Best Young Master
Chapter 158 - 142: "Arrangement and Expectation

Chapter 158: Chapter 142: "Arrangement and Expectation

Tension is an emotion innate to humankind, just like birth, aging, sickness, and death—no one is an exception.

What differs is that a minority of people can overcome tension swiftly or conceal their nervousness, facing everything with composure, while most people can’t show their true selves because of their anxiety.

Being once the top strong person on the Qing List and now the leading contender for the Ye Family’s third-generation succession, Ye Wenhao belonged to the former.

When he arrived at Villa 16 of Azure Dragon Villa, his face bore not a trace of nervousness, but instead, he looked as commanding and unflappable as ever.

"Mr. Ye, Chairman Chu is waiting for you in the villa’s hall."

As the car stopped and the window rolled down, the short-haired woman greeting him at the door felt an inexplicable tension upon seeing Ye Wenhao’s face, filled with a commanding presence, her gaze towards him full of awe.

"Thank you." Ye Wenhao thanked her without any change in expression, then closed the car window and drove straight into the villa courtyard.

A few minutes later, when Ye Wenhao got out of the car and walked towards the main building, he abruptly saw Ye Fan and Chu Ji standing at the entrance, waiting for him.

This discovery unsettled the calmness in his heart, causing ripples to form, and his gaze involuntarily lingered on Ye Fan for a moment before he forcefully shifted it away, trying to approach as nonchalantly as one would at a normal banquet.

Hm?

Sensing something unusual in Ye Wenhao’s gaze, Ye Fan felt that something was amiss but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.

"Previously, when I found him, he told me that he had met you once at a Jiangnan investment promotion conference," said Chu Ji, realizing that Ye Fan had sensed the fleeting oddity in Ye Wenhao’s expression, her heart tensing as she spoke somewhat deliberately.

"Mm."

Ye Fan nodded, subconsciously thinking that Ye Wenhao was perhaps struck by the coincidence, which is why he showed a hint of surprise.

"Governor Ye, welcome to my humble home." Seeing that Ye Fan was no longer pondering, Chu Ji relaxed and soon took the initiative to greet Ye Wenhao, feigning politeness.

"Miss Chu, you jest. If the villas of Azure Dragon Villa were considered humble homes, then Huaxia would have no so-called mansions," Ye Wenhao’s performance was even more convincing, to the extent that Ye Fan saw no flaws.

"If Governor Ye likes it, then I’ll give it to you," Chu Ji laughed, then stepping aside, she introduced, "Xiao Fan, this is Uncle Ye whom I’ve mentioned to you."

"Uncle Ye, thank you for your help!" Ye Fan bowed respectfully to thank Ye Wenhao.

"You’re welcome; I’m friends with your aunt, and since she asked for my help, I naturally had to oblige. Besides, even without your situation, I would have done something."

Ye Fan’s words and actions were like an invisible blade thrusting straight into Ye Wenhao’s heart, causing him great pain, and his expression was faintly stiff. However, once Ye Fan looked up, he quickly covered it up with a smile, "By the way, if I remember correctly, we’ve met before."

"Yes, that day you presided over the Jiangnan Province investment promotion conference; I attended the meeting," Ye Fan, unaware of Ye Wenhao’s brief lapse, simply nodded.

"Let’s go inside to talk."

Perhaps afraid that Ye Wenhao might lose his composure again, Chu Ji interrupted the conversation between the two.

"Alright."

Ye Wenhao nodded and took the lead into the villa’s hall, following Chu Ji’s gesture.

In the hall of the villa, the servants who had been waiting for a while hurriedly brought the freshly brewed tea to the living room table as soon as they saw the three entering. In the kitchen, the cooks sped up their cooking upon seeing that all the guests had arrived.

Seeing this, Ye Wenhao couldn’t help but laugh and say, "Little Chu, you’re getting more and more into enjoying life, not only having a driver but a private chef as well."

Perhaps knowing that Ye Wenhao was joking to ease his feelings, Chu Ji laughed but did not respond.

This scene, noticed by Ye Fan, made him feel that today’s Ye Wenhao was not as commanding and imposing as he had seemed on the day they first met, but unusually approachable.

"Xiao Fan, I heard you work at Lv Hu Group, and your aunt wants to punish the Bai Yan wolves of the Su Family by acquiring Lv Hu Group."

On the sofa, with his legs crossed, Ye Wenhao sipped the freshly brewed Longjing Tea and casually asked, "Do you plan on entering business to help your aunt manage her affairs?"

"No," Ye Fan shook his head, "I’ve never studied business, and my position at Lv Hu Group’s Jiangnan Company is purely nominal."

"Oh?" Hearing this, Ye Wenhao couldn’t help but laugh and blurted out, "So what do you plan on doing?"

"I don’t know what I want to do either."

Suddenly questioned by Ye Wenhao in this way, Ye Fan felt a bit lost; amidst his confusion, he shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Governor Ye, though my nephew may not know how to manage business, Miss Su is a business prodigy," Chu Ji hastily changed the subject, fearing that Ye Fan might reveal his intention to find his biological parents, joking, "I plan on sending Miss Su to manage my affairs in Donghai, and he can just rely on her there."

"To Donghai?"

Chu Ji’s words echoed in his ears, causing Ye Wenhao’s brows to raise, a look of concern flitting across his eyes. As he was about to say something, a glance at Chu Ji made him swallow his words.

Ye Fan, looking surprised, turned to Chu Ji, "You’re sending Yuxin to Donghai?"

"Yep."

Chu Ji’s expression remained unchanged as she explained, "The Su Family has deep roots in Jiangnan and a robust network. With Uncle Ye looking out for her due to my sake, if Miss Su stays in Jiangnan, she won’t grow much. Donghai, being the jewel of Huaxia and attracting business elites from around the world, offers a bigger and broader stage which will be excellent for honing her, allowing her to thrive in the shortest time possible."

"I’m going too?"

Ye Fan asked again, having just indirectly told Chu Ji about his encounter with Su Yuxin, Chu Ji should understand that Su Yuxin’s condition had been completely resolved, bringing an end to his mission. By routine, he should be seeking guidance from the old man.

"Isn’t it obvious? If you don’t accompany her to Donghai, are you planning to abandon her?" Chu Ji, picking up on Ye Fan’s drift, chose not to explain.

"Hmm..."

Ye Fan found himself at a loss for words and also remembered that Chu Ji had said the old fellow went to look for herbs and wouldn’t be back for a while, so he calmly accepted the arrangement.

"Good afternoon to both the gentlemen."

At the same time, a servant approached Chu Ji, first bowed to Ye Fan and Ye Wenhao to greet them, and then asked Chu Ji, "Miss Chu, the food is ready, would you like to have the meal with the two gentlemen now?"

"Shall we talk while we eat?" Without answering, Chu Ji looked up at Ye Wenhao.

"Sure."

Due to Chu Ji’s words earlier, Ye Wenhao was a bit distracted. Hearing Chu Ji’s suggestion for mealtime, he instantly snapped back to reality and nodded with a smile.

The dinner consisted of authentic Huaxia cuisine; unlike the delicacies of a five-star hotel, it was almost entirely home-cooked dishes, and very delicious.

Unlike the previous times when she continuously ’saved the day’, during the meal, Chu Ji, fearing that Ye Wenhao might give himself away, didn’t let him take the lead. Instead, she picked up the thread of conversation, talking about some trivial matters.

"Little Chu, this is the most comfortable meal I’ve had since coming to Jiangnan, thank you for the hospitality."

Two hours later, as the sky gradually darkened, dinner drew to a close. Ye Wenhao wiped his mouth with a warm towel handed over by a servant and said with a smile.

"If Governor Ye likes it, I can have the chef stay and cook for you every day, as a return for yesterday’s favor," joked Chu Ji with a smile.

"If you do that, I might not come for your meals next time."

Ye Wenhao chuckled, then turned to Ye Fan and said, "Xiao Fan, your aunt has my phone number. If you return to Hanghu later, you can call me and bring your girlfriend to have a meal at my place."

"Okay."

Perceiving that Ye Wenhao was sincerely inviting, Ye Fan was somewhat surprised, and after the surprise, he nodded in agreement.

"Little Chu, I still have some work to take care of, so I will have to leave first." Seeing Ye Fan agree, Ye Wenhao was inwardly pleased, but he didn’t show it on his face, merely excusing himself to Chu Ji as a formality.

"Work is important, let’s meet up another day." Saying so, Chu Ji stood up, accompanying Ye Fan in seeing Ye Wenhao out of the villa.

"Senior sister, I always feel that Uncle Ye is a bit different from the first time I met him," Ye Fan couldn’t help but express his feelings as they watched Ye Wenhao drive away.

"How is he different now?" Chu Ji asked, her heart skipping a beat but keeping her composure.

"Well, the first time I met him, he had a commanding presence. The aura of a superior and strong person he carried made one feel a natural respect," Ye Fan said reflectively, "But today, he seemed very approachable. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but I feel like he was rather enthusiastic about me."

"You’re quite perceptive," Chu Ji responded, her eyes glinting as she spoke with a laugh, "His life was saved by our master, how could he not be warm to you and me?"

"Uh..." Ye Fan was startled.

"It’s not much of a secret. Some special circles are aware of it," Chu Ji explained further, "I didn’t reveal your true identity to him because I didn’t want to expose you. After all, according to the master’s original plan, you were not allowed to leave the mountain until you reached the Innate Realm."

"Why was master so insistent that I reach the Innate Realm before allowing me to leave the mountain?"

No longer dwelling on Ye Wenhao’s attitude, Ye Fan asked about his own situation, which he had always found puzzling.

"Little kid, Jianghu is dangerous; the master was afraid you would suffer losses," Chu Ji explained, then changed the subject, "When you go back, tell Miss Su to get ready. She should report to the Lv Hu Group’s Donghai division before the eleventh. By then, the Lv Hu Group should have completed the acquisition of the Su Family’s assets."

"Okay."

Ye Fan nodded in agreement, and he couldn’t help but remember his promise to Situ Ruoshui to visit Donghai. Going to Donghai with Su Yuxin would also fulfill his promise to Situ Ruoshui.

Half an hour later, Ye Fan drove away from Azure Dragon Villa and headed back to Jiuxi Rose Garden.

"Buzz... Buzz..."

No sooner had Ye Fan left than Chu Ji’s phone began to vibrate.

Chu Ji seemed to know who the caller was, not even glancing at the screen, she answered the call.

"Why did you suddenly decide to send him to Donghai?"

As the call connected, Ye Wenhao’s voice came through, carrying a hint of reproach, but more so concern, "Donghai is the Bai Family’s territory, I can’t protect him well there. Not only has he completely offended Nanqinghong, but he also killed Lin Tianyi’s son. What if Lin Tianyi becomes desperate and sends someone to assassinate him?"

"He is not as fragile as you think; he’s not meant to be a greenhouse flower, nor to live his life under your protection," Thinking of the grand scheme Chu Xuanji had laid out over twenty years, Chu Ji said word by word, "Right now, he’s just a little eagle that has left its nest, he must learn to fly on his own."

"What do you mean?"

"When his wings are fully grown and he soars the skies one day, you and I, along with everyone else, will feel proud of him!"

Chu Ji answered rhetorically, her charming face showing deep anticipation.

...

... (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)