Chapter 12 Burning Bridges After Crossing the River

"Enough, I don't wish to discuss these matters any further. Since you’ve secured the contract without trouble, let’s go to the Ye family ancestral hall now."

Mention of the contract made Ye Kai unable to suppress his excitement. Without another word to Ye Shihan, he strode directly toward the parking area, got into the car, and sat behind the wheel.

"Bring the contract, drive yourself, and let’s go!" After starting the engine, Ye Kai rolled down the window and called out to Ye Shihan, then slowly drove away.

Ye Shihan, seeing this, glanced apologetically at Xiao Yu, feeling terribly sorry.

"Xiao Yu, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize their prejudice against you was so deep," Ye Shihan sighed.

Hearing Ye Shihan apologize, Xiao Yu was momentarily stunned, then replied gently, "I haven’t let these things weigh on me. We’re husband and wife—you don’t need to feel this way."

Ye Shihan’s heart ached all the more for Xiao Yu. She took his hand, her expression serious as she looked at him. "Don’t worry. When we arrive at the Ye family ancestral hall, I will make them believe in you!"

Xiao Yu was her man, and she was determined to show the Ye family he was no useless fool.

"We’ll see when the time comes. For now, let’s head to the ancestral hall," Xiao Yu said, unconcerned by the issue Ye Shihan raised.

Ye Shihan nodded, then followed Xiao Yu to the car, where Taishui was already waiting for them.

Once they were inside, Taishui started the engine and drove away from the Ye family estate, heading toward the ancestral hall.

"Xiao Yu, where did you stay last night? Was it at a hotel?" Ye Shihan asked with concern as they drove.

"No, I bought a property in Phoenix City when I returned. You know—it’s always been my wish, and now it’s finally come true," Xiao Yu replied with a smile.

"Really? Then, when you have time, show me our home," Ye Shihan suddenly said.

Xiao Yu was taken aback, then his face lit up with happiness—she had called it 'our home' instead of 'your home.' This meant Ye Shihan was slowly forgiving him.

"Of course!" Xiao Yu nodded eagerly.

Seeing Xiao Yu’s expression, Ye Shihan smiled knowingly.

Before long, the three arrived at the entrance of the Ye family ancestral hall. After parking, Taishui remained outside, standing guard, while Xiao Yu and Ye Shihan entered.

Ye Shihan and Xiao Yu, hand in hand, walked into the grand hall of the ancestral hall. Inside, the direct descendants of the Ye family had all gathered, seemingly waiting for Ye Shihan’s arrival—more precisely, waiting for her to bring the contract.

As soon as Ye Shihan stepped into the hall, Ye Qinghai, seated at the head, immediately stood up and hurried over, his face alight with excitement. "Shihan, where’s the contract? Let Grandpa see it!"

Ye Kai had already informed Ye Qinghai of the situation upon his arrival. After hearing it, Ye Qinghai was overjoyed, though he still believed, like Ye Kai, that it was thanks to Li Minghao that the contract was secured.

"The contract is here." Without hesitation, Ye Shihan took it from her arms and handed it to Ye Qinghai, who returned to his seat, his face flushed with anticipation, and began to read it carefully. But as he reviewed the terms, his expression grew stiff and his brows knit tightly.

"Ha, Dad doesn’t seem pleased with the contract," Ye Xuan remarked with a sardonic smile upon noticing Ye Qinghai’s change of expression.

"Shihan, you didn’t just draft this contract randomly, did you?" Ye Xuan’s son, Ye Xin, said mockingly to Ye Shihan, doubting she could accomplish what even his father could not.

"Shihan, is this contract genuine?" After a quick review of the terms, Ye Qinghai set the contract down and asked Ye Shihan sternly.

Ye Xin’s face grew even more mocking at Ye Qinghai’s words. He vividly remembered the wager made on the day at the ancestral hall: if Ye Shihan failed to secure the contract, her entire family would be permanently expelled from the ancestral hall—a great boon for him. If Ye Shihan were ousted, all her positions in the Ye Group would vanish, and as the eldest grandson, he might inherit her responsibilities, reaping considerable profit.

"Grandpa, the terms are written in black and white, with Huayi Group’s official seal. Could it possibly be fake?" Ye Shihan ignored Ye Xin’s remarks. The facts spoke for themselves, and she was certain Ye Qinghai could discern the contract’s authenticity.

Ye Shihan understood why Ye Qinghai questioned her—these terms were simply too enticing, as if money was being handed over to the Ye family.

"Ye Shihan, even now you refuse to give up. A company as great as Huayi Group isn’t something you can negotiate with. I think you’re just deceiving Grandpa to avoid being expelled from the ancestral hall," Ye Xin sneered.

"Silence!" Suddenly, as Ye Xin was gloating, expecting Ye Shihan’s expulsion to be imminent, Ye Qinghai slammed the table and stood up abruptly.

The unexpected outburst startled Ye Xin, who stared at Ye Qinghai in confusion, unable to fathom the cause of his fury.

"This contract is genuine! Heaven favors the Ye family!" Ye Qinghai trembled with excitement. In his gleaming eyes, he seemed to see the Ye family rising anew. Their time was coming.

Seeing Ye Qinghai’s elation, the assembled family members were stunned, then turned to Ye Shihan in disbelief. The same question echoed in their minds: Had Ye Shihan truly succeeded?

Unconcerned by their gazes, Ye Shihan took a deep breath, as if steeling herself, and addressed Ye Qinghai with solemnity. "The contract is complete, but I want to explain its origin. The reason I was able to secure it so smoothly is thanks to Xiao Yu’s help. I know you all harbor deep prejudice against him, but from now on, I hope you’ll stop viewing my husband through a tinted lens!"

Her words caused a commotion in the hall.

Everyone stared at Xiao Yu, faces filled with disbelief. No one had expected that the very issue that troubled even the top families in Phoenix City had been resolved with Xiao Yu’s help—the same man they had always regarded as useless.

"Shihan, don’t spout nonsense! The contract was only secured thanks to Li Minghao’s assistance—what does Xiao Yu have to do with it?" Ye Kai quickly interjected.

"I’m telling the truth!" Ye Shihan retorted loudly.

"You—"

Before Ye Kai could speak, Ye Qinghai waved his hand to silence him. He spoke calmly, "Enough. For the Ye family, the most important thing is our partnership with Huayi Group. As for who actually helped, the family doesn’t care."

With Ye Qinghai’s final word on the matter, Ye Kai could only return to his seat in frustration.

"Grandpa, you said at the ancestral hall gathering that if I managed to secure this contract, I would be fully responsible for all future dealings with Huayi Group. Now, shouldn’t you announce this before everyone?" Ye Shihan had never forgotten this promise. She had always relied on her own efforts to prove herself within the Ye Group, and now was the perfect opportunity.

Ye Kai was immediately excited—this concerned the future of his branch. If Ye Shihan became responsible, their family’s status would rise, and their annual profits would be astronomical.

Ye Qinghai hadn’t expected Ye Shihan to raise this issue now and frowned deeply. His promise had been a casual remark, never expecting she’d actually pull it off.

Now he was caught in a dilemma—his word was law in the Ye family, and to break it would undermine his authority. Yet, Shihan was a woman and married, technically no longer a true member of the Ye family. If he made her responsible, it would be as if the family was aiding an outsider—Xiao Yu.

After much deliberation, Ye Qinghai steeled himself and said, "Shihan, you truly deserve credit for securing this contract, but you’re still a woman. If you become the person in charge, outsiders may think the Ye family lacks someone worthy of the task."

The family members’ tense faces finally relaxed at his words, none more so than Ye Xuan and Ye Xin. Both had feared Ye Qinghai would actually let Shihan take charge, which would elevate her status and threaten their own positions in the company.

Ye Kai and Shihan’s faces darkened, but Xiao Yu remained unchanged. From his understanding of Ye Qinghai, he had known from the start that even if Shihan succeeded, Ye Qinghai would never let her take charge.