Chapter 30: Empress Yang Yiqiu

Therefore, upon his return, Chen Mufeng didn’t go home right away. Instead, he unhesitatingly accepted Mrs. Li’s invitation to meet with Li Muqing. Yet to his surprise, what greeted him was a scene of intimacy between her and an unfamiliar man.

“Unforgivable!” Chen Mufeng muttered in Japanese, struggling to suppress his anger.

That man didn’t even know the proper way to eat authentic yakitori, yet he dared speak so boldly!

“Auntie, you may not know this,” Chen Mufeng said, picking up the chicken hearts skewer with relish. “True Japanese cuisine values pure, original flavors. The ingredients for these grilled skewers are all specially processed and sterile, just like steak. They’re intentionally left not fully cooked to preserve the texture.”

“I see,” Yin Huijuan’s expression eased considerably at his explanation. She copied Chen Mufeng, putting the chicken hearts skewer into her mouth and swallowing after barely chewing.

It tasted terrible—she truly wasn’t used to it.

Yin Huijuan was a proper native woman, accustomed to thoroughly cooked local dishes. She’d never touched Japanese cuisine in her life. If not for the hope of pairing Chen Mufeng and her daughter today, she’d never have come to this strange restaurant.

Although she looked down on Ye Tian, considering him an orphan without power or status, she had to admit his taste in food was sound.

Listening to Ye Tian nearly made her gag, but after Chen Mufeng’s explanation, she ate without further qualms.

“As long as you like it,” Ye Tian said, not bothering to argue further. He set his chopsticks down on the table and sat motionless.

Li Muqing did the same.

“What’s wrong, Qingqing? Aren’t you eating either?” Chen Mufeng, seeing their attitude, felt awkward and hurriedly asked.

“I’m not hungry. You all go ahead.” Li Muqing waved her hand dismissively, clearly showing her distaste.

She wasn’t a fool—eating undercooked chicken wings would only upset her stomach. There was nothing authentic about it.

“Haha, very well,” Chen Mufeng replied with a polite smile, but shot Mrs. Li a questioning look.

What’s going on? Didn’t Auntie say that as long as he met with Qingqing today, the marriage would be settled?

But not only was she indifferent, she brought along a strange man and kept targeting him!

Was the Li family toying with him?

“Li Muqing!” Yin Huijuan could finally hold back no longer. She slapped the table, her tone displeased. “Do you understand why you’re here today? Our family has only you as the sole daughter. The future prosperity of our family rests on your shoulders. Don’t you get it?”

“What do you mean, Mom?” Li Muqing, startled by her mother’s sudden show of force, shrank back behind Ye Tian.

“What do I mean?” Yin Huijuan jabbed a finger at Ye Tian’s nose, her words laced with venom. “I brought you here to meet Mufeng to give you both a chance for an alliance. Mufeng is such a good boy, the Chen family’s eldest son. How could he possibly not be better than this Ye Tian!”

She turned her anger toward Ye Tian. “And you—don’t think curing the old master and having some medical skill makes you so remarkable. The Li family is an established household with an annual output in the hundreds of millions. You, Ye Tian, are just an orphan with no family at all! You’re only after our family’s wealth. Let me tell you, you’re not worthy to be with my daughter!”

Ye Tian let out a cold laugh, about to retort, but Chen Mufeng stepped in, gently pulling Mrs. Li back.

“Auntie, please don’t upset yourself. Since Qingqing already has someone she likes, there’s no need for me to make things difficult for her. Our two families have always been close. Even if Qingqing doesn’t marry me, the relationship between the Chen and Li families will remain unchanged.”

He finished speaking with a sense of pride.

“Unchanged” meant neither better nor worse—a veiled threat, not lost on anyone.

Mrs. Li’s expression grew more anxious.

“Ye Tian, let me tell you—”

Yin Huijuan was about to flare up again when lively voices suddenly erupted from the front hall.

Looking over, they saw a group carrying filming equipment led by a director, quickly getting into position.

Faced with such a spectacle, Yin Huijuan had no choice but to rein in her anger to preserve the dignity of the Li family matron.

“Welcome, welcome!” Amid enthusiastic cheers from the manager and staff, a tall, ponytailed beauty in a simple sports hoodie and baseball cap walked into the Japanese restaurant, surrounded by a crowd.

“Hello.” The woman lifted her elegant chin and removed her sunglasses.

A pair of lively eyes came into view.

With full lips, large eyes, and a high-bridged nose, the girl exuded a touch of exotic charm.

“Yang Yiqiu—it’s really Yang Yiqiu!” Watching the athletic beauty seated in the hall surrounded by fans, Li Muqing couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

“Who?”

“Yang Yiqiu!” This time even Chen Mufeng’s attention was drawn, and he looked excitedly at the stunning woman in the corner. “I can’t believe Yang Yiqiu is here. I have to get her autograph!”

It wasn’t just Chen Mufeng; even Yin Huijuan clapped her hands in amazement. “The diva Yang Yiqiu! She sings so beautifully. I thought she always kept a low profile and avoided the spotlight?”

Hearing them repeat the name, Ye Tian finally recalled who she was.

About seven years ago, a trainee from the western provinces, out of place in her idol group, had been expelled by the founder. Her name was Yang Yiqiu.

At the time, a company Ye Tian invested in happened to need a spokesperson. Yang Yiqiu mustered her courage to audition, even submitting an original song. With her striking looks, excellent figure, and unique voice, Ye Tian chose her.

Unexpectedly, that unremarkable endorsement launched her to stardom.

Unfortunately, because Ye Tian never involved himself in the entertainment industry, he hadn’t worked with her again.

He hadn’t expected that, after seven years, the sixteen-year-old girl had become a household name.

How time flies.

“Qingqing, our family has worked with the diva before. Should I get you an autograph?” Chen Mufeng smiled, casting a provocative glance at Ye Tian. “Ordinary people don’t have this privilege—what an opportunity!”

“That’s not necessary. It’s just an autograph—what’s there to show off about?” Li Muqing rolled her eyes at him, feigning indifference.

Truthfully, she did want one.

But Chen Mufeng was insufferable, always flaunting his family’s influence.

An autograph from someone like him—she wouldn’t deign to accept it!