Ye Tiancheng could see that Su Muxian would not give him the key easily. However, at least there was a clue, and Ye Tiancheng had a direction to strive for, proving that the frog monster had not lied.
"Su Muxian, just name your conditions. I will try my best to satisfy them if I can. Even if there are difficulties, I will find a way to overcome them. I really need this key."
Su Muxian’s face showed little emotion upon hearing Ye Tiancheng’s words. She simply smiled faintly.
"Brother Ye, don't agree too quickly. It might be too difficult for you, and I find it hard to say. I don't want to make things difficult for you."
Ye Tiancheng was very confused by Su Muxian's unusual attitude. "Just tell me what you want."
"I want you to break up with Hou Mingzhu and tell everyone that you are no longer engaged. After breaking up with Hou Mingzhu, you will be with me and become a son-in-law to our Su family."
Upon hearing Su Muxian say this, Ye Tiancheng's head began to ache. This was too terrifying for him.
He had faced such a difficult choice before. At that time, Ye Tiancheng didn't want to choose anyone. Now, compared to then, Ye Tiancheng would rather choose Hou Mingzhu.
Because being with Hou Mingzhu was stress-free. For a man, the most important thing is to give him enough space. Too much pressure would have the opposite effect.
He did have a good impression of Su Muxian before, but those long-accumulated good feelings were not as important as the emotional value Hou Mingzhu brought to Ye Tiancheng.
"I'm sorry, Su Muxian. I really want the key, but I just got together with Hou Mingzhu. I've already hurt her before, and I can't hurt her a second time."
Su Muxian's eyes were filled with disappointment. The last glimmer of light in her eyes quickly disappeared. She stared blankly at Ye Tiancheng.
"Brother Ye, it seems your heart is not sincere enough. Since you have chosen Hou Mingzhu, I wish you happiness. I will not give you the key. If you don't marry me, I cannot hand over such a precious key to you."
Su Muxian became cold, a chilling and unfamiliar coldness, and also very realistic.
Since further discussion was impossible, Ye Tiancheng changed the subject to ease the awkward atmosphere. "Alright, we haven't seen each other for a long time. Keep this gift, I don't want it anymore, and let's have a good meal."
Su Muxian also wanted to accept the Heart of the Ocean, a sixty-million necklace, which was a fatal temptation for any woman. However, she felt that accepting Ye Tiancheng's gift without doing anything for him left a void in her heart.
"Brother Ye, do you think I would accept such a valuable gift from you? I wish I could take Hou Mingzhu's place, but it's a pity. A necklace can't represent anything, and I already have one."
Ye Tiancheng had guessed long ago that Su Muxian had bought the other Heart of the Ocean, which created the dilemma for Ye Tiancheng, forcing him to take Hou Mingzhu's.
"Su Muxian, in my heart, you were always a little fairy who was never swayed by such things. I feel like you've changed now, to the point where I almost don't recognize you."
Su Muxian smiled helplessly. "Brother Ye, I also want to remain that innocent and happy little fairy forever, but once people have feelings, everything becomes complicated."
"I'm sorry. If you hadn't met me, perhaps you wouldn't be so unhappy now."
"Brother Ye, I wish you all the best. I won't eat, I have no appetite."
After Su Muxian finished speaking, she left. Ye Tiancheng watched Su Muxian's retreating figure, unable to react for a long time.
It's truly hard to guess a woman's heart, like a needle at the bottom of the sea...
Su Muxian did not take the necklace, leaving it on the table. To prevent the restaurant staff from benefiting, Ye Tiancheng had to take the necklace back.
Although he had fulfilled his promise to Hou Mingzhu and the Heart of the Ocean necklace was indeed kept safe, everything had fallen into a deadlock.
Ye Tiancheng didn't know what to do to get the key. After returning home, Ye Tiancheng discussed it with Xiao Pang.
"Xiao Pang, what do you think I should do to get the key from Su Muxian? I've already hurt Hou Mingzhu once, and I don't want to break up with her so soon. Moreover, I promised Hou Mingzhu's father that I don't want to be a heartless man."
Xiao Pang looked at Ye Tiancheng with a mischievous smile. "Oh, being handsome just attracts trouble. You, the bringer of misfortune, have caused trouble again. I think Su Muxian is also good, and she is truly devoted to you. Why don't you consider her?"
Ye Tiancheng smacked Xiao Pang hard on the head. "You idiot, you only talk nonsense. A man can only have one woman now. Even having one more is illegal. I'm living well now and don't want to be caught. Don't give me bad advice."
Xiao Pang chuckled foolishly. "Brother Ye, what are you talking about? You're so funny. I wouldn't harm you. What I mean is, you can make a more appropriate choice between the two."
"Choose your big head ghost! Can you stop mentioning relationships? I'm very annoyed. Let's talk about something else."
"Brother Ye, you still have to face it. Perhaps Hou Mingzhu is not the best choice for you. I spoke with Hou Mingzhu earlier, and she seems to have become silly. Do you like that kind of silly woman?"
In fact, Xiao Pang didn't understand Ye Tiancheng at all at this point. Hou Mingzhu's arrogant demeanor before had scared Ye Tiancheng away several times, but now that she was silly, Ye Tiancheng found it quite likable.
As time passed, perhaps even Ye Tiancheng himself didn't realize it, he had a strong desire to protect Hou Mingzhu.
"Xiao Pang, you've been with Wang Xiaomiao for so long, but you haven't become a seasoned player in love. It's a real shame. Actually, my feelings for Hou Mingzhu now are complicated. I want to protect Hou Mingzhu well and not make her sad or upset. I don't know what kind of feeling this is."
Seeing Ye Tiancheng frowning, Xiao Pang smiled with a knowing look. "I understand, Brother Ye. You don't need to say more. I know you have feelings for Hou Mingzhu now. That's good. The previous Hou Qing'er was ultimately in the past. You can't stay single forever like a monk."
Ye Tiancheng couldn't be bothered to explain to Xiao Pang. What troubled Ye Tiancheng the most now was how to persuade Su Muxian.
What he had said at the dining table was indeed quite suave, but thinking about it now, he felt a bit regretful.
He had offended Su Muxian in a fit of pique, and it would not be easy to appease her again.
Ye Tiancheng shamelessly asked Xiao Pang for advice on how to please women. Xiao Pang said, "Brother Ye, have you heard? A persistent suitor can win over a good woman. If you really want to get the key from Miss Su, just pester her. Be a persistent pest. Su Muxian likes you anyway, so she won't be angry no matter what you do."
Ye Tiancheng was a bit stunned, unsure if Xiao Pang's suggestion would work. However, Ye Tiancheng had no other options now, so he decided to follow Xiao Pang's advice.
Ye Tiancheng went to Su Muxian's doorstep every day without fail to wait for her. When he saw her, he would try his best to make awkward small talk, like commenting on the good weather.
Su Muxian was also very helpless. She ignored Ye Tiancheng every time. She used to call him "Brother Ye" affectionately, but ever since Ye Tiancheng stated his intention to get the key from Su Muxian, that "Brother Ye" was gone.
Every time Su Muxian saw Ye Tiancheng, her expression was cold. Sometimes she wished she could roll her eyes and walk away quickly. Ye Tiancheng was very troubled.
This continued for a week. Ye Tiancheng couldn't stand it anymore. He wasted a lot of time on Su Muxian every day, but Su Muxian no longer seemed like the gentle and lovely little fairy she used to be. Instead, she had become a cold goddess.
Every time she faced Ye Tiancheng's persistent pursuit, she remained very cold. Ye Tiancheng saw no hope in Su Muxian, which made him very distressed. After several consultations with Xiao Pang, he still hadn't received any better solutions.
Ye Tiancheng gradually began to lose patience. Hou Mingzhu saw Ye Tiancheng's miserable encounters over these past few days and roughly understood that Ye Tiancheng was facing some difficulties.
And it was related to a woman. Xiao Pang had also hinted at it before...
So, while sleeping together at night, Hou Mingzhu chatted with Ye Tiancheng. "Brother Ye, have you encountered bad luck with romance?" Hearing Hou Mingzhu say this, Ye Tiancheng found it quite strange. This vocabulary seemed a bit advanced for the current Hou Mingzhu.
She had become so silly. How could Hou Mingzhu know what "bad luck with romance" meant? It was very strange.
Then Ye Tiancheng pressed Hou Mingzhu. "Did you hear someone say something? Don't listen to their nonsense. I'm fine. It's impossible to run such a large business without any worries. Having some worries is normal. You don't need to listen to them deliberately exaggerating."
Hou Mingzhu pondered for a moment, then said after a long silence, "Brother Ye, I heard that there is a woman who wants to be with you, and that woman has something you want."
Hearing Hou Mingzhu's words, Ye Tiancheng cursed Xiao Pang in his heart. It must have been Xiao Pang, the gossip, who told Hou Mingzhu.
The reason Ye Tiancheng concealed things from Hou Mingzhu was that he wanted her to live happily and joyfully, without any pressure. However, the fatuous fellow had still revealed it.
"Mingzhu, you don't need to worry about it. It's all minor matters. Trust me, I can handle it very well. It's not a difficult task for me."
Hou Mingzhu pouted, looking unhappy. "Brother Ye, is it because of my existence that the girl is unhappy? Otherwise, I'll go home. I'll stay away from you, so you won't feel troubled."
"Mingzhu, I don't know if it's my illusion, but your words sound a bit like a green tea girl."
"Really? Does that mean my words are very pleasant to hear?"
Looking at the innocence in Hou Mingzhu's eyes, Ye Tiancheng immediately dispelled his suspicion. It seemed she truly thought that way.
Ye Tiancheng pulled Hou Mingzhu into his arms. "Silly girl, you are truly incredibly silly."
"You seem to like my silliness. I'm afraid if I ever become smart, you won't like me anymore."
Hou Mingzhu, who was sometimes silly and sometimes very clear-headed, made Ye Tiancheng fall deeper, which was also a skill.
Having tried hard enough, Ye Tiancheng stopped pestering her and decided to take a break. If Su Muxian didn't want to, he couldn't snatch the key from her.
However, on the afternoon of the day Ye Tiancheng didn't go, Su Muxian contacted him proactively.
"Brother Ye, come to my house to find me. I have a surprise for you."