From Nun to Real Heiress: Expert at Turning the Tables

Chapter 656: 341 New Year’s Eve_3

Ye Shuang knelt and bowed, before standing up to leave.

Ye Jian glanced at the wound on her forehead and scolded, “What am I to do with you… It’s fine if you are going to Yunzhou. The Qinglong Association will surely face a turbulent period soon, it’s better for you to lay low for a while.”

“Brother, what exactly is Master Xiao’s plan?”

“For me to tell you so you can further disrupt it?”

Ye Shuang pursed her lips, “When I’m not around, keep an eye on Master Xiao and make sure he doesn’t grow any unnecessary affections towards that Ming Jing. She is nothing but a venomous woman.”

Ye Jian sighed helplessly, “You’re exaggerating, they are just….”

Ye Shuang gave him a quick glance, “Do you think Master Xiao would care for gossip?”

She walked up to Ye Feng and patted his shoulder, “Little Junior, I owe you a life. Please look after Master Xiao when I’m gone.”

Ye Feng waved his hand with a smile, “Senior, you’re too courteous, it’s my duty.”

Ye Shuang stiffened a bit, is this guy really happy about her departure?

Well, only with her departure can there be a place for this kid.

——

After Ye Shuang left, Ye Feng asked, “Brother, I’m a bit lost. Who exactly is this Ming Jing? Xi Yu is actually her man, is this girl really that powerful?”

Ye Jian patted his head, “Let’s go see Master Xiao.”

Ye Feng nodded and entered the Ran family’s study for the first time.

He looked around curiously, Ran Tengxiao was standing in front of a painting, his upright posture gave off a sense of loneliness.

“Master Xiao, my junior sister has left. This is my younger brother Ye Feng, he will guard your safety closely from now on.”

Ye Feng followed his brother’s example and greeted, “Nice to meet you, Master Xiao, I’m Ye Feng.”

Ye Feng leaned closer to Ye Jian and asked, “What is Master Xiao looking at?”

Ye Jian signaled him to be quiet with his eyes.

Ye Feng stuck his tongue out and made a teasing face.

Seeing this, Ye Jian helplessly shook his head.

“My uncle, though he wasn’t much of a scholar, fancied himself refined, and collected many famous paintings. This masterpiece of the Fuchun Mountains, a famous artist’s copy, once reached a record price at auction and was bought by a wealthy businessman from Yunzhou. Half a year later, a huge fire broke out at the businessman’s house and all the people and all the collected treasures were reduced to ashes in the fire.”

Upon hearing Ran Tengxiao’s indifferent tone, Ye Feng naively replied, “The fire was set by your uncle.”

Ye Jian was shocked and it was too late to cover his mouth.

He immediately lowered his head, “Master Xiao, my younger brother is too naive, please forgive him.”

After saying this, he shot Ye Feng a threatening look, but Ye Feng didn’t seem to care.

However, surprisingly, Ran Tengxiao was not angry. He turned his gaze to Ye Feng and laughed, “So, you think my uncle was right or wrong?”

“Every man for himself, heaven shall annihilate those who do not fend for themselves. If anyone is to blame, blame the businessman for hiding a precious jewel.” Ye Feng crossed his arms and responded casually.

To his surprise, Ran Tengxiao’s face turned cold, he snorted, “Behaving without any moral bottom line is no different from a beast. You are indeed still a child.”

Ye Feng slightly held his lips back and lowered his head somewhat discontentedly.

“Master Xiao.” Ye Jian switched the topic, “Tomorrow is Granny Zhu’s birthday and she has sent invitations to all the major families in Jiangzhou. Almost all the elites in Jiangzhou will gather at the Zhongdu Hotel, but I’m afraid it won’t be peaceful tomorrow, because we ran into Zhu Xiangxiang in Siji Town.”

“The Zhu’s fake heiress?” Ran Tengxiao chuckled.

“Yes, she suspects Miss Ming Jing’s identity and… she has gathered enough evidence. I had someone follow her and found out …”

“How interesting.” Ran Tengxiao sighed, his gaze fixed on the painting on the wall.

“Uncle, if this is a contingency plan you left behind, I must say, I’m growing more and more in awe of you.”

——That night.

Lin Qing, exhausted from head to toe, returned to the Zhu’s residence. Her anxiety deepened as the banquet approached.

This was the biggest banquet she had ever organized since coming to Jiangzhou. She aimed for perfection in every aspect, which nearly exhausted her physically and mentally.

It was the night of the New Year’s Eve, and the Zhus’ home was also decorated. Zhu Shaodan, who had been elusive, finally showed up.

He seemed to like Lin Ya quite a bit, chatting with her and asking about her well-being.

Upon Lin Qing’s return, Lin Ya promptly served her prepared tea – jasmine lily, which was known for calming nerves and relieving fatigue.

Lin Qing patted her hand with a smile, “Good child, you’ve also had a long day. Take some rest now.”

“I’m not tired, Auntie. I don’t think you’ve had your dinner yet. I saved it for you. Have some soup first, and I’ll go heat up the meal.” With these words, she went into the kitchen.

Lin Qing sighed, “Such a good girl.”

She turned her head and looked at Zhu Shaodan, who was sprawled on the sofa engrossed in his mobile phone. His irritating dyed green hair instantly infuriated Lin Qing.

“Where have you been fooling around these past days? You’re never home. Do you even remember your way back? And that green hair of yours, I really want to shave it off. You’re constantly causing me distress.”

Zhu Shaodan replied gleefully, “Tomorrow Granny is celebrating her birthday, of course, I would come back. How could I miss the show?”

Lin Qing frowned, “What show?”

Zhu Shaodan snorted, “You’ll find out tomorrow.”

“Where’s your sister?” Lin Qing glanced at Lin Ya bustling in the kitchen, feeling a bit upset.

“Not sure. It’s New Year’s Eve today, she probably went out with friends.” Zhu Shaodan then strolled upstairs clutching his phone not wanting to be interrogated further by Lin Qing.

Lin Ya emerged from the kitchen with a meal, “Auntie, come have your meal.”

Upon seeing the meal, Lin Qing found it quite impressive, “Did you make all of this?”

“Yes, I know you love shrimp wontons, Auntie. I specially bought fresh shrimps for the filling. I hope you’ll like it.”

Lin Qing took a bite and suddenly paused, “This tastes exactly like how your grandfather used to make it.”

The Lins had run a restaurant for generations in their small town. Lin Ya’s grandfather, Lin Qing’s father, was best at making shrimp wontons – a taste that had been etched deep in Lin Qing’s memory, quintessentially her father’s. Unfortunately, her father had died long ago.

“My father taught me how to make it. I never met my grandfather, but dad always said he was a very good man.”

A tear fell into Lin Qing’s bowl: “I have failed your family. As your aunt, I will make sure you’re never wronged again.”

After dinner, Lin Qing went upstairs to rest. After Lin Ya had tidied up the kitchen, she saw Li Juan walking into Granny Zhu’s room with a bowl of water.

Lin Ya instinctively followed her in.

“Madam, this is the medicine that the young miss wished for you to take.”

Granny Zhu glanced at the pill and instantly felt a headache, “I despise swallowing pills the most.”

“Young Miss is doing this for your good. Have it soon and get some sleep. Tomorrow is your big day, and it’s going to be quite bustling.”

Granny Zhu made a sour face from the taste of the pill. Li Juan quickly helped her swallow it down with some honey water.

“What kind of medicine is this? It’s so bitter.”

“Good medicine always tastes bitter, that’s how it benefits you. Drink honey water to alleviate the bitterness. I’ve kept it warm in a cup for you. Remember to drink it if you get thirsty in the middle of the night already.”

Li Juan closed the room door and left.

Lin Ya frowned, remembering that Granny Zhu was supposed to be taking herbal medicine rather than pills.

As the depth of the night receded and the first ray of dawn broke through the sky,

A new year was upon them.

Lin Ya felt a storm was brewing.

This was destined to be the final tranquil night.