Ye Tianming walked out and took in the extremely luxurious interior, clicking his tongue in amazement.
"This is luxurious indeed. Quite a way to live."
Nearby, Xiao Churán froze, her expression turning rather strange. Why did she feel like she had just heard Ye Tianming's voice?
No way, right?
Just as she was about to peek outside, the elevator doors slowly slid shut.
Xiao Churán shook her head, too lazy to even open the door, subconsciously dismissing the thought as utterly impossible.
After all, Ye Tianming came from a destitute family, and his parents were scavengers—how could he possibly be here?
The elevator doors closed completely, and she stopped thinking about it.
Ye Tianming had no idea that just on the other side of those elevator doors stood Xiao Churán.
He strode toward Lóng Zé's office, which was located at the very end of the corridor.
Before he could even knock, Lóng Zé opened the door, his face wreathed in a respectful smile as he bowed slightly to Ye Tianming.
"Head of the Dragon!"
Ye Tianming patted Lóng Zé on the shoulder. "Get up. Don't be so formal from now on. Besides, you can call me Head of the Dragon in private, but don't use it outside. The old man said this title is a bit sensitive."
Lóng Zé immediately caught his meaning, standing up with a smile. "Understood, subordinate. Then what should I address you as hereafter..."
"Just call me Tianming."
"No, how can I address the Head of the Dragon by his given name? Then I shall address you as Chairman... Chairman Ye, perhaps?"
Lóng Zé racked his brain for a long time before coming up with a title that matched Ye Tianming's status.
Since he was President Lóng, and Ye Tianming was Chairman Ye, it was a fair arrangement.
Ye Tianming grinned. "Very well."
Lóng Zé wore a slightly flattering smile as he said, "Please come in, Chairman Ye."
Ye Tianming nodded, stepped into the office, and unceremoniously took a seat in Lóng Zé's executive chair.
Lóng Zé stood respectfully to one side, unable to help feeling a bit nervous.
One had to know that the young man before him was the sole successor of Tianmen, the leader of the Potian Army, and the Head of the Dragon for the number one chamber of commerce in Huaxia! Not only was his influence overwhelming, but his wealth rivaled that of a nation, leaving him virtually unrivaled across all of Huaxia.
How could Lóng Zé not be respectful?
In his eyes, Ye Tianming was nothing less than a god!
"Chairman Ye, do you have any instructions for your subordinate?"
Ye Tianming frowned, his tone turning somewhat solemn.
"I've come this time for you to handle two matters.
"First, go and find me a few medicinal herbs: Heart-Linking Grass, Dragon Heart Ginseng, and Nine-Yellow Leaf.
"Second, help me investigate the car accident involving my sister Yè Yúnfēi back then. I want to see who was pulling the strings behind the scenes, and I want to give my sister justice!"
As Ye Tianming said this, the veins on his forehead throbbed slightly, and a gloomy, terrifying aura reminiscent of burning the heavens emanated from him.
The temperature in the office seemed to plunge below zero in an instant. At that moment, Lóng Zé felt as though he had fallen into a ten-thousand-year-old ice cellar; his breathing grew difficult, a chill ran down his spine, and his throat felt as though it were being tightly throttled!
He stared at Ye Tianming in terror, his eyes filled with dread, reverence, and a surrender born from the depths of his soul!
Ye Tianming wasn't even targeting him, yet he could feel such terrifying pressure—one could only imagine just how formidable Ye Tianming's true strength was!
Lóng Zé swallowed hard, his face turning somewhat pale.
"Subordinate... obeys!"
Sensing that something was wrong with Lóng Zé, Ye Tianming instantly reined in his pressure, and Lóng Zé's complexion finally eased a little.
Pouring Ye Tianming a cup of tea, Lóng Zé cleared his throat and said in a low voice:
"Head of the Dragon, there is one more matter your subordinate must report to you."
"Go ahead."
"Recently, I've heard some rumors that an organization under our Tianmen called Kowloon Hall is acting rather strangely. This Kowloon Hall... I'm afraid they harbor rebellious intentions."
Ye Tianming narrowed his eyes slightly and gave a cold smile. "With Tianmen being the most powerful force in the world, countless organizations would jump at the chance to join us, yet this Kowloon Hall dares to harbor thoughts of rebellion?"
Lóng Zé's voice was deep. "We cannot rule out the possibility that other factions have intervened, deliberately trying to stir up trouble within Tianmen. Of course, the presence of a mole cannot be ruled out either."
A murderous glint flashed through Ye Tianming's dark eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he said:
"Actually, I've heard similar rumors before as well. This time, upon my return, I intended to deal with these moles along the way. Kowloon Hall is the only one that has surfaced so far, but in secret, there are definitely more! You are not to reveal my identity to anyone for the time being, so as not to disrupt my operations. Understood?"
Lóng Zé nodded respectfully. "Understood, subordinate!"
"Alright, my visit to you was primarily for these two matters. I'll look for you again if something comes up."
With that, Ye Tianming stood up and walked out of the office. Behind him, Lóng Zé looked at Ye Tianming's retreating figure, his eyes filled with emotion.
Just those few words had made him realize that Ye Tianming was no ordinary man. With such a master at the helm, Tianmen... was destined to rise!
Lóng Zé immediately began dispatching men to investigate the incident involving Yè Yúnfēi's car accident, while also setting out to procure the medicinal herbs Ye Tianming had requested.
As the lights began to twinkle, the night quietly descended upon Longhai City.
Ye Tianming returned to the small courtyard. Yè Jiànguó and Liú Cuìróng were sitting in the main room watching television, with Yè Yúnfēi seated beside them.
The television was very old, its picture quality blurry like something from a dozen years ago, yet Yè Jiànguó and Liú Cuìróng wore smiles of happiness and contentment.
As Ye Tianming walked in, Yè Yúnfēi merely glanced at him before turning her head away, clearly still sulking.
Seeing Ye Tianming return, Liú Cuìróng asked, "Tianming, where did you go just now?"
Ye Tianming smiled. "I had a friend go look for some herbs. They can cure Yúnfēi's legs."
Hearing this, Yè Jiànguó and Liú Cuìróng were beyond excited. "Yúnfēi, did you hear that? Your brother says he can cure your legs!"
Yè Yúnfēi turned her head away and said indifferently, "I don't need his fake kindness. My legs have been examined by countless doctors, and all of them said they couldn't be cured. What makes him think he can?"
The smiles on Yè Jiànguó and Liú Cuìróng's faces slowly faded, turning somewhat desolate once more.
Indeed, how could they possibly be cured?
If they could really be cured, it would be a medical miracle.
Ye Tianming said softly, "Yúnfēi, I really can cure them. If you don't believe me, let me try right now."
Yè Yúnfēi let out a self-deprecating laugh. "No need to try. These legs can never be cured. I'm just destined to be a cripple, it doesn't matter."
With that, Yè Yúnfēi turned around, ready to return to her room.
"Yúnfēi, I..."
Ye Tianming opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed the words in the end and let out a light sigh.
Beside him, Yè Jiànguó looked at Ye Tianming with an aging, poignant smile.
"Tianming, your mom and I know your intentions. We know you want to make us happy, and we know you feel guilty toward your sister, but your mom and I don't want you putting on a brave face in front of your family. It's okay if you don't know how to cure them..."
Ye Tianming gave a wry smile, realizing that Yè Jiànguó had misunderstood him, thinking he was just boasting and putting on a brave face.
He shook his head and said with a serious expression:
"Mom, Dad, I'm not lying to you. I really can cure them!"
Without another word, he strode into Yè Yúnfēi's room, immediately drawing a cry of surprise from her.
"Ye Tianming, what are you trying to do? Let go of me!"
Without a word, Ye Tianming scooped Yè Yúnfēi up, carried her to the bed, and promptly hoisted her crippled leg up to rest on his own lap!
Yè Jiànguó and Liú Cuìróng hurriedly rushed into the room. Seeing what Ye Tianming was doing, Liú Cuìróng was at a loss for a moment.
"Tianming, what are you..."
Tears welled up in Yè Yúnfēi's reddened eyes as she pushed at Ye Tianming, shouting, "Ye Tianming, let me go! What on earth are you trying to do?"
Ye Tianming pulled a handful of silver needles from his pocket. Without a moment's hesitation, his wrist flicked and his fingers snapped!
A silver needle shot forward like a streak of light, swiftly piercing Yè Yúnfēi's crippled leg!
Holding the silver needle steady, Ye Tianming began to gently twist it, guiding wisps of invisible vital energy through the needle into Yè Yúnfēi's acupoints.
After a moment, Yè Yúnfēi's body shuddered violently, a look of profound shock washing over her face as she stared blankly at Ye Tianming.
Liú Cuìróng's expression shifted, and she hurried forward anxiously, saying,
"Yúnfēi, what's wrong? Don't scare Mom!"
Yè Yúnfēi looked at Liú Cuìróng, opened her mouth, and let tears slowly trickle down the corners of her eyes.
"Dad, Mom... my leg... my leg actually has feeling in it."
Chapter 25: The Narcissist
Liú Cuìróng and Yè Jiànguó froze in place at that exact moment.
Liú Cuìróng's expression had gone from worry to confusion, then to doubt, and finally to incomparable shock!
Her voice trembled as she spoke, "Yúnfēi... what, what did you say? Say it again, Mom can't believe it..."
Weeping, Yè Yúnfēi said word by word, "Mom, my leg... my leg really has feeling!"
Hearing those words, Liú Cuìróng and Yè Jiànguó could no longer hold back as tears streamed down the faces of the two elderly parents!
Three years!
Ever since Yè Yúnfēi's legs were crushed in the accident, it had been a full three years.
During those three years, Yè Yúnfēi had never felt a single sensation, and doctors had even bluntly declared that her legs were necrotic and completely beyond cure!
Yet now, Yè Yúnfēi actually had feeling in them—this already meant there was hope of a recovery!
Liú Cuìróng pulled Yè Yúnfēi into a tight embrace, her voice choked with emotion.
"My daughter can be saved! My daughter can be saved!"
Beside them, Yè Jiànguó wiped away his tears and gave Ye Tianming a heavy pat on the shoulder. "Good lad!"
Ye Tianming smiled, his gaze shifting to Yè Yúnfēi on the bed. "Yúnfēi, big brother has already sent people to look for the herbs. Once the medicine arrives and you drink it, big brother will give you another session of acupuncture, and your legs will be fully restored in a week."
Yè Yúnfēi looked at Ye Tianming with tear-filled eyes, her pitiful appearance with red-rimmed eyes tugging at his heartstrings.
A pang of deep guilt struck Ye Tianming's heart—Yè Yúnfēi had ended up like this entirely because of him!
Therefore, no matter how Yè Yúnfēi treated him right now—whether she cursed at him or beat him—he willingly accepted it.
Yè Yúnfēi parted her lips, and the next second, she choked out, "Brother..."
Ye Tianming's body gave a violent start as he looked at her. "Yúnfēi, you..."
The corners of Ye Tianming's eyes moistened at that instant.
"Brother, I'm sorry... I... I..."
Before she could finish, Yè Yúnfēi was weeping uncontrollably, crying so hard she was left utterly speechless.
Deeply moved, Ye Tianming felt the glacier in his heart gently melt.
He pulled Yè Yúnfēi into a tight embrace, and she hugged him back just as fiercely!
Neither of them spoke, yet in that instant, they understood each other's hearts completely.
Out in the world, Ye Tianming wielded peerless power and stood virtually unrivaled.
Yet here in this dilapidated little courtyard, he was simply the son of two elderly parents and the elder brother of his pitiful sister.
Family was the softest corner of Ye Tianming's heart!
He gently patted Yè Yúnfēi's back, his shirt already damp from her tears.
Cuddled in Ye Tianming's embrace, Yè Yúnfēi felt an unprecedented sense of security wash over her.
Over the past three years, she had hated Ye Tianming for ruining their family, and even more for leaving without a word and letting everyone worry about him.
Yet she had never stopped missing him. The moment she laid eyes on Ye Tianming again, she had been both overjoyed and furious.
Overjoyed that her brother was safe and sound, having come to no harm.
Furious that he hadn't contacted the family even once in all these years.
Yet at this very moment, all her anger vanished, leaving behind only her longing for Ye Tianming.
Her emotions poured forth like a flood; right now was the happiest and most secure moment Yè Yúnfēi had experienced in three years...
After an unknown length of time, Ye Tianming heard the sound of soft, gentle breathing.
Yè Yúnfēi had actually fallen asleep in his arms.
His heart softening, Ye Tianming gently stroked her hair. Deciding not to wake her, he carefully picked her up, laid her properly on the bed, and pulled the quilt over her.
As he walked out of the room, Yè Jiànguó and Liú Cuìróng quietly followed.
Liú Cuìróng's eye sockets were still somewhat red and swollen, but her face wore a smile of happiness and emotion.
"Tianming, your dad and I never expected that you actually knew how to heal the sick. Over the past few years, we don't know how many doctors we've found for Yúnfēi, but every single one of them was helpless. Since you actually have a way, your medical skills must be much more brilliant than theirs!"
Ye Tianming smiled and said modestly, "It's alright, really. Anyway, with me around, you and Mom won't have to go to the hospital anymore. If you have any health issues, your son can just cure you directly."
Yè Jiànguó and Liú Cuìróng exchanged glances, both elderly faces beaming with gratified smiles.
As if remembering something, Liú Cuìróng said to Yè Jiànguó:
"Old man, since our son happens to have this skill now, why don't you look up that old war buddy of yours? Didn't he mention last time that he knew someone with connections in the hospital? See if you can ask him to help our son find a job."
Yè Jiànguó thought for a moment and smiled. "Alright, I'll give my old buddy a call in the next couple of days. That shouldn't be a problem."
Ye Tianming was stunned, torn between laughter and tears. Where on earth would he need to look for a job right now?
Yet, seeing the smiles on the faces of the elderly couple, the words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down.
Liú Cuìróng was all smiles; she hadn't felt this happy in a very long time.
Today, her son had returned safe and sound, already had a fiancée, possessed medical skills, and might soon have a steady job sorted out.
Her daughter's paralyzed legs even had a chance of being cured. Hope had suddenly blossomed in their lives, and the wrinkles on Liú Cuìróng's face seemed to smooth out a bit.
The light in the main room was somewhat dim. Ye Tianming cast a glance around the surrounding environment.
The walls were ash-yellow, the floorboards cracked, the drafts whistling through the windows, and the roof leaking; the entire house was damp and gloomy.
He couldn't help frowning. After three seconds of thought, he said:
"Dad, Mom, you should pack up later. Let's find some time to move."
The elderly couple froze. "Move? Move where? We don't have another house."
Ye Tianming smiled. "I have a house. It's more than enough for you to live in, and the environment is much better than here. This old house is dark and damp; living here long-term isn't good for your health."
"Tianming, did you buy a house outside?"
Liú Cuìróng asked, somewhat astonished.
Ye Tianming smiled without answering.
The elderly couple looked at each other, shock evident on both their faces.
Longhai was a top-tier developed city, and housing prices were outrageously expensive, with even the cheapest places going for twenty to thirty thousand per square meter.
A normal apartment easily cost five to six million, something ordinary families simply couldn't afford—or if they could, it would completely drain the savings of two or three generations.
They found it hard to believe... could their son, Ye Tianming, actually afford to buy a house here?
Without saying anything further, Ye Tianming walked out into the small courtyard, took out his phone, and dialed Lóng Zé's number.
"Head of the Dragon, do you have any instructions?"
Ye Tianming rubbed his chin and smiled. "Go find me a house. My family and I are going to move in."
"No problem! Your subordinate will handle it immediately and guarantee your satisfaction!"
"Thanks."
On the other end of the line, Lóng Zé's legs went weak, almost causing him to collapse to the ground as he stammered,
"You're too kind, Head of the Dragon!"
Hanging up the phone, Ye Tianming returned to the house and said to the elderly couple with a smile:
"Mom, Dad, I've had someone take care of the house matter. There'll be news soon, and we can just pack our things and move right in."
The elderly couple exchanged glances. Liú Cuìróng opened her mouth as if to speak, but Yè Jiànguó quietly pulled her back, and in the end, Liú Cuìróng stayed quiet.
Yè Jiànguó coughed and said, "Tianming, your mother and I are a bit tired today, so we're going to turn in first. You should get some rest early too."
Ye Tianming smiled. "Alright, you guys go get some rest."
Yè Jiànguó pulled Liú Cuìróng back to their small bedroom, whereupon Liú Cuìróng lowered her voice and expressed her worry:
"Old man, why did you pull me back just now? I wanted to ask how our son managed to find a house. I always feel like our son is acting all mysterious. Did you hear the tone of voice he used when he was on the phone just now? Why did it sound like the person on the other end was his subordinate?"
As she spoke, Liú Cuìróng frightened herself and gasped, "Old man, our son... he didn't go out and join some mafia, did he?"
Yè Jiànguó frowned, thought for a moment, and said in a low voice:
"I guessed you were going to ask that just now. But old woman, we have no idea what Tianming has been through outside these past three years, and he hasn't told us either. Think about it—if it were something he could talk about, wouldn't he have told us as his parents?"
Liú Cuìróng looked thoughtful, and Yè Jiànguó continued in a low voice:
"Our son Tianming is no longer a child. He has his own affairs and his own secrets. It's better if we don't proactively ask about certain things; we can just wait for him to tell us himself. Besides, Tianming shouldn't be the type to get mixed up with the mafia. Now that he knows how to practice medicine and heal people, do you think he might have spent these past few years practicing medicine outside?"
Liú Cuìróng nodded. "That's certainly a possibility."
Yè Jiànguó said earnestly, "Right! And even if our son did get involved with some gang, would it do any good for us to bluntly question him now? Doing so would only be counterproductive. What we need to do is observe more, pay close attention, and gently remind him. I'll call Old Sun in the next couple of days and have him ask about the hospital job, striving to get Tianming settled down as soon as possible."
Liú Cuìróng sighed softly and finally nodded...
Meanwhile, out in the courtyard, Ye Tianming lit a cigarette and smoked it to cool off when his phone suddenly rang.
He picked it up, raised an eyebrow upon seeing who it was, and then answered with a beaming smile:
"Hello? Missing me already after just a few hours?"
On the other end, Jiang Muwan's pretty face flushed red as she rolled her eyes. "Even if I missed anyone, it wouldn't be you, you narcissist!"
"Then why are you calling me?"
Jiang Muwan collected herself, her voice crisp and melodious.
"I'm calling to tell you something—something big."
Chapter 26: Business is Coming
"Just spit it out, Wife. Why make it sound so serious?" Ye Tianming said with a cheeky grin.
On the other end, Jiang Muwan's pretty face instantly flushed red as she bit her silver teeth, her eyes filled with shyness and indignation:
"Ye Tianming! I'll say it again, don't you dare call me wife!"
"You're the one who said this afternoon that whoever lost would let me call her wife. For someone who's the president of a major corporation like the Jiang Group, are you going to go back on your word?"
Jiang Muwan's expression stiffened. She fell silent for a few seconds, feeling thoroughly helpless, before finally compromising:
"My bottom line is that you can call me that in private, but not in front of outsiders, okay?"
Ye Tianming smiled silently, genuinely surprised that this girl could make such a major concession, considering how proud her personality was.
Not one to push his luck, he said with a grin:
"No problem, Wife! Tell me, what's up with calling your husband?"
He intentionally emphasized the word "wife," making Jiang Muwan feel as though ten thousand ants were crawling all over her body.
Having a man who used to be a scavenger call her his wife—the feeling... really was quite agonizing.