Chapter Forty-Seven: The Ultimate Straight Man

“Sixth Master, what’s wrong with you? Isn’t it just a little vixen and a pretty boy? Are you, the dignified Sixth Master, really unable to handle a few small fry?” Wu Pipa was still in shock. Cold sweat poured off Jin Liu’s forehead.

You call this gentleman a small fry? If he’s a small fry, then what am I?

In the past, hearing that sweet little mouth call him “Sixth Master” would make Jin Liu’s body melt, but now, hearing “Road Sixth Master” made him break out in a cold sweat.

“Get up, what are you doing?” Ye Qiu pulled Jin Liu to his feet, regarding both Jin Liu and Wu Pipa with an amused expression. “So, what’s going on between the two of you?”

“Mr. Ye, we’re a proper couple, our wedding is being planned.” Jin Liu’s face flushed as he spoke. “I am more than ten years older than her, but our relationship isn’t what people imagine it to be.”

As he spoke, Jin Liu glanced at Wu Pipa, gritted his teeth, and said, “Mr. Ye, this woman is young and inexperienced, she offended Second Sister. If you want to punish someone, please punish me and spare her.”

This woman didn’t know how formidable Ye Qiu was, but Jin Liu, who frequently traveled to the Beautiful Country, certainly knew Ye Qiu’s capabilities there. If Jin Liu dared to be reckless around Ye Qiu, next time he went to the Beautiful Country, he wouldn’t even be able to do business—he might end up dead by the roadside, and no one would be surprised.

“Who would have thought you had such a tender heart?” Ye Qiu couldn’t help but laugh. “But I don’t get to decide this; whether you’re punished or not depends on Second Sister and Master Xuanyuan.”

“Master, shall we punish him?” Xiao Yuru looked at Xuanyuan Datang.

“I’ve lived for more than half a century. If I wanted to deal with him, would he dare to be so arrogant in front of me?” Xuanyuan Datang waved his hand dismissively. “Forget it, seeing as you have some courage, get out of my sight and don’t let me see you again.”

“Thank you, sir.” Jin Liu quickly pulled Wu Pipa along, bowing in apology.

Seeing the group’s expressions relax, Jin Liu seized the opportunity, “Sir, ladies, I apologize for any offense today. If you don’t mind, I’d like to invite you all tonight. I’ve reserved a table for you at the Linhai Grand Hotel as a gesture of apology.”

He then looked at Ye Qiu, “Mr. Ye, I hope you’ll honor me with your presence.”

“I won’t be joining, but if the young people wish to go, I won’t stop you.” Xuanyuan Datang, supported by Lin Wan’er, entered the hospital.

Xiao Yuru looked at Ye Qiu. She didn’t really want to go, especially since Wu Pipa would surely be there tonight—it would be far too awkward.

“All right, no need to pick us up. Second Sister and I will be there on time tonight.”

“Thank you, Mr. Ye, for honoring me. I’ll make sure everything is properly arranged.” Jin Liu was genuinely pleased; this meant Ye Qiu wasn’t angry, and his business in the Beautiful Country wouldn’t be affected.

“Why bother with people like that?” Xiao Yuru gave Ye Qiu a suspicious glance.

“He’s wealthy. A little arrogance is inevitable, but he’s not a bad person,” Ye Qiu explained. “Besides, Jin Liu works in import-export; some things really can only be handled by people like him.”

“I’ll follow your lead, then.” Xiao Yuru nodded. It was just a meal, she didn’t give it much thought.

“Second Sister, there’s one more thing. Didn’t you want to find a replacement doctor? I met a plastic surgeon studying abroad while I was in the Beautiful Country. If you have time, let’s go meet him together.”

“All right.” Xiao Yuru was always impatient. She urged, “I’m free right now. Where is he?”

“In Linhai.”

“What are we waiting for, then? Let’s hurry.”

After Ye Qiu returned, Xiao Yuru had hoped to spend more time with him, but he only made her work even busier. If she could find a replacement doctor sooner, she’d have more time to spend with her eldest sister and younger brother.

“Junior Sister, Master wants to know Eleven’s computer password.”

If Master hadn’t recently become obsessed with discussing medical knowledge with Eleven, she wouldn’t have bothered to come out and ask Xiao Yuru.

“12346.”

“Huh? That simple?”

“What else would it be?”

“All right.” Lin Wan’er nodded in frustration. Seeing the two ready to leave, she asked, “Where are you going?”

“To meet a colleague.”

“I’m coming too. Staying in this lousy hospital every day is so boring.” Lin Wan’er sent the password to Xuanyuan Datang via text, then slipped into the car and took the passenger seat.

Xiao Yuru and Ye Qiu exchanged glances; Xiao Yuru was a little disappointed.

She had thought she finally had a chance to be alone with Ye Qiu, but Lin Wan’er had come along to disrupt things.

Since arriving in Linhai, Lin Wan’er had been sarcastic, especially after Xiao Yuru became Xuanyuan Datang’s last disciple—she constantly acted superior, boasted about the prosperity of the capital, and criticized Linhai’s backward infrastructure, irritating everyone around her, though she seemed oblivious.

“Forget her, let’s take a taxi.”

“But…” Xiao Yuru hesitated, but Ye Qiu already led her into a cab at the entrance.

“Stubborn Ye Qiu, you make me worry.” Xiao Yuru shook her head, smiling with an air of exasperation. “Wan’er is a beautiful girl, after all. If you’re so blunt, I wonder if you’ll ever find a partner.”

“She’s hardly beautiful. Compared to my Second Sister, she’s nothing but wild grass in the forest.”

“Well, well.” Xiao Yuru’s smile broadened, clearly satisfied with this answer. She rolled her eyes and winked at Ye Qiu, “Then tell me, who’s prettier, me or Big Sister?”

“Of course, it’s Second Sister.”

In front of one beauty, you should never say another is prettier.

“You said it yourself.” Xiao Yuru’s expression grew sly, her eyes sparkling with some mischievous intent.

...

“Peng Tao, these are your things I kept. I’ve brought them all. From now on, I wish you happiness.”

“Hui Min, please don’t leave. I can already perform simple double eyelid and nose surgeries. In a few years, I’ll be able to operate as the lead surgeon, earning at least hundreds of thousands a year. I promise you’ll have a good life.”

“A few years? Five, six, or ten?” The woman’s tone was cold, her lips curled in disdain. “A woman’s best years are only a few. Are you asking me to suffer and struggle through my prime?”

“Hui Min, you weren’t so materialistic before.”

“Calling me materialistic?” At those words, the woman’s brows and eyes shot up, her expression exaggerated and sharp with sarcasm. “Only useless men accuse women of being materialistic. Peng Tao, don’t try to manipulate me with your little tricks.”

She threw the suitcase on the ground, scattering its contents—a jumble of everyday items—just like Peng Tao’s heart, shattered and fragmented.

“Hui Min…”

Seeing Hui Min about to get into one of the two luxury cars parked ahead, Peng Tao refused to give up and chased after her once more.