Chapter 16

Chapter 16

A mysterious shadow followed Ye Fengyun all the way. From the lightness of his steps, as if treading on feathers, it was clear this man was no ordinary figure, his mastery of lightfoot skill remarkable.

Yet, to his astonishment, with all his consummate ability, he could not catch up to Ye Fengyun. Worse still, at a turning, he lost him altogether.

The shadow stopped, looking around in disbelief, searching for any trace of Ye Fengyun.

At that moment, a figure appeared silently behind him.

“Looking for me?” Ye Fengyun’s voice sounded from behind.

The man started violently, instinctively retreating several steps.

Ye Fengyun sized him up. The man appeared to be around fifty, yet his bearing was exceptionally steady, his movements far more vigorous than a man of his age ought to be.

“Who are you? Why are you following me? Don’t tell me you’re some kind of stalker?”

Ye Fengyun eyed the elder warily, speaking with perfect seriousness the most irreverent words. “I know my charm is irresistible, but you should know, I’m not that kind of man—I like women.”

The old man ignored his banter and, bowing respectfully, announced, “I am Long San, chief steward of the Long family. By order of the family master, I am here to invite you to return, to acknowledge your lineage and inherit the Long family estate.”

At the mention of the Long family, Ye Fengyun’s face displayed a fury hitherto unseen.

His hands clenched into fists, his jaw set, eyes ablaze.

“Either take your worthless life and leave, or leave your worthless life here,” Ye Fengyun growled through gritted teeth.

Long San remained impassive. “Young master, the family head—”

“Don’t call me young master! I have nothing to do with the Long family anymore! Return to the Long family? When I was cast out all those years ago, did anyone think of letting me return?” Ye Fengyun sneered coldly.

Long San explained, “You are the only male heir left in your father’s line. Upon your shoulders rests the future of the entire Long family. This is the duty bestowed upon you by your ancestors.”

The duty bestowed by my ancestors?

Ye Fengyun almost laughed aloud.

Return to the Long family? How amusing! Aren’t they afraid I’ll turn their world upside down?

Ah yes, those who once humiliated and neglected me, who cast me out when I was young and powerless. Now I have the means, and I’d love nothing more than to return and repay them in full, to turn their world into chaos!

But as this thought crossed his mind, he remembered his poor mother. The anger within him faded.

No matter how much he hated the Long family, their blood ran in his veins, and his mother still lived among them. To destroy the Long family to vent his resentment would be too selfish.

Ye Fengyun could not forgive those people, yet he could not bear to hurt his mother.

What’s past is past, he thought.

With that, he felt his heart lighten. He curled his lips in a carefree, roguish smile.

“The only male heir? Seems the old man is lacking. If it were up to me, my house would be full of sons and daughters, wives and concubines!” he joked.

“As long as you return, such things are trivial. Whether abroad or at home, whether in business or entertainment, whether a famous streamer or a fitness goddess, even the top stars can all be yours,” Long San replied.

Ye Fengyun laughed, rubbing his chin with a rebellious grin. “Wow, famous streamers, fitness goddesses—the thought of those figures is exciting~”

Then his tone changed, feigning regret. “But, alas, I’m used to the free life of a wandering cloud and crane. I don’t want to be caged, and besides, I have a wife.”

“Young master—”

“Go back. I won’t see you out,” Ye Fengyun said, turning around, waving his hand, and strolling off, laughing heartily, looking utterly unburdened.

“I drift and revel as I please, roaming the world like cloud and crane!”

Watching Ye Fengyun’s figure vanish into the night, Long San’s expression did not change.

Though he had seen the fury in Ye Fengyun’s eyes, he had also seen the deep bond and unbreakable tie of family.

His devil-may-care appearance was but a mask to conceal his true care for his kin.

Long San gazed thoughtfully in the direction Ye Fengyun had gone, then departed as well.

He knew Ye Fengyun would return one day; it was just a matter of time.

Ye Fengyun took ten million to the bank and opened three accounts, depositing a third in each.

Afterwards, he wandered through the mall, intending to buy a present for Tang Shihan to celebrate her upcoming business deal.

After some browsing, he finally chose a necklace worth three million.

At first, the saleswoman did not believe he was a true customer, and was reluctant to serve such an unattractive man.

But when Ye Fengyun threw down his bank card, her manner changed at once, a bright smile on her face.

“Sir, you have an excellent eye! This necklace is called ‘Love of the Ages,’ a newly arrived, globally limited edition piece made from the world’s finest blue crystal. The perfect gift for a beloved, symbolizing a lifetime of unwavering devotion.”

Ye Fengyun nodded. “Wrap it up for me.”

“Of course, sir! Would you like to add me on WeChat?” the saleswoman asked sweetly.

Ye Fengyun took the necklace and left without a word.

When he got home, he found Tang Shihan still working in the study.

To secure her place in the Tang family, this woman truly spared no effort.

Ye Fengyun couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her.

Sweat beaded on Tang Shihan’s brow. She straightened up, wiped her forehead, and massaged her shoulders, looking exhausted.

Seeing her so weary, Ye Fengyun trotted over and teased, “Wife, staying up late—were you waiting for me?”

Tang Shihan shot him a glare, replying politely, “Get lost.”

Ye Fengyun grinned and handed her a bank card.

“Wife, there’s two million in here. It should help you out of your current predicament.”

Tang Shihan did not believe for a moment that he could come up with two million. She didn’t even look, snapping, “Where did you get a shopping card to make fun of me?”

“It’s a bank card,” Ye Fengyun replied.

She glanced at it. It was indeed a bank card.

“An empty one, no doubt.”

Ye Fengyun rolled his eyes. “Do I look like I’m that bored?”

“You don’t look like it—you are.”

At a loss for words, Ye Fengyun explained, “This is money I earned by treating patients. Consider it a meeting gift for my wife. There will be more surprises in the future.”

He chuckled shamelessly. “I told you before, marrying me was your greatest bargain. One day, I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world.”

Tang Shihan’s heart gave a little jolt. For some reason, it suddenly beat faster.

This rogue, though a little shameless, didn’t seem quite so unreliable.

“We’re just contract spouses. We should each mind our own business. Why think too much about it?”

Ye Fengyun said nothing, stretching lazily as he walked to his room.

Tang Shihan glanced at his retreating back, then at the bank card in her hand, and couldn’t help but smile.

I must work harder, she thought. I’ll stay up tonight and finish the proposal for the Longhai Group’s investment conference—not just for myself, but for Ye Fengyun and Lin Lei’s wager.

Wait, what am I thinking? What does it matter to me whether that ugly man wins or loses?

But if he loses, he’ll have to streak. He is, after all, my contract husband; his dignity is my own. I still need to keep up appearances.

Yes, that’s it. I’m only doing this for my own face, not because I care about him.

Tang Shihan reassured herself, patted her face, and returned to her work.