Chapter 042: Salmon or…
"Actually, maybe she just looks fierce?"
The thought flashed through Ye Zhen's mind as she emerged from the bathroom.
But she quickly dismissed the notion.
Ye Fuli wasn't just intimidating—she was genuinely vicious. Her treatment of Bai Ruoting proved it.
How many people would stab someone inside the door without hesitation the moment it opened?
At least, Ye Zhen knew she never could.
"So, it's only because I'm obedient and sensible, never defying her, that she treats me with exceptional gentleness, right?"
Ye Zhen exhaled a long breath.
Thankfully, she’d kept her wits about her and hadn’t tried to challenge Feng Aotian just because she possessed a system.
This wasn't some fantasy or suspense story. The other party possessed off-the-charts intelligence and combat prowess, even foresight into future events—a god-like figure.
How could she possibly stand a chance against him?
Descending to the ground floor, Ye Zhen slipped into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.
As someone privy to the plot, she knew Ye Fuli's preferences well. Without hesitation, she gathered every tasty item she could find, stuffing them into a plastic bag ready to carry upstairs.
"Stop right there."
Mrs. Ye, unable to sleep that night, happened to emerge from her room carrying a cup of hot milk.
Seeing Ye Zhen sneaking around, she couldn't help but grow wary.
"What are you doing with all this food?"
Ye Zhen quickly explained, "Huang Li and I need to eat! Thinking hard makes you hungry, you know. Studying is tough work."
"Are you sure?"
Ye Zhen felt a twinge of fear but forced herself to stay calm. "Of course!"
"Ye Zhen, mark my words—don't you dare keep any pets hidden in the house. Cats and dogs are the most annoying things. If I catch you, don't blame me for throwing you out the window."
Mrs. Ye's expressionless face belied the venom in her words.
Ye Zhen's heart skipped a beat.
What if Mrs. Ye discovered that what was hidden in her room wasn't a cat or dog, but Ye Fuli—someone Mrs. Ye despised?
Forget it. Don't even think about it. It'd kill you.
Only after Ye Zhen repeatedly promised to obey did Mrs. Ye soften her tone, urging her to study diligently before returning to her room.
"She's truly vicious."
The more time Ye Zhen spent with Mrs. Ye, the more she sensed something deeply unsettling about this household.
Could anyone truly endure such a domineering and twisted mother?
Ye Zhen couldn't dwell on it and hurried upstairs.
She opened the bedroom door.
The scene inside startled Ye Zhen once more: At some point, Ye Fuli had emerged from the bathroom and was now sitting face-to-face with Huang Li, discussing something with a stern expression.
As Ye Zhen entered, Huang Li quickly signaled her to close the door.
"Senior Ye Fuli, you're not joking with me, are you?" Huang Li's hand holding the cigarette trembled slightly.
The cigarette was nearly burned down before he finally stubbed it out.
"Whether I'm joking or not, you'll find out in a few days," Ye Fuli said, pulling at the corner of her mouth.
She always carried herself with an air of arrogance, no matter who she was speaking to.
Of course, she had every reason to be arrogant.
Huang Li fell deep in thought.
What Ye Fuli had just mentioned to him was Zheng Jun—the orphaned boy soon to be assigned to accompany him in his studies.
Ye Fuli bluntly informed him that Zheng Jun wasn't some fatherless orphan, but his half-brother!
In other words, the so-called illegitimate child.
Moreover, Ye Fuli warned him that this bastard son would seize everything he currently possessed, ultimately driving both him and his mother out of the house.
Such a thing—
was terrifying just to contemplate!
Huang Li had always been the carefree type, and with his parents' indulgence, he'd developed a rather naive and innocent personality.
Now, to learn he actually had a rival? How could he possibly accept that?
As Ye Fuli put it, that kid was quite skilled—a master at stabbing people in the back with a soft knife!
"What should I do?"
Huang Li didn't doubt Ye Fuli's words.
"Senior Ye Fuli, you have to help me! I'm not like Bai Ruoting—I've never done anything shady. I've never harbored any improper intentions toward you or Senior Ye Zhen!"
He hastily distanced himself from Bai Ruoting, trying to clear his name.
At that moment, Ye Zhen piped up timidly, "Heh, then why did you send me those homemade cookies earlier?"
This remark stabbed Huang Li like a sudden dagger.
Ye Zhen continued the assault: "And even earlier than that, you cornered me and tried to assault me, didn't you?"
Hearing this, Huang Li nearly dropped to his knees.
"Sis! Ye Zhen Sis, you're my real sister! Please stop! I was just immature back then. I won't dare again!"
No improper thoughts? That was utter nonsense.
Ye Zhen wouldn't dare claim she had no improper thoughts toward Feng Aotian.
As a man himself, he shouldn't pretend to be pure in front of her.
Huang Li's current docility stemmed solely from being intimidated by Ye Fuli—he dared not act recklessly.
If even a small fry like Ye Zhen could see through this, how could Ye Fuli be so blind?
Ye Fuli snorted coldly, her gaze toward Huang Li turning decidedly unfriendly.
However, remembering that this pawn needed to be utilized effectively, she suppressed her irritation for the moment: "How you handle it is up to you. Just remember one thing—don't let your sympathy run wild."
"Huh…?"
This remark left Huang Li utterly baffled.
Was his sympathy overflowing that obviously?
"Alright, I'll keep that in mind."
By now, the night had grown deep.
Huang Li knew full well he wouldn't be leaving tonight either. He didn't bother calling his mom for advice this time. Instead, he picked up his pillow and blanket and headed to the room across the hall.
Before stepping out of the bedroom door, he turned back and cast a timid glance at the two girls.
"I've got a question I've been curious about for ages. Um, well… which one of you two has been
crushing
on me? Uh… never mind! Don't look at me like that—just forget I asked!"
He dared not meet Ye Fuli's fierce glare and promptly made his escape.
Once safely in his room, Huang Li still couldn't shake the thought: Which one of them was secretly in love with him?
Or maybe both secretly liked him, but neither wanted to admit it, so they pretended to be fierce rivals?
Ah, that thought was thrilling.
It was just like the grand male lead plotlines in novels.
Was it really okay for him to be this lucky?
"Ye Fuli actually knows how to read fortunes? That’s beyond my wildest guess! I’d rather believe she’s secretly following me, investigating me, protecting me… What a sweet burden."
"As for Ye Zhen, she remembers every single detail of our time together—even the homemade cookies I baked. Doesn't that prove her love for me?"
Huang Li felt quite pleased with himself, but he dared not reveal a single hint of his speculations.
He knew girls were reserved by nature.
"They might never admit their feelings for me! But that's okay—I know the truth, heh heh."
It was at this very moment that Huang Li silently vowed to protect these two girls and their friendship like a true man.
That's the way of a gentleman.
He couldn't let the girls who loved him shed tears so easily. Hmm!
……
…
While Huang Li was lost in his daydreams,
In the bedroom across the hall, Ye Zhen and Ye Fuli lay back-to-back on the same bed, the atmosphere tense.
"Ye Zhen."
"Here!"
Ye Zhen, who hadn't been able to sleep at all, sat up immediately upon hearing her name called, nervously looking at the person beside her.
In the darkness, Ye Fuli reached out her hand.
Ye Zhen quickly leaned in, asking earnestly, "Do you want fries, shrimp chips, or yogurt? I also got sushi and salmon—want some?"
Ye Fuli's expression darkened. "What I want is you."
"…Huh?"
Before Ye Zhen could process it, Ye Fuli pulled her into an embrace, using her as a pillow.
Inside the blankets, it was warm and fragrant.
Ye Fuli tucked the small blanket around her, rested her head on Ye Zhen's shoulder, and gently stroked her flat stomach.
So thin.
Almost like she was malnourished.
The Ye family hadn't taken good care of her.
"Ye Zhen, have you decided on your school options yet?"
Having switched beds, Feng Aotian clearly couldn't sleep either.
Suddenly asked about her future plans, Ye Zhen grew tense again. After all, she hadn't planned on having any further dealings with her after graduation.
"Me? Hahaha, I don't know where I could go. My grades aren't good…"
Ye Zhen laughed awkwardly.
She wouldn't reveal that she had mastered three subjects by now.
Suddenly.
Behind her, Ye Fuli's hand slid up her neck, her index finger gently lifting Ye Zhen's chin.
"So, shall we go together?"