The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 9: Okay, Dad

Chapter 9: Okay, Dad

Ye Huaizhang was still alive.

For the members of the Third Branch of the Ye family, this was undoubtedly tremendous news.

For Ye Baoling, it was somewhat good news too.

Not only did it save the eternal lamp, but she no longer had to worry about the Ugly King Jade Pendant from the Third Branch disappearing forever.

As long as the Ugly King Jade Pendant remained, that was what mattered. As for how to obtain it—that could be dealt with later.

There would always be a way.

Before leaving the Third Branch, Ye Baoling entered the secret room once more. She took a pack of biscuits and placed it in front of the Guan Yin statue.

Guan Yin Bodhisattva, have you manifested your divine power? You have, haven’t you? Please bless me in smoothly obtaining the second Ugly King Jade Pendant, alright? I’ve brought you a pack of biscuits—try them to see if they suit your taste. Next time, I’ll offer you other delicious treats. If I can’t come here again in the future, please don’t blame me for being incapable; I’ll worship you from afar.

After leaving the secret room, Ye Baoling carefully hung the wedding dress and several sets of clothing prepared by Yang Pinxian at the entrance of the secret passage. She wasn’t sure how long she could occupy this closet space.

After all, Ye Huaizhang hadn’t safely returned home yet, and Guan Old Lady was being particularly cautious and apprehensive. Ye Baoling followed the original plan and returned to the Gu family, and Guan Old Lady didn’t insist on her staying.

Yang Pinxian prepared generous gifts and had them delivered to the Gu family.

Ye Baoling saw them as soon as she returned.

There were fish maw, shark fin, bird’s nest, conch slices, sausages, fruit baskets, candies, biscuits…

And an envelope containing two cards.

One was a shopping mall gift card, and the other was a bank card.

The gift card was worth ten thousand.

The monthly allowance on the bank card was thirty thousand, valid until she remarried.

So now, without doing anything, she would receive fifty thousand each month.

If it weren’t for that annoying mission, she could have started a life of easy success.

Her second cousin told her, Your dad called again yesterday looking for you. He said you should go back to the Ye family as soon as you return.

Ye Baoling: Zhen’er, you didn’t slip up, did you?

No. You reminded me over and over, and I’m so clever—how could I slip up? I just said you hadn’t returned from your trip yet. The second cousin asked curiously, Cousin, what did you help the Third Branch of the Ye family with? They sent so many nice things?

Ye Baoling brushed it off: Didn’t I tell you? My birth characters match their old lady’s perfectly. I went to their house to serve as a golden boy and jade girl, bringing longevity and blessings to their old lady. This is the payment.

The richer they are, the more superstitious they get. The second cousin thought for a moment, then suddenly had a wild idea. She wouldn’t be draining your life force, would she?

Don’t talk nonsense. Ye Baoling and Chen Yulan carried their luggage upstairs.

Ye Baoling had made an appointment with Cindy to meet at the bank at 10:30 last week. If she didn’t leave soon, she would be late.

In the VIP reception room of Baihui Bank, as she pushed the door open, she saw a familiar figure sitting on the sofa.

Her father, Ye Kaimin, set down his teacup and turned his head, looking at her coldly.

Just three minutes earlier, Cindy had intercepted her outside the bank and secretly informed her that her father had arrived.

Cindy’s superior, Manager Li, likely driven by personal interests, had ultimately chosen to inform her father.

It was only human nature. Ye Baoling had prepared for this scenario in her mind—if luck wasn’t on her side, she might encounter such people.

Ye Baoling didn’t blame Manager Li. After all, he had never interacted with her personally nor made any promises to her.

People are creatures driven by interests. She understood.

She didn’t turn around and leave—walking away would be useless. If she couldn’t withdraw the four million, it would all be for nothing.

For the money, she was determined to fight Ye Kaimin to the end.

It didn’t matter—she could handle it.

Dad, Ye Baoling curved her lips into a smile and called out.

Ye Kaimin stood up, staring at his daughter. He noticed that not only was she smiling at the corners of her mouth, but her eyes were also curved like crescent moons.

How could she still smile?

How outrageous!

Ye Kaimin’s face darkened as he snorted coldly, Weren’t you still out having fun and not back yet?

I just returned.

She was getting better and better at talking back.

Since they were in a bank, with outsiders watching, Ye Kaimin suppressed his anger. Come home with me, he said, then walked out first.

Ye Baoling glanced at Manager Li. He was in his thirties, slightly plump, and looked quite honest.

Manager Li avoided Ye Baoling’s gaze and stepped forward to see Ye Kaimin out respectfully. Take care, Mr. Ye. Feel free to call me anytime.

Back at No. 1 Qing Tang Street, inside the living room of Abundant Moon Building, Ye Kaimin pointed at Chen Yulan, who was following behind Ye Baoling, and asked, Who is this?

Ye Baoling replied, My classmate.

A Jin, take the young lady’s classmate to the small sitting room for some tea.

Ye Baoling stopped him. No need. Yulan, just wait for me right here at the door.

Okay. Chen Yulan was also worried about leaving Ye Baoling alone here. She walked out and stood guard by the door.

Everyone out! Ye Kaimin shooed all the servants out of the living room.

Once the servants had left, Ye Kaimin’s suppressed anger finally erupted. He scolded, Ye Baoling, what do you think you’re doing? Are you trying to rebel?

My card, my money—how I handle them is my business. It’s not rebellion, Ye Baoling said calmly, her voice steady. She knew that in situations like this, whoever lost their cool would end up at a disadvantage.

Your money? This is your allowance from the Family Trust Fund, given to you by the Ye family!

Exactly, I’m a Ye. Once it’s given to me, it’s mine. Or is the money from the Family Trust not yours either, Dad? Can’t you control it?

Ye Kaimin was momentarily speechless. He tapped the table and said, Do you even have the ability to manage it? Look at what you’ve done. Luckily, I stopped you, or you wouldn’t even know how you were being taken advantage of.

Ye Kaimin stood up and paced back and forth, laying out the numbers for her. The principal is 4.2 million, plus a year’s investment returns—the total could exceed five million. And what do you do? To get the money, you only want four million, willingly handing the rest over to those parasites at the bank. Others invest to make money, but you’re throwing it away. Our Ye family may be wealthy, but what’s rightfully ours—not a single cent should be lost. This is about respecting money, understand?

Ye Kaimin grew angrier as he spoke. Why are you in such a hurry to withdraw the money?! Who are you trying to throw it at? Ye Baoling, you must explain yourself to me clearly today.

Ye Baoling couldn’t tell the truth. Even if she did, Ye Kaimin wouldn’t believe her. Besides, she had no intention of letting him know about future trends.

She made up a lie: I heard that Ye Qingtang Herbal Tea is going public. Once it’s listed, the value will at least double. I want to pull the money out to buy original shares in our own company.

Not many people knew about Ye Qingtang Herbal Tea’s plans to go public. Ye Kaimin asked suspiciously, Who told you that Ye Qingtang Herbal Tea is going public?

I heard it on the news.

What news?

On the radio.

Which radio station?

I don’t remember.

Ye Kaimin could have people trace the source of newspaper and magazine reports, but tracing radio broadcasts was far more difficult.

Ye Baoling wanted to quickly move past the issue of information sources: Buying Ye Qingtang’s original shares would both earn me money and support our family’s stock. Why wouldn’t I take that opportunity?

Support our family’s stock.

Ye Kaimin hadn’t expected her to place herself on such a high pedestal.

He steered the conversation back, attempting to regain control: Whether Ye Qingtang goes public depends on the board of directors—it’s still uncertain. Even if it does list, you might not qualify to buy original shares! Your biggest problem right now is your arrogance and willfulness. Without my consent, you reported your bank card lost, changed the password, and nearly lost millions to someone else. Do you realize your mistake?

I only asked the bank staff if it was possible to redeem the fund. I’m not in a hurry to cash out—if I were, I would have acted last week. I wanted to wait until Ye Qingtang’s listing was confirmed before considering whether redemption was necessary. I haven’t taken any action, yet you’re already convicting me. Ye Baoling firmly refused to admit any fault and avoided addressing Ye Kaimin’s accusation about reporting the bank card lost and changing the password without permission.

Still making excuses! You were only stopped because I intervened, and you still won’t admit you wanted to redeem the fund at a loss?! Brainless fool.

Dad, do you think Ye Qingtang’s stock won’t outperform the fund you bought for me? So little confidence in our own company? Does Grandfather share that lack of confidence? If neither of you believes in it, then I’ll give up—I won’t buy.

Was she using the old man to threaten him?

Ye Kaimin was furious: Ye Baoling, stop twisting my words! These are two separate matters.

To me, they’re the same thing. Both are about making money.

Unable to outargue his daughter, Ye Kaimin changed the subject: We’re not discussing this now. You still haven’t explained why you secretly reported your bank card lost behind my back.

Ye Baoling calmly emphasized again: The name on the bank card is Ye Baoling. My card.

Ye Kaimin: …

After a moment, Ye Kaimin planted a hand on his hip and roared: I am your father! This behavior of yours is utterly unfilial!

Ye Baoling: Then, Dad, why don’t you sue me in court and see if the judge rules me unfilial.

Steaming with rage, Ye Kaimin thrust out his hand: Give me the bank card!

There it was—he’d finally revealed his true target.

I told you last time, you’ll get the bank card back when you get married.

Ye Baoling didn’t believe him. In the original storyline, Ye Kaimin never returned the card to his daughter.

The richer they were, the greedier they became.

Even coveting their daughter’s pocket money.

Taking my bank card is useless. I can always report it lost again and get a replacement. If you don’t mind the hassle, neither do I.

With the original card reported lost, the monthly payments from the Family Trust Fund can’t be deposited into your account. Have you no brains?

Just give them the new card number. Does that require much brainpower?

Ye Kaimin never expected his once obedient daughter—who never dared contradict him—to become so rebellious.

She retorted to everything he said.

He was fuming.

Ye Baoling, I’m asking you one more time: return the bank card properly.

It wouldn’t hurt to be tactful and give it to him.

She could always find another way to move the money later.

But Ye Baoling wanted to seize this opportunity to break the passive stalemate of her long-standing silence and neglect in the old main house.

She needed to appropriately attract the attention of the power holders.

No destruction, no construction.

Therefore, she firmly refused to hand it over.

This is my card, and I will manage it myself. It has nothing to do with marriage.

This was blatant provocation and defiance!

Blood rushed from his heart to his forehead, and Ye Kaimin swung a slap at her.

Fortunately, Ye Baoling was prepared. She dodged to the side, avoiding the blow.

I’ll beat you to death! Ye Kaimin, enraged, charged after her.

Crash!

A large ceramic vase on the table was swept to the floor.

Chen Yulan, hearing the commotion, rushed in and shielded Ye Baoling behind her.

Now, even if Ye Kaimin wanted to hit her, he couldn’t reach her.

Zheng Junni, who had been listening to the father-daughter argument from the inner room, could no longer stay seated. She hurried out to intervene.

What’s going on? Can’t we talk this through properly? Zheng Junni, along with a male servant, restrained Ye Kaimin.

Ye Kaimin trembled with anger as he accused her: Her wings have hardened! She no longer sees me as her father. A grown daughter is no longer hers to keep!

Ye Baoling refused to back down: Without my permission, you took my money to buy a closed-end stock fund. Now that I need to withdraw it, I can’t. If it loses money, will you compensate me?

What do you know? In the current situation, this fund is a sure profit, no loss! Without my connections, you wouldn’t even be able to buy it.

Sure profit, no loss? If it loses money, will you dare to compensate me double? Do you dare? Too guilty to promise, aren’t you? Ye Baoling provoked him.

Ye Kaimin didn’t take the bait: What I say goes. Don’t argue with me.

Zheng Junni, ever the virtuous wife and mother, tried to mediate: It’s not worth getting so angry over a little money.

This isn’t just about money. It’s about respect…

Big brother, what’s going on? I could hear you arguing from afar. A slightly thinner middle-aged man entered from outside. He glanced at Ye Baoling and said, Baoling, what’s the matter? Tell your second uncle.

The newcomer was Ye Kaisi, the original host’s second uncle and the person Ye Kaimin most feared and despised.

This man could be used.

Or rather, this man could be utilized.

Ye Baoling switched to a pitiful tone: Second Uncle, it’s a long story. My dad took…

Ye Baoling! Ye Kaimin cut his daughter off in time.

Ye Kaisi, as if delighting in stirring up trouble, said, Big brother, don’t be so authoritarian. Let Baoling finish.

My dad took my bank card and pri…

You’re still spouting nonsense!

With more people watching, especially since Ye Kaisi was adept at adding fuel to the fire, Ye Kaimin worried that his daughter would say something reckless—like accusing him of embezzling her allowance. Where would that leave his dignity?

Ye Kaimin quickly steeled himself and promised his daughter: If it loses money, I’ll compensate you.

How much? Double?

Fine, double! Are you satisfied now?

Double.

Ye Baoling felt her eardrums vibrate.

Clearly, Ye Kaimin didn’t actually intend to take responsibility for his daughter’s funds. He simply never imagined the investment would fail, which was why he dared to make such an extravagant promise.

Alright, Dad. Ye Baoling readily agreed.

To prevent him from reneging, she smiled at Ye Kaisi and said, Second Uncle, please bear witness for us.

Author’s note: