After hearing Xu Cang’s words, Bai Jinghong waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about investigating.”
Bai Jinghong figured he could just ask Ye Qingke or her father when he visited the Ye Family later anyway.
“Oh, right. You two be careful for a while. It’s best to bring a Martial Artist or two when going out,” Bai Jinghong warned.
If Ye Chen truly was the protagonist, given his penchant for crooked smiles and revenge-fueled mentality after prison, he’d likely target one of them sooner or later.
“Young Master Bai, in Dragon Sea, who would dare harm us? Who could possibly overturn the heavens!” Xu Cang laughed.
“Enough with the nonsense. Just do as I say!”
Bai Jinghong glanced at the two of them.
They didn’t argue further and nodded.
The group continued their revelry.
It wasn’t until nearly midnight that they dispersed.
Some, too drunk, simply stayed overnight at the Autumn Club.
But Bai Jinghong returned to the Bai Family Estate.
Tomorrow, he planned to visit the Ye Family. After all, Ye Qingke had invited him so many times; it wouldn’t look good to keep refusing.
…
The next day, at ten in the morning, Bai Jinghong sent a message to Ye Qingke, saying he was preparing to visit.
Just as he was about to head out, he was stopped by his father.
Bai Zhennan seemed somewhat evasive, yet his face carried a touch of seriousness.
“Dad, what’s the matter?”
Bai Zhennan coughed, glanced around, and lowered his voice. “Jinghong, have you been in my study recently?”
Bai Jinghong froze for a moment, then quickly shook his head, realizing something. “No, I’ve been out playing recently.”
“And you know me, I don’t like reading books anyway. Why would I go to your study?”
Bai Zhennan stared intently at Bai Jinghong’s eyes but saw nothing. He nodded.
“Alright, go on. It’s nothing.”
Bai Jinghong grinned. “Okay then, I’m off!”
And with that, he slipped away from the Bai residence in a flash.
After Bai Jinghong left, Bai Zhennan addressed the family butler, “Old Qiu, go check the surveillance footage. See who went into my study!”
“Or if it might have been thrown away as trash during cleaning!”
“Master, was something important lost?” the butler asked.
“Huh?” Bai Zhennan nodded emphatically. “Mm, very important. It’s a copy of ‘Classic of Virtue’ I frequently read.”
“Yes, Master!” The butler hurried off to attend to the task.
Meanwhile, Bai Jinghong was already in a car heading towards the Ye Family residence.
The Bai and Ye families were old acquaintances. The grandfather generation had frequent interactions, but it had faded with each successive generation.
In the second generation, Bai Zhennan, in his youth, had been a great prodigal son, while Ye Jianjie of the Ye Family was a more steady and composed man. They naturally didn’t mix well.
By the third generation, the ties were even thinner.
Due to the “peeping while bathing” incident, interactions between Bai Jinghong and Ye Qingke had almost completely ceased.
But now, because of the matter of “saving the Old Master,” their relationship could be considered mended and recovering.
When the car arrived at the Ye Family residence, Ye Qingke was already waiting at the gate to welcome Bai Jinghong.
Seeing Bai Jinghong step out of the car, a smile bloomed on Ye Qingke’s face, and she quickly trotted over.
“You finally have some free time, huh?”
Her words carried a hint of playful reproach.
Bai Jinghong laughed heartily. “Haven’t I just been incredibly busy lately? What’s wrong? Did Qingke miss me?”
Ye Qingke’s body trembled slightly. Pouting, she turned away slightly, muttering, “Who… who missed you!”
“It’s just my grandpa, he insisted I invite you over.”
“Alright, you say whatever you want. It’s okay to lie to me, but don’t lie to yourself!”
Ye Qingke immediately bit her moist, lipsticked lip and said reproachfully, “If you keep saying that, I’m leaving!”
“Okay, okay, I’ll stop. Let’s go see the Old Master. Might as well bring up the matter of engagement while I’m here!”
Flustered, Ye Qingke couldn’t help but lightly smack Bai Jinghong. “What engagement? You’re not allowed to talk nonsense!”
Bai Jinghong didn’t mind. “You were seen naked by me while bathing… am I not supposed to take responsibility?”
“Nonsense! When did you ever see me bathe?” Ye Qingke was greatly embarrassed and retorted.
“Well~” Bai Jinghong spread his hands. “You said it yourself. So that means you falsely accused me back then!”
“I didn’t watch you bathe. I was just helping to see if any perverts were spying on you while you bathed!”
“You accused me without any evidence or proof!”
“You…” Ye Qingke was speechless.
She had now witnessed Bai Jinghong’s glib tongue firsthand. Not saying anything more, she simply led Bai Jinghong onward.
Along the way, her face was as red as an apple.
They arrived at the main villa within the Ye Family compound.
Quite a few people were already inside.
All were direct-line members of the Ye Family.
The Old Master sat on the sofa, leaning on a dragon-headed cane.
“Grandpa, Dad, Mom, Brother Jinghong is here!”
Ye Qingke announced.
This voice drew the attention of the Ye family members, who all rose and looked towards the entrance.
A smile spread across Bai Jinghong’s face as he walked in.
“Young Master Bai, you’ve finally come! We’ve wanted to invite you over for a while now!”
“Young Master Bai, please sit for a moment. Lunch will be ready soon!”
The various relatives were also extremely enthusiastic.
Bai Jinghong simply smiled and nodded, then greeted Ye Hongjun and Ye Jianjie.
“Grandpa Ye, Uncle Ye, thank you for your hospitality. I’ve been truly swamped with matters lately, hence the repeated delays, betraying your kind intentions. My apologies!”
Seeing Bai Jinghong display such impeccable manners, the Ye family’s impression of him improved even further.
“Jinghong, you’re being too polite. Treat this place as your own home from now on. You simply must visit often!” Ye Jianjie also smiled with undisguised appreciation.
“Young Bai!” At that moment, Ye Hongjun stood up and approached Bai Jinghong.
“Aiyo, Grandpa Ye, please, sit down!”
The Bai Jinghong displayed now was a man who perfectly embodied refinement, talent, and culture.
He stepped forward to support Ye Hongjun, sitting down together on the sofa.
“Good, good. Old Bai has a fine grandson. Excellent. The Bai Family’s blessing!” Ye Hongjun nodded repeatedly in praise.
“Grandpa Ye, you flatter me!” Bai Jinghong chuckled softly, smoothly taking the Old Master’s pulse in the process.
“Grandpa Ye, your health has improved considerably now. However, one must accept old age. You must still pay attention to many things. Above all, avoid anger. When you have time, take more walks.”
“I know it’s somewhat presumptuous for a junior to advise like this, but I speak from a doctor’s perspective. I hope Grandpa Ye won’t take offense.”
These words caused almost everyone present to want to give Bai Jinghong a thumbs-up.
This kid… was he truly that notoriously wild and debauched young master from the rumors?
This was a perfectly understanding, emotionally intelligent, peak-excellence good man!
Those relatives were practically itching to immediately introduce their own daughters!
Ye Qingke was also surprised. She knew exactly what kind of person this guy was!
Yet now he was behaving so impeccably… could he truly be thinking of asking her grandfather for her hand in marriage?
Ye Qingke hastily shook the strange and complex thoughts swirling in her head.
She inwardly scolded herself for being shameless.
After a bout of warm conversation, the Old Master was delighted by Bai Jinghong’s banter, beaming with happiness.
Soon, the meal was served.
The Old Master pulled Bai Jinghong to sit beside him, while Ye Qingke sat on Bai Jinghong’s other side.
Throughout the entire meal, the Ye family members enthusiastically offered toasts.
The Old Master continuously showered Bai Jinghong with praise.
Only Ye Qingke was biting her lip, visibly annoyed.
Because this fellow Bai Jinghong… at the dining table, his words were all polite, high-EQ, earning him waves of praise and admiration from the family elders.
But under the table… he kept reaching over to touch her leg.
Keep in mind, she was wearing a pencil skirt with nude stockings today!
He even pinched the fabric and let it snap back!
How was this any different from stealing her underwear, making a slingshot out of it, and shooting at her family’s windows?!
Though she tried to stop him, he’d smoothly catch her hand and tickle her palm.
This was driving Ye Qingke to the brink of collapse. Yet she dared not expose him, forced to endure being secretly bullied.
