Chapter 6: The Young Lady Has Been Eating Sand for Three Years, Part 5

Zhang Ma kept her distance from such gatherings, her heart aching for Qin Yue, who had grown thin while living abroad. Determined to showcase her culinary prowess, she disappeared into the kitchen, intent on concocting delicious dishes for Qin Yue.

Qin Yue did not press her further.

There were no newborn cubs in the lion pride at the moment. Qin Yue handed the binoculars to Qin Ye, pointing out which lion was which, recounting their feats, noting their popularity in various online forums, and the number of followers they had. The young woman spoke with animated excitement, her eyes shining with the fervor of someone who had discovered her true passion.

Qin Ye listened patiently, feeling immense gratification—not for himself, but for the person who had entrusted him with this task.

Xiao San, too, sent waves of happiness, causing Qin Ye to unconsciously curl his lips in a smile.

His original intention had simply been concern that Qin Yue was love-struck and muddle-headed, so he concocted a reason to send her abroad, hoping the harsh realities would sober her up. Who could have guessed that, through a stroke of luck, Qin Yue would instead find her calling?

This was due to Qin Yue’s fundamentally good nature and resilience; another person, beset by the hardships of East Africa, would have likely collapsed under the strain long before discovering any passion.

Of course, even if Qin Yue had fallen apart, Qin Ye would not have intervened. At most, after some time, he would have sent her to see the snow, the sea, or the northern lights—there was so much of the world to see.

By the time Qin Ye left East Africa, the Gu family had declared bankruptcy. At school, Gu Yeting suddenly became everyone’s favorite topic of gossip.

Those who had previously felt compelled to curry favor with him because of his family background now took the opportunity to taunt and insult him, leading to a sharp increase in Gu Yeting’s physical altercations.

Before, teachers had hesitated to discipline him out of respect for the Gu family; now, those reservations were gone, and Gu Yeting received frequent reprimands.

Unable to bear it, Gu Yeting often stormed out before the lectures ended.

Gu Xing Teng had kept many mistresses outside the home, gifting them considerable assets, none of which were included in the bankruptcy proceedings. Thus, he continued his extravagant lifestyle.

Madam Gu, however, was unprepared. The sudden collapse of the Gu family was a shock, and as Gu Xing Teng was rarely home—his presence all but vanished—Madam Gu found herself plummeting from the heights of privilege to the depths of despair.

Her mental state grew increasingly unstable.

Once, when Gu Xing Teng verbally attacked Gu Yeting for his lack of ambition, Madam Gu would protect her son. Now, with Gu Xing Teng absent and the family business declared bankrupt, she became the one who could not tolerate Gu Yeting’s shortcomings, berating him even more fiercely than Gu Xing Teng had. Their relationship, once tender, suddenly transformed into one of bitter enmity.

Without the vast wealth and influence of the Gu family, Gu Yeting was frequently punished and required to write self-criticisms, threatened with expulsion if he did not comply.

Gu Yeting was furious.

With petty squabbles and chaos everywhere, he no longer carried himself with the ease and confidence he once possessed.

Old rivals resurfaced, and Gu Yeting’s bruises never seemed to heal.

When he returned home, battered and bruised, Madam Gu would scold him anew. Gradually, Gu Yeting stopped coming home altogether.

Meanwhile, Ye Xiaoxiao believed she was on the verge of truly winning Gu Yeting.

Yet, Gu Yeting had not visited her in a long time and ignored her as if she were invisible whenever they crossed paths.

Ye Xiaoxiao felt she should take the initiative.

Now, the greatest obstacle—Qin Yue, whom Gu Yeting admired—had gone abroad, with no telling when she might return.

The Gu family had gone bankrupt, and Gu Yeting had nothing. Former followers abandoned him, and erstwhile friends now mocked him.

Only Ye Xiaoxiao remained steadfast, at least in her own estimation.

To that end, Ye Xiaoxiao began to investigate the Gu family’s bankruptcy and to learn which wealthy elite families existed who might help them.

If she could assist Gu Yeting and help the Gu family rise again, perhaps she could truly win his heart.

But Ye Xiaoxiao was just an ordinary person; all she could discover were superficial details.

She learned that there were indeed people who could help the Gu family, but why would they? Everyone was scrambling to take their share; who would willingly help the fallen Gu family, unless it was their own kin?

Ye Xiaoxiao hit wall after wall—or rather, she never even reached the people involved, so it was hardly hitting a wall. After all, she was just a student yet to graduate and lacked any distinguishing qualities. Why would anyone listen to her and disregard their own interests to help a collapsed family rise again?

But, as fate would have it, she somehow managed to find her way to Qin Ye.

Qin Ye, holding his cane, looked at the girl standing stubbornly before him, as if he would be some monstrous villain if he refused to help the Gu family, and felt utterly speechless.

His assistant hurried to have Ye Xiaoxiao removed.

“Chairman Qin, Gu Yeting is your daughter's lifelong love. Now that the Gu family is in trouble, are you truly going to stand by and do nothing?” Ye Xiaoxiao cried out as she was forcibly dragged away, unable to match the strength of the hefty security guards.

The guards hesitated, knowing Chairman Qin doted on his daughter and rarely refused her. If what the girl said was true, and the young lady learned of the Gu family’s plight and begged Chairman Qin to help, he might really comply. In that case, they would be offending someone for no good reason.

Qin Ye wanted to roll his eyes; he could not understand this world’s heroine at all.

She had slept with the male lead, yet he treated her as a disposable object, summoning her at will. What pride could there possibly be in that?

Originally, Qin Ye had chosen not to understand but to respect it—after all, the person who entrusted him did not ask him to protect a foolish heroine.

But Ye Xiaoxiao insisted on performing before him.

Having spent years in positions of authority, the original host had developed an imposing aura. Qin Ye grew angry, and everyone present immediately held their breath.

Ye Xiaoxiao continued struggling, shouting, “Let me go!”

With the guards uneasy, she actually managed to break free and rushed back in front of Qin Ye.

“I once met Miss Qin. She’s an exceptional person—gentle, beautiful, strong, nearly perfect. I admire her greatly.

But Chairman Qin, your outstanding daughter has only one true love, and you choose to stand by as the Gu family collapses, as Gu Yeting falls from grace? If Miss Qin finds out, what will she think?”

Qin Ye’s face was cold. “You say my daughter is gentle, beautiful, strong, nearly perfect, and you admire such a person.

In your words, my daughter is outstanding.

Also in your words, Gu Yeting is my daughter’s lifelong love.

So, according to you, if I refuse to help the Gu family, my daughter will turn against me?”

Ye Xiaoxiao stiffened. “Isn’t that so? If Miss Qin hadn’t gone abroad, she would never ignore the Gu family’s predicament.”

“But she went abroad, and while she was gone, the Gu family collapsed. Chairman Qin, you could have helped, yet you chose to watch. If Miss Qin finds out, there will surely be a rift between her and Gu Yeting. Do you really want to ruin your daughter’s happiness with your own hands?”

Qin Ye laughed in exasperation. “Do you know why I refuse to help the Gu family?”

Ye Xiaoxiao was taken aback. She knew Qin Yue’s background was powerful and had managed to find Qin Ye by sheer coincidence. Now, confronted by his question, she was stunned, then foolishly asked, “Why?”

“In your words, Gu Yeting is my daughter’s so-called true love. Then, how did this true love end up in your bed?

I’ve lived most of my life, seen countless people. But I have never encountered someone as shameless and self-degrading as you, so eager to debase yourself.

You claim to admire my daughter, you know Gu Yeting is her true love, and you know he loves her too.

So, what were you thinking, getting involved with Gu Yeting, even willing to be his lapdog?

It can’t be love, can it? Such love makes me sick.”

With each word, Ye Xiaoxiao’s face grew paler. When he finished, she was ashen, suddenly crying out:

“No, it’s not like that! I like Gu Yeting, I do like him! But how could I possibly be worthy of him? I don’t even deserve to stand before him.

I don’t, but Miss Qin can. Why? Because she has a father like you, and I don’t. It’s so unfair. I just want my own happiness—how is that wrong?”

Ah, the facade was broken.

Qin Ye clicked his tongue—this heroine was truly lacking.

With Ye Xiaoxiao’s defenses shattered, Qin Ye lost all interest in rebuking her. To him, the male and female leads were less meaningful than the dogs passing by outside; at least he’d be inclined to give a passing dog a pat. As for the leads?

Out!

So, with Ye Xiaoxiao’s composure broken, Qin Ye grew bored, signaling the guards to take her away lest her presence taint his sight.

This time, Ye Xiaoxiao did not resist, dazed as she was led away.

In fact, Qin Ye had taken Zhang Ma to visit Qin Yue in East Africa before the New Year, originally intending to show her the photos taken by the private detective in order to make her give up on Gu Yeting completely.

But seeing Qin Yue immersed in her newfound passion, transformed and brimming with vitality, he forgot all about it.

Qin Ye was not so heartless as to throw mud at her when her eyes were clear and full of enthusiasm.

If not for Ye Xiaoxiao’s inexplicable performance before him, Qin Ye would have stopped paying attention to the protagonists’ plot altogether.

The Gu family’s bankruptcy and Gu Yeting’s sudden adversity—if it spurred him to reform and strive, to rebuild the family from scratch, that would be his own merit.

Qin Ye would acknowledge his achievements, though perhaps not his character.