254: Chapter 254 Ye Qingcheng inquires about the Chu brothers' past; Si Yao tries to use Qin Yi as a shield.

"Qingcheng, has everything been going smoothly in Magic City lately?" In the video, a kind-faced, white-haired elderly man looked at Ye Qingcheng with eyes full of concern and asked softly.

However, before Ye Qingcheng could respond, the old man's brows furrowed slightly as he continued with apparent worry, "The scene today was quite large. My granddaughter, you weren't injured, were you?"

Ye Qingcheng looked at her grandfather on the screen, a warm current welling up in her heart. She smiled gently and reassured him softly, "Grandfather, so you already know? Don't worry, I'm fine." As she spoke, a trace of regret flashed across her face, "It's just a pity that in the end, the person managed to escape."

Hearing that his granddaughter was not injured, Elder Ye felt a bit more at ease. He waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter. The monk may run, but the temple won't. Sooner or later, we'll catch them."

"Yes, Grandfather, I have something I want to confirm with you," Ye Qingcheng said, her expression turning serious.

"Go ahead, Qingcheng. What is it?" The old man looked at her seriously, waiting for her to continue.

"It's about Chu Weiguo. Grandfather, do you still remember him?" Ye Qingcheng asked.

"Haha, Weiguo? How could I forget him?" The old man laughed, as if reminiscing about the past. "Back then, he was a soldier under my command. Before Ziming went to Magic City, I specifically told him to pay a visit. Why? Does he have something to do with your case?"

"It's not certain yet, but there might be some connection," Ye Qingcheng said, her brows tightly knit.

"If that scoundrel has done something illegal, I definitely won't forgive him!" A flash of anger appeared in Elder Ye's eyes, and his voice became stern.

"Grandfather, don't get agitated yet. The matter hasn't been fully investigated," Ye Qingcheng quickly soothed him. "I wanted to ask, does Chu Weiguo have an older brother?"

Hearing this, Elder Ye's brows furrowed slightly as he fell into deep thought. After a long while, he nodded and said, "That's right, he does have an older brother named Chu Weimin. I have a fairly deep impression of the brothers' names. 'Weiguo' and 'Weimin' (Protect the Country and Protect the People)... However, not long after Weiguo transferred out of the military, his brother passed away."

"Are you sure Chu Weimin has passed away?" Ye Qingcheng pressed.

Elder Ye looked at her expression and couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled. He said in a deep voice, "Could that be fake? I remember his brother was in a severe car accident; the car caught fire, and he couldn't escape, dying on the spot. Later, when I sent people to his home to offer condolences, I only saw the ashes. However, there was an accident appraisal report and a death certificate issued by the public security department, so it shouldn't be fake."

At this point, Elder Ye paused and then continued, "Speaking of which, this Chu Weimin was quite pitiful. His wife passed away early, leaving behind a daughter. Later, I heard that Chu Weiguo had been taking care of his brother's child and even sent her abroad to study. That child is quite ambitious as well."

"So that's how it is. I understand."

"Yes. By the way, is that brat Ziming behaving himself in Magic City? He hasn't caused any trouble for you, has he?"

Ye Qingcheng laughed upon hearing this: "Haha, he wouldn't dare! If he dares to cause trouble, see if I don't skin him alive!"

"Hahaha," Elder Ye laughed loudly upon hearing this. "You, oh you, always having a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Every time you say you're going to teach him a lesson, I've never seen you actually lay a finger on him!"

"With his frail little frame, how could I actually do anything?" Ye Qingcheng explained with a smile. "But don't worry, I've found a young master for him to learn kung fu from. That young master's skills are quite formidable. When he returns to the Capital, I'll have Ziming perform for you."

"Oh? A young master? What's his name? Let me see if I know him." A glimmer of interest flashed in the old man's eyes.

"You definitely wouldn't know him. He's a young man surnamed Qin, with the single given name Yi—Qin Yi." At the mention of Qin Yi, the corners of Ye Qingcheng's mouth unconsciously curled up slightly.

Elder Ye frowned slightly, searching his memory for any trace of the name. "Qin Yi? Ay, I really don't have any impression of that name. Has he ever served in the military?"

"Probably not," Ye Qingcheng shook her head gently. "He's still in university and won't graduate until next year."

"Oh?" Elder Ye's eyebrows shot up even higher, his tone carrying a hint of surprise: "So young and he can already take on a disciple?"

Ye Qingcheng smiled and explained, "Haha, Grandfather, don't look at how young that kid is; his kung fu is quite extraordinary. Letting Ziming follow him to learn is much better than idling around and being a loafer all day."

Elder Ye nodded upon hearing this. "Well, that's true. With you looking after him in Magic City, I can be a bit more at ease. It saves him from hanging around those children of the elite in the Capital and causing trouble all day."

"By the way, Grandfather," Ye Qingcheng seemed to remember something, "Elder Zhao Weiguo, is he still in contact with you?"

Elder Ye was taken aback, and a complex emotion then surfaced on his face. "Zhao Weiguo? Why did you suddenly bring up that old stubborn fool? We haven't been in contact for a while. The last time we met was during the Lunar New Year last year."

"Oh, it's nothing special," Ye Qingcheng said nonchalantly. "It's best if there's no contact."

But Elder Ye keenly captured the abnormality in her words. "Wait, that's not right. Qingcheng, what do you mean by that? Could it be that something happened to the Zhao Family?" His gaze suddenly became sharp.

Ye Qingcheng paused slightly, a look of difficulty flashing across her face. "Grandfather, don't ask too much. We have discipline to maintain. Just try your best not to contact the Zhao Family, that's all."

Elder Ye looked at her, a flash of understanding in his eyes; it seemed the Zhao Family was about to face a major crisis. But since it was inconvenient for his granddaughter to speak, it wasn't appropriate for him to ask further.

"In that case, I won't ask more. It's getting late, and I'm going to rest. You should sleep early too; don't stay up late."

"Ah, alright, Grandfather. You go ahead and rest then," Ye Qingcheng responded softly.

Having said that, she waved at him through the screen and then hung up the call.

...

At this moment, in the bedroom of Villa No. 19 in Tan Palace, Si Yao leaned against the headboard. Her half-exposed fragrant shoulders looked exceptionally alluring under the warm yellow light. She gently pulled the quilt to cover her chest, but a look of solemnity was revealed in her eyes.

Beside her, a woman with almond-shaped eyes full of affection moved shyly toward Si Yao's side.

In the air, the faint scent of tobacco intertwined with the mellow aroma of agarwood, creating a unique atmosphere. Si Yao gently stubbed out the cigarette in her hand and let out a long breath, as if to exhale all the troubles in her heart along with the smoke.

The woman beside her looked up at her, her eyes full of concern: "Sister Yao Yao, do you have something on your mind?"

Si Yao looked down at her, one hand naturally resting on the woman's shoulder, gently stroking it. After a moment, she slowly spoke: "Mhm, someone from my Family came, and some things are bothering me."

The woman wrapped her arms around Si Yao's waist, like a docile kitten snuggling in Si Yao's embrace. She thought for a moment and said tentatively: "Let me guess... is your Family urging you to get married?"

Si Yao gave a light laugh: "Hehe, you guessed quite accurately... Be honest, did you eavesdrop on my conversation in the private booth?"

"I didn't~ How could I have the guts? I really just guessed it," the woman said coquettishly.

"Alright. You guessed right. However, it's not just about urging marriage. My grandfather's health seems to have been not so good lately, and I'm hesitating whether I should go back to see him." Si Yao sighed again as she spoke, "It's just that if I go back, I'll inevitably have to face that marriage contract. It's truly a difficult choice!"

"Marriage contract?" The woman's eyes widened in surprise. "Heavens, Sister Yao Yao, could it be an arranged marriage from before birth? What era is this? How can such things still exist?"

Si Yao shook her head helplessly: "Hmph, there's no way around it; it's just an exchange of interests between families. And I am the sacrificed pawn."

Feeling Si Yao's low spirits, the woman hugged her even tighter, as if this could express her concern. Suddenly, a spark of inspiration flashed in her eyes, and she sat up excitedly, completely forgetting that she was currently unclothed. She looked at Si Yao excitedly: "Sister Yao Yao, I have a great idea! It might help you dodge that marriage contract."

Hearing this, Si Yao looked at her curiously: "Oh? What's your idea? Let's hear it."

Then, the woman explained her idea in detail.

After hearing it, Si Yao couldn't help but smile helplessly and shake her head gently: "Your idea actually coincides with my brother's suggestion. But as you know, I really have no interest in men. Where am I going to find a suitable shield?"

Hearing this, the woman pouted and turned her head away coquettishly, then turned back a moment later, her eyes twinkling with a sly light: "It's just a pretense anyway, so just endure a little bit of grievance for now. As long as the marriage contract can be canceled, everything will be fine. You know so many people; just pick one who looks somewhat pleasing to the eye and isn't that annoying. Just treat it like acting out a play for your Family."

Someone not that annoying? Hearing the woman's words, Si Yao's beautiful brows furrowed slightly as she fell into thought. She silently filtered through the men she knew in her mind, trying to find a suitable candidate.

A moment later, Qin Yi's figure suddenly emerged in her mind.

Qin Yi?

Her impression of Qin Yi was fairly good, and the kid had good skills. If she took him back to see her grandfather, maybe she really could use him to cancel the marriage contract.

With this thought, the corners of Si Yao's mouth couldn't help but curl into an arc, and a sly look flashed in her eyes. She pulled the naked woman beside her into her arms, leaned forward, gave her a light kiss on the cheek, and teased: "Alright, I didn't expect your little head to be so clever. This idea is good; I must reward you well."

The woman was made a bit shy by Si Yao's sudden intimate gesture, her cheeks heating up slightly. She glared at her and turned her head away with a coquettish huff, murmuring as if pretending to be angry, "Oh, you're doing it again!"

Seeing this, Si Yao laughed heartily, knowing the woman wasn't truly angry. She followed her lead and teased: "Little baby, don't be angry. I'm just happy; your idea might actually be a big help to me." As she spoke, she leaned closer to the woman's ear and whispered, "If this really works out, I'll definitely give you a very big gift."

Subsequently, sounds of passion echoed within the bedroom once more...