Not far from Ye Longlin's small courtyard, in building twenty-two, Zhou Fengya, after finishing her work, went downstairs in her pajamas to get something to eat.
She hadn't eaten dinner and was hungry now.
Because she maintained her exercise, her figure was plump, with a prominent bust and a shapely behind.
"There's news that Ye Longlin is back, and he's now living in the old courtyard that Ye Guohui used to have."
"Ye Longlin? Isn't that the one who was almost betrothed to Fengya as a child?"
"Yes, Ye Guohui's son. It's just that we don't know why he's suddenly back after disappearing for so many years. He couldn't possibly be here to seek revenge on the Ye family, could he? That's not realistic, right?"
This name, if not mentioned, had almost been forgotten.
But upon mentioning the Ye family, it immediately came to mind; indeed, there was such a person.
"Why are you suddenly bringing up this child?"
Zhou Jianguo was slightly puzzled. He had thought highly of Ye Guohui back then, but who would have thought that the Ye family's misfortune would force Ye Guohui to leave the capital, even fleeing with his child in tow.
"I heard he's made a name for himself in the military, and he should be at the rank of a school officer now. It's said that Ye Longlin was involved in what happened at the capital prison this morning."
"Isn't that so? The child marriage was proposed by the family head back then, and now he's just a small school officer. If I remember correctly, Ye Guohui seemed to look down on us back then."
Hearing their words, Zhou Fengya said dismissively, "That's why they say, 'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river.' Now my Zhou family is not someone he can aspire to. Without the Ye family, he's nothing."
Old Master Zhou glanced at her: "Saying he looked down on us is pure nonsense. Besides, it was just drunken talk between your father and Ye Guohui. No one took it seriously. Why do you, a young girl, harbor such resentment?"
Zhou Jianguo, having lived a life of integrity, was speechless and confused by his granddaughter's apparent embarrassment and anger.
It was just drunken words, and no one had taken them seriously. Moreover, you were just a little girl then. Old Master Zhou couldn't fathom how the other person had offended her.
Furthermore, his Zhou family had a good relationship with Ye Guohui back then. Although some conflicts had arisen, they were not issues. If Ye Longlin knew how to behave, he wouldn't mind giving him a helping hand.
Although it had always been said that scholars were inferior to warriors, his Zhou Jianguo's name still carried some weight.
"After so many years have passed, I thought he would have a promising future, become a powerful figure, and achieve great success. I didn't expect him to come back and grovel to the Ye family after going in circles. It's truly laughable."
"He's now reduced to living in the old courtyard. He must be back to fawn over the Ye family. Otherwise, why would a school officer come to the capital?"
Zhou Jianguo frowned, slapped the table, and rebuked, "Enough, are you done? It was all nonsense to begin with, and you're still taking it seriously? We didn't take it seriously, so what does it matter if you do? Is that reasonable?"
"Your resentment is utterly groundless. Have you fed all the lessons I've taught you to the dogs?"
Zhou Fengya pouted aggrievedly, "I don't care, he's wrong anyway, and I want him to apologize to me!"
Zhou Jianguo stood up in anger, pointed at the door, and said, "Get out! Get out of here! Come back only when you've figured things out for yourself!"
Zhou Fengya stormed out, also filled with anger.
The old master usually doted on Zhou Fengya and had never lost his temper with her; he had always cherished her. But now, he had scolded her for Ye Longlin's sake, which made her feel very unbalanced.
Halfway through the neighborhood.
Mu Hanqi linked arms with Ye Longlin, walking slowly, not to aid digestion, but just to be close to Ye Longlin.
Approaching from the front, Zhou Fengya, dressed in pajamas and having been kicked out by the old master, walked towards them. She seemed to feel a bit cold and quickened her pace, raising her head and tightening her clothes.
As she looked up, she happened to see the two walking towards her affectionately.
Ye Longlin, utterly useless, equivalent to a good-for-nothing, actually had such luck as to win over such a beautiful girl?
She wondered if this woman was masochistic or blind.
Or perhaps, this scumbag had used abnormal means to get her?
Otherwise, with his status as a mere school officer, how could he legitimately pursue such a beautiful girl?
Was it a waste for such a beautiful girl to be with this good-for-nothing?
Coincidentally, she knew some rich young masters. Women like Mu Hanqi were their type; they enjoyed the thrill of conquest.
"Why not break them up? Ye Longlin, this kind of trash, doesn't deserve a girlfriend?"
As soon as this thought emerged, it was like a surging river, and she could no longer contain the thoughts in her heart.
After brushing past them, Ye Longlin also felt that the woman looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn't recall. However, it wasn't important.
"Woodpecker, what should we eat tomorrow? Should I go buy groceries?"
"Whatever, how about some vegetables? We can buy some steamed buns and congee tomorrow morning."
"Okay."
Hearing their conversation, Zhou Fengya became even more disdainful. Their breakfast wouldn't exceed twenty yuan. As expected, they had fallen on hard times. If Ye Guohui hadn't left a small courtyard here back then, there probably wouldn't be anything valuable.
This small courtyard, in the capital, could sell for around thirty million. Adding the location and the neighborhood, it would certainly be fifty million or more.
Unlike their family, they didn't even need to cook and never worried about such matters.
As expected, they had fallen on hard times. Most likely, he was back to fawn over the Ye family and return to the Ye family.
"A good-for-nothing doesn't deserve a girlfriend. I like to see you in a fit of impotent rage, yet helpless. Seeing you lose your beloved and suffer immensely will only make me happier. The angrier you get, the happier I become."
Furthermore, if a girl like Mu Hanqi were introduced to a young master from one of the Ten Great Families, she would then be attached to their high perch. This way, not only could Ye Longlin be tormented, but she could also curry favor with the top families, and even potentially advance her own Zhou family.
A perfect plan, killing two birds with one stone.
Thinking and acting, that was her style.
"Hello, Young Master Zheng? It's Zhou Fengya. I'm calling to give you some good news. I've discovered a high-quality beauty. Yes, that's right, she lives in my grandfather's neighborhood. Tomorrow? Okay, okay, I'll be right over. I'll tell you the specifics."
After hanging up the phone, a cold smile appeared on her lips.
Zhou Fengya stopped walking, looked back at their receding figures, and cast a venomous gaze. The sinister grin on her lips grew wider and wider.
"Bitch, to actually fall for this good-for-nothing, it seems you're not a good person either. Since that's the case, I'll give you a hand."