Zhao Xiaotian's face shifted between rage and humiliation. Though seething with indignation, he dared not raise his head or utter a word. There was no choice—Ye Chu was not someone he could provoke.
Finding the scene tedious, Ye Chu waved his hand dismissively. "Go. And remember today's lesson—he who humiliates others shall himself be humbled."
Zhao Xiaotian did not dare reply. He turned swiftly and fled.
"Brother Tian, wait for me!" Wang Yingying rushed after him, only to be kicked viciously aside.
"Wretch! This is all your fault—get lost!" he snarled, wishing he could kill her outright. Were it not for Wang Yingying, how could he have offended Ye Chu?
Wang Yingying's heart filled with regret, but it was far too late. In the end, she too was dismissed by Zhuge Zheya.
"Does this satisfy you, Sister Jingxuan?" Zhuge Zheya asked softly.
Li Jingxuan's gaze turned toward Ye Chu. The latter inclined his head. "My thanks to Madam Huang for intervening."
She waved her hand lightly. "A trifling matter—Divine Doctor Ye, think nothing of it."
Ye Chu nodded, then asked Zhang Xiaoli to pack the clothes. He settled the bill with the Jiangnan Dragon Card. Swiftly, Zhang Xiaoli returned with several large bags. Sun Yurou accepted them gratefully.
"Thank you."
The young woman bowed. "No need for thanks, miss. This is my duty."
Abruptly, Zhuge Zheya spoke. "What is your name?"
Startled, Zhang Xiaoli nonetheless answered with deference. "Director, my name is Zhang Xiaoli."
"You performed well," Zhuge Zheya said coolly. "From now on, you shall serve as manager of this store."
For a moment, Zhang Xiaoli stood frozen, then, suppressing her excitement, bowed deeply. "Thank you, Director, for your trust."
"Work diligently," came the brief reply. With that, the group departed.
"Divine Doctor Ye, where do you go next? Shall we give you a ride?" Li Jingxuan inquired.
Ye Chu nodded. "Then I must trouble you."
They descended to the underground garage, where a sleek black Rolls-Royce awaited. The car glided onto the road, bound for Sun Yurou's residence.
Inside, silence reigned. Ye Chu knew only Li Jingxuan, and not well at that, so he leaned back and closed his eyes to rest. Sun Yurou dared not speak a word, fearful of saying something amiss. Even Li Jingxuan, though eager to converse, refrained from disturbing his quiet.
At last, Zhuge Zheya in the passenger seat could no longer restrain herself. She turned, her eyes tinged with skepticism. "I hear your medical skills are extraordinary?"
On the way, Li Jingxuan had already recounted the day's events. At the mention of such uncanny things as gu worms, Zhuge Zheya had naturally harbored disbelief. Seeing Ye Chu's youthful face only deepened her doubt.
Ye Chu opened his eyes and caught the flicker of suspicion. A faint smile touched his lips. "Extraordinary? Hardly. I merely know a little." His gaze fell on her. "For instance, your menstrual cycle is irregular, your internal fire excessive, and your endocrine system in disorder. These, at least, I can perceive."
A hush fell over the car. Crimson blossomed across Zhuge Zheya's cheeks, fury and embarrassment warring within. Scoundrel! she cursed inwardly.
"You speak nonsense! I have no such ailments," she snapped, glaring before turning away.
Yet her guilty tone betrayed her. The other women exchanged glances—they could all see Ye Chu had struck true. Sun Yurou stared at him in astonishment, her lips parted. He seemed ever more inscrutable: formidable in combat, acquainted with the Mayor's wife, and now a physician as well.
Soon, the car halted outside Sun Yurou's modest apartment complex.
"Madam Huang, my thanks. Should you need me, do not hesitate to call." Ye Chu stepped out, bowing politely.
"You are too courteous, Divine Doctor Ye," Li Jingxuan replied, though her eyes shone with quiet satisfaction. This was precisely the acknowledgment she had hoped for.
As the Rolls-Royce departed, Ye Chu and Sun Yurou walked toward the dilapidated buildings. At the base of one, she turned, her eyes soft with gratitude.
"Ye Chu, thank you for everything tonight. It still feels unreal."
He smiled lightly. "No need for thanks—we're old classmates. Now hurry inside, lest your mother worry."
Reluctantly, Sun Yurou nodded and ascended the stairs. Ye Chu watched her disappear, then turned and hailed a taxi bound for the Jiang estate.
Meanwhile, Sun Yurou entered her home to find Sun Xiuying waiting with dinner prepared. At the sight of the expensive clothes, recognition flashed in her eyes, and her face darkened.
"Who bought you all these?"
Sensing her mother's disapproval, Sun Yurou hastily replied, "I bought them myself."
"Still lying? These are worth tens of thousands. Tell me, where did you get such money?"
Unable to answer, Sun Yurou finally confessed the evening's events.
"Mother, if not for Brother Ye, I would not have come home at all tonight."
But far from grateful, Sun Xiuying grew angrier.
"Did you not tell me that man is married? Perhaps this was all a ploy of his own design—to gain your favor."
"Mother, don't speak so unjustly! Brother Ye is not that kind of man," Sun Yurou protested.
"Hmph. Who can truly know another's heart? Best you keep your distance from him."
"Brother Ye saved us before—how can you say that?" Sun Yurou cried, storming into her room in indignation.
At that same time, Ye Chu's taxi reached the Jiang family villa. The moment he stepped inside, Jiang Haiyun's furious voice lashed at him.
"So you finally remember to come home? Look at the hour! Barely married and already wandering late into the night—shall we expect you to never return at all?"
"Enough. Xiao Chu must have been busy with work," Han Mengjuan chided her husband before turning toward Ye Chu with a warm smile.
"Son-in-law, you truly impressed me. The White Wolf Security Company—those ruffians had owed us for years. We sent countless people, all in vain. Yet you managed it in one day."
The financial reports earlier had astonished her. Not only had the debt been repaid, but with interest added.
Ye Chu remained modest. "Mother, you flatter me. It was only good fortune."
"Good fortune? Hardly. Many tried before you and failed," Han Mengjuan insisted.
"Hah," Jiang Haiyun scoffed. "Blind luck! Perhaps they had already decided to pay and he merely stumbled upon it."
Ignoring her husband's bitterness, Han Mengjuan continued with care. "Son-in-law, have you eaten? If not, I'll have the maid prepare something."
"No need, Mother. I've already eaten."
As they spoke, Jiang Junyao entered. Jiang Haiyun hurried forward, face full of concern. "Junyao, you've only just recovered. Don't overwork yourself—your health must come first."
The contrast in tone was stark. Han Mengjuan too asked gently, "How fares the company, Junyao?"
Her brows furrowed. "The main branch has seized control. Our collaboration with the Huangfu family has been taken as well. To win them back will demand great effort."
For days she had sought ways to reconnect with the Huangfus, but results were meager. In the past, with her ability and the Jiang Group's vast resources, she had secured the partnership. Now, with her funds limited and power curtailed, the task was near impossible—unless she claimed the presidency of the Jiang Group itself, a feat equally arduous.
At her words, both Jiang Haiyun and Han Mengjuan looked grim. After a moment, Han Mengjuan sighed. "Junyao, your grandfather has always favored the main branch. Perhaps we should cease the struggle. Sell the shares, focus on Yunmeng Pharmaceuticals. Though smaller, it is worth billions. With your talent, you could still achieve greatness."
But Jiang Junyao shook her head, her voice ringing with unshakable resolve.
"No. I will reclaim what is rightfully mine."