An ambulance arrived, and a male doctor in his fifties stepped out, accompanied by his team. They examined the old woman, their faces showing astonishment. She looked peaceful, as if she were merely asleep. After the doctor called out to her a few times, she stirred awake. Seeing the crowd around her, she felt a little nervous.
"Ma'am, how are you feeling?" the doctor asked.
The woman was slightly disoriented, but she quickly remembered fainting. "I feel fine," she said, confused. "My body feels so light. Did you save me, Doctor?"
The doctor pointed to Ye Ning. "This young man saved you. Still, you should go to the hospital for a check-up to make sure there are no other underlying issues."
The old woman looked embarrassed. "I'm fine, there's no need for the hospital." She then thanked Ye Ning profusely, her gratitude evident. Seeing her simple, worn clothes, the doctor understood her hesitation.
Ye Ning turned to Lin Xue. "Do you have any cash?"
Lin Xue was momentarily stunned, but she reached into her bag and pulled out two thick stacks of bills. Ye Ning took them all and placed them into the old woman's hands.
"Grandma, take this money. Go get checked out, and then buy yourself some good food. Try to eat less pickled vegetables; they aren't good for your heart and brain."
"You saved me—I haven't even thanked you properly, how could I possibly take your money?" the old woman said anxiously, refusing to accept it.
Ye Ning pointed at Lin Xue and smiled. "Grandma, do you see this beautiful young lady?"
The woman looked confused but nodded.
"She's my wife, a rich heiress. She’s the one with the money," Ye Ning said, purposely exaggerating.
Everyone was amused by his comment. However, they could tell from Lin Xue's attire that she was indeed wealthy; her outfit alone was worth at least one hundred thousand.
The old woman was so overwhelmed with gratitude that she nearly knelt before Ye Ning, which took him by surprise. He quickly helped her up and pulled Lin Xue away, making a hasty retreat.
Inside the car, Lin Xue stared at Ye Ning, surprised. "I never expected you to have such a kind heart."
"Healing the sick and saving lives—a doctor should be benevolent. That's what my second master taught me," Ye Ning replied.
"Then why didn't you volunteer to treat my cousin?" Lin Xue asked.
Ye Ning replied coolly, "I heal the sick; I don't beg others to let me save them. I know the difference between kindness and being a doormat."
Lin Xue paused, realizing his words made perfect sense.
When they returned to the Lin Family estate, Su Qingqing had already arrived and was sitting in the living room. Her expression grew slightly unnatural when she saw Ye Ning, but it quickly turned cold. She had no affection for him and wanted nothing to do with him.
"Cousin, is your health really the way Ye Ning described?" Lin Xue asked with concern.
"He's talking nonsense. Don't believe him," Su Qingqing said flatly.
Ye Ning just curled his lip, ignoring her.
Just then, a phone rang. Su Qingqing took out her phone, and her face changed the moment she saw the number.
"That guy’s calling? He still hasn't given up?" Lin Xue asked in surprise.
Su Qingqing said with annoyance, "Who knows what he’s thinking? He’s out of his mind. I’ve rejected him so many times, but he still won't let go. It’s so irritating."
"Maybe it's because you don't have a boyfriend, Cousin, so he thinks he still has a chance," Lin Xue teased. "If I were him, I wouldn't give up so easily on such a great beauty either."
"Help me find a way to make him give up," Su Qingqing said irritably.
Lin Xue was about to say she had no ideas, but seeing Ye Ning nearby, her eyes lit up. "I actually have a great idea."
"Tell me," Su Qingqing said, getting excited.
"Have Ye Ning pretend to be your boyfriend and reject him. Trust me, with Ye Ning’s capabilities, he can handle it," Lin Xue said with a smile. She hoped to create an opportunity for her cousin and Ye Ning to spend time together; once they had contact, perhaps she wouldn't even need to ask him to help with her treatment.
"Absolutely not," Su Qingqing refused without a second thought.
"I don't agree. I have no interest in 'A-cups.' Even if it's just pretending, it’s an insult to me," Ye Ning said bluntly.
*Damn it.* Su Qingqing was furious. Who was an A-cup? She was clearly an A-plus!
***
**Chapter 9: She Is My Woman**
Being an "A-cup" was a lifelong sore spot for Su Qingqing. Now that Ye Ning had brought it up to her face, she felt like strangling him.
"What are you looking at me for? Even if you glare at me, I won't help you increase your pectoral muscle mass—even though, to me, that’s just a piece of cake," Ye Ning said dismissively.
"You? You're just a quack," Su Qingqing sneered, looking at him with disdain.
Ye Ning felt insulted. She dared to question his medical skills? He suddenly walked toward her, startling her. "What are you doing—"
Before she could finish, Ye Ning flicked several silver needles into the pectoral muscles on her chest, and she froze, unable to move.
Lin Xue was alarmed. "Ye Ning, don't bully my cousin!"
Ye Ning shook his head. "Don't worry, I'm just teaching her a lesson. Since she dares to question my medical skills, I'll make sure she goes from an A-cup to a D-cup in three days."
Three days? A D-cup? Lin Xue’s mouth hung open in shock. She looked down at herself and imagined having D-cups on her own petite frame. She shuddered; she liked her current body better. However, her cousin was already stunningly attractive; the only flaw was the lack of volume in her chest. If she went up to a D-cup, it might actually look quite harmonious.
Su Qingqing's face turned beet red. If she hadn't been immobilized, she would have devoured him. She glared at him viciously, not believing a word he said, convinced he was just bullying her.
Ten minutes later, Ye Ning gestured, and the needles flew back to him.
Su Qingqing regained control of her body and immediately lunged to fight him.
"Cousin, wait!" Lin Xue shouted.
Su Qingqing looked at her, confused as to why she was being stopped.
"It’s really changed," Lin Xue said, pointing at her cousin’s chest, completely stunned.
Following Lin Xue's gaze, Su Qingqing looked down. Her jaw dropped. Where there was once nothing, there was now a noticeable shape. Though still small, it was a world of difference from before.
Without a word, Su Qingqing rushed into the bathroom. When she emerged, her gaze toward Ye Ning had completely changed. She no longer had a single doubt about his medical skills. In three days, perhaps she really could transform. She felt a surge of excitement, wanting to ask him if he could continue the treatment tomorrow, but her pride and reserve held her back. After all, her attitude toward him had been far from kind.
Ye Ning was playing with her smartphone—a device that fascinated him, having only used old Nokias before. Seeing her cousin's expression, Lin Xue knew exactly what she was thinking. She smiled and said, "Ye Ning, you need a new phone. How about this smartphone?"
"It's great. Are you giving it to me?" Ye Ning’s eyes brightened.
"Of course not, I'll buy you a new one," Lin Xue said.
"Great!" Ye Ning was suddenly very interested.
Lin Xue frowned, then added, "But I don't have time right now; I have things to deal with. Why don't you have my cousin take you?"
Ye Ning hesitated; he didn't have the best impression of Su Qingqing, mainly because she always gave him the cold shoulder.
"You need a smartphone; it's very inconvenient not to have one. And my cousin isn't a bad person, don't worry," Lin Xue urged.
Su Qingqing knew what Lin Xue was up to. She said coolly, "I need to go to the mall to buy some new clothes anyway; my old ones don't fit anymore."
Lin Xue chuckled. From A to D was a massive leap.
"Fine, I'll go with her," Ye Ning agreed. Mainly, smartphones were just too cool, and the videos of the pretty girls on them were quite eye-catching.
They set off in silence. Su Qingqing didn't know what to say, and Ye Ning had no desire to speak. They arrived at the mall by early evening. After buying Ye Ning a phone, Su Qingqing went into "shopping spree" mode. She accounted for the fact that she would be a D-cup in two days, buying clothes accordingly—assuming Ye Ning was happy enough to keep up the treatment. It turns out what the girls said was true: if a woman wants to increase her bust, it takes a man's hands to create it.
Her phone rang; it was *that* guy again. Su Qingqing glanced at Ye Ning, answered, and gave her location. Ye Ning stayed focused on his new phone, devouring the content like a man possessed.
Soon, a group of people approached. The leader was a man in his twenties, over 1.85 meters tall, radiating an air of superiority that made it obvious he was a pampered rich kid. He was flanked by two bodyguards who looked menacing, an aura of violence about them. Ye Ning was slightly surprised; these bodyguards were clearly trained killers who likely had blood on their hands.
The young man stared at Su Qingqing, beaming. "Qingqing, long time no see. You’ve become even more beautiful." And larger, he thought to himself. He had always liked Su Qingqing, but her only flaw was her small chest. Now that even that flaw was gone, he was even more infatuated.
Faced with his attentiveness, Su Qingqing was cold. "Jiang Tao, I asked you to come here to tell you: stop pestering me. I'm worried my boyfriend will misunderstand." She grabbed Ye Ning's arm.
Ye Ning pulled away immediately, creating distance. "I don't know her."
Su Qingqing had been feeling smug, but now she was forced to swallow her pride. She hadn't wanted to beg him, but she needed a shield. When Ye Ning gave her that response, the smile on her face vanished.
Jiang Tao’s expression had been sour, but after hearing Ye Ning, he understood. He glanced at Ye Ning with contempt. "You’ve got a bit of common sense. Now get lost. Keep your distance from Qingqing. She’s not someone a bottom-feeder like you can match."
Ye Ning had intended to stand aside and watch her suffer, but Jiang Tao's comment angered him. His face darkened. Amidst the shock and rage of Jiang Tao's group, Ye Ning walked to Su Qingqing’s side and wrapped his arm firmly around her slim waist.
"I was just teasing you earlier. She isn't my girlfriend—she is my woman," Ye Ning said flatly.
"Kid, watch your tone. Don't look for trouble," Jiang Tao said coldly.
Ye Ning grabbed Su Qingqing's chin and leaned in to kiss her. Su Qingqing’s eyes widened, and she went stiff—it was her first kiss. She wanted to pull away, but Ye Ning was too dominant, giving her no chance.
Jiang Tao’s eyes were ablaze with fire. That was his goddess—he hadn't even touched her yet!
"Break him!" Jiang Tao roared. His two bodyguards lunged forward.
***
**Chapter 10: The Easiest Thing is Making Money**
As the two bodyguards rushed toward them, Ye Ning didn't let go of her. Su Qingqing was frantic. She was doomed; she just hoped they wouldn't hit her by mistake.
At that moment, Ye Ning released her and slapped the bodyguards away, one by one. Two seasoned fighters didn't even last a single move against him. They collapsed, half their faces swollen as if they'd been trampled by an elephant.
Jiang Tao was stunned. These were bodyguards he’d paid a fortune for—men who could take on ten people at once. But Ye Ning had knocked them out with single slaps.
Ye Ning walked toward Jiang Tao, clearly intending to teach him a lesson. He wasn't the type to swallow his pride, and he was accustomed to settling things with force.
Su Qingqing grabbed Ye Ning. "Let it go." She didn't want him to offend Jiang Tao, whose background was not to be trifled with. Beating the bodyguards was one thing, but hitting Jiang Tao was a different story.
Ye Ning looked at her, then turned and kicked Jiang Tao, sending him sliding ten meters across the floor.
"If you see me again, take a detour," Ye Ning said coldly. "Otherwise, I'll beat you every time I see you."
He then pulled the stunned Su Qingqing upstairs. He could smell dinner; it was time to eat.
Jiang Tao, twitching in pain and filled with spite, took out his phone and dialed a number. A soft, feminine male voice answered. "Master Jiang? Why are you calling me? Need something done?"
"Brother Biao, I need you to take someone out for me," Jiang Tao said coldly.
"My fees are very expensive," Brother Biao replied with a faint smile.
"Five hundred thousand—no, one million. The guy has some skills. My requirements are simple: just break his limbs," Jiang Tao said.
"Location?"
"Elite Mall."
Meanwhile, Ye Ning was eating hotpot with Su Qingqing. Her face was flushed, whether from the spice or the recent event, he couldn't tell. Suddenly, a playful smile curled on Ye Ning’s lips.
Su Qingqing noticed and asked, "What are you smiling about? Is something wrong?"
Ye Ning shook his head. "I just heard something amusing. We’re about to see a good show."
What show? She didn't press him when he didn't elaborate. She suddenly became coy, wanting to say something but hesitating. Finally, as if making a decision, she looked at him. "Ye Ning, I want you to promise me something."
Ye Ning looked at her.
"Don't tell Lin Xue about what happened today. It’s embarrassing. Let’s just pretend none of it happened, okay?" she asked hopefully.
Ye Ning shook his head, refusing directly. "No."
"Why not?"
"You are my woman; naturally, you must have the status that comes with it," Ye Ning said sternly.
Su Qingqing didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Wasn't that just an act for Jiang Tao?"
"No. I've already 'stamped' you. You are my woman. And if you aren't mine, no one else is allowed to have you."
"Why?"
"Anyone who tries to steal my girl, I’ll take their life," Ye Ning said.
Su Qingqing was speechless. After a long pause, she said, "You already have Lin Xue."
Ye Ning smiled. "I am a traditional man."
Traditional? Polygamy? Ye Ning was truly something else, being able to justify his unfaithfulness so naturally.
"Do you have any money? Can you afford to support so many wives?" Su Qingqing asked.
Ye Ning was stunned—a direct hit to his weak spot. He had no answer.
"Haha!" Seeing him stumped, Su Qingqing couldn't help but laugh. This little man was truly interesting.
"Money? That’s the easiest thing to earn," Ye Ning said, regaining his confidence.
Su Qingqing scoffed inwardly. She knew perfectly well that Ye Ning was currently penniless.
An old man walked over, looking excited. "Master! It really is you. I thought you looked familiar earlier."
Ye Ning looked at him; he remembered him. This was the man from earlier today who wanted to send his grandson to Thailand.
"Tan Qingshan."
Su Qingqing was slightly surprised and greeted him respectfully. Tan Qingshan was the president of the Yangcheng Painting Association and a renowned master of traditional Chinese painting throughout Jiuzhou. She found it incredible that he would take the initiative to greet Ye Ning—and why did such an old man call him "Master"?
Tan Qingshan nodded at Su Qingqing, then turned to Ye Ning, trembling with excitement. "Master, do you have any time? I would like to purchase one of your paintings."
Su Qingqing was bewildered. Was the master painter crazy?
"Not interested," Ye Ning said without a second thought. Painting was just a chore to feed his pet cranes and to avoid losing face in front of his fiancée. What was the point of painting for some old man? Tan Qingshan didn't even have a pretty granddaughter.
Seeing his refusal, Tan Qingshan grew anxious. "Master, I can offer one hundred million! I know this may not be much to you, but it’s the absolute limit of what I can afford. I am your most loyal fan—please, I beg you!"
One hundred million? Su Qingqing's eyes nearly popped out of her head. One of Ye Ning's paintings was worth one hundred million?