"It’s all that wicked woman, my Second Master. She secretly spent all the money I had saved on fancy clothes. After I got off the bus, my account balance was only ten cents."
Lin Xue almost laughed out loud. She had never heard of a master who would swindle her own apprentice like that.
The food was served quickly, and Ye Ning devoured it like a whirlwind. They didn't head home afterward; instead, they rushed to the mall.
"What are we doing here?"
"Buying you some clothes. You can get rid of the set you're wearing now."
Lin Xue glanced at Ye Ning. His clothes were washed until they had faded, and while they were clean, she couldn't help but wonder how long it had been since he’d worn something new.
Ye Ning asked with some concern, "Won't it be expensive? Every time my Second Master buys me clothes, she deducts over a hundred thousand from my card."
"Your clothes are that expensive?" Lin Xue was surprised. She began to carefully examine the brand of Ye Ning's clothing.
Uh, domestic "Qiaodan."
She looked at Ye Ning in astonishment. "How have you survived this long, and how do you even have savings?"
Ye Ning said matter-of-factly, "Every time I treat someone, my master gives me a one-percent commission. Each time it's several hundred. I've been saving since I was a child, and after my daily expenses, I've managed to save over seven hundred thousand."
"Actually, I'm very frugal. A toothbrush costs three thousand a month, toothpaste is ten thousand, laundry detergent is seven thousand—adding in daily expenses, I only spend about twenty thousand a month."
*Good grief.*
That Second Master of his was absolutely insane.
"Stay far away from your Second Master in the future. Treasure your life," Lin Xue sighed.
Ye Ning looked at her, completely bewildered.
Lin Xue took Ye Ning into the mall and picked out a few sets of Dunhill menswear, spending over a hundred thousand.
Ye Ning sighed, "You're too stingy. This brand is so cheap—it’s nothing compared to the Qiaodan I’m wearing. Each piece of mine costs over a hundred thousand."
Lin Xue’s mouth twitched. She looked at a Qiaodan store not far away, where most items were priced around a hundred yuan.
"Ma'am, your boyfriend is truly humorous," the cashier joked.
Lin Xue gave an awkward smile and prepared to leave with Ye Ning. Just then, a woman stepped in front of them.
"Well, well, if it isn't our Miss Lin. Tsk, tsk, the little girl has poor taste, only knowing how to fancy these pretty boys. Who knows if he’s just for show and useless in practice?"
Ye Ning turned around and saw a middle-aged woman accompanied by a burly man with bulging muscles. The woman was passably attractive but wore heavy makeup and exuded a cheap, gaudy aura.
Lin Xue’s expression changed slightly when she saw the woman. This was none other than her second uncle’s sister-in-law, Zhang Juan, a woman known for her loose morals. More importantly, this woman had always loved bullying her and never missed a chance to mock her.
Before Lin Xue could speak, Ye Ning couldn't help but chime in.
"Wife, how do you know someone in that profession?"
He looked disgusted and even pulled Lin Xue away from Zhang Juan. Lin Xue froze, looking at Ye Ning with confusion.
"What profession am I in?" Zhang Juan’s face darkened, and she glared at Ye Ning.
"The business of selling your body, of course," Ye Ning said matter-of-factly.
*Selling her body?*
Zhang Juan quickly realized what he meant and shouted, "You gigolo, how dare you spout such nonsense! Someone, beat him up!"
Before Zhang Juan could even finish, the man behind her prepared to attack.
"Wait a second. I didn't say anything wrong, did I? Why are you getting angry?" Ye Ning asked, looking completely confused.
"You still dare to spout nonsense? Slap him!" Zhang Juan roared.
Ye Ning was annoyed now too. He said indignantly, "You’ve had contact with at least seven men in the last twenty-four hours; you still smell like them. If you’re not selling your body, then what are you doing?"
Zhang Juan froze for a second, then gasped, "How did you know?"
The surrounding crowd stared in shock—this woman was wild.
Zhang Juan finally realized what she’d said and hurriedly shouted, "You’re lying! I’m not a prostitute!"
"Oh, so you mean you don't take money?" Ye Ning nodded, a look of sudden realization dawning on him. "Then you're just naturally cheap, which is even worse than a prostitute. At least they earn their living through labor."
"Kill him!" Zhang Juan had lost her mind.
The burly man walked over and swung a palm toward Ye Ning’s face.
*Thud.*
Ye Ning kicked out, sending the man flying over ten meters, where he collapsed and fell unconscious.
"Silver-plated pewter spear—all show and no substance."
Giving back the words Zhang Juan had used earlier, Ye Ning took Lin Xue’s hand and walked away. Zhang Juan stood there, stunned; she hadn't expected Ye Ning to be so fierce.
Just then, a sleazy-looking man stepped forward and handed her a business card.
"Big sister, so you don't take money? Actually, I'm available. If you have needs, contact me. I can go all night."
"Get lost!" Zhang Juan snapped back to reality, slapped the man, and left in a flurry of shame and anger. Yet, she kept the business card clutched in her hand, not letting it go. *All night... that sounds exciting.*
***
After leaving the mall, Lin Xue thanked Ye Ning. "Thank you for getting revenge for me just now."
Ye Ning smiled. "You are my wife; naturally, I must protect you. No one but me is allowed to bully you."
A flicker of warmth stirred in Lin Xue’s heart. Although she hadn't known Ye Ning for long, he had already helped her too many times.
"By the way, wife, do you know Han Ziyan?" Ye Ning suddenly asked.
*Han Ziyan?* How did Ye Ning know her?
Lin Xue nodded and said, "I know her. She’s a famous female CEO in our city. How do you know her?"
Ye Ning said happily, "Oh, you know her? That’s great—she’s my fiancée."
Lin Xue’s smile instantly froze. Ye Ning already had a fiancée? And it was Han Ziyan?
"Don't joke around. Han Ziyan is a business prodigy. She took over her family’s enterprise at eighteen, and in just three years, she increased its value several times over."
"She’s an ice queen, too. I’ve never heard of her having a fiancé. She doesn't even give men the time of day."
Ye Ning’s smile grew even brighter. He nodded excitedly, "So my fiancée is that amazing!"
"I don't believe she's your fiancée." Lin Xue regained her smile, assuming Ye Ning was joking.
Ye Ning reached into his jacket and pulled out a marriage contract, handing it over. Lin Xue opened it and saw it was written in black and white, complete with a photograph of Han Ziyan.
"This is real?"
"Yes, my First Master gave it to me. It has to be real."
Lin Xue’s expression turned indignant. "If you already have a fiancée, why do you want me to marry you?" The tiny spark of affection she had felt for Ye Ning vanished instantly.
"Is that a problem?" Ye Ning countered.
"Of course it is!" Lin Xue said angrily.
Ye Ning scratched his head and pulled out two other marriage contracts, falling into deep thought. Could he only have one woman? But what was he supposed to do if he liked all of them? Beauties shouldn't be let down, and he had three masters to answer to.
After a long while, Ye Ning looked up and asked, "Who made the rule that I can only have one wife? Tell me, and I’ll go take them out."
Lin Xue: "..."
Ye Ning looked indignant and continued, "How could our ancestors' fine traditions be discarded like this? I don't agree. I don't care about anyone else, but I want them all."
*He... is he serious?*
Looking at Ye Ning’s solemn face, Lin Xue was speechless. Even if she didn't mind, how could a high-and-mighty woman like Han Ziyan ever tolerate sharing a man with someone else?
"Wife, can you take me to see her?" Ye Ning asked again.
Lin Xue thought for a moment and said, "I’m not close with Han Ziyan. If you really want to see her, there’s a calligraphy and painting appreciation gala hosted by Master Yinlong tomorrow. I’ll take you then. I heard Han Ziyan is Master Yinlong’s number one fan, so she might go."
"That's great!" Ye Ning said happily.
Seeing Ye Ning so pleased, Lin Xue felt a bit uncomfortable. Realizing this, she was shocked. *Could I really have started to like Ye Ning? We only just met!*
***
Back at the Lin family home, Lin Xue brought Ye Ning into her villa. "Pick whichever room you like."
Ye Ning looked around and finally pointed to a room. "I'll stay in this one."
Lin Xue immediately said, "No, that’s my bedroom."
"I know, that’s why I want to sleep in it."
"Then where am I supposed to sleep?" Lin Xue was dumbfounded.
"Together, of course. You’re my wife; obviously, we should sleep together," Ye Ning said matter-of-factly.
Lin Xue’s mouth curled upward. "Isn't Han Ziyan your wife too? Go find her to sleep with."
Ye Ning was stumped.
"Anyway, not now. We just met. We’ll talk about it later. If you really have needs, see that koi in the water tank? You can use that to solve your problems."
"That's a black carp, you idiot!"
Lin Xue blinked her innocent, wide eyes at Ye Ning and said, "They're about the same, aren't they?"
Ye Ning: "..." That was quite a stretch.
"Where do I sleep?"
Seeing Lin Xue wouldn't agree, Ye Ning didn't push it. He felt it was a bit too soon as well, considering they hadn't even known each other for a full day.
"The room next to mine. That’s my cousin’s room. She’s away right now, so you can sleep there tonight. Tomorrow I’ll have someone clean up a room for you."
Lin Xue finished speaking and ducked into her room, looking as if she were afraid that if she hesitated, Ye Ning might do something to her.
Ye Ning opened the door and entered. It was a cute bedroom, decorated primarily in pink, with various dolls on the bed. The room had a pleasant, relaxing scent. It had an en-suite bathroom, so Ye Ning took a shower and walked out wearing a pair of pink slippers.
He turned off the lights and went to sleep.
Next door, Lin Xue lay on her bed with her eyes wide open, wondering. *Is this guy going to do something perverted with my cousin’s undergarments?*
*I was too hasty. I should have prepared a room for Ye Ning first. My cousin is such a germaphobe; if she finds out I let a man sleep in her room when she gets back, she’ll kill me.*
*Forget it, I’ll prepare a room for Ye Ning tomorrow and warn him not to tell her.*
Thinking this, Lin Xue drifted off to sleep. She had been through so much that day, and after being under such intense mental pressure, she was exhausted and fell into a deep sleep.
Around midnight, a woman in professional attire walked in, her face showing signs of fatigue. She turned on the living room light and called out for Lin Xue a few times, but received no answer. The woman headed straight upstairs, opened her bedroom door, and walked in. Without even taking a shower, she pulled back her cute, floral duvet and crawled in.
Nothing happened through the night.
The next morning, Su Qingqing woke up feeling that something was wrong. The first thing that met her eyes was the face of a young, handsome man.
Su Qingqing instantly woke up fully. She realized her situation—she was lying on a man’s arm, held in his embrace, having slept like that all night.
*Who is that?*
"Ah!" A piercing scream erupted from Su Qingqing.
Ye Ning opened his eyes, and when he saw Su Qingqing, he was also stunned. Following that, a scream even louder than Su Qingqing’s rang out.
*What the hell.*
Su Qingqing glared at Ye Ning angrily. *What the hell are you screaming for?* She lifted her knee and slammed it upward into his midsection.
Ye Ning’s eyes widened, and his shout cut off abruptly; he truly hadn't been prepared for that. While he was convulsing, Su Qingqing scrambled out from under the quilt.
***
Lin Xue was startled and rushed out immediately. "Ah!"
She screamed, too. *Why did my cousin come back?*
Su Qingqing’s face was ashen, her eyes practically burning with rage. She stared at Lin Xue and asked, "Xiaoxue, tell me what is going on? Why is there a man in my room?"
Just then, Ye Ning looked completely aggrieved. "Wife, you have to stand up for me! She slept with me. My innocence is ruined!"
Lin Xue’s mouth hung open. *Is it really that intense?*
Su Qingqing was nearly driven mad. She had rushed back overnight, only to find herself sleeping with a man. She suddenly realized the way Ye Ning addressed Lin Xue.
*Wife? This man is Lin Xue’s husband?*
"Who on earth is he?" Su Qingqing asked.
Lin Xue hurriedly explained, "Cousin, don't be angry. This is Ye Ning. We just met yesterday..."
"What? You brought a man you met yesterday home? In Father's current condition, is there no one to look after you anymore?" Su Qingqing’s eyes widened. She had only returned because she heard Lin Muhua was fading, wanting to support her cousin. Lin Xue’s behavior disappointed her greatly.
"My dad is fine now. He’s already recovered," Lin Xue said, sticking her tongue out, then added, "Ye Ning cured him."
"Him?" Su Qingqing pointed at Ye Ning, looking incredulous. He looked like he was barely twenty. Even if he knew medicine, how good could he be?
"Yes. Yesterday my dad had already passed away, and Ye Ning brought him back to life." Thinking of yesterday’s scene, Lin Xue still felt shocked. There really were people with miraculous medical skills—bringing the dead back to life.
"Impossible. How can a dead person be resurrected? It must have been a false death. You were all deceived by him. How is Father now? Is he better?" Su Qingqing didn't believe it for a second.
Lin Xue took out her phone and played a video. In it, Lin Muhua was playing golf, laughing and talking with someone. It was a video Lin Muhua had just sent her.
"How is that possible?" Su Qingqing gasped. Even if someone who was dying were cured, they wouldn't be able to get out of bed and play golf the next day.
"Are you two done yet? There’s still someone else here," Ye Ning’s voice came.
The two women turned their attention back to Ye Ning.
"She slept with me, so she owes me an explanation, doesn't she? I’m not a casual person," Ye Ning said with dissatisfaction.
"Do you really know medicine?" Su Qingqing ignored his comment and asked coldly.
Ye Ning looked at her and said, "Of course. The 'Nine Yin Shadow Pulse'—the fact that you’re still alive means someone with decent medical skill must have extended your life. They probably paid a heavy price for it, too."
Su Qingqing shook violently.
"What is the Nine Yin Shadow Pulse?" Lin Xue asked curiously.
"It's a terminal pulse. People with this constitution generally don't live long. Your cousin was treated by someone in her childhood to extend her life, otherwise, she wouldn't have lived past sixteen."
"However, that person’s methods were limited. They only extended her life by nine years. It must be the eighth year now, right?"
Lin Xue asked nervously, "Cousin, is what Ye Ning says true?"
Su Qingqing felt a deep shock; someone had seen through her health issues the moment they met. Not wanting Lin Xue to worry, she quickly said, "He’s spouting nonsense, and you believe him? You know how healthy I am."
After saying that, she added, "Forget it. I’m going to go see Uncle. When I get back, I want to see him kicked out of my bedroom."
Su Qingqing turned and hurried away, wanting to get away from Ye Ning and also verify Lin Muhua’s condition for herself.
"You don't have to deny it. I can treat your condition and guarantee a full recovery," Ye Ning’s voice followed her.
Su Qingqing shuddered, stood still for a moment, but then left without looking back.
"Is my cousin really sick?" Lin Xue asked worriedly.
"Very sick. She only has nine months to live. On her next birthday, the Nine Yin Shadow Pulse will erupt, and she will definitely die—even the best doctor in the world couldn't save her," Ye Ning replied.
Lin Xue’s eyes turned red. Her mother had passed away, and the only people who were truly good to her were her father and her cousin. "Please, save my cousin," she begged, remembering what Ye Ning had just said.
"No." Ye Ning refused.
"Why?"
"In my lineage, we don't beg to treat others. I’m not that desperate. If she wants to live, she has to come and beg me, and then I’ll cure her," Ye Ning said haughtily.
*So that’s how it is.* Lin Xue breathed a sigh of relief and said confidently, "I will convince my cousin."
Checking the time, Lin Xue gasped. "Let’s hurry, or we’ll miss Master Yinlong’s exhibition. Don't you still want to see your fiancée?"
Ye Ning immediately got up.
They dressed neatly, had a quick meal, and Lin Xue drove them off.
At the golf course, Su Qingqing saw Lin Muhua and wore an expression of disbelief.
"Qingqing, I knew you’d come back. Did you see Lin Xue?" Lin Muhua set down his club and asked with a smile.
Su Qingqing stared at him in disbelief, shocked. "I saw her. Uncle, you weren't sick?"
"It wasn't a sickness; I was poisoned. I nearly died, and it was Ye Ning who saved me. By the way, he is your cousin-in-law now," Lin Muhua laughed.
Hearing this, Su Qingqing couldn't hold it back anymore. "Uncle, how could you agree to let my cousin marry someone like that?"
Lin Muhua was surprised; it seemed Su Qingqing didn't have a good impression of Ye Ning.
"Ye Ning is a man of great skill. I was dead yesterday, and he brought me back. Your cousin isn't losing out. Besides, if he becomes your cousin-in-law, he will surely be willing to step in and extend your life."
Su Qingqing opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Her uncle was truly good to her—he couldn't have been kinder.
"Your cousin is simple-natured. I can't be with her forever. Only you, her cousin, can stay by her side and take care of her."
"I will take good care of my cousin and won't let anyone bully her," Su Qingqing said seriously.