Chapter 081: How Am I Supposed to Get Married?
The aroma of coffee was intoxicating.
"Zhenzhen, when did you start drinking coffee?"
Downstairs, Mrs. Ye scrutinized Ye Zhen's every move.
Ye Zhen lifted her coffee cup and smiled faintly. "Just wanted to try something new."
Seeing her in good spirits and not causing trouble again, Mrs. Ye felt relieved and decided to discuss something important with her.
"Zhenzhen, don't rush off just yet. Come sit here. I need to talk to you about something."
…
Half an hour later.
The coffee had grown cold.
The conversation, as it turned out, revolved around cultivating potential marriage partners.
Ye Zhen found it utterly tedious and kept zoning out.
Mrs. Ye stroked her hair gently and said softly, "That young man from the Huang family is quite suitable. If the two of you could be together, your mother would be very happy."
"Mom, may I ask you a question?"
Seeing no objection from Ye Zhen, Mrs. Ye nodded. "Go ahead."
"If I can stand on my own two feet, manage everything in this household flawlessly, and promise never to seek a man, never to marry, and remain single until I die—could I then be exempt from the arranged marriage?"
At these words, Mrs. Ye's expression darkened instantly.
Suppressing her displeasure, she replied, "Zhenzhen, you needn't entertain such hypothetical scenarios. You're still young and don't understand the immense temptations facing an only daughter of a wealthy family—how many people will be watching you, coveting this family fortune, and how ruthless they might become."
"No one can guarantee they'll resist temptation for a lifetime, and one mistake could ruin you forever."
"We cannot risk our entire family fortune on whether your resolve will hold."
The Ye family isn't just about the three of us—it supports thousands of employees."
At this point, she seemed to recall some unpleasant experience.
"Besides, even if you had the capability to run things independently—and let's not pretend you do—how would you convince the board members? How would you persuade our business partners to abandon their prejudice against you being a woman? Could you fundamentally change their patriarchal mindset?"
"Zhenzhen, you must understand: no one entrusts their money to someone they don't trust—especially not these old foxes who've been navigating business wars for decades."
"If they don't trust you, they'll find ways to distance themselves."
Ye Zhen's heart trembled.
She slowly lowered her head, clenching her fists.
Mrs. Ye felt a headache coming on and rubbed her temples.
"Before we retire, we'll arrange everything for you. We'll ensure you have a stable and secure marriage."
"Zhenzhen, this is the first and last time I'll tell you why I'm doing this. From today onward, I hope you'll accept our arrangements without question and stop doing things that baffle everyone."
Hearing this, Ye Zhen found herself strangely understanding the madness behind Mrs. Ye's actions.
But understanding was one thing…
She couldn't possibly comply!
She was born a man and had always been attracted to women. How could she marry someone? This wasn't something that could be forced into submission.
Moreover, based on her knowledge of the plot and Feng Aotian himself, amassing a fortune worth hundreds of billions shouldn't be too difficult for him with his own skills and luck.
She absolutely refused to agree to the arranged marriage Mrs. Ye had planned.
Madam Ye's meticulously planned arrangement would ultimately come to nothing.
But at this very moment, Ye Zhen couldn't bring herself to tell Lady Ye this outcome.
She couldn't endure Mrs. Ye's coercive control any longer.
"Alright, I understand."
Ye Zhen stood up, poured out the now-cold coffee, and made herself a fresh cup.
As she carried it back to her room, she heard the dog system's voice.
[Host, your phone has been hacked.]
Ye Zhen frowned. "What's going on?"
[The female lead did it! She browsed through your photo album but didn't steal your little money.]
Ye Zhen let out a disapproving "tsk."
She'd rather Ye Fuli had stolen her money.
What's the point of flipping through the photo album? She probably just thinks I'd take advantage of the situation to snap some revealing pics.
Seriously…
Always questioning her character!
"Coffee's here. Here you go."
Ye Fuli took the coffee cup from her hand and sipped it lightly.
She had already graded all of Ye Zhen's assignments, marking each one with simpler solutions where possible.
The assignment paper was covered in red marks.
Seeing this, Ye Zhen felt a little touched.
Ye Fuli might be stubborn and difficult, but at least she never half-assed anything she agreed to do.
"Your mathematical talent is remarkable. I'm genuinely surprised you've reached this level through self-study alone."
Ye Zhen was equally surprised to receive such praise from Ye Fuli…
Ye Zhen sighed and said, "Thanks for the compliment."
"You're welcome. Keep up the good work."
Ye Fuli stood up, holding her coffee cup, and moved to the other side, giving Ye Zhen her study spot.
Gazing out the window at the unfamiliar yet vaguely familiar scenery, Ye Fuli stared blankly for a moment.
By that afternoon.
Ye Dad had prepared the apartment for Ye Fuli. The location was excellent, and contrary to Ye Zhen's assumption of a studio, it was a spacious, bright, open-plan apartment.
When Ye Dad knocked on the door to hand over the keys, Ye Zhen quickly grabbed the quilt and covered Ye Fuli, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, while making a shushing gesture toward her.
Ye Fuli shrugged her shoulders silently.
"Zhenzhen, your parents have already given you what you wanted. Next week there's a business gathering. Get ready to make an appearance representing the Ye family, okay?"
The moment you receive a gift is the best time to make a request.
Ye Dad clearly understood this tactic.
But in truth, he still underestimated Ye Zhen's resilience these days. Even if he offered nothing, she would still agree to be a mere backdrop.
Ye Zhen flashed a sweet smile.
"Sure, Dad! But could I bring Ye Fuli along? She's never tasted those fancy pastries or seen such a lavish cocktail party… She's my friend and my savior. I'd like to take her out for a night, okay?"
Ye Dad nodded.
Of course that was no problem.
In his view, as long as his daughter wanted to go, it didn't matter if she brought one person or several more—the entire event was being covered by the host family, the Huangs.
"Then it's settled."
Ye Zhen closed the door.
Turning back, she saw Ye Fuli propped up on her elbow, watching her with a meaningful look.
Ye Fuli wasn't easily fooled; she could tell Ye Zhen was putting on an act.
But she couldn't figure out what exactly Ye Zhen was playing at.
"Why do you want me to go to the cocktail party?" Ye Fuli asked directly. "What're you up to?"
Ye Zhen scoffed, spreading her hands. "We're dating, aren't we? How could I not bring you to such an important occasion?"
"That's not what you really think."
Ye Fuli wasn't buying it.
"Ye Zhen, what's the real reason?"
Pressed for answers, Ye Zhen thought irritably, What real reason could there be? The real reason is, I need to give you a chance to show off!
For the piano solo at the cocktail party, besides Huang Li, you're the only one left.
A chance to dazzle the entire crowd and make a splash—don't you dare miss it!
This determines whether I, Ye Zhen, can step back from the spotlight and smoothly resign from the Ye family.
"The real reason is that I want you to accompany me." Ye Zhen stepped closer, summoning her courage to take her hand. "Is that reason good enough?"
Ye Fuli visibly stiffened.
She tugged at the corners of her mouth, forcing herself to stay calm.
"Ye Zhen, you sly fox."