Chapter 183: Would I, Lord Ye Zhen, bestow rewards so lightly?
At this moment, Old Master Bai faced a difficult internal struggle.
Should he publicly acknowledge this uncivilized man as his grandson, or pretend nothing had happened, utter a few harsh words, and leave?
All these cameras trained on the Bai family had now become kindling ready to ignite their downfall.
They had intended to humiliate the Ye family!
But now, who was humiliated? Certainly not the Ye family—it was clearly the Bai family!
"Grandfather? What are you waiting for? They bullied your precious grandson! Especially this Ye Fuli—she hit me. Look… at my body…"
Bai Ruoting urgently pulled up his shirt, wanting everyone to see the injuries on his back.
But Ye Zhen's medicine worked wonders—the wounds had long since faded.
Gritting his teeth in frustration, he reluctantly let his clothes fall back into place.
"Her! She had her bodyguard kick me in the face! Look at my face! My face…"
He strained to bring his face closer, urging everyone to look.
But at that moment, his face was covered in stubble, swollen dark and red—yet no visible injury could be seen.
Everyone wore expressions that defied description.
Old Master Bai's hand gripping his cane trembled.
He remained silent throughout.
This grandson…
Did he want it, or not?
"Grandpa! They only give me steamed buns and water every day. I've starved myself thin—look at me!"
Bai Ruoting had spoken few honest words in his entire life, but now, every word he uttered was the truth. Yet no one believed him.
As he looked at the silent Bai family members, a glimmer of despair slowly appeared in his eyes.
An indescribable dread rose within Bai Ruoting's heart.
He had witnessed every kind of darkness in this circle. He understood all too well how unfavorable the current situation was for him.
"Shut your mouth! What kind of grandson calls his grandfather that? Do I, Bai Ruoting, have a grandson like you?!"
Old Master Bai's face turned ashen, his voice booming.
His eyes immediately snapped to Ye Dad. "Where did you take my grandson? Releasing some freak like this and having him call me Grandfather—does that make it valid?!"
Before Ye Dad could respond, Bai Ruoting burst out, "Grandfather! You don't recognize me? It's Ruoting! You always loved me most when I was little. You can't disown me!"
But no one paid any attention to his shouts.
Bai Ruoting felt like he was going mad.
He never imagined he'd be so decisively discarded one day.
He had always believed he was the only grandson of Old Master Bai. No matter how unworthy he proved himself, the Bai family would still be his to inherit!
But now, what was the old man thinking?
He lunged forward, trying to grab the old man's arm, but Ye Fuli's bodyguards had anticipated his move and swiftly subdued him.
Old Master Bai shot him a look of disappointment, as if he were a piece of iron that refused to be forged into steel.
"It's about time, Old Master Bai," Ye Fuli said with a smile. "Since everyone has graciously agreed to visit our Ye family, please stay for a simple meal before departing."
…
In the vast dining hall, the Bai family members sat in silence.
Ye Fuli had invited all the gossip reporters inside, seating them at a separate table. She paid each family a hefty sum to keep them quiet, then confiscated all the equipment they had brought.
But in truth, even if Ye Fuli hadn't confiscated their equipment, none of them would dare publish what they'd captured today.
Offending both the Ye and Bai families simultaneously was a risk neither would dare take.
The power of capital was ruthlessly formidable.
Only after securing the journalists did Ye Fuli make her way to the private room reserved for the Bai family.
Holding a cup of tea, she approached the elderly Mr. Bai.
Old Master Bai stared at the young woman, who looked as if she were in the final stages of illness, his face stern, saying nothing.
"Old Bai, don't look at me like that. Everything I've done has been for the benefit of both our families! You don't want someone like that as your successor, do you?"
"What exactly do you want?" Mr. Bai refused her offering of tea, his tone sharp. "The Bai family won't be manipulated by you!"
"Ha!"
Ye Fuli burst into exaggerated laughter, casually slapping Old Master Bai on the shoulder with utter contempt. "Don't be naive, old man. Why would I want to manipulate your stinking Bai family?"
Even if she did, no one would dare touch her.
She might appear frail now, but not a single one of her bodyguards behind her was weak.
Ye Fuli leaned closer, her voice hushed. "I know exactly what your Bai family did while I was hospitalized. You're all betting I won't last much longer, aren't you? Don't be naive. Before I die, I'll make sure the entire Bai family goes down with me."
Old Master Bai's face twisted in agony.
In broad daylight, he felt a chill run through his entire body.
But in truth, completely wiping out the Bai family was no easy feat. The Bai family had once stood shoulder to shoulder with the Ye family as a colossal powerhouse. Rooted here for decades, they had built extensive businesses and cultivated vast networks.
Ultimately, it was impossible to wipe them out completely.
However, the Bai family had been cowering under Ye Fuli's shadow for far too long.
In their minds, Ye Fuli had become synonymous with a demonic entity.
Years of oppression had crushed their will to resist her.
"But if you'd been more compliant, things would be entirely different now." Ye Fuli relished the Bai family's current expressions, her tone lightening considerably.
"What exactly do you want?"
Ye Fuli remained silent, merely offering the tea in her hand to Old Master Bai once more.
This time, the old patriarch obediently drank the tea.
Ye Fuli straightened up and stated matter-of-factly:
"Go back and choose a new heir to raise. Preferably one who resembles Bai Ruoting."
Old Master Bai's hand trembled slightly.
He lowered his head slightly, lost in thought.
……
……
At that moment.
Ye Zhen sat in the other dining room, facing the barbecue, snacks, and assorted bubble teas her father had prepared for her, feeling quite content.
The rivalry between the two families had nothing to do with her, and she wouldn't meddle in their affairs.
"After you've eaten your fill, go take a nap," Ye Dad said. "The rooms upstairs have just been tidied up. You can pick any one you like."
"Alright, thank you, Uncle."
Ye Zhen had just swallowed a mouthful of milk tea when the dining room door slid open.
Ye Fuli, equally cheerful, entered carrying a fruit platter.
She placed the tray in front of Ye Zhen.
"Is it good?" Ye Fuli asked casually.
"Here."
Without a second thought, Ye Zhen handed over the milk tea she was holding.
But she quickly realized her mistake—this gesture was rather inappropriate—and promptly withdrew her hand, letting out an awkward chuckle.
"Um… well, here are the ones I've already sipped on. You can have these."
Ye Fuli shook her head.
"You want mine?" Ye Zhen chuckled. "Alright then."
Under Ye Fuli's slightly expectant gaze, Ye Zhen tore open the bubble tea lid, grabbed a clean cup, and poured her a serving.
Like hell I'd just hand out rewards like that! If I let Ye Fuli get too cocky, I'd be the one suffering, y'know.
"Here you go."
Ye Fuli: "…"
Very well, you're quite the clever little thing.