The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 89 Confiscated Tools

Chapter 89 Confiscated Tools

Two days later, multiple media outlets in Port City published extensive coverage of the shocking family upheaval within the Ye family’s Oldest Branch.

The citizens of Port City instantly became avid spectators.

Whether among established wealthy families or ordinary households, the hot topic during tea breaks these days was the dramatic internal strife within the Ye family.

Who was right or wrong didn’t matter – what mattered was who would win?

Throughout history, it has always been the victors who write the records.

Thus, Ye Baoling became a remarkably skilled business genius seeking filial vengeance, while Ye Qizu was portrayed as a sinister, decaying hypocrite who suffered complete defeat.

[Ye Baoling, the eldest granddaughter of the Herbal Tea Family’s Ye dynasty, avenged her wronged mother by ousting her grandfather Ye Qizu from his position as board chairman. The agitated Ye Qizu suffered a stroke and was hospitalized, while other Ye family members remained tight-lipped. Insiders revealed that years ago, when Ye Qizu’s eldest son Ye Kaimin had an affair with his secretary who became pregnant, Ye Qizu framed his daughter-in-law Gu Min for stealing family jewelry to force a divorce in his pursuit of a male heir…]

Smack!

Ye Qizu’s trembling hand switched off the radio.

Nonsense! Sheer nonsense!

Grabbing the most popular financial magazine Tumbleweed, he found even more detailed coverage of Ye Qingtang’s corporate coup, with more intricate descriptions than radio or television reports.

Fuming, Ye Qizu demanded: Send for Lawyer Yang. I’m going to sue every one of them.

Xing Shu quietly reported: I’ve heard the owner of ‘Tumbleweed’ is the young mistress.

What? Ye Qizu had read numerous financial reports in Tumbleweed over the past six months – how could it have been founded by Ye Baoling?

Thinking about it, it made sense.

Though suffering from a mild stroke, Ye Qizu remained clear-headed: No wonder ‘Tumbleweed’ always charges to the forefront whenever something happens. I called her a marketing genius, but she actually cultivated her own media outlet!

Xing Shu felt compelled to advise him, The young mistress has executed this business strategy quite well, which benefits Ye Qingtang too.

The sunlight outside was perfect, and Ye Qizu wanted to bask on the balcony.

Looking down from the balcony, he could see the hospital entrance clearly.

A circle of reporters surrounded the hospital gate, waiting to interview visiting Ye family members for firsthand news.

The moment Ye Qizu stepped out of his room, cameras immediately focused on him, frightening the old man into retreating back inside.

Damn them all! The old man cursed repeatedly, thoroughly incensed.

Confined to pacing within his room to stretch his meridians, his mind kept returning to Ye Baoling’s unfilial behavior toward him.

After some thought, remembering the Third Branch’s predicament, he felt somewhat balanced again.

Tell me, will Gezhi under the Third Branch be renamed Su Man going forward?

Xing Shu smiled: That depends on the young mistress’s decision. I don’t really understand these business maneuvers.

If only Baoling were a boy, how wonderful that would be. He had sighed over this countless times already.

Xing Shu counseled him: Master, times have changed. Besides, even England has queens – don’t they continue their lineage just the same? Are we ordinary folks more particular than the British royalty?

Ye Qizu paused briefly, remaining silent.

Xing Shu continued: The British royalty emphasizes bloodline inheritance – one’s own bloodline is what matters most.

Ye Qizu glanced sideways at Xing Shu: Has she been bribing you?

Xing Shu smiled and said, If the young lady were truly trying to bribe me, I wouldn’t dare speak so candidly for fear you’d suspect me. I genuinely believe she’s the chosen successor. Think about it—she has business acumen, she can expand the enterprises of the Oldest Branch and ensure its legacy endures for generations. If she marries Huaizhang, their children will carry the Ye name. Her children would be your own great-grandchildren. As long as they inherit the Oldest Branch, isn’t that ideal?

Ye Qizu pursed his lips, lost in thought. Why hasn’t she come to see me?

She’s likely been busy lately. Once she has time, she’ll definitely visit.

Ye Qizu still couldn’t let go of his resentment and muttered, Ungrateful descendants.

Just then, Ye Kais and his wife entered.

Liang Meiyun carried a soup thermos. Dad, are you feeling better today? I specially prepared tienchi ginseng chicken soup for you—it promotes blood circulation and reduces stasis. You should drink more.

Ye Qizu ignored her and moved toward the bed.

Ye Kais asked, Dad, hasn’t Baoshun come?

He stayed with me for a while but already left.

That kid. Ye Kais noticed the newspapers and magazines on the table, all covering the Ye family’s news, and quickly gathered them up.

After returning home for lunch, the couple went back to the hospital. By evening, Ye Baoshun was still nowhere to be seen.

Ye Kais called and ordered him to come home immediately.

Soon after, Ye Baoshun returned. The moment he entered their room, Ye Kais scolded him, Grandpa is sick, and instead of staying at the hospital, you’re always running around outside.

Ye Baoshun retorted, The hospital has doctors, nurses, servants, and caregivers. Why would I need to stay there?

Liang Meiyun brushed dust off the back of his clothes. Where have you been? Why is there dust all over your clothes?

Ye Baoshun replied evasively, I went to the company to help out today. Probably picked it up in the warehouse.

Liang Meiyun didn’t overthink it. This is a critical time. If Ye Baoling seizes an opportunity and convinces the old man to give her all the shares, we won’t even remain the second-largest shareholders.

Given how things have escalated, Big Sister hasn’t visited Grandpa at all these past two days. Your worries are unnecessary, Ye Baoshun said dismissively.

Ye Kais insisted, I heard your grandfather met with a lawyer yesterday and plans to again in a few days—likely to discuss his will. During this period, you’d better stay in his room and not give Ye Baoling any chance to see him alone.

Ye Baoshun sighed helplessly. Even if I’m at the hospital, I can’t stop Grandpa from meeting Big Sister privately.

Ye Kais instructed him, If you see her coming, call me immediately. Then, just sit in the room and don’t leave. Listen to what they discuss.

Liang Meiyun added persuasively, Be good. Have dinner and hurry back. Grandpa wants to see more of you too.

Ye Baoshun had no choice but to agree.

*

Meanwhile, at the hospital, the ungrateful descendant Ye Baoling finally arrived.

Surveying the room filled with flowers, she remarked with a hint of sarcasm, Quite a few people have visited you, I see.

Seeing Ye Baoling at last, Ye Qizu didn’t know whether to feel happy or nervous. He coughed several times before saying, Did you think I’ve been idling in Port City all these years?

Not idling. The news has been quite lively.

Ye Qizu fell silent.

Ye Baoling pulled up a chair and sat down. Xing Shu tactfully excused himself.

Grandfather and granddaughter sat quietly, each waiting for the other to speak first.

In the twilight of the setting sun, elderly emotions often grow unsteady.

Ye Qizu was growing genuinely impatient as he waited. He asked her, Go on, how do you plan to wrap this up?

Ye Baoling replied, The board reelection is the day after tomorrow. I’ll become chairman then, and you’ll be out. What kind of resolution do you think is necessary?

Ye Qizu didn’t want to hear that. Didn’t you say I’m unfit to lead the Ye family? If I’m not fit, then who do you think is?

Ye Baoling didn’t beat around the bush either. Grandfather, this is the first time we’re having an honest conversation. You said my initial role as vice president was just a transitional period for training, and that once I secured Gezhi Jewellery, I would be the one in charge of this family. Now that I’ve secured Gezhi Jewellery, shouldn’t I be the one calling the shots?

Ye Qizu never imagined she would actually succeed in taking Gezhi Jewellery one day.

He couldn’t deny the promise he had made, so he asked, How do you plan to take charge?

Ye Baoling said calmly, I want all the Ye Qingtang shares in your possession, as well as the inheritance rights to the Old Head House Mansion at No. 1 Qingtang Street.

All the Ye Qingtang shares and the inheritance rights to the Ye family mansion?

Her appetite was truly enormous.

Ye Qizu shook his head firmly. Impossible. Forget about the family mansion for a moment—you already hold more Ye Qingtang shares than I do. Why are you still fixated on the ones I have?

Ye Baoling replied, I simply don’t want all my hard work to end up benefiting someone else. If you hand over the shares to me, I can guarantee an annual contribution to the Family Foundation. The family’s glory will not fade under my leadership. If you refuse, that’s fine too, but I won’t guarantee the normal operation of Ye Qingtang. You decide.

Are you trying to hollow out Ye Qingtang?

I didn’t say that.

That’s exactly what you’re thinking.

Ye Baoling smiled. Is it wrong to even think about it? Do you think I have the ability to do it?

Ye Qizu was infuriated. He knew his granddaughter well—if she dared to think it, she would dare to do it.

But he wasn’t about to give in so easily.

Even if Ye Qingtang were to be hollowed out in the future, he would never agree.

Besides, emptying Ye Qingtang wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

After all, Ye Qingtang was a publicly listed company, protected by law.

The grandfather and granddaughter talked for nearly an hour, ending on a sour note.

When Ye Baoling stepped out of the hospital room, she saw Ye Baoshun and Xing Shu chatting in the suite’s living room.

Young Miss… Xing Shu, hearing the old man’s furious tantrum inside the room, hurried in.

Ye Baoshun, who usually greeted her warmly, was noticeably different this time. His eyes evaded hers as he sat down on the sofa, casually picking up a magazine to flip through.

Ye Baoling walked over and sat down. With a faint smile, she said, Don’t get involved in the conflicts between me and them. Just go to work as usual.

Oh. Understood, Ye Baoshun responded.

Seeing that Ye Baoling’s attitude toward him hadn’t changed, he couldn’t help but ask, Elder Sister, when are you moving out?

Why do you ask all of a sudden?

My parents think you still want to inherit Grandfather’s shares and assets. I don’t think you do—you’re so wealthy now, you probably don’t care and won’t compete with me. Ye Baoshun might seem foolish, but he wasn’t entirely naive.

He was quite skilled at imposing moral constraints on his cousin.

Ye Baoling smiled and countered, So you believe all of Grandfather’s assets should be yours, is that it?

Ye Baoshun nodded as if it were obvious. Of course. Between Baolong and me, who do you think Grandfather would choose? Definitely me.

He had known since childhood that this family would one day be his.

Ye Baoling didn’t answer the question about when she would move out, instead smiling and asking with concern, Did you break up with Lu Tianyou?

Huh? No. Ye Baoshun instinctively glanced toward the hospital bed, worried the old man might hear, then asked, Why are you suddenly asking about this, sis?

Ye Baoling said, I saw Lu Tianyou chatting with a beautiful long-haired woman a couple days ago. They looked quite intimate, so I thought he’d broken up with you and immediately hooked up with someone else.

Long-haired woman? Ye Baoshun’s alarm bells rang. When? Where?

On Andre Street. I thought his relationship with that woman was unusual. Seeing how tense he looked, Ye Baoling knew he cared. She pretended to be clueless: Why are you so nervous?

Ye Baoshun asked, Sis, if you found out brother-in-law was messing around outside, what would you do?Without hesitation, Ye Baoling said, I’d confiscate his tools for committing the crime.

Huh? What do you mean? He didn’t understand.

Ye Baoling stood up to leave. If you don’t understand, figure it out slowly. I have things to do, I’m leaving now.Ye Baoshun stood up, irritably ran his fingers through his hair.

Long-haired woman?

These past two days, Ye Baoling continued staying at the Oldest Branch as usual, and Ye Huaizhang came over every night as well.

Apart from the old man being angered into the hospital, everything at home remained normal.

Ye Huaizhang didn’t believe Ye Qizu would willingly hand over the family assets to Ye Baoling for inheritance.

You need to use some tactics.

Ye Baoling countered, What kind of tactics?

The young couple was having supper in the living room. Ye Huaizhang sprinkled some cumin for her. Right now he probably just thinks you’re bluffing. He hasn’t felt any real pain yet, so he won’t concede temporarily.

Ye Baoling naturally understood this reasoning. And then?

What does he care about most?

Face – and he’s already lost that now. Besides that, there’s Ye Baoshun and Ye Qingtang.

Ye Huaizhang suggested: You could do the opposite. Return his face to him, make him the honorary chairman of Ye Qingtang.

It was a good method, but Ye Baoling couldn’t agree yet. What he did to frame my mother can’t be let go so easily. Let him suffer first, we’ll talk about it later.

Then that only leaves Ye Baoshun. Ye Huaizhang slightly lowered his voice. Take away the Ye Baoshun he cares about most.

Ye Baoling couldn’t help but laugh. The young couple was somewhat on the same wavelength. She didn’t reveal her own little scheme, only asking him: How do I take away Ye Baoshun? I can’t just kidnap him, can I?

Ye Huaizhang: Of course not. As good citizens, we can’t do illegal things. Since Ye Baoshun likes Lu Tianyou so much, you could find ways to encourage him to go to countries where same-sex marriage is legal and marry Lu Tianyou, cutting off his lineage completely and making the old man utterly disappointed…

Ye Baoling: You think Lu Tianyou and he are true love?

After making such a big scene, isn’t that true love?

When it came to matters of emotion, he was still naive.

Ye Baoling shook her head. How could that scumbag Lu Tianyou – who cheated on and abused the original host – be easily tied down by Ye Baoshun for life?

Just wait and watch the show.

Ye Huaizhang understood. Looks like you don’t need my advice.

I do need to. You know I’ve always held back against my grandfather, giving him a chance to catch his breath. I can’t directly ask him about the secret of Silver Snake Mountain—I have to keep him around. What if at a critical moment, she needs him to clear things up?

The secret of Silver Snake Mountain isn’t that important. Ye Huaizhang was merely curious, unlike Ye Baoling, who had a mission and had to uncover it.

Ye Baoling couldn’t explain further. She took a bite of grilled pork neck and changed the subject: What has Third Aunt been busy with lately?

Ye Huaizhang: Same as usual, why?

About her relationship with Gong Jinghui—do you think Gong Fonian knows?

Ye Huaizhang shook his head: Logically, he shouldn’t know. Even if he did, he might pretend not to, just like us.

Ye Baoling couldn’t share the system’s hints with Ye Huaizhang directly.

These past few days, Ye Baoling had been pondering how to use Ye Jinliu to obtain the Plum Blossom Key and what connection there might be.

Various ideas clashed in her mind, but she hadn’t figured it out yet.

During the Ye Qingtang board reelection, Ye Baoling was smoothly elected as chairman and concurrently served as general manager.

The stock market was particularly favorable that day, with Ye Qingtang surging 9%. Investors expressed great confidence in the new chairman.

On her first day in office, Ye Baoling distributed the remaining year-end bonuses that hadn’t been given out during the New Year.

From management to employees, everyone at Ye Qingtang was overjoyed.

Some even shouted: Long live the young lady!

Subsequently, she announced a series of appointments.

Qu Zhengming was promoted to general manager of Leaf Pure Tea, product department manager Xu Chengping was promoted to product director, Wang Simin was promoted from logistics supervisor to manager…

As for Huang Ying, whom Ye Qizu had demanded never be promoted, she was directly appointed as general manager of Ye Baoling’s wholly-owned company, Hwa Yuan Investments.

At Su Manzhu Jewellery, Lin Meijuan was appointed as general manager.

The merger between Su Manzhu Jewellery and Gezhi Jewellery required a comprehensive evaluation of both companies first. After the merger, Ye Baoling’s Gezhi Jewellery shares would be converted into Su Manzhu Jewellery stock, and with cross-holdings between Su Manzhu Jewellery and Ye Qingtang, the process would be quite complex.

However, once completed, Ye Baoling’s control over Ye Qingtang would be more secure.

Of course, there was another option: Su Manzhu Jewellery acquiring Gezhi Jewellery outright. If handled this way, Ye Baoling would free up several billion in cash.

During a meeting at Hwa Yuan, Huang Ying advised her: Choose cash. You already hold enough shares in Ye Qingtang. After converting Gezhi Jewellery into cash, it will be more convenient for us to invest in mainland China and globally.

Ye Baoling took Huang Ying’s advice.

I’ll follow your suggestion. Then we’ll take the cash. You negotiate the price with Lin Meijuan and get us a good deal.

Huang Ying was quite confident: She definitely won’t be able to lowball me.

Liu Haonan was also pleased that Ye Baoling had listened to Huang Ying. Now Huang Ying focused on investments, while he remained responsible for securities.

He said: The U.S. stock market has shown signs of recovery lately. With the cash, idle funds can be used to buy index funds in the U.S. market.

Ye Baoling agreed: That works.

The next year or two would be a recovery period for U.S. stocks, ensuring a profit.

That day, Ye Baoling had lunch with the Hwa Yuan team discussing business, drank with Wang Simin and Gu Man’er in the evening while checking out handsome guys, had lunch with Lin Meijuan from Su Manzhu Jewellery the next noon, and dined with Qu Zhengming and others that night.

It took two or three days to complete a full rotation.

Busy yet fulfilling.

The news of Su Manzhu’s planned acquisition of Gezhi Jewellery soon reached Ye Qizu’s ears.

He summoned Ye Baoling to the hospital and confronted her: You’re just transferring assets from one hand to the other, funneling money from Su Manzhu into your own pockets. Don’t think I won’t report you to the ICAC!

Ye Baoling remained unfazed: Go ahead and report me. This acquisition is completely legal and compliant. I haven’t embezzled any funds from Su Manzhu—what exactly would you be reporting me for? Even if Gezhi Jewellery weren’t sold to Su Manzhu but to Zou Shengsheng instead, I could still get a good price for it.

Ye Qizu had only questioned her because he sensed the threat of Ye Baoling draining Ye Qingtang and hollowing out Su Manzhu.

He warned: You’d better not take a single cent from Su Manzhu.

Ye Baoling smiled. Grandfather, have you forgotten? I’m the boss now. The Ye Qingtang of today is my Ye—Ye Baoling’s Ye—not yours, Ye Qizu’s.

You!!! Ye Qizu slammed his hand in fury. Ye Baoling, watch how you speak to your grandfather.

Just the other day, Ye Huaizhang suggested we offer you the title of Honorary Chairman of Ye Qingtang. It seems we were being too kind. Look at you—the moment you talk to me, it’s all ICAC threats.

Honorary Chairman of Ye Qingtang?

Ye Qizu, who valued face even in death, was tempted.

With this honorary chairmanship, he could at least save face and meet his old friends with dignity, claiming his granddaughter had begged for reconciliation.

The old man’s attitude shifted subtly.

He asked: Why hasn’t Huaizhang come to see me?

Ye Baoling: Call him yourself. Why ask me?

Ye Qizu scratched his hand. Aren’t you two married?

Ye Baoling: We’re not the traditional couple you imagine. We’re married, but we’re also independent individuals. After marriage, I’m still me, he’s still him. We don’t interfere with each other financially and remain independent.

Ye Qizu couldn’t understand the younger generation’s thinking. The wife should follow the husband’s lead—that’s what marriage is.

Then do you want me to hand over all my assets to the Third Branch?

Of course not.

Ye Qizu blinked: That’s not what I meant. Forget it, we’ll never see eye to eye.

If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving. Ye Baoling had a meeting to attend later.

Ye Qizu warned her repeatedly: If you engage in any self-dealing, I will report you.

Ye Baoling curled her lip: Shall I summon the ICAC to your bedside? You can threaten me when you’re actually discharged from this hospital.

Ye Qizu: …

As Ye Baoling left the hospital room, she ran into her father coming in from outside.

Ye Kaimin, who took pride in his daughter’s success as if it were his own, had been particularly smug lately. He whispered to Ye Baoling, Is your grandfather asleep?

No, he’s fuming.

Ye Kaimin didn’t dare enter. Noting that Ye Baoling seemed in good spirits, he tentatively suggested: Baolong has been crying and fussing for his mother lately. I was thinking—keeping Zheng Junni locked up isn’t solving anything. Maybe we should just let her come back. At least Baolong would have a complete family.

This completely enraged Ye Baoling. Are you out of your mind?

Ye Kaimin immediately wiped the smile off his face.

You want to give Ye Baolong a complete family, but who will give me a complete family? Do you think just because you’re my father, I won’t do anything to you? Let me tell you, Ye Kaimin, I just haven’t had the time to deal with you yet. During this period, you’d better stay alert and stop hovering around me! Ye Baoling suppressed her rage. If she were the original host, she would have stripped them of a layer of skin.

Ye Kaimin didn’t dare to speak anymore.

Following the address provided by the private investigator, Ye Baoshun waited in a tea restaurant for over two hours before finally seeing Lu Tianyou holding a woman and entering the building across the street.

He had already confirmed that the woman was Lu Tianyou’s classmate.

Clutching a Swiss army knife, Ye Baoshun went upstairs and arrived at the woman’s doorstep.

After pressing the doorbell, he stepped aside, hiding from the peephole’s view.

Soon, a woman came to open the door.

Ye Baoshun quickly squeezed inside.

The woman instinctively backed away: What are you doing? Tianyou! Tianyou!

Lu Tianyou rushed out at the sound and froze for a moment when he saw it was Ye Baoshun, then said, Why are you here?

Ye Baoshun pointed at the woman: Who is she?

My classmate.

Do classmates need to hug and hold each other like that?! Ye Baoshun took out two photos taken by a private investigator and threw them at Lu Tianyou.

Seeing he couldn’t hide the truth, Lu Tianyou dropped the act and said impatiently, Everyone gets tired eventually! What do you want? Can you bear me a child? Do you even have that function? Did you really think we could last forever?!

With reddened eyes and clenched teeth, Ye Baoshun retorted, You told me we would last forever before. I begged my sister and brother-in-law to save you, and this is how you repay me?!

Even without you people, I, Lu Tianyou, would have gotten out on my own. Please don’t be so naive… Before he could finish, Ye Baoshun stabbed him with a knife.

The woman screamed and ran out in terror: Murder!! Murder!

A few minutes later, the nearby police station received a report: a Chinese male was stabbed at a residential estate, with his genitalia mutilated.

Author’s Note: Thank you all for the nutrient solutions. I never expected to receive so many—some friends probably gave me all of theirs. Grateful [heart][heart][heart][kiss][kiss].

A pen pal of mine, Wei Xianyou, has a story going VIP today. Interested friends are welcome to bookmark and check it out. The first VIP chapter is giving out red envelopes.

You can search by the author’s name or the story title.

Author: Wenren Weili

Title: Military Academy Top Student, But a Zombie

Jiang Ning died during a wild post-college entrance exam trip, only to open her eyes as a gray-skinned, red-eyed, sharp-toothed zombie in a parallel world.

She was thrilled: in her past life, she worked herself to the bone; this time, she could relax as a zombie—no need to be human or study. Perfect.

But she celebrated too soon.

A self-proclaimed Study to Save the World System approached her, warning that if she didn’t study hard, she would fully turn into a zombie and become a casualty under supernatural hunters’ blades.

Not ready to die yet, Jiang Ning thought: …Fine, circumstances force my hand. I’ll study!

Luckily, the system granted her a starting buff: she could switch between two forms—one human, one zombie.

Jiang Ning toggled between these forms, infiltrating human society and becoming an honorable military academy student.

At the academy, to complete system tasks, while others fought life-and-death battles in virtual combat, she kept her head down, frantically taking notes.

While others scrambled for high-tier gene evolution serums by earning points, she strolled casually into human forbidden zones, buddying up with the source of high-tier genes.

Some time later, the Illustrated Guide to Mutant Plants and Illustrated Guide to Mutant Species she compiled shook the entire holographic internet—

Insane! How did the author escape the Phantom Beast unscathed? Three supernatural squad members in my team died to it!

The Bloodsucking Vine’s weakness is real! Following the guide, our team cleared its nest with zero casualties!

This data is more detailed than the research institute’s! Who is this top student author?

Watching the skyrocketing download points in the backend, Jiang Ning smiled faintly, then immediately exchanged the points for a massive amount of energy credits. He proceeded to enhance his psychic abilities, purchase speed multiplier cards, and buy flow state cards—vowing to forge himself into the ultimate superhuman of the apocalypse!

Later, when the global human civilization zones teetered on the brink of collapse, Jiang Ning unveiled a complete bestiary and decimated the zombie army. However, a fatal counterattack from the Zombie King forced him to reveal his true zombie form.

The world was horrified: the legendary figure they had idolized all along was actually a damn zombie!!!

Standing at the pinnacle of global combat prowess, Jiang Ning grinned arrogantly: Why panic? I’m on your side!