Chapter 037: Learning to Swim Is Too Much Trouble
At that very moment, Ye Zhen—who was currently enjoying all the perks of being female—suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
If Ye Fuli knew that the easily manipulated little dwarf beside her was actually the soul of a six-foot-tall hulk… she'd probably kill her in a heartbeat, right?
Fortunately, this world lacked any fantasy or mystery elements, so Ye Fuli would never uncover this secret!
Even if Ye Zhen volunteered the truth, Ye Fuli would likely just sneer and dismiss it as her "teenage angst" flaring up—a hopeless case.
"What are you waiting for? Go change."
Ye Fuli still hadn't decided what kind of challenge to set for her.
Ye Zhen, her curiosity thoroughly piqued, felt a tingling excitement and couldn't even look her in the eye.
"Hey!"
Ye Fuli gave her a sharp flick on the head.
"I said change your clothes."
This was a high-end swimming pool located north of the city center. With a sweeping gesture, Ye Fuli had reserved the entire facility.
Seeing her spend money so freely, Ye Zhen felt conflicted but dared not say anything.
Right now, she still looked like a wealthy heiress, but in reality, her disposable wealth was nowhere near Ye Fuli's.
As a reincarnated soul, Ye Fuli was a master of all trades. Drawing on her past life's knowledge, she could easily make a fortune by flipping a few stocks.
And Ye Zhen?
The manga did mention stock trading as a way to make money, but its focus wasn't on teaching readers how to trade stocks. Instead, it used stock trading to highlight Ye Fuli's immense power!
Therefore, the specific names of those profitable stocks were known only to Ye Fuli herself.
"You seem a bit worried my funds might run short."
Ye Fuli waved the gold card in her hand.
"Ever since we met, whenever I pay, you stare at it with a furrowed brow. You're worried, aren't you?"
Caught out, Ye Zhen dropped the act and nodded in acknowledgment.
Seeing her admit it so honestly, Ye Fuli chuckled softly, her tone tinged with mockery. "Don't worry. I won't overspend and suddenly force you to leave the Ye family. I won't pressure you into stealing or swindling money from the Ye family for my use either."
"Huh? Oh, you're accusing me again. I never thought that!"
Ye Zhen sighed.
The frustration in her heart threatened to boil over again.
Ye Fuli really was something—always assuming the worst about her!
"Oh, you really didn't think that?"
Ye Fuli raised an eyebrow, gave a noncommittal smile, and dropped the subject.
In truth, her words stemmed purely from overhearing Ye Zhen utter similar sentiments in her previous life.
Back then, she had just returned to the Ye family. Every day, she faced Ye Zhen's unreasonable tantrums, constant mockery, petty frame-ups, and outright beatings or verbal abuse…
That haughty demeanor was still vivid in Ye Fuli's memory.
Those harsh words, she could never forget them.
But now, the Ye Zhen in her memories and the Ye Zhen before her eyes simply didn't match…
The Ye Zhen before her now probably couldn't utter such vile words anymore.
"If it's possible, I hope one day Ye Fuli will consider me in a more favorable light," Ye Zhen sighed, placing her hands on her hips. "People change, you know!"
The current her was undoubtedly the scapegoat!
The original owner had gone completely mad, committing all those terrible deeds. The fact that Ye Fuli hadn't strangled "Ye Zhen" to death the moment she reincarnated showed remarkable restraint.
Ye Zhen didn't expect these small gestures to completely change Ye Fuli's opinion of her. She could only hope for incremental improvement…
Anyway, she'd be packing her bags and running away sooner or later.
Serving her was just a temporary phase—she'd endure it until it passed!
At that moment, Ye Fuli walked silently into the pool.
Her model-like figure, paired with such an old-fashioned swimsuit, unexpectedly exuded a captivating charm that caught one off guard.
Half her body surfaced, her back straight as she casually tossed her long hair.
Her stunning figure was fully exposed.
Her gaze was hazy, her full red lips parted slightly as she exhaled softly.
Glancing at her, Ye Zhen felt a pang of shame and lowered her head.
"Come down. I'll teach you how to swim."
Ye Fuli swam a lap before returning to the shore, propping her chin in her hand as she watched Ye Zhen.
"Out of apology, I'll be extra patient with you today."
…
Splashes of water dampened Ye Zhen's delicate little feet, making her heart race.
Under Ye Fuli's gentle guidance, she made her way to the shallow end, clinging nervously to Ye Fuli's arm.
And she clung tighter and tighter!
She was scared to death, what could she do?
"You can hug my neck, but please stop squeezing my arm."
Ye Fuli was remarkably patient. Even with several nail marks digging into her arm, she didn't scold Ye Zhen or push her away.
"Huh? Is… is that okay?"
"Stop making such a fuss over perfectly normal things." Ye Fuli grabbed her two slender arms and draped them over her shoulders. "Move slowly. Don't be nervous."
How could Ye Zhen not be nervous!
This kind of close contact was practically a crime!
Her two pale little feet flailed wildly in the water, nearly kicking Ye Fuli several times.
Ye Fuli sighed helplessly, then took matters into her own hands, grabbing Ye Zhen's feet to teach her the proper movements.
After a few rounds, Ye Zhen felt she had the hang of it.
So, guided by Ye Fuli, she began swimming on her own, gradually moving toward deeper waters.
Ye Fuli released her grip at just the right moment.
But danger struck in an instant.
Ye Zhen splashed around twice before suddenly choking on water, coughing violently.
The more she coughed, the more water she inhaled.
Ye Fuli swam toward her, grabbed her arm, pulled her back into her embrace, and patted her back hard.
"What happened?"
"My leg… cramped up… cough cough cough!"
At such close proximity, with this perfect opportunity, Ye Zhen naturally thought of the task assigned by the system.
A peck on the cheek!
Like those foreigners on TV, just a quick greeting—what's the big deal?
Who would think it was abrupt?
A clear conscience is a calm mind!
Ye Zhen's gaze locked onto her cheek, but his intense focus—almost as if he intended to bite a chunk of flesh from her face—made him appear rather fierce.
"Why are you staring at me?"
Ye Fuli narrowed her eyes, watching her warily, as if she already knew what underhanded trick Ye Zhen was about to pull.
"Is there something on my face?"
Growl…
Just at this tense moment, Ye Zhen's stomach growled loudly.
She quickly averted her gaze, pretending nothing had happened.
"Hungry… yeah, hungry… I'm starving! I'm going to grab something to eat first."
Ye Zhen gave her cheeks a weak pat, regaining her composure.
That was close.
If she'd been bold enough to actually lean in, she'd have gotten at least one slap!
Ye Fuli was no amateur—her slaps weren't something just anyone could take. She certainly couldn't…
What a rip-off, this mission reward!
She couldn't risk her life over something like this.
Watching Ye Zhen slowly climb ashore, Ye Fuli pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
In her hand, she still clutched the hairpin Ye Zhen had dropped in her panic.
The scent of her shampoo lingered in her embrace.
Ye Fuli's gaze darkened as she squeezed the hairpin tightly before returning it to Ye Zhen.
"Ye Zhen, you dropped something."
Stepping onto the shore, she pressed the hairpin back into Ye Zhen's hand.
As Ye Zhen instinctively pulled her hand back, Ye Fuli seized her wrist.
"Why run? Come to the changing room and help me zip up my dress."