For a moment, the Ye family members looked at each other. They were all family, blood thicker than water. How could someone poison the Old Master?
Only one person in the Ye family appeared unnatural.
That was Ye Qingke’s cousin, Ye Man.
In the original story, this was that bastard’s doing. He was indeed of Ye family blood, but his mother was a woman of the streets.
He was a bona fide illegitimate child.
Originally, only the Old Master and Ye Man’s father knew this matter. But after Ye Man’s father died of illness, only the Old Master remained who knew.
“Brother Jinghong, can you tell us what’s going on?” Ye Qingke was also extremely shocked.
Bai Jinghong nodded and picked up that liquid. “This is poison, but not exactly poison in the usual sense.”
“This is juice extracted from sprouted ginkgo!”
“As everyone should know, ginkgo is edible, but sprouted ginkgo contains trace toxins.”
“Consumed over a long period, the toxins accumulate. Pesticide isn’t even as poisonous as this!”
At these words, the Ye family was horrified, exclaiming one after another.
“Young Master Bai… is this true?”
“Of course it’s true. To think of such an insidious method to harm the Old Master, it could only be someone closest to him!”
“At the very least, the Old Master’s daily diet was injected with trace amounts of sprouted ginkgo juice. Even a divine doctor examining it wouldn’t find anything. But accumulated over time, just think how terrifying that is!”
The Ye family’s eyes widened, and they all looked at Ye Qingke.
Ye Qingke was the Old Master’s most cherished, and she carefully prepared much of his food.
But Ye Qingke had no reason to harm him!
Bai Jinghong didn’t beat around the bush any longer and looked at Ye Man. “Cousin Ye, do you think what I said is wrong?”
“Whoosh!”
Everyone’s gaze turned to Ye Man.
Ye Man could no longer keep up the act, and his expression immediately changed drastically.
This look was obvious to any fool.
Bai Jinghong sighed and said to Ye Jianjie, “Uncle Ye, I must apologize to you for one thing!”
“After hearing about the Old Master, I privately investigated and traced it back to Cousin Ye.”
“As an outsider, I really shouldn’t interfere in your family’s affairs. But you also know my relationship with Qingke!”
“We’ve known each other since childhood. My feelings for her are very deep, and I also regard the Old Master as an elder. I truly couldn’t bear it.”
Hearing this, Ye Qingke’s heart skipped a beat. The way she looked at Bai Jinghong became gentler.
So… he had always been paying attention to her… always helping behind the scenes.
“Jinghong, don’t say that. Your uncle must thank you. The Ye family owes you a tremendous debt of gratitude!”
“If it weren’t for you, the Ye family might have been destroyed by one of our own this time!”
“Yes, Young Master Bai, we are so grateful for your help!”
“You not only saved the Old Master but also caught the culprit, eliminating a future threat. We can’t thank you enough!”
The other Ye family members also chimed in.
Then, they all turned their attention back to Ye Man.
“Brute! Beast! After how much your grandfather cherished you, you beast!”
“You bastard!”
“I… I…” Ye Man’s face was pale. He truly never imagined that just when he was about to succeed, Bai Jinghong would appear out of nowhere.
“Thud!~”
Ye Man dropped directly to his knees.
In reality, he was initially very filial to Ye Hongjun.
Because Ye Hongjun truly doted on him, and among the younger generation, aside from Ye Qingke, he had the greatest chance of becoming the next Family Head.
But one day, his dream of becoming Family Head was shattered.
Once, while taking care of a drunken Old Master, Ye Man overheard his drunken mumbles and learned the truth.
He was the son of a prostitute, brought back to the Ye family as an illegitimate child.
He originally had hope to compete for the family head position, being of direct bloodline.
But the three words ‘illegitimate child’ had already condemned those prospects.
So, he understood at that moment. The Old Master’s love for him was just guilt towards his father.
It was never an intention to give him the family head position, and it was absolutely impossible for him to get it.
He didn’t know since when, but he started scheming.
Getting rid of the only person who knew the truth meant no one else would know.
If the Old Master didn’t die, the family head position would never be his.
Only if he died could he shed the title of illegitimate. The fake would become real.
Then he could legitimately compete for the position of Family Head.
But he was exposed…
“I’m not in a position to meddle further in Ye family affairs now. However, I am very puzzled. Why would Cousin Ye be so vicious?”
“I was able to find out the cause, but I truly don’t know his motive. Could it be someone put you up to this?”
Bai Jinghong smiled faintly and directed the Soul Capturing Eye straight into Ye Man’s eyes.
Ye Man felt a sudden jolt and, unable to control himself, blurted out, “It was that man from before. The one who said he could save grandpa, Chen Lin!”
“He gave me this method, told me to harm grandpa, and said he’d support me in becoming Family Head in the future!”
“The only requirement was that after I become Family Head, I’d be at his beck and call.”
The Ye family was stunned and blurted out, “Chen Lin? That crooked-mouth guy from just now?”
“That bastard, so malicious! He dares to stretch his hand into our Ye family!”
“No wonder he was so angry when Young Master Bai cured the Old Master. So it was Bai who foiled his plan and ruined his scheme.”
Bai Jinghong practically wanted to give the person who added that comment a thumbs up.
It was just too perfectly coordinated. With those words spoken, it was logical, evidence-based, and reasonable. Who wouldn’t believe it?
Anyway, Bai Jinghong believed it himself.
After the control over Ye Man was released, the man was bewildered.
Why did he just bring up that stranger he didn’t even know?
But he was smart and immediately went along with it.
“Grandpa, uncles, I was wrong, I was truly wrong. I listened to a villain’s slander and nearly killed Grandpa!”
“He only said it would make Grandpa a little weak, and then I could help Uncle Ye manage the family’s affairs!”
“After all, Sister Qingke is a woman and will marry out eventually. I truly believed I could assist Uncle well, and that I would be the Family Head in the future.”
“But I really didn’t know lives were at stake!”
Ye Man began kowtowing.
“Slap!”
The sound of a slap rang out.
Ye Man took a slap from Ye Jianjie. “You muddle-headed fool! Absolutely foolish! How could our Ye family have such a stupid wretch like you!”
“Men! Take him away and lock him up!”
“Also, assemble the Ye family’s bodyguards! Chase after him! Make sure to catch that Chen Lin!”
“If he resists, break his legs, even kill him! No problem!”
Ye Jianjie immediately gave the order.
“Uncle Ye, that girl named Zi Yue, she’s innocent. She was indeed discussing how to save the Old Master with me just now. She was probably also deceived.”
“Fine, fine! Target only Chen Lin!”
Soon, someone led Ye Man away, and dozens of other bodyguards immediately chased in the direction Chen Lin had left.
With matters here resolved, Bai Jinghong exchanged a few words with the Old Master on the sickbed, reminded him to rest well, and then walked out cheerfully.
The Ye family would handle the rest. The goal of his visit today had been achieved.
And triply so.
Not only did he sever the potential alliance between the Ye family and Chen Lin, he also placed Chen Lin in direct opposition to the Ye family, the kind of undying enmity.
The Ye family’s bodyguards had chased him. Knowing Chen Lin’s temperament, he absolutely detested being wronged and would surely retaliate physically.
Once he fought back, there would be no more chance to explain. This grudge would be cemented beyond repair.
And then Chen Lin would also suspect Zi Yue’s involvement, creating a rift between their comrade relationship.
How could it be described in just one word: satisfying?
“System, reward? Where’s my reward?”
[Ding, Host need not worry. Just wait for the Host’s plan to be realized, and the reward will be issued!]
“Fine, no rush!”
Bai Jinghong was very happy and really wanted to go back and have a few drinks, to celebrate properly.
