After Beike Song's silver BMW turned onto the main road, he pulled over, his mood reflecting on his furrowed brow. People of his status couldn't afford to make enemies lightly; a small conflict could trigger a cascade of unforeseen consequences. However, seeing the woman he liked being close to another man made him quite uncomfortable.
He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. As the Blue Danube ringtone played nearly to the end, there was no answer. Just as Beike Song was about to hang up, he suddenly heard the sound of clinking glasses and a cacophony of voices.
"Hey, Kexiong, weren't you visiting your goddess in Yanjing? Why are you calling now? But you called at the right time. I'm at Red Makeup, with Little Six and the others. We've met some Japanese chicks today, quite the stunners. Come quick, and I'll save one for you," came a slurred voice, filled with the smell of alcohol even through the phone.
"You Ling, I appreciate the offer, but I'm in Yanjing and can't make it back. I need to ask you something," Beike Song replied, steadying his tone.
"What's up? When did you start being so formal with me?" the voice on the other end sounded more alert, shedding some of its previous drunkenness.
Beike Song couldn't admit that his woman was being pursued by someone with the surname Ye, so he said, "I met someone in Yanjing today, a friend named Ye, who seems to have some background. It's our first meeting, so I couldn't ask too many questions. Can you look into it for me?"
"Alright, I'll ask around. Anything else? If not, I'm hanging up. I need to enjoy my 'Eastern flower,'" the voice said, followed by the sound of a disconnected line.
Beike Song chuckled bitterly, acknowledging the allure of the situation that even the seasoned Han Youling found irresistible.
Feeling more at ease now that someone was investigating, Beike Song reflected that things weren't too bad. It didn't seem like the Ye family young master had won Shen Monong over completely. There was still a chance. Knowing one's enemy was crucial for victory. The core virtue of the Bei family men was never to give up.
---
Never underestimate a woman's intelligence, especially those who have never been in love or have survived multiple rounds in the battlefield of love unscathed.
Ye Qiu hadn't expected that after helping Shen Monong solve a problem, she would throw a surprising question back at him.
Indeed, if he had always lived in a village, how would he know about *?
This brand was little known, circulated only among the upper echelons of society. Its boutiques weren't located in bustling areas but rather on quiet, secluded streets in independent business villas. The entire villa was adorned with silk products, combining simplicity and grandeur with artistic flair, resembling a kingdom of Suzhou and Hangzhou silk. This business model protected customers' privacy while highlighting their nobility, highly praised by patrons. It borrowed from the successful models of Western luxury brands.
"Uh... Haha, I just heard about it today. Uncle Wang picked me up this morning, and somehow we ended up talking about *, and he mentioned the Bei family from Suzhou..." Ye Qiu fabricated a story, hoping to attribute his knowledge to Uncle Wang, whom he had met earlier. Given Uncle Wang's status, it wasn't impossible for him to know about *.
"Really? Uncle Wang talked to you about this?" Tang Guo looked at Ye Qiu skeptically. Since when did Uncle Wang, a man of few words, start discussing such trivial matters with strangers? "I'll call and ask Uncle Wang."
Ye Qiu felt frustrated, regretting not making up a random person or claiming to have read it in the newspaper. Now he was caught. Tang Guo's determination over such a small matter was unexpected. He wouldn't have chosen Uncle Wang as a shield otherwise.
"Guoguo," Shen Monong called out.
"Ah?" Tang Guo, about to dial, looked at Shen Monong.
"It's noon. Let's go to the supermarket to buy some groceries and cook lunch," Shen Monong said, glancing at Ye Qiu.
"Ah!"
Tang Guo squealed like an excited middle-aged woman. "Monong sister, you're finally letting me out! Great, I love you! Wait, I'll go change."
Having been cooped up at home, Tang Guo was on the verge of going crazy. Now that Shen Monong had agreed to let her out, her joy was palpable. With Shen Monong's distraction, the issue of calling Uncle Wang was naturally forgotten.
"Ye Qiu, you come too," Shen Monong said, then followed Tang Guo inside.
Ye Qiu felt a warmth in his heart. What a wise woman. She must have guessed that Uncle Wang couldn't have told him about *, and had interrupted Tang Guo to save his face, even though he had lied to them.
A man who lies isn't necessarily a bad man, but a woman willing to preserve a man's dignity is certainly a good woman.
"I wonder if she's ever been in love, to be so considerate?" Ye Qiu mused.
After waiting in the courtyard for a while, Shen Monong, Tang Guo, and Lin Bao'er came out together. They had all made a point to change their makeup. Shen Monong looked sexy, Tang Guo youthful and vibrant, and Bao'er... well, hard to describe. Her face looked innocent, but her body was voluptuous.
Ye Qiu's strong heart could handle even a ghostly woman appearing at his bedside, but the sight of these three women made his heart skip a beat.
"Proud to accompany three beautiful women shopping?" Lin Bao'er teased, stepping in front of Ye Qiu.
"Proud," Ye Qiu nodded. But he knew those jealous gazes would be enough to kill him a few times over.