Dongmei shot Ye Chu a glare before hastily dressing Huangfu Shiyue in fresh clothes.
Once properly arranged, Huangfu Shiyue turned to Ye Chu once more. "Mr. Ye, I owe you my life today. Allow me to first deal with matters here, and afterward I shall host a banquet to properly thank you."
Ye Chu replied with modest courtesy. "Miss Huangfu, you are too gracious."
Huangfu Shiyue instructed Dongmei to summon Bald Li.
He entered, trembling with fear. "Miss Huangfu, it was that bastard Sima Cai who forced us to harm you. We had no choice—please, show mercy."
Huangfu Shiyue let out a cold snort, a frosty aura emanating from her. "Tell me—who is the traitor within the Huangfu family?"
Bald Li turned deathly pale, not daring to conceal the truth. "It was Huangfu Jie."
Her face darkened. "As expected."
"I shall not pursue the matter this time, but within a week you must vacate this place. Should you dare stir trouble again, the White Wolf Society will be eradicated."
Bald Li bobbed his head in terror.
"Mr. Ye, please." Huangfu Shiyue gestured invitingly.
"Wait a moment." Ye Chu lifted a hand and turned to Bald Li. "Baldy, isn't it time you settled the outstanding debt you owe the Jiang family?"
Bald Li froze—so this was all about collecting money?
When had the Jiang family produced such a fearsome figure?
He dared not hesitate and transferred the money immediately.
He was well aware of this debt—Jiang family had already sent people several times.
"Big brother, I recall owing a bit over five-point-eight million. I'll give you six million."
He only wished to appease this star of misfortune and see him gone.
"Six million? Are you trying to feed a beggar?" Ye Chu's face darkened. "It's been so long—do you not intend to pay interest?"
Bald Li swallowed hard, nodding obsequiously. "Big brother, you… you name the price."
Ye Chu extended five fingers. "Fifty million."
Bald Li nearly collapsed.
The interest alone was tenfold—worse than any usurer.
Who exactly was the true underworld here—him, or this man?
Ye Chu arched a brow. "Unwilling to pay?"
Bald Li shook his head furiously. "Dare not! I'll transfer it at once!"
"Send the six million to the Jiang family's company account," Ye Chu said indifferently. "The rest, transfer to me."
Bald Li silently cursed—so this was about lining his own pockets.
Unfair, yes—but what could he do against such strength?
Once the transfer was complete, Ye Chu descended with the two women.
He had intended to leave, but could not resist Huangfu Shiyue's personal invitation, so he entered her Bentley.
"Mr. Ye, are you a native of Jiangdu?" she asked curiously.
Before coming, she had investigated Jiangdu's power structure—she had never heard of a man like Ye Chu.
Perhaps he was from elsewhere?
Ye Chu nodded slightly. "Miss Huangfu, there's no need for formality. Just call me by my name."
Having someone older than him calling him "Mr. Ye" felt somewhat awkward.
"Mr. Ye, you are my savior—how could I be so casual?" she replied, waving a hand.
Seeing Ye Chu's faintly helpless expression, she considered for a moment.
"Since fate has brought us together, why not this—I am a few years your elder. Allow me to take you as a younger brother."
Ye Chu's eyes brightened—sworn siblings, just as he liked.
"Of course," he said with a smile. "But may I know my elder sister's name?"
Huangfu Shiyue's lips curved into a graceful smile. "Huangfu Shiyue. You may call me Sister Shiyue from now on."
At the wheel, Dongmei was astonished.
It was the first time she had seen her lady show such warmth toward any man.
The Bentley first stopped at a mall, where Huangfu Shiyue changed into a fresh set of clothes, before heading to a famed restaurant.
Jianghuai Pavilion—the finest establishment in Jiangdu—where even the simplest meal cost several thousand.
As the three entered the lobby, a server hurried over to greet them warmly.
Dongmei produced the reservation slip. "The Emperor's Pavilion. We booked it in advance."
The server's eyes widened, his tone instantly more respectful. "Honored guests, please, this way."
Moments after they had gone upstairs, four young men and women strolled into the lobby.
The floor manager spotted them at once and hastened forward.
"Young Master Qin, please, come in. What delicacies shall we prepare for you today?"
One of the young men waved a hand imperiously. "Today I am hosting distinguished guests—take me to the Emperor's Pavilion."
"Of course, of course. Please, Young Master Qin."
Just then, the server who had escorted Ye Chu upstairs rushed over in a fluster. "Manager Li—the Emperor's Pavilion has already been reserved. The guests just went up."
Manager Li frowned. "Who are they?"
The server shook his head. "I don't know them—they booked online."
Seeing the whispered conversation, Qin Dongyang's face darkened. "Manager Li, is there a problem?"
Manager Li explained carefully, "Young Master Qin, some guests have already reserved the pavilion. If you wait a moment, I shall speak to them."
"Very well," Qin Dongyang said coolly. "Lead the way."
They soon arrived outside the luxurious private room at the top floor.
"Please wait here, Young Master Qin."
Manager Li stepped inside. Huangfu Shiyue, who had just sat down, frowned slightly.
"What is it?"
Manager Li smiled politely. "Honored guests, the restaurant has just received several very distinguished patrons. Might I trouble you to exchange rooms?"
Huangfu Shiyue's expression turned cold. "No."
Manager Li froze, startled that she would so bluntly refuse.
He forced a smile. "Honored guests, it is Young Master Qin himself outside. Might you grant this courtesy?"
Huangfu Shiyue's face grew even colder.
Dongmei slammed a palm onto the table, shouting, "Get out at once—or we'll smash this place to pieces!"
Manager Li's expression hardened. "Very well. If you refuse, don't regret it later."
The three within seemed extraordinary, but surely they could not compare to Young Master Qin.
Manager Li knew nearly every powerful figure in Jiangdu—and he had never seen these three.
Exiting the pavilion, he reported angrily, "Young Master Qin, I did my best to reason with them, but they refuse to give up the room."
"Heh. Seems your reputation in Jiangdu is overrated," sneered a dark-skinned youth.
Qin Dongyang's face turned stormy. "Hmph. I shall see which blind fools dare disrespect me."
He shoved open the door and swept a contemptuous gaze over the trio within.
When his eyes landed on Huangfu Shiyue, they lit up—such beauty was rarely encountered.
Then his gaze shifted to Ye Chu, and mockery curled his lips.
"Well, well. If it isn't the Jiang family's live-in son-in-law."
"You marry Miss Jiang and still aren't satisfied? Now you dare philander outside?"
Ye Chu's expression chilled. "And what business is that of yours?"
Qin Dongyang's face sank, then twisted into a mocking grin. "Ah, I see. You worthless wretch can't even touch Miss Jiang, so you sneak out to fool around."
"After all, if not for sheer dumb luck, a piece of trash like you could never have married her—she wouldn't even spare you a glance."
He then turned to Huangfu Shiyue, smiling slyly. "Beauty, this man is a useless ex-convict. Don't let him deceive you."
"My affairs need no guidance from you," Huangfu Shiyue replied coolly.
"Oh? A feisty one." Qin Dongyang licked his lips. "A woman like you is wasted on this worthless man. Come with me instead."
At that moment, the others entered the room.
Another youth, catching sight of Shiyue's stunning beauty, brightened immediately.
"Brother Qin, who is this exquisite lady?"
Qin Dongyang chuckled. "Likely some minor internet celebrity. She can't be anyone important if she's with this piece of trash."
He pointed at Ye Chu. "This is the so-called son-in-law of the Jiang family everyone in Jiangdu has been gossiping about."
Zhao Sen shot Ye Chu a contemptuous glance before fixing a heated stare on Shiyue.
"Beauty, be my girlfriend. I'll give you a million a month."
…