"Dad, don't worry, I'm fine." Ye Zhi asked with some surprise, "But how did this news reach you? How did you find out?"
"Your sister saw it online. It's all over the internet now..."
Ye Zhi's brows furrowed slightly. The news was indeed spreading online. She had previously contacted a few reporters and deliberately escalated the matter at the police station.
As a result, the internet was flooded with news related to Zhou Chengyuan, such as [Young Master's Rampage at the Police Station: "You Dare Arrest Me?"], [Zhou Family's Young Master Involved in the Underworld, Extortion, and Protection Rackets], and so on.
It wasn't surprising that Ye Qinya would see it, but she hadn't expected Ye Qinya to report it directly to Ye Yongxian.
"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Ye Yongxian said displeasedly. "If your sister hadn't told me, would you have kept it from me all along?"
"Dad, I was just too busy and forgot," Ye Zhi smiled faintly. "Besides, it's a minor matter. I can handle it myself..."
"A minor matter? How can this be a minor matter?!" Ye Yongxian sighed. "Zhou Chengyuan has already bullied you, and I, as your father, only found out after it was over. Do you even consider me your father..."
"Dad," Ye Zhi said with a helpless hand to her forehead, "I'll definitely tell you earlier next time, okay?"
"That's more like it!" Ye Yongxian snorted. He continued to ask, "By the way, what exactly happened then? It's the weekend today, come home for dinner, and we'll talk about it then."
"Dad, I won't be coming back." Ye Zhi suddenly said, "I'll go to the company tomorrow and tell you the detailed process."
Ye Yongxian said displeasedly, "You child, you've gotten too used to being out and about, haven't you? You don't even come home anymore?"
"Dad, my sister is at home, and I don't want to go back," Ye Zhi sighed. She said sarcastically, "She'll definitely try to persuade me again, tell me to let it go, and maybe even say it's because Zhou Chengyuan is deeply in love with me and suggest I just give in to him! You wouldn't want to see your two daughters fight on the spot, would you?"
"How could your sister..." Ye Yongxian still wanted to argue, but the words died on his lips.
Because when Ye Qinya had found him earlier, that was almost exactly what she meant. Not only did she want Ye Zhi to let Zhou Chengyuan go, but she even wanted him to fulfill Zhou Chengyuan's infatuation. Enraged, he had berated Ye Qinya and confined her to her room. Even Liu Lingyu, who usually doted on her, didn't speak up for her this time, telling her to reflect on her mistakes in her room.
"So, you're not going to come back or see your sister from now on?" Ye Yongxian sighed.
"At least until this matter is over," Ye Zhi said.
Ye Yongxian reluctantly agreed and hung up the phone.
Ye Zhi also breathed a sigh of relief. As it was getting late, she drove to the hillside villa.
As soon as she got home and parked her car, she heard the doorbell ring.
Seeing the butler from next door standing outside, Ye Zhi quickly opened the door, "Uncle Butler, why are you here?"
"Miss Ye, you don't welcome me?" the butler said with a hurt expression.
"Not at all, I'm very happy for you to visit often," Ye Zhi said with a smile.
"Alright, no more jokes," the butler said. "Miss Ye, it's time for dinner at our house. I heard your car, and I know you're back. I'd like to invite you over for dinner."
"Isn't that a bit... not so good?" Ye Zhi was a little taken aback. "Would your young master agree?"
Mopping up a meal was a way to foster relationships, but freeloading meals every day was annoying. Ye Zhi wanted to get closer to Qi Xuan, not make an enemy.
"Our young master has already agreed, and he also said he has something to discuss with you!" the butler said cheerfully.
"Then I'll go over after changing my clothes," Ye Zhi nodded in agreement. Coincidentally, she also had something to discuss with Qi Xuan.
Ye Zhi changed into casual clothes, took the prepared proposal, and went next door.
She entered the living room and saw Qi Xuan waiting there. After greeting him, Ye Zhi handed over the proposal, "This is the rough version of the proposal I made. Please take a look and let me know if you have any questions."
"So quickly?" Qi Xuan was very surprised.
"Actually, I started preparing this proposal as soon as I returned to the country," Ye Zhi explained. "I originally wanted to attract investment..."
Qi Xuan's lips twitched. So, he was the first one to proactively offer money?
"You two, put your things away!" the butler's face darkened, and he said displeasedly, "It's time for dinner. What are you busy with now? We can talk about anything after the meal!"
Seeing the butler put on a parental air, the two were stunned and couldn't help but exchange a smile.
Qi Xuan put away the proposal and said, "The butler is right, Miss Ye. Let's eat first."
Ye Zhi nodded, "And don't call me Miss Ye anymore. Just call me by my name."
"Exactly, exactly!" the butler chimed in. "Young Master, you're too formal!"
Qi Xuan was somewhat helpless. Ever since he met Ye Zhi, the butler had become increasingly biased. He looked at Ye Zhi and said with slightly parted lips, "Okay, Ye Zhi."
The butler looked at him plaintively, wishing their young master could use a more intimate term. Seeing that the two were already heading towards the dining room, the butler didn't say anything further.
The dinner was equally sumptuous, and Ye Zhi ate with great relish.
"Did Zhou Chengyuan cause trouble at your place today?" Qi Xuan asked.
"How come even you know..." Ye Zhi's lips twitched.
"This matter is all over the capital," Qi Xuan said calmly. "It would be strange if I didn't know. He didn't cause you any trouble, did he?"
"No," she said gleefully. "He just happened to come at the wrong time. I was actually recruiting security personnel there! But speaking of which, I should thank him. Thanks to his commotion, I was actually able to pick out a few people from the interviewees who were smart and skilled."
Watching the two eat and chat happily, the butler showed a relieved smile. This was how it should be; this way, they could slowly cultivate their relationship.
After dinner, the butler came over, "Miss Ye, are you satisfied with this dinner? Are there any areas that need improvement?"
"Satisfied, satisfied! Very satisfied! Uncle Butler, I'm not a picky eater, I eat everything!" Ye Zhi said, half-amused and half-exasperated. Why did the butler always come to conduct a survey after every meal?
"It's good that you're not a picky eater..." the butler said with a smile. "Are you going to discuss business? Young Master, quickly take Miss Ye back to her room, and you two can have a good chat..."