"That's right!"
Ye Yanran sneered, "I am the child who was killed by the Xiao family. It's a pity the Xiao family would never have dreamed I'm still alive. I suppose you didn't expect it either!"
Sun Shicai took a deep breath.
It was true. Sun Shicai had never dreamt that Ye Yanran would be the eldest daughter of the Xiao family.
"Back then, when you were just born, I saw you once. You were still an infant in swaddling clothes," Sun Shicai said. He then asked Ye Yanran, "May I call you Miss?"
Ye Yanran nodded.
"Miss, I only heard some things about what happened back then, but I can't understand why you're still getting involved in this mess after so many years. The Xiao family's power is immense. With your strength, facing them is like a moth flying into a flame; it's simply courting death." Sun Shicai frowned and said.
"So what if it's like a moth flying into a flame?"
Ye Yanran sneered, "I must avenge my parents' deaths, and I must reclaim what belongs to me. I want everyone to know that my parents were not traitors to the Xiao family, and I am not their bastard."
Ye Yanran's gaze was sharp, and her tone was filled with determination.
Sun Shicai had said all that because he didn't want to get involved and lose his life.
Seeing Ye Yanran's firm tone, he knew he couldn't stay out of it.
"Go tell my grandfather that I won't disappoint him. One day, I will rightfully return to the Xiao family," Ye Yanran told Sun Shicai.
"Alright!"
Sun Shicai said, "I will definitely find a way to relay your exact words to the old master of the Xiao family."
Ye Yanran said nothing more.
"Miss, do you have any other instructions?" Sun Shicai asked Ye Yanran.
"No, you may leave!" Ye Yanran said.
Hearing this, Sun Shicai stole a glance at Jiang Yi and prepared to leave.
"Wait..."
Jiang Yi stopped Sun Shicai, took out a pill, and handed it to him. "This is a pill I just developed. It contains forty-nine different poisons. Once it takes effect, you will rot from the inside out and die. In China, no one can detoxify you except me. When your mission is complete, come find me, and I will naturally give you the antidote."
Sun Shicai's face turned grim.
After a long period of hesitation, he could only swallow the pill.
Sun Shicai had no choice.
Afterward, Sun Shicai left the tea house and headed for the capital overnight.
"You went through all this trouble just to have Sun Shicai deliver a message?" Ye Yanran was somewhat confused.
"On the surface, it's to deliver a message, but in reality, it's a signal to the old master of the Xiao family," Jiang Yi said with a slight smile. "Old Master Xiao has always known that you are still alive. Once he receives the news, he will know you intend to return to the Xiao family and will make arrangements in advance to help you resolve some troubles. This way, your return to the Xiao family will be much smoother."
Ye Yanran nodded.
Soon, a look of worry and helplessness appeared on Ye Yanran's face.
"Are you worried?" Jiang Yi asked.
"Yes!" Ye Yanran sighed, "Ever since I learned about my origins, it feels like the entire world has changed. The capital, the Xiao family – they feel so foreign to me. I always have an indescribable sense of helplessness."
"You still have me. Don't worry, I will help you," Jiang Yi said.
For some reason, seeing Ye Yanran like this, Jiang Yi felt a deep sense of heartache. He understood her helplessness better than anyone. It was like how he felt when he suddenly learned his parents had died in a car accident.
Jiang Yi's words re-energized Ye Yanran. She knew that Jiang Yi was her greatest support. With Jiang Yi by her side, she had nothing to fear and nothing to worry about.
Ye Yanran looked at Jiang Yi, wanting to say something, but the words caught in her throat. She could only manage two words, "Thank you!"
"You don't need to thank me!" Jiang Yi said. "I promised your father that I would help you return to the Xiao family, become the eldest daughter, and reclaim what rightfully belongs to you."
"If my father hadn't asked for your help, would you have agreed to help me?" Ye Yanran suddenly asked.
This question stumped Jiang Yi.
"I still have some matters to attend to. I'll be going now!" Jiang Yi changed the subject and said, "You should also hurry back and deal with Tian Sheng Group's affairs!" With that, Jiang Yi stood up and walked out of the private room.
Ye Yanran watched Jiang Yi's retreating back, a self-deprecating smile on her face.
"If only I hadn't divorced you back then..." Ye Yanran murmured to herself. Ye Yanran knew in her heart that it was useless to say these things now. What was lost could not be regained.
Meanwhile, after leaving the tea house, Jiang Yi returned to the villa. In the living room, Dongfang Mei was teaching Cuihua some etiquette for high society. Cuihua's standards for finding a partner were too high, yet she herself lacked any air of high society. To marry into wealth, she had to first learn how to be a person of high society.
"From now on, consider yourself a person of high society. I've taught you the basic etiquette; practice it slowly," Dongfang Mei said to Cuihua.
"Okay!" Cuihua nodded busily, full of confidence.
Jiang Yi felt a sense of helplessness. He really didn't know what Cuihua was thinking, why she was so set on marrying into wealth. She simply didn't have the aptitude for it. Besides, what was so great about marrying into wealth?
"Cuihua jie, go upstairs and practice!" Dongfang Mei said to Cuihua.
"Okay!" Cuihua responded and then went to the second floor.
After sending Cuihua away, Dongfang Mei turned to Jiang Yi and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely help Cuihua find a satisfactory partner. You don't need to worry."
"Perhaps you should stop this charade!" Jiang Yi said helplessly. "I'll go apologize to Third Uncle and say that we can't help Cuihua. I don't think Third Uncle will say anything."
Dongfang Mei let out a chuckle upon hearing this.
"What are you laughing at?" Jiang Yi couldn't help but ask.
"I know what you're thinking," Dongfang Mei said with a smile. "Don't worry! I can definitely handle this. If all else fails, I'll just tie up a rich second-generation heir and bring him back as Cuihua jie's boyfriend. Then I'll try to persuade Cuihua jie, and the matter will be settled."
Jiang Yi shrugged. He felt that Dongfang Mei's meddling was useless when it came to Cuihua's lifelong happiness.
"There's something I want to ask you!" Dongfang Mei looked at Jiang Yi and said, "I received news that you let Bai Zhen release Sun Shicai. Why did you do that? Sun Shicai has killed so many people, and such a person deserves to die. Not only did you not kill him, but you saved him. I thought I understood you, but now I realize I don't understand you at all."
Jiang Yi remained silent.