Seeing her daughter well again, Hou Mingzhu wiped away her tears and smiled, regardless of the past entanglements with Ye Tiancheng.
She didn't disturb Ye Tiancheng and her daughter's conversation. After about ten minutes, when her daughter started to feel sleepy and ready to rest, Ye Tiancheng finally withdrew from the room. Noticing Hou Mingzhu's red eyes, the usually oblivious Ye Tiancheng surprisingly asked,
"Did you cry?"
"How could I possibly cry? My daughter is better now, and I'm overjoyed. Don't talk nonsense. I don't cry; I only feel happy."
Ye Tiancheng was half-believing, but he nodded, "I also thought it was unlikely you'd cry. I knew I must have been mistaken. You've always lived a smooth life and wouldn't cry easily."
Fearing she might disturb her daughter's rest, Hou Mingzhu quickly pulled Ye Tiancheng aside. She had some things she needed to tell him, things she had to clarify. If she didn't explain clearly, she worried Ye Tiancheng might shirk his responsibilities and run off.
"Listen, even though my daughter's symptoms have improved and she seems normal now, without any other negative behaviors, I worry the effect might not last. So, you need to stay by your daughter's side for at least half a month, preferably a month. Don't run around anymore. No career is more important than your daughter. Don't forget Ye Qingcheng is your flesh and blood."
Hou Mingzhu feared that Ye Tiancheng would be like he was before, a wanderer who would rush to any trouble elsewhere but neglect his own family. Her daughter had been neglected by Ye Tiancheng for a long time. Now, Hou Mingzhu wanted to seize this opportunity for them to interact more.
Previously, Hou Mingzhu had worried about Ye Tiancheng seeking custody of the child and wished he would stay away. But things had changed. Many things had changed, and Hou Mingzhu began to consider that if her child didn't have a father's companionship, a mother's efforts couldn't completely substitute for a father's role, and it might lead to a psychological deficit.
"Okay, I'll do as you say. If you don't want me to leave, I won't leave. My daughter, I will naturally protect her with all my heart. I will never let anyone harm my precious darling."
Ye Tiancheng had decided to go all out. Nothing was more important than his daughter. Besides, he had no other immediate goals. The whereabouts of the Fuxi Qin were uncertain, and Ye Tiancheng wasn't so idle as to search the entire country. So, for now, he would obediently stay by his ex-wife and daughter's side. Moreover, Ye Tiancheng thought that the amenities in this secluded paradise were top-notch.
The food would surely be delicacies, which Ye Tiancheng found rare and delicious. Fatty and Little Fox had also not rested for a long time. They should enjoy life properly instead of constantly following Ye Tiancheng, facing mortal danger, and enduring hardship. This would drive them crazy sooner or later. They deserved a few days of good life; this was the only thought Ye Tiancheng, as their elder brother, could have.
"Then let's all stay here. I also want to rest. I've traveled for too long and feel utterly exhausted. I don't want to persist anymore. With my daughter by my side, let alone a month, if there's nothing else, I wouldn't mind staying a lifetime."
Ye Tiancheng no longer thought about saving the world. His small family was already shattered. Anyone would have selfish thoughts. Ye Tiancheng also wondered if he could make his own life better instead of constantly being controlled by others. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Hou Mingzhu hadn't expected that Ye Tiancheng, who was usually restless, would go to such lengths for his family. However, Hou Mingzhu was quite pleased. It showed that Ye Tiancheng still took his daughter seriously, unlike before when he was irresponsible towards the family, making Hou Mingzhu want to scold him.
"Then you can stay here with peace of mind. There are many servants to attend to you. You can have everything done for you and enjoy delicacies from all over the world. You don't have to live like before, worrying about your next meal, and eating those incredibly tasteless compressed biscuits. Such a life is not good. I advise you not to go back."
Actually, Hou Mingzhu knew how hard Ye Tiancheng lived, but she didn't want to think about it or manage it. After all, she knew he was always surrounded by women and never idle. Hou Mingzhu was too lazy to worry about him, pretending not to know him.
But because of the lingering affection in her heart, Hou Mingzhu knew she could never truly let go of this man. She silently watched him from places he couldn't see. Perhaps this was what it meant to be completely captivated by someone.
"Yes, since there's a good life to be had, I'll stay for a few days. I'll try not to cause trouble. If there's anything you're not satisfied with, tell me. Don't sulk. I'm just a straightforward guy."
Hou Mingzhu nodded without speaking. That evening, everyone had a grand meal. The atmosphere at the table was quite pleasant, mainly because the food was delicious. The healing power of good food was particularly strong at this moment. With delicious food, everyone's mood improved, and they talked more.
When it was time for bed, Ye Tiancheng slept alone in a room. He hadn't slept in such a large bed for a long time, and it was so soft. He had overheard the maid named Taohong discussing how the place was not only prime real estate but also decorated with the highest-end materials. The mattress alone cost tens of thousands, which was beyond the reach of ordinary people.
However, it was indeed worth the price. Ye Tiancheng felt incredibly comfortable lying on it. His entire body weight was supported by the mattress, and the design was so ergonomic that it didn't make him feel any fatigue. It felt like sleeping on clouds, light and airy, and he soon drifted off to sleep.
Ye Tiancheng had not fallen asleep so quickly in a very long time. It felt like he had just lain down when he was already asleep.
When Ye Tiancheng woke up, he first heard the chirping of birds in the mountains. Perhaps he had slept too comfortably and didn't want to wake up, wanting to linger in his dreams a little longer. However, a woman's scream prevented him from continuing to sleep. He was forced to wake up.
When Ye Tiancheng confirmed the scene before him, he was even more startled. It was truly terrifying. Beside him lay a woman, her clothes disheveled, giving off a bad impression. She was holding onto him, looking as if she had suffered a great injustice.
"How could you do this to me?"
Ye Tiancheng knew that even if he were more confused, he wouldn't have the audacity to do something like this.
"I think you must have misunderstood. I didn't do anything to you. You're overthinking things. I'm a straightforward person and wouldn't make such a low-level mistake. If you said I lost my temper and killed someone, I'd believe you. But to say I molested a respectable woman, what I did to you last night, you're simply framing me."
Facing the woman's question, Ye Tiancheng calmly replied. He didn't feel guilty at all. There must be a misunderstanding, or this girl was framing him. But then he thought it was unlikely. How could a young girl have so many schemes? It just didn't add up.
As Ye Tiancheng was arguing his case, the commotion likely attracted attention, and someone suddenly rushed in. Soon after, Hou Mingzhu also arrived. Seeing Ye Tiancheng and the maid still in the same bed, she made a rather shocking expression.
"No way..."
Hou Mingzhu found it hard to believe, but the truth was right in front of her, leaving her momentarily undecided.
"This gentleman forcibly dragged me into his bed yesterday. I was truly terrified. I have no purity left. I might as well hit my head against a wall and die."
The maid cried profusely, as if she had truly suffered a great injustice. Initially, Hou Mingzhu was somewhat suspicious, but now she looked indifferent, like an observer watching a play.
"That's enough. Your acting skills are just average for an extra. What era is this? You're still spouting such fake lines. It's disgusting. If it were someone else, I might believe you. But Ye Tiancheng is practically going to become a monk. You tell me he had improper behavior towards you? I think that's a bit too far-fetched. After all, he only had two drinks yesterday; he wouldn't lose his senses from alcohol, right?"
Hou Mingzhu was terrifyingly calm. Usually, upon seeing such a situation, women would lose their temper, yell at the man, and question if he was unvirtuous and had done something indecent. But Hou Mingzhu only hesitated for a few seconds before convincing herself.
Seeing that Hou Mingzhu didn't believe her, the maid's crying intensified. Hou Mingzhu looked nonchalant, "Don't cry anymore. A girl's tears are pearls; you shouldn't waste them. Crying won't get you anything. I'm a heartless person. If you still feel it's unfair, then let's call the police and let them resolve it."
At Hou Mingzhu's words, the maid's face instantly changed. It seemed she only wanted to extort some money and didn't want to escalate the situation. After all, it was a fabricated story. She thought wealthy people liked to solve problems with money and wouldn't be too serious. She didn't expect Hou Mingzhu to be so terrifyingly calm and actually want to clarify the matter.
"It's fine to talk about this. Who doesn't know you're the pampered daughter of the Hou family, a young lady from a wealthy family? If this matter gets out, it will greatly affect your reputation. I don't mind, as I'm just a little maid."
Hou Mingzhu smiled indifferently and then handed Ye Tiancheng his clothes to put on, "You should quickly exit this battlefield. Leave the women's affairs to women. As a man, it's best not to get involved in our war, as I fear you might get caught in the crossfire."
Hou Mingzhu's imposing aura was evident. The little maid was clearly intimidated. After all, her experience was limited. She had lived in the countryside before, and although she had received professional high-end training and learned English to a decent standard, the ingrained lack of worldly experience still influenced her thoughts.
Ye Tiancheng felt that Hou Mingzhu was protecting him at that moment, so he didn't say much and withdrew from the room. Soon after, Hou Mingzhu emerged, taking about fifteen minutes.
"Let's go eat together. Fatty and Little Fox have already finished and gone to play in the backyard. I woke up quite late, so you accompany me for a meal."
Ye Tiancheng wanted to ask how things were so calm after the incident, but the words died on his lips. He thought Hou Mingzhu was a smart person and would surely mention it during dinner, so he didn't need to say anything. He would find out the truth later.