Chapter 191: Gossip Must Be Spread Behind Their Backs
After being refused by several taxi drivers, Bai Ruoting paid several times the normal fare and finally secured a ride willing to take him to Nancity overnight.
Throughout the journey, the driver remained in a state of dizziness and disorientation.
After all, Bai Ruoting's stench was overwhelmingly pungent.
He himself had grown accustomed to the smell, but others—especially strangers—found it truly unbearable!
"Money's hard to earn, shit's hard to swallow."
The driver cursed inwardly.
If it weren't for the five children at home he needed to support through school, he'd rather die than take this fare.
"Why are you covering your nose? What smell is on me?!"
To Bai Ruoting, the act of someone covering their nose was deeply insulting.
Glancing at the stack of bills beside him, the driver forced a smile. "I wasn't covering my nose. I was just wiping my nose… I have a cold, sir."
"Hmph! Good to hear."
As he spoke, Bai Ruoting suddenly clutched his stomach.
"Pull over by that grass patch up ahead. I need to get out to relieve myself. I'll be quick!"
…
…
After staying up all night reading every book on Ye Zhen's bookshelf, Ye Fuli seemed to have an epiphany.
"My IQ just isn't cutting it anymore."
She closed the last book and sighed.
She propped her chin up with one hand.
"She loves studying, so I should buy a house next to the library, or better yet, right across from her school. That way she can learn even more."
With her mind made up, Ye Fuli ate breakfast and headed out to look at properties.
On the way, she passed by Ye Zhen's company and had the driver pull over.
At that moment, Ye Zhen sat at the company reception desk, basking in Zhao Mengde's shoulder kneading and leg massaging.
Across the sidewalk, Ye Fuli could clearly see the sycophantic expression on Zhao Mengde's face.
"And to think she's a retired mercenary…"
Had Ye Fuli not confirmed Zhao Mengde showed no signs of turning traitor, she would have disposed of her long ago… Oh, no—sent her off to mine in Africa.
Keeping Zhao Mengde by Ye Zhen's side now served two purposes: ensuring Ye Zhen's safety and covertly gathering intelligence about her.
Zhao Mengde was an excellent choice.
There was simply no one more suitable at present.
"Young Miss, would you like to go down and take a look?"
"No, let's keep moving."
Ye Fuli closed the car window, leaned back in the rear seat, and prepared to rest her eyes.
For someone like Ye Fuli, buying a house was merely a casual matter—it required neither deep contemplation nor prolonged deliberation.
After a brief look, she had already set her sights on two properties.
Under the eager, hopeful gazes of the salespeople, she swiped her card and purchased both properties outright.
"How soon can we move in?"
"At least a month or so, Miss Ye."
Ye Fuli frowned and said, "Hurry it up. I need it soon."
"Understood, Miss Ye!"
Stepping out of the sales center, Ye Fuli turned back to glance at her new home.
When she bought it, she had envisioned countless scenes of living together with Ye Zhen, her heart brimming with happiness and anticipation.
But stepping outside, a pang of melancholy washed over her. The Ye Zhen of today had long achieved financial freedom—there was little chance she'd offer Ye Fuli shelter now.
When would those fantasies she'd imagined ever come true?
"Perhaps I could try inviting her directly? Ask her to move in together…"
The thought flashed through her mind only to be immediately dismissed.
"She probably doesn't want to live with me at all. She might even run away again because I made such an invitation."
"I can only draw closer to her gradually…"
"Try to place more choices in her hands."
Ye Fuli clenched her fingers lightly and sighed.
This constant fear of losing her was truly unbearable.
But when she thought about how this predicament was entirely of her own making, she could only urge herself to be more patient.
After all, it wasn't that Ye Zhen couldn't live without her—it was she who couldn't live without Ye Zhen, unwilling to let go.
How could one fear hardship when chasing fireflies soaring far above?
On her way back, Ye Fuli's car once again passed by the entrance to Ye Zhen's company.
This time, she spotted a familiar long, furry rectangle.
Hm…?
It was Bai Ruoting.
What was Bai Ruoting doing here?
That kid must be up to no good again.
At the thought, Ye Fuli's eyes darkened.
"Stop the car. I need to get out."
…
Standing in the reception hall of Ye Zhen's company, Bai Ruoting forced himself to maintain a friendly smile.
The memories from two lifetimes had profoundly altered Bai Ruoting's mindset.
His intelligence seemed to have surged considerably.
Reflecting on his experiences within the Ye family and their various actions, he gradually realized that the girl who resembled a more beautiful version of Ye Zhen was likely Ye Zhen herself.
What puzzled him was how Ye Zhen had transformed from her horribly disfigured appearance into her current state. Bai Ruoting couldn't fathom it, but he declared he could accept it.
After all, that wasn't the crux of the matter.
The point was, he would make Ye Fuli pay!
In his view, Ye Zhen and he were both victims of Ye Fuli's schemes.
There had been some misunderstandings between them, but those pales in comparison to their shared goal of bringing down Ye Fuli!
Recalling the medicine Ye Zhen had given him—the very thing that restored his manhood—Bai Ruoting felt certain her allegiance now lay with him.
As for the side effects of the pills? To Bai Ruoting, they were utterly insignificant.
For a man, the most precious thing was that shred of dignity.
To regain that dignity, any price was acceptable!
All medicine has some toxicity—how could one blame the medicine itself?
Ye Zhen certainly never imagined that the punishment she had meted out would earn her such heartfelt gratitude.
Even before she saw Bai Ruoting, she caught that overpowering stench—like a toilet had exploded. It was so strong it made the pastries she was still eating smell foul.
"Ugh…!"
Zhao Mengde showed no regard for appearances whatsoever, immediately hugging the trash can and vomiting into it.
"What the hell is going on? Is the toilet clogged?"
Hearing this, Bai Ruoting's expression darkened. "I'm here to see your boss."
"Just say what you need… Yes, stay right there. Don't come any closer."
Ye Zhen's gaze toward him was filled with caution.
Bai Ruoting shrugged indifferently and chuckled, "Fine, I'll stand right here!"
But as he laughed, his expression darkened.
"I want to propose a deal with you. You should find it interesting."
"What else could you possibly sell?" Ye Zhen looked at him in confusion. "Or rather, what else does your Bai family have left for you to sell?"
Every word dripped with sarcasm.
Bai Ruoting took a deep breath, struggling to suppress his temper. "I hear you hired a game development team?"
He'd spent considerable time and money digging around at Mondstadt Academy to uncover this information.
In the past, he could get such information just by flirting with a couple of girls!
Now, it actually cost him so much…
Of course, that wasn't the point.
"So what if I did?"
"Transfer them to me," Bai Ruoting demanded firmly. "In exchange, I'll pay you twenty million upfront, plus one guarantee."
"What guarantee?"
Bai Ruoting sneered coldly. "A guarantee to help you return to the Ye family, ensuring you'll never have to endure Ye Fuli's harassment again. How does that sound?"
At this, Ye Zhen and Zhao Mengde both froze.
A long silence followed.
From behind Bai Ruoting, Ye Fuli's sinister laughter echoed:
"Is that so? Sounds pretty impressive."