The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 69 Your Leg Hair Has Arrived

Chapter 69 Your Leg Hair Has Arrived

Ye Baoshun had injured Zheng Junni.

The back of her head was bleeding profusely, and she was rushed to the hospital.

Amid the chaos, Ye Baoling went to the restroom and secretly used her mobile phone to call Gu Man’er, asking her to find a way to report it to the police.

Ye Baoshun was taken away by the police for investigation, and Xing Shu urgently summoned the Ye family’s lawyer to follow up.

Ye Huaizhang, who had been watching the commotion from the side, asked Dong Jian to seek help from his contacts at the police station. Soon, there was news.

He can be bailed after 24 hours of detention. As long as everyone insists it was an accidental injury, the worst he’ll get is a community service order.

That was a relief.

Only then did Ye Qizu feel at ease.

The commotion had subsided, leaving a mess behind.

Ye Qizu sat in the chair in his study, looking up wearily at Ye Huaizhang and gesturing to a chair. You’ve been standing all night. Sit down and rest.

Ye Huaizhang took a seat without hesitation.

Ye Kais expressed his gratitude, Fortunately, Huaizhang helped. The situation is still under control. We were all panicking earlier.

The Oldest Branch could have pulled strings themselves, but they wouldn’t have been as efficient as Ye Huaizhang.

Ye Qizu asked, Who called the police? Have you found out?

Ye Kais replied, It wasn’t anyone from our family. It might have been an outsider.

How would an outsider know?

Once Zheng Junni was sent to the hospital, someone was bound to find out. Although the doctors from the Second Branch wouldn’t call the police, there’s no stopping busybodies.Ye Qizu muttered in complaint, ‘You guys too.’ With such a scandal, you should have told me privately first so I could be prepared. Now the whole family is in an uproar, and your Third Uncle’s family got to watch the show. Are you satisfied now?

Speaking like this in front of Ye Huaizhang showed the old man no longer considered him an outsider.

Ye Kais explained, We just received the parentage test results and hadn’t had time to show you. Then the argument broke out, and without thinking too much, we took the chance to expose it.

Ye Qizu turned to Ye Huaizhang and asked, Where’s Bao Ling?

She’s downstairs comforting Second Aunt.

At that moment, Ye Baoling was in Second Aunt’s room. Liang Meiyun finally relaxed after learning that her son would at most receive a community service order.

Can he be bailed out tomorrow?

He should be. A community service order just means doing some volunteer work. It might do Baoshun good to get out and clear his mind.

Liang Meiyun nodded, That’s fine. He’s been holding in so much resentment; letting it out might actually help him. That bitch Zheng Junni has ruined our Oldest Branch. If it weren’t for her, your parents wouldn’t have divorced. Your mother was still young back then—if not for the divorce, she might have given birth to a son long ago. She wouldn’t have died depressed either. It’s all that woman’s fault. That’s why she’s being punished—both her sons have problems.

Ye Baoling poured Second Aunt a cup of tea. My father still refuses to accept reality. Grandpa forced him to get a blood test.

Giving him hope and then taking it away—it’s only natural he can’t accept it right away. Liang Meiyun felt no sympathy for Ye Kaimin; in fact, she was pleased.

Then she asked gossipily, What’s going on between you and Ye Huaizhang? Why was there no hint of it before? You even kept it from your Second Aunt.

Ye Baoling evaded with a smile, I was afraid Grandpa would hit me.

Liang Meiyun laughed, You’re quite bold. But Ye Huaizhang is indeed better than all the matches you’ve had before.

What reassured Liang Meiyun most was that Ye Baoling was merely a daughter. Now that Ye Kaimin had lost his healthy son, it was nearly impossible for him to inherit the family business in the future.

Given this, the better Ye Baoling married, the more beneficial it would be for the Oldest Branch, which in turn would benefit Baoshun.

Baoshun’s biggest trouble now was his misguided path—his attraction to men. If there were no other solution in the future, they would have to arrange a marriage for him, so he could produce a great-grandson for the elderly master and continue the family line.

*

When Guan Lao Taijun arrived, it was already around 10 p.m.

The younger family members had advised her to visit the next day, but she knew Ye Qizu cared deeply about such timing and etiquette. Aware that he hadn’t yet retired for the night, she hurried over.

In the third-floor living room, where a major drama had unfolded just two hours earlier, silence had finally settled.

Seated there now were Ye Qizu, his son Ye Kais, and elders from the third branch.

Guan Lao Taijun wore an apologetic expression as she explained the reasons behind Huaizhang and Baoling’s marriage.

Throughout the entire city, only Baoling’s birth characters matched Huaizhang’s. At that critical moment, you can’t imagine how anxious and worried I was. I lost ten pounds in less than half a month. When we finally found Baoling as a match, I was on the verge of kneeling to beg for her help.

Yang Pinxian added, Yes, if Baoling hadn’t been willing to help, our Huaizhang might not have returned at all.

Ye Qizu still couldn’t understand: But was a real marriage necessary?

Guan Lao Taijun waved her hand. We couldn’t fake it. To be frank, the first thing Huaizhang did after returning from South Africa was discuss divorce with Baoling. She agreed and even signed the papers. But that very day, Huaizhang was hospitalized after a car accident, and both Jinsong and I sustained injuries—exactly as Granny Tong predicted. I never believed in such things before, but starting with this incident, I’ve had no choice but to believe. When Baoling hesitated about helping, I personally guaranteed to her that I would take full responsibility if you questioned it. Second Brother, if you must blame anyone, blame me alone!

Since they were already married, what could Ye Qizu do?

Forcing disapproval would only lead to both families parting ways, his granddaughter becoming someone else’s daughter-in-law, leaving his family with nothing but ridicule.

Though Ye Qizu had inwardly conceded, he couldn’t yield outright. They’ve been married for nearly half a year but kept it from me all this time. What does that mean? Do they have any respect for me as their grandfather?

Guan Lao Taijun explained, Baoling was afraid you would scold her and asked us not to tell. She worked so hard at Ye Qingtang precisely to earn your approval, Second Brother, hoping to explain things to you gradually. Who could have predicted… Actually, this might be for the best. Now that it’s out in the open, I feel relieved—no more hiding.

Ye Jinsong also spoke up: Second Uncle, although our families share the same lineage, by their generation, the blood ties are quite distant. Since the rice is already cooked, we should face it positively. If we treat this as some shameful secret, outsiders will only mock us. Instead, if we handle it openly and regard this union as a joyful alliance, it could even become a celebrated story.

Ye Qizu remained silent.

Guan Lao Taijun knew that gaining Ye Qizu’s agreement would require conditions.

They had come prepared. She presented a document: Second Brother, here is the betrothal gift we’ve prepared. Please take a look.

Ye Kais quickly took the invitation and handed it to Ye Qizu.

In addition to the various jewelry prepared for Ye Baoling, the previously gifted villa and five million were also listed.

Furthermore, five commercial shops and nine rental apartments spanning three floors were added.

Most importantly, diamonds supplied to Su Manzhu Jewelry would henceforth be priced five percent below market rate.

This was equivalent to handing money to the Oldest Branch annually.

Even the toughest nut cracks when tempted.

With such conditions, Ye Qizu found it hard to refuse.

But he still put on airs, saying only, I’ll discuss it further with her father. We’ll give you an answer in a couple of days.

This was an indirect agreement.

The old man just needed time to gracefully step down.

After the Third Branch members left, Ye Huaizhang went to the police station again regarding Ye Baoshun’s matter.

Meanwhile, Ye Baoling’s room became lively.

After seeing Yulan off, the sisters Ye Leqiong and Ye Leyan slipped into her room, pressing her to share her love story with Ye Huaizhang.

Ye Baoling dreaded discussing such topics and refused to share: Between him and me… it’s not about love.

Huh? Ye Leyan looked utterly confused.

She didn’t believe it.

Ye Leqiong was less polite, If it’s not love, then is it familial affection?

She tickled Ye Baoling playfully, Putting on airs with us, are you? Must’ve been thrilling to flirt right under our noses, huh?

Ye Baoling collapsed onto the sofa, laughing uncontrollably.

Ye Leyan pulled her back up.

Playing billiards, badminton, bridge… Ye Leqiong, the unlucky third wheel, counted on her fingers all the activities she’d been dragged into over the months, I was there for every single one, and during bridge, I even got squeezed out!

The three of them huddled together, laughing in a heap.

Ye Leyan said with admiration, Baoling-jie, I really admire your courage. How can you love so fearlessly?

Ye Baoling quickly stopped her romance-obsessed younger cousin, It doesn’t take courage.

Her initial motives had been purely practical.

Ye Leqiong probed curiously, Hey, how is he in… that department?

Ye Leyan shyly patted her sister’s hand, Jie, how can you ask such things?

What’s there to fear? Appetite and desire are human nature! Why can’t we talk about it?

Ye Baoling looked at these modern, bold unmarried girls. She couldn’t let Ye Huaizhang lose face in this aspect, so she nodded slightly, Not bad.

How ‘not bad’? Can you do it while walking?

I’m not heavy. Why not?

Ahhhhhhh! The sisters Ye Leqiong and Ye Leyan squealed softly, wildly envious.

Ye Leqiong wanted to ask more, but Ye Baoling cut her off, Enough, is that all your brain can hold?

Today, my brain can only handle this much. She had zero interest in the disgusting things Zheng Junni had done.

But Ye Baoling didn’t want to continue. She quickly changed the subject.

Meanwhile, on the second floor of Orchid Pavilion Residence, Ye Kaisen and Feng Yufang, who had rushed to tattle only to end up exposing the secret affair and bringing it into the open, were somewhat displeased.

Ye Kaisen lay on the sofa, sighing repeatedly, What have we done? We’ve merely paved the way for others!

We have to get them to return the money to us. Feng Yufang, freshly showered, chuckled instead, But today’s drama was worth watching. Ye Kaimin is a joke, completely manipulated by Zheng Junni. And Ye Kais and his wife are about to hold their heads high again.

Ye Kaisen snorted coldly: If Ye Kais gets suppressed, I can gain more benefits. If he becomes too triumphant, it won’t bring me much advantage either.

Feng Yufang toweled her hair: Now that Ye Baoling’s momentum is clearly rising, aren’t you going to stir up some trouble?

Ye Kaisen remained silent, lost in thought.

Too many things had happened in one night. Despite his advanced age, Ye Qizu had to force himself to stay alert and handle the matters.

Truth be told, it was somewhat pitiable.

It wasn’t until the next afternoon that he found time to summon Ye Huaizhang for a conversation lasting over an hour.

As a grandson-in-law, Ye Huaizhang was undoubtedly the most outstanding and impeccable candidate.

He envied the Third Branch—their children and grandchildren were capable and reliable, unlike his own situation where he had to clean up his descendants’ messes in his old age.

When it came to cheering people up, Ye Huaizhang was quite skilled at conversation.

Thus, the grandfather and grandson had a relatively pleasant chat.

After Ye Huaizhang left, Ye Qizu sat quietly for a long while before having someone summon Ye Baoling.

Clearly, the old man hadn’t rested well these past two days and looked somewhat weary.

He glanced at his granddaughter and chided her: You’re full of schemes and quite capable. You could have discussed many things with me in advance, but instead, you wait until problems arise before starting to clear the mess, right? Just to show off your abilities, isn’t that so?

Ye Baoling wasn’t foolish enough to fall into the trap her grandfather set for her.

She threw the question back at Ye Qizu: Grandfather, then you should reflect on why I didn’t dare to tell you in advance.

Ye Qizu: …

The old man pinched his brow. What are your thoughts about your marriage with Ye Huaizhang?

Ye Baoling was most adept at painting rosy pictures: I am the only granddaughter of the Oldest Branch. The interests of the Oldest Branch will always be my top priority.

Hmph. Women naturally lean outward! Once you have children in the future, your heart won’t remain with our Oldest Branch anymore.

Women don’t naturally lean outward—they’re forced to lean outward. For so many years, the Oldest Branch never had a room for me. I finally managed to move back, but after just a few days, Baoshun came to pressure me to move out and return the room to him. He said I wasn’t even as good as a tenant. In such circumstances, any woman would be forced to look outward. Then Ye Baoling shifted her tone: However, Grandfather, you didn’t drive me away. You didn’t force me to give my room to Baoshun. So, you needn’t worry about me leaning outward. As for the children I’ll bear—we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Ye Qizu: What? You don’t plan to have children? That won’t do! You must have children.

If I have children with Ye Huaizhang, wouldn’t they bear the Ye surname? Wouldn’t they be the Ye descendants you value?

That would be the Ye of the Third Branch, not the Ye of our Oldest Branch.

Ye Baoling: Just now you were talking about sharing the same surname and lineage, and now they’re not? Grandfather, you’ve already predetermined your stance, so why ask me? Wouldn’t my children be your descendants? Why not consider Ye Huaizhang as a live-in grandson-in-law?

A live-in grandson-in-law?!

Ye Qizu was stunned. This idea seemed somewhat appealing.

Grandfather, actually you don’t need to ask me these questions at all. Whether you want to push me away or hope I’ll stay in the Oldest Branch to fight for the descendants of the Oldest Branch—that’s for you to consider.

She had turned the tables on him.

Ye Qizu remained silent for a while before asking again: If conflicts of interest arise between the Oldest Branch and the Third Branch, what would you choose?

Ye Baoling didn’t hesitate: I can divorce him.

Tsk! Ye Qizu expressed slight dissatisfaction. Don’t talk about divorce so casually.

Grandpa, why are you more changeable than the weather in Port City? Last night, weren’t you pressuring Ye Huaizhang to divorce me?

Why was that?

Because in the short span of two hours last night, too many things had happened, making her unconventional marriage seem less unacceptable.

Especially since the benefits offered by the Third Branch were something the old man couldn’t refuse.

Ye Qizu: I’m doing this for your own good.

Anyone who believed such high-sounding nonsense would be a fool.

Ye Baoling played the fool with a smile: I know you’re doing this for my good, Grandpa. My marriage to Ye Huaizhang was the result of a series of coincidences. This won’t affect my dedication to advancing the interests of the Oldest Branch. Given the opportunity, I will make sure our Oldest Branch enterprises surpass the Third Branch.

These words made Ye Qizu’s heart tremble.

Surpassing the Third Branch—this was what he had wanted to achieve his entire life, but unfortunately, his capabilities fell short.

To be precise, since his father’s generation, they had been less adept at business management compared to the Third Branch.

They could only watch helplessly as the wealth gap between them and the Third Branch widened.

The disparity kept growing.

So during ancestral ceremonies, Ye Qizu could only rely on his status as the head of the Oldest Branch to assert superiority.

It was good that his granddaughter had such ambition. After his excitement subsided, Ye Qizu laughed self-mockingly: You? It would be impressive enough if you could keep Ye Huaizhang in check regarding family matters, let alone surpass their enterprises.

Ye Baoling retorted with a smile: Don’t tell me you don’t want that, Grandpa?

Of course he did. But what could he do?

One must be realistic.

Ye Qizu asked her: How much did Ye Huaizhang help you with your achievements at Ye Qingtang?

Ye Baoling: I climbed up step by step at Ye Qingtang entirely through my own efforts.

Wasn’t it Ye Huaizhang who helped you strategize to secure the U.S. market agency?

He didn’t help me strategize—this was an achievement I led my team to accomplish. The only thing he helped with was investigating Lisa and her husband’s preferences, and even that came with conditions. He owed me, so helping with such a small matter was letting him off easy. Ye Huaizhang is just like any other friend to me—a connection. Wouldn’t I be a fool not to use my connections?

She was telling the truth.

After listening to his granddaughter, Ye Qizu felt quite relieved: I asked him too, and he said he didn’t help you strategize. However, you shouldn’t think this single success means you can defeat the Third Branch. Our enterprises could never catch up to Hongtong Industry and Minhua Bank. Not only are we on different tracks, but when it comes to profitability, we definitely can’t outearn them.

When it came to business matters, Ye Baoling had given it much thought.

If we only focus on herbal tea, we certainly can’t outearn them. But if we position Ye Qingtang as a beverage company, our market scope can expand globally, and our target consumers can become ordinary consumers worldwide. Grandpa, have you ever heard the saying, ‘Those who sell water can make more money than those who sell oil’?

Those who sell water can make more money than those who sell oil.

Ye Baoling’s words struck Ye Qizu like a sudden revelation—what seemed like a narrow path suddenly opened up into a broad avenue!

No, this couldn’t be!

Ye Qizu quickly pressed a hand to his slightly agitated old heart. You… if you really have the capability, make our Su Manzhu Jewellery completely crush their Gezhi Jewellery. Then I’ll acknowledge your skills.

Having successfully manipulated Ye Qizu, Ye Baoling quietly followed the conversation thread: Then Grandpa, you need to put me in a group-level position. Right now I’m only a deputy general manager for the herbal tea business. No, I haven’t even officially taken up the deputy general manager position for the herbal tea division yet.

First master the Leaf Pure Tea business properly. If you can do that, not just a group deputy general manager position – I’d even give you my general manager position. After saying this, Ye Qizu sighed. Don’t think I don’t want to retire. I do want to retire, but unfortunately, neither your father nor your second uncle are capable. As for you… if only you were a boy.

Ye Baoling knew that what Ye Qizu worried about most was her leaning toward the Third Branch. Although I’m a girl, I’m your own granddaughter. I was born into the Oldest Branch and will die as a ghost of the Oldest Branch. If you don’t believe me, Grandpa, I can remain at home after my divorce to fight for and protect the Oldest Branch’s territory. If you don’t want me to divorce, that’s fine too. Once I have the capability, I’ll first deal with Gezhi Jewellery. Then you’ll know my heart could never lean toward the Third Branch.

These words somewhat comforted the old man. Why are you so determined to deal with Gezhi Jewellery?

I’ve always thought the Third Branch lacks integrity. Su Manzhu Jewellery is the Ye family’s ancestral business, and they hold shares in it, yet they went and created Gezhi Jewellery to compete with us and seize our market share. That Ye Jinfeng who manages Gezhi Jewellery looks down on our Oldest Branch the most – he says one thing to our faces but another behind our backs. Privately, he never misses an opportunity to disparage us, saying our Oldest Branch has no capable people, that Ye Kaisen is the only somewhat useful one but even he lacks ability, which is why you, Grandpa, still have to be the family pillar at your age. I’ve wanted to teach them a lesson for a long time.

Ye Baoling spoke these words from the Oldest Branch’s perspective, and since some were indeed her true feelings, they perfectly resonated with Ye Qizu.

Ye Qizu felt both angered and unable to refute her – their Oldest Branch truly lacked worthy successors, no wonder others looked down on them.

But being despised by their own people still left a bitter taste in his heart.

First take the deputy general manager position at Leaf Pure Tea as a transitional period and training opportunity. Strive to enter the group as deputy general manager by year-end or early next year. If you can take down Gezhi Jewellery, you’ll be the one calling the shots in this family from then on!

Ye Qizu was truly an old fox – his promise was that she would call the shots in the family, without mentioning handing over the general manager position to Ye Baoling after his death.

He completely avoided mentioning anything about joining the board of directors.

Ye Baoling knew that any promise was empty if not fulfilled, but the group deputy general manager position should be secure.

And at least for now, Ye Qizu was willing to trust her.

Gaining even a little trust meant her efforts today weren’t wasted.

This was the first time grandfather and granddaughter had an open and honest conversation that lasted the entire afternoon.

Overall, Ye Qizu did see hope for the family in Ye Baoling, though he still felt some regret – why couldn’t she have been born a boy?

In the evening, Ye Baoling went to the police station to pick up Ye Baoshun and bring him home.

In the car, Ye Baoling handed him the prepared milk: You did what I’ve always wanted to do. Baoshun, in my heart now, you’re a truly honorable man.

Ye Baoshun laughed awkwardly: Will Grandpa be very disappointed?

No, Grandpa understands you too. It’s Zheng Junni who’s being unreasonable. Don’t worry, at most this will result in a few dozen hours of community service order. We’ll have someone arrange for you to do volunteer work in a less crowded place. Your brother-in-law has already made the arrangements for you.

Please thank brother-in-law for me. Ye Baoshun was clearly more accepting than others of the fact that Ye Huaizhang was Ye Baoling’s husband.

After all, since his arrest, Ye Huaizhang had been using his connections to protect him. Having such a brother-in-law as backing was, in his view, a good thing.

Ye Baoxin brought soup to the hospital. Zheng Junni had hit the back of her head and wasn’t in good condition overall.

I can’t eat. How is Bao Xian doing?

Ye Baoxin shook her head: The nanny is watching him. Grandpa said that if the final paternity results confirm he’s not a Ye family descendant, he’ll be sent away.

Zheng Junni knew she could never return to the Ye family. Don’t let them send him away. I’ll raise the child myself.

Mom, please be reasonable. Ye Baoxin was utterly exasperated.

I want someone to rely on too. You’re married now, who will I depend on in the future? Zheng Junni suddenly remembered her daughter’s marriage. By the way, Fang Shanxing won’t think less of you because of this, will he?

Ye Baoxin wasn’t entirely confident either. So far he doesn’t seem to care, but I don’t know what his family will think. We’ll just have to take things as they come.

Take good care of Baolong in the Ye family for me. Baolong depends on you the most. Only by firmly holding onto Baolong can you remain in the Ye family, understand?

Ye Baoxin certainly understood. She poured out the soup. You should drink some. Your health is what matters most.

Ye Kaimin hadn’t visited her at all throughout the day. Zheng Junni asked again: How’s your father doing?

He’s the most heartbroken. He’s locked himself in his room and won’t see anyone. I’m too ashamed to face him. Mom, what you did was really too much.

Don’t say anymore. Can’t even you understand your mother? If you get a chance to speak with your father, tell him I was only trying to help him maintain his position. Otherwise I wouldn’t have taken such a risk.

Ye Baoxin shook her head: I can’t say that. You write a letter instead. I’ll deliver it to him for you.

That was actually a good idea. Zheng Junni needed to think carefully about how to word this letter.

The temperature had dropped these past few days. After nightfall, Sister Ping helped Ye Baoling change to autumn bedding.

Ye Baoling was curled up on the bedroom sofa reviewing documents she’d brought back from the company when she heard Sister Ping quietly tease: I wondered why there were men’s leg hairs on your bedding – must be from the young master’s legs sticking to your clothes and being brought back.

Sister Ping was absolutely thrilled with this son-in-law.

In her view, sharing the same surname was even better – the young lady’s children would also be named Ye, and might even inherit the Oldest Branch’s family fortune.

Ye Baoling smiled helplessly: Don’t tell anyone.

Am I the kind who gossips? You never trust me.

While they were chatting, there came a knock at the door. Sister Ping ran to open it and found Ye Huaizhang standing outside.

He was carrying a bottle of whiskey, boldly and openly entering their home.

The young master is here.

Sister Ping was all smiles as she let Ye Huaizhang in. She quickly entered the bedroom and whispered to Ye Baoling, Your leg hairs are here.

Ye Baoling: …

Author’s note: Ye Huaizhang: Who are you calling leg hairs? [side-eye]

Ye Baoling: Having overly sharp hearing can make you age faster [heart gesture]