Chapter 107: Talking Back (2.3)

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The Peerless Mad Dragon – No Ads

I uploaded this chapter this afternoon and it seemed to have succeeded, but the network was poor—my apologies. No changes to the three chapters; I’ll update another chapter shortly. Sorry, brothers—

When Ye Wentian came to visit, Long Fei wasn’t surprised in the slightest. As he opened the door, he even gave Ye Wentian a faint smile.

Ye Wentian had dreamed of uncovering the Black Dragon Society’s lair, even hoping to wipe out the entire gang. Now that he had discovered some leads and had called Long Fei back from the military camp, it would be strange if Long Fei didn’t come to see him.

Entering the living room, Ye Wentian’s eyes immediately fell on Ye Qian. His brows furrowed slightly. Then he noticed Tieniu and Gouzi watching him warily. Ye Wentian smiled and sat down with Long Fei.

“You must be Tieniu? And you, Gouzi?” Ye Wentian greeted them cheerfully.

Tieniu, certain he had never met Ye Wentian before, was momentarily stunned. Scratching his head, he gave a goofy smile. “How do you know I’m Tieniu? Oh, right, I’m a bit bigger than Gouzi—no wonder you recognized me!”

Gouzi frowned slightly, less simple-minded than Tieniu. “Did you hear it from Uncle Fu?”

Ye Wentian nodded openly, smiling. “Let’s put it this way: we all work for Uncle Fu, and now our task is to assist Long Fei in carrying on the unfinished business of your sworn father. So, I don’t think we should be enemies, right?”

Tieniu and Gouzi did not answer Ye Wentian but instead fixed their gaze on Long Fei. How they treated Ye Wentian depended entirely on Long Fei. If Long Fei felt there was no need, they had no interest in arguing with Ye Wentian. If necessary, they wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate him. Whether they could succeed was another matter, but even if not, they would give their all without hesitation.

“What are you two talking about? I don’t understand a thing,” Ye Qian complained from the side.

Ye Qian's speaking actually drew Ye Wentian’s questioning gaze. “Xiao Qian, why aren’t you at school? Why are you here with Long Fei?”

She seemed reluctant to answer and turned her head away. After a long moment, she whispered, “School is annoying. I don’t want to go.”

“You—” Ye Wentian sighed deeply. He wasn’t a fool; he had long sensed Ye Qian’s vague affection for Long Fei but had never mentioned it. He believed her fate was already sealed. He thought he still controlled the situation, but today he suddenly realized he might be wrong.

“Xiao Qian, don’t forget what I told you before,” Ye Wentian sighed.

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Ye Qian suddenly lifted her head, as if releasing a long-held pressure, and said excitedly, “No! I’ve told you, I don’t like Bai Yaowu. Why do you keep forcing me? Is exchanging me for benefits really your only option?”

Ye Wentian’s heart stung. He glanced awkwardly at Long Fei, who wore a calm, indifferent expression, as if it were none of his business. Feeling uneasy, Ye Wentian frowned. “Xiao Qian, this isn’t home. How can you say such things? Besides, this was settled when you were little. Didn’t you like that Bai boy when he came to Tianhai to see you? How is it now that I’m forcing you?”

Ye Qian retorted angrily, “When? I was only seven or eight years old! How could I have known good from bad? Did I understand love then? So after all these years, I don’t like him anymore. I’ve forgotten what he even looks like—how could I like him?”

“But didn’t you always block him every time he tried to see you?” Ye Wentian defended Bai Yaowu. To him, Bai was handsome, capable, and genuinely loved Ye Qian. Such a boy was hard to find. He couldn’t understand Ye Qian’s fierce opposition. He realized his previous belief that they just needed time to get along was wrong. From now on, he couldn’t just stand by; it was time to act.

Ye Qian didn’t know what Ye Wentian was thinking. She only knew she’d never liked any boy except Long Fei. Definitely nothing to do with Bai Yaowu. As she said, childhood matters shouldn’t dictate one’s future. Growing up naturally meant mature thoughts.

“I won’t agree no matter what you think,” Ye Qian stubbornly declared. Annoyed, she gave Long Fei a glance, feeling that as her would-be boyfriend, he should speak up for her.

Unfortunately, Long Fei had already turned his head away, as if not hearing a word. Ye Qian felt angry, frustrated, and a little heartbroken.

“Since you’re part of the Ye family, you have no say!” Ye Wentian snapped.

Ye Qian retorted, “You’re also from the Ye family. Why did you run away twenty years ago?”

Keep arguing, go ahead. Otherwise, I’ll investigate your entire family history, your ancestors, everything, ha!

Long Fei cheered silently for them, hoping the quarrel would escalate.

Ye Wentian’s expression darkened. He stared hard at Ye Qian, but her words hit home. Twenty years ago, the Ye family was a prominent clan in Yanjing, but because he, the eldest son, left home, the family declined. Though he had slowly rebuilt its fortunes with help over the years, he hadn’t returned home for two decades. Many in Yanjing had forgotten the once-mighty figure he was.

So the Ye family’s power in Yanjing waned, their noble status hollow. Their assets were nearly lost twenty years ago. Though gradually restored with Qi Yufei’s help, they still only thrived in Tianhai. Ye Wentian was past the age of ambition but remembered his roots were in Yanjing. Returning home was only a matter of time. He waited for Qi Yufei, believing he could move her to willingly return with him.

“Xiao Qian, why are you so immature? You must understand, your father only wants what’s best for you! What’s wrong with that Bai boy? He’s handsome and capable, and most importantly, I know he truly loves you. If you go with him, you’ll be happy!” Ye Wentian said with some guilt. He recalled similar experiences from his youth when many noble girls in Yanjing adored him, all from prominent families, beautiful and well-born, yet he only chose Qi Yufei.

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Everyone advises choosing a partner who loves you, not necessarily one you love. But in reality, how many can truly do that? Who is willing? How many spend their lives chasing the one they love, even if it ends in failure?

Love is not about anything else. Compulsion is useless. Love is pure and sincere, allowing no falsehood or compromise.

“Hypocrisy!” Ye Qian suddenly stood up, shouting back. Before Ye Wentian could react angrily, she dashed out the door.

Long Fei was puzzled. What happened? No more fighting? The drama cut off halfway? That’s irresponsible!

“Ahem, Long Fei, sorry to embarrass you,” Ye Wentian said sheepishly, smiling awkwardly at Long Fei. He hadn’t expected to meet Ye Qian here, nor to argue with her so long in front of Long Fei.

Seeing Long Fei’s half-smile, Ye Wentian grew uncomfortable, feeling as if Long Fei had seen through all his cards. He turned his head away.

Long Fei noticed Ye Wentian avoiding his gaze and pressed on: “Mr. Ye, I didn’t expect it. You seem quite a man of stories. From what I gather, you weren’t exactly an unknown figure back in Yanjing, were you?”

An unknown figure?

Ye Wentian laughed bitterly. “Everyone’s been arrogant and flashy at some point. But how many really laugh last? History moves on—each generation surpasses the last. The old must give way to the new. It’s the way society advances; no one can change it.”

Long Fei smiled. “They say old ginger is spicier. I think someone like you will be remembered by many, even as you grow old.”

“Many?” Ye Wentian shook his head. “Those are all old, trivial matters. When you return from Japan, you should visit Yanjing. Then ask around—see how many people there still know me.”