The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 84: Am I Breaking the Law?

Chapter 84: Am I Breaking the Law?

Ye Jinsong and Han Yanmei perished in the sea after their car accident.

Their bodies were only recovered the next day.

Upon hearing the news, Guan Lao Taijun fainted and was rushed to the hospital.

In the hospital room, Ye Huaizhang stood by the window gazing at the distant mountain scenery, his eyes betraying no emotion.

Huaizhang…

Hearing his grandmother’s call, Ye Huaizhang immediately turned and approached her, asking with concern, Grandmother, you’re awake?

The revived Guan Lao Taijun couldn’t comprehend, Why would your father and your second aunt leave the hotel together?

To spare his mother excessive grief, Ye Huaizhang had already revealed part of the truth to her.

Now, similarly, he didn’t want his grandmother to be overly distressed.

Moreover, some matters couldn’t remain hidden—he had to report them truthfully to his grandmother.

After listening to her grandson’s account, Guan Lao Taijun shook her head in shock, unable to believe it: How could this be? Could there be some misunderstanding?

There’s no misunderstanding. I intercepted their conversations. As he spoke, Ye Huaizhang pressed play on the prepared recorder nearby.

The earlier recording of Ye Jinsong and Han Yanmei discussing Gong Jia and Sir Fang wasn’t included.

But the subsequent recording of Han Yanmei plotting to kill Ye Huaizhang was crystal clear.

After hearing it, Guan Lao Taijun needed a moment to process the information before saying, How could your father be so foolish! What… what has happened to our family?

She had previously done everything possible to ensure her grandson’s safety, yet the ones who wanted his life turned out to be her own son and daughter-in-law!

A father wanting his son dead—such things were only seen in newspaper stories.

Who would have thought it would one day happen to her own family.

Clutching Ye Huaizhang’s hand, Guan Lao Taijun wept, They say even a vicious tiger wouldn’t eat its own cub. Your father must have been blinded by greed. How could I have raised such a son!

The old lady felt deeply ashamed, considering herself a failure.

After crying, she felt a lingering fear, Our third branch of the family was nearly destroyed by those two. No wonder your grandfather suddenly became so disappointed with your father later—so that was why. The old man was foolish too—why didn’t he tell me about such matters? Keeping me in the dark all along. If he had told me, I could have been prepared.

Ye Huaizhang handed tissues to his grandmother to wipe her tears, Grandfather probably never imagined they would commit such inhuman acts.

Does your mother know?

I’ve told her.

Guan Lao Taijun shook her head slightly, I don’t even have the face to see your mother anymore. Such family disgrace!

After a moment’s thought, she asked, What about your second uncle and Huai Li?

Ye Huaizhang: With my father and second aunt dying together, even if Second Uncle is slow, he’ll suspect something. I’m considering how to break the news to him later.

Guan Lao Taijun pondered briefly and said, Don’t tell them everything. Just say those two were having an affair. Don’t mention their attempt to kill you, in case someone gets foolish ideas.

If either Ye Jinbai or Ye Huaili became confused and thought Ye Huaizhang had killed Han Yanmei in retaliation, it would only create unnecessary trouble.

This aligned with Ye Huaizhang’s own considerations.

Letting others know that Ye Jinsong and Han Yanmei wanted to kill Ye Huaizhang would involve criminal investigations—not only bringing trouble upon themselves but also affecting the company’s stock price.

Moreover, for now, he didn’t want to drag Sir Fang and others into this.

He would wait until he had investigated thoroughly.

When Ye Jinbai learned that Han Yanmei’s car accident resulted from her affair with his eldest brother, he stood frozen on the spot for a quarter of an hour without speaking.

After a long silence, Ye Jinbai smashed the newly completed portrait of Han Yanmei, then in a fit of rage slammed his head against the wall until his forehead bled.

Ye Huaili, at a loss, pulled at his father in confusion, utterly lost about what to do.

The affair between Ye Jinsong and Han Yanmei was known only within the third branch of the Ye family.

To the outside world, they claimed: During a family outing at the beach, Han Yanmei felt unwell. Ye Jinsong happened to be returning home to retrieve documents and offered her a ride to the hospital. The accident occurred due to excessive speed.

This was the solution with the least impact on the third branch.

Coinciding with the New Year period, and with neither victim having reached old age, their accidental deaths provided an excuse to forgo formal funeral arrangements. Everything was handled with minimal ceremony.

Ye Baoling didn’t ask Ye Huaizhang about the true cause of the accident, nor did he volunteer the information. But she understood well enough – some questions were better left unasked.

Certain matters didn’t need to be openly discussed.

Still, as someone from a future society governed by rule of law, she felt slightly shocked. So this was how things could be handled.

Previously, she had advised Yang Pinxian to divorce Ye Jinsong and make him leave with nothing. Now she realized she had been too bound by legal thinking.

Making someone completely disappear – that was the most thorough solution.

Addressing both symptoms and root cause!

In the study, Ye Qizu demanded that Ye Baoling observe mourning for Ye Jinsong as his daughter-in-law, but she refused.

Huai Zhang and I only registered our marriage. We haven’t held a ceremony or made any public announcement. Why should I mourn for him as a daughter-in-law? The third branch hasn’t even made this unreasonable demand, yet we’re volunteering to force our way in? Grandfather, you’re being rather unprincipled. Ye Baoling fed the goldfish as she spoke.

Ye Qizu set down his calligraphy brush: What do you mean ‘force our way in’? This is called understanding propriety! Once you’ve observed mourning for your father-in-law, you’ll officially be their daughter-in-law and naturally move there to live.

Ye Baoling put away the fish food: Grandfather, are you trying to drive me out?

The old man certainly had such thoughts.

After all, it wasn’t proper for Ye Baoling to occupy that room long-term.

He said: You’re married to Ye Huaizhang now. Would it be appropriate for you to live long-term with your maiden family?

I don’t see anything inappropriate about it. I’ll live in both residences, staying wherever I choose.

Ye Qizu couldn’t actually force his granddaughter out, so he merely said: If you continue like this, the third branch will eventually become dissatisfied.

The third branch isn’t dissatisfied, unless it’s you who’s dissatisfied, Grandfather.

Ye Qizu made a disapproving sound: Of course I’d prefer you to live here long-term – it would make work communication more convenient. I’m only saying this for your benefit.

How hypocritical.

After silently complaining, Ye Baoling said: Tomorrow is the first workday of the new year. You should prepare the New Year Work Red Envelopes early, Grandfather. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.

*

Ye Baoling had prepared over a thousand New Year Work Red Envelopes. She had originally planned to distribute them department by department, but the employees were so enthusiastic that a queue had already formed outside her office to receive red packets the moment she arrived.

Each of her red envelopes contained 100 yuan, making her the most generous among the company’s management.

By noon, she had distributed over one hundred thousand yuan.

Ye Qizu also gave 100 yuan in his New Year Work Red Envelopes every year. With long queues forming for his distribution as well, he noticed nothing unusual about the situation.

After the morning distribution, Ye Kais came in and said, This year, the queue for red envelopes on the 30th floor actually lost to the 29th floor. Dad, this isn’t acceptable. Over on the 29th floor, there’s still a line outside Bao Ling’s office, but you’ve already finished handing them out here?

Was he really less popular than his granddaughter in the employees’ eyes?

Ye Qizu had lost face but pretended not to care on the surface, though he couldn’t help asking, How much is she giving?

She’s also giving one hundred. I think it’s because she’s never worked anywhere else and doesn’t understand the rules – management should give less than the boss. In other companies, stealing the boss’s thunder would be a major workplace taboo. Then Ye Kais shifted his tone, But since both are giving one hundred, why is everyone more willing to queue up at Bao Ling’s side for red envelopes? It seems her reputation among the company employees is really… something.

This hit Ye Qizu’s most sensitive spot.

Ye Baoling’s position in the employees’ hearts was gradually showing signs of replacing his.

This was not a good thing at all.

Ye Qizu glared at his son: On the first workday of the new year, and you’re already here stirring up trouble!

Ye Kais claimed innocence: What trouble am I stirring? I’ve always treated Bao Ling well, haven’t I? It’s precisely because I’m your biological son that I dare to say these things. Do you think Ye Kaisen and the others would dare? They see it but say nothing.

Ye Qizu: I know my limits.

Meanwhile, on the 29th floor, Ye Baoling’s office had finally quieted down. She was well aware that stealing one’s superior’s thunder was a workplace taboo, but this time she had done it deliberately.

With the Ugly King Jade Pendant already in her possession, she wasn’t afraid to confront the old man now.

As for when and how to confront him – that would depend on the specific timing.

After the official work resumption, all departments at Leaf Pure Tea were extremely busy.

Perhaps because Americans loved black tea, the American version of Ice Black Tea was selling even better than Jasmine Iced Tea, with orders increasing daily.

During a meeting discussing production capacity expansion, Qu Zhengming said: Ice Black Tea is about to launch in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia with promotional campaigns. According to last year’s plan, we need to enter the Japanese and Korean markets next. With our current production capacity, we can’t meet the demands of market expansion. We need to plan ahead during spring, otherwise we’ll be very passive when summer comes.

Cai Yongming nodded: Indeed. Not expanding production is not an option. We previously discussed adding facilities at Jiaqi Beverage Factory. If we decide to build, we need to apply quickly – both construction and equipment installation take time.

Ye Baoling said: We need to develop a plan for the construction first. Besides, construction at our local Hong Kong factory is slow and won’t be operational in the first half of this year. To solve the problem in the short term, we should look for existing contract manufacturers in mainland China.

Hearing about contract manufacturing, Cai Yongming quickly agreed: That’s another viable approach.

Qu Zhengming: We’ll have procurement contact contract manufacturers in mainland China for price comparisons later.

Agreed. Ye Baoling glanced at the monthly calendar in her notebook and said, Anyone who knows any contract manufacturers can submit their information by mid-next month.

After the meeting, Ye Baoling continued discussions with the marketing department about expanding into Japanese and Korean markets after the new year.

Manager Huang took the initiative this time, expressing her willingness to try developing the Japanese and Korean markets.

Last year’s success in the American market had made her sense an opportunity.

After all, Japan and Korea tended to follow American trends – most things popular in the US eventually became popular in Japan and Korea too.

She was confident about capturing a larger share of the East Asian market this year.

Ye Baoling had always appreciated ambitious subordinates. She directed the company to provide Manager Huang with all necessary resources, allowing her to lead the team forward.

On Lantern Festival day, Gu Xianyong rushed back from Shenzhen.

Before his boss could fire him, he quit first.

At noon, Ye Baoling and Gu Xianyong discussed upcoming work arrangements in their grandmother’s room.

The land approval might take until next month. During this period, we should first hire a professional construction company for design work. Once the land is approved, construction can begin immediately. We’ll build both the factory and dormitories together.

Gu Xianyong carefully took notes with pen and paper.

We currently have a local contact in Shenzhen named Guo Xiaochun who will collaborate with you on the factory establishment.

Ye Baoling gave Guo Xiaochun’s phone number to Gu Xianyong.

For staffing, you can start by recruiting a few people to assist.

Gu Xianyong replied: Two of my friends want to join me after seeing me resign. They’re reliable workers from other provinces with modest salary requirements. They have experience handling procedures, communicating with construction companies, recruitment training, and similar tasks.

That shouldn’t be a problem. You should discuss staffing arrangements with Guo Xiaochun first, Uncle.

Alright.

Since you lack experience in beverage production, Uncle, I’ll arrange for you to work at one of our partner OEM factories recently. They’ll create a suitable position for you to learn the ropes.

This perfectly addressed Gu Xianyong’s lack of experience. He smiled: Excellent, you’ve thought of everything.

Grandma Gu watched her son working together with her granddaughter, discussing matters and helping each other, feeling both reassured and grateful in her heart.

The elderly lady cut some oranges and brought them over, placing them on the table.

She didn’t interrupt their work, instead sitting quietly nearby and listening. Even when she didn’t understand, she found it interesting.

After having lunch at her grandmother’s house, Ye Baoling had her Lantern Festival dinner at the third residence.

Mainly to keep Yang Pinxian company.

Yang Pinxian had grown much thinner, but her complexion looked better than before.

She had come to terms with her situation – life was actually better now, more carefree without a man around.

Yang Pinxian told Ye Baoling: Mother has Huaizhang, Yongqi, and you. That’s enough for me. I want to live healthily and happily, making the most of each day.

Yongqi nestled in her mother’s arms: Mommy, I’ll always stay with you.

Yang Pinxian gently touched her daughter’s face: Your school has already started.

Would you like to accompany me to America? Stay for a while.

Yang Pinxian thought for a moment, then shook her head: If I leave, what would happen to your grandmother? Besides, I don’t enjoy living abroad.

Ye Baoling said: I’ll come visit you after work every day.

Yang Pinxian took Ye Baoling’s hand: Then when will you move in?

Ye Baoling smiled: There’s hardly any difference from living together now. When I want to come over, it’s just a few steps through the back garden.

Yang Pinxian didn’t want to pressure her: Then come back more often for soup.

Sure.

Fortunately, the fourth uncle’s two children were still at home, making the otherwise laughter-free Lantern Festival less dull.

In the evening, after bathing, Ye Baoling replaced the offerings to Guanyin Bodhisattva with fresh oranges and chocolate cookies, and brought her a bowl of tangyuan.

Bodhisattva, I’m having tangyuan for the Lantern Festival. Thank you for blessing me – I’ve successfully obtained three pieces of the Ugly King Jade Pendant. Now I’ve updated my wish – I need to find two Plum Blossom Keys. Please bless me to complete this mission successfully. Next time I’ll bring you a big chicken drumstick, okay? Ye Baoling answered with a smile, Alright.

Ye Huaizhang happened to hear the latter part of her words as he emerged from the bathroom. Bodhisattvas don’t eat meat, he remarked. And you’re offering her chicken drumsticks?

Ye Baoling shot him a glance. Wine and meat pass through the intestines, but Buddha remains in the heart. You wouldn’t understand.

He couldn’t help but laugh at her response.

She had observed that among the third branch family members, Ye Huaizhang appeared to have recovered the fastest from Ye Jinsong’s death and seemed the most indifferent on the surface.

In reality, he had been deeply troubled by his father’s attempt to kill him, unable to let go of the memory.

Several times he had woken up crying from nightmares in the middle of the night. When she asked what he had dreamed about, he would always take a long time to collect himself before saying he couldn’t remember.

She didn’t know how to comfort him properly.

Some things couldn’t be healed by comfort alone – only time could slowly mend the cracks in one’s heart.

Several days later, Ye Baoling pressed the intercom to the secretary’s office from her own: Zhi Zhi, please call Wang Bingchang from the product department. I need to consult him about something.

Wang Bingchang arrived shortly after.

Ye Baoling inquired about the production line: Was our factory’s production line purchased from Germany?

Yes. Germany now has more advanced production lines with higher efficiency than what we’re currently using, though they’re more expensive.

How long does it typically take to receive a production line after ordering?

At least two months.

What if it’s ordered for domestic use?

I’d need to check on that.

Please go ask. Once you find out, report directly to this person at this number. While writing on a notepad, Ye Baoling wrote Gu Xianyong along with his phone number, then crossed out Gu Xianyong and replaced it with another name.

Wang Bingchang looked puzzled. Isn’t the production line for our own use?

Ye Baoling explained: It is for our use. But we might need to purchase it under an OEM factory’s name.

Wang Bingchang nodded repeatedly, though he didn’t really understand.

He might not have understood, but someone else certainly did.

The matter quickly reached Cai Yongming’s ears, who then called and informed Ye Kaisen.

Ye Kaisen soon discovered that Gu Xianyong was Ye Baoling’s maternal uncle.

Coincidentally, Ye Kais was drinking tea in his office. Ye Kaisen asked quietly: Do you know who Gu Xianyong is?

Ye Kais thought for a moment. Who?

Then he immediately added: Oh, I remember – isn’t he my eldest brother’s wife’s younger brother, Bao Ling’s uncle?

Exactly. That’s him.

Ye Kais remarked sarcastically: That guy has some talent – he managed to bankrupt his own family business.

Ye Kaisen shrugged: His greatest talent now is having a good niece like Ye Baoling. Do you know what Gu Xianyong is doing now?

What?

He’s running an OEM beverage factory in Shenzhen, preparing to do business with Ye Qingtang. Really keeping the benefits within the family.

Ye Kais was full of doubt: Is that possible? Is he capable?

Ye Kaisen sipped his tea: Why wouldn’t he be capable? We handle the design, formulas, packaging, and export – it seems we’re even helping him order the production line. He only needs to produce the herbal tea. If he can’t even manage that, then he’s truly an idiot.

Ye Kais: Bao Ling gave the outsourcing business to him? She just secured her position as the group vice president—she couldn’t be that foolish, could she?

Ye Kaisen: We’ll see what she chooses at the meeting this Friday. I’d say it’s almost certain. She’s not stupid either. The contract manufacturer is called Evercrown Beverage Factory. It was opened by a Taiwanese last year and sold to some Hong Konger this year. That Hong Konger is virtually unknown—likely a front they hired. In any case, it’s not under Gu Xianyong’s name.

Then how do you know the real owner behind Evercrown is Gu Xianyong?

Ye Baoling had Leaf Pure Tea employees help Evercrown order production lines. Initially, the contact name on Evercrown’s side was written as Gu Xianyong. Later, probably to avoid suspicion, they crossed out Gu Xianyong’s name and replaced it with someone else’s. A small oversight.

Ye Kais frowned: It really is a small oversight. Doesn’t seem like something my niece would do.

Ye Kaisen agreed: As they say, ‘Even the wise are not always free from error.’ Ah, I’ve been subconsciously overestimating her. Later, I had someone investigate in detail, and Gu Xianyong’s name does appear in Evercrown Beverage’s management team. His position there is deputy factory manager. If Ye Baoling really chooses Evercrown, you should report it to the old man.

Ye Kais was reluctant: This matter should be escalated by Leaf Pure Tea’s management. If I report it, it’ll seem too deliberate, and the old man won’t like that. But I can certainly fan the flames from the sidelines.

That made sense. Ye Kaisen thought for a moment, Should we wait until the news about the landfill being built next to Jiaqi Beverage Factory breaks and then… boom… a big explosion?

Ye Kais fell into thought, When will the landfill issue come to light?

Ye Kaisen crossed his legs: Not sure, but it should be soon.

Ye Kais said: I think resentment and wariness need to accumulate bit by bit. If we don’t deal with the Evercrown contract manufacturer issue now, once orders pile up, it’ll be too late to switch outsourcing companies. Wouldn’t that just benefit Ye Baoling and her uncle?

There was some logic to that.

But Ye Kaisen still felt it was risky. Since Ye Kais insisted, he had to agree, Then I’ll see how to arrange it.

Afterward, he entrusted this important task to Cai Yongming.

On Friday, during the meeting to discuss the selection of a contract manufacturer for Leaf Pure Tea in mainland China, several rounds of discussions were held to determine which factory would be most suitable.

Several options were submitted to Ye Baoling, who decisively checked Evercrown Beverage.

Once the decision was made, Cai Yongming took the documents and knocked on Lin Zhong’s office door.

General Lin.

General Cai, please have a seat. What’s the matter?

Cai Yongming handed the file to Lin Zhong, The young lady just selected the contract manufacturer for Leaf Pure Tea in the mainland. We’ve discovered that Evercrown Beverage seems to have ties with her uncle’s family. Her uncle, Gu Xianyong, holds the position of deputy factory manager at Evercrown Beverage.

Lin Zhong opened the file and glanced at it, Is this confirmed?

Cai Yongming: It’s confirmed. Gu Xianyong is indeed the deputy factory manager at Evercrown Beverage, a position he took up after the New Year. Since this project was approved under my supervision as the general manager of Leaf Pure Tea, I’m concerned about potential accountability later on. That’s why I wanted to explain the situation to you, General Lin.

Lin Zhong nodded in understanding and quickly skimmed through the materials, The chairman will be here for a meeting soon. I’ll report this to him first.

Half an hour later, after listening to Lin Zhong’s report, Ye Qizu couldn’t help but ask, Gu Xianyong is the deputy factory manager at Evercrown Beverage?

Correct.

Is he a shareholder?

There’s currently no evidence proving he’s a shareholder.

Gu Xianyong is a bankrupt pauper—how could he possibly run a contract manufacturing factory?

The implication in Ye Qizu’s words was that the real mastermind behind this had to be Ye Baoling.

Surprisingly, he remained unusually calm this time, then called Chen Jincai in and instructed, Go investigate Evercrown’s background thoroughly.

Chen Jincai promptly acknowledged the order.

At the same time, Ye Qizu asked, Where’s Bao Ling?

The young mistress has gone to Shenzhen.

Off to Shenzhen again.

Ye Qizu instructed once more, Investigate thoroughly what she’s actually doing in Shenzhen!

By Monday, Chen Jincai presented the investigation results to Ye Qizu.

Seeing the findings, Ye Qizu was taken aback, She purchased two plots of land to build a beverage processing factory?

Yes. The land has been approved, but construction hasn’t started yet.

What does this have to do with Evercrown Beverage?

Chen Jincai: The young mistress’s uncle, Gu Xianyong, is the deputy factory manager at Evercrown.

Just then, Ye Kais brought another internal update: a landfill site is planned to be built within two years in the valley next to Jiaqi Beverage Factory.

As he spoke, Ye Kais handed over internal legislative council meeting documents.

If this news gets out, our stock price will plummet.

Who proposed acquiring Jiaqi Beverage Factory? Who was in charge? Ye Qizu knew the answer but deliberately raised his voice.

Someone murmured, The young mistress was responsible.

Summon her here.

After waiting about fifteen minutes, Ye Baoling finally arrived unhurriedly, stepping into the chairman’s office.

Following behind her was Ye Baoshun, carrying a thick stack of documents.

Seeing Ye Baoshun enter, Ye Kais froze, Who told you to come!

Ye Baoshun said proudly, I came with my sister.

This has nothing to do with you. Get out. Ye Kais tried to pull his foolish son away.

Ye Baoshun stubbornly refused to move, If you’ve got nothing to hide, why are you chasing me out!

Ye Kais hadn’t expected his son to say such a thing—this little brat!

Just as he was about to drag him out and scold him, Ye Kaisen noticed the familiar document folder in Ye Baoshun’s hand and realized Ye Baoling was preparing to counterattack. He signaled to Ye Kais, Forget it, let him observe. It’ll be a learning experience.

Ye Baoling scanned the room full of people, her gaze settling on Ye Qizu’s ashen face before asking, Grandfather, you wanted to see me?

On the desk in front of Ye Qizu lay two documents, one on each side.

He tapped the left one, I disagreed with buying those two plots in Shenzhen, yet you went ahead and purchased them?

Ye Baoling didn’t conceal it, I bought them. They weren’t expensive—I used my own money.

What for?

Currently planned as a beverage OEM factory. She picked up the left document, glanced at it, and smiled, What I’m doing isn’t illegal, is it?

Ye Qizu: !

Author’s Note:

Ye Baoling: Think twice before launching an attack.

Ye Qizu: I’ll retreat first.

Ye Kaisen: Made a wrong move—wish I could take it back!

Ye Baoshun: Hands off, everything belongs to my sister.