Chapter 118: Stop Pretending to Be a Happy Family
Before the harsh winter truly arrived, Ye Zhen left the mountain town with her brand-new suitcase in tow.
She'd grown tired of staying in one place too long.
The barbecue here was delicious, but eating it every day was unbearable.
She was heading farther south, to wait out the winter.
After all, there was still plenty of time before school started.
These few months would be plenty of time for her to enjoy herself.
Traveling alone didn't make Ye Zhen feel lonely. She was accustomed to solitude anyway. Only in the dead of night would she often recall the days spent at the Ye residence, by Ye Fuli's side.
Upon waking, it felt like an entire lifetime had passed.
Those memories would fade with time, growing hazy.
Winter gave way to spring, and before she knew it, graduation season arrived.
Ye Zhen had traveled to several cities she'd longed to visit, meeting new friends along the way.
They sat together eating seafood, the sea breeze blowing around them.
A brief chat revealed they were all around the same age.
But honestly, there wasn't much to talk about.
Ye Zhen's social circle was extremely limited, and the three young women before her were chatting about where to find the most handsome guys, makeup brands, and newly promoted idols…
These topics were completely beyond Ye Zhen's grasp, leaving her only able to offer awkward smiles.
It wasn't until the conversation turned to academics that she could manage a few words.
"Hey, sis, you're going to study in South City? Which academy?"
"Mondstadt Academy? Huh?!"
"What a coincidence!"
Ye Zhen froze for a moment: "Huh? You guys are also…"
"Yep, we've already applied to Mondstadt Academy."
After a moment of silence, Ye Zhen couldn't help but ask the dog system bound to her: "Hey, what's going on? Did you arrange this?"
She had originally planned to go to another city, but the system recommended this place instead, even thoughtfully arranging a travel itinerary for her.
This had led her to follow these three the entire way, even crossing paths with them several times during meals.
Could this really not be intentional?
But, unfortunately, it really wasn't intentional.
Coincidences exist in this world—not everything needs to be orchestrated.
[Why would this little cutie deliberately do such a thing? Hmph, you narcissistic dog host!]
Ye Zhen felt a chill run down her spine: "You better not tell me Ye Fuli is also going to Mondstadt."
[Well, this little one can't say for sure, but if you need it, this little one can look into it…]
Ye Zhen: "Hurry up, will you!"
She wasn't afraid of running into Ye Fuli.
Her current self—whether in demeanor or attire—had shed that exaggerated lolita style, opting instead for a simpler, more understated look.
As for her appearance, it wasn't entirely free of her former self, but the difference was stark.
When she looked in the mirror, Ye Zhen often felt confused, experiencing a few seconds of self-doubt: Am I really this good-looking? Holy crap, what a steal!
She didn't want to see Ye Fuli; she simply preferred to distance herself from her old circle.
Having finally embraced this new chapter, she just wanted to coast through life—no more struggling.
After the meal, they exchanged contact information.
Ye Zhen learned their names and got a rough idea of their backgrounds.
"Qiao Xin, her family runs a coal mine—a coal-mining heiress."
"Lu Chengcheng comes from an artistic family with deep pockets. Her aunt won a Best Actress award, so chances are she'll enter the entertainment industry too."
"Wang Xiaoya, both parents are businesspeople. Family assets exceed a hundred million. A second-generation rich kid."
Seeing this, Ye Zhen felt even more certain that this was the dog system's deliberate arrangement.
Turns out she was the only one in this circle who worked with a shovel.
[Host, this cute little me worked hard to snag you twenty million! At least you're a millionaire now.]
"Ten million? In this world, having just over ten million is practically the same as having no money at all."
[You're right, that does make some sense.]
"So, System, do you get it now?"
[This little one understands. This little one is heading out to hunt some more, hehe!]
"Mm-hmm, that's great. My Tongzi is the best~"
[(〝▼皿▼)]
Ye Zhen's flattery was always so over-the-top.
The key is, this works wonders on Tongzi, instantly cheering him up.
With such an easygoing Tongzi, her future happy life is totally guaranteed!
After a day of sightseeing.
Ye Zhen returned to the hotel where they were staying.
She had booked a hot spring suite, planning to soak in a luxurious bath before anything else.
As she walked upstairs, she overheard people discussing the Ye family.
"Those two old fools from the Ye family retired so quickly?"
"Heard their daughter took over the family business."
"Ah, that Ye Zhen…?"
"No, it's Ye Fuli."
Ye Zhen visibly flinched at the mention of her name.
She pretended nothing had happened, bought a bottle of Happy Water from the vending machine, and walked past the two potbellied middle-aged men.
"Well, the young lady is so young and capable! Those two old codgers at the Ye family have hit the jackpot."
"Well, I wouldn't put it that way…"
"The child's too clever to control. Those two Ye folks might look prosperous on the surface, but their private lives must be miserable."
They discussed the Ye family affairs, occasionally chuckling.
As Ye Zhen heard their voices fade into the distance, her mood grew complicated.
She could imagine how stifling it must be for the Ye parents to live under Ye Fuli's control.
If Ye Fuli truly took full control of the Ye family…
Then the Ye family would likely be in dire straits.
"Ah, never mind. Forget it, forget it."
Ye Zhen suppressed the unease in her heart.
"From recent news reports, the Ye family parents still look in good spirits. They probably haven't suffered severe mistreatment."
"At least they're her biological parents…"
"I'll stop worrying about things that aren't my concern."
……
……
The Ye residence.
The dining room was brightly lit.
Ye Fuli sat at the head of the table, her expression cool as she looked at her biological parents. "Dad, Mom, please sit."
Mrs. Ye sat stiffly, her face set in silence.
As for Ye Dad, he pulled out a chair and sat down.
However, this seat was placed quite far from Ye Fuli.
Ye Fuli rose and walked toward them, opening an expensive bottle of red wine and filling their glasses.
"Dad, Mom, let's eat."
Ye Dad stared at her with a dark expression, his hand gripping the dinner knife so tightly it trembled.
It had been months since he last heard Ye Zhen's voice.
Ye Fuli made no mention of Ye Zhen whatsoever, as if the girl had ceased to exist.
"Ye Fuli, tell me honestly—where exactly did Zhenzhen go?"
Ye Dad exhaled heavily.
"Stop pretending we're a happy family. Just tell me—where did she go?"
Ye Fuli lifted her head slightly to look at him.
She slowly lowered her gaze again and said, "She's dead."
Buzz—
A buzzing sound filled his ears.
The dinner knife in Ye Dad's hand clattered to the floor.
He hadn't been unprepared for this answer, but hearing it aloud nearly gave him a heart attack.
Mrs. Ye's face drained of color as she collapsed into her chair. "You… you…"
"I didn't kill him."
Ye Fuli lifted her head to look at her, speaking slowly and deliberately:
"Don't look at me like that."
She sighed softly as she spoke.
Madam Ye bowed her head in anguish, tears welling in her eyes.
Perhaps lamenting her own future fate, or perhaps genuinely grieving for her daughter, whose life had been so fraught with misfortune.
Now, Ye Fuli had achieved complete control over the Ye Group, standing at the pinnacle of the corporate pyramid.
Yet she felt no joy or fulfillment.
The only things that still made her feel alive were the ever-intensifying longing and the endless sorrow.
She had contemplated suicide many times, but the thought that she would never get a second chance made her abandon the idea.
She forced herself to live each day, appearing in the public eye as often as possible, hoping only that Ye Zhen might see her.
If Ye Zhen still harbored even a shred of affection for her…
If she were willing to turn back…
She would do anything.
She would be the one following behind Ye Zhen, just as Ye Zhen once did.
But over the long years, there had been no word.
Ye Fuli forbade anyone from mentioning Ye Zhen's name in her presence—including her own parents.
"For Ye Zhen's sake, I'll take care of you in your old age and see you off when the time comes."
Ye Fuli had little appetite for food, mechanically shoveling it into her mouth.
A faint smile touched her lips as her tone softened.
"Eat up, Dad, Mom. Hurry and eat."