Chapter 16: Ye Qinghai Visits (Bonus Chapter—Please Add to Favorites)

Ye Family Ancestral Hall.

The atmosphere in the grand hall was peculiarly tense. Every member of the Ye family seated there wore a grim expression.

“She really said that?”

Ye Qinghai’s brows were tightly knit as his gaze settled on Ye Xin, his tone grave.

Ye Xin wore a mournful look and nodded helplessly. Even now, he couldn’t fathom what kind of spell Ye Shihan had cast on Lin Xue’er to win her unwavering approval.

When Ye Xin nodded, Ye Qinghai’s face darkened further. It was clear that only Ye Shihan could salvage the situation, yet last night he had decisively expelled her from the Ye family. How could he now bring himself to beg her for help?

“There’s nothing to worry about! Huayi Group’s actions are a breach of contract. While we may lose the project, we’ll at least receive substantial compensation for their violation.”

A clear, crisp voice echoed through the hall. The speaker was not the least bit dejected; in fact, at the mention of compensation, she seemed almost excited.

Everyone turned to look at her as though regarding a simpleton, their eyes full of pity and disdain.

It was Ye Xuan’s second daughter, Ye Yun.

Ye Yun was momentarily bewildered by their looks. She hadn’t said anything wrong—why were they looking at her that way?

“Hmph, Ye Xuan, this is your so-called excellent daughter! At this point, she’s still thinking about compensation. Even if Huayi Group pays up, if we accept it, the Ye family will lose its standing in Phoenix City forever! Do you not understand such a basic principle?” Ye Qinghai thundered, his voice stern.

“Father, the urgent matter is to figure out how to resolve this,” Ye Xuan quickly interjected, barely daring to breathe, and shot Ye Yun a fierce glare.

“There is a solution. At this juncture, we must seek Ye Shihan’s help. But—” Ye Qinghai paused, recalling his resolute actions the day before. Now he needed to ask Ye Shihan to return; he found it hard to swallow his pride.

The others sensed his thoughts and fell silent. After a long pause, Ye Xin suddenly stood up and said, “Grandfather, let me go find Ye Shihan.”

Ye Qinghai nodded, a hint of relief in his eyes. “Very well. It’s not appropriate for me to appear in this matter; leaving it to you, her peer, won’t tarnish our family’s dignity.”

“Find Ye Shihan and tell her that if she is willing to return, the project will be entrusted to her. I believe she’ll come back.”

Ye Xin’s face grew resentful at Ye Qinghai’s words, but he knew how important this was to the Ye family. Though he felt frustrated, he could only keep it to himself.

Yet Ye Qinghai noticed Ye Xin’s expression and sighed, “Xin’er, rest assured. You are the Ye family’s eldest grandson; one day, the family will be yours to lead. Don’t let minor setbacks cloud your greater future.”

Ye Xin’s mood instantly brightened, sweeping away his earlier resentment.

After Ye Qinghai’s instructions, Ye Xin left for Ye Shihan’s home. Soon, he arrived at her doorstep.

He paced outside for a while before finally mustering the courage to knock. Shortly, the door opened, and Ye Kai appeared before him.

“Ye Xin, what brings you here?” Ye Kai asked in surprise.

“Third Uncle, is Shihan home? I need to speak with her,” Ye Xin said directly.

“Shihan? She didn’t come home last night. I don’t know where she and that useless Xiao Yu went. Alas.” Ye Kai sighed as he spoke of Ye Shihan.

“What? She didn’t come home? Alright, Third Uncle, I’ll call her. I’ll be off now.” Without waiting, Ye Xin turned and left.

Seeing Ye Xin leave, Ye Kai closed the door.

“Hello. The number you dialed is not answering. Please try again later.”

On the street, Ye Xin kept dialing Ye Shihan’s number, but there was never an answer. His anxiety mounted.

“Damn it, just answer the phone!” Ye Xin cursed in frustration and dialed again.

Beep.

“What do you want?”

At last, the call connected, and Ye Shihan’s calm voice came through.

“Cousin, where are you? I need to see you urgently.”

Ye Xin was excited to hear her voice.

“If you have something to say, just say it. I don’t have time for anything else,” Ye Shihan replied coldly.

Ye Xin wanted to lash out, but remembering that only Ye Shihan could resolve the matter, he drew a deep breath and suppressed his anger.

“Cousin, Grandfather asked me to contact you. He wants me to bring you home,” Ye Xin said with a smile.

“Home? Where is my home? I’ve been expelled from the Ye family. I have no home,” Ye Shihan replied bluntly, leaving Ye Xin stunned.

He had expected her to be overjoyed at the invitation, but she spoke as though she cared nothing about returning to the Ye family.

“Ye Shihan, are you really willing to stay beside a useless man, even after being cast out?”

Ye Xin could no longer contain his fury and shouted, drawing stares from passersby.

“If that’s all you called for, there’s nothing more to say. In your eyes, Xiao Yu is worthless, but in mine, no matter what, he is my man!” Ye Shihan retorted angrily.

Ye Xin, fearing she might hang up, hurriedly said, “Ye Shihan, Grandfather has agreed that when you return, you’ll be in charge of the project!”

Ye Shihan laughed. She understood the situation perfectly now. The Ye family only wanted her back to reclaim the project. To be named responsible sounded nice, but who could predict how things would truly unfold?

“If you want Shihan to return, it can be arranged—let Ye Qinghai come invite her himself!”

At that moment, Xiao Yu’s voice came through the phone. Hearing his demand that Grandfather must personally come, Ye Xin’s fury boiled. As he was about to berate Xiao Yu, the call abruptly disconnected, leaving Ye Xin with a livid face, gripping his phone tightly.

“Damn it! Even a worthless man dares be so arrogant! Ye Shihan, you’ll regret your decision today!”

On the street, Ye Xin, beside himself with rage, smashed his phone to the ground, shattering it to pieces.

Ye Family Ancestral Hall.

Ye Qinghai glared at Ye Xin, his face dark.

“Are you certain that useless fellow said that?” His chilling voice echoed, his eyes flashing with anger.

“Grandfather, it’s true! That Xiao Yu is audacious enough to demand you personally come, or Ye Shihan won’t consider returning.”

Ye Xin spoke fiercely.

“That fool must have guessed our motives for wanting Ye Shihan back. Otherwise, he’d never be so brazen,” Ye Qinghai said, his brow furrowed. The Ye family had no other options now. Without personally going, this matter would not be resolved.

“By the way, did you reach Li Minghao?”

Ye Qinghai suddenly remembered Li Minghao. Everyone believed he had played a crucial role in Ye Shihan securing the project. If Li Minghao could be involved, perhaps Ye Shihan wouldn’t be necessary for the Ye family to reclaim it.

“I’ve tried, but for some reason, Li Minghao’s phone is always out of service,” Ye Xin shook his head.

Li Minghao was already dead, killed by Taisui. If the Ye family could reach him, it would be a miracle.

“Eldest, call Third Brother. Have him come.”

Ye Qinghai sighed deeply. It was clear he had to go himself, but before that, he wanted Ye Kai to accompany him, so that, in the eyes of others, his dignity would not be compromised.

Ye Xuan nodded and dialed Ye Kai’s number.

After a ring, the call was answered, and Ye Kai’s voice came through.

“Big Brother, what’s the matter?”

Ye Kai was puzzled. His eldest brother never called him; today must be extraordinary for Ye Xuan to do so.

“Father wants you at the ancestral hall, quickly,” Ye Xuan said calmly and hung up.

On the other end, Ye Kai stared at the phone, lost in thought. Was something urgent happening?

He had no time to ponder. He grabbed his coat, rushed out, and drove straight to the ancestral hall. Ten minutes later, he arrived.

“Father, what do you need?” Ye Kai asked respectfully.

“Come with me. We’re going to bring Shihan home,” Ye Qinghai replied coolly.

“What? Bring Shihan home? Are you serious?” Ye Kai was shocked.

“Do I ever joke?” Ye Qinghai looked at him with displeasure.

“You misunderstand me, Father. It’s just—I don’t know where Shihan and that useless fellow are. Where are we supposed to find them?” Ye Kai said, troubled.

Just as he finished speaking, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He quickly checked and found a text message.

It was an address, located at a well-known hotel in Phoenix City, sent from Ye Shihan’s phone.

“Father, I know where they are now.”

He handed the phone to Ye Qinghai, who sneered, “Good, very good, Xiao Yu! You’ve calculated everything so precisely. It seems the Ye family truly underestimated you!”