The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 102: Main Story Conclusion

Chapter 102: Main Story Conclusion

Ye Baoling successfully brought the Guanyin Bodhisattva out from the secret chamber and respectfully placed the statue in her study for daily veneration.

As an atheist, she never burned incense, merely offering fresh fruits and biscuits before the statue each day. She didn’t believe in deities – in her heart, this bodhisattva served more as spiritual companionship. Whenever her convictions wavered, murmuring a few words to Guanyin Bodhisattva seemed to fortify her willpower invisibly.

Ye Huaizhang remarked that this was merely an externalized version of herself.

Perhaps he was right.

On this Mid-Autumn Festival day, after replacing the offerings with exquisite pastries before Guanyin Bodhisattva, she descended the stairs leisurely with Chen Yulan. Aqing and Fugui awaited them downstairs.

Accompanied by the entourage, she proceeded toward the grand garden where the Ye Family Ancestral Hall stood.

The ancestral hall teemed with activity both inside and out, with all three branches of the family present. Combined with their respective servants, every corner was filled with people.

The three-bayed ancestral hall, featuring white walls and black tiles, was enveloped in swirling incense smoke. At one prominent section stood Ye Huaizhang, his gaze fixed upon her.

The couple exchanged knowing smiles without verbal greeting.

Further inside, Ye Qizu sat in his wheelchair flanked by Ye Qizong, with Ye Kais and others standing behind them.

For this occasion, Ye Baoling had deliberately chosen a dark crimson women’s robe embroidered with gold thread, her jet-black hair combed back into a neat braid that conveyed both efficiency and dignity.

Xing Shu reverently presented three lit incense sticks to Ye Qizu, who passed them to the head of the Second Branch. The Second Branch head then transferred them to Ye Huaizhang, who finally bowed and handed them to Ye Baoling.

Despite the crowd, profound silence prevailed.

No one spoke.

The only sound was the faint whisper of her robe’s hem brushing against the golden brick floor.

Holding the incense sticks, she performed three bows before the ancestral altar following the master of ceremonies’ chants. After placing the incense in the burner on the altar table, she knelt on the prayer mat and led the clan members in performing the traditional three kneelings and nine prostrations.

As the declaration Rites completed! resonated, twenty-seven ceremonial fireworks exploded at the ancestral hall entrance.

Subsequently, tables and chairs were arranged within the hall, and Hong Kong’s most celebrated chefs were invited to prepare an extravagant Mid-Autumn family feast in the adjacent kitchen.

During the banquet, numerous relatives approached to toast Ye Baoling.

Ye Leqiong and Ye Leyan squeezed through the crowd to exchange whispers with Ye Baoling.

Ye Leqiong jested, Congratulations on your ‘coronation,’ Great Chieftain. You must watch over us from now on.

Coronation?

Ye Baoling chuckled at the remark, Please don’t say that in public.

The sweet-natured Ye Leyan gazed with unabashed admiration, Sister Baoling, you looked so majestic today.

Even my grandfather didn’t dare utter a word beside you, Ye Leqiong added.

Though the old man Ye Qizong remained inwardly discontented, with the situation settled, he could only submit. Otherwise, the Oldest Branch Residence he’d inhabited his entire life would inevitably become inhospitable to him.

Ye Leyan reported, My second uncle’s family and third aunt’s household will relocate after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Once only Ye Qizong and his eldest son’s family remained at Orchid Pavilion Residence, the entire Oldest Branch Residence would become significantly quieter.

The sisters Ye Leqiong and Ye Leyan would finally have spacious rooms of their own.

Ye Baoling made plans with them to play cards together after the feast.

Not long ago, Ye Baoxin had a smooth natural childbirth, and Fang Shanxing was happily playing the role of a new dad, too busy to join. So today, it was just the couple Ye Baoling and Ye Huaizhang, the sisters Ye Leqiong and Ye Leyan, and the perpetual bachelor Gong Jiahua—exactly five people—playing five-card draw in the chess and card room on the first floor of the Hall of Flourishing Harmony.

When the topic turned to the recent news of the Fang family mansion being put up for sale, Ye Baoling asked Gong Jiahua, I heard your family is interested in buying it?

Gong Jiahua replied, My grandfather is a bit tempted, but my father isn’t keen.

Ye Huaizhang advised, The Feng Shui of the Fang residence isn’t good. It’s situated right on a dead-end road. I’d advise you to be cautious.

Gong Jiahua nodded repeatedly, Your thinking is exactly like my father’s.

Seizing the chance to discourage the Gong family, Ye Baoling added, Since Fang Shanxing moved out of the Fang mansion, his complexion has improved significantly.

Completely unaware of the underlying motives, Ye Leqiong chimed in, I read in the gossip magazines that the Fang family’s Feng Shui is cursed—the kind that leads to extinction. You’d better be careful.

Cursed Feng Shui? That’s terrifying! Ye Baoling rubbed her arm nervously.

The sisters Ye Leqiong and Ye Leyan joined in, recounting the details they had read in the magazines.

Even Gong Jiahua was spooked.

Gong Jiahua, who had been on a losing streak lately, folded his cards and decided to cut his losses. I’ll try to talk my grandfather out of it tonight. He has some idle money and keeps wanting to invest in properties.

Ye Huaizhang suggested, Several villas in Deep Water Bay have recently been listed. If he’s looking for investments, he might consider those.

Gong Jiahua said, I’ll mention it to him when I get back.

Ye Baoling and Ye Huaizhang exchanged a glance. They hadn’t planned this in advance but relied purely on tacit understanding to exclude the Gong family as competitors. The Feng Shui analysis article in the gossip magazine had also been arranged by Ye Baoling.

Their plan was to purchase the Fang mansion under another name, not for any other reason but to minimize the risk of the Blue Brick Tunnel being discovered. Ideally, the Gong family would move out as well. Then, Qing Tang Street would truly become the Ye family’s domain.

*

In September, Ye Baoling graced the cover of magazines twice.

The first time was due to her unexpected succession as the head of the Ye family, which surprised many in Port City. After all, the Ye family had numerous male descendants, and according to traditional Chinese beliefs, as long as there were sons, a daughter would never be considered the successor. This was especially surprising for the conservative Ye family, known for their traditional values.

However, the public’s eyes were sharp. Since Ye Baoling took over Ye Qingtang, the business performance had steadily improved, and the stock price had gradually climbed out of its slump. Her earlier Havoc in Heaven episode at the company was also brought up by insiders and discussed with relish.

Some media outlets even used the phrase forcing abdication to seize power to describe Ye Baoling’s rise. In short, everything she had achieved was fought for by herself.

The second magazine cover featured not just her, but two people.

One day, Ye Baoling and Ye Huaizhang left for work together. In the underground parking garage of the company, Ye Huaizhang kissed Ye Baoling before getting out of the car—unfortunately, this was captured by paparazzi.

The cover boldly proclaimed: Secret embraces and kisses exposed—scandalous affair between Ye siblings revealed.

The Li Family media, which had always targeted Ye Huaizhang, seized the opportunity to sensationalize the story, accusing him of seducing his cousin for personal gain and engaging in shameful, immoral relations.

Radio programs quickly followed suit, and entertainment news on television extensively covered the scandal.

At that time, there was no internet, no trending searches. If there had been, the topic would probably have topped the charts within half an hour.

Coincidentally, that evening Ye Huaizhang and Ye Baoling attended a movie premiere together.

They didn’t avoid the public, but instead appeared hand-in-hand openly at the venue.

Media reporters swarmed around them, eagerly conducting interviews.

Mr. Ye, have you seen today’s news? Would you like to clarify your relationship with Miss Ye?

Ye Huaizhang held Ye Baoling’s hand tightly, fingers interlaced, and said, Baoling is my wife. We’ve been married for over a year. A simple kiss between husband and wife—I don’t think there’s anything that needs clarifying.

They were married?

The reporters were astonished.

Someone immediately asked, You’ve been married for over a year? Why hasn’t it been announced until now?

Another asked, Did the elders in the Ye family object? You’re from the same clan.

Ye Huaizhang: Our marriage has been blessed by family and friends. Although we are from the same clan, we are already five generations apart, and we have different great-grandmothers. Compared to some cousins marrying, the relation is much more distant. You should question those who marry their cousins, not us.

Someone quickly caught on, Are you referring to Li Shaochang marrying his cousin?

Ye Huaizhang looked completely unconcerned: I didn’t say that; that’s your own inference. Of course, if you want to infer that, we have no objection.

A reporter changed the subject: Mr. Ye, Mrs. Ye, when do you plan to hold the wedding banquet and distribute lai see packets?

Ye Baoling took over: Rather than Mrs. Ye, I prefer to be called Miss Ye—it better represents me as an individual. So, I hope everyone will address me as Miss Ye from now on.

At the same time, she seized the opportunity to promote: Tomorrow, our new Su Man branch opens in the Southern District of Hong Kong Island. Remember to come for coverage; there will be big red packets.

Reporters were still clamoring with questions when Chen Yulan and Dong Jian stepped in to stop them.

Those who want exclusive interviews can leave your business cards. We’ll arrange another time after discussing with Miss Ye and Mr. Ye, said Chen Yulan, who by now could handle such situations with ease. For now, please leave the time for today’s movie premiere. Thank you for your cooperation.

Ye Baoling and Ye Huaizhang entered the venue, where many old and new friends came up to chat. Everyone had heard they had just publicly announced their marriage and came forward to offer congratulations.

Bai Zhu was also there. Ye Baoling spoke with her privately for a while, asking her to manage the media reporters.

So the next day, the tone of most media outlets shifted—from condemning alleged impropriety to celebrating their love.

Some media even joked that Ye Huaizhang had successfully advanced, becoming the man behind the head of the Ye family.

A truly capable man with a stable core isn’t bothered by public opinion or banter.

Ye Huaizhang was exactly that kind of man.

He even enjoyed it, reading the gossip news with great amusement.

*

One year later, August 1989.

That day, Ye Baoling was in a meeting at the company.

Ye Qingtang’s overseas expansion was progressing smoothly and successfully; their most successful products currently were Ice Black Tea and Jasmine Iced Tea.

At one point, they had tried to export Ye Qingtang’s authentic herbal tea to Europe and America, selecting the mildest-tasting Monk Fruit Herbal Tea. However, it failed spectacularly—foreigners couldn’t handle the bitterness and didn’t appreciate the taste of herbal tea.

The Ye Qingtang management decisively abandoned the effort.

Next, the product development department planned to create more tea-related beverages.

You can try lemon tea, oolong iced tea, and green plum tea.

Others suggested developing fruit juice beverages: Domestic fruits are very affordable. Turning them into juices for sale might be a promising direction.They were pursuing a civilian route of quality products at reasonable prices. With established channels and a growing brand, what they lacked now was product variety.

Some expressed concerns: The recent domestic incidents have just stabilized, but there’s worry about potential future disruptions.

Political instability remained everyone’s primary concern.

Ye Baoling held the opposite view. Knowing the future trajectory, she was filled with confidence.

She stated: Since stability has been restored, we shouldn’t dwell on worries. I believe the country will continue to improve. Leveraging current policies, demographic dividends, and exchange rate advantages—as long as our product quality meets standards and consumers approve—we should advance further. We can establish factories not only in the Pearl River Delta but also explore opportunities in the Yangtze River Delta. For too long, we lagged behind many Port City merchants. This time, we must lead the way.

A ship’s course depends on its helmsman.

With Ye Baoling as helmsman charting the correct course, their vessel wouldn’t fall behind.

Meanwhile, Snow Treasure Mineral Water Plant commenced operations smoothly, with its first batch successfully exported to the United States.

To build brand recognition, Ye Baoling sacrificed most profits, securing substantial support from L&D. They made Snow Treasure the sponsor of local basketball tournaments, catapulting it to fame.

Convinced that Snow Treasure’s pricing and quality would eventually dominate the U.S. mineral water market, Ye Baoling focused on brand establishment.

Returning to her office after the meeting, Ye Baoling found the latest Christmas Panda doll designs on her desk.

Ye Qingtang’s Christmas Panda gift sets had been bestsellers for two consecutive years, prompting early preparations six months in advance. The goal was to design more appealing panda dolls, establishing Ye Qingtang’s gift sets as essential Christmas presents for European and American consumers.

After reviewing the designs, Ye Baoling made no selections, preferring to grant more autonomy to her team and consumers.

She returned the drafts to her secretary: Have them conduct market research. What consumers prefer will determine bestsellers.

The secretary following her promptly took the designs: I’ll return these shortly. Also, Su Manzhu’s new store in Malaysia is opening. Manager Lin inquired if the Chairperson could attend?

Su Manzhu ultimately chose Malaysia—with its high ethnic Chinese population and strong Port City cultural influence—as its first overseas expansion site. The inaugural store would open on the 18th next month.

Having grown increasingly reluctant toward public events, Ye Baoling declined travel: I won’t be going. Let Manager Lin represent us.

The secretary acknowledged and left.

After work, returning home, Sister Ping greeted her warmly: Young Miss is back. I’ve prepared your favorite ginger-scallion stir-fried duck for dinner.

Excellent.

The Hall of Flourishing Harmony felt quieter than before.

Since Second Uncle and Aunt moved to Abundant Moon Tower, they’d been dining separately.

Ye Baolong had gone to Ye Baoxin’s residence. Had Ye Kaimin not stubbornly refused, Ye Baoling would have preferred Ye Baoxin take him along as well.

After being discharged from the hospital, Ye Kaimin lived alone in his room. Though he could still walk with a limp, his burned face remained frightening even after skin grafts, so he rarely went out to see people.

Nowadays, only Ye Baoling and Ye Huaizhang had daily meals at the Hall of Flourishing Harmony, as the old master only came downstairs on weekends.

In Ye Baoling’s words, they were living in their own little world every day.

If they wanted liveliness, they would go to the Third Branch residence, where it was bustling with people. Returning there for a meal once or twice a week was just perfect.

Ye Huaizhang returned from work on time now. Under her influence, he wasn’t as work-obsessed as before, delegating whatever tasks he could.

After dinner, back in their bedroom, Ye Huaizhang went to the Third Branch’s wine cellar and brought up a bottle of red wine.

This batch of 1946 French red wine was now incredibly valuable per bottle.

Back in 1946, under Fang Dingkun’s coercion, the Ye Family’s Third Branch had filled the cellar with that year’s wine production to make it appear like an ordinary wine cellar.

The Ye Family had also promised not to let the wine circulate externally and to keep the tunnel secret from their descendants.

If the wine ever left the cellar, it would mean the underground tunnel’s secret had been discovered.

Now that Fang Dingkun’s unspeakable secret was a thing of the past, the wine from the cellar could be openly brought out for drinking.

Ye Baoling asked him, You want to drink this tonight?

Ye Huaizhang placed the wine on the bar counter: Aren’t we going to Grandma’s tomorrow? We’ll share it with Fang Haiming and the others.

Quite generous of him.

The next morning at seven o’clock, they set off for Hyde Old Street to meet up with Gu Man’er, Gu Zhen’er, Fang Haiming and others. They planned to go hiking first, have a picnic on the mountain at noon, and return for dinner with Grandma, Uncle and Aunt in the evening.

Arriving at the Gu residence, Ye Baoling went upstairs to Grandma Gu’s room. Grandma had just gotten up and changed clothes.

Ye Baoling first went to offer incense to her grandfather and mother.

Grandma, Huaizhang and I selected a plot at the cemetery last week. We’re planning to develop it into the Gu family burial ground. We’ll move Grandpa and Mom’s graves there first.

Grandma Gu was very pleased: I heard. The land there is expensive, but the scenery is beautiful. Your mother would be happy too.

Actually, these arrangements were more for the living. Ye Baoling mainly wanted to make her grandmother happy. She smiled and asked: Are you happy?

Grandma Gu laughed, Very happy. Take me to see it another day.

Auntie says it’s better not to go at your age.

Don’t be so superstitious. It’s just that my legs aren’t good, making mountain climbing troublesome. But with someone supporting me, going slowly is still possible.

Ye Baoling didn’t commit: We’ll see when the time comes.

Is your uncle coming back today?

Yes, he’s back for annual leave. Uncle has become quite capable now, managing our factory in perfect order.

Grandma Gu gently patted Ye Baoling’s hand and sighed: Your uncle should thank you. You’re his benefactor. Without you, how could he have such a good job?

Ye Baoling smiled: I should thank Uncle for managing the factory so well for me.

Having earned good money over the past two years, Gu Xianyong had bought a large house and planned to move out. Meanwhile, Ye Baoling was going to renovate this place for Grandma’s retirement.

Before long, Fang Haiming arrived. They had breakfast at the Gu residence before setting off with their cousins to hike Little Fish Mountain.

At first, everyone could chat while walking, but gradually the group split into three clusters.

Gu Man’er and Fang Haiming walked slowly, taking photos while flirting playfully.

In the middle were the second and third cousins, with Chen Yulan ensuring their safety. Leading the way were naturally Ye Baoling and Ye Huaizhang.

The young couple usually exercised regularly, so they walked with vigorous, swift strides, gradually leaving everyone else behind.

Holding trekking poles, they crossed small streams and climbed higher.

Due to the undulating terrain, the mountain path rose and fell, making the trek quite challenging.

As they chatted while walking, time passed quickly.

After climbing for over three hours, Ye Huaizhang and Ye Baoling were the first to reach the sub-peak of Xiaoyu Mountain.

There was a pavilion here where Dong Jian had already arrived with others, preparing food and drinks.

After replenishing their energy, Ye Huaizhang asked his wife, Shall we continue?

From their current spot, it would take about half an hour to reach the highest point.

Let’s continue. Ye Baoling, now rested, smiled and walked ahead.

The mountaintop had few trees, mostly bare with only low shrubs and wild grass. The wind was strong, and despite the bright sun, the walk felt cool and pleasant.

Half an hour later, they successfully reached the large rock at the highest point.

Xiaoyu Mountain was the highest peak in Port City’s urban area. Standing at the summit overlooking the entire city, even the skyscrapers appeared beneath their feet—truly a view of all mountains dwarfed below.

This was an experience one couldn’t get at Silver Snake Summit.

Standing side by side, Ye Baoling spotted Man’er’s red clothing by the distant mountainside and shouted, Hey! Man’er!

They’re too far to hear. Ye Huaizhang unscrewed a water bottle and handed it to her. Have a drink first.

After she drank, she passed it back to him, and he took a large gulp.

Then, he turned to her and said, I’m planning to take action against the Li Family’s Yunchang Group…

The Li Family was currently embroiled in a scandal after being exposed for using sea sand in construction, causing Yunchang’s stock price to plummet repeatedly.

Now was the perfect time to strike.

He asked, Want to join me in taking them down?

Ye Huaizhang wanted to give them a taste of their own medicine, but he couldn’t swallow Yunchang alone.

So, he sought his wife’s partnership to devour the Yunchang Group together.

Ye Baoling currently had substantial cash on hand. She smiled and nodded—why pass up such a great opportunity?

Let’s do it! she said.

They couldn’t help but exchange a knowing smile.

A gentle breeze swept by as a small grasshopper leaped through the grass.

Ye Huaizhang held Ye Baoling close as they stood atop the heights, gazing at the skyscraper-filled Port City. The era ahead would be theirs.

Author’s Note: The main story is complete. Since the plot has been fully resolved, there won’t be many extra chapters—just about two. The entire book will conclude on Monday.

Later, I’ll post the first five chapters of She Kills. Due to naming conflicts with other novels and films, I considered changing the title to Lincheng Murder Case Files, but the word murder isn’t allowed in titles. I’m still figuring out how to revise it.