Chapter 22: The Cousin Has Met with Trouble-Sweeter Than Sugar(Ink-dyed Clouds)

The three bodyguards behind the lobby manager stepped forward, grabbing the clothes of Meng Yueling and her two bodyguards, dragging them out of the establishment.

Meng Yueling was completely panicked, shouting incessantly, "What are you doing? I'm your customer! What gives you the right to treat me this way?"

The lobby manager walked alongside her, sighing, "Miss Meng, you were indeed our guest before, but from today onward, that's no longer the case."

Having worked at Imperial Banquet for many years, it was the first time he'd received a direct order from the mysterious owner to throw someone out and ban them permanently.

Understanding the implication of his words, Meng Yueling's face went pale, and she struggled even more fiercely.

But the bodyguards holding her clothes were well-trained; she had no hope of breaking free. Desperately, she tried to shield her face, unwilling to let passersby witness her humiliation.

"What do you mean? Let go of me! Aren't you afraid the Meng family will hold you accountable?"

The lobby manager chuckled, his eyes tinged with mockery. "Miss Meng, that's amusing. Even I don't know what the Meng family amounts to... But even if the Meng family were something, so what?"

Imperial Banquet had stood tall in Crown City for years; why would it fear a minor family like Meng?

Looking at Meng Yueling, his gaze was filled with pity. "Miss Meng, perhaps you should reflect on what you've done and whom you've offended?"

To offend someone so powerful without realizing it—how could mere foolishness describe it?

Imperial Banquet's security was always impeccable. When she was assaulted earlier and no one intervened, did she not suspect anything?

The first person Meng Yueling thought of was Gu Ci.

But the notion was quickly dismissed.

Impossible!

Gu Ci was merely the niece of the Gu family, and even they didn't value her much. There was no way she wielded such influence.

Then... it must have been the man who appeared by her side earlier!

As reason returned, Meng Yueling's legs grew weak.

She couldn't imagine the storm that would rage if her father learned she'd offended someone Imperial Banquet sought to please.

Thrown out in front of everyone, Meng Yueling's face was contorted with shame.

Her eyes were bloodshot, her nails digging into the ground, humiliation nearly driving her to despair.

Gu Ci! Everything she was suffering now was because of Gu Ci!

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Today, Rong Ye drove a black Cayenne, bringing not Qin Yu but a driver who seemed unfamiliar.

He introduced him to Gu Ci, "This is my man, Rong Shan."

Rong Shan greeted Gu Ci, and she replied politely.

Then Rong Ye looked at Gu Ci with leisure, his gaze deep and dark. "When you're bullying people, why don't you call me?"

The house had just been tidied yesterday, and he happened to notice Gu Ci was at Imperial Banquet, so he invited her out to see the place.

Unexpectedly, he caught sight via surveillance of the scene where the Gu family threatened to throw the girl out, and she was bullied and isolated by a crowd.

Gu Ci was stunned.

Honestly, it was the first time she'd seen Rong Ye display such obvious emotion—it was because she hadn't called him when she was bullying others...

Remembering that Rong Ye helped her find a house, she explained, "I can manage on my own."

Rong Ye laughed, a little exasperated. "But couldn't you have asked me to join?"

She knew he was at Imperial Banquet, yet didn't seek his help.

He figured the girl could handle two showy bodyguards herself, so he restrained himself and let her vent.

Until they pulled out the electric batons.

He could no longer hold back.

Now, the more he thought about it, the more displeased he became.

Gu Ci remained silent.

Was he simply fond of bullying people?

Rong Ye instantly saw through Gu Ci's thoughts, but didn't press the issue. He looked at her with dignified concern. "Did you get hurt anywhere?"

Before she could answer, he rolled up her sleeve.

There was a barely noticeable scratch on her arm.

He frowned and produced a medical kit.

Gu Ci's mouth twitched, quickly withdrawing her arm. "Isn't it unnecessary to apply medicine?"

Truthfully, she'd only been grazed by Meng Yueling's little knife—a tiny scratch.

Seeing Rong Ye methodically laying out iodine, disinfectant, and even gauze, Gu Ci hesitated to remind him, "Shouldn't we hurry? If we wait a bit more, it'll heal on its own."

Rong Ye cast her a light glance, abandoned the gauze, but insisted on applying iodine.

With slender fingers, he picked up a cotton ball, carefully disinfecting the small wound.

Then, using a cotton swab dipped in iodine, he gently dabbed at her injury.

A simple act of tending a wound, but in Rong Ye's hands, it carried an unspoken air of elegance.

Several minutes passed. He still hadn't finished, and his mood was palpably gloomy.

Gu Ci dared not mention the wound had already scabbed over. When Rong Ye finally finished, she thanked him softly.

After all, since leaving the Gu family, she'd only been staying in hotels—not exactly economical.

When the car entered the main road leading to Imperial Waters Garden, Gu Ci's expression grew subtle.

The only houses she could view but not inhabit were also in this neighborhood.

Along the way, Gu Ci memorized the route and commented, "It's pretty quiet here." There didn't seem to be many people.

Rong Ye courteously opened the car door for her. "As long as you like it."

The house was a double-rowed villa, with a small garden and an open-air balcony, almost identical in layout to the one Gu Ci had previously bought.

Imperial Waters Garden was only two streets away from First High School—very convenient for commuting.

Gu Ci was quite satisfied, signing the lease agreement on the spot.

Later, she notified Star City, and within half an hour, a female manager from Star City brought over the items Gu Ci had purchased last time.

After delivering everything, the manager and her staff enthusiastically helped place all the items in the rooms Gu Ci designated.

Rong Ye immediately noticed that there were far more things than the girl had picked herself.

Especially the clothes.

Nearly all the latest collections from several brands were included.

He still remembered that the man dining with the girl at Imperial Banquet earlier was the owner behind Star City, heir to the Qi family, Qi Xuanduan.

Rong Ye's eyes darkened.

Gu Ci invited Rong Ye to sit, making a pot of tea. "Come, have a seat. Let me treat you to dinner tonight?"

She used the tea set just brought over from Star City.

Rong Ye looked at the tea set and sat across from Gu Ci. "It would be my honor."

Gu Ci poured fresh water into the kettle, brewed the tea, and filled the cups, handing one to Rong Ye. "Do you have any dietary restrictions?"

But just then, Rong Shan's anxious voice broke in. "Young Master Ye, Young Lady is in trouble."

Rong Ye's fingertip traced the rim of his cup, his gaze icy as he looked at Rong Shan.

Rong Shan steeled himself. "She's in the hospital now."

Rong Ye finally set down his cup, rising with an apologetic nod. "Sorry, I'll treat you next time."

Gu Ci, hearing a few words from Rong Shan, understood the situation. "It's fine, go ahead."

Just outside the villa, Rong Ye's face turned cold as ice. "What happened to Shu Yue?"