Chapter 069: Do You Know What the Ye Family's True Treasure Is?
"I…"
The question left Ye Zhen momentarily bewildered.
Had she taken something precious from the Ye family?
Probably not.
She'd only taken two valuable pieces of jewelry. If Ye Fuli really cared that much, she could just hand them over! It would be worth it to gain her freedom.
"Fine! Fine, fine! I don't want these either. Here, take them all…!"
Ye Zhen, almost defiantly, pulled the two pieces of jewelry from her handbag and handed them to Ye Fuli.
"Can you let go now? It's all yours. Satisfied?"
Ye Fuli looked at the items in her palm and snorted derisively. "Are you trying to bribe me? How childish."
What she truly desired could never be satisfied by such trivial things.
Besides, why would she even reach out for wealth when it was so easily within her grasp? Others would keep offering it to her on a silver platter.
Poor little kitten, still a bit slow on the uptake.
She was completely oblivious to what the Ye family's true treasure was right now.
Seeing her unmoved, Ye Zhen began flailing wildly, frantically waving her tiny fists. "Let go! If you dare send me back, I'll kill myself! I'll hang myself right in front of you!"
Hearing her screams, Ye Fuli suddenly burst into laughter.
Then Ye Zhen heard the most terrifying words:
"Ye Zhen, if you want to die, fine. I'll cremate you and bury you in my backyard. It's pretty spacious anyway. I'll plant some flowers and plants over your head…"
Ye Zhen stared at her in utter shock.
Could such a psychopath really be the main heroine of a Mary Sue manga?
Ye Fuli sighed. "Stop trying to resist me, Ye Zhen. Don't you understand? Only by obeying my commands will you remain safe and secure, living a life of comfort and ease forever."
Ye Zhen chuckled coldly. "So what am I to you? A slave? A pet? Or just a toy?"
Hearing this familiar question, Ye Fuli fell silent for a moment.
When Ye Zhen looked up at her, she shifted her gaze uncomfortably and lowered her voice.
"Whatever you wish to be, you can be."
"Whatever I choose to be, I can be?"
"Yes."
"If I want to be the richest person in the world, can I be? If I want to be a 6-foot-tall hunk, can I be? If I want to be an alien with laser beams shooting out of my eyes, can I be?"
"…"
Ye Fuli stared at her in utter shock.
This girl truly hadn't lost her childlike wonder.
Ye Zhen spread her hands helplessly, offering a wan smile. "Right now, what I want most is just freedom. I want to be a free bird. Can I be one?"
Ye Fuli fell silent.
The search party climbing the mountain grew larger and larger.
The hope of continuing to flee was slowly fading.
Ye Zhen bowed her head as if accepting her fate, clenching her fists tightly. "Ye Fuli, I'll tell you this: the cage of the Ye family won't hold me forever."
Such fierce resolve from such a frail creature.
Ye Fuli rubbed her hair forcefully.
"Well then, Ye Zhen, let me tell you something too. One day, you will bow your head and submit to me willingly."
With that, she leaned closer, her breath warm against Ye Zhen's neck.
Ye Zhen, expecting some suggestive gesture, hastily raised her hand to block her—only to provoke a burst of laughter from Ye Fuli.
The mocked little girl flushed crimson instantly.
"I admire your defiant spirit, but I look forward even more to the day you submit to me willingly. Once back at the Ye residence, you'll likely be confined to your room. Remember not to close the balcony window at night."
Ye Zhen snapped her head up at those words.
Was this girl planning to climb through her window every night? Did she intend to keep her awake forever?
Ye Fuli offered no further explanation, merely smiling meaningfully.
Beep-beep-beep—
The siren of the patrol car sounded from the other side of the mountainside.
"Zhenzhen!"
"Ye Zhen, are you there?"
"Zhenzhen, don't wander off! Come home!"
Ye Ye's father's voice echoed throughout the entire scenic area through the loudspeaker.
The thought of that suffocating home made Ye Zhen's eyes instantly redden. She let her head fall limply, closing her eyes tightly.
Ye Fuli set her down.
Gazing at the distant lights, she recalled her miserable past life.
She could never act as childishly as Ye Zhen did, nor had she ever received such affection.
Her parents always believed she could do anything.
As if she were merely an emotionless money-making machine—a machine that needed no companionship, no understanding, no maintenance.
In this moment, she felt a twinge of envy toward Ye Zhen—even a hint of jealousy.
The Ye family would probably never see Ye Zhen as a machine.
Even if she couldn't escape the fate of being a tool, Ye Zhen would still be a treasure everyone treated with care and gentleness.
When they spotted Ye Dad, Ye Fuli gently nudged Ye Zhen forward.
"I saw you offered a million-yuan reward for your daughter. Remember to transfer the bounty to me."
With that single, casual remark, Ye Fuli ended her days of round-the-clock supervision over Ye Zhen.
Her expression was calm.
Her eyes held no greed for money, only a lingering sense of loneliness.
She didn't refuse Ye Dad's offer to ride down the mountain together, but when they reached the entrance of the scenic area, she got out of the car.
"Thank you, Ye Fuli! I'll tell your daughter's mother exactly how you cared for Zhenzhen. One day, our family of three will personally come to visit you."
Ye Fuli offered a polite smile and replied, "I'll be waiting."
Her gaze remained fixed on Ye Zhen.
Until the car carrying Ye Zhen grew smaller and smaller, vanishing into the vast night.
At that moment, Ye Fuli understood the meaning of the phrase "speaking insincerely."
The words she truly wanted to say to Ye Zhen…
Today, not a single word had come out smoothly.
……
…
By the time they returned to the Ye residence, it was already noon the next day.
Seated in the car, Ye Zhen sat blankly, like a doll with its soul sucked out. No matter what anyone said to her, she showed little reaction.
Ye Dad was deeply worried, yet he dared not provoke her.
He had the maid help Ye Zhen out of the car and into the villa.
Mrs. Ye, who had been waiting for hours, couldn't help but scold her daughter at the sight of her lifeless expression: "Look at you, you good-for-nothing! Running away? Running away from home? How capable of you! Why don't you just keep running!"
Ye Dad shot her a glare.
She snorted heavily, reluctantly shutting her mouth, and stomped upstairs in her slippers.
"Zhenzhen, don't mind your mother. You must be exhausted. Go take a shower and get some rest."
Ye Zhen said nothing, merely nodding before picking up her luggage and heading toward her own room.
The moment she entered, it was as if all her strength had been drained from her body. She leaned against the door and collapsed into a sitting position.
"Fine. Since I can't escape, I'll just give up."
Ye Zhen gritted her teeth, her expression one of utter resignation.
"When the Ye family can't stand me anymore and kick me out themselves, it won't be my fault. Damn Feng Aotian!"
At that moment, Ye Zhen had a bold idea.
She would take the initiative to propose a paternity test with her adoptive parents!
Then, once the truth came out, no one would force her to stay…