187: Okay, I can give you an option!

Ye Chen smiled awkwardly: "I was just... afraid others might misunderstand and cause trouble for you."

Bai Wanqing walked to the full-length mirror, picked up the small evening clutch on the table, and glanced back at him with a look of annoyance.

"Afraid others might misunderstand?"

"I think... you're afraid Bing Lan might misunderstand, right?"

Ye Chen was taken aback and instinctively tried to explain: "No, I..."

"Enough."

Bai Wanqing cut him off, turning toward the door and leaving Ye Chen with only an elegant silhouette. "Let's go, we're heading out."

"Where to?" Ye Chen followed.

Bai Wanqing paused by the door, looking him up and down with a glance. "To buy you some decent clothes, of course. Otherwise, how will you 'play' the part of my dance partner tonight?"

Ye Chen rubbed his nose and fell silent.

The two walked out of the room one after the other, took the elevator directly to the underground garage, and soon arrived beside a black Bentley.

The driver got out and respectfully opened the car door for Bai Wanqing.

"To Jinsè Huánián." Bai Wanqing sat in the back seat and instructed succinctly.

Ye Chen got in from the other side. The car was filled with a faint, cool fragrance.

Not long after.

The two arrived outside a uniquely decorated clothing store.

Bai Wanqing pushed the door open, and the bell chimed with a crisp ding-dong.

The interior of the store was elegant, with the pleasant scent of cedarwood floating in the air.

There weren't many clothes on display, but each piece was of exceptional quality and unique design.

"Madam Bai? What brings you here today?"

A middle-aged woman wearing a ladies' suit, with a gentle and graceful demeanor, came out from inside, a surprised smile on her face.

"Manager Chen, do me a favor."

Bai Wanqing didn't bother with pleasantries and pointed at Ye Chen. "Pick out an outfit for him to attend the 'cloud top' charity gala tonight. Make it quick."

Manager Chen's gaze fell on Ye Chen, full of surprise.

Wow!

This young man looked utterly ordinary, yet he had the honor of being personally brought by Bai Wanqing and explicitly called her dance partner... Could he be a kept man?

That shouldn't be... after all.

Given Bai Wanqing's status, how could she possibly keep a man?

Even if she wanted to, it would probably be done discreetly... "Don't worry, leave it to me."

Manager Chen's smile deepened as she gestured for Ye Chen to follow. "Sir, please come with me to get your measurements. Madam Bai, please have a seat and enjoy some tea. It won't take long."

Not long after.

Ye Chen followed Manager Chen into the inner room and had his measurements taken.

When he came out, Bai Wanqing was sitting on the sofa in the lounge area, holding a cup of light tea.

Manager Chen, beaming, was already holding two sets of matched suits and accessories. "Mr. Ye has a standard build. Our new collection fits him perfectly."

Bai Wanqing set down her teacup and was about to speak—

"Ding-dong."

The store door was pushed open, and the bell chimed softly.

A figure dressed in a light gray casual suit stepped inside.

It was none other than Chen Wenxuan.

He wore a smile on his face, his eyes scanning the store before finally settling on Bai Wanqing, feigning surprise.

"Madam Bai? What a coincidence, I didn't expect to run into you here."

A flicker of coldness flashed in Bai Wanqing's eyes. "Young Master Chen, what a 'coincidence' indeed."

She wasn't stupid.

This guy had most likely sent someone to tail her!

Chen Wenxuan strolled closer, his smile unchanged.

"Who says it isn't?"

"City Name isn't too big, nor too small. Sometimes, when fate comes knocking, you can't stop it."

As he spoke.

His gaze turned to Ye Chen, who was standing to the side, and he said calmly.

"I heard that Mr. Ye is the one who turned Xiamen City upside down?"

After Ye Chen left the hotel with Bai Wanqing, Chen Wenxuan's subordinate A Lai had already presented a brief dossier on Ye Chen.

The dossier showed.

This person was originally just an insignificant small fry at the Tiangong Nightclub in Xiamen City. Somehow, through sheer luck, he managed to take over the Tiangong step by step... Later.

He even brought down the long-entrenched Azure Dragon Society and the Zhao Family.

He certainly had some ability, but that was about it.

No wonder Bai Wanqing, when she had no one else to rely on, would take a special interest in him.

In Chen Wenxuan's eyes, someone like this was nothing more than a pawn that could be manipulated or even crushed at will!

Ye Chen looked up, meeting Chen Wenxuan's gaze calmly. "That's me."

Chen Wenxuan smiled, then suddenly pulled out an all-black card from his suit's inner pocket. Holding it between two fingers, he flicked his wrist casually—

"Tap."

The card fluttered lightly to the floor at Ye Chen's feet.

"This is a Swiss Bank black card with a credit limit of one billion, usable globally."

"Use it as you please."

The store fell silent instantly.

Manager Chen stood to the side, not daring to breathe loudly, and quietly took a few steps back.

Someone who could casually produce a card with a limit as high as one billion must have an extraordinary background.

And now... the other party was clearly targeting Ye Chen. It was best not to get involved!

Ye Chen looked down, glanced at the card at his feet, then looked back at Chen Wenxuan.

"What do you mean?"

Chen Wenxuan shrugged.

"It's simple."

"Leave Bai Wanqing."

"The place by her side isn't one you're qualified to stand."

"Take this money, go back to your Xiamen City, or go anywhere in the world to live it up. It's enough for you to live comfortably for several lifetimes."

"I'll find a more suitable dance partner for Madam Bai tonight."

"Chen Wenxuan!" Bai Wanqing abruptly set down her teacup.

She stood up, her eyes icy cold.

"Are you overstepping your bounds?"

"Who I choose as my dance partner is none of your business!"

"And throwing money at people? Is this how the Chen Family teaches you to 'solve problems'?"

Faced with Bai Wanqing's anger, Chen Wenxuan showed no trace of panic on his face. Instead, he looked smug and unafraid.

"Wanqing, don't be angry yet."

"I'm not making things difficult for him. I'm helping you."

"Helping you... test his character."

Chen Wenxuan turned his gaze to Ye Chen, a hint of mockery mixed into his smile.

"You see, if he's truly loyal to you, or if he has greater ambitions, he naturally won't be swayed by a mere one billion."

"But if he takes it..."

He shrugged.

"Wouldn't that prove he's just a money-grubbing, easily bought small fry?"

"Not worth your protection, let alone bringing him along to important events."

"I'm just helping you weed out an unstable factor in advance, so he doesn't cause you bigger trouble later."

His words sounded lofty and righteous, as if he were considering Bai Wanqing's interests at every turn.

Manager Chen's breath hitched.

Wow!

He really was here to pick a fight!

No matter how Ye Chen answered, he seemed to be in a passive position.

If he asked for the money, he'd be a small fry, a greedy person. She was curious too... Was the young man Bai Wanqing valued really like that?

But if he refused the money, the problem was even bigger... Turning down one billion meant he had ulterior motives, no matter what they were.

However.

Ye Chen didn't move, nor did he speak.

Seeing him like this, Chen Wenxuan felt even more contempt, assuming he was stunned by the enormous sum and struggling internally.

After all... could a rundown nightclub come up with one billion all at once?

Dream on!

He leisurely adjusted his cuffs and continued.

"Ye Chen, I'm only giving you one chance."

"One billion is enough for someone like you to live lavishly for ten lifetimes."

"Pick it up, then disappear from my sight. Don't show up on the 'cloud top' tonight."

"That's the best outcome for you, for me, and for Madam Bai."

"Understood?"

Hearing this, Ye Chen finally seemed to react, looking calmly at Chen Wenxuan.

His eyes held neither anger nor greed, so calm that it made Chen Wenxuan's heart skip a beat for no reason.

But before he could speak.

Ye Chen's voice echoed throughout the clothing store.

"Oh?"

"You want me to choose?"

"Good, I can give you a choice."

Hearing these words.

The smile on Chen Wenxuan's face deepened.

He even... seemed to already see Ye Chen bending over to pick up the card in front of him.

What a joke?

Who could resist such temptation?

He even glanced at Bai Wanqing, hoping to see disappointment on her face—the scene he most anticipated at that moment... However, Bai Wanqing's anger had strangely subsided, replaced by her usual cool composure.

Chen Wenxuan felt an inexplicable frustration and displeasure.

Was this woman still naive enough to think that this small fry named Ye Chen could resist the temptation of one billion and stay loyally by her side?

Impossible!

Just as he was feeling smug, waiting for Ye Chen to make the "wise" choice... suddenly!

Ye Chen moved.

His foot stepped over the black card, and he walked unhurriedly to stand before Chen Wenxuan.

The distance between them was less than a foot.

Chen Wenxuan was slightly taken aback, not yet realizing what Ye Chen intended to do... The next second!

Ye Chen's right hand swung toward him.