“Shangguan Minda, watch your mouth! Who are you telling Miaotong to stay away from? If you dare spread nonsense outside, believe me, I’ll tear your mouth apart too!” Ye Jingyun glared at Shangguan Minda and roared. She thought to herself: if Shangguan Minda really started spreading this rubbish outside, how could she ever show her face again?
Shangguan Minda naturally had no fear of Ye Jingyun. He swept a glance over her and said, “I’m reminding you too: some things you shouldn’t do, don’t do them. Miaotong is gentle and doesn’t dare say it outright, but that doesn’t mean I’ll just stand by and let it happen.”
“You…” Ye Jingyun was so furious she felt her lungs were about to explode. She took several deep breaths, barely suppressing the urge to explode, then pointed at the boat door and shouted, “Get out!”
Shangguan Minda snorted. He knew it was unwise to clash with Ye Jingyun on this boat. His gaze shifted to Ye Chu. “I’ll be waiting for you outside!”
With that, he gave Tan Miaotong one last look and strode out of the boat.
Watching Shangguan Minda leave, Ye Jingyun could no longer hold back. She grabbed the teacup in her hand and hurled it viciously at Ye Chu. “Why don’t you just die!”
Ye Chu reached out and caught the flying cup effortlessly. He poured himself another cup, took a sip, and smiled. “You’re allowed to scheme against me, but I can’t get even?”
“You want to get even? Fine — I’ll let you get even right now!” Ye Jingyun raised her long leg. Her beautiful leg lashed out in a straight kick towards Ye Chu, tracing a dazzling, seductive arc.
Ye Chu had to admit that Ye Jingyun’s legs were exceptionally long and alluring. Facing such a tempting leg coming at him, he did not dodge. Instead, he lifted the steaming pot of hot water and held it in front of his chest.
Ye Jingyun’s kick was about to land on Ye Chu, but seeing the pot of hot water in the way, she abruptly halted her motion. If this kick connected, Ye Chu would naturally suffer, but her own leg would definitely get scalded.
Seeing Ye Jingyun rein in her fury, Ye Chu smiled. “There we go! A proper girl should be gentle and refined. Don’t go around splitting legs all the time. Men who don’t know better might think you’re trying to seduce them with those splits.”
“You…”
Qing Wenting saw Ye Jingyun about to explode again. She and Tan Miaotong quickly grabbed her from both sides. “Alright, calm down! Who told you to mess with Ye Chu? I warned you to be careful.”
Ye Jingyun sat down huffily. Her dark eyes glared wide at Ye Chu. “You win this round! But don’t think you’ll get off easy. Just wait and see how Shangguan Minda deals with you.”
“No need to worry about that for me!” Ye Chu smiled at Ye Jingyun, then turned his gaze to Tan Miaotong. “In the future, if Shangguan Minda keeps pestering you, just tell him Ye Jingyun doesn’t allow you to have any contact with him.”
Tan Miaotong burst into delicate laughter. She thought to herself: if she really did that, wouldn’t it just confirm the rumour that Ye Jingyun liked women? And it would also pit Ye Jingyun and Shangguan Minda against each other.
Tan Miaotong felt Ye Chu was truly wicked. To spread such a rumour! Imagining the awkwardness Ye Jingyun would face in the future when people mistakenly thought she liked women, she could not help covering her mouth and laughing.
“I’m tired today. I’ll head back first.” Ye Chu smiled at Qing Wenting, then looked at Ye Jingyun. “I’ve seen plenty of lesbians before. I don’t look down on you for liking women, so don’t take it too personally. I believe the world will slowly come to accept this kind of unconventional love!”
“Get lost!” Ye Jingyun exploded. She grabbed the chair she had been sitting on and hurled it viciously at Ye Chu.
Ye Chu dodged with a flash, laughing heartily as he leapt aside. Qing Wenting rarely saw Ye Jingyun lose control like this. She smiled at Ye Chu. “You really aren’t coming to the imperial capital? We’re leaving for the capital in three days. You’re not coming with us?”
Ye Chu shook his head. “You all go ahead. I still have some things to handle. Don’t bother looking for Extreme Intent Jade for me anymore. Pang Shao asked me about Xingcha last time. I’m lazy by nature and don’t want to deal with too much. You take over.”
Qing Wenting sighed helplessly but agreed. In truth, ever since Ye Chu left the imperial capital, she had been the one quietly managing Xingcha.
Tan Miaotong saw Ye Chu preparing to leave and asked worriedly, “Shangguan Minda is waiting outside. Will Ye Chu be alright facing him…”
“Don’t worry about him. Shangguan Minda can cause Ye Chu a little trouble at most. Breaking Ye Chu’s hands and feet? He’s not capable of that.” Qing Wenting laughed. Others might not know Ye Chu’s strength, but how could she not?
Hearing Qing Wenting’s confidence, Tan Miaotong finally relaxed. She looked at the still-fuming Ye Jingyun, reached out to hug her, and said, “Alright, stop being angry. No woman would believe you like women. As for men — didn’t you always say ‘stinky men can roll as far away as possible’? Ye Chu just did you a huge favour. In the future, fewer men will dare pester you. Giggle…”
…
When Ye Chu stepped off the boat, he saw Shangguan Minda waiting with his attendants blocking his path. “You came down pretty fast. Aren’t you afraid I’ll cripple your hands and feet?”
“Naturally, I’m not afraid of you!” Ye Chu replied. “Because I’m confident you can’t break my hands and feet.”
“Such big talk!” Shangguan Minda snorted coldly and nodded to the two attendants beside him.
The two attendants understood Shangguan Minda’s style well. They gave Ye Chu a sympathetic glance before lunging at him. Their attacks were domineering and terrifying. Both men were actually at the Innate Realm. As they moved, the surrounding spiritual energy surged, their strikes aimed straight at Ye Chu’s hands and feet.
Ye Chu did not dodge or evade. He met their palms head-on. The two coordinated perfectly. Under their combined assault, Ye Chu was forced back several steps.
Of course, the two men did not fare any better. They were also shaken backward, their arms trembling faintly.
“Innate Realm!” Shangguan Minda looked at Ye Chu in surprise. “No wonder you have the confidence to say you’re not afraid of me. But do you really think this level of strength is enough to teach me a lesson and make me ‘leave Miaotong’?”
Ye Chu laughed. “No! I would never stoop to your low level! The most important thing when pursuing a woman is to make her willingly accept you. Threatening rivals is something only the most useless men do. I told you to leave Miaotong because I find your clingy, coercive pursuit of a love rival utterly shameful for a man.”
“Who are you calling useless?” Shangguan Minda’s face darkened terrifyingly. “Don’t think that because you’re from the Ye family, I’ll let you off. I’m not afraid of the Ye family!”
“Do you think I’m like you — someone who only knows how to oppress others with status and background?” Ye Chu said. “Let me give you a piece of advice: with your attitude, don’t even dream of winning Tan Miaotong in this lifetime.”
“You’re asking for death!” Shangguan Minda hated nothing more than hearing someone say he could not win Tan Miaotong. Furious, he roared and moved to strike Ye Chu.
“Getting angry from embarrassment already?” Ye Chu sighed. “If you truly want to win a woman’s heart, you should follow her wishes. That way, she’ll develop feelings for you naturally. Never mind — someone with zero emotional intelligence like you wouldn’t understand even if I explained.”
With that, Ye Chu ignored Shangguan Minda completely and walked straight past him.
Shangguan Minda stared fixedly at Ye Chu’s retreating back. In the end, he did not attack. He muttered to himself, “Follow her wishes…?”
With his back to Shangguan Minda, Ye Chu almost burst out laughing when he heard those words. Shangguan Minda might not be stupid, but his emotional intelligence was clearly stuck in a single track. Heh, if he really tried that approach, he probably would never have a chance in this lifetime.
What worked for others would backfire spectacularly on Shangguan Minda. Tan Miaotong already disliked him. If he suddenly started “following her wishes,” she might laugh herself awake — and probably thank Ye Chu for helping her get rid of an annoying pursuer.
Ye Chu felt quite kind-hearted. Although he had tricked Shangguan Minda a little, it was all to help him become smarter in the future. Wasn’t there a saying: learn from a setback and grow wiser?
To help Shangguan Minda grow wiser, Ye Chu had even gone so far as to throw stones in his path. Wasn’t that generous?