Ye Yichen's eyes flickered as he quickly spoke.
"Simple. Just help me arrange a meeting with Miss Jiang. Father wishes to see her. As long as it succeeds, the Ye family will ensure you are well rewarded."
Originally, Ye Chu only intended to mock him, but his thoughts suddenly shifted.
"Don't just make empty promises. If there are benefits, put them on the table."
Ye Yichen faltered, his expression turning slightly awkward.
"What is it you want?"
Ye Chu tilted his head in contemplation before replying lightly.
"Cash. After all, there's nothing in your Ye family that catches my eye."
Hmph, what arrogance… Ye Yichen sneered inwardly, though outwardly he asked,
"How much do you want?"
Ye Chu raised a single finger.
"Let's say… a hundred million. Consider it a token of sincerity."
Ye Yichen's face froze, his voice sinking.
"Ye Chu, don't go too far."
A hundred million, and he dares call it a mere 'token'? Outrageous.
Ye Chu arched a brow.
"What, the illustrious Ye family cannot even produce such a sum?"
Ye Yichen was momentarily at a loss. Naturally, the Ye family could easily produce that amount, but to hand it over to Ye Chu so casually—it was hardly worth it.
At this moment, Ye Tiancheng interjected,
"A hundred million is far too much. Business has been bleak of late, and liquid funds are scarce. At most, five million."
"Five million?" Ye Chu gave him a sideways glance.
"Are you trying to brush me off like a beggar?"
Ye Tiancheng's mouth twitched, teeth gritting.
"Eight million."
"Eighty million. Not a coin less."
"Ten million. Not a coin more."
"Forty million."
"Fifteen million."
"Thirty million."
The veins on Ye Tiancheng's forehead throbbed as he forced down his anger.
"Twenty million. That is my final offer—don't get greedy."
Ye Yichen hastily added,
"Ye Chu, we are family after all. Be reasonable."
Ye Chu considered a moment, then nodded with a faint smile.
"You're right. For the sake of family ties, twenty million it is."
He immediately reported his account number, and Ye Tiancheng, without hesitation, transferred the money.
When the confirmation arrived, delight flashed in Ye Chu's eyes.
Another twenty million in the pocket—how exhilarating.
"The money's been sent. Go and handle the matter. I need to meet Miss Jiang as soon as possible," Ye Tiancheng instructed in a low tone.
"Rest assured, just wait." Ye Chu agreed on the surface, but in his heart he sneered—Wait all you like.
"By the way, is there any other information you've kept from me?" Ye Chu suddenly asked.
Ye Tiancheng's face stiffened slightly before he shook his head.
"No, I must have remembered wrong."
Damn it, I knew it. Ye Chu cursed inwardly, then turned and left the Ye residence.
Watching him depart so decisively, Xie Yushan frowned in concern.
"Tiancheng, could that boy take the money and do nothing?"
"He wouldn't dare." Ye Tiancheng's brows arched. Yet recalling Ye Chu's recent audacity, he couldn't be so sure. His gaze shifted to Su Wanshan.
"Mr. Su, I heard you have a senior brother?"
Su Wanshan nodded.
"Indeed. My brother serves the Yun family."
At the mention of the Yun family, all three men's faces grew somewhat uneasy.
Ye Tiancheng asked again,
"And what is your brother's strength?"
Su Wanshan instantly understood his intent and smiled.
"Rest assured, Patriarch. My brother, Feng Hansan, is a cultivator at the eighth level of Body Tempering. His Eagle Claw technique is superb, his power vastly exceeding mine. Dealing with that boy would be effortless for him."
Ye Tiancheng's eyes lit up.
"Then I must trouble you to make an introduction. If that brat dares play tricks, we may need your brother's intervention."
"Worry not." Su Wanshan patted his chest confidently.
"I'll contact him at once. If there's news, you'll be the first to know."
After leaving the Ye household, Ye Chu sought a secluded place to refine medicine. Refining demanded silence and freedom from disturbance. Returning to the Jiang estate was impossible—if Jiang Haiyun caught him, the household would be thrown into chaos again.
After some thought, Ye Chu pulled out his phone and dialed Huangfu Shiyue.
"Little brother, what makes you think of calling your sister today?" Her sultry, melodious voice drifted through the receiver.
Ye Chu felt a subtle itch in his heart. This woman… truly bewitching.
"Shiyue-jie, is your place spacious? I'd like to borrow a room."
He briefly explained about his alchemy.
"My place is more than spacious. Do whatever you wish here."
The alluring voice caressed his ears, and Ye Chu's heart itched all the more. He almost wanted to ask, Anything at all?
After ending the call, Ye Chu followed the location she sent and hailed a cab.
Soon he arrived at a luxurious villa district. From afar, he saw a familiar figure waiting at the gate—Dongmei.
Ye Chu waved. She rolled her eyes.
"Come with me."
She led him into the district, and before long, they reached a sprawling two-story villa. With its wide grounds, gardens on all sides, and lavish decor, it exuded wealth.
Inside, Huangfu Shiyue sat gracefully on a sofa, papers in hand.
Today, she wore a black camisole home dress. Snow-white shoulders gleamed under the light, a slender neck descending into a breathtakingly tempting valley. Her long, flawless legs crossed elegantly, alabaster skin glowing like jade beneath the sun, radiating allure.
This day, Huangfu Shiyue shed her usual air of competence and severity, appearing instead with a languid, seductive charm.
At the sound of footsteps, she turned, and when her eyes fell upon Ye Chu, her face lit up with delight.
"Little brother, you've come."
She rose to greet him. A delicate fragrance enveloped him, while generous expanses of snowy skin danced before his eyes.
Ye Chu discreetly shifted his gaze aside, blood surging uncontrollably.
Noticing his discomfort, Huangfu Shiyue's beautiful eyes glimmered with teasing mischief.
"Tell me, little brother, what sort of medicine are you planning to refine?"
Her expression brimmed with curiosity. The notion of alchemy—something she had only ever seen in books or television—being real, and practiced by someone she knew, astounded her.
"Some detoxification pills and strength-enhancing elixirs," Ye Chu explained.
Her eyes lit up.
"Elixirs can enhance strength?"
"Of course," Ye Chu nodded, speaking with implication.
"Especially for those on the verge of a breakthrough—it hastens the process."
At this, Huangfu Shiyue's face brightened with joy. Ever since using Ye Chu's medicinal baths, her hidden ailment had healed, her strength reaching the peak of Body Tempering. She now lacked only a catalyst to ascend into the Vein-Opening Realm. She had thought it would take much longer, but the opportunity had arrived so soon.
"Little brother… could you perhaps spare… a pill for your sister?" she asked shyly.
The answer was obvious—such a pill must be precious.
"Of course." Ye Chu agreed readily.
Indeed, his intent in coming here was to aid her breakthrough. After all, she had helped him; it was only fitting to return the favor. Of course, he also harbored other thoughts.
Seeing his immediate agreement, Huangfu Shiyue could not help but feel moved. Her gaze softened, suffused with affection.
Dongmei, watching from the side, grew inwardly anxious. If this continued, her young lady would surely succumb.
"Thank you, little brother."
Ye Chu feigned displeasure.
"Shiyue-jie, between us, such words make you sound like a stranger."
Her eyes curved in delight, a smile blossoming.
"Come, I'll take you to a room."
"No rush. By the way, do you have a rice cooker here?" Ye Chu asked, striding into the kitchen.
The two women exchanged puzzled glances.
Moments later, Ye Chu emerged, rice cooker in hand.
"Little brother, what are you doing?" Huangfu Shiyue asked in surprise.
With a wry smile, Ye Chu explained,
"I don't have a cauldron yet. For now, I'll have to make do with this."
Both women stiffened, doubt flickering in their eyes. A rice cooker… for alchemy?