The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 16: Wedding Night - Truly Soft

Chapter 16: Wedding Night – Truly Soft

After leaving the bridal chamber, they descended the stairs hand in hand.

Old Lady Guan whispered to Tong Po, Will this wine have any effect?

Tong Po’s voice was soft but confident: The longer they spend together, the stronger the effect will be. It’s hard to say for the first couple of times, but it will definitely take effect after several encounters. Old Lady Ye, you can rest assured.

Old Lady Guan: Fortunately, we have you.

If they don’t consummate within forty-nine days, then my efforts will be in vain. The old lady is a great benefactor, and you will surely achieve complete merit.

Thank you for your kind words. Old Lady Guan gave Yang Pinxian behind her a meaningful look, indicating that she must donate sufficient incense money.

Looking at the bridal chamber decorated entirely in red with its eerie atmosphere, Ye Baoling felt extremely uncomfortable.

Not daring to stay alone in the bedroom for long, she went to the walk-in closet to remove her makeup.

Just as she began removing her makeup, she heard the bathroom door open, and Ye Huaizhang emerged wearing neatly pressed gray pajamas.

Not seeing anyone in the bedroom, Ye Huaizhang turned and found her standing before the large mirror removing her makeup.

Her pale face, long hair, bare feet, and particularly the red dress she wore made her appear quite peculiar.

Their eyes met in the mirror, and Ye Huaizhang’s thin lips parted slightly as if he wanted to say something.

He wanted to urge her to take a bath, but then he reconsidered – she had stayed here for three days before and was familiar with the environment, so there was no need for him to arrange things for her. Thus, he remained silent and went to blow-dry his hair.

Ye Baoling couldn’t be bothered to speculate why he had wanted to speak but ultimately didn’t.

When there was something to gain, it might be worth spending some effort to figure things out.

But when there was nothing to gain, it was better to mind one’s own business.

After removing her makeup, she originally wanted to take a proper bath, but having been busy with so many tasks throughout the day, she was truly exhausted and only took a quick shower.

When she emerged from the bath, the curtains were already drawn, the main lights were off, and only the bedside lamps on both sides were lit. Because the lampshades were red, the entire room appeared blood-red, like a pregnant uterus in a horror comic.

It made her scalp crawl.

She quickly turned on the main lights…

Ye Huaizhang, who was half-lying on the bed reading, looked up at her, his eyes seemingly asking, what are you doing?

Fortunately, he was observant. Scared?

Ye Baoling didn’t admit it: It’s too dark.

How are we going to sleep at night? he asked bluntly.

The atmosphere was too eerie, and Ye Baoling didn’t want to enjoy what was supposed to be her wedding night in such an environment.

Separate… separate beds, she stammered, afraid he would disagree and they would end up fighting.

The physical differences between men and women were too great – she definitely couldn’t win against him.

Seeing Ye Baoling’s slightly nervous expression, Ye Huaizhang didn’t insist. Then I’ll sleep on the bed, and you can sleep on the sofa.

She sleep on the sofa?

The previously pitiful-looking Ye Baoling instantly widened her eyes. Why? No matter what, I’m still a guest.

From the moment you registered our marriage with me, you stopped being a guest. You’re also the master of this room.

Since you acknowledge I’m the master, why won’t you let me sleep on the bed?

I’m also the master. I’m so tall, and you’re so short. You’re more suitable for the sofa than I am. This is the most reasonable resource allocation. Ye Huaizhang spoke very rationally, without any gentlemanly manners.

Ye Baoling disagreed: We’re equal, aren’t we? It’s not just your decision alone, is it? I don’t need you to yield to me, but I need fairness.

She was right.

Ye Huaizhang waited for her to continue.

Let’s draw lots! Let heaven decide!

Draw lots to see who gets the bed?

Only elementary school students would play such games.

But Ye Huaizhang had no choice but to agree.

Having lived here before, Ye Baoling knew where to find paper and pen. She walked to the desk in the corner of the room, pulled open the drawer, and took out a sheet of letter paper and a pen.

She tore the paper into small pieces and wrote on them separately.

Whoever draws ‘bed’ sleeps on the bed, whoever draws ‘sofa’ sleeps on the sofa. Fair and just.

She folded each piece of paper into a small square and walked over to him, extending her hands: Left or right?

Men left, women right.

You think I’d choose left? Defiantly, Ye Huaizhang took the paper from her right hand.

Unfolding it—

Sofa.

Suppressing her excitement, Ye Baoling made a very polite gesture: Please, honored sir, the sofa is yours tonight.

Just as Ye Huaizhang was about to resign himself to his fate, he realized something was wrong.

Let me see the paper you drew.

You drew first, I was just passively choosing, Ye Baoling stuffed it in her pocket, refusing to show him.

Her refusal meant she had something to hide, that there was trickery involved.

He suspected both slips said sofa, and she had deliberately let him choose first!

So cunning!

He had married a fox.

Didn’t you want fairness? Show it to me.

It’s gone, can’t find it, Ye Baoling played dumb.

Ye Huaizhang stood still, merely shaking his head with a resigned smile. Seeing that she was lulled into complacency, he suddenly turned, wrapped one arm around her to hold her tight, while his other hand searched her pocket.

His strength was overwhelming, holding her firmly in place so she couldn’t move.

Ouch! Ye Baoling yelled, struggling.

In her struggle, what had been a gentlemanly grip on her arm now pressed against her soft, plump curves.

Ye Huaizhang quickly released her, while the fingertips of his other hand now held a slip of paper.

He had successfully retrieved the paper from her pocket.

Unfolding it, it read—

Bed.

Ye Baoling glared at him sideways, Measuring the gentleman’s heart with your own mean standards!

Ye Huaizhang’s mind buzzed. Staring at the word bed on the paper, the sensation from his arm shot straight to his brain.

Soft.

So soft.

He brushed his arm, trying to shake off the feeling.

Fortunately, he was a man of strong self-control, and the sensation passed quickly.

Soon regaining his composure, he realized he had wronged her and immediately apologized: I’m sorry.

Ye Baoling, understanding, waved her hand dismissively, Forget it, we long-haired folks don’t bother with you short-haired ones.

Ye Huaizhang: …

After turning off the lights and each settling into their spots, Ye Baoling secretly tucked a small ball of paper under her pillow.

Earlier, she had torn one sheet of letter paper into three pieces, writing on them: sofa, sofa, bed.

When she stood before Ye Huaizhang for him to choose, both slips in her left and right hands said sofa. So, no matter which hand he chose, he would end up on the sofa.

While he was focused on unfolding his chosen slip, Ye Baoling took advantage of his distraction to quickly switch the paper in her other hand.

A fox who had lived two lifetimes, she wasn’t going to let him get the better of her in such a small matter.

Closing her eyes, no longer seeing the slightly eerie surroundings, lying on the comfortable, soft bed with the air conditioning on and the temperature just right…

Drowsiness washed over her.

Soon, she peacefully drifted into dreamland.

Meanwhile, curled up on the sofa with his legs unable to stretch out, Ye Huaizhang tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

The garden streetlight filtered through the curtains, casting a kaleidoscope of blood-red patterns on the ceiling that spun and shifted endlessly.

He didn’t know how long he had been lying there when suddenly, footsteps echoed. His eyes snapped open to find himself surrounded by chaos, with chilly winds blowing at his feet.

Looking down, he saw a bottomless abyss.

He stood at the edge of a cliff, with stone walls behind him, the sea ahead, and a narrow stone ledge less than a foot wide beneath his feet.

The howling wind whipped past his ears, while broken English echoed from above.

His kidnappers were still chasing him.

Here! C’mon!

Bang!

A gunshot exploded near his ear, barely missing him.

Bang!

Another shot rang out.

This time, the bullet grazed his cheek.

In desperation, he realized he was clutching a grenade. Without a second thought, he pulled the pin and threw it upward.

Boom!

A deafening blast came from above.

The mountain shook.

The stone beneath his feet suddenly gave way. Before he could save himself, his feet slipped, and he fell.

Ye Huaizhang sat up abruptly.

Thankfully, it was just a nightmare.

Turned out the sofa was too small, and his leg had slipped off the edge.

In this unfamiliar environment, Ye Baoling was also sleeping lightly. She woke to a dull thud.

What happened? she asked.

Nothing, Ye Huaizhang replied, not explaining that his foot had hit the glass coffee table.

Ye Baoling fumbled for the alarm clock on the table to check the time, but it was too dark to see. She had to turn on the bedside lamp.

3:30 AM.

After turning off the light, she found herself unable to sleep.

Not daring to open her eyes, she tossed and turned as random thoughts crowded her mind.

For the first time since coming to this world, she thought of her own parents.

She shared some similarities with the original host: born in Port City, her parents were new immigrants who divorced when she was eight. Afterward, they seemed to compete in hastily remarrying and quickly having other children.

Neither wanted her, viewing her as a burden.

She was sent back to the mainland to live with her aunt, who didn’t particularly like her either—raising her only because her parents provided sufficient living expenses.

Growing up dependent on others made her shrewd and worldly, skilled at self-preservation and pleasing people.

Yet she never understood what family love meant.

In this world, although Uncle’s family exploited the original host to varying degrees, her Grandmother and cousin genuinely loved her. She could feel the sincere care she had never received before.

Actually, this world wasn’t so bad.

If she worked hard and completed her mission soon, things could definitely get better.

Once she divorced Ye Huaizhang and received twenty million, she could live a carefree life as a wealthy woman.

She could even follow her boss’s example and keep a few handsome, charming young men—pleasing to the eye and robustly built.

As these thoughts drifted through her mind, she opened her eyes and saw the blood-red kaleidoscope pattern on the ceiling.

It startled her awake instantly.

At the first light of dawn, Ye Baoling got up.

In this silent, ghost-house-like mansion, she didn’t dare stay long.

Skipping breakfast, she hurriedly left with Chen Yulan and the Ugly King Jade Pendant, returning to the Gu family home.

She ate a bowl of beef brisket noodles at a breakfast stall in the alley outside the Gu residence, then went back and collapsed into bed.

Truly, a golden nest or silver nest is not as good as one’s own humble home.

She slept until an unknown hour when Man’er came to wake her.

Cousin, wake up. Your father is on the phone.

Still drowsy, Ye Baoling didn’t want to deal with it. Tell him I’m not home and to call back later.

Gu Man’er came to pull her up: No time, I told them you were home. Get up quickly, it’s already ten o’clock.

Ye Baoling was dragged upright. She yawned and went downstairs. At the turn of the staircase, she picked up the phone and answered with a slightly hoarse Hello?

What time is it and you’re still in bed? What kind of life are you living, Ye Baoling! Compare yourself to Baoxin – you were born in the same year, yet she just got an A++ performance rating right after joining the company. She wakes up at seven every morning and arrives at the office by eight-thirty. Now look at you! Ye Kaimin’s scolding came through the phone like a torrent.

Ye Baoling yawned again, still not fully awake, and her retort came automatically: What can I say about her? Envy her for having a good stepfather?

What do you mean by that?

Nothing much, just admiring how her mother found her a good stepfather who arranged everything perfectly for her job. My mother wasn’t as capable – she didn’t find me a good stepfather. Fortunately, my biological father is better than hers. At least my father gives me living expenses, while hers seems to only ask her for money. Her sarcastic remarks completely confused Ye Kaimin.

Was she praising him or insulting him?

Clearly insulting him.

Furious, Ye Kaimin complained loudly: What kind of friends have you been hanging out with lately? You’ve learned no manners at all, can’t even speak properly anymore.

Ye Baoling ignored his criticism: What did you call me for?

Seeing his daughter completely disregard his lecturing made Ye Kaimin even angrier. I called you yesterday but you weren’t home. I asked you to call back – why didn’t you?

Ye Baoling lied without hesitation: The home phone wasn’t working yesterday. Uncle wasn’t home, so no one went to pay the bill. The service was suspended due to unpaid fees.

Ye Kaimin: …

After yawning twice more, Ye Baoling became slightly more alert. Her tone softened: Dad, what did you need me for?

Ye Kaimin: How are things going with Lu Tianyou?

We had one meal together, then nothing after that.

But didn’t you two hit it off well?

We did chat quite well.

Hitting it off well and having no follow-up weren’t contradictory.

Ye Kaimin sighed helplessly: I’ll have Lin Zhong find out what happened. Also, next Friday is your grandfather’s birthday. Bring him to the birthday dinner.

Ye Baoling neither agreed nor objected. After a few more words, father and daughter hung up.

She stood at the staircase landing stretching, and out of the corner of her eye saw Grandmother standing at her doorway beckoning her.

Entering the room, she found Gu Old Lady had already lit three incense sticks and handed them to her.

Only after Ye Baoling finished offering incense before the family altar did Gu Old Lady ask: How was last night?

The whole room was red, scared me so much I couldn’t sleep well all night. I almost developed psychological trauma from the fright.

No wonder she came back first thing in the morning to catch up on sleep.

Gu Old Lady inquired softly: Ye Huaizhang didn’t bully you, did he?

How could he bully her on their wedding night?

The old lady was clearly hinting at something else.

Ye Baoling wanted to complain about that dog man’s lack of gentlemanly manners, how he expected her to sleep on the sofa, but she had put him in his place!

But thinking it might worry her grandmother, she simply said: No bullying. Everything was harmonious.

Harmonious.

Gu Old Lady smiled contentedly and whispered: I heard from Man’er that your Ye Huaizhang is tall and handsome. That’s good, he matches well with you.

Now that you’re married, when can we properly invite my grandson-in-law home for a simple meal?

According to tradition, Ye Huaizhang should pay the first formal visit to her family home.

Ye Baoling didn’t want him to trouble Uncle’s family with hospitality expenses, so she deferred, If we’re still married a year from now, he can come then.

Bringing up divorce again!

Gu Old Lady couldn’t press further, so she changed the subject: What did your father call you about?

Still about Lu Tianyou.

Gu Old Lady immediately felt a headache coming on. Resolve this matter quickly. Don’t let this person cling to you.

Don’t worry, Mother-in-law, he won’t cling to me.

No sooner had these words left her mouth than Ye Baoling received a call from Lu Tianyou.

Perhaps pressured by elders, Lu Tianyou invited her to lunch.

Ye Baoling readily agreed.

The location was a Chaoshan private kitchen near the Gu residence.

Since it was close by, Ye Baoling timed her walk perfectly. Lu Tianyou arrived first and was already ordering in the private room.

Seeing Ye Baoling enter, Lu Tianyou smiled and asked, Do you eat raw marinated seafood? Their raw marinated dishes are excellent here.

I do.

Then let’s get a raw marinated blue crab and sand shrimp. And add a portion of salt-baked oysters. After ordering, Lu Tianyou handed the menu to Ye Baoling. See what you’d like to eat?

Ye Baoling wouldn’t stand on ceremony with him. A five-year-old lion head goose head, some foie gras, and an old preserved radish omelette.

Lu Tianyou added a vegetable dish to complete the order.

What made you think of inviting me to lunch today? Ye Baoling asked, though she knew the answer.

Lu Tianyou grinned. I’ve been wanting to invite you, but was afraid you’d be busy. Today my father asked about our progress, so I quickly arranged this meeting to get our stories straight. I figure we’ll meet another couple times, then I’ll tell the elders we’re better off as friends for now, not considering anything romantic.

He was taking responsibility—quite chivalrous.

Had she not known the script, it would’ve been hard to tell this man was actually scum beneath the surface.

Ye Baoling smiled gratefully. Like I said last time, you’re a good person.

Lu Tianyou poured her tea. How have you been lately?

Fine. Same as always.

During their casual chat, Lu Tianyou suddenly asked, Are you familiar with Ye Huaizhang?

Her husband.

Uncertain where this was going, Ye Baoling replied vaguely, Somewhat.

Got a question about gossip—he disappeared from public view for nearly two months recently. Rumor says he went to South Africa to buy a diamond mine. True?

Ye Huaizhang’s kidnapping in South Africa was supposedly retaliation from competitors over the diamond mine acquisition.

But this wasn’t something to discuss carelessly. She shook her head. I wouldn’t know. We’re merely acquaintances, not that close. Why do you ask?

If he really secured that South African diamond mine, both Hong Kong Tong Industry’s jewelry company and your family’s Su Man Jewelry would be the biggest beneficiaries. Stock prices would definitely surge. We have capital to invest early.

Ye Baoling understood—this was indeed a way to make quick money.

Too bad the script contained no relevant information.

But she could sound out Ye Huaizhang. If she could earn fast money before the stock market crash to build her first pot of gold, then when the crash hit and devastation spread, wouldn’t she have enough funds to scoop up cheap assets?

Did you invest early? Ye Baoling inquired instead.

No. Lu Tianyou lowered his voice. My father heard from yours that Ye Huaizhang was kidnapped by competitors in South Africa. Probably didn’t work out in the end.

Her father really couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

The dishes were served one after another. Ye Baoling first tried a piece of marinated pork liver—it melted in her mouth, fragrant and glutinous, even more delicious than French foie gras.

Next, she sampled a goose head. The meat was tender, the skin smooth, and the collagen had a pleasant springy texture, though the braising spices were a bit too strong for her taste—she preferred lighter flavors.

Lu Tianyou remarked, The sand shrimp are delicious, you should try some.

Ye Baoling ate several raw marinated sand shrimp—they were exceptionally fresh and sweet.

As they ate and chatted, Ye Baoling seized the right moment and casually mentioned, I’ve been following the recent news. The S102 Fund you’re managing is about to be listed on the exchange for trading, right?

Lu Tianyou replied, It should be listed by mid-June. Would you like to buy some?

Ye Baoling shook her head. I have no money. I’m so broke I’ve even considered selling my S101 Fund shares.

You’re really thinking of selling?

If there’s a way to transfer them, I genuinely would. I’m willing to take some losses. Could you help me figure something out?

Lu Tianyou hesitated, I’m afraid your father might cause trouble for me if he finds out.

Ye Baoling whispered, Why does he need to know?

They both laughed.

Lu Tianyou confided in her, There’s an exit mechanism for S101. As long as someone takes over, you can redeem it early by paying a 3% handling fee.

Don’t you have clients who want it?

I do have several clients interested. If you’re sure about forced redemption, I can handle it for you. But you’ll lose 3% of your funds—think it over carefully.

Not wanting to appear too eager, Ye Baoling smiled and said, I’ll consider it.

Seeing her hesitation, Lu Tianyou added, I’ll also try to negotiate for you and see if the handling fee can be reduced.

From their previous conversation, Ye Baoling had already sensed that Lu Tianyou stood to gain from this. Perhaps he had clients he needed to please who wanted to buy S101 Fund shares, or maybe other clients would bring him higher commissions.

They agreed to finalize the decision over a phone call the next day.

After lunch, Ye Baoling went home to retrieve the light yellow Ugly King Jade Pendant from the third room and the property deed her grandmother had given her the night before. She then went with Chen Yulan to China Bank to store them in a safety deposit box.

Next, she bought a pager.

Without a mobile phone, it was too inconvenient to stay connected. Cell phones were ugly, expensive, and not cost-effective. After careful consideration, she decided a pager was the best choice. It allowed direct paging, so her family could reach her if needed.

After purchasing the pager, she went to Hundred Union Bank to see Cindy.

Last time, Cindy had secretly tipped her off by blocking the bank entrance—proof that she still had a conscience.

I want to file a complaint against your manager!

Cindy was both surprised and a little excited. Miss Ye, who do you want to complain about?

That fat guy, surnamed Li, right?

Yes, Manager Li.

Who can I report him to?

Cindy immediately stood up. Let me report the situation. Please wait here, Miss Ye.

Soon, a higher-ranking mixed-race woman came out to assist Ye Baoling.

Ye Baoling filed a complaint against Manager Li for privately disclosing her personal account information to others, violating her privacy rights.

Even if he disclosed it to my father, Manager Li’s actions were still against the rules. Correct?

Well… that’s true…

I have two demands. First, I want to see your handling results regarding this matter. Second, my personal account must no longer be accessed privately by Manager Li, nor should your staff disclose my account information to anyone other than myself. Understood?

Blocking Ye Kaimin’s channel to obtain information about her bank account movements through Manager Li was Ye Baoling’s primary objective in filing today’s complaint.

Only in this way could she feel at ease about redeeming the closed-end fund.

Since Ye Kaimin didn’t know she had withdrawn the fund, it wouldn’t affect their bet.

Yes, she intended to have it both ways.

She had to find a way to protect her own money, while also not losing the original bet with her father.

The mixed-race woman promised: We’ll handle this promptly. Please rest assured, Miss Ye.

They were all sensible people. When it came to internal conflicts within wealthy families, the best approach was to stay clean and avoid taking sides.

Also, if I hear even half a word about what happened here today from my father’s mouth, we’ll meet in court. With that, Ye Baoling put on her sunglasses and strode out of the reception room without a backward glance.

After leaving Baihui Bank, Chen Yulan, who had been walking proudly alongside Ye Baoling earlier, finally let out a sigh of relief. She exclaimed admiringly: Cousin, you were so impressive just now!

Ye Baoling raised an eyebrow slightly, Just a drop in the bucket, no big deal.

Back at the Gu residence, Ye Baoling still felt uneasy. She had Man’er draft a lawyer’s letter and sent it to Baihui Bank.

As night fell, Ye Huaizhang returned home. Except for the housekeeper, everyone else including his grandmother had gone to the seaside for vacation.

They wouldn’t be back for three days.

After a simple meal, he went upstairs to handle work in the study.

His writing pen had broken and wouldn’t produce ink. Unaccustomed to using the other pens on the desk, he got up and returned to the bedroom, opening the drawer to find the fountain pen inside.

His gaze happened to fall on two small folded notes on the desktop.

These were the slips from last night’s draw.

Unfolding the notes, Ye Baoling’s handwriting appeared rather wild.

Bed, sofa…

He realized something seemed off.

Taking out a stack of letter paper from the drawer, a simple comparison revealed that when the two slips were aligned, they only measured two-thirds the length of a single page of letter paper.

Had Ye Baoling divided one page of letter paper into three sections last night?

He immediately understood!

Cunning fox.

She had tricked him last night.

No sooner had he thought of the fox than the fox appeared.

Ye Baoling pushed the door open and complained softly: So creepy. Such a big mansion, and aside from the servant who opened the door, there’s not a soul upstairs or downstairs.

As soon as she finished speaking, Ye Baoling’s eyes fell on the two slips on the table.

Was Ye Huaizhang comparing the paper sizes?

She’d been discovered.

Ye Baoling smiled awkwardly: Water that’s too clear breeds no fish.

It’s better to be a bit muddled in life.

His wife might not be well-educated, but she was quite talented!

Ye Huaizhang couldn’t be bothered to pursue the matter, simply asking: So where do I sleep tonight?

Ye Baoling turned and gave Chen Yulan, who was eager for gossip, a look, signaling her to leave first.

After Chen Yulan reluctantly closed the door, Ye Baoling cleared her throat and said with a light smile: I actually decided last night – you take the bed today, I’ll take the sofa. We’ll take turns sleeping on the bed and sofa. I’m a very fair person.

Is that all? Ye Huaizhang clearly disagreed.

What about the cheating?

He didn’t say it out loud, but Ye Baoling instantly understood. Before he could speak, she conceded further: Last night you slept on the sofa with nowhere to put your feet. You didn’t sleep well, and neither did I. I’ll do a good deed and compromise further – from now on, you take the bed, I’ll take the sofa. Satisfied?

I’ll take the bed. As for where you sleep, I don’t care. Ye Huaizhang picked up his fountain pen and left.

Watching Ye Huaizhang’s retreating figure, Ye Baoling felt like digging out her eyeballs and throwing them at the back of his head.

So full of himself!

Next time she caught him by his weak spot, she would definitely humiliate him thoroughly.

She vented her anger on the little tiger cloth doll tied with a red string.

After hitting the little tiger, she suddenly realized she’d mistaken the target—Ye Huaizhang’s red string was tied to the little pig instead.

Author’s Note:

Little Tiger: Wrong doll got hit.

Little Pig: Heh.

Ye Huaizhang: How exactly would you humiliate thoroughly?

Ye Baoling: With a whip!

Little Tiger: That sounds… kinda exciting.

Little Pig: Watching intensely.

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