have his support, you¡¯ll undoubtedly become the daughter-in-law of the Bo Family!¡± These words ignited a fiery desire within Cheng Yuqi to rise like a phoenix. However, she still maintained a sense of rationality. ¡°Auntie Wang, although the Cheng and Bo Families are engaged, we both know that the engagement ultimately belongs to Sister¡­ I am just an adopted daughter.¡± ¡°But what if Young Master Bo develops feelings for you?¡± Auntie Wang spoke resolutely. ¡°Old Master Bo¡¯s only concern is for Young Master Bo to be happy and for him to have a great-grandson as soon as possible. To him, it doesn¡¯t matter who becomes the granddaughter-in-law. What matters is who Young Master Bo loves and wants to marry!¡± Cheng Yuqi became convinced. ¡°At present, the Bo Family isn¡¯t aware of your position, Lady Yuqi. Seize this opportunity and take action. It¡¯s your best chance!¡± Auntie Wang had witnessed Cheng Yuqi¡¯s growth and didn¡¯t want to witness her downfall. She believed that if Cheng Yuqi could win Young Master Bo¡¯s favor, she would have the power to achieve anything in the entire country, let alone just in Jing City. ¡°Sixth Miss holds a prestigious position and will undoubtedly marry into a respectable family. However, your circumstances are different,¡± Auntie Wang emphasized. ¡°You have no parents, no influential connections. You¡¯re merely the adopted daughter of the Cheng Family. I wonder if the Cheng Family will fully accept you in the future.¡± ¡°You¡¯re aware of how challenging it is for an adopted daughter to marry into a family of good standing.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t marry Young Master Bo, you¡¯ll forever be overshadowed by Sixth Miss.¡± Under the persistent persuasion of Auntie Wang, Cheng Yuqi retrieved her phone and opened Bo Yi¡¯s WeChat profile. She navigated to their previous conversations and saw the messages she had sent him¡ªsimple inquiries like ¡°Are you asleep?¡± and ¡°Good night?¡± However, Bo Yi hadn¡¯t responded to any of them. The last message she had sent was yesterday, immediately upon her return to the country, asking if he was busy. Yet, he had remained silent. Chapter 29 Anywhere ¡°Lady Yuqi!¡± Auntie Wang continued to advocate for her cause, and Cheng Yuqi finally mustered the determination to send a few messages. [Yi, are you there?] [I heard that Grandpa is in the hospital. Let¡¯s go visit him together.] [When are you available today? Can you come pick me up?] ¡°If not, I can have my driver take me to the hospital, so you don¡¯t have to trouble yourself.¡± [I¡¯m really worried about Grandpa!] On the second floor, Fang Yuan made her way to the spacious balcony, enjoying the view of the garden. As she observed her surroundings, she noticed two figures in the distance engaged in a discussion. Although she couldn¡¯t hear their conversation from that distance, it was evident that it involved Auntie Wang and Cheng Yuqi. Cheng Yuqi sat in a chair while Auntie Wang leaned in, seemingly trying to persuade her to say something. Fang Yuan paid little attention to it and continued to admire the scenery before returning indoors. In the garden, the two individuals anxiously stared at their phones, waiting for a response. Soon enough, Cheng Yuqi¡¯s heart skipped a beat as her screen lit up. She opened the message and saw that Bo Yi had finally replied! But his response consisted of only two cold words. [No need]. A chilling sensation coursed through Cheng Yuqi¡¯s heart, as if someone had poured a bucket of ice water over her. Under Auntie Wang¡¯s provocation, Cheng Yuqi sent another message, expressing concern for her sick grandpa and hoping that someone would keep him company. She emphasized that her intentions were merely to show compassion on behalf of the Cheng Family. Cheng Yuqi anxiously awaited Bo Yi¡¯s reply, but none came. She knew deep down that he wouldn¡¯t respond. Meanwhile, Fang Yuan sat on the sofa, her eyes fixed on her phone. She tapped the screen and sent a message to her subordinates. [Help me investigate the cause of the fire that occurred on September 9th, 18 years ago at Sanhe Hospital.] Blackie: [Boss, are you serious? Sanhe Hospital?] Sanhe was situated on the border of three cities, and over the years, the place had vanished, making it challenging to gather any relevant information. Blackie: [Boss, why are you looking into this? Is it connected to your family background?] Fang Yuan: [Yes.] Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that the fire was suspicious. Why did the hospital catch fire? According to her mother¡¯s account, it was a rainy night, and if it was an accidental ignition, the fire wouldn¡¯t have spread so rapidly, reducing the entire hospital to ashes. She strongly believed that someone had intentionally started the fire. Blackie: [If I ever find out that someone deliberately caused the fire and made you suffer so much in the Fang Family, I will never forgive that person!] After a while, Fang Yuan noted that it was time for her meeting with Tang Nan. She descended the stairs and informed her mother, ¡°Mom, I need to go out for a while.¡± ¡°Alright¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui had intended to inquire about her daughter¡¯s destination, whom she was meeting, and what she would be doing. However, she refrained from prying and instead smiled, ¡°Let Old Liu drive you.¡± ¡°Mom,¡± Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t resist interjecting, ¡°I just told Uncle Liu that he would be taking me out, and I have plans with my friends¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui didn¡¯t show any signs of displeasure. ¡°Can Old Li drive you instead?¡± ¡°Uncle Li usually takes afternoon naps. If he wakes up now, he might feel tired, and it wouldn¡¯t be safe for him to drive¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi glanced at Fang Yuan. ¡°Sister, if you need anything, I can inform my friend. I¡¯ll let them arrange for Uncle Liu to accompany you.¡± ¡°No need, I know how to drive.¡± However, the Rolls-Royce had sustained damage and couldn¡¯t be repaired. After contemplating for a moment, Fang Yuan asked, ¡°Are there any other cars at home?¡± Qiao Xinhui was taken aback. ¡°Yes, of course. I¡¯ll have the driver take you to the garage, and you can choose whichever one you want!¡± Fang Yuan was quite surprised this time. Qiao Xinhui pressed the intercom on the wall and directly contacted the driver. ¡°Old Liu, please come and take Yuanyuan to the garage.¡± It was at that moment that Fang Yuan realized the grandeur of the garage¡ªit had three floors filled with a variety of supercars, limited editions, high-end models, and an array of colors. Fang Yuan was astounded by the opulence of the family and couldn¡¯t help but inquire, ¡°What kind of business does the family engage in?¡± Old Liu was taken aback by the question. He assumed that Fang Yuan would be aware of Cheng Ye¡¯s identity once she saw his face. After all, he was the wealthiest man in the country. ¡°Don¡¯t you know about this? Lady Fang Yuan?¡± Old Liu was surprised. ¡°Old Master is the richest man in Hua Land. He held the top spot for 12 consecutive years!¡± ¡°After Old Master retired, Young Master took over the company, and subsequently became the richest man in the country.¡± Regardless of who held the title, they were still part of the Cheng Family. Fang Yuan finally understood. No wonder Fang Liguo and Song Ling had mentioned that her parents were unemployed. Shortly after, a sleek sports car emerged from the Cheng Family estate. In order to maintain a low profile, Fang Yuan parked the car in a nearby underground garage where Tang Nan had been patiently waiting. Chapter 30 Your Father¡¯s Surname When Fang Yuan stepped out of the car, Tang Nan¡¯s eyes were fixed on the distinctive white Silbe sports car. She was taken aback for a moment before asking, ¡°Is this your car?¡± It was an SSC Tuatara, a limited edition worldwide, with a license plate displaying nine consecutive numbers. Tang Nan couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of astonishment. She knew that Fang Yuan resided in Jin¡¯an Garden, but her parents were certainly not from an ordinary noble family if they could afford such a luxurious vehicle. She placed a hand on her chest, as if she had been struck by a revelation. ¡°What is your father¡¯s last name?¡± ¡°Fang Yuan.¡± Fang Yuan replied. ¡°Cheng Ye?¡± Tang Nan¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Do you know my father?¡± Fang Yuan inquired, curious about the unexpected reaction. ¡°Of course! Everyone knows who the richest man in the country is. You truly have been reborn into a privileged life!¡± Tang Nan spoke with deep emotion. ¡°Those fools from the Fang Family, it¡¯s too late for them to regret now!¡± ¡­ In the outskirts, there stood a private abbey that was illuminated with bright lights. The abbey boasted over 20 entrances, resembling the sun in a children¡¯s painting from an aerial view. Each car had its own designated entrance, leading to separate garages. Upon parking, guests would take different elevators to reach their designated private rooms. They encountered no other guests along the way, ensuring their privacy was maintained. Obtaining tickets to this exclusive venue was always a challenge. As the most favored princess of the Tang Family, Tang Nan had secured a ticket to this prestigious location. She and Fang Yuan were regular attendees. After parking the car, they entered the private abbey and proceeded to private room 2, where an assortment of drinks and snacks awaited them. ¡­. This was Cheng Yuqi¡¯s first visit to this place, and she marveled at the magnificent abbey that held a hidden world within its walls. If it hadn¡¯t been for her best friend¡¯s guidance, she would have never known about this hidden gem. ¡°Mu Sha, how did you find out about this place?¡± Cheng Yuqi asked her best friend. She had mentioned to Mu Sha that she was unsure about what to gift the ailing Old Master Bo, and Mu Sha suggested exploring this location. ¡°I¡¯ve been here with my brother before, and I¡¯ve learned so much from this place! You can find something unique and precious that Old Master might appreciate. It¡¯ll surely make him happy!¡± Mu Sha, also coming from a wealthy family, understood that Old Master had likely seen countless valuable items, and ordinary gifts wouldn¡¯t captivate his attention. The auction items, on the other hand, were not readily available on the market. ¡°Where are the other guests?¡± Cheng Yuqi inquired with curiosity. ¡°They¡¯re in the other rooms. There are 28 rooms in total, arranged in a circle around the central stage.¡± ¡°But I don¡¯t see any auctioneer here. The items are auctioned off by smart devices,¡± Cheng Yuqi observed. ¡°Do you know why each room has a large glass wall? It allows the guests to view the treasures easily. You can see what¡¯s inside the rooms from the outside, but you can¡¯t see inside from outside,¡± Mu Sha explained. Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t help but feel a tinge of envy upon hearing her best friend¡¯s words. If only her five older brothers had been willing to expose her to such experiences and show her the wider world. In Room 1, Mu Qing stood beside Bo Yi and respectfully said, ¡°Master Bo, the heart-strengthening grass will be the final item up for auction.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± the man sitting on the sofa replied in a low voice, exuding an air of nobility. He was interested in the heart-strengthening grass as it was reputed to be highly effective for heart ailments. He planned to obtain it and present it to renowned doctors for further study. ¡°Let the auction begin!¡± A mechanical female voice resounded, and the central stage slowly opened, revealing the first item ascending into view. The automated system then provided an introduction, including the item¡¯s value and its source. The auction item, displayed on the electronic screen in the private room, appeared enlarged and every detail was clearly visible. It was a bottle of Mind-enhancing Powder, renowned for its ability to provide a cool and soothing sensation in the heart when consumed by heart disease patients. It could be used in daily soup preparations or adjusted with water for quick relief during moments of pain. Additionally, it could be safely combined with other medications without any side effects. As the system introduced the Mind-enhancing Powder, it followed a track on the ground and automatically moved to the glass wall of each private room, allowing the occupants to examine it closely. ¡°Yuanyuan, aren¡¯t these the remnants from your heart-strengthening pills?¡± Tang Nan inquired. ¡°Yes,¡± Fang Yuan admitted honestly, ¡°I¡¯m making the most of them.¡± While the powder didn¡¯t possess the same potency as the heart-strengthening pills, it still had medicinal value that shouldn¡¯t go to waste. ¡°The starting price is 210,000 yuan,¡± the system announced. Upon hearing the price, Tang Nan couldn¡¯t help but exclaim emotionally, ¡°The leftovers are worth more than 200,000 yuan¡­¡± Adjacent to the glass wall, three buttons were available, labeled with 100,000, 500,000, and 1,000,000 respectively. Each increase in bidding would be at least 100,000 yuan. Standing before the glass wall, Cheng Yuqi observed the red numbers displayed on the walls of other private rooms. After several rounds of bidding, the price had already escalated to 1.2 million yuan! Chapter 31 Soup at Home ¡°Yuqi, this is a wonderful opportunity. You can prepare soup with the Mind-enhancing Powder and deliver it to Old Master. It will benefit his health and also enhance his public image,¡± her best friend suggested. Cheng Yuqi indeed valued the treasure, but the competition from other buyers was fierce. Despite bidding multiple times, she failed to secure it. Finally, she made a bold decision and pressed the button to increase the price by 1 million yuan. An immediate hush fell over the room. [2.5 million going once!] [2.5 million going twice!] [2.5 million going thrice! Sold! Congratulations to the buyer of Room 19 for acquiring one bottle of Mind-enhancing Powder!] Tang Nan was taken aback by the unexpectedly high price. ¡°Yuanyuan, can you spare me some when you make the heart-strengthening pills?¡± Fang Yuan looked at her friend curiously. ¡°You know how to make them?¡± Tang Nan replied, ¡°You can make them for me!¡± ¡­. With the prized treasure in her possession, Cheng Yuqi embraced her best friend for a long moment. As the subsequent items were all porcelain-related, which didn¡¯t capture her interest, she decided to leave early and head home to prepare the soup. By the time the final item was presented, two hours had passed. ¡°Master Bo, the heart-strengthening grass is up for auction,¡± Mu Qing announced. Upon Mu Qing¡¯s statement, the center of the stage elevated, revealing a large glass jar containing six vibrant green plants immersed in water. [The starting price is 1 million yuan.] Aware of Master Bo¡¯s determination to acquire this item, Mu Qing pressed the button, initiating the bidding at 1 million yuan. The other private rooms were taken aback by the escalating bids. They also increased the price by one million yuan, clearly demonstrating their strong desire to obtain the Heart-Strengthening Grass. However, the competition was fierce, and the other private rooms were not giving up easily. [2.5 million!] [3 million!] [3.5 million!] [4 million!] Tang Nan turned to Cheng Yuqi and asked, ¡°Yuanyuan, how much are we willing to increase?¡± Cheng Yuqi replied, ¡°One million.¡± Tang Nan pressed the button, raising the total bid to 5 million yuan! The entire venue erupted in astonishment. Five million yuan was not the price for all six stalks of Heart-Strengthening Grass, but merely for a single stalk! The total value of all six stalks amounted to 30 million yuan! The other private rooms hesitated, unsure whether to continue the bidding. Just when Tang Nan thought they had a chance at securing the Heart-Strengthening Grass¡­ Private room 1 displayed another bold number¡ª6 million! This unexpected turn left everyone even more stunned! Fang Yuan and Tang Nan hadn¡¯t anticipated such fierce competition from private room 1. Nevertheless, they decided to make another bid. [Room 2, 7 million!] [Room 1, 8 million!] [Room 3, 9 million!] [Room 1, 10 million!] ¡­. The venue fell into a tense silence as the bidding between the two prominent private rooms continued. ¡°Tang Nan, we can¡¯t afford to bid any higher. One stalk of Heart-Strengthening Grass can only produce one heart-strengthening pill, which can be sold for 10 million yuan,¡± Tang Nan advised, feeling the weight of the situation. ¡°It seems like someone of great importance is present today, and we can¡¯t afford to offend them.¡± ¡°But the Heart-Strengthening Grass can save Grandma Fang¡¯s life,¡± Fang Yuan insisted, raising the bid by another million. ¡°I must acquire it today.¡± ¡°Yuanyuan¡­¡± [Room 3, 11 million!] The tension in the venue escalated. It was beyond belief that a single stalk of Heart-Strengthening Grass could fetch such a high price¡ª11 million yuan! Private room 2¡¯s owner was incredibly wealthy. ¡°Master Bo¡­¡± Mu Qing, surprised by the fierce competition, advised, ¡°Are you still willing to continue? The price has already exceeded the value of the medicine itself.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± replied Master Bo with cold eyes and a cold voice. ¡°Open the gap.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Mu Qing pressed the 1 million button three times. [Room 1, 14 million!] Tang Nan expressed frustration upon hearing the system¡¯s announcement. ¡°This is outrageous! Who is in private room 1? They are just snatching the herbs from us. Such extravagant spending!¡± 14 million yuan for one stalk, and a staggering 84 million yuan for all six stalks¡­ These sums were beyond the reach of ordinary wealthy individuals. [Room 2, 15 million] Fang Yuan pressed the button again. Tang Nan looked at her with surprise. ¡°Yuanyuan, are you still bidding?!¡± The total price for all six stalks had already reached 90 million yuan. Even if they were able to produce and sell six heart-strengthening pills, they would only recover 60 million yuan, resulting in a 30 million yuan loss! At this moment, Bo Yi¡¯s phone rang. It was Wen Qiusheng, the man who was taking care of his grandpa. ¡°Young Master Yi, bad news! After Old Master drank the soup from Lady Yuqi, he suddenly had a high fever. The doctor said that Old Master¡¯s condition has worsened and he is in the emergency room right now. Please, come to the hospital!¡± Bo Yi narrowed his eyes and said unhappily, ¡°What did she put in the soup?¡± Butler Wen said, ¡°It is a tonic that is good for the heart¡­¡± ¡°You just stand there and watch?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t do anything about it. Old Master was so happy to see her here. He drank all of it without listening to me¡­¡± Chapter 32 Photo He ended the call and swiftly rose from his seat, making his way out of the room. Mu Qing, sensing something amiss, followed closely behind him. ¡°Master Bo, are you not joining us? Has something happened to Old Master?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice carried an icy tone as he replied, ¡°Cheng Yuqi gave Old Master soup and now she¡¯s undergoing emergency treatment.¡± ¡°What? Since when does Lady Yuqi know how to make soup? And why did she go to the hospital to visit Old Master?¡± Mu Qing questioned, his concern growing. ¡°Should we ask Lady Fang Yuan to take a look?¡± Bo Yi halted abruptly, his mind filled with the image of the girl with the scalpel and her resolute gaze. ¡°It was Lady Fang Yuan who saved Old Master last time! Master Bo, don¡¯t you have Lady Fang Yuan¡¯s contact information? Should we call her?¡± Mu Qing suggested. Master Bo gave him a brief glance before retrieving his phone from his pocket. [15 million going once!] Tang Nan held her breath, silently pleading, ¡°Don¡¯t outbid us, please¡­¡± [15 million going twice!] Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the glass wall of private room 1, sensing no intention of competition. [15 million, thrice! Sold! Congratulations to Room 3 for acquiring six Heart-Strengthening Herbs!] ¡°Yes!¡± Tang Nan embraced Fang Yuan, exclaiming in joy, ¡°We did it!¡± Yet, in private room 1, they refrained from further bids, not daring to escalate the price any higher. ¡°Congratulations to Room 3 for securing the six Heart-Strengthening Herbs!¡± ¡°Tang Nan, we¡¯ve succeeded!¡± Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t contain her excitement. Just then, her phone vibrated, signaling an incoming call from an unknown number. Intrigued, she answered the call. Fang Yuan answered the call and heard the man¡¯s cold voice. ¡°It is me, Bo Yi.¡± ¡°Grandpa is in trouble, and I would like you to come and help us.¡± Fang Yuan was a little confused. Old Master Bo was in a good condition the day before. What happened all of a sudden? ¡°Where are you?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice was as deep and melodious as a cello. ¡°I will pick you up.¡± ¡°Then you can come to Hall Church in the suburbs.¡± Fang Yuan said. Hall Church was very close to the abbey, and if she took a shortcut, she could get there within a few minutes. Bo Yi was very surprised. ¡°You are in the suburbs?¡± Fang Yuan said, ¡°Yes.¡± The Hall Church was an old building left behind in the 1980s. No believers went there to pray. It was deserted there. What was a little girl doing there? Fang Yuan hung up the phone and said to Tang Nan, ¡°I am going to Hall Church to deal with some things.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Tang Nan knew that she had many things going on, so she did not ask. ¡°I will deliver the stuff to you later.¡± After the auction was done, Fang Yuan asked Tang Nan to stay and help with the process. ¡°Okay.¡± At the entrance of the Hall Church, Mu Qing parked the car and looked at the barren land in front of her. He suddenly thought of something. ¡°Oh, I know why Lady Fang Yuan is here! A few days ago, I was watching a short video, and there was one video saying that there is a large patch of vervain behind this church, which is a very good place to take photos.¡± Miss Fang Yuan must be here to take photos. After all, she is so good-looking¡­ it would be a shame not to take two beautiful photos here! Bo Yi did not say anything. He looked into the distance until a figure appeared. ¡°It is Lady Fang Yuan!¡± Mu Qing saw that too. ¡°I knew it! Lady Fang Yuan is here to take pictures and clock in!¡± Fang Yuan was wearing a cream-colored dress. Under the setting sun, she seemed to have become one with the church, turning into an oil painting. Fang Yuan was the angel in the painting. The white dress fluttered, and she looked so beautiful. Mu Qing was startled. It took him a long while before he remembered to open the door. ¡°Lady Fang Yuan, this way please.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes were bright, and she looked very energetic. She looked at the man in the back seat of the car, nodded slightly and sat next to the man, without being shy at all. ¡°What is Old Master Bo¡¯s condition now?¡± Fang Yuan asked. Bo Yi looked at her pretty face and said calmly, ¡°He drank the soup from someone else and is in the operating room for emergency treatment.¡± Fang Yuan raised her eyebrows. ¡°Someone you know gave you soup?¡± Bo Yi replied, ¡°Okay.¡± Fang Yuan thought of Old Master¡¯s condition the day before. Even if he drank the soup, he should not have been like this. There should be something wrong with the soup. ¡°Lady Fang Yuan, may I ask how old you are today?¡± Mu Qing could not help but ask through the rear-view mirror. ¡°Are you still in school?¡± She looked like a minor. ¡°I am 18 years old.¡± Fang Yuan said casually, ¡°I just finished the college entrance examination.¡± 18? That was very young¡­ Mu Qing clicked his tongue. ¡°You are already so good at 18 years old? Did your ancestors study medicine?¡± Fang Yuan said, ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then you are¡­¡± Mu Qing was halfway through her words when the car suddenly jerked. Fang Yuan could not sit still. She fell towards the direction of Bo Yi. Bo Yi was fast enough to help her up. Fang Yuan was wearing a sleeveless dress, and at this moment, Bo Yi¡¯s hands were on her shoulders, and the scorching temperature made her face heat up for some reason. And when Bo Yi touched the girl¡¯s smooth and tender skin, he looked a little unnatural. They were close to each other, the girl¡¯s light fragrance went into his nose and the smell was very good. Chapter 33 WeChat Exchange ¡°Sorry, Master Bo, Lady Fang Yuan, I¡­¡± Before Mu Qing could finish the explanation, the car bumped a few times again. He had been too busy talking with Lady Fang Yuan to notice that the road was not very flat. As the ride got more bumpy, Bo Yi shielded the girl in his arms and looked at Mu Qing with a warning look. ¡°Just concentrate on driving!¡± Fang Yuan looked up and saw the man¡¯s exquisite facial features. She felt as if she had been moved somehow in heart. Only when the road was stable did he let go of her. ¡°Sorry.¡± ¡°I am fine.¡± Fang Yuan looked away, still blushing. When Bo Yi met her two times before, she exuded a cold aura, but now she looked like a little girl, which was very interesting. Mu Qing thought that he would be scolded by Master Bo, but Master Bo only said one thing to him¡­ He glanced at the rear-view mirror again, and the atmosphere in the back of the car was a little strange. Could it be¡­ ¡°Watch out for the road!¡± Bo Yi noticed his look and lowered his voice. In the past, when a woman fell on Master Bo, she would have been driven out of the car. But at this moment, not only did Master Bo not drive her away, but he even helped her up during the bumpy ride. Mu Qing had an idea and said, ¡°Master Bo, I was distracted by what Old Master told me¡­¡± Bo Yi: ¡°???¡± ¡°Lady Fang Yuan, when Master Bo and I visited Old Master today, he said that he wanted to see you to thank you for saving his life.¡± ¡°You have no idea how stubborn he is. He says that he wants to meet you, and he will do everything he can to meet you.¡± ¡°Master Bo, I am worried that Old Master will disturb Lady Fang Yuan¡¯s life. What about making an appointment with Lady Fang Yuan and asking her to tell Old Master about the dangers of not taking medicine.¡± ¡°Lady Fang Yuan is a doctor and his savior. Old Master will definitely listen to what she says.¡± Fang Yuan. ¡°¡­.¡± Bo Yi. ¡°¡­¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± Bo Yi asked. ¡°Okay.¡± Fang Yuan nodded, mainly because she was worried that it would cause more trouble if she turned them down at the moment. ¡°If Old Master wakes up, I will meet him. If he doesn¡¯t this time, we can set a date.¡± Fang Yuan replied. ¡°Okay.¡± Bo Yi¡¯s eyes traced her facial features, as he asked with the phone in his hand, ¡°If you want to set a date is your WeChat number?¡± Fang Yuan said, ¡°Okay, I will add you.¡± Seeing them exchanging WeChat, Mu Qing got so excited. They added each other on WeChat so soon? ¡°Send me the location, and I will pick you up.¡± Bo Yi put down the phone and said gently. Fang Yuan did not hesitate. ¡°Okay.¡± At the door of the operating room at Renyi Hospital, Butler Wen was pacing back and forth anxiously. Old Master had been in the room for one hour, but the light in the operating room was still on. Ding! As the elevator door opened, Bo Yi and Fang Yuan walked out together. They were both outstanding-looking people, and their heights and figures matched each other. They looked just like a couple. ¡°Young Master¡­¡± Butler Wen was surprised to see a young girl following Young Master. But he did not ask anything. ¡°Old Master has been in there for one hour.¡± Bo Yi asked, ¡°What did the doctor say?¡± ¡°Things are not looking good¡­¡± Butler Wen sounded very down. If he had known that this would happen, he would have stopped Old Master from drinking the soup. ¡°Show the soup to Lady Fang Yuan.¡± Bo Yi ordered. ¡°Okay.¡± Butler Wen was surprised, but he still brought the soup over. Fang Yuan stirred the bottom of the soup with a spoon. There were ganoderma lucidums and a few other medicinal herbs inside. It was a famous heart-strengthening soup. But this soup should not smell like this. She sniffed carefully and sensed something familiar. ¡°You added Mind-enhancing Powder into the soup?¡± Fang Yuan looked up at Butler Wen. Startled, Butler Wen added. ¡°Yes, the person who delivered the soup said that the Mind-enhancing Powder is very effective for the heart, and it won¡¯t have any side effects with any medicine¡­¡± ¡°No.¡± Fang Yuan finally understood the problem. ¡°But he is not in good health right now, and drinking this soup is counterproductive.¡± ¡°So there is no problem with the soup. Is it because he is not in a good condition to drink the soup?¡± Butler Wen had not expected that this young girl was so capable that she could find the problem with just one sniff. At this moment, the door of the operating room was opened, and a nurse rushed out anxiously. ¡°Mr. Bo, it is great that you are here. Please sign the notice¡­¡± Bo Yi did not take the pen but asked coldly, ¡°How is grandpa doing?¡± ¡°The situation is not looking good¡­ please believe us, Mr. Bo, we will try our best to save Old Master Bo! Also, please sign it as soon as possible!¡± Chapter 34 Listening to Her Bo Yi turned to Fang Yuan. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°Old Master is not that sick.¡± Fang Yuan knew what signing the notice meant. She looked at the time. ¡°Wait for me.¡± She took off the backpack and passed it to Bo Yi, who accepted it naturally. Seeing the girl turning around and leaving, everyone was dumbfounded. ¡°Young Master, who is this girl?¡± Butler Wen was confused ¨C how could he allow his Young Master to carry the bag? ¡°Isn¡¯t the operating room here? Why is Lady Fang Yuan there?¡± Mu Qing did not understand either. ¡°Mr. Bo, Old Master is in a very serious condition, please sign it as soon as possible!¡± The nurse was so anxious. She had no idea what the girl was up to. It was such a critical moment, and she could not afford to waste a second. Fang Yuan went to Chen Yang¡¯s office to get a set of silver needles, and asked the nurse to lead the way to get herself changed into sterile clothes. ¡°Mr. Bo, what is going on?¡± The nurse was totally dumbfounded. She turned to Bo Yi ¨C was this girl crazy? She was going in to operate on the old master personally? Was she even an adult? She would cause trouble if she went in. ¡°Just do as she says.¡± Bo Yi gave Fang Yuan the highest authority. The nurse understood what was going on. She did not dare to ask anything more. She helped Fang Yuan to change into sterile clothes and went into the operating room. ¡°Master Bo, let¡¯s wait in the observation room. We can at least see where the surgery is going.¡± Mu Qing said. ¡°Okay.¡± Bo Yi carried Fang Yuan¡¯s bag to the observation room. In the operating room, when Professor Wang saw that it was Fang Yuan who came in, he felt so relieved. He gave up the position of chief surgeon. He was still very impressed by Fang Yuan¡¯s medical skills. The nurses were all shocked. Who was this girl? Why was she so famous? Was she the doctor who operated on Old Master Bo the day before? It would not be strange if she was the doctor. After all, even the famous Professor Wang was not as good as her. When Fang Yuan was done with the rest of the surgery, Old Master Bo was still very weak. He was not in a good condition. ¡°Lady Fang Yuan, what should we do now?¡± The other doctors had no idea what to do. They had been doctors for so many years, and they had never felt so helpless. ¡°Wait.¡± Fang Yuan said one word, but the other doctors panicked. ¡°Old Master¡¯s breathing is getting weaker and weaker. What are we waiting for?¡± ¡°It is the golden time and and every second is precious!¡± Seeing Fang Yuan standing in front of the operating table without moving, the other doctors got anxious. ¡°If you can¡¯t do anything, don¡¯t force yourself. Let Professor Wang try again!¡± ¡°We are still young and we have never seen such a scene before. Professor Wang, please think of a way, we can¡¯t just wait here¡­¡± ¡°If that doesn¡¯t work¡­¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Fang Yuan looked up at the crowd, looking very confident. Startled by the man¡¯s attitude, the old man said, ¡°You can save him, can¡¯t you?¡± The old man was almost out of breath, and the ventilator kept beeping. When Fang Yuan heard the sound, she opened the needle bag swiftly. Everyone was shocked. What was she doing? Acupuncturing in the operating room? ¡°This is the operating room, and you are doing acupuncture for the patient?¡± ¡°The patient is dying, and he can¡¯t stand your torture!¡± ¡°Get out of the way if you have no idea what to do. Don¡¯t waste our time here!¡± Fang Yuan ignored them and stuck the needles into the old man¡¯s head, heart and arms. The nurses were all frightened. This girl was so bold as to stab the elderly man like a sieve! ¡°Stop using your Chinese medical knowledge!¡± Finally, one doctor could not stand it any more. He reached out to stop her, but was stopped by Professor Wang. ¡°Enough!¡± The nurse added. ¡°Mr. Bo said that we should do as she says.¡± With Bo Yi¡¯s words here, the others did not dare to say anything more. Only one bold one said, ¡°Okay, just do it!¡± The silver needles were inserted into the old man¡¯s acupoints, and after a while, the old man spat out a mouthful of blood. Everyone was shocked, including Butler Wen in the observation room. ¡°Master, is he okay? Why does he look worse?¡± Why was he vomiting blood? But strangely, after vomiting the blood, Old Master Bo¡¯s condition gradually stabilized, and the ventilator stopped sounding the alarm. All the doctors were shocked and looked at Fang Yuan in disbelief. Seeing that it was almost time, Fang Yuan pulled out the needles one by one and said, ¡°Okay, time to send the patient back to the ward.¡± All the doctors were looking at her with a very complicated look. Fang Yuan said calmly, ¡°But for your surgery, these needles would have solved the problem sooner.¡± Then she put away the needle bag and left. Chapter 35 Mystery Professor Wang was the first to realize what was going on. He thought of the acupuncture points she had just pricked and said, ¡°That was a great job!¡± He had studied Chinese medicine before, so he knew how Fang Yuan did it. But the other doctors did not know about Chinese medicine, so they all got curious and asked. ¡°Professor Wang, have you understood what is going on? Tell us about it¡­¡± ¡°How did she do that?¡± ¡°Just a few acupoints?¡± ¡°Master Bo¡­ Lady Fang Yuan¡­¡± Mu Qing was so shocked that she could not utter a complete sentence. What kind of person was she? A god? So many old experts could not do anything about it, but she could do it with a few needles? Were the doctors so bad, or was Lady Fang Yuan so outstanding? Fang Yuan walked out of the operating room and saw the man walking towards her, with her bag on his shoulder. She had just left in a hurry and passed the bag to him, but he carried it on his back for such a long time. ¡°Old Master will wake up tomorrow, and you have to avoid too much food for the next month. Don¡¯t let him drink the soup as it is today.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Bo Yi agreed and glanced at the sky outside the window. ¡°I will take you to dinner.¡± ¡°No thanks, I am going home.¡± It should be 6 or 7 pm now. Fang Yuan took back her bag and took out her phone. Sure enough, there were two missed calls from her mother. Fang Yuan called back. ¡°Sorry, mom, I was busy just now.¡± Bo Yi looked at the girl on the phone. She had crescent eyebrows and starry eyes, and she had an extraordinary temperament. When she was talking with her family, her voice was sweet and pleasant. ¡°Okay, I will go home now. See you soon.¡± Seeing that she had hung up the phone, Bo Yi said softly, ¡°Let me gift you a lift.¡± ¡°Then you can drop me off at Lily Park. My car is parked in the underground parking lot there.¡± Lily Park? That was an unfinished park that had not yet been opened to the public. Why did she park there and appeared at the Hall Church to start with? For him, the girl in front of him was just a mystery. ¡°Wait, let me return some stuff.¡± Fang Yuan had just got the needle bag from Chen Yang¡¯s office. He was on duty today and he was still in the office. After Fang Yuan returned the needle bag, she walked out of the office and passed by Grandma Fang¡¯s ward. She could not help but stop. Grandma Fang was still on the transfusion. Her eyes were closed, and she was sleeping peacefully. Fang Yuan suddenly thought of one afternoon when she was a child. Grandma Fang was taking a lunch break, and the sunlight outside the window shone on her. She was sleeping peacefully at that time too. At this moment, a voice was heard. ¡°Fang Yuan, what are you doing here?¡± Fang Yuan turned around and saw the surprised Fang Liguo and Song Ling standing not faraway. They received a call from the hospital saying that Old Madame Fang¡¯s ward was overdue, and they were asked to renew the payment. They had just finished dinner when they ran into Fang Yuan here. Song Ling was the first to react. She asked, ¡°Why haven¡¯t you returned to your birth parents? You are not going to plead with the elderly to let you continue to stay in Jing City, are you, so you can stay at our home right? Stop dreaming!¡± Fang Liguo had not expected to run into her here. ¡°Yuanyuan, what is going on? Didn¡¯t you leave with your family?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think she is leaving!¡± Song Ling threw a disdainful look at Fang Yuan. ¡°She must have heard that the family is too poor to accept it, so she came back and begged Old Madame Fang for mercy.¡± She had been spoiled by Old Madame Fang, but now she knew that she was not the Fang Family¡¯s daughter, yet she still wanted to stay at the Fang Family for free? ¡°Just get rid of her!¡± Song Ling tugged at Fang Liguo¡¯s clothes, telling him to hurry up. Fang Liguo had not expected that Fang Yuan would be here. He went up and asked, ¡°Yuanyuan, what about having a talk? How much do you want?¡± Fang Yuan smiled when she saw how her former parents behaved. Was she trying to get rid of her with money? Seeing that she was silent, Fang Liguo took out a bank card from his bag. ¡°Here is 100,000 yuan, take it, the password is 888,888.¡± ¡°Liguo!¡± Song Ling felt horrible seeing him giving her so much money. ¡°What are you giving her so much money for?¡± Fang Liguo told her not to say a thing. He was not going to deal with her so he could get rid of her The necklace she stole the day before was worth 100,000 yuan, and now she had 100,000 yuan in the bank card too. She would agree to leave here, right? Fang Yuan¡¯s clear eyes flashed with sarcasm. She looked at the card in his hands and said nothing. ¡°You think it is too little?¡± Song Ling said with displeasure. ¡°Accept it, or you get nothing!¡± Chapter 36 Bank Robbery ¡°Yuanyuan, just accept it. You don¡¯t have to visit grandma in the future. I have told you to focus on your own family.¡± Fang Liguo tried to stuff the bank card into her hands, but Fang Yuan dodged it. ¡°You damned girl, what are you doing? Waiting for Old Madame Fang to wake up? You want to play the emotional card with her? Dream on!¡± Song Ling had not expected that this damned girl was so difficult to deal with. ¡°Let me tell you, you have nothing to do with Old Madame Fang, you better get out of here!¡± ¡°One billion!¡± Fang Yuan smiled and said word by word, ¡°Then I can think about it.¡± ¡°In your dream!¡± Song Ling got so annoyed. ¡°Why not just rob a bank?¡± Fang Yuan said teasingly, ¡°It is easier to get money from you than rob a bank, isn¡¯t it!¡± ¡°You!¡± Song Ling covered her chest. This damned girl was so ungrateful. ¡°I won¡¯t even give you one yuan, let alone one billion!¡± Having said that, Song Ling snatched away the bank card. ¡°Leave now, or I will get someone to drive you out!¡± Fang Yuan said calmly, ¡°Okay, go ahead.¡± ¡°You, you, you are so annoying! What is this VIP floor for? Any Tom, Dick or Harry can be here!¡± Song Ling was about to throw her temper on this! ¡°Fang Yuan.¡± Suddenly, a man¡¯s voice attracted their attention. Song Ling looked up and saw a tall man at the end of the corridor, looking very imposing. Fang Yuan looked in the direction of the sound and saw Bo Yi waiting for her. She did not want to waste her breath on these two people, so she turned around and left. ¡°Who is that man?¡± Song Ling looked at the man at the end of the corridor suspiciously. ¡°Her father? That doesn¡¯t sound right, the voice seems like a young man¡­¡± ¡°It is her brother, isn¡¯t it? She has five unmarried brothers, and they said that her grandma is sick too. Is she hospitalized here too?¡± Fang Liguo asked. ¡°But can they afford to live here?¡± Song Ling said to Fang Liguo as they disappeared at the end of the corridor. ¡°Liguo, let¡¯s transfer Old Madame Fang to another hospital, or we will be pestered by this damned girl!¡± Fang Liguo had the same idea, but no other hospital in Jing City was better than Renyi Hospital. Old Madame Fang could get the best care here. ¡°This damned girl is taking advantage of Old Madame Fang¡¯s love for her¡­ we can deal with her, but Old Madame Fang might get soft-hearted and bring her home again!¡± Song Ling thought of three months ago, when Old Madame Fanglearned that Fang Yuan was not her real granddaughter, she could not stand it any more and passed out on the spot. When she woke up, Old Madame Fang said firmly that as long as she was alive, she was not going to let Fang Yuan leave the family. Anyone who drove her away would be making life difficult for her. After that, when Jiayi was taken home, Old Madame Fang never treated her nicely. She only cared about this damned girl who was not related to them by blood. In order not to let Jiayi suffer in the future, and in order to drive this girl away as soon as possible, they hid the information about this girl from Old Madame Fang and posted it on the Internet. But soon, this damned girl¡¯s birth parents called them. When Old Madame Fang heard about this, she got so shocked that she had a heart attack. So she was admitted to the hospital. When Old Madame Fang was not at home, Fang Yuan was driven out of the family. ¡°Old Madame Fang is getting old and confused. She treats outsiders better than her own granddaughter!¡± Song Ling complained but could not help but feel worried. ¡°I am afraid that Fang Yuan will not want to leave, and she might have other ideas, such as stealing Lu Chen from Jiayi.¡± The Lu Family was much better than the Fang Family! Lu Chen was modest and polite, and it was obvious that he treated Jiayi well. Jiayi was good too. Not only was she good-looking, but she was also gentle. That was why Lu Chen fell for her. ¡°Liguo, let¡¯s go to Doctor Chen and ask him to transfer Old Madame Fang to another hospital.¡± ¡°That is the only way.¡± Fang Liguo sighed. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Fang Yuan followed Bo Yi and replied to the messages on her phone. She went to the auction in the afternoon and went to the hospital to operate on the old man, so she could not reply to many messages in time. At this moment, someone was about to push the wheelchair out of the corner and almost bumped into Fang Yuan. Bo Yi pulled her back. ¡°Be careful!¡± When Fang Yuan realized what was going on, she started to blush again. In the car, Bo Yi saw that the girl was not in a good mood. He stopped the car halfway and said, ¡°Wait for me here.¡± Then he got out of the car and went to a dessert shop by the roadside. Soon, he came back with a few bags. There were cakes, milk, juice, and other things, as well as cartoon-shaped candies. He passed them to Fang Yuan. ¡°They say that little girls like to eat these things.¡± She must be hungry after having operated on his grandpa for so long today. Chapter 37 Dropping My Job? Fang Yuan glanced at the assortment of desserts inside the bag, preparing to voice her thoughts, when Bo Yi pulled out a bottle of milk, inserted a straw, and brought it to her lips. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± Fang Yuan started to say. ¡°Come on, just have a little,¡± Bo Yi insisted, extending the milk to her once again. Reluctantly, Fang Yuan accepted it and took a few sips. The milk was pure and refreshing, with a subtle sweetness that caught her off guard. ¡­. At Renyi Hospital. ¡°Doctor Chen, why not?¡± Song Ling sought out Yang Chen, inquiring about the possibility of a transfer. Yang Chen¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Old Madame Fang is better off staying here,¡± Yang Chen replied with gravity. ¡°Isn¡¯t there a better hospital available?¡± Fang Liguo couldn¡¯t help but interject. Chen Yang responded with displeasure, ¡°Benevolence Hospital is the finest in Jing City.¡± ¡°Yes, we understand the hospital¡¯s reputation for benevolence and righteousness, but¡­¡± Before Fang Liguo could finish his sentence, Song Ling interrupted. ¡°Doctor Chen, we have no other choice. If Old Madame Fang remains here, someone will continue to bother her, and it will hinder her recovery¡­¡± Chen Yang shot her a cold glare. Was she referring to Fang Xiaoyuan? What an ungrateful family! Fang Xiaoyuan had done so much for the Fang Family, yet what had they done for Old Madame Fang in return? Chen Yang¡¯s eyes turned icy. ¡°If you genuinely cared about Old Madame Fang, the nurse would have contacted you at 9 a.m. Why are you only here now?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve been busy¡­¡± Song Ling tried to explain, but the truth was, she had been taken away by some ladies for SAP, and Fang Liguo had been playing golf with several CEOs. When they returned home that night, the housekeepers promptly served the dishes on the table, and they eagerly rushed over to eat. ¡°Don¡¯t you even care about your elders?¡± Yang Chen questioned. Fang Liguo and Song Ling felt deeply embarrassed by Chen Yang¡¯s words. ¡°I can proceed with the transfer procedures, but let me be honest with you¡ªthe equipment and doctors at other hospitals are not as exceptional as those at Benevolence Hospital. Old Madame Fang has about a week left to live, so prepare yourselves,¡± Chen Yang revealed. Fang Liguo¡¯s expression changed upon hearing this. ¡°Doctor Chen, do you have any alternative solution to ensure Old Madame Fang¡¯s well-being?¡± Chen Yang replied, ¡°Yes.¡± Fang Liguo¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Doctor Chen, I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°There is only one medication that can save Old Madame Fang¡¯s life¡­¡± ¡°Can you tell me the name? I¡¯ll jot it down,¡± Fang Liguo said, retrieving a notebook and preparing to write. Chen Yang continued, ¡°They can only be found on the black market, and each pill costs 10 million yuan. You¡¯ll need to take two pills per month, and after three months of consistent use, you can proceed with the surgery.¡± Fang Liguo and Song Ling were taken aback. How much? 10 million yuan for a single pill? That meant spending 60 million yuan over three months. What kind of medicine was it? How could it be so exorbitant? Chen Yang explained, ¡°It¡¯s an exceedingly rare herbal remedy¡ªextremely hard to come by.¡± Fang Liguo closed the notebook and put away the pen. ¡°In that case, we won¡¯t transfer to another hospital, Doctor Chen¡­¡± They would keep Old Madame Fang alive because her 30% stake in the company was worth 300 million yuan. Spending 60 million yuan on pills wasn¡¯t worth it. Furthermore, Old Madame Fang was overly biased. If she were to become senile and pass on the shares to Fang Yuan¡­ They needed to have Old Madame Fang draft a will before she passed away, leaving all the shares to Jiayi. Fang Yuan had previously helped the Fang Family overcome difficulties because Madame Fang held 30% of the shares in the business. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have cared about the Fang Family¡¯s well-being. But the Fang Family remained oblivious to this fact. They believed their business acumen was the sole reason for their wealth, making them the richest family. Fang Liguo retrieved the bank card he had wanted to give to Fang Yuan, but he discreetly slipped it into the medical record right in front of Chen Yang. Observing his actions, Chen Yang expressed disdain. ¡°Mr. Fang, do you want me to lose my job and end up in prison?¡± Accepting bribes as a medical professional was illegal, and depending on the amount, it could lead to imprisonment. ¡°Doctor Chen, you¡¯ve misunderstood¡­¡± Fang Liguo wore a careful smile as he spoke. ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to compromise your professional ethics. It¡¯s merely a small token of our gratitude. Thank you for your hard work. You can use this money to purchase some supplements¡­¡± ¡°Yes, Doctor Chen, please accept it!¡± Song Ling chimed in. ¡°Take it away!¡± Yang Chen didn¡¯t even spare a glance at the bank card. He spoke coldly, ¡°I would be deeply disappointed if you insisted. There¡¯s no need for this. Just leave.¡± ¡°Doctor Chen¡­¡± Song Ling was about to say something, but Fang Liguo swiftly put away the bank card and smiled as if nothing had occurred. ¡°Alright, alright, we¡¯ll leave now. If you need anything else, just let me know¡­¡± Chen Yang rolled his eyes. If it weren¡¯t for Fang Xiaoyuan, he would have already kicked them out! Chapter 38 Smiles ¡°Doctor Chen has quite a temper for someone so young,¡± Song Ling complained as they walked out of the consultation room. ¡°Look at Lu Chen, a wealthy second-generation heir. He¡¯s so well-mannered¡­¡± ¡°He¡¯s a talented doctor, and being praised constantly might have made him a bit arrogant,¡± Fang Liguo remarked. ¡°Oh, right. Doctor Chen mentioned that someone asked him to pay attention to Old Madame Fang. It must be the Lu Family, isn¡¯t it?¡± Song Ling speculated. The Lu Family had more connections than they did, and they were the only ones who could assist with Old Madame Fang¡¯s illness. Furthermore, Lu Chen and Jiayi were engaged¡­ ¡°It must be the Lu Family. Who else could it be? We should treat them to a meal, but¡­¡± Fang Liguo sighed. Since the transfer wasn¡¯t going to happen, they had no choice but to let Old Madame Fang stay in the hospital. It was quite frustrating for him. ¡°Liguo, which floor did they choose?¡± Suddenly, Song Ling remembered something. ¡°I recall the wards on that floor being quite expensive.¡± This particular floor was filled with VIP wards, with half of them being ordinary VIP rooms and the other half being top-tier VIP rooms. Old Madame Fang was currently in an ordinary VIP room because they had informed the Lu Family about it. However, the top-tier VIP rooms were a different story. They couldn¡¯t simply pay to stay there just because they were wealthy. How did that annoying girl manage to secure a spot there? She didn¡¯t know anyone influential. ¡°Dad, Mom,¡± a gentle voice called out. ¡°Jiayi, what are you doing here?¡± Song Ling turned around and saw her daughter, along with Lu Chen. Speaking of Lu Chen, he was an incredibly handsome man. Song Ling was fond of him and delighted to have him as her son-in-law. ¡°Chen, you¡¯re here too?¡± Song Ling exclaimed. Lu Chen politely greeted them, ¡°Hello, Uncle and Aunt.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Fang Liguo smiled warmly. ¡°Were you two on a date? What brings you to the hospital?¡± ¡°We were planning to watch a movie, but Brother Lu Chen drove me home. However, the nanny told me that there was a call from the hospital. I was worried something had happened to Grandma, so I came to check. Brother Lu Chen brought me here, and he¡¯s still here¡­¡± Jiayi explained, confirming their arrival together. ¡°Mom, Dad, what happened to Grandma?¡± Fang Jiayi was skilled at acting. She despised her biased grandmother, but she excelled at pretending. ¡°I think I saw you downstairs.¡± That familiar figure emerged from the VIP elevator, but she vanished before getting a clear view. Upon hearing Fang Yuan¡¯s mention, Lu Chen was taken aback. Hadn¡¯t she said that Fang Yuan had returned to her own home? What was she doing here? ¡°It¡¯s her¡­ let¡¯s not talk about her. Your grandma is fine, and the hospital asked us to make the payment again. But since we¡¯re all here, let¡¯s go inside and see her. Old Madame Fang will surely be moved by your filial devotion,¡± Fang Liguo said. Lu Chen and Fang Jiayi exchanged a glance, holding each other¡¯s hands as they entered the ward together. Old Madame Fang lay on the bed, looking pale and frail. Fang Jiayi began to sob. ¡°I haven¡¯t been here for two days. How did you become so thin?¡± She indirectly referred to her absence over the past few days. ¡°Why would God subject Grandma to such suffering? Why can¡¯t I bear the pain? Why¡­¡± Fang Jiayi¡¯s voice cracked with emotion. Seeing Fang Jiayi in tears, Lu Chen gently wiped them away. ¡°Silly girl, you¡¯ve endured so much all these years¡­¡± Fang Jiayi, tears streaming down her face, replied, ¡°It¡¯s okay if I suffer a little. As long as God spares Grandma, I¡¯m willing to endure anything for her sake!¡± Observing the kind-hearted girl before him, Lu Chen felt deeply moved. His fondness for her grew even stronger. Fang Jiayi became more and more impassioned. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t returned home, Brother Lu Chen would have married my sister. I ruined his happiness, and that¡¯s why God is punishing the family I love the most. If that¡¯s the case, I don¡¯t want to be a noble lady, and I don¡¯t want to marry Brother Lu Chen!¡± ¡°You¡¯re a member of the Fang Family, and it¡¯s only natural for you to return to your roots. You married me due to the engagement¡ªit¡¯s not your fault,¡± Lu Chen reassured her, wiping away her tears. ¡°Fang Yuan has enjoyed a good life for 18 years, and it¡¯s time for her to step aside. She¡¯s the one who should take over the position. Even if she wanted to marry me, I would never marry her. You¡¯re the only one I care for¡­¡± ¡­. Bo Yi¡¯s car weaved through the traffic, swiftly making its way towards Lily Park. As they drove home, Bo Yi¡¯s phone continued to vibrate incessantly. He glanced at the number and decided to ignore it. However, the persistent caller refused to give up. ¡°Just pull over,¡± Fang Yuan suggested, realizing that he couldn¡¯t answer the phone because of her presence. She was about to step out of the car when he clarified, ¡°It¡¯s a harassing call.¡± Chapter 39 Not My Girlfriend The barrage of harassment calls continued. Eventually, Bo Yi resorted to wearing headphones so that Fang Yuan could have a peaceful ride. He reluctantly answered the call. ¡°Yi, you finally answered my call¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s voice trembled with tears. ¡°I had no idea that Grandpa would have such a severe reaction after consuming the soup I made. I never intended for this to happen. I heard that the Mind-enhancing Powder was highly effective for heart disease.¡± ¡°So I made the soup, added some Mind-enhancing Powder to it, and delivered it to Grandpa¡­¡± ¡°I genuinely believed it would be beneficial for his health, but I never expected it would worsen his condition¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s all because of the person who concocted the medicine. He must have deceived me. He put the harmful medicine up for auction. I¡¯m at fault for failing to distinguish between the two. I was deceived¡­¡± ¡°I truly had no knowledge of any issues with the medicine. If I had known, I would never have purchased it, nor would I have allowed Grandpa to consume it!¡± ¡°Yi, you have to trust me¡­¡± ¡°Are you finished?¡± Bo Yi had no patience to listen to her sobbing. He hung up the phone as soon as she finished speaking. Removing the headphones, he noticed Fang Yuan¡¯s complicated expression as he drove. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°She seems to be crying inconsolably. I overheard everything¡­¡± Fang Yuan wasn¡¯t quite sure what the situation was about, but it sounded incredibly distressing. ¡°She¡¯s the one responsible for Grandpa¡¯s death. She¡¯s begging for forgiveness,¡± Bo Yi explained. ¡°Oh¡­¡± Fang Yuan noticed they were nearing Lily Park. ¡°I can just get off here.¡± Bo Yi replied, ¡°I¡¯ll drop you off at the garage once it gets dark.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Fang Yuan didn¡¯t want anyone to see her car or license plate, as it would attract too much attention. She decided she would opt for a more discreet vehicle the next time she went out. ¡°Can you manage on your own?¡± Bo Yi observed the park, still under construction, with limited street lighting. Many areas were engulfed in darkness, and the road leading to the underground garage was even dimmer. She was just a young girl¡ªwasn¡¯t she afraid? ¡°I¡¯m not a coward,¡± Fang Yuan dismissed any concerns. She was unfazed by such an environment. She had experienced much worse, and just as she was about to unbuckle her seatbelt¡­ ¡°Allow me to assist you.¡± With those words, Bo Yi leaned closer to Fang Yuan, emitting a pleasant fragrance. At such a close distance, Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but notice the man¡¯s remarkably attractive features. Even his skin appeared flawless, devoid of any visible pores. He gazed at her earnestly. ¡°Let me know when you have free time.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Fang Yuan agreed. Bo Yi exited the car first and approached the front passenger seat to open the door for her. After she stepped out, he helped her with the bag and handed over the desserts she had purchased along the way. ¡°Have some when you get hungry tonight.¡± Fang Yuan had initially intended to decline, but when she looked into his eyes, she found herself unable to refuse. So, she reached out to accept them. However, in that brief moment, her hand accidentally brushed against Bo Yi¡¯s hand. The intense warmth caused her heart to skip a beat, evoking a peculiar sensation within her. Seeing that she was taking things away and was about to leave, Bo Yi could not help but call out. ¡°Fang Yuan.¡± ¡°What?¡± Fang Yuan turned around and looked at him, confused. But Bo Yi said seriously, ¡°That was not my girlfriend.¡± Fang Yuan. ¡°¡­.¡± Bo Yi said, ¡°She was truly just begging for mercy!¡± Fang Yuan. ¡°¡­.¡± Bo Yi said, ¡°I don¡¯t know her well.¡± Fang Yuan was speechless. ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Be careful.¡± Bo Yi calmed himself down. ¡°If you are scared, I can keep you company on the phone.¡± ¡°No need, thanks.¡± Seeing the girl disappear into the night, Bo Yi returned to the car, and that cool and exquisite face of hers kept appearing in his mind. Fang Yuan had just walked into the underground garage when her phone rang. She took it out and saw that it was Bo Yi. ¡°Did you find the car?¡± Bo Yi asked. Fang Yuan found that funny. ¡°I have just found it and you haven¡¯t left?¡± Bo Yi said, ¡°Okay, I will wait for you to leave with me.¡± ¡°No need, thanks! I will take the other exit.¡± With that, she pressed the unlock button of the car. ¡°Heard that? I am getting on the car.¡± ¡°Okay, be careful on the way home.¡± Bo Yi hung up the phone and dialed Mu Qing¡¯s number. ¡°I am going to the Cheng Family tonight, make a plan.¡± Hearing that, Mu Qing suddenly got excited. ¡°Master Bo, are you going to settle the score with Lady Yuqi because of what happened today? But Lady Yuqi didn¡¯t mean any harm¡­¡± Bo Yi said, ¡°Not her.¡± ¡°Then you understand Old Master¡¯s intention? You want to invite Lady Yuqi to visit Old Master at the hospital with you tomorrow? If Old Master knows about this, he will be very happy!¡± He looked into the distance and said with a low voice, ¡°I am going to speak with Uncle and Auntie Cheng.¡± Chapter 40 Broken Engagement Mu Qing was taken aback. ¡°You¡¯re going to proceed with the engagement?¡± Just as he uttered those words, he sensed the strange atmosphere through the phone. Confusion clouded his mind. ¡°Then what do you plan to do?¡± Bo Yi responded, ¡°End the engagement.¡± ¡°End the engagement?¡± Mu Qing nearly jumped out of his skin. His expression changed instantly. ¡°Master Bo, you¡¯re not joking, are you?¡± However, Bo Yi¡¯s tone didn¡¯t sound like a jest. Mu Qing gulped, feeling a sense of fear. ¡°Master Bo, the engagement was arranged by the Elder Master with Lady Yuqi. If you break it off tonight, it will be a tremendous insult to the Cheng Family. The Cheng Family and the Bo Family have been close friends for years, and this will create a serious rift between them¡­¡± ¡°Lady Yuqi is the only daughter of the Cheng Family, and she is adored by many. If you end the engagement like this, how will Lady Yuqi find a suitable marriage in the future? How will the Cheng Family bear the humiliation?¡± These were real and pressing concerns! Bo Yi remained silent, his gaze fixed on the traffic outside the window. ¡°Master Bo, I understand that you don¡¯t like Lady Yuqi, and to be honest, I¡¯m not fond of her either. I find her to be pretentious and hypocritical. In comparison, I believe Lady Fang Yuan is much more likable! But this matter goes beyond your personal feelings for Lady Yuqi. It affects the relationship between the Cheng Family and the Bo Family¡­¡± Mu Qing thought of the Old Master lying in bed. If he learned about this, he would be so furious that he might end up in the emergency room again. ¡°Master Bo, please reconsider,¡± Mu Qing pleaded, attempting to dissuade him. However, Bo Yi had already withdrawn his gaze and spoke calmly, ¡°Prepare the gifts. We will be there in an hour.¡± ¡°Master Bo¡­¡± Mu Qing knew that once his master made a decision, no one could stop him. But he still pushed himself to persuade him. ¡°Even if you don¡¯t consider the Cheng Family¡¯s reputation, your friendship with Fifth Young Master Cheng, and Lady Yuqi, at least consider the Elder Master¡¯s feelings, right?¡± The Elder Master had been eagerly anticipating seeing Bo Yi get married and have children, so he could witness the birth of a great-grandchild in his lifetime. But now, not only was that dream shattered, but Bo Yi was also heading towards a falling out with the Cheng Family, tarnishing his reputation. Mu Qing couldn¡¯t bear to accept that outcome. However, Bo Yi remained resolute. Mu Qing understood that no matter what he said, it would be in vain. He sighed helplessly. Master Bo¡¯s decisions regarding his marriage were never dictated by anyone else, and if the Old Master attempted to impose his will, it would only lead to negative consequences. Lady Yuqi was to blame for her own arrogance. Not only did she fail to make a favorable impression on Master Bo, but she also jeopardized the Old Master¡¯s wishes and undermined her own standing. ¡°Let¡¯s not discuss Grandpa for now. I will personally speak with him when he¡¯s feeling better,¡± Bo Yi asserted. Mu Qing was taken aback. Was Master Bo trying to act first and report later? However, news of the broken engagement would inevitably spread, and once the Old Master learned of it, he would be furious. Hopefully, the news would circulate slowly, preventing further provocation of the Old Master. Meanwhile, on the other side¡­ Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui finally caught sight of Fang Yuan returning home. They pulled her to the table and filled her bowl with food. Cheng Yuqi had cried so much due to her mistake. She secluded herself in her room, pretending she had already eaten outside. She feared that her parents would hold her responsible for what had transpired. After dinner, Fang Yuan engaged in conversation with her parents before heading upstairs to take a shower. Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui settled on the couch, watching TV and sipping their tea. However, their tranquility was quickly interrupted by a maid¡¯s arrival. ¡°Master and Madam, Young Master Bo is here!¡± The servant who delivered the report appeared quite anxious. Bo Yi¡¯s name carried significant weight within the circle of noble families. He was rumored to be ruthless and involved in both the underworld and the upper society. Many people trembled at the mere sight of him. Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui exchanged worried glances. What was he doing here? Did he know about Yuanyuan¡¯s return? Panic set in. ¡°Quickly, let them in!¡± Cheng Ye was caught off guard. He exchanged another glance with Qiao Xinhui, both unsure of what to do next. Butler Zhao did not dare to be negligent. He went to lead the way personally. Soon, Bo Yi walked into the gate of the Cheng Family, surrounded by a few subordinates. The subordinates were carrying many precious gifts in their hands, which were placed at the door of the mansion. And then they waited outside the gate. Only Mu Qing was following him in. He was standing behind Bo Yi, looking very respectful. ¡°Uncle, Auntie, long time no see.¡± Bo Yi had always been cold and quiet, and he greeted them calmly without any emotions. ¡°Yi, what brings you here today?¡± Qiao Xinhui realized what was going on. She smiled as she saw the presents. ¡°It is good that you are here, and you have so many presents with you. You are treating us like strangers.¡± ¡°Yi, come in and take a seat. Someone, make the tea again.¡± Cheng Ye greeted him enthusiastically. ¡°After my fifth son goes abroad, you have not been to my place for a long time. Let¡¯s have a good chat tonight!¡± Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: Visit Chapter 41: Visit Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Yi, how did you find time to come today?¡± Qiao Xinhui was the last to react, and upon seeing Bo Yi with gifts, her face lit up. ¡°Yi, you¡¯re welcome anytime. Why bring so many things? You¡¯re treating me like a stranger.¡± ¡°Yi, please have a seat. Someone, prepare a fresh pot of tea,¡± Cheng Ye called out warmly. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since you visited after Fifth went abroad. Let¡¯s have a good conversation tonight.¡± ¡°Yi, have you had dinner?¡± ¡°Yes, thank you.¡± Bo Yi remained polite and composed. ¡°Yi, it¡¯s been some time, and you¡¯ve grown even more mature and composed¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui found him quite impressive. His stature, appearance, and abilities were all exceptional, nearly impeccable. On the second floor. Cheng Yuqi had intended to head downstairs and chat with her parents once Fang Yuan returned to her room. She thought it would help strengthen her relationship with them and possibly indirectly glean information about the situation with the elderly gentleman. However, as she opened the door, she overheard two servants discussing Bo Yi¡¯s arrival. After inquiring further, she learned that Bo Yi was already in the living room. Her legs went weak, and she nearly lost her balance out of fear. ¡°Lady Yuqi.¡± Auntie Wang rushed over to assist her. ¡°Are you all right?¡± ¡°Auntie Wang!¡± Cheng Yuqi grasped Auntie Wang¡¯s hand, her body trembling from anxiety. ¡°Yi is here, in the living room¡­ He must have come because of today¡¯s events! If Mom and Dad find out that I was responsible for his grandfather¡¯s accident¡­ what should I do?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t panic. First, let¡¯s hear what he has to say,¡± Auntie Wang reassured her. ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ his perspective will be entirely different from my confession.¡± After weighing her options, Cheng Yuqi swiftly made her choice. ¡°1 need to go downstairs right now and apologize, or rather, confess!¡± ¡°Lady Yuqi, don¡¯t act hastily.¡± Auntie Wang grabbed her hand, trying to steady her. ¡°Stay calm and composed. Let¡¯s assess the situation downstairs first and listen to my advice!¡± In the living room, Bo Yi began, ¡°Uncle, Auntie, the primary reason for my abrupt visit today revolves around Miss Cheng.¡± Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui exchanged puzzled glances. Miss Cheng¡­ could he possibly mean Yuanyuan? Bo Yi had always been well-informed, likely having heard about the Cheng Family¡¯s situation. He might be aware that the Cheng family had another daughter and that Cheng Yuqi was an adopted child. Sensing that he had something to share, Qiao Xinhui took the lead and said, ¡°Yi, this recent incident took us all by surprise, leaving us no time to inform you. To understand the full context, we need to go back in time¡­¡± Bo Yi assumed she would refer to their past engagement, so he nodded, giving her his patient attention. Qiao Xinhui recounted the health center fire incident that occurred 18 years ago. She continued, ¡°We only recently discovered Yuanyuan¡¯s whereabouts, and we hadn¡¯t yet made her identity public. Her grandparents and grandmother were also unaware. This wasn¡¯t an intentional concealment from you or the Bo Family.¡± Bo Yi:¡±???¡± Mu Qing:¡±???¡± With no more room for evasion, Qiao Xinhui reluctantly instructed, ¡°Auntie Du, please bring down the Sixth Miss.¡± Mu Qing glanced at Mrs. Cheng and then at Master Bo. She pondered, What¡¯s happening? Wasn¡¯t Master Bo engaged to Lady Yuqi? If not, then the engagement should be dissolved. If he didn¡¯t desire Lady Yuqi, who excelled in arts and beauty, how could he possibly be interested in a girl from a modest background like Lady Yuanyuan? At the very least, Lady Yuqi possessed talents and good looks. She was among Haicheng City¡¯s elite socialites. But Lady Yuanyuan¡­ Bo Yi¡¯s gaze grew even more contemplative, as if he was deep in thought. Meanwhile, Fang Yuan had just finished her bath. Upon hearing her mother¡¯s call to come downstairs, she didn¡¯t hesitate and descended immediately. Clad in a delicate silk nightdress, her hair elegantly pinned up, she showcased her long, fair legs as she moved confidently before everyone. Upon witnessing the person who descended the staircase, Mu Qing¡¯s jaw dropped in sheer astonishment. Miss Fang Yuan¡ªwas she truly the Cheng Family¡¯s newfound biological daughter? Bo Yi arched an eyebrow, his profound gaze penetrating. /Why her? Could it be that she was the real Cheng Family daughter?/ As Fang Yuan reached the bottom of the stairs, her eyes fell upon Bo Yi seated on the couch. His strikingly handsome visage bore a mischievous smile, and his eyes glistened with an enigmatic allure. Why had this man graced her home with his presence? Baffled, Fang Yuan inquired, ¡°Mom, did you need me for something?¡± ¡°Come here, Yuanyuan, and sit with Mom,¡± Qiao Xinhui beckoned, guiding her daughter to a seat. She spoke tenderly, ¡°Allow me to make introductions. This is Bo Yi. Many years ago, our Cheng Family and the Bo Family were engaged in a marriage arrangement. In fact, Yi is your intended fiance¡­¡± Fang Yuan:¡±???¡± What on earth? Fiance? What era was this for there to still be talk of arranged marriages? Chapter 42 - Chapter 42: Engagment and Vising Chapter 42: Engagment and Vising Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°This is our newly discovered daughter, Cheng Fangyuan,¡± introduced Qiao Xinhui to Bo Yi. Bo Yi¡¯s gaze softened. So, it was her. He had only known her name as Fang Yuan, but he didn¡¯t anticipate her having a surname preceding it. Realization also dawned on Mu Qing. Miss Fang Yuan¡¯s surname wasn¡¯t Fang, but Cheng! No wonder she had the audacity to stand up to everyone in the hospital and even dared to bring Su Jing to her knees. The Cheng Family was supporting her! Unbeknownst to everyone, Cheng Yuqi had been eavesdropping on the second floor. She had initially thought that Bo Yi had come to confront her because of the elder sir, but to her surprise, he had come for Fang Yuan! She clenched her fists, consumed by indignation. Why did Fang Yuan have to appear at this moment? Why did she have to return to this household? Why did he have to take everything away from her? ¡°So, Mister Yi came today for¡­?¡± Fang Yuan looked at the man before her, unsure of the reason for his visit. Bo Yi regarded the girl with clear, bright eyes. He pursed his thin lips, and his deep eyes emitted a radiance that seemed to engulf his soul. ¡°I heard that my fiancee has returned home, so 1 brought some gifts for the visit.¡± Mu Qing¡¯s eyes widened as she looked at Bo Yi in disbelief. Lord Bo, weren¡¯t you here to annul the engagement? How did it turn into a visit? Did you change your mind because Miss Fang Yuan is the betrothed partner? Your demeanor has changed faster than flipping through a book! Despite the world¡¯s perception of Bo Yi as cruel, ruthless, and cold-blooded, Qiao Xinhui still recognized his character after years of interaction. She knew that he was capable, grounded, and responsible. Setting aside everything else, in terms of appearance, wealth, and ability, he was unmatched. No one could compare. If their daughter married him¡­ her life would undoubtedly be happy and secure. There would be no need for concern. Meanwhile, Fang Yuan was stunned. She had never imagined that the man before her would suddenly become her fiance¡­ ¡°Grandpa wishes to meet you,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s gaze fixed on the girl, his voice magnetic and enchanting. ¡°When are you available? Let¡¯s visit him together.¡± ¡°Yuanyuan, since Grandpa Bo would like to meet you, how about arranging it for today? Or perhaps tomorrow?¡± Qiao Xinhui inquired. ¡°If you¡¯re uncomfortable going as his fiancee, you can also convey the Cheng Family¡¯s sentiments,¡± Bo Yi suggested with an air of nobility and composure, taking a step back to move forward. ¡°This is a clever suggestion!¡± Cheng Ye was surprised by this young man¡¯s quick thinking. ¡°That¡¯s right, expressing our regards on behalf of the Cheng Family¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui chimed in as well. Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± So, no one is interested in hearing her opinion, it seems. ¡°Well then, Yuanyuan, plan to visit Grandpa Bo tomorrow. You¡¯ve been back home for two days already, so it¡¯s fitting to pay a visit,¡± Qiao Xinhui reasoned. After all, Bo Yi had fulfilled all aspects of the engagement agreement the Bo Family had proposed. The elderly lady was currently in the hospital with an unfavorable prognosis¡­ As a junior, it was her duty to visit and express gratitude. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s a good idea. Let¡¯s go see the elder,¡± Cheng Ye concurred with a smile. ¡°Bring along a gift. It wouldn¡¯t be proper to arrive empty-handed¡­¡± ¡°No need for gifts. Your presence is sufficient,¡± Bo Yi interjected, his voice unwavering. ¡°How could that be? Meeting for the first time requires proper decorum!¡± Cheng Ye insisted. ¡°Then allow me to arrange it,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s gaze softened as he turned his attention to Fang Yuan. ¡°Shall we set a specific time?¡± Though her demeanor remained detached, she still nodded in agreement under her parents¡¯ hopeful gazes. ¡°Fine.¡± She could treat it as a check on the elderly gentleman¡¯s recovery. After all, she had received a check just two days ago. After a bit more conversation, Bo Yi stood up to take his leave. ¡°It¡¯s getting late, and I shouldn¡¯t keep you any longer.¡± ¡°You¡¯re leaving just like that? Yi, you brought so many gifts, and this¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui¡¯s sentence was cut off as she noticed Bo Yi pause, then respond, ¡°These are merely tokens of my respect.¡± ¡°Yuanyuan, see Yi out quickly!¡± Qiao Xinhui urged. Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± Why was she tasked with seeing him out? ¡°No need, Miss Cheng, please wait,¡± he deliberately emphasized the surname. Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow at the sight of Bo Yi¡¯s smile. Was he implying that she should have used her full name with her surname? She had only recently learned about her surname. It had only been two days, so she wasn¡¯t entirely accustomed to it yet. ¡°Get some rest, fiancee.¡± Fang Yuan:¡±???¡± Fiancee? Did she say okay for that? Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui were elated upon hearing this! It seemed that Yi was highly pleased with Yuanyuan! This turn of events went beyond their expectations! Unable to contain herself any longer, Cheng Yuqi, who was on the second floor, dashed down the stairs and out of sight into the garden path. ¡°Yi¡­¡± Seeing Cheng Yuqi rushing over, Mu Qing swiftly intervened. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Lady Yuqi?¡± As she watched Bo Yi depart, Cheng Yuqi¡¯s distress was palpable. ¡°Yi, it¡¯s my fault that Grandpa¡¯s condition deteriorated. I¡¯m truly sorry¡­ Thank you for not disclosing this to my parents and sparing me the embarrassment..¡± Chapter 43 - Chapter 43: Reporting Chapter 43: Reporting Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Mu Qing intervened:It¡¯s just that Master Bo doesn¡¯t seem to hold you in high regard. I don¡¯t think he¡¯s intentionally disrespecting you¡­ ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Grandpa¡¯s health isn¡¯t too good. I¡¯d like to visit and check on him. Could you bring me along tomorrow when you come to pick up Sister?¡± Cheng Yuqi asked. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s deep, dark eyes conveyed indifference. ¡°Grandpa wants to see my fiancee, not you.¡± Cheng Yuqi hadn¡¯t anticipated such a straightforward rejection. Though her heart ached, she clung to a glimmer of hope: ¡°As Sister¡¯s fiance, 1 would only be representing the Cheng Family¡­ Yi, could I apologize to Grandpa in person?¡± Cheng Yuqi gazed at Bo Yi with expectation, hoping for a favorable response. Yet, Bo Yi¡¯s demeanor emanated an icy coldness. Beneath his long eyelashes, his gaze flickered with intensity: ¡°The only one who can truly represent the Cheng Family is my fiancee.¡± His countenance grew even darker, his tone more detached. ¡°Yi¡­¡± Witnessing Cheng Yuqi¡¯s persistence, Mu Qing quickly interposed herself. ¡°Lady Yuqi, Bo also has a fiancee. It would be wise to maintain some distance from now on.¡± ¡°Mu Qing?¡± Cheng Yuqi was taken aback that a servant would dare impede her. Until Fang Yuan¡¯s return, this servant had treated her with utmost respect! ¡°It might not reflect well on us if others were to observe this.¡± After this remark, Mu Qing turned and trailed Bo Yi. Cheng Yuqi¡¯s gaze lingered on Bo Yi¡¯s retreating figure as she cried out, ¡°Yi, whether you believe it or not, 1 never intended any harm towards Grandpa¡­ It was never my intention!¡± Mu Qing:¡±¡­¡± Could Lady Yuqi be under the impression that Master Bo is treating her coldly because of the elderly gentleman? It¡¯s quite evident that it¡¯s Master Bo¡¯s disinterest in her that¡¯s apparent to everyone! If anything, Miss Fang Yuan¡­ Master Bo does seem to treat her somewhat differently. Within the Cheng Family¡¯s living room, Qiao Xinhui regarded the array of gifts on the coffee table. ¡°Yuanyuan, these offerings from Yi¡­¡± ¡°You guys have got this.¡± With those words, Fang Yuan ascended the stairs. Initially, she had intended to assert her familial connection, and now she had a fiance to consider as well. Matters were proving more complex than she had anticipated. ¡°Yi¡­¡± Amidst the garden, Cheng Yuqi stifled her sobs, her gaze fixed on Bo Yi¡¯s vanishing figure. Auntie Wang approached her with a pained expression, providing support. ¡°Lady Yuqi, he¡¯s already gone quite a distance¡­¡± ¡°Auntie Wang, what should I do¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi raised her teary eyes. ¡°It seems like Yi treats Sister differently.¡± ¡°We¡¯re just at the beginning of the game. The ultimate victor is far from decided!¡± Auntie Wang comforted as she stroked Cheng Yuqi¡¯s back, then analyzed, ¡°Sixth Miss grew up in a modest family, her only notable quality being her appearance. Young Master Bo might not find that captivating enough.¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s tears began to subside as she found herself agreeing with Auntie Wang. ¡°I believe it won¡¯t be long before Young Master Bo realizes that you are the most fitting choice as his fiancee!¡± After all, Lady Yuqi had excelled in various arts since her youth ¨C music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She was the epitome of a refined young lady! On the other hand, Sixth Miss hailed from a less prestigious background. The Bo Family stood at the zenith of aristocracy, valuing both culture and refinement. They wouldn¡¯t desire a mere ornamental figure to assume the role of their young lady! ¡°Even if Young Master Bo has taken a liking to her, it¡¯s likely a fleeting fascination. When Sixth Miss stumbles and brings disgrace upon the Bo Family, they¡¯ll come to recognize that you are the most suitable candidate for the title of the Bo Family¡¯s young lady!¡± Mother Wang¡¯s comforting words significantly improved Cheng Yuqi¡¯s mood. On the opposite end, not long after Fang Yuan had retreated to her room, her phone vibrated. She recognized the number ¨C it had called her earlier in the day as well. Answering the call, a familiar voice resonated from the other end. ¡°Fang Yuan.¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice, deep and magnetic, reverberated through the line. ¡°I¡¯ve returned home.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fang Yuan found herself asking without much thought, ¡°Is there something else?¡± Bo Yi found her question rather amusing. /Does this young lady not realize that I¡¯m just checking in on her whereabouts?/ Bo Yi¡¯s lips curved slightly. ¡°You haven¡¯t accepted my friend request.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± His words triggered a recollection in Fang Yuan¡¯s mind. ¡°I¡¯ll do that shortly.¡± His voice, soft and tender like the strumming of a zither¡¯s strings, seemed to caress one¡¯s heart. ¡°What time should I pick you up tomorrow?¡± Fang Yuan: ¡°How about two in the afternoon?¡± After all, she had other matters to attend to. Bo Yi: ¡°Where?¡± Fang Yuan: ¡°It¡¯s¡­ right in front of our house.¡± Bo Yi: ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be there on time.¡± Fang Yuan was on the verge of ending the call when Bo Yi inquired once more, ¡°You¡¯re not fond of chocolate-flavored cake?¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­.¡± Bo Yi: ¡°I noticed you didn¡¯t touch the cake in the car earlier.¡± Fang Yuan hadn¡¯t expected him to pay attention to her preferences. She replied casually, ¡°1 don¡¯t usually eat things with a chocolate flavor.¡± Bo Yi understood. ¡°Then I¡¯ll get you other flavors next time.¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­.¡± Bo Yi: ¡°You saved my grandfather¡¯s life, so it¡¯s only appropriate for me to treat you to some dessert.¡± Fang Yuan:¡± Chapter 44 - Chapter 44: Another Big Customer Chapter 44: Another Big Customer Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Then I won¡¯t disturb your rest,¡± Bo Yi said gently, his voice carrying a touch of warmth. ¡°See you tomorrow, my dear fiancee.¡± Fang Yuan responded with a nonchalant, ¡°Mhm.¡± ¡°Goodnight,¡± Bo Yi anticipated a reciprocal ¡°goodnight¡± from her, but all he got was a disinterested ¡°Mhm.¡± She truly was an extraordinary young woman. As Fang Yuan ended the call and prepared to finally rest, her phone rang once again. ¡°[Boss, an invincible nouveau riche just placed an order for 100 clothing items, 100 pairs of shoes, and 100 bags. They want them delivered before dusk tomorrow!]¡± ¡°[I don¡¯t care. You must provide me with the manuscript tonight. I intend to keep the factories running through the night!]¡± ¡°[This is a major order. We can¡¯t afford to let it go!]¡± Fang Yuan arched an eyebrow, her elegant fingers tapping the screen as she replied, ¡°[Who is it this time?] Can it possibly be her father again? ¡°[This time, it¡¯s someone truly remarkable, even more remarkable than your father! I¡¯m telling you¡ª]¡± ¡°[Enough!]¡± Fang Yuan had no patience for his ramblings. She recollected that her warehouse was indeed devoid of inventory and then remembered the auction earlier in the day. Thanks to a nefarious competitor, she had ended up spending much more money. Now, she needed to recoup some funds. Fang Yuan responded, ¡°[I¡¯m working on it right now!]¡± ¡°[That¡¯s fantastic, Boss! You¡¯re finally opening up shop! I¡¯ll inform the factories to be on standby!]¡± Fang Yuan possessed several factories dedicated to manufacturing the clothing, shoes, and bags she designed. Even she hadn¡¯t realized that she would be sketching until dawn. Massaging her sore wrist, she sent over the final draft at 7:10 in the morning. ¡°[Wuwuwu, Boss, if you exhibited this level of diligence every day, you¡¯d have become the world¡¯s richest person ages ago! Who would Bo Yi be to you then!]¡± Fang Yuan quirked an eyebrow, remarking, ¡°[Bo Yi is the richest man in the world?]¡± ¡°[Boss, are you serious? You¡¯re not aware of this? Boyi has held the title of the world¡¯s wealthiest individual for three years now! Rumor has it that he¡¯s so strikingly handsome that his appearance stirs jealousy even among deities and mortals alike. However, his temper is notorious, and his anger is said to be quite fearsome! I¡¯m telling you¡ª]¡± Upon encountering this narrative, Fang Yuan promptly cut him off, blocking his messages. She had no desire to entertain any further nonsensical talk. After all, she still needed to reclaim some sleep following her descent for breakfast. ¡°[Boss? Boss?]¡± System Notification: ¡°[Your message has been rejected.]¡± ¡°[Boss, why did you put me on your blacklist?]¡± Cheng Yuqi rose early that day, and under the assistance of Auntie Wang and Xiao Cui, she partook of her morning meal. The trio engaged in hushed conversation, punctuated by intermittent bouts of laughter. When Fang Yuan began to eat, the trio exchanged fleeting glances and their smiles faded. ¡°Has the Sixth Miss arrived? Just a moment, we¡¯ll have your breakfast ready shortly.¡± Observing Fang Yuan¡¯s presence, the chef hastened to lay out the prepared meal. Meanwhile, Auntie Wang and Xiao Cui seemed immobile, as if entirely indifferent to the presence of the Sixth Young Lady, refraining from uttering a single word. ¡°Sister, why did you wake up so early?¡± Cheng Yuqi initiated conversation. ¡°If early mornings aren¡¯t your routine, there¡¯s no need to force yourself into changing it.¡± Fang Yuan chose to disregard her, instead focusing on the breakfast array before her¡ªindeed an appetizing sight. ¡°Greetings, Sixth Miss. I¡¯m Chef Li, responsible for crafting your breakfast today.¡± ¡°Today¡¯s spread includes mussel porridge, fish glue, red date-infused bird¡¯s nest, avocado and cheese-topped toast, pumpkin soup, freshly brewed coffee, soy milk, watered-down milk, and more.¡± ¡°The accompanying fruits and vegetables include the exquisite Japanese grapes, the prized pineapple from Australasia, and the succulent Xinjiang cantaloupe.¡± ¡°Which flavor appeals to you? I¡¯ll serve you a portion of each. Enjoy your meal.¡± ¡°If anything doesn¡¯t suit your palate, kindly inform me at your convenience. I¡¯ll make necessary adjustments promptly.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Fang Yuan wasn¡¯t overly particular about breakfast. She aimed to finish eating quickly and return to her sleep. However, to her surprise, Cheng Yuqi and Mother Wang exchanged a look and suddenly said, ¡°Sister, we¡¯ve heard about your plans to visit Grandpa Bo. Allow me to accompany you.¡± Fang Yuan paid little heed and continued to savor her toast, taking a sip of diluted milk. ¡°Given that it¡¯s summer vacation now, I have some free time. 1 usually can¡¯t offer much support in bolstering your confidence.¡± Observing Fang Yuan¡¯s silence, Cheng Yuqi carried on soliloquizing, ¡°You haven¡¯t been exposed to many significant social occasions, have you? It¡¯s natural to feel nervous¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m well-acquainted with Grandpa Bo¡¯s temperament and disposition. In the event of any inadvertent misstep, I can help navigate the situation.¡± ¡°While I may not be the apple of Grandpa Bo¡¯s eye, he still holds me in high regard. I¡¯m certain he¡¯ll treat you with kindness and doting.¡± ¡°Old Master Bo dotes on our Lady Yuqi the most!¡± Xiao Cui cast a disdainful glance at Fang Yuan and remarked loftily, ¡°With Young Lady Yuqi present, even if Young Lady Fang Yuan errs, Old Master Bo will likely overlook it due to Young Lady Yuqi¡¯s presence.¡± Since Fang Yuan remained reticent, Auntie Wang assumed the matter was settled. She whispered to Cheng Yuqi, ¡°I¡¯ll assist Lady Yuqi in selecting her attire for today..¡± Chapter 45 - Chapter 45: Misunderstanding Chapter 45: Misunderstanding Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Observing the prolonged exchange among the individuals, Fang Yuan nonchalantly finished the piece of toast in her mouth. She spoke in an indifferent tone, ¡°I¡¯ll be taking Bo Yi¡¯s car. If you intend to accompany me, you¡¯d best inform him. Informing me won¡¯t serve any purpose.¡± Cheng Yuqi appeared bewildered. ¡°Sister, you don¡¯t want me to come along?¡± Fang Yuan affirmed, ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s expression immediately shifted to one of awkwardness. She hadn¡¯t anticipated such a resolute refusal from this woman. As Fang Yuan leisurely concluded her breakfast and started to rise from her seat, Xiao Cui interjected indignantly, ¡°She¡¯s barely acquainted with Young Master Bo, yet she¡¯s using his name to suppress you. Does she truly believe herself to be the young lady of the Bo Family with such airs?¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s grip on her lip tightened even further. Last night, Bo Yi hadn¡¯t consented to her request to accompany him, and now this woman was also declining her proposal. Humph! She couldn¡¯t let her looks outshine hers. ¡°Lady Yuqi, there¡¯s no need to rush. Let her stumble first. Once she exposes herself and displeases Old Master Bo, you can then pay a visit to the old gentleman. In comparison, Old Master Bo will readily recognize you as the prime candidate for the position of the young lady of the Bo Family!¡± Cheng Yuqi pondered over the advice and eventually agreed. Without a basis for comparison, others might not fully comprehend Fang Yuan¡¯s shortcomings or Cheng Yuqi¡¯s own merits. Auntie Wang was indeed correct. This rustic girl from a small town ought to experience a setback first. Old Master Bo had exerted his influence over a significant part of his life, and he certainly wouldn¡¯t hold someone of such unimpressive demeanor in high regard. ¡°I won¡¯t require lunch today.¡± Before ascending the stairs, Fang Yuan instructed the nearby maids. Subsequently, she returned to her room and locked the door behind her before drifting off to sleep. After an exhaustive night working on her draft, fatigue overcame her, and she fell asleep within a minute of lying down. Upon waking up, Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui learned that their beloved daughter had skipped lunch. Concerned, they summoned a chef. ¡°Did Yuanyuan not enjoy today¡¯s breakfast?¡± The chef perceived it as a desire. ¡°Sixth Miss might have chosen to forgo it due to Seventh Miss¡¯ remarks. It¡¯s not about breakfast¡­¡± ¡°Yuqi?¡± Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui exchanged puzzled glances before simultaneously inquiring, ¡°What did Yuqi say?¡± ¡°Seventh Miss didn¡¯t express much. She just requested that Sixth Miss accompany her when she goes to visit Old Master Bo. However, Sixth Miss declined the proposal¡­¡± Observing their daughter¡¯s suppressed frustration, Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui decided, ¡°Invite Seventh Miss here.¡± Cheng Yuqi was seething upon being summoned. She hadn¡¯t anticipated Fang Yuan¡¯s tendency to complain to their parents about such a trivial matter. She was an adult, yet she acted as if she were throwing a childish tantrum over skipping a meal! Nonetheless, she had to feign a sense of injustice outwardly. ¡°Dad, Mom, I didn¡¯t say anything unreasonable to Sister. I simply asked if she could bring me along¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s Grandpa Bo who¡¯s been missing me. He sent me multiple WeChat messages urging me to visit, but 1 couldn¡¯t go back then due to my college entrance exams¡­¡± Witnessing their mixed expressions of belief and doubt, Cheng Yuqi promptly retrieved her phone and retrieved her chat history with Old Master Bo. ¡°Dad, Mom, take a look at these WeChat messages Grandpa Bo sent me. They¡¯re all dated. It¡¯s true that Grandpa Bo wanted to see me and requested my visit several times.¡± ¡°Today, coincidentally, I have some free time, so 1 thought of going with Sister¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui hadn¡¯t expected the situation to unfold in this manner. The truth turned out to be far less complicated than they had imagined. Of course, Yuqi wouldn¡¯t jeopardize her sister¡¯s engagement. Their assumptions had been off the mark. Fang Yuan remained completely oblivious to the developments at home. By the time she woke up, the clock already struck one in the afternoon. After freshening up and dressing, she opened her door just as the clamor downstairs reached her ears. ¡°Yi, didn¡¯t you bring gifts for Yuanyuan last night? It¡¯s unnecessary to bring so much for me today¡­ Don¡¯t be overly formal. We¡¯re all family; there¡¯s no need for gifts.¡± ¡°Oh dear, why would you even prepare a formal present for Yuanyuan¡¯s meeting with Old Master Bo? This, this isn¡¯t appropriate! We¡¯ve readied our own gift. We can¡¯t allow you to spend more money this time!¡± Fang Yuan felt perplexed upon hearing this. Had Bo Yi arrived? Wasn¡¯t their plan to meet at the entrance of their home? Why had he entered? ¡°Uncle, Auntie, you¡¯re making too much of it. Yuanyuan is my fiancee. I should be the one preparing her a welcoming gift.¡± As Bo Yi concluded his statement, his gaze fell upon Fang Yuan descending the staircase. She was clad in a light brown casual suit, her long legs elegantly poised, and her facial features remarkably delicate. Perhaps due to being partially still in a state of drowsiness, her attractive brows were faintly furrowed, seemingly laced with irritation. The sight held a touch of endearment. ¡°Yuanyuan, you¡¯re up. You didn¡¯t have lunch, I suppose you must be hungry,¡± Cheng Ye inquired. Qiao Xinhui chimed in, ¡°You should have something to eat. The food is still warm.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not really hungry,¡± Fang Yuan responded. All she desired was to quickly finish her hospital arrangements and return home to address her work matters. Tomorrow being Monday, she had to inspect the company her father had entrusted to her. Time wasn¡¯t exactly on her side.. Chapter 46 - Chapter 46: His Grandson Is Lucky! Chapter 46: His Grandson Is Lucky! Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Qiao Xinhui worried that Fang Yuan might go hungry, saying, ¡°The food is ready. Help yourself. Yi is also here, so you both should eat together.¡± ¡°Absolutely, Yi usually has his meals at the company, and he might not have eaten enough. You two should have lunch together,¡± Cheng Ye added. So, the two of them sat in the dining room and shared a meal before leaving for their respective destinations. On the other side, Old Master Bo kept checking himself in the mirror. ¡°Old Wen, is my hair messy? Have you straightened my clothes?¡± He was incredibly excited about meeting his granddaughter-in-law. Butler Wen sounded a little frustrated. ¡°Sir, you¡¯ve been here for half an hour already. People who know you¡¯re meeting your granddaughter-in-law might mistake this for a blind date!¡± ¡°Oh, come on!¡± Old Master Bo put away the mirror and urged, ¡°Go to the entrance and see if they¡¯ve arrived.¡± Butler Wen responded, ¡°I told Mu Qing to send me a message before they start. Just as I was saying that, my phone rang.¡± True to his words, Mu Qing had messaged, informing that they were on their way and would reach the hospital in 10 minutes. ¡°Quick, hurry to welcome them!¡± Old Master Bo¡¯s excitement was palpable. He urged Butler Wen, ¡°Why are you still standing there? Go, go!¡± Inside the carriage, Fang Yuan was feeling a bit drowsy. The swaying of the carriage led her to slowly close her eyes. ¡°Master Bo, there¡¯s a¡­¡± Mu Qing was about to say something, but Bo Yi hushed him gently, ¡°Keep quiet.¡± Mu Qing glanced at the rear-view mirror and noticed Fang Yuan had drifted off to sleep. The car gradually came to a halt on the side of the road. Fang Yuan¡¯s head tilted to the side, and Bo Yi delicately held her face. Her skin was soft and smooth, and her long eyelashes resembled tiny brushes. As she slept, she looked incredibly serene and submissive. Bo Yi¡¯s gaze traced her features, and he approached her slowly, offering his shoulder for her to lean on for a more comfortable sleep. Mu Qing¡¯s eyes widened. Wasn¡¯t Master Bo known for his cleanliness? It was almost unbelievable to see him actually allowing someone to rest on his shoulder! Butler Wen, waiting outside the carriage, also witnessed this scene, his mouth agape in shock. He questioned his own eyesight due to age, rubbing his eyes to confirm the reality. Indeed, the young master was letting that girl lean on his shoulder, gazing at her with an unfamiliar tenderness. Who was this girl? Could it be that the young master was falling for her? After an unknown duration, Fang Yuan woke up, realizing she had dozed off against Bo Yi¡¯s shoulder. They had already reached their destination. ¡°How long was I asleep?¡± She asked, checking the carriage¡¯s clock. She then noticed she had slept against him for quite a while. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, why didn¡¯t you wake me?¡± ¡°Did you sleep late last night?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s tone was more concerned than critical. ¡°I wanted you to get proper rest.¡± ¡°Now that Miss Fang Yuan is awake, Master Bo, you two can go ahead. I¡¯ll follow after grabbing my things from the trunk,¡± Mu Qing said, preparing to exit the car and retrieve the belongings. ¡°No need, I¡¯ve already prepared a welcome gift,¡± Fang Yuan responded calmly. Mu Qing was taken aback, exchanging a glance with Bo Yi for guidance. She hadn¡¯t even brought a bag. What gift was Fang Yuan talking about? Bo Yi, on the other hand, remained composed. ¡°Trust Yuanyuan.¡± Exiting the carriage, they walked together toward the hospital. Their striking appearances immediately drew the attention of onlookers. Inside the ward. Old Master Bo had been waiting for what felt like an eternity, the bouquet in his hands just shy of wilting. Finally, his eyes caught sight of two figures. ¡°Grandpa, Yuanyuan and I have come to visit you,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice carried a distinct clarity, yet the old man¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t even flit momentarily to his grandson. His entire attention was riveted on the young lady beside him. ¡°Little Miss, you¡¯re the one who saved me twice, aren¡¯t you?¡± Old Master Bo hadn¡¯t anticipated this girl to be so remarkably beautiful. During his previous encounters, his life had teetered on the brink, affording him no opportunity to properly observe her. He was taken aback by the girl¡¯s stunning looks, as if she exuded an otherworldly charm. His grandson was truly fortunate! ¡°Hello, Grandpa Bo,¡± Fang Yuan greeted him respectfully upon entering. ¡°Silly child, why call me Grandpa Bo? You¡¯re treating me like an outsider. We¡¯re family, so just call me Grandpa,¡± Old Master Bo expressed his contentment and chuckled. ¡°After all, you¡¯re Yi¡¯s fiancee, so calling me Grandpa is only appropriate.¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± She and Bo Yi had only met a few times, so they weren¡¯t that well-acquainted. ¡°I heard from Mu Qing that you¡¯re the daughter of the Cheng Family, left outside and later rescued me incidentally on the day you returned to your family. And yesterday, when I had the soup and was wheeled into the operation room, you pulled me back from the brink of death! Child, you¡¯ve saved me twice now!¡± The connection was truly serendipitous. Were it not for this young lady, he might have already crossed over to the other side. Never would he have had the chance to meet his future granddaughter-in-law! ¡°You¡¯ve endured so much during your 18 years living outside..¡± Chapter 47 - Chapter 47: Three Big Bowls Chapter 47: Three Big Bowls Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan was on the verge of stating that she hadn¡¯t suffered, but the elderly gentleman persisted, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, both the Cheng Family and the Bo Family will double their kindness towards you in the future!¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± She could comprehend the Cheng Family¡¯s stance, but wasn¡¯t the Bo Family¡¯s reaction a tad too forgiving? ¡°Your name is Fang Yuan, correct? It¡¯s a pleasant name, and your appearance is quite striking as well,¡± remarked Old Master Bo, seemingly echoing Butler Wen¡¯s sentiment. Butler Wen concurred with a smile. This young lady was undeniably more visually appealing than Cheng Yuqi. She exuded poise and displayed no signs of shyness. She was indeed a unique individual. ¡°Oh dear, look at me. My age has caught up to me, causing my memory to falter. I became so engrossed in our conversation that I forgot to offer you a seat. Come over to Grandpa, my child,¡± coaxed Old Master Bo, patting the adjacent double couch. Bo Yi arched an eyebrow. Wasn¡¯t this couch bought specifically so that the young lady could sit beside him? Grandpa had certainly put in quite a bit of effort. Butler Wen inquired with a grin, ¡°Young Master, would you also like to sit?¡± Bo Yi showed no signs of discontent and naturally took a seat next to Fang Yuan. This turn of events surprised Old Master Bo this time. His grandson appeared to treat this young lady rather distinctly! ¡°Yuanyuan, I heard from Mu Qing that you¡¯ve just completed your college entrance exams. Are you considering any universities? Grandpa can make arrangements for you.¡± Fang Yuan dutifully responded, ¡°Not yet.¡± Old Master Bo: ¡°In that case, let¡¯s set our sights on Jing University. I¡¯m acquainted with the former principal of Jing University.¡± Observing his grandpa¡¯s excessive concern, Bo Yi shifted the conversation. ¡°Did you remember to take your medication today?¡± The mention of medicine prompted the elderly gentleman to furrow his brow. ¡°That traditional Chinese medicine is excessively bitter. It¡¯s a tremendously challenging task. I¡¯m curious about the identity of the person who prescribed it. If I were to consume that concoction, 1 might keel over on the spot!¡± All eyes turned to Fang Yuan in a silent consensus. Fang Yuan responded composedly, ¡°I¡¯m the one who prescribed that medicine.¡± Old Master Bo¡¯s countenance underwent a sudden transformation. He hadn¡¯t anticipated his granddaughter-in-law to possess not only operational knowledge but also the capability to prescribe traditional Chinese medicine. Swiftly correcting his initial reaction, he remarked, ¡°Though it may have carried a touch of bitterness on the palate, potent medicine often bears that trait. Once ingested, its bitterness can be offset by the sweetness it brings forth. This sweetness mirrors my granddaughter-in-law¡¯s gracious acceptance¡­¡± ¡°Why, then, have you not partaken of it?¡± Bo Yi interjected impassively. Old Master Bo asserted with an air of authority, ¡°Wen, fetch me the medicine! 1 intended to consume it, yet my delight upon encountering my granddaughter-in-law led me to neglect its consumption.¡± Butler Wen:¡±¡­¡± He saw no reason to expose her any further. Earlier, when Miss Fang Yuan hadn¡¯t arrived, the old gentleman had teased relentlessly, claiming he¡¯d rather not be reborn than acknowledge the medicine¡¯s presence, even if he simply caught a whiff of it. Yet now, after having a whiff, he seemed eager to unearth a pit to hide in. How rapidly the tides had shifted! Would he dare to utter those words in front of Miss Fang Yuan? ¡°I could readily drink down three substantial bowls of the medicine personally prescribed by my granddaughter-in-law!¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± Three bowls weren¡¯t really necessary. With a warm cup of traditional Chinese medicine in hand, Butler Wen offered it to Old Master Bo. The latter accepted it and swallowed it in one fluid motion, resembling someone downing a glass of wine. ¡°Mmm, absolutely delectable!¡± At the sight of the old gentleman¡¯s furrowed brow, Mu Qing couldn¡¯t suppress a smirk. The old man seemed quite tormented. Understanding that this Chinese medicine wasn¡¯t renowned for its palatability, Butler Wen found himself in a helpless situation. While the concoction might not be pleasing to the taste, it was certainly beneficial for one¡¯s health. Additionally, the fact that the prescriber was currently present made a significant difference. ¡°How do you find yourself today?¡± Fang Yuan inquired with genuine concern. ¡°Your visit alongside Yi has been such a source of joy that my ailments momentarily faded into oblivion!¡± Old Master Bo¡¯s declaration was swiftly followed by an abrupt clasp of his chest, his expression taking a concerning turn. Just as Fang Yuan was about to take his pulse, she witnessed him suddenly hunch over and expel a mouthful of fresh blood. The room was filled with shock from everyone present. ¡°Grandpa!¡± ¡°Old Sir, what¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter? I¡¯ll call for a doctor right away.¡± ¡°Oh, yes. Miss Fang Yuan is a doctor herself. Miss Fang Yuan, please examine him quickly. What¡¯s wrong with him?¡± With her fingers resting on Old Master Bo¡¯s wrist, Fang Yuan furrowed her brows and then looked up at the elderly man. ¡°Did you secretly drink wine?¡± Bo Yi and Mu Qing exchanged incredulous glances, directed at the old gentleman. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t drink¡­¡± Unable to conceal the truth any longer, Old Master Bo reluctantly confessed, ¡°Well, 1 might have had a sip.¡± Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. ¡°You had just a sip?¡± ¡°How did you know?¡± Old Master Bo gazed at Fang Yuan in astonishment. Was she capable of detecting even his sips? She was nothing short of a miraculous doctor! Fang Yuan smirked and gestured towards the blanket. ¡°There¡¯s an empty wine bottle right there.¡± Old Master Bo directed his gaze downwards, realizing that the wine bottle he had concealed within his blanket had somehow emerged from its hiding place. He shot a disapproving glance at Butler Wen and admonished him in hushed tones, ¡°Oh dear, why didn¡¯t you hide it better?¡± Butler Wen stammered, ¡°1¡­ I didn¡¯t anticipate being discovered either¡­¡± There had been no opportunity for him to conceal it properly when both Master Bo and Miss Fang Yuan suddenly appeared. ¡°Grandpa!¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice held a note of reproach. Anticipating his grandson¡¯s forthcoming lecture, Old Master Bo promptly waved his hand. ¡°Enough, enough, 1 understand. 1 simply couldn¡¯t resist! The sheer delight of having my granddaughter-in-law here overwhelmed me.. With her presence today as my witness, I solemnly vow not to repeat this in the future!¡± Chapter 48 - Chapter 48: Greeting Gift Chapter 48: Greeting Gift Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Bo Yi¡¯s demeanor grew icy. ¡°Do you still stand by your words?¡± ¡°How could i ever doubt you!¡± Old Master Bo retorted immediately, ¡°If you doubt me, invite your granddaughter-in-law to check my pulse daily. Well see if I still long for a drink!¡± Bo Yi turned to Fang Yuan. ¡°I believe it¡¯s wise to adjust Grandpa¡¯s medication for his well-being.¡± ¡°Please, spare me!¡± He muttered, the traditional Chinese medicine tasting even more bitter than his life itself. He¡¯d rather meet his end now than swallow a few more pills! ¡°And who¡¯s to blame for not holding your tongue?¡± Bo Yi teased, ¡°Weren¡¯t you just saying that the medicine prescribed by my granddaughter-in-law can be downed in three large bowls?¡± Angrily, Old Master Bo pointed a finger at Bo Yi. ¡°You, you, you¡­¡± His grandson was deliberately vexing him! Meanwhile, Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes gleamed as she smirked. ¡°No need to add more medicine, but you must swear off wine from now on.¡± ¡°Absolutely, absolutely!¡± Old Master Bo agreed hastily. ¡°Yuanyuan is absolutely right!¡± Butler Wen, at the side, nodded as well. ¡°Young Madam¡¯s suggestion is wise. i shall diligently care for the old sir henceforth.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fang Yuan corrected him helplessly, ¡°You can call me Fang Yuan.¡± Butler Wen stammered, ¡°No, no, no. How could this humble one dare address Young Madam so informally?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s lips curved as he redirected the conversation. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for your collaboration with Grandpa from within, would he have been able to access wine?¡± Butler Wen assured, ¡°i won¡¯t ever allow it to happen again!¡± ¡°All, indeed!¡± Old Master Bo suddenly recalled something and retrieved an exquisite wooden box from the drawer beside his bed. With deft hands, he activated a mechanism, revealing an intricate crown necklace nestled within. ¡°This was Yi¡¯s grandma¡±s most cherished dowry piece. She said that if Yi ever took the initiative to introduce a girl to her parents, she would bestow this upon her.¡± The necklace¡¯s crown pendant sparkled with 999 dazzling diamonds, exuding an air of opulence. Fang Yuan was well aware of this necklace¡¯s significance. Its creation had involved the use of only the finest diamonds and the employment of top-tier designers. Crafting this masterpiece in its time had carried a price tag of 2 billion! In the current day, its value far exceeded even that exorbitant sum. ¡°This gift holds such immense value, I can¡¯t possibly accept it¡­¡± Fang Yuan was on the verge of declining when Old Master Bo interjected, ¡°This was meant to be Yi¡¯s grandma¡¯s welcoming gift for her future granddaughter-in-law. You mustn¡¯t refuse it! If she were with us today, she would have certainly personally adorned you with it¡­¡± Mentioning his wife seemed to trigger a wave of sentimentality within Old Master Bo. Observing the softening of his gaze and sensing his melancholy, Fang Yuan turned her attention to Bo Yi for insight. Bo Yi spoke matter-of-factly, ¡°Grandma was involved in a car accident a few years ago and has been in a coma since then.¡± Fang Yuan was taken aback. So, she was in a persistent vegetative state. While not officially deceased, her existence paralleled that of a lifeless being. Unable to move or communicate, she relied solely on medical apparatuses to sustain her physiological functions¡­ The Bo Family had spared no effort in seeking renowned physicians, yet none had been able to alleviate Granny¡¯s condition. ¡°Yi, assist Yuanyuan in putting it on.¡± Old Master Bo pressed the gift box into Bo Yi¡¯s hand, his voice barely a whisper. ¡°I¡¯m uncertain how much time remains for me in this world. Will I still be here on your wedding day¡­ There¡¯ve been moments when i felt my end was near. If not for the thought of your grandmother¡­¡± Fang Yuan felt an inexplicable surge of emotion hearing his words. ¡°Sir, Young Madam¡¯s visit today should lift our spirits. Let¡¯s set this topic aside for now,¡± Butler Wen interjected, concerned that the old man would be overtaken by sorrow. ¡°Yes, yes, you¡¯re right. Allow Yuanyuan to put it on. Let¡¯s steer away from this topic,¡± Old Master Bo managed to conjure a smile again. ¡°Allow me, please.¡± Bo Yi delicately extracted the necklace from its case, his slender fingers reaching out to adorn Fang Yuan with the exquisite piece. Fang Yuan found herself in such close proximity to him that his scent enveloped her. Initially, she had intended to decline, yet the old man¡¯s hopeful eyes and his earlier sentiments tugged at her heartstrings, leaving her unable to voice her refusal. ¡°You look splendid,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s gaze lingered on her countenance. The resplendent crown rested gracefully upon her fair, graceful neck, as though it had been designed exclusively for her. ¡°It suits you remarkably well.¡± Bo Yi¡¯s eyes brimmed with tenderness, like placid water. ¡°I wish your grandmother could have witnessed this.¡± At Old Master Bo¡¯s words, a smile graced Bo Yi¡¯s lips. ¡°When there¡¯s a suitable moment, i¡¯ii bring Yuanyuan to visit Granny.¡± Fang Yuan,¡±.. ¡°. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s a wonderful plan!¡± The joy radiating from Old Master Bo was undeniable. ¡°We¡¯ll go together then. Yuanyuan, when do you think I¡¯ll be discharged from the hospital?¡± ¡°In about three days, provided your condition remains stable,¡± Fang Yuan replied. Old Master Bo inquired, ¡°Would it be possible for you to pick me up? We could visit Granny as a family.¡± Fang Yuan pondered for a moment. ¡°Very well.¡± If the opportunity arose, she might be able to contribute to her grandmother¡¯s care. The old man¡¯s spirits soared at Fang Yuan¡¯s agreement. He chatted animatedly for a while before departing. But just before leaving, Fang Yuan withdrew an exquisite small porcelain bottle from her pocket. ¡°Grandpa, this is for you.¡± Old Master Bo was pleasantly surprised by the gift and accepted it with glee.. He inquired with curiosity, ¡°What is it inside?¡± Chapter 49 - Chapter 49: Side Jobs Chapter 49: Side Jobs Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Sweet pills. Take one each month for half a year,¡± Fang Yuan suggested with a confident smile, ¡°1 assure you that your health will flourish, ensuring a lifespan of 100 years.¡± Laughter filled the room. ¡°Hahaha, is such a wondrous thing possible in this world? It must come at a lofty price, isn¡¯t that so? Yuanyuan, pray tell, where did you chance upon such a treasure?¡± Old Master Bo marveled at his granddaughter-in-law¡¯s unexpected thoughtfulness. At his age, his wants were few, but robust health was his unspoken desire. Longevity had become his coveted dream. ¡°May 1 partake immediately?¡± Impatient fingers swiftly uncorked the dainty porcelain vial. The intention was to retrieve a single pill, yet in his excitement, he tipped out a small mound instead. Mu Qing¡¯s eyes nearly bulged from their sockets upon spotting the engraved ¡°longevity¡± character etched onto each pill¡¯s surface. Was this not the fabled ¡°longevity pill,¡± an elusive marvel only glimpsed at auctions? Word had it that ingesting just one amplified vitality and extended mortal existence. These pills appeared at auction thrice yearly, with each commanding a five-million price tag¡­ Furthermore, the source of these extravagant and scarce pills mystified him. Miss Fang Yuan would need a good decade or so of auctions to amass such wealth. Yet, at her youthful stage, such elixirs seemed unwarranted. Why expend such fortune and effort? The thought struck like lightning ¨C perhaps she concocted them herself, granting her an endless supply! As this realization dawned, Mu Qing¡¯s gaze shifted to Bo Yi, his disbelief evident. Where Mu Qing¡¯s thoughts led, Bo Yi also treaded. The origin of this elixir was clear to him, and he concluded that Fang Yuan was none other than the famed ¡°God of Medicine,¡± Mr. Yuan. Recent auction sensations were likely all of her crafting¡­ The revelation explained her presence near the Hall Church on auction day. It all fell into place: her physical proximity at the event, her multitude of pseudonyms. It was an unexpected twist. ¡°Old Sir, your fortune has swelled,¡± Mu Qing quipped involuntarily. ¡°Absolutely!¡± Old Master Bo popped one into his mouth. ¡°Surprisingly sweet, indeed a windfall! Yuanyuan, can indulgence harm? Could I devour one daily?¡± Mu Qing: ¡°1 advise against¡­¡± Bo Yi: ¡°Not advisable.¡± Old Master Bo regarded them with confusion. ¡°Why?¡± With his granddaughter-in-law silent, he found their objections perplexing. Mu Qing contemplated speaking but hesitated. Consuming such a pricey pill daily seemed extravagant¡­ Bo Yi interjected, unfazed, ¡°Yuanyuan stipulated one pill per month.¡± Old Master Bo relented, ¡°Very well¡­¡± In that moment, Fang Yuan¡¯s phone buzzed in her pocket ¨C it was Chen Yang. ¡°Excuse me, 1 need to take this call,¡± Fang Yuan explained, rising from her seat and exiting the ward. ¡°Fang Xiaoyuan, news reached me that you¡¯re at the hospital?¡± Chen Yang¡¯s voice emanated from the phone¡¯s other end. Fang Yuan responded casually, ¡°Yes, is there something you need?¡± ¡°Madame Fang had a brief moment of wakefulness today. Despite lasting only io minutes, she couldn¡¯t stop fretting about you¡­¡± ¡°She intended to call you, but I intervened. You¡¯re aware of her need to avoid agitation due to her condition. Regrettably, 1 had to deter her.¡± Fang Yuan was the paramount concern of Madame Fang. Upon awakening, her immediate thoughts were for Fang Yuan¡¯s well-being. Regardless of whether Fang Yuan disclosed the actions of Fang Liguo and Song Ling behind her back, hearing Fang Yuan¡¯s voice invariably brought her to tears¡­ If heightened emotions compromised her frail state, all previous efforts would be in vain. ¡°Are you still at the hospital? If so, come by to visit her and review today¡¯s test results.¡± Fang Yuan confirmed, ¡°Sure.¡± Chen Yang continued, ¡°My meeting just concluded, so I¡¯ll rendezvous with you to discuss the report.¡± ¡°Sounds good.¡± Fang Yuan ended the call and headed towards Madame Old Fang¡¯s room. Despite another spell of unconsciousness, Madame Old Fang clutched the bracelet Fang Yuan had gifted her after earning her first sum of money. Fang Yuan delicately cradled the frail and withered hand. The occupant of the bed seemed to register her presence, as their fingers stirred slightly. In an abrupt instance, the ward door swung open. Song Ling, upon glimpsing Fang Yuan, displayed an initial startle followed by a burst of fury. ¡°Still lingering, are you? Who granted you permission to enter? Are you afflicted with madness? Do you haunt this hospital daily, awaiting Madame Old Fang¡¯s awakening so you can waltz back into the Fang Family? Let me advise you to abandon such delusions!¡± Fang Liguo¡¯s countenance took on a complex shade upon sighting Fang Yuan. He hadn¡¯t anticipated her artful manipulation. To remain in Jing City, she adopted the ploy of frequenting Madame Old Fang¡¯s room during their absence. But what purpose did it serve? After all, she wasn¡¯t a biological Fang lineage member! ¡°Liguo, she must have gained entry using our daughter¡¯s identity. Swiftly inform the nurses that she isn¡¯t tied to us by blood. Our daughter¡¯s sole sibling is Jiayi.. In the times to come, bar this imposter¡¯s entry if she attempts it again!¡± Chapter 50 - Chapter 50: Hero Chapter 50: Hero Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Liguo shared the same perspective. It seemed likely that Fang Yuan had divulged her identity as the Fang Family¡¯s daughter and Madame Fang¡¯s granddaughter to the nurse, thereby securing the freedom to move in and out of the premises effortlessly. Observing Fang Yuan¡¯s persistent presence, Song Ling¡¯s patience wore thin. She couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°Why are you lingering here? Are you waiting for me to call security and have you forcibly removed?¡± Fang Yuan rose from her seat, her tone calm as she responded, ¡°The patient requires proper recovery.¡± She hadn¡¯t originally planned on prolonging her stay. With Madame Old Fang on the brink of awakening, lingering would likely do more harm than good. As Fang Yuan exited the scene, Song Ling¡¯s frustration swelled, eventually prompting her to employ her tote bag, which she happened to be carrying. In that moment, she clenched the bag¡¯s strap and swung it in Fang Yuan¡¯s direction. However, before the bag could make contact, a hand whisked Fang Yuan out of harm¡¯s way, causing the bag to miss its mark. At the sight of the intervening figure, both Song Ling and Fang Liguo were taken aback. ¡°Doctor Chen?¡± Wearing an icy expression, Chen Yang confronted them, his good looks masked by an evident chilliness. Even his gaze was devoid of any warmth. ¡°Savior?¡± Fang Liguo and Song Ling exchanged incredulous glances, their gazes shifting to Fang Yuan. ¡°Her?¡± Who did she think she was? Yang Chen¡¯s anger reached its threshold, and he burst out, ¡°If not for her, do you have any idea how many times the patient on that bed would have succumbed? Were it not for her, would Madame Old Fang have been allocated this ward? Would she have received specialized care? Would she still be alive?¡± Baffled, Fang Liguo and Song Ling exchanged puzzled looks. What possible capabilities could Fang Yuan possess? Wasn¡¯t it the influence of the Lu Family that secured Madame Old Fang¡¯s place in the VIP room? How did Fang Yuan factor into any of this? Meanwhile¡­. Old Master Bo wore an expression of utmost contentment as he gazed at his new granddaughter-in-law. His face was a canvas of smiles, impossible to contain. ¡°You rascal, a girl as wonderful as her is being so gentle with you! Treat her well, or 1¡¯11 be the first to protest!¡± he playfully chided. ¡°I understand.¡± Bo Yi, known for his reticence, managed just a couple of sentences in front of Fang Yuan. ¡°This granddaughter-in-law is not only beautiful and youthful, but she¡¯s also knowledgeable in medicine. Won¡¯t there be a line of suitors vying for her attention?¡± Old Master Bo turned abruptly to Butler Wen and asked, ¡°Am 1 beginning to look too old, in my grandson¡¯s eyes?¡± Mu Qing almost burst out laughing. Was this the same grandfather they were talking about? Bo Yi was only 22 years old. How could he be considered old? ¡°The Young Master and Young Madam are a perfect match¡­ But come to think of it, why hasn¡¯t Young Madam returned yet? It¡¯s been quite a while.¡± Butler Wen checked the time. ¡°Could something have happened?¡± Upon hearing this, Old Master Bo hurriedly said, ¡°Yi, go and check¡­¡± As Bo Yi stepped out of the ward, he spotted a male doctor standing protectively in front of Fang Yuan. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the doctor who helped Miss Fang Yuan?¡± Mu Qing¡¯s sharp eyes recognized him instantly. ¡°He¡¯s Chen Yongchang¡¯s grandson, Chen Yang. They seem to be¡­ Is Miss Fang Yuan in some trouble, and Dr. Chen Yang is assisting her?¡± A surge of unfamiliar emotions flooded Bo Yi¡ªdiscomfort, a tinge of bitterness, an inexplicable sensation as if someone had snatched away his cherished treasure. ¡°They seem to have a close history. Dr. Chen is certainly being very protective of Miss Fang Yuan,¡± Mu Qing remarked, sensing something unusual in Bo Yi¡¯s demeanor. He playfully prodded, ¡°Master Bo, are you feeling a tad jealous?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s response was chilly. ¡°He¡¯s just a doctor. Let¡¯s not exaggerate.¡± ¡°Master Bo, both Dr. Chen and Miss Fang Yuan share a background in medicine and common interests. What if¡­¡± Before Mu Qing could finish speaking, Bo Yi had already strode over. Didn¡¯t you say that you weren¡¯t jealous? Why the rush? ¡°Never mind,¡± Fang Yuan dismissed them, unwilling to waste any more time, and readied herself to depart. Chen Yang stepped up in her defense. ¡°It¡¯s important for them to recognize whose efforts have kept Madame Old Fang alive today!¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to elaborate,¡± Fang Yuan replied curtly before turning to walk away. With a disapproving glance at Fang Liguo, Chen Yang followed suit and left. ¡°What¡¯s with Doctor Chen¡¯s stance? Isn¡¯t it thanks to both the Lu Family and our family that our mother is still with us?¡± Song Ling found the situation puzzling. As they exited, she derisively remarked, ¡°Firstly, she didn¡¯t pay a dime, and secondly, she hasn¡¯t contributed anything. Is she supposed to possess some hidden ability that miraculously saved our mother? What a ludicrous thought! Countless specialists have struggled in vain. It¡¯s our financial resources that have kept us afloat. And it¡¯s the Lu Family that provided the VIP ward enabling our mother¡¯s prolonged existence!¡± ¡°Let it go,¡± Fang Liguo chose not to escalate the situation. Being the wealthiest individual in Haicheng City, he couldn¡¯t afford a public confrontation. Song Ling speculated, ¡°Could it be that Dr. Chen saw this young lady¡¯s beauty and decided to pursue her? Is that why he intervened to rescue the damsel in distress? Perhaps that¡¯s why he treated us so poorly on previous occasions.. Could it all be because of her¡­¡± Chapter 51 - Chapter 51: Borrowing Everything Chapter 51: Borrowing Everything Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Liguo¡¯s impatience was evident in his tone as he interjected, ¡°That¡¯s enough. Let¡¯s not waste any more time. We should go inside and see Mom.¡± Song Ling pondered aloud, ¡°I wonder when Mom will awaken. I¡¯ve already prepared my will. Once Mom signs it, bequeathing all her assets to Jiayi, I¡¯ll finally feel at ease.¡± ¡°Lower your voice!¡± Fang Liguo sharply whispered, casting an annoyed look at her. ¡°Do you want the entire world to hear you?¡± Startled, Song Ling hurriedly covered her mouth and discreetly shut the door. Turning towards Chen Yang behind her, Fang Yuan spoke, ¡°I have a few matters to attend to. Carry out your tasks.¡± Chen Yang inquired, ¡°What about the report from Madame Old Fang?¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°Unless there¡¯s something extraordinary, you can handle it yourself.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Chen Yang then noticed a man not far away. This man possessed a commanding stature and impeccably groomed short hair. An aura of aristocracy emanated from him. Was he Bo Yi? Since Fang Yuan had rescued Old Master Bo, they seemed to have formed a close bond. Bo Yi also noticed Chen Yang¡¯s presence. A cursory glance landed on him before settling on Fang Yuan. The newcomer appeared nonchalant about Chen Yang¡¯s presence, as he inquired softly, ¡°Have you encountered any difficulties?¡± Fang Yuan responded, ¡°Not at all.¡± Bo Yi insisted, ¡°If you encounter any challenges, don¡¯t hesitate to inform me. I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± Observing Bo Yi¡¯s earnest expression, Fang Yuan casually remarked, ¡°No need. i dealt with a couple of aggressive dogs. Now, I¡¯ll head inside to see Grandpa.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Bo Yi¡¯s eyes trailed Fang Yuan as she entered the hospital room. Then, he turned his attention to Chen Yang. Uncertain whether to greet him, Chen Yang found himself at a loss. Even Grandpa seemed to hold this man in high regard¡­ Before he could decide, Bo Yi had already redirected his gaze and followed Fang Yuan into the hospital room. ¡°Yuanyuan, have you encountered any difficulties?¡± Old Master Bo inquired with concern as he laid eyes on his granddaughter-in-law. Fang Yuan assured him, ¡°No issues.¡± Old Master Bo emphasized, ¡°If anything arises, inform Bo Yi. He¡¯ll handle it. And if he doesn¡¯t manage it satisfactorily, come to me. 1¡¯11 support you.¡± Upon hearing this, Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes flickered. ¡°Understood.¡± Reluctant to part, Old Master Bo continued, ¡°Yuanyuan, don¡¯t forget your promise to me. When I¡¯m discharged the day after tomorrow, make sure you¡¯re here to pick me up!¡± Fang Yuan offered a gentle smile. ¡°I won¡¯t forget. 1¡¯11 be there.¡± Once outside the hospital, Fang Yuan inquired about Granny Bo¡¯s condition. ¡°She¡¯s suffering from a brain injury,¡± Bo Yi explained gravely. ¡°Apart from autonomous breathing and blinking, she exhibits symptoms consistent with a vegetative state.¡± With understanding dawning, Fang Yuan recollected a past case she had handled. A patient had faced a similar belief that their brain injury had left them in a vegetative state. Though the patient ultimately recovered, the journey had been challenging. Certain medications, rare and obtainable only from the Golden Triangle, had proven particularly troublesome to procure. ¡°Dinner together?¡± Bo Yi suggested. Checking the time, Fang Yuan contemplated explaining her prior commitment to her parents at home. However, Bo Yi swiftly dialed a number on his phone and spoke, ¡°Uncle, it¡¯s me. Yuanyuan and 1 have plans to dine out tonight.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take good care of her.¡± Fang Yuan.¡±.. ¡± Had she just been agreed upon? ¡°What kind of cuisine are you in the mood for?¡± Bo Yi swung the car door open and waited for her to step inside. Fang Yuan. Bo Yi probed further, ¡°How about Western or Chinese food?¡± Fang Yuan. ¡°Perhaps Korean or Japanese cuisine?¡± Bo Yi continued. Fang Yuan.¡±¡­¡± Bo Yi offered another option, ¡°Or any other type of cuisine?¡± Resigned, Fang Yuan relented as she settled into the car. ¡°Whatever.¡± As Bo Yi took his place in the car, he noticed Fang Yuan¡¯s intention to remove her necklace. Swiftly, he reached out and captured her hand, preventing her from doing so. Caught off guard by the sudden warmth enveloping her hand, Fang Yuan looked to Bo Yi with surprise. She voiced her concern, ¡°I really shouldn¡¯t accept this.¡± Bo Yi responded sincerely, his gaze locked onto hers. ¡°No one deserves to wear it more than you. I understand you might not be thinking about marriage at this point in your life, and that¡¯s perfectly fine. There¡¯s no rush.¡± Fang Yuan felt conflicted. The necklace was undeniably valuable and conspicuous. Plus, anyone who recognized it would understand its significance. Only the Bo family¡¯s granddaughter-in-law could wear such an emblem. Observing her attempt to remove the necklace, Bo Yi played his next move. ¡°Grandpa¡¯s health is fragile. Wearing it, at least until he leaves the hospital, would mean a lot to him.¡± Caught in a dilemma, Fang Yuan found herself speechless. She cautiously withdrew her hand, but Bo Yi intercepted the movement. He clung to her hand earnestly, his grip gentle yet unyielding. Her hand, delicate and soft, seemed to hold an unexpected charm that he wasn¡¯t willing to relinquish. Fang Yuan attempted to reclaim her hand, saying, ¡°Let it go.¡± But Bo Yi¡¯s grasp remained steadfast. Gazing ahead, he requested calmly, ¡°Just let me hold your hand for a little while.¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± Are you polite? Wanting everything? ¡°Are you familiar with Chen Yang?¡± Bo Yi suddenly asked. Fang Yuan.¡±¡­.¡± Mu Qing, who was driving in front, did not expect Master Bo and Miss Fang Yuan to progress so quickly. He was so excited that his hands were shaking on the steering wheel! The road tonight could be peaceful.. Otherwise, how great would it be if it were to jolt Miss Fang Yuan into Master Bo¡¯s arms like last time! Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: Part-Time Job Chapter 52: Part-Time Job Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan responded casually, ¡°We¡¯ve interacted several times.¡± Their initial encounter hadn¡¯t left a strong impression on that young person. However, after a few humbling experiences where he faced defeat, he gradually came to appreciate her medical prowess. Bo Yi inquired, ¡°So, do you have a preference for people skilled in medicine?¡± Fang Yuan,¡±.. ¡± Meanwhile, Mu Qing couldn¡¯t help but chuckle inwardly. Bo Yi¡¯s inquiry was quite loaded, even though he claimed not to be jealous. But Mu Qing could tell he was definitely feeling a touch of jealousy. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Fang Yuan was genuinely perplexed by his question. It wasn¡¯t until she noticed the earnestness in his expression that she caught on. ¡°Oh, you mean in terms of companionship? Well, it¡¯s beneficial to have partners who are also knowledgeable in medicine. You can exchange ideas and insights when you have leisure time.¡± Bo Yi¡¯s reflexive grip on her hand tightened slightly, and he remarked with a hint of sourness, ¡°Discussing medicine around the clock? Doesn¡¯t that get exhausting?¡± Fang Yuan countered with a playful smile, ¡°Not at all. We¡¯d only discuss topics that interest us. Plus, mutual conversations can lead to mutual improvement.¡± Observing Fang Yuan¡¯s raised eyebrow, Bo Yi couldn¡¯t help but break into a smile. He realized she was teasing him intentionally. The sweetness he felt in his heart was akin to the spilling of a jar of honey. ¡°Master Bo, Starry Night Restaurant is just ahead,¡± Mu Qing informed them, adding, ¡°Miss Fang Yuan, this is Master Bo¡¯s favored dining spot. He¡¯s never taken anyone else here before!¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s curiosity was piqued. ¡°So, does that mean he takes others to restaurants he doesn¡¯t like?¡± Mu Qing hastened to clarify, ¡°No, not at all!¡± Before their car had even come to a stop, the restaurant¡¯s manager spotted them. Swiftly, the manager personally emerged to extend his welcome. ¡°Young Master Bo, it¡¯s been a while¡­ And who is this young lady?¡± The dining hall brightened as the patrons noticed the young woman standing beside Bo Yi, their hands intertwined. He mmediately bowed respectfully and said, ¡°Hello, Young Madam Bo. This way, please.¡± Fang Yuan: ¡°I am not Young Madam Bo.¡± The manager was a shrewd person. When he heard this, he quickly said, ¡°Soon will be it! Young Master Bo has never brought a girl here before. You are the first!¡± Fang Yuan.¡±¡­.¡± The manager: ¡°Does Young Madam Bo have a taboo with food?¡± Fang Yuan said helplessly, ¡°Nope. But change my form of address. My name is Fang Yuan.¡± ¡°Young Madam Bo, even if I give me a hundred times more courage, 1 still wouldn¡¯t dare to address you by your name directly¡­¡± The manager¡¯s obsequious smile was apparent, and he discreetly murmured into the walkie-talkie on his collar, ¡°Quickly, clear the area immediately¡ªmove as swiftly as possible!¡± Fang Yuan exchanged a glance with Bo Yi, silently questioning through her eyes: Wasn¡¯t this a simple meal? Was all this fuss really necessary? Bo Yi maintained his hold on her hand and led her into the dining room, unfazed by the commotion. Within the restaurant, Fang Jiayi clung to Lu Chen¡¯s arm, her expression one of pure delight. ¡°Brother Lu Chen, this place must be so expensive. You brought me here¡­ you treat me so wonderfully!¡± Lu Chen regarded her affectionately. ¡°You¡¯re my fiancee. It¡¯s only natural that I treat you well.¡± The couple walked gracefully toward the entrance of the restaurant, where the usher bowed respectfully. ¡°I apologize, but the entire restaurant has been reserved for a private event today.¡± ¡°Reserved? I didn¡¯t receive any prior notification¡­¡± Lu Chen¡¯s brow furrowed in displeasure. ¡°I apologize, it was a last-minute arrangement¡­ I truly regret any inconvenience caused. Please consider making a new reservation through our app as a gesture of apology. Our establishment would be pleased to offer a 50 percent discount for your next visit.¡± Fang Jiayi was taken aback. A 50 percent discount? That was quite substantial. It should be noted that this restaurant was known for its exorbitant prices. Even a simple glass of fruit juice could cost upwards of 2000 yuan¡­ And even if you had the funds, securing a reservation wasn¡¯t guaranteed. A reservation needed to be made at least half a month in advance, and that was for a table in the main dining area. As for the exclusive private rooms, they were virtually impossible to secure. Who on earth had come today, with such wealth at their disposal, to reserve the entire restaurant? Their financial prowess was truly remarkable! ¡°Alright.¡± Lu Chen conceded, reluctantly preparing to depart. At that moment, Fang Jiayi caught sight of a familiar figure making her way towards the VIP elevator. The elevator that led to the most exclusive private suite. It couldn¡¯t be mistaken¡ªit was Fang Yuan! What was she doing here? Fang Jiayi¡¯s certainty about the silhouette was unwavering. Fang Jiayi gestured towards Fang Yuan¡¯s direction. ¡°Why is she allowed in?¡± ¡°Who are you referring to?¡± The usher turned to look, but there was no one there. He explained with a patient smile, ¡°Only tonight¡¯s honored guests and the restaurant staff are permitted access.¡± ¡°Jiayi, who did you see?¡± Lu Chen inquired, scanning the area without spotting anyone. In a hushed voice, Fang Jiayi confided in Lu Chen, ¡°I¡¯m almost certain I just saw Sister.¡± Lu Chen was taken aback. ¡°Could you have mistaken someone else for her?¡± The individuals able to frequent this place were either affluent or of high status. Fang Yuan¡¯s financial capacity didn¡¯t align with the clientele here. Moreover, someone had reserved the entire restaurant, making her presence seem unlikely. ¡°Perhaps Sister found work here to stay in Jing City?¡± Fang Jiayi pretended to sigh. ¡°Brother Lu Chen, could you use your connections to help her secure a job? I¡¯m concerned that the wealthy elite in this city might take an interest in her and cause her trouble again. Sister values her pride.. If she had to endure hardship just to remain in Jing City¡­¡± Chapter 53 - Chapter 53: Half a Master Chapter 53: Half a Master Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Whether she lives or dies is beyond our control,¡± Lu Chen remarked while clasping Fang Jiayi¡¯s hand. ¡°Shall we dine at the restaurant across the street?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± To keep an eye on Fang Yuan¡¯s situation, Fang Jiayi opted for a window seat, granting her a view of Fang Yuan post-work. In the top-tier private room of the Starry Night Restaurant. ¡°Young Master Bo, Young Madam Bo, please have a seat.¡± From the opulent and spacious private chamber, they could gaze upon the scenery beyond. Perched atop a mountain, this upscale eatery offered a celestial view if one were to lift their eyes to the open ceiling. Seated beside Fang Yuan, Bo Yi¡¯s grasp on her hand remained firm, his other hand presenting an iPad before her. ¡°What tickles your palate?¡± Fang Yuan skimmed the menu and placed an order nonchalantly. Bo Yi appended a few more selections. As the manager exited the exclusive enclave, Fang Yuan arched an eyebrow and inquired, ¡°Could you release me now?¡± Bo Yi, with earnestness, inquired, ¡°A little longer, perhaps?¡± Fang Yuan.¡±¡­.¡± Bo Yi: ¡°Just a tad longer.¡± Fang Yuan.¡±¡­.¡± Swiftly diverting, Bo Yi suggested, ¡°The daytime view from this establishment is rather splendid. Would you permit me to bring you here to behold it next time?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fang Yuan withheld a response. After a brief pause, the manager arrived with a cadre of chefs, bearing the array of dishes. From today¡¯s luncheon at the Cheng Family residence, Bo Yi had gleaned Fang Yuan¡¯s preferences and aversions regarding cuisine. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯ve ordered enough?¡± Fang Yuan questioned, eyeing the spread on the table before her. ¡°Take your time,¡± Bo Yi reassured, still tenaciously holding her hand. With his chopsticks in the other hand, he even served her food. Fang Yuan was rendered speechless. ¡°Could you please let go¡­¡± How could she possibly eat like this? Bo Yi promptly released her right hand and smoothly intertwined his fingers with her left, seamlessly continuing their interaction. ¡°¡­Is this really how you want to dine?¡± Fang Yuan struggled with this unfamiliar arrangement. Bo Yi: ¡°Yes.¡± Fang Yuan: ¡°Boyi, 1 think we need to have a serious conversation.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll talk after we¡¯ve eaten,¡± Bo Yi responded, presenting a peeled shrimp with one hand. ¡°Want to give it a try?¡± Fang Yuan: ¡°Just put it in the bowl, I can manage.¡± As she spoke, Bo Yi took the opportunity to slip the shrimp into her mouth. Fang Yuan warned him with her eyes, but Bo Yi feigned ignorance, his tone affectionate. ¡°How does it taste?¡± Fang Yuan huffed, ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal.¡± Beside her, the Western chef appeared alarmed. In broken Chinese, he inquired, ¡°Young Madam Bo, is there something wrong with the dish? Please tell me, and 1¡¯11 make it better right away!¡± Fang Yuan tried to explain with a sigh, ¡°I¡¯m not talking about the food, I¡¯m talking about people.¡± Utterly perplexed, the Western chef struggled to understand. Bo Yi intervened: ¡°You can all leave.¡± Upon hearing this, the manager and chefs hastily departed. Their expressions seemed as though they had just survived a crisis. ¡°Are you upset?¡± Bo Yi regarded the young woman before him with tender eyes. ¡°I was overly anxious.¡± Fang Yuan: ¡°Could you sit across from me?¡± To be honest, a bit of distance would be appreciated! Bo Yi: ¡°I¡¯d rather sit next to you.¡± Fang Yuan found herself momentarily speechless, struck by the sincerity in Bo Yi¡¯s gaze. She had to summon her determination to remain awake until their meal concluded. As the lights in the dining area dimmed, the ceiling slid open, unveiling a magnificent starlit sky. Gazing upward, Fang Yuan was transported back to her youthful days in the countryside. She hadn¡¯t anticipated encountering such a breathtaking vista atop this mountain. Back then, Fang Liguo and Song Ling hadn¡¯t yet established their careers, often being away from home, engrossed in their pursuits. It was Granny Fang who filled the void, spending night after night with her. Those rural nights mirrored the one she found herself in now, stars strewn across the firmament. Yet, despite the unchanging sky, people had transformed¡­ A sudden strain of violin music erupted from a corner of the private chamber. When the melody concluded, a burst of multicolored fireworks erupted in the night sky. Fang Yuan watched the display, then shifted her gaze to Bo Yi. The reflection of the fireworks seemed to intensify the clarity of her eyes, but if examined more closely, a hint of sorrow appeared to linger within them? Bo Yi yearned to delve into that emotion, but like fireworks, the sorrow vanished in the blink of an eye. ¡°All of this was your doing?¡± Fang Yuan queried, captivated by the pyrotechnics. ¡°Yes,¡± Bo Yi confirmed, uncertain whether this composed and slightly distant woman would appreciate such a surprise. ¡°Do you lean more towards men in the medical profession, or those outside of it?¡± Amused, Fang Yuan decided to play along. ¡°Medical men, definitely. They¡¯re practical and useful.¡± ¡°Even those outside of medicine can be practical in various ways. There¡¯s a type of usefulness you¡¯ve yet to witness,¡± Bo Yi murmured into her ear suddenly. His cool tones seemed to carry a subtle suggestion, causing Fang Yuan¡¯s cheeks to flush. Unintentionally, her thoughts ventured into territory she probably shouldn¡¯t have¡­ After a brief interlude, the fireworks subsided, the ceiling gradually sealed shut, and the private room¡¯s illumination gradually intensified. As the lights fully restored the ambiance, the violinist in proximity took a bow in acknowledgment of the audience¡¯s appreciation. Just as she was poised to depart, her gaze inadvertently brushed Fang Yuan¡¯s figure at the periphery, causing her to startle. Huh? Wasn¡¯t this almost her mentor? The woman who had once imparted valuable advice on her violin skills, yet had been reluctant to formally mentor her.. Encountering her in this setting was beyond her expectations! Chapter 54 - Chapter 54: Very Bad Chapter 54: Very Bad Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan hadn¡¯t anticipated that the French violinist she had dedicated half a month¡¯s worth of energy to instructing would produce such an unpleasant rendition of the tune she had taught. She had been pondering recently about the origins of this violinist, who displayed such a lackluster performance. ¡°Do you know her?¡± Bo Yi inquired of Fang Yuan as he observed the violinist. Fang Yuan smirked. ¡°Who isn¡¯t familiar with the renowned violinist, Siya Wintour?¡± Siya appeared flustered and quickly spoke in Chinese, ¡°No, no, you¡¯re overestimating. 1 haven¡¯t been practicing the zither diligently as of late. 1 apologize if my performance left you dissatisfied.¡± ¡°You¡¯re free to go.¡± Bo Yi was unaware of the underlying tension, so he held onto Fang Yuan¡¯s hand without letting go. Seeing Fang Yuan wasn¡¯t inclined to pursue the matter further, Siya hastily composed a message on her phone as she left: [Senior, 1 genuinely had no idea it was you! I received a last-minute invitation. Initially, 1 presumed it was a wealthy individual with little understanding of music, just looking to pass the time. Hence, 1 didn¡¯t take it seriously¡­] Upon receiving Siya¡¯s message, Fang Yuan replied tersely: [Quite disappointing.] Siya promptly responded: [I¡¯ll absolutely commit to rigorous training after 1 return!] Fang Yuan pocketed her phone without responding. Across from Starry Night Restaurant, Fang Jiayi sat feeling overly full, yet Fang Yuan hadn¡¯t finished work yet. ¡°Jiayi, you¡¯ve got quite the appetite today. Care for some dessert? I can order one for you,¡± Lu Chen remarked, oblivious to her thoughts, thinking that today¡¯s dishes were particularly to her liking. ¡°Brother Lu Chen, that¡¯s not necessary. I¡¯m finished eating,¡± Fang Jiayi smiled outwardly but internally she was on the brink of collapse. Still eating? 1 might just throw up if I continue! If it weren¡¯t for waiting on Fang Yuan, why would 1 have overindulged? Gaining weight would outweigh any benefits! ¡°No more eating? How about a stroll by the river then?¡± As the day was drawing to a close, Lu Chen signaled for the waiter to bring the check. He led Fang Jiayi out of the restaurant, holding her hand. Fang Jiayi intentionally slowed her pace, lingering behind. She felt a deep pang of regret that Lu Chen wouldn¡¯t have the chance to witness Fang Yuan¡¯s less-than-presentable appearance after work. What a missed opportunity it was! In that moment, her attention was drawn to the VIP elevator across the way from Starry Night Restaurant. It abruptly opened, revealing a tall, strikingly handsome man stepping out alongside Fang Yuan. Fang Jiayi was left utterly stupefied. Even from a distance, his stature, looks, and charisma easily eclipsed those of Lu Chen¡¯s! While his facial features weren¡¯t entirely discernible, it was clear to Fang Jiayi that this man was quite young! Her emotions were a whirlwind. Could this be Fang Yuan¡¯s brother? Maybe Fang Yuan came to work here with her brother due to their family¡¯s impoverished circumstances? As this thought took root, Fang Jiayi felt somewhat relieved, yet this explanation felt far-fetched. After all, she thought she¡¯d glimpsed that man holding Fang Yuan¡¯s hand as they left¡­ But that couldn¡¯t be right, could it? Siblings don¡¯t typically hold hands, do they? ¡°Jiayi, everything alright?¡± Lu Chen inquired, noticing her dazed state. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing¡­¡± Fang Jiayi refrained from mentioning that she¡¯d spotted her sister, fearing Lu Chen might misconstrue that she was keeping tabs on her sister¡¯s every move. Nevertheless, she concluded that the direction in which the man and Fang Yuan had departed led to Starry Night Restaurant¡¯s exclusive parking lot. ¡°Brother Lu Chen, 1 recall there¡¯s a dessert shop at the foot of the mountain that sells really delectable treats. I wanted to get some for Mom and Dad too,¡± she suggested. ¡°No need, my parents don¡¯t have a sweet tooth. Just buy some for Uncle and Auntie,¡± Lu Chen replied, driving them to the base of the mountain and accompanying Fang Jiayi into the dessert shop. Pretending to contemplate the desserts, Fang Jiayi was covertly keeping an eye on the road outside. It was the lone road descending from the mountaintop. Whether Fang Yuan hailed a cab, rode a bicycle, or even an electric scooter, she would surely pass this way. However, despite her vigilant watch, and a half hour of anticipation, the only vehicle that drove by was a high-end luxury car. Could it be that Fang Yuan was making her way down on foot? ¡°Miss, are our desserts not up to your standards?¡± The shopkeeper couldn¡¯t help but ask when he saw Fang Jiayi, dressed in designer clothes, spending a good 20 minutes mulling over the dessert selection. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not like that. i just realized that my parents are attending the charity gala tonight. 1 assume they won¡¯t be in the mood for dessert, so I won¡¯t get any for them,¡± Fang Jiayi explained before coaxing Lu Chen out of the dessert shop. Once they were inside the vehicle, she glanced at the rearview mirror, finding no one in sight. It appeared that Fang Yuan must have indeed walked down the mountain! Meanwhile, Fang Yuan sat inside the high-end luxury car that Fang Jiayi had spotted earlier. She cast a somewhat exasperated gaze at the man beside her. ¡°Could you please let go now?¡± Weren¡¯t they supposed to hold hands briefly? Yet, inexplicably, they had ended up holding hands all night! Wasn¡¯t this a bit excessive? Bo Yi arched an eyebrow. ¡°Is it unreasonable for me to hold my fiancee¡¯s hand?¡± Fang Yuan retorted, ¡°I¡¯m not your fiancee..¡± What era did they think they were in, still adhering to arranged marriages? The real question was, why didn¡¯t a highly educated man like Bo Yi object to such a forced union? It was all rather baffling! Chapter 55 - Chapter 55: Too Biased! Chapter 55: Too Biased! Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Are you avoiding responsibility even as we hold hands?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s touch on her hand was gentle as he spoke, ¡°It might be too late now.¡± Although Fang Yuan contemplated pulling her hand away, Bo Yi¡¯s grasp was resolute. ¡°Stay still.¡± His voice carried a seductive allure as he whispered into her ear, ¡°I¡¯m afraid 1 might hurt you.¡± These words seemed to carry a different implication to Fang Yuan¡¯s ears. Jin¡¯an Garden. Cheng Yuqi stole occasional glances at her watch. The clock had already struck 8 in the evening; why hadn¡¯t the rural simpleton returned home yet? Was it possible that she had embarrassed herself at Grandpa Bo¡¯s earlier and was now too embarrassed to face her return? If that were the case, things were about to become much more interesting! She eagerly anticipated witnessing the country bumpkin¡¯s humiliation. Several young women were gathered around Cheng Yuqi. ¡°Yuqi, why do you keep checking the time? Are you waiting for a WeChat message from your fiance, Bo Yi?¡± ¡°I heard your fiance acquired several luxury goods companies the day before yesterday. If 1 can¡¯t snag a limited edition in the future, 1 expect you to help me out!¡± ¡°Yuqi, your life is so enviable. Not only does your family pamper you endlessly, but you also have such an exceptional fiance¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi wore a faint, unconvincing smile. ¡°Alright, you¡¯ve all had your fair share to drink. It¡¯s best if you head home now.¡± If they lingered any longer, her secret would be exposed once the rural girl returned! ¡°We came all this way to hang out with you. And now you want to kick us out, Yuqi?¡± ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re not leaving. We¡¯re eager to hear how you charm your fiance over the phone!¡± ¡°Such wickedness!¡± Cheng Yuqi playfully feigned annoyance as she swatted her best friend¡¯s arm. ¡°Alright, since you¡¯ve all stayed the night, go on and leave me in peace!¡± Just as her closest friends were on the verge of departing, an array of luxurious cars caught their attention, lined up outside the villa. A dozen staff members gracefully disembarked, adorning a display rack with an assortment of stunning apparel and bags. Their choreography was precise as they then proceeded to transport the items into the villa. ¡°Goodness gracious, am 1 seeing things due to the drinks?¡± ¡°Look at all those clothes and bags. Yuqi, is it your birthday today? Did your parents gift you all of this?¡± ¡°There¡¯s such an abundance. It must be in the hundreds, if not thousands!¡± With plans of leaving momentarily abandoned, her best friends quickly encircled the display rack, appraising the clothes and bags on offer. ¡°My word! These are all new arrivals! FY¡¯s latest collection!¡± ¡°They¡¯re incredibly stylish! I¡¯m in love with them¡­ Wow, why are there so many¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi herself was perplexed by the turn of events. She pondered, Could it be that Dad and Mom felt guilty about showering Fang Yuan with countless clothes yesterday and decided to make it up by having FY design something special for me? Her spirits were lifted considerably by the sight of the exquisite garments and bags and the approving remarks from her friends. It seemed that her parents weren¡¯t biased after all. Their affection for her remained strong. It appeared that her standing wasn¡¯t overshadowed by Fang Yuan¡¯s. In charge of FY, David Qian, directed proceedings on the sidelines, immediately recognizable to the young women. ¡°Isn¡¯t that FY¡¯s manager, David Qian, President Qian? He¡¯s here in person to deliver the merchandise! How impressive!¡± ¡°Good evening, ladies and ladies.¡± While David Qian wasn¡¯t acquainted with these individuals, their attire hinted that they too were established patrons of FY. ¡°What¡¯s the story behind these clothes?¡± Inquired one of the young women. ¡°Oh, these pieces were specially curated for the Sixth Miss.¡± Qian Dawei¡¯s words felt like a stinging rebuke to Cheng Yuqi. Her fleeting ecstasy seemed to plummet into a pit of despair. Sixth Miss? It was that rural interloper once more! Didn¡¯t her parents already buy her an entire array just yesterday? Why would they make another extravagant purchase today? The partiality was beyond measure! Unbeknownst to her best friends, they playfully taunted, ¡°Sixth Miss? Yuqi, is that designation for you?¡± Cheng Yuqi, with five elder brothers, occupied the sixth position in the family¡¯s sibling order. Cheng Yuqi found herself deeply embarrassed. Her close companions were unaware, yet within the Cheng Family circle, it was common knowledge that Sixth Miss referred to Fang Yuan, not her! ¡°Shh, keep it down. It¡¯s quite late already.¡± Gently guiding her friends aside, Cheng Yuqi whispered, ¡°Alright, it¡¯s getting late. You should head back home.¡± ¡°I was curious about why you kept checking the time today, Yuqi. So, your parents had a surprise in store for you!¡± ¡°Yuqi, you¡¯re way too modest. If 1 were in your shoes, I¡¯d instantly flaunt it on my WeChat Moments. Any worries about us finding out would be absurd! Fearful of shattering our delicate hearts, perhaps?¡± ¡°Okay, let¡¯s leave. Let Yuqi relish in her gifts. Sigh, I¡¯m seriously envious!¡± Though Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t fathom the rationale behind her parents¡¯ large order for Fang Yuan, that rustic outsider, at this moment, her primary concern was ushering her best friend away. Just as her companions readied to depart, an exceptional luxury car pulled up abruptly in front of the villa. One of her friends recognized it immediately. ¡°Yuqi, isn¡¯t that your fiance¡¯s car?¡± The license plate clearly bore Bo Yi¡¯s signature. Cheng Yuqi cast her gaze in that direction, verifying it was indeed Bo Yi¡¯s vehicle.. Why had Bo Yi come? Chapter 56 - Chapter 56: To Her After Chapter 56: To Her After Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Mu Qing gracefully stepped out of the carriage, her movements carrying an air of respect as she opened the rear door. Following suit, Bo Yi gently held Fang Yuan¡¯s hand and disembarked from the vehicle. The sight left her closest friends utterly astonished. ¡°Yuqi, isn¡¯t that your fiance? Why is he holding another girl¡¯s hand?¡± ¡°Absolutely, that girl came out with him. How dare she come to your doorstep and flaunt herself?¡± ¡°What does she think she¡¯s up to?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not letting this vixen get away with it!¡± ¡°Count me in for helping you reclaim what¡¯s yours, Yuqi!¡± Her friends were all ready to rally behind Cheng Yuqi and impart a lesson to Fang Yuan. Despite her intense jealousy, Cheng Yuqi managed to restrain her friends. ¡°Enough, let¡¯s not create a scene. She¡¯s actually a distant relative of my family.¡± ¡°What kind of ridiculous relative is she, trying to steal your fiance?¡± ¡°Yuqi, they¡¯re practically trampling all over you. Can you really just let it slide?¡± ¡°Did Bo Yi fall for someone else? Was he drunk? Or did someone lure him?¡± Cheng Yuqi struggled to find a way to elucidate the bewildering scenario before her. Fortunately, a few dozen meters separated them, affording her the chance to murmur, ¡°It¡¯s like this¡­ She comes from a really difficult background. You all know how much my parents are into charity work. They¡¯re considering adopting her at the moment. I suppose Yi sympathizes with her due to her tough circumstances¡­¡± ¡°In any case, it¡¯s probably a misunderstanding!¡± These explanations only further stoked her friends¡¯ ire. ¡°If she was in need, they could¡¯ve given her money. Why bring an outsider into the family?¡± ¡°Absolutely right. Bringing in non-relatives can lead to trouble. They might have ulterior motives, eyeing your family¡¯s wealth and even your fiance!¡± Cheng Yuqi felt utterly unequipped to handle this series of unforeseen events. Fortunately, Auntie Wang rushed over after hearing the news, prompting Cheng Yuqi to signal her before ushering her friends away. Meanwhile, on another front. Just as Fang Yuan disembarked from the carriage, she found herself met with the foolishly grinning face of Qian Dawei. ¡°Hello, Miss Fang Yuan, fate brings us together once more.¡± He had intended to inquire about the delivery address from his boss but found himself obstructed by his boss¡¯s interference, rendering communication impossible¡­ ¡°Why are you here?¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s surprise at seeing him was tempered by a growing sense of foreboding. Her eyes flicked over. Why did it seem like the designs she had toiled over all night were present? And upon closer inspection, they indeed were! Her heart felt like it might fail her. How did these items come back to her after taking a full circle? ¡°Do you two know each other?¡± Bo Yi directed a wary and displeased gaze from Fang Yuan to Qian Dawei. Qian Dawei couldn¡¯t believe his luck that Bo Yi was actually holding his boss¡¯s hand. The fact that his hand remained attached was simply astonishing. ¡°David, what brings you here?¡± Qiao Xinhui, drawn out by the commotion, shared in the confusion. ¡°And why the sudden influx of clothes? We hadn¡¯t scheduled any deliveries for today.¡± ¡°Yi, Yuanyuan, you¡¯re back? Can someone explain what¡¯s happening?¡± Cheng Ye¡¯s bewilderment mirrored Qiao Xinhui¡¯s. Seeing the collective puzzlement, David Qian offered an explanation, ¡°All these items were ordered by Mr. Bo.¡± ¡°Yi?¡± Both Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui turned their gaze to Bo Yi. Bo Yi clarified, ¡°Yuanyuan just returned home and hasn¡¯t had the chance to go shopping. So, 1 took the liberty of ordering a few things for her to wear in the meantime. We can shop for more once she¡¯s available.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s mind whirred in confusion. Didn¡¯t this man question if she lacked anything before making such purchases? Just yesterday, she had accepted a hundred sets of clothes and bags from her parents. How on earth could she manage to wear through them all in a single day? ¡°I¡¯ve noticed your fondness for this particular brand.¡± Each encounter with Fang Yuan revealed her adorned in attire, bags, or shoes from this very brand. Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± It wasn¡¯t so much about liking it as it was about wearing what her parents bestowed upon her. Furthermore, she had crafted these pieces herself. Wasn¡¯t it only natural that she showcased her own designs? But how could Bo Yi have known? He assumed she had a preference for this brand¡­ Cheng Ye was about to speak, but just before he could, Qiao Xinhui nudged him, quickly adjusting her words. ¡°Yi, your thoughtfulness is truly heartwarming. I have to say, not just Yuanyuan, even I¡¯m moved!¡± Cheng Ye:¡±???¡± Why was he barred from mentioning that he had just gifted the girl clothes and bags yesterday? Observing their fingers intertwined, Qiao Xinhui felt elated. ¡°Let¡¯s not loiter here. Come inside, let¡¯s sit and have a nice chat.¡± ¡°Then, I won¡¯t intrude.¡± Bo Yi accepted without hesitation, guiding Fang Yuan into the villa while holding her hand. At that moment, Cheng Ye caught sight of their linked hands. Amid his excitement, a twinge of sadness also surfaced. His daughter had barely been back for two days, and she was already ensnared into leaving! Qian Dawei hadn¡¯t anticipated his boss¡¯s ruthlessness. The woman not only swindled his dad¡¯s money but also showed no mercy to her boyfriend. Cunning, she was truly cunning! A fitting quality for his boss! Cheng Ye was easy to deal with. The revelations about Bo Yi¡¯s deceit left him astounded. The man was a master swindler, capable even of duping him.. Admirable, truly admirable! Chapter 57 - Chapter 57: Rapid Development Chapter 57: Rapid Development Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations When Cheng Yuqi hastily returned, she coincidentally overheard Qian Dawei¡¯s conversation and learned that Bo Yi had ordered those items for Fang Yuan. It was as if a lightning bolt had struck her, rendering her immobile in disbelief. She stood there, fixated on the unfolding scene, struggling to comprehend the reality before her. How could this be? Why was this happening? Bo Yi not only introduced her to Grandpa Bo, but he also shared a meal with her. After dinner, he even personally drove her home ¨C an honor he had never bestowed upon any other woman. And now, he had gone so far as to select clothes and a bag for Fang Yuan. Most bewildering of all, he held Fang Yuan¡¯s hand as he escorted her into the house! ¡°Auntie Wang, what on earth should we do?¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s anxiety was palpable. Fang Yuan¡¯s composed demeanor failed to reflect any apparent setback from her encounter with Grandpa Bo. ¡°Let¡¯s step inside and gather more information,¡± Auntie Wang responded, sensing the ominous undertones of the situation yet refraining from hasty conclusions. Inside the living room. Bo Yi engaged in conversation with Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui, occasionally turning his attention to Fang Yuan, sparking speculation among the onlookers. Cheng Yuqi was consumed by envy, while Bo Yi seemed keen on being considerate of Fang Yuan¡¯s emotions, much to Cheng Yuqi¡¯s chagrin. Her nails were practically embedded in her palms. In an unexpected turn, Qiao Xinhui interjected, ¡°Yuanyuan, that necklace you¡¯re wearing¡­¡± The entire room¡¯s focus shifted to Fang Yuan¡¯s neck, where half of a crown pendant was visible. The revelation left everyone present in a state of astonishment. Apart from Cheng Yuqi, the rest displayed evident elation. Qiao Xinhui, taken aback, inquired, ¡°Did Grandpa Bo give you this?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Fang Yuan responded, opting not to elaborate. Bo Yi chimed in, ¡°Grandpa is genuinely pleased with Yuanyuan. She¡¯ll be accompanying him home from the hospital in a few days.¡± Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui were jubilant. The extent of Old Master Bo¡¯s satisfaction with their daughter was far beyond their expectations. ¡°Absolutely, inform Yuanyuan when the old gentleman is due for discharge. You both can fetch him together,¡± Cheng Ye affirmed. Cheng Yuqi was on the brink of losing her sanity due to overpowering jealousy. She couldn¡¯t fathom why Grandpa Bo had readily bestowed the crown necklace upon Fang Yuan! She had tirelessly attempted to ingratiate herself with Grandpa Bo in every conceivable manner in the past, yet even she hadn¡¯t managed to convince him to part with the necklace. Fang Yuan had only spent a few hours there today, and she had seemingly captured Grandpa Bo¡¯s affection effortlessly? After engaging in further conversation, Bo Yi rose to bid his farewell. He affectionately patted Fang Yuan¡¯s head. ¡°Get some rest and avoid staying up late,¡± he said, as if instructing a child. Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui had never witnessed such tenderness from Bo Yi, leaving them joyous. The rapid and seamless progress of the two youngsters exceeded their expectations. Despite Fang Yuan¡¯s general aversion to physical contact, Bo Yi had managed to create repeated exceptions today. ¡°Goodbye.¡± Bo Yi locked eyes with her and uttered lovingly, ¡°I¡¯ll give you a call once we¡¯re home.¡± Cheng Yuqi hadn¡¯t anticipated that they had already exchanged phone numbers. Her frustration was mounting again! ¡°Yes.¡± After Fang Yuan and the rest departed, they each retired to their respective rooms for a bath. Cheng Yuqi, too, returned to her room. The moment she crossed the threshold, her body went limp. Were it not for Auntie Wang¡¯s supporting presence, she might have crumpled to the floor. ¡°Auntie Wang, what am 1 supposed to do?¡± She had never experienced such a profound sense of defeat before. ¡°Miss Yuqi¡­¡± Auntie Wang struggled to find words of solace. The unfolding events had far outpaced their expectations. Cheng Yuqi¡¯s voice trembled as she asked, ¡°Auntie Wang, Yi is utterly devoted to her. What can 1 possibly do? How can 1 make Yi notice me?¡± A cunning glint glimmered in Auntie Wang¡¯s eyes. ¡°Lady Yuqi, don¡¯t despair. Her complacency won¡¯t last for long!¡± During the journey back home, Bo Yi casually inquired of Mu Qing, ¡°Have you located Hua He?¡± ¡°Not at the moment.¡± Mu Qing glanced at the rear-view mirror, fully aware of Master Bo¡¯s thoughts. ¡°While the public believes that the Holy Doctor Hua He has already passed away, an insider claims that Hua He is alive and in seclusion. His whereabouts, however, remain shrouded in secrecy. He tends to vanish whenever there¡¯s news about him.¡± Bo Yi acknowledged the reality; finding her couldn¡¯t possibly be that straightforward, or she wouldn¡¯t be Hua He. ¡°Master Bo, should Miss Fang Yuan give it a try?¡± Mu Qing¡¯s gaze met Bo Yi¡¯s through the rear-view mirror, as if attempting to decipher his intentions. ¡°Miss Fang Yuan possesses remarkable medical skills. She successfully treated the elderly sir twice.¡± ¡°The condition of Grandma is exceedingly complex.¡± Bo Yi hesitated to burden the young lady with more challenges. He didn¡¯t wish for her to feel responsible if she couldn¡¯t effect a cure; that wasn¡¯t his desired outcome. ¡°Shall I continue investigating?¡± Mu Qing awaited Bo Yi¡¯s directive. Having just finished her shower, Fang Yuan noticed a message on her phone. [Someone is seeking information about ¡°Hua He.¡± It seems there¡¯s an intricate case requiring urgent consultation from ¡°Hua He.¡±] Her dainty fingers tapped away on the screen: [I¡¯ve been quite occupied lately; I can¡¯t spare the time.] Monday was approaching, and she needed to inspect the situation at the company her father had entrusted to her. Neglecting it would only prompt her parents to transfer money to her account once more. [The individual in question is exceptionally wealthy. Feel free to set your own compensation if you¡¯re able to locate ¡°Hua He.¡±] Fang Yuan had already gone offline shortly after the message was sent.. Chapter 58 - Chapter 58: Fake Cheque Chapter 58: Fake Cheque Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan took a break to blow dry her hair. As soon as she returned, her phone rang once again. A peculiar number illuminated the screen, though she seemed accustomed to this routine and answered without a second thought. ¡°Boss, that idiot Fang Liguo has caused us to hemorrhage money again. We¡¯re down a whopping 100 million this time!¡± ¡°I damn well wish I could unearth his ancestor¡¯s grave and inquire how they managed to give birth to such a colossal imbecile!¡± ¡°He previously expressed interest in investing in various projects. I had people guiding him along multiple avenues, both overtly and covertly. I was on the verge of simply depositing the money directly into his pocket!¡± ¡°But what happened? Not only did he fail to turn a profit, but he also went ahead and lost the whole damn bundle, leaving us reeling in losses!¡± ¡°If this keeps up, Boss, you might as well start planning a visit to my grave. I¡¯m about to keel over from sheer fury!¡± The voice on the other end belonged to Big Bai. He had stood by Fang Yuan¡¯s side for three years, proving unwavering loyalty. Upon hearing this news, Fang Yuan was left momentarily speechless. A100 million dollar loss? Fang Liguo truly was a lost cause. How many times had he led them down this road? ¡°Boss, considering you don¡¯t share blood ties with that moron, why not severe all collaboration? Wouldn¡¯t it be more prudent for us to line our pockets solo? What sense does it make for that imbecile to bask in our success?¡± ¡°How have they treated you during your time with the Fang Family? How much suffering have you endured?¡± ¡°Even if you owed Madame Fang a debt in the past, you¡¯ve repaid it tenfold by aiding the Fang Clan through her illness. You¡¯ve cleaned up countless messes for Fang Liguo, effectively catapulting him to the title of Haicheng City¡¯s richest man. You¡¯ve long settled your accounts!¡± ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s time to stop aiding them, what do you say?¡± ¡°Agreed.¡± Fang Yuan tidied her hair and strolled nonchalantly into the clubhouse. This was a decision she¡¯d actually plotted long before now. From this point on, she intended to sever all ties with the Fang Clan. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for your efforts back then, would your company even have stumbled upon Fang Liguo for a partnership? Let¡¯s see how he struts around without us backing him up!¡± Given Fang Liguo¡¯s intellectual prowess, he seemed poised not only to relinquish his crown as Haicheng City¡¯s wealthiest individual but potentially to squander his entire fortune. Fang Yuan was resolved to put the vexatious matter of Fang Liguo behind her. In a casual tone, she remarked, ¡°I¡¯ll forward you a location. Swing by to collect something.¡± ¡°Got it! I¡¯ll tackle all the tasks Boss assigned to me, even if they involve mountains of blades and seas of flames!¡± Big Bai declared, stealing a glance at the disheartened onlookers nearby. He then added, ¡°Boss, Big Blackie is pining for you. It¡¯s yearning to pay you a visit as well.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fang Yuan gave in with a sigh. ¡°Alright.¡± Before long, their adept navigation skills led them to Fang Yuan¡¯s whereabouts, bypassing security personnel unnoticed. ¡°Scale the wall and come in.¡± Fang Yuan had no desire to startle her family. ¡°Sure thing!¡± After a brief interval, two figures scaled the wall and stood before Fang Yuan. ¡°Boss, we were at our wits¡¯ end missing you¡­¡± Little did they anticipate that Boss¡¯s biological father was none other than Cheng Ye, who had reigned as the country¡¯s wealthiest individual for twelve consecutive years¡­ What defied even greater expectation was that they presently stood within the residence of the world¡¯s richest man. No wonder his status was unparalleled; his abode was monumentally impressive¡­ ¡°We¡¯ll make a bank trip tomorrow.¡± Fang Yuan promised, extending them a check. Big Bai and Big Blackie exchanged incredulous glances before accepting the check, studying it skeptically. Could this check possibly be legitimate? ¡°Bo Group¡¯s blank check? Boss, did you stumble upon it?¡± Big Bai¡¯s incredulity was palpable. ¡°You didn¡¯t snatch it, did you?¡± Big Blackie playfully kicked him: ¡°Quit the nonsense. Would Boss ever stoop to stealing? She wouldn¡¯t even bother to pick up money off the ground! Boss, do enlighten us ¨C from where did you ¡®acquire¡¯ this check?¡± ¡°Damn it, you¡¯re the one spouting nonsense!¡± Big Bai playfully smacked the back of Big Blackie¡¯s head. ¡°Given Boss¡¯s character, does she need to steal anything?¡± The young woman possessed striking beauty and an ethereal air. With a glint in her eyes, she patiently allowed their commotion to subside before uttering slowly, ¡°Why don¡¯t you find out for yourselves once you cash it? Just make it out for 300 million.¡± It didn¡¯t need to be an exorbitant amount, just sufficient. Upon these words, Big Bai lowered the check in silence. ¡°Boss, I¡¯m getting jittery¡­ This is Bo Group¡¯s check¡­ I¡¯m afraid Bo Yi will sever my hand if he catches wind of this.¡± If it turned out to be a counterfeit, his fate would be agonizing¡­ Fang Yuan cast him a sidelong glance. Tsk, what a timid fellow. ¡°Boss, where did this come from exactly?¡± Big Blackie picked up the check again, scrutinizing it against the light. The more he observed, the more authentic it appeared. Could counterfeiting techniques have evolved to such an extent? Fang Yuan responded with a hint of disapproval, ¡°It dropped from the sky.¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t one fall for me?¡± Big Bai grumbled with a trace of offense, ¡°How did it manage to land in your hands, Boss?¡± Fang Yuan rolled her eyes at him. ¡°Could you manage it if it fell into your grasp?¡± ¡°What do you mean by not capable?¡± Big Bai retorted indignantly, ¡°Forget a single drop, I could even manage a whole stack falling, or even a hundred stacks!¡± Chapter 59 - Chapter 59: So Poor Chapter 59: So Poor Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°I casually performed a heart operation on Old Master Bo,¡± Fang Yuan stated with a hint of nonchalance. Big Blackie and Big Bai were immediately flabbergasted upon hearing this. ¡°Boss, you¡­¡± This was beyond audacious! Undertaking such a task? It seemed beyond human capability. ¡°Boss, I never anticipated you taking such a substantial risk just to settle our dues. Big Blackie and 1 are truly at a loss for how to repay you. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll visit the bank tomorrow morning and arrange for the funds to be transferred to your account promptly. After that, you can reimburse us our salaries. Perfect!¡± Their earnings would reflect in their accounts within a few working days ¨C an excellent prospect. ¡°No¡­. Boss, I always knew your fondness for us remained. You¡¯ve finally recalled our pay!¡± Big Blackie was so touched, it teetered on the brink of tears. ¡°I¡¯ve been struggling so much that eating became a luxury!¡± ¡°But, Boss, isn¡¯t requesting 300 million for a surgery somewhat ruthless?¡± Big Bai voiced concerns while examining the check. ¡°If they feel it¡¯s an excessive demand, they might abstain from seeking your services in the future. We could end up with a massive loss!¡± ¡°Are you not using your brains? Can our Boss¡¯s talents be equated to ordinary folks?¡± Swiftly grabbing a pen, Big Blackie inscribed 300 million onto the blank check. ¡°Boss, is there anyone within the Bo Family who necessitates a procedure? One operation costs 300 million, so for 10, it amounts to 31. Money like this can be earned effortlessly! Boss, would you consider boosting Big Bai¡¯s and my bonuses this month?¡± A teasing glint shone in Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes: ¡°This money has no relation to you two.¡± ¡°Huh? Boss, are you saying this in jest?¡± Big Blackie promptly inquired, ¡°Boss, are you fatigued from tending to Old Master Bo? How about I massage your legs?¡± ¡°Step aside! Is Boss¡¯s leg something you can lay hands on? Beware or I might sever your hand!¡± Following Big Bai¡¯s reprimand, he turned to Fang Yuan with a grin. ¡°Boss, how about a shoulder massage?¡± Big Blackie: ¡°You dare approach Boss¡¯s shoulders? You¡¯ll find yourself tumbling down the stairs!¡± Just then, a sudden knock reverberated through the door. Big Blackie and Big Bai exchanged alarmed glances. Had they been exposed? Or¡­ ¡°My dear daughter, are you still awake?¡± Qiao Xinhui¡¯s voice resonated outside the door. Fang Yuan was caught off guard. Could it be that Qiao Xinhui had stumbled upon something ¡°Not yet,¡± Fang Yuan responded in a soft tone. She then turned to her two subordinates, her voice lowered. ¡°Take the check and vanish from my sight within 10 seconds.¡± ¡°Boss¡­¡± Big Bai was still trying to speak, but Fang Yuan¡¯s dispassionate words cut him off: ¡°Otherwise, the prize money will be confiscated.¡± Upon hearing this, Big Bai swiftly catapulted himself over the balcony. ¡°Farewell, Boss!¡± ¡°Wait up, damn it!¡± Big Blackie noticed his companion¡¯s swift exit, and upon catching his boss¡¯s warning glare, he blurted out, ¡°Boss, don¡¯t be mad. We¡¯re making our exit now!¡± Fang Yuan uttered icily, ¡°You have three seconds remaining.¡± At those words, Big Blackie dashed toward the balcony. ¡°But there are dogs below. I can¡¯t jump, wuwu¡­¡± ¡°Can I come in, sweetheart?¡± Qiao Xinhui¡¯s voice echoed once more. Upon hearing this, even though Big Blackie had already departed, Fang Yuan still clung to the railing with one hand. His evident dread of the dog downstairs was palpable. Indeed, that dog was fearsome. It barked incessantly and even drooled. It seemed Fang Yuan would have to intervene. ¡°Boss, you¡¯re so considerate¡­¡± Big Blackie had initially believed that his Boss was going to assist him. Just as he was about to express gratitude, Fang Yuan kicked him off. He plummeted into the bushes, his posterior in danger of splitting! Simultaneously, the large dog, upon witnessing the tumble, lunged at him with furious barks, teeth bared. ¡°Alih!¡± Startled, Big Blackie scrambled to his feet and sprinted away. Fang Yuan only unlatched the door once she saw his hasty retreat. ¡°Mother, are you still awake?¡± ¡°I was concerned you hadn¡¯t eaten enough while out with Yi tonight, so 1 brought you a late-night snack.¡± Qiao Xinhui held a tray, stepping into the room, when she faintly caught an odd sound. ¡°Darling daughter, did you hear that? It seems a dog is chasing a man.¡± This was due to the barking dogs outside and a man¡¯s exclamation that could be heard amidst the commotion. ¡°I didn¡¯t hear that, did I?¡± Fang Yuan responded, her demeanor unflustered and her heart unruffled. ¡°I must have misheard,¡± Qiao Xinhui remarked while placing the tray onto a surface, revealing delectable pastries. ¡°Enjoy them while they¡¯re warm.¡± ¡°You prepared all of these?¡± Fang Yuan expressed her surprise. The pastries looked inviting, but her mother¡¯s culinary skills appeared to be advancing at an unusually rapid pace. Qiao Xinhui appeared slightly sheepish. ¡°Ahem, yes. The chef was the one who actually made them.¡± She was concerned that her daughter might not appreciate her unique cooking style, so she enlisted the chef¡¯s help. ¡°Let¡¯s dig in!¡± Qiao Xinhui¡¯s gaze brimmed with affection as she regarded Fang Yuan. ¡°You¡¯ve just returned, and if there¡¯s anything you find unfamiliar, remember to let Mom know, alright?¡± Fang Yuan picked up her chopsticks. ¡°Sure thing, Mom..¡± Chapter 60 - Chapter 60: Termination of Cooperation Chapter 60: Termination of Cooperation Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Qiao Xinhui found herself in a delicate situation and expressed, ¡°Mom and Dad have decided to hold off on revealing your return for now. There are a couple of reasons behind this. Firstly, Grandfather and Grandmother aren¡¯t in the best of health, and considering their age, they might not handle intense emotions well. Secondly, the household is bustling with numerous relatives. If news of your return gets out, it might attract a crowd. Moreover, if your identity becomes public, the media will swarm you for coverage. Your every move will be under scrutiny, leaving you with little personal space.¡± Fearing Fang Yuan might overthink the situation, Qiao Xinhui added, ¡°Rest assured, as the right time comes, your Dad and I will make a formal announcement to everyone.¡± Fang Yuan hadn¡¯t anticipated her mother bringing up this topic and responded, ¡°I¡¯m not too concerned about that.¡± The announcement and the ceremonies surrounding it weren¡¯t significant to her. She simply wished for family togetherness and care. Observing her pragmatic daughter, Qiao Xinhui beamed with pride and encouraged her to eat more. They continued their conversation after the meal, until Fang Yuan¡¯s phone interrupted them. Qiao Xinhui then took her leave. ¡°I¡¯m home,¡± came Bo Yi¡¯s voice. ¡°These clothes you got me are really excessive. I won¡¯t be able to wear them all,¡± Fang Yuan mentioned, catching a whiff of the new clothes. ¡°Could you return some of them?¡± Wearing everything seemed wasteful; she could potentially sell the extras to others. Bo Yi¡¯s response was indulgent, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Keep them and wear them at your own pace.¡± He continued, ¡°How about we go out tomorrow? Any place you¡¯re itching to visit?¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°I can¡¯t, I have work.¡± Bo Yi sounded surprised, ¡°Summer internship?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Fang Yuan affirmed. Bo Yi inquired further, ¡°Did your parents agree?¡± Fang Yuan confirmed, ¡°Yes, they let me join their company.¡± Bo Yi sounded a tad disappointed, but suggested, ¡°Shall I drop you off?¡± ¡°No need, it¡¯s quite close to home,¡± Fang Yuan declined. ¡°Why is work necessary for you?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s heart twinged with a pang of concern. Could it be that she was running low on funds? But upon closer thought, the incident where he handed her a blank check after her surgery crossed his mind. It wasn¡¯t about money. Fang Yuan responded, ¡°I¡¯m planning to enjoy myself. Summer break leaves me with nothing to do.¡± If she stayed home, her parents would have to transfer money to her daily. She felt compelled to work, albeit reluctantly. Bo Yi¡¯s charming voice resounded, ¡°Why not come have some fun at my company? It¡¯s quite an enjoyable environment.¡± Fang Yuan,¡±¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re free to amuse yourself however you like,¡± Bo Yi continued persuading. Fang Yuan,¡±¡­¡± ¡°With me around, 1 can ensure you¡¯re taken care of,¡± Bo Yi added. Fang Yuan politely declined, ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡± ¡°Give it some thought?¡± It was Bo Yi¡¯s first experience in hiring someone. Fang Yuan declined without a second thought, ¡°Thank you, but this job suits me.¡± Bo Yi persisted, ¡°Are you determined to play?¡± Fang Yuan affirmed, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Alright then, have fun for a couple of days. If you find it unenjoyable, you can always come to my place,¡± Bo Yi suggested. He didn¡¯t want her working outside because he¡¯d miss seeing her throughout the work hours. Being fairly new to the world of work, she might not fully grasp its intricacies. He worried she might encounter difficulties¡­ The next morning came swiftly. As Fang Liguo entered the company¡¯s main entrance, he spotted his secretary standing nearby, seemingly awaiting his arrival. In high spirits, he greeted the secretary with a smile, ¡°Zhuang, you¡¯re here so early today.¡± ¡°President Fang, you¡¯ve arrived at last!¡± Secretary Zhuang¡¯s expression was visibly distressed, almost on the brink of tears. ¡°We¡¯re in trouble. Today, I¡¯ve received multiple calls from different companies indicating their intention to terminate our cooperation!¡± Fang Liguo was taken aback. ¡°Has the contract expired?¡± Secretary Zhuang clarified, ¡°No.¡± Fang Liguo probed, ¡°Are they dissatisfied with the current terms? That¡¯s manageable. Engage in discussions with them.¡± ¡°They¡¯ve declared their complete cessation of cooperation. These firms have put us on their blacklist.¡± As Secretary Zhuang conveyed this, Fang Liguo was utterly bewildered. ¡°For what reason?¡± His mind struggled to process the sudden revelation. ¡°Did they find a more suitable partner?¡± Secretary Zhuang hesitated, feeling uneasy about disclosing it. ¡°Why the hesitation?¡± Fang Liguo¡¯s annoyance surfaced. ¡°If you have something to say, say it. Our years of collaboration wouldn¡¯t be discarded just because you uttered a wrong sentence.¡± ¡°President Fang, 1 know you won¡¯t do that. But, their remarks are rather impolite¡­ I feared you wouldn¡¯t take it well,¡± Secretary Zhuang grappled with the message he needed to convey. However, his reluctance only fueled Fang Liguo¡¯s curiosity further. Guided by Secretary Zhuang, Fang Liguo proceeded to his office via the elevator. It was within the confines of his office that the truth was finally revealed. ¡°They referred to you as an imbecile directly over the phone. They expressed their complete exasperation with you and have sworn off any future collaborations¡­ Their words were anything but kind.¡± Fang Liguo¡¯s countenance darkened. ¡°Which company said this?¡± The audacity of such uncouth behavior angered him. Terminating a partnership was one thing, but indulging in insults? ¡°Three companies, to be precise. The largest of them was particularly scathing¡­¡± Secretary Zhuang struggled to articulate his astonishment. Fang Liguo was rendered speechless by the revelation. ¡°Fangyuan Capital said that?¡± Secretary Zhuang, ¡°Yes¡­¡± Chapter 61 - Chapter 61: In a Good Mood Chapter 61: In a Good Mood Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fangyuan Capital stood as one of the premier venture capital firms in the realm of Hua Land. The visionary behind this firm, Fangyuan, was a luminary in the industry often referred to as the ¡°Venture Capital Maestro.¡± Any project that garnered her optimistic support was almost guaranteed to achieve popularity following her investment. Numerous small and medium-sized enterprises thrived and expanded due to the support from her company. In the past, Fang Liguo had enjoyed the privilege of securing funds effortlessly from Fangyuan Capital for any endeavor he wished to pursue. Even in cases where a project ultimately faltered, leading to financial losses, Fangyuan Capital refrained from casting blame. Observing the special treatment Fang Yuan Capital accorded him, other businesses surmised he had powerful connections and accorded him similar courtesy. So, what had transpired to alter this dynamic? Why had their collaboration seemingly come to an inexplicable halt? Fang Liguo pondered, ¡°What was the nature of the most recent project for which we secured funds from Fangyuan Capital?¡± Secretary Zhuang gently reminded him, ¡°President Fang, around two months ago, you secured a 500-million investment from Fangyuan Capital with the intention of acquiring IL.¡± IL represented a cutting-edge technology company specializing in virtual fitting experiences. By standing in front of a specially designed mirror and interfacing with its system, customers could virtually try on the entire range of garments available in the store without physically donning them. The Fang Clan had already established a reputable presence in the clothing industry, owning their own manufacturing facilities and brick-and-mortar stores. Fang Liguo¡¯s plan had been to integrate IL¡¯s virtual fitting mirrors across all Fang Clan physical stores. This strategic move aimed to expedite customer trials and enhance the overall purchase rate. Secretary Zhuang sighed, ¡°However, it turned out that the experience of using the IL fitting mirrors was vastly different from actually wearing the clothes. The disparities were significant.¡± Additionally, the maintenance costs for the IL mirrors were exorbitant, and they were highly sensitive to environmental conditions. Extended exposure to sunlight could lead to ruptures and even spontaneous combustion. Damp environments often resulted in malfunctions, with occasional distortions appearing on the mirror¡¯s display¡­ Undeterred, Fang Liguo boldly installed these mirrors in nearly 10,000 physical stores. In the end, he was compelled to dismantle them all, facing a costly failure. This endeavor set him back a total of 700 million. Apart from the 500 million invested by Fang Yuan, an additional 200 million flowed into it¡­ ¡°Could this be the catalyst?¡± Fang Liguo contemplated. Was this why Fangyuan Capital had withdrawn from cooperating with him? ¡°It shouldn¡¯t have escalated to that extent,¡± Secretary Zhuang interjected swiftly. ¡°Remember when you initially secured one billion from Fangyuan Capital for the Clothing City investment? Eventually, despite losing it all and incurring an additional 300 million, Fangyuan Capital continued to collaborate with us.¡± Fang Liguo found this line of reasoning logical. If they were intent on discontinuing cooperation, they would have cut ties earlier. Why wait until now? ¡°Did Fangyuan Capital convey anything beyond reprimanding me?¡± Fang Liguo inquired. Secretary Zhuang responded, ¡°No, they did not.¡± Given that Fangyuan Capital¡¯s founder remained conspicuously absent, Wu Di, the region¡¯s administrator, assumed charge over all dealings. ¡°During the call, it was Liu, President Wu¡¯s Special Assistant, who voiced their reprimand,¡± Secretary Zhuang hesitated before continuing. Fang Liguo¡¯s patience was wearing thin. Frustrated, he tugged at his tie and demanded, ¡°Why the hesitation? If there¡¯s more to share, spit it out!¡± Secretary Zhuang revealed, ¡°It¡¯s just that¡­ Fangyuan Capital has ceased cooperation and appears rather pleased about it. Just before ending the call, 1 distinctly heard laughter on their end¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fang Liguo began pondering once more. What exactly did this laughter signify? ¡°This isn¡¯t acceptable. I¡¯ll personally contact Special Assistant Liu and ascertain the situation,¡± he declared. Secretary Zhuang promptly handed over the office landline. Fang Liguo dialed Special Assistant Liu¡¯s number. Ordinarily, Liu would pick up without delay, but now, only a cold, mechanized voice responded, ¡°We apologize, but the number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try again later¡­¡± Suspicion crept in, and Fang Liguo made several more attempts. His agitation mounted. It wasn¡¯t that he couldn¡¯t connect; he had clearly been barred! Frustrated, he unfastened his collar and called Liu¡¯s superior, Wu Di. Yet, Wu Di too had placed him on a blacklist. Suppressing his anger, Fang Liguo persisted with more calls, yet none went through. An entire hour of relentless effort yielded no successful communication. On the periphery, Secretary Zhuang trembled, while a message alert resonated: ¡°President, President Fang¡­¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you perceive my irritable state? Spare me the chatter and allow me a moment to compose myself!¡± Fang Liguo¡¯s frustration sought an outlet as it brimmed within him. Choosing silence over speech, Secretary Zhuang reached for the notepad on the table and scripted: [President Fang, the board of directors is seeking your presence]. Gazing at the words, Fang Liguo¡¯s vexation only escalated. ¡°When the board of directors beckons, you can¡¯t just instruct me on what to write!¡± Secretary Zhuang lamented, ¡°President Fang, you were the one who advised me to stay quiet¡­¡± ¡°These elders usually revel in their dividends. Yet, when an issue surfaces, they swiftly allocate blame to us!¡± Fang Liguo rose from his seat and retrieved his jacket. ¡°Let them wait for now. Arrange my car. I intend to personally pay a visit to Fangyuan Capital Group!¡± Secretary Zhuang hesitated, ¡°President Fang, are you sure about this?¡± Fang Liguo pressed on, ¡°I¡¯m heading there to have a direct talk with Wu Di!¡± Chapter 62 - Chapter 62: Two Rounds Chapter 62: Two Rounds Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations On the opposite side, Fang Yuan reached the entrance of a company, precisely following the directions provided by her mother. The building¡¯s exterior boasted glass walls and stood impressively at 18 to 19 stories high, spanning five to six shops in width. Dominating the entrance was a large engraved rock bearing the name: Cheng Ming Clothing Co. Ltd. Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± Weren¡¯t we under the impression that this was a small-scale company? As she stepped into the lobby on the first floor, a sight met her eyes¡ª the lady stationed at the front desk was caught in a nap. Fang Yuan gave a soft utterance, ¡°Excuse me.¡± The slumbering young lady jolted awake, her gaze landing on the newcomer, a mere high school student. She rubbed her eyes and inquired, ¡°Um, hello there? Are you sure you¡¯re in the right place? This is Cheng Ming Clothing Co. Ltd¡­¡± Fang Yuan: ¡°I¡¯m Fang Yuan. I¡¯m here for work.¡± Upon hearing this, the young lady¡¯s drowsiness evaporated in an instant, prompting her to spring to her feet. ¡°President Fang, right this way!¡± With instructions having been issued by Cheng Ye the previous day about the transition of company control, the staff were anticipating the arrival of a designated successor. However, the identity of Cheng Ye¡¯s daughter was kept under wraps, and the narrative circulated was that Fang Yuan had been dispatched by the headquarters. Escorting Fang Yuan into the elevator, the young lady pressed the button for the 20th floor. ¡°President Fang, let me escort you to your office.¡± ¡°No need, I¡¯d like to explore the place on my own.¡± Fang Yuan cast a fleeting glance at the floor layout displayed within the elevator and casually tapped the button for the second floor¡ªwhere the design department was located. The design department was a rather tranquil scene with minimal personnel, most of whom were idling away. Games were being played, a few caught up on some much-needed sleep, and others were engrossed in their breakfast. The atmosphere was notably lackadaisical. As the front desk lady ushered Fang Yuan into the area, she even took the effort to knock on a door for a heads-up. However, the occupants, all from the design department, upon seeing a young girl accompanying her, merely assumed she was a family member and didn¡¯t accord the situation much gravity. ¡°Qianqian, you¡¯ve brought your family to work today?¡± a plump woman remarked with a grin, ¡°Are you here for a little family time?¡± The front desk¡¯s attendant, Qianqian, cast a swift glance at her, signaling her to maintain silence. ¡°What¡¯s up with your eyes?¡± Without a moment¡¯s delay, it was Fang Yuan who approached. Observing the woman engrossed in card games on her computer, she casually noted, ¡°You¡¯re on the verge of losing.¡± The woman with a fuller figure was caught off guard. This young lady had such insight? With an air of indifference, Fang Yuan commented, ¡°Play the Spade 8 first.¡± Prompted by her words, the woman instinctively clicked on the Spade 8 with her mouse. Fang Yuan proceeded with her guidance, ¡°Now, Heart 5.¡± ¡°Add the Club 3.¡± ¡°Finish with the Diamond 10.¡± Guided by Fang Yuan¡¯s instructions, the woman found herself swiftly turning her fortunes around. ¡°Wow, you¡¯re seriously something! Kid, how old are you?¡± The woman playfully patted Fang Yuan¡¯s shoulder, enthusiasm in her voice. ¡°How about you indulge Sister in two more rounds? Win, and 1¡¯11 treat you to some candy!¡± Quickly intervening, the front desk attendant interjected, ¡°This is the executive sent by headquarters, President Fang!¡± She cleared her throat before continuing, ¡°Let¡¯s focus on our tasks. Extracurricular activities should be avoided.¡± The woman at the computer was taken aback. This seemingly high school student was the appointed leader dispatched by headquarters? Did she even graduate from high school? Is she an adult? Could it be that some influential bigwig at headquarters pulled strings for her entry? Is she here to make their lives miserable? Other colleagues also found themselves baffled by Fang Yuan¡¯s age. How could she, at her youthful years, possess the acumen to manage a company? ¡°Given your style of play, it¡¯ll take you three to five months to secure a victory,¡± Fang Yuan mused, her hand patting the woman¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Put your efforts into your work, earn more, or you might not lose enough.¡± As Fang Yuan prepared to depart from the design department, an unusual sight caught her eye¡ªa girl tucked away in a corner, engrossed in her own world. The girl, with her back turned to the room, sported headphones and was meticulously crafting something on paper. Drawn closer by curiosity, Fang Yuan observed the scene¡ªa brush deftly outlining the contours of a small formal dress, with a substantial pile of drafts amassed nearby. Evidently, dedication was not foreign to her routine. ¡°Our most ambitious designer, Gu Panpan,¡± the front desk attendant introduced, extending a hand to tap Gu Panpan¡¯s shoulder. Gu Panpan jumped slightly, removing her headphones, and cast a puzzled gaze toward the two unexpected visitors before her. She inquired politely, ¡°May 1 help you with something?¡± Having found the office environment to be too noisy, she had donned her earbuds and immersed herself in drawing. She remained oblivious to recent events. ¡°This is our newly appointed head, President Fang,¡± Du Qianqian whispered, nudging her. ¡°Stand up and greet her.¡± Meeting Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze, Gu Panpan rose, her demeanor respectful yet tinged with shyness. ¡°Good morning, President Fang.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s attention settled on the draft at hand. ¡°You¡¯re the artist behind all this?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Gu Panpan affirmed, quickly presenting the draft to Fang Yuan for inspection. ¡°Gu Panpan completed her college degree at the age of 18. She¡¯s a top-performing student! Fashion design is her passion. Despite joining us just last month, she¡¯s already produced an array of designs,¡± Du Qianqian elucidated. Fang Yuan returned the draft with a nod. ¡°Impressive work. Keep up the dedication.¡± ¡°Thank you, President Fang¡­¡± Gu Panpan watched Fang Yuan depart, her mind racing.. Who could have anticipated that someone her age would ascend to the company¡¯s leadership? Clearly, she possessed remarkable competence! Chapter 63 - Chapter 63: Meeting Chapter 63: Meeting Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After a comprehensive tour of the company premises, Fang Yuan came to the stark realization that the overall atmosphere within the organization was alarmingly lacking in discipline. In all her prior experiences across various companies, not even the cumulative disorderliness of her past workplaces could hold a candle to the prevailing state of anarchy here. The company had regressed into an abyss of decadence, devoid of any discernible vitality. Upon reaching her office and settling into her chair, Fang Yuan was interrupted by the sudden entrance of her assistant, Wang Ning. ¡°My sincerest apologies for my tardiness. Hm? Is the company¡¯s head not present today? Are they also running late? Miss, have you crossed paths with the head honcho? Please vacate that seat immediately!¡± In a flurry of words, Wang Ning¡¯s gaze eventually settled on the seemingly unmoved figure before him. Arching an eyebrow, he noted that despite her outward nonchalance, an unusually potent aura emanated from her form. An icy shiver ran down his spine. ¡°Could it be that you¡¯re¡­¡± ¡°I am Fang Yuan.¡± ¡°Madam President, President Fang¡­¡± Wang Ning hastened forward, his fright palpable. Amidst his stumbling explanation, Fang Yuan pieced together the puzzle to a certain extent. About a year ago, the Cheng Family had ventured into the garment industry, recruiting numerous experts from the field. Some excelled in management, while others showcased prowess in design. The central administration even dispatched Zhao Quan to assume leadership. However, with the passage of time, the company¡¯s condition saw no amelioration. A sense of disillusionment drove many talented individuals to depart in succession. The higher-ups, initially brimming with confidence, eventually adopted a hands-off approach. Gradually, the corporate environment devolved into an unruly state. Having been on the scene for a year, Wang Ning remained anxious but lacked the authority to steer a course correction. Fang Yuan declared, ¡°Summon a meeting. I expect every department head and management representative to assemble within the next 20 minutes.¡± ¡°Yes, President Fang.¡± Wang Ning swiftly departed to relay the message. Twenty minutes later, within the confines of the conference room, the 38 chairs that should have been fully occupied now accommodated a mere nine individuals. ¡°President Fang, the Director of the Finance Department has mentioned that her child is unwell. She¡¯s seeking approval for a leave of absence to take her child to the hospital.¡± ¡°The Director of the Purchasing Department has informed us of his ill health and intends to take a day off to recuperate at home.¡± ¡°From the Human Resources Department, we¡¯ve received word that¡­¡± Wang Ning¡¯s narration was cut short by Fang Yuan¡¯s interruption: ¡°Inform them that if they fail to show up tomorrow, there will be no place for them here in the future.¡± In response to her seemingly audacious statement, the onlookers believed she was asserting her authority as a newly appointed figurehead. Fang Yuan pressed on, ¡°My presence signifies the end of past complacency for everyone. Alternatively, bid farewell to the company altogether.¡± The assembled individuals exchanged astonished glances. Unbeknownst to them, Fang Yuan¡¯s management approach in her previous ventures was even more stringent. Those prone to idleness and stagnation had swiftly faced expulsion. Turning her attention back to the room, Fang Yuan inquired, ¡°Now, who can provide an update on the company¡¯s current status, recent achievements, and prospective directions?¡± A pervasive silence hung in the room. ¡°Once more,¡± Fang Yuan reiterated her query, yet no response surfaced. Evidently, the company had made no substantial progress and lacked a coherent growth strategy. At that juncture, a voice spoke up. ¡°President Fang.¡± Standing up, Zhou Hao, the Director of the Design Department, addressed her. ¡°We share the yearning for the company¡¯s advancement, but we¡¯re grappling with an elusive obstacle. All departments have been functioning harmoniously, yet tangible progress remains elusive.¡± Fang Yuan prompted, ¡°Elaborate.¡± Zhou Hao continued, ¡°Moreover, our department¡¯s designs exhibit commendable quality, but inexplicably, we¡¯re encountering difficulties in converting them into sales¡­¡± Fang Yuan.¡±¡­.¡± Zhou Hao elaborated, ¡°To illustrate, last month, our department¡¯s Gu Panpan crafted a collection of 10 summer women¡¯s outfits. We convened a meeting to deliberate on their innovative styles and impressive aesthetic, yet regrettably, they remained unsalable. Our design principles remain intact. If you doubt my words, I can provide a visual demonstration.¡± With that, Zhou Hao projected images of 10 invigorating, earthy dresses onto the screen. At a single glance, Fang Yuan discerned several underlying issues. ¡°Regarding the first dress, the lace embellishments appear excessive, warranting removal. For the second dress, let¡¯s alter the short hem to a full-length skirt and replace the circular neckline with a V-neck design. As for the third piece, we¡¯ll modify the hemline as follows¡­¡± Fang Yuan swiftly sketched out a revised outline on paper, conjuring a summery floral skirt that captured everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Furthermore, there¡¯s the fourth adjustment¡­¡± Upon Fang Yuan¡¯s completion of the analysis for all 10 dresses, an air of astonishment pervaded the room. Her expertise had taken them all aback. Initially dismissing Fang Yuan as a youthful and unreliable delegate from the headquarters, they now witnessed her astutely dissecting the issues at hand and formulating reform strategies in a matter of sentences. Her mastery exceeded their expectations. ¡°President Fang, even if we perfect our clothing designs, we remain at an impasse if certain colleagues fail to fulfill their responsibilities!¡± ¡°The prevailing company culture breeds complacency, marginalizing those who genuinely invest effort.¡± ¡°Certainly. We¡¯re grappling with inadequate skilled manpower and expertise. The central administration¡¯s involvement is proving futile. Abandoning the venture seems regrettable, yet we¡¯re ensnared in a predicament.¡± Numerous voices chimed in, pinpointing the underlying concerns.. Chapter 64 - Chapter 64: Grandpa Sun Chapter 64: Grandpa Sun Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Prior to joining the company, I had already initiated inquiries,¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze traversed the assembled crowd. ¡°Our company integrates aspects of product design, development, production, and sales. Additionally, we are open to specific orders, such as processing. Currently, beyond footwear and apparel, our inventory encompasses accessories and various other items.¡± There must be an underlying issue for the company¡¯s lack of progress over the past year. ¡°I have just completed a tour of the company premises. A significant portion of the machinery is outdated and inadequate for contemporary demands. Kindly notify the Procurement Department to effect the replacement of these machines with newer models within a span of three days. This will encompass a sex-vang machine, fabric dispenser, needle inspection apparatus, printing machinery, a fully automated packaging device, and so forth. A detailed inventory will follow.¡± Upon hearing this, those present were subtly stirred with excitement. The desire to replace these subpar machines had lingered for quite some time! ¡°The company is pursuing two avenues of development. One entails the conception of innovative products. The second involves sustaining ongoing growth and the continued acceptance of orders.¡± ¡°In the imminent future, substantial adjustments to the company¡¯s management will transpire. I urge each of you to be mentally prepared.¡± ¡°Should anyone be uncooperative within interdisciplinary collaborations or struggle to embrace the forthcoming changes, feel free to submit your resignation directly to the Human Resources department.¡± ¡°Subsequently, feel at liberty to visit my office for clarifications at any time. With that, today¡¯s meeting draws to a close. You are dismissed!¡± With these words, Fang Yuan stood, exuding a commanding aura. Many individuals harbored an inkling that transformative shifts were afoot for the company. The era of rainy weather was drawing to a close, making way for sunnier days ahead! Fang Yuan had barely settled back into her office when her phone rang. She answered, ¡°Grandpa Sun?¡± ¡°My dear, I¡¯ve arrived in Jing City. Might you have a moment for lunch? How about joining your old Grandpa for a meal?¡± His hearty laughter resonated from the other end. ¡°Even if you¡¯re swamped, you must make time. Care to guess the occasion?¡± ¡°It¡¯s your birthday.¡± Fang Yuan promptly responded. Amidst her recent whirlwind of activity, she had actually overlooked Grandpa Sun¡¯s birthday! She hadn¡¯t even prepared a gift. ¡°Dear girl, it warms my heart that you¡¯ve remembered your old Grandpa¡¯s birthday! Join me at Donghu Restaurant at noon. Our cherished private room awaits. Shall I come to pick you up?¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll share my location with you.¡± Upon ending the call, Fang Yuan transmitted her location to Grandpa Sun. Subsequently, she searched through her bag, realizing that she hadn¡¯t brought anything of value today. A thought struck her ¨C the production department at her company possessed several useful machines. Meanwhile, Zhou Hao, the Director of the Designing Department, and Gu Panpan were visiting the production department to inspect the recently designed products. While engrossed in their discussion, they spotted Fang Yuan. ¡°I¡¯ll be utilizing the machine for a while. Carry on, you two,¡± Fang Yuan announced, instructing her assistant to bring the fabric. Following several rounds of selection, she eventually settled on the material and color. After a flurry of activity in the production department, she managed to swiftly assemble several sets of clothing before departing in haste. Zhou Hao and Gu Panpan exchanged incredulous glances, utterly astonished by the entire spectacle. They couldn¡¯t fathom how President Fang had efficiently crafted multiple outfits in such a brief span. Notably, the process was flawlessly executed in one go. Moreover, President Fang had not even employed a model, yet the styles she produced were remarkably appealing. Who exactly was this President Fang? The whole scenario seemed unbelievable! Following the successful completion of Grandpa Sun¡¯s birthday gift, Fang Yuan received another WeChat message from Bo Yi. [Where are you working?] Observing Fang Yuan¡¯s lack of response, he sent a follow-up message: [How¡¯s your first day at work going?] After a moment¡¯s reflection, he appended: [Has anyone been treating you unfairly?] Fang Yuan promptly shared her location with Bo Yi, who examined it with curiosity. It was revealed that she was currently situated at a modest clothing company affiliated with the Cheng Family. Only two days had passed since her return home, and she was already assuming control of the company? [Are you feeling exhausted?] Bo Yi couldn¡¯t bear the thought of her overexerting herself. Fang Yuan responded: [I¡¯m not tired. It¡¯s quite pleasant, actually. No one has given me any trouble.] She answered all the messages in one go. Bo Yi: [Would you like to have lunch together?) Fang Yuan: [Perhaps another time, I have a noon appointment with someone.] Bo Yi: [A man?] Fang Yuan: [Yes.] Bo Yi felt a pang of jealousy and disappointment upon reading her response. His emotions were getting the best of him. [Which restaurant are you at? Shall i drive you there?] Fang Yuan replied: [No need.] She then picked up the report handed to her by Wang Ning and refrained from checking her phone further. At noon, Grandpa Sun called Fang Yuan. Learning that he had arrived downstairs, she grabbed her bag and descended the stairs. ¡°Master Bo, would you like to come along?¡± Mu Qing hadn¡¯t anticipated Miss Fang Yuan¡¯s swift takeover of the company once she acknowledged her family. He was equally surprised by her refusal of Master Bo¡¯s lunch invitation and her choice to board another person¡¯s car! The license plate number struck him as unfamiliar ¨C definitely not from the upper echelons of Jing City. He remained oblivious to the occupant¡¯s background as well. Nonetheless, given Master Bo¡¯s appearance, it was apparent that a man was inside the vehicle! ¡°Come along where?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s tone was tinged with disapproval. ¡°We simply need to find a place to dine.¡± ¡°Of course¡­¡± You¡¯re the boss, and you¡¯re right.. But when you mentioned finding a place to eat, it wasn¡¯t the same venue as Miss Fang Yuan¡¯s, right? Ha ha, what an obstinate man! Chapter 65 - Chapter 65: Such Self-Respect Chapter 65: Such Self-Respect Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations In the car at that moment, the elderly man¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement as he laid eyes on Fang Yuan. ¡°My dear, you¡¯ve grown even more beautiful! It¡¯s just a shame that our meetings are so infrequent.¡± Sun Bingsong understood that if it weren¡¯t for his birthday, Fang Yuan wouldn¡¯t have found the time to visit. ¡°How is Granny doing?¡± he inquired. Fang Yuan provided an update on her grandmother¡¯s well-being, and Sun Bingsong¡¯s eyes welled up with tears. ¡°Knowing that you¡¯re taking care of her, along with that old rascal Cheng Yongchang in Jing City, puts my heart at ease.¡± Sun Bingsong had once been smitten with Liu Yuehua, who later became Madame Old Fang. Unfortunately, his modest financial circumstances had led Liu Yuehua¡¯s family to disapprove of their relationship. Ultimately, Sun Bingsong had to stand by helplessly as the woman he loved was compelled to marry into the Fang Clan, a local aristocratic family. Determined to succeed, he had devoted himself to his career, achieving notable success in the business world. He had always resisted the idea of expanding his business abroad, preferring to maintain a foothold locally. Years later, after establishing himself in his career, Sun Bingsong had sought out Liu Yuehua and presented her with a ring, pledging to fulfill any request she made with it. To his surprise, one summer break, Liu Yuehua had entrusted Fang Yuan with the ring, asking Sun Bingsong to teach her a skill. As a successful businessman with numerous capable friends, Sun Bingsong had never married, treating Fang Yuan as his own granddaughter. He not only imparted business knowledge but also enlisted his friends to teach her medicine, music, chess, calligraphy, and more. These friends had grown fond of Fang Yuan, eagerly passing down their skills to her, and she had exceeded all their expectations. Fang Yuan had spent her winter and summer vacations with this group of wise elders, whose contributions had played an indispensable role in her current success. ¡°When will you graduate from university? You must assist me in managing my affairs,¡± Sun Bingsong said with a hint of aging weariness. ¡°Since 1 have no sons or daughters, you are my sole heir from this point forward.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say that,¡± Fang Yuan replied, overwhelmed with her busy schedule. Additionally, she was unsure how to divide her time with the responsibilities Cheng Ye had entrusted her with at the company. ¡°You are my sole family in this world. If 1 don¡¯t leave all my assets to you, who else could 1 entrust them to?¡± Sun Bingsong said with a warm smile. Fang Yuan responded casually, ¡°Since you miss Granny so much, why haven¡¯t you returned to settle down? Your career is stable in other countries, and if you were in Jing City, we could stay in close contact.¡± Sun Bingsong nodded knowingly. ¡°1 worry it might affect her.¡± Their shared history with Liu Yuehua was a secret, known to no one but them. Even Fang Liguo remained unaware of this connection between his mother and Sun Bingsong. ¡°Grandpa Fang passed away early, but he treated Grandma exceptionally well. After his passing, I couldn¡¯t be with her,¡± Sun Bingsong continued. Fang Yuan remained silent. ¡°For me, it¡¯s enough to care for her from a distance and keep updated on her well-being,¡± Sun Bingsong said, not asking for much. He took great pride in Fang Yuan¡¯s accomplishments and believed it would be a waste of her talent if she were to become his successor. As they conversed, the car pulled up in front of Donghu Restaurant. Fang Yuan opened the car door and assisted Sun Bingsong out. ¡°I always advised you not to push yourself too hard when you were younger, but you never listened. Now look at you, struggling to walk steadily in your later years.¡± Sun Bingsong chuckled and replied, ¡°When 1 think about leaving you a substantial dowry after I¡¯m gone, all those years of hard work feel worthwhile.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re clearly doing it for Granny. What does that have to do with me?¡± Fang Yuan supported him as they walked slowly. ¡°You¡¯re getting older; it¡¯s time to take it easy.¡± Sun Bingsong retorted, ¡°That won¡¯t do. I still have some properties I need to acquire before 1 depart from this world!¡± Fang Yuan sighed. At that moment, Fang Jiayi clung to Lu Chen¡¯s arm in shock and exclaimed, ¡°Brother Lu Chen, isn¡¯t that Sister?¡± She had accompanied Lu Chen to a bridal shop across from Donghu Restaurant to try on wedding gowns, never expecting to see Fang Yuan walking into the restaurant, arm in arm with an elderly man. ¡°That man is quite elderly. Isn¡¯t she repulsed by him?¡± Lu Chen furrowed his brow. He didn¡¯t anticipate that Fang Yuan would compromise her self-respect just to remain in Jing City. Instantly, a sense of disdain washed over him. Fang Jiayi also couldn¡¯t help but recollect the previous night¡¯s events at Starry Night Restaurant. Fang Yuan had exited the VIP elevator with a young man. Could it be that she was involved with multiple men simultaneously, or was the man from last night just her brother? Regardless, seeing her in such a predicament was oddly satisfying. Inside the car, Bo Yi observed Fang Yuan¡¯s unwavering support for the elderly woman, his gaze fixed on her for an extended period. The same small hands that he had once held were now providing assistance to someone else. ¡°Master Bo, why does this old man seem familiar to me?¡± Mu Qing racked her brain for a moment before suddenly recalling, ¡°I¡¯ve got it! His name is Sun Bingsong, the head of the renowned overseas venture capital group, Aihua Group..¡± Chapter 66 - Chapter 66: Tasting Chapter 66: Tasting Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Aihua Capital had surpassed even Fangyuan Capital in size. Initially, its founder had amassed his wealth through small-scale ventures, but as his funds grew, he transitioned into a more focused approach on investment. He possessed a keen eye for potential opportunities, readily investing in projects he believed in. Over the years, he had backed numerous successful ventures, amassing immense personal wealth. It was no surprise that his license plate was a rare sight in Jing City; he had established his residence abroad. Mu Qing couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°Miss Fang Yuan seems to have an extensive network.¡± Not only did Dean Zheng of Renyi Hospital hold her in high regard, but her father was also one of the wealthiest individuals around. It appeared that her connections extended even to Sun Bingsong. Bo Yi remained fixated on those delicate hands that had supported each other for so long. Why hadn¡¯t they let go yet? It wasn¡¯t until they entered the elevator together that he withdrew his gaze and instructed, ¡°Find out which private room they¡¯ve reserved.¡± ¡°Master Bo, do you wish to join them for a meal as well?¡± Mu Qing inquired. He suddenly felt a chill in the air and realized what was happening. Without delay, he made a discreet phone call. ¡°I¡¯ve inquired about it, Master Bo. Miss Fang Yuan is in a private room on the north side of the second floor. There¡¯s a restaurant across from there where we can dine without disturbing her and her companion.¡± ¡°Very well,¡± Bo Yi replied distractedly, his thoughts lingering on those small hands. Meanwhile, Fang Yuan assisted Sun Bingsong into the private room. After helping him settle in, she handed him a bag and said, ¡°Here, this is for you.¡± ¡°A gift?¡± Sun Bingsong accepted the bag and inspected its contents. Inside were five to six sets of clothing, including outerwear and pajamas. His expression reflected both satisfaction and delight. ¡°Did you make these?¡± Fang Yuan nodded, saying, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Fantastic! I absolutely love the clothes you create. They have a great style, and they¡¯re incredibly comfortable to wear!¡± Sun Bingsong was currently wearing clothes that Fang Yuan had crafted for him last year. They still looked brand new and maintained their shape no matter how many times he washed them. ¡°This gift is truly exceptional. I gladly accept it!¡± ¡°Master Bo, the dishes are ready for you to enjoy,¡± the waiter announced. Inside the private room, Mu Qing noticed Bo Yi¡¯s fixed gaze on the girl in the adjacent room. He couldn¡¯t resist teasing, ¡°The view from here is quite captivating, isn¡¯t it?¡± He could clearly observe everything Miss Fang Yuan was doing in her private room. Bo Yi simply replied, ¡°Please, eat your meal.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but notice that the girl was not only offering gifts to the elderly lady but also attending to her needs, pouring water and serving food. He hadn¡¯t received such treatment even the previous night! ¡°Master Bo, then i won¡¯t hold back!¡± Mu Qing eagerly grabbed his bowl of rice and began devouring it. ¡°The food here is exquisite!¡± He had been so preoccupied with Bo Yi¡¯s activities all morning that he hadn¡¯t had breakfast. Meanwhile, in the other private room. ¡°I just realized i left my gift at the hotel,¡± Sun Bingsong confessed. ¡°Your grandmother¡¯s birthday is in two weeks, and I¡¯ve prepared a gift for her. Later, we can go to the hotel to retrieve it. We¡¯ll maintain the same rule ¨C don¡¯t mention that I gave it to her.¡± Fang Yuan nodded in agreement as she served Sun Bingsong another bowl of soup. ¡°How long were you planning to stay this time?¡± Sun Bingsong replied, ¡°I¡¯m leaving in the afternoon.¡± Fang Yuan was surprised. ¡°So soon?¡± ¡°I originally came alone¡­¡± Sun Singsong¡¯s eyes revealed a hint of loneliness as he explained. Observing his expression, Fang Yuan casually remarked, ¡°If you¡¯d like to see my grandmother, I can arrange it for you.¡± Sun Bingsong felt a surge of excitement, but it quickly faded. The hospital was filled with curious onlookers, and any interaction between them could easily be misconstrued. He wasn¡¯t concerned for himself but didn¡¯t want to tarnish Yuehua¡¯s reputation. Although their relationship was innocent and nothing had happened between them, he didn¡¯t want any unnecessary gossip. ¡°I can arrange for Chen Yang to take you inside at night to have a look,¡± Fang Yuan suggested, taking a sip of her soup. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Granny doesn¡¯t usually wake up during the night.¡± Sun Bingsong pondered for a moment but ultimately shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that if i see it, I won¡¯t want to leave.¡± Fang Yuan was surprised by his response and looked into his eyes. Sun Bingsong elaborated, ¡°It¡¯s quite nice here. Later, accompany me to the hotel, and we¡¯ll collect your gifts.¡± Although he couldn¡¯t stay with her, at least he could send these presents as his representatives. Meanwhile, Bo Yi couldn¡¯t help but wonder as he observed Fang Yuan savoring her soup, ¡°What kind of soup is that? It looks delicious. I¡¯d like to try it.¡± After they finished their meal, Fang Yuan once again boarded Sun Bingsong¡¯s car, and they headed to Wankang Hotel to retrieve her presents. Outside the Eastern Lake, Fang Jiayi and Lu Chen watched as Fang Yuan assisted the elderly man into the car and drove away. Lu Chen couldn¡¯t contain his frustration. He started the engine and followed them. Fang Jiayi feigned tears while covering her face. ¡°I never expected Sister to end up like this¡­ Brother Lu Chen, 1 had no idea that Sister would face such hardships after leaving the Fang Clan¡­¡± With resentment, Lu Chen replied, ¡°That¡¯s because she chose to degrade herself!¡± Chapter 67 - Chapter 67: Master Bo Chapter 67: Master Bo Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations For some inexplicable reason, when Lu Chen laid eyes upon Fang Yuan¡¯s exquisite and fair countenance, a surge of anger welled up within him. Perhaps it stemmed from his foreign upbringing and the infrequent encounters he¡¯d had with Fang Yuan. He never anticipated her looking so captivating when she dressed up, nor did he foresee her using her allure to captivate the older gentleman. If she were willing to humble herself before him, maybe he could offer his assistance! ¡°Master Bo, Miss Fang Yuan has just entered the hotel. Shall we proceed inside?¡± Mu Qing observed with a hint of helplessness as Fang Yuan graciously escorted Sun Bingsong through the hotel¡¯s grand entrance. A pungent odor permeated the interior of the car, making Mu Qing¡¯s discomfort evident. ¡°How about this: give Miss Fang Yuan a call and inquire about her whereabouts?¡± Bo Yi paid no heed to him, clearly disdainful of his suggestions. However, as time passed, Bo Yi¡¯s patience wore thin, prompting him to dial Fang Yuan¡¯s number directly. Barely five minutes had elapsed since Mu Qing had offered his suggestion. ¡°Yuanyuan,¡± Bo Yi addressed her, unwittingly conveying a sense of grievance in his tone. It came across as quite pitiable. ¡°Is there something you need?¡± Fang Yuan had just exited her room, holding a gift in her hands. ¡°Can we chat for a moment?¡± Bo Yi longed to hear her voice at that moment. ¡°What did you have for lunch?¡± ¡°A homemade meal,¡± Fang Yuan replied nonchalantly as she stepped into the elevator, her phone signal still strong for the time being. ¡°How did it taste?¡± Bo Yi recollected that Fang Yuan had been sipping soup throughout her meal. It must have been delicious. ¡°It was decent,¡± Fang Yuan responded with indifference. Bo Yi: ¡°Could you let me try it next time?¡± Fang Yuan sensed that he was searching for a topic of conversation. ¡°Did you call me for a particular reason?¡± Bo Yi: ¡°Where are you?¡± Those words seemed simple enough, yet when Bo Yi uttered them, they carried an undertone of longing. ¡°Didn¡¯t you know?¡± Fang Yuan exited the elevator and headed straight for the black sedan waiting outside the hotel. She opened the door and glanced at Bo Yi. ¡°You¡¯ve been following me from the company to the hotel?¡± ¡°Did you already know?¡± Upon realizing that she had seen through his ruse, Bo Yi swiftly ushered her into the car and embraced her tightly. ¡°I just happened to spot you as I passed by your company.¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± Do you really expect me to believe that? ¡°Why didn¡¯t you try to find me?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s deep, obsidian eyes remained fixed on her. ¡°How? Should I have halted the car and interrogated you about why you were following me?¡± Fang Yuan attempted to extricate herself from his embrace, but Bo Yi held her firmly. Strangely, all the anxiety she had felt earlier vanished the moment he hugged her. ¡°Bo Yi, you¡¯re pushing it!¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes displayed a rare hint of anger. Just yesterday, they were holding hands, and now he had the audacity to hold her like this! ¡°But 1 genuinely want to hold you. What should 1 do?¡± Bo Yi gazed at her with affection and earnestness. Before she could respond, he tightened his embrace. ¡°Just for a little while¡­¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­.¡± ¡°Who is he?¡± Bo Yi nuzzled his chin against her shoulder, his words oozing with jealousy. Mu Qing, seated in the driver¡¯s seat, couldn¡¯t help but shiver. He never expected Master Bo to have this side to him. He was truly remarkable when he acted spoiled! Fang Yuan¡¯s heart softened, and she allowed him to hold her. ¡°An older gentleman.¡± Bo Yi: ¡°Are you close to him?¡± Fang Yuan: ¡°What do you think?¡± Bo Yi pressed on, ¡°You didn¡¯t even bring me food last night.¡± ¡°You¡¯re implying that you¡¯re so elderly that you can¡¯t even handle chopsticks anymore?¡± Fang Yuan was a tad exasperated. She couldn¡¯t believe he was actually jealous of an older man! ¡°Then can you feed me next time?¡± Bo Yi seized the opportunity to make a request. ¡°¡­¡± Fang Yuan hadn¡¯t anticipated this man to possess such a childlike side. ¡°Could you please release me?¡± Bo Yi responded, ¡°I¡¯ll let go if you agree.¡± Fang Yuan acquiesced, saying, ¡°Fine.¡± Upon hearing her consent, Bo Yi released her hand but instead held it in his own. Fang Yuan:¡±¡­.¡± Inside the Mercedes-Benz parked outside the hotel. Fang Jiayi and Lu Chen¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment. They could hardly believe that Fang Yuan had just finished attending to the elderly gentleman at the hotel, only to step out and board another luxurious car. Moreover, this car had an impressive-looking license plate, likely indicating it belonged to a high-profile individual. The question on their minds: Which VIP was in that car? ¡°I never expected my sister to lack any self-respect¡­¡± Fang Jiayi deliberately commented. Watching the affluent couple walk away, Lu Chen felt extremely frustrated. She could engage with older men like that, so why hadn¡¯t she given him a chance? At least he was young and healthy! Mu Qing parked the car in front of Fang Yuan¡¯s company, but Fang Yuan remained in the car for an extended period because someone was firmly holding onto her hand and refusing to let go, no matter how hard she tried. ¡°I¡¯ll be late for work!¡± It was her first day on the job, and she couldn¡¯t afford to make a bad impression on her colleagues. However, Bo Yi was adamant about not releasing her hand. ¡°1¡¯11 pick you up after work.¡± Fang Yuan retorted, ¡°I have my own car.¡± Bo Yi countered, ¡°Do you want Mu Qing to drive it home for you?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to go to such lengths!¡± Fang Yuan attempted to pull her hand away, but Bo Yi¡¯s grip tightened. ¡°I¡¯ll be your ride to and from work from now on.¡± Fang Yuan: ¡°No need!¡± Bo Yi: ¡°We can use your car.¡± Fang Yuan.¡±¡­.¡± Bo Yi: ¡°There have been thunderstorms lately. It¡¯s not safe for you to drive by yourself.¡± Fang Yuan: ¡°1 really don¡¯t need it!¡± Bo Yi: ¡°Then should I go up and sit?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fang Yuan looked at him helplessly. ¡°I¡¯m going to work..¡± Chapter 68 - Chapter 68: What a Coincidence Chapter 68: What a Coincidence Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Bo Yi persisted, saying, ¡°We can also discuss collaboration.¡± ¡°¡­.¡± Fang Yuan, however, was hesitant about teaming up with a top financial group on her very first day at work. To her, this seemed like a clear case of using connections. It was apparent to anyone with a discerning eye that something fishy was afoot. Seeing her reluctance, Bo Yi made another attempt, ¡°How about dinner tonight?¡± Fang Yuan was growing increasingly exasperated, responding, ¡°I already have plans for tonight, maybe another day.¡± Bo Yi seemed surprised by her packed schedule, so he proposed, ¡°What about tomorrow?¡± Fang Yuan sighed and glanced at the time. She was running out of excuses, so she reluctantly agreed, ¡°Fine, tomorrow.¡± Bo Yi, sensing his small victory, added, ¡°I¡¯ll arrange transportation to and from work for you in the future.¡± Fang Yuan issued a warning as she locked eyes with him, ¡°Don¡¯t try to take advantage of my goodwill.¡± Bo Yi, undeterred, attempted to negotiate further, ¡°How about a week then?¡± Fang Yuan, realizing she had little choice, begrudgingly conceded, ¡°Okay, a week.¡± Bo Yi grinned, confident in his success, and remarked, ¡°You¡¯ve given me one week of your time.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Fang Yuan finally exited the car and hurried into the company building. Mu Qing, Bo¡¯s long-time companion, observed his unusual behavior through the rear-view mirror. He couldn¡¯t believe his eyes; was this still the same Master Bo he had known for years? It was almost as if he had been possessed by a ghost. This behavior was completely out of character. He had been by Master Bo¡¯s side since the age of eight, a total of 14 years, and had never seen him pursue a woman so shamelessly before. As Fang Yuan entered the company, her phone buzzed, and she answered, ¡°Boss, it¡¯s me,¡± on the line with Wu Di, the head of Fangyuan Capital Group¡¯s operations in Hua Land. ¡°We have several investment projects that require your final approval. I¡¯ll present them to you tonight, along with the quarterly reports,¡± Wu Di informed her. ¡°Alright then,¡± Fang Yuan said as she stepped into the elevator. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tonight.¡± Shortly after ending the call, her phone vibrated once more. Fang Yuan noticed it was a message from Grandpa Qian. ¡°Hello, my dear. How have you been lately?¡± ¡°Grandpa Qian,¡± Fang Yuan replied as she settled into her office, pouring herself a cup of tea before dialing his number. ¡°I¡¯m doing well. Dad, Mom, and the rest of the family are all in good spirits. Why do you have time to call me today?¡± ¡°I was just missing you, my dear. Incidentally, my subordinates have just selected the top three participants in this year¡¯s Piano Competition. They¡¯ve mentioned that the quality of this year¡¯s submissions is rather mediocre, so I thought I¡¯d send them over for you to listen to.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Fang Yuan agreed. She occasionally served as a judge in the competition, though she rarely took part in the preliminary selection. Her team typically handled that. The annual piano competition in Hua Land still existed, but fewer people participated these days, as many preferred to compete in international events. ¡°The first-place winner barely scraped by due to their family¡¯s reputation, and the other submissions weren¡¯t particularly impressive,¡± Grandpa Qian explained. ¡°The second-place piece was decent, though it had some off-key moments in the latter part. I felt that it was unnecessarily embellished. As for the third-place entry¡­ well, it¡¯s probably best not to discuss it.¡± ¡°Alright, let me have a listen,¡± Fang Yuan replied. Although she wasn¡¯t directly involved in the selection process, she was still curious about the competition¡¯s current state and the emerging talents. As Fang Yuan opened the audio clip sent by Grandpa Qian, she noticed the name Cheng Yuqi associated with the first-place entry. Cheng Yuqi in first place? The piece did sound quite ordinary. She proceeded to the second submission and, to her surprise, found Fang Jiayi¡¯s name attached to it. Oddly, the tune sounded somewhat familiar. Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as she closed her computer, deciding not to continue listening. Meanwhile, on the other side of the story, Fang Liguo found himself in the lobby of Fangyuan Capital Group¡¯s ground floor, his gaze firmly fixed on the elevator. He had been there since morning, waiting patiently until noon without taking a lunch break. Hunger gnawed at him, and he felt as if he might faint any moment. To his dismay, no one had invited him upstairs, not even offering a glass of water. Growing increasingly impatient, he approached the front desk with a forced smile and inquired, ¡°I apologize, but may I ask if President Wu has concluded his meeting? I¡¯ve been waiting for quite some time now, and surely a meeting can¡¯t last the entire day, can it?¡± The front desk attendant, who had initially been more welcoming, had now become noticeably colder in her demeanor. She responded curtly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but President Wu is still occupied. Perhaps you could return on another day?¡± With a humble tone, Fang Liguo pressed further, ¡°Could you make an exception, please? I¡¯ve been waiting since morning.¡± ¡°Our President Wu is indeed extremely busy,¡± the front desk attendant replied. Just as she finished her sentence, Wu Di emerged from the elevator. The front desk attendant promptly stood up, greeting her with utmost respect alongside her colleagues. ¡°Hello, President Wu!¡± Fang Liguo¡¯s eyes lit up as he seized the opportunity. ¡°President Wu, it¡¯s me¡­¡± Finally having the chance to approach Wu Di, he tried to make a connection. However, Special Assistant Liu intervened, extending his hand to block Fang Liguo. ¡°I apologize, but President Wu has an important appointment to attend to.¡± ¡°Just give me five minutes¡­¡± Fang Liguo made a last-ditch effort to push forward. ¡°I have something important to discuss with President Wu.¡± Special Assistant Liu responded firmly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but President Wu is indeed very busy.¡± ¡°Special Assistant Liu, then could you please explain why President Wu has suddenly withdrawn from our cooperation?¡± Fang Liguo, no longer concerned about the situation, handed over the bank card he had previously wanted to give to Fang Yuan.. Chapter 69 - Chapter 69: Respectful Chapter 69: Respectful Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°President Fang, what are you doing?¡± Special Assistant Liu exclaimed, forcefully pushing the card back into Fang Liguo¡¯s hands. Undeterred, Fang Liguo persisted, attempting to hand the card back to Special Assistant Liu. Eventually, the card slipped from their grasp and fell to the ground, catching the attention of everyone present. ¡°President Fang, you¡¯re openly attempting to bribe me. This could cost me my job!¡± Special Assistant Liu fumed. ¡°Special Assistant Liu¡­¡± Fang Liguo tried to explain, but Special Assistant Liu shook him off and hurried after Wu Di, eager to distance himself from Fang Liguo. ¡°Special Assistant Liu, wait for me¡­¡± Fang Liguo disregarded his own embarrassment, retrieving the bank card from the ground and chasing after them. Spotting that they had already boarded their car and left, he hastily hailed a cab and instructed the driver, ¡°Follow that car ahead.¡± Inside the private room at Restaurant Eight. Fang Yuan had been waiting patiently. When she saw Wu Di, now dressed formally, enter, she couldn¡¯t resist a playful tease. ¡°You¡¯re starting to resemble a president more and more.¡± ¡°You are teasing me again.¡± Wu Di placed the report aside and presented a gift. ¡°This is tea from the thousand-year-old ancient tea tree on Jade Emperor Peak. I brought it as a gesture of filial respect.¡± ¡°You make it sound like I¡¯m ancient,¡± Fang Yuan quipped as she accepted the gift. ¡°Let¡¯s eat first.¡± Meanwhile, Fang Liguo had managed to reach Restaurant 8 with some difficulty. After spending some money to find out that Wu Di was in the private room on the second floor, he headed up the stairs. As he ascended, he spotted Special Assistant Liu standing at the entrance to Room 1. Special Assistant Liu also noticed him and didn¡¯t anticipate Fang Liguo¡¯s persistence. His initial reaction was that Fang Liguo intended to enter the private room forcefully, so he promptly blocked the door. ¡°Special Assistant Liu!¡± Fang Liguo approached with a friendly smile. ¡°You¡¯ve misunderstood. I have no intention of entering. I just want to wait for President Wu to come out so that I can speak with him.¡± Special Assistant Liu: ¡°President Wu has no interest in conversing with you.¡± Fang Liguo wore a constant smile on his face. ¡°That can¡¯t be true! We¡¯ve had such a wonderful working relationship!¡± Special Assistant Liu couldn¡¯t help but snicker. ¡°Ha! If it weren¡¯t for President Fang, who would even consider partnering with your lackluster company? Our collaborations have never been pleasant.¡± ¡°Special Assistant Liu, would you mind sharing some details? Who is the person dining with President Wu in there?¡± Fang Liguo inquired with a flattering smile. But Special Assistant Liu responded curtly, ¡°I can¡¯t disclose that.¡± ¡°Special Assistant Liu¡­¡± Fang Liguo still attempted to say something, but Special Assistant Liu cut him off. ¡°President Wu won¡¯t meet with you. President Fang, you should leave.¡± Remaining composed, Fang Liguo stood by the door. After a while, a waiter entered the room to serve the dishes. Fang Liguo leaned in to gain some insight into the situation. Despite Special Assistant Liu¡¯s efforts to prevent him, the sharp-eyed Fang Liguo managed to catch a glimpse of a familiar figure inside the private room. Fang Yuan? What was she doing here? Was she the person Wu Di was in such a hurry to meet? It seemed impossible! After waiting for some time, another waiter entered to serve more dishes. Fang Liguo peeked inside again and confirmed that it was indeed Fang Yuan sitting there. Furthermore, Wu Di, who was usually stern, displayed a surprising level of politeness and deference towards her. This was beyond belief. ¡°I-Isn¡¯t that Fang Yuan?¡± The door to the private room closed once more. Fang Liguo looked at Special Assistant Liu in disbelief, but Special Assistant Liu paid him no mind. Fang Liguo was utterly shocked. Several companies, including Wu Di¡¯s, had abruptly terminated their collaborations. Could this be connected to Fang Yuan in some way? What kind of relationship did Fang Yuan share with Wu Di? As he contemplated this, his shock deepened. Fang Yuan, Fangyuan Capital¡­ He only just realized that the names Fangyuan Capital Group and Fang Yuan sounded remarkably similar. Could there be a connection between them? The thought raced through his mind, causing his heart to pound. He couldn¡¯t fathom the possibility. How could that young woman be so capable? Perhaps her name was just a coincidental homonym¡­ Upon reflection, Wu Di¡¯s unusual politeness towards Fang Yuan and her attempts to win her favor left Fang Liguo feeling uneasy. He waited outside the private room for an extended period, expecting Special Assistant Liu to return after a brief absence. However, even after a considerable wait, Special Assistant Liu failed to reappear. Concerned, Fang Liguo finally decided to open the door to the private room, only to discover it empty. Inquiring with the waiter, he learned of an alternative exit within the private room, and that Fang Yuan and Wu Di had left after their meal. This couldn¡¯t stand; he needed to find out from Fang Yuan what exactly was happening. Fang Yuan parted ways with Wu Di and on her way home received a call. Seeing the familiar number on her phone screen, she promptly hung up. Despite her efforts, Fang Liguo persisted, repeatedly calling her. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Fang Yuan finally answered the phone impatiently, her tone tinged with irritation. ¡°Yuanyuan, I¡¯ll be straightforward. I saw you having dinner with the CEO of Fangyuan Capital Group earlier. Do you know each other well?¡± Fang Liguo inquired.. Chapter 70 - Chapter 70: Your Dad Chapter 70: Your Dad Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Is this about you?¡± Fang Yuan was taken aback when Fang Liguo called to inquire about the matter, and she considered ending the call. ¡°Yuanyuan, be honest with Dad. Could it be that Wu Di has developed an interest in you and is currently pursuing you?¡± Fang Liguo voiced his speculation, believing it to be the most plausible explanation after pondering it for a while. Fang Yuan.¡±.. ¡± Fang Liguo persisted, ¡°Are you perhaps encouraging him to interfere with our company?¡± Fang Yuan continued her silence. Seeing Fang Yuan¡¯s lack of response, Fang Liguo assumed he had hit the mark. ¡°Ascending to great heights and becoming successful is admirable, but it¡¯s also crucial to have the backing of your own family, isn¡¯t it?¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze turned icy. ¡°What are you implying?¡± Fang Liguo spoke confidently, ¡°Your birth parents come from a rural background. Your mere identity is embarrassing, let alone a dowry! But I¡¯m different, I can support you. Consider this, I am the wealthiest man in Haicheng City. I can even provide you with a dowry. Imagine the grandeur of your wedding!¡± Fang Yuan sighed. ¡°What are you getting at?¡± Seeing an opportunity, Fang Liguo pleaded, ¡°Yuanyuan, no matter what, I¡¯ve raised you for 18 years. Are you really going to abandon me now? The company is in jeopardy!¡± Fang Yuan retorted, ¡°How is it my concern? I don¡¯t understand how you have the audacity to ask me this. It was Grandma who raised me for those 18 years. Have you ever received a single penny during that time? Have you spent even a single day with me?¡± In fact, not only had they failed to spend time with her, they hadn¡¯t even visited once. Every winter and summer break, Fang Yuan had learned from Grandpa Sun and the other seniors, while her so-called parents remained oblivious throughout the years. It was clear how often they had returned home! ¡°I was occupied with work and had no other choice,¡± Fang Liguo argued. Fang Yuan promptly ended the call, finding it futile to continue the conversation. ¡°So, did that stubborn girl agree?¡± Song Ling asked when she noticed Fang Liguo hanging up dejectedly. She had a hunch, ¡°She rejected, didn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been telling you for a long time to treat her well and not let things get too ugly, but you didn¡¯t listen. Now see what¡¯s happened!¡± Fang Liguo sighed, unsure of what to do. Song Ling was furious. ¡°There must be other solutions. That girl isn¡¯t the only option. What about Jiayi? Didn¡¯t the Lu Family arrange the VIP ward? Tomorrow evening, let¡¯s have dinner with the Lu Family and explain our current situation. Aside from Fangyuan Capital, aren¡¯t the other two groups that terminated their contracts closely connected to the Lu Family? Let¡¯s ask the Lu Family to help us mend those relationships¡­¡± ¡°That might be our only option,¡± Fang Liguo¡¯s mood improved as he thought of the Lu Clan¡¯s support. ¡°Someone, call Jiayi down. I need to talk to her.¡± At that moment, Fang Jiayi excitedly rushed down the stairs. ¡°Dad, Mom, my piano performance earned me second place in the entire country!¡± ¡°What?¡± Fang Liguo and Song Ling were taken aback. They hadn¡¯t expected their daughter to excel in such a way. After all, she had been raised by a cleaning lady since childhood. The fact that she could play the piano and even win an award was surprising. Fang Jiayi quickly showed them her phone. ¡°Dad, Mom, look, here are the rankings. Cheng Yuqi, the daughter of the Cheng Family, took first place, and I secured second place!¡± ¡°You¡¯re just behind the daughter of Jing City¡¯s wealthiest man!¡± Song Ling felt an immense sense of pride. ¡°This could be a great opportunity to establish connections¡­¡± Fang Liguo also realized the potential. ¡°Jiayi, can you invite the entire Lu Family to dinner to celebrate your second-place achievement?¡± ¡°Even Uncle and Auntie?¡± Fang Jiayi seemed surprised. It was only then that Fang Liguo disclosed the company¡¯s current predicament. However, Fang Jiayi surprised them by confidently stating, ¡°Dad, Mom, leave this to me!¡± Fang Liguo smiled. ¡°What a wonderful child!¡± Upon Fang Yuan¡¯s return home, she was surprised to find a gathering of people in the living room, all singing praises for Cheng Yuqi. ¡°Miss Yuqi, your achievement in winning first place in the national piano competition is truly remarkable!¡± ¡°It¡¯s an absolute delight to have the opportunity to assist the Cheng Family, especially when we get to hear such exquisite music from you while working.¡± ¡°Indeed, Lady Yuqi¡¯s zither music is simply enchanting!¡± Noticing Fang Yuan¡¯s arrival, Qiao Xinhui approached her eagerly. ¡°Darling Yuanyuan, you¡¯re back from work. Are you feeling tired after your first day on the job? 1 hope the company didn¡¯t give you a hard time.¡± ¡°Miss Fang Yuan has returned?¡± ¡°People at the company are saying that the new leader is exceptionally talented and highly capable! Little do they know they¡¯re talking about my beloved daughter, hahaha!¡± Cheng Yuqi, unwilling to be overshadowed by the attention on Fang Yuan, decided to join the gathering.. Chapter 71 - Chapter 71: Family Gathering Chapter 71: Family Gathering Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Sister, you¡¯re back,¡± Cheng Yuqi greeted with a warm smile. ¡°How about we plan a family dinner for tomorrow? It¡¯s a perfect opportunity to celebrate your official takeover of the company and welcome you back home. What do you think?¡± She deliberately avoided mentioning her recent prize, wanting to keep the focus on Fang Yuan. ¡°It¡¯s been a few days since you returned, and we haven¡¯t spent much time together. You¡¯ve been working so hard; it¡¯s time to relax and enjoy a meal together,¡± Cheng Yuqi added, gently looping her arm through Qiao Xinhui¡¯s while looking at Cheng Ye with a playful expression. ¡°What do you say, Dad, Mom?¡± Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but wonder why Cheng Yuqi had brought Qiao Xinhui along, considering her busy schedule. ¡°I think it¡¯s a great idea,¡± Qiao Xinhui chimed in, casting a glance at Cheng Ye for agreement. Cheng Ye nodded in approval. ¡°Yes, 1 think it¡¯s a wonderful idea. How about you, Yuanyuan?¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°I¡¯m fine with anything.¡± She didn¡¯t want to dampen the mood, so she excused herself to freshen up and get some rest when she saw everyone eagerly planning the gathering. The following morning, Bo Yi picked her up for work and overheard her mention the family gathering that evening, her tone tinged with disappointment. ¡°Didn¡¯t you promise to spend the rest of the week with me?¡± Fang Yuan was taken aback. ¡°I must have forgotten.¡± She genuinely couldn¡¯t recall her promise from the previous night. Bo Yi asked, ¡°Are you not taking me to the family gathering?¡± Fang Yuan hesitated. ¡°Maybe next time.¡± ¡°Then you owe me double compensation,¡± Bo Yi insisted, holding her hand firmly. ¡°If you can¡¯t have dinner with me, you¡¯ll have lunch with me, right?¡± Fang Yuan sighed and agreed, ¡°Alright¡­¡± After a long day at work, Bo Yi picked up Fang Yuan and dropped her off at Lanshan Restaurant. Fang Yuan: ¡°You don¡¯t need to pick me up later. I¡¯ll take my parents¡¯ car home.¡± Reluctantly, Bo Yi released her hand. ¡°Just give me a call when you get home.¡± Fang Yuan: ¡°Okay.¡± Meanwhile, on the other end of town, Fang Liguo had used every ounce of his influence to secure a private room at Lanshan Restaurant. Despite it being only a standard reservation, his status as Haicheng City¡¯s wealthiest man had played a pivotal role. Madam Lu had initially looked down on Fang Jiayi, who had been raised by a cleaner, and her occasional hints of sensitivity and inferiority complex were hard to conceal, even beneath her expensive attire. However, Madam Lu¡¯s opinion took a turn when she learned that Fang Jiayi had secured second place in a national piano music competition that day. Her demeanor improved, but when faced with Fang Liguo¡¯s indirect request, Madam Lu elegantly wiped her mouth with her napkin and said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Fang, but we can¡¯t assist you with this.¡± Fang Liguo couldn¡¯t believe his ears. ¡°What did you say?¡± Madam Lu stated firmly, ¡°Both the Mu Clan and Mu Clan Groups have made it clear that anyone who dares to assist will face consequences.¡± She couldn¡¯t risk the Lu Clan¡¯s fortunes on this unseemly engagement, despite her son¡¯s momentary infatuation. Fang Jiayi was shocked by Madam Lu¡¯s outright rejection, her hands clenched into fists beneath the table. This was a blatant affront to their family¡¯s dignity! ¡°Mom!¡± Lu Chen whispered. Ultimately, Father Lu intervened to defuse the situation. ¡°We still need to discuss this matter¡­ Let¡¯s eat first. Food tends to lose its flavor when it gets cold. We can talk afterward.¡± ¡°Yes, let¡¯s eat,¡± Fang Liguo agreed and raised his wine glass to toast Father Lu. ¡°I almost forgot to thank my future son-in-law for arranging a VIP room for Granny Jiayi and getting a doctor to attend to her¡­¡± Father Lu quickly clarified, ¡°Actually, booking a VIP room at Renyi Hospital is quite challenging. Our family doesn¡¯t have connections with the hospital¡¯s higher-ups, so we couldn¡¯t have arranged it.¡± The Fang family members were left bewildered. If it wasn¡¯t the Lu Family, then who had done it? And who had instructed the doctor to provide special care for the elderly? Suddenly, Fang Liguo and Song Ling both recalled what Chen Yang had mentioned earlier¡­ Could it truly be Fang Yuan? It seemed impossible, but they couldn¡¯t dismiss the thought entirely. On the opposite end of the restaurant, Fang Yuan had just finished dinner with her parents when her phone began to vibrate. She retrieved it, sensing an urgent matter required her attention. ¡°Dad, Mom, please go ahead. 1 need to use the restroom for a moment. I¡¯ll catch up with you.¡± ¡°Of course, take your time. Don¡¯t worry,¡± her parents replied. Once Fang Yuan had excused herself, Qiao Xinhui quietly spoke to Auntie Du, ¡°Please wait here for her and keep her company.¡± ¡°Certainly, Madam,¡± Auntie Du acknowledged as she waited in the private room. After a brief period, she noticed Fang Yuan emerging from the restroom and approached her respectfully. ¡°Miss Fang Yuan, Master and Madam are waiting for you in the car.¡± ¡°Thank you, let¡¯s go.¡± Fang Yuan replied to a message on her phone while walking towards the exit. However, as they took a few steps away from the private room, a group of individuals suddenly appeared from around the corner. Auntie Du quickly tugged at the hem of Fang Yuan¡¯s clothing, whispering, ¡°Miss Fang Yuan, please be careful!¡± Among the newcomers were members from both the Lu Clan and the Fang Clan. Song Ling was left utterly astonished as she watched Fang Yuan exit the upscale private room, accompanied by a well-dressed elderly servant who addressed her as ¡°Miss Fang Yuan..¡± Chapter 72 - Chapter 72: Big Loss Chapter 72: Big Loss Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Wait¡­¡± Song Ling was still reeling from the shock, her eyes fixed on Fang Yuan. She asked incredulously, ¡°What did you just call her? She¡¯s your family¡¯s young lady?¡± Auntie Du regarded the group before her with a vigilant gaze. She couldn¡¯t fathom how addressing her ladyship had anything to do with these strangers. She questioned, ¡°Who are you people?¡± Fang Jiayi, standing by the side, regained her composure first and awkwardly explained, ¡°Sister used to live in my home.¡± Auntie Du¡¯s eyes widened in realization. She spoke politely, ¡°So, you are Miss Fang Yuan¡¯s foster parents. Our master and madam were wondering why you didn¡¯t accept those gifts, along with two billion in cash¡­¡± Song Ling was dumbfounded. She couldn¡¯t believe what she was hearing. ¡°Wait, did I hear that correctly?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Auntie Du confirmed. ¡°Those were the thank-you gifts our Master and Madam sent when they brought Miss home. There are 20 villas with breathtaking views, 20 shops in the central business district, and a bank card with 2 billion in savings¡­¡± The members of both the Fang Clan and the Lu Clan were left utterly flabbergasted. They couldn¡¯t comprehend what this elderly servant was saying. Auntie Du continued, ¡°And not to forget, the thousand-year-old ginseng, deer antler¡­ all tokens of our Master and Madam¡¯s sincerity. Yet, you graciously declined them. Your politeness knows no bounds!¡± Song Ling felt like her head was about to explode upon hearing this revelation. The seemingly ordinary gift boxes from that day had actually contained such extravagant treasures? Why hadn¡¯t the driver explained this clearly? Something didn¡¯t add up. Weren¡¯t Fang Yuan¡¯s biological parents living in impoverished conditions in the mountains? How could the gifts they offered be more opulent than those of the Fang Clan? ¡°You mentioned that your master and madam are in Qiushui County?¡± ¡°Qiushui County is indeed their hometown, but they are no longer there,¡± Auntie Du began to explain. Fang Yuan intervened, cutting her off. ¡°Auntie Du, let¡¯s go. There¡¯s no need to waste our time on them.¡± Auntie Du studied Fang Yuan¡¯s expression and sensed her disdain. Could it be that these people didn¡¯t treat Miss Fang Yuan well in the past? As she considered this possibility, Auntie Du¡¯s attitude toward them soured. She prepared to depart with Fang Yuan. ¡°Wait, please don¡¯t go¡­¡± Song Ling desperately wanted to catch up and seek clarification. As she hurried out of the restaurant, she noticed the same driver who had presented the gifts earlier was now opening the door for Fang Yuan. It was an extended version of a Rolls-Royce, the very same one that had made headlines just a few days ago. A bespoke model, one of a kind in the entire world, valued at a staggering 300 million! Before they could discern the passengers inside, the Rolls-Royce swiftly departed, leaving the Fang Clan and the Lu Clan in stunned disbelief. The attire and footwear worn by the elderly servant had added up to five to six thousand in cost! As for that luxurious carriage, Song Ling couldn¡¯t fathom which family would own such an opulent vehicle. Song Ling dared not dwell on it any longer. Fang Liguo wore a complex expression. ¡°You¡¯ve truly stumbled upon a treasure and missed it this time, Madam Fang,¡± Madam Lu commented with a mocking tone before striding away in her high heels, treating the situation like a jest. ¡°I apologize, dear relatives. My wife isn¡¯t feeling well today, so we¡¯ll be heading home,¡± Father Lu explained politely while holding his son¡¯s arm. ¡°We¡¯ll meet again on another occasion.¡± The Fang Clan members wore visibly displeased expressions, mostly because Fang Yuan had paid little attention to Madam Lu¡¯s demeanor and casually agreed before departing for home. Inside the Rolls-Royce, Qiao Xinhui expressed concern, ¡°Yuanyuan, is your stomach bothering you? Did you have something disagreeable to eat tonight?¡± Cheng Yuqi chimed in, ¡°Perhaps Sister isn¡¯t accustomed to exotic cuisines. You¡¯ll get used to it.¡± Auntie Du, upon hearing Cheng Yuqi¡¯s remark, swiftly clarified, ¡°Madam, we encountered Miss Fang Yuan¡¯s foster parents just now, which caused the delay.¡± Qiao Xinhui was genuinely surprised. ¡°You ran into Fang Liguo and Song Ling?¡± Auntie Du, equally astonished, inquired, ¡°Madam, you know them? You¡¯re familiar with their names?¡± It would have been preferable not to bring them up, but mentioning them triggered an immediate reaction from Qiao Xinhui. She recalled how the driver, Old Liu, had mentioned that the Fang Clan had also declined the gifts they had prepared. Initially, she had assumed it was just a matter of politeness. However, upon seeing her beloved daughter dressed so modestly, she had initiated an investigation. That¡¯s when she learned about the hardships her daughter had endured in the Fang Clan since her youth. Her parents hadn¡¯t spoiled her, and it was only Old Lady Fang who had protected her. Qiao Xinhui had temporarily held back her judgment of the Fang Family because of Old Lady Fang. Yet, here her daughter had encountered them today. What a stroke of bad luck! ¡°In the future, don¡¯t be overly polite when you encounter them, and don¡¯t reveal anything about our family situation,¡± Qiao Xinhui instructed firmly. The information she had gathered indicated that the Fang Clan was a group of opportunists who sought favor with the influential. If they displayed their wealth, the Fang Clan would undoubtedly become a persistent presence in their lives. Auntie Du grasped Madam¡¯s intention and replied respectfully, ¡°Yes, Madam.¡± It was Fang Yuan who appeared somewhat surprised.. Could it be that her parents had already investigated the Fang Clan? Otherwise, why would Fang Liguo and Song Ling react so negatively to their mention? Did they know that the Fang Clan had mistreated her? Chapter 73 - Chapter 73: Quickly Let Out Dad! Chapter 73: Quickly Let Out Dad! Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Yuanyuan, if the Fang Family comes looking for you in the future, please inform me. I will handle it,¡± Qiao Xinhui expressed diplomatically. ¡°If the Fang Family wishes to discuss their nurturing contributions, I will engage in a constructive conversation with them.¡± ¡°Indeed, you have a debt of gratitude to Granny Fang, and your Dad and I are not ones to forget kindness,¡± Cheng Ye added kindly. ¡°If there are any hospital expenses or the need to change wards, just let your Dad know, and he will make the necessary arrangements.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve heard that Granny Fang is in poor health. If you require a renowned doctor, you can also count on us,¡± Cheng Ye continued. ¡°We understand that Grandmother Fang has been your primary caregiver all these years. If you wish to honor her kindness and fulfill your filial duties, we support that decision to bring her home. We wholeheartedly agree.¡± ¡°Thank you, Dad and Mom,¡± Fang Yuan thoughtfully acknowledged. She suspected that her parents had looked into the Fang Clan. ¡°Master, Madam¡­ Young Master Bo¡¯s car has been tailing us for some time,¡± Old Liu, the driver, cautioned, glancing at the rearview mirror. ¡°We¡¯ve been under surveillance for a while now.¡± It was hard not to notice such a conspicuous license plate! Fang Yuan¡¯s confusion grew. Why was he following them? Cheng Yuqi clenched her fists upon hearing this and silently wished for Fang Yuan¡¯s demise. ¡°Should we stop the car?¡± Old Liu inquired, caught in a dilemma. However, it was Qiao Xinhui who suggested with a smile, ¡°Yi must be here for Yuanyuan! Yuanyuan, hop out. Your Dad and I have another destination to reach. We¡¯re not heading in the same direction.¡± Fang Yuan blinked in astonishment. Were her birth parents kicking her out of the car? Cheng Ye chimed in, ¡°That¡¯s right, Yi can give you a ride home.¡± He instructed the driver to halt, and then turned to Fang Yuan with a smile. ¡°Go ahead, don¡¯t keep Yi waiting.¡± Qiao Xinhui promptly opened the car door and nudged Fang Yuan out. Fang Yuan was left in bewilderment. Were her biological parents actually evicting her from the car? Master Bo, it appears that ATiss Fang Yuan has been forced out of the car,¡± Mu Qing exclaimed, his eyes widened in disbelief. Bo Yi smirked. After parking the car, he swiftly opened the door and, in a few strides, pulled the girl into his embrace. He watched the retreating car with an amused smile. ¡°Mom and Dad are quite practical, it seems.¡± Fang Yuan, clearly displeased, retorted, ¡°Mom and dad? It¡¯s your fault I got kicked out of the car.¡± A smug expression crossed Bo Yi¡¯s face as he looked down at the girl in his arms. ¡°Aren¡¯t your parents your parents? Are we not a family?¡± Fang Yuan sighed in exasperation. ¡°Your audacity knows no bounds. Who would consider you family?¡± ¡°I did tell you to go back earlier, didn¡¯t I?¡± Fang Yuan said with a hint of helplessness after being pulled into the car. ¡°You guys haven¡¯t eaten anything during all this time, have you?¡± Mu Qing chimed in, ¡°Master Bo didn¡¯t leave or eat anything, waiting for you.¡± Fang Yuan felt a headache coming on. ¡°Fine, then. Park the car, and I¡¯ll take a cab home myself.¡± Mu Qing seemed perplexed. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± ¡°Eat with me,¡± Bo Yi insisted, refusing to let go of her hand. ¡°Consider it paying me back for the time you owe me.¡± Fang Yuan blinked in surprise. ¡°Can you really do that?¡± Meanwhile, Fang Yuan¡¯s phone buzzed multiple times. She took it out and saw that it was a call from Fang Liguo. Without hesitation, she blocked his number. Shortly after, Fang Liguo sent her a series of WeChat messages: [Yuanyuan, why did you block Daddy¡¯s number? Please unblock it! Daddy needs to talk to you!] Fang Yuan smirked sarcastically. [Didn¡¯t he abandon her in a remote mountain area just a few days ago, cutting ties with her? Why was he now calling himself ¡°Daddy¡± repeatedly?] Seeing her lack of response, Fang Liguo sent more messages: [Is the car you¡¯re in tonight yours? I heard it¡¯s worth 300 million¡­] [What exactly do your parents do? They can afford a driver and servants too?] [Is it true what that servant said today? Did your parents really prepare those valuable gifts for us? Why didn¡¯t you remind us?] [How about this, are you free right now? Let¡¯s meet up and talk¡­] [Remember how you liked Jiayi¡¯s necklace? Daddy brought it for you. It¡¯s yours, so please take it!] Finally, Fang Liguo added hypocritically: [But most importantly, Daddy misses you and wants to see you.] Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the hypocrisy and proceeded to block Fang Liguo on WeChat as well. She then stowed her phone away, acting as though nothing had happened. Bo Yi, noticing her actions, inquired, ¡°Are you being bothered by someone? Should 1 handle it?¡± ¡°No need,¡± Fang Yuan replied nonchalantly, showing little concern for the Fang Clan. ¡°If there¡¯s anything you don¡¯t want to deal with or can¡¯t be bothered with, you can tell me,¡± Bo Yi suggested, gazing into her eyes. Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow.. ¡°You have that much free time on your hands?¡± Chapter 74 - Chapter 74: Big Shot Chapter 74: Big Shot Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Whenever it¡¯s your concern, I¡¯ll always find the time, regardless of how busy 1 am,¡± Bo Yi expressed with a gentle tone. ¡°You¡¯re still so young, Fang Yuan. You don¡¯t have to bear everything on your own.¡± Fang Yuan remained silent. ¡°You don¡¯t have to handle everything by yourself,¡± Bo Yi reassured her, patting Fang Yuan¡¯s head. ¡°Remember, I¡¯m here for you, always.¡± Fang Yuan finally responded, somewhat reluctantly, ¡°I¡¯ve remembered.¡± Bo Yi asked, ¡°What did you remember?¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°To come find you if something happens.¡± Bo Yi continued, ¡°And don¡¯t forget, you also have a fiance. Spend time with him when you can and think of him when you can¡¯t.¡± Fang Yuan sighed quietly. ¡°He¡¯ll protect you from the storm, guiding you through the darkest hours before dawn,¡± Bo Yi whispered as he gently caressed her face. ¡°Keep that in mind.¡± Fang Yuan nodded, saying, ¡°I will.¡± Meanwhile, on the other side, ¡°That darn girl actually blocked you on WeChat?¡± Song Ling exclaimed when she noticed the red exclamation mark on Fang Liguo¡¯s message. ¡°Raising her for 18 years would have been easier!¡± Fang Liguo retorted, ¡°Isn¡¯t this partly your fault? 1 told you to treat her better. Look, things have been going downhill since she left our family!¡± He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if her birth parents had something to do with the collaboration between various groups falling apart. Thinking back to the Rolls-Royce he had seen earlier and the words of the servant, he couldn¡¯t help but feel that her family was even more influential than their Fang Clan. Fang Liguo suddenly had an idea, ¡°Didn¡¯t her mother call us last time? We have her mother¡¯s contact information. Maybe we¡­¡± Before he could complete his sentence, Song Ling interrupted, saying, ¡°1 assumed she had deleted her contact information long ago, considering she used to live in such a remote area. 1 never saved it¡­¡± Fang Liguo was visibly flustered, resembling an ant on a hotplate. ¡°Don¡¯t be so anxious,¡± Song Ling suddenly had a promising idea. ¡°There¡¯s a prominent figure on the same floor as our mother¡¯s ward. Numerous influential individuals have come to visit. This could be our chance¡­¡± ¡°What notable figure?¡± Fang Liguo had received no such news. Song Ling declared with pride, ¡°1 heard that this individual was incredibly accomplished in their youth, thriving in the business world and building a massive corporate empire. Later, their grandson took the reins and expanded the business, becoming the world¡¯s youngest billionaire!¡± Fang Liguo was taken aback. ¡°Are you saying this big shot is Bo Yi¡¯s grandfather, Old Master Bo?¡± Bo Yi was renowned as the world¡¯s wealthiest person, but he remained extremely reclusive, without even a photograph in public circulation. ¡°How did you find out? Is Old Master Bo really hospitalized?¡± He couldn¡¯t believe he hadn¡¯t heard such sensational news. ¡°There are no secrets that can be kept indefinitely¡­¡± Song Ling recounted the unfolding events. ¡°Old Master Bo fell gravely ill some time ago and was on the brink of death. Rumor has it that a high school student happened to pass by and performed life-saving surgery on him¡­¡± This news had attracted widespread attention, leading to many people discovering that Old Master Bo was hospitalized and wanting to pay their respects. ¡°Where did this remarkable high school student come from?¡± Fang Liguo marveled at her astonishing ascent. A high school student, at most 17 or 18 years old, had the audacity to operate on Old Master Bo and succeeded? As he thought about it, he had raised Fang Yuan for 18 years. Not only was she utterly unhelpful, but she also seemed to go out of her way to make his life difficult! ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Old Master Bo is set to be discharged soon. We should use this opportunity to introduce ourselves¡­¡± Song Ling allowed herself some hopeful optimism. ¡°But will Old Master Bo even agree to see us?¡± Fang Liguo voiced his concern. Old Master Bo was such a colossal figure; would he even entertain a meeting with the richest man in the small city of Haicheng? ¡°Let¡¯s give it a try! How will we ever know if we don¡¯t attempt it?¡± Song Ling pondered. If Old Master Bo was willing to support the younger generation, would the Lu Family still dare to exhibit such arrogance towards them? In the future, Jiayi would have the opportunity for a better life after marrying into the Lu Family¡­ ¡°Then what are we waiting for? Let¡¯s promptly prepare some gifts and pay a visit tomorrow!¡± Fang Liguo regained his confidence and began searching the family¡¯s treasures. The following day, After a day at the company, Fang Yuan received a friend request as she was leaving. [Granddaughter-in-Law, it¡¯s me!] Fang Yuan:¡±???¡± Granddaughter-in-Law? Could it be from Old Master Bo? On the other end, ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Yuanyuan accepted my friend request yet?¡± Inside the ward, Old Master Bo glanced at his phone every few seconds. He turned to Butler Wen and inquired, ¡°Doesn¡¯t the little girl like it when 1 add ¡®Yay¡¯ and ¡®hey¡¯ after every sentence? Yuanyuan won¡¯t think I¡¯m an old pervert just because she hasn¡¯t approved my request, right?¡± Butler Wen restrained his laughter. ¡°I heard Young Master mention that Young Madam went to work at the company. She must still be busy and hasn¡¯t seen the notification.¡± ¡°Work? Why would she go to work? Is it because she is running low on pocket money or is it to gain life experience?¡± Before Butler Wen could respond, Old Master Bo noticed his phone screen lighting up.. He glanced at it and exclaimed with excitement, ¡°I¡¯m in! My granddaughter-in-law accepted my friend request!¡± Chapter 75 - Chapter 75: Our Time Together Chapter 75: Our Time Together Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan¡¯s slender fingers tapped on the screen as she asked with a puzzled expression, [Grandpa?] [Darling Yuanyuan, it¡¯s me. 1 had to coax Yi for your WeChat ID, but that stubborn brat refused to give it to me at first!] Old Master Bo sent a paragraph of text. Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow and inquired with concern, [Flow is your health today?] ¡°[Much better!]¡± After sending this message, Old Master Bo quickly added an aggrieved emoji and continued, [Isn¡¯t today a good day? No one came to visit me. I¡¯m terribly lonely! Yuanyuan, when are you coming to pick me up from the hospital?] Fang Yuan found it amusing and replied, [Tomorrow]. [Alright, alright! What time will you come tomorrow?] Old Master Bo eagerly awaited her response, but it didn¡¯t arrive. Meanwhile, Bo Yi¡¯s car was already waiting outside the company. As Fang Yuan boarded the car, Bo Yi pulled her into his embrace and asked, ¡°Who sent you that message? I noticed you were smiling when you left the company earlier. Who could make you smile so genuinely?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you give my WeChat to Grandpa?¡± Fang Yuan replied with raised eyebrows. ¡°My grandpa called me more than forty times today,¡± Bo Yi said, exasperated. ¡°He¡¯s quite the talker. You don¡¯t have to pay him much attention when you¡¯re busy.¡± Fang Yuan chuckled. Is this something her own grandson would say? [Yuanyuan, are you still at work?] [I heard you started working at the company. Is it because you need more pocket money, or are you trying to experience life?] [If you need more money, just let me know. Add as many zeros as you want after that 1, and I¡¯ll transfer it to you right away!] Bo Yi found it amusing how his usually authoritative and stern grandfather was suddenly using such a friendly tone. ¡°Grandpa sent you a WeChat message. I recently learned how to type on my cell phone.¡± This change was exceptionally significant! Fang Yuan glanced at her seat and replied nonchalantly, [No need. I¡¯m just taking it easy and enjoying life. The summer vacation is quite long, so I¡¯m simply passing the time.] [If you¡¯re looking to pass the time, you could come and spend time with me! I can take you on a world tour! Or if you prefer to stay in Jing City, there are plenty of scenic spots here. 1 can take you to explore them!]¡± Old Master Bo suggested enthusiastically. Just as Fang Yuan was about to respond, Bo Yi playfully took her phone from her, holding the screen with a mischievous grin. [Grandpa, you¡¯re interrupting our quality time together.] Upon hearing that his grandson was spending time with his granddaughter-in-law, Old Master Bo smiled and decided to put his phone aside, not wanting to disturb them any further. It seemed like this marriage had a chance! ¡°When should we pick up Grandpa tomorrow?¡± Fang Yuan asked casually. ¡°It¡¯s up to you. I¡¯m flexible,¡± Bo Yi responded with a gentle smile, still playing with her delicate hand. ¡°1¡¯11 go along with your schedule.¡± Fang Yuan thought for a moment and said, ¡°How about we go after lunch? 1 have work in the afternoon, so I don¡¯t want Grandpa to wait too long.¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Bo Yi agreed, continuing to admire her small, fair, and tender hand. He couldn¡¯t help but appreciate it. Each finger was elegant, and her nails were clean and beautiful. This girl seemed to have a magical touch. Once they held hands, he didn¡¯t want to let go¡­ Early the following morning. After Old Master Bo had freshened up, he eagerly awaited Fang Yuan¡¯s arrival. However, he was met with an unexpected surprise. Butler Wen entered the room with a helpless expression and explained, ¡°Old Sir, President Wan from the Wan Group has brought his daughter to visit you. President Li from Lida Group and his wife are also waiting outside with their son. In addition, Old Master Pang from the Pang Family has brought his granddaughter for an audience, and Madam Pan from the Pan Family has brought her three granddaughters¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to see them, I don¡¯t want to see them!¡± Old Master Bo was eager to see Fang Yuan, not these people. Their intentions were too transparent; they simply wanted to marry their daughters and granddaughters into the Bo Family. Did they really think he was senile and couldn¡¯t see through their schemes? Butler Wen suggested, ¡°Shall I politely inform them that you are not available yet, sir?¡± Old Master Bo¡¯s anger flared up. ¡°Tell them that I won¡¯t be receiving any visitors today!¡± His exception was only if his granddaughter-in-law came. Old Master Bo reconsidered and added, ¡°Also, instruct them not to obstruct my granddaughter-in-law in any way.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Butler Wen agreed, then found a diplomatic way to decline the people waiting at the door. Noontime arrived, and there were several groups of visitors gathered at the entrance, all of whom had come upon hearing the news of Old Master Bo¡¯s hospital stay. The corridor on this floor was entirely congested, both inside and outside! Old Master Bo waited anxiously, but there was still no sign of Fang Yuan. Instead, his stomach rumbled with hunger from the prolonged wait. ¡°Sir¡­¡± Butler Wen entered once more. Bo Desong¡¯s hope surged as he asked eagerly, ¡°Has Fang Yuan arrived?¡± Where was she? Why hadn¡¯t she come inside? He peeked outside and saw only his bodyguards forming a protective barrier, with many people gathered outside. Bo Desong¡¯s enthusiasm deflated instantly, like a balloon losing its air. ¡°It seems to be a small company I¡¯ve never heard of before. They must have learned about your hospital stay and came here specifically to visit you¡­¡± Butler Wen shared his own sense of helplessness about the situation.. Chapter 76 - Chapter 76: Objection Chapter 76: Objection Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°I¡¯ve already told you, I¡¯m not seeing them!¡± Bo Desong held a distinctly unfavorable opinion of the individuals outside. ¡°Did Yi mention when he¡¯d be arriving? It¡¯s already 12:30 p.m., so why is the young lady still absent?¡± ¡°Young Master and Young Madam have gone out for a meal. They¡¯ll join us after they¡¯ve finished eating,¡± Butler Wen suggested, noticing that the old sir hadn¡¯t touched his food. ¡°Perhaps you should eat first, Old Sir. Young Master and Young Madam might not be here too soon¡­¡± This young couple seemed to be in no rush to return. ¡°Humph! That rascal! He didn¡¯t even pick me up for dinner!¡± Bo Desong felt like his grandson had left him hanging. He grumbled, ¡°He¡¯s left me here high and dry¡­¡± Outside the ward, Song Ling¡¯s feet ached from standing in her 10-centimeter high heels. She was exhausted and hungry. She gazed at the line of stoic bodyguards before her and spoke with a ingratiating smile, ¡°Handsome bodyguard, we¡¯ve been waiting here for an hour. Lunchtime is almost over, and the food we brought for Elderly Mister is getting cold. Can we please go in and see him now?¡± ¡°Madam Fang, 1 don¡¯t mean to be critical,¡± Madam Lu remarked when she saw the takeout bag from Huiyu Restaurant in Song Ling¡¯s hands, ¡°But who is Old Master Bo? How could he settle for a meal of this caliber?¡± She then turned to the bodyguards with a smile. ¡°Gentlemen, please allow us to enter. We are from the Lu Family; I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard of us, right? The lunch we brought is from Yunfeng Restaurant! Just look at the luxurious packaging!¡± Yunfeng Restaurant¡¯s reputation far surpassed that of Hui Cui Restaurant. Song Ling hadn¡¯t wanted to bring Hui Cui Restaurant either, but she had no other choice. Unable to secure lunch from Yunfeng Restaurant, she had to make do with Hui Cui Restaurant. Realizing that her food paled in comparison to others¡¯, Song Ling retrieved several envelopes she had prepared earlier and placed them into the bodyguards¡¯ hands. ¡°This is a small token of our family¡¯s appreciation. Please be generous and allow us to see Old Sir,¡± Song Ling implored with a humble smile, setting aside her pride. ¡°When our family prospers in the future, we won¡¯t forget your kindness!¡± Observing Song Ling¡¯s resort to bribery, Madam Lu promptly retrieved several bank cards from her purse. ¡°Gentlemen, how much can you fit inside an envelope? These cards offer a different option¡­¡± Song Ling was becoming increasingly anxious. ¡°Ms. In-law, how can you do this?¡± Madam Lu responded with disdain, ¡°Madam Fang, please refrain from using such intimate terms. We can¡¯t be certain if we¡¯ll truly become In-laws!¡± Song Ling retorted, ¡°Madam Lu, it was the elders who arranged our engagement. Are you suggesting you want to break your word?¡± Madam Lu shot back, ¡°If my father were to discover that your family¡¯s biological daughter was raised by a cleaner, he might rise from his grave to object!¡± Song Ling implored, ¡°Why are you saying this in front of the children¡­¡± The two women continued to argue as they handed their offerings to the unyielding bodyguards. However, the bodyguards remained resolute, and the envelopes and bank cards fell to the ground. Fang Liguo personally bent down to pick up the envelopes and discreetly placed them in the bodyguard¡¯s pocket. ¡°Gentlemen, there¡¯s no need to stand on ceremony. These are just tokens of our appreciation¡­¡± One of the bodyguards noticed that Fang Liguo also held a handful of other gifts: Western ginseng, bird¡¯s nest, lion¡¯s mane mushroom¡­ They couldn¡¯t help but look down on him. After all, any servant in the Bo Family could expect such gifts on a holiday! Did Fang Liguo underestimate the old sir? Or did he believe these low-grade gifts could curry favor? The bodyguards all withdrew the envelopes Fang Liguo had placed in their pockets and dropped them on the ground. Regardless of how much money was in an envelope, it was still only a few thousand yuan. Their monthly salary exceeded 100,000 yuan! They weren¡¯t willing to jeopardize their jobs for such a small sum. Madam Lu took great satisfaction in seeing the Fang couple¡¯s attempts thwarted. Noticing that neither force nor persuasion had any effect on the bodyguards, Song Ling suddenly noticed her daughter¡¯s good looks. She urgently tugged on Fang Jiayi¡¯s clothing. ¡°Jiayi, tell these young men¡­¡± ¡°Auntie, 1 think it¡¯s best if I handle this,¡± Lu Chen discerned Song Ling¡¯s intentions and promptly stepped forward to shield Fang Jiayi. ¡°Jiayi is still quite young; allow me to take care of it.¡± ¡°How could I impose on Young Master Lu!¡± Song Ling directed her frustration toward Lu Chen. ¡°You heard what your mother mentioned earlier. Your potential marriage with Jiayi might not even materialize!¡± Just then, Butler Wen emerged from the ward and called out, ¡°Clear the way, clear the way!¡± Everyone turned their attention to a girl who had just exited the nearby elevator. Her long, fair legs came into view, and her deep, clear eyes and striking face immediately captured everyone¡¯s attention. She exuded an aura of confidence from head to toe.. Chapter 77 - Chapter 77: Who Exactly Is She? Chapter 77: Who Exactly Is She? Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations When Butler Wen spotted the girl, he immediately approached her with a warm welcome, discreetly addressing her as ¡°Young Madam.¡± He intentionally kept his voice hushed due to the crowded corridor and the fact that Young Madam¡¯s identity had not been officially announced yet. Revealing it to others could potentially lead to trouble for her. ¡°Grandpa Wen,¡± Fang Yuan politely greeted him, using the affectionate term ¡°Grandpa¡± when addressing Butler Wen. Butler Wen¡¯s heart swelled with warmth. He couldn¡¯t help but feel touched by Young Madam¡¯s genuine familiarity, which stood in stark contrast to the formal ¡°Butler Wen¡± from everyone else. Her ¡°Grandpa¡± went straight to his heart. ¡°The old sir has been eagerly awaiting your arrival for quite some time. Please follow me this way,¡± Butler Wen respectfully guided Fang Yuan. Those from the Fang Family, the Lu Family, and others who had come to visit Old Master Bo were left astonished. Fang Liguo blinked, struggling to believe what he had just witnessed. Song Ling was so taken aback that she couldn¡¯t find her voice, her mouth agape in shock. Fang Jiayi felt like a bolt of lightning had struck her. She bit her lip and clenched her fists, unable to fathom how Fang Yuan, right before everyone¡¯s eyes, was being led by Butler Wen into that ward. That ward was considered an exclusive privilege! Meanwhile, Fang Yuan was absorbed in her phone, oblivious to the curious and envious glances cast upon her from the crowd. The onlookers were puzzled about her identity, wondering who she could be to receive such exceptional treatment from Butler Wen. Madam Lu was equally surprised, not expecting the typically reserved Butler Wen to show such respect to this young girl. In Lu Chen¡¯s heart, it felt as though a seasoning bottle had been overturned, stirring up a mix of emotions. What made Fang Yuan deserving of such a personal welcome from Butler Wen? What made her eligible to enter that ward when others had tried in vain to catch a glimpse of Old Master Bo? ¡°Fang Yuan!¡± Song Ling couldn¡¯t contain her astonishment any longer. ¡°You, you¡­¡± Fang Yuan turned around in response to the calling voice, her eyes displaying a sense of detachment and aloofness. As she recognized the caller, she swiftly redirected her attention and followed Butler Wen into the ward. Although others might not be privy to their relationship, the fact that the Fang Clan acknowledged this girl instantly earned her newfound respect in their eyes. As the Fang Family members reveled in a heightened sense of prestige, they couldn¡¯t help but wonder how Fang Yuan had secured entry. How did she come to know someone as influential as Old Master Bo? ¡°Grandpa,¡± Fang Yuan greeted Butler Wen with politeness as she entered the ward. Bo Desong¡¯s face lit up with surprise upon seeing Fang Yuan. ¡°My dear Yuanyuan, you¡¯re here! I¡¯ve been waiting for you so long that even the flowers have wilted!¡± Motioning for her to take a seat, he asked with curiosity, ¡°Why did you come alone? Where¡¯s Yi?¡± Fang Yuan responded, ¡°He had some last-minute work at the company, so he had to return.¡± ¡°This stubborn brat!¡± Bo Desong couldn¡¯t help but express his frustration. It was clear that this ¡°stubborn brat¡± must have grown weary of Yuanyuan. It had only been a few days, yet he was already distant! Yuanyuan was not only beautiful but also highly skilled in medicine. Where else could he find such a remarkable girl? He had initially believed that their marriage would go smoothly, but it seemed that there was still a long way to go. He needed to give his grandson a stern talking-to! How could he be occupied with other matters when such a beautiful girl was right in front of him? In truth, Bo Yi was not working because he wanted to but because he couldn¡¯t afford to waste any more time if he wanted to have dinner with his beloved later. In order to spend more time with her, he reluctantly abandoned the idea of taking Grandpa out of the hospital. However, the elderly lady remained unaware of her grandson¡¯s true intentions. She believed that he had lost interest in Yuanyuan after just a few days and was deliberately distancing himself from her. ¡°It¡¯s alright; let him focus on his work,¡± Fang Yuan reassured Bo Desong, feeling a sense of relief without the clingy presence of her companion. In Bo Desong¡¯s eyes, she was displaying an extraordinary level of understanding. ¡°Yi¡± seemed to be absolved of any wrongdoing, making her even more virtuous in his eyes. ¡°That young man Yi has experienced quite a lot since he was young, which is why he tends to be reserved and taciturn. I¡¯ll share his past with you sometime in the future,¡± Bo Desong mentioned. Fang Yuan, though disinterested in Bo Yi¡¯s past, nodded obediently, playing the role of a dutiful and attentive listener. Outside the ward, Fang Jiayi couldn¡¯t help but notice that Lu Chen had been fixated on the entrance to the ward ever since Fang Yuan had entered. She begrudgingly admitted that Fang Yuan looked exceptionally attractive today. Despite her simple attire and casually tied-up hair, her striking facial features and cool demeanor were undeniably attention-grabbing. Observing that everyone¡¯s thoughts were occupied with Fang Yuan, Fang Jiayi couldn¡¯t resist biting her lip and whispering, ¡°Why does my sister¡¯s personal life have to be so complicated¡­¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Song Ling hurriedly inquired, thinking that Fang Jiayi might possess some inside information. Song Ling¡¯s curiosity was not unique, as both Fang Liguo and the Lu Family members turned their attention to Fang Jiayi, eager to hear more.. Chapter 78 - Chapter 78: Chaotic Private Life Chapter 78: Chaotic Private Life Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Jiayi¡¯s heart surged with joy upon discovering her presence. She spoke with a hint of uncertainty, saying, ¡°A few days ago, Brother Lu Chen and I happened to witness Sister assisting an elderly man to a hotel. He seemed so frail that he could barely walk¡­¡± ¡°After their departure from the hotel, Sister was seen entering another man¡¯s luxurious car¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s possible that Sister gained access to that ward due to her connection with Old Master Bo. Or perhaps she became involved with a wealthy individual and visited as their partner¡­¡± ¡°Regardless of which scenario it is, it¡¯s quite disheartening¡­¡± ¡°Sister has always been exceptionally talented. To remain in Jing City, she might have resorted to a number of questionable actions¡­¡± With this, Fang Jiayi intentionally let out a sigh, appearing deeply troubled. Song Ling couldn¡¯t believe what she was hearing. ¡°Is this girl¡¯s personal life truly so tumultuous?¡± If she were indeed entering as someone¡¯s lover, she wouldn¡¯t care about tarnishing Old Master Bo¡¯s reputation and health! Fang Jiayi swiftly replied, ¡°Fang Yuan¡¯s biological family appears to be quite affluent. 1 doubt they would engage in such behavior,¡± Lu Chen chimed in. Fang Jiayi was taken aback by Lu Chen¡¯s statement. ¡°Brother Lu Chen, are you defending Sister? If her family is genuinely wealthy, why would they allow her to serve an elderly man at a hotel? Didn¡¯t you witness it yourself? She appeared quite intimate with that old man, almost like lovers¡­¡± It might have been better if Fang Jiayi hadn¡¯t brought it up, as Lu Chen vividly recalled Fang Yuan¡¯s slender, fair hands gripping the old man¡¯s arm, instantly souring his mood. Fang Jiayi seized the opportunity to fan the flames. ¡°If Sister¡¯s biological parents were truly as affluent as you suggest, they would be among the richest in the province, if not the entire country¡­¡± ¡°But that seems highly unlikely. The Rolls-Royce we saw that day might belong to some elderly man¡­ The staff could have been lying¡­¡± ¡°I knew it! If her parents were so wealthy, why would she be at the hospital, waiting for Madame Old Fang to wake up? She must be counting on Madame Old Fang to help her secure a place in the Fang Family¡­¡± Song Ling concluded. In that case, it seemed clear that Fang Yuan¡¯s biological parents were not financially well-off¡­ At that very moment, the bodyguards received a new message and promptly sprang into action to handle the situation outside. ¡°Old Master Bo is not available for meetings today. Kindly return home and avoid lingering here. The ventilation is quite poor,¡± one of the bodyguards politely informed the waiting crowd. Curious, Fang Jiayi wore a deceitful smile and inquired, ¡°Young man, could you please shed some light on the relationship between that young lady who just entered and Old Master Bo? We¡¯re genuinely intrigued.¡± Observing her insincere demeanor, the bodyguards couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of disgust. After all, they had encountered countless disingenuous individuals during their years of service in the Bo family. Seeing that the bodyguard was ignoring her, Fang Jiayi began to feel a bit awkward. With so many eyes on her, she had no choice but to muster some courage and continue, ¡°Young man, to be honest, that girl who went in just now is my sister¡­¡± ¡°If she¡¯s your sister, you can inquire with her directly,¡± the bodyguard curtly responded to Fang Jiayi¡¯s plea. In an attempt to prevent further embarrassment, Song Ling promptly pulled Fang Jiayi away. Mrs. Lu couldn¡¯t bear the conspicuous behavior of this girl and felt a wave of disgust wash over her. While some people had already departed, a few lingered nearby, hoping for a chance to see Old Master Bo when he emerged. After a while, the ward doors finally swung open, revealing Fang Yuan assisting Bo Desong. The sight left everyone in awe! The elderly man appeared vibrant and engaged in cheerful conversation with the young woman. The girl nodded in agreement, and the two appeared genuinely warm and harmonious, resembling a grandfather and granddaughter. Those in charge of small businesses who hadn¡¯t yet departed were taken aback. Once they regained their composure, they hurriedly tried to approach Old Master Bo, but the vigilant bodyguards promptly blocked their path. ¡°Old Master Bo, are you preparing to leave the hospital?¡± ¡°Could you spare me just five minutes?¡± ¡°Old Master Bo, just one minute, please!¡± ¡°Old Master Bo¡­¡± Amidst the clamor, Bo Desong paid no heed to the voices and continued to engage in lively conversation with the young woman at his side, strolling toward the elevator. Butler Wen trailed behind them, carrying luggage and exuding an air of unwavering loyalty. ¡°Sister seems to share a close bond with Old Master Bo,¡± Fang Jiayi said, seething with envy, her tone tinged with malicious insinuations. ¡°She spent such a long time with him. I wonder what she was up to inside¡­ Hopefully, nothing unsavory.¡± ¡°Jiayi!¡± Song Ling immediately grasped the implications of Fang Jiayi¡¯s words. However, they were still within earshot of Old Master Bo¡¯s vigilant bodyguards, and any such comments could spell disaster for the Fang family. Fang Jiayi clenched her lip and cast an envious gaze at the figure ahead, fervently wishing she were the one offering support to the elderly man. Chapter 79 - Chapter 79: Exaggerated Acting Chapter 79: Exaggerated Acting Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Twenty minutes later, the car came to a halt in front of an elegant Chinese-style villa, exuding an air of tranquility. This was the residence of Bo Desong, a sprawling estate spanning over ten thousand square meters. The villa¡¯s milky-white walls blended seamlessly with the Black Wave Watts, emitting a timeless fragrance. Elaborate wooden railings, doors, and windows exuded an air of classical charm. The roof boasted a distinctive cornice shape, and its symmetrical design conveyed a sense of stability. The villa exuded a classical aura, yet it retained the enchanting essence of Jiangnan, earning it the name ¡°Spring Garden¡± due to its apparent proximity to a crystal-clear spring. ¡°Yuanyuan, we¡¯ve arrived home!¡± Bo Desong greeted her with enthusiasm. ¡°Step into the courtyard, and I¡¯ll have some delightful tea prepared for you. Is there a particular snack you fancy? 1 can have them whipped up for you.¡± ¡°No need, Grandpa,¡± Fang Yuan replied with a faint smile. ¡°I still have some work to attend to this afternoon, so I won¡¯t impose on you.¡± Bo Desong¡¯s excitement waned. ¡°You¡¯re leaving so soon?¡± ¡°Butler Wen chimed in, ¡°Young Madam, you¡¯re already at home. Why not skip the office today? Relax for a while, have some tea, and enjoy a light meal before heading out.¡± Fang Yuan gently explained, ¡°I have some pressing matters to address at the company. Perhaps next time.¡± ¡°What time will you be done with work? I¡¯ll have Yi pick you up¡­¡± Bo Desong, reluctant to see her go, still didn¡¯t want to hinder her professional commitments. ¡°Join me for dinner tonight and have a chat with me?¡± ¡°Old Mr. Wen is still in the process of recovery. He could use Young Madam¡¯s expertise¡­¡± Butler Wen subtly hinted at him. Bo Desong instantly caught on and assumed a role in a heartbeat. ¡°Oh, my heart¡­ Yuanyuan, do come over tonight and give me a thorough check-up. I¡¯m feeling uncomfortable in this position. Cough, cough¡­¡± Fang Yuan observed the old man¡¯s theatrical performance without exposing him. Instead, she smiled and agreed, ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°Fantastic! What would you like to eat? I¡¯ll have the kitchen prepare it!¡± Bo Desong, realizing he had become overly enthusiastic, cleared his throat and pretended to be frail. ¡°Ahem, any dietary restrictions I should be aware of?¡± ¡°I¡¯m good with anything,¡± Fang Yuan replied, her lips forming a subtle smile. ¡°You don¡¯t have to go to too much trouble.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Bo Desong¡¯s delight was akin to that of a child. ¡°I¡¯ll have the driver take you to the company. After work, you can come with Yi.¡± Fang Yuan nodded in agreement. ¡°Okay.¡± Once Fang Yuan had left, Bo Desong¡¯s spirits returned, and he asked Butler Wen with a grin, ¡°How was my performance just now? Did it seem convincing?¡± Butler Wen gestured with his thumb and index finger held closely. ¡°A tad exaggerated, perhaps¡­¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Bo Desong glanced in the direction of the departing car. ¡°1¡¯11 tone it down next time, then¡­¡± Upon returning to the house, he grabbed his phone and dialed Bo Yi¡¯s number, adopting a stern tone. ¡°I don¡¯t care how pressing the company¡¯s matters are. You must pick up Yuanyuan from work tonight and join us for dinner at my place!¡± ¡°Understood,¡± Bo Yi agreed without hesitation. Bo Desong raised an eyebrow, puzzled by his grandson¡¯s ready compliance. Did he mishear? No, he couldn¡¯t have! This grandson needed to be reminded of his place again! ¡°I¡¯m warning you! Yuanyuan is the cherished granddaughter-in-law in my eyes. Don¡¯t play any tricks!¡± ¡°She finishes work at five,¡± Bo Yi informed him over the phone. ¡°We¡¯ll be at your place by six.¡± In other words, they needed to have dinner ready by six. Bo Desong blinked in disbelief. Did he hear correctly? Did Bo Yi just say that? ¡°As for dessert¡­¡± Bo Yi seemed to possess an intimate knowledge of Fang Yuan¡¯s preferences. ¡°She¡¯s not fond of chocolate-flavored treats. Prepare more strawberry-flavored ones.¡± Bo Desong.¡±???.¡± After ending the call, Bo Desong still couldn¡¯t quite grasp his grandson¡¯s motives. He felt like he couldn¡¯t quite decipher Bo Yi¡¯s intentions. Believing that Old Mr. Wen had encountered an obstacle in facilitating progress between Young Master and Young Madam, Butler Wen took the initiative to lend a hand. ¡°Old Mr. Wen, it appears that Young Master and Young Madam¡¯s relationship is progressing rather slowly. What if we assist them tonight?¡± Bo Desong¡¯s eyes sparkled with interest. ¡°What brilliant idea do you have in mind?¡± Butler Wen leaned in closer to Old Master Bo¡¯s ear and whispered, ¡°Here¡¯s the plan¡­¡± Witnessing Old Master Bo¡¯s delighted expression, he, too, couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°1¡¯11 arrange for a room in advance.¡± Meanwhile, on the other end of the story, Fang Yuan rode the elevator to the company¡¯s 20th floor. From a distance, she spotted her assistant, Wang Ning, waiting by the office entrance. ¡°President Fang!¡± Wang Ning greeted her eagerly. ¡°You¡¯ve finally arrived. President Zhao would like to meet with you.¡± Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow, clearly unfamiliar with this individual. Wang Ning hastened to provide an explanation, ¡°He was appointed by headquarters. A year ago, he was the company¡¯s top executive. Before your arrival, he held the most influential position in the company.¡± Fang Yuan inquired, ¡°Why didn¡¯t I see him during the meeting?¡± Wang Ning hesitated before responding, ¡°Well¡­ He doesn¡¯t often visit the company..¡± Chapter 80 - Chapter 80: Only I Can Order My People Chapter 80: Only I Can Order My People Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan inquired with a puzzled expression, ¡°Did he go out to discuss a collaboration?¡± Wang Ning responded, ¡°No¡­¡± At that moment, Fang Yuan also grasped the situation. ¡°Fetch him here.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Wang Ning nodded and promptly set off to locate him. Fang Yuan, intrigued, inquired further, ¡°He¡¯s just a vice president. Is it necessary to personally invite him?¡± Wang Ning replied cautiously, ¡°A mere phone call or message would provoke his anger¡­¡± ¡°Oh, really?¡± Fang Yuan arched an eyebrow, noting his apparent airs. ¡°Then I¡¯d like to witness how irritable he can get.¡± After some time, a middle-aged man, roughly around 40 years old, entered Fang Yuan¡¯s office. He had a portly build, a round face, and a rather intimidating gaze. As soon as he reached the office door, he made a show of dominance, addressing Wang Ning. ¡°Now that a new master is in town, you¡¯ve forgotten about your old master?¡± ¡°President Zhao, please don¡¯t take it so seriously. I had an unexpected matter come up and couldn¡¯t personally extend the invitation. 1 had no choice,¡± Wang Ning explained. Zhao Quan let out a disdainful snort. ¡°Hmph, I wonder how long this upstart can hold onto his position. In such a short time, he¡¯s learned to rely on his master¡¯s influence. He dares to act so haughty in front of me? Isn¡¯t he afraid that all his efforts will go to waste in the end?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare,¡± Wang Ning thought sarcastically, but he maintained a polite smile and added, ¡°President Zhao, please come in. President Fang is already waiting for you inside.¡± Zhao Quan shot him a cold glare and confidently entered the office. Inside, a young woman sat in the office chair, her eyes clear as she observed him with interest. Zhao Quan was taken aback. He hadn¡¯t expected that the newcomer would turn out to be a young woman. Although she was quite attractive, her demeanor indicated that she didn¡¯t take him seriously at all! ¡°I heard from the employees that there¡¯s a new person in charge at the company. Quite young, 1 must say,¡± Zhao Quan jumped right into the conversation. ¡°I heard you¡¯re from the headquarters. Why haven¡¯t I seen you there before?¡± Fang Yuan replied calmly, ¡°The headquarters houses more than 5,000 employees. Have you personally met each one of them, President Zhao?¡± Zhao Quan responded, ¡°No, but I¡¯ve never come across someone as young and beautiful as you holding such a high position. Who sent you from the headquarters?¡± ¡°Do 1 need to report my assignment to you, President Zhao?¡± Fang Yuan quirked her lips. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that you are not a frequent presence in the company. May 1 inquire whether 1 meet your qualifications for this temporary role, President Zhao?¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Quan didn¡¯t seem perturbed in the least. He confidently pulled out a chair and seated himself across from Fang Yuan. ¡°If 1 had to oversee every little detail in the company, I¡¯d be utterly exhausted. Now that President Fang, you are in charge, I suppose there are many aspects of the company that you¡¯re unfamiliar with, correct?¡± Fang Yuan inquired, ¡°So, where do you spend your time when you¡¯re not at the company?¡± Zhao Quan replied, ¡°Naturally, I¡¯m engaged in discussions with other company CEOs and meeting with material suppliers. Why do you ask? Are you interested in getting involved, President Fang?¡± ¡°Indeed, 1 am,¡± Fang Yuan replied with a sweet smile. ¡°What kind of collaborations are you discussing, and which material suppliers are you meeting? Otherwise, your absence from work could be unwarranted.¡± ¡°Hehe,¡± Zhao Quan chuckled. ¡°So, President Fang, are you suggesting I should be at the office every day?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just you. Everyone in the company is expected to fulfill their roles during working hours,¡± Fang Yuan replied with a deepening smile. Zhao Quan¡¯s eyes sparkled as he gazed at the young woman before him, breaking into laughter. ¡°Hahaha, President Fang, as the highest-ranking person in charge, I will certainly heed your directives.¡± ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll return to my office now.¡± Fang Yuan concluded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be present at the company every day from now on. President Fang, I¡¯m committed to managing the company effectively alongside you!¡± Zhao Quan emphasized the last sentence, hinting at something deeper. Unexpectedly, Fang Yuan let out a sardonic smile. ¡°Take good care of yourself first.¡± As Zhao Quan prepared to depart, Fang Yuan called after him, ¡°Oh, by the way, there¡¯s something I forgot to mention, President Zhao¡­¡± Hearing this, Zhao Quan halted and turned back to face her. Fang Yuan enunciated each word deliberately, ¡°I¡¯m the sole authority when it comes to directing my team.¡± Zhao Quan shot an irritated glare at Wang Ning, who stood near the door. ¡°President Zhao, is that clear?¡± Fang Yuan inquired. ¡°Crystal clear!¡± Zhao Quan spun around and stormed off in frustration. Wang Ning watched the assertive young woman in the office. She was truly commanding! He felt a hint of gratitude for being protected by President Fang. In the Spring Garden, Bo Desong surveyed the courtyard¡¯s flowers and plants, took a pair of gardening scissors, and decided to do the trimming himself. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of this!¡± ¡°But, Old Mr. Wen, please be cautious! Your health hasn¡¯t fully recovered yet¡­¡± Butler Wen fretted. ¡°Just instruct me, and I¡¯ll do it¡­¡± Bo Desong responded, ¡°I just want to create something adorable.¡± ¡°Adorable?¡± Butler Wen thought he might have misunderstood and exchanged puzzled glances with the gardeners.. Chapter 81 - Chapter 81: Very Busy Today! Chapter 81: Very Busy Today! Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Bo Desong remained silent, his focus fixed on his cherished green plant. As he meticulously trimmed its leaves, a sense of dissatisfaction washed over him, prompting him to reach for a few more scissors. He paused and inquired, ¡°What do you think?¡± Butler Wen suddenly had a realization, his eyes widening with understanding. ¡°Old Mr. Wen, have you shaped these plants into rabbits for Young Madam to enjoy?¡± Bo Desong beamed with satisfaction, admiring his handiwork with a smile. In an effort to make Fang Yuan feel more at home, he had enlisted the expertise of several horticulturists to sculpt the flowers and trees in the courtyard into charming shapes. He had also ordered a thorough cleaning and decorating of the villa. The preparations made it seem as if the awaited guest tonight were not his granddaughter-in-law, but a distinguished VIP. ¡°Old Master, Lady Yuqi has arrived,¡± a maid announced suddenly. ¡°Shall we escort her in?¡± Butler Wen raised an eyebrow inquisitively, glancing at Bo Desong. Bo Desong, who had just grown tired from the meticulous trimming, sank into a chair. ¡°Invite her in. Prepare some tea and snacks.¡± Cheng Yuqi, accompanied by the maid, stood before Bo Desong. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she spoke with a choked voice, ¡°Grandpa!¡± She wiped away her tears and continued, ¡°I feel both guilty and relieved to see you in good health and high spirits¡­¡± Puzzled, Bo Desong asked, ¡°Why are you crying?¡± ¡°It¡¯s all my fault from last time! 1 wanted you to recover faster, but there was actually an issue with the Mind-enhancing Powder¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t bear to meet Old Master Bo¡¯s gaze. ¡°I caused you unnecessary suffering¡­ Thankfully, you¡¯re such a kind-hearted person!¡± Bo Desong chuckled warmly. ¡°Hahaha¡­ It¡¯s all in the past. No need to dwell on it.¡± He didn¡¯t bother explaining that the Mind-enhancing Powder wasn¡¯t the problem; rather, his frail body couldn¡¯t benefit from it as much as he¡¯d hoped. Meanwhile, the chef presented the menu to Bo Desong, displaying the dish¡¯s name. ¡°Not bad,¡± Bo Desong observed closely. ¡°Does this dessert contain chocolate powder? Yuanyuan doesn¡¯t like that. Change it to strawberry-flavored.¡± Cheng Yuqi was taken aback by the mention of Fang Yuan. She wanted to dine here? It seemed impossible. Furthermore, how did Bo Desong know her taste so well? ¡°Prepare more fruits as well, and cut them into charming shapes!¡± Bo Desong returned the menu with a smile and instructed, ¡°The rest of the dishes are excellent. Please go ahead and prepare them.¡± Cheng Yuqi maintained a polite smile and asked cautiously, ¡°Grandpa, are there important guests coming tonight? I noticed a lot of people cleaning and decorating the courtyard. The preparations seem quite elaborate¡­¡± ¡°Your sister is coming! I¡¯ve invited her over for dinner tonight,¡± Bo Desong sighed. ¡°I never expected her to become Yi¡¯s fiancee! Yuqi, it appears that our destinies are taking different paths in this life. You won¡¯t be my granddaughter-in-law.¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s heart sank. She thought to herself, ¡°I¡¯m not as fortunate as my sister¡­¡± It was always Fang Yuan, ever since she appeared, nothing seemed to go smoothly for Cheng Yuqi. ¡°You¡¯re a wonderful child. In the future, you¡¯ll surely find a great family and a wonderful husband¡­ It¡¯s getting late. 1 need to check on the decorations in other areas!¡± Bo Desong glanced at the time, aware that Yuanyuan would be arriving in an hour. He took this dinner very seriously, telling himself, ¡°This is Yuanyuan¡¯s first visit here. I can¡¯t leave a negative impression on her¡­¡± His words were filled with respect for his granddaughter-in-law. As Bo Desong started to leave, Cheng Yuqi hurriedly spoke up, ¡°Grandpa¡­¡± ¡°Is there something else?¡± Bo Desong turned around, his smile warm but different from before, leaving Cheng Yuqi with an uneasy feeling. ¡°I just won first place in a piano competition¡­ I wanted to play for you to lift your spirits,¡± Cheng Yuqi wanted Bo Desong to know that she excelled in talents just as much as Fang Yuan! However, Bo Desong didn¡¯t seem particularly interested. He smiled and replied, ¡°I¡¯m in a good mood. 1 don¡¯t need piano music right now.¡± Cheng Yuqi persisted, ¡°If you¡¯re not in a hurry, please listen to me play the piano. Your refined taste and exposure to many beautiful melodies could help me identify any shortcomings¡­¡± Bo Desong responded, ¡°I¡¯m quite busy today! Tonight, Yi is bringing his fiancee home for dinner for the first time. I won¡¯t detain you, to avoid any potential gossip.¡± Cheng Yuqi,Did the old man mean she couldn¡¯t stay for dinner? Was he concerned that Fang Yuan might object if she found out? Why was he so considerate of that rustic girl? Bo Desong remarked, ¡°You¡¯ve grown into a young woman now. It wouldn¡¯t be appropriate for me to summon you here regularly. I¡¯m concerned that your future in-laws might create complications if they discover you¡¯re frequently visiting.¡± Cheng Yuqi was taken aback. She hadn¡¯t yet responded when he added, ¡°Old Wen, please keep Yuqi company for now. 1¡¯11 go check on things over there..¡± Chapter 82 - Chapter 82: Head Snatched Chapter 82: Head Snatched Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Yes!¡± Butler Wen knew that Old Mr. Wen was about to escape, so he responded with utmost deference. Old Sir¡¯s demeanor was practically screaming for someone to escort Cheng Yuqi out! Cheng Yuqi hadn¡¯t anticipated the dramatic shift in Old Master Bo¡¯s attitude toward her after Fang Yuan had entered the scene. Her expression grew increasingly uncomfortable. While Old Master Bo had ostensibly asked Butler Wen to entertain her, it was evident that he wished to see her off. How could she possibly save face by lingering any longer? That country bumpkin, Fang Yuan, must be relishing in her discomfort. What right did she have to garner Old Master Bo¡¯s favor so swiftly? ¡°Given that Grandpa is occupied, I shall return another day,¡± Cheng Yuqi announced, leaving her gift behind. ¡°Butler Wen, kindly pass these on to Grandpa.¡± ¡°Lady Yuqi, the doctor advised against giving the old man nourishing tonics due to his frail condition,¡± Butler Wen said respectfully. ¡°You should take these home as a sign of respect for your parents.¡± ¡°Butler Wen¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi hadn¡¯t anticipated that even the old servant who had previously treated her with respect would now keep his distance. ¡°Someone, assist me in transporting Lady Yuqi¡¯s belongings to her car,¡± Butler Wen understood her intentions. Wasn¡¯t she still harboring hopes of becoming the Young Madam of the Bo family? Unfortunately, the Young Master had set his sights on Miss Fang Yuan, and the Old Master was quite taken with her as well. Did she think she could introduce a third party into this equation? There wasn¡¯t even a crack in the door, let alone a window! Meanwhile, After completing her tasks, Fang Yuan reached for her phone and dialed Qiao Xinhui¡¯s number. ¡°Mom, you don¡¯t need to prepare dinner for me tonight¡­¡± Before she could explain, Qiao Xinhui interrupted joyfully, ¡°I understand. Old Master Bo called and mentioned that he was discharged from the hospital today, and he¡¯d like to invite you over for dinner.¡± Fang Yuan hadn¡¯t anticipated her grandfather personally informing her mother about such a minor matter, and her heart swelled with warmth. Qiao Xinhui went on, ¡°He also mentioned that you once saved him! Although he didn¡¯t divulge the details, he couldn¡¯t stop praising you. He seems very pleased with the idea of you becoming his granddaughter-in-law!¡± Fang Yuan was taken aback by her grandfather¡¯s mention of this and slightly surprised. Fortunately, her grandfather didn¡¯t delve into the specifics, or¡­ ¡°Baby Yuanyuan, why didn¡¯t I know you had saved someone? You¡¯re truly incredible!¡± While Qiao Xinhui was overjoyed, she couldn¡¯t help but think that the Fang family was irrational. Not only did they fail to cherish such a obedient, sensible, and remarkable child, but they had also posted her on a family matchmaking website! Their judgment must have been clouded! ¡°Yuanyuan, darling, spend some quality time with the old man tonight¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui continued for a moment before ending the call. Cheng Yuqi had just returned home when she overheard Qiao Xinhui mentioning that Fang Yuan had saved Grandpa Bo. As the call concluded, she asked in astonishment, ¡°Sister saved Grandpa Bo?¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct! I only found out when I spoke with Old Master Bo! I had no idea Yuanyuan was so modest!¡± Qiao Xinhui held a deep affection for her daughter, finding her increasingly endearing. Cheng Yuqi speculated that Fang Yuan must have been present when Grandpa Bo was in distress and perhaps performed CPR or some other emergency aid. Could it be that she had won Grandpa Bo¡¯s favor? She knew how to administer such first aid too! It wasn¡¯t that complicated, and she had been taught at school. Unfortunately, she hadn¡¯t had the opportunity to demonstrate it to Grandpa Bo. If she had, he would undoubtedly prefer her over that rustic bumpkin! In the evening, Bo Desong waited eagerly at the doorway, and at last, he spotted two familiar figures approaching. Bo Yi was by Fang Yuan¡¯s side, holding onto her arm with an affectionate demeanor that brought a subtle smile to Bo Desong¡¯s lips. ¡°Yuanyuan, you¡¯ve finally arrived! Were you tired from work? Please, come in quickly¡­¡± Bo Desong addressed the household servants, ¡°This is our Young Madam. I expect you all to treat her with the utmost respect in the future.¡± ¡°Good evening, Young Madam!¡± The servants stood in orderly fashion, casting warm smiles toward Fang Yuan. It was evident they had been waiting there for quite some time, as a few of them sported beads of sweat on their foreheads and slightly rumpled attire. Fang Yuan was left momentarily speechless. Such an extravagant reception seemed rather unnecessary¡­ ¡°Hello,¡± Fang Yuan nodded and followed Bo Yi into the house. The courtyard was adorned with charming flora and fauna ¨C little rabbits, kittens, puppies¡­ Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but wonder why her grandfather had opted for such a cute design. Bo Yi also noticed the transformations in this place. Everything appeared brand new, hinting at recent cleaning and redecoration efforts. Clearly, someone was keen on making a favorable impression on Yuanyuan. ¡°Yuanyuan, are you hungry? Dinner is ready!¡± Bo Desong escorted her to the dining room. The four chefs and eight servants greeted her with deep bows, their manners impeccable. Fang Yuan thought to herself, ¡°Do they really need to be so formal?¡± Chapter 83 - Chapter 83: Is This His Grandson? Chapter 83: Is This His Grandson? Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Yuanyuan, please join me,¡± Bo Desong invited, patting the seat beside him. One of the servants promptly pulled out a chair for Fang Yuan, and Bo Yi followed suit, taking a seat beside her. The four chefs personally presented the dishes, each dish as visually appealing as it was aromatic. The culinary style was refreshingly innovative. Among the offerings were a giant abalone adorned with black truffles, hydrangea-infused chicken soup, fragrant golden melon cubilose with a hint of orange, steamed crab infused with black dolphin meat oil and a delicate vinegar sauce, wild rice stew enriched with Liao Ginseng, and more. ¡°Yuanyuan, do give it a try!¡± Bo Desong personally wielded the chopsticks and offered Fang Yuan a taste. However, Bo Yi was one step ahead, meticulously peeling the Boston lobster meat and placing it gently in Fang Yuan¡¯s bowl. Bo Desong was taken aback. Was this still his grandson? His grandson, displaying such thoughtfulness? He couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. Meanwhile, Butler Wen¡¯s widened eyes mirrored his astonishment. Could it be that Young Master was really peeling lobster for Young Madam? Bo Yi continued, removing the crab shell and skillfully serving Fang Yuan with crab meat and crab roe, as he had grown accustomed to during their meals together. Bo Desong and Butler Wen watched in disbelief as Bo Yi attentively cared for Fang Yuan. ¡°The seafood today is quite exquisite. If you enjoy it, please indulge yourself,¡± Bo Yi remarked, not having taken a single bite himself. As Bo Desong was still in shock, he asked with a smile, ¡°Yuanyuan, does today¡¯s meal meet your approval?¡± Fang Yuan savored the crab meat in her mouth and replied, ¡°It¡¯s absolutely delicious.¡± ¡°Thank you for your kind words, Young Madam!¡± The four chefs bowed in unison, deeply grateful for Fang Yuan¡¯s praise. Old Sir had already promised that if Young Madam found tonight¡¯s dinner satisfying, their salaries would be doubled for the month! ¡°Eat it yourself,¡± Fang Yuan insisted, declining Bo Yi¡¯s attempts to serve her. However, Bo Yi persisted in placing food into her bowl, attentively noting her preferences and dislikes to ensure he selected her favorite dishes. ¡°Yuanyuan, please visit me more often when you have time. My home hasn¡¯t seen this much liveliness in ages!¡± Bo Yi had been preoccupied with work and hadn¡¯t visited in months. Despite the numerous servants in the Spring Garden, Bo Desong always felt a void in his heart. But today was different; he could enjoy a meal in the company of his family. ¡°Alright,¡± Fang Yuan agreed readily. ¡°In the future, Yuanyuan and 1 will make sure to visit you more often,¡± Bo Yi added. Hearing Bo Yi¡¯s words, Bo Desong inwardly snorted. In the past, he had been reluctant to visit, but now he agreed so readily. All he knows is how to follow his wife! After dinner, Bo Desong led Fang Yuan on a tour, eventually reaching the top floor to admire the distant view. ¡°It¡¯s quite dark now; you can¡¯t see very far. The daytime scenery is even more stunning. There are beautiful flowers and trees, a stream, and a tall mountain. Yuanyuan, you must come visit when you have the time.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Fang Yuan replied, glancing at the time. ¡°It¡¯s getting late; 1 should head back.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t go,¡± Bo Desong protested with reluctance. ¡°Stay a little longer.¡± Fang Yuan responded, ¡°I¡¯ll come see you next time.¡± As Fang Yuan was about to leave, Bo Desong discreetly signaled Butler Wen. Understanding his intent, Butler Wen quietly departed to make arrangements. Bo Yi held onto Fang Yuan as they took the elevator to the living room on the first floor, and suddenly, the villa¡¯s lights dimmed. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Bo Desong asked, though he knew the answer. ¡°Why did the power go out?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s quite unusual. Despite living here for many years, we¡¯ve never encountered such a situation before! Let me investigate what¡¯s happening. Old Master, Young Madam, please stay calm. I¡¯ll go check it out right away,¡± Butler Wen assured, feigning ignorance before swiftly departing. ¡°Yi, please escort Yuanyuan to the sofa for the time being,¡± Bo Desong suggested. He then turned to a servant and instructed, ¡°Quickly find some candles and emergency lights.¡± ¡°Old Master, didn¡¯t you collect some exquisite emergency lamps in the past?¡± a servant inquired, following the prearranged excuse. ¡°Oh, right, where did 1 put those? Hurry and help me search for them!¡± Bo Desong devised a reason to leave, leaving Bo Yi and Fang Yuan alone in the spacious living room. Bo Yi couldn¡¯t help but smile. Clearly, there was a backup generator in the villa, and the power outage was deliberately orchestrated. Was Grandpa creating an opportunity for them to be alone? Fang Yuan waited for some time, glancing at the clock. ¡°It¡¯s already 8:30; we should go.¡± She was worried her parents would be concerned if she returned too late. Bo Yi gently embraced her. ¡°It¡¯s still early. Stay with me a little longer.¡± Fang Yuan sighed. ¡°How much time have 1 spent with you today?¡± ¡°It¡¯s only been a few hours. That¡¯s not enough!¡± Bo Yi held her tighter. ¡°1 want to cherish more moments with you.¡± Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but roll her eyes. Why was he being so clingy now? Wasn¡¯t he quite reserved in the past? ¡°Let go. Grandpa might notice,¡± she cautioned. Bo Yi countered with a grin, ¡°He¡¯ll be even happier when he does..¡± Chapter 84 - Chapter 84: Kissing Chapter 84: Kissing Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upstairs. Butler Wen, concealed in the corner, observed as Old Sir received assistance to stand and softly whispered, ¡°Old Sir, right this way!¡± Bo Desong confidently approached and stood beside him, peering downstairs. ¡°Any progress?¡± Butler Wen reported, ¡°They¡¯re merely engaged in conversation; no substantial developments.¡± Bo Desong scoffed, ¡°Yi is such a dimwit. Why doesn¡¯t he just kiss her?¡± After a moment¡¯s contemplation, he added, ¡°Isn¡¯t the atmosphere enough? Quick, have someone bring the emergency lotus lanterns and LED candles.¡± ¡°Certainly, sir!¡± Before long, a multitude of exquisite lotus lights adorned the living room, while LED candles graced every tabletop, creating a romantic and alluring ambiance. ¡°Wait!¡± Fang Yuan halted one of the servants responsible for arranging candles and lanterns. ¡°Please inform Grandpa that I am leaving.¡± Caught off guard by this sudden request, the servant hesitated. ¡°Young Madam, the power is out. Perhaps we should consider leaving later?¡± Fang Yuan replied resolutely, ¡°There¡¯s no time to waste.¡± The servant persisted, ¡°However, the door is locked, and we can¡¯t exit.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s expression faltered.¡±¡­.¡± The servant elaborated, ¡°All the fixtures in the house are custom-designed with electronic intelligence. Once the power is cut, the door cannot be opened.¡± Fang Yuan inquired, ¡°Doesn¡¯t such a door have a USB port? You could charge it with a portable power source.¡± She suggested a solution. The servant responded, ¡°There¡¯s no USB port¡­¡± Fang Yuan pressed further, ¡°Where can we find the spare key?¡± The servant informed, ¡°The spare key is missing¡­¡± Fang Yuan proposed, ¡°Then¡­ remove the lock¡¯s battery and replace it with a new one.¡± The servant responded, ¡°There are no spare batteries¡­¡± Fang Yuan was at a loss for words. What kind of subpar door was this? How could there be no backup supplies? Finally sensing the servant¡¯s evasive glance, Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. ¡°In any case, please inform Grandpa for me.¡± With that, she stood up, ready to leave. ¡°Wait a moment, Young Madam. Let me report to Old Sir first¡­ Please, don¡¯t leave just yet¡­¡± Seeing Fang Yuan¡¯s determination to depart, the servants hurriedly sought out Bo Desong. Upon hearing the servant¡¯s report, Bo Desong chuckled and gestured dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ve already had someone disassemble the USB port, and we¡¯ve put away the spare key and battery. Without electricity, there¡¯s no way she can get out!¡± Fang Yuan approached the door and noticed signs that the USB port had indeed been tampered with. The spare key and battery concealed within the door had vanished. It was evident that someone had taken them away. She smiled and glanced at the man beside her. ¡°Grandpa has gone to great lengths for your sake.¡± ¡°He¡¯s doing it for you,¡± Bo Yi embraced her. ¡°He genuinely likes you and wants you to stay.¡± Stay? So that you can manipulate me? Not a chance! Fang Yuan¡¯s slender fingers lingered on the password lock for a while. Beep, beep, beep. After a brief moment, the door unlocked. The servants were utterly astonished. How had Young Madam managed to do it? The door had been securely locked! Didn¡¯t Old Sir claim it couldn¡¯t be opened without electricity? Bo Yi hadn¡¯t expected her to breach the internal system, causing the password to malfunction. This young lady certainly knew her way around technology. ¡°I simply pressed some buttons. Let¡¯s go.¡± Fang Yuan strolled out the door. She had barely taken a few steps when she heard a voice from behind. ¡°Young Madam, please wait. Old Sir suddenly feels unwell. Could you come over and check on him?¡± Fang Yuan:¡±???¡± In that moment, she couldn¡¯t care less about the authenticity of the situation. She turned back to see what was going on. The servant guided her with a lantern to Bo Desong¡¯s bedroom. ¡°Ouch, my heart¡­¡± Bo Desong lay on the bed and groaned. ¡°Grandpa, where are you feeling unwell?¡± Fang Yuan placed her fingers on his wrist and quickly discerned the issue. ¡°Young Madam, how is Old Sir?¡± Butler Wen inquired earnestly. Fang Yuan let out a lazy sigh and withdrew her hand. She casually remarked, ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. I have to admit, though, that there¡¯s a problem. I simply overindulged during dinner, and now I¡¯m feeling a bit stuffed.¡± Bo Desong and Butler Wen were taken aback by how swiftly Fang Yuan had caught on to his feigned illness. They felt a twinge of embarrassment. ¡°Grandpa, get some rest,¡± Fang Yuan didn¡¯t expose him and spoke gently, ¡°I really need to head back. My parents will worry if I¡¯m too late.¡± ¡°Young Madam, please reconsider! If anything happens to Old Sir tonight, it¡¯ll be a while before a doctor arrives¡­¡± Butler Wen tried his best to persuade her to stay. ¡°That¡¯s right, that¡¯s right. You can stay in the room on the north side of the third floor. Yi¡¯s room is on the south side. You¡¯ll be across from each other,¡± Bo Desong added. ¡°It¡¯s been ages since the house has been this lively. You and Young Master are both so busy with work. Who knows when you¡¯ll have the chance to visit Old Sir again¡­¡± Butler Wen played the emotional card. Bo Desong chimed in, ¡°You¡¯re the Young Madam of the Bo family, so it¡¯s only right for you to stay here! If you find it inappropriate, I¡¯ll have someone fetch you a marriage certificate!¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± You don¡¯t have to be so melodramatic¡­ Chapter 85 - Chapter 85: Agreed Chapter 85: Agreed Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°It¡¯s mainly because Old Sir informed Mr. Cheng in advance, and Mr. Cheng agreed,¡± Butler Wen added. Fang Yuan was taken aback, her father agreed? That seemed impossible! Bo Desong then played a voice message for her. ¡°This is a voice message from your father.¡± In the recording, Cheng Ye¡¯s voice echoed, ¡°Old Sir, you must be joking. Yuanyuan is with you. What else do I have to worry about? Then I won¡¯t leave the door open for her tonight¡­¡± Cheng Ye believed his daughter would become a member of the Bo family soon, and Bo Desong had promised they wouldn¡¯t share a room. He liked his future granddaughter-in-law and wanted her to stay in the Spring Garden for the night, guarded by dozens of servants. Unable to refuse, he reluctantly agreed. Fang Yuan was left speechless. She hadn¡¯t expected her father to agree so readily. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. ¡°Yi, take Yuanyuan to the room on the north side of the third floor. It¡¯s already prepared.¡± Bo Desong instructed Butler Wen, ¡°Bring a lamp for Yuanyuan and check how much time has passed since the call.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Butler Wen responded, handing a lantern to Fang Yuan. Bo Yi intervened, saying, ¡°Allow me.¡± He took the lamp and held Fang Yuan¡¯s hand with his free one as they ascended the stairs. Though the path was dimly lit, the gentle glow of the lantern and the warmth of her palm eased Fang Yuan¡¯s unease. ¡°Are you afraid of the dark?¡± Bo Yi asked, his arm around her shoulders. ¡°If you are, come closer.¡± Fang Yuan was speechless. She wasn¡¯t afraid of the dark, not when she had faced much greater darkness in her past. When they reached the northern room, Fang Yuan realized the lamp was inadequate. The room was too vast, and its feeble light barely pierced the darkness. In the dimness, Bo Yi looked at the girl before him. Her eyes shone like stars in the night sky, casting a beguiling radiance. ¡°I¡¯ll stay here with you until the electricity comes back,¡± he said softly, unable to resist reaching out to touch her delicate face. He marveled at how soft, smooth, and tender her skin felt. Her face was so small that it easily fit within the palm of his hand. Fang Yuan turned her face away and replied calmly, ¡°There¡¯s no need. You can go and do your work.¡± Bo Yi protested, ¡°There¡¯s nothing to do.¡± Fang Yuan suggested, ¡°Then go and keep Grandpa company.¡± Bo Yi countered, ¡°Grandpa has been busy all day. He should rest.¡± Fang Yuan glanced at the affectionate guy in front of her and couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit overwhelmed. ¡°Then return to your room.¡± ¡°I want to stay with you,¡± Bo Yi admitted, his breath quickening. The graceful aura radiating from the girl made him yearn to be closer, nearer¡­ Just then, his phone rang abruptly. After taking the call, he turned to the girl in his arms and informed her, ¡°The power supply is malfunctioning. It won¡¯t be restored tonight.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s expression was a mixture of surprise and disbelief. ¡°I¡¯m going to see if there are any spare clothes in here,¡± Bo Yi announced, needing to distance himself before losing control. Upon entering the bedroom¡¯s walk-in closet, Bo Yi realized there were no suitable clothes. ¡°Wait for me. I¡¯ll fetch you some clothes,¡± he said, departing to find something suitable. ¡°Grandpa had these prepared in advance. Check if any of them fit.¡± Fang Yuan was left speechless. It seemed the old man had planned for everything¡­ She examined the clothing options in the dim light, only to discover that they were all provocative straps and lace tulle dresses, with not a single normal outfit among them. Bo Yi, noticing her predicament, smiled and offered, ¡°I¡¯ll bring you some of my clothes.¡± He left once more and, after a short while, returned with his pajamas and a shirt for her to choose from. His pajamas were excessively long and oversized. In the end, Fang Yuan opted for his shirt and a comparatively modest undergarment from the stack of alluring pajamas. Clutching the lamp, she prepared to head to the bathroom. Out of nowhere, a sudden gust of wind forcefully slammed the bedroom door shut with a resounding bang. When Bo Yi attempted to reopen the door, it refused to budge. ¡°Old Sir, your ingenuity truly knows no bounds to create such an artificial breeze!¡± Butler Wen quipped, suppressing his laughter while gazing at the firmly closed door. ¡°Young Master will undoubtedly call me later for the spare key. See, here it is!¡± Bo Yi made the call. Doing his best to stifle his amusement, Butler Wen answered the call with feigned seriousness, ¡°Young Master, that bedroom was prepared for Young Madam at the last minute. There¡¯s no spare key. Why don¡¯t you make the best of it for the night?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a bit excessive,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice came through the phone, clearly aware of what was happening. ¡°What do you mean? Young Master, I¡¯m not sure I understand. Hello, Young Master, the signal here is quite poor. Hello, hello.¡± Butler Wen quickly hung up and powered off his phone.. Chapter 86 - Chapter 86: Links Chapter 86: Links Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Bo Yi¡¯s gaze fixated on the enchanting figure before him in the dimly lit room, and he spoke with a sultry tone, ¡°Tonight, I want you to be with me.¡± Fang Yuan was left momentarily speechless, marveling at Old Sir¡¯s audacity. ¡°Whatever,¡± she responded nonchalantly. Given the circumstances, granpa was unlikely to surrender the key. The folding fan door lacked any sophistication; it was impervious without the proper lock-picking tools. However, Fang Yuan knew her grandfather well enough to realize he wouldn¡¯t leave such tools in plain sight. Without uttering a word, Fang Yuan silently carried the lamp into the bathroom. After a short while, the frosted glass door revealed her graceful silhouette. It was evident that the bathroom door had been recently upgraded, providing a clearer view. Bo Yi hadn¡¯t anticipated his grandfather¡¯s clever ploy to enhance their relationship. His breathing grew heavier as he sensed the changes within him. He turned his gaze toward the window, attempting to distract himself with the outdoor scenery. But the sound of running water and the scent of shower gel lingered in his senses, drawing his attention back. Her figure, alluring and elegant, was vividly imagined through the bathroom door. With determination, Bo Yi rose and approached the window, seeking to dispel the rising heat within him. As Fang Yuan emerged from her shower, she spotted a tall figure by the window and calmly remarked, ¡°I¡¯ve finished showering.¡± In response, Bo Yi turned around, only to feel the heat reignite within him. Two wisps of steam trailed behind Fang Yuan, giving her an ethereal quality. She was dressed in his white shirt, her fair complexion slightly flushed from the shower, accentuating her delicate beauty. Her seductive gaze and the exposed collarbones at her neckline resembled butterflies in flight. Her long, fair legs¡­ Bo Yi felt his throat tighten, and his breath quickened. ¡°I¡¯ll take a shower now,¡± Bo Yi casually grabbed a set of pajamas that Fang Yuan had chosen and briskly entered the bathroom, lest his desire overtake his composure. Once inside the bathroom, Bo Yi couldn¡¯t escape the lingering fragrance of Fang Yuan that enveloped him. It seemed like a cold shower was in order for him tonight. The sound of running water emanated from the bathroom, casting a reflection of a tall figure on the glass door. Unbeknownst to Fang Yuan, she remained engrossed in her phone, tending to some pressing matters. However, her attention shifted as she heard the bathroom door open. Bo Yi emerged, his hair damp and disheveled. Clad in crisp white pajamas, he exuded a powerful aura of masculinity. Meanwhile, Fang Yuan¡¯s phone rang, displaying an unusually lengthy number, distinct from a typical phone number. She shifted her gaze away, maintaining her composure as she answered the call, ¡°Go ahead.¡± The voice on the other end of the line spoke, prompting Fang Yuan to move to the balcony. ¡°And then?¡± After a moment, a pair of large hands wrapped around her from behind, and his warm breath brushed against her ear, sending an unexpected shiver down her spine. Bo Yi greedily inhaled her scent, much like a clingy kitten. Fang Yuan could feel the heat emanating from him, particularly in a certain area. She continued her conversation with the person on the phone, ¡°Alright, 1 understand. I¡¯m hanging up now.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a man?¡± Although Bo Yi couldn¡¯t decipher the exact words spoken on the other end of the call, he discerned a male voice. A tinge of jealousy washed over him. Just moments ago, the young lady¡¯s gaze lingered on him, yet when the call came, she didn¡¯t even spare him a glance and went straight to the balcony to answer. ¡°It¡¯s a friend,¡± Fang Yuan instinctively clarified to him, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness. ¡°Release me.¡± ¡°What kind of friend?¡± Bo Yi dipped his head to once again savor the intoxicating fragrance on her neck, completely captivated by her scent. Caught in the embrace of Bo Yi¡¯s warmth, Fang Yuan¡¯s body began to feel oddly stirred. ¡°Is this friend merely ordinary, or do they hold a significant place in your life?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s actions persisted, his voice growing huskier and more seductive. ¡°It¡¯s not just an ordinary friendship,¡± Fang Yuan replied, acknowledging the deep bond they had forged over years of life and death situations. ¡°So, you consider this person an important friend?¡± Bo Yi gazed up at her exquisite profile, his jealousy intensifying. ¡°More important than me?¡± ¡°Bo Yi!¡± Fang Yuan attempted to break free from his embrace, but he tightened his grip. Fang Yuan felt helpless. ¡°How long have we known each other?¡± ¡°To me, it feels like several years,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s innate charm and his unique tenderness toward women blended seamlessly. This combination of firmness and gentleness threatened to engulf Fang Yuan. ¡°I¡¯m thirsty,¡± Fang Yuan pushed him away and headed indoors to fetch a glass of water, needing a moment to regain her composure. ¡°Where am i sleeping tonight?¡± Bo Yi followed closely behind. The heat within him showed no signs of subsiding; instead, it grew more intense.. Chapter 87 - Chapter 87: Teaching Chapter 87: Teaching Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan¡¯s voice held an air of indifference as she spoke, ¡°Choose between the bed or the floor.¡± Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Bo Yi promptly replied, ¡°I¡¯ll take the bed. Shall we share it?¡± ¡°Dream on!¡± Fang Yuan set her glass of water down and noticed that the bed had only a pillow and a blanket. Norda¡¯s bedroom lacked even a sofa, and this realization struck her. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll take the floor,¡± Bo Yi declared, seating himself on the ground. He offered the sole pillow and blanket to Fang Yuan. ¡°I¡¯m not tired. You go ahead and get some rest.¡± Just as they settled in, the lamp abruptly ran out of battery, plunging the entire room into darkness. Fang Yuan lay on the bed, wrapping herself with the blanket, and could faintly hear Bo Yi¡¯s steady breathing. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Bo Yi gently stroked Fang Yuan¡¯s hair with his large hands. ¡°Good night.¡± Fang Yuan felt her hand being held by him, and soon, she drifted off to sleep. The following morning, the sound of running water emanated from the bathroom. Fang Yuan gradually opened her eyes, greeted by the brightness of the day. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a hazy glow in the room. After a while, the bathroom¡¯s water ceased, and a figure emerged. ¡°Are you awake?¡± Fang Yuan sat up, her soft, cascading hair framing her innocent and charming face. A faint smile touched the corners of her delicate lips, and her eyes exuded warmth. Bo Yi, still in the pajamas he wore the previous night, carried a blend of masculine and aristocratic charm that was different from the night before. As he approached, Fang Yuan got out of bed and spoke calmly, ¡°I need to head to work soon.¡± She took a step and unexpectedly kicked something. Looking down, she discovered it was the pajamas she had chosen for herself the previous night. Bo Yi had rolled them into a makeshift pillow on the floor. Realizing he had slept on the cold floor, Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but feel a mix of emotions, unsure if it was unease or guilt that washed over her. Seated at the dining table, Bo Desong observed the early risers with a smile. The more he watched them, the more convinced he became of their compatibility. A sense of happiness enveloped him as he asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you two sleep a bit longer?¡± ¡°The floor was too hard¡±. Bo Yi¡¯s response drew curious glances from both Bo Desong and Butler Wen. Last night had presented a perfect opportunity, so why had this seemingly oblivious gentleman chosen to sleep on the floor? ¡°But isn¡¯t there a bed in that room?¡± Bo Desong had higher expectations for his grandson. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you take advantage of the situation? Do I need to teach you such things?¡± Fang Yuan chimed in, ¡°He gave me the bed. By the way, was the door to the room fixed this morning?¡± Bo Desong felt a pang of guilt, as he had indeed arranged for the door to be unlocked with a spare key at dawn. He wondered if his granddaughter-in-law had figured it out. Fang Yuan, however, chose not to expose his scheme and simply said, ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± Bo Desong looked at the astute girl before him and then at his somewhat clueless grandson. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of frustration. What an opportunity they had missed! After breakfast, Bo Yi escorted Fang Yuan to work. Watching them depart, Butler Wen discreetly retrieved a handbag belonging to Young Madam. ¡°Old Sir, Young Madam¡¯s bag is here.¡± He had intended to remind Bo Desong earlier, but in order to give Young Madam a chance to repay the favor, he waited until after they had left to pick up the bag. ¡°Very well,¡± Bo Desong said with satisfaction. ¡°I¡¯ll have Yi deliver it to her later. This way, we¡¯ll have another opportunity to meet¡­¡± ¡°Old Sir, you seem genuinely concerned about Young Master,¡± Butler Wen remarked. A pensive look crossed Bo Desong¡¯s face as he gazed in the direction they had gone. ¡°After what transpired last night, I wonder if Yuanyuan is still willing to visit my home¡­ Has she seen through my plan?¡± ¡°What transpired last night could be attributed to coincidence. Young Madam is so innocent; she probably won¡¯t dwell on it too much,¡± Bo Desong mused, voicing his hope. ¡°I share your hope!¡± Bo Desong added in his thoughts. If the young lady chose not to visit in the future, he might have to feign illness. It was indeed quite a challenge to have a disappointing grandson! Inside the car, Bo Yi glanced at the girl beside him and recalled her wearing his white shirt the previous night. Her fair complexion, the alluring collarbone, and those long legs¡­ ¡°You looked stunning in that shirt last night,¡± he complimented. Fang Yuan arched an eyebrow. ¡°Am I not beautiful usually?¡± ¡°You¡¯re always beautiful,¡± Bo Yi responded, leaning in closer to her delicate, pink ear. His voice took on a teasing and seductive tone. ¡°But last night was exceptionally enticing.¡± Fang Yuan,¡±¡­¡± Bo Yi¡¯s gaze turned affectionate, and a smile played on his lips. ¡°You were so well-behaved last night.¡± After falling asleep, she had been quiet and obedient, akin to a slumbering elf.. Chapter 88 - Chapter 88: Arrogant Chapter 88: Arrogant Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan awoke from her slumber with no knowledge of what had transpired during her nap. As she noticed that the car was nearing the company entrance, she promptly instructed, ¡°Mu Qing, please pull over.¡± ¡°Of course, Miss Fang Yuan,¡± Mu Qing promptly replied. Bo Yi leaned over and gently touched her cheek, remarking, ¡°I¡¯ll come to pick you up at noon.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Fang Yuan exited the car and took a few steps. As she entered the company premises, she was greeted by a taunting voice. ¡°Well, well, isn¡¯t this President Fang? Arriving in style, I see. That car must have cost a pretty penny,¡± taunted Zhao Quan, the speaker. Although he hadn¡¯t caught the license plate number, he recognized the model and the prominent Rolls-Royce emblem. ¡°President Fang, I must say, I¡¯m impressed by your taste in luxury cars given your age,¡± Zhao Quan added with deliberate deference. Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow and responded icily, ¡°President Zhao, do you have nothing better to do? Instead of working, you¡¯re loitering at the company entrance enjoying the view?¡± ¡°I was waiting for a client and happened to chance upon President Fang!¡± Zhao Quan replied with a cheeky smile. ¡°By the way, President Fang, is that your own car, or does it belong to your boyfriend?¡± Or perhaps some sugar daddy? Fang Yuan retorted curtly, ¡°Is that any of your business?¡± With that, she proceeded directly to the elevator. ¡°Just focus on your work.¡± Zhao Quan watched her retreating figure with disdainful thoughts. Wasn¡¯t she merely relying on her looks to hold her current position? What was she acting so arrogantly for? Upon reaching the 20th floor via the elevator, Fang Yuan encountered Wang Ning and Gu Panpan waiting for her outside her office. ¡°President Fang, Designer Gu has been patiently waiting for you,¡± Wang Ning informed her. Fang Yuan settled into her office chair and inquired, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± She gazed at the young woman standing before her. ¡°President Fang, I¡¯ve just completed my latest design. 1 was hoping for the privilege of receiving your valuable guidance,¡± Gu Panpan spoke with a touch of nervousness as she extended her design draft toward Fang Yuan. Uncertain if Fang Yuan would be willing to offer feedback, she awaited her response anxiously. Observing Fang Yuan¡¯s slight bewilderment, Gu Panpan quickly clarified, ¡°During our last meeting, our department head presented my design draft to you. Following your input, my design has significantly improved!¡± In her heart, she held immense admiration for Fang Yuan¡¯s talents, almost considering her a mentor. Fang Yuan accepted the design draft and inquired, ¡°What type of clothing are you aiming to design?¡± This question ignited a spark in Gu Panpan¡¯s eyes. ¡°I aspire to create exceptional garments, much like my idol, Yanli. President Fang, are you familiar with Master Yanli?¡± Fang Yuan was taken aback momentarily, then offered a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of her.¡± Gu Panpan¡¯s enthusiasm surged. ¡°She¡¯s an extraordinarily gifted individual. Her unique aesthetic and talent shine through in her creations!¡± ¡°Every garment and accessory she designs is flawless!¡± ¡°Each time 1 believe I¡¯ve witnessed the pinnacle of her artistry, she astounds me with a new creation!¡± ¡°It¡¯s as if her talent knows no bounds. Every new piece surpasses the last.¡± ¡°She truly is remarkable!¡± Fang Yuan observed the girl before her, who was clearly a passionate fan of Yanli and couldn¡¯t stop raving about her. With a smile, she inquired, ¡°Is she truly that exceptional?¡± ¡°Absolutely!¡± Gu Panpan¡¯s voice resonated with admiration. ¡°Whenever her designs are unveiled, hordes of designers clamor to replicate them. Even many A-list designers draw inspiration from her creations.¡± ¡°Her work has been a boundless wellspring of inspiration for me. Equally, her journey has taught me that 1 mustn¡¯t blindly chase trends; I must carve out my own design identity. So long as my creations exude beauty, 1 believe I can carve a niche for myself in the design industry!¡± Gazing at Gu Panpan¡¯s hopeful anticipation for the future, Fang Yuan picked up her pen and calmly suggested, ¡°We can revise it like this¡­¡± Under Fang Yuan¡¯s expert guidance, over a dozen design drafts transformed into even more stunning iterations. Gu Panpan was astounded. This was nothing short of amazing! In a short span of time, President Fang had pinpointed all the flaws in her drafts and proposed revisions. Garments that had previously seemed ordinary now exuded an air of top-tier luxury. At that moment, Wang Ning¡¯s voice echoed from outside the office door. ¡°President Zhao, you can¡¯t enter¡­¡± ¡°A mere employee dares to obstruct me?¡± Zhao Quan, stationed outside the door, regarded Wang Ning with disdain. ¡°You insignificant fellow, trying to be a roadblock!¡± Without hesitation, he pushed open the office door. Wang Ning offered an apologetic look and said, ¡°I apologize, President Fang. I couldn¡¯t prevent him¡­¡± Zhao Quan strolled in with an air of arrogance. It was evident that he held little regard for anyone. He made a beeline for Fang Yuan. ¡°I¡¯m here on urgent business; that¡¯s why I barged in unannounced. President Fang, you¡¯re known for your graciousness. 1 don¡¯t think you¡¯d¡­¡± Fang Yuan lifted her head, her gaze piercing the presumptuous face before her. She coldly interrupted him, ¡°Don¡¯t you know how to knock before entering?¡± Zhao Quan stammered, ¡°It¡¯s an emergency, related to the company¡¯s future development¡­¡± Chapter 89 - Chapter 89: Get Out Now! Chapter 89: Get Out Now! Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan¡¯s patience wore thin as she dismissed Zhao Quan¡¯s attempt at an explanation with a cold and stern ¡°Get out!¡± Zhao Quan, however, persisted, trying to stress the importance of his message not only for the company¡¯s future but also¡­ Fang Yuan cut him off abruptly, showing little interest in his words, and stated firmly, ¡°1 won¡¯t repeat myself a third time. Given your current position, I assume you wouldn¡¯t want the security guards to escort you out, would you?¡± Gu Panpan was taken aback. What was happening? Was Zhao Quan being too condescending? Yet, President Fang appeared completely unfazed, radiating an air of confidence and poise. ¡°President Zhao, please proceed,¡± Wang Ning interjected, making a welcoming gesture. Suppressing his anger, Zhao Quan shot Wang Ning an angry glare. After closing the door behind him, he impatiently knocked on it, but there was no response from inside. He knocked for an extended period, growing increasingly impatient. Finally, he couldn¡¯t hold his frustration any longer and vented it on Wang Ning, saying, ¡°Are you mute? Why didn¡¯t you report to your boss when she chose to ignore you? Is the company paying you to stand here like a statue?¡± Wang Ning whispered from outside the door, ¡°President Fang, President Zhao is here to see you.¡± ¡°I have no desire to see him!¡± Came a crisp response from inside the office. This time, Zhao Quan couldn¡¯t contain his irritation any longer. He forcefully pushed the door open and retorted, ¡°If you didn¡¯t want to see me, why did you ask me to knock?¡± Fang Yuan lifted her gaze slowly and spoke indifferently, ¡°Did 1 ever imply that I would definitely meet with you if you knocked on the door?¡± Perplexed and unhappy, Zhao Quan questioned, ¡°Then what do you mean?¡± ¡°As Deputy President, you seem to lack even the most basic manners! Did the company invite you here for a grand show of arrogance? If you¡¯re not satisfied, perhaps you should request the headquarters to give you my position! If you lack the capability, then at least conduct yourself appropriately. Can¡¯t you handle your own issues? What¡¯s the point of coming to me to beg for help?¡± ¡°You!¡± Zhao Quan was left speechless and infuriated. He hadn¡¯t expected this young woman to be so assertive. She was proving to be quite challenging to deal with. Fang Yuan¡¯s firm tone resonated, ¡°You¡¯re welcome to knock on my door once you¡¯ve learned the value of politeness and respect. Now, please leave.¡± For a brief moment, Zhao Quan found himself without a suitable retort and departed in frustration. Gu Panpan, utterly astonished, shifted her gaze from the exit where Zhao Quan had stormed out to President Fang before her. She couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡°What a commanding presence!¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s attention returned to the design drafts. ¡°As I was saying earlier, regarding the skirt design and the bubble sleeves, 1 believe it would be better to make these adjustments¡­¡± However, Gu Panpan¡¯s mind was still preoccupied with the strong and confident aura President Fang exuded. She could only swallow hard and wonder when she might become as composed. Fang Yuan asked, ¡°Do you comprehend my suggestions?¡± Gu Panpan snapped back to reality. ¡°Yes, I understand. 1¡¯11 make the changes right away.¡± With the design drafts in hand, Gu Panpan left the room. Wang Ning couldn¡¯t help but give Fang Yuan a thumbs up and commented, ¡°President Fang, you handled that masterfully! I¡¯ve been with the company for over a year, and I¡¯ve never seen President Zhao so flustered! You¡¯ve really shown him who¡¯s boss!¡± Fang Yuan arched an eyebrow. ¡°So, I¡¯m an iron-willed boss, am I?¡± Wang Ning hastily clarified, ¡°No, no, no! But President Zhao is known for holding grudges. He might cause trouble for you in the future. President Fang, you need to be cautious around him.¡± Fang Yuan chuckled, ¡°You think 1¡¯11 back down if he tries to make things difficult for me? Do 1 appear gullible?¡± Wang Ning regarded her with admiration. It was impressive how a young woman like Fang Yuan could be so resolute. Fang Yuan added, ¡°In the future, don¡¯t let just anyone waltz in here. It can affect your concentration.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± After Wang Ning departed, Fang Yuan reclined in her chair and casually perused the company¡¯s previous reports. In that tranquil moment, her phone buzzed repeatedly. She reached for it and noticed WeChat messages from Bo Yi along with a few from her parents. Just as she was about to respond, another knock echoed at her door. ¡°President Fang, Director He from Human Resources is here to see you,¡± Wang Ning¡¯s voice, tinged with concern, reached her ears from the hallway. ¡°Let her in,¡± Fang Yuan instructed, setting her phone down. She then faced the formidable-looking woman before her, who seemed to be in her twenties with short hair and exuded the aura of a career-driven individual. ¡°President Fang, your prestige has certainly soared since taking office!¡± He Jiahui entered the room in a huff and slammed her hands on the desk. ¡°I¡¯ve been with this company since its inception. Now, President Fang, it seems you have the power to dismiss me at will. Is this because your family owns the company? Do you plan to act without accountability? Have you forgotten about our headquarters?¡± Her gaze bore into Fang Yuan, brimming with dissatisfaction over her decisions. Several employees who had been discreetly observing from the hallway were taken aback. Was President Fang¡¯s desk something to be pounded on? How dare she confront President Fang like this! Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but notice that her office door was still ajar, and many curious eyes were fixed on her. Wang Ning attempted to usher these onlookers away, but their desire for spectacle outweighed their discretion, and they remained, eager to witness the unfolding drama.. Chapter 90 - Chapter 90: Taking A Chance Chapter 90: Taking A Chance Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze settled upon the woman before her, her tone exuding indifference. ¡°It appears you¡¯re the one showing indifference toward our headquarters, Ms. He. I¡¯ve reviewed your attendance record. Do you have an explanation?¡± ¡°Since you¡¯ve already reviewed my attendance record, you should be aware that I¡¯ve been diligently punctual and never left early throughout the past year,¡± Ms. He retorted. ¡°I¡¯m consistently the first to arrive and the last to leave the company,¡± she continued. ¡°All my contributions to the company are well-documented,¡± she added. ¡°And yet, you terminated my employment without cause. Do you believe 1 won¡¯t take this matter to the headquarters, potentially jeopardizing your own position?¡± Outside the office, this confrontation stirred quite the commotion. Director He seemed surprisingly audacious, speaking so boldly to President Fang. Was she perhaps testing President Fang¡¯s mettle due to her relative youth? Many were left wondering whether President Fang would be cowed. Fang Yuan, unperturbed, appraised her calmly before speaking deliberately, ¡°Do you genuinely stand by your words?¡± He Jiahui, visibly irked, responded, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Fang Yuan continued, ¡°Why not inquire with the employees at the entrance how often they¡¯ve seen you within the company premises?¡± ¡°What? President Fang, are you insinuating collusion with outsiders to frame me?¡± He Jiahui retorted, her tone dripping with skepticism. ¡°I will report today¡¯s events to the headquarters. You¡¯ll soon realize the steep price of terminating my employment. If you wish to rid yourself of me, I suggest contemplating how to safeguard your own position.¡± As He Jiahui turned to leave, Fang Yuan¡¯s commanding voice halted her in her tracks. ¡°Hold on.¡± With an air of regal authority, Fang Yuan regarded her retreating figure with interest. ¡°Indeed, we should report this to headquarters. After all, how else will they become aware of the company¡¯s performance over the past year?¡± He Jiahui, now facing Fang Yuan once more, shot a glare filled with suspicion. ¡°What are you insinuating? Cease your baseless accusations!¡± Fang Yuan maintained her composure as she calmly stated, ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed the attendance system, and it appears there have been some alterations.¡± With a fluid motion, she rotated the computer screen 180 degrees to face her. Her slender fingers danced across the keyboard as she continued, ¡°As the head of the Human Resources Department, you possess the authority to access and modify the attendance records. However, despite your efforts to erase the modification traces, the ADS formula allows for the retrieval of data with the addition of specific codes.¡± Fang Yuan swiftly restored the annual attendance report and added, ¡°This represents your true attendance record. Out of 365 days in a year, you¡¯ve only been present for 76 days.¡± The revelation left everyone stunned. While they were aware that He Jiahui rarely came to work, the extent of her absenteeism was shocking. Just 76 days out of 365! Fang Yuan continued, her tone unwavering, ¡°You received a year¡¯s salary from the company, complete attendance bonuses, the title of annual attendance champion, and outstanding employee rewards, totaling more than 500,000 yuan. This could potentially lead to a substantial jail term for you.¡± He Jiahui, her face drained of color, couldn¡¯t believe that this seemingly inexperienced young woman had managed to unveil her true attendance record. Yet, she clung to the hope that as long as she denied it, the company¡¯s claims would remain unsubstantiated. She even considered the possibility that Fang Yuan, with her coding skills, might be deliberately defaming her to justify her termination. Fang Yuan noticed her desperation and spoke with a hint of nonchalance, ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve also extracted all the surveillance footage of your appearances at the company this year¡ª76 days to be precise. Whether or not it¡¯s slander will be determined by the police when we reach the station.¡± Only then did He Jiahui¡¯s anxiety escalate. ¡°What do you intend to do?¡± Fang Yuan replied matter-of-factly, ¡°Naturally, we¡¯ll provide the evidence to the police. There¡¯s no need to argue here. The authorities will arrive at their own conclusions shortly.¡± He Jiahui was now in full panic mode. ¡°You!¡± Fang Yuan cast a casual glance at Wang Ning and instructed, ¡°Wang Ning, call the police.¡± He Jiahui was jolted upon hearing the words ¡°call the police.¡± Her earlier bravado crumbled in the presence of Fang Yuan. She clutched the edge of the table, her voice quivering as she implored, ¡°Please, no, let¡¯s not¡­¡± Trembling, she continued, ¡°President Fang, can we discuss this further?¡± Fang Yuan, appearing somewhat resigned, responded, ¡°Originally, 1 had no intention of holding you accountable for this year¡¯s losses or sending you to jail. However, you¡¯ve made it clear that you intend to escalate the matter by reporting it to headquarters.¡± Regret filled He Jiahui¡¯s expression as she admitted, ¡°President Fang, it¡¯s all my fault. I should never have abused my authority to manipulate attendance records, deceitfully obtaining your salary and the full-time award. I should never have betrayed my conscience and taken undeserved rewards from the company. I genuinely recognize my wrongdoing.. I am apologizing!¡± Chapter 91 - Chapter 91: Worm Chapter 91: Worm Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Is this the only thing you¡¯ve been wrong about?¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze bore down on her with an overwhelming sense of weight. He Jiahui¡¯s eyes welled up with tears as fear clouded her memory of President Fang¡¯s past actions. She stammered, ¡°W-what else¡­¡± Fang Yuan leaned in, his voice tinged with a chilling intensity, ¡°Over the past few days, 1 accessed the company¡¯s emails and recovered everything that was deleted. Can you guess what I found?¡± He Jiahui¡¯s realization dawned slowly amid her growing anxiety. She asked hesitantly, ¡°W-what did you find?¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s demeanor abruptly shifted. ¡°A total of sixty-two complaint letters, all penned by individuals who left the company in the past year!¡± He Jiahui stood there in shock, and those around her were equally stunned. The sheer number was astonishing. It appeared that He Jiahui had wronged a multitude of people. Fang Yuan¡¯s tone turned icy as he accused, ¡°You abused your authority and shielded colleagues who engaged in wrongdoing alongside you. You drove away those who refused to compromise their principles. The company has been hemorrhaging talent, and it¡¯s all because of you!¡± ¡°President Fang, please allow me to explain. Those individuals didn¡¯t cooperate with the company¡¯s established system¡­¡± He Jiahui began, but Fang Yuan swiftly cut her off. ¡°At this juncture, you still wish to lay blame on them? You won¡¯t stop until you¡¯re faced with the consequences!¡± Fang Yuan retorted sharply. ¡°President Fang, it¡¯s all my fault. Please grant me another chance!¡± He Jiahui implored desperately. ¡°I will personally apologize to each of them.¡± But Fang Yuan remained unmoved. He Jiahui¡¯s voice faltered as she continued, ¡°I will return all the salaries and bonuses the company awarded me within three days. Please, refrain from involving the authorities! If the police get involved, my life will be utterly ruined!¡± Fang Yuan locked eyes with her and uttered each word deliberately, ¡°Did you ever consider how you ruined the lives of those you coerced into leaving?¡± He Jiahui could only manage a weak response, ¡°President Fang¡­¡± ¡°Did you ever consider their feelings when you slandered them?¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze remained icy as it bore into the short-haired woman before her. ¡°In those complaint letters, 1 also discovered that you resorted to leveraging your colleagues¡¯ personal matters to intimidate them and extract evidence through extortion. The scale of your wrongdoings is significant. You will face punishment for multiple offenses, and you won¡¯t escape without serving a three to five-year sentence.¡± ¡°President Fang¡­¡± Tears streamed down He Jiahui¡¯s face, and she sobbed uncontrollably. ¡°1 know I was wrong. Boohoo¡­ I truly understand that now¡­¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s response remained frigid, ¡°It¡¯s too late.¡± Wang Ning had already notified the police, and they had arrived promptly. They inquired about the situation and confiscated relevant evidence. Their intention was to take He Jiahui into custody. ¡°President Fang, you are a compassionate person. Please let me go!¡± He Jiahui desperately clung to her last sliver of hope, disregarding her dignity as she pleaded with Fang Yuan. ¡°President Fang, please grant me one more chance! 1 promise I won¡¯t repeat my mistakes!¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s voice remained unyielding, ¡°I¡¯ve already given you a chance, and you didn¡¯t value it.¡± He Jiahui continued to beseech, ¡°President Fang, President Fang¡­¡± Outside, a commotion ensued as onlookers witnessed He Jiahui being apprehended. ¡°I never imagined Director He could be this malicious¡­¡± ¡°She even blackmailed her colleagues.¡± ¡°As expected, you can¡¯t judge a book by its cover!¡± ¡°Have you finished enjoying the spectacle?¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s voice suddenly pierced the air. The onlookers outside had scattered, wisely choosing not to linger and gossip. It appeared that the newly appointed leader was not one to be trifled with. Observing the emptying corridor, Wang Ning couldn¡¯t resist pouring himself a cup of coffee before entering the office. ¡°President Fang, if He Jiahui hadn¡¯t come to see you, were you planning to let her off the hook?¡± As Fang Yuan took a sip of coffee, Wang Ning pressed on, ¡°She prepared quite an elaborate feast. If you were genuinely letting her go, wouldn¡¯t you be going easy on her?¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes exuded unwavering resolve. ¡°Certainly not. She will come to me willingly.¡± Wang Ning was taken aback. ¡°How did you know that?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed all the complaints, and it¡¯s clear she¡¯s the type to confront President Zhao over minor issues. This suggests she has a fiery temperament and can¡¯t tolerate any grievances. I fired him, publicly humiliating her. She¡¯ll undoubtedly seek retribution from me.¡± Wang Ning had a sudden epiphany. ¡°So, you were anticipating this and set the stage for her to fall into the trap? Regardless, you were always planning to involve the police!¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Fang Yuan had no intention of letting her off lightly. She had committed serious misconduct, not only defrauding the company but also driving away valuable talent. Sipping his coffee, Fang Yuan continued calmly, ¡°In a company with such lax discipline this year, there are numerous issues that need addressing.¡± Wang Ning¡¯s admiration shone brightly in his eyes, as if he had met his idol. ¡°So, those people eavesdropping at the door earlier were also part of your plan?¡± He couldn¡¯t believe he had been pleading with them to leave, unknowingly playing into President Fang¡¯s hands. Had he intentionally allowed them to overhear, planning to make an example of them? Fang Yuan stated firmly, ¡°This year, the company¡¯s atmosphere has become too unruly. There are numerous aspects that require rectification. You may leave now! Wang Ning replied, ¡°Understood, President Fang! I am off!¡± Chapter 92 - Chapter 92: Full Time Chapter 92: Full Time Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Wang Ning still sighed as she left the office. President Fang¡¯s abilities were truly remarkable; she had everything under control. Meanwhile, on the other end, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a tinge of melancholy as an hour and forty minutes had passed without a reply. It seemed that amidst her busy work schedule, this young lady had momentarily forgotten about her fiance! His thumb impulsively tapped on Fang Yuan¡¯s WeChat profile picture. It was a shadow cast on the wall, yet even in that silhouette, her beauty was unmistakable. Her allure extended even to her shadow. For a prolonged moment, he gazed at her profile picture, pondering the circumstances in which she had taken it¡ªwhat weather she might have experienced, the clothes she wore, and the emotions she harbored. Thoughts of her radiant face softened Bo Yi¡¯s expression involuntarily. He saved the long profile picture and returned to the chat box, but there was still no response from her. What could she be so engrossed in that she couldn¡¯t find a moment to reply? Meanwhile, Fang Yuan had intended to respond on WeChat but was interrupted by her phone vibrating once more. It was a call from her father, and as she greeted him with a warm ¡°father,¡± Cheng Ye¡¯s voice radiated happiness, ¡°Baby Yuanyuan, you were at the company so early this morning? You¡¯re quite the dedicated professional!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard about He Jiahui from the company. Who would have thought she¡¯d be so audacious? You¡¯ve done a commendable job. You¡¯ve only been at the company for a few days, and you¡¯ve already uncovered such a major issue!¡± ¡°I was wondering why the company¡¯s employee turnover rate was so high. Now I understand¡ªit¡¯s because of this parasite!¡± ¡°She¡¯s indeed committed numerous transgressions.¡± Beyond what Fang Yuan had disclosed, there were also some serious legal violations. She had already handed over the evidence to the police. He Jiahui¡¯s future would consist of prison life, with her days revolving around prison meals. She would now have to serve time behind bars. ¡°Our Cheng family oversees a multitude of businesses, and it¡¯s impossible for the corporate higher-ups to monitor every detail in every subsidiary, particularly in a smaller company like this¡­¡± ¡°I thought that sending a few experienced and capable employees would save me some trouble, but in the end¡­¡± ¡°Yuanyuan, your talent in management is remarkable. If you decide to return to the family business, your brother can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Once you¡¯re fully acquainted with this company, I¡¯ll entrust you with an even larger one. Together, you and your brother will elevate the Cheng Corporation to new heights¡­¡± Fang Yuan: ¡°Please, don¡¯t¡­¡± The demands of her current position were already overwhelming. Despite dealing with minor issues, these tasks consumed a significant amount of her time. She had little room left to tend to her personal affairs. ¡°Your competence is widely acknowledged.¡± When Cheng Ye had handed over the company to her initially, he hadn¡¯t expected much success. It was almost like a playful gesture, and he had even been prepared for the possibility of bankruptcy. Yet, within just a few days, she had effectively managed the company, making necessary hirings and terminations. ¡°Yuanyuan, how was your stay at Old Master Bo¡¯s house last night?¡± In truth, Cheng Ye was curious about how Old Master Bo treated her and what transpired during their conversation. Fang Yuan responded with a hint of indifference, ¡°It was fine.¡± Meanwhile, on the other end of the line: He stared at the chat box for an extended moment. Eventually, unable to contain himself, he dialed the young lady¡¯s number. Fang Yuan was in the middle of a conversation with Cheng Ye when her phone abruptly vibrated. She glanced at it and noticed a call from Bo Yi. ¡°Dad, I¡¯ve got another call.¡± ¡°Alright, then go ahead and answer it¡­ I¡¯ll hang up. Make sure to come home early tonight!¡± Cheng Ye intended to arrange a lavish dinner as a token of appreciation. After all, Fang Yuan had spent the previous evening at Old Master Bo¡¯s residence. He wondered if she had been well-fed there. ¡°Alright.¡± Fang Yuan ended her call with her father and answered Bo Yi¡¯s call. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°What have you been busy with?¡± Bo Yi inquired gently. Fang Yuan explained, ¡°I was just wrapping up some company matters, and 1 didn¡¯t have a chance to talk to my father much when you called.¡± Bo Yi, relieved to learn she was speaking with her father, said, ¡°I noticed you didn¡¯t have time to respond to my WeChat, so I wanted to check if you needed any assistance.¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°No, I¡¯m good.¡± Bo Yi continued, ¡°What would you like for lunch?¡± Fang Yuan pondered for a moment. ¡°Anything is fine.¡± After a brief conversation with Bo Yi, Fang Yuan only hung up when she received a purchase order from Wang Ning regarding company matters. At Jin¡¯an Garden: Cheng Yuqi returned home with a large bag of food. ¡°Dad, Mom, I got your favorite dishes¡­¡± However, there was no response from anyone in the house. Upon noticing that Cheng Ye had finished his call, Qiao Xinhui hastily inquired, ¡°Is Yuanyuan okay?¡± Her concern was solely focused on their daughter. ¡°She¡¯s fine! Yuanyuan actually uncovered a major issue in the company! You won¡¯t believe it, but He Jiahui, the head of the Human Resources Department sent by the headquarters, had the audacity to manipulate the attendance records. She claimed to have worked 70 days a year, collected a year¡¯s salary, and received the full attendance bonus.. Oh, and she even pocketed the annual bonus¡­¡± Chapter 93 - Chapter 93: Master Bo Is In a Good Mood Chapter 93: Master Bo Is In a Good Mood Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Qiao Xinhui was caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events. Her immediate reaction was to inquire, ¡°How did Yuanyuan find out about this?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not entirely certain.Word around the company is that Yuanyuan¡¯s kind-hearted nature played a role. Originally, I intended to let He Jiahui off the hook. However, He Jiahui managed to locate Yuanyuan¡¯s office and created a scene, even resorting to slamming her desk and uttering hurtful remarks. With a crowd gathered outside as witnesses, Yuanyuan decided to take out the evidence and called the police to have her arrested.¡± ¡°Yuanyuan is truly remarkable!¡± Qiao Xinhui hadn¡¯t expected her daughter to handle the situation of terminating a subordinate with such ease. Her mental strength was truly impressive. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right! She demonstrates remarkable management skills at the company. She¡¯s essentially a business genius!¡± Cheng Ye praised her. The servants who overheard the conversation chimed in, ¡°Just as expected of the Cheng family¡¯s daughter. She¡¯s every bit as outstanding as her brothers!¡± ¡°Congratulations, Master and Madam. With such an exceptional daughter, you can entrust the company to her without worry in the future!¡± Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui were elated to hear the servants¡¯ praises. When they had initially assigned this small company to Yuanyuan as a pastime, they had never anticipated that she would excel so impressively. Meanwhile, Cheng Yuqi, who had been eavesdropping nearby, hadn¡¯t anticipated that Fang Yuan would once again steal the limelight. Although she felt envious, she forced a smile and entered the room with her belongings. ¡°Dad, Mom, I¡¯m back. Take a look at what I¡¯ve brought.¡± ¡°Are those snacks from Sacred Luo Restaurant?¡± One of the servants, with keen eyes, spotted the winery¡¯s name on the bag and complimented, ¡°Master and Madam are truly fortunate. One daughter possesses a brilliant business mind, while the other is so considerate, like a warm winter jacket!¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct. I¡¯ve heard that it¡¯s incredibly challenging to purchase items from Sacred Luo Restaurant. Even affluent young ladies have to queue for their purchases.¡± ¡°Yuqi, did you wait in line to get these?¡± Qiao Xinhui¡¯s heart ached at the thought. ¡°As long as Mom and Dad enjoy it, waiting in line is no trouble at all,¡± Cheng Yuqi cheerfully presented the food. ¡°Dad, Mom, dig in while it¡¯s still hot!¡± She didn¡¯t personally queue up to purchase the food; her bodyguards handled that task while she waited in the car and then brought it home. Even though she hadn¡¯t done much, Qiao Xinhui was deeply touched. It appeared that she could employ this method to please her parents more often in the future. ¡°You¡¯re our daughter, part of the Cheng family. In the future, let the servants take care of such matters,¡± Cheng Ye suggested. Upon hearing Cheng Ye¡¯s words, Cheng Yuqi gave him a warm hug. ¡°I know you care about me. I only dare to hug you like this when my sister isn¡¯t around¡­ Anyway, let¡¯s sit down and enjoy. Food is best when it¡¯s warm!¡± Cheng Ye felt a pang of guilt upon hearing her words. This child had been raised by them as their own daughter, and now that Yuanyuan had returned, her status had somewhat diminished. She must be feeling hurt. ¡°Even though Yuanyuan is back, you¡¯re still our daughter. When you get married in the future, Dad and Mom will treat you just as well,¡± Qiao Xinhui assured her, giving her an affectionate touch. She couldn¡¯t help but feel attached to the child she had raised for so many years. ¡°Thank you, Dad and Mom!¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s smile was genuinely sweet. ¡°I don¡¯t ask for much. I just want to be with you for the rest of my life and be a devoted daughter¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re such a dear child,¡± Qiao Xinhui¡¯s heart was filled with warmth. This child was truly thoughtful. Meanwhile, elsewhere: Mu Qing handed a document to Bo Yi. ¡°Master Bo, this document requires your signature¡­ I¡¯ve reviewed it, and there don¡¯t appear to be any issues.¡± Mu Qing often handled small contracts on behalf of Bo Yi, who was typically busy and didn¡¯t have time for such matters. Bo Yi smiled and signed his name on the document. ¡°Master Bo, are you in a particularly good mood today?¡± Mu Qing inquired curiously. ¡°Did you negotiate a billion-dollar deal, defeat a certain opponent, or perhaps acquire a few new companies? Your smile seems especially radiant today.¡± ¡°Go and see if there are any local attractions or trendy restaurants that young girls like to visit,¡± Bo Yi replied. Upon hearing Bo Yi¡¯s statement, Mu Qing suddenly had an epiphany. Master Bo¡¯s cheerful mood was undoubtedly because of Miss Fang Yuan! He had observed Master Bo on the phone when he entered earlier, and now he connected the dots¡ªMiss Fang Yuan must have been the one on the call. ¡°Master Bo, your concern for Miss Fang Yuan seems to be growing by the day,¡± Mu Qing remarked. ¡°In the past, you wouldn¡¯t have asked me to scout scenic spots or trendy restaurants. You would¡¯ve just focused on work. Since you¡¯ve gotten to know Miss Fang Yuan, the typically stoic Master Bo has become more affable. At the very least, it¡¯s not all about work anymore.¡± ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right,¡± Bo Yi acknowledged. ¡°We can¡¯t be consumed by work forever. It¡¯s time to contemplate life.¡± ¡°Master Bo, are you referring to me?¡± ¡°Who else?¡± Bo Yi raised an eyebrow and fixed his gaze on Mu Qing. ¡°When you have a girlfriend, you won¡¯t need to work overtime on weekends, and we can also consider giving you a raise..¡± Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: You Cant Be So Short-sighted! Chapter 94: You Can¡¯t Be So Short-sighted! Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Mu Qing was taken aback. The last time, he had intended to assure Old Sir that he would help Master Bo find the benefits of having a girlfriend and expedite his journey to the marriage altar. But Master Bo had almost sent him off to Africa instead! And now, Master Bo had seemingly undergone a transformation? Could it be that Miss Fang Yuan possessed such irresistible charm that even the ever-reserved Master Bo had succumbed to the allure of love? ¡°Thank you, Master Bo. I¡¯ll make it a priority to find a girlfriend,¡± Mu Qing replied earnestly, ready to depart with the documents. However, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Bo Yi¡¯s phone lighting up¡ªa WeChat message had arrived. What astonished Mu Qing wasn¡¯t the fact that someone had messaged Bo Yi, but rather the locked wallpaper on Bo Yi¡¯s phone¡ªa photo of a girl! And that girl was unmistakably Miss Fang Yuan! ¡°Is it to your liking?¡± Bo Yi sensed Mu Qing¡¯s gaze and asked casually, ¡°Or is it not to your liking?¡± ¡°Of course not¡­¡± Mu Qing stammered nervously, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. ¡°Miss Fang Yuan¡¯s beauty is truly exceptional. Words like ¡®breathtaking¡¯ and ¡®ethereal¡¯ fall short in describing her allure. She¡¯s as beautiful as a celestial being gracing the mortal realm¡ªa one-of-a-kind, heaven-sent match for you, Master Bo!¡± A slight smile tugged at Master Bo¡¯s lips. ¡°You certainly have a way with words.¡± ¡°I lack experience, but it¡¯s mainly because Miss Fang Yuan¡¯s beauty has stirred up all the poetic descriptions in my mind. Her beauty is truly unparalleled!¡± ¡°Mu Qing.¡± ¡°Yes, Master Bo, please give me your instructions.¡± Mu Qing was anxious, uncertain about what Master Bo intended. ¡°Have 1 ever treated you unfairly in terms of compensation since you started working with me at the age of eight?¡± Upon hearing this, Mu Qing hurriedly responded, ¡°Absolutely not, Master Bo. The compensation you provide is top-notch in the industry! I¡¯m already extremely satisfied!¡± Bo Yi continued, ¡°No, you shouldn¡¯t settle for mediocrity.¡± Mu Qing was puzzled. ¡°Huh?¡± Bo Yi clarified, ¡°Starting this month, we¡¯re doubling your salary.¡± Mu Qing was overflowing with excitement upon hearing this. ¡°Thank you, Master Bo! In the future, if you assign me any task, especially if it¡¯s related to Miss Fang Yuan, I promise to handle it with utmost dedication. You can count on my unwavering commitment!¡± Bo Yi simply responded with an affirming ¡°Mhm.¡± ¡°If there are no further instructions, 1¡¯11 take my leave now,¡± Mu Qing stated. He hadn¡¯t expected that complimenting Miss Fang Yuan¡¯s beauty would prove more effective than finding a girlfriend. His salary hadn¡¯t seen an increase in three years, and all it took was a compliment to double it! Just as Mu Qing was about to leave, he was halted by Bo Yi¡¯s voice. ¡°Wait a moment,¡± Bo Yi interjected. It appeared he had something else on his mind. ¡°Regarding the recent acquisitions of several companies¡­¡± ¡°Are you referring to those luxury goods conglomerates, Master Bo? Rest assured, they are now under the ownership of Bo Corporation!¡± Mu Qing assured. Bo Yi continued, ¡°What are your thoughts on whether she would appreciate their new Long Love series?¡± Mu Qing suddenly realized that Bo Yi had called him for this very reason! He hastened to respond, ¡°Master Bo, you must be jesting! With Miss Fang Yuan¡¯s extraordinary beauty, she would look stunning in anything!¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Bo Yi raised an eyebrow, regarding Mu Qing with curiosity. ¡°I mean, as long as it¡¯s a gift from you, Master Bo, Miss Fang Yuan will undoubtedly adore it! What you¡¯re presenting isn¡¯t just a gift; it¡¯s a sincere gesture from you to Miss Fang Yuan. She will undoubtedly be deeply touched upon receiving it!¡± Bo Yi then remarked, ¡°Starting now, you have weekends off. No more overtime work.¡± Mu Qing couldn¡¯t contain his joy. ¡°Thank you so much, Master Bo!¡± At the Cheng Family. Observing that Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui had strolled off into the garden, Auntie Wang urgently summoned Cheng Yuqi to her side. ¡°Lady Yuqi, why did you personally purchase snacks for Master and Madam? It¡¯s quite exhausting!¡± Before Cheng Yuqi could respond, Auntie Wang added with concern, ¡°Simply trying to win over Master and Madam won¡¯t suffice. The most crucial individual to consider is Young Master Bo¡­¡± Upon hearing Bo Yi¡¯s name, Cheng Yuqi¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Yi¡¯s thoughts are centered on Sister now¡­ You witnessed it in the garden the other day. He¡¯s become rather distant towards me. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s because of the soup 1 made for Grandpa Bo, but his opinion of me has clearly soured. Even Grandpa Bo doesn¡¯t treat me as warmly as before.¡± ¡°In that case, you must take action to rectify the situation!¡± Auntie Wang offered her analysis. ¡°Master and Madam may still have affection for you at the moment, and they will continue to pamper you. However, as time passes, their affection for Sixth Miss will only deepen.¡± Cheng Yuqi sighed, her expression troubled. ¡°I understand.¡± Auntie Wang continued, ¡°Lady Yuqi, you must establish a connection with Young Master Bo as soon as possible to secure your future well-being!¡± ¡°But what should 1 do?¡± Cheng Yuqi had experienced a series of setbacks and found it challenging to maintain her dignity. She hesitated to take that step. After all, she had lived as an affluent young lady for many years and had never endured such humiliations. Ever since Fang Yuan¡¯s return, she had endured more setbacks in a short period than she had in the past decade! ¡°Lady Yuqi, trust me¡­¡± Auntie Wang leaned in close and whispered into her ear, making sure no one else was around. Cheng Yuqi hesitated.. ¡°Will this plan work? What if¡­¡± Chapter 95 - Chapter 95: Dressed Up Chapter 95: Dressed Up Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°There¡¯s no room for ¡®what ifs¡¯!¡± Auntie Wang¡¯s eyes radiated conviction. ¡°Even if Young Master Bo initially rejects you, as long as he¡¯s touched by your sincerity, Sixth Miss won¡¯t stand a chance with him in the future!¡± Cheng Yuqi felt more certain and less hesitant than before. Just as she was about to continue their conversation, she suddenly heard a rustling in the corner and was taken aback. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± ¡°It¡¯s me, Lady Yuqi,¡± Butler Zhao emerged from the shadows. Cheng Yuqi and Auntie Wang exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how much Butler Zhao had overheard of their conversation. Both felt a bit apprehensive. ¡°Lady Yuqi, please don¡¯t be alarmed. I¡¯m on your side,¡± Butler Zhao spoke respectfully. ¡°I apologize for startling you just now.¡± Hearing his assurance, Cheng Yuqi straightened her posture. ¡°Sister is my parents¡¯ biological daughter. Are you really on my side and not hers?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve watched Lady Yuqi grow up. Naturally, I have deep feelings for you. Whatever you need me to do in the future, 1 will do it willingly!¡± Cheng Yuqi, upon hearing his words, cast a glance at Auntie Wang as if seeking her opinion on whether his commitment could be trusted. Auntie Wang nodded, signaling that she believed this individual could be trusted. Approaching Butler Zhao with a smile, Cheng Yuqi said, ¡°In that case, if any issues arise within the family in the future, you must inform me promptly.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Butler Zhao assured her, his gaze filled with warmth. ¡°Let¡¯s not mention family matters. If Lady Yuqi requires my assistance outside, please don¡¯t hesitate to inform me.¡± ¡°As a matter of fact, 1 do require your assistance with something¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi beckoned him closer and whispered her request. After a brief moment, Butler Zhao returned and reported, ¡°Lady Yuqi, Young Master Bo is having lunch at the Ferris Wheel Restaurant.¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s eyes lit up upon hearing the news. ¡°Is this information reliable?¡± Butler Zhao responded confidently, ¡°Absolutely reliable.¡± Cheng Yuqi was pleasantly surprised at how swiftly and effectively Butler Zhao had handled her request. She retrieved a bank card from her wallet and extended it to him. ¡°If you continue to perform well in the future, I¡¯ll keep transferring funds to this account for you.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t accept Lady Yuqi¡¯s money,¡± Butler Zhao promptly asserted his loyalty. ¡°Being able to share Lady Yuqi¡¯s burdens is a blessing in itself.¡± ¡°Please take it.¡± Cheng Yuqi insisted on rewarding him for his assistance. ¡°When I marry Young Master Bo in the future, both you and Auntie Wang are coming with me to the Bo family¡¯s estate to enjoy a comfortable life.¡± ¡°Thank you, Lady Yuqi.¡± Butler Zhao accepted the bank card with deep gratitude. Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui returned from their garden walk and were surprised to see Cheng Yuqi, elegantly dressed. They couldn¡¯t help but inquire, ¡°Yuqi, where are you headed looking so glamorous?¡± ¡°I¡¯m attending a wedding for my best friend,¡± Cheng Yuqi explained, wearing a sumptuous gown and exuding an air of sophistication. Having grown up in the Cheng family, she possessed a refined demeanor. Noticing her elaborate makeup, Qiao Xinhui complimented her, saying, ¡°Yuqi, you look absolutely stunning.¡± ¡°How could our beloved daughter not be beautiful!¡± Cheng Ye playfully remarked. ¡°Let Old Liu drive you there.¡± ¡°No need. I¡¯d like Butler Zhao to drive me today,¡± Cheng Yuqi replied with a smile. ¡°This way, my best friend will feel truly appreciated.¡± Cheng Ye agreed, saying, ¡°Alright, Old Zhao, please drive Yuqi there.¡± The Ferris Wheel Restaurant was a unique dining experience situated within glass cabins on a Ferris Wheel. This particular Ferris Wheel boasted 26 cabins, each measuring approximately 20 square meters. At its peak, the Ferris Wheel reached a towering height of 120 meters above the ground, providing panoramic views of half the city and the glistening sea. Since its inception, this establishment had become a coveted destination for internet celebrities to visit and document their experiences. Due to the limited seating capacity, reservations alone often had to be booked half a year in advance, making it exceedingly popular. Cheng Yuqi remained in the car, gazing up at the enormous Ferris Wheel before her. She couldn¡¯t help but express her confusion to Butler Zhao, ¡°Butler Zhao, why is there no one on it?¡± Considering it was lunchtime, she found it peculiar that no one was dining in such a renowned restaurant. Furthermore, where was Yi? Why hadn¡¯t he arrived yet? ¡°This is rather unusual. Why isn¡¯t the Ferris Wheel in motion? Could it be out of order?¡± Cheng Yuqi pondered aloud. Butler Zhao clarified, ¡°Lady Yuqi, you might not be aware, but for ordinary individuals to dine here, they must make a reservation and wait in line. Additionally, the lowest-priced set meal costs 5,999 yuan¡­¡± While 5,999 yuan might be a negligible sum to Cheng Yuqi, it could equate to a month or even two months¡¯ worth of earnings for the average person. After a brief interlude, a luxurious car came into Cheng Yuqi¡¯s view, causing her eyes to light up. It was unmistakably Bo Yi¡¯s car, and she couldn¡¯t be mistaken about the license plate number. ¡°Young Master Bo!¡± Butler Zhao also recognized the vehicle. ¡°It¡¯s Young Master Bo¡¯s car! Lady Yuqi, did you see that? Young Master Bo has arrived.¡± The luxury car pulled up in front of them and came to a stop not far from their location. Mu Qing alighted from the car and respectfully opened the rear door.. Chapter 96 - Chapter 96: Direct Attack Chapter 96: Direct Attack Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Before Cheng Yuqi could muster a smile, she watched a young woman emerge from the luxurious car. To her astonishment, it was none other than Fang Yuan. What was Fang Yuan doing in Yi¡¯s car? Could she have arrived with him? Before Cheng Yuqi could unravel this puzzling development, Bo Yi stepped out of the car and naturally took Fang Yuan¡¯s hand. Together, they strolled toward the Ferris Wheel. Butler Zhao appeared to be equally taken aback. Why had Young Master Bo come here to dine with Sixth Miss? Why hadn¡¯t he been informed beforehand? He cast a concerned glance at Lady Yuqi via the rearview mirror, noting her dispirited expression. What should he do in this situation? Cheng Yuqi finally grasped the situation. The reason the Ferris Wheel hadn¡¯t operated and no other guests had arrived was because Bo Yi had reserved the entire establishment. He wanted to share an intimate meal with Fang Yuan without any disruptions. ¡°Lady Yuqi, in my opinion, you should join them for the meal. After all, she¡¯s your sister,¡± Butler Zhao gathered his courage to suggest, ¡°By going inside, you might be able to prevent their relationship from developing further¡­¡± ¡®Yes, that makes sense!¡¯ Cheng Yuqi thought. ¡®I can¡¯t allow a man and a woman to be alone in an enclosed space; otherwise, things might take a romantic turn¡­¡¯ With determination, she alighted from the car. Fang Yuan, who was preparing to enter the glass cabin, noticed Cheng Yuqi¡¯s dressed-up appearance and was left bewildered. Was she attending a wedding like this? Cheng Yuqi¡¯s stunning beauty was blinding in the sunlight, and her overly extravagant attire left Fang Yuan with a perplexed expression. Cheng Yuqi had just arrived at the entrance when she was courteously intercepted by the hostess. Butler Zhao promptly stepped forward and cleared his throat. ¡°This is the daughter of the Cheng family!¡± Considering the Cheng family¡¯s prominence in the country, their presence at this restaurant also served as a form of advertisement. Regrettably, the hostess apologized, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss Cheng. Our restaurant has been fully booked for today. We look forward to serving you on your next visit.¡± ¡°To be honest, the young woman who just arrived is my cousin. 1 also know the gentleman she¡¯s with,¡± Cheng Yuqi explained. She removed a diamond ring from her finger and placed it in the hostess¡¯s hand, offering a warm smile as she continued, ¡°Here¡¯s the situation: 1 need to find them. Don¡¯t worry, if they have any complaints, I¡¯ll take full responsibility.¡± The hostess hesitated to accept the ring. After all, the person inside the restaurant was Young Master Bo, and allowing her to enter unannounced might disrupt his plans¡­ Quickly, the hostess returned the ring. ¡°1 apologize, Miss Cheng. Please understand that we can¡¯t make exceptions.¡± Frustrated, Butler Zhao muttered angrily to himself. He had been on the verge of using Cheng Ye¡¯s status to intimidate the staff. Cheng Yuqi, her expression darkening, sighed, ¡°Never mind. They wouldn¡¯t dare to offend Yi. Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°But are we just leaving like this?¡± Butler Zhao questioned, his disbelief evident. ¡°What else can we do? Stick around and watch them flaunting their affection?¡± Cheng Yuqi retorted, casting a sidelong glance at Butler Zhao. She couldn¡¯t help but complain, ¡°Next time, you should listen more attentively!¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s entirely my fault!¡± Butler Zhao hadn¡¯t anticipated such a turn of events. ¡°I promise to be more cautious in the future!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go find a place to eat,¡± Cheng Yuqi suggested, gazing up at the Ferris Wheel. ¡°After dinner, we can head to the Bo Group.¡± It seemed that a direct approach was now necessary. Besides, she couldn¡¯t let her attire for the day go to waste. She was confident that once Yi laid eyes on her, he would be irresistibly drawn to her. Inside the Ferris Wheel cabin, Fang Yuan was gazing out the window at the scenery when she suddenly received a gift box. ¡°Please open it and take a look,¡± he said, his gaze brimming with tenderness. Fang Yuan carefully opened the box to reveal an exquisite, shimmering pink diamond bracelet. The centerpiece of the bracelet was a butterfly with its wings gracefully extended, surrounded by tightly arranged smaller diamonds. The design was remarkably unique, exuding a light and elegant charm, devoid of any ostentation. Fang Yuan observed the bracelet, noticing that their initials were discreetly engraved on the back of the clasp: Y & Y forever. Was he expressing his desire for a lifelong commitment? ¡°Do you like it?¡± Bo Yi asked, watching her closely with affection. ¡°Your hands are so fair, and your fingers are long. It will undoubtedly look stunning on you.¡± Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but inquire, ¡°Why did you give me this?¡± ¡°I gave it to you because 1 thought you might like it,¡± Bo Yi replied, his tone warm and sincere. Did there need to be a specific reason to give a gift? If there had to be one, it was that during the blackout at his grandfather¡¯s house, he had seen her collarbone and thought of butterflies. This inspired him to design the bracelet himself and personally oversee its crafting. Despite having numerous production lines under his command, he had never visited one before. Yet, for the sake of one girl, he made an exception. ¡°Since you accepted Grandma¡¯s necklace, you must accept mine as well. No biases allowed,¡± Bo Yi insisted, not giving her the opportunity to refuse. He took the bracelet and delicately fastened it around her wrist.. Chapter 97 - Chapter 97: Confession Chapter 97: Confession Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations It possessed a unique design and exquisite workmanship, exuding an aura of luxury and elegance as it adorned Fang Yuan¡¯s wrist. Bo Yi¡¯s lips curled into a smile. ¡°It¡¯s truly stunning,¡± he remarked. This piece had an unparalleled impact; even the most accomplished jewelry spokesperson working under him couldn¡¯t match the satisfaction and awe he felt right now. His girl was undeniably beautiful. She was captivating without the bracelet, but with it, her beauty seemed to radiate even more. The waiter, discreetly attending to their table, couldn¡¯t help but steal glances at Fang Yuan. She possessed a captivating visage and an air of freshness that seemed otherworldly. It was no wonder she had captured the heart of Young Master Bo. The waiter pondered her background; she remained composed even when receiving such an extravagant gift. An ordinary girl might have burst into tears of joy. This girl, however, was anything but ordinary if she could elicit such a tender, adoring gaze from Bo Yi. ¡°Thank you,¡± Fang Yuan responded calmly as she picked up her knife and fork to commence her meal, a succulent steak before her. Bo Yi¡¯s affectionate smile persisted as he offered, ¡°Allow me to assist you.¡± With practiced precision, he cut the steak into manageable pieces and placed them onto Fang Yuan¡¯s plate, his tone exceptionally gentle. ¡°Please, eat to your heart¡¯s content.¡± At that precise moment, Fang Yuan¡¯s phone buzzed several times, a message from her assistant, Wang Ning. [President Fang, regarding the company¡¯s cafeteria¡­ Would you like to oversee its management?] [Ordinarily, the food is tolerable, but recently, I¡¯ve noticed an unusual flavor!] [While I don¡¯t frequent the cafeteria, it¡¯s been some time since our employees began grumbling about it.] Wang Ning attached a picture and added, [The cafeteria is managed by relatives of President Zhao, and they charge us 9 yuan per meal!] Fang Yuan¡¯s fingers danced across her phone¡¯s screen as she replied, [Indeed, it lacks flavor.] [There has been some improvement in the past few days! The kitchen staff is aware of your recent company restructuring efforts, so this afternoon, they even included fish soup. Take a look.] Wang Ning sent yet another picture. Fang Yuan examined the fish soup and knit her brows slightly. ¡°The color seems off.¡± Wang Ning responded immediately: [Huh? President Fang, don¡¯t scare me¡­ Isn¡¯t this fish soup supposed to be milky white?] Fang Yuan zoomed in on the photo, taking a closer look at the other dishes Wang Ning had captured. [Leave all the dishes as they are. I¡¯ll inspect them when I return later.] Upon reading Fang Yuan¡¯s message, Wang Ning couldn¡¯t help but feel that the fish soup before him had suddenly lost its appeal. Bo Yi, who had been observing Fang Yuan¡¯s interactions with her phone, inquired, ¡°Is everything alright? Do you have some business matters to attend to at the company?¡± ¡°Yes, a bit,¡± Fang Yuan replied as she took a few more bites, planning to visit the company cafeteria later. ¡°Take me back.¡± She had just risen from her seat and taken a couple of steps when Bo Yi embraced her from behind. ¡°It¡¯s still early,¡± Bo Yi remarked, gazing down at her attractive profile. ¡°Stay with me a little longer.¡± Fang Yuan felt somewhat helpless. Hadn¡¯t she already accompanied him for the meal? Wasn¡¯t that enough? ¡°I want your company,¡± he murmured, holding her tightly and inhaling her fragrance greedily. ¡°I miss you when you¡¯re out of sight. And when 1 see you, I want to be with you every moment. I want to stay by your side, every minute and every second.¡± The two waitstaff and the restaurant manager couldn¡¯t believe their ears upon hearing these words. Was this truly the notorious, unfeeling Young Master Bo Yi? He was actually whispering sweet nothings to a girl! Were their ears playing tricks on them, or had the rumors been mistaken? ¡°There are people watching,¡± Fang Yuan reminded him with a hint of helplessness in her tone. Bo Yi seemed to be growing increasingly clingy, and his words were becoming more direct. Bo Yi lifted his head and glanced to the side. The restaurant manager and waiter simultaneously turned away, their backs to the couple, avoiding further eye contact. ¡°Yuanyuan,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice oozed with seduction, ¡°I want to experience everything that couples do with you.¡± Fang Yuan,¡±.. ¡± Bo Yi insisted, ¡°Many, many times.¡± ¡°I¡¯m really swamped,¡± Fang Yuan responded, her recent persistent requests having caused delays in her work. ¡°I can patiently wait for you during your busy times,¡± Bo Yi replied, as if he had anticipated her rejection. His voice softened as he continued, ¡°You can be with me whenever you have a moment.¡± Fang Yuan stayed silent. As the Ferris wheel slowly ascended to its highest point, Fang Yuan gazed out at the sprawling cityscape. Then, she heard a whispered confession in her ear. ¡°I have feelings for you.¡± Fang Yuan was taken aback. This marked Bo Yi¡¯s first admission of affection since they had met, leaving her momentarily stunned. Bo Yi went on, ¡°1 enjoy holding you, just as 1 am now. 1 cherish our time together. 1 value those who care about you, regardless of your personality or who you are.¡± Meanwhile, on the other side of the door, Mu Qing, who had intended to enter and retrieve Master Bo and Miss Fang Yuan, hesitated when he saw three individuals outside, subtly gesturing for him to refrain from interrupting Master Bo¡¯s romantic moment. Before Mu Qing could process what was happening, he overheard Master Bo¡¯s heartfelt confession. He watched the two figures embracing not far away with disbelief in his eyes. ¡°Yuanyuan, 1 really like you,¡± Bo Yi declared, sealing his words with a gentle kiss on Fang Yuan¡¯s cheek.. Chapter 98 - Chapter 98: Forever Chapter 98: Forever Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan¡¯s cheeks burned, and her body felt a warm sensation. An unfamiliar emotion coursed through her heart. Was it because she was touched? If not, then why was her heart racing? ¡°I want to be with you every day,¡± Bo Yi whispered, holding her close like a kitten, nuzzling his face against Fang Yuan¡¯s. Fang Yuan didn¡¯t resist the intimate gesture; she didn¡¯t push him away. After a moment, she calmly said, ¡°It¡¯s time to go.¡± Upon dropping Fang Yuan off at the company¡¯s entrance, Bo Yi still seemed reluctant to part. He lowered his head and spoke to the girl in his arms, ¡°1¡¯11 bring you some afternoon tea later. Is there anything specific you¡¯d like to eat?¡± Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. ¡°Are you really not busy?¡± Bo Yi replied, ¡°I have some free time.¡± In the driver¡¯s seat, Mu Qing couldn¡¯t help but be taken aback. Master Bo, you have two meetings in the afternoon, three business partners to meet, and over ten documents to review¡­ Are you genuinely not busy? ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± Fang Yuan insisted as she prepared to exit the car, but Bo Yi clung to her even tighter. ¡°Let me hold you for a little longer.¡± Fang Yuan protested, ¡°I¡¯m going to be late!¡± ¡°Just a little while longer,¡± Bo Yi implored, taking in a deep breath of her fragrance, unable to let go. ¡°Please don¡¯t send me food this afternoon,¡± Fang Yuan sounded slightly exasperated. ¡°I¡¯m swamped.¡± ¡°Is there anything I can assist you with?¡± Bo Yi inquired. ¡°No need,¡± Fang Yuan replied, finally managing to extricate herself from his embrace. She hurriedly headed toward the company. ¡°Master Bo, it seems like Miss Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t wait to leave,¡± Mu Qing commented, watching Fang Yuan depart and then observing Bo Yi¡¯s unwavering gaze fixed on her. ¡°Oh, by the way, the restaurant manager asked me to pass these to you,¡± Mu Qing added, turning on Fang Yuan¡¯s phone and sending over a dozen photos to Bo Yi. The images captured moments from Bo Yi and Fang Yuan¡¯s meal and were quite attention-grabbing. If Bo Yi hadn¡¯t witnessed it himself, he wouldn¡¯t have believed it. As he gazed at Fang Yuan, his eyes radiated a tender and adoring light. Even though Fang Yuan was lost in thought, gazing out the window without noticing his gaze, it didn¡¯t deter him from admiring her earnestly. What could be going on in her mind at this moment? Her eyes were clear, free from any trace of impurity. He swiped the screen with his slender fingers, perusing the other photos. Each shot was well-composed. He stated calmly, ¡°Give them a reward.¡± Mu Qing promptly transferred 10,000 yuan to the restaurant manager. ¡°Actually, Master Bo, I took a few photos as well¡­¡± Mu Qing sent over some of his covertly taken pictures to Bo Yi. These images captured Bo Yi holding Fang Yuan and both of them gazing at the scenery. ¡°Master Bo, please understand that 1 didn¡¯t seek any benefits. I only took those pictures because 1 thought both you and Miss Fang Yuan looked exceptionally captivating¡­¡± Mu Qing was worried that Bo Yi might reprimand him, considering he had taken the photos without permission. Bo Yi remained silent. After a few seconds, Mu Qing¡¯s phone chimed with a WeChat transfer notification. Mu Qing¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment. It was a transfer of 99,999 yuan from Master Bo. What did this number signify? Suppressing his excitement, Mu Qing asked in confusion, ¡°Thank you, Master Bo, but what does this amount symbolize?¡± Bo Yi meticulously explained, ¡°It signifies that Yuanyuan and 1 will be together forever.¡± Mu Qing instantly regretted asking that question. Somehow, he felt like he had just eaten a mouthful of dog food! Bo Yi set his two favorite photos as his wallpaper and lock screen, taking one last lingering look at the company building where Fang Yuan had disappeared. With reluctance in his voice, he said, ¡°Let¡¯s head back.¡± Mu Qing couldn¡¯t help but detect the yearning in Master Bo¡¯s tone. Well, it had been less than five minutes since Miss Fang Yuan left, and he was already missing her. Tsk tsk. At the Bo Group. Cheng Yuqi arrived with six sets of afternoon tea for the receptionists, and their faces lit up with delight. ¡°Lady Yuqi, it¡¯s been too long! You¡¯ve brought us treats as soon as you came!¡± ¡°And it¡¯s the afternoon tea from the Fan Building, no less. We can¡¯t believe our luck with such a luxurious treat!¡± ¡°For years now, Lady Yuqi has been spoiling us with delicious food.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve missed you. Lady Yuqi, you¡¯re becoming more and more stunning.¡± ¡°We¡¯re truly fortunate to have a Young Madam like you! Your beauty, talents, and generosity have left many wealthy daughters envious!¡± Cheng Yuqi graciously accepted the compliments and responded with a smile, ¡°Oh my, there¡¯s no honey in this afternoon tea. You all have such sweet words¡­¡± ¡°Lady Yuqi, we¡¯re speaking from the heart. Your beauty is undeniable. Could you share your skincare secrets with us?¡± One of the receptionists gazed at Cheng Yuqi¡¯s flawless complexion with admiration. Her skin was impeccable, devoid of any blemishes. Another receptionist chimed in, ¡°I doubt we can afford Lady Yuqi¡¯s skincare products. They must be quite luxurious..¡± Chapter 99 - Chapter 99: Somethings Wrong Chapter 99: Something¡¯s Wrong Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Cheng Yuqi listened to their conversation and wore a sweet smile. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly noticed that all of them had risen from their seats and were hastily straightening their clothes. She respectfully greeted, ¡°Good afternoon, President Bo!¡± Cheng Yuqi turned around and spotted Bo Yi. ¡°Yi!¡± However, before Cheng Yuqi could reach Bo Yi, several higher-ups rushed forward. Upon spotting Bo Yi, they immediately approached to report an urgent matter. Then, everyone quickly made their way towards the elevator, seemingly oblivious to someone calling out to Bo Yi. Meanwhile, Mu Qing remained behind to intercept Cheng Yuqi. ¡°Lady Yuqi, you¡¯re here? Is there something you need from Master Bo?¡± ¡°I brought afternoon tea for Yi and you. 1 need to speak with Yi urgently,¡± Cheng Yuqi replied, her gaze fixed on Bo Yi¡¯s retreating figure as she anxiously tried to chase after him, but Mu Qing obstructed her path. ¡°I really have an important matter to discuss with Yi!¡± Mu Qing explained, ¡°Master Bo is currently dealing with an emergency.¡± Cheng Yuqi persisted, ¡°I can wait for him.¡± Mu Qing advised, ¡°Master Bo won¡¯t be able to finish his work quickly. Lady Yuqi, why don¡¯t you return home and wait? If there¡¯s anything, you can call or message Master Bo.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll wait here. There are things 1 must discuss with him in person.¡± Cheng Yuqi attempted to pursue, but Mu Qing continued to block her way. ¡°Lady Yuqi, if you have any concerns, you can tell me first. 1 can convey your message to Master Bo¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi, although displeased by the obstruction, maintained a forced smile due to her status. ¡°Assistant Mu, are you planning to keep me from seeing him?¡± Mu Qing apologized, saying, ¡°I apologize, but I¡¯m concerned that Lady Yuqi might wait in vain.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already said it¡¯s fine. Regardless of how busy he is, I can wait!¡± Cheng Yuqi circumvented Mu Qing and hurried toward the elevator. Mu Qingnian refrained from embarrassing her publicly because of her status as the adopted daughter of the Cheng family. However, since she had chosen not to heed his advice, he had no alternative. Master Bo¡¯s heart belonged solely to Miss Fang Yuan, and no one else¡­ Seeing Cheng Yuqi step into the elevator, he reluctantly followed her. The six receptionists were uncertain about the situation, but a sense of unease lingered. ¡°Do you think President Bo isn¡¯t fond of Lady Yuqi?¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be, can it? Lady Yuqi is extraordinary in every aspect¡ªlooks, knowledge, family background, talent¡ªshe¡¯s unrivaled.¡± ¡°But why did Special Assistant Mu stop her?¡± ¡°President Bo can¡¯t possibly be deliberately ignoring Lady Yuqi, right? You can see how swamped he is the moment he arrives. Special Assistant Mu must have thought it through and didn¡¯t want Lady Yuqi to wait in vain.¡± ¡°True, President Bo has always been aloof. It¡¯s as if he¡¯s solely focused on work. We¡¯ve worked here for years, and has President Bo ever acknowledged our presence?¡± ¡°Never.¡± ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s why we shouldn¡¯t overthink their relationship!¡± Furthermore, if there were truly changes in their relationship, why would Lady Yuqi be smiling? How could she be in the mood to bring them afternoon tea? ¡°Lady Yuqi is only 18, but she¡¯s already achieved so much in life. She comes from an affluent family, and her fiance is exceptionally remarkable.¡± ¡°Yes, she outshines us in every aspect.¡± ¡°We¡¯re already 28. We either lack boyfriends or savings¡­ Sigh, when will we ever lead our ideal lives?¡± ¡°Alright, keep your voices down. If anyone overhears us, it¡¯ll affect the entire office atmosphere.¡± Meanwhile, on another front, As soon as Fang Yuan stepped into her office, Wang Ning promptly arranged the sampled dishes on her desk. There were a total of thirteen dishes displayed. ¡°Welcome, President Fang,¡± Wang Ning greeted with utmost respect. ¡°These dishes are for the lunch.¡± Fang Yuan examined the spread before her. She lifted a bowl of fish soup and took a whiff. Next, she inspected the stir-fried sausage, going as far as using chopsticks to dissect it. Her expression turned chilly. ¡°President Fang, is there an issue with the food?¡± Wang Ning observed Fang Yuan¡¯s change in demeanor. ¡°Let¡¯s go to the cafeteria.¡± Upon witnessing Fang Yuan hastily exit her office, many curious employees followed, eager to witness the unfolding drama. Fang Yuan led the way to the cafeteria. In the kitchen area, a dishwasher was washing dishes, while two chefs relaxed in a flowerbed, engaged in a conversation while smoking. Although they didn¡¯t recognize Fang Yuan upon her entrance, they deduced her identity when they noticed Wang Ning following closely behind. This had to be the new president, President Fang, who was already causing quite a stir. ¡°Assistant Wang, is that President Fang?¡± One of the young chefs flicked his cigarette to the ground and stamped it out. Seeing Fang Yuan venture into the kitchen, Wang Ning calmly clarified, ¡°President Fang is simply inspecting the premises. There¡¯s no need to be nervous.¡± Once inside the kitchen, Fang Yuan immediately noticed the dismal state of cleanliness. One of the young chefs explained, ¡°We haven¡¯t had a chance to clean up after lunch yet. It¡¯s usually spotless. Last week, the health inspectors came by and even gave us an A-grade rating..¡± Chapter 100 - Chapter 100: Meat Dumplings Chapter 100: Meat Dumplings Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Fetch your manager,¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s voice remained cold and commanding. Startled by Fang Yuan¡¯s demeanor, the young chef quickly responded, ¡°Our manager is usually not on-site¡­¡± ¡°Then summon him immediately,¡± Fang Yuan added icily, ¡°Right away.¡± ¡°Of course¡­¡± The young chef had never encountered such a situation before and promptly dialed the manager¡¯s number. A few minutes later, Zhao Quan, the manager, appeared before Fang Yuan. ¡°President Fang, you seem to have a lot of free time to visit the kitchen,¡± Zhao Quan remarked, trying to maintain a composed demeanor. He had rushed over as soon as he got wind of the situation. Upon arrival, he found Fang Yuan inspecting the frozen meat inside the refrigerator. ¡°President Fang, have you forgotten that our company¡¯s cafeteria is under a contract with an external catering service? Even if you wish to inspect, it doesn¡¯t fall under our company¡¯s jurisdiction.¡± Zhao Quan sneered and glared at Fang Yuan. ¡°From a legal standpoint, the company bears the responsibility of supervising the outsourced cafeteria,¡± Fang Yuan retorted calmly. ¡°President Zhao, perhaps you¡¯re not well-versed in legal matters due to your age. But that¡¯s perfectly alright.¡± Fang Yuan lifted her gaze, casually studying the man in front of her. She smirked, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the individual in charge of the cafeteria is related to President Zhao?¡± Zhao Quan was taken aback and sneered, ¡°Is it that, President Fang, you¡¯re dissatisfied with me, so you¡¯re targeting my relative who has the cafeteria contract?¡± Fang Yuan sneered as well, glancing nonchalantly at the camera in the corner. It was indeed turned off. ¡°Turn the camera on,¡± Fang Yuan turned and instructed Wang Ning without any hesitation. ¡°President Fang, what is the purpose of this?¡± Zhao Quan expressed his discontent. ¡°Even if you wish to activate the cameras here, it is not within our company¡¯s purview.¡± ¡°President Fang, it¡¯s activated now,¡± Wang Ning respectfully reported after resolving the matter. At that moment, the restaurant manager hurried over, perspiration beading on his forehead. When he noticed the young lady standing alongside Zhao Quan, he couldn¡¯t help but inquire, ¡°President Zhao, who is this?¡± ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard the news? Our new President has a penchant for asserting her authority. She¡¯s here with you now,¡± Zhao Quan replied dismissively, not taking Fang Yuan seriously. The restaurant manager understood Zhao Quan¡¯s implication but maintained a respectful smile as he asked, ¡°President Fang, how may 1 assist you?¡± ¡°There are a few dumplings left from lunch, and I just happened to notice them. There are other dishes as well. Wang Ning, please serve some to Mr. Li and President Zhao.¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Wang Ning promptly went to retrieve the dishes. Zhao Quan and Li Guang were perplexed, unsure of Fang Yuan¡¯s intentions, and exchanged glances. ¡°President Fang, if you wish for us to taste the food and provide feedback¡­¡± Before Li Guang could finish his sentence, Fang Yuan calmly interjected, ¡°Please.¡± The freshly prepared food was right in front of them, and Li Guang accepted the offer without hesitation. He picked up a dumpling and sampled it. ¡°Mmm, it¡¯s quite delicious.¡± Zhao Quan refrained from eating and impatiently scrutinized the young woman before him. ¡°President Fang, there¡¯s no need to treat us to lunch. I¡¯ve already eaten.¡± ¡°President Zhao, are you genuinely full, or are you just afraid to eat?¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s words were akin to a sharp needle that pricked at everyone¡¯s conscience. Even the onlookers among the employees felt a tinge of apprehension. ¡°President Fang, what are you implying?¡± Zhao Quan¡¯s countenance darkened. Li Guang promptly clarified, ¡°Our chef prepared these dumplings today, right?¡± The two chefs nodded hurriedly, though their eyes betrayed evident unease and tension. ¡°I never implied that they weren¡¯t freshly made,¡± Fang Yuan retorted icily. ¡°I¡¯m merely curious. What is the filling for the dumplings made of?¡± ¡°The filling?¡± Li Guang was initially taken aback, but he then chuckled and remarked, ¡°Haha, President Fang, you must be jesting. Naturally, the filling is crafted from fresh pork that our chefs purchased at the market early this morning. They meticulously minced it and seasoned it to perfection.¡± ¡°Minced it alongside soybean protein, incorporating cassava starch, and a range of food additives, perhaps? Pius a dash of pork essential oil, all skillfully mixed together. Is that the ¡®fresh pork mince¡¯ you mentioned? And the delightful onion fragrance is actually replaced with fragrant oil, am 1 correct?¡± The individuals present were astounded by this revelation. There was essentially no meat in the meat dumplings they had consumed for lunch. They were composed entirely of food additives? The revelation was nauseating! ¡°President Fang, please refrain from making unfounded claims just because of your youth. Do you possess any evidence to substantiate your allegations? Otherwise, you¡¯re engaging in slander¡­¡± Although Li Guang made this statement, his eyes betrayed a sense of guilt. Even Zhao Quan couldn¡¯t conceal his discomfort. ¡°Whether there is pork in these dumplings or not, we shall ascertain through testing,¡± Fang Yuan retorted, observing the two with intrigue. ¡°When you consumed the dumplings just now, you were apprehensive, weren¡¯t you?¡± Li Guang, seemingly aware of Fang Yuan¡¯s suspicions, grew even more uneasy. ¡°I trust that my chef would never engage in such unethical behavior!¡± Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but find this amusing. ¡°At this juncture, there¡¯s no need to shift blame onto the chef, is there? Even if the chef were responsible, it¡¯s highly likely that they were acting under your direction..¡± After all, who would willingly shoulder such a colossal responsibility without guidance? Chapter 101 - Chapter 101: Feeling Like Shit Chapter 101: Feeling Like Shit Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Do you have any evidence, President Fang?¡± Li Guang ground his teeth and exclaimed, ¡°If not, I¡¯ll take legal action against you for defamation!¡± ¡°It¡¯s difficult to determine who will sue whom, Mr. Li. Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions too quickly. If you find yourself in a tight spot, don¡¯t expect me to bail you out,¡± Fang Yuan retorted with a cold tone. Li Guang seethed with frustration, his temper flaring. ¡°You!¡± Fang Yuan raised her gaze and fixed it on him. ¡°By the way, there¡¯s stir-fried beef on the lunch menu. Are you sure it¡¯s real beef in there?¡± Li Guang¡¯s expression cracked. ¡°What are you insinuating?¡± Fang Yuan responded calmly, ¡°1 just had a look. You¡¯ve substituted chicken that died from illness for the beef.¡± Li Guang smirked, attempting to downplay the accusation. ¡°President Fang, your imagination is quite vivid. You¡¯d better have evidence to support such absurd claims!¡± Fang Yuan turned to her assistant and instructed, ¡°Fetch the kitchen trash can, please.¡± Wang Ning promptly complied, rolling the large trash can in front of Fang Yuan. With a swift kick, Fang Yuan overturned the trash can, causing its contents to spill out onto the floor. Zhao Quan and Li Guang hastily took a few steps back, wary of getting their clothes soiled. Among the discarded kitchen waste lay chicken heads, chicken claws, chicken innards, and more. ¡°1 didn¡¯t consume any chicken for lunch, yet the trash can is brimming with these¡­¡± Fang Yuan remarked casually. ¡°Healthy chickens have open eyes after they pass away. Only chickens that succumb to illness have closed eyes.¡± The onlookers examined the chicken heads more closely. Upon inspection, it was evident that all the chicken heads had closed eyes! ¡°Have any of you been to the market? When slaughtering chickens, blood needs to be drained, but dead chickens can¡¯t bleed, resulting in red-colored meat. Additionally, the skin of chickens that died from illness takes on an unhealthy dark gray hue. It looks dry and lacks elasticity. Clearly, this isn¡¯t meat from a healthy chicken,¡± Fang Yuan explained, her tone unwavering. The employees in the vicinity immediately felt nauseated. Who would have guessed that the meat they had consumed, thinking it was beef, turned out to be chicken that had perished due to illness? They now desperately wanted to purge their lunch from their stomachs. Li Guang, taken aback, hadn¡¯t anticipated someone as young as Fang Yuan to possess such keen observation and knowledge. How could someone her age distinguish between a deceased chicken and a healthy one? ¡°Alright, even if the chef did accidentally purchase a chicken that died from illness, it¡¯s not their fault,¡± Li Guang defended. ¡°At most, they were deceived by the supplier who sold them the chicken. Moreover, you claim that you can turn a sick chicken into beef. That¡¯s absurd! If you can do it, show me!¡± Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but find it amusing that Li Guang was only willing to believe when he saw it with his own eyes. ¡°What¡¯s so challenging about that?¡± Fang Yuan responded calmly. ¡°Simply cut the chicken into strips, add some roasted meat essential oil and beef essential oil, and stir-fry it with oil and seasoning. As long as it doesn¡¯t look like caramel coloring, it will immediately resemble beef.¡± Li Guang¡¯s face froze. He hadn¡¯t expected Fang Yuan to be so well-versed in the production process, and she didn¡¯t miss a single detail. ¡°The evidence is¡­ All the additives 1 mentioned can be found right here in this kitchen!¡± Upon hearing Fang Yuan¡¯s words, the surrounding employees felt as though they had consumed something truly repulsive. One of the employees patted his chest in relief. ¡°Thank goodness I didn¡¯t have those two dishes for lunch. 1 dodged a bullet!¡± Fang Yuan glanced at him and found it amusing. ¡°Do you think there¡¯s something wrong with just those two dishes?¡± ¡°President Fang, you mean¡­¡± the employee didn¡¯t quite grasp the situation and appeared flustered. Fang Yuan clarified, ¡°The cafeteria prepared 13 dishes for lunch today, and not a single one was made with fresh ingredients!¡± The people present were shocked when they heard this revelation. Could it be true? None of the 13 dishes were made with fresh ingredients? This was beyond alarming! ¡°President Fang, what about the sausage? Surely the sausage can¡¯t be fake, can it? Is it possibly made from deceased animals?¡± The employee voiced their concerns with a hint of worry. Fang Yuan remained composed. ¡°1 wonder if everyone here has heard of starch sausages? You mix various powders, add food additives, roasted meat essential oil, and finally, some carrageen. Pour the mixture into the kitchen machine, stir it well, and then squeeze it into sausage casings. Steam it, and you¡¯ve got yourself a sausage.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Several employees couldn¡¯t bear it and rushed to the garden to vomit. Fang Yuan continued, ¡°As for the evidence¡­¡± She walked over to the kitchen machine. ¡°There¡¯s still some minced residue on the inner wall. You can have it tested.¡± Initially, there had been concerns that the sausages might also contain deceased animal meat, but as it turned out, there was no meat at all; it was all seasoning! Fang Yuan then addressed the group. ¡°Have any of you noticed that the color of the fish soup you had for lunch seemed off? Normal fish soup isn¡¯t so white unless you add a spoonful of carnation milk. You can make delicious, fresh, and flavorful fish soup with the right ingredients.¡± One person rushed outside to vomit again. No one had expected such deceitful practices from the cafeteria. ¡°I also spotted concentrated lamb in the kitchen. Do you know what that is? Just one spoonful of water, and it tastes like mutton bone soup.¡± Only one employee seemed relieved. ¡°Thank goodness 1 wasn¡¯t feeling well during lunch, so I only had some rice with sesame sauce¡­¡± Fang Yuan interjected, ¡°The sesame sauce you were eating is actually made from sesame essence.¡± ¡°¡­¡± The last employee also couldn¡¯t hold back and vomited.. Chapter 102 - Chapter 102: Adding More Fuel to Fire Chapter 102: Adding More Fuel to Fire Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°What a mockery!¡± Li Guang placed his hands behind his back, a sneer curling on his lips. ¡°Even if you can locate all these items, it doesn¡¯t prove that the chefs used them in today¡¯s lunch!¡± Zhao Quan expressed his displeasure, saying, ¡°President Fang, you¡¯re entitled to your meal choices, but baseless accusations are unacceptable!¡± Li Guang resembled an infuriated hyena, his eyes filled with malice as he stared at Fang Yuan. ¡°1 initially intended to downplay this matter out of consideration for our family ties. However, you insisted on attaching such a damning label to me. Now, everyone has misconstrued the situation with our cafeteria. We¡¯ll have to involve the police!¡± ¡°Fine!¡± Instead of being intimidated, Fang Yuan responded resolutely. ¡°Mr. Li, considering your age, if you¡¯re having trouble with your phone, I can have Wang Ning assist you.¡± Li Guang hadn¡¯t expected this young woman to be so unyielding. He sneered, ¡°President Fang, have you thought about the consequences? If I make that call, you¡¯ll lose your job!¡± ¡°Will you call the police or not?¡± Fang Yuan wasn¡¯t interested in prolonging the argument. ¡°If you won¡¯t, I will.¡± ¡°Ah-Guang, President Fang is young and impulsive. Show her the list of ingredients we purchased this morning. Prove that they¡¯re all fresh,¡± Zhao Quan intervened, attempting to defuse the situation. ¡°There¡¯s no need,¡± Fang Yuan responded skeptically. ¡°1 heard that the supermarket you bought from is also owned by a relative.¡± Zhao Quan exploded in frustration. ¡°President Fang, are you suggesting that our relatives are involved in collusion?¡± Fang Yuan regarded him with indifference. ¡°You made that assertion, not me.¡± Zhao Quan: ¡°You!¡± Fang Yuan turned her attention to Wang Ning, who was ready to call the police. Wang Ning hesitated as Zhao Quan interrupted, ¡°Wait! If we involve the police now, regardless of whether there¡¯s any issue with the food, our company¡¯s reputation will suffer!¡± ¡°Oh? So, in your opinion, how should we handle this situation?¡± Fang Yuan inquired, her interest piqued. ¡°As long as you apologize to Mr. Li, for my sake, we can pretend that this never occurred¡­¡± Fang Yuan found this amusing and exchanged a glance with Wang Ning, who promptly dialed the police. ¡°You!¡± Zhao Quan was furious. This girl had declined a peaceful resolution, opting for a more severe course of action! Fine, you want to involve the police? He had connections at the police station. Did this girl assume the police station was under her family¡¯s control? How naive! He swiftly took out his phone and sent a WeChat message¡­ Ten minutes later, several police officers arrived, led by a new face. After hearing Fang Yuan¡¯s account of the situation, the officer instructed someone to retrieve the ingredients from the kitchen for sampling and testing. ¡°Oh, one more thing.¡± Fang Yuan used her phone to hack into the surveillance system and restored all the deleted footage from the past year. ¡°I¡¯ve sent all the surveillance footage to your official email.¡± ¡°Miss Fang, I apologize for bothering you with such a minor issue,¡± Captain Zhang, the lead officer, was especially courteous to Fang Yuan. ¡°Rest assured, if the test results reveal that they used substandard ingredients, we will take legal action against them!¡± Violations of food safety laws not only resulted in fines but also could lead to the revocation of business licenses and, in severe cases, imprisonment. Upon hearing this, Zhao Quan began to feel something was amiss. ¡°Captain, is this your first day on the job? I don¡¯t see Officer Qian Guangzong today.¡± ¡°You know him?¡± Captain Zhang looked at Zhao Quan with a disapproving expression. ¡°He was suspended pending investigation today. Why are you asking about him?¡± Zhao Quan stammered, ¡°No reason.¡± ¡°It¡¯s better if you don¡¯t. Someone reported him for taking bribes. If you contact him now or send any messages, you¡¯d be providing the police with clues and evidence against him. It would only worsen his case,¡± Captain Zhang cautioned. Hearing Captain Zhang¡¯s words, Zhao Quan¡¯s heart sank. It was all over. He had just sent a WeChat message stating that he would handle things if they came up. According to their usual arrangement, the benefits¡­ It was all over! Zhao Quan was drenched in sweat, and Li Guang looked unwell, continually wiping his brow with his hand. Neither of them had anticipated that, after years in business, they would find themselves at the mercy of a young woman. A police officer approached Li Guang. ¡°Please accompany us for questioning.¡± ¡°President Zhao, help me¡­¡± Li Guang appealed to Zhao Quan for assistance. He couldn¡¯t afford to be taken away by the police; once inside, he might never get out. ¡°I¡¯m here. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Zhao Quan walked over and patted Li Guang¡¯s back, his voice hushed. ¡°Don¡¯t admit to anything. 1¡¯11 arrange for my lawyer to assist you later.¡± ¡°Hurry up, then¡­¡± Li Guang¡¯s confidence waned, his anxiety growing. Zhao Quan reassured him, ¡°I understand, don¡¯t fret¡­¡± ¡°Oh, one more thing.¡± Fang Yuan interjected suddenly, ¡°Mr. Li, you¡¯ve opened seven or eight restaurants, haven¡¯t you?¡± Li Guang¡¯s body tensed. What was this young woman plotting? Was she trying to make things worse? ¡°Mr. Li, you¡¯re dressed in designer clothing, reside in a villa, yet your financial records indicate you struggle to make ends meet and evade taxes. 1 find that perplexing.¡± Upon hearing this, Captain Zhang instantly grasped the situation. ¡°Detain him and interrogate rigorously!¡± Chapter 103 - Chapter 103: Unique Taste Chapter 103: Unique Taste Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After Li Guang was apprehended by the police, Fang Yuan raised an inquisitive eyebrow and exchanged a brief glance with Zhao Quan. Without a word, she turned on her heel and headed towards the elevator. Upon returning to her office, a wave of concerned employees approached her, seeking permission to take time off for a medical check-up. ¡°Considering our company¡¯s oversight in this matter, inform headquarters to grant them an additional month¡¯s salary and encourage them to purchase nutritional supplements for their well-being,¡± Fang Yuan instructed. ¡°Of course,¡± Wang Ning promptly responded. At that very moment, Old Sir Bo sent her a message on WeChat: [My dear granddaughter-in-law, are you at work? Feeling tired or hungry? I¡¯ll arrange for some food to be sent your way.] He even added an endearing little pig emoji at the end. [No need, Grandpa.] Fang Yuan replied as she continued walking. [I¡¯m not hungry.] [Even if you¡¯re not hungry, you must eat something. You¡¯re too thin. I¡¯ll have Grandpa Wen deliver it to you later. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll like it.] The chef had mentioned that modern young ladies liked delicate and beautiful snacks. His granddaughter-in-law was undoubtedly cute, so she must share the same preference, right? [There¡¯s really no need. Just give it to Bo Yi.] Fang Yuan responded. [He¡¯s not eating. No share for him!] Old Sir Bo decisively retorted. Meanwhile, on the other side, Cheng Yuqi waited patiently in the meeting room for a full two hours. The afternoon tea had grown cold, and she was eager to discover what had kept Bo Yi occupied for so long. Yet, she hesitated, not wanting to disrupt his work suddenly. Just as she debated with herself, the door to Bo Yi¡¯s office finally swung open. She turned her attention and saw Bo Yi emerging. ¡°Yi, are you finished?¡± Cheng Yuqi quickly approached, her tone concerned. ¡°You¡¯ve been busy for quite a while. Don¡¯t overexert yourself. Are you hungry? Would you like to have something to eat?¡± ¡°Master Bo is preoccupied¡­¡± Mu Qing interjected, blocking Cheng Yuqi¡¯s path. ¡°Lady Yuqi, please wait.¡± ¡°Yi¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi called after him as he walked away. ¡°Where are you going? Will you be back later? I¡¯ve prepared some afternoon tea for you¡­ Would you like to have a bite before you go?¡± Bo Yi paid no attention to her, and as the elevator doors closed, all that remained was Cheng Yuqi¡¯s retreating figure. Observing Master Bo¡¯s departure, Mu Qing cast a brief glance at Cheng Yuqi before stepping into the elevator to leave. At that moment, his phone vibrated. ¡°Is everything prepared? Alright, 1¡¯11 be there in approximately ten minutes. Let me confirm once more. Is the juice freshly squeezed? No ice, right? Mm, understood. Keep the snacks warm; my Miss prefers her food that way. Mm, 1 got it.¡± As the elevator doors remained open, Cheng Yuqi overheard Mu Qing¡¯s conversation, leaving her perplexed. There was no mention of a young lady in the Bo family¡­ could it be Fang Yuan? Instantly, Cheng Yuqi was taken aback. She swiftly descended from a different elevator and hurried back to her car. ¡°Butler Zhao, follow Yi¡¯s car!¡± ¡°Lady Yuqi, what¡¯s going on¡­¡± Butler Zhao was somewhat puzzled, but seeing Cheng Yuqi¡¯s anxious expression, he started the engine without further questions. ¡°Master Bo, the Cheng family¡¯s car is tailing us. Should we attempt to lose them?¡± Mu Qing promptly noticed the conspicuous license plate trailing behind them¡ªit belonged to the Cheng family. Bo Yi, however, dismissed it with indifference, saying lazily, ¡°Let her follow.¡± On the other end, Fang Yuan received a call from Bo Yi. ¡°I¡¯ll be at your location in ten minutes, bringing you some afternoon tea,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice maintained its characteristic allure. ¡°Which floor is your office on?¡± Fang Yuan responded, ¡°You¡¯re already on your way?¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Bo Yi confirmed. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll go downstairs to pick it up,¡± Fang Yuan replied, reluctant to let Bo Yi deliver it to her office to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. ¡°Are you concerned about being seen?¡± Bo Yi sounded slightly displeased. Was his presence suspicious? Was he not attractive enough? Did his status not warrant acknowledgment as her fiance? Fang Yuan sighed in exasperation. ¡°Don¡¯t you understand your own identity?¡± She explained that Bo Yi¡¯s appearance would cause a stir not only in her company but also on any street in Jing City. His presence would invite endless questions about their relationship, making her life far from peaceful. Cheng Yuqi trailed Bo Yi until his car came to a stop near a company. This company was a part of the Cheng family¡¯s business empire and was under Fang Yuan¡¯s management. Cheng Yuqi¡¯s suspicions were confirmed; Bo Yi had come here to meet that ¡°village girl.¡± He had left her, a socialite, waiting in the conference room for two hours, but he chose to visit this seemingly ordinary girl. What was so special about her? Perhaps he had encountered countless wealthy ladies like her in his world and occasionally sought a unique flavor? Bo Yi stepped out of the car, dressed in a white shirt, exuding remarkable charm. The surroundings seemed to dim a little as he appeared. This was his usual effect; wherever he went, he effortlessly became the center of attention. His gaze carried an air of aloofness and nobility, but it softened as soon as a certain figure appeared, resembling the gentle warmth of winter sunlight. ¡°Yuanyuan¡­¡± ¡°Have you been waiting long?¡± As soon as Fang Yuan walked over to him, he assertively and gently embraced her.. Chapter 104 - Chapter 104: She Wants to Replace Fang Yuan! Chapter 104: She Wants to Replace Fang Yuan! Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°I miss you,¡± he whispered. Finally, he held the girl of his dreams in his arms. A faint, uncontrollable smile tugged at the corners of his lips. ¡°Not for long. 1 just arrived.¡± ¡°This is a public place. Can you please be more discreet?¡± Fang Yuan would have tolerated such affection in the privacy of their car, but standing by the roadside, she worried about the prying eyes of passersby. ¡°I can¡¯t help it. If i don¡¯t hug you now, I¡¯ll miss you even more later,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s gaze traced her features, and for a rare moment, tenderness and affection graced his handsome face. ¡°Are you busy with work?¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°Not really.¡± Bo Yi inquired further, ¡°Do you miss me?¡± Fang Yuan hesitated.¡±¡­¡± Bo Yi continued, ¡°You don¡¯t even miss me when you¡¯re not busy?¡± Fang Yuan still couldn¡¯t find the words. ¡°You heartless girl!¡± Bo Yi tightened his embrace around Fang Yuan. ¡°I¡¯ll have to punish you by holding you for another minute. No protests allowed.¡± Fang Yuan suddenly found his behavior a bit childish. What was going on? ¡°Every time you go to the company, it¡¯s like you¡¯ve disappeared off the face of the earth. If I didn¡¯t come looking for you, it¡¯s like you wouldn¡¯t even miss me!¡± Bo Yi¡¯s tone took on a slightly cajoling note. Hearing his words, Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit helpless. ¡°There are just so many matters to attend to.¡± ¡°¡­so, are you thinking of me?¡± Bo Yi persisted. ¡°Bo Yi,¡± Fang Yuan urged him to act more mature, but she didn¡¯t expect him to gently cup her face and gaze at her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. His eyes sparkled with an affection as bright as the starry sky. ¡°I can¡¯t help it. Your little face is so soft.¡± ¡°Where¡¯s the afternoon tea?¡± Fang Yuan suddenly remembered that she still had some tasks to attend to, and she couldn¡¯t afford to delay for too long. She swiftly changed the subject. He gently touched her face and retrieved the afternoon tea. Fang Yuan observed the dozen or so bags in his hand and hesitated to take them. ¡°There are too many. I can¡¯t finish all of this.¡± ¡°Choose what you like,¡± Bo Yi held the bag with one hand and her with the other. He tenderly brushed her hair and leaned down to inquire, ¡°Are you really not going to invite me up for a moment?¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°I still have some things to do later.¡± Bo Yi inquired further, ¡°Will you miss me later?¡± Fang Yuan¡­ paused. ¡°¡­so, are you thinking about me?¡± Bo Yi pressed on. Fang Yuan remained silent. ¡°Will you miss me?¡± Bo Yi didn¡¯t seem willing to let the question go. Fang Yuan gritted her teeth and finally responded, ¡°Yes!¡± At that moment, Bo Yi¡¯s typically reserved countenance seemed to burst with radiant light. He smiled with contentment, eclipsing the surrounding scenery. ¡°I miss you too.¡± Bo Yi suddenly lowered his head and gently kissed her lips. His eyes lingered with affection and tenderness. ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up after work.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s face flushed slightly. She gathered her belongings, ready to depart. However, he refused to release her hand. ¡°What should 1 do? I don¡¯t want to let go-¡± The moment he saw her, he cared for nothing else; he simply wanted to be close to her. Previously, Fang Yuan had no inkling that the rumored cold and heartless President Bo could look so handsome in public. Now that she had witnessed it, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a touch of amusement. ¡°Are you suggesting that 1 stand here and continue this conversation with something so heavy?¡± Fang Yuan retorted. Bo Yi proposed, ¡°How about I help you carry it to the entrance of the company?¡± Fang Yuan withdrew her hand. ¡°1¡¯11 be off work in an hour. You should head back.¡± ¡°Yuanyuan,¡± Bo Yi called out. Fang Yuan halted and turned to face him. ¡°I meant every word 1 said on the Ferris wheel today.¡± Bo Yi¡¯s expression brimmed with sincerity. He truly cherished her, longing for her company every moment they were apart. He wished to share meals, watch movies, go shopping, take leisurely strolls, gaze at the stars, and admire the sea, living happily day by day, year after year, like any ordinary couple. In different circumstances, Fang Yuan might have dismissed his words, but seeing the genuine earnestness in his eyes, she responded calmly, ¡°1 understand.¡± Bo Yi watched her walk away and discreetly followed her. Fang Yuan took a step, and Bo Yi followed suit, maintaining a close but unobtrusive distance. They continued until Fang Yuan¡¯s figure vanished completely at the company¡¯s entrance. There, Bo Yi stopped and pulled out his phone to call her, using his own method to silently accompany and protect her. Cheng Yuqi, who had observed the entire scene from her car, seethed with anger. If she hadn¡¯t witnessed it firsthand, she would never have believed that the typically aloof and reserved Bo Yi would engage in such affectionate behavior toward a girl! It turned out that the man who stood at the pinnacle of the business world wasn¡¯t devoid of the capacity for affection and love; he just hadn¡¯t encountered someone he truly cared for before! Ever since he met Fang Yuan, the tenderness and love that filled his eyes were unlike anything Cheng Yuqi had ever witnessed! It turned out that the unmasked Bo Yi could be so affectionate and captivating¡­ But why? Why did an unsophisticated village girl earn Bo Yi¡¯s love? What made her deserving of Bo Yi¡¯s favor? Cheng Yuqi seethed with jealousy, her newly-manicured nails digging into her skin.. No, she couldn¡¯t let this situation progress any further! Whether it was her family background, her appearance, her abilities, or her knowledge, Bo Yi was second to none! She, too, wanted to possess Bo Yi¡¯s unique affection! She wanted to replace Fang Yuan and become the woman Bo Yi adored! Chapter 105 - Chapter 105: Theres Nothing For You Chapter 105: There¡¯s Nothing For You Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Cheng Yuqi noticed Bo Yi gazing at the company building while making a call, undoubtedly with Fang Yuan on the other end of the line. They had only just parted ways, and yet, they seemed so intimately connected. The sight was like a dagger to Cheng Yuqi¡¯s heart, but she concealed her sadness and jealousy as she spoke, ¡°Butler Zhao, let¡¯s head back.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Butler Zhao replied, equally astonished. He was struggling to come to terms with the rapid progression between Young Master Bo and Sixth Miss. It appeared that Lady Yuqi wouldn¡¯t have any opportunity to intervene. Before starting the car¡¯s engine, Butler Zhao noticed Old Sir Bo¡¯s car approaching from a distance. His eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Lady Yuqi, that appears to be Old Sir Bo¡¯s car.¡± Cheng Yuqi raised her gaze and confirmed it. Could it be that Grandpa Bo had also come to visit Fang Yuan? With this thought in mind, they parked the car at the company¡¯s entrance. Butler Wen alighted from the vehicle and spotted Bo Yi standing there. He asked, taken aback, ¡°Young Master, what brings you here?¡± Bo Yi was unperturbed by his presence. ¡°Did Grandpa ask you to come?¡± ¡°Yes, Old Sir specifically invited a renowned pastry chef from France to prepare afternoon tea for Young Madam.¡± Butler Wen quickly retrieved the snacks from the car and apologized, ¡°But¡­ there¡¯s none for you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Bo Yi replied, casting his eyes towards the company. As long as Yuanyuan liked it, he was content. Butler Wen inquired, ¡°Young Master, are you also here to deliver afternoon tea to Young Madam?¡± Bo Yi nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°In that case, am 1 too late?¡± Butler Wen felt a pang of regret. The afternoon tea had just been prepared by the hired pastry chef, crafted with the finest ingredients, and was meant as a token of Old Sir¡¯s appreciation. If Young Madam had already consumed the tea sent by Young Master and was satiated, she might not have room for Old Sir¡¯s portion. That would surely disappoint Old Sir deeply. Just then, Butler Wen spotted a familiar figure emerging from the building. He hastily approached and respectfully presented her with the afternoon tea. ¡°Young Madam, Old Sir requested that I deliver this to you.¡± Fang Yuan extended her hand to accept the tea and offered a polite smile. ¡°Please convey my gratitude to Grandpa.¡± Butler Wen added, ¡°Old Sir also hopes you¡¯ll find time to visit him more frequently. He¡¯s concerned about you overworking yourself and encourages you to rest more.¡± Fang Yuan nodded. ¡°I will.¡± Butler Wen continued, ¡°Additionally, Old Sir mentioned that the results of the college entrance examination will be available in a few days. If you have any interest in attending a school, whether it¡¯s domestic or abroad, please don¡¯t hesitate to inform him.¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°I appreciate that.¡± Butler Wen went on, ¡°Furthermore, if you ever encounter challenges at work or have any concerns in your life, you can always turn to Old Sir for assistance.¡± Meanwhile, Bo Yi couldn¡¯t help but curl his lips in a slightly bitter manner. He had been managing the Bo Corporation for three years without receiving an ounce of afternoon tea or a word of concern from Old Sir. In the past, when he was in school, even the smallest achievements wouldn¡¯t prompt Old Sir to arrange anything for him. Now, he marveled at how generous Old Sir was to his granddaughter ¨C in ¨C law. Fang Yuan, appreciative of the kind gestures, expressed, ¡°Please convey my thanks to Grandpa.¡± Standing tall and exuding an obedient yet composed aura, Fang Yuan appeared exceptionally beautiful. Butler Wen assured her, ¡°I¡¯ll pass along your message. I won¡¯t disturb your work any further.¡± He then glanced respectfully at Bo Yi and said, ¡°Young Master, 1¡¯11 take my leave.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Bo Yi replied, acknowledging the need for privacy as he watched Butler Wen depart. Fang Yuan, somewhat surprised, asked, ¡°Why haven¡¯t you left yet?¡± Bo Yi reached out to gently touch her face, his smile filled with affection. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s destiny. It seems that fate has brought us back together.¡± Fang Yuan,¡±¡­¡± Bo Yi suggested, ¡°You should enjoy my afternoon tea first. Don¡¯t feel obligated to have Grandpa¡¯s.¡± Fang Yuan,¡±¡­.¡± Bo Yi urged her, ¡°Come on, go up.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± After Fang Yuan left, Bo Yi lingered for a moment before finally departing. Cheng Yuqi, sitting in the car, was taken aback by the unexpected gesture from Grandpa Bo, who had asked Butler Wen to deliver afternoon tea. Her anger flared, and she felt a surge of resentment. She noticed the lunch box that Butler Wen had brought, an unmistakable symbol of the renowned French pastry chef, Lester! Only when Lester personally crafted the pastries did they come in such exclusive packaging. These lunch boxes were rare, and given Lester¡¯s reputation, they would cost at least seven figures to create just one. Grandpa Bo had gone to the trouble of inviting Lester to prepare afternoon tea for an uneducated girl from the village. Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t help but seethe with jealousy. Butler Zhao, observing Cheng Yuqi¡¯s distorted features and her seething anger, attempted to console her. ¡°Lady Yuqi, please don¡¯t dwell on it too much. Relationships often start like this, with a high degree of favorability. But as time goes on, conflicts and friction can arise.¡± Cheng Yuqi clenched her fists, refusing to accept defeat. She couldn¡¯t simply sit back and let things unfold as they were. With Bo Yi¡¯s waning interest in her and Grandpa Bo maintaining a certain distance, she needed to take action. Chapter 106 - Chapter 106: Robbing Money? Chapter 106: Robbing Money? Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon returning to her office, Fang Yuan was greeted by a sight of over ten bags filled with afternoon tea items neatly arranged on the tea table. She couldn¡¯t help but feel overwhelmed; even if she skipped dinner, it would be impossible to consume all of these treats. Coincidentally, Wang Ning entered the room to provide a work update. His eyes widened at the sight of the sumptuous spread, and his mouth nearly watered. ¡°President Fang, this is quite extravagant. Did you order all of this afternoon tea? Can you finish it?¡± Wang Ning inquired. Fang Yuan, who didn¡¯t usually partake in afternoon tea, decided to share the bounty. ¡°Feel free to help yourself. I don¡¯t typically have afternoon tea, so it¡¯s better if others enjoy it.¡± Wang Ning was astounded. ¡°President Fang, are you serious? This is afternoon tea personally prepared by Lester and Orson¡­ You¡¯re suggesting we eat it casually?¡± Fang Yuan, appearing puzzled, questioned, ¡°Lester and Orson? Who are they?¡± Wang Ning¡¯s surprise deepened. She swallowed hard before explaining, ¡°President Fang, you¡¯re not aware of them? Lester is a renowned French pastry chef, and Orson is a highly regarded figure in the British pastry industry.¡± Fang Yuan blinked, indicating her lack of familiarity with these names. She inquired, ¡°Are they expensive?¡± Wang Ning replied, ¡°President Fang, didn¡¯t you arrange for your own afternoon tea? In that case, 1 can only say that the person who organized this treat for you values and likes you very much¡­¡± Fang Yuan pressed for more information. ¡°Oh? What do you mean?¡± Wang Ning continued, ¡°Lester has already retired from the public eye. It¡¯s no longer about money; it¡¯s a matter of great respect to invite him to personally prepare afternoon tea.¡± Fang Yuan processed this information silently. Wang Ning added, ¡°As for Orson, in the past, an international superstar wanted to enjoy his afternoon tea. It took three months and significant connections before Orson agreed to prepare it.¡± Fang Yuan,¡±.. ¡± Wang Ning concluded, ¡°These afternoon teas on your table are worth at least seven figures.¡± Fang Yuan:¡±???¡± Totally robbery, seven figures? Wang Ning reassured, ¡°President Fang, you shouldn¡¯t doubt their worth. Given their reputations, they are certainly worth the price.¡± ¡°Alright, go ahead and make your selection,¡± Fang Yuan replied casually, reclining on the sofa with the air of someone observing an everyday afternoon tea spread. ¡°In that case, I won¡¯t hold back,¡± Wang Ning responded. He chose a few items, although they were relatively ordinary or repeated snacks. He didn¡¯t dare to pick those that appeared particularly exquisite. Later, Gu Panpan arrived to inquire about the drafts, and Fang Yuan invited her to take some of the snacks with her. She intended to consume the remainder herself. As she was enjoying a snack and taking a bite, she overheard Wang Ning¡¯s voice from outside. ¡°President Zhao, you can¡¯t enter¡­¡± ¡°Let me check with President Fang. Your refusal won¡¯t deter me¡­¡± ¡°In the end, you¡¯ll still have to knock on the door politely if you want to come in. Why bother?¡± ¡°Allow him to enter,¡± Fang Yuan lazily instructed. Zhao Quan promptly pushed open the door and entered the room. When he spotted Fang Yuan leisurely indulging in afternoon tea on the sofa, he offered a friendly smile. ¡°President Fang, there might be a misunderstanding between us. Would you be available for a conversation?¡± ¡°Sorry,¡± Fang Yuan responded slowly, setting aside her snacks. ¡°1 don¡¯t have the time right now.¡± ¡°If there¡¯s an issue with me, please bring it up. I¡¯m willing to make changes,¡± Zhao Quan chuckled. ¡°Look, my relative¡­ Can¡¯t we let bygones be bygones?¡± Fang Yuan lowered her snacks and raised an eyebrow as she inquired, ¡°You supplied the company¡¯s employees with various questionable food additives for an entire year. If you had consumed them instead, would you be so lenient with yourself?¡± Zhao Quan scratched his head sheepishly and admitted, ¡°Well, that was indeed his fault. He got greedy and imported subpar ingredients. But as you can see, none of the employees suffered any harm, and the company compensated them. Can¡¯t we be forgiving and let him off this time?¡± Fang Yuan asked lazily, ¡°How do I let him off this time?¡± Zhao Quan proposed, ¡°Let¡¯s resolve this matter by having him provide free meals to the employees for half a year, no, a whole year. Rest assured, I¡¯ll oversee the quality of ingredients closely in the future, and there won¡¯t be any subpar issues again!¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s penetrating gaze landed on him, exuding a palpable weight. ¡°Weren¡¯t you involved in the previous incident? Are you completely devoid of responsibility?¡± With a sigh, Zhao Quan admitted, ¡°Yes, I bear responsibility for that¡­¡± He hung his head in acknowledgment. If he had any other way to resolve this issue through different channels, he wouldn¡¯t be stooping to beg before this young woman. Fang Yuan spoke with indifference, ¡°If you believe that an employee consuming additives for a year is a minor issue, how about this? You can also consume them for a year, and we can discuss it again after that time.¡± ¡°President Fang, are you serious?¡± Zhao Quan attempted to maintain a placating smile. ¡°A year of eating those additives would be like a prison sentence for someone like me.¡± Fang Yuan inquired, ¡°Aren¡¯t prison meals better than additives?¡± Zhao Quan fell silent. Fang Yuan continued, ¡°At least prison food is healthy.¡± Zhao Quan,¡±¡­.¡± ¡°As the vice president of the company, you didn¡¯t immediately reflect on your own shortcomings when the incident occurred. You didn¡¯t consider how to provide comfort to the employees. Instead, you¡¯ve come to plead on behalf of your relative. I don¡¯t know where you found the courage to make this request. If you expect me to settle this privately, I¡¯m sorry, but I cannot comply..¡± Chapter 107 - Chapter 107: When Can I See the Light? Chapter 107: When Can I See the Light? Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon hearing Fang Yuan¡¯s firm rejection, Zhao Quan¡¯s heart turned cold. However, the realization that his relative was still in the detention center and might implicate him weighed heavily on his mind. With a heavy heart, he pressed on, ¡°President Fang, our families share a very close bond in private. My mother just turned 89 this year, and she¡¯s been in tears since he got arrested. She pleads with me to help him. Otherwise, she feels she has no reason to go on¡­¡± ¡°His family, too, came to me and created quite a commotion. I had no option but to muster my courage and approach you¡­¡± ¡°Our family simply can¡¯t bear to see him suffering like this¡­¡± Fang Yuan raised her head, her tone cold, ¡°Can you bear to let an employee suffer in this manner?¡± Zhao Quan faltered, ¡°This¡­¡± ¡°There¡¯s no room for negotiation. President Zhao, you should consider your own position more. Mr. Li is your relative, and the company¡¯s headquarters will undoubtedly pursue this matter to its conclusion.¡± Zhao Quan¡¯s heart grew cold as he listened to her words. His previously resolute demeanor wavered. He bowed slightly and left, disheartened. Fang Yuan savored the afternoon tea that Bo Yi had arranged and attended to her work for a while before finishing for the day. As night descended, Bo Yi took her to a candlelit dinner. There appeared to be a thousand words in his eyes, yet he remained silent, serving her food with a pensive expression. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Fang Yuan inquired, puzzled by his hesitant expression. ¡°Don¡¯t you like the bracelet?¡± Bo Yi gazed into her captivating eyes, appearing somewhat dejected. ¡°Or¡­ have you lost interest in me?¡± Fang Yuan was taken aback.¡±¡­.¡± ¡°Is it because I¡¯ve been persistently pursuing you lately, and it¡¯s gotten on your nerves?¡± Bo Yi took a warm towel and gently wiped a hint of sauce from the corner of her mouth. His eyes were intense as he awaited her response. It was only at that moment that Fang Yuan realized she had forgotten to wear the bracelet. ¡°If you¡¯re not fond of me, I¡¯ll put in more effort to win your affection. Can you give me some more time?¡± Bo Yi said earnestly. Fang Yuan remained silent. ¡°If you don¡¯t like that bracelet, 1 can design another one for you,¡± he continued. Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°You designed that bracelet?¡± This revelation wasn¡¯t surprising for Bo Yi. His talent for design had been evident since his youth. Mu Qing had even once said that if he devoted himself to design, he would become a legend in the industry. His design skills had even caused a sensation on the international stage. ¡°Yes,¡± Bo Yi affirmed, looking into her eyes with determination. ¡°Is it the bracelet, or is it me? If it¡¯s both, I¡¯m willing to change both.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s lips curled into a bright smile. ¡°The bracelet is lovely. I really like it. 1 took it off this afternoon because I accidentally spilled some juice, and I forgot to put it back on.¡± It seemed he thought she didn¡¯t like him because of this? ¡°What about me?¡± Bo Yi gazed at her intently. ¡°Do you like me?¡± Fang Yuan hesitated. Who asked such a direct question? But Bo Yi insisted, ¡°Do you like me or not?¡± Fang Yuan relented, ¡°Alright, 1 do. Can we eat now without any more questions?¡± Bo Yi affectionately touched her face, his earlier gloominess replaced by joy and tenderness. Fang Yuan¡¯s response seemed to indicate he hadn¡¯t done too poorly. He smiled and began feeding her happily. Fang Yuan interjected, ¡°I can eat on my own.¡± Bo Yi leaned closer and whispered suggestively, ¡°Or do you want me to feed you with a spoon?¡± Fang Yuan blushed. This guy was getting cheekier by the moment! After finishing their meal, Bo Yi escorted Fang Yuan to the office building. He got out of the car and opened the door for her. ¡°I¡¯ll go up with you.¡± Fang Yuan remarked, ¡°The company¡¯s production line operates 24 hours a day. If you come up, you might be seen by the production department.¡± Seeing Bo Yi¡¯s somewhat dejected expression, Fang Yuan added with a hint of helplessness, ¡°Wait here for a while. I¡¯ll come back down once I retrieve the bracelet.¡± Bo Yi seized the opportunity to negotiate, ¡°Then give me a hug first.¡± Fang Yuan sighed.¡±¡­.¡± ¡°Just a quick hug. I¡¯ll let you go upstairs,¡± Bo Yi extended his arms and requested a hug, much like a child. Fang Yuan was left speechless as she watched this typically reserved man act so childishly before her. In order to avoid being seen, she hurriedly and lightly embraced him. Initially, she assumed they would part ways after the brief contact, but Bo Yi¡¯s arms suddenly tightened around her. ¡°When can we step into the light?¡± Fang Yuan inquired, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Bo Yi clarified, ¡°When can I publicly announce that I¡¯m your fiance?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fang Yuan felt a sense of helplessness. ¡°Is this really so important?¡± ¡°It¡¯s crucial,¡± he declared, hugging her tightly. ¡°It¡¯s very important. Are there any suitors within the company?¡± Fang Yuan found it amusing. In the past few days, she had turned the company upside down. Not a single person, male or female, dared to approach her. ¡°No,¡± she replied. ¡°I like that,¡± Bo Yi confessed, inhaling her scent. ¡°I like you very much. You have a fiance, so it¡¯s essential to maintain a certain distance from others.¡± Fang Yuan.¡±.. ¡° Chapter 108 - Chapter 108: Little Trick Behind the Scenes Chapter 108: Little Trick Behind the Scenes Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Seeing her silence, he inquired, ¡°Can you manage it?¡± ¡°Understood. I¡¯m heading upstairs now,¡± Fang Yuan replied. She had no intention of hugging him in public; that wouldn¡¯t be appropriate. Inside the company, she entered the office, typed in the password, and pushed the door open. The bracelet was indeed on her desk. Reflecting on what Bo Yi had said earlier, her heart warmed. Eager not to keep him waiting too long, Fang Yuan swiftly put on the bracelet and left her office. As she was about to enter the elevator, she suddenly heard noises emanating from the emergency exit. It sounded like an argument, marked by a tone filled with complaints. Fang Yuan treaded lightly and gently pushed open the door leading to the corridor. It was then that she realized the sounds were coming from an unknown floor below. Because of the echoing acoustics in the corridor, it didn¡¯t appear to be very distant. ¡°Our families depend on me for their livelihoods. Now that President Zhao has halted production like this, what will the seven of us eat and drink in the future?¡± ¡°Could you at least listen to what I have to say? President Zhao¡¯s intention is to have Line 123 continue production while Line 45 takes a brief break. He doesn¡¯t want you to stop working; he simply wants you to head home and wait for further instructions.¡± ¡°How long do i have to wait? I can¡¯t afford to wait another day!¡± ¡°Sun, you¡¯re the team leader of Line 4. You must lead by example, whether you agree or not. There¡¯s no room for negotiation!¡± ¡°Manager Jia, President Zhao promised us hope. Although we may not soar to great heights, we should at least have a comfortable life!¡± ¡°Has President Zhao treated you poorly over the past year? Can¡¯t you see that everything is being scrutinized since President Fang arrived at the company? Line 45 must be stopped, and all the warehouse inventory must be cleared out within the next few days. Otherwise, not only you and me, but even President Zhao will be in trouble!¡± Listening to their conversation, Fang Yuan finally understood. It appeared that the products manufactured by Line 45 during the night shift needed to remain discreet. The two individuals speaking were Manager Jia from the production department and the team leader of Line 4. When she overheard them mention that the warehouse goods had to be moved out within the next two days, it was evident that something was amiss with these goods. Fang Yuan discreetly retreated from the corridor and made her way to the first-floor warehouse. During the night, the warehouse was left unattended. Fang Yuan attempted to use her fingerprint to access it, but she realized she couldn¡¯t open the warehouse door. In theory, her fingerprint permissions should grant her access throughout the company. She attempted the password once more, but the warehouse door remained unresponsive. It seemed that someone had deliberately erased her data and was blocking her entry. Fang Yuan¡¯s curiosity was piqued. She suddenly had a desire to uncover what Zhao Quan was scheming behind her back. Was her suspicion accurate? The warehouse door featured three layers of password locks, which Fang Yuan managed to crack with ease. Not only did she unlock it, but she also tampered with the subsequent surveillance recordings. Inside the warehouse, there was an assortment of clothing, including finished products from other companies and new and old products manufactured by her own company. As she explored the warehouse, Fang Yuan discovered two batches of seemingly identical new products. However, upon closer inspection, the workmanship and fabric quality were drastically different. She logged into the computer used by the warehouse manager and discovered that this substandard batch of products was not recorded in the company¡¯s database at all. She copied all the data and sent it to her email, subsequently erasing all traces. At that moment, she heard hurried footsteps approaching the warehouse. Fang Yuan swiftly climbed onto a beam at the top and observed from above. The newcomers were Manager Jia and a few unfamiliar employees. These employees were not the same individuals who worked during the day but seemed to be a group of trusted aides for Zhao Quan. Each of them carried a wooden stick, and the warehouse lights were turned on. The employees cautiously combed through the area, but they found no one. ¡°Manager Jia, did that new girl try to assert her authority and leave an impression on you recently?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no sign of anyone entering this warehouse.¡± Manager Jia¡¯s eyes surveyed the entire space, sensing an inexplicable presence. ¡°Check the surveillance footage.¡± The surveillance footage had been altered by Fang Yuan. Although the timestamps remained intact minute by minute, there were no traces of Fang Yuan¡¯s entry. An employee examined the surveillance footage and quickly reported, ¡°Manager Jia, it appears that nobody entered the warehouse.¡± Manager Jia appeared perplexed. ¡°Strange¡­ Someone claimed to have seen President Fang enter the company just now. Could they have been mistaken?¡± Recently, an employee had gone downstairs to pick up takeout and spotted a figure that resembled President Fang entering the private elevator. That figure should have been Fang Yuan¡­ Worried, Manager Jia instructed someone to inspect the entrance surveillance cameras. If Fang Yuan had truly arrived, the cameras would undoubtedly have captured her presence. One of them immediately headed to check the entrance surveillance cameras. Meanwhile, Fang Yuan discreetly pulled out her phone and erased the footage that had captured her entry earlier. She then activated her phone¡¯s camera and discreetly documented their activities.. Chapter 109 - Chapter 109: False Alarm Chapter 109: False Alarm Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Manager Jia, what do we do if President Fang really came to the company and uncovered the products we¡¯ve been making?¡± An anxious employee inquired, fearing that Fang Yuan would expose their activities. ¡°Considering President Fang¡¯s investigations, it won¡¯t be long before all our secrets are laid bare!¡± ¡°Could we lose our jobs over this?¡± ¡°If President Fang discovers our actions, losing our jobs would be the least of our concerns. We might even end up behind bars!¡± Manager Jia overheard their frantic chatter and scoffed, ¡°If something happens to someone on their way to work, like a car accident or the like, it won¡¯t be our fault¡­ She can only blame it on her misfortune.¡± The employees were taken aback by his response. Manager Jia was implying that if President Fang came to the company and uncovered something she shouldn¡¯t see, he would harm her? However, President Fang was dispatched by the headquarters. Could she have some powerful backing they were unaware of? After a while, the person who had checked the surveillance cameras returned. ¡°Manager Jia, President Fang did not visit the company tonight. The person who claimed to have seen her must have been mistaken.¡± Manager Jia sighed in relief. ¡°It was a false alarm. What are we waiting for then? Let¡¯s get back to work!¡± ¡°Phew, that was a close one. 1 was genuinely concerned that President Fang had already made her way to the warehouse!¡± As they chatted, five or six individuals switched off the lights and prepared to leave. At that moment, Fang Yuan¡¯s phone began to vibrate several times. It was a call from Bo Yi, and her voice recording function was forcibly interrupted. Manager Jia seemed to catch wind of something and immediately inquired, ¡°Whose phone is ringing?¡± ¡°None of ours¡­¡± Several employees checked their phones, but none of them had received a call. Fang Yuan quickly ended Bo Yi¡¯s call, turned her phone on silent mode, and responded to him on WeChat: [1 have something to attend to. We¡¯ll meet later.] [Alright.] Bo Yi assumed that she was in trouble and reasoned that he might be overthinking things. Manager Jia strained to listen for any further sounds but heard nothing. Had he really been mistaken? ¡°Manager Jia, you¡¯re being too jumpy. I think that girl has gotten you all worked up! Hahaha¡­¡± ¡°Exactly. This warehouse isn¡¯t that big. If there were truly someone hiding, we¡¯d have found them by now.¡± Their laughter and taunts eased the tension, and they led Manager Jia away. The warehouse door was closed. Fang Yuan¡¯s expression darkened. It appeared that they harbored more secrets than she had initially suspected. The warehouse remained shrouded in darkness. Fang Yuan didn¡¯t descend immediately; instead, she waited on the beam for a while. Outside, the illumination was as bright as daylight. A few figures lingered near the warehouse door. Through the gap in the door, their silhouettes cast long shadows on the ground. After some time, the warehouse door was abruptly pushed open, and the individuals entered once more. Manager Jia activated the lights, his eyes scanning the area like torches as he hoped to spot the concealed intruder. The workers joined the search, but they still found no one. ¡°Manager Jia, we even went through the boxes in the corner. There¡¯s absolutely no one here.¡± ¡°Now you can relax!¡± ¡°You mentioned the sound of a vibrating phone. You must have misheard it.¡± Manager Jia continued to survey the warehouse, sensing that something was amiss, though he couldn¡¯t quite pinpoint it. The atmosphere felt ominous. ¡°If there was truly someone inside the warehouse, they¡¯d have made their move once we left¡­¡± ¡°We waited by the door for quite some time earlier. If there was someone inside, it¡¯s impossible for there to have been no sound whatsoever.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, Manager Jia. You¡¯re probably overthinking it.¡± Manager Jia¡¯s gaze continued to scan the warehouse, but everything seemed unchanged. He eventually relented, saying, ¡°I hope so.¡± This time, he genuinely switched off the lights. However, before leaving, he opted to change the password and retain the previous one, thinking that if his instincts were accurate, and if someone was genuinely inside the warehouse, the new password could ensnare them. Conversely, if no one was present, anyone trying to enter using the old password would be unsuccessful. Upon hearing the prompt to change the password, Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but smirk coldly. This man was indeed quite cautious. Regrettably, this door posed no challenge to her. Regardless of how many passwords he changed, it was futile. There was no system in this world that could withstand her hacking skills. How could a mere door keep her at bay? Fang Yuan descended from the beam and explored the warehouse further. She discovered a substantial pile of substandard fabric concealed in a less noticeable corner of the warehouse. It appeared to be the raw materials employed in the production of the inferior goods. Her expression darkened as she infiltrated the company¡¯s surveillance system. When she confirmed that no one was lurking outside the door, she opened it and departed. Bo Yi had been waiting outside for over 40 minutes. As he spotted the familiar figure emerging, he hastened towards her and embraced her. ¡°Is it done?¡± Fang Yuan nodded, saying, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take you home.¡± Bo Yi, noting that it was getting late, drove her back to her place.. Chapter 110 - Chapter 110: Wet Chapter 110: Wet Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Auntie Du was tending to the garden¡¯s flowers and plants when she spotted Young Master Bo personally driving Sixth Miss back home. Without delay, she extended a hasty invitation to him. Bo Yi graciously accepted the invitation, taking Fang Yuan¡¯s hand as they entered the house. Inside, Cheng Yuqi, amidst playing the piano to uplift her parents¡¯ spirits, received the news that Bo Yi had arrived. Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui promptly descended the stairs to greet him. Cheng Yuqi suppressed her eagerness to see Bo Yi and retreated to her bedroom to prepare herself. She passed a message to Xiao Cui before heading downstairs. ¡°Yi, Yuanyuan, were you at home yesterday? 1 hope we didn¡¯t cause you any inconvenience,¡± Cheng Ye smiled and inquired politely. ¡°No,¡± Bo Yi glanced at Fang Yuan tenderly. ¡°If anything, we were the ones causing her trouble.¡± Qiao Xinhui observed their interaction and couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°How is Old Sir¡¯s health?¡± Bo Yi replied respectfully, ¡°Grandfather mentioned that Yuanyuan¡¯s health has significantly improved.¡± Cheng Ye chuckled heartily, not expecting Old Sir Bo to be so pleased with his daughter. ¡°Haha¡­ Yuanyuan has been busy at the company lately. We hardly get to see her as much as you do. We worry she might not eat properly or might overwork herself.¡± Upon hearing this, Bo Yi promptly assured, ¡°Uncle, Auntie, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll take excellent care of her.¡± His gaze remained affectionate. Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui exchanged glances, realizing that this young man genuinely cared for Yuanyuan. At that moment, Cheng Yuqi descended the staircase, her appearance meticulously enhanced. She greeted them with a poised and graceful smile, exuding the warmth of a refined socialite. ¡°Sister, Brother-in-law, I¡¯m so glad to see you both.¡± Her every step exuded an air of elegance, as though she had undergone rigorous training, and her manners were impeccable. Observing her upbringing, Qiao Xinhui felt a deep sense of satisfaction. After all, she had invested many years in raising this child, and seeing her address him as ¡°brother-in-law¡± was a clear indication of her sensibility. Qiao Xinhui had no intention of replacing Yuanyuan and marrying into the Bo family solely because she had been previously engaged to Yi. Fang Yuan took note of the subtle makeup on Cheng Yuqi¡¯s face and replied with a nonchalant, ¡°Yes.¡± Bo Yi¡¯s unwavering gaze remained fixed on Fang Yuan, brimming with affection. ¡°Shall we go out for breakfast tomorrow morning?¡± Fang Yuan responded, ¡°I¡¯d prefer to eat at home.¡± Bo Yi insisted, ¡°I want to dine with you.¡± Cheng Ye overheard their conversation and found it to be a simple solution. ¡°I¡¯ll have the kitchen prepare a larger breakfast tomorrow. Yi, you can join Yuanyuan for a meal before heading to work.¡± Bo Yi expressed his gratitude, ¡°Thank you, Uncle.¡± Cheng Ye grinned and replied, ¡°No need for thanks; we¡¯re all family here. What are your breakfast preferences?¡± Bo Yi, gazing at Fang Yuan, said, ¡°I¡¯ll eat whatever Yuanyuan chooses.¡± Cheng Yuqi, who stood nearby, felt completely disregarded and experienced a mixture of embarrassment and resentment. In the midst of this tension, Xiao Cui seized an opportunity and presented a glass of lemonade to Cheng Yuqi. ¡°Lady Yuqi, here¡¯s your water.¡± Having previously served Bo Yi and Fang Yuan, it was only fitting that she offered Cheng Yuqi a drink now. However, she deliberately stumbled over a chair¡¯s leg, inadvertently splashing the water she held onto Cheng Yuqi¡¯s chest. Unfortunately, Cheng Yuqi was already dressed in a delicate silk nightgown, and the spilled water created an alluring cleavage. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Lady Yuqi. I didn¡¯t mean to!¡± Xiao Cui appeared extremely vexed as she quickly produced a tissue to assist Cheng Yuqi. In an attempt to dry her clothes, she gently patted her, but due to the pressing, the nightgown clung even tighter, accentuating her curves even more. ¡°It¡¯s alright; don¡¯t worry. 1 can handle it myself,¡± Cheng Yuqi displayed her understanding and composure. To her surprise, Bo Yi¡¯s unwavering gaze remained fixed on Fang Yuan throughout. ¡°Lady Yuqi, I¡¯m entirely to blame for this. Your attire is completely soaked,¡± Xiao Cui intentionally emphasized the word ¡°wet.¡± However, Bo Yi¡¯s attention didn¡¯t waver. In that moment, he leaned closer to Fang Yuan¡¯s ear and whispered something. Fang Yuan shot him a gloomy look, but Bo Yi¡¯s lips curled into a teasing smile, creating an illusion of an intimate exchange between them. ¡°Yuqi, go change your clothes,¡± Qiao Xinhui softly reminded her. Cheng Yuqi responded, ¡°1 apologize, Sister. Brother-in-law, 1¡¯11 head back to my room for a wardrobe change and join you later.¡± Yet, no matter how well-behaved she was, Bo Yi¡¯s gaze remained steadfastly on Fang Yuan. Cheng Yuqi managed to maintain her composure as she made her way upstairs. She overheard Qiao Xinhui¡¯s surprised inquiry, ¡°Yuanyuan, did you recently purchase this bracelet? I¡¯ve never seen you wear it before¡­¡± Fang Yuan replied composedly, ¡°He gave it to me.¡± Those few words left Cheng Yuqi almost frozen in her tracks, as if her feet had turned to stone. ¡°Yi gave it to you?¡± Qiao Xinhui swiftly examined the bracelet more closely. ¡°The design is truly exquisite; 1 haven¡¯t come across it in the market.¡± Fang Yuan responded, ¡°He designed it himself..¡± Chapter 111 - Chapter 111: Already Liked To This Extent? Chapter 111: Already Liked To This Extent? Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations This time, Cheng Yuqi found herself utterly dumbfounded, and even Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui couldn¡¯t believe their ears. In unison, they asked, ¡°Yi designed it himself?¡± ¡°This design is exceptionally exquisite!¡± Qiao Xinhui marveled. ¡°It surpasses even our jewelry designer¡¯s creations. This style¡­ People in love truly are extraordinary!¡± Cheng Ye hadn¡¯t anticipated Bo Yi¡¯s romantic side and chuckled as he remarked, ¡°Yi, you are incredibly thoughtful. The design is remarkable. Yuanyuan, have you reciprocated Yi¡¯s gift?¡± Fang Yuan, upon hearing this, realized she hadn¡¯t. From the time they¡¯d met until now, it had always been Bo Yi showering her with gifts, while she hadn¡¯t offered anything in return, nor had she properly expressed her gratitude. ¡°Uncle, you¡¯re giving it too much thought.¡± Bo Yi, in all sincerity, didn¡¯t pressure Fang Yuan. He declared, ¡°Yuanyuan is the greatest gift bestowed upon the Bo family by the heavens. I¡¯m content with just her. 1 require nothing more.¡± Fang Yuan caught his words and gazed at him. He, too, returned her look. The love and tenderness in his eyes were on the verge of overflowing. Fang Yuan, overwhelmed by emotion, hastily averted her gaze. ¡°Yi has such a sweet tongue,¡± Qiao Xinhui beamed with satisfaction. ¡°He¡¯s both romantic and handsome. Yuanyuan, you must hold onto him. I can tell that Yi will make an exceptional husband and father in the future.¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± Bo Yi: ¡°Thank you for your kind words, Auntie.¡± Words could not capture Cheng Yuqi¡¯s current state of mind. With a heavy heart, she ascended the final step. Just two more steps and she could escape this spiral staircase, no longer subjected to their conversation. However, her legs felt like lead, making it impossible for her to move. Bo Yi had personally designed a bracelet for Fang Yuan and had spoken such heartfelt words! He had always appeared aloof and reserved. To express such sentiments, just how deep was his bond with Fang Yuan? Had his affection for her reached such depths in just a few days? ¡°Lady Yuqi,¡± Auntie Wang extended a supportive hand, ¡°please go change your clothes first to avoid catching a cold.¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s eyes brimmed with jealousy and tears. She felt wronged and indignant. After all, she had been the first to meet Bo Yi. If Fang Yuan hadn¡¯t returned, everything would rightfully be hers! The position of the Cheng family¡¯s daughter and the role of Young Madam in the Bo family were meant for her alone. Why? Why was fate so unjust? Why had they placed her on the highest starting point only to push her off a cliff¡­ Despite the immense setback she had suffered, Cheng Yuqi still instinctively chose to don a provocative nightdress to catch Bo Yi¡¯s attention. Downstairs, Bo Yi had already departed, leaving only Cheng Ye, Qiao Xinhui, Fang Yuan, and Auntie Du in the living room. Observing this, Cheng Yuqi chose not to descend but instead concealed herself on the staircase to eavesdrop. ¡°I heard about the cafeteria situation at the company. 1 never expected Li Guang to be so despicable. He¡¯s utterly heartless, providing his employees with those subpar additives for a whole year,¡± Cheng Ye fumed. ¡°Thankfully, Yuanyuan discovered it; otherwise, both the employees and the company would have suffered significantly.¡± This was the first time Qiao Xinhui had heard about the cafeteria issue. ¡°How heartless! It¡¯s a good thing Yuanyuan possesses so much knowledge, but where did you acquire such professional expertise, Yuanyuan? It¡¯s truly remarkable! How did you know about the additives used in those foods? Today, the company told me that although you seemed nonchalant, you confidently exposed the cafeteria¡¯s tactics, earning the admiration of everyone present.¡± ¡°I found the information on the internet,¡± Fang Yuan replied calmly, as though these were trivial matters not worth mentioning. ¡°I can¡¯t believe there¡¯s someone like that in the company. He charged his employees nine yuan per person for food, yet he provided them with such subpar meals,¡± Qiao Xinhui couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°I heard he¡¯s related to Zhao Quan?¡± Fang Yuan affirmed, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What did Zhao Quan have to say about this?¡± Qiao Xinhui inquired. Fang Yuan simply replied, ¡°He begged for leniency.¡± ¡°He had the audacity to plead for Li Guang?!¡± Qiao Xinhui¡¯s anger flared. ¡°I believe Zhao Quan is likely involved in this matter. Either he had a share of the profits, or he shielded Li Guang and chose to look the other way. How else could Li Guang have dared to cause trouble within the Cheng family¡¯s jurisdiction? He must have powerful support!¡± ¡°Thank goodness Miss Fang Yuan intervened. Otherwise, we might never have uncovered all these issues within the company!¡± Auntie Du couldn¡¯t help but commend, ¡°Miss Fang Yuan is truly remarkable. She¡¯s only been there for a few days, yet she¡¯s already exposed two culprits!¡± These two individuals were indeed the company¡¯s leeches. Fang Yuan¡¯s discovery saved the company a considerable amount of money.. Chapter 112 - Chapter 112: Much More Fun Than School Chapter 112: Much More Fun Than School Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Yuanyuan, at 18 years old, you didn¡¯t have any prior experience in managing a company, yet your ability to reorganize the company this time has been truly remarkable. Your father and I are thrilled. You¡¯ve not only been resilient but also adaptive. You¡¯ve been a tremendous help and have saved your brother from a lot of trouble,¡± Qiao Xinhui said with a sigh of relief. She couldn¡¯t fathom why the Fang family didn¡¯t appreciate them. What an extraordinary child! Had their minds been befuddled? ¡°Yuanyuan has had a long day. Let her take a shower and rest,¡± Cheng Ye knew that the responsibilities of running a company, regardless of its size, were always filled with numerous demanding tasks. ¡°Yes, go freshen up and unwind,¡± Qiao Xinhui said with affection. ¡°I¡¯ll bring you some supper later.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not particularly hungry.¡± ¡°The chef is already preparing a meal. Please eat a little,¡± Qiao Xinhui didn¡¯t know if Fang Yuan was satisfied with the food she had been having with Bo Yi every day. She worried that she might hold back and eat sparingly in front of him. ¡°In that case, 1¡¯11 head back to my room,¡± Fang Yuan accepted her mother¡¯s offer without resistance. As Fang Yuan made her way upstairs, Cheng Yuqi discreetly hid from view. Once she heard Fang Yuan close the door to her room, she came out and overheard Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui continuing to praise Fang Yuan. ¡°This child truly is exceptional. She seems to have a natural talent for business. We must nurture her properly!¡± ¡°Nurture her? She¡¯s still very young. We can¡¯t even think about handing over the subsidiary company to her!¡± Qiao Xinhui¡¯s heart ached for Fang Yuan. She didn¡¯t want her to be burdened with such responsibilities. Cheng Ye quickly agreed, ¡°You¡¯re right, dear. I was just thinking aloud.¡± Qiao Xinhui expressed her concern, ¡°She¡¯s already juggling a lot with just one company. If her college entrance exam results come in, and she wants to continue her education, we can¡¯t let her manage this struggling company any longer!¡± Cheng Ye quickly reassured her, ¡°Alright, alright. 1¡¯11 listen to my wife. No matter what Yuanyuan decides, 1¡¯11 stand by her and offer my unwavering support and encouragement.¡± Only then did Qiao Xinhui¡¯s smile brighten. ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡± Cheng Ye added, ¡°However, we should still consider passing on some of our Cheng family¡¯s assets to her in the future. If she¡¯s not interested in managing it, she can always hire someone to oversee it¡­ Of course, we can discuss this at a later time.¡± Upon hearing her parents¡¯ conversation, Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t help but clench her fists in frustration. Even though Fang Yuan was their biological daughter, she was just a young woman. Why should she inherit the Cheng family¡¯s assets? After Fang Yuan finished her shower, she opened her laptop to attend to her personal matters. Just as she was about to get started, there was a gentle knock on her door. ¡°Yuanyuan, are you awake? 1 brought you something to eat.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not asleep.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s slender fingers tapped on the keyboard a few times before she closed the laptop and went to answer the door. ¡°I thought you might not eat much with Yi, so I asked the chef to prepare something for you,¡± Qiao Xinhui explained as she placed the tray of food on the table. Fang Yuan was pleasantly surprised by the sight of the food. ¡°Barbecue?¡± ¡°I heard that kids your age enjoy this. Smell it; it¡¯s quite appetizing,¡± Qiao Xinhui remarked with a smile. Fang Yuan picked up a skewer and offered it to Qiao Xinhui. Qiao Xinhui¡¯s face lit up with joy. ¡°Mommy doesn¡¯t eat these¡­ you should enjoy it. You¡¯ve been working so hard these past few days. Managing the company involves a lot of responsibilities. You¡¯ve just returned and haven¡¯t had much time to relax.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that difficult,¡± Fang Yuan said as she took a bite of the skewer. ¡°It¡¯s actually quite enjoyable.¡± At least, it was more enjoyable than going to school. Qiao Xinhui was relieved to hear her daughter¡¯s words. ¡°You can delegate those minor tasks to others. Whenever you have free time, 1¡¯11 take you out for afternoon tea, shopping, and spa treatments¡­ We can plan a family trip to any destination you desire. Your father and 1 are eager to accompany you.¡± Fang Yuan raised her head, her sweet smile lighting up her face. ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°Have you been feeling comfortable at home lately? Is there anything that doesn¡¯t suit you? Is the bed too hard? Do the curtains need changing? Is there any furniture you dislike, or have you had any issues with the food¡­¡± ¡°No, everything¡¯s just fine,¡± Fang Yuan assured her. Qiao Xinhui gazed at her obedient daughter, unable to fathom why the Fang family had treated her so poorly. What an exemplary child! ¡°I heard that Grandpa Bo arranged for afternoon tea to be brought for you today?¡± Fang Yuan was taken aback. How had such a small matter reached her family¡¯s ears? Qiao Xinhui smiled and explained, ¡°It was Grandpa Bo himself who called our house to inquire about your preferences. Since you¡¯ve just returned, your dad and 1 aren¡¯t familiar with your tastes. Luckily, Yi is here.¡± Fang Yuan was surprised by this revelation. ¡°Yi knows your preferences like the back of his hand. He¡¯s very attentive to whether you like something or not,¡± Qiao Xinhui continued with a twinkle in her eyes. ¡°1 can see that he genuinely cares about you.¡± ¡°When he looks at you, his eyes are filled with affection. With such a partner, you¡¯re sure to find happiness in the future.¡± Qiao Xinhui placed her hand on Fang Yuan¡¯s, noticing the bracelet on her wrist. ¡°We¡¯ve known Yi for many years, and he¡¯s always been a reserved and stoic young man. But in your presence, he¡¯s a completely different person. His eyes are brimming with love for you.¡± ¡°And it¡¯s the first time we¡¯ve seen him design a bracelet for a girl¡­ Don¡¯t forget to give him some tokens of appreciation too. Don¡¯t let his love go to waste..¡± Chapter 113 - Chapter 113:I Want to Be Alone Chapter 113:I Want to Be Alone Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Okay,¡± Fang Yuan nodded obediently. Her eyes returned to the butterfly on her wrist, and the diamond sparkled in the light, reminiscent of the clear and affectionate eyes of Bo Yi. It occurred to her that she should get something for Bo Yi in return, although she wasn¡¯t quite sure what a man like him would appreciate. The following morning, before sunrise, Cheng Yuqi woke up and decided to dress up. She deliberately chose a black strapless dress and fashioned her hair into an elegant bun, exposing her fair forehead. ¡°Lady Yuqi, you look absolutely stunning!¡± Auntie Wang personally fastened the diamond necklace around her neck. ¡°Your outfit is far more elegant than that of the Sixth Miss.¡± Upon hearing this, Cheng Yuqi felt a bit dejected. ¡°Auntie Wang, you don¡¯t have to console me. 1 know I¡¯m not as beautiful as my sister.¡± No matter how plain Fang Yuan¡¯s attire, her inner radiance and exquisite features were enough to captivate anyone. Auntie Wang was taken aback and then smiled, ¡°Lady Yuqi, your facial features exude grace and elegance. Just a glance tells you that you come from a prestigious family. Look at Madam¡¯s features¡ªthey exude grace and elegance. Only someone with such features can be truly presentable.¡± ¡°Do you think Yi will like my outfit?¡± Cheng Yuqi glanced at her reflection in the mirror, her skin fair and her features delicate. Auntie Wang genuinely admired her appearance. ¡°In any case, if I were Young Master Bo, I would be enchanted the moment I saw you! Lady Yuqi, be confident. You¡¯ll undoubtedly be the center of attention during breakfast!¡± At that moment, Xiao Cui knocked on the door. ¡°Lady Yuqi, Young Master Bo is here. Miss Fang Yuan is still asleep, and Master and Madam are resting. Would you like to go downstairs and keep Young Master Bo company?¡± He was eager to see the girl he loved, so he arrived 40 minutes early. He instructed Auntie Du not to wake anyone and to let them rest peacefully. When Cheng Yuqi descended the stairs, she saw Bo Yi sitting on the sofa. His cold and aristocratic appearance, along with his slender figure, made him incredibly handsome. ¡°Yi, why have you come so early? I¡¯m not one to rise with the sun¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi greeted him with a smile. ¡°How about 1 pour you a glass of milk first?¡± Bo Yi didn¡¯t even glance in her direction. ¡°No need.¡± ¡°You¡¯re here early. You must be hungry. Why don¡¯t you have some milk to tide you over¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi was about to head to the kitchen when he coldly interjected, ¡°No need. I¡¯ll wait for Yuanyuan.¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s smile froze on her face. She suggested, ¡°Since you want to wait for her, how about taking a stroll in the garden? It¡¯s been a while since you¡¯ve been here, and there are many new varieties of flowers and plants. See if there¡¯s anything Grandpa Bo might like and bring some back.¡± Bo Yi replied bluntly, ¡°No need.¡± ¡°The garden has lovely fresh air, and a leisurely walk could uplift your spirits for the day. It¡¯s still early. Shall I accompany you?¡± ¡°I¡¯d prefer some alone time.¡± Bo Yi¡¯s rejection was clear, but Cheng Yuqi persisted. She knelt down, placing her hand on his knee and said with a touch of sorrow, ¡°Yi, ever since my sister returned, you¡¯ve been getting colder toward me.¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Bo Yi¡¯s irritation showed, and he moved away, saying, ¡°Please respect yourself!¡± Cheng Yuqi, feeling even more dejected, attempted to bridge the gap by touching his knee. ¡°I understand that you have affection for me, but it wouldn¡¯t hurt to exchange a few words with me. I¡¯m an understanding person, and I won¡¯t mind. Besides, we were merely conversing!¡± In other words, she implied that it would be impolite for Fang Yuan to object to their conversation. Seeing her drawing closer, Bo Yi¡¯s gaze turned icy. ¡°But I do mind. Please respect yourself, Seventh Miss Cheng!¡± Noticing that he was unappreciative, Cheng Yuqi sought a cue from Auntie Wang through her eyes. She boldly reached out to touch Bo Yi¡¯s knee again. This time, Bo Yi promptly stood up and looked down at her. ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± ¡°Yi¡­¡± As she saw him about to depart, Cheng Yuqi swiftly rushed over and grabbed the hem of his shirt. ¡°I really, really like you¡­ Can you just look back at me?¡± ¡°Ahem¡­¡± At that very moment, Auntie Wang coughed from a distance, as if giving a subtle signal. Cheng Yuqi locked eyes with Auntie Wang and was alarmed, quickly letting go of Bo Yi¡¯s shirt. She stammered, ¡°Sister, it¡¯s not¡­ I mean, don¡¯t get the wrong idea.¡± Oh no, would this reckless girl tattle to her parents? Would her parents perceive her intentions as malicious and evict her from the house? If that were to happen, she¡¯d be in big trouble! ¡°You two continue,¡± Fang Yuan nonchalantly remarked as she strolled toward the kitchen. She had been observing the scene from upstairs for quite some time, and now she felt hungry and disinterested in the spectacle. Bo Yi shot Cheng Yuqi an irritated glance and promptly followed Fang Yuan.. He awkwardly explained, ¡°Yuanyuan, it¡¯s not what you¡¯re thinking¡­¡± Chapter 114 - Chapter 114: Bankrupt? Not Even a Pants? Chapter 114: Bankrupt? Not Even a Pants? Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Oh? Then what¡¯s the matter?¡± Fang Yuan inquired calmly as she continued to the kitchen. ¡°She just touched my clothes,¡± Bo Yi explained and promptly removed his suit jacket, tossing it into the trash can. Cheng Yuqi remained rooted to the spot, as if she had just received a harsh rebuke. She was overwhelmed with embarrassment, especially when she realized that he had discarded the clothing she had touched. ¡°Yuanyuan¡­¡± Bo Yi took Fang Yuan¡¯s hand. ¡°Are you upset? I even lost my pants!¡± He then headed upstairs to call Cheng Xichen. ¡°Which pair of pants in your closet haven¡¯t you worn?¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Cheng Xichen sat up in his hotel bed, his handsome face filled with surprise. ¡°Are you going broke? Don¡¯t even have a pair of pants left?¡± Bo Yi:¡±¡­¡± ¡°Plus, why are you at my house so early in the morning?¡± Cheng Xichen was the fifth son of the family and spent most of the year away from home. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly realized. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re so destitute that you need my family to take you in? How about I wire you some money for help? You still need to maintain some dignity¡­¡± Bo Yi asked, ¡°Which pair of pants haven¡¯t 1 worn?¡± Resisting the urge to give his brother a piece of his mind, Bo Yi pushed open the closet door, revealing an array of clothes in various seasons, materials, styles, and occasions. However, the colors were all quite flamboyant, trendy, and somewhat hip-hop-inspired ¨C far from Bo Yi¡¯s usual style. Cheng Xichen continued to tease, ¡°The ones on the left are all from designer brands. They¡¯ve been cleaned before being stored in the closet. Tell me quickly, how did you go broke? You can¡¯t hide such a major event from me, can you? There¡¯s no trending topic¡­¡± Before Cheng Xichen could finish his jest, Bo Yi hung up. After changing into the pants, Bo Yi spotted Fang Yuan on the balcony, engaged in a phone call. Her slender back was quite appealing. She hung up after a brief conversation, and Bo Yi approached her. ¡°Yuanyuan, I¡¯ve changed.¡± Fang Yuan turned to see that he had indeed swapped his pants. She wondered why he had a new pair of pants at her house. ¡°Yuanyuan¡­¡± Bo Yi wished to embrace her, but Fang Yuan restrained him, conscious of the servants present. Bo Yi¡¯s heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle. ¡°I¡­¡± ¡°Yi, you¡¯re here so early?¡± Just then, Cheng Ye descended the stairs with a cheerful smile. ¡°Good morning, Uncle.¡± Bo Yi looked anxiously at the girl in front of him, her demeanor seemingly aloof, as if she were upset. Cheng Ye was in a good mood early in the morning. ¡°Good morning, Yuanyuan, Yuqi. You¡¯re both up. Let¡¯s have breakfast. I¡¯ll wait for your mother to join us¡­¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Cheng Yuqi felt a bit uneasy. When she noticed that Fang Yuan was heading for the kitchen without complaint, she breathed a sigh of relief. She feared that if her parents discovered her holding onto the hem of Bo Yi¡¯s shirt, they would assume she had ulterior motives. At the dining table, Bo Yi ladled some porridge, cooled it with a gentle breath, and then offered it to Fang Yuan. ¡°It¡¯s not too hot. You can eat it.¡± Fang Yuan didn¡¯t take the spoon. Instead, she grabbed a cute sandwich and nibbled on it while pondering a morning conversation with Big Bai. Bo Yi then picked up a glass of milk and presented it to her. ¡°Would you like some milk?¡± Fang Yuan didn¡¯t respond. Bo Yi set aside the milk and picked up a different glass of soy milk, offering it to her. ¡°Are you finished?¡± Fang Yuan asked impatiently. Bo Yi remained composed, placing the soy milk back on the table. ¡°Would you like some spinach and wild mushroom soup, or perhaps pumpkin soup?¡± Fang Yuan had been reflecting on Big Bai¡¯s revelation that some of her brothers had been injured by members of Gang X. A trace of anger crept into her gaze. Observing that she had finished her sandwich, he fetched another slice of toast for her. ¡°¡­ Can you please eat your own meal?¡± Fang Yuan was feeling quite exasperated. He appeared somewhat wounded. ¡°What should I do to prevent myself from feeling upset?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not angry.¡± As Fang Yuan finished her sentence, her phone vibrated unexpectedly. She checked the notification and rose to the side to take the call. ¡°Boss, Gang X¡¯s people have sent a message. They¡¯re giving us three days to abandon our territory, or they¡¯ll obliterate us!¡± ¡°They¡¯re certainly audacious.¡± At the border, there existed a region known as the ¡°Triangle Area¡± that resembled a triangle when viewed from above due to its location at the juncture of three countries. This area was notorious for being a haven for illicit activities. Fang Yuan¡¯s faction was one of the major powers that held sway in this region. Under her leadership, her faction had mostly maintained peaceful coexistence with the other groups. However, several days ago, Gang X¡¯s leader had been killed under suspicious circumstances, and the newly appointed leader had been harassing and provoking them, compelling them to relinquish their territory. Their territory included a medicinal mountain teeming with valuable Chinese herbs. Some of these herbs were personally cultivated by Fang Yuan and were considered invaluable. Today, Gang X¡¯s members had declared that they were no longer willing to wait and intended to seize the medicinal mountain without delay.. Chapter 115 - Chapter 115: Punishment Chapter 115: Punishment Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Do whatever you think is best.¡± Fang Yuan had only recently returned home and couldn¡¯t make a trip to the Triangle Area herself. Just then, Bo Yi embraced her from behind. Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m hanging up.¡± ¡°Yuanyuan¡­¡± Bo Yi¡¯s tone turned alluring and plaintive. Cheng Yuqi had been observing from the sidelines since the beginning, neglecting her breakfast and nursing a bundle of grievances. She couldn¡¯t believe that Bo Yi, who had always been aloof, would lower his voice like this. He exhibited no temper when Fang Yuan made things difficult for him or overlooked him. He was even willing to show vulnerability and seek favor! How could Fang Yuan bring herself to mistreat such a good man? It was too much! ¡°Forgive me,¡± Bo Yi murmured, enfolding the girl in his arms. ¡°Don¡¯t ignore me.¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± Bo Yi: ¡°You¡¯ve grown distant.¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± Bo Yi: ¡°What must I do to get your attention?¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t you talk to me like you used to?¡± Bo Yi held her in a tight embrace, unwilling to let go. Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t recall what had changed about the way she spoke to him. It didn¡¯t seem like she had altered her manner. Perhaps she had been momentarily distracted and missed his words, leading him to feel neglected? ¡°Are you punishing me?¡± Bo Yi persisted, pleading, ¡°As long as you¡¯re willing to forgive me, I¡¯ll do anything.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes sparkled at the prospect. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Absolutely.¡± Bo Yi nodded earnestly and awaited the girl¡¯s conditions. ¡°Then I¡¯ll punish you by not contacting me for two days. Let me have some peace and quiet.¡± She truly needed solitude, as there were numerous matters requiring her attention. Lately, this man had been incessantly pestering her, and it had been hindering her progress. This was an excellent opportunity! ¡°Yuanyuan¡­¡± Bo Yi found this punishment excessively harsh. It was as if his heart was being torn apart. Despite the anguish, he softly coaxed, ¡°Can I suggest another punishment?¡± Fang Yuan was somewhat taken aback. ¡°Didn¡¯t you ask me to decide?¡± ¡°In two hours, I can¡¯t help myself, let alone two days!¡± Bo Yi gazed at her earnestly. ¡°How can I refrain from contacting you?¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll penalize you by maintaining distance from me for two days. No physical contact.¡± At least not in public¡­ Bo Yi was equally weighed down by this punishment. He persisted in bargaining with the girl. ¡°Can you consider a different penalty? Perhaps hiring someone to give me a beating? I¡¯ll cover the costs?¡± Fang Yuan cast him a sidelong glance. ¡°Are you seeking trouble?¡± Bo Yi inquired, ¡°Or how about penalizing me by fasting for several days and kneeling on a keyboard?¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t bear it any longer and was infuriated. ¡°Sister, that¡¯s enough. I only exchanged a few words with Yi. Why are you making things difficult for him? Your temper is so¡­¡± Fang Yuan interrupted her casually, as if she couldn¡¯t care less, her imposing demeanor rather intimidating. ¡°What does it have to do with you?¡± Bo Yi, beside her, gazed at the girl¡¯s lovely face earnestly. ¡°Even if Yuanyuan punishes me with three days and nights of kneeling, I have no objections.¡± ¡°Did you hear that?¡± Fang Yuan looked at Cheng Yuqi and said nonchalantly, ¡°It¡¯s none of your concern.¡± Upon hearing this, Bo Yi couldn¡¯t conceal his delight. The ¡°our matter¡± that Yuanyuan had mentioned earlier was truly ¡°our matter¡±! Cheng Yuqi grew even more incensed and turned her attention to Bo Yi. ¡°Yi, girls can¡¯t be indulged like this all the time. If you keep this up, you¡¯ll¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m perfectly willing,¡± Bo Yi chimed in, still basking in his joy. He cast an irritated glance at Cheng Yuqi. ¡°Fiancees are meant to be spoiled. I¡¯m willing to do whatever Yuanyuan does to me.¡± Cheng Yuqi seethed. ¡°I¡¯m concerned that in the future¡­¡± ¡°If you get upset with me in the future, it can only mean you have a special place for me in your heart.¡± Bo Yi gazed lovingly at the girl in his arms. Fang Yuan:¡±¡­.¡± Cheng Yuqi:¡±!!!¡± ¡°Oh dear, it¡¯s early in the morning. Why are you so affectionate? Have I arrived at an inopportune time?¡± Cheng Ye interjected, halting in his tracks. He slipped his arm around Qiao Xinhui¡¯s shoulders with a smile. ¡°Honey, perhaps we should go have breakfast in the garden to give the kids some space.¡± ¡°Agreed!¡± Qiao Xinhui was grinning from ear to ear, her mouth unable to close. Spotting Cheng Yuqi still at the dining table, she promptly added, ¡°Yuqi, what are you waiting for? Let¡¯s go¡­¡± She didn¡¯t want to intrude on Yi and Yuanyuan¡¯s private time! Cheng Yuqi reluctantly gazed at Bo Yi. She couldn¡¯t fathom what was wrong with this man. He seemed entirely smitten with Fang Yuan, that enchantress! What was so remarkable about Fang Yuan? With no one else present, Bo Yi became even more unreserved in pestering Fang Yuan.. Chapter 116 - Chapter 116: Could It Be a Bug? Chapter 116: Could It Be a Bug? Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations When Fang Yuan finally reached the company, she breathed a sigh of relief. Upon spotting Wang Ning, she calmly issued instructions, ¡°Call Manager Jia from the production department and the team leaders of Line 4 and 5 to my office.¡± Wang Ning replied, ¡°Yes,¡± and proceeded to make the calls. As he did, the employees in the office couldn¡¯t help but indulge in gossip. Ever since Fang Yuan had taken charge of the company, if anyone was summoned to her office, it never boded well. This time, she had specifically asked for Manager Jia from the production department and the team leaders of Line 4 and 5, which only deepened the intrigue. Many employees curiously followed the summoned trio, speculating about the seriousness of the situation. ¡°President Fang, did you want to see us?¡± Manager Jia, a slender man in his forties with a somewhat malnourished appearance, walked in with a glint of cunning in his eyes. The other two team leaders seemed uneasy, but they tried to maintain a polite demeanor and greeted her with, ¡°Good morning, President Fang.¡± Fang Yuan didn¡¯t waste any time, promptly tossing her phone onto the table and playing a recorded audio. [Sun, as the team leader of Line 4, how could you lead the rebellion? Whether you agree or not, you have no room for negotiation!] [Manager Jia, President Zhao promised us hope. While we may not soar, well live without worries!] Upon hearing the recording, Manager Jia and Sun Peng, the team leader of Line 4, turned pale. The realization that their private conversation from the corridor had been so meticulously recorded left them stunned. How was this possible? This was an off-the-record discussion. Could there be a bug planted in the building? Or did Fang Yuan eavesdrop on their conversation yesterday? Manager Jia stammered in disbelief, struggling to find an explanation for the situation. Manager Jia¡¯s mind raced with frantic thoughts. He had confirmed that no one had entered or left the company premises the previous night, and the surveillance cameras showed no signs of deleted footage. The security measures were sound. If anyone had been present, they would have been recorded. Was it possible that someone had the ability to turn invisible? Or was the most plausible explanation that a bug had been planted? However, Fang Yuan didn¡¯t push for an immediate explanation and instead played another recording. [Manager Jia, what if President Fang indeed visits the company and discovers our product?] [According to President Fang¡¯s ongoing investigation, it¡¯s only a matter of time before ail our secrets are unveiled!] [Do you think we might lose our jobs because of this?] [If President Fang uncovers this, it won¡¯t just cost him his job; he might even face criminal charges!] [In the worst-case scenario, if someone were to meet with an accident to and from work, it wouldn¡¯t be our responsibility¡­ Just chalk it up to her bad luck.] The room fell into silence as the gravity of the situation weighed on Manager Jia and Sun Peng. Manager Jia was scared out of his wits. He was the one who said the last sentence. Now that Fang Yuan was released in front of him, his face was as pale as paper. He felt as if the sky had collapsed! The other two team leaders¡¯ legs were also weak and they could not stand steadily. They could not believe that everything they said in the warehouse last night had been completely recorded! They did not have the chance to quibble at all! It turned out that Manager Jia was not thinking too much yesterday. At that time, there was really the sound of a phone vibrating. Someone was hiding in the warehouse! But who was it? Where was he hiding? They had searched the warehouse several times. Not to mention people, even a fly could not fly out of their sight! How did they get this recording? Manager Jia could not figure it out either. When he left, he deliberately changed the password. If there was someone in the warehouse, how did that person leave from the warehouse? How did that person crack such a high-end password system? However, if there was no one, what was with the recording in the warehouse? Could it be that there was a bug in the warehouse? The warehouse manager betrayed them! ¡°Wang Ning, call the warehouse manager over.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s words made the three of them even more uneasy. The onlookers outside the office who were eavesdropping were also shocked. Could it be that there was a problem with the warehouse manager? Oh my god, why was the management of the company so messy? No wonder the company had been running for more than a year and had not improved at all¡­ It turned out that they had raised so many parasites and were drinking the company¡¯s blood! The warehouse manager looked to be in his twenties. She wore black-framed glasses and looked like a gentle girl. She did not look like she was in cahoots with them. When she was called over by Wang Ning, she knew that she could not hide it anymore. Her voice was filled with tears as she shouted with a trembling voice, ¡°President Fang¡­¡± She appeared noticeably older than Fang Yuan, her demeanor betraying her unease in the presence of Fang Yuan¡¯s formidable aura. Her legs trembled, rendering her unable to meet Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze. Fang Yuan observed the four individuals before her, idly drumming her slender fingers against the table¡¯s surface. ¡°Incidentally, one of our colleagues is conspicuously absent. Please summon the head of the procurement department.¡± A hushed sense of astonishment rippled through the observers outside the door. Even the involvement of the head of the procurement department left them questioning whether any integrity remained within the management. With all the relevant individuals assembled, Fang Yuan proceeded deliberately, ¡°Now that we¡¯re all here, please share the details of your collaborative efforts..¡± Chapter 117 - Chapter 117: Ironclad Evidence Chapter 117: Ironclad Evidence Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°President Fang¡­¡± Manager Jia found himself overwhelmed by fear, rendering him uncertain about his next course of action. The head of the procurement department hastily interjected, ¡°President Fang, I want to clarify that this situation is not my doing¡­¡± ¡°President Fang, I¡¯m completely in the dark about this,¡± the warehouse manager grumbled, her teeth clenched as he refused to accept any culpability. The team leaders of Line 4 and Line 5 recognized the futility of denying the situation further. Bowing their heads, they chose to remain silent. With unruffled composure, Fang Yuan spoke, ¡°Since none of you are willing to provide an explanation¡­¡± She cast a languid gaze over the group of individuals before her. ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll have to piece it together myself.¡± The room descended into an anxious hush. ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed the company¡¯s purchase orders. The prices for each piece of fabric seem to align with market rates. Yet, it¡¯s common knowledge in our industry that through long-term collaboration, we can secure lower prices.¡± ¡°For instance, a standard 100-meter cotton fabric typically costs around 1,200 yuan. With ongoing partnerships, we should be able to procure it for 800 yuan.¡± ¡°However, the procurement department head has been consistently buying at 1,500 yuan. Logically, we should have a surplus of at least 70 to 80 lengths of such fabric for creating new products. Strangely, we only find 20 to 30 pieces left in the warehouse¡­¡± ¡°President Fang, there¡¯s a reason for this,¡± the head of the procurement department hastened to explain. ¡°The Designing Department is comprised mostly of younger designers, and their product designs incorporate numerous intricate elements. They¡¯re complex and labor-intensive, leading to substantial wastage of fabric when crafting each item. The issue primarily lies in the manufacturing process, which is beyond my purview.¡± ¡°Furthermore, if our production line workers indeed craft 70 to 80 products but record only 20 to 30 in the warehouse, how could they all agree to such a discrepancy? Their wages are calculated based on output.¡± There existed a notable difference between 70 to 80 and 20 to 30 products, roughly around 50 items. ¡°But what if those additional 50 pieces are being sold elsewhere, and the profits are being secretly divided among everyone?¡± Fang Yuan inquired calmly. ¡°What if the few pieces you negotiated with the fabric supplier for 800 yuan are, in fact, recorded in the books at 1,500 yuan?¡± ¡°President Fang, you cannot make baseless accusations. My unwavering loyalty to the company is as clear as daylight and night!¡± Fang Yuan remained silent, opting instead to tap her keyboard several times before swiveling the computer screen towards herself. ¡°There are records of transactions with three fabric suppliers that deposit funds into your personal account on irregular dates each month. Outside of any legitimate commissions, could you provide an explanation for this?¡± The head of the procurement department had not anticipated Fang Yuan¡¯s ability to trace her personal account, leaving her momentarily flabbergasted. How was this possible? ¡°Anomalies persist in the purchase amounts, quantities, and quality¡­¡± As Fang Yuan spoke, her gaze landed on the reticent woman among them. ¡°Issues have also arisen in the inventory management and the warehouse¡¯s inflow and outflow¡­ It¡¯s your turn to clarify now.¡± The warehouse manager was already overwhelmed with fear, stuttering as she attempted to explain, ¡°Madam President, I¡­ 1 didn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already restored access to the company¡¯s surveillance cameras. I¡¯ve also examined the security footage from delivery points in close proximity.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s agile fingers danced over the keyboard, projecting a multitude of surveillance images onto her computer screen, visible to all. ¡°These records indicate that you¡¯ve dispatched goods from the warehouse to the delivery point near the company on over 300 occasions. What¡¯s more, you¡¯ve employed several phone numbers, all registered under your own name, and they¡¯ve been linked to over 300 courier deliveries.¡± ¡°Madam President, I¡­¡± Confronted with undeniable evidence, the warehouse manager paled, her entire being consumed by an icy dread. ¡°Furthermore, there¡¯s an undelivered courier package that you took to the nearby delivery point after your shift yesterday. It contains recipient information. Wang Ning has already contacted the recipient, who stated that they purchased the item from a store called ¡®Cheng Ming Clothing Proper Purchase.¡¯¡± ¡°I examined this online store, and it indicates that it¡¯s been in operation for the past 11 months. In other words, during our company¡¯s second month of operation, you had already launched an online shop and were selling our products.¡± ¡°You acted without obtaining any form of consent or authorization from the company.¡± ¡°When customers placed orders, you determined their preferred styles. If the quantity was limited, you¡¯d go directly to the warehouse after work to retrieve them and arrange for delivery. When the orders were substantial, you¡¯d summon couriers to collect the items. To date, this has transpired over 200 times.¡± ¡°Furthermore, each item was sold at a discount of 100 to 200 yuan below market prices.¡± The warehouse manager¡¯s legs had grown feeble, her entire body quivering. Fang Yuan scrutinized the others and pronounced each word deliberately, ¡°You didn¡¯t just vend the company¡¯s products through online stores; you also covertly employed substandard materials to produce garments, affixing our company¡¯s label and distributing them elsewhere. This has gravely tarnished the company¡¯s reputation. Am I mistaken?¡± The five of them had not anticipated Fang Yuan¡¯s meticulous investigation. It was no longer a mere conjecture but solid, incontrovertible evidence! They paled, perspiring, at a loss for words. ¡°Would any of you like to offer an explanation before I contact the authorities?¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze traversed each individual, waiting for them to speak up voluntarily. Sun Peng, a member of Line 4, was the first to falter. He divulged, ¡°President Zhao coerced us into these actions. We were given a choice: collaborate or leave.. We had no alternative!¡± Chapter 118 - Chapter 118: Internet Bet Chapter 118: Internet Bet Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°That¡¯s accurate!¡± declared the leader of Line 5. ¡°We found ourselves mired in a substantial debt¡­ We were consumed by obsession¡­¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Manager Jia intervened to halt their conversation. The leader of Line 4 voiced a degree of discontent. ¡°Manager Jia, we¡¯re unable to even protect ourselves. Must we continue shielding President Zhao?¡± ¡°At the company¡¯s first-month celebration, it was President Zhao who goaded us, his ¡®brothers,¡¯ into gambling online. If he hadn¡¯t spurred us to bet, how could we have amassed such staggering losses? We still don¡¯t have enough to cover our debts, even if we liquidate all our assets!¡± The leader of Line 5 was besieged by debt collectors, a situation that had him contemplating drastic measures. Were it not for his young child and ailing wife, he might have met a tragic end long ago. ¡°President Zhao encouraged you to gamble online?¡± Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow, her concern centered on the legality of such actions. ¡°President Zhao claimed that the online platform had a nearly ninety percent winning rate,¡± the leader of Line 4 disclosed. ¡°He even showed us the impressive sums he supposedly raked in, totaling more than 600,000 yuan!¡± ¡°Initially, I was skeptical,¡± he continued. ¡°But after making a few modest investments, it appeared that we all experienced a run of good fortune, and we were able to withdraw our winnings. Consequently, we invested increasingly larger sums. We even recruited our relatives and friends to join in. Eventually, the website modified its payout conditions, stating that we needed to invest 500,000 yuan to withdraw our earnings. After scrambling to gather that amount, they shifted the goalposts, demanding a million yuan. We turned to online lenders to finance our investments, yet even after pouring in millions, we couldn¡¯t access our funds!¡± At this juncture, the leader of Line 5 let out a heavy sigh. Were it not for his deep attachment to his wife and children, he might have met a tragic fate. Many production line workers became embroiled in this predicament, prompting the formation of Line 4 and Line 5 to manufacture subpar garments collectively. They conspired with the warehouse manager to peddle these substandard items and divide the illicit gains among themselves. ¡°Some of our relatives in our hometown trusted our endorsements, as they were unaware of the online developments,¡± he explained. ¡°They invested their life savings or sold property on our recommendation. Ultimately, it all vanished!¡± ¡°Some of them had tapped into retirement funds, while others relied on the money they¡¯d earmarked for surgeries. Insufficient funds for the operations left them no choice but to seek this method for a big win. Tragically, one relative succumbed to illness without ever realizing those funds.¡± ¡°We resorted to loans from numerous lending platforms,¡± one of them admitted. ¡°We¡¯ve been making payments for a year now. If it was just tens of thousands per month, we might still manage to keep up,¡± the team leader of Line 4 and Line 5 lamented, unable to contain his grief. Only he truly comprehended the sorrow and hopelessness that had befallen them. ¡°I also succumbed to gambling,¡± the warehouse manager confessed, her voice choked with emotion as tears streamed down her cheeks. After a lengthy pause, she continued, ¡°During that celebratory event, I got drunk. When I awoke the following day, President Zhao was lying beside me. He¡­ he had taken explicit photos of me and blackmailed me into compliance. Sobbing¡­¡± Her revelation left everyone in a state of shock and disbelief. ¡°At first, it was agonizing, especially when I discovered that he held sway over individuals at the police station. Reporting the matter to the authorities proved futile. However, as time passed, 1 began receiving a monthly share of the ill-gotten gains. 1 could even afford designer handbags, so I allowed the situation to persist¡­¡± Upon hearing the warehouse manager¡¯s revelation, the head of the procurement department also expressed her indignation. ¡°I, too, overindulged in alcohol that night. Zhao Quan took advantage of me! He threatened to expose incriminating photos to my husband and even plaster them outside my in-laws¡¯ residence, branding me an immoral woman¡­ I had only just married then, and I was petrified¡­¡± The conversation taking place within the office incited fury among those observing from outside. Zhao Quan had committed utterly reprehensible acts, exploiting individuals and coercing them into complicity! ¡°President Fang, please, spare us¡­¡± implored the warehouse manager. ¡°I dread the prospect of incarceration. My life has just begun, and I¡¯m resolute in avoiding a return to prison.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve caused the company to incur losses in the tens of millions. 1 have a duty to report this to the police,¡± Fang Yuan responded with a composed tone. ¡°If I were to cover this up privately, I¡¯d become an accessory to your crimes. The act of concealing the truth is tantamount to committing the same crime as you.¡± ¡°President Fang, please¡­¡± implored the head of the procurement department, her voice quivering. ¡°My family is overjoyed, and my child is only three months old¡­ I don¡¯t want this to shatter my family!¡± ¡°We are obligated to report this matter to our corporate headquarters. If the actions of our employees result in multi-million-dollar losses for the company and they are merely let off with a plea for clemency, can you envision the chaos this would sow within the organization in the future? How would we, as managers, ever gain the trust of our stakeholders?¡± ¡°President Fang¡­¡± It was clear to everyone that negotiation was futile. They could only fault themselves for the choices they had made, a path that had led them inexorably to this point of no return. ¡°We are all adults,¡± Fang Yuan stated earnestly. ¡°When one makes a mistake, one must bear the consequences. If you feel wronged, you may express your concerns to the authorities and endeavor to secure a more lenient outcome..¡± Chapter 119 - Chapter 119: Collusion Chapter 119: Collusion Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Although Zhao Quan¡¯s actions were reprehensible, they chose to assist him, causing significant losses to the company, which was entirely blameless. Fang Yuan exchanged a meaningful glance with Wang Ning, who promptly dialed the police, recording all their statements for later use. Fang Yuan had intentions to submit this recording to the authorities. Out of the blue, Fang Yuan asked, ¡°Can you tell me the name of the betting website?¡± This question left Manager Jia momentarily stunned, tears still glistening in his eyes. He hesitantly retrieved his phone and showed the website¡¯s name to Fang Yuan. ¡°It¡¯s this one¡­ Even though it¡¯s been shut down, we still owe money to relatives and friends, and we need to repay the loans we took from the software every month. President Fang, why do you want to know?¡± Realizing that the website had been permanently closed, the original investments were undoubtedly lost. ¡°Just a casual question,¡± replied Fang Yuan, committing the website¡¯s name to memory for future reference. Their frustration was evident as one of them said, ¡°Despite this entire scheme being orchestrated by Zhao Quan, we lack concrete evidence. Each month, the shares he provides us are either transferred to an anonymous card or given in cash¡­¡± The group felt a sense of injustice; they were on the verge of being arrested, while Zhao Quan appeared to be escaping justice. Fang Yuan was aware that only tangible proof would point directly at Zhao Quan. Without it, even if they were to arrest him today, he might ultimately go free due to insufficient evidence. One of them spoke with determination, ¡°We brought this upon ourselves when we agreed to participate, but the true mastermind behind all of this is Zhao Quan! He is the principal instigator and benefitted the most. We¡¯ll only be satisfied when he receives the punishment he deserves!¡± Fang Yuan declared, ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to expose Zhao Quan for who he truly is.¡± Just as she finished speaking, the police arrived. As the five individuals were taken away by the police, the onlookers outside couldn¡¯t help but feel a profound sense of sadness. This incident ultimately sent shockwaves throughout the entire company. Cheng Ye was in the midst of a game of golf when he received the news, his face darkening. ¡°What happened?¡± Qiao Xinhui rushed over upon hearing that something had occurred to Yuanyuan, thinking that Yuanyuan might have been mistreated. After Cheng Ye hung up, he stumbled a few steps, struggling to maintain his balance. Cheng Yuqi rushed over to assist him. ¡°Dad, what¡¯s wrong with Sister? Please, take a deep breath and tell me slowly.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that something happened to your sister¡­¡± Cheng Ye was led under the parasol and settled into a lounge chair to regain his composure. After sipping his tea, his color began to return to normal. ¡°The company called Yuanyuan into the office this morning, along with the Warehouse Manager, Manager Jia from the Production Department, the Team Leaders of Line 4 and Line 5, and the Head of the Procurement Department¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui placed her hand over her chest. ¡°And then?¡± ¡°Have you ever wondered why the company hasn¡¯t made any progress over the past year?¡± At this point, Cheng Ye¡¯s anger, which he had been struggling to contain, flared up again, making it hard to catch his breath. ¡°Don¡¯t rush. Explain it to me slowly,¡± Qiao Xinhui said, sensing that something was amiss. Cheng Ye made an effort to compose himself. ¡°The three cloth suppliers our company collaborated with charged around 800 yuan per 100 meters of cloth, but the Procurement Department head reported an inflated purchase price of 1,500 yuan. He split the excess money with Manager Jia, the Warehouse Manager, the Team Leaders of Production Line 4 and 5, and even some workers!¡± They were utterly astounded. Could such a thing actually happen? ¡°It would have been one thing if they had just been greedy for 700 yuan, but this greed persisted for an entire year. Yuanyuan conducted an investigation, and the sum involved runs into tens of millions!¡± Qiao Xinhui was even more shocked upon hearing this revelation. ¡°They conspired to embezzle such a large sum of money!¡± ¡°The three cloth suppliers were transferring money to Manager Jia every month. Manager Jia even confessed it himself¡­¡± Cheng Ye¡¯s anger was so intense that it pained his heart. ¡°And there¡¯s more. Out of that 100-meter fabric roll, there should have been at least 70 to 80 finished pieces. Yet, when it reached the warehouse, only 20 to 30 pieces remained. Do you have any idea what happened to the missing 50 pieces?¡± Qiao Xinhui and Cheng Yuqi exchanged bewildered glances, both eagerly waiting for Cheng Ye to continue. ¡°In the second month after the company was founded, these individuals set up an online store. When a customer placed an order, they would directly take the goods from our warehouse and sell them. If the customer ordered more, they¡¯d arrange for a courier to pick up the products directly from our company¡¯s warehouse!¡± Qiao Xinhui was left utterly flabbergasted. ¡°Aren¡¯t they being incredibly audacious? Weren¡¯t they concerned about the security cameras capturing their actions?¡± ¡°They erased the surveillance footage. They were all in cahoots and completely unafraid,¡± Cheng Ye explained. He himself had been skeptical at first, but the evidence was undeniable. ¡°1 heard that Yuanyuan only uncovered this after she managed to recover the deleted surveillance footage.¡± Qiao Xinhui remarked, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Yuanyuan, how much longer would they have kept this a secret¡­¡± ¡°Furthermore, they hoarded numerous subpar fabrics, manufacturing items mimicking our company¡¯s styles. They affixed our company¡¯s label and sold them elsewhere. They believed these substandard fabrics wouldn¡¯t raise suspicion, but many customers suffered skin allergies from wearing them. It essentially tarnished our company¡¯s reputation¡­ the consequences are enormous!¡± Qiao Xinhui felt like a lightning bolt had struck her. Now, she finally understood why the company had struggled to make any profits for a whole year.. It was all due to the clandestine activities of these individuals! Chapter 120 - Chapter 120: Why Is It Fang Yuan Again! Chapter 120: Why Is It Fang Yuan Again! Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡®Why does it always have to be Fang Yuan? I brought my parents here to enjoy a day of golf to strengthen our family bond. 1 was making some progress, but now this company issue has put a damper on my parents¡¯ good mood. All my efforts today seem to have been in vain. That troublesome Fang Yuan keeps popping up and affecting my mood!¡¯ ¡°What about Zhao Quan? He was the top person in charge before Yuanyuan took over the company. How could he not have known about something like this happening right under his nose?¡± Qiao Xinhui inquired. ¡°People are claiming that everything happened because of Zhao Quan¡¯s coercion and bribery. 1 wonder if that¡¯s true¡­¡± If Zhao Quan was implicated, the company could lose more than ten million yuan this year¡­ ¡°Zhao Quan was the cornerstone of the headquarters. 1 entrusted him with authority because 1 believed in his character and capabilities¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui hadn¡¯t anticipated such a situation and suspected Zhao Quan¡¯s involvement. ¡°But we lack sufficient evidence to convict him at the moment,¡± Cheng Ye lamented, the weight of the situation bearing down on him. If Zhao Quan turned out to be the mastermind, the potential financial losses for the company in the current year were staggering. ¡°Do you think we should send some assistance to Yuanyuan?¡± Qiao Xinhui expressed concern for her daughter¡¯s well-being. However, Cheng Ye displayed confidence. ¡°No, it¡¯s unnecessary. While we were here playing, Yuanyuan has managed to uncover a multitude of issues. She¡¯s more than capable of handling these on her own.¡± ¡°Ever since Yuanyuan took charge of the company, we¡¯ve witnessed significant improvements,¡± Qiao Xinhui remarked, looking at Cheng Yuqi. ¡°Yuqi, you should learn from your sister in the future¡­¡± Yuanyuan¡¯s managerial skills were clearly beyond her years. After all, she was their biological daughter, and her business acumen ran in the family. On the other hand, Yu Qi had been pampered since childhood, and even if she were given a company, it would be challenging for her to manage it as effectively as Yuanyuan. ¡°Yuqi won¡¯t have to take over the company in the future. Let her continue being our little princess! When she finds a good husband and gets married, Dad and Mom will make sure she¡¯s well taken care of,¡± Cheng Ye said with a warm smile, still treating her as a beloved member of the Cheng family. Qiao Xinhui echoed the sentiment, saying, ¡°That¡¯s absolutely right. Look at your good friend, Mu Sha. Her sister¡¯s dowry was worth 8oo million yuan, including 12 properties and 12 cars. Don¡¯t worry, when you get married, your wedding will definitely be even more extravagant than her sister¡¯s!¡± Upon hearing this, Cheng Yuqi felt a twinge of disappointment. The Cheng family was indeed affluent, but her wedding being more extravagant than her friend Mu Sha¡¯s sister? What right did she have? It was far from the lavish treatment Fang Yuan was receiving. In just a few days back home, Fang Yuan had received hundreds of millions in pocket money and even been given a company. Her future prospects were promising, potentially worth even more! She had heard her parents talk about giving Fang Yuan more properties in the future. While her money might be spent sooner or later, those properties and shares would endure! It seemed her parents were planning to send her off with a modest sum, a few houses, and some cars. Did they see her as some sort of pauper? ¡°Sister must have gone through a lot in the Fang family to understand the darker aspects of human nature so well¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi changed the subject, feigning sympathy. ¡°Dad, Mom, we should treat Sister better from now on¡­¡± Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui, hearing her words, remembered the results of the recent investigation. Over the years, Yuanyuan had experienced harsh treatment in the Fang family. She had grown cold and strong-willed, likely having received little love or care. ¡°Yuqi is absolutely right. I¡¯ll transfer some money to Yuanyuan to let her feel the warmth of family¡­¡± Without delay, Qiao Xinhui grabbed her phone and transferred 50 million yuan to Fang Yuan. Cheng Ye followed suit, taking out his phone. ¡°How much did you transfer to Yuanyuan? I¡¯ll do the same¡­ Let her know she not only has her Mom¡¯s love but also her Dad¡¯s.¡± Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t help but feel an overwhelming pang of jealousy. She had initially intended to subtly convey to her parents that Fang Yuan had grown up in a challenging environment and had complex thoughts, allowing her to discern the darker side of human nature. However, it appeared her parents had different intentions altogether. On the other end, Fang Yuan¡¯s phone unexpectedly vibrated a few times. She picked it up to find a message from Bo Yi. ¡°Yuanyuan,¡± his voice was deep and alluring, ¡°I miss you.¡± Fang Yuan replied, somewhat helplessly, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Are you swamped with work?¡± He inquired, his voice husky and lazy, a soothing sound to her ears. ¡°Do you need my assistance with it?¡± She replied, ¡°No, I¡¯m good.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been yearning for you all morning,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s yearning was evident in his voice. ¡°1 wish you could wrap up your tasks quickly and be with me.¡± Fang Yuan. ¡°There¡¯s still an entire hour before I get to see you,¡± Bo Yi expressed his torment. ¡°I want to video call you.¡± Fang Yuan. ¡°Just for a little while,¡± Bo Yi anticipated that she might be hesitant. Before she could respond, he pleaded, ¡°Just for a little while.¡± Fang Yuan. ¡°Yuanyuan,¡± Bo Yi implored once more, ¡°1 promise not to disrupt your work..¡± Chapter 121 - Chapter 121: Video Call Chapter 121: Video Call Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan found herself unable to resist his persistence, and she eventually gave in. Shortly thereafter, she received a video call. As Fang Yuan answered the call, she heard a knock on her office door. ¡°Come in!¡± ¡°President Fang, your coffee,¡± Wang Ning said as he placed the cup on the table, unaware of the ongoing video call as it was discreetly propped against the tissue box. ¡°President Fang, you¡¯re becoming quite the legend! The entire company is singing your praises for your heroic actions. Someone even composed a poem in your honor!¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of her coffee, her interest piqued. ¡°I¡¯ll recite it for you!¡± Wang Ning cleared his throat. ¡°When President Fang is enraged, you¡¯d better beware. If she calls your name, you¡¯ll dine in despair. With President Fang¡¯s presence, the wrongdoers all lose. Thanks to President Fang, you¡¯ll stand tall and bruise. Whether tiger or dragon, heed this advice: Surrender to her now, it would be very wise. When President Fang strikes, you won¡¯t survive. She¡¯ll send you to heaven in the blink of an eye!¡± Fang Yuan was left momentarily speechless. What on earth? The person on the other end of the video call appeared to be amused by the poem. ¡°President Fang, it¡¯s clear from this poem that everyone holds you in high esteem. When you confronted those five individuals today with the evidence, you were truly impressive! Do you know what the folks in the company are saying?¡± Wang Ning¡¯s voice was full of excitement. ¡°The female employees are saying they can¡¯t wait to marry you because you¡¯re so impressive! Even a few male colleagues are planning to confess their feelings to you after work.¡± Fang Yuan took another sip of her coffee and nearly choked. ¡°They¡¯re saying that you¡¯ve arrested seven wrongdoers within a week of joining the company. As for the production line workers¡­ they¡¯ve started betting that in less than a week, you¡¯ll have Zhao Quan behind bars!¡± With a grin, Wang Ning leaned closer to Fang Yuan. ¡°President Fang, 1 also placed a ten-yuan bet. I wonder if 1¡¯11 win¡­¡± Fang Yuan responded casually, ¡°That¡¯s too low.¡± Wang Ning: ¡°What?¡± Fang Yuan, with an air of indifference, suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s raise the stakes.¡± Wang Ning instantly grew enthusiastic. ¡°President Fang, are you really confident? If you are, I¡¯ll wager all my assets!¡± Fang Yuan.¡±¡­.¡± ¡°But there¡¯s not enough evidence at the moment. The police might release him¡­¡± Wang Ning expressed regret. Fang Yuan, with a hint of intrigue, replied, ¡°Isn¡¯t it a good thing if they release him?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Wang Ning didn¡¯t quite grasp his perspective. Nobody could fathom Fang Yuan¡¯s thoughts, but her unwavering confidence left Wang Ning with a sense that he might win this bet. He decided to up the ante later! ¡°Oh, by the way, Zhao Quan has significant connections at the headquarters¡­ You should be cautious.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Fang Yuan dismissed it lightly. She believed that no matter how influential someone¡¯s connections were, they would have to surrender when confronted with irrefutable evidence. ¡°President Fang, you¡¯re already so assertive at such a young age. What kind of remarkable figure will you choose for a husband in the future?¡± Wang Ning gazed at Fang Yuan¡¯s composed countenance and suddenly asked. Fang Yuan glanced at the man on the video call who was also looking at her. Her aura was undeniably powerful, but Bo Yi had his own merits. Wang Ning added, ¡°President Fang, do you dare to make a bet?¡± Fang Yuan inquired, ¡°What are we betting on?¡± ¡°I bet that your future husband will undoubtedly be an extraordinary individual! He¡¯ll be, at the very least, tall, wealthy, and handsome! With your looks, he can¡¯t possibly be anything less!¡± ¡°Got some free time on your hands?¡± Fang Yuan remarked casually. ¡°Why don¡¯t you fill all those five empty seats?¡± ¡°President Fang, I suddenly recalled I have some unfinished work. I¡¯ll leave for now,¡± Wang Ning was about to make his escape when he suddenly heard a male voice. ¡°Master Bo, 1 need you to review these documents.¡± It was Mu Qing¡¯s voice as he entered Bo Yi¡¯s office, seeking Bo Yi¡¯s input on a few projects. Hearing this, Wang Ning halted in his tracks. ¡°President Fang? Why do I hear a man¡¯s voice? Do you have a man hiding in your office?¡± On the other side, Mu Qing also picked up on Wang Ning¡¯s voice and inquired curiously, ¡°Master Bo, who¡¯s speaking?¡± At that moment, Mu Qing and Wang Ning simultaneously realized that their boss was engaged in a video call. The expressions on their faces shifted to one of astonishment. Wang Ning, in particular, had his mouth hanging so wide open that it could seemingly accommodate two eggs at once. ¡°President¡­ President Fang, you¡­ When did you meet such a high-profile figure?¡± ¡°Are you, you¡¯re on a video call?¡± Oh my goodness! He must be daydreaming! He actually saw that familiar yet unfamiliar handsome face on President Fang¡¯s phone! It¡¯s Bo Yi, the richest man in the world! Weren¡¯t they saying he doesn¡¯t get close to women? Why is he video-calling President Fang? ¡°President, President Fang? You, you¡­¡± ¡°Yuanyuan, aren¡¯t you going to introduce him?¡± There was a hint of amusement in Bo Yi¡¯s voice. ¡°Is this your assistant?¡± Yuanyuan! The fact that Big Boss Bo was addressing President Fang so intimately left everyone dumbfounded! Fang Yuan was at a loss for words. This guy seemed to have no boundaries! ¡°Hello, President Bo¡­ I¡¯m Wang Ning. I serve as President Fang¡¯s assistant,¡± Wang Ning stated respectfully while bowing nearly 90 degrees, ¡°It¡¯s a privilege to meet you today. I wasn¡¯t aware you were in a video call with President Fang. My apologies for any interruption¡­ Are you President Fang¡¯s¡­ boyfriend?¡± Bo Yi said, ¡°Fiance..¡± Chapter 122 - Chapter 122: Who Paid You Chapter 122: Who Paid You Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon hearing the word ¡°fiance,¡± Wang Ning was left utterly stunned, his expression frozen in shock. It was Bo Yi who was President Fang¡¯s fiance! No wonder President Fang carried herself with such authority; she had a formidable supporter by her side. Not only did she hold power within the company, but it seemed she could wield influence worldwide! A faint smile graced Bo Yi¡¯s lips as she replied, ¡°Thank you for your earlier compliments.¡± Wang Ning hadn¡¯t anticipated praising Bo Yi inadvertently. Fortunately, he hadn¡¯t said anything inappropriate; othen-vise, his life might have taken a dire turn. ¡°In this world, I can¡¯t think of anyone more deserving of our President Fang than you. You and President Fang are truly a perfect match,¡± remarked the men in the company, somewhat overestimating themselves. President Fang¡¯s fiance was none other than Big Boss Bo, and they had contemplated confessing their feelings¡­ ¡°President Bo, you needn¡¯t worry. 1¡¯11 safeguard President Fang¡¯s interests within the company and ensure no one encroaches on her. If you have any directives in the future, please feel free to communicate them to me. I am at your service!¡± Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡°Whom do you really work for? Who pays your salary?¡± ¡°Yuanyuan, don¡¯t you think you should increase the salary of such a dedicated employee?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice emanated from the video. Upon hearing this, Wang Ning was ecstatic and looked at Fang Yuan with anticipation. ¡°If you refuse to leave, 1 will donate this month¡¯s bonus to charity on your behalf,¡± Fang Yuan added. Wang Ning nearly burst into tears. He promptly turned around and exited, saying, ¡°President Fang, I¡¯m leaving now!¡± Fang Yuan advised, ¡°Be courteous when you¡¯re outside.¡± ¡°Of course, President Fang. Rest assured, I won¡¯t divulge your relationship with President Bo to anyone¡­¡± Wang Ning was so consumed by his loyalty that he bumped into the door in his haste to leave, paying no heed to the pain as he clutched his head. Fang Yuan gazed at the screen in her hand with a hint of exasperation. ¡°Are you content now?¡± Bo Yi smiled and replied, ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be wonderful if the entire world knew?¡± Fang Yuan.¡±¡­.¡± Bo Yi inquired, ¡°Yuanyuan, when do you plan to reveal my identity?¡± Based on what Wang Ning had mentioned earlier, someone in the company intended to confess to Fang Yuan. That individual must be fearless or simply reckless! Fang Yuan found herself at a loss for words, facing Bo Yi¡¯s earnest expression. ¡°I¡¯m ending this call.¡± Bo Yi implored, ¡°Wait.¡± Fang Yuan inquired, ¡°Is there something else?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t get enough of you,¡± Bo Yi admitted, moving closer to the screen, his face enlarging several times, his eyes exuding an almost irresistible tenderness. Fang Yuan sighed internally, ¡°This is going to be the death of me.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t there still work to be done?¡± Mu Qing¡¯s voice interrupted, reminding Fang Yuan that Bo Yi still had his professional obligations. ¡°Really?¡± Bo Yi inquired, directing his gaze at Mu Qing. Mu Qing, breaking into a cold sweat, promptly responded, ¡°Master Bo, no¡­¡± Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t believe Mu Qing was covering for her, realizing that Bo Yi had somehow coerced him into doing so. ¡°Miss Fang Yuan, 1¡­ 1 came in to check if Master Bo needed anything. But it appears that Master Bo only requires your presence. I¡¯m superfluous. 1¡¯11 leave now,¡± Mu Qing said, placing the documents on the desk discreetly. Out of Fang Yuan¡¯s sight, he pressed his palms together, silently pleading with Bo Yi to swiftly handle those urgent projects, as a large group of employees were awaiting his direction. Bo Yi tilted his head slightly in agreement, and only then did Mu Qing breathe a sigh of relief and make a swift exit. After enduring Bo Yi¡¯s incessant attention throughout the morning, noon finally arrived. Bo Yi¡¯s car was parked downstairs, and Fang Yuan made her way towards it. Unexpectedly, for reasons known only to her, she ended up sitting on his lap as she entered the car. ¡°Bo Yi, you¡¯re pushing the boundaries!¡± Fang Yuan shot him a reproachful glance, wanting to sit beside him, but he held her firmly in his embrace. ¡°If you dare to move, I¡¯ll kiss you,¡± he warned. Fang Yuan rolled her eyes. ¡°Could you be any more shameless?¡± Bo Yi grinned mischievously. Without further ado, he leaned in and kissed Fang Yuan on her lips. They were soft and sweet, almost like jelly. Initially, it was meant as a playful tease, but the taste left him craving for more. His hand traced her slender waist through the fabric, feeling the tender skin beneath. ¡°Bo Yi!¡± Fang Yuan attempted to push him away, but he held the back of her head firmly with his other hand and continued to kiss her passionately. His kiss was like a tempest, catching Fang Yuan off guard. She couldn¡¯t resist it, and her body involuntarily went limp. ¡°Mm¡­ Mm¡­ That¡¯s enough!¡± Although she intended it as a warning, it came out more like a sultry whisper in Bo Yi¡¯s ears. He, usually composed and self-disciplined, teetered on the brink of losing control. Fang Yuan sensed his increasingly labored breathing and summoned all her strength to push him away. ¡°Bo Yi, I¡¯m going to be furious if you persist!¡± Bo Yi regained some of his composure and halted his advances. His eyes burned with passion as he gazed at Fang Yuan, noticing the hint of coyness in her eyes. The desire he had been suppressing surged once more. ¡°Yuanyuan¡­¡± He had just begun to savor her, and he couldn¡¯t get enough. Before Fang Yuan could object, he kissed her again. Their hot lips tangled, and the kiss deepened.. Chapter 123 - Chapter 123: Still Short of Manpower? Chapter 123: Still Short of Manpower? Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan found herself succumbing to desire, and her body gradually grew pliant. In the driver¡¯s seat, Mu Qing felt like he had been dealt a devastating blow. Did no one consider the feelings of single people? Didn¡¯t single people deserve respect? He was in an indescribable mood, full of torture. He felt redundant once more, like a massive, million-watt lightbulb. He even contemplated changing his name to ¡°Redundant Mu.¡± After an indefinite period of time, the protracted kiss finally came to an end. Bo Yi¡¯s eyes still gleamed with longing, his voice slightly hoarse as he confessed, ¡°Yuanyuan, I genuinely like you.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s chest rose and fell slightly, and her eyes were somewhat dazed. There was boundless affection in Bo Yi¡¯s gaze. ¡°1 really like you.¡± Fang Yuan¡­ remained speechless. Bo Yi quipped, ¡°Is your company in need of more staff?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Fang Yuan was puzzled by his remark. Bo Yi clarified, ¡°I¡¯d like to be your assistant.¡± Fang Yuan¡­ continued to be baffled. Bo Yi persisted, ¡°I could be your bodyguard.¡± Fang Yuan¡­ remained perplexed. Bo Yi pressed on, ¡°I¡¯m open to any role in your office, even a janitor.¡± Fang Yuan retorted, ¡°Can¡¯t you aim for something greater?¡± ¡°As long as I can be near you all the time, I¡¯m not afraid of being unproductive,¡± Bo Yi murmured, lowering his gaze. ¡°1 want to be worthless for the rest of my life.¡± Fang Yuan¡­ was at a loss for words. He cupped her petite face earnestly and said, ¡°I like you. 1 want to have you with me all the time, for three meals a day, and throughout all four seasons of the year.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s heart skipped a beat, as if she had been genuinely touched by his words. ¡°I¡¯ve never had feelings for Cheng Yuqi,¡± Bo Yi declared emphatically. ¡°In my entire life, the only person who has stirred my emotions is you. It was you in the past, it¡¯s you now, and it will always be you in the future.¡± ¡°Understood,¡± Fang Yuan replied, not anticipating such sweet words from Bo Yi. She turned her face away, gazing at the scenery outside the window. Bo Yi observed Fang Yuan¡¯s ears and flashed a mischievous grin. ¡°You¡¯re blushing.¡± Fang Yuan¡­ remained silent. ¡°Yuanyuan, are you feeling shy?¡± Bo Yi gently held her face and affectionately rubbed it. ¡°You¡¯re incredibly adorable.¡± Fang Yuan was at a loss for words. Prior to meeting Bo Yi, no one had ever called her cute. People had always described her as cold and unfeeling. Bo Yi continued, ¡°You look so charming when you¡¯re bashful. You look stunning when you¡¯re angry. And you look even more captivating when you¡¯re jealous!¡± Fang Yuan was taken aback. ¡°Who¡¯s jealous?¡± Bo Yi playfully remarked, ¡°It was this morning when you treated me coldly.¡± Fang Yuan felt that she wasn¡¯t jealous. She simply detested Cheng Yuqi¡¯s deplorable behavior, but it wasn¡¯t about jealousy. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, the next time another woman approaches me¡­¡± He teased her intentionally, eager to see her reaction. Fang Yuan raised her eyebrows and responded, ¡°There better not be a ¡®next time.¡¯ It¡¯s a warning.¡± Bo Yi grinned even wider. ¡°1 promise there won¡¯t be a next time!¡± Mu Qing, in the background, sighed internally. He fervently hoped that they could find a more appropriate place to display their affection. What had he done to deserve this torture? After her lunch break, Fang Yuan returned to the company. As she stepped off the elevator, she could hear Wang Ning¡¯s voice in the distance. Wang Ning was presently blocking the path of seven or eight male employees, preventing them from entering Fang Yuan¡¯s office. One of the male employees in a white shirt pleaded, ¡°Assistant Wang, I have genuine feelings for President Fang¡­¡± Wang Ning extended his hand to cut him off. ¡°No, no, no. 1 just want to know, do you own a house and a car in Jing City?¡± The man shook his head. Wang Ning inquired, ¡°How much do you have in your savings?¡± The man replied, ¡°Five figures¡­¡± ¡°Five figures, and you dare to pursue our President Fang?¡± Wang Ning retorted in frustration. ¡°Assistant Wang, I¡¯m sincere about this. I¡¯ll work hard to earn more money in the future!¡± the man promised earnestly. Wang Ning rolled his eyes at him. ¡°In this day and age, sincerity alone doesn¡¯t count for much. I advise you to head home early after work. Drink less water and go to bed early. Dreams have everything you need!¡± Another male employee, wearing a hopeful smile, wedged himself in. ¡°Assistant Wang, 1 own a 6o-square-meter apartment in the heart of Jing City, a 200,000 yuan car, my monthly salary has already reached 10,000 yuan, and 1 have a six-figure savings! Please help me deliver this letter to President Fang¡¯s desk¡­¡± Wang Ning looked at the man with a receding hairline and bit back the urge to scold him. He said patiently, ¡°Old Ma, to be honest, you¡¯re already 33 years old. Can¡¯t you steer clear of this? Our President Fang is only 18! Keep your distance!¡± Yet another male employee held a thermal lunchbox. ¡°Assistant Wang, I prepared this lunch for President Fang at home today. Please help me deliver it to her. I¡¯m sure President Fang will be delighted.¡± Wang Ning frowned. ¡°You have a crush on President Fang too?¡± The man nodded. ¡°Yes!¡± Wang Ning asserted, ¡°You can¡¯t win President Fang¡¯s heart. She doesn¡¯t favor well-behaved types like you.¡± Wang Ning sized up the man before him, who was rather thin and appeared out of place next to President Fang.. Chapter 124 - Chapter 124: Brother, Listen to My Advice Chapter 124: Brother, Listen to My Advice Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°I¡­ I can change for President Fang! If she prefers a stylish man, I¡¯ll hit the gym! If she prefers a career-driven man, I¡¯ll dive into the business world! Whatever President Fang desires, I¡¯ll become it for her!¡± Wang Ning patted the man¡¯s shoulder sympathetically. ¡°Buddy, trust me on this. You¡¯re miles away from meeting her standards. It¡¯s better to head back home.¡± ¡°Assistant Wang, do you think 1 have a chance?¡± At that moment, a slightly young and handsome man approached. He had a boyish charm, and his gaze was sincere. Wang Ning recognized him; he had just returned from studying abroad and came from a wealthy family. At the age of 20, he owned a sports car and a villa. What a shame¡­ ¡°President Fang isn¡¯t into younger guys.¡± ¡°Why?¡± The young man appeared confused. Others were not willing to give up either. ¡°Assistant Wang, please help us deliver our gifts to President Fang¡­¡± Wang Ning checked his watch. ¡°President Fang is punctual, and she¡¯s already at the office by this time. If you don¡¯t leave now, be prepared for her to dig into your background!¡± Upon hearing this, the crowd dispersed promptly. No one wanted President Fang to discover their secrets. They all took the employee elevator and didn¡¯t cross paths with Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan, in her high heels, strolled towards her office. As she passed by Wang Ning, she arched an eyebrow. ¡°You seem to be quite occupied?¡± ¡°President Fang, you¡¯ve arrived!¡± Wang Ning stood up immediately, his throat parched from talking so much. He moistened his lips and added, ¡°They¡¯re all individuals who have an exaggerated sense of themselves. Compared to President Bo¡­¡± At the mention of Bo Yi, President Fang¡¯s gaze turned stern. Wang Ning swiftly corrected himself, ¡°I mean, they are not deserving of you, President Fang!¡± Fang Yuan entered her office and commented casually, ¡°I¡¯m starting to think that being an assistant might not be the best fit for you.¡± Upon hearing this, Wang Ning quipped, ¡°President Fang, are you considering promoting me? Although 1 helped fend off a bunch of persistent suitors just now, there¡¯s no need to be so formal. It¡¯s just part of my job!¡± ¡°Maybe you should try your hand at matchmaking,¡± President Fang casually suggested. ¡°You have potential. Don¡¯t keep it buried here.¡± ¡°Matchmaking?¡± Wang Ning¡¯s head was spinning with question marks. Why was he being suggested as a matchmaker? Fang Yuan added, ¡°Or perhaps you could become a security guard. It¡¯s a suitable job for protecting the premises.¡± ¡°President Fang, I¡¯m doing this for your own good!¡± Wang Ning leaned over with a hint of grievance. ¡°You know 1 nearly lost my voice trying to fend them off. It¡¯s quite a challenge¡­¡± Just as he was about to continue, a knock on the door interrupted him. He turned around and saw that Zhao Quan had returned. Wang Ning¡¯s eyes widened. This man had been taken in for police questioning earlier in the day. Why was he released so quickly? Fang Yuan raised her eyes and locked gazes with Zhao Quan. ¡°The tea they serve at the police station is awful,¡± Zhao Quan remarked with a smile. He pulled out a chair in front of Fang Yuan and seated himself. ¡°It can¡¯t hold a candle to the company¡¯s tea.¡± Fang Yuan arched a sardonic smile. ¡°Of course. The employees¡¯ tea costs 2,000 yuan per catty for you. It¡¯s only natural.¡± Zhao Quan appeared slightly taken aback. How did she know that the staff provided him with tea leaves? The price was 2,000 yuan per catty! Fang Yuan continued, ¡°President Zhao, it might be a good idea to start getting accustomed to it now. Who knows, you might end up in there again someday¡­¡± Zhao Quan burst into laughter. ¡°You never know when the tables might turn, President Fang!¡± Wang Ning, listening to their conversation, began to suspect that this crafty individual was trying to set a trap for President Fang. Little did he know that President Fang had a significant supporter. If he had been aware of this, he would never have dared to address President Fang in such a manner! Fang Yuan remarked, ¡°There¡¯s a saying that goes, ¡®Those who do wrong will ultimately meet their demise.''¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Quan seethed and fixed a piercing glare on Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan continued in a relaxed tone, ¡°President Zhao, you should watch your step when you¡¯re out and about. Good deeds have their rewards, and so do evil deeds. Don¡¯t get caught when your time comes.¡± Zhao Quan sneered. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that! I¡¯m here today to tell you that the verdict isn¡¯t final yet. You¡¯ll see!¡± As Wang Ning watched Zhao Quan¡¯s arrogant exit, he seethed with anger. ¡°Who does he think he is? If there had been enough evidence, he would have been behind bars long ago! How dare he act so arrogant in front of you!¡± ¡°He won¡¯t be cocky for long,¡± Fang Yuan responded without taking his threats seriously. She lowered her gaze to the documents on her desk. ¡°President Fang, there¡¯s something 1 don¡¯t understand¡­ With your powerful backing, why don¡¯t you let President Bo handle President Zhao?¡± Bo Yi wielded substantial influence, and dealing with someone like Zhao Quan would be as simple as squashing an ant. Fang Yuan inquired, ¡°Do I really need him for such a minor matter?¡± She had no intention of appearing weak by relying on someone else. Wang Ning comprehended her perspective. President Fang was a career-driven, strong-willed woman who didn¡¯t require external assistance to handle her affairs. ¡°President Fang, 1 suddenly hold you in even higher regard!¡± Wang Ning¡¯s eyes sparkled with admiration. Fang Yuan remained focused on her work and didn¡¯t acknowledge his compliment. ¡°If you find yourself with nothing to do, you could lend a hand to the janitor with restroom cleaning..¡± Chapter 125 - Chapter 125: Celebrities Are Humans Chapter 125: Celebrities Are Humans Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°I¡¯m heading to work, President Fang!¡± Wang Ning promptly exited the office, making it clear that he had no intention of handling restroom duties. As night descended, Qiao Xinhui settled on the sofa and reached out to contact her sons. ¡°Your sister is back home for her summer break. Finish your tasks as soon as you can. If it¡¯s feasible, make an effort to come home early. If you¡¯re swamped, at least carve out some time to visit her.¡± ¡°I understand that you¡¯re all incredibly busy, but your sister¡¯s home, and 1 expect you to spend time with her, no excuses.¡± ¡°And if anyone dares to neglect or mistreat my daughter, you will have to deal with me first!¡± ¡°When you visit, don¡¯t bring any work with you, and leave your baggage behind. But, be sure to bring a thoughtful gift for your sister.¡± After making four phone calls, Qiao Xinhui contacted her youngest son. ¡°Let¡¯s get one thing straight. No one can afford to miss any holidays this year, especially your sister¡¯s birthday, and that includes you! If you don¡¯t show up, you¡¯ll answer to me! Do you hear what I¡¯m saying?¡± Cheng Xichen, on the other end of the line, felt somewhat unfairly treated. ¡°Mom, after all, I¡¯m still your biological son. Are you really threatening to break my legs for a sister you just discovered?¡± Qiao Xinhui retorted, ¡°Hmph, you still acknowledge that you¡¯re my biological son? How often have you actually visited me this year?¡± ¡°I, well, I¡¯ve been swamped with work. But 1 usually send gifts and red envelopes!¡± Cheng Xichen felt a tinge of guilt. It had indeed been a long time since he¡¯d been home. Qiao Xinhui wasn¡¯t swayed by this. ¡°Hmph, who needs your money, anyway?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fine, his biological mother was certainly not in need of finances. ¡°Regardless, you have to make it home! Oh, and one more thing¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui suddenly recollected. ¡°Let me know in advance when you plan to visit.¡± Cheng Xichen inquired, ¡°Will there be something delicious waiting for me?¡± ¡°Always eating, eating, eating. You¡¯re a big star now, and all you do is eat. Have you been a glutton since childhood?¡± Qiao Xinhui remarked with disdain. Cheng Xichen was slightly indignant. ¡°Celebrities are human too; they need to eat!¡± Qiao Xinhui continued, ¡°Su family¡¯s daughter has been coming to visit me. She¡¯s quite dignified and well-educated¡­¡± Cheng Xichen interrupted, ¡°Alright, alright, I get it. I¡¯m not available.¡± ¡°You young rascal, let me finish,¡± Qiao Xinhui wouldn¡¯t allow any interruptions. ¡°You¡¯re not a kid anymore. It¡¯s time for you to settle down.¡± Cheng Xichen retorted, ¡°Mom, I have four older brothers ahead of me. Why don¡¯t you pressure them to hurry up? Why single me out?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t rush them, can I? Besides, the Su family¡¯s daughter is interested in you. What can I do?¡± ¡°You!¡± Cheng Xichen clutched his heart. This was undoubtedly his biological mother! Qiao Xinhui added, ¡°Don¡¯t forget to bring a gift for your sister when you come home. I¡¯m hanging up!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Cheng Xichen felt incredibly aggrieved. How long had it been since his mother last called him if it weren¡¯t for this sister? After instructing all her sons, Qiao Xinhui finally felt some relief. ¡°Sweetheart, are you thirsty? Have some flower tea; it¡¯s good for your complexion.¡± Cheng Ye eagerly brought a cup of flower tea with a smile. After making five calls in a row, Qiao Xinhui felt a bit parched. She took the teacup and had a sip. ¡°I brewed it when you were talking to our fifth son. The temperature is just right now, not too hot or cold.¡± Cheng Ye waited for her to finish the tea and set the cup on the table. He began massaging her. ¡°Sweetie, your hands must be sore. Shall 1 give you a hand massage?¡± Qiao Xinhui replied, ¡°You should also take a break.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not tired!¡± Cheng Ye affectionately massaged her hands. ¡°By the way, Yuanyuan¡¯s return is such a significant event. When do you plan to inform the rest of the family?¡± It wasn¡¯t as though Qiao Xinhui hadn¡¯t considered this before. She fell into a momentary silence. ¡°Your father is still in a coma, and your mother¡¯s heart isn¡¯t in the best condition¡­ My parents are getting on in years, and their health is deteriorating day by day. Let¡¯s hold off on telling them for now,¡± she decided. She would wait until they were in better health. Their hearts wouldn¡¯t be able to handle the shock. Another spike in their blood pressure might trigger a host of old ailments and heart issues. Furthermore, once word got out that Yuanyuan had returned home, there would be a constant influx of visitors. Just the thought of it was vexing. If they were disturbed, that was one thing, but if Yuanyuan got overwhelmed¡­ ¡°It was a long and difficult search to find Yuanyuan. I want to spend quality time with her and make amends,¡± Cheng Ye persisted, continuing to massage his wife¡¯s hand. Qiao Xinhui concurred, ¡°If too many relatives suddenly appear, we won¡¯t have much opportunity to be with Yuanyuan. What do you think?¡± Cheng Ye nodded in agreement, ¡°Honey, you¡¯re absolutely right. I don¡¯t want anyone to disrupt our family reunion.¡± At that moment, Qiao Xinhui¡¯s phone rang. It was Fang Yuan calling! Cheng Ye watched eagerly, feeling a slight tinge of disappointment. When would his daughter call him too? Qiao Xinhui cleared her throat and answered the call with excitement. ¡°Hello? My dearest daughter¡­¡± Fang Yuan informed her, ¡°Mom, I won¡¯t be coming back for dinner tonight. I¡¯ll be dining out with Bo Yi..¡± Chapter 126 - Chapter 126: This Is Our Home Chapter 126: This Is Our Home Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Qiao Xinhui commented, ¡°Alright, 1 understand. We haven¡¯t had your food at home ever since Yi has been with you.¡± Fang Yuan was left momentarily speechless, suddenly feeling a touch of hurt. ¡°Take your time eating and enjoy yourselves! Come back home when you¡¯re finished!¡± Qiao Xinhui wanted to have a longer conversation with her daughter, but she was concerned about becoming bothersome. She hastily added, ¡°There¡¯s nothing special happening at home. Hang up quickly!¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Fang Yuan ended the call and turned to the man beside her who seemed aggrieved. ¡°What¡¯s wrong now?¡± Bo Yi asked, ¡°Can you avoid using my full name in the future?¡± He held her and inquired affectionately, ¡°When will 1 hear you call me ¡®Hubby¡¯?¡± Fang Yuan wasn¡¯t in the mood for this. Bo Yi insisted, ¡°You can call me ¡®Yi.''¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t quite bring herself to say it. ¡°I think ¡®Bo Yi¡¯ sounds quite nice.¡± Bo Yi insisted, ¡°Nonsense, ¡®Hubby¡¯ sounds even better!¡± Fang Yuan wondered, ¡°Can we have a proper conversation?¡± ¡°Try calling me,¡± Bo Yi persisted, saying, ¡°Call me ¡®Hubby.''¡± Fang Yuan warned, ¡°If you keep this up, I might just get out of the car.¡± Bo Yi immediately complied, hugging her silently. Occasionally, he would rub his forehead against hers and press his lips to hers. ¡°You¡¯re becoming bolder and bolder!¡± Fang Yuan was a bit annoyed. When would this man stop his habit of touching her? ¡°Do 1 need to be disciplined?¡± Bo Yi echoed playfully, smiling ingratiatingly. ¡°Then, in the future, you can discipline me and keep me in check.¡± Fang Yuan.¡±¡­¡± Bo Yi¡¯s eyes turned affectionate and gentle. Fang Yuan had reached her limit. She turned her face away, refusing to meet his gaze. After some time, the car came to a stop in front of a luxurious villa. This was a renowned private residence in Jing City, rumored to have been purchased by a prominent figure for 1.8 billion the previous year. It was distinct from Fang Yuan¡¯s residence in Jin¡¯an Garden, a prosperous district in Jing City with 33 families. However, Crescent Bay was an expansive, privately owned domain. The villa was surrounded by an endless expanse of lush flora and towering trees. It stood tall and stately, displaying grand architectural design. When illuminated at night, it became even more resplendent. At the center of Crescent Bay lay a crescent-shaped lake. In the moonlight, the lake resembled an otherworldly mirror, mirroring the moon itself. This was the origin of its name, Crescent Bay. Fang Yuan peered out the window with a bewildered expression. Weren¡¯t they supposed to be heading to a restaurant for dinner? Why had they arrived here? Mu Qing alighted from the car and courteously opened the car door. ¡°Miss Fang Yuan, this is Master Bo¡¯s residence. It¡¯s Bo¡¯s first time bringing a lady here¡­¡± Another ¡°first time¡±? It seemed that Fang Yuan had already been a part of many firsts in Bo Yi¡¯s life. ¡°Muqing misspoke,¡± Bo Yi corrected as he carried Fang Yuan out of the car. His eyes were filled with affection, and his voice exuded tenderness. ¡°This is our home.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fang Yuan wasn¡¯t accustomed to being carried to the villa by him. ¡°Please put me down. 1 can walk on my own.¡± ¡°Husbands are meant to dote on their wives,¡± Bo Yi remarked, looking down at her. ¡°Let me hold you a little while longer. Otherwise, I¡¯ll miss you when you¡¯re not near.¡± Fang Yuan sighed.¡±¡­¡± Bo Yi carried her to the villa¡¯s entrance and pressed her right index finger against the fingerprint scanner. Bo Yi added, ¡°In the future, come home more often.¡± Fang Yuan was at a loss for words. The word ¡®home¡¯ warmed her heart, and her face instinctively blushed. Inside the expansive villa, only a versatile male butler was waiting in the garden to receive them. While he had prior knowledge that a young lady would be visiting the villa today, Yue Qiu was taken aback to witness his master personally carrying the young lady. His professionalism kept him from displaying any signs of surprise. ¡°Mr. Bo, you¡¯ve returned,¡± Yue Qiu bowed respectfully and turned his kind gaze towards Fang Yuan. Bo Yi took the lead in introducing her, ¡°This is my wife, Fang Yuan.¡± Upon hearing Bo Yi¡¯s introduction, Yue Qiu promptly bowed and addressed Fang Yuan, ¡°Good evening, Madam. 1 am the family butler, Yue Qiu.¡± While his master was not yet married, it was certainly not inaccurate to acknowledge her as his wife. ¡°Good evening, Uncle Yue,¡± Fang Yuan replied courteously. Observing the beautiful and polite young lady, Yue Qiu formed a favorable impression of her. ¡°The chef has already prepared dinner. Please follow me.¡± Fang Yuan remained in Bo Yi¡¯s arms. She whispered, ¡°Please put me down.¡± Bo Yi responded, ¡°I¡¯d like to hold you for just a bit longer.¡± Yue Qiu overheard their conversation, once again taken aback. He had heard about the engagement between the Bo and Cheng families. The Cheng family¡¯s daughter had sought Sir out multiple times in the past, but she had been declined. To witness Sir voluntarily bring a girl home, record her fingerprints, and even exchange affectionate words, it seemed that this young lady held a much higher place in Sir¡¯s heart than the Cheng family¡¯s daughter. Bo Yi cherished his solitude and did not appreciate disruptions. Besides Yue Qiu, there was only one male chef in the household, Ji Bai. At this moment, Ji Bai was in the process of crafting a culinary masterpiece on the dining table.. Chapter 127 - Chapter 127: Two Choices Chapter 127: Two Choices Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Delicate rose petals gently descended onto the foie gras caviar, infusing it with an ethereal quality, akin to gazing at flowers through mist. Shrimp balls, resembling lychees, hung like fruit-laden branches. Cucumbers had been meticulously carved to resemble green bamboo, while broccoli took on the form of a Christmas tree. Each dish exuded an exquisite sense of beauty. Ji Bai was well aware that his master was bringing a significant guest home for dinner that evening, so he was meticulous in his preparations. However, when he saw his master carrying the young lady inside, he was equally astonished as Yue Qiu. Yue Qiu introduced, ¡°This is Madam.¡± ¡°Hello, Madam, hello, Sir!¡± Ji Bai swiftly greeted, bowing, and then discreetly attended to the final dish before departing. Only the two of them remained at the dining table. It was an exceptional and romantic dinner, devoid of contrived ambiance, violins, or piano music. Instead, it bore a sense of ceremony and significance. ¡°From now on, we¡¯ll have dinner at home,¡± Bo Yi stated, placing the young lady down but not permitting her to sit at the table on her own. Instead, he positioned her on his lap, one arm around her while using chopsticks to feed her. ¡°Boyi, I can manage on my own¡­¡± Fang Yuan was seated on his lap, feeling unexplainably flushed. She wasn¡¯t a three-year-old child who required feeding! ¡°Do you not want me to hold you or feed you? Are you unwilling to accept me as your fiance, or am 1 an undesirable fiance?¡± Bo Yi confidently asserted. Fang Yuan felt a bit exasperated. ¡°Does this really matter to you?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Bo Yi responded assertively, ¡°You¡¯ve been avoiding physical contact and maintaining a distance from me. Is it because 1 haven¡¯t done enough or haven¡¯t been good enough to touch your heart? In that case, I¡¯ll make more effort in the future.¡± Fang Yuan was at a loss for words. ¡®It¡¯s really not necessary¡­¡¯ ¡°If you don¡¯t want me to feed you, then you can feed me,¡± he suggested, a hint of a smile on his lips. Fang Yuan retorted, ¡°In your dreams!¡± Bo Yi countered, ¡°Choose one of the two.¡± Fang Yuan inquired, ¡°Why would 1 need to make such a choice?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s smile deepened. ¡°Then be a good girl and let me feed you.¡± In response to his request, Fang Yuan stuffed a morsel into her mouth somewhat irritably. The scene was undeniably endearing. It was simply adorable! ¡°Try this,¡± Bo Yi offered, picking up a shrimp ball. ¡°It¡¯s delicious.¡± While Fang Yuan indulged in the food, she suddenly felt a gentle hand rubbing her back. ¡°Can you eat properly?¡± Bo Yi retorted, ¡°With such beauty in my arms, I find myself utterly bewildered.¡± Fang Yuan grumbled,¡±¡­¡± Bo Yi continued, ¡°Who told you to be so stunning?¡± Fang Yuan sighed,¡±¡­¡± After they had finished their meal, Bo Yi carried her to the sofa, maintaining their intimate position. ¡°I¡¯ll take you upstairs to have a look later.¡± Fang Yuan insisted, ¡°I¡¯m going home.¡± Bo Yi countered, ¡°It¡¯s a rare occasion for you to be here. You should familiarize yourself with the place, shouldn¡¯t you? Let¡¯s check out our rooms¡­¡± Fang Yuan responded firmly, ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Noticing her slight embarrassment, Bo Yi¡¯s smile took on a more mischievous quality. Yue Qiu served them each a cup of flower tea to savor. Fang Yuan exclaimed, ¡°Please put me down!¡± Her throat was parched from their conversation. Bo Yi brought the tea to her lips. ¡°How does it taste?¡± She appeared lovely as she drank. Her luminous eyes were downcast, and her eyelashes resembled two small feather fans. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Fang Yuan said after taking a couple of sips. There was a hint of tea on her lips, and the flower tea was exceptionally aromatic. It was undeniably a fine tea. Unexpectedly, he cupped her face and kissed her lips. Fang Yuan was left speechless. The taste of tea still lingered on her lips, and after Bo Yi tasted it, he couldn¡¯t help but deepen the kiss. This was the first time Yue Qiu had witnessed his master in such a manner. In the past, his master had been reserved and aloof, always maintaining a stern and silent demeanor. Today was the first time he had kissed a girl with such fervor! After a while, Bo Yi released her. ¡°It truly tastes delicious.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fang Yuan was somewhat frustrated. She had wanted to savor the flavor of the floral tea. Why did he have to kiss her? She hoped he hadn¡¯t lured her to his house for the sake of easier¡­ mischief. ¡°If you don¡¯t want me to touch you, I won¡¯t next time,¡± Fang Yuan cautioned. Bo Yi inquired, ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°In the future, I won¡¯t dine with you anymore,¡± Fang Yuan decided. She knew that it would likely take a while for him to curb his penchant for physical affection. To address the issue at its source, she had to limit their interactions and strive to avoid being alone with him. Upon hearing this, Bo Yi peered into her eyes. ¡°Are you upset?¡± Observing Fang Yuan¡¯s silence, Bo Yi inquired softly, ¡°Are you displeased because you didn¡¯t find the previous kiss satisfactory?¡± Fang Yuan responded, ¡°You!¡± He pressed his lips to hers once more, savoring her flavor. Yue Qiu, who was in their proximity, was truly broadening his horizons today. It was abundantly clear that his master held deep affection for this girl. Such affectionate expressions of love flowed naturally, devoid of any awkwardness! When Bo Yi kissed her more forcefully again, Fang Yuan felt increasingly embarrassed. ¡°Bo Yi!¡± The butler was right there, and their current position was far too suggestive. ¡°Didn¡¯t you find the previous kiss enjoyable? Hm?¡± Bo Yi playfully rubbed his nose against hers, his eyes veiled with desire.. Chapter 128 - Chapter 128: Adapting to Marriage Life in Advance Chapter 128: Adapting to Marriage Life in Advance Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan had no intention of responding to his question. He kissed her passionately, and only after a prolonged moment did he finally break away. ¡°Will you join me next time?¡± he inquired. Fang Yuan,¡±¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Bo Yi began to kiss her once more. ¡°Will you dine with me?¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes widened, a playful accusation in her voice. ¡°Bo Yi, you¡¯re becoming more audacious by the day!¡± ¡°I reserve my audacity solely for you,¡± Bo Yi murmured before stealing another kiss. ¡°In fact, I¡¯m inclined to be even more audacious¡­¡± Fang Yuan,¡±¡­¡± ¡°So, are you coming with me or not?¡± Bo Yi inquired with a hint of urgency. Fang Yuan esponded, ¡°It depends on my mood.¡± Bo Yi grinned mischievously as he continued to shower her with affection. ¡°And how do you feel right now?¡± Fang Yuan said. ¡°Let me down, please.¡± Bo Yi, ever perceptive, seemed to grasp her desire. ¡°It appears you¡¯re not entirely comfortable here.¡± Fang Yuan quipped, ¡°You¡¯ve only just noticed!¡± With a mischievous glint in his eye, Bo Yi scooped her up and made his way to the staircase. ¡°Then, let¡¯s go somewhere else.¡± Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but inquire, ¡°Where are we headed?¡± Bo Yi replied with a hint of mystery, ¡°Let¡¯s take a little tour.¡± Fang Yuan found herself carried upstairs to his bedroom. The room exuded an aura of cleanliness and spaciousness. Before the lights were switched on, she could catch a glimpse of the crescent lake through the vast floor-to-ceiling window, a sight straight out of a fairy tale. ¡°Yuanyuan,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice was laden with allure. ¡°I¡¯d like to start acclimating to married life with you in advance.¡± ¡°. ¡°, Fang Yuan playfully retorted, ¡°If you dare to misbehave, I¡¯ll be quite cross!¡± ¡°Then, could you perhaps offer me some incentives first?¡± Bo Yi requested, sealing his words with a kiss. ¡°Life moves too slowly, waiting is exhausting.¡± ¡°. ¡± Fang Yuan was lost in a prolonged kiss, before managing to murmur, ¡°Please let me down,¡± her feet still dangling above the floor. Bo Yi, unrelenting, refused to release her. ¡°You haven¡¯t answered my question. Will you be visiting here in the future?¡± Fang Yuan.¡±¡­.¡± Bo Yi: ¡°Huh? Are you still coming here?¡± Fang Yuan gritted her teeth before responding, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Will you dine with me?¡± Bo Yi pressed further. Fang Yuan, with a hint of exasperation, replied, ¡°Yes.¡± Only then did he break into a smile and gently lowered her to the ground. ¡°Take a look out the window.¡± Fang Yuan finally noticed the tranquil lake. Bathed in moonlight, the flora surrounding the lake appeared as though they belonged in a fairytale. Bo Yi, hugging her from behind, asked, ¡°What kind of flowers do you like? I want to make every blade of grass and every tree here to your liking.¡± In doing so, perhaps she would come to appreciate this home and him even more. ¡°Mu Qing mentioned that girls tend to favor roses,¡± Bo Yi shared while gazing at the scenery outside the window. ¡°I had initially planned to plant 99 varieties of roses before moving in, but I was afraid you might not like them.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s heart felt a subtle warmth, like a flower gradually unfurling its petals. ¡°The choice of flowers and plants for our home is entirely up to you,¡± the man gently inquired. ¡°Tell me, what type of flowers do you adore?¡± Fang Yuan contemplated for a moment. ¡°There isn¡¯t a particular flower that I favor, but if I had to choose, it would probably be shrubby cinquefoil.¡± It wasn¡¯t as striking as a rose, nor as austere as a plum blossom. It lacked the delicate charm of cherry blossoms¡­ Bo Yi whispered softly into her ear, ¡°Do you know what shrubby cinquefoil signifies?¡± Fang Yuan inquired with curiosity, ¡°What is it?¡± Bo Yi smiled and explained, ¡°It symbolizes cherishing the person in front of you. Shrubby cinquefoil represents both beauty and happiness.¡± Living in a home surrounded by shrubby cinquefoil, their relationship would undoubtedly flourish. Bo Yi continued, ¡°What about our home? Is there anything you¡¯d like to change?¡± Fang Yuan blurted out playfully, ¡°You. Can you promise to behave in the future?¡± Bo Yi responded with a sly grin, ¡°I¡¯m afraid that might be a tall order.¡± He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her ardently. His words fell on her ears like a gentle caress. ¡°I¡¯m already doing my best to restrain myself.¡± Fang Yuan sighed and succumbed to his affections. Meanwhile, Mu Qing had finished his dinner outside and returned to the villa. He had been waiting for quite a while, but Master Bo and Miss Fang hadn¡¯t emerged. Glancing at his watch, he realized it was already nine in the evening. Every time Master Bo spent time with Miss Fang Yuan, he lost track of time. Mu Qing didn¡¯t dare to rush them, so he patiently waited. ¡°Special Assistant Mu,¡± Yue Qiu approached with a warm smile, ¡°why don¡¯t you go inside and have a cup of hot tea? I¡¯m afraid Sir and Madam won¡¯t be coming out anytime soon. This time, it seems that the tension in the Old Master¡¯s heart has finally been resolved. There¡¯s hope for Sir¡¯s marriage!¡± In the past, Master Bo had consistently rejected any attempts to arrange a marriage with Lady Yuqi. Now, he seemed genuinely enthusiastic about his relationship with his wife. ¡°Uncle Qiu, did you hear? Old Master is quite fond of Miss Fang Yuan. He even gave her the family heirloom necklace.¡± Yue Qiu was taken aback. He hadn¡¯t expected the young lady to gain recognition from the Bo family at such a tender age. Marrying into the Bo family was no small feat. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s the one.¡± Mu Qing followed Yue Qiu in. ¡°Master Bo personally said that he won¡¯t marry anyone but Miss Fang Yuan in this life..¡± Chapter 129 - Chapter 129: Mind Your Own Business Chapter 129: Mind Your Own Business Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Yue Qiu found herself even more surprised. ¡°So, about the Cheng family¡­¡± ¡°Oh, you mean Lady Yuqi? Master Bo isn¡¯t particularly fond of her.¡± Mu Qing avoided mentioning Lady Yuqi¡¯s true status as a fake daughter. Instead, he revealed, ¡°Miss Fang Yuan is also part of the Cheng family, and both sides have given their approval for this union.¡± ¡°That¡¯s reassuring¡­¡± Yue Qiu had been concerned that this situation might strain relations between the two families. ¡°In the end, we¡¯re still family; destiny has brought us together.¡± At 11:30 pm, Fang Yuan returned to Jin¡¯an Garden. ¡°Sister, you¡¯re back?¡± Cheng Yuqi, who was on her way downstairs, spotted Fang Yuan ascending the stairs and greeted her. In a sudden gust of wind, Cheng Yuqi noticed the kiss mark on Fang Yuan¡¯s neck. It caught her off guard, causing her heart to ache sharply. She couldn¡¯t believe her eyes. ¡°Sister, why are you back so late? Did you go out with Brother-in-law?¡± Even though Cheng Yuqi suspected that Fang Yuan had been with Bo Yi, she struggled to accept it when confronted with the visible evidence on her sister¡¯s neck. Bo Yi was known for his reserved and abstinent demeanor. How could he have kissed a woman so passionately? Cheng Yuqi was convinced that Fang Yuan must have seduced him. ¡°Sister, while our family doesn¡¯t have any strict rules, it¡¯s better to return home early. If rumors spread, people might question our upbringing.¡± Fang Yuan lifted her head and asked calmly, ¡°Do you have feelings for Bo Yi?¡± ¡°I, well, 1 don¡¯t have any feelings for him¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi turned her face away and denied it, unable to meet Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze. Her denial wasn¡¯t out of fear of Fang Yuan but of her parents, as confessing her affection for Bo Yi in person was unthinkable. ¡°In that case, maintain your distance,¡± Fang Yuan replied nonchalantly. ¡°Mind your own business.¡± ¡°Sister¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi clenched her fists as she watched Fang Yuan ascend the staircase step by step. She was just a girl from a rural background. Who was she to engage in conversation with her? Did Fang Yuan believe herself superior just because she had returned to the Cheng family? Fang Yuan returned to her bedroom, and her phone suddenly vibrated. It was a message from Big Bai. ¡°Boss, the situation with the X Gang has been resolved. Furthermore, I¡¯ve gathered information about the fire in the first three rivers from 18 years ago, as you requested.¡± ¡°That day was September 10th. Wang Xiang, the janitor who picked up Fang Jiayi, once confided in her close friend that it was a night of heavy rainfall. Back then, the roads hadn¡¯t been repaired, and the downpour created numerous trouble spots on the ground.¡± ¡°Around 2 AM, Wang Xiang and a few other janitors were busy cleaning the streets and trying to alleviate the flooding when they suddenly heard an explosion.¡± ¡°Then, a series of explosions followed. Initially, Wang Xiang was hesitant to approach the source, but eventually, as she attempted to rescue someone, she observed several unmarked black vehicles speeding away from the inferno in the opposite direction.¡± ¡°During that time, it was a rare sight to spot cars in such a remote location¡­ I believe those vehicles may have had some connection to the fire.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Who could it be? Why would they detonate the hospital?¡± ¡°I find it peculiar as well¡­ But Wang Xiang was solely focused on saving lives at the time and didn¡¯t delve too deeply into it. If she could recall any characteristics of the individuals in those cars, it might aid the investigation.¡± ¡°But Wang Xiang has fallen on hard times.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. Wasn¡¯t she Fang Jiayi¡¯s adoptive mother? Even though Fang Jiayi had already returned to the Fang family, Wang Xiang had raised her diligently. How could she be enduring such hardships? Big Bai continued, ¡°After Fang Jiayi rejoined the Fang family, they gave Wang Xiang a hundred thousand yuan. She refused the money and merely requested the occasional opportunity to visit Fang Jiayi. However, Fang Jiayi refused to acknowledge her and wanted nothing to do with her.¡± ¡°Wang Xiang made a few attempts to visit the Fang family, but the servants chased her away. Her health has deteriorated, and she¡¯s lost her job. She has no income, no children, and no relatives to support her. It¡¯s quite a pitiable situation.¡± ¡°An ungrateful individual.¡± Fang Yuan was well aware of Fang Jiayi¡¯s character. Her previous identity was a source of shame for her. She preferred to cast aside Wang Xiang, her adoptive mother who had devoted eighteen years to raising her, in order to ascend the social hierarchy. ¡°There¡¯s another peculiar detail. During that time, a number of high-ranking officials from the health center were missing. The records were also nowhere to be found.¡± ¡°Now, our best leads come from Wang Xiang and the others who were involved in the rescue efforts. But Boss, brace yourself. It might not be easy to obtain immediate results.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± When Fang Yuan said this, she noticed her phone vibrating. Glancing at it, she saw that Bo Yi had called. ¡°I need to take this call.¡± After a brief conversation with Bo Yi, Fang Yuan took a shower and went to bed. In her dream, she found herself back in the Fang family. There, she saw a young girl, holding Song Ling¡¯s hand, her eyes brimming with tears as she asked, ¡°Mommy, when will you come home to visit me again?¡± ¡°Fang Yuan, are you finished with your demands? Your father and 1 are swamped every day. We don¡¯t have the time to come see you. It¡¯s just a fever of 39 degrees, for heaven¡¯s sake. Which child hasn¡¯t had a fever? You insist on our return for such a minor issue.. Can¡¯t you be more understanding?¡± Chapter 130 - Chapter 130: Cant Sleep Chapter 130: Can¡¯t Sleep Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Young Fang Yuan felt a sense of injustice and quietly began to sob. ¡°But I didn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°If you hadn¡¯t complained to Grandma, would she have called us and pressured us to return? Do you realize that your father and I had to delay another project just to come back?¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough, let¡¯s not dwell on this. She¡¯s just a child; she couldn¡¯t have known any better,¡± Fang Liguo tried to mediate. ¡°What child!¡± Song Ling burst out in anger. ¡°Have you ever seen a child using Grandma to manipulate their parents? Look at how biased Mom is. Fang Yuan, let me tell you, the more you act like this, the more I dislike you. All you do is cry all day. You¡¯re so annoying!¡± As Song Ling made to leave, Fang Liguo hurriedly followed her. ¡°Honey, please don¡¯t be like this¡­ How would a child know that her grandfather¡¯s passing secured the company for us? There are many people within the company who want to undermine us and cause problems behind our backs¡­ The child just misses her Mom and Dad.¡± ¡°She¡¯s a bringer of bad luck! Every time, she only hampers our important matters. What else can she do besides crying? If she had any ability, she could help the family earn money so we could be at home every day!¡± Little Fang Yuan quickly wiped her tears and made a silent vow. If she became successful and could help her family earn money, would her parents then be able to stay at home with her every day? Would they start to like her? With her grandpas¡¯ support, she gradually excelled. It was during this time that she began to grasp that Madame Old Fang¡¯s strained relationship with Song Ling was due to the shares issue. Song Ling disliked Madame Fang, so whenever Madame Fang stood up for Fang Yuan, Song Ling¡¯s resentment towards her only grew¡­ In Song Ling¡¯s eyes, Fang Yuan was an omen of misfortune. Every time she returned home, work issues arose, which further discouraged her from coming home. Over the years, Fang Liguo and Song Ling visited home less and less, leading to their connection with Fang Yuan diminishing. In the past, Song Ling didn¡¯t appreciate Fang Yuan¡¯s tears and clinginess. Over time, Fang Yuan transformed into a child who seldom cried or sought closeness with others. To outsiders, she even seemed a bit aloof and unapproachable. After an indeterminate period of time, Fang Yuan slowly opened her eyes to the early dawn light filtering through the window. Her heart felt curiously empty, for reasons she couldn¡¯t quite pinpoint. She reached for her phone and glanced at the screen. It was just past six in the morning, and a few unread WeChat messages from Bo Yi caught her attention. [Yuanyuan, I miss you so much that I can¡¯t sleep.] [I really want to hold you close and drift to sleep.] Fang Yuan felt her emptiness recede, replaced by a newfound happiness. Bo Yi had sent these messages at five in the morning and had evidently been awake all night. Her slender fingers danced across the screen as she replied, ¡°Don¡¯t I let you hold me every day?¡± She added soothingly, ¡°Rest well. We¡¯ll be together soon.¡± Unexpectedly, right after she sent the message, Bo Yi called. ¡°Yuanyuan.¡± There was a touch of plaintiveness in his voice. ¡°I miss you so much¡­ Why did you wake up so early? Did you have a bad dream?¡± Fang Yuan wasn¡¯t sure if her childhood experiences could be classified as nightmares. ¡°You didn¡¯t sleep all night?¡± ¡°No, I couldn¡¯t sleep.¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice was alluringly soft. ¡°I miss you terribly.¡± He was lying in bed, replaying scenes of their time together in his mind like a film, over and over again. He couldn¡¯t count how many times he had replayed it. His longing for her kept him awake. ¡°Are you still feeling sleepy?¡± Fang Yuan replied with composure, ¡°I¡¯m wide awake now.¡± ¡°In that case, let¡¯s go watch the sunrise together.¡± Bo Yi wanted to be with her without delay. Upon receiving her approval, he hastily prepared and set off. As Fang Yuan freshened up and changed her clothes, Bo Yi¡¯s car pulled up in front of her home. Just as she stepped out of the door, Bo Yi enveloped her in a tight embrace. He inhaled the girl¡¯s scent, and at last, his heart found serenity. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you so much,¡± he murmured as he lowered his head, noticing the lingering hickey on the girl¡¯s neck from the night before. He couldn¡¯t help but caress the visage he¡¯d dreamt about, his smile affectionate. ¡°Good morning, Yuanyuan.¡± ¡°Morning,¡± Fang Yuan replied calmly, though her voice carried a distinct warmth. Bo Yi suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s head to Starry Night Restaurant to catch the sunrise and have breakfast.¡± Fang Yuan, rarely this compliant, agreed, saying, ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°You¡¯re quite obedient when you¡¯ve just woken up,¡± he remarked, gently stroking her cheek and smiling even more fondly. On the terrace At first, Cheng Yuqi suspected her eyes were deceiving her. However, upon closer inspection with binoculars, she was left utterly flabbergasted. It was indeed Bo Yi! Bo Yi had personally driven to pick up Fang Yuan! Not only did he open the car door for her, but he also tenderly shielded her head with his hand. After she settled into the car, he even helped fasten her seatbelt and gave her a lingering kiss! Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t believe her eyes. They had parted ways only at 11 o¡¯clock the previous night, and it was now just 6:30 in the morning, yet they were already cuddling together! As she watched the car drive away, Cheng Yuqi¡¯s anger was so intense that it felt like her internal organs were being wrung. She yearned to crush Fang Yuan underfoot and obliterate her. Fuming, she sought out Auntie Wang to strategize.. Chapter 131 - Chapter 131: Family Matters Chapter 131: Family Matters Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Starry Night Restaurant was perched atop the mountain, offering a splendid vantage point to witness the sunrise. Upon Bo Yi and Fang Yuan¡¯s arrival, the sun had already climbed halfway into the sky. Its warm rays bathed the horizon, rendering it a breathtaking tableau reminiscent of an oil painting. ¡°It¡¯s a bit late,¡± Bo Yi remarked, embracing Fang Yuan. ¡°We should arrive earlier next time.¡± Fang Yuan agreed, gazing at the picturesque panorama before her. ¡°Nevertheless, this is truly enchanting.¡± Previously, her hectic life had left her little time to appreciate the wonders of nature. Now, standing in this spot, her eyes and soul found profound contentment. Bo Yi, admiring the radiant glow on her face in the morning light, chuckled. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s a sight to behold. Almost seems impolite not to kiss you.¡± The restaurant manager, witnessing their affectionate morning kiss, couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. What was happening? They had merely held hands during their last visit, and now they were sharing a kiss? After their lingering kiss, Bo Yi peered into Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes and spoke tenderly, ¡°Remember, you can always confide in me, whether you¡¯re happy or unhappy. I¡¯m here to listen.¡± Fang Yuan raised her head and met his sincere gaze. ¡°Don¡¯t carry it all alone, okay?¡± Fang Yuan had always been reticent about her feelings, whether positive or negative. Even with Tang Nan and the others, she had seldom opened up. Gazing into Bo Yi¡¯s caring and earnest eyes, she nodded. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll give it a try.¡± He gently stroked her face and smiled lovingly. ¡°Now, let¡¯s go have breakfast.¡± Following breakfast, Fang Yuan proceeded to her workplace. While perusing a stack of reports, she pondered the hidden secrets Zhao Quan might still have concealed. ¡°President Fang, Designer Gu is requesting your presence!¡± Wang Ning¡¯s voice called from outside the door. ¡°Please, come in,¡± Fang Yuan said, allowing Gu Panpan to enter. When Gu Panpan walked in, her eyes still held traces of tears. ¡°Good morning, President Fang. Here¡¯s my new autumn design,¡± Gu Panpan respectfully handed the design draft to Fang Yuan, managing a strained smile. ¡°Director Zhou asked me to deliver it to you and mentioned how incredible a designer you are¡­¡± Fang Yuan noticed Gu Panpan¡¯s reddened eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve been crying?¡± Gu Panpan shook her head, but the emotions she had been suppressing overwhelmed her, and she started sobbing softly. ¡°Take a seat and collect yourself,¡± Fang Yuan said, not pressuring her with questions. She offered a tissue and waited for Gu Panpan to express herself. Gu Panpan¡¯s tears fell one by one. There were moments when she tried to be strong and hold back, but her emotions got the better of her, causing her to break down repeatedly. Wang Ning, outside the door, was unaware of what had occurred and shook his head at Fang Yuan, sending her a WeChat message. [President Fang, I have no idea what¡¯s wrong with Designer Gu. Should 1 inquire?] Fang Yuan replied: [No need.] As Gu Panpan neared the end of her crying, Fang Yuan poured a glass of water for her and placed it in front of her. ¡°Take a sip.¡± ¡°President Fang¡­¡± Gu Panpan didn¡¯t anticipate such kindness from someone unrelated to her by blood. It reminded her of her family, and her eyes welled up with tears once more. Seeing her cry again, Fang Yuan asked calmly, ¡°Is this related to work?¡± Gu Panpan shook her head. ¡°Family affairrs?¡± Gu Panpan nodded. Fang Yuan now grasped the situation, realizing the profound pain that only family could inflict. ¡°I¡­¡± Gu Panpan paused, struggling to find the words. ¡°Today marks the anniversary of my father¡¯s passing¡­ But they have gone too far. They desecrated my father¡¯s tombstone by littering on it. If I hadn¡¯t visited today, I would never have known the extent of their disrespect.¡± As Gu Panpan recounted this, her voice quivered, and she broke into tears once more. She had wished to keep her personal emotions separate from her work, but the image of her father¡¯s tomb surrounded by trash filled her with anger and sorrow. ¡°I haven¡¯t had the heart to tell my mother about it¡­¡± Gu Panpan¡¯s tears flowed freely, cutting short her sentence. Fang Yuan patiently waited for her to compose herself and inquired, ¡°Was it a family member who did this?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Gu Panpan replied through sobs, her heart heavy with the cruelty of her relatives. ¡°Interestingly, my family also operates a clothing company,¡± Gu Panpan shared after wiping her tears. ¡°My grandfather founded it, and after his passing, my father took charge. A few years ago, my father tragically died in a car accident¡­¡± Her voice choked with emotion as she continued, ¡°My uncle claimed that my mother and 1 were ignorant about managing the company, so he seized control of it. He even found ways to diminish our holdings and eventually forced us out.¡± Gu Panpan sobbed, ¡°My mother used to own several properties, but they¡¯ve all been taken away¡­¡± A hint of surprise and concern crept into Fang Yuan¡¯s voice as she inquired softly, ¡°Haven¡¯t your other relatives stepped in to help?¡± Chapter 132 - Chapter 132: What Goes Around Comes Around Chapter 132: What Goes Around Comes Around Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Gu Panpan spoke with a heavy heart, ¡°In the past, my grandfather held the family together. After his passing, my grandmother succumbed to grief. Following my father¡¯s departure, everyone began heeding my uncle¡¯s commands. No one stood up for my mother and me.¡± Even among the older generation of relatives, there were those who advised them to be more compliant and show vulnerability, claiming life would be easier under the Gu family¡¯s protection. They were warned that defying the Gu family would lead to an unpleasant fate. ¡°But 1 refuse to bow down to them. Their bullying is too much!¡± Gu Panpan¡¯s frustration extended beyond her uncle and aunt; her cousins had also joined in. Even after she and her mother had left the Gu family and found a place to live, her cousins continued to torment them. It seemed like bullying them was a form of amusement. ¡°I¡¯m certain it was my cousin who littered trash on my father¡¯s tombstone today!¡± Gu Panpan seethed. ¡°The same thing happened last year. She brought a few bodyguards and destroyed the offerings in front of my father¡¯s grave. She dumped heaps of rubbish on it and hurled abusive words. My mother argued with her and was even injured by her bodyguards. It was a disaster!¡± At that moment, Gu Panpan recalled something. ¡°This time last year, President Fang, can 1 make a call?¡± Fang Yuan, sensing the urgency, nodded. ¡°Of course.¡± Gu Panpan hastily took out her phone and dialed her mother¡¯s number, but there was no answer, and she grew increasingly anxious. She made two more attempts, but still, no one picked up. Just then, Wang Ning knocked on the office door. ¡°President Fang, a lingerie company is experiencing robust sales and is seeking our assistance with processing. Their existing production line can¡¯t meet the demand¡­ The price they¡¯re offering is quite attractive. Their manager wishes to meet you at the River Shore Cafe in an hour. What do you think¡­¡± Gu Panpan, becoming increasingly worried, inquired, ¡°President Fang, may I take a leave of absence? I want to visit Yuming Mountain.¡± She wanted to pay her respects at her father¡¯s grave. The River Shore Cafe was conveniently located near Yuming Mountain, just a five-minute drive away. Fang Yuan turned to Wang Ning. ¡°It is on the way, prepare the car.¡± Lately, Fang Yuan had been using Bo Yi¡¯s car. He had his own vehicle, but the company also had two cars available for use. Little did they know that, after their departure from the office, an intruder entered and took the design draft from the desk. As they drove, Gu Panpan continued her attempts to call her mother. The lack of response heightened her anxiety. It wasn¡¯t easy to reach Yuming Mountain, and from a distance, she spotted a group of people surrounding her mother, Wan Chunling. A young woman stood by, watching the drama unfold ¨C it was her cousin, Gu Qingqing. In that moment, Gu Qingqing spoke with feigned delicacy, ¡°Aunt, Uncle has been gone for several years, and it must be quite challenging for you to live alone. Luckily, I hold you dear to my heart. See, my bodyguard is about the same age as Uncle. Why don¡¯t you two live together? 1 was just about to have Uncle bear witness¡­¡± The girl who spoke appeared to be around 17 or 18, dressed in luxury-brand attire with diamond-studded accessories adorning her. Her long, wavy, golden hair was neatly styled, and she exuded an air of youthful nobility. ¡°Gu Qingqing, have you no conscience? Do you not remember how your uncle treated your family when he was alive? Aren¡¯t you afraid that his spirit will return as a vengeful ghost to haunt you?!¡± Wan Chunling seethed with hatred, but she was outnumbered. She understood that a direct confrontation would leave her at a disadvantage. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t brought it up, I might have forgotten. When Uncle was alive, Grandfather favored him, and your family oppressed ours! But now, the tables have turned¡­¡± Gu Qingqing glanced at the bodyguard. ¡°Qiang, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and take good care of my aunt. Let my uncle witness this for himself. His wife is now in good hands. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll find peace.¡± The bodyguard, known as Ah Qiang, was stocky and powerful despite his short stature. He appeared to be in his forties, with small, greedy eyes. Wan Chunling had been pampered throughout her life, maintaining an air of nobility, even when she had moved to a rented house. The only noticeable difference was the slightly outdated clothing she wore, which had apparently captured Ah Qiang¡¯s attention. ¡°Though Ah Qiang may not be as well-off as Uncle once was, he¡¯s the right choice for you now!¡± Gu Qingqing observed as All Qiang advanced toward Wan Chunling with a broad smile. ¡°Aunt, have a great time. Ah Qiang is strong and will surely provide you with all the comfort you need!¡± Wan Chunling, visibly upset, gestured towards the tombstone and declared, ¡°If you dare to let him lay a hand on me today, I¡¯ll bash my head against this wall and die right here! Let¡¯s see how you justify this to the ancestors of the Gu family! How will you explain it to the elder members of the Gu family!¡± Chapter 133 - Chapter 133: Oh, Bitch Chapter 133: Oh, Bitch Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon hearing Gu Qingqing¡¯s callous words, she let out a scornful laugh. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Uncle has been gone for so long, and you still want to keep yourself pure for his sake? Our ancestors are resting peacefully in their coffins. They can¡¯t rise from the dead to meddle with your affairs. Furthermore, who would even bother caring about you and your daughter?¡± ¡°**ch!¡± In that moment, Gu Panpan rushed forward and raised her hand to strike Gu Qingqing. However, the bodyguard swiftly intervened, pushing her to the ground and causing her elbow to bleed. ¡°Panpan! Why are you here?¡± Wan Chunling urged, concern in her voice. ¡°You must go now; don¡¯t worry about me!¡± Gu Panpan shot an angry glare at her arrogant cousin. ¡°Do you use a toilet brush to clean that filthy mouth of yours? It¡¯s absolutely vile!¡± ¡°Gu Panpan!¡± Gu Qingqing initially appeared angry, but then her expression shifted into a sly smile. ¡°You¡¯ve come at the perfect time. All Ding, haven¡¯t you been fond of her for a while? Today, you can entertain her while Ah Qiang takes care of her mother!¡± Gu Panpan seethed, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare lay a finger on us!¡± ¡°What if I do? Can Uncle rise from his coffin to defend you two?¡± Gu Qingqing¡¯s eyes were filled with arrogance. ¡°Go ahead!¡± Ah Ding was the first to approach and reached out to tug at Wan Chunling¡¯s clothing. She was so terrified that she turned pale and let out a loud scream. ¡°Release my mother!¡± Gu Panpan attempted to rush to her mother¡¯s aid, but All Ding dragged her away, struggling against her with all his might. ¡°Let me go, you scum!¡± Gu Panpan fought back fiercely. Suddenly, a slender hand firmly grasped Ah Ding¡¯s arm. Before he could react, he was sent tumbling into the grass. Gu Panpan remained stunned. It was President Fang. President Fang was here? And she had such impressive skills? Fang Yuan pulled Gu Panpan to her feet and inquired with a concerned expression, ¡°Are you okay?¡± Gu Panpan shook her head, tears streaming down her face. She was immensely relieved that President Fang had come to their aid. Meanwhile, on the other side, Wang Ning grasped a large rock and struck Ah Qiang¡¯s back with it, causing him considerable pain. Ah Qiang turned around to find a well-dressed young man who appeared inexperienced in combat. Gu Qingqing, surprised to see the two newcomers, remarked, ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve even brought a couple of helpers, huh?¡± Apart from the less physically imposing Wang Ning, another person had now intervened. ¡°She¡¯s rather attractive,¡± Gu Qingqing appraised Fang Yuan¡¯s appearance and remarked to her bodyguards, ¡°Is there anyone interested in her? Take her and make use of her. As for this man, beat him senseless.¡± ¡°Go away!¡± Gu Panpan pleaded, her voice trembling with fear. ¡°Don¡¯t mind us, just leave quickly¡­¡± This group seemed capable of anything, and while President Fang was skilled, it was challenging to fend off four opponents with only two fists. Fang Yuan didn¡¯t waste words. Her demeanor was as cold as winter, chilling to the bone. She positioned herself protectively in front of Gu Panpan and calmly addressed Gu Qingqing, ¡°Did you desecrate the tombstone?¡± ¡°So what if I did?¡± Gu Qingqing, crossing her arms, showed complete disregard for the young girl. ¡°Not only did I defile it, 1 even splashed paint on her just now! What¡¯s it to you? Are you planning to defend Gu Panpan? Do you understand your place?¡± ¡°Please, don¡¯t concern yourself with us¡­¡± Gu Panpan tugged at Fang Yuan¡¯s clothing, her voice filled with fear as she implored, ¡°You need to get out of here quickly. There are too many of them¡­¡± A crisp sound interrupted the conversation. Before anyone could react, another resounding slap landed on Gu Qingqing¡¯s face. Fang Yuan¡¯s actions were swift. In a mere instant, Gu Qingqing bore two distinct red marks on her cheek. ¡°You, how dare you strike me?¡± Gu Qingqing couldn¡¯t believe the audacity of the girl before her. ¡°Didn¡¯t Gu Panpan inform you of who 1 am?¡± Fang Yuan replied in a composed manner, ¡°Indeed, she did. A bitch.¡± Wang Ning had to stifle a laugh upon hearing Fang Yuan¡¯s words. Gu Qingqing, pointing an accusing finger at Fang Yuan, sputtered, ¡°You, you¡­¡± Fang Yuan interjected, ¡°One slap is for Gu Panpan, one slap for the debt you owe her mother, and one more¡­¡± Another slap from Fang Yuan cut her off. ¡°That¡¯s for her late father. Do you even understand the concept of respect?¡± ¡°You, you, what are you waiting for? Teach this wench a lesson!¡± Gu Qingqing wasted no time, and her bodyguards swiftly closed in on Fang Yuan. Gu Panpan, who had never witnessed such a terrifying scenario, stood before Fang Yuan with trepidation. ¡°This has nothing to do with her. Focus on me¡­¡± ¡°President Fang, you must leave immediately. I¡¯ll hold them off,¡± Wang Ning spoke softly, his fear evident, but he still chose to stay protect President Fang. He then said softly, ¡°Can you drive? If not, head down the mountain on foot. I¡¯ll handle things here!¡± ¡°None of you are getting away today!¡± Gu Qingqing angrily pointed at Fang Yuan. ¡°Let her live.. I want to see her suffer bit by bit!¡± Chapter 134 - Chapter 134:I Never Remember Ugly People Chapter 134:I Never Remember Ugly People Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The bodyguards lunged one by one, but Fang Yuan effortlessly sidestepped their attacks and seized moments to kick them several meters away. Throughout the skirmish, her composure remained unwavering. Gu Qingqing observed as her bodyguards fell, one after the other, none left standing. They clutched their aching stomachs and heads, writhing on the ground, their cries filling the air. In disbelief, she turned her gaze to Fang Yuan. ¡°You¡¯re a bunch of incompetent fools! You can¡¯t even handle a young girl. Get up already!¡± But the bodyguards were in such agony that getting up was beyond their capabilities. Gu Qingqing watched as Fang Yuan steadily advanced toward her, prompting a sense of fear that instinctively made her step back. ¡°I¡¯m cautioning you, I am the Gu family¡¯s Elder Miss¡­¡± Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. ¡°Isn¡¯t Gu Panpan the Elder Miss of the Gu family? Who do you think you are?¡± Gu Qingqing retorted, ¡°Gu Panpan is nothing but a stray dog! If you help me deal with her, I can let bygones be bygones and even offer you some rewards¡­¡± Wang Ning couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. President Fang was engaged to Bo Yi! President Fang could obtain anything she desired. Why would she need rewards from an insignificant individual like Gu Qingqing? ¡°Panpan, how would you like to resolve this matter?¡± Fang Yuan turned her attention to Gu Panpan. It was only then that Gu Panpan shook off her initial shock. Gu Qingqing had not only spoken ill of her deceased father but had also allowed someone to harm her and her mother. Fueled by this realization, she rushed forward and delivered several sharp slaps to Gu Qingqing. If President Fang hadn¡¯t intervened, she and her mother would have been subject to further mistreatment. ¡°You, Gu Panpan, have you finally grown a spine? Flow dare you strike me?¡± Gu Qingqing shielded her face, her teeth clenched. ¡°I¡¯m hitting you!¡± Gu Panpan continued to strike her, each blow stinging her palms. ¡°This morning, you had the audacity to have people litter trash on my father¡¯s tombstone. 1 endured it! Now, you¡¯ve had someone defile it with paint and even allowed your minions to harass us! You wicked woman! I demand you kneel and kowtow to my father in apology!¡± ¡°In your dreams!¡± Gu Panpan exerted a forceful pull, attempting to make her bow down, but Gu Qingqing adamantly resisted. ¡°Gu Qingqing, don¡¯t you feel any remorse?¡± Gu Panpan demanded, her voice ringing with frustration. ¡°Remorse? Why should 1 feel remorse? Your family seized all the good fortune back then! What you¡¯re going through now is merely a taste of what our family endured!¡± Gu Qingqing stubbornly shot back. ¡°Did my father mistreat you when he was alive? Even though he managed the company, did he ever shortchange you a single cent each month? Whenever you wanted to invest or buy shops, my father helped you make money without hesitation. After Grandpa passed away, he left us a house, a car, and a shop. What more could my father have possibly given you?¡± Gu Qingqing shouted defiantly, ¡°How much are these things worth? Everyone knows that the company is the real treasure. You people have been guarding this goldmine and only tossed me such a measly sum. Don¡¯t act like you¡¯re doing something grand!¡± Gu Panpan found it futile to reason with this individual. ¡°Will you kneel or not?¡± Gu Qingqing retorted, ¡°I won¡¯t kneel. What can you do to me?¡± Fang Yuan, who had been observing nearby, swiftly kicked Gu Qingqing¡¯s calf, causing her to drop to her knees. ¡°You¡­ you¡­¡± Gu Qingqing¡¯s face twisted with anger. She glared at Fang Yuan. ¡°I won¡¯t forget you!¡± Fang Yuan replied nonchalantly, ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. 1 tend to forget unmemorable people.¡± ¡°Apologize to my father!¡± Gu Panpan pressed her head down and insisted on the kowtow. Gu Qingqing resisted vehemently. Gu Panpan pulled her hair and attempted to force her down. Eventually, the two engaged in a scuffle. ¡°President Fang, should we intervene?¡± Wang Ning couldn¡¯t help but ask when she noticed the two of them were evenly matched. ¡°Her mother seems unconcerned,¡± Fang Yuan leaned against the tree, her voice lazy. She continued, ¡°Let them resolve their issues themselves.¡± Upon hearing this, Wang Ning couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡°So you were just enjoying the spectacle, thinking Gu Panpan would emerge victorious with that extra kick.¡± Wan Chunling understood the necessity of allowing her daughter to release her pent-up anger; she knew she had to do it herself. She had bottled up her emotions for too long, and it was taking a toll. Gu Qingqing, having grown up in a more sheltered environment, lacked the physical strength of Gu Panpan, who had spent several years away from the Gu family, performing numerous strenuous tasks like lugging office water buckets. Swiftly, Gu Panpan gained the upper hand, pinning Gu Qingqing down and striking her. ¡°If you don¡¯t kneel today, I¡¯ll keep hitting you until you do! Are you going to kneel or not? Kneel or not!¡± ¡°Please stop hitting me, please stop¡­¡± Gu Qingqing pleaded, shielding her swollen face. Her gown had been torn, exposing her body. She hastily covered herself and implored, ¡°Gu Panpan, Sister Panpan, please stop hitting me¡­¡± Seeing her fear, Gu Panpan halted her assault.. Chapter 135 - Chapter 135: Kowtow Chapter 135: Kowtow Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Gu Qingqing, clutching the front of her gown with one hand, humbly knelt on the ground. Meeting Gu Panpan¡¯s intense gaze, she performed a kowtow before her late uncle¡¯s resting place. Although her head didn¡¯t make contact with the ground, it was clear that she was making the gesture. ¡°Sister Panpan, can I leave now?¡± she inquired, her voice hesitant. Gu Panpan responded sternly, ¡°You haven¡¯t confessed to your wrongdoings yet!¡± While Gu Qingqing harbored reservations, she recognized that she was no match for them alone. She yielded temporarily, saying, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have defiled Uncle¡¯s tombstone, let alone bringing bodyguards to intimidate you¡­ Sister Panpan, you¡¯ve already given me a beating. Please, let me go to the hospital. My body is in pain¡­¡± She vowed to return home and recount the incident to her parents, seeking to exact revenge. Gu Panpan was incensed. ¡°You haven¡¯t apologized to my mother yet. My mother is your elder, your aunt. It¡¯s one thing if she mistreated me, but you allowed others to torment and disgrace her!¡± Gu Qingqing uttered a hesitant apology, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Aunt. I was wrong.¡± Wan Chunling could sense the insincerity in her words. She turned her face away without responding. ¡°Leave!¡± Gu Panpan declared, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. Gu Qingqing clutched her torn gown and hastily retreated, prompting the bodyguards to rise from the ground and flee as well. While Ah Qiang and All Li attempted to escape, they received a couple of kicks from Gu Qingqing. Impressed, Fang Yuan commented, ¡°You¡¯ve toughened up. No longer the easy target.¡± ¡°President Fang, I must thank you for today¡­ Your presence made all the difference. Without you, I can¡¯t imagine what would have happened,¡± Gu Panpan expressed her gratitude while helping her mother, Wan Chunling, to her feet. ¡°Let me introduce you. This is my mother, Wan Chunling. Mom, meet my superior, President Fang, and Assistant Wang.¡± ¡°Thank you for your help today¡­¡± Wan Chunling bowed deeply, expressing her gratitude. Fang Yuan noticed the wound on Wan Chunling¡¯s arm. ¡°Your injury¡­¡± Wan Chunling instinctively covered it. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing. I accidentally hurt myself earlier.¡± ¡°Mom, does it hurt?¡± Gu Panpan asked with concern. ¡°You¡¯ve lost quite a bit of blood. Let me take you to the hospital.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s address the tombstone first¡­¡± Wan Chunling¡¯s gaze fixed on the tombstone, its glaring red paint staining the area. The grass surrounding the tombstone bore evidence of the paint splatter. Gu Panpan considered it and remarked, ¡°I don¡¯t think we can clean it off¡­ We should consider changing the tombstone. Gu Qingqing must have gone home to complain about this. If we linger here, it could become risky.¡± Gu Panpan knew Gu Qingqing¡¯s temperament well. Having never been a target of bullying in her life, being beaten so thoroughly today would undoubtedly ignite her desire for revenge. Fang Yuan intervened, ¡°Let me take you to the hospital first.¡± She noted that both Wan Chunling and Gu Panpan had sustained injuries. Wan Chunling insisted on handling the matter themselves. ¡°There¡¯s really no need. We have some medicine at home. A little application will suffice. We can take the bus back.¡± Recognizing their desire to save money, Fang Yuan offered gently, ¡°We have some time to spare, so we can drop you off. Panpan, where is your place?¡± Gu Panpan replied, ¡°Ah? My mother and I have rented a place in Taoxiang¡­¡± Taoxiang was a run-down neighborhood with small houses ranging from 28 to 38 square meters. Fang Yuan nodded and directed Wang Ning, ¡°Let¡¯s head to Taoxiang.¡± Wang Ning agreed, and ten minutes later, their car halted at the entrance of Taoxiang District. Wan Chunling insisted on inviting Fang Yuan and the others upstairs for a cup of tea before departing. Glancing at the time, Wang Ning signaled to Fang Yuan that they still had some time to spare. ¡°My place is small, please don¡¯t be concerned¡­¡± Wan Chunling gently held Fang Yuan¡¯s hand with her uninjured arm. ¡°You and Wang have been of immense help, and we are grateful for your assistance. Come to our home for a warm cup of tea. No need for formalities¡­¡± expectantly. Getting a nod from Fang Yuan, the four of them ascended to Gu Panpan¡¯s apartment together. Wan Chunling expressed her admiration, saying, ¡°You¡¯ve achieved the position of a company CEO at such a young age? You¡¯re truly remarkable¡­¡± Gu Panpan proudly replied, ¡°That¡¯s right, Mom. Our President Fang is exceptionally skilled in design. Every time 1 seek her guidance, my drafts improve significantly!¡± Wan Chunling nodded, impressed. ¡°Then, you must learn a lot from President Fang!¡± Fang Yuan interjected, ¡°Just call me Fang Yuan.¡± Upon entering, Wang Ning observed that Gu Panpan¡¯s apartment was notably compact. The living room was quite petite, with two small bedrooms to the left of the entrance, a restroom in the middle, and a tiny kitchen to the right. There was a small dining table as well. Despite its size, the place was impeccably tidy, exuding a warm atmosphere. ¡°We can only afford to rent a place like this for now¡­¡± Wan Chunling said with a smile, providing slippers for Fang Yuan and the others before proceeding to prepare tea. Fang Yuan insisted, ¡°Auntie, you don¡¯t have to work. Gu Panpan, get the first aid kit. I need to attend to your injury immediately..¡± Chapter 136 - Chapter 136: Not Bad Single Chapter 136: Not Bad Single Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Wan Chunling was insistent on preparing tea. After a brief wait, she returned with two steaming cups of tea. ¡°Auntie, let me take a look at your wound,¡± Fang Yuan said, noting the sand still embedded in Wan Chunling¡¯s arm from her fall. She skillfully attended to her wound. Wan Chunling expressed surprise, ¡°You know how to dress a wound?¡± Fang Yuan replied with calm humility, ¡°I¡¯ve seen it on the Internet. It¡¯s just like drawing a tiger based on a cat.¡± Wan Chunling recognized the modesty in Fang Yuan and held an even higher opinion of her. Meanwhile, Gu Panpan applied medicine to her wound. As the cotton swab grazed the injury, she winced in pain. ¡°Allow me to assist you,¡± Wang Ning offered, taking the cotton swab and gently treating her wound. ¡°Please let me know if it hurts.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Gu Panpan responded, watching him with appreciation as he applied the ointment. ¡°Thank you!¡± Once the wounds were properly cared for, Fang Yuan suggested, ¡°1 don¡¯t think Gu Qingqing is a trustworthy person. You should consider changing your place of residence.¡± Gu Panpan had already contemplated this. ¡°But we can¡¯t find a cheaper place than this.¡± Fang Yuan revealed, ¡°I have a friend who¡¯s gone abroad, and she¡¯s asked me to help her rent out her house. The rental price isn¡¯t the main concern; it¡¯s important that the tenant takes good care of it.¡± Gu Panpan, her eyes brightening with hope, promptly responded, ¡°We will cherish the house!¡± Fang Yuan inquired, ¡°How much is your current monthly rent?¡± Gu Panpan replied, ¡°3600.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll rent it to you at the same price,¡± Fang Yuan proposed calmly. ¡°The house is nearby, making the commute to work more convenient.¡± ¡°President Fang, we¡¯ve checked the nearby houses, and there really aren¡¯t any two-bedroom options of this quality besides this one,¡± Gu Panpan said, worried that Fang Yuan might think it¡¯s too inexpensive and have trouble explaining to her friends. Fang Yuan reassured her, ¡°My friend mentioned that the rent isn¡¯t a problem.¡± She glanced at the time. ¡°I have something to attend to now. Wang Ning will come over later to assist you with the move. 1 need to confirm the exact location with my friend. She told me before, but I¡¯ve forgotten.¡± ¡°President Fang¡­¡± Gu Panpan struggled to find the right words to express her gratitude. Wan Chunling rose from her seat. ¡°Yuan, you¡¯ve helped us twice, and we¡¯re at a loss about how to repay you¡­ Thank you so much!¡± Fang Yuan waved off their concerns. ¡°You don¡¯t have to repay me. Living well and thriving is the greatest repayment.¡± Wan Chunling was deeply moved, and her eyes welled with tears. ¡°Everything is settled,¡± Fang Yuan said as she stood up. She exited the apartment and, once in her car, powered on her phone to locate the house she intended to rent in the city center. It was a three-bedroom residence in Jadewater Mansion, spanning 90 square meters and boasting a high-end finish. The passcode lock was 010101, a code she often used for properties her grandfathers gifted her, chosen for its simplicity. Fang Yuan messaged Wang Ning, ¡°We¡¯ll meet at River Shore Cafe later. I¡¯ll head there first. You can return to assist with the move.¡± Wang Ning replied, ¡°Understood, President Fang.¡± In Bo Yi¡¯s office, he glanced at his phone repeatedly. Despite the girl¡¯s photo being on display, there wasn¡¯t a single WeChat message on the screen. ¡°Is the internet down?¡± Bo Yi examined the full Wi-Fi signal, growing suspicious that it might be deceiving him. He turned to Mu Qing and instructed, ¡°Send me a message on WeChat.¡± Mu Qing appeared puzzled by Bo Yi¡¯s request. ¡°Send a WeChat message?¡± He questioned why they were resorting to WeChat when they were in close proximity, instead of speaking directly. Nevertheless, he respectfully inquired, ¡°Master Bo, what would you like me to send?¡± Bo Yi responded, ¡°Whatever you want.¡± ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll send an emoji,¡± Mu Qing decided and sent a smiling face. Bo Yi received the message instantly, indicating that it wasn¡¯t an issue with the signal but that the young lady simply hadn¡¯t messaged him. Bo Yi found the smiley face in bad taste for the workplace. He felt as if it were mocking him. ¡°I¡¯ll donate this month¡¯s bonus to Hope Primary School in your name.¡± Mu Qing¡¯s eyes widened in shock. What had he done wrong? Master Bo had told him that he could send anything. Why was he being scolded for a smiley face? Bo Yi opened their conversation on WeChat. The last message from Yuanyuan was at six in the morning, where she wished him a good night¡¯s sleep and expressed her desire to see him once she woke up. She had seemed genuinely concerned for him. So why hadn¡¯t there been any messages from her since she arrived at work? Frustration welled up in Bo Yi¡¯s heart at the thought of some male colleague in the company trying to court her. Glancing at Mu Qing, who seemed lost, he asked, ¡°Is there something you need to do? Have you followed up on the project 1 assigned to you? Have you resolved the issue I asked you to address?¡± Mu Qing replied, ¡°Master Bo, I will attend to it immediately.¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Bo Yi halted Mu Qing, who was making a quick exit. ¡°Did I tell you to leave?¡± Mu Qing, puzzled, inquired, ¡°Master Bo, is there anything else you¡¯d like me to do?¡± Bo Yi asked, ¡°Did any of the brands you purchased last time have a connection to clothing?¡± Chapter 137 - Chapter 137: Mu Yuan Chapter 137: Mu Yuan Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations When Mu Qing heard Bo Yi¡¯s inquiry, he paused for a moment before responding, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s an A-list, well-known opportunity. Due to a recent capital chain rupture and some internal disagreements among the higher-ups, we managed to acquire it.¡± Bo Yi inquired further, ¡°Do they have a shortage of partners?¡± Mu Qing appeared momentarily bewildered, then chuckled, ¡°Master Bo, are you jesting? Our corporation is involved in numerous sectors, and we have no shortage of potential partners. They¡¯re all eager to collaborate with us!¡± However, as he finished speaking, a thought struck him. A clothing company and potential partners¡ªMu Qing had a revelation. He quickly amended his statement, ¡°Nevertheless, some of our long-term partnerships have seen diminishing returns. It might be prudent to explore new partnership opportunities as a contingency plan.¡± Bo Yi seemed to brighten up, raising an eyebrow as he asked, ¡°For instance?¡± Mu Qing recognized the wisdom in Bo Yi¡¯s inquiry and replied swiftly, ¡°For instance, I believe Miss Fang Yuan¡¯s clothing company is a promising candidate. They can handle the processing on our behalf. Our production line can¡¯t accommodate the workload, so we can delegate a portion to AAiss Fang Yuan¡¯s company for processing and quality checks before returning it to our warehouse.¡± Bo Yi¡¯s countenance relaxed, indicating his approval of Mu Qing¡¯s suggestion. However, Mu Qing voiced a concern, ¡°I do believe our brand is highly recognizable. A sudden collaboration with Miss Fang Yuan¡¯s company might attract undue attention.¡± Bo Yi displayed interest, asking, ¡°What do you propose?¡± ¡°I suggest that Op Group, like Miss Fang Yuan¡¯s company, operate independently under a new brand name. Despite Bo Group¡¯s backing, the new entity will appear as a separate company. This way, the collaboration with Miss Fang Yuan¡¯s company will be on equal terms. I do have a name suggestion for the new company, albeit it may not be ideal. How about ¡®Mu Yuan¡¯?¡± Bo Yi raised an eyebrow, acknowledging Mu Qing¡¯s thorough thinking. Mu Qing let out a sigh of relief, saying, ¡°Master Bo, your understanding is greatly appreciated.¡± Bo Yi calmly agreed, ¡°Let¡¯s proceed as you¡¯ve outlined. If things go well, we¡¯ll double the bonus.¡± ¡°Thank you, Master Bo!¡± Mu Qing was elated, realizing that Bo Yi¡¯s previous mood was likely due to his longing for Miss Fang Yuan. As he prepared to leave the office, another idea came to mind. ¡°Oh, by the way, Master Bo¡­¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Although Bo Yi¡¯s demeanor remained stoic, there was a noticeable improvement in his mood. Mu Qing grinned. ¡°Even with your busy schedule, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to spare a moment to check in on Miss Fang Yuan. Perhaps you could send her a message or give her a quick call to see how she¡¯s doing. After all, as men, we should take the initiative from time to time, don¡¯t you think?¡± This was exactly what Bo Yi had in mind, but his expression remained unchanged. ¡°Do I need you to advise me on this?¡± Mu Qing quickly clarified, ¡°I¡¯m not trying to instruct you, Master Bo. I¡¯m simply offering a friendly reminder. You¡¯re aware that women appreciate attention. If they ever feel neglected¡­ don¡¯t you think, Master Bo?¡± Bo Yi nodded in agreement. He then picked up his phone and dialed Fang Yuan¡¯s number. Observing the improvement in Bo Yi¡¯s disposition, Mu Qing sighed with relief and exited the office. Meanwhile, Fang Yuan was in the midst of discussing a potential collaboration when her phone vibrated. Ignoring the call momentarily, she rose to her feet and shook hands with her discussion partner. ¡°Here¡¯s to a successful partnership.¡± ¡°President Fang, your straightforwardness is appreciated. I have every confidence that our collaboration will be a fruitful one.¡± The manager, clearly satisfied with Fang Yuan, wore a smile as he added, ¡°As long as the products are delivered on schedule and the quality meets our standards, we will continue to work together.¡± Fang Yuan nodded in agreement. ¡°Absolutely. Quality has always been our top priority. You can count on it.¡± With the manager departing, Fang Yuan watched as he got into his car. She then retrieved her phone and noticed two missed calls from Bo Yi. She promptly returned his call, asking, ¡°Is something the matter?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice came through, ¡°Are you busy right now?¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°Yes, I was just in a meeting regarding a potential collaboration.¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice, laced with longing, expressed, ¡°I wish to be your partner as well. That way, I¡¯d have more opportunities to see you.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s lips curled into a gentle smile, ¡°Haven¡¯t we been seeing each other quite often already?¡± Bo Yi responded with unwavering determination, ¡°No, not often enough. It¡¯s far too infrequent, and it¡¯s disheartening. I truly wish to be with you at every moment, to be close to you.¡± Fang Yuan strolled along the roadside and remarked, ¡°Alright, I¡¯m about to hail a taxi. We can chat more once 1 return.¡± ¡°Are you out alone?¡± Bo Yi assumed she was accompanied by her assistant. ¡°I¡¯ll come pick you up. Where are you?¡± Fang Yuan declined, saying, ¡°No need. I¡¯m quite near the office. I can easily catch a taxi.¡± But Bo Yi insisted, ¡°Let me pick you up. I really want to see you.¡± He promptly left his office, prompting a curious glance from Mu Qing, who thought something significant had occurred. Fang Yuan reluctantly shared her location with Bo Yi and waited by the roadside. The street had few businesses, with many storefronts sitting vacant. Behind her lay a desolate field overrun with weeds.. Chapter 138 - Chapter 138: Arrogance Chapter 138: Arrogance Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan was engrossed in her personal matters on her phone. After some time, two or three vehicles abruptly pulled up in front of her. She raised her eyes lazily and spotted Gu Qingqing, whose face was swollen from a beating, emerging from one of the cars. This time, Gu Qingqing had brought her brother, Gu Wu, along with over a dozen tough-looking individuals. She pointed at Fang Yuan and exclaimed, ¡°That¡¯s her!¡± Originally, Gu Qingqing intended to return to the mountains to settle scores with Gu Panpan and Wan Chunling, but she stumbled upon Fang Yuan alone on her way. It was as if the heavens were conspiring in her favor. ¡°This woman slapped and kicked me!¡± Gu Qingqing complained to her brother. In that moment, a gentle breeze swept through, tousling Fang Yuan¡¯s long hair and revealing her exquisite and refined face. Gu Wu was momentarily transfixed. She was incredibly beautiful¡ªundeniably so. ¡°Gu Wu, snap out of it! Get on with avenging me!¡± Gu Qingqing pushed her brother insistently. Gu Wu acknowledged that he had encountered many attractive women, but none as striking as Fang Yuan. He casually tucked his hands into his pockets and approached Fang Yuan with what he believed were his most charismatic strides. ¡°Are you the one responsible for my sister¡¯s condition?¡± Fang Yuan arched an eyebrow, seemingly unfazed by the situation. There were only a dozen henchmen, and one of them was a greenhorn. Did they really think they could intimidate her? ¡°If you¡¯re wise, you¡¯ll kneel and kowtow ten times¡­¡± Gu Qingqing, emboldened by her brother and the henchmen, walked up to Fang Yuan, her tone laced with arrogance. Fang Yuan interrupted her casually, ¡°I haven¡¯t killed you, and you already expect someone to bow down before you? You¡¯re not even in your coffin, and you want to be treated as an ancestor?¡± Gu Qingqing seethed with anger, rendered speechless. ¡°You¡¯ve got quite the sharp tongue,¡± Gu Wu remarked, intrigued. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to kneel, that¡¯s fine. Just make me happy, and I might forget about what happened to my sister.¡± ¡°Gu Wu! What are you saying? 1 brought you here to teach her a lesson!¡± Gu Qingqing had no intention of letting this slide. She wanted Fang Yuan to taste the bitterness of humiliation. Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow as she considered Gu Wu¡¯s proposition. ¡°Here? I¡¯m afraid not.¡± Her keen eye noted several surveillance cameras in the vicinity, which could leave incriminating evidence. Gu Wu appeared thrilled, thinking that Fang Yuan had agreed. He glanced around and eventually fixed his gaze on the weedy area behind Fang Yuan. ¡°If you¡¯re feeling shy, we can go over there¡­¡± Fang Yuan turned to inspect the location Gu Wu suggested. ¡°Very well,¡± she replied and proceeded to walk in that direction. Gu Wu promptly followed her, leaving the dozen thugs uncertain whether to follow suit. All eyes turned to Gu Qingqing for guidance. Gu Qingqing was baffled by the situation. Wasn¡¯t this girl known for her combat skills? Was she afraid of these thugs, or was she attempting to cozy up to her brother? Did she harbor ambitions to secure a connection with the Gu family through her beauty? What a delusion! Her brother was simply playing with trash like her! Fang Yuan led Gu Wu to the weed-covered field, a neglected patch of land where the vegetation had grown knee-high. She turned to him and suggested, ¡°This spot will do.¡± Gu Wu was taken aback by the choice, realizing that the tall weeds would obscure them from view. He was already deep in the foliage, and yet she still acted coquettish! Fang Yuan raised her eyebrows and glanced at the nearby thugs. ¡°Are you not joining us?¡± One of the thugs retorted, ¡°Little lady, you¡¯re quite the tease¡­ I¡¯d like to have you all to myself and make you beg for more¡­¡± He had no intention of letting his underlings near such an attractive girl. He planned to enjoy her first. Gu Wu¡¯s hand extended toward Fang Yuan¡¯s chest, but before he could make contact, Fang Yuan swiftly seized his hand and hurled him into the grass. His face met with soil and grass, filling his mouth. ¡°Dammit.¡± Gu Qingqing, realizing her brother wouldn¡¯t succeed alone, urgently shouted, ¡°What are you waiting for? Help him!¡± She couldn¡¯t bear the thought of this despicable girl striking her brother. He was the Gu family¡¯s pride and joy. Over ten thugs charged toward Fang Yuan, who dropped her nonchalant demeanor, her eyes now filled with a chilling resolve. She kicked the thug in front of her, sending him sprawling, and spun around to deliver a powerful punch to another thug¡¯s midsection. Meanwhile, the thug behind her attempted to strike her with a stick, but she quickly retracted the stick and swung it toward his head. As the remaining thugs realized their collective assault was futile, they decided to swarm Fang Yuan together. In a swift move, Fang Yuan pulled one thug in front of her, using him as a makeshift human shield while she systematically incapacitated them one by one.Behind her, one thug brandished a machete and swung it menacingly in her direction. Fang Yuan not only evaded the attack with lightning reflexes but also managed to disarm the thug in a seamless motion. In the blink of an eye, she had the machete positioned against the thug¡¯s neck, instilling sheer terror in him. Gu Qingqing observed in utter astonishment as Fang Yuan effortlessly dispatched each opponent, leaving the last thug trembling with fear. Ultimately, he resorted to an unconventional act, picking up a wooden stick from the ground and delivering a blow to himself before collapsing into the tall gras Chapter 139 - Chapter 139: Damn, Alone Again Chapter 139: Damn, Alone Again Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze settled on Gu Qingqing, sending a shiver down her spine. She cursed her luck; once again, she found herself abandoned. ¡°Gu Wu, Gu Wu¡­¡± Gu Qingqing tried to call her brother, who had yet to emerge from the grass. Fear gnawed at her. What kind of person was this? She might appear gentle and unassuming, but in a fight, she transformed into a fearsome force. It was genuinely terrifying! Gu Qingqing paid little heed to her unconscious brother in the grass. She swiftly turned on her heel, sprinted back to her car, started the engine, and made a hasty escape. Fang Yuan watched her fleeing car and sighed. Turning her attention to the groaning thugs in the grass, she commanded, ¡°Silence.¡± Upon hearing her words, over ten thugs clamped their hands over their mouths to stifle their cries. Their agony notwithstanding, they dared not utter a sound. Gu Wu trembled even more vigorously. The moment he had tumbled into the grass, he had recognized the formidable might of the girl. Although she appeared delicate, her physical strength surpassed that of a seasoned fighter. Fang Yuan strolled nonchalantly to the roadside, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Soon, Bo Yi¡¯s car pulled up. He approached Fang Yuan and opened the car door for her. ¡°My dear Yuanyuan, you¡¯ve been waiting.¡± ¡°Not too long,¡± Fang Yuan replied, taking her place in the front passenger seat. ¡°Actually, you didn¡¯t have to come all the way to pick me up.¡± ¡°But 1 missed you,¡± Bo Yi confessed, bending down to fasten her seatbelt. Fang Yuan glanced at his eyes. Up close, his face appeared even more striking, with delicate skin and a prominent nose. ¡°I¡¯m not a three-year-old,¡± Fang Yuan teased with a smile. After securing the seatbelt, he gazed at her affectionately. ¡°No matter how old you are, you¡¯ll always be my precious child.¡± To him, she was someone to cherish. Hearing this, Fang Yuan¡¯s cheeks flushed. Bo Yi shut the passenger door and was about to step into the car when he spotted two abandoned vehicles parked by the road with their doors ajar. He scanned the surroundings but found no one in sight. Upon settling into the car, he turned to Fang Yuan and inquired, ¡°What kind of collaboration were you discussing just now?¡± ¡°Subcontracting processing,¡± Fang Yuan replied, briefly glancing at the rearview mirror. None of the individuals involved had emerged from their cars. She must have dealt quite a blow. Bo Yi inquired further, ¡°Will you assist me with it in a few days?¡± Fang Yuan,¡±.. ¡± Bo Yi continued, ¡°It¡¯s for a new company, so it won¡¯t draw much attention.¡± Fang Yuan,¡±.. ¡± Bo Yi switched gears, ¡°Are you feeling hungry? Would you like to grab something to eat first?¡± Fang Yuan checked the time; it was nearly noon, so she agreed. They found themselves in a private room at a nearby restaurant. After placing their orders, Bo Yi held Fang Yuan¡¯s hand. He suddenly sensed that her grip today was slightly different from the norm¡ªit was a bit damp. Upon closer examination, he discovered two fresh wounds on the back of her right hand. ¡°You¡¯re injured? How did this happen?¡± Bo Yi hadn¡¯t realized that he¡¯d inadvertently touched her wounds earlier, berating himself for his oversight. ¡°I hurt you just now.¡± The stoic young woman hadn¡¯t made a sound when he touched her injury; she simply endured it. Fang Yuan hadn¡¯t even noticed when she got injured. She examined the wound and replied casually, ¡°I¡¯m fine. 1 must have scraped it against the zipper on one of those thugs.¡± Bo Yi summoned the restaurant manager and requested a first aid kit. The restaurant manager was petrified, thinking that the girl accompanying Young Master Bo had been hurt on the restaurant premises. He immediately began apologizing profusely upon entering the room, even offering to renovate the entire private room to ensure it was completely hazard-free. Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at his exaggerated reaction. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. You can leave now.¡± The restaurant manager¡¯s relief was palpable as if he had been granted a new lease on life. He bowed in gratitude and quickly exited the room. ¡°Where are you hurt?¡± Bo Yi inquired with genuine concern. ¡°How did it happen?¡± ¡°1 forgot,¡± Fang Yuan replied. In truth, she had indeed forgotten. She had endured countless injuries in the triangle region she used to frequent. Never once had she cried out in pain. This small two-centimeter wound didn¡¯t even register on her pain scale. ¡°Have you been mistreated?¡± Bo Yi asked with a mix of concern and distress. ¡°By whom?¡± ¡°No one,¡± Fang Yuan consoled Bo Yi instead. ¡°I don¡¯t even recall how I got it. It¡¯s really not a big deal. 1 don¡¯t feel any pain.¡± Bo Yi lowered his gaze, concealing the anger that simmered within him. Fang Yuan¡¯s response indicated that someone had indeed mistreated her. Someone had dared to harm the girl he held in high regard. He was determined to investigate this thoroughly. ¡°I¡¯ll apply some ointment for you. It might sting a bit¡­¡± Bo Yi¡¯s actions were gentle. ¡°Tell me if it hurts; don¡¯t keep it to yourself.¡± Fang Yuan blinked in confusion. In reality, she felt no pain at all. Bo Yi proceeded to disinfect and apply the ointment. Throughout the entire process, he didn¡¯t hear Fang Yuan utter a word of discomfort. He surmised that she was enduring it to prevent him from feeling distressed, intensifying his resolve to uncover the person responsible for her injuries. Observing Bo Yi wrapping her hand with gauze, Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but speak up. ¡°There¡¯s no need for the bandage.¡± It was too conspicuous, and she had to return to work. ¡°If you¡¯re injured, it¡¯s important to bandage it. Otherwise, an infection could set in, and there might be scars,¡± Bo Yi explained. Fang Yuan,¡±.. ¡± Bo Yi inquired, ¡°Does it still hurt?¡± Throughout the entire process, Fang Yuan never experienced any pain, but Bo Yi¡¯s heart ached nonetheless. His mind kept revisiting the image of the two empty cars parked by the roadside.. Chapter 140 - Chapter 140: Investigation Chapter 140: Investigation Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt at all; you¡¯re being too cautious,¡± Fang Yuan assured Bo Yi. Even though she didn¡¯t take her minor injury seriously, she felt a warmth in her heart because he cared about her well-being. At that moment, there was a knock at the door, and the restaurant manager entered, pushing a food cart. ¡°M-Mr. Bo, I¡¯ll serve the dishes¡­¡± The waitstaff were too intimidated to enter, leaving the manager with no choice but to brave the situation. As he entered, he couldn¡¯t help but notice the typically reserved Bo Yi hugging the girl and whispering sweetly in her ear. It was evident to anyone with eyes that Young Master Bo was deeply in love and deeply concerned about this girl. The restaurant manager proceeded to serve the dishes with his head down, mentioning that they had an excellent meal before excusing himself. However, he halted when he heard Bo Yi¡¯s voice. ¡°Wait.¡± Startled, the restaurant manager thought he was in trouble for some reason. ¡°Mr. Bo, if you need anything, 1 can arrange for a doctor to check on the lady¡­¡± Bo Yi instructed, ¡°Take the first aid kit away.¡± The manager was left perplexed. Was that all? He had anticipated a heated confrontation. Bo Yi¡¯s demeanor was far less intimidating than the rumors had suggested. On another note, Gu Panpan and Wan Chunling arrived at the Jade Water Mansion and were utterly astounded. They could secure an apartment in such an upscale neighborhood for only 3,600 yuan a month? It was like stepping into a dream. They accompanied Wang Ning to the 10th floor in the elevator, and upon opening the door, they were taken aback once more. The apartment was exquisitely decorated and impeccably clean. Could such a place truly cost just 3,600 yuan a month? ¡°Is President Fang mistaken?¡± Gu Panpan was incredulous at the sight. ¡°Wang Ning, are you sure this is the place?¡± In this environment, not only 3,600 yuan, even if the rent were doubled, it would still seem like a steal. ¡°This is the right place. The password is correct. Everything matches,¡± Wang Ning affirmed with a smile, setting down her luggage. ¡°I won¡¯t bother you any longer. I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± Gu Panpan and Wan Chunling exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to come to terms with what they were witnessing. After Bo Yi dropped Fang Yuan off at the company, he promptly instructed Mu Qing to investigate Fang Yuan¡¯s injury. In under ten minutes, Mu Qing provided him with footage captured by a roadside surveillance camera. Three vehicles had pulled up in front of Fang Yuan. Initially, a man and a woman alighted, followed by over a dozen thugs who were clearly there to intimidate Fang Yuan. After some time, everyone left the surveillance footage. From their direction, it appeared they had headed to the adjacent weed-covered area. A few minutes later, the woman returned to her car alone, speeding away in a state of panic. Subsequently, Fang Yuan appeared in the surveillance footage and entered Bo Yi¡¯s car. Regardless of the circumstances, the presence of so many individuals ganging up on Fang Yuan was disconcerting. Bo Yi¡¯s countenance darkened. ¡°Locate these individuals. I want to have a personal conversation with them.¡± Within half an hour, the thugs found themselves back at the weed field, facing over ten men, each one a formidable bodyguard. Perplexed, they asked, ¡°Sir, may we know which gang you represent? We are affiliated with the Gu family.¡± ¡°Have we met before? Why have you brought us here?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing; I¡¯m simply lending support to my young friend,¡± Bo Yi calmly stated, his gaze frosty. ¡°Do you recognize this place?¡± The dozen thugs quickly grasped the implication. Could it be that he was intervening on the girl¡¯s behalf? Contemplating her formidable combat skills, they quivered. ¡°You¡¯re all adults, yet you dared to bully a child?¡± Bo Yi raised his stature, emanating a commanding presence. ¡°You outnumbered her, and it was a man against a woman.¡± One of the thugs couldn¡¯t help but protest, ¡°Boss, can we talk this out? That girl beat us up badly. We¡¯re the ones who got bullied! Look at our injuries!¡± ¡°Yeah, that girl¡¯s combat skills are incredible. None of us could even come close to matching her!¡± ¡°She must have trained in mixed martial arts for years. Her level of skill is¡­¡± ¡°Not only that, I¡¯ve been practicing mixed martial arts since I was a child, and I don¡¯t stand a chance against her. She¡¯s like a force of nature!¡± Bo Yi¡¯s low voice held a tinge of inquiry. ¡°A force of nature?¡± ¡°No, no, Boss, what we mean is that she¡¯s exceptionally skilled¡­¡± ¡°Take them away.¡± Bo Yi¡¯s tone was icy. ¡°Make sure they remember this well.¡± ¡°Boss, what we said is true!¡± ¡°We were the ones on the receiving end of the beating!¡± ¡°We didn¡¯t even lay a finger on her!¡± The dozen or so thugs were unceremoniously hauled away by the bodyguards. They writhed in pain on the ground once more, unable to escape the consequences of their actions. They were truly bullies! Bo Yi¡¯s narrowed his eyes slightly. ¡°I¡¯ll ask again. Who dared to lay a hand on her?¡± One of the thugs cried out, ¡°Boss, you¡¯re giving us too much credit.. We couldn¡¯t get anywhere near her, let alone touch her¡­¡± Chapter 141 - Chapter 141: Three Times a Day Chapter 141: Three Times a Day Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Another thug added, ¡°Not a single one of us laid a hand on her before she took us down. Just look, my front teeth got knocked out!¡± Bo Yi¡¯s expression darkened as he questioned, ¡°Then how did she injure her hand?¡± ¡°Injured?¡± The dozen thugs were dumbfounded. They were certain that none of them had touched her, so how had she sustained an injury? ¡°Could it be that after she finished beating us up, she decided to pick on someone else? Did she injure herself elsewhere because she was still in the mood for a fight? We really don¡¯t have the skills¡­¡± The dozen thugs felt utterly wronged. That young lady was beyond unreasonable. She not only bullied them but also got her family involved in teaching them a lesson. It was just too much! Bo Yi inquired, ¡°Where are the man and woman who were leading them?¡± He asked Mu Qing in an indifferent tone. Before Mu Qing could respond, one of the thugs explained, ¡°Our Miss Qingqing got scared. She had a car accident on her way out and is currently undergoing resuscitation in the hospital¡­¡± Another thug added, ¡°Boss Wu is also in the operating room. The doctor said that if he had been brought to the hospital any later, he might have lost his manhood.¡± Bo Yi raised an eyebrow. It seemed the situation was more serious than he had thought. His girl appeared to be cute and docile, not someone who knew how to fight. These people must be maligning her. Mu Qing, standing beside him, leaned in and whispered, ¡°Master Bo, when I went to apprehend them, they were indeed injured. Their injuries were quite severe¡­¡± It was obvious that IVliss Fang Yuan had been the one to take them down. However, Miss Fang Yuan didn¡¯t seem like the type to know how to fight. This raised questions about how she had managed to overpower these people. Bo Yi might have a challenging married life ahead of him. Bo Yi instructed, ¡°Tell them to stay away from my people,¡± and turned to leave. Mu Qing hurriedly asked, ¡°Master Bo, how should we handle these people?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s gaze returned to the thugs as he replied casually, ¡°Teach them a lesson.¡± ¡°What? Are we going to get beaten again?¡± The dozen or so thugs were flabbergasted. What grave sin had they committed that they had to endure a thrashing three times in a single day? They were already contemplating resignation upon their return; working for the Gu family was simply too strenuous, and the meager pay hardly covered their medical expenses. ¡°Brothers, please, be a bit more gentle. We¡¯re barely hanging on¡­¡± ¡°How about giving us a kick or two?¡± ¡°Or better yet, can we just get lost and roll from here to there ourselves?¡± The bodyguards said nothing more and charged over, subjecting them to another round of beating. The screams echoed from the nearby foliage. Meanwhile, on the other side of town. Gu Panpan arrived at the company well past three in the afternoon. As Zhao Quan visited the Designing Department for an inspection, he frowned in disapproval. ¡°Gu Panpan!¡± Zhao Quan scolded with his hands clasped behind his back, ¡°What time is it? Does your family own the company? You can¡¯t just waltz in whenever you please. Do you even care about the company¡¯s rules?¡± All eyes in the department turned to Gu Panpan, their expressions tinged with worry on her behalf. Gu Panpan hung her head, resembling a child caught in the act. ¡°Good afternoon, President Zhao¡­ I had requested leave from President Fang. I returned as soon as 1 completed my work, so I didn¡¯t delay anything¡­¡± ¡°President Fang?¡± Zhao Quan¡¯s tone turned icy. ¡°So now you¡¯re running to President Fang, huh? Is President Fang at your beck and call? Does she personally approve your leave?¡± Gu Panpan quickly explained, ¡°No, President Fang is extremely busy. It was my fault for disturbing her.¡± In Gu Panpan¡¯s eyes, Fang Yuan was diligent and fully devoted to her work every day, in stark contrast to Zhao Quan, who often seemed absent from the company. ¡°You¡¯ll be considered absent without valid reason for today,¡± Zhao Quan declared, his gaze fixed on her. ¡°What are you still standing around for? Get to work immediately!¡± ¡°President Fang mentioned that today is a day off for me,¡± Gu Panpan added softly. ¡°President Fang, President Fang, have you all learned to use President Fang to undermine me? Do you think I¡¯m afraid of her?¡± Zhao Quan glared at the unconvincing girl before him, then shifted his gaze to the department employees who were seething with frustration but dared not voice their grievances. It felt as though a raging fire was burning within him. ¡°She was barely in high school when I took charge of this company!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been setting an example for all of you for a year. Instead of learning from me, you¡¯ve picked up her bad temper!¡± ¡°Why? Do you all want to challenge my authority?¡± ¡°Do you think I won¡¯t hesitate to terminate all your employment?¡± Several employees lowered their heads in silence. ¡°President Fang is an exceptional leader,¡± Gu Panpan bit her lip and couldn¡¯t help but speak up for Fang Yuan. At just 18 years old, Fang Yuan demonstrated remarkable competence in managing the company. She displayed impressive design skills, consistently proposing valuable improvements and innovative ideas. She also showed empathy for the employees and proactively resolved their issues. Where else could they find such an outstanding boss? ¡°Thinking that you can disregard others just because you have someone in your corner? You¡¯re so young, yet you¡¯re already taking sides? Let me make it clear, if I say you skipped work today without valid reason, you did.. If you¡¯re unhappy, you¡¯re free to resign!¡± Chapter 142 - Chapter 142: Bow Chapter 142: Bow Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhao Quan was on the verge of turning and departing when a stone seemingly materialized out of thin air, striking his knee. The pain caused him to lose his balance, and he stumbled forward, his chin colliding with the ornate flower pot beside him, instantly drawing blood. ¡°President Zhao, are you alright¡­¡± Concerned voices filled the air. The employees were bewildered, witnessing their boss fall to the ground, writhing in pain. Gu Panpan was momentarily shocked, unable to comprehend how Zhao Quan had fallen while simply walking. Was it due to his age or some sort of medical condition affecting his coordination? ¡°President Zhao, there¡¯s no need for such a grand bow,¡± a clear voice chimed in. All eyes turned towards the source of the voice, revealing Fang Yuan¡¯s presence. For Gu Panpan, seeing Fang Yuan was like encountering a savior, filling her with excitement. Fang Yuan exuded a strong aura, casting a cold gaze at the injured individual lying on the ground, his mouth oozing with blood. ¡°1 approved Panpan¡¯s leave. Why? Do 1 require your authorization for everything?¡± Zhao Quan clutched his mouth, the pain rendering him unable to speak. Observing this, a few employees rushed over to offer assistance. Gu Panpan gazed in the direction where Zhao Quan had left and noted, ¡°I think he needs to go to the hospital for stitches.¡± Her own chin was beginning to throb with pain. Fang Yuan concurred, ¡°Indeed, I believe so.¡± ¡°President Fang, thank you for your assistance, both with this situation and the house¡­¡± Gu Panpan found it challenging to adequately convey her gratitude. Before she could finish, Fang Yuan responded with a gentle smile, ¡°Keep up the good work.¡± Gu Panpan nodded in agreement, saying, ¡°i will.¡± On the other end. Fang Liguo received numerous phone calls, and Song Ling was inundated with congratulations from her circle of friends and family. ¡°Ling, both you and Liguo are keeping a low profile. Jiayi clinched the second place in the National Piano Competition. Why haven¡¯t you shared such fantastic news? Are you worried about showing off? Hahaha¡­¡± ¡°The official competition¡¯s Weibo account just posted the results. Jiayi secured second place, and the first place went to Cheng Yuqi, the daughter of Jing City¡¯s wealthiest individual!¡± ¡°Jiayi is truly remarkable. She has a promising future at such a young age!¡± ¡°Weibo also mentioned that the award ceremony will take place at the prestigious Qingyou Theater in three days. It¡¯s a hallowed venue in the hearts of artists across the country! It¡¯s a tremendous honor for Jiayi to be included as an award recipient at such a young age!¡± It had been two weeks since Fang Jiayi received her backstage competition rankings and shared them on the official Weibo account. Song Ling was taken by surprise as she received a flood of congratulatory messages, and her joy was evident in her radiant smile. Fang Liguo, on the other hand, was in exceptionally high spirits. He remarked to the person on the other end of the phone, ¡°No, your daughter also possesses remarkable piano skills. Our Jiayi is simply fortunate, purely fortunate¡­¡± As the call concluded, another call came through. ¡°Is this President Liu? Hahaha, you noticed Jiayi¡¯s ranking in the competition? You¡¯re too kind. It¡¯s just a minor event¡­¡± It had been a considerable time since the Fang family experienced such a positive turn of events. Even their neighbors paid them congratulatory visits, bearing gifts. A little while later, a servant rushed in, reporting, ¡°Madam, Mrs. Li from next door is here.¡± Mrs. Li, from a privileged background and well-connected, had come to visit. ¡°Please, show her in.¡± Song Ling adjusted her attire and adorned herself with her finest jewelry. ¡°Oh, Mrs. Li, you¡¯re always welcome. But why have you brought so many gifts?¡± Mrs. Li, a woman of high social standing, had a servant who presented gifts on her behalf. She responded with a warm and friendly smile. Song Ling¡¯s eyes sparkled as she observed the gifts. ¡°You¡¯re much too generous. Why have you brought so many bottles of Hennessy?¡± There were at least five or six bottles of Hennessy, along with several packs of high-quality tea leaves and a selection of premium cigarettes¡­ ¡°It¡¯s far too extravagant. I can¡¯t possibly accept all of this,¡± Song Ling feigned reluctance. ¡°Mrs. Fang, please don¡¯t be so formal. We¡¯ve been neighbors for such a long time,¡± Mrs. Li said warmly. ¡°As the saying goes, it¡¯s better to have good neighbors. 1 heard about Jiayi¡¯s second-place win in the national piano competition, and I came to offer my congratulations! She¡¯s truly a talented young lady!¡± ¡°Thank you for your kind words, Mrs. Li.¡± Song Ling glanced at the nanny beside her. ¡°What are you waiting for? This is a gesture of goodwill from Mrs. Li. How can we decline it¡­¡± She almost seemed worried that Mrs. Li might change her mind. Mrs. Li could discern the unspoken meaning behind Song Ling¡¯s words, even though she found such behavior rather distasteful. Nonetheless, she maintained a pleasant expression. ¡°Where is Jiayi?¡± ¡°She¡¯s out on a date with her boyfriend,¡± Song Ling replied with a smile. ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there. Please, serve Mrs. Li some tea. Let¡¯s offer her the finest tea!¡± ¡°Of course!¡± The nanny quickly left to prepare the tea. Mrs. Li couldn¡¯t help but feel slightly uncomfortable with Song Ling¡¯s display of newly acquired wealth, but she continued to wear a polite smile. ¡°I¡¯ve met him a few times. The young man seems quite well-mannered and appears to have received a good upbringing..¡± Chapter 143 - Chapter 143: Spokesperson Chapter 143: Spokesperson Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Mrs. Li had spotted Lu Chen at the house entrance and couldn¡¯t contain her excitement. Every time he came to visit Fang Jiayi, he exhibited such politeness that one would never guess he came from an ordinary family. ¡°Oh my, your perception is truly remarkable. I let you see right through him. He¡¯s from the Lu family and is going to be Jiayi¡¯s future husband!¡± Mrs. Li¡¯s eyes sparkled at the mention of the Lu family. They were the wealthiest family in Fengcheng City, far more prosperous than Haicheng City. Contemplating Fang Jiayi¡¯s prospective membership in the city¡¯s elite, Mrs. Li knew her visit had been a wise decision. She grinned and retrieved a contract from her bag. ¡°Here¡¯s the deal. The main reason I¡¯m here is to invite Jiayi to become the brand spokesperson for our company.¡± The Li family was involved in the piano business, operating internationally. Mrs. Li understood that most young piano learners came from affluent families. As they were still in their youth, selecting youthful ambassadors was essential. In the recent National Piano Competition, first place was secured by Cheng Yuqi from the Cheng family, the wealthiest in the nation. Cheng Yuqi certainly wouldn¡¯t bother endorsing a piano brand ¨C she had no shortage of funds. This is why Mrs. Li had set her sights on Fang Jiayi. The Fang family valued wealth as if their lives depended on it, leaving no opportunity for even minor profits to escape their grasp. Song Ling accepted the contract, her eyes widening at the endorsement fee of five million yuan. ¡°We¡¯re looking to sign a one-year contract with Jiayi. After a year, the endorsement fee will depend on Jiayi.¡± Mrs. Li¡¯s intentions were quite transparent by now. If Jiayi continued to excel, adding more accolades to her name, the endorsement fee would certainly increase. On the other hand, if her achievements waned, the fee would naturally decrease. Song Ling wasn¡¯t concerned about the potential reduction in the endorsement fee. She felt like she had hit the jackpot. ¡°Mrs. Li, you truly hold Jiayi in high regard. It¡¯s just a minor competition¡­¡± Five million yuan for a second-place finish was more than generous. ¡°No, the value of this competition is quite substantial. Jiayi¡¯s second-place win indicates her piano skills far surpass the other participants.¡± Song Ling responded, ¡°I¡¯ll have Jiayi sign the contract when she returns, then.¡± ¡°Of course, but I do have two conditions,¡± Mrs. Li added with a polite smile. ¡°Firstly, as Jiayi becomes our brand ambassador, she can¡¯t endorse any other piano brands.¡± Song Ling chuckled and remarked, ¡°I understand. No piano brand in the entire country can afford such a high endorsement fee¡­¡± Mrs. Li continued with her conditions, ¡°Additionally, during the contract period, there mustn¡¯t be any negative publicity. If there is, you¡¯ll be liable for a penalty ten times the amount.¡± Song Ling assured her, ¡°Our Jiayi is incredibly well-behaved. There won¡¯t be any negative news.¡± Mrs. Li nodded and said, ¡°I¡¯ll have Mrs. Fang present this contract to Jiayi for her signature. After the award ceremony, we¡¯ll announce her as the brand¡¯s spokesperson on our official Weibo account. Until then, we must keep it confidential.¡± Song Ling readily agreed, saying, ¡°No problem!¡± After Mrs. Li had finished speaking, she rose from her seat. ¡°I won¡¯t impose on you any longer. I see that Mr. Fang¡¯s phone hasn¡¯t stopped ringing. Many people must be calling to congratulate him.¡± Song Ling expressed her gratitude, exchanged a few polite words, and escorted her to the door, elated. Meanwhile, after Fang Liguo concluded his call, he was thrilled to hear the news relayed by the nanny. The nanny couldn¡¯t help but praise Jiayi. ¡°Miss Jiayi is truly exceptional! There¡¯s something unique about having a biological child. They¡¯ve inherited the master and madam¡¯s genes, unlike that Fang Yuan¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s absolutely right. Fang Yuan doesn¡¯t seem like a good child at all. She¡¯s also aloof. She appears to think highly of herself.¡± ¡°The master has been raising her for so many years, yet she hasn¡¯t even visited. Ungrateful, really.¡± ¡°Our Miss Jiayi is intelligent, kind, and gifted. Achieving second place in such a significant competition is truly remarkable!¡± ¡°What¡¯s the discussion about?¡± Fang Jiayi had just returned home from her date and took Song Ling¡¯s hand, leading her into the living room. She acted as if she hadn¡¯t noticed the nanny¡¯s compliments. As soon as the nannies saw her, their praises resumed. ¡°Miss Jiayi, you¡¯re back at last! Your date lasted from morning till evening. That¡¯s quite a long one! Young love is so sweet!¡± ¡°Our Miss Jiayi has surely captured Young Master Lu Chen¡¯s heart completely!¡± ¡°Indeed, not everyone can have Young Master Lu Chen¡¯s undivided attention for an entire day. Our Miss Jiayi is truly exceptional!¡± Fang Jiayi smiled, aware that her date had been scheduled due to the official Weibo account posting the competition rankings. Otherwise, Lu Chen hadn¡¯t taken the initiative to contact her for a few days. ¡°Jiayi, is Lu Chen treating you well, just like before?¡± Song Ling inquired with genuine concern. Fang Jiayi nodded and didn¡¯t elaborate further.. Nevertheless, she was well aware that some aspects of their relationship had quietly evolved¡­ Chapter 144 - Chapter 144: Very Like Master Yanli Chapter 144: Very Like Master Yanli Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°In that case, I¡¯m reassured. Since that incident by Old Master Bo¡¯s ward, the things Mrs. Lu said¡­¡± Song Ling noticed her daughter¡¯s expression wasn¡¯t favorable and quickly changed her tone. ¡°It¡¯s alright. Lu Chen still likes you. I¡¯m relieved. You don¡¯t have to concern yourself with Mrs. Lu!¡± Several of the nannies spoke up in support of Fang Jiayi. ¡°I wonder if Mrs. Lu has poor taste. Miss Jiayi is incredibly remarkable. Why wouldn¡¯t she like her?¡± ¡°Exactly. She¡¯s not that impressive herself. At least in terms of piano, our Miss Jiayi is far superior!¡± Fang Jiayi graciously thanked them for their protection and made her way upstairs. ¡°Jiayi, please sign this endorsement contract first! The endorsement fee is five million yuan. You can let Lu Chen know that you¡¯re now the brand¡¯s spokesperson. The Lu family will surely hold you in high regard!¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Fang Jiayi took a pen, briefly skimmed through the contract, and proceeded to sign her name, along with her ID number and bank card details. Song Ling personally delivered the contract next door. Soon after, Fang Jiayi¡¯s account was credited with an additional five million yuan. ¡°Liguo, our company is going to be saved!¡± Song Ling was exuberant. Jiayi was truly a source of pride, a veritable money-making machine for their family! ¡°If your mother were to wake up right now and see how remarkable Jiayi has become, she¡¯d definitely regret showing bias towards Fang Yuan!¡± Fang Liguo was in high spirits. ¡°Let¡¯s not bring up Fang Yuan in everything.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± Song Ling said joyfully. ¡°Jiayi has contributed four million yuan to alleviate the company¡¯s crisis. Once Mom awakens, we¡¯ll have her sign the will¡­¡± Transferring some of Madame Old Fang¡¯s shares to Jiayi would continue to improve their lives. ¡°Understood. You¡¯ve informed me about the will at least 800 times!¡± On the other end. Fang Yuan forwarded the revised design draft to Gu Panpan. ¡°This is the draft you left in my office this morning. I¡¯ve completed the modifications. Take a look.¡± Gu Panpan examined it and gazed at Fang Yuan with admiration. ¡°President Fang, you¡¯ve improved it so incredibly!¡± Fang Yuan had made even more stunning changes to the areas that were previously unsatisfactory. ¡°Check if there¡¯s anything else you¡¯d like to adjust. Take it to the typesetter before you leave work and prepare the samples promptly for production.¡± ¡°No further changes are needed; it¡¯s already perfect!¡± Gu Panpan observed the design draft and couldn¡¯t help but remark, ¡°President Fang, I¡¯ve just realized that your design style bears a striking resemblance to Master Yanli¡¯s.¡± Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. ¡°Is that so?¡± Gu Panpan went on, ¡°Master Yanli¡¯s work is bold and unrestrained, and the design draft you¡¯ve improved exudes a similar quality. You both are truly amazing¡­ 1 wish 1 could create something like this!¡± She sighed. ¡°1 wonder how much effort it¡¯ll take to approach Master Yanli¡¯s level¡­¡± Fang Yuan smirked. ¡°You admire Master Yanli a lot, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m a huge fan of Master Yanli. I greatly admire Master!¡± Gu Panpan¡¯s eyes gleamed with enthusiasm when discussing Yanli. ¡°I just don¡¯t know if Master Yanli is a man or a woman, or how old they are¡­¡± ¡°She¡¯s not old,¡± Fang Yuan responded calmly. ¡°She¡¯s a woman.¡± Gu Panpan was taken aback. ¡°President Fang, how do you know? Have you met her?¡± Master Yanli rarely made appearances, and even the president of Yanli Corporation had infrequent encounters with her. Fang Yuan replied, ¡°Yes, 1 have.¡± ¡°Is she beautiful?¡± Without waiting for Fang Yuan to reply, Gu Panpan¡¯s imagination ran wild. ¡°She must be exceptionally beautiful! Considering her design style, she must be a stylish and spirited woman!¡± Fang Yuan glanced at her and said, ¡°¡­Get back to work.¡± ¡°President Fang!¡± Gu Panpan clutched Fang Yuan¡¯s arm earnestly. ¡°The next time you see Master Yanli, can you please help me get her autograph?¡± Fang Yuan,¡±.. ¡± ¡°I might never get another chance to meet her¡­¡± Gu Panpan mumbled, her spirits somewhat dampened. ¡°There will be another opportunity,¡± Fang Yuan reassured her. ¡°The International Design Competition is approaching. Perhaps she¡¯ll serve as a judge? If you enter the competition, you¡¯ll have a good chance to meet her.¡± ¡°Me? Participate in the International Design Competition?¡± Gu Panpan felt President Fang was overestimating her. The competition felt like an unattainable dream. She hadn¡¯t even dared to consider it. ¡°Additionally, to join the international design competition, you¡¯ll need to rank in the top three at next month¡¯s national fashion design competition to qualify¡­¡± Fang Yuan commented, ¡°Well then, you should go register.¡± Gu Panpan inquired, ¡°President Fang?¡± ¡°You can compete in the national competition first and aim for a top-three spot. Then, you can enter the international competition next month. It lines up nicely.¡± Gu Panpan suspected that Fang Yuan was teasing her, but her expression didn¡¯t appear to be joking at all.. Chapter 145 - Chapter 145: Guilt Chapter 145: Guilt Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan remarked, ¡°You have talent in design. If you¡¯re willing to put in the effort, you¡¯ll surely achieve a commendable rank.¡± Gu Panpan remained skeptical about her own abilities. Observing her lack of confidence, Fang Yuan continued calmly, ¡°Even if you don¡¯t make it to the top three, the competition experience alone is valuable.¡± Although Fang Yuan hadn¡¯t paid attention to small-scale competitions like the national competition for a while, they were still considered prestigious in the eyes of designers. Securing a ranking in such competitions served as a significant affirmation of one¡¯s skill. ¡°Will the Gu Family¡¯s clothing company participate?¡± Fang Yuan patted Gu Panpan¡¯s shoulder and departed. Gu Panpan sat at her desk, her mind wandering for a moment, before she accessed the National Costume Design Competition on her computer¡­ On the other end. Fang Jiayi snapped a picture of the signed contract and sent it to Lu Chen. However, Lu Chen¡¯s response was rather succinct: [Congratulations.] Fang Jiayi felt a sense of emptiness. Meanwhile, the second-year class WeChat group became animated. ¡°@Fang Jiayi, we spotted on Weibo that you secured second place in the national piano competition. Is that true? You¡¯re incredible!¡± ¡°We didn¡¯t even know you played the piano! @Fang Jiayi.¡± ¡°Ever since you returned to the Fang family and started attending an elite school, you haven¡¯t been in touch with us. I¡¯ve missed you so much! @Fang Jiayi.¡± ¡°Have you forgotten about us?¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t we arrange a celebration tonight to honor Jiayi¡¯s second place?! @Everyone.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± ¡°I agree.¡± ¡°Agreed +1.¡± The accident that occurred eighteen years ago had led to Fang Jiayi being taken away and raised by the janitors from a very young age. As the child of janitors, she came from a humble family background, enduring constant disdain since childhood. She had often been bullied, but now, the very people who had once looked down on her and tormented her were singing her praises and eagerly planning celebrations. Fang Jiayi¡¯s emotions were complex; deep down, she was the one who longed to show off. ¡°Jiayi, I heard that your friend is the son of the wealthiest man in Fengcheng City. Invite him to join us tonight!¡± ¡°Is that appropriate? Would a wealthy heir agree to attend an event among families with humble backgrounds like ours?¡± ¡°How could that be? As long as Jiayi asks, her boyfriend will surely honor her request!¡± ¡°That¡¯s true. Jiayi, bring your boyfriend along tonight! Just to be clear, this time, we¡¯re all celebrating your second place. You and your boyfriend won¡¯t have to pay!¡± ¡°Yes, we¡¯ll split the expenses.¡± Seeing that the discussion had gone on for a while without a response from her, Fang Jiayi took a screenshot and forwarded it to Lu Chen. [Brother Lu Chen, what do you think?] [If you¡¯re busy, 1 can go alone. It¡¯s fine.] [Everyone has good intentions. I don¡¯t want to disappoint them.] On the other end, when Lu Chen spotted this message, he felt a twinge of guilt. His girlfriend had achieved second place in the National Piano Competition, yet as her boyfriend, he was preoccupied with thoughts of Fang Yuan! Ever since he had encountered Fang Yuan outside Old Master Bo¡¯s ward the last time, his heart had not been as composed as before. That girl had been dressed plainly, but her facial features and demeanor had left him captivated. For the past few nights, he had dreamt about her. He dreamt of the two of them sharing sweet moments on a date, culminating in a kiss on her enchanting lips¡­ On the other end, Fang Jiayi waited for what seemed like an eternity, growing increasingly anxious due to the absence of a reply from Lu Chen. She contemplated her next move when her phone buzzed, and a new message appeared. [I¡¯ll join you tonight.] Fang Jiayi couldn¡¯t contain her joy and replied with a flurry of hug and kiss emo j is. [Brother Lu Chen, 1 knew you¡¯d treat me the best!] [Brother Lu Chen, you haven¡¯t talked to me much in the past few days. I thought you were mad at me.] Fang Jiayi concluded her message with a somewhat distressed expression. Lu Chen, feeling guilty for his recent behavior, realized Jiayi¡¯s kindness and sensitivity. Why had he been thinking about that cold Fang Yuan? Fang Yuan, who didn¡¯t seem to care about herself and was entangled with an older man, didn¡¯t deserve his attention. Having chosen Jiayi, he was determined to hold her hand and move forward. He would also find a way to address the issue with his parents. In this world, there was no one as kind and pure as Jiayi¡­ Meanwhile, Fang Yuan received a WeChat message on her phone. [Yuanyuan, what are you up to? When can you come and pick up the Heart Strengthening Herb?] It was then that Fang Yuan realized she had been occupied with managing the company and hadn¡¯t collected the items from the auction with Tang Nan. [By the way, the auction recently had some impressive items. Knowing you were busy, I went ahead and purchased them.. Isn¡¯t that great?] Chapter 146 - Chapter 146: Fiance Chapter 146: Fiance Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan responded with a smile, ¡°Something Elder Miss Tang thinks is good must indeed be exquisite.¡± Tang Nan sent a voice message, ¡°Are you available tonight? Qiao Bei has opened a new club and invited us to show our support. It¡¯s free! This is a great opportunity. Shouldn¡¯t we take advantage of it?¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°Sure, count me in.¡± Tang Nan continued, ¡°Great, 1¡¯11 pick you up tonight. Please share your location.¡± After sending the WeChat message, Fang Yuan turned to Bo Yi, who was beside her, and said, ¡°I have plans for tonight, so 1 need to head home early.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Bo Yi responded, concern evident in his gentle gaze. He assumed it was a family matter and readily agreed. Meanwhile, Fang Jiayi¡¯s classmates had already shared the details of their gathering in the group chat. The venue was a newly opened high-end club called Spring Day Club. They decided on this upscale location to experience the luxury it offered and, perhaps, to cross paths with an affluent heir. Earlier in the evening, Fang Jiayi had taken a shower and put on her finest attire. She had refrained from eating much for dinner in an effort to maintain a flat stomach. Now, as she descended the spiral staircase at home, she wore an elegant fishtail dress and adorned herself with expensive jewelry around her neck, wrists, and ears. Her hair was carefully styled into a bun, accentuating her refined and charming appearance. Even the household staff couldn¡¯t help but be awed by her beauty as they exclaimed, ¡°Miss Jiayi, you look absolutely stunning!¡± Lu Chen, who had come to pick her up, was also taken aback. He had never expected that Jiayi could exude such elegance when dressed up. Despite her usually timid disposition, she appeared both gentle and alluring after her transformation, with a touch of playfulness in her demeanor. ¡°Lu Chen, you¡¯re here?¡± Fang Jiayi¡¯s voice took on a softer tone as she approached him, reaching out to hold his arm. Lu Chen¡¯s heart melted. The recent distance between them had vanished, replaced by tenderness and concern. ¡°Are you ready to go?¡± ¡°Mm,¡± Fang Jiayi also sensed the change in him and was aware that her newfound beauty had captivated him. Playfully, she asked, ¡°Lu Chen, if my classmates inquire later whether you¡¯re my boyfriend or fiance, how should 1 introduce you?¡± Lu Chen replied with a smile, ¡°Definitely as my fiance!¡± ¡°But my aunt doesn¡¯t seem too pleased with me,¡± Fang Jiayi said with a hint of dejection, her long eyelashes lowering. ¡°If there are any changes in the future, 1 might become the subject of ridicule among my classmates¡­¡± Lu Chen reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, 1¡¯11 handle my mother¡¯s concerns. Your happiness is what matters most.¡± Fang Liguo and Song Ling, who had been eavesdropping nearby, couldn¡¯t help but smile at this heartfelt exchange and decided to reveal themselves. Song Ling chimed in, ¡°Chen, we believe in your genuine feelings for Jiayi. Jiayi, don¡¯t overthink it. Chen means what he says, and your future will be just fine.¡± Fang Liguo added, ¡°Hurry up and head to the class reunion!¡± Fang Jiayi beamed with joy as she clung to Lu Chen¡¯s arm, occasionally brushing her chest against his arm. Lu Chen felt the softness against his arm, and though his face reddened, he welcomed the touch without hesitation. Outside the Spring Day Club, a small group of fellow students had gathered, anxiously awaiting Fang Jiayi¡¯s arrival. They were eager to catch a glimpse of the car she would arrive in and the appearance of her boyfriend¡­ Their excitement grew as a silver Porsche 911 pulled up, causing their eyes to widen in amazement. This car must be worth a fortune! Under the watchful eyes of her classmates, Lu Chen gracefully stepped out of the driver¡¯s seat and kindly assisted Fang Jiayi in opening the passenger door, holding her hand in the process. ¡°Wow! It¡¯s Fang Jiayi!¡± ¡°Sister, you¡¯re finally here!¡± ¡°It¡¯s been a while since our last meeting. You¡¯ve changed so much!¡± ¡°Your dress is absolutely stunning!¡± ¡°And those jewelry pieces, they¡¯re exquisite!¡± ¡°How much did that necklace cost?¡± A group of girls surrounded Fang Jiayi, vying for her attention. Lu Chen closed the car door and handed the keys to the valet. He greeted everyone with a polite smile. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Lu Chen, Jiayi¡¯s fiance.¡± He stood tall and exuded handsomeness, his voice carrying a pleasant tone that showcased his impeccable upbringing. The girls couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°You¡¯re already engaged?¡± ¡°He¡¯s incredibly handsome¡­¡± ¡°Jiayi, you¡¯re so fortunate. Your fiance is a real catch!¡± Not only was he good-looking, but he also drove a Porsche 911! Who would have guessed that since Jiayi had returned to her family, not only had her standard of living improved significantly, but her fiance was also exceptionally impressive. Her life seemed too good to be true! ¡°Jiayi, I heard your fiance is studying at the top university in Jing City. He¡¯s truly outstanding, isn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°He¡¯s just a freshman, and he already knows how to drive?¡± ¡°Jiayi, I¡¯m so envious of you¡­¡± Several girls surrounded her as they entered the club, while the remaining two or three girls gathered around Lu Chen, trying to win his favor.. Chapter 147 - Chapter 147: Like a Spring Breeze Chapter 147: Like a Spring Breeze Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The organizer of the gathering, Li Shan, opened the door to the private room as if unveiling a treasure. ¡°Jiayi, here¡¯s the private room we¡¯ve reserved for your celebration. What do you think?¡± Fang Jiayi glanced around and was momentarily taken aback. Then, she smiled and spoke in her typically gentle manner, ¡°It¡¯s quite nice. It¡¯s just that our class is quite large, but that¡¯s alright. It adds to the liveliness.¡± Li Shan caught the meaning behind her words, and her expression stiffened slightly. Given that the larger private rooms offered no discounts and didn¡¯t include beverages or snacks, she had opted for this room. Fang Jiayi had returned to a well-off family and had undoubtedly seen many opulent places, so it was understandable that she might not be thrilled with this smaller private room. Suddenly, Lu Chen interjected with tenderness, ¡°Today, it¡¯s my treat. You¡¯re here to celebrate Jiayi¡¯s accomplishments, and I¡¯m Jiayi¡¯s fiance, so it¡¯s only right for me to cover the bill.¡± The unexpected announcement left everyone in the room speechless. ¡°I¡¯ll ask them to upgrade the private room,¡± Lu Chen continued, his gaze fixed on Fang Jiayi, brimming with affection. ¡°Buddy, you¡¯ve contributed to this celebration. I¡¯ll cover all the expenses today. Everyone, just enjoy yourselves.¡± Fang Jiayi was touched, but at the same time, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of pride. Basking in the limelight was like a breath of fresh air! Li Shan felt compelled to remind him, ¡°Lu Chen, upgrading to a larger private room will require an additional payment.¡± ¡°How much?¡± inquired the other students. ¡°This club has top-tier private rooms, high-end private rooms, spacious private rooms, mid-range private rooms, and small private rooms¡­ The one we¡¯ve booked is considered a mid-range private room.¡± The first three private room categories required additional payments. ¡°For the top-tier private room, the supplementary charge is over 10 million yuan, and reservations need to be made well in advance.¡± ¡°The high-end private room doesn¡¯t require a reservation, but the extra cost is over five million yuan.¡± ¡°Large private rooms are considerably more affordable. You only need to make a top-up of just over a million yuan.¡± Fang Jiayi felt a touch of anxiety upon hearing Li Shan¡¯s words. The extra cost was quite high, and even though Lu Chen was a wealthy heir, he might not be willing to spend such a substantial amount for a gathering. However, she had already suggested upgrading the private room, and she didn¡¯t want her classmates to ridicule her if they didn¡¯t follow through. ¡°Lu Chen, I think this private room is actually quite nice. We don¡¯t need to upgrade it¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll check if there¡¯s any availability in the top-tier private room,¡± Lu Chen responded with determination. He couldn¡¯t allow himself to backtrack on his statement. ¡°Jiayi, your fiance is incredibly generous¡­ Ten million!¡± Fang Jiayi hadn¡¯t expected Lu Chen to be so devoted to her¡­ As a passing waiter approached, Lu Chen politely stopped him to inquire about the possibility of upgrading the private room. Not only Fang Jiayi but some of her classmates were also touched by his gracious demeanor. ¡°The top-tier private room is the only one available tonight, as our boss is hosting friends there. I apologize for the inconvenience. Would you consider upgrading to a high-end private room or a spacious private room instead?¡± Lu Chen inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°In that case, let¡¯s change to a high-end private room.¡± The waiter explained, ¡°A high-end private room requires a top-up of over five million yuan¡­¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Lu Chen agreed. ¡°Please arrange for the room first, and we¡¯ll accompany you to make the payment.¡± The waiter nodded, saying, ¡°Certainly, sir. Right this way, please.¡± Meanwhile, Tang Nan arrived in a 30 million Koenigsegg Agera R and parked in front of the club. As she disembarked from the car, she playfully twirled the key around her finger and asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Qiao Bei? Didn¡¯t he promise to personally park my car?¡± ¡°The two ladies are here. Don¡¯t mention parking, I¡¯m at your service for anything!¡± The voice belonged to Qiao Bei, the club¡¯s owner. Upon learning of their arrival, he rushed out to welcome them. Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but smirk. After not seeing him for a while, this young man was evolving into more of a daredevil. He exuded an unabashedly flamboyant vibe. ¡°So, how have you been with your real family?¡± Qiao Bei asked casually, his striking left ear stud drawing attention. Fang Yuan responded composedly, ¡°They¡¯re doing quite well.¡± Qiao Bei continued, ¡°If you ever face any issues, just let me know. 1¡¯11 handle it for you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s been a while since we¡¯ve met, but you¡¯re still as chatty as ever. Do you really not understand who she is? Why would she need your help?¡± Tang Nan tossed the car keys to him. ¡°Drive carefully. If you damage the car, you¡¯ll be covering the repairs.¡± ¡°Alright, alright, 1¡¯11 cover everything!¡± Qiao Bei grinned mischievously. ¡°If it gets damaged, I¡¯ll replace it with a new one.¡± After Tang Nan entered the club, she turned to Fang Yuan and said, ¡°Head to the private room first. I¡¯ll go check out this guy¡¯s top-notch collection.¡± Qiao Bei had mentioned that he intended to create a wall in the club¡¯s private collection room to showcase his extraordinary collection. Any one of those items would serve as the grand finale of an auction. Fang Yuan quipped, ¡°Yes, pick the most expensive ones.¡± Tang Nan responded with a smile, ¡°No problem!¡± The waiter couldn¡¯t help but suppress a grin. This was true friendship! It appeared that the boss was planning to splurge tonight.. Each of those collectibles held significant value¡­ Chapter 148 - Chapter 148: Serving the Big Figure Chapter 148: Serving the Big Figure Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After Tang Nan¡¯s departure, Fang Yuan followed the waiter to the top private room. Suddenly, she heard someone calling her name. ¡°Fang Yuan?¡± Lu Chen had just arrived after parking the car and spotted Fang Yuan¡¯s back. He called out tentatively, surprised to see her here. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Lu Chen asked, puzzled. Fang Yuan looked at him with a quizzical expression. Lu Chen then noticed a job recruitment advertisement posted at the club¡¯s entrance and was in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re here to apply for a job?¡± Fang Yuan remained silent. ¡°Don¡¯t you have enough money?¡± Lu Chen furrowed his brows, noting her attire from a luxury brand. He couldn¡¯t fathom her extravagant spending. ¡°You¡¯ve been spending excessively. After leaving the Fang family, you should learn to be more frugal.¡± Fang Yuan was taken aback. Was this person out of their mind? Lu Chen continued, somewhat self-absorbed, ¡°I¡¯m here for a class reunion with Jiayi. I just opened a tab.¡± Lu Chen waved the card in his hand as if it were his face, assuming that Fang Yuan might be enticed by it and thinking of himself as a gentleman. ¡°If you¡¯re free, would you like to join us?¡± Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t be bothered and turned around to leave. ¡°Hey, stop right there!¡± Lu Chen hadn¡¯t anticipated that she would actually ignore him, and he felt embarrassed. ¡°Even if you¡¯re jealous that Jiayi is with me, can¡¯t you at least be polite? Shouldn¡¯t you greet an old friend?¡± Fang Yuan turned back with a displeased look. ¡°I don¡¯t want to converse with an idiot. Any issues with that?¡± ¡°You! It¡¯s only been a few days since we last met, and your language has already become so vulgar. Birds of a feather flock together, they say. Who have you been associating with to turn into this?¡± Lu Chen appeared genuinely disappointed. Fang Yuan felt genuinely enlightened. ¡°Why does it concern you who I¡¯m with? If there¡¯s something wrong with your brain, you should go to the hospital and get some medication. Don¡¯t go around bothering people.¡± ¡°You!¡± Lu Chen was initially quite furious, but as he remembered that she had come to apply for a job and even been involved with an older man, he suddenly felt sympathy for her. ¡°Do you need financial assistance? Just let me know, and I¡¯ll help you out.¡± Fang Yuan rolled her eyes at him. ¡°You¡¯re insane.¡± She then walked away with the waiter. Lu Chen watched her walk down the corridor toward a top-notch private room. Could it be that she wasn¡¯t here to apply for a job but rather to serve a wealthy client in a top-notch private room? With this thought in mind, he suddenly realized why she hadn¡¯t been interested in his five-million-yuan card. It turned out she had her sights set on a bigger target! At that moment, the door to the high-end private room swung open. Fang Jiayi saw Lu Chen standing in the corridor and asked in confusion, ¡°Lu Chen, did you open your tab? Why do you look upset?¡± Why was he wearing such a displeased expression? Following Lu Chen¡¯s gaze, Fang Jiayi saw a figure that appeared to be Fang Yuan entering a top-notch private room. She was momentarily stunned before exclaiming in disbelief, ¡°Is that Sister? Is she here too?¡± Lu Chen replied with frustration, ¡°She¡¯s someone who doesn¡¯t value herself.¡± His tone was filled with anger. Fang Jiayi understood. That had to be Fang Yuan; otherwise, Lu Chen wouldn¡¯t be so upset. To confirm his suspicion, Lu Chen halted a passing waiter. ¡°Excuse me, does the club offer any special services?¡± ¡°Special services?¡± The waiter pondered for a moment. ¡°Our club provides a wide range of services. Could you specify what you¡¯re inquiring about?¡± He began listing entertainment, sports, and leisure services, each sounding quite intriguing. Lu Chen clenched his fists and thought, ¡®As expected, Fang Yuan is going to a top-notch private room to serve a high-profile client!¡¯ The more he pondered, the angrier he became. He forced a tight-lipped smile and said to the waiter, ¡°Never mind, you can go.¡± ¡°Brother Lu Chen¡­¡± Fang Jiayi was about to say something when Lu Chen continued, ¡°I need to use the restroom.¡± Fang Jiayi seethed with anger as she watched him depart. It was Fang Yuan once again. Why did it always have to be her? She was beyond annoying! Just then, a few more of her classmates arrived. Fang Jiayi quickly greeted them with a warm smile and ushered them into the private room. ¡°Dear classmates, today is a treat from Jiayi¡¯s fiance. Feel free to order whatever you¡¯d like to eat or drink, but let¡¯s not go overboard. We wouldn¡¯t want to make a bad impression on her fiance. Let¡¯s not embarrass Jiayi!¡± Li Shan advised. While her classmates acknowledged the sentiment, they couldn¡¯t help but shower Fang Jiayi with praises, remarking on how she had found such a handsome and exceptional fiance. Speculation about Lu Chen¡¯s family background ran rife. ¡°His father is the wealthiest person in Fengcheng City¡­¡± Fang Jiayi tried to appear nonchalant. ¡°Really? The wealthiest person in Fengcheng City? That¡¯s incredibly wealthy!¡± ¡°No wonder he insisted on getting that top-notch private room earlier. His family background is really something¡­¡± ¡°What about that ten-million-yuan private room?¡± inquired a latecomer. ¡°You arrived late, so you probably missed it. Jiayi¡¯s fiance was incredibly generous just now!¡± The conversation continued to revolve around Lu Chen¡¯s generosity, and the admiration for Fang Jiayi reached new heights.. Chapter 149 - Chapter 149: Test Chapter 149: Test Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations At that moment, Lu Chen returned from the restroom. Upon entering the private room, several girls surrounded him. ¡°You must be Jiayi¡¯s fiance. Let me raise a toast to you!¡± ¡°We¡¯re counting on you to take good care of Jiayi in the future. Here¡¯s a toast to you.¡± Lu Chen was preoccupied with Fang Yuan¡¯s situation, but he still maintained his gentlemanly demeanor. He didn¡¯t turn anyone down and graciously accepted each glass. Of course, Fang Jiayi was aware that these girls were trying to get closer to Lu Chen, but she also knew that, given Lu Chen¡¯s family background, he wouldn¡¯t have any interest in them. Therefore, she chatted openly with the others and didn¡¯t take it to heart. After some time, the private room¡¯s door was suddenly flung open. A mischievous young man entered with a few companions. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Brother Hao!¡± Li Shan recognized him and promptly placed a bottle of liquor in front of Xu Hao. ¡°You¡¯re late. You have to be penalized with a bottle!¡± Other students joined in, cheering, ¡°One bottle as a penalty, Brother Hao. Cheers!¡± Xu Hao grinned and glanced over everyone, boldly fixing his gaze on Fang Jiayi. He had heard about her reuniting with her biological parents, but he didn¡¯t expect her to undergo such a transformation. Seeing her in that figure-hugging strapless dress made him miss her a bit. Xu Hao and Fang Jiayi had been classmates in the past. He had a conceited nature and enjoyed putting on airs. He dropped out of high school in his second year to mingle in the world, as his family had a bit of wealth. With a bottle of liquor held in front of him, Xu Hao wore an impish grin. He raised his head and downed the entire bottle. The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. ¡°1¡¯11 take charge of tonight¡¯s celebration,¡± he declared, tossing the empty bottle aside, which was swiftly caught by someone. Li Shan teased him, ¡°You¡¯re late. Jiayi¡¯s fiance already paid five million yuan and booked a high-end private room. He¡¯s covering all the expenses for the night.¡± Upon hearing the five-million-yuan figure, Xu Hao gave Lu Chen a cold, scrutinizing look. Among all those present in the private room, he was the only one exuding the most outstanding aura. He was probably Jiayi¡¯s fiance. ¡°Hello, my name is Lu Chen.¡± Although Lu Chen had reservations about this somewhat unruly young man from the moment he saw him, they were all Jiayi¡¯s classmates. Lu Chen still rose courteously and extended his hand for a greeting. However, Xu Hao paid him no heed and instead exclaimed loudly, ¡°Did you hear that? Jiayi¡¯s fiance is footing the bill. Order whatever you like. Eat, drink, and take whatever you want!¡± Upon hearing this, Xu Hao¡¯s friends promptly summoned a waiter and specifically selected the pricier items from the menu. ¡°Xu Hao¡­¡± Fang Jiayi tried to offer a gentle reminder, hoping he¡¯d show some restraint. To her surprise, Xu Hao stared at her brazenly and wore an impish grin. ¡°Are you calling me by my full name now?¡± Lu Chen found their conversation rather peculiar. At that moment, Li Shan stepped in to mediate. ¡°Xu Hao, today is a celebration for Jiayi¡¯s second-place win in the Piano Competition. Let¡¯s raise our glasses and toast Jiayi, alright?¡± She firmly placed a glass of wine into Xu Hao¡¯s hand and signaled to him with her eyes to tone down his behavior. ¡°Jiayi¡¯s fiance, isn¡¯t it? Since Jiayi secured second place, wouldn¡¯t it be fitting for you to have two more drinks?¡± Xu Hao downed his wine in a single gulp and waited for Lu Chen¡¯s response. ¡°Brother Lu Chen¡­¡± Fang Jiayi grew somewhat anxious. Ignoring her, Lu Chen lifted his glass gracefully and downed it in one go. In comparison, he displayed more refinement and poise than Xu Hao. The girls in the room regarded him with admiration and affection. Xu Hao continued to consume more alcohol, but Lu Chen refused to show weakness. He drank a few more glasses, partly to alleviate his unease over Fang Yuan¡¯s situation. Xu Hao grabbed another bottle of wine. Lu Chen intended to follow suit, but Fang Jiayi gripped his arm. ¡°Lu Chen, that¡¯s enough. I¡¯ve understood your intent. Please don¡¯t drink any more. How will I get back if you become too intoxicated?¡± ¡°Men should enjoy a drink,¡± Xu Hao declared with arrogance, scrutinizing the young man in front of him. ¡°To make today even more enjoyable, I¡¯ve brought along some companions¡­¡± He clapped his hands, and seven or eight elegantly dressed women promptly entered the room. ¡°Master Hao, you¡¯ve finally let us join! We¡¯ve been waiting so long that our waists ache. You need to give the ladies a massage.¡± The women surrounded Xu Hao and playfully cajoled. Xu Hao waved them off. ¡°1 have a friend who is engaged. I invited you here today to test her fiance¡­¡± ¡°Is this the handsome gentleman? I wonder if he prefers someone sweet or a little feisty?¡± Seven or eight women surrounded Lu Chen. ¡°Xu Hao, you¡¯re taking this too far!¡± Li Shan spoke up immediately. Fang Jiayi clung tightly to Lu Chen¡¯s arm. ¡°Keep your distance from my fiance!¡± ¡°I need to use the restroom.¡± Lu Chen couldn¡¯t endure the situation any longer, but his upbringing compelled him to maintain his composure and not lose his temper.. Chapter 150 - Chapter 150: Your Fiance Was Hit Chapter 150: Your Fiance Was Hit Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon seeing him depart, Xu Hao sneered. ¡°Is your bladder acting up? Or can¡¯t you control yourself? Maybe you should visit the restroom to address that issue.¡± Fang Jiayi shot Xu Hao a furious glare. Just as she was about to leave, Xu Hao suddenly seized her hand. Lu Chen went to the restroom to splash some water on his face. He found Jiayi¡¯s friends rather unsuitable for his taste. He contemplated that if they were wasting their time here, they might as well return home early. While he was deep in thought, he overheard a few girls chatting outside the restroom door. ¡°I just don¡¯t get it. Why would the son of the wealthiest man in Fengcheng City be interested in someone like Fang Jiayi? She¡¯s far from being the most attractive girl around.¡± ¡°I have no idea either. Who else could compare to her in looks?¡± ¡°Exactly. She grew up with the cleaners, so she¡¯s quite down and out.¡± ¡°Despite the fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, it can¡¯t mask her lack of refinement.¡± ¡°Absolutely. Wearing all that jewelry makes her look like a nouveau riche. It¡¯s a total mismatch, and she¡¯s forcefully donning it all. It¡¯s just a show-off, isn¡¯t it? So superficial!¡± Lu Chen furrowed his brows. Just as he was about to exit and reprimand them for their nonsense, he overheard one of the girls remark, ¡°Oh, that¡¯s because she¡¯s fortunate. She has the richest man in town as her father. How can she compare to us? We may be good girls, but we can¡¯t find a great boyfriend.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. That Lu Chen appears rather gallant when confronting Xu Hao. 1 have a feeling that Fang Jiayi used to be with Xu Hao, right?¡± ¡°They weren¡¯t just hanging out¡ªthey even kissed!¡± ¡°I have a feeling that Xu Hao isn¡¯t someone to be taken lightly. There¡¯s bound to be an interesting spectacle to witness later.¡± Lu Chen felt as though he had been pinned in place and couldn¡¯t move. Even as the voices faded, he remained rooted in the same spot, unmoving. Jiayi had dated that troublemaker? She even kissed him? Jiayi had confessed to him previously that he was her first love. Not long ago, when they had their first kiss, her kissing technique had been quite amateurish. Could it be that she had lied when she claimed it was her first kiss? On the other hand, Qiao Bei clasped his hands together and implored, ¡°My dear goddess, please spare me. This costs me hundreds of millions, and if I take it down like this, I¡¯ll end up in the hospital!¡± ¡°Look at you. I only had two bottles of your wine,¡± Tang Nan remarked as she opened another bottle. Regret clouded Qiao Bei¡¯s face. ¡°Goddess, this is a limited edition whiskey. It¡¯s worth ten million US dollars. Ten million US dollars! Baby Yuanyuan, aren¡¯t you going to do something about it?¡± ¡°What? Our friendship isn¡¯t worth ten million?¡± Tang Nan raised an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Fang Yuan agreed. ¡°It¡¯s worth it¡­¡± Qiao Bei was on the brink of tears. ¡°This isn¡¯t just about money. I¡¯m mostly concerned about your health¡­¡± ¡°Enjoyment in the moment, wouldn¡¯t you say, Yuanyuan?¡± Tang Nan took a sip of her drink. ¡°Not bad. It¡¯s a limited edition, as expected. Fine liquor! It¡¯s just a pity that the alcohol content is too high for Yuanyuan.¡± Fang Yuan pursed her lips. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go.¡± If they didn¡¯t leave now, Qiao Bei might genuinely have a heart attack. ¡°You two go ahead.¡± Tang Nan stood up. ¡°I¡¯m going to the restroom. Qiao Bei, fetch my car.¡± Qiao Bei agreed, ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± The scent of alcohol in the private room was overwhelming. As Fang Yuan exited, she noticed Qiao Bei offering her a card. She was momentarily taken aback. ¡°I owe you.¡± It was then that Fang Yuan recalled how Qiao Bei had borrowed several medicines from her on multiple occasions. It appeared his family had some health issues. She smiled. ¡°No need. Consider it payment for the wine.¡± After all, she could create those medications effortlessly, whereas Qiao Bei¡¯s wine was a limited edition. ¡°That won¡¯t do. I can¡¯t take advantage of you as it. Besides, even though you opened two bottles of wine for me tonight, I¡¯m still happy to let you drink!¡± Qiao Bei insisted as he placed the card into Fang Yuan¡¯s hand, giving her a warm pat on the head. Just as this scene unfolded, Lu Chen happened to witness it. His anger had been steadily building, but now it reached its peak. ¡°Fang Yuan!¡± Turning to face the source of the voice, Fang Yuan and Qiao Bei saw Lu Chen approaching, seething with anger. He clenched his teeth, his demeanor suggesting he was the legitimate boyfriend who had caught them red-handed. ¡°He¡¯s your benefactor?¡± Lu Chen shot a quick, assessing glance at Qiao Bei. He couldn¡¯t deny that the guy looked charismatic and handsome, explaining why Fang Yuan was drawn to him. However, the more he thought about it, the more he wished for better for her. ¡°This is happening in broad daylight. Have you no sense of decency?¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Qiao Bei seized Lu Chen by his collar. ¡°Say that again! What did you just say about her?¡± With confidence, Lu Chen retorted, ¡°Before she was serving you, she had served countless others!¡± ¡°F*ckyou!¡± Qiao Bei struck Lu Chen in the face. A passing waiter was unfortunate to get caught in the crossfire as Lu Chen stumbled into him, causing the wine in his grasp to fall and shatter on the floor. The commotion echoed down the corridor, prompting someone to open the door of a nearby private room to witness the spectacle. ¡°Jiayi, someone just hit your fiance! Hurry!¡± ¡°What?¡± Fang Jiayi rushed outside to assess the situation.. Chapter 151 - Chapter 151: Here, I Am the Law! Chapter 151: Here, I Am the Law! Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations A mischievous young man was playfully lifting Lu Chen off the ground and teasingly roughhousing with him. He even declared in a loud voice, ¡°Fang Yuan is under my protection. If 1 catch wind of you speaking ill of her again, you won¡¯t be seeing the sun tomorrow!¡± With that statement, Lu Chen received another punch and was tossed onto a pile of broken glass. Several onlookers observed the incident and were bewildered. Why was Lu Chen, the supposed scion of Fengcheng City¡¯s wealthiest individual, being subjected to such a beating? And based on what he had just said, it seemed he had spoken unfavorably about someone? ¡°Lu Chen, are you alright?¡± Fang Jiayi rushed forward to help him up. Her eyes landed on the shards of glass embedded in Lu Chen¡¯s arm, and she shot an angry glare at Qiao Bei. ¡°Sir, how did my dear friend Lu Chen offend you? Why did you resort to violence? Isn¡¯t there any rule of law here?¡± ¡°In this place, I am the law!¡± Qiao Bei retorted haughtily. ¡°Not satisfied? Sue me, then!¡± The club had recently opened, and the owner¡¯s identity was still a mystery, but hearing his words made it seem like he had influential support, particularly evident in his arrogance and his high-end attire. ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡± Tang Nan emerged from a private room after a quick restroom break, appearing somewhat surprised by the scene unfolding before him. Fang Jiayi cast a reproachful gaze at Fang Yuan, who stood behind Qiao Bei. She gritted her teeth and exclaimed, ¡°Sister, aren¡¯t you going to say anything? Lu Chen is acting out of concern for your well-being. He fears you may be heading down the wrong path and is trying to guide you. It¡¯s one thing if you¡¯re stubborn, but don¡¯t you feel any guilt when you see Lu Chen injured because of you?¡± Fang Yuan paid them no mind and turned to those gathered around her, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Fang Jiayi was determined not to lose face in front of her peers. She assisted Lu Chen to his feet and boldly announced, ¡°Dare you disclose how many older men you¡¯ve served?¡± The students behind her were taken aback. This stunning girl had actually been involved with older men, and it seemed like more than one. What a shock! Fang Yuan raised her head slowly and with an air of indifference, proclaimed, ¡°Which of your eyes witnessed me involved with an older man? My dear, do not make baseless accusations.¡± Her demeanor exuded a regal, unassailable aura. ¡°What? You dare to do it but won¡¯t admit it? How many luxury cars have you ridden in? You even accompanied an older man to a hotel. Is that the case?¡± Fang Yuan:¡±???¡± Accompanied an older man to a hotel? The last time she visited a hotel was probably to assist Grandpa Qian in selecting a birthday gift for her grandmother. With this in mind, her grandmother¡¯s birthday was approaching. She began contemplating what to prepare. ¡°What? No response, huh?¡± Fang Jiayi believed she was correct and that Fang Yuan had nothing to say. She sneered and commented, ¡°It¡¯s rare that these investors haven¡¯t caught you in the act¡­¡± ¡°You infuriating woman!¡± Tang Nan was seething. She rolled up her sleeves. ¡°With my temper, none of you can stop me today!¡± With that, she lunged at Fang Jiayi and grabbed her hair bun. Lu Chen attempted to intervene, but Tang Nan pushed him away, causing him to fall onto the glass once more. ¡°You can¡¯t even control your girlfriend, and you expect me to assist you?¡± Tang Nan held Fang Jiayi¡¯s hair with one hand and delivered a slap with the other. ¡°You insolent wretch! Who are you calling impure? Say it again!¡± ¡°Who are you?¡± Lu Chen, who was struggling to get up amid the broken glass, said angrily, ¡°Don¡¯t go too far. I¡¯ll call the police!¡± ¡°Fine, call the police! If you win, 1¡¯11 kneel down and apologize to you!¡± Tang Nan continued to slap Fang Jiayi. ¡°Did I go too far? 1 admit it! I gave you the chance to bully my Yuanyuan! Who do you think you are? How dare you stand in front of Yuanyuan? 1¡¯11 teach you a lesson today. Stay away from my Yuanyuan in the future!¡± Fang Jiayi was assaulted by Tang Nan and thrown into the shattered glass. The other students were in shock. No one dared to step in to help. This girl was too intimidating¡­ ¡°I¡¯m declaring this today! Anyone who dares to mistreat Yuanyuan in the future will be going against the Tang family! If you cross our Tang family, 1¡¯11 beat you every time 1 encounter you!¡± Tang Nan¡¯s gaze shifted to the others. ¡°Anyone have a problem with that? Look for me at the Tang Corporation!¡± Everyone in attendance was left in shock. Tang Nan¡¯s fearless disclosure of her identity made it abundantly clear that she was unafraid of any repercussions. Certain students who were acquainted with the Tang Corporation nervously withdrew into themselves, aware of its status as a prominent financial conglomerate. Could she be the one they referred to as the family¡¯s cherished princess? ¡°I am Tang Nan, and you better remember that!¡± Tang Nan turned to Fang Yuan with a smile and added, ¡°Out of consideration for you, I¡¯ve chosen to be lenient..¡± Chapter 152 - Chapter 152: Two Bastards Chapter 152: Two Bastards Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan could discern that Tang Nan had indeed displayed mercy. In the past, she would have ruthlessly dealt with him, perhaps even causing serious harm or worse. However, with the might of the Tang Corporation behind her, there was no need for fear. Today marked the club¡¯s opening, and Tang Nan had no desire to mar the occasion with bloodshed, especially not the blood of this group of individuals she considered beneath her. ¡°Calmly, let¡¯s depart,¡± Fang Yuan stated serenely, and the three of them left together. ¡°Jiayi, Brother Lu Chen, are you both alright?¡± Li Shan and the other students, now with trembling hands, approached to offer their support. ¡°I apologize, the Tang Corporation is too formidable. We dare not provoke them¡­¡± Li Shan directed her frustration at a nearby waiter. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you intervene when the altercation broke out in your club?¡± ¡°Miss, I¡¯m just an employee. It¡¯s not easy¡­¡± the waiter responded plaintively, ¡°That¡¯s the Tang family¡¯s daughter¡­¡± Who would dare to cross her? Moreover, she was a friend of the club¡¯s owner. Fang Jiayi, of course, understood the Tang family¡¯s influence. Even the wealthiest individuals in Fengcheng City and Haicheng City wouldn¡¯t dare to offend them. In a fight to the death, they would ultimately emerge as the losers! Additionally, she¡¯d heard that the Tang family was renowned for doting on their daughter¡­ She gritted her teeth and stood up. ¡°I¡¯m alright¡­¡± ¡°I can see that your sister doesn¡¯t value herself. Both you and Brother Lu Chen acted in her best interests, trying to keep her on the right path,¡± Li Shan attempted to defuse the situation. ¡°Let¡¯s conclude today¡¯s gathering here.¡± Fang Jiayi¡¯s swollen face made her eager to escort Lu Chen to the front desk. Lu Chen, likewise embarrassed, sought to exit the establishment as swiftly as possible. ¡°Room 8801, the bill, please.¡± ¡°Of course, sir.¡± The cashier settled the bill and respectfully stated, ¡°Your total expenditure tonight is 7.2 million. You still have five million in credit on your membership card, so you¡¯ll need to pay an additional 2.2 million.¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Fang Jiayi snatched the bill with her disgruntled expression. She had consumed over 70 bottles of expensive foreign wine! ¡°That Xu Hao and his companions used the wine as fireworks¡­¡± Li Shan whispered to Fang Jiayi. ¡°When did this happen?¡± Fang Jiayi furrowed her brow. ¡°Just a while ago when you and Brother Lu Chen weren¡¯t around¡­¡± They had no other option; the group had been intent on using the wine for their antics, and their efforts to dissuade them had been futile. At that moment, a staff member whispered something to the cashier. The cashier then punched the calculator a few more times. ¡°I apologize, sir. Your friends have soiled the private room¡¯s couch and walls. Additionally, you accidentally shattered a few bottles of our wine in the hallway earlier. In addition to the previous 2.2 million, you now owe an extra 2 million, bringing the total to 4.2 million.¡± ¡°What?¡± This time, it wasn¡¯t just Fang Jiayi who was taken aback. Even Lu Chen¡¯s expression darkened. Not only had he exhausted his entire 5 million yuan credit, but he now owed an additional 4.2 million? This gathering had turned into a complete swindle! ¡°Where¡¯s Xu Hao?¡± Fang Jiayi inquired, clearly furious with her classmates. ¡°He¡¯s already left¡­¡± Unfortunately, Xu Hao had departed before witnessing the dramatic moment when Fang Jiayi and Lu Chen were assaulted. Fang Jiayi clenched her teeth with disdain and instinctively reached for Lu Chen¡¯s arm. ¡°Brother Lu Chen¡­¡± Unexpectedly, Lu Chen withdrew his arm. He retrieved his wallet to settle the bill and left in frustration. ¡°Brother Lu Chen, please wait for me. Brother Lu Chen¡­¡± It was apparent to the students that this wealthy scion was genuinely irate, indicating that he didn¡¯t regard money lightly. When Lu Chen went to retrieve his car, he discovered that his Porsche had been scratched multiple times. It was quite evident that this had been the handiwork of Tang Nan. Fang Jiayi spotted the marks and vented her frustration, exclaiming, ¡°Tang Nan has gone too far! How could she target such an expensive car?¡± She not only damaged the vehicle but also called two ruffians! For the first time, Lu Chen refrained from opening the car door for Fang Jiayi, opting to enter the vehicle himself. Fang Jiayi was left to open her door and climb in. ¡°Brother Lu Chen, I¡¯m truly sorry. 1 had no idea Xu Hao would go to such lengths¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s your connection with him?¡± Lu Chen inquired abruptly. Fang Jiayi was momentarily taken aback before hastily explaining, ¡°We¡¯re just classmates. We don¡¯t interact much, so I don¡¯t really know what kind of person he is¡­ If I had known he was like this, I would have certainly dissuaded Li Shan from inviting him today¡­¡± Lu Chen couldn¡¯t help but sneer inwardly. If they weren¡¯t close, why would Xu Hao specifically target him? And why order so much wine to make him spend money? ¡°Brother Lu Chen, please believe me. 1 truly had no knowledge of Xu Hao¡¯s intentions¡­¡± Fang Jiayi, unaware that Lu Chen had overheard something in the restroom, feigned a pitiable tone.. ¡°1 only discovered today from my classmates that Xu Hao runs with a small gang and idles around all day¡­¡± Chapter 153 - Chapter 153: Let Their Entire Family Apologize! Chapter 153: Let Their Entire Family Apologize! Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Take care of your wounds at home,¡± Lu Chen suddenly remarked. Fang Jiayi believed that Lu Chen had already accepted her explanation and was showing concern for her. She quickly responded, ¡°You too. Make sure to disinfect and apply medicine once you get home. Don¡¯t let your injuries get infected, alright?¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Lu Chen replied somewhat mechanically. He accompanied her to the door but made no move to step out of the car. ¡°Brother Lu Chen¡­¡± Fang Jiayi gazed at his aloof profile and grasped his hand. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for making you spend so much today. I¡¯ll transfer the extra money to you later.¡± In reality, she didn¡¯t have much money at all, merely making a promise. ¡°No need.¡± Lu Chen glanced her way. Her face was swollen from Tang Nan¡¯s blow, her jewelry was askew, her hair was disheveled, and her attire was stained. It suddenly dawned on him what his classmates had commented on. They had mentioned that she layered on excessive jewelry without consideration, insisting on wearing them together. They also remarked that her expensive accessories couldn¡¯t conceal the signs of poverty on her person. Now, it seemed their observations held true. ¡°Brother Lu Chen¡­¡± Fang Jiayi sensed that his gaze had turned distant, tinged with a hint of disdain. Did she appear too unsightly now? With this in mind, she hastily adjusted her clothing and jewelry, only to become more disheveled in the process. ¡°I¡¯m injured, so I won¡¯t escort you any further.¡± Lu Chen recognized it was time to leave. ¡°Then return home and rest up¡­¡± Fang Jiayi understood that remaining was pointless. She exited the car and waved goodbye. ¡°Brother Lu Chen, be cautious on the road. Hand it to me once we¡¯re home¡­¡± She was in the middle of her sentence when she swallowed a mouthful of exhaust fumes. Fang Liguo was sipping a glass of wine in the living room. Upon seeing Fang Jiayi¡¯s disheveled appearance, he couldn¡¯t help but inquire, ¡°Jiayi, what happened to you? Weren¡¯t you attending the gathering?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t all the students dressed like this at their gatherings?¡± Song Ling didn¡¯t pay much attention initially but then realized something. ¡°Huh? Why isn¡¯t Lu Chen inside? He¡¯s still out there. Let him in to join us? Your father just opened a bottle of wine. This is Hennessy gifted by Mrs. Li next door¡­¡± As Fang Jiayi approached, Fang Liguo noticed not only her soiled attire but also the swelling on her face and her visible injuries. ¡°Jiayi, what happened to your face¡­¡± Song Ling also spotted the injuries and asked in surprise, ¡°And your body¡­¡± ¡°Miss Jiayi, 1¡¯11 fetch the first aid kit,¡± one of the household staff offered. ¡°Miss Jiayi, please take a seat first. I¡¯ll bring an ice pack for your face,¡± the other household staff chimed in. Both servants sensed that something was amiss and hastened to retrieve their supplies. Fang Jiayi sat on the sofa, her expression forlorn as tears rolled down her cheeks. ¡°Dad, Mom, we encountered Sister tonight. Sister was attending to a wealthy second-generation heir in a high-end private room. Brother Lu Chen offered her some well-intentioned advice, but in the end¡­¡± Before she could continue, tears flowed freely. ¡°That wealthy second-generation heir struck Brother Lu Chen and even claimed he was protecting Sister. He threatened that anyone who spoke ill of her would face dire consequences.¡± ¡°Who does he think he is to be so audacious?¡± Song Ling stood up indignantly. ¡°Who is he? How could he hit Lu Chen? Did you say Lu Chen is the son of the richest man in Fengcheng City?¡± ¡°What about your injuries? What happened to your body?¡± Fang Liguo inquired. ¡°Sister had a female friend with her¡­¡± Fang Jiayi accepted the ice pack from one of the household staff. As soon as she applied it to her face, the pain intensified, prompting more tears. ¡°1 was trying to persuade Sister to reform her ways and stop making mistakes¡­ But then that female friend rushed in and physically attacked me.¡± ¡°Unbelievable! She even dared to harm the daughter of the wealthiest individual in Haicheng City? She¡¯s incredibly audacious!¡± Song Ling seethed. ¡°What¡¯s her name? I¡¯ll arrange for her to be taught a lesson!¡± Fang Jiayi responded, ¡°Mom, that person holds a high-ranking status. We can¡¯t afford to provoke her¡­¡± ¡°What do you mean we can¡¯t afford to provoke her?¡± Song Ling was incredulous. ¡°You¡¯re already injured like this! Even if we have to go to great lengths, I¡¯ll ensure she kneels down and apologizes to you!¡± ¡°How dare they mistreat my precious daughter? Not only will I ensure she kneels, but their entire family must come to offer an apology!¡± Fang Liguo concurred, ¡°And they must cover all the medical expenses!¡± ¡°Yes, as well as compensation for emotional distress!¡± Song Ling chimed in. ¡°Dad, Mom¡­¡± Fang Jiayi wanted to say something but wavered. She nibbled on her lip, appearing forlorn. Song Ling couldn¡¯t wait any longer. She encouraged, ¡°Speak up quickly. What¡¯s her name? My precious daughter, don¡¯t conceal it any longer. You¡¯ve endured so much. Dad and Mom will undoubtedly seek justice for you!¡± Fang Liguo affirmed, ¡°Indeed, that¡¯s right!¡± Chapter 154 - Chapter 154: Raising You Is Better Than Raising a Dog Chapter 154: Raising You Is Better Than Raising a Dog Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Jiayi had worried that they wouldn¡¯t have the courage to stand up for her. However, now that her plan had borne fruit, she spoke slowly, saying, ¡°Her name is Tang Nan, and she¡¯s the daughter of the Tang family¡­¡± Fang Liguo and Song Ling perked up at the mention of Tang Nan. The esteemed daughter of the Tang family? ¡°She made it clear that anyone who opposed her sister was essentially challenging the entire Tang family. She even went as far as to threaten that if they remained unconvinced, they could seek her out at the Tang Corps.¡± Fang Liguo and Song Ling were rendered speechless, as if a heavy blow had struck them. It was common knowledge within the affluent circles that President Tang of the Tang Corps held an unwavering affection for his daughter, Tang Nan. Confronting her could only lead to humiliation and trouble ¨C even if it meant financial ruin, they¡¯d be lucky to touch a hair on her head. This deal was not worth the trouble! ¡°Jiayi¡­ I understand you¡¯ve been wronged. It¡¯s all Fang Yuan¡¯s doing. Just wait, 1¡¯11 confront her on this,¡± Song Ling declared. Song Ling recognized that she couldn¡¯t possibly compete with the might of the Tang family. Her only recourse was to direct her anger toward Fang Yuan, especially considering the financial disparity between the two families. ¡°It¡¯s undeniably Yuanyuan¡¯s fault. She went astray, and Jiayi offered her help. It¡¯s one thing if she didn¡¯t listen, but she even instigated her friend to resort to violence!¡± Fang Liguo exclaimed, pointing at his phone. ¡°I¡¯ll call her father right away and give her a stern talking to. She needs to apologize to Jiayi and do it promptly!¡± Fang Jiayi couldn¡¯t help but feel a mixture of disappointment and resignation. She realized that they were only willing to confront the less powerful, lacking the courage to take on the formidable Tang family. The Fang family¡¯s own inadequacies were to blame for this predicament. Fang Yuan had just arrived home when her phone buzzed. Recognizing Fang Liguo¡¯s caller ID, she promptly ended the call, blocked the number, and proceeded to the living room. Granny Fang was in her debt. As Fang Yuan¡¯s only child, Fang Liguo¡¯s welfare weighed heavily on her. Fang Yuan had no intention of causing her any harm unless she had no other recourse. With Granny Fang in mind, she retreated to her bedroom and dialed Chen Yang to inquire about the old lady¡¯s well-being. ¡°Fang Xiaoyuan, you¡¯ve been away for quite a while. Madame Fang has been gradually regaining consciousness. As per your instructions, she hasn¡¯t revealed her condition to the Fang family. Madame Fang mentioned that she has no desire to see them¡­¡± ¡°Is she emotionally stable?¡± Fang Yuan inquired softly. ¡°Her emotional state is quite stable. She just misses you. She asked the nurse several times to lend her a phone to call you. The nurse mentioned that you visit the hospital often. She stayed awake long enough to catch a glimpse of you.¡± Madame Fang¡¯s phone had been confiscated by Song Ling. She feared that Madame Fang might regain consciousness one day and contact Fang Yuan, potentially leaving her entire inheritance to her. Consequently, Song Ling had taken away her phone. ¡°I¡¯ll plan to visit her tomorrow,¡± Fang Yuan replied, her voice unusually gentle. ¡°Alright. I have a rather complicated case. Would you be able to take a look at it for me tomorrow?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Fang Yuan agreed before ending the call. She noticed a series of WeChat messages from Song Ling. [You little¡­ You¡¯re so willing to open your legs for an old man to sleep with. Hasn¡¯t the Fang family¡¯s upbringing over the years taught you anything?] [Jiayi went out of her way to help you. It¡¯s one thing if you didn¡¯t listen, but you had the audacity to incite your disgraceful friends to harm her. Look at the severe beating she endured.] [Get here immediately and apologize to Jiayi!] Song Ling, not receiving a response from Fang Yuan, continued to send WeChat messages after a while. [You¡¯re truly an ingrate. Even a dog is better than you. A dog knows how to protect the house and wag its tail at its master. You¡¯re worse than a dog!] ¡°If 1 were you, I¡¯d rush over and prostrate myself before Jiayi, seeking her forgiveness.¡± ¡°I told you to come here right away. Can you hear me? Don¡¯t play dead!¡± Fang Yuan replied with a simple, ¡°You¡¯re insane,¡± and proceeded to block her on WeChat. She then readied herself for a shower and some rest. Just then, a gentle knock sounded on the door, and Auntie Du¡¯s voice carried from outside. ¡°Miss Fang Yuan, are you awake? Madam would like you to join us downstairs for a nourishing meal of bird¡¯s nest soup.¡± Initially not feeling hungry, Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t refuse her mother¡¯s kind gesture. She carefully stored her medicine for the night and made her way downstairs. Cheng Yuqi ladled a bowl of bird¡¯s nest soup, setting it before Qiao Xinhui. She spoke with sweetness in her voice, ¡°Mom, I prepared this specially for you ¨C it¡¯s bird¡¯s nest with red dates and longan.¡± She then prepared another bowl and handed it to Cheng Ye. ¡°Dad, this one¡¯s for you.¡± Cheng Ye chuckled, ¡°You don¡¯t have to go to such trouble, dear.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but notice how mature and considerate his child was becoming. Qiao Xinhui also smiled, relieved by the situation. ¡°Yuqi, you really don¡¯t have to go through the trouble of doing all this.¡± Even though Qiao Xinhui had only recently learned that she was not her biological child, the Cheng family had cherished and cared for her for 18 years. Their bond was deeply rooted, as strong as the love between any parents and their child. Seeing Yuqi¡¯s unwavering filial piety and her willingness to take care of small details like making bird¡¯s nest soup, Qiao Xinhui felt comforted and grateful for her continued devotion.. Chapter 155 - Chapter 155: Cubilose Chapter 155: Cubilose Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations At that moment, Fang Yuan descended the staircase. Qiao Xinhui beamed at her daughter, ¡°Yuanyuan, you¡¯re here. Come and sit beside me.¡± ¡°Sister, this bowl of cubilosesoup is for you,¡± Cheng Yuqi said, personally serving a bowl for Fang Yuan before serving herself. ¡°Yuqi is so considerate and treats me so well,¡± Qiao Xinhui remarked, gazing affectionately at Fang Yuan. ¡°Yuanyuan, please, enjoy it while it¡¯s still hot.¡± Fang Yuan took her seat, picked up her spoon, and scooped a mouthful of the soup. As she brought it to her mouth, she detected a familiar scent. Was that the aroma of hemp seed, a Chinese medicine used for constipation? There was also the scent of croton cream. Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t help but raise an eyebrow. Was Cheng Yuqi attempting to give her an upset stomach? Glancing up, Fang Yuan observed Cheng Yuqi and Auntie Wang surreptitiously sizing her up. When their eyes met, they hastily averted their gaze in panic. Setting her spoon aside, Fang Yuan¡¯s smile deepened. ¡°You¡¯re incredibly thoughtful. 1 suppose you¡¯ve benefited greatly from Auntie Wang¡¯s careful guidance. This bowl of cubilosesoup you¡¯ve personally served would be better suited for Auntie Wang.¡± Auntie Wang sensed that something was amiss. ¡°Miss Fang Yuan, you¡¯re too kind. I¡¯m just a servant; how could 1 deserve such a delicacy?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say that; you certainly do,¡± Fang Yuan insisted. ¡°We address you as ¡®Auntie Wang¡¯ with respect, not as a mere servant. Moreover, it¡¯s just a bowl of cubilosesoup. Isn¡¯t that right, Mom and Dad?¡± Qiao Xinhui smiled and added, ¡°Absolutely. Auntie Wang works diligently for us. It¡¯s merely a bowl of cubilosesoup. Please, take a seat and enjoy it with us.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Yuanyuan has the right idea. Please, go ahead and eat,¡± Cheng Ye concurred with a warm smile. Auntie Wang hesitated to consume the soup. She swallowed nervously and offered a somewhat awkward smile. ¡°Master, Madam, to be frank, I¡¯ve been having some stomach discomfort lately¡­ Allow Miss Fang Yuan to enjoy this bowl of cubilose soup first. Miss Fang Yuan, I¡¯m truly grateful for your kindness¡­¡± Fang Yuan responded, ¡°cubilose soup is rich in protein, amino acids, and trace elements. It happens to enhance the mucosal repair capability of the stomach. If you¡¯re experiencing stomach issues, you should definitely have some.¡± When Fang Yuan made her statement, she didn¡¯t wait for Auntie Wang¡¯s rejection. Instead, she offered a warm smile and continued, ¡°There are many nutritious ingredients in it. You should really give it a try, Auntie Wang.¡± Auntie Wang couldn¡¯t help but feel that the girl before her was quite cunning. She had clearly sensed the medicinal components and knew what was inside the soup. ¡°Auntie Wang, is it that you¡¯re hesitant because you think the spoon 1 used might be dirty?¡± Fang Yuan replaced the spoon with a fresh one. Noting that Auntie Wang still hesitated, Fang Yuan lowered her gaze. ¡°Or perhaps it¡¯s because I¡¯ve just returned home, and my words don¡¯t carry much weight?¡± ¡°Auntie Wang!¡± Cheng Ye intervened, not wanting his daughter to feel disheartened. He spoke hastily, ¡°Yuanyuan sincerely wants you to have it. Please, enjoy it. It¡¯s just a bowl of bird¡¯s nest soup!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t dwell on it, Yuanyuan. Your words certainly carry weight,¡± Qiao Xinhui added with empathy. ¡°It¡¯s possible that I returned home too late,¡± Fang Yuan continued. ¡°Everyone tends to listen to their elder sister¡­ Even if they wish to offer her something nice, she might not appreciate it¡­¡± With that remark, Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui both had a realization. The household staff had been with Cheng Yuqi for a significant period. Naturally, they had developed a strong bond with her. Fang Yuan must be feeling disappointed! With this in mind, Qiao Xinhui silently resolved to bring in some new staff members. She couldn¡¯t allow her beloved Yuanyuan to endure such hardships. ¡°Sister, could you please persuade Auntie Wang to eat? If she truly has no appetite, you could eat a bit more on her behalf. Auntie Wang might not heed my words, but you¡¯re my sister. You¡¯d listen to your sister, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± Upon hearing this, Cheng Yuqi¡¯s face turned ashen, fearing that her plot might be exposed. ¡°I¡¯ll eat it, Miss Fang Yuan,¡± Auntie Wang said with a resigned tone, realizing she had no choice but to eat. She trembled slightly as she picked up the fresh spoon. Fang Yuan smiled and inquired, ¡°How does it taste, Auntie Wang?¡± Auntie Wang struggled to respond. After a few bites, she managed a forced smile and said, ¡°It¡¯s quite delicious.¡± Fang Yuan remarked, ¡°In that case, at least finish the one bowl.¡± Auntie Wang responded gratefully, ¡°Thank you for your kindness, Miss Fang Yuan. I¡¯ll stick with just one bowl. I won¡¯t be able to manage more.¡± Fang Yuan persisted, ¡°There are plenty of beneficial ingredients in there. You work diligently, so it¡¯s only fitting that you pamper yourself a bit more.¡± ¡°Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Miss Fang Yuan,¡± Auntie Wang replied, her emotions mixed. Once she finished the bird¡¯s nest soup, she quickly found an excuse to leave. Fang Yuan was well aware that while the combination of the two medicines wouldn¡¯t lead to immediate discomfort, it would certainly catch up with Auntie Wang around half an hour later. The potency of the combined medicines was formidable, and even diosmectite would likely be of little help. Tonight, Auntie Wang would face some discomfort. Fang Yuan raised her gaze to Cheng Yuqi, who promptly averted her eyes and accidentally knocked over the bird¡¯s nest soup. ¡°Are you alright, Yuqi?¡± Qiao Xinhui inquired with concern. A nearby servant rushed to assist Cheng Yuqi in cleaning up the spilled soup. Cheng Yuqi replied absentmindedly, ¡°I¡¯m fine¡­¡± ¡°Yuanyuan, you¡¯re truly kind-hearted. You¡¯re still thinking of our household staff,¡± Cheng Ye commended with a chuckle. ¡°But remember to take care of yourself as well. Don¡¯t neglect your own well-being while caring for others..¡± Chapter 156 - Chapter 156: ATM Chapter 156: ATM Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Okay,¡± Fang Yuan served herself a bowl of cubilose soup and savored it slowly. In contrast, Cheng Yuqi appeared restless and soon made an excuse to slip away. Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Lu Chen had just arrived home to find his parents waiting for him on the living room sofa, their expressions dark. Mr. Lu was about to erupt with anger, but when he saw the state of his son bruised, dirtied clothes, and wounds on his arms¡ªhe couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Son, what happened? Who could have beaten you like this?¡± Lu Chen, typically meticulous about his appearance, had messy hair, stained attire, and injuries on his arms. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Lu Chen replied, eager to retreat to his room for a shower and to regain a more presentable appearance. ¡°Stop right there!¡± Mrs. Lu scolded, examining his injuries closely. She demanded with anger, ¡°Were you with Fang Jiayi tonight? What did you buy for her? Why did you spend so extravagantly? How did you end up in this state?¡± Initially, the five million yuan he had spent was from Lu Chen¡¯s personal savings, but the subsequent expenses were covered by his parents¡¯ emergency fund. When he swiped his card, his parents received a notification. ¡°You spent so much money on her even before you¡¯re married, and you¡¯ve turned yourself into this! Look at you now. Do you still resemble a young master from a wealthy family? Anyone unaware would assume you¡¯re a local troublemaker who brawls all day!¡± Mrs. Lu went on resentfully, ¡°I could understand if you were pursuing Fang Yuan. She may come across as aloof and icy, but why Fang Jiayi? Is she petty or full of herself?¡± ¡°Mom, I¡¯m exhausted,¡± Lu Chen replied, not wanting to discuss the matter further, and he headed upstairs. Mrs. Lu was furious. ¡°Look at your beloved son¡­¡± ¡°Alright, alright. The poor child is already so injured. Someone, please bring the first aid kit for Young Master,¡± Mr. Lu said after a moment of silence, observing that Mrs. Lu was about to make a phone call. ¡°What are you planning to do?¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to find out what happened tonight!¡± Mrs. Lu dialed Song Ling¡¯s number directly and, aware of the situation, began scolding, ¡°It appears that both of my daughters are proving to be quite the embarrassment. 1 might say that Lu Chen is reaping what he sowed by meddling in other people¡¯s affairs, but what¡¯s the story behind the four million yuan he spent tonight?¡± ¡°Four million?¡± Song Ling seemed perplexed. ¡°All Chen is accompanying Jiayi to a class reunion¡­¡± ¡°Is there a class reunion that would cost over four million yuan? Are you treating my son like an ATM, especially before they¡¯re even married? Did you bring such a huge sum of money all at once? Those unaware might think that your daughter has no upbringing!¡± Song Ling retorted, ¡°Mrs. Lu, kindly maintain some decorum in your words. Are you insulting my daughter¡¯s character?¡± ¡°Well, well, at least you understand human language. Here¡¯s what 1¡¯11 say tonight: our Lu family will absolutely not permit Fang Jiayi¡¯s entry! The four million yuan spent tonight will serve as a breakup fee. Do not reach out to my Lu Chen again!¡± ¡°You!¡± Before Song Ling could respond, Mrs. Lu hung up in frustration. Beside her, Mr. Lu appeared somewhat agitated. ¡°Who All Chen chooses to like is his personal affair. Moreover, the two families are already betrothed. How will I justify this to our ancestors? How will 1 explain this to Old Madam Fang?¡± ¡°If the Lu family¡¯s ancestors discover that Fang Jiayi spent over four million yuan overnight on our family, they might rise from their graves in fury and oppose this union! As for Old Madam Fang, she can¡¯t even take care of herself, let alone harbor any affection for Fang Jiayi, her own granddaughter!¡± Mr. Lu remarked, ¡°Oh dear, we can¡¯t just dissolve the engagement like that¡­¡± ¡°Just consider Fang Jiayi¡¯s age. She spent more than four million yuan in a single night. If this continues, the Lu family¡¯s fortune will be utterly drained!¡± ¡°I¡¯m furious!¡± Song Ling sat on the sofa, her anger palpable. She had summoned Fang Jiayi to get an explanation for the four million yuan expenditure. However, when she learned that there was still an additional five million yuan unaccounted for, her astonishment was palpable. It turned out that Lu Chen had spent nearly ten million yuan on a class reunion. It was no wonder Mrs. Lu was upset! The next morning, Fang Yuan was preparing to leave for work when she noticed Auntie Wang entering from the front door, holding a bag labeled ¡°Ding Dang Express Medicine.¡± It was likely a delivery she had ordered. Auntie Wang¡¯s complexion was visibly pale, indicating a challenging night. Upon spotting Fang Yuan, Auntie Wang hastily concealed the bag behind her and even took a few steps back, attempting to create some distance. She forced a smile and greeted, ¡°Good morning, Miss Fang Yuan.¡± Just as she was about to slip away, Fang Yuan¡¯s voice stopped her in her tracks. ¡°Hold on!¡± Auntie Wang paused. Despite her inner turmoil, she mustered the courage to meet Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze, although her eyes darted nervously, clearly betraying her guilt. ¡°Have you ever wondered why I didn¡¯t expose you last night?¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes were as piercing as an eagle¡¯s. Auntie Wang feigned ignorance.. ¡°Miss Fang Yuan, I¡¯m not sure 1 understand what you mean¡­¡± Chapter 157 - Chapter 157: Award Guest Chapter 157: Award Guest Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Hasn¡¯t anyone ever informed you that feces can be sent for testing?¡± Fang Yuan gazed at Auntie Wang and continued, ¡°Hemp seeds and croton cream, you even thought of that.¡± ¡°Miss Fang Yuan, i was not thinking clearly¡­¡± Auntie Wang hadn¡¯t expected Fang Yuan to be so well-informed. She was thoroughly alarmed and hastily implored, ¡°Please, grant me another chance¡­¡± Fang Yuan appraised her and responded composedly, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for your 18 years of dedicated service to this family, 1 would have exposed you last night.¡± Without waiting for Auntie Wang to reply, Fang Yuan added, ¡°Regardless of whether it was muddled thinking or premeditation, and regardless of whether you plan to continue such tactics, here are four words for you: Think before you act.¡± With that, Fang Yuan turned and exited. Auntie Wang watched her retreating figure and found herself strangely unnerved. Not far off, Cheng Yuqi only approached when she saw Fang Yuan depart. ¡°Auntie Wang, what did she say to you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­¡± Auntie Wang recollected Fang Yuan¡¯s caution and suddenly felt some discomfort in her stomach. She clutched her abdomen and stated, ¡°Miss Yuqi, please excuse me for a moment; I need to use the restroom.¡± ¡°Helio, Auntie Wang¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi observed her hastening away and grew even more resentful of Fang Yuan! Shortly after Fang Yuan arrived at the company, there was a knock at her office door. ¡°Come in!¡± ¡°President Fang.¡± It was Gu Panpan. She held a bag and greeted with a smile, ¡°These are buns my mother made this morning. She wanted me to bring them for you¡­¡± Buns? ¡°You¡¯ve been such a great help to us, we felt a bit guilty,¡± Gu Panpan handed the bag to Fang Yuan and continued with a smile, ¡°We know you don¡¯t prefer spicy food and enjoy meat, so I asked my mother to add extra meat for you.¡± ¡°Please convey my gratitude to Auntie.¡± Although Fang Yuan had already had breakfast, she accepted the bag, which contained a Tupperware container and a thermos flask. Fang Yuan was slightly intrigued. ¡°What¡¯s in the thermos?¡± ¡°It¡¯s freshly ground soy milk!¡± Gu Panpan beamed. ¡°My mother prepared it this morning. 1 don¡¯t want to boast, but it¡¯s really delicious!¡± Fang Yuan tried a bun and nodded. ¡°It¡¯s indeed delicious.¡± Gu Panpan assisted in opening the thermos. ¡°Take your time with the food. 1 won¡¯t disturb you further.¡± Shortly after Gu Panpan departed, Wang Ning entered. ¡°President Fang¡­¡± He patted his stomach. The scent of the meat buns was tantalizing. He had overslept this morning and hadn¡¯t eaten¡­ ¡°Would you like one?¡± Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow and inquired. ¡°Okay!¡± Wang Ning looked at Fang Yuan expectantly, hoping she would share some with him. ¡°Help yourself,¡± Fang Yuan generously offered. Wang Ning happily took two meat buns and took a hearty bite. They were truly delicious! Just then, Fang Yuan¡¯s phone began to vibrate. She checked and saw a call from the Piano Association. ¡°President Fang, 1 won¡¯t keep you any longer¡­¡± Wang Ning realized that she had other matters to attend to and left with the buns. Fang Yuan answered the call. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Senior! There¡¯s an awards ceremony for the piano competition at the Qingyou Theater in two days. Could you honor us as a guest? We¡¯d be delighted if you could attend and motivate the younger participants. It¡¯s been three years since someone of your caliber visited our competition.¡± The person on the phone spoke obsequiously. It was highly unlikely that Elder Qian would attend a small competition to present an award. Despite numerous invitations from the international competition¡¯s organizers, Elder Qian had consistently declined, and the likelihood of someone of Fang Yuan¡¯s stature participating was extremely low. Nonetheless, Elder Qian clung to a glimmer of hope. ¡°Senior, please don¡¯t dismiss it outright. Consider this: if the young contestants learn that you might attend, it could serve as a powerful motivator for them. Your presence could be seen as guidance, and it would mean the world to them!¡± The piano competition? Fang Yuan recollected that Cheng Yuqi had placed first, while Fang Jiayi had come in second. It might not be suitable for her to make an appearance. ¡°We¡¯ll think about it.¡± Witnessing Fang Yuan¡¯s lack of a direct refusal, the other party was elated, sensing a glimmer of possibility. ¡°Alright, 1¡¯11 await your positive response¡­¡± Noon arrived, and Fang Yuan chose not to join Bo Yi for lunch. Instead, she headed straight to the hospital after her workday. ¡°Fang Xiaoyuan, you¡¯ve finally arrived!¡± Chen Yang was enjoying a packed lunch in his office. As soon as he spotted her, he inquired about her meal. Upon learning that she hadn¡¯t eaten yet, Chen Yang set aside his chopsticks and went to the cafeteria to get her a meal. Fang Yuan had initially intended to decline the offer, as she planned to visit Granny Fang and then return to the company¡¯s cafeteria to check out the latest dishes. However, Chen Yang was concerned that she might go hungry, so he dashed downstairs to prepare a meal for her. Upon reaching the ward, Fang Yuan immediately noticed the bracelet in Granny Fang¡¯s hand. She had purchased it with her first salary for the elderly lady. Every time Granny Fang regained consciousness, she would search for the bracelet. Once located, she would clasp it tightly in her hand.. Chapter 158 - Chapter 158: Donating Everything and Not Leaving It For Them Chapter 158: Donating Everything and Not Leaving It For Them Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan approached and settled into the chair by Granny Fang¡¯s bedside. She gently removed the bracelet from the elderly woman¡¯s hand. Surprisingly, the old lady appeared to have sensed something and slowly opened her eyes. ¡°Yuanyuan, is that you?¡± Liu Yuehua, with her white hair and a gentle countenance, was filled with excitement as her frail voice expressed her delight. ¡°You¡¯ve finally come to visit me¡­¡± ¡°Grandma.¡± The moment Fang Yuan spoke, Liu Yuehua¡¯s eyes welled up with tears. ¡°Oh, after such a long slumber, I can finally hear my beloved granddaughter¡¯s voice again¡­¡± ¡°Your body is still in recovery. You mustn¡¯t get too excited,¡± Fang Yuan advised as she wiped away her tears. She adjusted the headboard, fetched a glass of warm water, and handed it to her. ¡°Have a sip of water to soothe your throat first.¡± ¡°Alright¡­¡± Liu Yuehua accepted the water and obediently took a sip. She then clasped her granddaughter¡¯s hand. ¡°Has Song Ling or anyone else mistreated you?¡± Fang Yuan offered a sweet smile. ¡°No, Grandma.¡± ¡°Several days ago, when 1 woke up, I heard that she sent you back to your biological parents¡­¡± Liu Yuehua grew furious at the recollection. Fang Yuan quickly patted her back. ¡°Grandma, please don¡¯t get agitated. My biological parents treat me quite well¡­¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Fang Yuan replied with a gentle smile. ¡°Just look at me ¨C 1 don¡¯t seem to have been mistreated in the slightest.¡± Liu Yuehua, who had lived a life of indulgence for many years, could certainly tell that Fang Yuan¡¯s clothing was all custom-made. While she might not have known the brand, the material and style were undoubtedly top-notch. Fang Yuan even wore a luxurious crown necklace around her neck. Regarding the necklace, Liu Yuehua was mildly surprised. It seemed oddly familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere before¡­ Examining the butterfly bracelet adorning Fang Yuan¡¯s wrist, which was also adorned with high-quality diamonds, Liu Yuehua couldn¡¯t help but wonder about her biological parents. They appeared to be quite well-off, yet¡­ Liu Yuehua¡¯s heart ached as she considered that such a well-behaved and obedient child wasn¡¯t her biological granddaughter. She particularly resented Song Ling for heartlessly expelling such a good child from the house without any regard for their kinship. ¡°Grandma, if you get so excited every time you see me, I¡¯ll be too scared to visit again!¡± In response to Fang Yuan¡¯s playful remark, Liu Yuehua smiled amid her tears and hastily wiped them away. ¡°Don¡¯t say that. Come visit me whenever you have the time¡­ Otherwise, I miss you terribly. I wouldn¡¯t even know where to look for you.¡± Fang Yuan offered a faint smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll visit you whenever 1 have the chance.¡± ¡°Even though you don¡¯t share the Fang family¡¯s bloodline, I¡¯ve regarded you as my own granddaughter for so many years. I still want to see you get married!¡± Fang Yuan smiled in response. ¡°Then I won¡¯t keep you waiting.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of waiting. As long as you find a good man who treats you well, I¡¯ll have no worries in this life!¡± Liu Yuehua patted the back of her hand. ¡°If your biological family mistreats you, don¡¯t hide it from me.¡± Fang Yuan pondered for a moment.¡±¡­¡± ¡°When I¡¯ve fully recovered, you can come to stay with me. I¡¯ll buy a new house, and the two of us can live together, away from them.¡± Fang Yuan understood that she would never return to the Fang family, so she replied gently, ¡°I¡¯ll spend more time with you in the future.¡± ¡°Very well¡­¡± Liu Yuehua was highly content and spoke in a hushed tone, ¡°Grandma has a secret to tell you. Come closer.¡± Evidently concerned that the walls might have ears, Liu Huayue waited for Fang Yuan to approach and then whispered, ¡°I¡¯ve already drawn up my will. It¡¯s stored in the safe deposit box. In case anything happens, the shares, savings, and RV in my possession, they¡¯re all for you¡­¡± ¡°Grandma, that¡¯s out of the question!¡± Fang Yuan rejected it firmly. Liu Yuehua hushed her, ¡°Let me finish¡­ Fang Liguo is tender-hearted and often defers to Song Ling, but Song Ling has a mean-spirited personality and doesn¡¯t like you¡­ The two of them lack the acumen for business. If you hand everything over to them, they¡¯ll squander it sooner or later.¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­¡± That¡¯s a valid point. Fang Liguo and Song Ling¡¯s business acumen is indeed dreadful. ¡°But if you possess the capability, I¡¯m willing to entrust it to you. Moreover, I¡¯ve treated you as my own granddaughter all these years. Regardless of which family¡¯s child you are, you are my cherished granddaughter!¡± Fang Yuan felt a lump in her throat upon hearing this. ¡°Grandma, let me add something. Song Ling and the others frequently mistreat you. Once you have the shares, you can either convert them to cash or bring them to the company. Don¡¯t let them squander all of the Bai family¡¯s assets. Don¡¯t let yourself suffer alongside them.¡± Fang Yuan didn¡¯t anticipate that Granny Fang would even contemplate an escape plan for her. Her eyes welled up with tears. ¡°But it belongs to you. It¡¯s the Fang family¡¯s property. I can¡¯t take it.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t want it, I¡¯d rather donate it all than leave it to them¡­¡± Fang Yuan fell into silence once more. She knew that over the years, Fang Liguo and Song Ling¡¯s actions had utterly shattered Granny Fang¡¯s heart. Granny Fang would never bequeath the inheritance to them.. Chapter 159 - Chapter 159: Get Married on the Spot! Chapter 159: Get Married on the Spot! Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°These possessions are mine, and I can give them to whomever I choose. Don¡¯t be burdened. In the future, when I close my eyes, consider these items as your dowry.¡± With a loving smile, Liu Yuehua added, ¡°I wonder which fortunate young man will have the privilege of marrying my exceptional granddaughter¡­¡± A thought struck Fang Yuan, and she retrieved something from her bag. ¡°By the way, your birthday is in two days. This is your early birthday gift. I wish you a happy birthday.¡± Madame Old Fang was delighted, touched by the fact that this girl remembered her birthday. She opened the gift box, revealing a magnificent flower-shaped ornament crafted from gemstones, its lifelike beauty enhanced by the delicate, crystal-clear craftsmanship. The music that accompanied it added to the charm. ¡°Is this very expensive¡­?¡± Madame Old Fang inquired. Fang Yuan replied, ¡°It¡¯s not particularly costly.¡± She chose not to mention that it was a gift from Grandpa Sun. Madame Old Fang beamed, ¡°So 1 can listen to music when I¡¯m feeling bored.¡± The gift included hundreds of piano compositions, custom-made just for her. ¡°But there are two more.¡± These additional gifts were from Fang Yuan. Madame Old Fang was both surprised and thrilled. ¡°There¡¯s more?¡± ¡°This is an old-style phone.¡± Fang Yuan had already set it up with a simple program. ¡°You can contact me with a click on this.¡± ¡°That¡¯s wonderful!¡± Madame Old Fang needed a phone to reach out to Fang Yuan. ¡°I¡¯ll need to hide it so Song Ling and the others don¡¯t find it.¡± Fang Yuan added, ¡°There¡¯s also a bracelet that suits you.¡± The bracelet was crafted from top-quality suet jade, impeccably matching Madame Old Fang¡¯s refined style. Fang Yuan designed the style and had it custom-made, investing more money than the previous bracelet. ¡°You are such a filial granddaughter¡­¡± Madame Old Fang was deeply moved. ¡°I adore it. Help me put it on!¡± Fang Yuan fastened the bracelet to her wrist. ¡°It suits you perfectly.¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s incredibly beautiful!¡± Liu Yuehua was overjoyed as she marveled at the gift. She held Fang Yuan¡¯s hand and engaged in a heartfelt conversation. Gradually, her energy waned, and drowsiness overcame her. Once she was asleep, Fang Yuan held her hand, gently covered her with a blanket, and left her to rest. Chen Yang had been waiting outside for Fang Yuan, and when she finally emerged, he accompanied her back to the office for lunch. The two of them seemed perfectly matched, and the nurses couldn¡¯t help but gossip. ¡°Isn¡¯t she the miracle doctor who saved Old Master Bo? They look so compatible with our Doctor Chen!¡± ¡°Yes, they¡¯re both good-looking and skilled in medicine.¡± ¡°They¡¯re practically the ideal couple. They should just get married right away!¡± Fang Yuan sighed inwardly and told Chen Yang, ¡°Just ignore them.¡± Chen Yang led Fang Yuan into the office, where his lunch had already grown cold, but he didn¡¯t seem to mind. His usually stern expression softened a bit with Fang Yuan¡¯s arrival. Fang Yuan expressed her gratitude, saying, ¡°Thank you for all your hard work during this time.¡± Chen Yang encouraged her to eat, ¡°You should have more. You¡¯ve lost weight recently.¡± It¡¯s like your presence has magically made my cold lunch taste better. At night, in front of her parents, Cheng Yuqi approached Fang Yuan and invited her with a sweet tone, ¡°Sister, my award ceremony is in two days. 1 was wondering if you¡¯d be available to accompany me at the Qingyang Theater?¡± Fang Yuan suddenly remembered her unanswered invitation for the event and thought about it. ¡°That day, 1¡¯11 be performing an award-winning piece on stage. If I have you and Father and Mother with me, it would boost my confidence. Sister, could you and Father and Mother come to cheer me on?¡± Cheng Yuqi continued with a coaxing smile. Cheng Ye chimed in, ¡°Yuanyuan, has work at the company been busy lately? If not, why don¡¯t we go together? After the award ceremony, we can all go out for a nice meal.¡± Qiao Xinhui agreed, ¡°Yes, you¡¯ve been back for half a month, but we¡¯ve only been out to eat once. We owe you some quality family time.¡± Fang Yuan, always eager to accommodate her parents, responded, ¡°Alright.¡± Cheng Yuqi was delighted that her plan had worked. In two days, Fang Yuan would witness her piano skills on display. Before the conversation ended, Fang Yuan inquired about Auntie Wang¡¯s whereabouts, ¡°By the way, where¡¯s Auntie Wang today? 1 haven¡¯t seen her.¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s expression shifted uncomfortably, ¡°Auntie Wang? She¡¯s not feeling well today¡­¡± Fang Yuan inquired further, ¡°Is her stomach still bothering her? In that case, she should have some more cubilose.¡± Cheng Yuqi¡¯s mood soured as Fang Yuan mentioned cubilose. She felt a mix of guilt and unease as she responded, ¡°Auntie Wang has already taken her medicine, and she¡¯ll be fine tomorrow.¡± Fang Yuan nodded and said, ¡°Alright, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m going to take a shower..¡± Chapter 160 - Chapter 160: Getting Closer Chapter 160: Getting Closer Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Two days later, the highly anticipated annual National Piano Competition award ceremony unfolded at Qingyou Theater as scheduled. In the morning, a swarm of reporters eagerly gathered at the theater¡¯s entrance, aiming to capture close-ups of this year¡¯s most talked-about competitor: Cheng Yuqi, the daughter of the country¡¯s wealthiest man. Cheng Yuqi, born into affluence and blessed with striking beauty, had been a virtuoso in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since her early years. Countless admirers viewed her as the epitome of a life winner. Recognizing her own family¡¯s less privileged background, Fang Jiayi diligently prepared for the event, waking up early to enhance her appearance and outshine her rival. Over the past two days, Fang Liguo liquidated all the family cars, pooling additional funds to acquire a luxurious Maybach S68o valued at seven million yuan to support his daughter. On the ceremony day, he meticulously dressed the driver in an expensive suit and white gloves before personally opening the Maybach¡¯s door for Fang Jiayi. Stepping out of the opulent vehicle at the theater¡¯s entrance, Fang Jiayi exuded elegance in her gown, accompanied by a radiant smile that captivated the attention of reporters who eagerly waved at her. The journalists were taken aback. ¡°Whose daughter is this? She seems quite ostentatious.¡± ¡°Absolutely! Her gown, jewelry, and high heels are all FY. It must be a fortune!¡± Yanli¡¯s designs typically ranged from 500,000 to 800,000 yuan, with premium selections surpassing a million yuan. ¡°Arriving in a Maybach S680, she must hail from an affluent family.¡± ¡°I believe she¡¯s the runner-up this year, Fang Jiayi, the daughter of Fang Liguo, the wealthiest man in Haicheng City.¡± ¡°Oh, her? She¡¯s undeniably attractive, though her face appears slightly swollen.¡± Fang Jiayi¡¯s expression tensed upon hearing the comment. Just two days prior, Tang Nan¡¯s assault had left her face swollen, a condition persisting until this very moment. Despite the visible aftermath, she maintained a smiling facade, determined to present her more attractive side to the public. Meanwhile, Fang Liguo emerged from the car, impeccably dressed in a suit and leather shoes, projecting an air of sophistication. Gently bending down, he retrieved Song Ling from the vehicle with the grace of a gentleman. Song Ling, seldom seen in such resplendence, adorned herself with an expensive peacock necklace featuring small emeralds on its empty tail, exuding an aura of opulence. Her meticulous makeup and professionally styled hair further accentuated an air of superiority and arrogance. The assembled reporters eagerly captured moments of the wealthy family of three, acknowledging their status as Haicheng City¡¯s wealthiest individuals. The family¡¯s attire sparked numerous comments, generating considerable attention from online audiences who reveled in such affluent topics. On the other side, Fang Yuan reclined in the luxurious RV, casually attending to personal matters on her phone. After a brief pause, she instructed, ¡°You all can disembark first.¡± Keenly aware that her identity remained undisclosed, she sought to avoid attracting attention by disembarking alongside Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui. Revealing her status could lead to complications, both with the media and potential adversaries in the Triangle District. Maintaining a low profile was essential to safeguarding not only her interests but also those of her family. Qiao Xinhui expressed a twinge of concern for Fang Yuan¡¯s situation, prompting her reassurance. ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Fang Yuan comforted. Keeping a low profile was a strategic choice, recognizing the potential repercussions of undue attention. While Fang Jiayi, Fang Liguo, and Song Ling basked in the glory momentarily, their joy was short-lived. The reporters abruptly dispersed, redirecting their focus to a luxurious RV parked at the theater¡¯s entrance. As the chauffeur, dressed in an upscale uniform, stepped out and courteously opened the door, all attention shifted to Cheng Yuqi. Cheng Yuqi gracefully descended the RV¡¯s stairs, each of her expressions flawlessly executed ¨C a testament to her upbringing in a wealthy family. Being of a different echelon entirely, she effortlessly eclipsed Fang Jiayi¡¯s attempts to stand out with a multimillion-yuan ensemble. Fang Jiayi¡¯s realization hit hard as she recognized the depth of the divide. Cheng Yuqi¡¯s attire, hairstyle, and jewelry appeared effortlessly natural, her overall demeanor radiating a superior charm. Even the chauffeur¡¯s poise surpassed the last-minute hire that Fang Jiayi¡¯s family settled for, despite the latter being clad in high-end attire. The disparity was stark, making Fang Jiayi¡¯s choices seem less presentable in comparison. Reporters swiftly gathered around Cheng Yuqi, and shortly after, Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui disembarked, showcasing their affection and drawing considerable attention. Aware that her family paled in comparison, Fang Jiayi awkwardly forced a smile, suggesting, ¡°Dad, Mom, perhaps we should head in first?¡± Fang Liguo, cognizant of the social hierarchy at play, recognized that he was not on Cheng Ye¡¯s level. He hesitated to approach and risk being ignored, thus saving face in front of the crowd. Opting for discretion, he entered the theater with Song Ling and Fang Jiayi, harboring hopes of finding an opportune moment to establish a connection inside. After all, Cheng Ye was the country¡¯s wealthiest individual, and seizing such a golden opportunity was imperative in a sea of individuals vying for his attention.. Chapter 161 - Chapter 161: Senior Is Here Chapter 161: Senior Is Here Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Cheng Yuqi reveled in the camera¡¯s attention, savoring the imagined discomfort in Fang Yuan¡¯s heart hidden amidst the crowd. This realization only heightened her delight, causing her smile to radiate even brighter as she presented her most captivating appearance for the lenses. Meanwhile, Fang Yuan strolled behind the bustling crowd, engrossed in her WeChat messages. [Senior, neither you nor Elder Qian attended this year¡¯s award ceremony. My subordinates persistently urged me to come, but with neither of you in attendance, it¡¯s rather dull. I¡¯m losing interest in going out.] Fang Yuan responded casually: [Oh, I just arrived at the scene.] Surprised, the other party exclaimed: [Senior, you¡¯re here? Fantastic! I¡¯ll join you shortly. Where are you? Should I send someone to fetch you?] Fang Yuan declined: [There¡¯s no need. I¡¯ve already entered the theater.] [That¡¯s wonderful. Your presence will surely thrill the juniors!] Fang Yuan clarified, realizing a misunderstanding: [I¡¯m here as an audience.] The other party grasped the situation. The senior must be keen on observing this year¡¯s winners and the ceremony as an audience to gauge the standards. [I heard from my subordinates that this year¡¯s winners are impressive, but I¡¯m unfamiliar with their works, making it challenging to assess their standards.] [Senior, if Elder Qian knewyou were here, he¡¯d regret missing out. He¡¯s been eager to see you and mentioned it recently. Had he known you were coming, he¡¯d have definitely secured the guest spot.] Amidst this conversation, a sharp-eyed reporter noticed Fang Yuan¡¯s conspicuous presence. Captivated by her clean and beautiful face and elegant demeanor, the photographer discreetly aimed the camera her way, capturing a few clandestine shots. In the audience¡¯s sixth row, Fang Jiayi stole glances at her phone, noting the time -9:30 in the morning ¨C and anxiously awaited Lu Chen, who had neither arrived nor sent a message. On the flip side, Fang Liguo spotted his old friend and greeted him with a warm smile, ¡°Qinghui, what brings you here?¡± ¡°Liguo, your daughter secured second place. Congratulations¡­¡± Bi Qinghui shook Fang Liguo¡¯s hand with a hint of surprise, ¡°My daughter only clinched the fifth spot¡­¡± ¡°Oh, rankings aren¡¯t everything. Participation is what matters. Jiayi just had a stroke of luck,¡± Fang Liguo offered a few courteous words to his friend. Song Ling, encountering her old friend Lia, expressed her surprise, ¡°You¡¯re here accompanying your daughter too. How did she fare?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on that trivial matter. After twelve years of study, she only managed to secure eighth place. Not as diligent as Jiayi, who effortlessly claimed second place in one attempt.¡± ¡°No, no¡­¡± Song Ling responded diplomatically. After the pleasantries, she leaned in to whisper to Fang Jiayi, ¡°Where¡¯s Lu Chen? Why isn¡¯t he here yet?¡± ¡°He¡­¡± Fang Jiayi had contacted him the previous night, but he mentioned checking his availability for the day. In the morning, she even sent him a WeChat message. He responded that he was somewhat occupied and would discuss it later, leaving uncertainty about his attendance. ¡°It¡¯s his mother¡¯s influence, I¡¯m sure! She must be behind this. He used to be so dedicated to you¡­¡± Song Ling felt a twinge of frustration. ¡°Once you achieve fame, let his mother regret her actions!¡± ¡°Mom, don¡¯t worry. I trust Brother Lu Chen will come¡­¡± ¡°Quickly send him another WeChat message. The ceremony is about to commence! Let him witness your moment of glory!¡± ¡°Alright¡­¡± Fang Jiayi gathered her resolve and sent Lu Chen a photo of the venue. [Brother Lu Chen, I¡¯ve saved a seat for you. If you¡¯re busy, it¡¯s okay if you can¡¯t make it.] She appended a kiss emoji to her message. Meanwhile, on the other side¡­ Lu Chen lingered at the theater entrance, hesitating to step out of the car. Fang Jiayi¡¯s WeChat message remained unanswered as he gazed ahead, lost in thought. ¡°Hasn¡¯t Lu Chen replied yet?¡± Song Ling inquired. ¡°Try sending a few more messages, be more enthusiastic. First, figure out if he¡¯s busy, then we can talk about the award ceremony.¡± ¡°If that doesn¡¯t work, use some intimate emojis and soften your words. Coax him to join us.¡± ¡°Boys can¡¯t resist when girls are a bit coquettish.¡± ¡°He still hasn¡¯t replied after more than ten minutes? Is the signal here bad? Try checking your phone again. Why don¡¯t you go out and call him?¡± Fang Jiayi, already distressed and irritated by her mother¡¯s persistence, stood up and announced, ¡°I¡¯m going to the restroom.¡± ¡°Jiayi¡­¡± Song Ling understood her daughter¡¯s frustration but felt compelled to intervene. Lu Chen was an exceptional catch, and opportunities like this were rare. She couldn¡¯t afford to let him slip away. ¡°Don¡¯t rush Jiayi. You can¡¯t always lower yourself and beg her!¡± Fang Liguo, unable to endure the constant advice, finally interjected.. Chapter 162 - Chapter 162: Does Your Face Not Hurt Anymore? Chapter 162: Does Your Face Not Hurt Anymore? Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°But there are so many familiar faces here. If Lu Chen comes, our family will be so proud!¡± Song Ling remarked. Lu Chen¡¯s mere presence elevated their standing in the eyes of others. ¡°Moreover, if Lu Chen attends, it signifies that he still holds Jiayi in his heart! How much affection do you think he has for Jiayi if he doesn¡¯t show up to such an important occasion?¡± Song Ling¡¯s reasoning resonated with Fang Liguo. Fang Jiayi, emerging from the restroom after washing her hands, caught a glimpse of a familiar figure passing by in the mirror. Shocked, she inquired, ¡°Fang Yuan, why are you here?¡± Given the event¡¯s exclusivity, attendees were either associated with the competition or part of the staff. Individuals like Fang Yuan, seemingly unrelated, faced challenges entering. Could she be working at the theater? Unlikely, considering she could earn substantially more accompanying a wealthy individual for a night. Fang Jiayi figured it out. ¡°I understand now. You came with your sugar daddy?¡± Initially dismissive, Fang Yuan halted in her tracks, casting a cold glance. ¡°Does your face still hurt? Do you want another beating?¡± ¡°You¡ª 1 dare you to hit me¡­¡± Fang Jiayi hastily shielded her face. ¡°1 haven¡¯t settled the score with you!¡± Fang Yuan quipped, ¡°Oh, feel free to settle it now.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Fang Jiayi gritted her teeth, at a loss for words. Resorting to mentioning her parents, she warned, ¡°My dad and mom are here with me today!¡± Fang Yuan queried, ¡°So?¡± ¡°If you bully me, 1¡¯11 have them teach you a lesson. You¡¯ll end up losing face in the end!¡± ¡°Hehe.¡± Fang Yuan chuckled, finding the threat amusing. It struck her as rather comical that Fang Jiayi, as an adult, would resort to using her parents to intimidate others. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± Fang Jiayi, feeling a twinge of guilt, demanded. Fang Yuan¡¯s voice turned cold as she warned, ¡°The next time 1 hear you talk about a sugar daddy, I¡¯ll cut off your tongue and feed it to the dogs!¡± Fang Jiayi suddenly felt a sharp pain in her tongue. ¡°You, you dare?¡± ¡°You can try me.¡± After delivering this stern message, Fang Yuan turned to enter the washroom. Unbeknownst to her, Fang Jiayi, feeling a surge of satisfaction, poured water in her direction, purportedly by accident. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry, Sister. I didn¡¯t do it on purpose.¡± While Fang Yuan managed to block some of the water with her hand, a portion still splashed onto her clothes. Feeling triumphant, Fang Jiayi failed to notice Fang Yuan swiftly approaching. Without warning, Fang Yuan slapped her hard. ¡°Pa!¡± The resounding slap left Fang Jiayi momentarily stunned, her left cheek throbbing as she covered it in disbelief. ¡°You, you actually dared to hit me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m hitting you!¡± Fang Yuan raised her hand again, directing it towards Fang Jiayi¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯m not Song Ling. I won¡¯t indulge your bad habits!¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Fang Jiayi, on the brink of anger, suddenly heard a familiar voice. ¡°Jiayi, are you alright?¡± Song Ling, concerned about her daughter¡¯s prolonged absence, approached and witnessed Fang Yuan striking her. Enraged, she examined Jiayi¡¯s swollen left and right cheeks. Realization struck¡ªFang Yuan must have intentionally harmed Jiayi. Fuelled by anger, Song Ling lifted her head, prepared to teach Fang Yuan a lesson. Fang Yuan firmly seized Song Ling¡¯s wrist, refusing to let go. ¡°Let go of me!¡± Song Ling struggled, surprised by Fang Yuan¡¯s strength. Regardless of her efforts, she couldn¡¯t break free. Gritting her teeth, she demanded, ¡°I told you to let go, did you hear me?!¡± Fang Yuan nonchalantly released her grip. In the ensuing moment, Song Ling, caught off guard, stumbled backward. Fang Jiayi attempted to offer support, but Song Ling accidentally stepped on her dress. The two women collided and fell, ending up in an unfortunate state. ¡°You wretched girl¡­¡± Song Ling pointed accusingly at Fang Yuan. Ignoring them, Fang Yuan headed into a cubicle. Upon leaving the bathroom, she found Song Ling blocking her way. ¡°Do you think you can slap Jiayi whenever you want? A few days ago, you instigated your friend to hit her. Today, you bullied her right in front of me. If you don¡¯t apologize to Jiayi and let her hit you back, I¡¯ll bring someone in to mediate!¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Fang Yuan readily agreed. ¡°At the same time, let everyone see if someone who plagiarizes other people¡¯s piano music deserves the second-place trophy.¡± Song Ling was taken aback. ¡°W-What are you saying? Don¡¯t slander Jiayi here!¡± ¡°Whether it¡¯s slander or not, you can ask her,¡± Fang Yuan replied, casting a meaningful look at Fang Jiayi. Fang Jiayi felt a pang of guilt, not expecting Fang Yuan to uncover this so swiftly. She gritted her teeth and retorted, ¡°Do you have evidence?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Do you have proof that Jiayi stole someone else¡¯s piano piece? Even if she did, how did you find out? Can you comprehend the piano piece?¡± Although Madame Old Fang had purchased a piano piece for Fang Yuan, she had never heard her play it. Fang Yuan must have some musical knowledge, so she deliberately accused Jiayi of plagiarism! ¡°Oh, 1 understand. You saw that Jiayi secured second place and felt discontented, so you deliberately came here to humiliate her. What a malicious person! How did the Fang family raise someone like you?¡± Fang Yuan accused.. Chapter 163 - Chapter 163: Chairman Mu Chapter 163: Chairman Mu Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Who¡¯s raising whom?¡± Fang Yuan lifted her head and cast a cold gaze in Song Ling¡¯s direction. ¡°Have you ever spent a single cent on me since my childhood?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t the Fang family¡¯s wealth mine too?¡± Song Ling retorted. Fang Yuan clarified, ¡°That¡¯s Granny Fang¡¯s money!¡± ¡°Alright, you wretched girl. 1 won¡¯t argue with you. Tell me, are you going to apologize?¡± Song Ling¡¯s voice resonated loudly, drawing the attention of onlookers. Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Fang Jiayi gently took Song Ling¡¯s hand. ¡°Forget it, Mom.¡± ¡°No, I must make this girl apologize to you today!¡± Song Ling was determined to force an apology from Fang Yuan. ¡°Mom, there are others watching¡­¡± Fang Jiayi was apprehensive about attracting the attention of reporters. ¡°Let¡¯s not stoop to her level. Let¡¯s go. We have plenty of time in the future.¡± It didn¡¯t have to happen right now! Song Ling insisted, ¡°Let go of me and let me teach her a lesson. With me around, there¡¯s no need to be afraid!¡± ¡°Are you done with this act?¡± Fang Yuan lost her patience. Did this debt count for nothing? ¡°We¡¯re already letting you off. What else do you want?¡± Fang Jiayi had never encountered such an ungrateful person. Did she need to make a spectacle to be satisfied? Fang Yuan replied, ¡°It¡¯s simple. I just want you to apologize.¡± ¡°I apologize?¡± Fang Jiayi couldn¡¯t believe it. Song Ling was also stunned. ¡°You want Jiayi to apologize to you?¡± Was she out of her mind? ¡°You don¡¯t understand human language, do you? I¡¯ll say it again. Apologize!¡± Fang Yuan declared. ¡°If you don¡¯t apologize, 1¡¯11 get the staff to check the surveillance cameras.¡± Although the sink¡¯s position wasn¡¯t captured, the cameras might have recorded Fang Jiayi splashing water when entering the washroom. Fang Jiayi raised her head. It was true. The surveillance camera pointed at the corridor where Fang Yuan stood just moments ago. If she had known earlier, she would have waited for Fang Yuan to come out before splashing water! ¡°I believe you¡¯re practically begging for a beating¡­¡± Song Ling desired to step forward and impart a lesson to Fang Yuan, but Fang Jiayi restrained her. At this moment, Fang Jiayi¡¯s countenance twisted in humiliation as she glared at Fang Yuan. More onlookers gathered, and the situation threatened to become increasingly embarrassing. ¡°Sister, I apologize. I was careless just now¡­¡± Fang Jiayi forced the words through gritted teeth. Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow, seemingly dissatisfied with the apology. ¡°Why not let everyone judge whether it was accidental or intentional?¡± Fang Jiayi lowered her voice, pleading, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sister. It¡¯s my fault. I won¡¯t repeat it!¡± ¡°In the future, steer clear of me!¡± Fang Yuan declared before departing, indifferent to any further confrontation. Song Ling still harbored the intention to pursue, but Fang Jiayi seized her arm, whispering, ¡°Mom, please don¡¯t escalate this.¡± ¡°Jiayi, why are you apologizing to her? Why should we fear her? She slapped you twice, so we¡¯re in the right!¡± Fang Jiayi feared exposure of her plagiarism of the piano piece, a significant issue. What if Fang Yuan revealed it? She had found the music in the Fang family¡¯s room, only the climax part, and showed it to the piano teacher hired by the Fangs. The composition was outstanding! Despite multiple online searches, she found no trace of the song. Thus, she had the idea to transcribe it and submit it, ultimately securing second place! From someone ignorant of music to a musical prodigy, she had carefully cultivated this image. Apologizing now was out of the question. Fang Yuan, having been pampered in the Fang family, lacked evidence to prove the song was truly hers, even if she did possess musical talent. Fang Jiayi reassured herself inwardly, ¡®Don¡¯t worry. Fang Yuan can¡¯t stir up any trouble! Even if she claims to have composed that song, as long as 1 don¡¯t confess, Fang Yuan won¡¯t have any grounds!¡¯ Just then, nearby voices exclaimed, ¡°Chairman Mu, you¡¯re here?¡± Fang Jiayi turned her attention and saw a woman exuding authority approaching. Clad in an elegant lady¡¯s suit, she bore a stylish demeanor. It was Mu Youlan, the chairman of the National Piano Association. Mu Youlan possessed exceptional piano skills, earning numerous domestic and international accolades since her youth. Ascending to the presidency in her thirties, she was respectfully addressed as a piano master. Spotting Mu Youlan, Fang Jiayi hastened to straighten her attire and checked her appearance in the mirror. Under the warm lighting, the blush on her face seemed delicately applied. Satisfied with her appearance, she quickly maneuvered through the crowd and introduced herself warmly, ¡°Hello, Chairman Mu. I¡¯m Fang Jiayi, and 1 secured the second place in this piano competition.¡± Mu Youlan initially spotted Fang Yuan in the crowd, but upon reaching Fang Jiayi, she didn¡¯t see her. Slightly disappointed, she looked at the girl who greeted her and recognized a familiar name. She expressed some dissatisfaction, saying, ¡°The Fang family¡¯s daughter?¡± She recalled hearing Fang Yuan mention those unsavory characters from the Fang family¡­ Chapter 164 - Chapter 164: Tainted This Dress Chapter 164: Tainted This Dress Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Jiayi initially believed that Chairman Mu was familiar with her, but her hopes dwindled as she witnessed Mu¡¯s countenance turning cold. Although baffled by the sudden change, Fang Jiayi maintained a smile and said, ¡°Chairman Mu, I truly admire your music. I was wondering if 1 could have the chance to learn from you?¡± Chairman Mu raised an eyebrow with curiosity. ¡°Which of my songs do you like?¡± Fang Jiayi was caught off guard. Panic set in¡ªhow could she know which song Chairman Mu had composed? All she knew was that Mu was exceptionally talented, achieving fame at a young age and serving as an inspiration for many piano enthusiasts. Around them, others began sharing their favorite Chairman Mu compositions. ¡°I adore ¡®Autumn Dream¡¯ and ¡®Sunset.¡¯ ¡®First Encounter¡¯ is my personal favorite. It captures the surprise, joy, and sweetness of suddenly meeting a destined person on a sunny afternoon¡ªabsolutely wonderful!¡± ¡± ¡®Summer Flower¡¯ transports me to a floral sea, even evoking the scent of flowers as the musical notes dance!¡± ¡°I¡¯m enchanted by ¡®Nightsea¡¯¡­¡± As the crowd praised Chairman Mu¡¯s works, it became apparent that Fang Jiayi couldn¡¯t name a single piece despite her earlier claim. Mocking remarks surfaced, ¡°You have the audacity to say you admire Chairman Mu? You can¡¯t even mention one of her songs!¡± ¡°I know all 133 compositions by Chairman Mu like the back of my hand. Can you say the same?¡± ¡°I truly don¡¯t understand how you managed to get second place!¡± Fang Jiayi, overwhelmed with embarrassment, blushed and apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Chairman Mu. 1 was just so thrilled to see you that I forgot¡­¡± Chairman Mu paid her no heed and turned away. Fang Jiayi hastily exclaimed, ¡°Chairman Mu, 1 genuinely admire you. I wonder if there¡¯s a chance for you to mentor me exclusively. I¡¯ll commit to working hard and diligently follow your guidance every day!¡± She hoped Mu Youlan would be moved by her determination. However, Mu Youlan discerned a different motivation in the girl¡¯s eyes. She responded coldly, ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t take on disciples.¡± Surrounding onlookers were taken aback. They hadn¡¯t anticipated such a direct rejection from Chairman Mu. It seemed evident that Mu didn¡¯t favor this girl, especially considering she couldn¡¯t even identify Mu¡¯s compositions despite securing second place in the National Piano Competition. Fang Jiayi felt deeply embarrassed. Not ready to concede, she called out, ¡°Does Chairman Mu have someone else in mind?¡± Mu Youlan paused, turning her gaze toward Fang Jiayi. ¡°Indeed, there is another candidate. But even if there weren¡¯t, I wouldn¡¯t choose you.¡± Fang Jiayi¡¯s face paled. ¡°May I ask why?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re from the Fang family, and I don¡¯t like you.¡± Mu Youlan¡¯s words were direct, and her sharp gaze assessed Fang Jiayi¡¯s attire. ¡°Additionally, you¡¯re not suited for this dress and jewelry. Yanli is a unique designer, and you¡¯re compromising her work.¡± The spectators sighed in agreement. Looking at Fang Jiayi anew, it was apparent that her appearance clashed with the outfit, creating a discordant impression. As Mu Youlan walked away, the crowd dispersed as well. Song Ling, standing nearby, was stupefied. After a moment, she exclaimed, ¡°What kind of ridiculous chairman is this? Speaking to a child like that! This is unacceptable!¡± ¡°Mom, I¡¯m fine¡­¡± Fang Jiayi retained some self-awareness. ¡°It¡¯s my fault for not being able to inform you about her work. It¡¯s all on me¡­¡± ¡°Even if you didn¡¯t mention it, she shouldn¡¯t have humiliated you in public! After all, you still secured second place in the competition!¡± Song Ling glared at Mu Youlan¡¯s retreating figure indignantly. ¡°She even claimed you tainted this outfit. Who does she think she is? Our family is affluent, and we¡¯re more than willing to purchase clothes and jewelry designed by Yanli.¡± ¡°Mom, let¡¯s go¡­¡± Fang Jiayi preferred not to prolong the embarrassment. ¡°If she doesn¡¯t want to accept you as her disciple, we won¡¯t bother trying to be her disciple!¡± Song Ling gripped Fang Jiayi¡¯s hand and returned to the audience. Along the way, she muttered, ¡°Everyone knows that the most influential figure in the piano world is Elder Qian. We¡¯ll become disciples of Elder Qian in the future!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fang Jiayi wanted to point out that given Elder Qian¡¯s stature, numerous aspirants sought to be his disciple. Not only her, even Cheng Yuqi might struggle to catch his attention! However, she refrained from expressing this and quietly resumed her seat, feeling a tinge of sadness. At that moment, Fang Jiayi¡¯s friend, Bi Qinghui, inquired with curiosity, ¡°Mrs. Fang, 1 observed Chairman Mu chatting with Jiayi from a distance. Has Chairman Mu taken an interest in Jiayi and considered taking her as a disciple?¡± Being too far away, Bi Qinghui couldn¡¯t discern their conversation, only witnessing a crowd surrounding Mu Youlan and Fang Jiayi. Fang Jiayi, already embarrassed, felt her expression crumble at the question. The situation became even more awkward for her.. Chapter 165 - Chapter 165: Casual Play Chapter 165: Casual Play Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Song Ling smiled. ¡°Yes, Chairman Mu did express that inclination earlier, but Elder Qian is still the foremost authority in this industry. I suggested to Jiayi not to rush and consider it carefully¡­¡± Bi Qinghui hadn¡¯t anticipated Elder Qian being their target. He was momentarily stunned before responding with a smile, ¡°To attract Chairman Mu¡¯s attention implies that Jiayi possesses exceptional piano skills. My daughter has been learning the piano for years. Despite my efforts, Chairman Mu declined to guide her¡­ Jiayi truly must be extraordinary to capture Chairman Mu¡¯s interest!¡± ¡°Jiayi secured second place, while our daughter is only in fifth place. She can¡¯t compare to others.¡± Song Ling, initially in a sour mood, felt uplifted by these compliments. ¡°Once the host finishes the opening speech, the top eight winners will perform their own pieces. Jiayi, make sure to give a stellar performance. Perhaps Elder Qian will be impressed when he sees the replay of today¡¯s stage¡­¡± ¡°Absolutely!¡± Song Ling nudged Fang Jiayi. ¡°Did you hear that, Jiayi? You must perform well!¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Fang Jiayi felt a bit disheartened. Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a WeChat message. Opening it, she saw it was from Lu Chen. Her mood instantly brightened. [I¡¯m already in the audience. Where are you?] Fang Jiayi promptly stood up and turned around. Spotting Lu Chen, she eagerly waved. ¡°Brother Lu Chen, I¡¯m over here!¡± She quickly went to welcome him. Madam Bi looked a bit surprised. ¡°Who¡¯s here? Jiayi seems quite happy¡­¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s Jiayi¡¯s boyfriend. He came specifically to support her!¡± Song Ling hadn¡¯t expected Lu Chen¡¯s arrival at this moment, enhancing her mood. ¡°You have a boyfriend right after high school?¡± Madam Bi observed that the young man was well-mannered and couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°You seem well-bred. Which family are you from?¡± Song Ling casually remarked, ¡°Oh, he¡¯s from the Lu family, the wealthiest in Fengcheng City.¡± ¡°Lu Chen?¡± Madam Bi was genuinely surprised, not anticipating the connection between the Fang and Lu families. ¡°Do you know him too?¡± Song Ling seized the opportunity to showcase the Fang family¡¯s association with the powerful Lu family, anticipating envy from others. ¡°Not really¡­¡± Madam Bi was acquainted with Lu Chen¡¯s mother but hadn¡¯t interacted much with Lu Chen himself. Meanwhile, Fang Jiayi walked with Lu Chen to the fifth row of the audience, introducing him generously to those around her. Initially hesitant to attend, Lu Chen felt obligated as Fang Jiayi¡¯s fiance to be present at the award ceremony. Despite his reluctance, he politely greeted those around him, bringing pride to the Fang family. Fang Liguo and Song Ling couldn¡¯t hide their smug expressions. On the other side, Madam Bi discreetly sent a WeChat message to Mrs. Lu: [You¡¯re a bit secretive. Why didn¡¯t you mention that Ah Chen and Jiayi are dating? If 1 hadn¡¯t seen you at the award ceremony, I wouldn¡¯t have known he already has a daughter-in-law!] Mrs. Lu was sipping her morning tea when she read the message, nearly choking with anger. She quickly responded: [What kind of ceremony is an award ceremony?] Frustration overwhelmed her; she had repeatedly warned her son not to associate with the Fang family, yet he disregarded her advice! [It¡¯s the National Piano Competition award ceremony! My daughter got fifth place. I accompanied her, but Jiayi secured second place. You certainly have exquisite taste¡­] Mrs. Lu felt a stifling sensation in her chest, nearly unable to breathe. [Send me the location. I¡¯ll go take a look.] [Why? Wasn¡¯t your future daughter-in-law gracious enough to invite you?] Madam Bi playfully teased, [Looks like the two of them are getting along quite well¡­] Meanwhile, Fang Jiayi walked beside Lu Chen, holding onto his arm and sharing something with him. Lu Chen lowered his head, attentively listening, and a faint smile adorned his face. The scene radiated affection. Mrs. Lu, on the brink of frustration, responded with irritation, [What future daughter-in-law? There¡¯s no such thing. They¡¯re just fooling around.] [Oh?] Madam Bi expressed surprise. [Fooling around? I got the impression that her parents take it seriously¡­] Mrs. Lu: [You know they¡¯re all here for the Lu family¡­] Madam Bi finally grasped the situation. It appeared that the Fang family had been presumptuous. The Lu family hadn¡¯t even agreed to the marriage, and yet the Fangs were spreading the news everywhere¡­ Lu Chen, accompanying Fang Jiayi to listen to the host¡¯s opening speech, felt his phone vibrate. Retrieving it, he saw a message from his mother. [Are you trying to drive your mother to an early grave? How many times have I told you to break up with that girl?! Why won¡¯t you listen?! ] [Fine, if you¡¯re so eager to marry into the Fang family, our Lu family will disown you!] [If you love her that much, then don¡¯t bother coming back home in the future!] Chapter 166 - Chapter 166: Self-Study Chapter 166: Self-Study Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Lu Chen noticed the WeChat message from his mother and wondered how she knew he was here. He turned around, scanning the area. Aside from the Fang family¡¯s parents, there was no one he recognized. Odd! [Mom, i¡¯ll be back in a while. Don¡¯t be upset.] Lu Chen hadn¡¯t wanted to come either. His presence was solely to accompany Fang Jiayi, feeling guilty otherwise. Fang Jiayi, being nearby, caught sight of the message on his phone screen. Although secretly angered, she concealed it and feigned gentleness, saying, ¡°Did Auntie rush you? Why don¡¯t you go back first? I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Turning around, Lu Chen saw the clear and innocent look in her eyes. He couldn¡¯t bear to see her like this. ¡°Brother Lu Chen, you should head back first. Don¡¯t make Auntie sad. She only has one son,¡± Fang Jiayi expressed considerately. ¡°Regardless of what she thinks of me, as a mother, she undoubtedly wants her son to find a good girl, start a family, and live happily.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you resent her?¡± Lu Chen was a bit surprised. Looking into her eyes, he inquired, ¡°She said quite a lot of outrageous things at the hospital¡­¡± Not only did Mrs. Lu deny the prospect of inter-family marriage, but she also deemed Fang Jiayi unsuitable. Fang Jiayi shook her head, her gaze even gentler. ¡°She loves you just as 1 do. Both of us only want your happiness. I understand she¡¯s doing this for your own good, so 1 don¡¯t hold it against her.¡± Touched by her words, Lu Chen dismissed his concerns. What if she wasn¡¯t considered suitable? As long as she entered the Lu family in the future, who would dare to criticize her? Unwilling to be abandoned and raised by strangers, Fang Jiayi had faced the harsh realities of life. Despite her past mistakes, Lu Chen recognized the purity in her heart. Her childhood had been challenging, and she longed for someone to care for her. Was that so wrong? Recalling her past, Lu Chen suddenly posed a question. ¡°When did you learn to play the piano?¡± He remembered her mentioning that her adoptive mother worked hard to raise her. Under those circumstances, it seemed improbable that she would have had the opportunity to learn the piano. Fang Jiayi didn¡¯t anticipate Lu Chen¡¯s sudden inquiry, and the question intrigued Song Ling as well. Indeed, before Jiayi returned to the Fang family, she appeared to have no knowledge of the piano. So, how did she not only learn to play but also win an award? ¡°After returning to the Fang family, 1 once noticed a piano in my sister¡¯s room. I looked up guides online and taught myself.¡± Her response was truthful. To enhance her standing as a daughter, she had learned extensively from online resources. ¡°There are numerous online piano lessons. When no one was around, 1 practiced¡­¡± ¡°Later, Dad noticed my interest and bought me a new piano. He even arranged for a tutor to teach me systematically.¡± This was also accurate. Fang Liguo, recognizing her passion for the piano, had hired a tutor for daily lessons. However, they were unaware of the extent of Fang Jiayi¡¯s learning. ¡°Is that all? You learned it just like that? The piano is quite intricate. I studied for ten years and only clinched first place in a competition two years ago.¡± Lu Chen didn¡¯t expect his fiancee to possess such talent. She had only been back in the Fang family for a short period and had already mastered the piano! ¡°That¡¯s talent! That wretched girl Fang Yuan treated the piano like an ornament and ruined such an expensive instrument!¡± Song Ling¡¯s heart pained at the thought. ¡°Jiayi is truly exceptional. She achieved second place with just self-learning!¡± Fang Jiayi felt a twinge of guilt under their praise. She was well aware of her skill level. In reality, she only knew this particular piece. Although she had received instruction from other tutors, mastering the piano was challenging. Those familiar with the instrument could discern her proficiency! Therefore, she had diligently practiced this piece to ensure a decent performance today, especially knowing that Lu Chen was knowledgeable about the piano. In that moment, she noticed Lu Chen gazing at her even more tenderly, and it brought her a sense of comfort. On the stage, the eighth-place winner was presenting his original piano composition. This year¡¯s competition not only assessed the contestants¡¯ piano-playing abilities but also required them to showcase their own compositions. Consequently, individuals with high piano proficiency who lacked composition skills were excluded from participating. Upon the completion of the eighth winner¡¯s performance, he stood up for a bow. Following the host¡¯s lead, applause filled the venue as the seventh-place winner was invited to take the stage. Suddenly, Qiao Xinhui received a call. Her brows eased, and she softly informed her two daughters, ¡°Your grandmother has been unconscious for a long time. She finally woke up today. Let¡¯s go see her first. We¡¯ll be back shortly.¡± ¡°Dad, Mom, go ahead and go,¡± Cheng Yuqi suggested considerately, then the parents cast a glance at Fang Yuan. ¡°Yuanyuan, feel free to call Mom if you need anything.¡± Fang Yuan replied, ¡°Okay..¡± Chapter 167 - Chapter 167: Familiar Melody Chapter 167: Familiar Melody Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui left, Cheng Yuqi looked at Fang Yuan arrogantly and casually inquired, ¡°Sister, have you learned the piano? Have you ever won an award?¡± Gazing at the stage with pride, she continued, ¡°I began piano lessons at the age of four. Teacher Cindy, who rarely takes on disciples, made an exception for me after witnessing my piano skills. Do you know who Teacher Cindy is? She¡¯s a renowned piano master in the country! Many aspire for her guidance but aren¡¯t qualified. Under her tutelage, my piano skills have flourished. I¡¯ve participated in over 50 competitions since childhood!¡± Her tone exuded arrogance, and she lifted her chin, asking, ¡°What was your former piano teacher¡¯s name, and what award did she win?¡± Possibly not receiving Fang Yuan¡¯s response, Cheng Yuqi turned to her and noticed that Fang Yuan had donned earphones, engrossed in playing games. Instantly irked, Cheng Yuqi, upon careful consideration, deemed this behavior typical of a rural girl. She was worthless in this lifetime! After an indeterminate period, the host declared with enthusiasm, ¡°Next up, Fang Jiayi, a second-year student in this competition, will perform a piece for everyone.¡± Upon hearing the host¡¯s announcement, Fang Jiayi stood up with a smile and gracefully made her way to the stage. Seating herself at the piano, she took a deep breath before slowly playing her award-winning composition. Mu You Lan, seated in the front row, initially found the first half of the performance unpleasant. However, as the song progressed, she sensed an inexplicable familiarity, as if she had heard it before. Whispers filled the audience. ¡°The climax of her song is truly exceptional. It¡¯s very artistic!¡± ¡°It seems my playing skills are a bit rusty. Perhaps it¡¯s due to nervousness.¡± ¡°The climax of the song is exceptionally well-crafted. A teenage girl crafting such a remarkable composition¡­¡± Praises for Fang Jiayi echoed through the audience. Even Bai Shan, an authority in the field, beamed with delight and turned to Mu You Lan, saying, ¡°Chairman Mu, are you considering taking on a disciple soon? What are your thoughts on Fang Jiayi?¡± Mu Youlan harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Fang family, and consequently, she held no favorable opinion of Fang Jiayi. Additionally, in terms of musical aptitude, she had never encountered a child with superior potential than Fang Yuan in all her years. Fang Yuan¡¯s piano proficiency surpassed hers by a considerable margin. Although she desired to have Fang Yuan as her disciple, her age made it impractical to consider taking on apprentices. ¡°This second-place composition is well-written, especially the climax portion. It¡¯s truly delightful!¡± ¡°Yes, the climax captivated me. 1 find myself wanting to hear it again after each listen.¡± ¡°While the rest of the piece wasn¡¯t as remarkable, the climax was outstanding.¡± The guests surrounding Mu You Lan also joined in praising Fang Jiayi¡¯s composition. Following the conclusion of the performance, Fang Jiayi rose to her feet and bowed to the audience below the stage. As she glanced up, she anticipated seeing the love and admiration in Lu Chen¡¯s eyes as he applauded. Fang Jiayi felt an overwhelming sense of excitement. She then looked towards Mu You Lan, hoping to witness a trace of regret on her face. Rejecting such a talented disciple was undoubtedly a loss for Mu You Lan! However, Mu You Lan¡¯s expression was less than favorable. She even furrowed her brow, tapping her fingers on the table, lost in thought. Fang Jiayi was taken aback. Did she not perform well just now? As she considered retracting her gaze, she inadvertently spotted Fang Yuan seated in the third row of the audience, just two seats away from Cheng Yuqi, the daughter of the wealthiest man. Fang Jiayi found it unbelievable. How was this possible? The occupants of this row were either individuals of high status or competition winners and their families. Fang Yuan, on the other hand, held no such standing. What right did she have to occupy a seat there? Could it be that Cheng Yuqi did not hold a grudge against her? Or was Fang Yuan accompanying a sugar daddy? Fang Jiayi scrutinized the person beside Fang Yuan. It wasn¡¯t someone of the opposite sex. What kind of financier could elevate Fang Yuan to the same level as the daughter of the wealthiest family? Fang Jiayi felt that Fang Yuan was leading an undeservedly good life! Due to Fang Jiayi¡¯s elegant bow, the applause from the audience became even more enthusiastic. Even the teachers and seniors at the awards venue were full of praise for Fang Jiayi. ¡°This piano piece is titled ¡®Sorrow,¡¯ but I sensed hope during the climax. It¡¯s as if individuals facing natural and man-made disasters glimpse hope and must strive diligently to endure¡­¡± ¡°Indeed, 1 pictured a scene of natural disaster as well¡­¡± ¡°How coincidental, so did 1!¡± Chairman Mu had an epiphany. She finally recognized the source of the familiar feeling ¡ªdisaster, inspiration, resilience, courage¡­ As she gazed at the departing girl, her eyes brimmed with disdain. Subsequently, the host extended an invitation to Cheng Yuqi to take the stage. As the grand finale of the award ceremony, thunderous applause erupted the moment Cheng Yuqi stepped into the spotlight! Although she couldn¡¯t have Bo Yi and Grandpa Bo attend the award ceremony today, it was satisfying enough to stir envy in Fang Yuan! Chapter 168 - Chapter 168: Forgot the Award? Chapter 168: Forgot the Award? Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Cheng Yuqi sat gracefully at the piano, playing an elegant tune. Five minutes later, she rose for the curtain call. However, upon scanning the audience, she noticed Fang Yuan engrossed in her games, completely oblivious to her performance. Cheng Yuqi was instantly infuriated. Thunderous applause erupted from the audience. ¡°Cheng Yuqi¡¯s performance was truly exceptional! She¡¯s as remarkable as ever!¡± ¡°As expected of the daughter of the country¡¯s wealthiest individual. She has been outstanding from a young age!¡± ¡°But I still prefer Fang Jiayi¡¯s composition. Disregarding the beginning and the end, the climax was truly outstanding!¡± ¡°1 also favor the climax of Fang Jiayi¡¯s piece¡­¡± As Cheng Yuqi descended from the stage, she overheard someone expressing this sentiment. Though her nails dug into her flesh, she maintained a composed demeanor, smiling and nodding at those around her. It had to be acknowledged that Fang Jiayi¡¯s climax was indeed well-crafted, displaying a creative prowess surpassing hers. Unfortunately, the overall composition suffered, resulting in her securing second place. Upon hearing that many appreciated her piece, Fang Jiayi was exhilarated, feeling like she had stolen the spotlight. ¡°The top eight winners have now presented their participating pieces, allowing everyone to gain a deeper understanding of their placements.¡± ¡°Now, let¡¯s move on to the day¡¯s most crucial segment¡ªthe award ceremony.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s warmly welcome the renowned relationship expert, Teacher Baisu, to confer awards upon the fourth to eighth winners!¡± The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause as Bai Shan adjusted his suit and ascended the stage, presenting awards to each winner and capturing the moment with photographs. After leaving the stage, the host seized the microphone with passion and announced, ¡°Next, let¡¯s welcome Mu Youlan, the Chairwoman of the Piano Association, to present the awards to the top three winners!¡± The applause from the audience beneath the stage intensified. As the third-place Wang Jingjing, second-place Fang Jiayi, and first-place Cheng Yuqi made their way towards the stage, their youthful charm and exceptional talent drew considerable attention, making them the stars of this year¡¯s competition. On their journey to the stage, Fang Jiayi warmly waved to the audience and even nodded cordially at Cheng Yuqi. However, Cheng Yuqi appeared oblivious to the gesture of goodwill. She enthusiastically waved and smiled at others. Once Mu Youlan took the stage, she handed the championship trophy to Cheng Yuqi and the third-place trophy to Wang Jingjing. Then, when her eyes fell on Fang Jiayi, her gaze turned notably cold. The host was momentarily taken aback, attempting to navigate the situation, ¡°Chairwoman Mu, it¡¯s time to present the award for the second place¡­¡± Though slightly embarrassed, Fang Jiayi, under the scrutiny of numerous eyes and the watchful lenses of reporters, maintained a polite smile. ¡°Chairwoman Mu, I¡¯m the second-place winner this time¡ªFang Jiayi.¡± ¡°I¡¯m aware,¡± Mu Youlan¡¯s voice resonated with coldness, her gaze piercing Fang Jiayi with an intensity that sent shivers through the audience. Perplexity filled the air, as neither the onlookers nor the host could fathom the tension. However, Mu Youlan¡¯s unsettling scrutiny left an indelible mark on the atmosphere, giving an eerie edge to the award ceremony. The host attempted to salvage the situation by signaling to the etiquette lady beside him. Sensing the urgency, she promptly handed the trophy to Mu Youlan with a gracious smile, believing that the chairwoman was ready to present the award. However, Mu Youlan remained motionless and spoke with chilling disdain, ¡°You¡¯re not worthy of the second-place trophy.¡± Her words sent shockwaves through the entire venue, igniting a commotion. Fang Jiayi¡¯s face turned pallid, and embarrassment gripped her. Fang Liguo and Song Ling stood up, bewildered by the unfolding events. Even Lu Chen, usually composed, was taken aback by Mu Youlan¡¯s uncharacteristic public reproach. The host, attempting to diffuse the tension, questioned, ¡°Chairwoman Mu, do you believe that Fang Jiayi deserves a higher rank based on her performance?¡± The audience, momentarily confused, caught wind of the implication and breathed a collective sigh of relief. So, Mu Youlan must think Fang Jiayi deserves first place! Cheng Yuqi clutched her trophy tightly, astounded. Was Mu Youlan about to declare that Fang Jiayi was more deserving of the top spot? However, Mu Youlan dismissed the host¡¯s question and locked eyes with Fang Jiayi. Her inquiry was stern, ¡°Did you compose the entire piece you played on your own? Every note, every melody¡ªyour own creation, and no one else¡¯s involvement?¡± Fang Jiayi sensed the gravity of the situation and felt a surge of guilt. Her heart raced, and her legs weakened. ¡°Yes, of course¡­¡± Mu Youlan pressed on, ¡°In other words, the entire composition, from start to finish, is solely your work, with no contributions from anyone else?¡± Fang Jiayi teetered on the edge of panic. She couldn¡¯t comprehend Mu Youlan¡¯s line of questioning. Did Mu Youlan somehow discover that she had borrowed the climax from Fang Yuan¡¯s song? It was inconceivable! Mu Youlan, a luminary in the field, would never be acquainted with a minor talent like Fang Yuan. Unless Fang Yuan had approached her and disclosed the matter¡­ ¡°Chairwoman Mu, I¡¯m not sure who informed you of such a thing.¡± Fang Jiayi opted to deny any wrongdoing. Redirecting attention seemed the best course of action at the moment.. Chapter 169 - Chapter 169: Little Bitch Chapter 169: Little Bitch Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°If you believe I¡¯m unworthy because I once admired a fellow musician, 1 apologize,¡± Fang Jiayi maintained her poise. Her tone was neither obsequious nor arrogant as she continued, ¡°You mentioned earlier that even if you were to take on a disciple, it wouldn¡¯t be from the Fang family. I¡¯m not sure what transgressions the Fang family committed in your eyes, but as a senior, you have the prerogative to choose a disciple according to your preferences. 1 understand and won¡¯t press the matter. In fact, I acknowledge my own shortcomings and don¡¯t consider myself exceptional enough to warrant your favor.¡± ¡°However, your remark below the stage, stating that I¡¯m unworthy of donning Yanli¡¯s attire and jewelry in front of so many people, was disheartening. You might not be aware, but I¡¯ve long regarded you as my idol. I diligently pursued piano proficiency to feel closer to you.¡± Fang Jiayi¡¯s words skillfully painted Mu Youlan as an ill-mannered, arrogant individual who took advantage of her seniority to belittle her juniors. It cast Mu Youlan in an unflattering light. Observing this turn of events, Mu Youlan found herself facing an adept manipulator, a shrewd young woman who, despite her youth, displayed a keen understanding of how to control narratives. ¡°I never expected Chairman Mu to exhibit such behavior. Fang Jiayi earnestly learned the zither to bridge the gap between them. While it¡¯s understandable if Mu Youlan declines to accept disciples, making such audacious statements is truly distressing for Fang Jiayi.¡± ¡°Fang Jiayi looks quite elegant in Yanli¡¯s creations. Is it not an intrusion for Chairman Mu to comment on her choice of attire? One¡¯s dress is a matter of personal freedom, and it¡¯s not Chairman Mu¡¯s concern.¡± ¡°Even if Chairman Mu chooses not to support the younger generation, publicly embarrassing them is wholly inappropriate.¡± ¡°Chairman Mu seems to lack decorum¡­¡± ¡°Thankfully, Fang Jiayi possesses a magnanimous heart. As an affluent young lady, her generosity and character set her apart from the ordinary.¡± The majority of onlookers sympathized with Fang Jiayi, praising her ability to reshape public perception with just a few well-chosen words. Triumphantly, she glanced provocatively at Mu Youlan, sensing she had gained the upper hand. Yet, Mu Youlan saw through her tactics and scoffed, ¡°Your composition at the climax of the song is a copy of Senior Qingyin¡¯s ¡®Wish¡¯!¡± As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue fell silent. What? Fang Jiayi¡¯s climax had actually plagiarized Senior Qingyin? Senior Qingyin was a legend in the piano world. In recent years, she had won countless awards both domestically and abroad. She was a master-level figure who was ranked first with Elder Qian! However, Senior Qingyin was even more mysterious than Elder Qian. No one knew what she looked like or how old she was. They only knew that she was a woman. ¡°Chairman Mu, why are you so sure that Fang Jiayi plagiarized Senior Qingyin¡¯s work?¡± The host hurriedly tried to smooth things over. ¡°I¡¯m also a fan of Senior Qingyin, but I¡¯ve never heard of Senior Qingyin¡¯s song called Wish¡­ Do you have evidence?¡± Upon hearing this, Fang Jiayi felt much more at ease. Even the host did not know that Qingyin had the song ¡®Wish¡¯. Moreover, she had clearly found the climax of the song in Fang Yuan¡¯s room! That was Fang Yuan¡¯s manuscript! Besides, she had searched online many times, but there was no similarity at all. That was why she was relieved to participate in the competition with her song! Fang Yuan raised her head lazily and observed everything on the stage with an air of indifference. Even Song Ling¡¯s angry voice from behind didn¡¯t escape her notice. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Chairman Mu? It¡¯s one thing if she doesn¡¯t want to award Jiayi, but accusing her of plagiarizing a master¡¯s work is another level of embarrassment! Jiayi¡¯s piano skills are exceptional. Is she really going to accuse her of stealing someone else¡¯s work?¡± Song Ling expressed her frustration, eager to rush onto the stage and confront Chairman Mu. Fang Liguo intervened, restraining Song Ling. ¡°Perhaps Chairman Mu has heard numerous piano pieces, and when she heard something vaguely similar, she assumed Jiayi had plagiarized. Let¡¯s wait and see.¡± Lu Chen felt a sense of unease. ¡°Chairman Mu has always been fair. She wouldn¡¯t make such an accusation without sufficient evidence.¡± ¡°All Chen, why don¡¯t you believe Jiayi? You praised her just now¡­¡± Song Ling voiced her disappointment. ¡°That¡¯s indeed strange¡­¡± Madam Bi chimed in, ¡°Didn¡¯t you mention that Chairman Mu was interested in Jiayi and wanted to take her as a disciple? Why did Jiayi claim on stage that Chairman Mu doesn¡¯t like her and isn¡¯t willing to mentor her?¡± Caught off guard, Song Ling faltered. ¡°Is, is that so?¡± She had inadvertently contradicted herself. In her attempt to impress Madam Bi, she had fabricated a story about Chairman Mu¡¯s interest in Jiayi. Now, her lie was exposed. Madam Bi looked at her with disdain, clearly seeing through the fabrication. ¡°Evidence? Of course, 1 have it!¡± Mu Youlan declared resolutely, capturing the attention of everyone present. Fang Jiayi¡¯s complexion turned pale. This was unexpected! ¡°Before I present the evidence, I have one question for you, Fang Jiayi. What is the climax of your piece ¡®Sorrow¡¯?¡± Mu Youlan asked deliberately, her words hanging in the tense air.. Chapter 170 - Chapter 170: Incorporated into Teaching Materials Chapter 170: Incorporated into Teaching Materials Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Jiayi, feeling a bit more confident, responded to Mu Youlan¡¯s question confidently. She explained that her piece ¡°Sorrow¡± aimed to convey profound sorrow, using the metaphor of a person trapped in overwhelming grief, unable to break free. Mu Youlan burst into laughter, her disdain evident. ¡°You¡¯ve completely misunderstood! Don¡¯t take my word for it; ask everyone present. What did they think when they heard your climax?¡± The host chimed in, sharing his perspective, ¡°Initially, I felt a profound sadness, like a tidal wave overwhelming me. However, after a while, a ray of light appeared, offering hope and inspiring me to live well.¡± The audience eagerly joined the discussion: ¡°I sensed the courage and strength to overcome grief.¡± ¡°It reminded me of the earthquake last year¡­¡± ¡°Yes, the earthquake in Wen City. As soon as the climax hit, the images of the disaster flashed in my mind.¡± ¡°I thought of natural disasters too!¡± Mu Youlan seized the opportunity, stating, ¡°Exactly! Last year¡¯s Wen City earthquake brought immense suffering, and ¡®Wish,¡¯ composed by Senior Qingyin, was created to provide solace and hope to the survivors. It aimed to help them emerge from the darkness of despair.¡± Fang Jiayi, lacking a deep understanding of music and guided by an insufficiently knowledgeable tutor, had perceived only the surface of Senior Qingyin¡¯s composition. Unaware of the hidden message of hope within the climax, she now faced the revelation with a worsening expression. Mu Youlan¡¯s revelation left Fang Jiayi exposed and her deception laid bare. Mu Youlan continued with her damning revelation. ¡°Why can I be sure that Senior Qingyin created ¡®Wish¡¯? It¡¯s because in March of this year, her song passed through my hands and was included in the music teaching materials! New teaching materials have already been printed and are set to be published in September this year. Before that, it hasn¡¯t been announced!¡± The shock was palpable among the audience, Fang Jiayi included. The revelation left her in disbelief. ¡°Senior Qingyin¡¯s complete creation is countless times better than your version!¡± Mu Youlan continued, unleashing a barrage of criticism. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, you copied Senior Qingyin¡¯s climax. Fearing exposure, you attempted to write it yourself, but your skill level couldn¡¯t handle the majestic aura of the climax. It sounded strange, forced, and lacked the finesse of a masterful composition!¡± ¡°The judges wouldn¡¯t have let you advance if it wasn¡¯t for the climax. Your writing is ordinary, even poor. Second place is beyond reach; you wouldn¡¯t even make it to twenty!¡± Mu Youlan didn¡¯t mince words, declaring, ¡°Not only did you plagiarize Senior Qingyin¡¯s work, but you also refused to admit it. You¡¯re not worthy of this award, or even being in this industry! On behalf of the Piano Association, I reject your presence for the rest of your life!¡± Mu Youlan¡¯s words reverberated, leaving everyone in shock. Fang Jiayi, exposed and disgraced, struggled to maintain her composure. The public announcement by the Piano Association¡¯s president that she was unwelcome in the industry was a harsh blow that surpassed any other form of rejection. No! She couldn¡¯t admit to plagiarism so easily! The potential consequences were overwhelming. Her piano career would crumble, and the second-place glory she¡¯d achieved would vanish, drowned in the public¡¯s condemnation. The halo surrounding her would disappear, replaced by scorn and ridicule. The stain of plagiarism would follow her relentlessly, a lifelong blemish that would make her the subject of mockery. Her admission to this act would disappoint her parents, shatter Lu Chen¡¯s trust, and intensify the disdain from Mr. Lu and Mrs. Lu. Friends and supporters would turn their backs on her, and her life would be tainted by this irreversible disgrace. Fang Jiayi gritted her teeth, determined not to surrender so easily. ¡°These are just your baseless accusations. What evidence do you have about it being in the teaching materials? Was it even seen by anyone?¡± ¡°You!¡± Mu Youlan, angered by Fang Jiayi¡¯s refusal to concede, decided to press harder. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll make you admit your defeat!¡± She promptly had someone bring a photograph of the latest teaching materials, projecting the score onto the big screen. ¡°This is Senior Qingyin¡¯s ¡®Wish¡¯!¡± Mu Youlan announced to the audience. ¡°Anyone with an understanding of music notation can immediately discern that the two compositions are identical.. It¡¯s not a mere resemblance of one or two lines; it¡¯s a complete plagiarism of the entire climax!¡± Chapter 171 - Chapter 171: Refusing to Admit Chapter 171: Refusing to Admit Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The audience voiced their agreement, confirming that the climaxes were indeed identical. ¡°Chairman Mu is telling the truth. It¡¯s plagiarism!¡± ¡°Master Qingyin¡¯s composition is far superior to Fang Jiayi¡¯s!¡± Chairman Mu pressed on, ¡°For those who may not fully comprehend, please be patient. I¡¯ll arrange for someone to play the climax of Senior Qingyin¡¯s piece. You can use your ears to discern the similarities!¡± Her gaze shifted to Wang Jingjing, the third-place winner. ¡°You will play.¡± Even a third-place finisher would be sufficient to expose Fang Jiayi¡¯s deception. Wang Jingjing was taken aback by Chairman Mu¡¯s unexpected request, but she swiftly positioned herself at the piano and played the climax as per the music score on the big screen. Each note she played resonated with the identical melody. Even Fang Liguo and Song Ling, who had initially defended their daughter, were left speechless. Though they may not comprehend the intricacies, the undeniable similarity indicated clear-cut plagiarism. With every note played by Wang Jingjing, it felt like a stinging rebuke to Fang Jiayi. Eventually, Fang Jiayi¡¯s face turned completely pale. Seated in the front row were this year¡¯s judges and guests. Teacher Qinling, who had a particular fondness for Fang Jiayi and had been a strong supporter, was now filled with disappointment and anger. She had seen potential in Fang Jiayi, only to be let down by this act of plagiarism. After Wang Jingjing concluded her performance, the host picked up the microphone and stated solemnly, ¡°While others diligently cultivate their fruit trees, someone decided to pluck the fruits without permission!¡± His gaze directed at Fang Jiayi. ¡°As the competition host, 1 regret to announce that Fang Jiayi, the winner of this piano competition, is disqualified from participating in similar competitions in the future due to her plagiarism of Master Qingyin¡¯s work!¡± Fang Jiayi felt her entire body tremble. ¡°Now, let¡¯s invite the first and third-place winners to take photos with Chairman Mu for a keepsake¡­¡± The host aimed to shift the focus for the reporters to capture this eventful moment. Fang Jiayi, desperate and cornered, shouted, ¡°I didn¡¯t plagiarize!¡± ¡°Even with concrete evidence, you still deny it?¡± ¡°Could she really be falsely accused? Look at her eyes. A guilty person should look remorseful, but she doesn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°But the climax is undeniably the same. If she didn¡¯t plagiarize Master Qingyin¡¯s work, then did Master Qingyin plagiarize her?¡± ¡°This is blatant plagiarism!¡± Chairman Mu hadn¡¯t anticipated that Fang Jiayi would persist in denying the accusations even at this juncture. Angrily, she remarked, ¡°In the pursuit of fame and profit, people nowadays seem to lack any morals or principles! You plagiarized Senior Qingyin¡¯s work, and the industry is expelling you. Instead of leaving with some dignity, you still refuse to admit your mistake?¡± ¡°I did not plagiarize!¡± Fang Jiayi insisted. ¡°1 composed this song at home! Can Chairman Mu provide evidence that 1 didn¡¯t compose it?¡± ¡°Then explain why the climax is identical to Master Qingyin¡¯s work? According to your standards, can you create such a climax?¡± Mu Youlan clearly did not believe her. ¡°Does anyone believe your claim? You say you didn¡¯t plagiarize. Are you brave enough to repeat it in front of Senior Qingyin?¡± What? Senior Qingyin was present? The audience was astonished. Senior Qingyin had always been shrouded in mystery. No one had ever witnessed her true identity. Not only did Chairman Mu know her, but it seemed she could even invite her to resolve such a seemingly trivial matter? The appearance of such a distinguished master for this situation was unexpected. Fang Jiayi, taken aback by Mu Youlan¡¯s assertion that Senior Qingyin was present, felt a sense of unease. The whereabouts of Master Qingyin were famously concealed, and she was never known to step into the spotlight. Mu Youlan claimed that Senior Qingyin was in the audience, witnessing the alleged plagiarism firsthand. The revelation ignited excitement among the crowd as they scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of the elusive master. Fang Jiayi, now feeling a growing pressure, wondered whether Mu Youlan intended to call or conduct a video call with Senior Qingyin. The uncertainty made her uneasy, and her palms, freshly manicured earlier that day, had unconsciously turned red. ¡°Master Qingyin was at the scene, in the audience. She saw you plagiarize her work with her own eyes, but she refused to admit it!¡± Mu Youlan¡¯s words hung in the air, creating a buzz of anticipation among the attendees as they eagerly looked around for any trace of Master Qingyin. Fang Jiayi, still shocked by the revelation that Master Qingyin was supposedly present, found it hard to believe that such a renowned and powerful figure would attend the award ceremony of a relatively small competition. Mu Youlan addressed the girl in the audience with utmost respect and caution, ¡°Senior, I¡¯m truly sorry for disturbing you over such a small matter.. 1 had hoped to resolve it swiftly¡­¡± Her tone shifted as she cast a fierce gaze towards Fang Jiayi, ¡°1 didn¡¯t expect this girl not only to plagiarize your song but also shamelessly deny the act of plagiarism! This is not only disrespectful to you but also disrespectful to all original works!¡± Chapter 172 - Chapter 172: Shes Master Qingyin? Chapter 172: She¡¯s Master Qingyin? Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Chairman Mu¡¯s gaze descended upon Fang Yuan standing below the stage as he sternly declared, ¡°The plagiarists must face severe consequences. We must eradicate their presence from this industry, leaving them with no refuge. This will serve as a deterrent and prevent others from endangering their own careers. Otherwise, we risk perpetuating a harmful culture of plagiarism. Over time, genuine composers will dwindle, and plagiarism will only proliferate.¡± Consequently, Fang Yuan found herself in the spotlight, the only one capable of delivering a resounding blow to Fang Jiayi. Fang Yuan, taken aback, harbored a desire for Fang Jiayi to exit the industry but hesitated to reveal her sentiments. However, some individuals shamelessly denied their acts of plagiarism. All eyes followed Chairman Mu Youlan¡¯s intent gaze, focusing on a girl with disbelief. Was she Senior Qingyin? ¡°Senior Qingyin? Unbelievable¡­¡± ¡°But Chairman Mu is clearly looking in her direction. There¡¯s no one else there but that girl¡­¡± ¡°Could Chairman Mu have made a mistake? She looks like she¡¯s still in high school!¡± Though the stage lighting cast a slight shadow on the audience, Fang Yuan¡¯s poised and composed expression remained visible. ¡°I¡¯d believe it if Chairman Mu herself claimed to be Senior Qingyin. How could that girl possibly be Senior Qingyin?¡± ¡°I share the skepticism. It seems improbable¡­¡± Fang Liguo and Song Ling also detected Mu Youlan¡¯s focus on the girl in the audience, noticing a resemblance to Fang Yuan from the back. The realization struck Song Ling: Fang Yuan wore this dress in the restroom just moments ago! Mu Youlan asserted that she was Master Qingyin, but how was that conceivable? Fang Yuan, with minimal exposure to the piano, couldn¡¯t even read properly, let alone compose. It made more sense to consider Cheng Yuqi as Master Qingyin, being Cheng Ye¡¯s daughter and the heiress to immense wealth. To claim Fang Yuan as Master Qingyin seemed utterly implausible! In that instant, Lu Chen turned his gaze towards the girl and recognized a familiar posture from her back. As Song Ling voiced the possibility of Fang Yuan¡¯s presence, he couldn¡¯t believe it. Fang Yuan? His expression shifted to one of profound shock. Fang Yuan was at the awards venue too? How did she manage to enter? Mu Youlan claimed she was Senior Qingyin? This seemed utterly implausible to him. Cheng Yuqi¡¯s eyes also fixated on Fang Yuan. With no one else nearby, Fang Yuan as Qingyin was ludicrous! What kind of person was Qingyin, and how could she be so young? Cheng Yuqi was convinced that Mu Youlan had made a mistake. Fang Jiayi, too, was taken aback. ¡°Fang Yuan? So, it¡¯s your doing!¡± A revelation struck her, and she exclaimed, ¡°1 see through your scheme! You must have posed as Master Qingyin and manipulated Chairman Mu into exposing me. Chairman Mu, being kind-hearted, fell for your deceit!¡± Since no one had witnessed Master Qingyin before, the possibility that Fang Yuan impersonated her couldn¡¯t be ruled out. Fang Jiayi sneered, convinced she had uncovered the mastermind. ¡°It¡¯s one thing to pretend to be someone else, but Master Qingyin is an idol for many here. How dare you imitate her? Did you receive approval from her fans? Do you think Master Qingyin¡¯s fans are easy targets?¡± These words triggered a wave of murmurs among the audience. ¡°Exactly. She can¡¯t possibly be Master Qingyin. Master Qingyin is incredibly skilled¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m skeptical too¡­¡± ¡°If she¡¯s impersonating Master Qingyin, she won¡¯t get away with it!¡± ¡°Count me in!¡± ¡°Seems like they know each other. There¡¯s some personal history between them¡­¡± The audience was captivated by the unfolding drama. Fang Jiayi felt her pride wounded and decided it was time for Fang Yuan to experience a taste of humiliation. ¡°You usurped my position and relished in eighteen years of wealth. It was only by chance that Mom and Dad discovered me, suffering outside. Feeling uneasy, you targeted me at every turn!¡± As soon as she uttered these words, a shocked silence fell over the crowd. ¡°I never anticipated such a connection between these two girls! Is this girl in the audience intentionally framing me to seek revenge against Fang Jiayi? In an instant, the crowd shifted from admiring Fang Yuan¡¯s appearance to engaging in malicious speculations¡­¡± ¡°Your family background is far from pristine. To sustain yourself in Jing City, you seem to accompany a different man every day! Care to introduce your latest sugar daddy to everyone?¡± ¡°As your younger sister, I¡¯ve cautioned you numerous times to stay on the right path. Ignoring my advice is one thing, but you¡¯ve also physically attacked me multiple times. You even incited your friend to assault my fiance!¡± ¡°I initially intended to let bygones be bygones for the sake of our family. Yet, upon witnessing my award victory, you resorted to such deceitful tactics to manipulate Chairman Mu into trusting you and tarnishing my reputation!¡± The revelation left everyone present in shock. It painted the girl in the audience as having a tumultuous personal life. Despite her appealing looks, the accusations suggested a capability to entice others. According to Fang Jiayi¡¯s analysis, Fang Yuan might be spreading false rumors out of jealousy or resentment.. Chapter 173 - Chapter 173: No Time, No Money! Chapter 173: No Time, No Money! Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Cheng Yuqi, standing at the side, regarded Fang Jiayi with bewilderment. Was there a glitch in her thinking? It seemed improbable that Fang Yuan didn¡¯t know how to play the piano. Besides, what did she mean that Fang Yuan¡¯s original family might have been financially modest? Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t fathom how the wealthiest family in the country would be considered poor? The notion that Fang Yuan had to date multiple men to sustain herself in Jing City sounded ludicrous. Fang Yuan¡¯s parents had generously provided her with hundreds of millions in pocket money, ensuring her financial comfort for years. With an abundance of clothes and bags, she had no need to rely on a man for livelihood. Furthermore, she was already involved with Bo Yi, making the idea of pleasing other men absurd. Was Fang Jiayi out of touch with reality? In Cheng Yuqi¡¯s opinion, there couldn¡¯t be a better man than Bo Yi in the world. This was Fang Yuan¡¯s personal matter, and Cheng Yuqi simply enjoyed watching the drama unfold. ¡°Nonsense!¡± Mu Youlan erupted in anger. ¡°Does a figure of Senior Qingyin¡¯s stature need a man to support her? Her value surpasses that of your entire Fang family!¡± As the ¡°Master of Qingyin,¡± Senior Qingyin was wealthier than many affluent families. In the past, the entertainment industry had offered exorbitant amounts, up to 100,000 yuan for a single note, to entice her into customizing a song. However, she declined, citing lack of time and no need for additional money. ¡°How dare someone like you blaspheme a luminary like Senior Qingyin? The entire Piano Association combined doesn¡¯t match the talent in Senior Qingyin¡¯s fingers! Do you think she¡¯s young and lacks backing? Let me make it clear¡ªthe Piano Association is Senior Qingyin¡¯s supporter! Try defaming her again?¡± The audience erupted into commotion. So, the girl was indeed Senior Qingyin? Chairman Mu¡¯s enraged expression confirmed it. However, the revelation that Senior Qingyin was so young and beautiful left everyone in disbelief. Most had assumed she was Chairman Mu¡¯s age. Fang Jiayi struggled to grasp the truth. Fang Yuan as Master Qingyin seemed inconceivable. Even Fang Liguo, Song Ling, and Lu Chen found themselves taken aback. ¡°Does someone of Senior Qingyin¡¯s caliber deserve to be questioned by a junior like you? She can play the piano blindfolded, and not only blindfolded, but she can also play with her back turned better than you!¡± The audience below the stage erupted once again! Despite Fang Jiayi¡¯s already unpleasant expression, she persisted, ¡°Is that so? Since she¡¯s so powerful, let¡¯s invite her on stage to perform for everyone!¡± Such audacity! No one had made such an unreasonable request before. Was she taking herself too seriously? ¡°If the song is truly hers, then she can perform without looking at the score. If not, she¡¯s not Master Qingyin, and the song has nothing to do with her! How about it? Master Qingyin, do you dare to go on stage? Prove yourself!¡± Fang Jiayi was confident that Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t play the piano. Even if she could, it was impossible for her to remember this undisclosed song and play it flawlessly! Mu Youlan was on the verge of summoning security to remove this unruly individual, but to everyone¡¯s surprise, Fang Yuan stood up and smiled. ¡°Sure.¡± With things having reached this point, she needed to make Fang Jiayi admit defeat completely! All eyes were fixed on Fang Yuan as she gracefully approached the stage. Her attractive features, fair skin, and composed expression made her resemble a proud plum in the snow, emitting an aura of confidence. ¡°Chairman Mu just mentioned you can play the piano in reverse? Let¡¯s broaden everyone¡¯s horizons, shall we?¡± Fang Jiayi firmly believed that Fang Yuan would embarrass herself! Meanwhile, Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui rushed back, observing a gathering on the stage. Yuqi held a trophy, signaling the end of the award ceremony. However, her prolonged presence on stage and evident anger puzzled them. What surprised them even more was Yuanyuan¡¯s unexpected appearance. What had happened? Seated on the stool with her back to the piano, Fang Yuan extended her hands backward, slender fingers landing on the keys. She began to play effortlessly. The crowd was stunned; Fang Yuan didn¡¯t glance at the score but played each note naturally. A beautiful melody emanated from her, creating a delightful atmosphere. ¡°I¡¯m a devoted fan of Master Qingyin. Both the melody and the aura scream Master Qingyin¡¯s style!¡± ¡°Only Master Qingyin can compose such a beautiful tune!¡± ¡°This song was undoubtedly composed by her. How else could she play it so flawlessly without any prior preparation?¡± ¡°She must truly be Master Qingyin!¡± Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui were stupefied. Yuanyuan was Master Qingyin? Their beloved daughter was, in fact, a musical prodigy? They had been completely unaware¡­ To play with her back to the piano, without consulting the score, and still deliver such a graceful and beautiful performance! The entire composition echoed Master Qingyin¡¯s distinctive style. Master Qingyin¡¯s music possessed a captivating quality. The entire audience was moved¡­ In contrast, Fang Jiayi¡¯s ¡°Sorrow¡± paled in comparison! Chapter 174 - Chapter 174: Live Competition Chapter 174: Live Competition Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After completing her performance, Fang Yuan took the microphone from the host and spoke calmly, ¡°1 composed this song for the survivors of last year¡¯s earthquake, so 1 can play it without consulting the score.¡± It was irrefutable evidence! Below the stage, Fang Liguo and Song Ling felt as though they had been struck by lightning. It was unimaginable that Master Qingyin was their child. Wasn¡¯t she devoid of any special talents? Wasn¡¯t she cold all day long? When did she learn to play the piano and become Master Qingyin? They had heard that someone once offered a hefty sum to Master Qingyin for composing a song, and Master Qingyin declined¡ªthis person who declined was Fang Yuan. Cheng Yuqi also hadn¡¯t anticipated Fang Yuan being Master Qingyin. Based on her recent performance, she was evidently more skilled than anyone Cheng Yuqi had encountered before. And she had just shown off in front of her¡ªit was embarrassing to think about! Though Fang Jiayi was shocked, she refused to back down. ¡°Impossible! Chairman Mu stated that this song is part of the textbook. You must have used your connections to access the score and memorized it to humiliate me!¡± How else could you play it so effortlessly? She had assumed Fang Yuan¡¯s identity from a young age, spent the Fang family¡¯s money on piano lessons¡ªwhat was there to be proud of? Wang Jingjing, having listened to Fang Yuan¡¯s performance, finally grasped that there was always someone more skilled. Did Master Qingyin think she played poorly during the song¡¯s climax? Mu Youlan¡¯s anger flared when she saw Fang Jiayi continuing to argue. ¡°Since you insist that ¡®Sorrow¡¯ is your original work and your creative standards are commendable, do you dare to engage in an on-the-spot competition with Master Qingyin?¡± Fang Jiayi was taken aback. A live competition? ¡°You and Master Qingyin will each have ten minutes to improvise. If your improvisation surpasses Master Qingyin¡¯s and proves your talent, well acknowledge your composition skills!¡± Mu Youlan stared at Fang Jiayi with a cold expression. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you have the courage!¡± Beside her, Fang Yuan, in a lazy tone, chimed in, ¡°It won¡¯t even take ten minutes.¡± She sat at the piano and casually began to play a melody. Without any prior preparation or careful planning, Fang Yuan¡¯s melody resonated with imposing grandeur and melodic beauty. Following a brief, airy composition, Fang Yuan transitioned into another earth-shattering tune, audible anger woven into the notes. Then came a poignant melody, concluding with a joyful tune. Through her music, Fang Yuan conveyed the emotions of happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy. Applause erupted like thunder. Whether it was her finger dexterity, creative prowess, or the melody itself, it unequivocally affirmed her identity as Qingyin! Were it not for today¡¯s unexpected turn of events, the audience might never have had the privilege of hearing such exquisite music and witnessing Master Qingyin¡¯s skill firsthand! The applause was relentless, even Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui clapped fervently. Their cherished daughter displayed an exceptional mastery of the piano¡ªshe played exceptionally well! Contrastingly, Fang Jiayi¡¯s expression transformed from shock and shame to something more profound. Fang Yuan¡¯s piano skills not only surpassed hers but also outshone everyone present. She was unquestionably Qingyin! Having listened to Fang Yuan¡¯s impromptu composition, Cheng Yuqi grappled with a single thought: how did she produce such a remarkable song without any preparation? Over the years, Cheng Yuqi had immersed herself in piano music, confident that Fang Yuan¡¯s melody bore no resemblance to any existing compositions. It was genuinely improvised! Why did she perform so flawlessly without rehearsed concepts and contemplation? She had even questioned Fang Yuan about her piano studies, arrogantly boasting about winning over 50 first-place awards and studying under Cindy. Now, she felt she had lost all credibility. Cindy was nothing compared to Master Qingyin! In the piano world, Qingyin was a legend, undefeated until today. She had amassed countless awards, standing as a master-level figure on par with Elder Qian. In Qingyin¡¯s eyes, 50 first-place awards were inconsequential, let alone 500! Cheng Yuqi grappled with a sense of self-inflicted embarrassment. Her earlier disdainful questions had backfired spectacularly. What she once dismissed as games and uselessness now confronted her with an undeniable truth. All the contempt she harbored transformed into a resounding slap on her face. Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t articulate the mix of emotions overwhelming her¡ªunwillingness, frustration, sadness, or perhaps something else entirely. ¡°It¡¯s your turn,¡± Mu Youlan declared on the stage, her red lips forming a challenging smile as she gazed at Fang Jiayi. ¡°Senior Qingyin has just showcased her composition, and 1 believe everyone has witnessed her exceptional skill. Do you truly believe your talent surpasses Master Qingyin¡¯s? Now, it¡¯s your moment to shine!¡± Fang Jiayi remained frozen, her entire body quivering. She was acutely aware of her creative capabilities.. Once displayed, they would undoubtedly become the subject of ridicule! How could she possibly compare to Master Qingyin? Chapter 175 - Chapter 175: Only One Song Chapter 175: Only One Song Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Mu Youlan observed Fang Jiayi¡¯s embarrassment and sneered, ¡°If you¡¯re clueless about improvisation, just play a famous song you know.¡± Fang Jiayi was at a loss. While her tutor had taught her well-known pieces like ¡°Fur Elise¡± and ¡°Canon,¡± she couldn¡¯t play them smoothly without referring to the score. Even with the score, her performance wouldn¡¯t match Fang Yuan¡¯s. Her piano proficiency was evident to anyone with knowledge of the instrument. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re not familiar with the top ten songs?¡± Mu Youlan¡¯s tone dripped with sarcasm. She found Fang Jiayi¡¯s self-importance amusing. Fang Jiayi bit her lip, persisting in her defense, ¡°I just created a bit of drama suddenly¡­¡± Amused by Fang Jiayi¡¯s embarrassment and refusal to admit it, Mu Youlan continued, ¡°Since you can¡¯t compose and don¡¯t know the top ten famous songs, just play any random piece you¡¯re familiar with.¡± Fang Jiayi remained motionless. She had devoted the past month solely to practicing the song ¡®Sorrow¡¯ and hadn¡¯t explored other pieces. ¡°Why? Can¡¯t you play a song? Don¡¯t you even know the simplest ¡®Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star¡¯?¡± Laughter erupted from the audience. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought Fang Jiayi can¡¯t play the piano!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that she can¡¯t play at all. She only knows ¡®Sorrow¡¯!¡± ¡°She can¡¯t even play a basic piece like ¡®Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.¡¯ I learned it when I was three.¡± ¡°How can someone like her be worthy of second place?¡± Seated among the audience, judge Qin Ling held the microphone and expressed disappointment, ¡°This year¡¯s piano competition demands participants to exhibit a high level of performance and composition. From the preliminaries to the finals, you played the same tune.¡± While other contestants showcased a variety of pieces to highlight their versatility and earn more points, Fang Jiayi stuck to playing ¡®Sorrow¡¯ from start to finish. ¡°At first, I believed you had immense confidence in your composition, thinking you could surpass invincible talents with your song. I assumed you were genuinely self-assured, but it turns out your confidence was merely limited to ¡®Sorrow¡¯!¡± Teacher Qin Ling expressed profound disappointment. ¡°You attempted to navigate this serious occasion with such an opportunistic approach. I am truly let down by your actions!¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not like that¡­¡± Fang Jiayi was on the verge of tears. ¡°1 don¡¯t only know this song¡­¡± The crowd below the stage erupted, demanding, ¡°Then prove it! Play another song to redeem yourself!¡± ¡°Master Qingyin played exceptionally well. Do you feel remorseful?¡± ¡°Apologize!¡± ¡°Apologize to Master Qingyin!¡± ¡°You don¡¯t deserve second place! You don¡¯t deserve to be in this field!¡± ¡°Fang Jiayi, you bring shame to the piano industry! Leave!¡± ¡°Leave!¡± Fang Liguo and Song Ling watched helplessly as their daughter¡¯s standing plummeted from second place to becoming despised by the audience, all because of Fang Yuan. Their hearts ached for her. Just as they were about to intervene, Fang Yuan took the stage. ¡°I happened to meet your former classmate below the stage,¡± Fang Yuan announced calmly, exuding a strong aura. ¡°Let¡¯s invite her on stage.¡± Surprised gazes turned to a girl stepping onto the stage. She introduced herself, saying, ¡°Hello, everyone. I¡¯m He Wanting. I accompanied Wang Jingjing to the award ceremony, and I used to be in the same class as Fang Jiayi.¡± Fang Jiayi shouted anxiously, ¡°He Wanting!¡± They had once shared a close friendship, but a conflict arose, leading He Wanting to transfer to another school, and their communication ceased. She never expected her former friend to step forward and expose her. Was it because she had boasted to He Wanting about securing second place before the award ceremony? Or had Fang Yuan somehow influenced He Wanting? Regardless, Fang Jiayi sensed impending doom. She subconsciously clenched her fists, her face drained of color. ¡°Fang Jiayi¡¯s family wasn¡¯t well-off in the past. I visited her home, and there was no piano. She envied me for having one at home. Every time she visited my place, she would eagerly play the piano.¡± ¡°I can attest that up until high school, she had no knowledge of playing the piano. She didn¡¯t even know the difference between high and low notes. Her piano journey likely began in high school.¡± The revelation shocked everyone. They had assumed Fang Jiayi started playing the piano in elementary school, only to discover she began learning in high school? Fang Jiayi tried to explain softly, ¡°It was after high school that my biological parents hired a piano teacher for me¡­¡± Before she could finish, Fang Yuan interrupted, ¡°Is this the piano teacher you mentioned?¡± A young woman stepped onto the stage. She glanced at Fang Jiayi and greeted the audience, ¡°Hello, everyone. I¡¯m Fang Jiayi¡¯s piano teacher. I once taught her piano for a month¡­¡± A month? She only studied to play the piano for a month? The revelation left everyone in shock! Chapter 176 - Chapter 176: Ruin Chapter 176: Ruin Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The tutor continued, ¡°She had never touched the piano before. 1 introduced her to world-famous songs, but she struggled to remember melodies, and her finger placement was consistently incorrect. However, a few days later, as if enlightened, she presented me with a melody for evaluation.¡± ¡°I had never heard such beautiful music. It sounded majestic!¡± ¡°At that moment, 1 suspected she might have taken the work of a master. After all, she had only been learning the piano for a few days. How could she compose such exceptional music? Despite searching online extensively, I found nothing similar. So, 1 chose to believe her and commended her on her apparent talent.¡± ¡°When I inquired about her composition process, she claimed it was inspired. Frankly, after teaching the piano for so many years, I couldn¡¯t produce such a piece. I felt inadequate and resigned from my role there.¡± The piano teacher¡¯s sixth sense had been correct; Fang Jiayi had copied the work of a master. Fang Jiayi took two steps back, rendered speechless by the damning evidence. Trembling, she realized her piano career had come to a devastating end. The audience below the stage erupted in condemnation. ¡°Shameless!¡± ¡°A plagiarist who only admits guilt when confronted with evidence!¡± ¡°She¡¯s quite skilled at distorting the truth. I wonder how she¡¯ll defame Master Qingyin!¡± ¡°Apologize to Master Qingyin immediately!¡± ¡°You owe the original creator an apology!¡± ¡°Apologize!¡± Enraged spectators rose from their seats, shouting at the girl on stage. This marked the first time Fang Jiayi truly understood the weight of losing her reputation. Below the stage, Lu Chen suddenly realized how unfamiliar the girl he deeply loved was. Her vanity was terrifying¡ªtaking Fang Yuan¡¯s work and insisting it was hers until she reached such a sorry state. He seemed to have never truly known her. Mrs. Lu, who had rushed over at that moment, also witnessed the scene, and her expression was filled with fear. She was grateful that this disgraceful woman was not officially part of the Lu Family. Otherwise, the Lu Family¡¯s reputation would have suffered greatly today. ¡°You¡¯ve finally arrived¡­¡± Madam Bi couldn¡¯t help but ridicule Mrs. Lu. ¡°Fortunately, you don¡¯t acknowledge this daughter-in-law. Look, she plagiarized the master¡¯s work and still denies it¡­ She¡¯s truly disgracing herself in Jing City.¡± ¡°Why are you here?¡± Lu Chen asked his mother. ¡°Son, come with me quickly!¡± Mrs. Lu grabbed Lu Chen¡¯s hand. ¡°You¡¯ve witnessed it yourself. This girl is not worthy of your affection! Marrying her would be a lifelong joke!¡± ¡°As for that girl, she¡¯s actually Master Qingyin at such a young age¡­¡± Madam Bi sighed. ¡°Who are you talking about?¡± Mrs. Lu followed Lu Chen¡¯s gaze. ¡°The one standing in the middle of the stage, the most beautiful one¡­¡± Madam Bi pointed at Fang Yuan. ¡°She¡¯s Master Qingyin. Quite unexpected.¡± Mrs. Lu looked at Fang Yuan¡¯s cold face in shock. She was Master Qingyin? This revelation dealt a significant blow to the Lu Family. ¡°I wonder which fortunate man will marry her. I heard the entertainment industry once offered a high price for her to compose a piano song, but she declined, saying she doesn¡¯t need the money¡­¡± Madam Bi¡¯s words stunned Mrs. Lu. Previously, she believed Fang Yuan lacked talent and was merely putting on airs. It turns out, she was truly gifted. Her arrogance stemmed from genuine capability. It was Mrs. Lu who lacked the discernment. Lu Chen gazed at Fang Yuan on the stage, still as beautiful as ever, radiating like the brightest star in the crowd. In contrast, Fang Jiayi, standing beside her, appeared vastly inferior¡ªa mere passerby, ordinary and unremarkable. He couldn¡¯t fathom why he had liked her before. Lu Chen stood up and left with his mother. On stage, Fang Jiayi witnessed his departure and wanted to call him back, but a group of people blocked her path, demanding an apology. Fang Liguo and Song Ling, too, felt the weight of ridicule. They wanted to escape the humiliation as swiftly as possible. ¡°You¡¯ve violated my rights by plagiarizing my work without consent. You¡¯ll face the corresponding civil consequences,¡± Fang Yuan declared coldly. ¡°You¡¯ll soon receive a letter from my lawyer¡­¡± Fang Jiayi attempted to speak but found herself unable to justify her actions. The clamor for an apology persisted. When she saw her parents surrounded as well, Fang Jiayi¡¯s eyes welled with tears as she deeply bowed to Fang Yuan. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was wrong. I apologize to you.¡± With those words, she swiftly fled the stage, unable to endure another moment. Fang Liguo and Song Ling, witnessing their daughter¡¯s retreat, hurriedly followed suit, eager to escape the unfolding scene.. Chapter 177 - Chapter 177: It Can Be Realized in Dreams Chapter 177: It Can Be Realized in Dreams Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Surrounded by fans, Fang Yuan faced a barrage of requests and compliments. ¡°Master, I¡¯ve composed a song. Would I be fortunate enough to receive your guidance?¡± ¡°Hello, Senior. I¡¯m Wang Jingjing, the third-place winner. Can I have the honor of learning from you?¡± ¡°Master Qingyin, your improvisation was incredible. I¡¯m a devoted fan and can play all your songs!¡± ¡°Master Qingyin, can 1 have an autograph?¡± ¡°Could we take a photo together, Master Qingyin?¡± They encircled Fang Yuan, maintaining a respectful distance as they observed her carefully, eagerly awaiting a response. Fang Yuan glanced at her parents in the distance and spoke gently, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, 1 still have something to attend to today. Let¡¯s pretend you didn¡¯t see me here.¡± ¡°Okay, okay!¡± ¡°Since the master said so, we definitely won¡¯t spread any rumors!¡± ¡°Absolutely, Master. Don¡¯t worry!¡± ¡°Master, when will you release a new song? We¡¯ve been eagerly awaiting it for too long¡­¡± Fang Yuan offered a sweet smile. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡± ¡°Fantastic!¡± The fans were overjoyed and made way for the master, not daring to impede her. With the host announcing the end of the event, the audience dispersed. Fang Yuan walked toward her parents. Seeing their excitement, she smiled. ¡°Let¡¯s talk in the car.¡± ¡°Sure, sure¡­¡± Cheng Ye was still grappling with the revelation that his precious daughter was a talented pianist. Back then, the person who offered a high price to commission Master Qingyin¡¯s composition was Old Fifth. One note cost 100,000 yuan, but he was rejected. Upon returning home, Old Fifth complained about how arrogant Master Qingyin was! Little did he know that this seemingly arrogant person was actually his biological sister. This revelation added an unexpected twist to the story. A few loyal fans couldn¡¯t help but feel envious as they watched Master Qingyin leave with Cheng Ye and his wife. ¡°True, birds of a feather flock together. If only 1 could be friends with someone as wealthy as Master Qingyin.¡± The person next to them said, ¡°Close your eyes.¡± ¡°Huh? Why?¡± ¡°It might happen in your dreams.¡± On the way back, Cheng Yuqi felt that the trophy in her hand was heavy, much Chapter 178 - Chapter 178: Worse Than a Bird Chapter 178: Worse Than a Bird Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Song Ling¡¯s eyes darkened as she heard the mention of the trophy. ¡°Madam, what¡¯s wrong?¡± inquired one of the nannies. Observing Song Ling on the verge of fainting, the two nannies rushed to her aid. Overwhelmed and dizzy, Song Ling struggled to stand. ¡°No, don¡¯t bring up the award again¡­¡± ¡°Yes, yes, of course. Let¡¯s avoid discussing it any further. Madam, let me assist you to the sofa for some rest¡­¡± The nanny promptly guided Song Ling to the sofa and poured two glasses of water. ¡°Old Master, have some water too!¡± Fang Liguo found himself in an unprecedented predicament. Perplexed by Jiayi¡¯s act of plagiarism, especially against Fang Yuan, he felt the weight of being ridiculed by everyone. ¡°Yuanyuan, that girl¡­¡± Song Ling couldn¡¯t even muster a curse. The nannies, assuming Fang Yuan had caused their distress, promptly scolded her. ¡°Did that ingrate upset you again? 1 wondered why Miss Jiayi returned in tears; she seemed to have endured a lot. Now I see it¡¯s because of that ingrate!¡± ¡°Indeed! What audacity! Without the care of Old Master and Madam, she wouldn¡¯t have survived this long!¡± ¡°How heartless! Even crows show gratitude. She¡¯s worse than a bird!¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Fang Liguo¡¯s frustration mounted. ¡°If Jiayi hadn¡¯t plagiarized, would she have had the opportunity to embarrass herself on stage? If blame is to be assigned, it falls on Jiayi for not informing us beforehand¡­¡± Had they known in advance, they wouldn¡¯t have attended the award ceremony and become the center of such a humiliating spectacle. The nannies were taken aback. Miss Jiayi plagiarized Fang Yuan¡¯s work? Publicly humiliated on stage? The awkward expressions of the returning family suddenly made sense¡­ At that moment, Song Ling¡¯s phone rang. Seeing that it was a call from Mrs. Li, she felt a surge of anxiety. ¡°Hello, Mrs. Li¡­¡± ¡°Mrs. Fang, the award ceremony concluded at 12:01 p.m. today. Our official Weibo account announced Miss Fang as the spokesperson at the same time. However, shortly after, I received a call informing me that Miss Fang¡¯s entry was accused of plagiarizing Master Qingyin¡¯s ¡®Wish¡¯ and she was even publicly confronted by Master Qingyin?¡± Song Ling understood the reason behind Mrs. Li¡¯s call. She spoke apologetically, ¡°Mrs. Li, please allow me to explain¡­¡± Angrily, Mrs. Li cut her off. ¡°The news has spread, and I only learned about it from others half an hour later. Now, there¡¯s a widespread boycott of my piano brand. We have no choice but to delete our Weibo post. The situation has escalated, yet you haven¡¯t provided any updates. Where is your explanation?¡± Song Ling winced. ¡°Mrs. Li, please hear me out¡­¡± ¡°Mrs. Fang!¡± Mrs. Li wasn¡¯t interested in explanations. ¡°Our contract is clear. Throughout the contract period, Fang Jiayi cannot be associated with any negative publicity, or she will be liable for a tenfold breach of contract penalty¡­ As per the terms, you are required to pay me 50 million within ten days. If not, we¡¯ll see you in court!¡± ¡°Mrs. Li¡­¡± Song Ling attempted to speak, but Mrs. Li had already ended the call. When she tried calling back, the number was blocked. Disheartened, Song Ling pondered where she could find 50 million. Despite Fang Liguo¡¯s status as the wealthiest person in Haicheng City with personal assets exceeding one billion, most of their wealth consisted of fixed assets¡ªshares, properties, cars, and the like. Their financial situation had already been strained due to Fangyuan Capital severing ties with them, leaving them unable to access their funds. Coupled with significant losses from investments and the sale of various properties, losing another 50 million was a severe blow. Selling their shares seemed like a solution, but doing so would relinquish control of the company to Madame Old Fang and other shareholders. Absolutely not. Selling the shares was not an option. ¡°All of you can leave!¡± Song Ling dismissed the nanny and turned to Fang Liguo with anxiety. ¡°What should we do now? Jiayi violated the contract, and Mrs. Li is demanding 50 million yuan. We only have ten days!¡± Before Fang Liguo could respond, his phone rang¡ªan unknown number. ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°Is this Mr. Fang Liguo? I¡¯m Ms. Qingyin¡¯s agent¡­¡± Fang Liguo was taken aback, ¡°What? You¡¯re seeking 60 million in compensation?¡± ¡°It¡¯s quite simple. Miss Fang plagiarized Madam Qingyin¡¯s work and entered the competition for personal gain. This is a serious infringement. According to our country¡¯s laws, you are liable for corresponding civil responsibilities.¡± ¡°Cease infringing on Ms. Qingyin¡¯s rights immediately and mitigate the damage. Following a public apology, compensate Ms. Qingyin for all her losses.¡± ¡°Considering Ms. Qingyin¡¯s reputation, 60 million yuan is already a lenient offer.¡± ¡°If we don¡¯t receive the compensation within three days, we will proceed to take legal action against Miss Fang, and we¡¯ll announce it on our official Weibo¡­¡± Chapter 179 - Chapter 179: How Did That Came From Chapter 179: How Did That Came From Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Don¡¯t¡­¡± Fang Liguo quickly pleaded, ¡°Everything can be discussed¡­¡± If the official Weibo account went public, it would mean the entire country would learn about Jiayi¡¯s plagiarism. The irreversible negative impact on her and the Fang family¡¯s reputation was too daunting to contemplate. Seeing Fang Liguo hang up, Song Ling inquired, ¡°Fang Yuan is demanding 60 million from us? On what grounds?¡± ¡°Because Jiayi plagiarized her song!¡± Fang Liguo fumed at the thought. ¡°Can you stop calling her that? If you hadn¡¯t chased her out, with her status as Master Qingyin, think of the benefits she could have brought us. We have two outstanding daughters. How much prestige could we have gained? In the future, when she gets married, she could even bring valuable connections! We shouldn¡¯t have turned our backs on Fang Yuan. Now it¡¯s too late to regret¡­¡± ¡°Who knew that¡­ that girl was Qingyin? She never mentioned it before!¡± Song Ling felt a surge of anger. ¡°She must be scheming! Madame Old Fang dotes on her so much, and she didn¡¯t even inform Madame Old Fang!¡± Song Ling was confident that Madame Old Fang would have informed them if she had known. Fang Liguo sat dispiritedly on the sofa. The 50 million penalty and the 60 million compensation totaled over 100 million! Where could he find such a sum in cash? ¡°Liguo, why don¡¯t we try discussing this with that girl? Perhaps¡­¡± Before Song Ling could finish, Fang Liguo scolded her again, ¡°Do you know if she¡¯s soft-hearted? If you had been more understanding, even if we parted ways, we could have done so amicably. If we crossed paths, we could have smiled and chatted. We wouldn¡¯t be in this mess!¡± Fang Liguo realized that since Fang Yuan left the Fang family, nothing had gone smoothly. Jiayi had barely achieved second place, only to be humiliated days later. Fang Liguo couldn¡¯t articulate his current emotions¡ªwas it heartache, anger, or pity? Suddenly, he thought of Fangyuan Capital and a light bulb went off. ¡°No wonder she dined with Wu Di, and Special Assistant Liu was so deferential to her¡­¡± It seemed highly likely that her association with many dignitaries stemmed from her status as Master Qingyin. Fang Liguo was consumed with regret. ¡°I summoned Jiayi, so 1 must sincerely apologize to that child and seek her forgiveness¡­¡± ¡°Why?¡± Song Ling exclaimed excitedly and with indignation, ¡°Jiayi already apologized to her on stage¡­¡± Why should they apologize again? Wouldn¡¯t that be letting Fang Yuan trample over them? ¡°A few words of apology might reduce the compensation by 60 million yuan. Aren¡¯t you pleased?¡± Fang Liguo sensed that resolving this matter wasn¡¯t straightforward. ¡°I¡¯m concerned that the child might be deeply hurt by us and won¡¯t forgive us easily¡­ She¡¯s already blocked our number.¡± ¡°She used to like Kayi¡¯s necklace, didn¡¯t she? We could give her that at the very least¡­¡± After Song Ling finished speaking, Fang Liguo smiled. Song Ling was a bit irked. ¡°What are you laughing at?¡± Fang Liguo responded, ¡°She¡¯s a renowned pianist. Why wouldn¡¯t she have the money to buy a necklace?¡± Song Ling was perplexed. ¡°Then why did she take Jiayi¡¯s necklace? And she¡¯s been interacting with so many men. If it¡¯s not for money, what is it for?¡± Fang Liguo pondered for a moment. ¡°What Jiayi said might not be entirely accurate. She might be engaging with men due to her identity¡­¡± Song Ling suddenly found his explanation plausible, but how could Jiayi lie? Fang Liguo must be overthinking! Just then, Fang Liguo¡¯s phone rang again. It was Secretary Zhuang from the company. ¡°President Fang, something terrible has happened! The Cheng family has declared that no company is allowed to cooperate with our Fang family. Anyone daring to assist us will be in direct opposition to the Cheng family!¡± ¡°Now, even the companies currently working with us are terminating their contracts¡­¡± ¡°If this continues, our company will truly be ruined!¡± Fang Liguo was stunned. ¡°We didn¡¯t offend the Cheng family. Did the Cheng family say why?¡± Secretary Zhuang replied, ¡°No¡­¡± ¡°Then why don¡¯t you go and find out!¡± Fang Liguo was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. At the award ceremony today, they didn¡¯t have any conflict with the Cheng family. They didn¡¯t even exchange greetings. How could they have offended them? ¡°President Fang, don¡¯t worry. 1¡¯11 go and find out right away!¡± After Secretary Zhuang hung up, Fang Liguo couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that things were spiraling out of control. He couldn¡¯t fathom why the Cheng family would target the Fang family. Could it be because of Fang Yuan? Was it possible that the Cheng family, fond of Master Qingyin, saw her being mistreated and decided to help her seek retribution? If that were the case, the Fang family had managed to offend two influential figures at once¡­ Chapter 180 - Chapter 180: Unworthy of Yuanyuans Identity Chapter 180: Unworthy of Yuanyuan¡¯s Identity Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Jin¡¯an Garden. Cheng Ye had just returned home when his gaze fell upon the piano in the house. No matter how he looked at it, he felt that this piano wasn¡¯t befitting his daughter, Qingyin! He quickly took out his phone and dialed a number. ¡°Immediately customize a diamond-encrusted piano for my daughter. Everything, other than the piano keys, must be adorned with diamonds, and the sound quality must be top-notch! Make sure it¡¯s delivered before evening!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Our piano is too ordinary. It¡¯s indeed not suitable for Yuanyuan¡¯s status.¡± Qiao Xinhui beamed with joy. ¡°Men, hurry and buy groceries. Tonight, we must celebrate for Yuanyuan!¡± On the side, Auntie Du smiled curiously and asked, ¡°What are we celebrating? Madam, is there another happy occasion at home?¡± ¡°Yuanyuan is a renowned pianist! As parents, we only found out today¡­¡± As soon as Qiao Xinhui finished speaking, a few servants said respectfully, ¡°Miss Yuanyuan, you¡¯re amazing. You¡¯re already a master at such a young age?¡± Wouldn¡¯t her piano skills surpass Lady Yuqi¡¯s? Lady Yuqi didn¡¯t look too pleased¡­ ¡°Yuanyuan is too modest.¡± Qiao Xinhui looked at Fang Yuan with love and pride. ¡°Feeling tired? Go back to your room and rest first. Mom will call you when dinner is ready.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Fang Yuan turned around and went upstairs. As soon as she entered her room, she received a call from Big Bai. ¡°Boss, would it be convenient for you to come to Zhongshan Forest Village? Project B33¡¯s research has failed again.¡± Zhongshan Forest Village was Fang Yuan¡¯s large villa atop Zhongshan Mountain, one of her base camps where numerous laboratories were established. These laboratories were equipped with cutting-edge instruments and equipment from both domestic and international sources. Many of Fang Yuan¡¯s medical experiments had been conducted there. B33 was a project focused on studying Alzheimer¡¯s disease. Currently, the disease could only be managed with medication and had no cure. Developing a drug to treat it seemed impossible. ¡°Boss, this project is proving to be too costly, and there¡¯s no sign of progress. Spending more money on it doesn¡¯t seem wise. Should we consider changing the project?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go over and take a look later,¡± Fang Yuan responded calmly. ¡°That¡¯s great. While you¡¯re here, could you also consider producing the heart-strengthening pill? There¡¯s been a rising demand for it on the black market.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Fang Yuan ended the call, carrying the medicine Tang Nan had provided, and headed downstairs. She bid farewell to Qiao Xinhui and left. Zhongshan Forest Village, nestled in the woods, occupied a vast area. Over ten guards stood at the entrance, expressing excitement as they saw Fang Yuan. ¡°Boss, you¡¯re finally here!¡± Upon entering the villa, Fang Yuan found Big Bai awaiting her. ¡°Boss, it¡¯s been a while. You¡¯re still as impressive!¡± Fang Yuan exuded a cool aura, bearing the demeanor of a person of authority. ¡°It has indeed been a while. Are you asking for trouble again?¡± Big Bai shrank his neck in fear. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± Several experts and professors from Laboratory No. 1 respectfully greeted Fang Yuan upon her arrival. Fang Yuan nodded, changed her attire, and entered the laboratory. ¡°Which step went wrong?¡± ¡°The beefsteak plant extraction has been unsuccessful,¡± one professor explained helplessly. ¡°We¡¯ve been attempting for over ten days, but the ingredients always get destroyed during the extraction process.¡± Another expert added, ¡°There¡¯s also Chinese medicine, such as devil¡¯s bush. Although the extraction was successful, we need to synthesize it to enhance acetylcholine levels in the brain, but we haven¡¯t succeeded in the synthesis process.¡± Fang Yuan examined recent research failure data, pondered for a moment, and stated, ¡°I¡¯ll give it a try.¡± A group of professors and experts surrounded Fang Yuan, observing as she subjected the beefsteak plant to high temperatures and commenced the extraction process. Shortly afterward, Fang Yuan¡¯s phone vibrated persistently. Focused on her task, she initially ignored the calls, but the relentless ringing compelled her to remove her gloves and step outside. Annoyed, she answered the unknown number, ¡°Who is this?¡± ¡°Yuanyuan, it¡¯s your father. Please don¡¯t hang up. 1¡¯11 only take two minutes of your time!¡± Fang Liguo, fearing an abrupt disconnection, hastily delivered the main point in one breath, ¡°Jiayi plagiarized your work. She was unquestionably in the wrong. We¡¯ve reprimanded her at home! We acknowledge our responsibility. We failed to discipline her properly, leading to this serious mistake! How about this? Do you have time now? We¡¯ll bring her to apologize to you in person!¡± ¡°No need,¡± Fang Yuan began to hang up. Fang Liguo pleaded desperately, ¡°Please don¡¯t hang up! I beg you, Yuanyuan, give Jiayi a chance to admit her mistake and grant us an opportunity, okay? We¡¯ve made many mistakes in the past, hurting you deeply. For Grandma¡¯s sake¡­¡± ¡°You have no right to mention Grandma!¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s voice turned icy. ¡°Why? Feeling the pain of a 60 million yuan compensation? Regretting it now? Can¡¯t bear the cost and want to play the emotional card with Grandma?¡± Chapter 181 - Chapter 181: Not the Richest Man Anymore Chapter 181: Not the Richest Man Anymore Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°No, I don¡¯t have the right to mention your grandma. If your grandmother wakes up and sees that the Fang family has been defeated by me, she will definitely be heartbroken. At that time, her condition will worsen. Sigh¡­¡± Fang Liguo seemed to regret. ¡°It¡¯s all our fault. It¡¯s only right that you hate us. We don¡¯t expect to be forgiven by you. If you¡¯re willing¡­¡± Before he could finish, Fang Yuan interrupted, ¡°No, I am not willing.¡± Fang Liguo didn¡¯t anticipate her strong refusal, and he felt desperate. ¡°Yuanyuan, what can 1 do to appease you? As long as I can do it¡­¡± ¡°Of course, you can,¡± Fang Yuan stated directly. ¡°Compensate 60 million yuan. Take this money to the black market and purchase a few pills for Grandma.¡± Fang Liguo recalled Dr. Chen Yang mentioning a type of medicine circulating on the black market. Each pill was valued at 10 million yuan, and taking two pills monthly allowed for surgery after three months. It was a better alternative than lingering in the hospital ward with life-support equipment. Given the rarity of the medicinal ingredients, the cost per pill was exorbitant. Instinctively, Fang Liguo rejected the idea. He preferred to keep Madame Fang in the hospital, considering her 30% share ownership, valued at 300 million yuan. Besides, Madame Fang was biased; if she lost her composure and bequeathed the shares to Fang Yuan¡­ He wanted to preserve Madame Old Fang¡¯s life to ensure she could pass the shares to Jiayi before her passing. Thinking Fang Yuan might not be aware of his thoughts, he smiled and reassured her, ¡°Yuanyuan, don¡¯t worry about Grandma. 1 will definitely save her. She¡¯s my biological mother! While the blackmarket may have some good and bad options, Renyi Hospital is the best in the country, renowned in the Cardiovascular Surgery Department. We have esteemed doctors like Professor Wang and Chen Yang¡­ Your grandma is receiving top-notch care there. You can rest assured.¡± Fang Yuan remained silent. It was clear to her that he was only calling to avoid paying the 60 million yuan compensation. Did he think she was naive and wouldn¡¯t catch on? ¡°Yuanyuan¡­¡± ¡°Two minutes are up.¡± Fang Yuan ended the call and added the number to her blacklist. Just as she was about to return to the laboratory, another unknown number called. It was likely Fang Liguo using a different number. Fang Yuan hung up once more, blacklisted the new number, and resumed her work in the laboratory. Anticipating her actions, Fang Liguo had prepared for this. Before calling, he had acquired more than ten new numbers. Now, he dialed each one consecutively. If Fang Yuan blocked a number, he would switch to the next. Eventually, Fang Yuan turned off her phone. It left Fang Liguo with no alternative. ¡°How did it go? What did she say?¡± Seeing Fang Liguo¡¯s defeated expression, Song Ling had a sinking feeling. ¡°She still isn¡¯t answering your calls?¡± ¡°It¡¯s already turned off.¡± Fang Liguo sighed and glanced at his daughter on the sofa. Fang Jiayi kept her head lowered, looking as if she had committed a grave mistake. Tears streamed down her face, adding to her pitiful appearance. ¡°That despicable girl¡­ has gone too far!¡± Song Ling clenched her teeth, while Fang Yuan seethed with anger. ¡°Regardless, we must keep this out of the news. Otherwise, not only will Jiayi¡¯s reputation be tarnished, but the Fang family¡¯s reputation will also be ruined!¡± Humph! Wasn¡¯t it just 60 million yuan? He was the wealthiest person in Haicheng City; surely he could afford it! Fang Liguo remained silent for a moment. Fie retrieved his phone and instructed his subordinates to sell several mansions and over ten shops under his name. ¡°The payment must be made in full!¡± Otherwise, the funds would take three days to be available after a series of transactions with the bank. ¡°Hurry up. If that doesn¡¯t work, lower the price¡­¡± Fang Liguo concluded the call and looked at his wife and daughter with a defeated expression. ¡°Once we sell those, we¡¯ll only have this house and a few shops left under our name.¡± The nanny serving tea on the side was stunned upon hearing these words. She lost her grip on the tray, and it clattered to the ground. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Song Ling, noticing the nanny¡¯s furtive expression, scolded, ¡°Who are you trying to frighten?¡± ¡°Yes, I apologize, Madam. I didn¡¯t hold it securely.¡± The nanny thought to herself, ¡°I¡¯m on the verge of bankruptcy, and they¡¯re still acting like this! 1 need to find another family quickly. The Fang family is doomed!¡± ¡°Dad, Mom, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Fang Jiayi sobbed, large tears streaming down her face. She appeared genuinely remorseful. ¡°Sigh¡­¡± Fang Liguo sighed. Once the shops and mansions were sold, he would no longer hold the title of the richest man in Haicheng City. His social standing would plummet instantly. This would make the Fang family¡¯s business even more precarious. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault.¡± Fang Jiayi recognized the severity of her actions.. Tearfully, she admitted, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t returned to this house, Dad would still be the richest man in Haicheng City, and Mom would continue to lead a luxurious life¡­ It¡¯s all my fault for bringing harm to you and this family! I¡¯m truly sorry!¡± Chapter 182 - Chapter 182: Be a True Talented Young Lady Chapter 182: Be a True Talented Young Lady Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Jiayi sensed that if she didn¡¯t apologize, her parents might evict her from the house. She could sense her father¡¯s deep disappointment, and even her tears didn¡¯t elicit a comforting word from him. ¡°Silly child, you¡¯re our flesh and blood. You¡¯ve endured so much for eighteen years already.¡± Song Ling gently patted her head, feeling heartbroken. ¡°In the past, you didn¡¯t have the means to learn the piano, but things are different now! Dad and Mom won¡¯t let you suffer anymore in the future. It¡¯s just the piano. As long as you¡¯re willing to continue learning, we¡¯ll definitely hire a tutor for you!¡± Fang Jiayi¡¯s tears continued to fall, and she shook her head, signaling that she no longer wanted to pursue the piano. Song Ling¡¯s heartache deepened. ¡°It¡¯s okay. After the 60 million yuan compensation, only those at the award ceremony will be aware of this. It¡¯ll blow over quickly, and nobody else will know¡­¡± Fang Jiayi nodded, visibly burdened with guilt. ¡°The college entrance exam results will be out soon. With your grades, studying hard won¡¯t be an issue!¡± ¡°During your four years in university, you can consider different directions for your future. Even without the piano, there are avenues like art, fashion design, and more. We can refine our tastes and groom you into a young lady with genuine talent!¡± ¡°After graduating from a prestigious university, you can join our family company, adding a layer of gold to your qualifications. In the eyes of others, you¡¯ll be a competent and capable young lady. However, as for Chen¡­¡± Song Ling hesitated. She could sense that Chen was greatly disappointed in Jiayi today and had even been taken away by Mrs. Lu. ¡°The marriage between the Fang family and the Lu family may not progress for the time being¡­¡± Fang Jiayi was aware of Lu Chen¡¯s disappointment in her. She wasn¡¯t the only one who lost face today. Biting her lip, she resolved to find a way to retain him, no matter what! In the laboratory, Fang Yuan successfully completed her extraction. The specialists and professors present were astonished, showering her with praise. ¡°That¡¯s incredible¡­¡± ¡°We spent over ten days without success, and you achieved it in one afternoon!¡± ¡°In the field of pharmaceutical research, if you¡¯re second, no one will dare claim to be first!¡± Fang Yuan examined the beefsteak plant extraction and felt a tinge of dissatisfaction. ¡°The extraction isn¡¯t complete enough. The ingredient¡¯s purity falls short. I¡¯ll return tomorrow night.¡± Tonight, Qiao Xinhui had arranged an elaborate dinner to celebrate Fang Yuan¡¯s success. Since it was already dark, Fang Yuan needed to head back, or everyone would be kept waiting. Upon learning that Fang Yuan would be returning the next day, the doctoral experts expressed excitement. ¡°Fantastic!¡± ¡°Even if it¡¯s not a complete extraction, obtaining any portion is impressive!¡± ¡°We thought this project was doomed, but you¡¯ve made remarkable progress!¡± ¡°I believe success is within reach!¡± Fang Yuan scrutinized the ingredients in the equipment. ¡°Observe it further tonight and determine how long this ingredient can withstand human body temperature.¡± If the extracted substance couldn¡¯t endure the human body¡¯s temperature, it would be futile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll monitor this closely!¡± After giving some instructions, Fang Yuan departed in her car. Shortly after, she returned to Jin¡¯an Garden. Upon entering the living room, she was greeted by the sight of a dazzling diamond piano. ¡°You¡¯re back, Yuanyuan?¡± Cheng Ye greeted her joyfully. ¡°Perfect. Try it out and let us know how the tone is.¡± Cheng Yuqi was visibly envious. She had just inquired about the person who gifted her the piano. A custom-made piano of this caliber was worth hundreds of millions¡ªan extravagance beyond measure! The person who gifted her the piano assumed Cheng Ye was presenting his daughter with a gift, praising her in a way that irked her to the point of feeling internal discomfort. Fang Yuan¡¯s slender fingers delicately graced the keys, producing a few notes. The tone was exquisite. A piano of this quality likely surpassed a hundred million yuan, she thought. ¡°Miss Fang Yuan, I¡¯ve heard that you¡¯re a pianist. Would we be fortunate enough to hear you play a song?¡± ¡°Yes, please tell us you¡¯re Master Qingyin. I¡¯m a huge fan of yours!¡± ¡°Your piano music is wonderful. I listen to it every night before bed.¡± Fang Yuan suppressed a smile. Her piano music had a soothing effect? Under the pleading of the servants, Fang Yuan took a seat at the piano. Her slender fingers gracefully touched the keys, initiating a captivating melody. The harmonious piano notes danced like ethereal fairies, transporting everyone on a delightful journey. Present in the room, the attendees felt as though they were surrounded by blooming flowers and a vast, azure sea, evoking a sense of rejuvenation. As the rhythm of the music lightened, the atmosphere became charged with excitement. After an indeterminate period, the zither¡¯s sound ceased, met with enthusiastic applause. ¡°That was incredible!¡± ¡°I listen to Master Qingyin¡¯s compositions every night. I can immediately tell that you truly are Master Qingyin!¡± ¡°Is this a new composition of yours? I¡¯ve never heard it before. It¡¯s so poetic and artistic¡ªsimply beautiful!¡± ¡°Could you share where 1 can download it? I¡¯d love to have it on repeat¡­¡± Chapter 183 - Chapter 183: Gift Chapter 183: Gift Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The servants surrounded Fang Yuan, almost treating her like an idol. Fang Yuan smiled subtly. ¡°It¡¯s an improvisation.¡± She played whatever came to mind, lacking any preconceived ideas. Her talent left everyone thoroughly impressed, prompting more praise. ¡°Improvisation? It¡¯s better than those classic compositions! Miss Fang Yuan, you¡¯re truly amazing!¡± ¡°That piece you just played is the best piano music I¡¯ve ever heard in my life!¡± Miss Fang Yuan outshone even Lady Yuqi! Cheng Yuqi, who had studied the piano since childhood, couldn¡¯t match the pleasantness of Fang Yuan¡¯s performance. Seeing the servants¡¯ admiration, Cheng Yuqi grew even more envious. The wild girl was stealing the spotlight again! ¡°This piano suits Yuanyuan perfectly!¡± Qiao Xinhui, recording a video of her daughter, noticed her perfect posture, expression, and movements. Her precious daughter was undeniably captivating! ¡°Someone, take this piano to Yuanyuan¡¯s room. Yuanyuan, play it when you have time, or leave it there if you don¡¯t,¡± Cheng Ye said affectionately. Fang Yuan hummed and brought out the medicine she concocted in the laboratory earlier. She handed a bottle to each of them. ¡°This is for you.¡± Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui were taken aback. A gift? ¡°You¡¯ve been home for a while, and I haven¡¯t given you anything.¡± These two bottles of medicine, crafted by Fang Yuan in the afternoon, had different effects. ¡°Dad¡¯s bottle can strengthen the body.¡± Fang Yuan knew Cheng Ye had likely faced numerous health issues during his busy youth. This medicine could nourish and heal. ¡°Mom, that bottle is for beautification,¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s tone was gentle. ¡°Both of you take one pill a day, and you¡¯ll start seeing the effects after three months.¡± Despite its small size, the bottle contained about a hundred pills, each potentially worth at least a hundred million yuan on the black market. ¡°Our precious daughter bought health supplements for us?¡± Qiao Xinhui thought it was a thoughtful gesture and was touched. ¡°Our precious daughter is so considerate.¡± She looked at Fang Yuan with love. ¡°Baby Yuanyuan, don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll make sure to take them every day. Not a single day will be missed!¡± Cheng Ye, holding the small medicine bottle, was touched. This was Fang Yuan¡¯s first gift to them since her return, and he wanted to treasure it forever. ¡°There¡¯s more after you¡¯re done with these,¡± Fang Yuan explained. Cheng Ye was overjoyed. ¡°There¡¯s more?¡± Fang Yuan nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Oh, Yuanyuan, don¡¯t waste your money. Keep it to buy whatever you like. If it¡¯s not enough, just tell me. You don¡¯t need to give us gifts. As long as you¡¯re happy and healthy, we¡¯re satisfied!¡± Qiao Xinhui said lovingly. ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about this. Dinner is ready. Yuanyuan, let¡¯s celebrate!¡± Cheng Yuqi, who had observed the entire scene, watched her parents walk hand in hand with Fang Yuan to the dining room. She felt upset. She had won first place in the competition, yet her parents were celebrating Fang Yuan. Wasn¡¯t this biased? She was left alone, feeling ignored. They were excessively biased! At seven o¡¯clock in the evening, the Bo Corporation building was brightly lit, and no one left work early¡­ In the conference room. After hearing the manager¡¯s report, Bo Yi¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°Is this what you meant by a diversion?¡± ¡°President Bo, 1 believed that by spreading the news, we could prompt our opponents to invest in that piece of land in North City. As long as they are tied up with that piece of land, it¡¯s only a matter of time before their funds are affected. In the end, we would certainly be able to acquire them¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s all my fault! I didn¡¯t expect them to invest in that land on the surface, but behind our backs, they bought all the land in South City that we held in high regard and directly tricked us!¡± The manager looked visibly guilty and bent down to apologize. Bo Yi¡¯s gaze remained cold. ¡°How many years have you worked in the corporation?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The manager did not anticipate this sudden question. He was stunned for a moment before hastily saying, ¡°President Bo, it¡¯s been eight years¡­¡± Bo Yi: ¡°Isn¡¯t the treatment in the corporation good?¡± ¡°Yes, of course, it¡¯s amazing.¡± The manager was already trembling in fear, his forehead covered in sweat. ¡°Since the corporation hasn¡¯t mistreated you¡­¡± Bo Yi¡¯s expression was extremely cold. ¡°Why did you betray the Bo family?¡± ¡°President Bo?¡± The manager did not expect Bo Yi to find out about this so quickly. He had intended to go overseas to hide for a while after everything was done¡­ ¡°You booked a flight to Paris at eight o¡¯clock tonight?¡± Bo Yi tossed the plane ticket in front of him, and the manager was instantly scared out of his wits. It was over, it was all over! Mu Qing, who was at the side, said coldly, ¡°If the opponent¡¯s corporation offers a better condition, as long as you hand in your resignation letter, the Bo Corporation will not stop you.. However, the Bo Corporation that you betrayed will play tricks under Master Bo¡¯s nose¡­¡± Chapter 184 - Chapter 184: Family Photo Chapter 184: Family Photo Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations The manager trembled even more. ¡°President Bo, Special Assistant Mu, it¡¯s all my fault. Please, grant me another chance!¡± Mu Qing looked at him and added, ¡°President Bo has long uncovered your deceptive tactics. That piece of land in South City is not our true objective. The genuinely valuable assets lie beneath the surface of the land in North City. They merely utilized you to handle their affairs.¡± The manager was instantly stunned, realizing the gravity of his situation, and desperation marked his expression. ¡°You¡¯ve already violated the law by disclosing the company¡¯s secrets.¡± As Mu Qing concluded, two police officers entered the office and escorted him away. Bo Yi¡¯s gaze swept across the room. ¡°Now, is there anyone else ready to confess?¡± Fang Yuan finished a hearty meal and relished a rare moment of happiness during a warm family gathering. Despite Cheng Yuqi affecting her mood, her parents showered her with genuine affection, providing a familial warmth she had not experienced since childhood. ¡°Yuanyuan, go take a shower first. I¡¯ll prepare a surprise for you later!¡± Qiao Xinhui said with a mysterious smile. After her shower, Fang Yuan descended the stairs to find fireworks illuminating the night sky outside the window. Qiao Xinhui beamed lovingly and said, ¡°Yuanyuan, come quickly. Let¡¯s capture a family photo!¡± A professional cameraman led the team, standing beneath the fireworks, ready and waiting. The sky lit up with vibrant fireworks as Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui, radiating kindness, held Fang Yuan¡¯s arm. ¡°We¡¯ve been wanting a family photo with you for a long time, but never had the chance. Yuqi happens to be out with friends, so we can finally have a true family portrait.¡± ¡°But I¡¯m still in my pajamas¡­¡± Before Fang Yuan could finish speaking, Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui chorused, ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­¡± They, too, would wear pajamas, aiming for a casual, everyday look in the family photo they longed to capture. ¡°Alright, Mr. Cheng, come closer.¡± ¡°Mrs. Cheng, your collar is slightly askew. Miss Cheng, give us a brighter smile.¡± Fang Yuan beamed widely, and the camera clicked incessantly. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s change the angle!¡± The three of them happily swapped seats, holding hands. Fang Yuan had never been so intimately close to her parents. Their smiles were affectionate, treating her like their precious treasure. After the photographer finished in the garden, he directed them to capture some everyday moments in the living room. After shooting more than ten scenes, Qiao Xinhui remained unsatisfied and wanted to continue. Cheng Ye smiled and said, ¡°Let Yuanyuan rest for a while. She¡¯s already quite tired today.¡± ¡°Mrs. Cheng, we¡¯ve already captured over ten scenes and thousands of photos,¡± the photographer added, sensing it was time for a break. Too many photos might freeze their smiling faces. ¡°We¡¯ll take more photos when your brothers return in the future!¡± Cheng Ye massaged Qiao Xinhui¡¯s shoulders with concern. ¡°Someone, bring tea.¡± The servant promptly brought green tea and fruit juice. Qiao Xinhui inserted a straw into the orange juice and handed it to Fang Yuan. ¡°Yuanyuan, you must be tired. Have some orange juice.¡± Fang Yuan shook her head, took the orange juice, and had a sip. It was so sweet it tugged at the heart. ¡°Do you want some snacks?¡± Cheng Ye placed a plate of snacks in front of Fang Yuan. ¡°Do you like macarons? Or perhaps pudding or fruit pagodas? If you don¡¯t like any, we can have them made again!¡± ¡°Dad, Mom, you choose first.¡± Fang Yuan handed the plate back. Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui were touched. Despite not having a sweet tooth, they each picked one. The photographer sent all the photos to Qiao Xinhui¡¯s phone, and as she scrolled through them, her joy was palpable. Each shot captured the essence of the moment so naturally. ¡°Yuanyuan, quickly take a look and let me know if there¡¯s anything you like. I¡¯ll send it to you.¡± Fang Yuan selected a fruit tart accompanied by orange juice. After another glance, she remarked, ¡°They¡¯re all quite good.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll send them all to you!¡± Qiao Xinhui sent the photos, admiring each one. ¡°They¡¯re too good, especially these few!¡± Cheng Ye noticed her choice for a wallpaper and quipped, ¡°Send it to me too. I want to use it as a wallpaper!¡± When Fang Yuan returned to her room, her parents were still immersed in the photos, their faces radiating happiness. The following morning, as Fang Yuan prepared to leave for work, she encountered Cheng Yuqi. Cheng Yuqi wore an unpleasant expression, likely aware of the family photo shoot from the previous night. Her resentment was palpable, and she glared at Fang Yuan with simmering anger, as if she wanted to consume her whole. Fang Yuan cast a brief glance at Cheng Yuqi before redirecting her focus, entering Bo Yi¡¯s car. Cheng Yuqi¡¯s frustration escalated. She complained to Auntie Wang, ¡°My friends got engaged last night. When I returned, they had already finished taking photos and gone to bed!¡± Her anger was evident.. How dare they not wait for her to take a family photo! They even set off fireworks and hired a renowned photographer, then went to sleep without considering her feelings! Chapter 185 - Chapter 185: A Gift for My Sister Chapter 185: A Gift for My Sister Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Old Master and Madam no longer hold you in their hearts¡­¡± Auntie Wang¡¯s anxiety was palpable. ¡°Lady Yuqi, you must act swiftly. Delaying any further will risk diminishing your standing in the Cheng family.¡± Cheng Yuqi hesitated, saying, ¡°But¡­¡± Auntie Wang interjected firmly, ¡°Stop hesitating!¡± Upon hearing Auntie Wang¡¯s stern words, Cheng Yuqi bit her lip, resolving to take action. In Country M, A private helicopter rested on the rooftop of an office building. As the tall and handsome man prepared to board the helicopter, another man hurriedly approached. ¡°Boss, wait a moment. There¡¯s an unexpected issue with the project in the city center. Can you stay a few more days?¡± The man¡¯s demeanor was cold, and his presence exuded strength. Upon hearing this, his eyes narrowed with a frigid intensity. The assistant at his side, Ruan Nuo, remarked, ¡°The Boss intends to return home to visit his sister. Work commitments have already delayed him for half a month. Coordinate with President Zhao on the project and inform the Boss of any complications.¡± ¡°Assistant Ruan, you might not be aware¡­¡± Before the man could finish, he noticed Ruan Nuo¡¯s gaze on his left foot. It was then he realized he had inadvertently stepped on the helicopter¡¯s boarding stairs. Hastily, he withdrew and bowed respectfully. ¡°Safe travels, Boss. Take care, Assistant Ruan.¡± The helicopter ascended into the sky. The handsome and stoic man inquired, ¡°Have you chosen the gift?¡± ¡°Boss, everything is prepared!¡± Ruan Nuo replied respectfully. ¡°We¡¯ve arranged three sets: a limited edition lipstick set, a limited edition perfume set, and a skincare product.¡± Because the Boss was uncertain about the kind of gift he wanted to give his sister, he opted for a comprehensive set. Lipstick, perfume, and skincare products were typical choices for contemporary young women. However, the man remained composed and remarked, ¡°It¡¯s too light.¡± Ruan Nuo swiftly realized the inadequacy of these gifts and apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Boss. I didn¡¯t think it through. I¡¯ll rearrange it once we land.¡± The man inquired, ¡°Which brands are most favored by girls in the country?¡± Ruan Nuo pondered for a moment. ¡°There¡¯s a brand called FY.¡± Emerging three years ago, FY gained rapid popularity in the upper-class circle due to its unique clothing style, featuring only one piece per style. Subsequently, FY expanded to include bags, shoes, and accessories, making waves in the fashion industry. The designer behind FY, Yanli, had received numerous international accolades, propelling the brand to international A-list status. ¡°I heard FY recently launched a jewelry series. Each piece is one-of-a-kind¡­¡± Ruan Nuo promptly presented the tablet to the man. After a single glance, the man¡¯s focus settled on a pink diamond necklace. Girls generally favored pink and diamonds, right? ¡°I¡¯ll take this one.¡± Ruan Nuo was slightly taken aback. In their first meeting, the Boss personally chose a 40-million-yuan pink diamond necklace for his sister? It seemed the Boss held this sister close to his heart. The helicopter proceeded directly to Hua Land and landed on the top floor of Cheng Ming¡¯s headquarters. As soon as the man disembarked, more than 20 executives lined both sides, awaiting his arrival. All the employees in the building were extra cautious due to his arrival, making sure not to make any mistakes. Meanwhile, Bo Yi cradled Fang Yuan in his arms and powered up his phone for her to browse. ¡°FY¡¯s new jewelry. Let¡¯s see if there¡¯s anything you like.¡± Without even glancing at the offerings, Fang Yuan dismissed him. ¡°I already have plenty. I can¡¯t wear them all. Plus, I¡¯m not fond of accessories; they¡¯re too bothersome. Besides, I design these myself¡­¡± Bo Yi gazed at her affectionately. ¡°My Yuanyuan, you¡¯re exceptional. I must reward you!¡± ¡°Reward?¡± ¡°Your piano music is exquisite¡­¡± Fang Yuan realized he had discovered her identity as Qingyin. ¡°When can you play it for me?¡± Bo Yi gently stroked her hair. Thinking of her remarkable zither skills in the video, his gaze softened. His Yuanyuan was truly outstanding! ¡°We have time,¡± Fang Yuan replied nonchalantly. ¡°How about this?¡± Bo Yi¡¯s eyes fixed on a distinctive pink diamond necklace. ¡°It suits you perfectly.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s fair skin would undoubtedly complement pink diamonds. Fang Yuan: ¡°I don¡¯t want it¡­.¡± Bo Yi: ¡°You can keep it even if you don¡¯t wear it.¡± Fang Yuan:¡±¡­ There¡¯s really no need.¡± In the conference room at Cheng Ming¡¯s headquarters, the executives presented their work for the season as though traversing on thin ice. They attentively absorbed the company¡¯s developmental directives and the resolutions to intricate issues. Only upon Cheng Mohan declaring, ¡°Meeting adjourned,¡± did a collective sigh of relief permeate the room, and the attendees exited the meeting chamber. ¡°The boss¡¯s presence is too overpowering. 1 felt like I was going to suffocate¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, I was sweating throughout the entire session¡­¡± ¡°Every time the boss returns, it feels like life and death. Yet, once he leaves, there¡¯s a strange longing.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be deluded. How could the boss be interested in ordinary folks like us? If he were to seek a companion, it would undoubtedly be a woman from a compatible background¡­¡± ¡°I wonder what kind of woman could endure the boss¡¯s aura. Regardless, it¡¯s intimidating¡­¡± Chapter 186 - Chapter 186: Plagiarism Chapter 186: Plagiarism Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Ruan Nuo trailed Cheng Mo Han out of the conference room. ¡°Boss, I apologize. I¡¯ve completed the purchase. The necklace has been reserved.¡± Cheng Mo Han¡¯s expression remained unchanged at the news. ¡°Increase the price until the other party backs down.¡± ¡°Boss, it seems the other party isn¡¯t short of funds.¡± Ruan Nuo added, ¡°I heard it¡¯s a super VIP from FY¡­¡± Cheng Mo Han asserted, ¡°We need to secure it before sunset.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Ruan Nuo understood that acquiring what his boss desired took precedence, even if FY had mentioned the other party being an influential figure nobody could afford to offend. A joke, really. Was there anyone his boss couldn¡¯t afford to offend? ¡°Oh, by the way, Boss, there¡¯s a nationwide fashion design competition. The organizers have invited you to be a judge.¡± Although the Cheng family¡¯s corporation wasn¡¯t primarily focused on clothing, Cheng Mo Han held a prestigious position. He possessed remarkable talent in design, and a shirt he designed in his youth had caused a sensation in the fashion industry. Since taking over the corporation, he had been preoccupied with business and frequent business trips, neglecting his hobbies and rarely returning home. The organizers sought notable figures to add prestige to the event. Having Cheng Mo Han as a judge would undoubtedly elevate the competition¡¯s stature. ¡°I don¡¯t have the time.¡± Cheng Mo Han dismissed the notion of investing time in such a minor competition. His return this time was to see his sister. Following that, he anticipated a busy schedule, keeping him away from home for several months. ¡°Understood, I¡¯ll politely decline on your behalf.¡± Fang Yuan had just returned to the company when Wang Ning hurriedly approached her. ¡°President Fang, something¡¯s happened. Among the 30 new products the company is set to launch tomorrow, 26 are identical to the new products released by a rival company today. Moreover, these products are rapidly selling on all major platforms!¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s expression turned icy. ¡®How is this possible? Someone must be behind this!¡¯ Wang Ning was agitated. ¡°We have no leads right now because these 26 new products were designed by Gu Panpan¡¯s team. President Zhao scolded her in a meeting just now, accusing Gu of setting her up¡­¡± Fang Yuan inquired, ¡°How is she handling it?¡± ¡°She¡¯s been crying incessantly.¡± Fang Yuan rushed into the elevator. Upon entering the Designing Department, she was met with Zhao Quan¡¯s heated tirade. ¡°Cry all you want! How dare you cry? It¡¯s as if I¡¯ve wronged you!¡± ¡°These are the new products my competitor released today. I paid a premium to acquire them. Open your eyes and take a good look. Have I wronged you!¡± Zhao Quan casually grabbed a handful of clothes and threw them at Gu Panpan. Gu Panpan was stunned. Gazing at the new products before her, she felt unjustly accused. ¡°I genuinely don¡¯t know¡­¡± Zhao Quan retorted, ¡°You must have copied the designs from my competitor!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t!¡± Gu Panpan choked back tears. ¡°I designed all of this on my own¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t slander me!¡± Zhou Hao, the head of the design department, stood up. ¡°Panpan isn¡¯t that kind of person! She¡¯s highly skilled in design. There¡¯s no need for her to copy others!¡± ¡°How do you explain the current situation, then?¡± Zhao Quan pointed at the clothes on the table, demanding an answer. ¡°It¡¯s not just one piece of similarity; it¡¯s 26. Can you provide a reasonable explanation?¡± Zhou Hao couldn¡¯t justify the situation upon looking at the clothes, but he insisted, ¡°Panpan sketches every day. Everyone in the department has witnessed it¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct. Panpan wouldn¡¯t stoop to copying. These styles were all her creations!¡± ¡°She¡¯s consistently the first to arrive and the last to leave. Once, 1 left my key in the office, and she was still there when I came back to retrieve it¡­¡± ¡°Panpan is incredibly professional. She would never stoop to such a thing!¡± ¡°I believe in her!¡± ¡°I have faith in her too!¡± Zhao Quan sneered and retorted, ¡°Perhaps she¡¯s memorized the style and puts on a show of sketching it in front of you every day!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Gu Panpan cried in despair, ¡°I designed these myself. If anyone is plagiarizing, it¡¯s them copying my work!¡± Zhao Quan burst into laughter upon hearing this. ¡°The other party is Charm Cloth! A leading company in the fashion industry. The designer behind these 26 pieces is none other than the renowned Yin Shang! Who are you? Just a small fry. She doesn¡¯t even know you. How could she possibly copy your work?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Gu Panpan struggled to articulate a defense. ¡°If you¡¯re truly skilled in design, why haven¡¯t I seen you produce such quality work before?¡± Gu Panpan hastily clarified, ¡°Before creating these pieces, I received guidance from President Fang and was consistently inspired by her to design them!¡± Without Fang Yuan¡¯s guidance, she would still be going in circles! Zhao Quan sneered. ¡°So, it seems President Fang advised you to copy someone else¡¯s work?¡± ¡°No!¡± Gu Panpan was indignant and flustered.. ¡°You can insult me, but you cannot insult President Fang!¡± Chapter 187 - Chapter 187: Chapter i87:President Zhaos Insight Information Chapter 187: Chapter i87:President Zhao¡¯s Insight Information Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhao Quan sneered and said, ¡°If you¡¯re so agitated, people will think that you¡¯re protecting your accomplices or afraid that the matter will be exposed¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re too much!¡± Gu Panpan clenched her fists. She really wanted to punch him. He was such a bully! At this moment, a cold voice sounded. ¡°How old are you, President Zhao? So you bully a young girl?¡± All eyes turned towards President Fang. It was President Fang. She was here! Fang Yuan¡¯s presence brought a sense of relief to everyone, especially to Gu Panpan, who had suffered in their department before Fang Yuan¡¯s arrival. ¡°President Fang¡­¡± Gu Panpan felt wronged and tears welled up in her eyes when she saw her. ¡°Wipe away your tears.¡± Fang Yuan looked at Gu Panpan and said gently, ¡°A righteous person is not afraid of a crooked shadow.¡± Gu Panpan obediently wiped her tears away, feeling comforted by Fang Yuan¡¯s support. Zhao Quan, observing Fang Yuan¡¯s protective stance, sneered. ¡°Such a big thing happened to the company. 1 just found some clues, and here you are, President Fang, interfering. Those who don¡¯t know might think that you¡¯re here to snatch credit!¡± Fang Yuan curled her lips coldly. ¡°President Zhao, you are so eager to force someone to confess. You seem more anxious than the police. Those who don¡¯t know might think that you¡¯re in a hurry to find a scapegoat!¡± Everyone present was stunned by Fang Yuan¡¯s straightforward response. Zhao Quan¡¯s expression changed instantly. ¡°What do you mean by that?! It¡¯s obvious that Gu Panpan didn¡¯t learn well and plagiarized someone else¡¯s work to make a name for herself!¡± ¡°Oh? So you can read her mind and even know her thoughts?¡± Fang Yuan said unhurriedly. Zhao Quan was exasperated. ¡°I know you two are friends, but she made such a huge mistake. The headquarters has already held her accountable. You can¡¯t protect her!¡± Fang Yuan responded, ¡°Whether or not it can be saved, it¡¯s up to you?¡± Accountability from the headquarters? Why didn¡¯t she receive the news? Zhao Quan was a vice president, but he seemed to know more than her? It was evident that this old fellow was lying and using the headquarters to pressure her! ¡°We¡¯ve already produced 100,000 new products this time. They¡¯re worth tens of millions and are all piled up in the warehouse! We¡¯ve hit 26 models. Let¡¯s see how you¡¯re going to upgrade tomorrow! If you have time to argue with me here, why don¡¯t you write your resignation letter as soon as possible and ask the headquarters to take action? At least you can recover some losses!¡± Despite his bold statement, Zhao Quan was acutely aware that time was of the essence. The headquarters could, at most, recover some losses, but the damage to the company¡¯s reputation would be substantial. The goods in the warehouse couldn¡¯t be delivered, and breaking promises was a severe taboo for the Cheng family. Zhao Quan was confident. This time, the odds were in his favor. ¡°Convene the meeting immediately!¡± Fang Yuan declared before leaving the Designing Department. All the company¡¯s executives rushed to the meeting room. Fang Yuan sat at the head of the table, maintaining a strong aura. Even in the face of this crisis, she showed no signs of panic. The executives secretly admired President Fang¡¯s mental fortitude. ¡°President Fang, Charm Cloth¡¯s 26 sets of clothes¡ªpatterns, color, workmanship, and length¡ªare identical to our company¡¯s designs! It¡¯s too much of a coincidence!¡± ¡°They even got celebrities to endorse them. These new products are incredibly popular now. Anyone who sees them will assume that Charm Cloth designed them first!¡± ¡°Now, we lack evidence to prove they plagiarized Gu Panpan¡¯s work. It looks like Gu Panpan copied from Charm Cloth.¡± ¡°If we can¡¯t sell the goods in the warehouse, the losses will be significant!¡± ¡°President Fang, the design draft was indeed created by Gu Panpan. Can it be that Gu Panpan made a momentary mistake¡­¡± ¡°No,¡± Fang Yuan interrupted firmly. ¡°Panpan would never betray the company by doing such a thing!¡± ¡°President Fang, are you the worm in her stomach?¡± Zhao Quan retorted, using Fang Yuan¡¯s words against her. ¡°You can¡¯t judge a book by its cover¡­¡± ¡°I may not be a roundworm in her stomach, but at least my brain isn¡¯t as thin as the air in the highlands,¡± Fang Yuan replied sharply. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°As expected, you are so obtuse. You can¡¯t even grasp this,¡± Fang Yuan said straightforwardly. ¡°Have you seen the plagiarist copy all 26 models? It¡¯s impossible, right?¡± ¡°You!¡± Zhao Quan was furious, but he contained his anger. He was convinced that Fang Yuan was on the verge of defeat. Accusing Gu Panpan of plagiarism would undoubtedly lead to severe consequences¡ªcompensation for the company¡¯s losses and potential legal consequences. He believed the position of the company¡¯s head would soon be his. Regardless of Fang Yuan¡¯s actions now, he thought it would be futile. Fang Yuan¡¯s gaze swept across the crowd. ¡°There are only two issues for this meeting. One is my absolute belief that Gu Panpan did not plagiarize.. So here¡¯s the question: She was the one who drew the design draft, so how did her opponent¡¯s company obtain it? Moreover, how did they manage to produce it in advance and promote it so aggressively?¡± Chapter 188 - Chapter 188: Mole Chapter 188: Mole Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations When Fang Yuan made this statement, she cast a pointed glance at Zhao Quan. He turned his face away, displaying impatience to listen. ¡°Only the members of the Designing Department, including myself, have seen these 23 products. If they¡¯ve made their way to the opponent¡¯s company, the mole must be among us.¡± As Fang Yuan spoke, Zhao Quan, begrudgingly, acknowledged the logic behind her words. Fang Yuan continued, ¡°Of course, we can¡¯t rule out the possibility that someone in the company used despicable methods to betray us¡­¡± At this, Zhao Quan struggled to voice his disagreement. ¡°The second issue is how to resolve this matter.¡± As Fang Yuan finished speaking, Wang Ning handed her a tablet. ¡°President Fang, 1 just checked. This is an award-winning work designed by the Charm Cloth designer.¡± Fang Yuan took a look. The competitions they participated in were small and insignificant, and the award-winning works didn¡¯t align with Gu Panpan¡¯s fresh and ladylike style. ¡°Everyone, take a look. The other party¡¯s design style is obviously different from this new product. It¡¯s clear that he plagiarized Gu Panpan¡¯s work!¡± Fang Yuan placed the tablet on the conference table. After everyone read it, they agreed. ¡°His design style is more like the Korean style. It¡¯s obviously different from Panpan¡¯s style!¡± ¡°It seems like he really plagiarized Designer Gu¡¯s draft¡­¡± ¡°But he¡¯s so famous. Why would he plagiarize a junior¡¯s work?¡± Fang Yuan found it amusing. ¡°Is he famous?¡± ¡°Yes, he¡¯s won hundreds of awards over the years¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± Fang Yuan shrugged off the significance. ¡°It depends on the kind of prize you get from the competition. In some competitions, even a hundred prizes are not as valuable as one.¡± ¡°But Gu Panpan has never participated in any competitions. After graduation, she has been working in our company. She usually immerses herself in drawing drafts. How could the other party know about her? How did they copy her drafts?¡± Many people were puzzled. ¡°That¡¯s why I said there¡¯s a mole in the company. The manuscript was sent to the opposing company. After they received it, they uploaded it before we released it,¡± Fang Yuan replied firmly. ¡°This mole is despicable!¡± ¡°If I find out who the mole is, I¡¯ll make them regret it!¡± ¡°The opponent must have given them substantial benefits!¡± ¡°President Fang, what¡¯s the use of discussing this now?¡± Zhao Quan, standing beside her, couldn¡¯t resist mocking. ¡°The most important thing is to salvage the situation tomorrow! Even if you can¡¯t do anything, don¡¯t waste time¡­¡± ¡°Who said I can¡¯t do anything?¡± Fang Yuan raised her eyebrows, exuding confidence from head to toe. Everyone was stunned. The situation was dire, yet President Fang seemed undeterred. Did she really have a plan? Zhao Quan was momentarily taken aback. It was evident that he doubted her. ¡°Then tell me, what method is it? Can it prevent the company from losing money, preserve its credibility, and even generate significant profits?¡± The group believed there couldn¡¯t be such a method. At best, they could recover some losses and credibility. President Zhao¡¯s words seemed overly optimistic. ¡°There is indeed a way. We won¡¯t lose our credibility, avoid financial losses, and still make a substantial profit¡­¡± Hearing Fang Yuan¡¯s words, everyone was astonished. Was there really a solution? If President Fang could pull this off, she wouldn¡¯t be just human¡ªshe¡¯d be a miracle worker! ¡°Tell me then. Don¡¯t keep me in suspense!¡± Zhao Quan didn¡¯t buy into her claim. Fang Yuan stood up. ¡°I have my ways. Meeting dismissed!¡± Everyone was dumbfounded. President Fang would solve it herself? No matter how skilled she was, she couldn¡¯t have conjured up numerous new designs overnight, could she? As Fang Yuan left the meeting room, Wang Ning chased after her. ¡°President Fang, President Fang, you¡¯re not just trying to boost our morale, are you? Is there truly a solution? Our Cheng Corporation not only has hundreds of physical stores with reservations, but many customers on the official website have also paid in advance. There are partners and foreign channels. If we can¡¯t deliver anything¡­¡± ¡°Who said we can¡¯t deliver?¡± Fang Yuan looked at him and smirked. ¡°Tomorrow, we¡¯ll proceed with the launch as planned!¡± She already had a plan in mind. This matter had to be connected to Zhao Quan, and she was confident she could expose him within a day! ¡°President¡­ President Fang, do you genuinely have a solution? That¡¯s 100,000 new products!¡± ¡°We¡¯re not expected to sell 100,000 new products right away. No need to rush.¡± Fang Yuan raised her eyebrows. Wang Ning¡¯s hopeful excitement was instantly dampened. President Fang must be playing with him¡ªtomorrow spelled disaster for them! Fang Yuan was about to enter her office when she saw Gu Panpan standing at the door, appearing wronged but resilient. ¡°President Fang, 1¡­¡± Fang Yuan understood her unspoken words. ¡°Come in and talk.¡± Gu Panpan quickly followed her, closing the door behind her. She wiped away her tears and said, ¡°President Fang, it really wasn¡¯t me! 1 didn¡¯t plagiarize Yin Shang¡¯s work. Before this, 1 didn¡¯t even know who Yin Shang was! 1 designed those 26 works myself! I swear to God!¡± Fang Yuan responded calmly, ¡°1 believe you..¡± Chapter 189 - Chapter 189: Its Indeed Zhao Quan Chapter 189: It¡¯s Indeed Zhao Quan Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Gu Panpan was stunned, her three fingers frozen in mid-air. President Fang actually believed her so easily? ¡°I believe in you and your character,¡± Fang Yuan said gently. ¡°Have a seat.¡± Gu Panpan carefully pulled out a chair and sat down. ¡°President Fang, before 1 designed these manuscripts, I saw many of Master Yanli¡¯s works. 1 also received your guidance before 1 designed these styles¡­¡± She could guarantee that these styles were unique and did not bear any similarities to any works on the market! Fang Yuan said, ¡°Think about it carefully. Who have you shown these works to?¡± Gu Panpan thought for a moment. ¡°Everyone in the design department has seen these styles. Because Director Zhou has submitted all the drafts on the screen for everyone to vote, my 26 drafts are ranked very close to each other, so they were used.¡± ¡°That is to say, everyone in the Designing Department has seen your work¡­¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s slender fingers tapped on the table. Gu Panpan thought for a moment and said hurriedly, ¡°Oh right, before 1 showed the script to Director Zhou Hao, I brought it over for you to see¡­ That day was the anniversary of my father¡¯s death, so it left a deep impression on me!¡± After her reminder, Fang Yuan also remembered that Gu Panpan had shown her the design drafts with reddened eyes that day. Later, when she asked, she found out that her father¡¯s grave had been emptied of trash¡­ After that, Gu Panpan applied for leave. It was on the way to meet her partner, so she asked Wang Ning to drive over¡­ ¡°The draft was on the desk at the time. When 1 came back after I was done, I edited it and brought it to you. 1 remember the top one was a pink dress?¡± ¡°No!¡± Gu Panpan said affirmatively, ¡°The first one was a white lace dress. Because that dress was the one I was most satisfied with, I placed it at the top¡­¡± ¡°White dress?¡± Fang Yuan recalled. ¡°The last one 1 saw was a white dress.¡± Both of them came to their senses. Fang Yuan said, ¡°It should be at that time that someone sneaked in.¡± Gu Panpan was astounded. Someone had actually entered the CEO¡¯s office so casually? ¡°Won¡¯t we know who it is after checking the surveillance footage?¡± Gu Panpan instantly felt a glimmer of hope. Fang Yuan said calmly, ¡°The intruder came in and saw the script. If they wanted to leave undetected, they must have either turned off the surveillance cameras or deleted the surveillance records¡­¡± She could still recover deleted surveillance records, but if the cameras were turned off, it would be much more challenging to investigate¡­ ¡°President Fang, who do you think betrayed the company?¡± Gu Panpan couldn¡¯t comprehend. Zhao Quan¡¯s face flashed in Fang Yuan¡¯s mind. ¡°There¡¯s no evidence yet. We can handle it tomorrow¡­¡± Fang Yuan shared some instructions with Gu Panpan. After hearing them, Gu Panpan began to doubt herself, saying, ¡°1, I¡¯m afraid 1 can¡¯t do it¡­¡± ¡°You can do it.¡± Fang Yuan patted her shoulder, instilling confidence in her. ¡°I believe in you.¡± Once Gu Panpan left, Fang Yuan accessed the surveillance footage from that day. As expected, there were signs of the surveillance footage being tampered with. Among the deletions, human-made deletions were the easiest to recover, as the internal format of the hard drive had only changed once and could be easily restored. Fang Yuan¡¯s slender fingers tapped on the keyboard, and all the deleted content reappeared before her. Fang Yuan identified a familiar figure. It was indeed Zhao Quan! The office was empty at that time, and he had been in there for quite a while, indicating he must have covertly photographed the manuscript! Upon leaving, his hands were empty, but his expression revealed that his plan had succeeded. He wore a smug look on his face! Without hesitation, Fang Yuan tapped on the keyboard again. After a while, she disabled the WiFi in Zhao Quan¡¯s office. On the other side, Zhao Quan had just finished his call when he turned around and realized that the WiFi in the office had been cut off. After reconnecting, he took a leisurely sip of tea. Unbeknownst to him, Fang Yuan had specially prepared the reconnected WiFi for him. Fang Yuan had hacked into his phone through the WiFi. At this moment, he was replying to a voice message from someone named Yin Shang. ¡°That little girl even said that she has a way to deal with it. She¡¯s still young after all. Thinks she can show off her abilities by saying a few harsh words.¡± Yin Shang: [If she dares to put on the same design tomorrow, I¡¯ll sue her until she goes bankrupt!] ¡°Hahaha¡­¡± Zhao Quan sipped his black tea and said gleefully, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, she knows what the consequences will be.¡± ¡°Originally, with Gu Panpan¡¯s talent, I wanted to bring her under my wing. However, she has a good relationship with Fang Yuan. People who cannot be bribed are trash to us.¡± ¡°She¡¯s about to go to jail, but she¡¯s just a nobody.. It¡¯s her honor to design something that Master Yin likes and even help Master Yin become famous!¡± Chapter 190 - Chapter 190: Taking Space Chapter 190: Taking Space Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan meticulously documented these words, along with their preceding chat records, as irrefutable evidence. Upon reviewing the chat logs, she discerned that on the anniversary of Father Gu¡¯s death, she and Zhao Quan had just departed from the office when Zhao Quan entered to retrieve a draft. There were a total of 26 drafts, all promptly dispatched to Yin Shang. The timing and content of the drafts were impeccably aligned, leaving no room for doubt. After a brief interval, Zhao Quan, humming a tune, switched a pot of tea. As he sipped, he sought out the CEO of Charm Cloth, Sun Mei, to discuss benefits. ¡°President Sun, I¡¯ve provided you with the finest design drafts from our company. I¡¯ve heard that you¡¯ve already sold thousands of new products and are on the verge of surpassing 10,000. Shouldn¡¯t you adhere to the agreed commission¡­¡± [Don¡¯t be hasty], Sun Mei promptly replied. [We settled on 30%. We won¡¯t forfeit a single cent! But we also agreed beforehand that when you resume the CEO position in the future, you must facilitate matters for Charm Cloth.] ¡°Of course!¡± Zhao Quan responded deliberately, ¡°We¡¯re all on the same team. 1 understand my responsibilities.¡± Fang Yuan replicated all the data from Zhao Quan¡¯s phone and summoned Wang Ning. ¡°Get President Zhao here.¡± Wang Ning hastened to seek assistance. In a short while, Zhao Quan confidently strode into the office. ¡°President Fang, do you wish to inquire about resolving the current predicament?¡± Without waiting for Fang Yuan to respond, he took a seat and grinned self-assuredly. ¡°If 1 were you, I¡¯d tender my resignation immediately and contact the headquarters¡­¡± ¡°President Zhao, still fixated on my position? You¡¯ve proposed my resignation repeatedly¡­ Why? Do you believe you can seamlessly assume this role if I step down?¡± Fang Yuan smirked, her presence unwavering. ¡°Helie.¡± Zhao Quan chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s you who won¡¯t be able to retain it, isn¡¯t it? If you can¡¯t deliver tomorrow, 1¡¯11 see how you explain yourself!¡± ¡°President Zhao, no need to fret about that,¡± Fang Yuan declared, tossing a stack of reports onto the desk before him. ¡°These are reimbursement forms dating back to the establishment of the company. I¡¯ve thoroughly reviewed them, and the expenses consistently exceed 100,000 yuan monthly, especially this month. There are a total of 13 reimbursement forms, amounting to 130,000 yuan. Which client did you entertain to warrant such extravagant spending?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it all documented? President Fang, are you unfamiliar with reading? Need me to break it down for you?¡± Zhao Quan reclined in his chair, appearing nonchalant. ¡°This month, we hosted 13 clients, each averaging an expenditure of 10,000 yuan¡­¡± Fang Yuan remained composed. ¡°The first entry is from the 3rd of this month. You dined with Vice President Wang from Chengyi Group, engaging in golf and a sauna. The total cost was 11,000 yuan,¡± she stated calmly. Zhao Quan assumed a defiant posture. ¡°Any issue with that? I treated him to ensure long-term cooperation¡­ A young lady like you might not grasp the ways of the business world.¡± Fang Yuan countered, ¡°Yet this month, Vice President Wang¡¯s wife went overseas for childbirth. He is currently out of the country.¡± Zhao Quan¡¯s expression shifted at this revelation. ¡°This is the evidence I¡¯ve gathered.¡± Fang Yuan swiveled the computer screen toward him, displaying a photo of Vice President Wang residing overseas. ¡°The second entry is on the 7th of this month. You visited President Zhou of Oak Company, treating him to a seafood feast, karaoke, and a foot bath, totaling over 9,000 yuan.¡± Zhao Quan¡¯s demeanor became slightly uneasy. ¡°What¡¯s the problem with that?¡± ¡°President Zhou was hospitalized on the 6th due to kidney stones and gout, receiving an IV drip. On the 7th, he was unable to join you for a seafood feast,¡± Fang Yuan stated matter-of-factly. Zhao Quan¡¯s expression soured. ¡°Do you have evidence?¡± ¡°Since I summoned you, rest assured, 1 have ample evidence.¡± Fang Yuan pressed on, ¡°Moving on to the third entry, on the 9th of this month, you hosted the General Manager of Famous Clothing Company for a massage, tea, and hot springs, incurring a total expense of fifteen thousand yuan.¡± Zhao Quan¡¯s expression grew even more grim. ¡°And then¡­¡± ¡°He¡¯s been on an extended business trip. In the first half of this month, he wasn¡¯t in Jing City at all,¡± Fang Yuan revealed. Zhao Quan, realizing the gravity of the situation, straightened up, shedding his previous impudence. ¡°This constitutes the evidence of your falsified expenses over the past year.¡± Fang Yuan clicked the mouse, revealing hundreds of documents on the computer screen. She smiled. ¡°President Zhao, any final remarks?¡± Zhao Quan attempted to grab the mouse, but Fang Yuan preempted him. ¡°Do you believe there¡¯s no backup after deletion?¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± Zhao Quan ground his teeth, shooting her an intense glare. ¡°Fear not; I still have some matters to clarify.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes exuded confidence as she casually inquired, ¡°Over the past year, President Zhao, did you arrange for the waste from the production line to be sent to the garbage dump and disposed of?¡± Anticipating her question, Zhao Quan retorted, ¡°Why? Why bother keeping the waste? Is it taking up space?¡± Chapter 191 - Chapter 191: Ill Exchange All the Evidence for Your Answer Chapter 191: I¡¯ll Exchange All the Evidence for Your Answer Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan remarked, ¡°Yet from my understanding, President Zhao, you not only disposed of it but also managed to make a significant profit¡­¡± ¡°Each month, your team transports the waste to the junkyard, where they meet representatives from the Wonderful Regenerative Resource Recovery Company. You sell the waste to them for 40 yuan per 50 kilograms.¡± Despite the modest price per 50 kilograms, given the substantial amount of waste the company produced monthly, the earnings accumulated significantly. ¡°In just one year, you¡¯ve pocketed over 793,000 yuan by selling scraps. Am 1 mistaken, President Zhao?¡± Zhao Quan¡¯s countenance turned particularly grim. He hadn¡¯t anticipated Fang Yuan uncovering this aspect. There were no surveillance cameras at the junkyard. How had she managed to find out? It seemed that this girl, despite her seemingly absent-minded demeanor since taking over the company, overlooked nothing¡­ ¡°Fantastic Company maintained an account book,¡± Fang Yuan elucidated. Cursing inwardly, Zhao Quan berated the group of individuals who had been warned against creating an account book or leaving any evidence behind. It seemed his caution had been in vain. ¡°Oh, and during the company¡¯s inaugural celebration, President Zhao, you incited the employees to engage in online betting. Does that ring a bell?¡± Fang Yuan arched an eyebrow in inquiry. ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Zhao Quan hadn¡¯t expected this young woman to delve into this matter. ¡°It was just some bad luck on their part. Can¡¯t blame me; I made some money myself!¡± Fang Yuan tapped on the keyboard, summoning a plethora of evidence on the computer screen. ¡°I¡¯ve scrutinized that website. Your profits were possible because the funds they invested ended up in your account.¡± Fang Yuan smirked, gazing at the man before her. ¡°In essence, you were swindling everyone from the outset!¡± Zhao Quan¡¯s eyes widened as he scrutinized each transfer displayed on the screen, unable to comprehend how Fang Yuan possessed these records. His scalp tingled with disbelief. How did she remember these details so vividly, especially when he had already closed down the website? ¡°President Zhao, setting up such a website is illegal. Are you not aware?¡± Fang Yuan quirked an eyebrow, radiating an air of authority. A shiver ran down Zhao Quan¡¯s spine. Who was this girl? Recalling the events within the company, it seemed that anything she investigated was bound to be uncovered. Fang Yuan pressed on, ¡°Oh, and 1 also reviewed the surveillance footage of the warehouse manager¡¯s betrayal last time.¡± Zhao Quan felt a surge of unease. ¡°At 5 p.m. that day, after my departure, at 5:04 p.m., you led the warehouse manager into a surveillance blind spot, exchanging words secretly. By 5:10 p.m., your discussion concluded, and the warehouse manager returned to her duties. At 5:12 p.m., she revoked my access to the warehouse.¡± ¡°Coincidentally, I had business that evening and returned to the company. While 1 intended to enter the warehouse, I refrained from doing so¡­¡± ¡°This incident indirectly suggests that the warehouse manager acted upon your instructions.¡± ¡°Moreover, you approved those purchase orders in the past, verifying the warehouse¡¯s inventory. You claimed the lion¡¯s share of the profits. Your culpability surpasses theirs, warranting imprisonment!¡± Zhao Quan regarded her warily. ¡°Who are you?¡± Initially dismissing the girl sent by the headquarters as seemingly inept, he now recognized her as a formidable force after their interactions. ¡°How did you discover all of this?¡± Zhao Quan gritted his teeth, demanding an explanation. Fang Yuan smirked. ¡°Everything here is enough to ruin your life! It includes the incidents of you secretly assaulting the director of the procurement department and the warehouse manager¡­¡± A video showcasing Zhao Quan¡¯s indiscretions suddenly materialized on the computer screen, with dozens more following suit. All of them had been copied by Fang Yuan from his phone. Zhao Quan stood there, stupefied. He couldn¡¯t fathom how these videos, exclusively on his phone and never shared or uploaded elsewhere, had been unveiled by Fang Yuan. ¡°In addition, there¡¯s evidence of your collusion with Charm Cloth, the incident where you photographed Panpan¡¯s draft and sent it to Yin Shang¡­¡± Fang Yuan gazed up at him and inquired deliberately, ¡°Panpan never crossed you. With numerous designers in the company, why single her out?¡± ¡°I-I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about!¡± Zhao Quan vehemently denied. ¡°You¡¯re trying to bait me into confessing, aren¡¯t you? You¡¯re recording this, right? I¡¯m not that foolish!¡± ¡°I¡¯m just curious. Panpan has no issues with you. Why target her?¡± Fang Yuan questioned, but Zhao Quan remained silent. ¡°Is it because of your proximity to me? You resent me, and since the Designing Department produces the best designs, you decided to harm her?¡± In truth, Fang Yuan already knew the answers to these questions. She merely wanted Zhao Quan to admit to it himself. Zhao Quan persisted in silence. Fang Yuan retrieved the USB drive, placing it in her open palm. She smiled and declared, ¡°I¡¯ll use all this evidence in exchange for your answers..¡± Chapter 192 - Chapter 192: Money Always Trumps Love Chapter 192: Money Always Trumps Love Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Zhao Quan felt a twinge of temptation. Fang Yuan asserted, ¡°You have three seconds to decide.¡± ¡°How can 1 be sure there¡¯s no backup?¡± Despite the temptation, Zhao Quan remained cautious. ¡°If 1 say there isn¡¯t, there isn¡¯t. Check for yourself.¡± Fang Yuan tossed the mouse in his direction. Zhao Quan promptly scanned the computer. It appeared there was indeed no backup¡­ Fang Yuan waved the USB drive and began counting. ¡°One, two¡­¡± Zhao Quan seized the USB drive, finally feeling a sense of relief. He smirked maliciously. ¡°Young lady, as someone experienced in such matters, let me advise you as an elder that sometimes it¡¯s unwise to place too much trust in friendship.¡± So much evidence handed to him at once! All this for the truth behind the leaked design draft? In the end, she was too young and naive! ¡°Can you spill the beans now?¡± Fang Yuan regarded him with interest. ¡°I assure you, there are no backups.¡± ¡°Promise me that if you do, you¡¯ll be struck by lightning and meet a gruesome end!¡± Zhao Quan insisted on a venomous oath. ¡°Alright!¡± Fang Yuan agreed without hesitation. Observing her calm demeanor, Zhao Quan believed her. He reverted to his usual nonchalant self, reclining in his chair. ¡°I did leak the draft to Yin Shang. That day, seeing you leave the office, 1 used the spare key to enter¡­¡± At this point, Zhao Quan grinned cunningly. ¡°Bet you didn¡¯t expect you to have a spare key in your office, huh? Truth is, every office in the company has one!¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Fang Yuan responded with a smile, confirming her suspicion. ¡°I fabricated a story about losing my office key and visited the human resources department to obtain the spare key. The staff took forever to find it, so 1 exploited her delay and located it myself. Conveniently, I borrowed the key to your office.¡± Fang Yuan had already anticipated this revelation. In this moment, she smirked and silently observed Zhao Quan ensnare himself. ¡°But 1 still don¡¯t get it. How much did Charm Cloth offer you to betray the company?¡± she inquired. Zhao Quan grinned, revealing his motives. ¡°Thirty percent of the total sales! If I sell products worth ten million yuan, I get three million yuan! Isn¡¯t that quicker than the company¡¯s slow earnings?¡± After a year of toiling in the company, how much could he earn? This information was also discerned by Fang Yuan from their chat history. She feigned surprise and asked, ¡°So much?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Zhao Quan nonchalantly boasted, as though he held the winning ticket in life. ¡°But you were too arrogant before. If not for that, I could¡¯ve brought you into the fold, and we could have made money together. Why slave away for the Cheng family?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t they treating you well?¡± Fang Yuan probed further. ¡°Treat me well? Don¡¯t make me laugh!¡± Zhao Quan scoffed, displaying a complete lack of concern for the Cheng family. ¡°A year ago, you invited me to oversee the company, offering a monthly salary of 20,000 yuan. A CEO¡¯s monthly salary¡ª20,000 yuan. Can you believe it?¡± Fang Yuan remained composed. ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed your details. Considering your relatively short tenure in the company, 20,000 yuan isn¡¯t a low amount. Moreover, with other subsidies, you could be earning over 40,000 yuan monthly.¡± ¡°Can 40,000 compare to 3,000,000?¡± Zhao Quan reclined in his chair. ¡°How many years do I need to work to make 3,000,000? With Charm Cloth, 1 can easily make that amount!¡± ¡°But your three million yuan comes at the cost of framing others. Panpan might end up in jail because of this!¡± ¡°Whose fault is it for being so foolish?¡± Zhao Quan retorted with displeasure. ¡°This is the consequence of choosing the wrong side! If she had just agreed to my request and let me have my way¡­¡± Fang Yuan frowned, interrupting him. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Before you arrived, 1 offered her a choice: to live a comfortable life in the company by following me to bed or to establish herself based on her own merits. She chose the latter¡­¡± Upon hearing this, Fang Yuan swiftly grabbed the water from the table and splashed it onto Zhao Quan¡¯s face. ¡°Scum!¡± It was revealed that he had also set his sights on Gu Panpan. Thankfully, Panpan resisted his advances. She preferred to strive within the company rather than succumb to the likes of Zhao Quan! Zhao Quan wiped the water off his face, laughing uproariously. He then stood up and declared, ¡°I assume you¡¯ve finished your questioning. You¡¯re leaving the company tomorrow. Let me share a piece of advice from someone experienced in these matters.. Money always trumps love! Sacrificing your interests for love is sheer foolishness!¡± Chapter 193 - Chapter 193: Contact through Your Family Chapter 193: Contact through Your Family Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Oh, right. This recording captures my conversation with him,¡± Fang Yuan stated calmly, producing yet another USB flash drive. ¡°It documented his admission of guilt for the crimes he committed. He deserves a more extended sentence¡­¡± ¡°You, you deceitful girl! How dare you deceive me? Release me. You¡¯ve apprehended the wrong person. I¡¯m innocent¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t pay attention to this girl¡¯s nonsense. I¡¯m innocent. I haven¡¯t engaged in any illegal activities¡­¡± ¡°Officer, let go of me. Someone might witness this.¡± ¡°Release me; I¡¯ve been wrongly accused¡­¡± Zhao Quan¡¯s protests faded as he was led away. Wang Ning, stationed at the office door, observed the police escort Zhao Quan. His gaze towards Fang Yuan held a mix of awe and reverence, as if she were a deity. Zhao Quan, the company¡¯s ¡°big villain,¡± held a prominent position and had committed numerous misdeeds. What method had Fang Yuan employed to hand him over to the police? ¡°Instruct immediately that no one in the company is allowed to disclose Zhao Quan¡¯s arrest. Tomorrow promises to be quite the spectacle!¡± Fang Yuan, with an air of confidence, met Wang Ning¡¯s eyes. ¡°Yes,¡± he stammered, convinced that there was nothing President Fang couldn¡¯t accomplish. This girl was truly extraordinary. With Zhao Quan¡¯s issue settled, Fang Yuan retrieved her phone and directed, [Make sure no one in the company purchases the villas and shops Fang Liguo hung up.] [Yes, I¡¯ll issue the order promptly!] Fang Yuan¡¯s eyes darkened. She still had a surprise in store for them. At Cheng Ming Group¡¯s headquarters, upon receiving the news, Ruan Nuo promptly knocked on Cheng Mohan¡¯s office door and reported, ¡°Boss, there¡¯s new activity at the clothing company.¡± Cheng Mohan, maintaining his indifferent expression, looked up. ¡°Who is it this time?¡± Lately, that small company seemed to stir up trouble every other day. He heard that the person in charge was a young lady. ¡°Zhao Quan, sent by the headquarters, revealed,¡± Ruan Nuo disclosed truthfully. ¡°He established an illicit betting website and encouraged company employees to place bets. To make money, these employees persuaded their relatives and friends to invest, resulting in substantial losses for them¡­¡± Cheng Mohan¡¯s gaze intensified. ¡°He also used reprehensible tactics to exploit female employees. More than one. He even recorded video threats.¡± ¡°He coerced and enticed these employees to betray the company with him. Manager Jia, the head of the procurement department, the team leader of the production line, and the warehouse manager were all victimized.¡± ¡°By reselling the company¡¯s waste alone, he raked in over 700,000 yuan annually. He even inflated expenses for a year¡­¡± ¡°He once incited his employees to clandestinely sell the company¡¯s goods. He used subpar fabric to manufacture clothes and sold them under the company¡¯s brand. Most of the money he earned ended up in his pocket¡­¡± ¡°Recently, he even sold the company¡¯s design drafts to our rival company, Charm Cloth, attempting to frame the company¡¯s designer¡­¡± ¡°Though he¡¯s been apprehended, the company is grappling with an issue¡­¡± Upon hearing this, Cheng Mohan inquired in a subdued tone, ¡°What issue?¡± ¡°We¡¯re launching new products tomorrow. Out of the 33 models, 26 were sold to Charm Cloth by Zhao Quan. Charm Cloth has already produced and released the finished products, which are already in the market today. In other words, there are tens of millions of finished products in our warehouse that can¡¯t be sold.¡± Ruan Nuo lowered his head, expressing deep regret. While Zhao Quan was the cause of everything, the company¡¯s losses were now immeasurable in terms of more than just money. ¡°What¡¯s the company¡¯s management response?¡± Cheng Mohan asked. ¡°The company is powerless. However, during the meeting, that young lady confidently declared that she has a solution. Not only will the company avoid financial losses and preserve its reputation, but she can also help generate a profit.¡± To be frank, Ruan Nuo harbored skepticism about the young lady¡¯s assurances. On the contrary, Cheng Mohan eagerly anticipated her solution. This young lady had consistently delivered surprises since assuming a business role. ¡°I heard she entered through connections?¡± Cheng Mohan inquired nonchalantly. Ruan Nuo didn¡¯t expect his boss to show interest in such a trivial detail. Hastily, he lowered his head and replied, ¡°Yes, and she leveraged your family¡¯s contacts.¡± Cheng Mohan raised an eyebrow, prompting Ruan Nuo to clarify, ¡°It¡¯s someone appointed by Old Master Cheng¡­¡± Cheng Mohan: ¡°Fang?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Cheng Mohan ruminated and recalled a distant relative surnamed Fang in his family. Could it be that she possessed exceptional management skills and was recruited by his father? ¡°Her education?¡± ¡°High school¡­¡± Ruan Nuo, fearing his boss might doubt the girl¡¯s capabilities, swiftly added, ¡°But her competence is evident to everyone, and she¡¯s devoted to the company¡­¡± Consider Zhao Quan, for instance. He deceived everyone, concocting fraudulent accounts to mislead the headquarters. The boss, engrossed in work, couldn¡¯t micromanage every subsidiary. Trusting Zhao Quan, he got away with it. Thankfully, the new President Fang discerned his vulnerabilities. Otherwise, the company would have suffered significant losses! ¡°Have you settled on the gift?¡± Cheng Mohan inquired.. Chapter 194 - Chapter 194: Biological Child Chapter 194: Biological Child Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Ruan Nuo hastily bowed. ¡°The other party refuses to part with it. We attempted negotiations several times, but it was futile.¡± ¡°Who are they?¡± ¡°FY mentioned that it¡¯s someone from the Bo family.¡± Upon hearing this, Cheng Mohan reluctantly conceded. The Bo family and the Cheng family shared a longstanding friendship. Falling out with the Bo family over a 30-million-yuan necklace was out of the question. He had no choice but to consider an alternative. Ruan Nuo reopened FY¡¯s official website. Cheng Mohan browsed once more and finally spotted a four-leaf clover necklace. The four leaves were adorned with light green diamonds, priced at 23 million. Its value was slightly lower. ¡°I¡¯ll take this one.¡± Cheng Mohan handed the tablet back. ¡°1¡¯11 have dinner with my sister tonight. I¡¯ll handle all important matters in the afternoon.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ruan Nuo selected a few more crucial documents and handed them over respectfully. ¡°By the way, Boss, many people are aware of your return to the country and want to invite you for a meal. When do you think would be convenient in the next couple of days¡­¡± ¡°Reject them all.¡± Cheng Mohan felt it was crucial to spend more time with his sister. Meanwhile, in the police station. Zhao Quan continued to cry, asserting his innocence and claiming that Fang Yuan fabricated the recording. He even pleaded to see Cheng Ye in person, citing his status as an old general personally endorsed by Cheng Ye, vowing never to let the Cheng family down. The new police officer, baffled by the intense display of emotion, reported the situation to Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui, who happened to be nearby. They drove over, entering the interrogation room with evident anger. ¡°President Cheng, you¡¯ve finally arrived. Boo¡­ I initially thought of banging my head against the wall to die here, proving my innocence. Little did 1 know, I¡¯ve fallen into the clutches of a wicked person!¡± The moment Zhao Quan laid eyes on Cheng Ye, he dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face. ¡°You have no idea, President Cheng. That new girl framed me. I¡¯m in agony. I¡¯ll never forget your kindness in the past. How could I betray the Cheng family and disappoint you? She¡¯s truly an outrageous bully!¡± Clutching Cheng Ye¡¯s feet, Zhao Quan sobbed, ¡°President Cheng, please save me! Without you, no one can vouch for my innocence¡­ Just say the word, and that wicked girl will be the one in custody!¡± ¡°Are you suggesting that my dear daughter has falsely accused you? And you want her to face jail time?¡± Qiao Xinhui¡¯s tone was ice-cold. Zhao Quan was momentarily stunned at the mention of ¡°precious daughter.¡± He thought he might have misheard¡­ ¡°Mrs. Cheng, there seems to be a misunderstanding. The new young lady I referred to¡­¡± He hadn¡¯t been talking about Cheng Yuqi, the Cheng family¡¯s daughter! ¡°She¡¯s my precious daughter, my own flesh and blood!¡± Qiao Xinhui¡¯s declaration left Zhao Quan wide-eyed and speechless. He had forgotten how to cry¡­ Wasn¡¯t the young lady¡¯s last name Fang? How could she be the biological daughter of the Cheng family? Wasn¡¯t the Cheng family¡¯s daughter named Cheng Yuqi? The shock rendered Zhao Quan temporarily mute. ¡°This company showed no improvement under your leadership. Originally, I considered shutting it down. However, my precious daughter was on summer vacation with nothing to do, so 1 let her have some fun with it.¡± The notion of letting his daughter play in such a significant company left Zhao Quan¡¯s mouth agape, as if he could fit two eggs in it. ¡°I never expected her to be so diligent and uncover so many wrongdoings in the company! I¡¯ve witnessed the evidence of your betrayal firsthand. Yuanyuan didn¡¯t falsely accuse you! Instead, you¡¯re incessantly crying and even defaming her. Do you truly believe the Cheng family is an easy target?¡± ¡°No, no, no, President Cheng, you¡¯ve misunderstood¡­¡± Zhao Quan was terrified. ¡°I genuinely had no knowledge about that young lady. I swear, 1 had no idea she was your daughter¡­¡± Had he known, he wouldn¡¯t have dared to be so presumptuous, even if he had a hundred guts! In that moment, he caught sight of Qiao Xinhui¡¯s cold expression and suddenly realized she did bear a resemblance to Fang Yuan. ¡°President Cheng, blinded by greed, I committed those foolish acts. I¡¯ve let the company down, I¡¯ve let you down¡­¡± Zhao Quan readily admitted his mistake, attempting to seek leniency. However, before he could finish speaking, Cheng Ye kicked him away. ¡°You¡¯ve been here for a long time. It¡¯s been a year since the company opened!¡± ¡°President Cheng, I was truly wrong! I¡¯m not human, I¡¯m trash. You can hit me and scold me, but please don¡¯t let me go to jail¡­¡± Zhao Quan crawled back on his knees, clutching at Cheng Ye¡¯s pants, pleading. ¡°President Cheng, I have many people in the family¡­¡± ¡°Let go!¡± Cheng Ye kicked him away again, expressing his displeasure. ¡°When you committed these deeds, did you ever think about your family?¡± Regretting now was too little, too late! ¡°I¡¯ve heard he frequently mistreats Yuanyuan in the company.¡± Qiao Xinhui addressed the police officer beside her. ¡°Please treat him fairly. Mr. Zhao is a veteran of our company.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The police officer nodded and regarded Zhao Quan with a cold gaze.. Chapter 195 - Chapter 195: Fell Chapter 195: Fell Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°No, Mrs. Cheng, please retract your words. 1 truly acknowledge my mistake¡­¡± Zhao Quan still attempted to grasp at Qiao Xinhui¡¯s dress. Fortunately, Cheng Ye swiftly pulled Qiao Xinhui behind him. ¡°How dare you touch my wife¡¯s dress?¡± Terrified, Zhao Quan stammered, ¡°No, I didn¡¯t touch it¡­¡± ¡°If I don¡¯t teach you a lesson, you won¡¯t understand what¡¯s good for you!¡± Cheng Ye rolled up his sleeves and delivered a beating. ¡°Ah, President Cheng, please don¡¯t hit me¡­¡± Zhao Quan shielded his face. ¡°At your age, if you hurt your waist, I won¡¯t be able to answer to you¡­ When the five young masters come to settle scores with me, my life won¡¯t be enough to compensate! It¡¯s better to leave such a tough task to others¡­ Calm down, calm down¡­¡± ¡°Who did you just call a traitor?¡± Cheng Ye panted heavily but continued the punishment. ¡°Tell me, who were you scolding?¡± ¡°I, I, I was scolding myself. I¡¯m a traitor.¡± ¡°If you want your family to be safe, then confess properly!¡± ¡°Yes, yes, President Cheng, you¡¯re right¡­¡± Zhao Quan showed no resistance. Cheng Ye kicked him again, sending him against the wall. Feeling the strain of his age, Cheng Ye found the exertion quite tiring. ¡°Enough, what are you doing at your age?¡± Qiao Xinhui approached to wipe her husband¡¯s sweat, casting a disdainful glance at Zhao Quan. ¡°If he had touched your dress just now, I would have chopped off his hand! This scoundrel, after committing so many heartless deeds, still expects to escape punishment?¡± Cheng Ye turned to glare at Zhao Quan. ¡°Stay here and reflect on your actions.¡± Recognizing the futility of pleading for mercy, Zhao Quan retreated to a corner. ¡°Yes, yes¡­¡± After Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui departed, two interrogators noticed Zhao Quan¡¯s battered face and bloodied body. Unable to resist curiosity, they inquired, ¡°What happened?¡± Could it be Qiao Xinhui and Cheng Ye who did it? ¡°I fell on my own,¡± Zhao Quan volunteered, ¡°It has nothing to do with anyone else.¡± Despite the evident facial injury indicating a blow to the forehead, considering the Cheng family¡¯s influence, making someone vanish was a plausible scenario. ¡°In that case, you¡¯re truly clumsy.¡± One of the police officers scolded Zhao Quan, either for crossing the Cheng family or for his clumsiness. Zhao Quan didn¡¯t dare to offer an explanation. All he knew was that he had offended Fang Yuan and the Cheng family. His life seemed to be at its end. Boohoo¡­ Why did that young lady turn out to be a Cheng family daughter? No wonder she was so competent¡­ In the afternoon, Fang Yuan arrived at the production workshop. ¡°Everyone, pause your work and listen to me.¡± The workers from the five production lines immediately ceased their activities, gazing at her attentively. Despite being only 18, Fang Yuan emitted a commanding presence that instinctively compelled obedience. Everyone looked at her and couldn¡¯t help but marvel. Their own kids were likely still in high school at 18, but Fang Yuan was already managing a company¡­ Clearly, they weren¡¯t on the same level. ¡°Tomorrow, our company will release new products. As you all know, due to Zhao Quan selling the drafts to Charm Cloth, the warehouse goods can¡¯t be sold. 1 need everyone¡¯s cooperation.¡± Fang Yuan elucidated her plan, and everyone readily agreed. They couldn¡¯t help but feel impressed by this remarkable young lady! Wang Ning was astonished at how quickly President Fang garnered everyone¡¯s support. Deep admiration welled up within him. This girl seemed to be the company¡¯s pillar of strength. With her in charge, everyone felt secure. Fang Yuan strolled through the production workshop and made her way to the Designing Department. There, Gu Panpan lay in front of the computer, appearing dejected. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Fang Yuan approached and inquired softly. Gu Panpan sat up. ¡°President Fang, you¡¯re here? I¡¯m fine, it¡¯s just¡­¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s attention shifted to her computer screen, revealing the registration form for the National Design Competition. The deadline was 4 p.m., and the clock already read 3:50 p.m. ¡°You¡¯re not signing up?¡± Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. ¡°President Fang, you don¡¯t know¡­ this competition requires participants to have an assistant¡­¡± Encouraged by Fang Yuan, Gu Panpan yearned to prove herself in this competition. However, being a mere designer, how could she afford an assistant? It was already a challenge to sustain herself financially, let alone hire help. ¡°No one from the Designing Department is going?¡± Fang Yuan glanced at the others. The designers avoided eye contact, unwilling to risk embarrassment in such a prominent national competition. While participating as designers, they still had their regular work at the company. Filling out the information was manageable if they achieved a decent ranking. But if they didn¡¯t or ended up with a lower rank, it could bring shame to the entire company. Their job security might even be at stake. Gu Panpan watched as time dwindled. Despite her reluctance, she sighed, prepared to abandon the endeavor. Just as she moved her mouse to close the webpage, Fang Yuan declared, ¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡± Gu Panpan hesitated.. ¡°President Fang¡­¡± Chapter 196 - Chapter 196: Big Brother Comes Home Chapter 196: Big Brother Comes Home Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Upon hearing this, not only the members of the Designing Department but even Gu Panpan herself was astonished. ¡°President Fang, are you going to be my assistant?¡± A distinguished CEO acting as her assistant? It felt like a dream. ¡°President Fang, you really shouldn¡¯t be Panpan¡¯s assistant. Your status is not suitable¡­¡± ¡°If this gets out, people will make fun of us.¡± Fang Yuan dismissed the concerns. ¡°Just sign up.¡± ¡°President Fang¡­¡± Gu Panpan was about to voice her hesitation when she heard Fang Yuan inquire, ¡°Why? Do you think my level isn¡¯t up to par? Is my skill insufficient? Or are you worried that I¡¯ll impact your ranking?¡± ¡°No, no, no¡­¡± Gu Panpan wouldn¡¯t entertain such thoughts. It was just that having President Fang as her assistant felt somewhat uncomfortable. ¡°Securing the top spot is the best way to repay me.¡± Fang Yuan assisted her because she recognized Panpan¡¯s unique style and design insights. Despite facing the darker side of the industry, Panpan persisted in pursuing her dream with unwavering determination. Although lacking confidence and boldness in design, Fang Yuan believed she had great potential and was prepared to nurture her. ¡°President Fang¡­¡± Touched, Gu Panpan¡¯s eyes welled up with tears. After a moment of hesitation, she promptly filled in her information. One minute before the registration deadline, she submitted the form, and the entire department erupted in cheers. ¡°You¡¯ll definitely clinch the first place!¡± ¡°Honestly, your talent is impressive. With President Fang by your side, go for it boldly!¡± ¡°Even if issues arise, President Fang is there! There¡¯s nothing she can¡¯t handle!¡± ¡°You¡¯re incredibly fortunate to have President Fang as your assistant!¡± ¡°Go, you¡¯ll definitely make a name for yourself!¡± Gu Panpan had never felt such a strong wave of expectations and well-wishes from everyone. Excitedly, she exclaimed, ¡°Thank you, everyone. 1¡¯11 give it my all!¡± Gratefully, she looked at Fang Yuan. If not for Fang Yuan, she might have missed out on this incredible opportunity. ¡°Don¡¯t get too sentimental. In the next few days after work, I¡¯ll help you catch up on your knowledge,¡± Fang Yuan said calmly, ¡°But not today. I have something to attend to tonight.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, President Fang. I¡¯m available anytime.¡± Gu Panpan never expected to encounter Fang Yuan, her benefactor, on her journey in design. Furthermore, she never anticipated that this benefactor would personally assist her in expanding her knowledge. She felt incredibly fortunate. After work, Fang Yuan messaged Bo Yi, informing him that he didn¡¯t need to pick her up for the next few days as she had some matters to attend to. Subsequently, she called Qiao Xinhui. ¡°Mom, I have something to take care of tonight. I won¡¯t be home for dinner, and I might be home very late over the next few days.¡± ¡°Alright, alright. No problem. Enjoy your time with Yi, and don¡¯t worry about the family.¡± Qiao Xinhui assumed the couple was going on a date. ¡°It¡¯s work.¡± It was about work? It wasn¡¯t common for women to be so dedicated to their work. Qiao Xinhui chuckled, ¡°Don¡¯t overexert yourself. Make sure to eat on time. If you¡¯re too busy, find someone else to help you.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Fang Yuan spoke gently, ¡°I¡¯ll be occupied for the next few days. I¡¯m participating in a competition¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui chatted for a while before ending the call. Shortly afterward, her phone rang again. Seeing it was her eldest son, she promptly answered. ¡°You rascal, how long has it been since you called me? When are you coming back? It¡¯s been a few days since I let the five of you go home to see your sister. Am I not upset¡­¡± Just as she was about to give her eldest son a piece of her mind, she heard him say, ¡°I¡¯ll be home tonight.¡± Qiao Xinhui was a bit surprised. ¡°Tonight?¡± This was unexpected. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m coming home for dinner.¡± Cheng Mohan, who had already prepared a gift, urged Ruan Nuo on the way home, saying, ¡°Hurry up and drive faster.¡± Upon hearing this, Qiao Xinhui quickly advised, ¡°There¡¯s no need to rush. Safety comes first.¡± This was wonderful news¡ªher eldest son was finally returning home! After ending the call, she instructed someone to prepare more food. Cheng Yuqi, upon hearing her brother was coming home, felt ecstatic. She had been waiting at the entrance of their house for a while. Finally, her brother¡¯s car arrived. Ruan Nuo parked the car at the villa entrance and respectfully opened the door for Cheng Mohan. Witnessing the tall figure stepping out of the car, Cheng Yuqi exclaimed in delight, ¡°Brother!¡± The usually stern-faced man¡¯s expression softened upon hearing her voice. After all, she was his younger sister, whom he had watched grow up. Before his biological sister returned, they all pampered Cheng Yuqi like a little princess, having shared 18 years of their sibling bond. ¡°You¡¯re finally home. 1 missed you so much!¡± Cheng Yuqi expressed her joy. ¡°You¡¯re always overseas. It¡¯s rare for you to come back.. Why don¡¯t you stay at home for a few more days this time?¡± Chapter 197 - Chapter 197: Fang Yuan Is His Sister Chapter 197: Fang Yuan Is His Sister Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Cheng Mohan¡¯s expression softened. ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°That¡¯s great!¡± Though in awe of her elder brother, Cheng Yuqi still held onto Cheng Mohan¡¯s arm, aiming to compete with Fang Yuan for favor. ¡°Recently, with an elder sister at home, it¡¯s much livelier. Now that you¡¯re back, the house is even more lively!¡± Cheng Mohan glanced at her hand and calmly avoided it. ¡°You¡¯re already grown up. Be more mature.¡± Despite not liking physical contact, he tolerated Cheng Yuqi¡¯s approach. He didn¡¯t react negatively, maintaining a gentle expression. Cheng Yuqi was thrilled. Her brother was treating her differently! ¡°So, how¡¯s the new sister?¡± Cheng Mohan inquired. Cheng Yuqi¡¯s face stiffened upon hearing this. Awkwardly, she responded, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s quite good¡­ Just like you, both of you have strong personalities.¡± Deliberately avoiding eye contact, she feigned suppressing the fear in her heart. Cheng Mohan didn¡¯t miss this. It seemed that dealing with his biological sister wasn¡¯t an easy task. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Tell me more about it.¡± Walking together to the main hall, Cheng Yuqi hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s just that¡­¡± She pretended to suppress uneasiness in her eyes, pausing before saying, ¡°Anyway, you¡¯ll see for yourself.¡± Cheng Mohan¡¯s expression darkened. It appeared his biological sister might be mistreating her behind his back? The dining table was adorned with various delicacies. ¡°Mohan, it¡¯s been a while since you¡¯ve been home. Have a good drink with your father tonight.¡± Cheng Ye poured red wine for his eldest son, then turned to Cheng Yuqi. ¡°Yuqi, you¡¯re still young. Stick to non-alcoholic beverages.¡± Seizing the opportunity, Cheng Yuqi acted coquettishly. ¡°1 want to drink with Eldest Brother too!¡± ¡°Be a good girl and you can drink when you grow up.¡± Cheng Ye poured himself a glass, then affectionately kissed his eldest son. ¡°1 heard the situation overseas has stabilized?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s about time.¡± Cheng Mohan had been occupied overseas for several months, finally overcoming some challenges. The situation had now stabilized. Glancing around, he noticed there were only four sets of cutlery. Where was his biological sister? Qiao Xinhui explained, ¡°Yuanyuan just called me. She mentioned having some unfinished work¡­¡± ¡°Work?¡± Cheng Mohan was slightly surprised. Wasn¡¯t his biological sister only 18 years old? Why was she working so early? ¡°You might not be aware. Your sister manages the clothing company our family established last year. She¡¯s making significant strides there. You must have heard the news, right?¡± Cheng Ye smiled and clinked glasses with his son. After a sip, he continued, ¡°Originally, 1 wanted her to relax and have fun, but your sister¡¯s business acumen is surprisingly high. She only spent a few days there and uncovered numerous issues. She even exposed the mastermind behind it all!¡± At the mention of Zhao Quan, Cheng Ye couldn¡¯t help but feel a headache¡­ Cheng Mohan recalled the recent activities of the clothing company and asked instinctively, ¡°Fang Yuan?¡± ¡°Yes, Cheng Fangyuan, your biological sister.¡± Hearing the term ¡®biological sister,¡¯ Cheng Yuqi bit her lip and used her chopsticks to offer her eldest brother some food. ¡°Eldest Brother, this is your favorite stir-fried yellow beef. Please eat more.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Cheng Mohan, known for his reserved demeanor, displayed a much gentler gaze when facing his family. Cheng Yuqi felt a bit relieved. That fool, why didn¡¯t she come back to get close to Eldest Brother when he was home? Instead, she was still busy with work. Truly thoughtless! She attentively poured wine for her eldest brother and their parents, appearing quite considerate. Cheng Mohan reflected on the fact that his biological sister was the one who had revolutionized the clothing company. His gaze deepened. Intriguing. The company was set to undergo renovations tomorrow, yet she had not returned home. She was likely preoccupied with preparations for the upcoming changes. While he had never met her and knew little about her character, he held a favorable view of her abilities, career, and audacity at such a young age. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the fact that your sister is so young, I would seriously consider entrusting the management of the other companies to her.¡± Cheng Ye had immense confidence in his daughter¡¯s capabilities, but he hesitated due to her youth and recent return home. He couldn¡¯t bear to see her overworked. As Qiao Xinhui ate, a thought crossed her mind. ¡°Oh, right. She mentioned on the phone that she¡¯s participating in a design competition in a few days. It¡¯s a tight schedule, and she¡¯ll be coming home late for the next few days.¡± Their beloved daughter had been engrossed in work since her return. It tugged at their hearts. Initially, they had given her the company to keep her occupied during idle moments. Their intention was for her to have something to do, not necessarily to make a name for herself. However, she surpassed everyone¡¯s expectations by not only managing the company proficiently but also finding time to pursue her passion for design. ¡°Yuanyuan is participating in a design competition?¡± Cheng Ye expressed surprise. ¡°I only overheard her mentioning it¡­ 1 didn¡¯t expect her to be skilled in design.¡± Qiao Xinhui felt immense pride in having such a daughter. Simultaneously, her heart ached for her. She resolved to nurture her daughter well going forward. She planned to find an opportunity to inquire if she enjoyed managing the company. If not, she wouldn¡¯t force her. Enjoying life was more crucial.. Chapter 198 - Chapter 198: Sensible Sister Chapter 198: Sensible Sister Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Design competition? Cheng Mohan suddenly remembered Ruan Nuo¡¯s words. She had been invited to participate in a design competition, but he had declined on her behalf due to her lack of time. ¡°Oh, right. Have your brothers contacted you recently?¡± Qiao Xinhui inquired. ¡°Did they mention when they would be able to come home? It¡¯s been a few days, and no one has called me!¡± ¡°No.¡± Cheng Mohan rarely communicated with his brothers. While they occasionally sent him messages, especially Old Fifth, who was quite talkative, he seldom responded and was mainly focused on his work. In his efforts to expand the corporation and capture overseas markets, Cheng Mohan had been occupied abroad for the past few years. Some regions targeted the Chinese market, while others posed challenges from local forces that proved stubborn and difficult to eliminate. Fortunately, through his dedication, the corporation had more than doubled in size since Cheng Ye handed it to him! Typically, aside from work, he focused on resting. His family understood the precision of his schedule, so they weren¡¯t concerned about his infrequent replies. ¡°I heard that our group has recently achieved significant results in research and development. These results have caught the attention of many foreign entities. You need to be cautious moving forward.¡± While Cheng Ye had faith in his eldest son¡¯s capabilities, many forces weren¡¯t ordinary organizations but had state backing. This was essentially a competition between nations. ¡°1 wonder how many obstacles they¡¯ll create for you behind your back and how many unscrupulous things they¡¯ll do¡­¡± Cheng Ye expressed some concern. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll handle it.¡± With those reassurances from his eldest son, Cheng Ye sighed in relief. ¡°I know you¡¯re capable¡­ You¡¯ve been a source of worry since you were young, but sometimes, don¡¯t overexert yourself. You need to rest more¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s rare for our son to come home, so let¡¯s avoid talking about work.¡± Qiao Xinhui picked up a pair of chopsticks and served Cheng Mohan more food. ¡°Come, eat more. This is your favorite.¡± At Zhongshan Forest Village. Fang Yuan successfully extracted the beefsteak plant and preserved it in a liquid state at minus 18 degrees Celsius. The experts and doctors present couldn¡¯t help but express their admiration. ¡°It¡¯s done!¡± ¡°Miss Fang, you¡¯re truly amazing! Extracting such a high-purity beefsteak plant in such a short time is incredible. 1 admire you so much!¡± ¡°We¡¯ve been attempting for half a month without success. Miss Fang arrives, and we succeed. Now, everyone can finally rest easy!¡± ¡°However, synthesizing the subsequent ingredients to effectively increase acetylcholine levels in the brain is much more challenging¡­¡± This step required a higher level of expertise. ¡°I¡¯ll give it a try.¡± Fang Yuan glanced at the clock; it was already past eight in the evening. She used the computer to simulate, synthesize, and experiment with the internal structure of over ten medicinal herbs to observe their reactions. After dinner, Cheng Mohan sat on the sofa, occasionally casting his gaze toward the main door. Cheng Yuqi approached with a fruit platter, wearing a sweet smile. ¡°Eldest Brother, 1 peeled this apple and shaped it into a small crab. Isn¡¯t it cute?¡± she smiled innocently. ¡°1 even cut the pear into the shape of a little bird. And the strawberry is a Christmas grandpa. What do you think?¡± She deliberately pointed at the fruits on the plate with her injured finger. Cheng Mohan noticed her finger right away and asked, ¡°Are you injured?¡± He promptly took the fruit plate and instructed the nearby servant, ¡°Fetch the first aid kit.¡± The servant hurried to get it. Cheng Yuqi pretended to inspect her finger. ¡°Maybe I accidentally cut it while slicing fruits. It¡¯s okay. It doesn¡¯t hurt at all. If you hadn¡¯t mentioned it, I wouldn¡¯t have noticed it just now.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve hurt your finger; how can it not hurt?¡± Cheng Mohan knew she was lying. She had always been sensible, even when she once injured her knee in the garden. It was clearly painful, yet she endured it to keep everyone happy, afraid they would feel sorry for her. Cheng Yuqi hid her fingers behind her back and smiled like a flower. ¡°Eldest Brother, you haven¡¯t been home for a long time. I wanted to make you a creative fruit platter, but it seemed quite simple in the video. In the end, 1 was clumsy when I tried it myself. It took so long, and I only managed a few types. Eldest Brother, you won¡¯t mind, right?¡± ¡°How could I?¡± Cheng Mohan couldn¡¯t hide the gentleness in his voice. ¡°Although it¡¯s not perfect, I¡¯ll practice more in the future. I¡¯ll definitely get better!¡± Cheng Yuqi smiled obediently. ¡°So, Eldest Brother, you have to come home more often. I need more practice. Don¡¯t be like this year, only coming back twice. My neck hurts from waiting!¡± Cheng Mohan¡¯s voice was indulgent. ¡°You don¡¯t have to go to such lengths.¡± ¡°But 1 want to personally cook for you, Eldest Brother! As long as you come home more often, 1 can do anything¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi said coquettishly. ¡°Eldest Brother, you think my cooking is ugly and don¡¯t want to eat it, right?¡± Cheng Mohan poked a strawberry Santa Claus with a fruit stick and handed it over.. Chapter 199 - Chapter 199: Sober in the World Chapter 199: Sober in the World Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Cheng Yuqi joyfully accepted it, her face lighting up with a bright smile. ¡°Thank you, Eldest Brother. Try it too, even though it doesn¡¯t look appealing, the fruit is surprisingly delicious!¡± At that moment, Auntie Wang approached with the first aid kit and crouched beside Cheng Yuqi. ¡°Eldest Young Master, you may not be aware, but Lady Yuqi eagerly anticipates your return every day! My ears are nearly getting calluses from hearing about it!¡± Cheng Mohan¡¯s gaze softened as he looked at his sister. Auntie Wang grinned. While disinfecting Cheng Yuqi¡¯s hand, she added, ¡°By the way, not too long ago, Lady Yuqi clinched the first place in the piano competition once again!¡± She discreetly omitted the detail that Fang Yuan was actually Master Qingyin. Cheng Mohan inquired, ¡°What reward would you like?¡± Cheng Yuqi responded, ¡°As long as you can come home often to keep me company, that¡¯s the greatest reward for me!¡± Cheng Mohan¡¯s gaze became even more tender. ¡°I¡¯ll come back when work isn¡¯t too demanding.¡± ¡°In that case, you¡¯ve promised me. Fantastic! 1 knew you cherish me the most!¡± Cheng Yuqi beamed, resembling a child who had just acquired a beloved toy. After chatting for a while, Cheng Mohan stood up and headed upstairs as it was nearing the appointed time. Cheng Yuqi and Mother Wang exchanged satisfied glances. It seemed evident that Cheng Mohan still held her in his thoughts. Not only was she in his thoughts, but her status in the household was also substantial. Before Fang Yuan¡¯s arrival, everyone in the family showered her with affection during her 18 years at home. This sentiment wasn¡¯t easily replaced, even after Fang Yuan had been back for more than ten days! Once Cheng Yuqi and Mother Wang left, the maids began to whisper among themselves. ¡°Eldest Young Master¡¯s routine is remarkably consistent. His bathing and sleeping habits haven¡¯t changed in over a decade!¡± ¡°That¡¯s probably why the Old Master entrusted the company to him. Among the five young masters, Eldest Young Master is the most disciplined, composed, and meticulous.¡± ¡°Do you think it¡¯s too rigid, though?¡± ¡°How is that possible? It¡¯s all about self-discipline! Someone with such strong willpower is just too captivating!¡± ¡°I believe Eldest Young Master is the epitome of sobriety!¡± ¡°I share the same sentiment.¡± After his shower, Cheng Mohan proceeded to the study for some work. He only returned to his bedroom when it was nearing bedtime. A beautifully wrapped gift box awaited him on the bedside table. Glancing at it, he knew his sister wouldn¡¯t be back so soon. He turned off the lights and settled into bed. When Fang Yuan returned home, it was already well past eleven in the evening. After freshening up, she attended to personal matters on her phone. The next morning, she headed back to the laboratory. The concoction from the previous night hadn¡¯t been successfully synthesized. The research and development process had uncovered numerous challenges. To avoid causing concern to her parents, Fang Yuan hurriedly returned home. Rising before dawn, she made her way to the laboratory. Cheng Mohan, waking up, found it somewhat surprising that his biological sister had already left the house. Most girls her age would relish sleeping in during holidays, but it seemed work took precedence for his sister. It appeared he would have to present the gift tonight. During breakfast, Cheng Yuqi continued to shower him with attention. Pouring milk, bringing sandwiches, and even handing him tissues, she was exceptionally attentive. ¡°Eldest Brother, are you coming home for dinner tonight?¡± With Cheng Yuqi clinging to him, Cheng Mohan calmly replied, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! Then I¡¯ll cancel my dinner plans with friends tonight!¡± Cheng Yuqi beamed. ¡°Originally, we were planning for afternoon tea, spa, and dinner. But now that Eldest Brother is home, I¡¯d rather spend time with you!¡± Qiao Xinhui, overhearing this, chuckled. ¡°Yuqi truly holds you in high regard as her Eldest Brother. If you have the time, do come home more often.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Cheng Mohan gazed at Cheng Yuqi with warmth. If you find yourself free after breakfast, consider coming home more often. While engrossed in reviewing a document, Cheng Mohan suddenly recollected Ruan Nuo¡¯s earlier mention. ¡°You mentioned inviting me to judge a design competition?¡± Ruan Nuo, surprised, hastily responded, ¡°Yes, but you¡¯re always busy, so 1 declined¡­¡± ¡°I have some time.¡± Cheng Mohan¡¯s tone remained nonchalant as he continued perusing the document. ¡°I¡¯ll participate.¡± Upon hearing this, Ruan Nuo was taken aback. The boss had never reversed a decision before! Today seemed unusually peculiar! Could it be that the competition leveraged some connection or tactic to coerce the boss into agreeing? But the boss wasn¡¯t one to easily yield¡­ Cheng Mohan lowered his head to scrutinize the document and then recalled something. ¡°Oh, and keep an eye on the clothing company¡¯s activities today.¡± Today marked the scheduled delivery of goods, and he was uncertain about how his biological sister would handle it. If complications arose, he intended to personally intervene. ¡°Yes!¡± Ruan Nuo sensed that today¡¯s boss appeared different. Not only did he rescind his previous decision, but he also demonstrated concern for a local company.. It was indeed quite peculiar! Chapter 200 - Chapter 200: Insulting a Work Chapter 200: Insulting a Work Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations 9 a.m. Fang Yuan initiated a live broadcast on behalf of the company, with Gu Panpan taking on the role of the host. ¡°Good morning, everyone. I¡¯m Gu Panpan, the designer from Cheng Ming Clothing Co. Ltd¡­¡± It was Gu Panpan¡¯s inaugural appearance in front of the camera, and though a bit shy, she summoned the courage to warmly greet the audience. ¡°Hello, everyone. I¡¯m the designer, Zhou Hao.¡± Zhou Hao also extended his greetings. ¡°I¡¯m delighted to present my new creation to you in this format. Take a look at the dress in my hands. Does it seem familiar? That¡¯s right! It¡¯s the latest design unveiled by Charm Cloth just yesterday!¡± ¡°In reality, this design is a bit conservative. So, let me show you how I¡¯ve reimagined it!¡± Gu Panpan took a pair of scissors and, starting from the waist of the dress, began cutting. She adjusted the top, removed the sleeves, and shortened the lower half of the skirt. As she reassembled it, a well-cut, stylish dress that accentuated her figure emerged before the audience. ¡°This is the first new product we¡¯re unveiling today!¡± With the same fabric but an entirely different style, it looked significantly better than Charm Cloth¡¯s new release, emphasizing the wearer¡¯s silhouette. ¡°Now, let¡¯s revisit this doll dress. Its flaw is the lack of a defined waistline. Watch how 1 transform it into a pure chic dress!¡± Gu Panpan picked up the scissors once more and began cutting freely. As more people tuned in, the viewership steadily climbed. After modifying five or six styles, the audience count reached 400,000 and continued to rise. ¡°President Fang, look, many people are placing orders during the live stream!¡± Wang Ning couldn¡¯t believe it. This approach was proving to be unexpectedly successful! The day before, after Fang Yuan had sent Zhao Quan to the police station, she modified all 26 styles. Using the simplest techniques like splitting the dress in two or altering collars, sleeves, length, accessories, and more, she transformed each into a brand new creation. Yesterday, Fang Yuan visited the production workshop and halted all ongoing tasks. She dedicated herself to retrieving the new products from the warehouse and making modifications. Many pieces only required simple cutting and sealing, allowing the workers to swiftly adapt numerous items. ¡°600,000! We have over 600,000 viewers!¡± Wang Ning exclaimed. ¡°President Fang, check the comments. People are saying our style is superior, more contemporary. Many have returned Charm Cloth products to buy ours!¡± Upon receiving the news, Sun Mei, the CEO of Charm Cloth, was infuriated and urgently called for a meeting. The executives shared her anger, slamming the table in frustration. ¡°This is outrageous! Cheng Ming is live-streaming alterations to our new design. Isn¡¯t this a direct affront to us?¡± ¡°Their live broadcast has surpassed 700,000 viewers. At this rate, it¡¯ll soon reach a million!¡± ¡°The crux is that the style has been entirely transformed. Even if we sue them for plagiarism, it won¡¯t hold!¡± ¡°What¡¯s even more maddening is that their prices are lower than ours. Over 11,000 orders from our backers have been canceled. If this continues, we¡¯ll face substantial losses!¡± Unaware of Sun Mei¡¯s collusion with Yin Shang to pilfer Gu Panpan¡¯s design drafts, the executives believed these designs were exclusively Yin Shang¡¯s. They were incensed, feeling that Cheng Ming had crossed a line. Meanwhile, Yin Shang observed Gu Panpan in the live broadcast room as she turned a dress into a halter dress, elevating its elegance. Clenching his hands secretly, he pondered over the fact that these 26 designs were undoubtedly Gu Panpan¡¯s work. How could she innovate and modify them so rapidly? The transformed dresses were even more stunning than before, achieved through straightforward steps. There must be an expert guiding her! Otherwise, with her skill, she would have gained recognition long ago. ¡°Designer Yin, examine her design style. Doesn¡¯t it resemble Master Yanli¡¯s work?¡± ¡°I share the same sentiment. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that no one has seen Master Yanli, I would suspect that she was taught by Master Yanli. Look at these modified styles; they surpass the originals!¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct. Even if this style is priced at a few thousand yuan, it¡¯s not considered expensive. It resembles a light luxury dress, yet they¡¯re selling it for only a hundred yuan!¡± How could it not be a hot commodity? ¡°I can¡¯t believe it. She¡¯s just an unknown designer. How can she create something so remarkable? Is she naturally gifted, or does she truly have someone guiding her?¡± ¡°There doesn¡¯t seem to be any other notable designers in their company¡­¡± Sun Mei slammed the table in frustration. ¡°1 called for an emergency meeting to brainstorm counter measures, not for you to analyze the design! Whoever has a solution, speak up. We can¡¯t just stand by as their orders skyrocket!¡± She glanced at the live stream again. The viewer count was approaching a million! Her heart felt constricted, and she struggled to breathe. ¡°We can file a lawsuit against them for disparaging our work and causing financial harm!¡± Yin Shang suggested. ¡°They¡¯re openly poaching customers, blatantly competing against Charm Cloth. In that case, we don¡¯t need to show them any courtesy!¡± ¡°But their headquarters is under the Cheng Corporation¡­ If things escalate too much, the Cheng family won¡¯t let us off the hook.¡± Sun Mei harbored some fear regarding the Cheng family¡¯s influence.. Chapter 201 - Chapter 201: Big Orders Chapter 201: Big Orders Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°They insulted our work first!¡± Yin Shang exclaimed while eyeing Gu Panpan in the live broadcast room. To everyone¡¯s surprise, she had transformed a pair of denim shorts into two adorable phone bags. An executive interjected, unable to hold back, ¡°This can¡¯t be considered an insult. She hasn¡¯t uttered anything negative about us throughout. She¡¯s merely innovating upon our foundation.¡± Clearly, this wasn¡¯t plagiarism; it was a creative departure from our designs. ¡°In any case, we have to sue them. We can¡¯t let them get what they want!¡± Yin Shang was adamant about pursuing legal action. Sun Mei promptly contacted the legal department, dispatching a lawyer¡¯s letter to make them answer for their actions. ¡°President Sun, there¡¯s troubling news. Our backer has received returns for 34,000 orders, including those from partners, manufacturers, and physical shops¡­¡± ¡°They all claim Cheng Ming¡¯s clothes are not only cheaper but also more stylish. Moreover, they promise immediate shipment after placing an order.¡± ¡°All their singles use Windy Express. If they order today, the items will arrive tomorrow.¡± This swift delivery option resonated with online shoppers, capturing their hearts. Sun Mei was already seething with anger when another report came in. ¡°President Sun, a total of 83,000 dresses have been returned backstage¡­ Some have been dispatched, but customers insisted on returning the orders. We had to intercept the deliveries. In the end, not only did we fail to make a profit, but we also incurred delivery fees¡­¡± Sun Mei¡¯s frustration reached a boiling point. She pressed her fingers to her temples, feeling a heavy chest that made breathing difficult. The thought of not selling the 83,000 orders and having them pile up in the warehouse was too distressing to contemplate. ¡°President Sun, more bad news. Jane Clothes¡¯ manager, who initially wanted to order 10,000 dresses from us, has reneged on the deal and gone to Cheng Ming for an order¡­¡± Sun Mei¡¯s body swayed, and she instinctively reached out to the table, fearing she might faint from the overwhelming pressure. ¡°President Sun, our team has implemented a substantial discount on the official website. It¡¯s a deduction of 100 yuan, followed by 220 yuan, and an additional 40 yuan. Despite this, we couldn¡¯t retain our customers.¡± ¡°Our online shop¡¯s customer service staff have tirelessly communicated, but the customers still proceeded with canceling their orders.¡± ¡°President Sun, what should be our next step?¡± When Fang Yuan entered the live broadcast room, Gu Panpan was already editing the seventeenth product of the day. Upon seeing Fang Yuan, Gu Panpan¡¯s eyes formed into crescents. Fang Yuan returned a sweet smile and went to the side to examine the data without revealing her face. Wang Ning whispered with excitement, ¡°President Fang, the viewership in the live-stream has reached an astonishing 1.07 million!¡± In the past, broadcasts had only garnered a few thousand viewers, with even fewer placing orders. It was a stark difference from the current explosive popularity. ¡°Take a guess at how many orders we¡¯ve sold?¡± Wang Ning asked with enthusiasm. ¡°A hundred thousand orders?¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Wang Ning exclaimed, ¡°The total order count is already at 102,000, and it¡¯s still increasing! President Fang, at this rate, we won¡¯t have enough finished products in our warehouse!¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s put in overtime to ramp up production,¡± Fang Yuan remarked as she analyzed the data and returned to her office. Wang Ning eagerly trailed behind her. ¡°President Fang, you¡¯re truly remarkable. Just as you predicted, not only did we avoid losses and preserve our reputation, but we¡¯ve also gained a significant profit. You¡¯re truly amazing! If the audience in the live-stream knew that these new models originated from you¡­¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s intent was merely to give Gu Panpan an opportunity to showcase her talent, a way of supporting the younger generation. ¡°Why should we let them know?¡± Fang Yuan, now the company manager, held the perspective that the designer of the 26 designs was inconsequential. What mattered most was that the company was generating profit. At Cheng Ming¡¯s Headquarters, Ruan Nuo hurriedly reported the live broadcast of the clothing company¡¯s new products to Cheng Mohan. ¡°The live-stream has surpassed 1.2 million viewers. We¡¯ve sold 150,000 orders¡­¡± ¡°Just as President Fang predicted, we not only avoided losses but also turned a profit.¡± ¡°Boss, take a look. They¡¯ve changed into these clothes, and they look much better than Charm Cloth.¡± ¡°Plus, the pricing is reasonable!¡± ¡°I heard President Fang was behind all this. She had the designs modified after Charm Cloth stole the draft and even sold them at a lower price. It¡¯s like a slap in their face. Charm Cloth must be upset and might cause trouble for us.¡± Cheng Mohan observed the live stream and noticed some models showcasing particularly well-modified designs. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder about his biological sister¡¯s design talents. ¡°Boss, I have a suggestion..¡± Ruan Nuo hesitated before continuing, ¡°Considering President Fang¡¯s significant contributions since joining the company, should we consider giving her a bonus as recognition?¡± Chapter 202 - Chapter 202: Giving Her Biological Sister A Bonus Chapter 202: Giving Her Biological Sister A Bonus Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Cheng Mohan inquired, ¡°You want to give my sister a bonus?¡± ¡°Sister?¡± Ruan Nuo was taken aback, questioning whether he had misheard. Could President Fang truly be the boss¡¯s sister? It seemed like an unlikely joke, considering the boss¡¯s serious demeanor. Perhaps President Fang had recently discovered her long-lost brother? ¡°Granting a bonus to my biological sister¡­¡± Cheng Mohan pondered and asked, ¡°How much would be appropriate?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Ruan Nuo was genuinely unaware that President Fang was Cheng Mohan¡¯s biological sister. If that were the case, how could she be in need of money? ¡°If we go with 500,000¡­¡± Cheng Mohan contemplated, ¡°Would that be too little?¡± ¡°5, 500,000?¡± Ruan Nuo¡¯s eyes widened. His monthly bonus under the boss¡¯s leadership was just over 100,000 yuan. Indeed, a biological sister was a different story¡­ Ruan Nuo¡¯s heart ached at the thought. ¡°Boss, is President Fang truly your sister? 500,000 yuan is more than enough! This would be a historic moment for our company! I believe President Fang will be delighted with the bonus! It¡¯s not only the company¡¯s acknowledgment of her, but also the boss affirming his sister!¡± ¡°Proceed with it.¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± Ruan Nuo promptly went to make the necessary arrangements. When Fang Yuan heard about the bonus, she assumed it was her parents¡¯ idea and didn¡¯t pay much attention to it. After working in the office for a while, she received news that Charm Cloth was planning to sue them. She raised her eyebrows, noting that the confrontation had finally arrived. She instructed Wang Ning, ¡°Stick to the plan.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Wang Ning hastened to the live broadcast room. Gu Panpan had just finished modifying the last style, and there were already 1.6 million viewers! Upon receiving Wang Ning¡¯s cue, Gu Panpan addressed the audience with a smile, ¡°Our new product launch concludes here today. Many have asked why we modified Charm Cloth¡¯s new design. To answer this, 1 invite everyone to watch a surveillance video.¡± Gu Panpan presented the surveillance footage of Zhao Quan infiltrating Fang Yuan¡¯s office to the audience. ¡°This is our company¡¯s vice president. In President Fang¡¯s absence, he used a spare key to sneak into her office, photographing my design drafts and forwarding them to Charm Cloth.¡± Changing the scene, she revealed Zhao Quan and Yin Shang¡¯s chat history, accompanied by a voice message, shocking the audience with the behind-the-scenes collaboration between the two companies. Human nature being what it is, gossip piqued the interest of the viewers, causing the live-stream¡¯s viewership to surge. ¡°Charm Cloth promised our Vice President a 30% share of the benefits, prompting him to send all the designs I painstakingly created to Charm Cloth and falsely accuse me of plagiarism.¡± Gu Panpan provided evidence to the audience, saying, ¡°Based on my design drafts, Charm Cloth replicated all 26 styles and launched their new product a day before our release. We found ourselves in a very disadvantageous position. Thankfully, President Fang¡­¡± In the live-stream, she recounted the entire story, drawing widespread criticism towards Zhao Quan, Sun Mei, and Yin Shang. Some viewers even took their discontent to official Weibo accounts, personal Weibo profiles, and Charm Cloth¡¯s live-stream, leaving a barrage of comments. A substantial number of people initiated a boycott against the Charm Cloth brand, turning the incident into a trending topic. Enthusiastic viewers went as far as to report the matter to the police. Charm Cloth, believing they could counteract Cheng Ming¡¯s clothing company with a team of professional lawyers, found themselves unexpectedly exposed. Faced with indisputable evidence, Charm Cloth executives angrily demanded explanations from Sun Mei and Yin Shang. Sun IVLei and Yin Shang found themselves under attack from both the public and their own company. Before long, both were escorted away. After the live broadcast concluded, the entire Designing Department erupted in cheers. They collectively contributed to treat everyone in the company to afternoon tea, a gesture meant to affirm their unity and pride. They arranged the most lavish afternoon tea and delivered it to Fang Yuan¡¯s office. ¡°President Fang, turning the tide this time was crucial. The financial losses for the company could have exceeded eight figures if not for your intervention!¡± ¡°The way you transformed it into such a stunning style with a simple modification is truly impressive!¡± ¡°It makes sense why you insisted on keeping the news under wraps yesterday. If word got out about Zhao Quan¡¯s arrest, it would¡¯ve been a major blow to Charm Cloth!¡± ¡°This victory not only settled things with Charm Cloth but also sent a clear warning to other companies. Cheng Ming is not to be underestimated!¡± Observing the jubilation in the Designing Department, Fang Yuan smiled gently. ¡°Alright, back to work. Let¡¯s call it a day an hour earlier. Consider it a little perk.¡± The news delighted everyone, marking a positive change in the company¡¯s atmosphere since Fang Yuan¡¯s arrival. In the evening, Fang Liguo arrived at the Cheng Ming Group headquarters alone. He approached the receptionist with a smile, saying, ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Fang Liguo from Fang Family Clothing Company. I¡¯d like to meet with your president.¡± ¡°Hello, Mr. Fang. Do you have an appointment?¡± Fang Liguo looked awkward. ¡°No.¡± The receptionist smiled and explained, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Fang. Without an appointment, our president won¡¯t be available to meet with you..¡± Chapter 203 - Chapter 203: Are You Worthy? Chapter 203: Are You Worthy? Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Liguo grew anxious. ¡°I really need to discuss something urgent with your president. Please help me convey the message¡­¡± The receptionist politely declined, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I cannot assist with that. I don¡¯t have the authority to arrange a meeting with the CEO. If anyone disturbs the CEO without proper authorization, I will be held responsible!¡± ¡°Miss, it¡¯s truly urgent, and I implore you to make an exception. As a token of my gratitude, please accept this envelope.¡± Fang Liguo produced a prepared envelope from his pocket and handed it to the receptionist. Terrified, the receptionist pushed it back, saying, ¡°Mr. Fang, you¡¯ve misunderstood. Money is not the issue here. You must adhere to our company¡¯s protocols since you¡¯re here. You cannot¡­¡± ¡°Just take it!¡± Fang Liguo insisted, pushing the envelope into her hands, disregarding the onlookers. In the process, he accidentally touched the receptionist¡¯s hand. Overwhelmed with fear, the receptionist, who was an intern fresh out of college, hurriedly activated the alarm. Two security guards promptly arrived, seizing Fang Liguo¡¯s hand. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Escort Mr. Fang out,¡± the receptionist demanded, clearly shaken. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Let me go. I need to speak to President Cheng,¡± Fang Liguo protested. The security guards held him down and forcibly ejected him from the premises, preventing him from entering the company. Peering through the glass, Fang Liguo observed someone consoling the distressed receptionist. Feeling unfairly treated, he pleaded, ¡°Gentlemen, I mean no harm. Have you heard of Fang Family Clothing Company? I¡¯m the CEO of the Fang Family. Here¡¯s my business card!¡± He swiftly presented his card to the security guards, but they ignored him, treating him as if he were invisible. Fang Liguo attempted to enter again, but the two security guards intercepted him once more. ¡°What are you doing? Do you want to be thrown out again?¡± Fang Liguo, facing a situation he had never encountered before, felt an unusual sense of submission. If it weren¡¯t for the imminent threat to his company, he wouldn¡¯t have bothered with the security guards. ¡°Brothers¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t try to buddy up to us. Who do you think you are calling us ¡®Brothers¡¯?¡± ¡°Young men, please make an exception. I genuinely need to discuss something important with your CEO.¡± The security guards scrutinized him. His demeanor was humble, and his appearance was disheveled. He didn¡¯t resemble a client of the CEO. At that moment, the CEO¡¯s private elevator opened. Cheng Mohan stepped out, checking the time. It was six in the evening, and he wondered if his sister had already returned home. With that thought, he walked briskly. Just as he reached the door, he heard someone calling out to him. ¡°President Cheng, I¡¯m Fang Liguo from Fang Family Clothing Company. You should recognize me, right?¡± Fang Liguo, spotting his target, attempted to rush over but was once again blocked by the security guards. ¡°Let me go¡­¡± Fang Liguo struggled to break free and shouted, ¡°I¡¯m not sure how I offended you. If it¡¯s about Master Qingyin, I sincerely apologize. I¡¯ll settle the compensation by midnight tomorrow! We¡¯ve already apologized to Master Qingyin!¡± Cheng Mohan:¡±???¡± ¡°Could you show mercy and let us off? Honestly, our company has been going through a tough time lately. Additionally, with the rumors you¡¯ve spread¡­ our small company can¡¯t bear it any longer!¡± Cheng Mohan:¡±???¡± ¡°President Cheng, you appreciate Master Qingyin¡¯s piano music, right? Did you know that Master Qingyin was actually at our place¡­ Considering this, can you be generous and spare us?¡± Cheng Mohan:¡±???¡± What was this person talking about? None of it made any sense. At that moment, Ruan Nuo pulled up in front of Cheng Mohan and leaned down to open the car door for him. Cheng Mohan walked forward, paying no attention to Fang Liguo. ¡°President Cheng, please don¡¯t leave. Give me a chance. I promise that in the future¡­ cough, cough, cough.¡± Before Fang Liguo could finish speaking, he got a mouthful of car exhaust. The two security guards regarded him as if he were a stray dog. ¡°What are you staring at? Is the richest man in Haicheng City some sort of entertainment for you?¡± ¡°You¡¯re asking for trouble!¡± ¡°Hey, hey, hey, what do you think you¡¯re doing? How dare you attack me, I¡­¡± Ruan Nuo, driving the car, glanced at the rearview mirror and witnessed Fang Liguo being roughed up by the security guards and tossed aside. He asked in confusion, ¡°Boss, what¡¯s going on with that guy?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Cheng Mohan stared straight ahead, clearly not taking the situation seriously. He assumed Fang Liguo had mistaken him for someone else and just wanted to go home to see his sister. Fang Liguo returned home in a sorry state. Song Ling saw his battered face and exclaimed, ¡°Oh my, how did you end up like this? Did the Cheng family attack you?¡± All for the sake of Master Qingyin, they actually resorted to violence? How uncivilized! Chapter 204 - Chapter 204: Hope Has Come Chapter 204: Hope Has Come Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°It was just two security guards¡­¡± Fang Liguo didn¡¯t want to discuss the matter any further. In that moment, he grasped the true meaning of being cornered by circumstances. Sitting despondently on the sofa, he muttered in a subdued tone, ¡°Today is already the last day. Once midnight strikes, the three-day deadline will expire.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe that d*mn¡­ girl. She really dares to expose Jiayi¡¯s plagiarism tonight!¡± ¡°Sigh¡­¡± Fang Liguo refrained from further commentary, letting out a sigh instead. He knew Fang Yuan¡¯s character all too well¡ªshe would undoubtedly carry out her threat when the time came. At 9 PM, Fang Liguo¡¯s villa and shop remained unsold¡­ Master Qingyin¡¯s lawyer called. ¡°Mr. Fang, if we haven¡¯t received your compensation before midnight, we will proceed as previously communicated and publicly announce that your daughter plagiarized Master Qingyin¡¯s work.¡± ¡°No, give me more time. I can¡¯t sell the houses and shops. That¡¯s not my reason¡­¡± ¡°You have three more hours,¡± Qingyin¡¯s lawyer stated before abruptly ending the call. Fang Liguo felt an overwhelming sense of urgency. Despite three days of efforts, he hadn¡¯t managed to sell the properties. How could he achieve that in three hours, especially at 9 pm? Who would purchase a house at night and pay in full? He swiftly contacted the agent. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why can¡¯t it be sold?¡± ¡°Mr. Fang, we¡¯re uncertain. Perhaps the price is too high? Additionally, you insisted on the full amount¡­¡± Considering the multitude of shops and villas, affordability became a significant hurdle for potential buyers. ¡°What are we waiting for then? Lower the price. Regardless, we must sell it before the clock strikes zero!¡± Fang Liguo hung up and checked the time¡ª10:30,11:00¡­ Song Ling and Fang Jiayi sat on the sofa, barely daring to breathe. Yet, there was still no word from the agent. Fang Jiayi clutched the corner of Song Ling¡¯s clothes, her body trembling in fear. She asked softly, ¡°Mom, will my reputation be ruined?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense!¡± Although Song Ling tried to comfort her, confidence eluded her. It was already 11 o¡¯clock, and the prospect of selling their shops and houses seemed increasingly bleak. At that moment, Fang Liguo¡¯s phone unexpectedly rang, signaling a call from an agent. Hope ignited in Song Ling and Fang Jiayi. ¡°Have they been sold?¡± Fang Liguo eagerly answered the call, releasing a sigh of relief. With a smile, he remarked, ¡°1 knew those shops and houses would definitely be sold. They¡¯re all in prime locations in the city center¡­¡± ¡°Mr. Fang¡­ Many have inquired, but only one person is genuinely interested,¡± the intermediary explained awkwardly. ¡°The buyer, Mr. Liu, proposes to purchase all the properties for 80 million, paying in full.¡± ¡°Eighty million? Is he out of his mind? Those houses and shops are worth at least 180 million yuan. Is he trying to take advantage of the situation?¡± ¡°Mr. Fang, it¡¯s late. Consider the offer. I¡¯m concerned¡­¡± the intermediary urged. ¡°Impossible!¡± Fang Liguo hung up angrily. Upon hearing the details of the call, Song Ling erupted, ¡°You want us to slash the price by 100 million yuan? Isn¡¯t this daylight robbery?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s wait a little longer; there¡¯s no rush¡­¡± Though Fang Liguo voiced patience, a sense of foreboding gnawed at him. Meanwhile, Fang Yuan received the news and, anticipating Fang Liguo¡¯s resistance, issued additional instructions. It was now 11:30 p.m. Fang Liguo¡¯s phone rang again, rekindling their hopes. Without checking the number, he answered, ¡°Did you sell it?¡± ¡°Mr. Fang, I¡¯m Qingyin¡¯s lawyer. You have half an hour left. I¡¯ve sent the prepared notice to your phone as a text message. When the time is up, we¡¯ll publish it.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t, don¡¯t¡­¡± Before Fang Liguo could finish, the call abruptly ended once again. In the message, the sender asserted that Fang Jiayi had plagiarized Master Qingyin. The potential fallout from such an accusation would undoubtedly bring severe condemnation upon the Fang family. Song Ling took the phone, and together with Fang Jiayi, she anxiously read the contents of the message, her expression fraught with distress. It was 11:50 p.m. Song Ling had already resorted to pleading. ¡°Why don¡¯t we sell it to Mr. Liu for 80 million? Jiayi¡¯s reputation is more important¡­¡± Despite being aware that it meant incurring a substantial loss, Fang Liguo found himself with no alternative. Otherwise, should that scheming girl, Fang Yuan, expose the matter, the entire nation would become aware of it! In such an event, both the Fang family and the company would face severe repercussions. Fang Liguo hesitated, his conflicted expression reflecting the internal struggle. ¡°Money is just material wealth. Moreover, if Mom leaves the shares to Jiayi in the future, our value will still rise.¡± ¡°Sell it. Jiayi¡¯s reputation is more crucial.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t have the luxury of time to wait for them to pay in full!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t second-guess it. Sell it!¡± Chapter 205 - Chapter 205: Blacklisted Chapter 205: Blacklisted Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Under Song Ling¡¯s urging, Fang Liguo reluctantly reached for his phone and called the intermediary. Upon hearing that Fang Liguo was now willing to sell, the agent promptly contacted Mr. Liu. After a brief interval, he called Fang Liguo back with a troubled tone, ¡°Mr. Fang¡­ Mr. Liu has conveyed that if it¡¯s 70 million, he will make an immediate payment.¡± ¡°What? Wasn¡¯t it agreed upon at 80 million? Why the sudden drop?¡± Fang Liguo fumed. ¡°Find out the market value of similar villas and shops in the area. He exploited us, and now he wants a further reduction? Does he assume we have no choice but to sell? Does he think we¡¯re fools?¡± ¡°Mr. Fang, please don¡¯t be upset.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not selling!¡± Fang Liguo angrily terminated the call. Upon hearing Fang Liguo¡¯s refusal to sell, Song Ling and Fang Jiayi grew anxious, quickly resorting to pleading. With the clock ticking towards midnight, the window for regret was rapidly closing. ¡°That Mr. Liu is treating us like puppets¡­¡± Fang Liguo seethed with anger. After tearful pleas from Song Ling and Fang Jiayi, Fang Liguo begrudgingly picked up his phone once more. ¡°Fine, 70 million it is, but he must transfer the full amount immediately!¡± The contracts for the shops and villas were already signed by Fang Liguo; the formalities could be completed once the payment was received. The agent hesitated, stammering, ¡°Mr¡­ Mr. Fang¡­ Mr. Liu has changed his mind again. He insists on buying it for 60 million. Otherwise, he¡¯ll go to sleep¡­¡± ¡°What? 60 million now?¡± Fang Liguo erupted in fury. ¡°Yes, if it¡¯s 60 million, he¡¯ll transfer the full amount right away. Otherwise, he wants to rest¡­¡± Fang Liguo was irate, on the brink of rejecting the offer. However, Song Ling, desperate, knelt at his feet, pleading once more, ¡°60 million it is¡­¡± It was almost 11:55 pm! Fang Liguo¡¯s heart ached, teeth gritted, he uttered, ¡°Fine, we¡¯ll sell!¡± ¡°That¡¯s great!¡± The agent swiftly moved to finalize the arrangements. At 11:57 pm, Fang Liguo¡¯s phone rang, confirming the 60 million transaction. ¡°Quick, turn around and settle things with that wretched girl immediately¡­¡± Song Ling urged, ¡°Time is of the essence!¡± Fang Liguo, holding back tears, made the necessary arrangements. A few seconds later, it was midnight. Song Ling and Fang Jiayi hurriedly searched online, finding no signs of the plagiarism release by Fang Yuan. Finally, they breathed a sigh of relief. However, Fang Liguo was already overwhelmed with sorrow. The villas and shops, originally valued at nearly 200 million, were sold for 60 million¡ªa substantial loss. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on him, and he clutched his chest in pain. Song Ling, understanding that the ordeal was far from over, approached Fang Liguo to offer comfort. ¡°It¡¯s all for our daughter. She has suffered during her 18 years outside. Can we view this as compensation for her?¡± ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. Dad, Mom, I¡¯m sorry. I implicated you¡­¡± Fang Jiayi cried. Witnessing her pitiful state, Fang Liguo couldn¡¯t bring himself to chastise her. He only said, ¡°In the future, you can¡¯t take anything that isn¡¯t yours, understand?¡± ¡°Dad, I¡¯ve learned my lesson. I won¡¯t take anything that doesn¡¯t belong to me in the future!¡± Fang Jiayi bit her lip, harboring deep resentment towards Fang Yuan. At that moment, her phone rang. Initially, she thought it was Lu Chen, who hadn¡¯t called her in three days. She answered the call, but her expression changed. ¡°What? You¡¯re FY¡¯s customer service? Why are you calling me in the middle of the night?¡± ¡°Miss Fang, it¡¯s like this. You wore FY¡¯s gown, FY¡¯s jewelry, and FY¡¯s shoes at the award ceremony¡­¡± ¡°As you plagiarized Master Qingyin¡¯s work and discredited our brand, we¡¯ve blacklisted you. If you persist in wearing our brand¡¯s products publicly, we will take legal action against you¡­¡± ¡°What do you mean? Hello? Hello?¡± Fang Jiayi thought she had misheard. Just as she was about to seek clarification, the other party abruptly hung up. At that moment, her phone rang again, and she received a message. The content conveyed that she had been blacklisted by the FY brand. Henceforth, she would be unable to purchase any FY products! ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Song Ling overheard snippets of the phone call. ¡°Mom, I don¡¯t know how Fang Yuan did it, but FY blacklisted me! They even accused me of defaming their brand!¡± Fang Jiayi cried out in frustration. Why? She was already in a dreadful state, having not only lost face in public but also suffered significant financial losses. There was the added fear that her boyfriend might leave her. Wasn¡¯t that enough? And now, they had gone so far as to blacklist her.. It was just too much! Chapter 206 - Chapter 206: Soul Sublimated Chapter 206: Soul Sublimated Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°It¡¯s just a brand. What¡¯s there to be arrogant about? They even had the audacity to call and inform you¡­ It¡¯s like they were trying to rub salt in the wound!¡± Song Ling was also infuriated. ¡°An international big shot making things difficult for customers. Where¡¯s the justice in that?¡± ¡°Mom, what should I do? 1 can¡¯t wear FY products anymore¡­¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it just a brand? There are plenty of luxury brands out there. Mommy will buy you something else in the future, maybe even a limited edition!¡± Song Ling consoled her. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, my sweet daughter. It¡¯s not worth shedding tears over such a trivial matter.¡± ¡°Mom, you don¡¯t understand¡­¡± Even though FY was a recently acclaimed international brand, its unique and innovative designs had garnered favor from celebrities and socialites. Wearing FY made her stand out at any event. But now, it was all ruined by Fang Yuan! Soon, the day of the fashion competition arrived. In the morning, as Fang Yuan prepared to leave, Auntie Du informed her, ¡°Miss Fang Yuan, the Eldest Young Master has been waiting for you for a few nights.¡± ¡°Eldest Brother?¡± Fang Yuan was a little surprised. ¡°Lie¡¯s back home?¡± ¡°Yes, Eldest Young Master hurried back as soon as he finished his work overseas to see you. However, you¡¯ve been leaving early and returning late these past few days, so you haven¡¯t crossed paths.¡± Auntie Du then asked softly, ¡°Can you come home for dinner tonight? Eldest Young Master really wants to see his sister.¡± Fang Yuan agreed, ¡°I¡¯ll come back for dinner tonight.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Auntie Du smiled. ¡°Eldest Young Master will be very happy to see you!¡± In the midst of her busy schedule, Fang Yuan had inadvertently given Cheng Yuqi the opportunity to impress Cheng Mohan daily¡­ At the competition venue, the host announced with a smile, ¡°Now, let¡¯s welcome the first group of contestants to the stage with the most enthusiastic applause!¡± In the judges¡¯ seating area, Cheng Mohan¡¯s gaze focused on the large screen. The first group comprised 20 designers and 20 assistants. He glanced at the designers¡¯ faces, finding none resembling his sister. ¡°What number is Fang Yuan?¡± He whispered to the person beside him. The fellow judge looked puzzled. ¡°Fang Yuan? 1 don¡¯t recall such a contestant. President Cheng, do you know her? Let me check¡­¡± He sifted through the contestant¡¯s information but found no mention of Fang Yuan. ¡°Allow me to take a look.¡± Cheng Mohan took the documents and perused the list of designers, confirming the absence of her name. Could she be an assistant? He revisited the assistant¡¯s section, discovering number 16. Raising his eyes, he saw a captivating face on the stage. She bore a striking resemblance to his mother, though her demeanor differed. Amidst the crowd, she was exceptionally conspicuous. Could this be his sister, Cheng Fangyuan? She appeared beautiful and carried an air of obedience. However, Cheng Mohan couldn¡¯t fathom why she was participating as an assistant in the competition. As the competition officially commenced, the stage filled with an array of fabrics and decorations. The contestants had forty minutes to freely design a piece of clothing, followed by feedback from the judges. Gu Panpan aimed to craft a wedding dress, and with Fang Yuan¡¯s guidance, they settled on an embroidered design. Fang Yuan excelled in embroidery, swiftly crafting a vibrant red rose in less than ten minutes. Her performance captured the judges¡¯ attention. A female judge exclaimed, ¡°Contestant No. 16¡¯s assistant is truly remarkable. Her skill surpasses all the contestants. Look at her embroidery¡ªit¡¯s flawlessly executed!¡± Cheng Mohan, who had been monitoring his sister¡¯s progress, also took note of her technique. The wedding dress was promptly prepared. Per competition rules, participants were required to wear and display their creations. Fang Yuan, unable to withstand Gu Panpan¡¯s insistence, reluctantly agreed to let her model the dress. As Fang Yuan emerged in her changed attire, Gu Panpan¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Fang Yuan, you¡¯re truly stunning¡­¡± On the stage, it was Designer No. 15¡¯s turn to present his creation. One judge critiqued, ¡°While your blue and white fitted dress is visually striking, there are issues with the cut. It tends to accentuate the bust excessively, lacks emphasis on the waist, and the black color doesn¡¯t complement well. Your design prioritized visual impact without considering the wearer¡¯s suitability. I can only award your work three points.¡± With a maximum score of 10 points, the other judges also gave low marks, and the audience¡¯s score was even lower, only 2 points¡­ Nervously, Gu Panpan said to Fang Yuan, ¡°What should we do, Fang Yuan? The judges are strict, and the audience has high standards¡­¡± Fang Yuan held her hand, offering a reassuring smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry; 1 have confidence in your design.¡± Gu Panpan gazed at Fang Yuan, finding solace and breaking free from her nervousness. ¡°Fang Yuan, you¡¯re truly beautiful. Your smile feels like a transcendence of the soul!¡± Fang Yuan: ¡°Next up is the work of Designer 16!¡± Following the host¡¯s announcement, Fang Yuan graced the stage in an elegant manner. She wore a white wedding dress with a delicate train, adorned with a silver-white crown on her head. Her grace captivated everyone, exuding an otherworldly and noble aura, akin to a fairy from a tale. ¡°It¡¯s breathtaking!¡± ¡°Three minutes. 1 want all her information. I want to sign her and make her a star!¡± Chapter 207 - Chapter 207: An Experience of Life Chapter 207: An Experience of Life Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations ¡°Goodness, Fang Yuan?¡± Fu Jia, the President of the Hua Land Fashion Association, exclaimed when he saw her. He couldn¡¯t believe his eyes! This luminary of the design industry had actually graced such a modest competition, and she was serving as an assistant. Did he want his idol so much that he hallucinated, or had she descended to the mortal world to taste the bitterness of life? ¡°You know her?¡± Cheng Mohan¡¯s gaze landed on him. Only then did Fu Jia realize that he had let it slip. He quickly explained, ¡°No, no, 1 don¡¯t know her¡­¡± Cheng Mohan¡¯s eyes turned cold. ¡°You mentioned her name.¡± Fu Jia trembled and dared not hide it any longer. This was the head of the Cheng family, and he couldn¡¯t afford to offend him! ¡°Let me tell you, you can¡¯t spread this¡­¡± Fu Jia gestured for Cheng Mohan to come closer, then whispered in his ear, ¡°This luminary is the big shot in design, Yanli. Her real name is Fang Yuan. She might be here to experience the bitterness of life!¡± Yanli? His sister was Yanli, so she was the one who founded FY? Seeing that Cheng Mohan did not speak, Fu Jia thought that he did not believe him. He flipped through the documents and continued, ¡°I won¡¯t be mistaken. She¡¯s from your Cheng Corporation? How much money did you spend to invite this luminary, and even made her an assistant? Wouldn¡¯t it cost tens of millions a month?¡± Cheng Mohan:¡±¡­ ¡± ¡°No, tens of millions are not enough for our luminary. The lowest is 100 million, right?¡± Cheng Mohan¡¯s heart was a little complicated. So, the necklace that he had bought for more than 20 million yuan was not worthy of his sister¡¯s attention¡­ Fang Yuan walked around the stage. Fu Jia was about to comment when Cheng Mohan snatched the microphone away from him. ¡°Are you Fang Yuan?¡± Fang Yuan looked over. The man¡¯s facial features were well-defined, and his face was cold. His tone was very amiable. ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°I¡¯m Cheng Mohan. Nice to meet you.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, everyone was stunned. Was this quiet and cold CEO of the Cheng family making advances toward the enchanting figure on the stage? Fang Yuan was also very surprised. Her Eldest Brother? Or was he a judge for this competition? ¡°I¡¯m here for you.¡± Cheng Mohan¡¯s words caused an uproar. Oh my god, was the wealthiest man confessing in public? Didn¡¯t he never get close to women? Although the enchanting figure was good-looking, she was only an assistant. The difference between the two of them was too great! ¡°You did exceptionally well.¡± Cheng Mohan did not expect his sister to not only possess managerial and design skills but also be willing to be an assistant to guide the younger generation of the company. This kind of structure and boldness was not something an ordinary person could have. Fang Yuan smiled faintly. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to your next performance.¡± Cheng Mohan gave her full marks! Everyone was excited. Fang Yuan was the first person to receive full marks from Cheng Mohan! The other judges also awarded her ten points. It was not only because of Fang Yuan¡¯s looks, but also because of her outstanding design. ¡°2,050 points! Full marks for the entire venue, the highest score in history!¡± The host was extremely excited. ¡°There are 200 audience members in the venue, and the highest score is 10 points per person. In addition to the 10 points per person from the five judges¡­¡± The audience burst into applause. Fang Yuan was accustomed to such scenes. She bowed and left the stage. In the resting area, Gu Panpan pounced on Fang Yuan the moment she saw her. ¡°Yuanyuan, you¡¯re amazing! If not for your extraordinary looks, you wouldn¡¯t have received full marks! Now, we¡¯re in the semi-finals!¡± After her excitement, Gu Panpan recalled Cheng Mohan¡¯s words and asked softly, ¡°Yuanyuan, does President Cheng have feelings for you? He said he¡¯s here for you¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± Although Fang Yuan wanted to keep it a secret, seeing that Gu Panpan was a friend, she confessed, ¡°My surname is Cheng.¡± Gu Panpan was taken aback. ¡°Oh, so your surname is not Fang. Your surname is Cheng¡­¡± As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to have realized something and her eyes widened, ¡°Then you are¡­¡± ¡°Lower your voice.¡± Gu Panpan covered her mouth and asked excitedly in a low voice, ¡°Are you from the Cheng family? Is the previous CEO your biological father?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Gu Panpan finally knew why Fang Yuan¡¯s looks and aura were so remarkable. This was hereditary! The semi-finals. The staff gave the contestants a pile of soiled clothes and asked them to transform them. With the support of the first match, Gu Panpan was full of confidence. She selected a white dress with bubble sleeves, stained with gray and yellow dye. It had a large area of dirt. Fang Yuan asked, ¡°Do you have any ideas?¡± ¡°I think this style and the feel of the dye can be transformed into a modern retro dress.¡± Fang Yuan nodded in agreement. ¡°I think so too.¡± ¡°But I¡­¡± Although Gu Panpan had also studied color aesthetics, she still did not know where to start if asked to create abstract designs. ¡°Don¡¯t worry and draw boldly. I¡¯ll take care of everything.¡± Fang Yuan handed the paint to her. The other designers also employed this method to conceal the stains. The competition time was limited, making this the fastest and most effective approach.. Chapter 208 - Chapter 208: Final Chapter 208: Final Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Gu Panpan thought for a moment and suddenly recalled the famous old Shanghai paintings that adorned the living room during her childhood. Inspiration struck her immediately. She covered the yellow stain in black, the rest in green and gray. But there was no defined shape, resembling more of a child¡¯s scribble. The surrounding designers glanced over and couldn¡¯t help but laugh. Gu Panpan ignored their ridicule and focused on cutting. She used the scissors to remove the bubble sleeves and added a prominent black bow on the tube top. She elevated the dress¡¯s waistline to conceal flesh and emphasize curves. Yet, after completing it, she sensed that something was missing. ¡°Yuanyuan, I feel that something is missing. What else do you think 1 should add?¡± Fang Yuan said indifferently, ¡°Expand the dress¡¯s hem. That way, you¡¯ll look more elegant. Additionally, we¡¯ll be showcasing our upper bodies later. The dress¡¯s generous hem can conceal our shoes.¡± The competition didn¡¯t provide shoes, and if left uncovered, it would undoubtedly impact the overall effect. This seemed to be a small challenge set by the organizers. ¡°Yes, yes, yes, that¡¯s it!¡± Gu Panpan quickly took action. On the other hand, Fang Yuan added a few strokes of sea blue and reddish-brown embellishments to her original foundation. The entire dress instantly transformed into an abstract art piece. The competition time concluded, and the contestants took the stage to display their creations. Fang Yuan picked up the clothes and handed them to Gu Panpan. ¡°It¡¯s your turn now.¡± Gu Panpan waved her hands repeatedly, ¡°No, no, I can¡¯t¡­¡± If she went up, she probably wouldn¡¯t even make it into the top three¡­ Fang Yuan encouraged her, ¡°You have to believe in yourself.¡± After Gu Panpan changed her clothes, Fang Yuan gave her a once-over and styled her with a big, curly hairstyle, exuding a modern retro vibe. The audience eagerly anticipated the appearance of the 16th contestant, expecting it to be Fang Yuan, the enchanting designer. To their surprise, another figure took the stage. Although there was a slight disappointment, Gu Panpan¡¯s dress and overall style left everyone in awe. Cheng Mohan was also taken aback. Initially, he believed Gu Panpan¡¯s facial features were not suitable for the retro style, but in the end, they surprisingly complemented each other. This time, he awarded nine points. The other judges gave eight or seven points. Backstage, Gu Panpan was overjoyed. ¡°Yuanyuan, we¡¯re heading to the finals!¡± Fang Yuan also wore a satisfied smile. Gu Panpan proved to be very adaptable, and her journey here was not in vain. The finals officially commenced. This time, only three designers and assistants remained on the field. The staff introduced three disabled individuals as the models. The final challenge was to tailor a set of clothes for these individuals. Gu Panpan was assigned to a young lady with a left leg amputation. She looked at the young lady¡¯s mechanical left leg with a sympathetic gaze. Fang Yuan reminded her, ¡°Refocus. She¡¯s your model now. Show your professionalism and create the most suitable clothes for her.¡± Gu Panpan understood and began contemplating. This time, Fang Yuan didn¡¯t intend to intervene. The rest was up to Gu Panpan herself. Gu Panpan selected metal gold and silver fabric, intending to craft a stylish set of sportswear for the model. Fang Yuan noticed that Gu Panpan had no qualms about showcasing the model¡¯s metal prosthesis and smiled in approval. As the competition concluded, the host invited the designers to discuss their design concepts. The first two designers uniformly covered up the models¡¯ disabilities, which evidently did not align with the organizers¡¯ intentions. Consequently, the judges¡¯ ratings did not exceed 6. When it was Gu Panpan¡¯s turn, Cheng Mohan inquired, ¡°Why did you choose to showcase the models¡¯ prosthetic limbs?¡± Gu Panpan took hold of the microphone and expressed, ¡°Because I believe prosthetic limbs are a part of her body, there¡¯s no need to deliberately conceal them. I also want to convey that prosthetic limbs can be beautiful and cool, worthy of admiration and appreciation. I design sportswear, embodying a spirit that refuses to yield. My hope is that even if one loses a part of their body, they can still run and shine!¡± Gu Panpan¡¯s words moved both the audience and the models present, bringing tears to their eyes. ¡°I also want to urge everyone not to treat them differently just because their bodies are incomplete. They are no different from us. Thank you.¡± With a deep bow, Gu Panpan concluded her speech, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience. The judges awarded her full marks one after another. This time, she achieved a perfect score. ¡°I now declare the winner of this National Design Competition: designer number 16, Gu Panpan!¡± The audience rose to their feet, applauding and cheering, chanting, ¡°Gu Panpan! Gu Panpan! Gu Panpan!¡± Chapter 209 - Chapter 209: Half a Sister Chapter 209: Half a Sister Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations After leaving the stage, Gu Panpan hadn¡¯t yet returned to the resting area when she found herself surrounded by a crowd. ¡°Hello, Designer Gu. Have you considered changing jobs? I¡¯m Manager Zhao from Fantasy Clothing Company. We sincerely invite you to become the chief designer with a monthly salary of 4.0,000 yuan¡­¡± ¡°Designer Gu, I¡¯m the vice president of Love Clothing. 1 would like to extend an invitation for you to join our company. Your monthly salary would be 100,000 yuan. You can work four days a week with three days off, and enjoy a month of paid annual leave. The year-end bonus is twice your monthly salary.¡± As Gu Panpan listened to the escalating offers from different companies, she waved her hands repeatedly. ¡°Thank you for your kind offers. 1 currently have no plans to change jobs. Thank you¡­¡± ¡°Designer Gu, if the salary isn¡¯t up to your expectations, we can discuss it with headquarters. Here¡¯s our business card. Please consider our company¡­¡± Gu Panpan reluctantly accepted more than twenty business cards before managing to escape. At that moment, Fang Yuan silently followed behind her, wearing a gentle expression. Gu Panpan no longer needed the champion title. Observing that the competition had concluded, Cheng Mohan turned down those attempting to approach him. He inquired with the staff beside him, ¡°Where¡¯s Fang Yuan?¡± ¡°She should be in Rest Area B.¡± Cheng Mohan headed straight to the rest area. As he departed, the staff exchanged hushed comments, ¡°Mr. Cheng seems to be interested in the assistant of Number 16. He¡¯s genuinely concerned; he went to look for her after the competition.¡± ¡°Is that little girl going to become a phoenix?¡± Cheng Mohan patiently waited until Fang Yuan and Gu Panpan arrived. Gu Panpan, aware of Fang Yuan¡¯s identity, remained silent. The three of them left together. In a corner, an exquisitely dressed girl discreetly took a photo of them with her phone and immediately dialed a number. ¡°Hello, Yuqi, I just spotted the girl who¡¯s trying to lure your fiance. She seems determined to replace you as Eldest Brother¡¯s favorite¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi was taken aback. After careful inquiry, she discovered that Eldest Brother had publicly declared his presence for Fang Yuan today. Hatred surged within her. Why? Eldest Brother had never paid attention to her before. Why was he suddenly so concerned about her? ¡°Yuqi, she¡¯s so arrogant. Aren¡¯t you going to put her in her place? What does she think she¡¯s doing, trying to take your position in the Cheng family?¡± Cheng Yuqi knew that she no longer held any status in the Cheng family. Despite her efforts to please everyone, nobody cared about her. Her various attempts had all ended in failure. Thinking of this, she feigned a sense of grievance. ¡°No matter what, she¡¯s still partially my sister¡­¡± Hearing Cheng Yuqi¡¯s seemingly timid response, Mu Sha became furious. ¡°Cheng Yuqi, you¡¯re a Cheng family member. When have you ever been treated like this? Don¡¯t worry about it. 1¡¯11 handle this little troublemaker!¡± Cheng Yuqi was secretly delighted but cautioned, ¡°Hey, Shasha, don¡¯t go overboard. You¡­¡± The busy tone on the other end of the phone brought a sense of relief to Cheng Yuqi. Mu Sha, accustomed to being indulged by her family, could be quite ruthless. In the past, she had bullied her classmates in school. This time, Fang Yuan wouldn¡¯t be able to escape, right? Cheng Mohan dropped Gu Panpan off at her home before presenting Fang Yuan with a carefully prepared four-leaf clover necklace. ¡°Yuanyuan, this is for you. Open it and see if you like it.¡± Fang Yuan accepted the gift graciously. She took the box and expressed her gratitude, ¡°Thank you, Eldest Brother.¡± Opening the box under Cheng Mohan¡¯s watchful eyes, she found the FY necklace inside. Excellent, she had earned some of Eldest Brother¡¯s money¡­ ¡°You don¡¯t like it?¡± Cheng Mohan questioned, his gaze intense. ¡°No, I like it very much.¡± Fang Yuan replied, looking at Cheng Mohan with an inexplicable sense of grievance. To express her gratitude to Eldest Brother, Fang Yuan wore the necklace around her neck, joining the FY necklace with Cheng Mohan¡¯s gift. Now, there were two necklaces adorning her neck. Observing the second necklace around his sister¡¯s neck, Cheng Mohan felt the weight of the gift was too light. That guy, Bo Yi, was truly generous! However, a smile formed on his face when he saw that Fang Yuan had chosen to wear his necklace. Upon arriving at the entrance of the house, Fang Yuan spotted Bo Yi¡¯s car. ¡°Why are you here?¡± she inquired. Bo Yi retrieved a gift box, similar in style to Cheng Mohan¡¯s, and handed it over. ¡°Congratulations on getting first place in the competition.¡± Fang Yuan responded, ¡°I¡¯m just an assistant¡­¡± Bo Yi opened the box, revealing a crystal-clear pink diamond necklace. ¡°In my heart, you¡¯re the best!¡± Cheng Mohan, who was following closely behind, caught sight of the pink diamond necklace. His eyes turned cold. So, Bo Yi intended to give it to his sister as well. Bo Yi briefly greeted Cheng Mohan, and the three of them entered the Cheng residence together. Upstairs, Cheng Yuqi observed their interaction. Despite having bitten her nails anxiously, she quickly touched up her makeup and descended the stairs. ¡°Eldest Brother, Yi, Sister, you¡¯re back!¡± Cheng Mohan greeted her with a smile, but Bo Yi and Fang Yuan seemingly ignored her as they headed straight to the sofa and took their seats. Of course, Cheng Mohan couldn¡¯t help but notice the awkward atmosphere between the three of them.. Was the relationship between his sister and Yuqi not as amicable as Yuqi had portrayed? Chapter 210 - Chapter 210: His Girl Chapter 210: His Girl Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Qiao Xinhui and Cheng Ye were delighted that their eldest son and younger daughter had their first official meal together. They instructed the chefs to prepare an elaborate feast. The atmosphere at the dining table was harmonious. Cheng Yuqi, aware that Fang Yuan had become someone¡¯s assistant, aimed to embarrass her. She deliberately spoke coquettishly, ¡°Eldest Brother, did you come back with Sister today? Where did you go? You didn¡¯t bring me along!¡± Cheng Mohan¡¯s gaze remained gentle. ¡°I didn¡¯t go out for leisure today. 1 attended a fashion design competition as a judge.¡± ¡°I see. And you, Sister? Did you participate in the competition too? So, you¡¯re into design?¡± Fang Yuan replied indifferently, ¡°I was merely an assistant to the company¡¯s designer, Gu Panpan.¡± As expected, Cheng Yuqi secretly delighted in her assumption. After all, Fang Yuan couldn¡¯t possibly know everything, right? Cheng Mohan clarified, ¡°Even though she was an assistant, she and Designer Gu secured first place in the competition. Additionally, another judge informed me today that Yuanyuan has another name, Yanli.¡± Yanli? Cheng Yuqi didn¡¯t know much about the design industry, but the name sounded familiar. Fang Yuan was shocked. Who had exposed her identity? Bo Yi was equally surprised. ¡°Yuanyuan, you¡¯re Master Yanli?¡± Qiao Xinhui also caught on. ¡°Baby Yuanyuan, are you the founder of FY, Yanli?¡± FY? Cheng Yuqi finally connected the dots. The founder of FY? How was that possible? Cheng Ye smiled. ¡°Girl, is what your Eldest Brother said true?¡± Facing her family¡¯s inquiries, Fang Yuan knew she could no longer hide the truth. She admitted, ¡°Yes, I am. I¡¯m sorry, Dad, Mom. 1 didn¡¯t want to reveal this earlier, so 1 didn¡¯t tell you.¡± Qiao Xinhui was overjoyed. ¡°So those beautiful clothes and jewelry were designed by my precious daughter! My precious daughter, you¡¯re Master Qingyin and Master Yanli. You really make Mom too proud!¡± At the mention of design, Bo Yi realized that Yuanyuan had designed all the presents he had given her. Cheng Mohan asked in surprise, ¡°Master Qingyin?¡± Cheng Ye smiled and said, ¡°Yes, 1 forgot to tell you that your sister is also Master Qingyin.¡± Qiao Xinhui excitedly explained, ¡°We only found out during the piano competition last time¡­¡± Recalling the piano competition, Cheng Mohan realized that Cheng Yuqi had kept quiet about this matter when she mentioned it to him. It seemed that the relationship between his two younger sisters was not very good. Nevertheless, his younger sister was incredibly talented, possessing top-notch management skills, musical talent, and design talent. She was truly outstanding. Fang Yuan listened with a helpless smile as her various identities were exposed one after another. They were really caught off guard! In response to everyone¡¯s words, Bo Yi felt an inexplicable sense of pride. The remarkable Yuanyuan was his girl. He proudly stated, ¡°Uncle, Auntie, Eldest Brother, Yuanyuan knows more than that.¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s expression returned to normal, as if she had grown accustomed to her various identities being revealed. Bo Yi continued, ¡°Back then, it was Yuanyuan who saved my grandfather. She was the chief surgeon who helped him recover. That¡¯s why my grandfather is as healthy as he is now.¡± Everyone was shocked. Cheng Ye exclaimed, ¡°Yuanyuan knows medicine? Her medical skills are so advanced?¡± Qiao Xinhui remarked, ¡°So that¡¯s what you meant when you said that Yuanyuan saved your grandfather!¡± Bo Yi nodded. ¡°Yes, it was then that 1 fell in love with Yuanyuan at first sight. Later, 1 found out that she was a daughter of the Cheng family.¡± Upon hearing these revelations, Cheng Yuqi couldn¡¯t conceal her emotions. Why did she know everything? Bo Yi falling in love with her at first sight? How was that possible? Discovering that she had saved Old Sir Bo explained Bo Yi¡¯s high regard for her and the special treatment from Old Sir Bo. Was she on the verge of losing everything? She deeply regretted asking about the competition¡­ Cheng Mohan looked at Fang Yuan with admiration and affection. ¡°Yuanyuan, you are truly outstanding.¡± Qiao Xinhui was brimming with excitement. She reached for her phone, eager to make a call. ¡°No, this time, we must celebrate with the entire family for Yuanyuan!¡± As she spoke, she prepared to call her sons one by one. Cheng Mohan intervened. ¡°Mom, I¡¯ll make the calls this time.¡± Having already returned home, he understood that they couldn¡¯t be as busy as he was. On the other side. After ending the call, Mu Sha initiated her plan. Without a doubt, she managed to find some ¡°evidence.¡± Grinning as she looked at the stack of photos in her hand, she thought to herself that Fang Yuan was indeed a seductress. She had connections with several men. It seemed she was truly aiming to climb up the social ladder and become a successful woman! While she claimed to be helping Cheng Yuqi vent her anger, it was, in fact, more for her own satisfaction. She loathed Fang Yuan¡¯s captivating appearance, and her dreams of marrying into the Bo Family were shattered. How could she, a countryside vixen, have the audacity to surpass her? Additionally, Cheng Mohan, a highly eligible bachelor, seemed likely to become a part of the Cheng family. Mu Sha couldn¡¯t allow someone like Fang Yuan to get ahead of her. Fueled by these thoughts, she sent the incriminating photos to someone and added a few choice words.. Chapter 211 - Chapter 211: Reincarnation of a Vixen Chapter 211: Reincarnation of a Vixen Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations At 2 a.m., an article titled ¡°Gold Digger, With Pictures and Truth¡± became a trending topic. The article provided a detailed description of the time, place, and various locations where the woman had been seen with different men. Surveillance footage and photos were attached, with Fang Yuan¡¯s face featured prominently. The men, however, had their backs or half of their faces shown. Despite the attempts to conceal their identities, the figures hinted that they were not ordinary men. The photos captured moments of holding hands, arms, kissing, and even a few pixelated bed pictures. As soon as the trending topic surfaced, netizens erupted in a frenzy of comments. [Wow, this face, this waist, and this chest. If it were me, I wouldn¡¯t be able to resist either. I¡¯d give her anything she wants!] [This girl is something else. Why does one of the photos look like Young Master Bo?] [Is she the reincarnation of a vixen? Look at the clothes she¡¯s wearing. It¡¯s quite telling.] [She didn¡¯t spare even the older men. Quite professional!] Various sarcastic comments flooded in, and occasionally, some users tried to defend Fang Yuan. However, under the deliberate influence of certain individuals, these supportive comments vanished without a trace. Among the discussions, the set of photos from a fashion competition garnered the most attention. In these pictures, a man was shown intensely watching a girl on stage. Dressed in a suit and leather shoes, the slender man stood at the entrance of the lounge, seemingly awaiting someone. Subsequent photos depicted the man and the girl engaged in a kiss within the lounge. Many netizens who had attended the fashion competition recognized the man as Cheng Mohan and left comments. [I was there. President Cheng himself stated that he was there for a girl!] [Exactly! I heard him say it, and I even witnessed President Cheng rushing to the lounge after the competition concluded.] [This is too exciting. If 1 had known earlier, 1 would have stayed up later!] Because it was early in the morning, the Cheng family only found out about the situation in the morning. When Fang Yuan woke up and went downstairs, she noticed her parents and Eldest Brother engrossed in a discussion. ¡°Good morning, Dad, Mom, Eldest Brother.¡± The three of them couldn¡¯t help but express their sympathy for her. The moment they saw the article, they knew the content wasn¡¯t true, especially the photo of the kiss. How could Cheng Mohan and his sister¡­ It was too absurd! Remarkable individuals were always the target of envy. Fang Yuan also sensed something amiss and inquired, ¡°Did something happen?¡± Qiao Xinhui stepped forward and gently held her daughter¡¯s hand. ¡°Yuanyuan, take a break for the next few days. Don¡¯t go to the company. Stay at home. Dad, Mom, and Brother will handle everything.¡± Without responding, Fang Yuan glanced at Cheng Mohan. Cheng Mohan handed his phone to Fang Yuan. ¡°Yuanyuan, listen to Mom and take a break at home. Eldest Brother will take care of this matter.¡± Fang Yuan took the phone and examined it. She raised her eyebrows. ¡®These surveillance footage and photos¡­ Looks like they came prepared! Moreover, there are no traces of Photoshop on those photos. They seem quite real and likely produced by AL¡¯ Concerned for her well-being, Qiao Xinhui quickly took back her phone. ¡°My precious daughter, don¡¯t be sad. This matter will be resolved soon.¡± Fang Yuan didn¡¯t say much and nodded. After breakfast, she returned to her room. Given her recent hectic schedule, she treated it as a brief respite. As she pondered, she took out her phone and chatted with Big Blackie and Second Blackie. After a while, Bo Yi hurriedly arrived. The four of them discussed matters in the living room. After an extended conversation, Bo Yi headed upstairs to find Fang Yuan. This was Bo Yi¡¯s first time entering Fang Yuan¡¯s room, and he was filled with excitement. He knocked on Fang Yuan¡¯s door. ¡°Come in!¡± Fang Yuan¡¯s clear voice echoed. Bo Yi pushed the door open and found Fang Yuan lounging against the headboard with her long legs crossed. She was clad in blue-gray pajamas, exuding a laid-back and casual aura. ¡°It¡¯s me, Yuanyuan,¡± Bo Yi¡¯s voice carried a mix of love and concern. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here. Come in.¡± Bo Yi left the door ajar. Given the circumstances and the unfamiliar setting, he didn¡¯t want to attract unnecessary attention. Though he was confident that he would marry Fang Yuan, he didn¡¯t want to jeopardize her reputation. Approaching, Bo Yi embraced her. ¡°Yuanyuan, I¡¯m sorry. 1 didn¡¯t protect you well. I¡¯ll handle this matter.¡± Naturally, he was present in the photos, each depicting moments in Fang Yuan¡¯s company¡ªhugs, kisses, and hand-holding. Fang Yuan responded nonchalantly, ¡°This has nothing to do with you.¡± Bo Yi held her even closer. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about anything. Leave everything to me.¡± Fang Yuan felt her heart warmed, as if no one had ever shielded her like this before. She replied, ¡°Okay.¡± Xiao Cui, who was tidying up, happened to witness this scene. Seeing them embrace, she hurriedly went to Cheng Yuqi¡¯s room and gently knocked on the door. Cheng Yuqi wasn¡¯t an early riser and was still asleep. Since her room was near Fang Yuan¡¯s, Xiao Cui refrained from knocking too loudly or entering directly. Instead, she hurried downstairs to seek Auntie Wang. In the kitchen, Auntie Wang was selecting fruits to prepare juice for Cheng Yuqi. She had also seen the online rumors about Fang Yuan and was about to share the good news when Cheng Yuqi woke up. Upon hearing from Xiao Cui that Bo Yi was in Fang Yuan¡¯s room, and they were seen hugging, the two women were alarmed and hastened straight to Cheng Yuqi¡¯s room. Given their close relationship, barging in was acceptable.. Chapter 212 - Chapter 212: Reversal Chapter 212: Reversal Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Cheng Yuqi was roused from her sleep by Auntie Wang and was clueless about the situation. ¡°What¡¯s going on, Auntie Wang? Why did you wake me up so early?¡± After Auntie Wang explained the situation in a hushed tone, Cheng Yuqi immediately became alert. ¡°Hurry, get me my sexiest pajamas.¡± She hastily got out of bed, applying makeup and fixing her hair before rushing to Fang Yuan¡¯s room. Observing the open door, she felt a bit reassured. Spotting the two holding hands and talking, she controlled her emotions and knocked on the door. ¡°Sister, 1 heard about what happened online. I¡¯m really worried about you. Are you okay? Brother Yi, you¡¯re here too?¡± Fang Yuan smiled, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine.¡± Bo Yi disregarded Cheng Yuqi and gazed at Fang Yuan affectionately. Cheng Yuqi clenched her fists, unsure of what to say. However, she knew she couldn¡¯t leave the two alone. Would she still have a chance if she did? Noticing Cheng Yuqi¡¯s hesitation, Fang Yuan spoke deliberately, ¡°Is there anything else? If not, I¡¯d like to talk to Yi alone.¡± She emphasized the word ¡°alone,¡± curious about how long Cheng Yuqi could maintain her pretense. Bo Yi¡¯s lips curled up at this. His precious Yuanyuan called him Yi. Cheng Yuqi struggled to control her expression. Through gritted teeth, she said, ¡°It¡¯s okay. Then I¡­¡± ¡°Auntie Du is calling for you and Young Master Yi to come downstairs, Miss,¡± Auntie Du interrupted, appearing just in time to summon Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan nodded, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go down now.¡± Hearing this, Cheng Yuqi breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Then, Sister, I¡¯ll go down.¡± As Cheng Yuqi departed, Bo Yi inquired, ¡°Yuanyuan, any thoughts on who might be behind this?¡± Fang Yuan smiled, ¡°Who could it be? The truth will be revealed soon.¡± After descending the stairs, Cheng Ye outlined the plan they had devised to Fang Yuan. Their strategy involved first unveiling Fang Yuan¡¯s true identity as a member of the Cheng family and subsequently holding accountable those responsible for spreading the false rumors. The analyzed photos, while lacking obvious signs of manipulation, had a critical flaw¡ªthe relationship between Cheng Mohan and Fang Yuan. By revealing their identities, they believed the situation would naturally resolve itself. Bo Yi¡¯s involvement, especially if they announced Fang Yuan as his fiancee, would further reinforce their stance. Bo Yi, holding Fang Yuan¡¯s hand, asked, ¡°Yuanyuan, are you willing to announce our relationship?¡± Initially hesitant due to potential inconveniences, Fang Yuan acquiesced, ¡°I have no objections. Let¡¯s do this.¡± Qiao Xinhui, observing the affection between the two, expressed her joy, ¡°Yuanyuan, it¡¯s time for everyone to know your true identity. My precious daughter, you¡¯ve suffered during this period.¡± Cheng Yuqi, standing silently on the sidelines, sensed the calculated nature of their decision. The timing of revealing Fang Yuan¡¯s identity left her with no room to object. She couldn¡¯t help but feel that Mu Sha¡¯s involvement had only added to the chaos. The Cheng Corporation promptly issued an announcement, disclosing Fang Yuan¡¯s identity and sending legal notices to several verified accounts to hold them responsible. However, they deliberately refrained from addressing the issue of reporting the wrong child. Simultaneously, the Bo Corporation publicized the news of Fang Yuan and Bo Yi¡¯s upcoming engagement. The online troll activities were swiftly curtailed, resulting in a return to normalcy in the comments section. Gradually, voices in support of Fang Yuan began to emerge. [She¡¯s the general manager of our company. We didn¡¯t know that she was the daughter of the Cheng family. She¡¯s really beautiful, kind, and low-key!] [That¡¯s right. 1 was her junior high school classmate. Her grades are very good, and she¡¯s a good person. Although she didn¡¯t grow up in the Cheng family, she¡¯s also multi-talented.] [I¡¯m the front desk of XX Hotel. This young lady came to the hotel with an old man, but she called him Grandpa! What¡¯s wrong with this world? Must men and women have an affair when they walk together? What worldview! ] [That¡¯s right. We misunderstood Fang Yuan and President Cheng¡¯s relationship at that time. Although President Cheng did go to the lounge, they came out together! And the photo is not the lounge of our competition!] There was also the true appearance of the lounge of the fashion competition. After a day of proactive efforts, the online narrative had undergone a complete transformation. Additionally, Bo Yi had reviewed the surveillance footage from the competition day, successfully identifying the suspect, Mu Sha. Mu Sha, closely monitoring the unfolding events on the Internet, realized her miscalculations. While she had obtained the photos through hired means, she had neglected to remove her traces from the fashion competition. Moreover, she never anticipated that the distant relative Cheng Yuqi mentioned would turn out to be the actual daughter of the Cheng family. As Fang Yuan¡¯s true identity became public, Mu Sha desperately tried to reach Cheng Yuqi but was unable to get through. Frustrated, she vented her anger by smashing objects in her room. However, her actions did not go unnoticed, and the police soon arrived to take her into custody.. Chapter 213 - Chapter 213: Final Fight Chapter 213: Final Fight Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Knowing that the culprit was Cheng Yuqi¡¯s best friend, the Cheng family did not look too good. ¡°Yuqi, what¡¯s going on? Why was Mu Sha targeting Yuanyuan?¡± Cheng Yuqi looked innocent. ¡°Dad, Mom, I really didn¡¯t know about this. I know that Mu Sha is a little domineering, but I really didn¡¯t know that she would do such a thing. You have to believe me¡­¡± Cheng Mohan¡¯s expression did not look too good either. ¡°Yuqi, you¡¯re making bad friends.¡± Cheng Yuqi lowered her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Eldest Brother. I¡¯ll cut ties with her.¡± Although everyone knew that Mu Sha and Cheng Yuqi had a good relationship, they did not find out that this matter had anything to do with Cheng Yuqi, so they were just educating her. However, Cheng Yuqi did not think so. She had never been questioned like this since she was young. There was really no place for her in this family¡­ As the engagement had already been announced, Bo Yi took the opportunity to suggest staying in the Cheng family¡¯s house. Of course, he would not stay in the same room as Fang Yuan. The Cheng family did not have any objections. At night, the two of them stayed in Fang Yuan¡¯s room for a while before Bo Yi returned to the guest room. Cheng Yuqi could not fall asleep for a long time. Bo Yi was at her house, only a few rooms away. If she missed this opportunity, she would never have another chance. Just as she was hesitating about what to do, Auntie Wang arrived. ¡°Lady Yuqi, give this glass of milk to Young Master Bo.¡± Seeing the determination in Auntie Wang¡¯s eyes, Cheng Yuqi seemed to understand something. ¡°Auntie Wang, inside¡­¡± ¡°Shh, Lady Yuqi, you don¡¯t know anything. Just do it.¡± Cheng Yuqi understood and said sincerely to Auntie Wang, ¡°Thank you, Auntie Wang.¡± She took the glass of milk to Bo Yi¡¯s room and knocked on the door without saying anything. She was afraid that Bo Yi would not open the door if she spoke. Sure enough, after knocking for a while, Bo Yi opened the door. When he saw that it was Cheng Yuqi, his gaze turned cold. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Cheng Yuqi smiled gently and said, ¡°Brother Yi, I¡¯m here to bring you hot milk. Drink it while it¡¯s hot.¡± He did not take it. ¡°1 don¡¯t drink milk.¡± With that, he closed the door. Cheng Yuqi was stunned. She did not expect Bo Yi to be so cold to her now. She returned to her room in disappointment. ¡°Auntie Wang, this won¡¯t work. He¡¯s wary of me.¡± Auntie Wang took out something from her pocket and stuffed it into Cheng Yuqi¡¯s hand. ¡°Lady Yuqi, wait in the room. When I come back, knock on the door. If there¡¯s no sound inside, use this key to open the door. This is our last chance.¡± Cheng Yuqi was delighted. So this was the real opportunity. An hour later, Auntie Wang sneaked into Bo Yi¡¯s room and stuffed something under the door. Bo Yi was chatting with Fang Yuan on the bed and did not sleep at all. The rustling at the door immediately attracted his attention. Under the moonlight, yellow smoke rose from the door. Bo Yi was shocked and immediately covered his mouth and nose with the pillow beside his hand. He quickly retreated to the window. He did not make a sound but secretly opened a crack in the window and hid behind the curtain to see who was doing it. He did not forget to soak the pillowcase in water, afraid that he would really inhale an unknown gas. Sure enough, half an hour later, someone knocked lightly on the door, but Bo Yi did not respond. After a while, the locked door was twisted. Clearly, someone had used a key to open it. This person did not turn on the lights. She walked towards the bed in the dark. Just as she reached the bed, the balcony lights suddenly lit up. Bo Yi walked out from behind the curtains with a cold expression. ¡°It really is you. Cheng Yuqi, what are you trying to do?¡± He could not believe that she dared to attack the Cheng family. If he did not realize that his innocence had been ruined, how could he face Yuanyuan? Cheng Yuqi saw that the matter had fallen apart and immediately rushed to Bo Yi. ¡°Brother Yi, it¡¯s not like that. I was worried that something would happen to you because you didn¡¯t open the door¡­¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Bo Yi interrupted her. ¡°Let Uncle and Auntie judge.¡± ¡°No, please, Brother Yi!¡± Ignoring Cheng Yuqi¡¯s plea, Bo Yi called Cheng Ye¡¯s phone. ¡°Uncle, I¡¯m sorry to disturb your rest. There¡¯s something upstairs that requires you to come up.¡± When Fang Yuan heard the sound and came out, she saw this scene. Cheng Yuqi fell onto Bo Yi¡¯s bed and cried. Bo Yi stood at the window from afar with a dark expression. Her parents and brother did not look good either. When they saw her coming, they looked guilty. ¡°Yuanyuan¡­¡± Qiao Xinhui held Fang Yuan¡¯s hand guiltily. Cheng Ye said angrily, ¡°Yuqi, he¡¯s your sister¡¯s fiance. How can you¡­¡± Cheng Mohan was also disappointed. ¡°Yuqi, you¡¯ve been a sensible child since you were young. You shouldn¡¯t be so muddle-headed.¡± Cheng Yuqi panicked. ¡°Dad, Mom, it¡¯s not like that. I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Fang Yuan sniffed the room and looked at the powder under the door. ¡°Aphrodisiac Fragrance. It has the effect of aphrodisiac and knocks people out. The concentration is not low. Where did you get this?¡± Cheng Yuqi quickly denied it. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me. I didn¡¯t¡­¡± At this moment, Auntie Wang suddenly entered the room and knelt on the ground. ¡°Old Master, Madam, 1 did all of this. Lady Yuqi doesn¡¯t know anything.¡± Qiao Xinhui was in disbelief. ¡°It¡¯s you? But why did you do it?¡± Auntie Wang did not regret it at all. ¡°Lady Yuqi is sincere to Young Master Bo. The two of them were childhood sweethearts and should have been together.¡± After saying that, she did not forget to glare fiercely at Fang Yuan.. Chapter 214 - Chapter 214: Only You for Rest of My Life Chapter 214: Only You for Rest of My Life Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations Fang Yuan curled her lips. ¡°So, you believe that becoming someone¡¯s wife involves drugging people? If Cheng Yuqi desires to be the President¡¯s wife, can you also drug the President?¡± Auntie Wang stopped pretending. ¡°Miss Fang Yuan, there¡¯s no need for sarcasm. You were the one who supposedly snatched Lady Yuqi¡¯s fiance. If it weren¡¯t for you, Lady Yuqi would have been the Young Madam of the Bo family long ago.¡± Bo Yi¡¯s gaze turned cold. ¡°I don¡¯t know since when the Young Madam of my family is decided by a servant like you!¡± Auntie Wang trembled, yet she still appeared to be sacrificing herself for justice. ¡°Anyway, 1 did everything. Lady Yuqi doesn¡¯t know anything. I asked her to come to Young Master Bo¡¯s room to take a look.¡± Cheng Ye was furious. ¡°Auntie Wang, you¡¯ve worked for the Cheng family for 18 years. When has the Cheng family ever mistreated you?¡± Auntie Wang said, ¡°Old Master, Madam, 1 will never forget your kindness to me for the rest of my life. 1 was wrong today. You can punish me however you want, but please don¡¯t take your anger out on Lady Yuqi. She is innocent.¡± Fang Yuan clapped her hands. ¡°What an interesting mother-daughter relationship.¡± Auntie Wang¡¯s expression changed. ¡°Miss Fang Yuan must be confused. What mother and daughter?¡± The others were stunned as well. Qiao Xinhui asked, ¡°Yuanyuan, what do you mean by that? Who¡¯s mother and daughter?¡± Fang Yuan said indifferently, ¡°Dad, Mom, 1 originally wanted to tell you about this after everything was confirmed, but it¡¯s obvious that we can¡¯t hide it now.¡± As she spoke, she slowly revealed, ¡°Auntie Wang¡¯s original name is Wang Cuihua. She was born in Sanhe Town and later married into the Li Family Village next door. Her household register was also moved there. After she got married, her husband lost all his money gambling and ran away, owing money to loan sharks. She was pregnant and was afraid that loan sharks would come looking for her, so she returned to her family. The child born in Sanhe Town¡¯s health hospital 18 years ago has been missing ever since.¡± When they heard about Sanhe Hospital, Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui widened their eyes in shock. ¡°Yuanyuan, you mean¡­¡± Fang Yuan continued, ¡°That¡¯s right. Back then, Wang Cuihua was instructed by someone to exchange for the child. Then, she found the Cheng family to apply for a job and used a different method to accompany her child. The person who instructed her originally wanted to teach this child through Wang Cuihua and obtain the Cheng family¡¯s assets in disguise, but an accident happened in the middle.¡± As she spoke, she looked at Cheng Mohan. Cheng Mohan also remembered. ¡°The Han family?¡± Fang Yuan nodded. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s the Han family. They originally planned well, but an accident happened in the middle. The Han couple died in a car accident. In addition, after Eldest Brother took over the Cheng family, he suppressed the Han family, causing the Han family to completely decline. This matter was left unsettled. However, Wang Cuihua has been working in the Cheng family for 18 years.¡± Hearing this, Cheng Yuqi was the first to be unable to accept it. She stumbled to her feet and rushed to Wang Cuihua. ¡°That¡¯s impossible. Tell me quickly. How can 1 be your daughter?¡± Her parents were unknown, and she could not be the Cheng family¡¯s biological daughter, but how could she be the daughter of a nanny? Wang Cuihua refused to let go. ¡°Miss Fang Yuan really knows how to make up stories¡­¡± Fang Yuan smiled. ¡°Don¡¯t be anxious. Won¡¯t you know everything after a DNA test?¡± Hearing this, Wang Cuihua panicked. She struggled and wanted to run, but she was pressed to the ground by the bodyguards. Wang Cuihua and Cheng Yuqi¡¯s blood samples were quickly sent to the DNA testing center. The three hours of waiting were abnormally long, but neither of them was sleepy. Instead, they quietly waited for the results. Cheng Ye¡¯s phone rang. He picked it up with a trembling voice. ¡°Hello, this is Cheng Ye¡­ Okay, I understand.¡± After hanging up, everyone looked at Cheng Ye. He sighed and said, ¡°It¡¯s confirmed that they are mother and daughter¡­¡± Cheng Yuqi fell to the ground, her eyes completely devoid of light. She was finished. Because of the drug, Wang Cuihua was arrested. In the end, Cheng Ye and Qiao Xinhui couldn¡¯t bear to let her go to jail too. In the end, they sent Chen Yuqi out of the country and told her never to come back. Originally, she could at least marry into a good family as the daughter of the Cheng family and have the Cheng family as her backing, but now, she had caused it to disappear. The fact that she was the nanny¡¯s daughter wasn¡¯t announced in the end. It could be considered as leaving her the last bit of dignity and restraining her so that she wouldn¡¯t come back to cause trouble in the future. A few days later, the Cheng family was unusually lively. All of Fang Yuan¡¯s brothers had gone home. They did not have much feelings for Cheng Yuqi, but they did not expect their sister, who had been pampered by her parents since she was young, to have so many crooked thoughts. For a moment, they felt a little emotional, but it was quickly washed away by shock. ¡°What? Sister is Master Yanli? FY¡¯s founder, Sister, can you specially design one for Second Brother?¡± This was the second brother of the editor-in-chief of the fashion magazine, Cheng Feifan. ¡°What? Sister can perform such a precise heart surgery?¡± This was his third brother, Cheng Xueyi, who was still in medical school. ¡°What? Sister took over the clothing company at home?¡± This was the fourth brother of the global travel blogger, Cheng Yurun. ¡°What? Sister is Master Qingyin? Master Qingyin, who refuses to compose for me for 100,000 yuan per word?¡± This was fifth brother Cheng Xichen. In just one day, the four brothers were conquered by their biological sister. Two days later, the Cheng and Bo families held a joint banquet. One purpose was to introduce Fang Yuan to her family and circle, and the other was to celebrate Fang Yuan and Bo Yi¡¯s engagement. On the stage, Bo Yi held Fang Yuan¡¯s hand and slid the engagement ring onto her finger. ¡°Yuanyuan, from the first day 1 saw you, I knew that i only wanted you for the rest of my life.¡± Fang Yuan smiled sweetly and replied, ¡°If you always treat me so well like this, I won¡¯t let you down in this life.¡± The end of the entire story..