Shang Jingchen had much to arrange, so he left after giving Ye Zhixing a few brief instructions.
In the study, Shang Jingchen had changed back into his daily attire: a dress shirt and dress slacks. Assistant Zheng was reporting on the day’s events.
"The old man must be under restriction. I went to the old family residence but couldn't see him."
"This entire incident was orchestrated by Second Uncle Shang, Third Uncle, and the Madam."
"Last night, I sensed that something wasn't right with your condition, but I didn't realize it had escalated to that extent."
"When I came to the villa later to find you, you were already gone, and I couldn't get in touch with you."
"It's the weekend today; whatever they intend to do, they'll have to wait until tomorrow."
Zheng Ying reported everything he knew and had investigated to Shang Jingchen in detail.
"I don't know what has gotten into the Madam this time—to think she would dare interfere in your affairs! She is being incredibly bold! She has always been so submissive in the past—"
After all, she was only a stepmother.
In Shang Jingchen’s world, she had absolutely no say. His mother had passed away early, leaving him and his younger sister behind. Later, his father married the current wife. After she entered the family, she gave birth to a son, who was only eighteen this year. Ten years ago, his father also passed away. His grandfather took charge and handed the management of the conglomerate to him.
Usually, he maintained a superficial peace with his stepmother. They would only eat two meals together throughout the entire year, both being formal family dinners. Shang Jingchen had nothing to say to her.
He didn't know what role she played in arranging this marriage for him. But regardless of who it was, he would never go soft on anyone who dared to conspire against him!
"President Shang, do you want to go back to the old family residence to check on the old man?"
Shang Jingchen shook his head. "They wouldn't dare touch my grandfather, at least not for now. If I were dead, they would need my grandfather's presence to take over the group."
"I'll go tomorrow."
Assistant Zheng nodded. "Indeed. You must have been through a lot today; you should get some good rest."
Shang Jingchen remained noncommittal.
A moment later, he said in a low voice, "Go look into that girl—Ye Zhixing."
"Tomorrow, I want to know everything about her."
Although she had saved his life tonight and they had reached a cooperative agreement, one cannot be too careful. Sitting in his position, Shang Jingchen had to be a hundred times more cautious than an ordinary person; after all, there were simply too many people who wanted to step on him and take his life. He had to maintain the initiative.
"I understand." Assistant Zheng had worked by Shang Jingchen’s side for ten years. He had been promoted to Assistant when Shang Jingchen first began to stand on his own, so he was well-acquainted with his boss’s working style.
After hesitating for a moment, Assistant Zheng asked cautiously, "President Shang, had you never met the Young Mistress before?"
Shang Jingchen shot him a cold glance; the term "Young Mistress" seemed to roll off his tongue quite easily. However, he did not refute it.
"No."
He didn't know where they had found such a girl. She looked cool and composed, and he actually quite admired her way of doing things.
Unexpectedly, Assistant Zheng added out of the blue, "However, I think the Young Mistress has a temperament quite similar to yours."
"What did you say?" Shang Jingchen’s sharp gaze slashed at him like a cold blade.
Assistant Zheng cowered and immediately admitted his fault: "It was my place to speak out of turn."
Yet, he did not retract what he had just said.
Afterward, Assistant Zheng forcibly changed the subject and reported on the events of the day. Fortunately, it had only been twenty-some hours, and fortunately, it was the weekend; otherwise, there would have been even more trouble.
The two men spoke in the study for nearly an hour. When they came downstairs, the food had already been delivered, and Assistant Zheng had left.
Shang Jingchen didn't keep servants here. A year ago, when his sister was still here, there was a housekeeper, but after the accident, he grew accustomed to living alone.
Ye Zhixing was still on the first floor. She, too, had changed into her own clothes: a white T-shirt washed until it was yellowed and a pair of black casual trousers. Her hair was coiled up. Even in such simple attire, her youthful beauty was undeniable. She had just finished looking over the inside and outside of the villa.
"Come and eat first," Shang Jingchen called out.
Ye Zhixing did not stand on ceremony; she had been hungry for a day.
The two sat facing each other. Facing this girl, Shang Jingchen remained filled with doubts. The series of methods she used in that villa tonight told him that she was no simple person. Given the circumstances at the time, it wasn't convenient to ask too much. Now that they were back in his own home, he certainly had to ask.
"Does Miss Ye practice metaphysics?"
"I trained at a Taoist temple for fifteen years."
"Also, you can call me by my name or call me Abbot Ye. Don't call me Miss Ye." Ye Zhixing’s voice remained cool.
"Abbot? What temple?"
"Yusong Taoist Temple."
"Is there such a temple in the Capital?"
"It’s in the countryside in Jicheng, in the neighboring province."
Ye Zhixing answered while taking time to eat. Shang Jingchen noticed that she mostly ate vegetables, only taking a piece or two of meat. With the two of them sitting face-to-face, the question-and-answer format looked more like an interrogation. Ye Zhixing, however, didn't think much of it.
"Then how did you end up in the Capital? And to marry a man you'd never met—a man who might even be a corpse?"
If she had known the person she was marrying was him, perhaps no one would have been unwilling. But the situation last night was clearly different. Seeing her calm demeanor, she didn't look like someone who had been tricked, and besides, she was a master of metaphysics.
Hearing this question, Ye Zhixing replied calmly, "It is a matter of causality; heavenly secrets cannot be revealed."
"You only need to know that I can help you solve your problems."
Shang Jingchen pursed his lips. If he hadn't seen her abilities tonight, this reason would never have convinced him.
"If you don't need it, it’s still not too late to go back on it."
"I’m giving you the choice now. Saving your life tonight, I’ll just consider it as accumulating some merit."
Ye Zhixing said this deliberately, a tactic of retreating in order to advance. Her expression remained cool and detached throughout. It was as if Shang Jingchen could tell her to leave right now, and she would walk away without a moment's hesitation.
Shang Jingchen was no ordinary man; he didn't ponder for long and said directly, "Since I have already agreed to cooperate with you, I certainly won't go back on my word. Being untrustworthy is not my style."
"That is for the best."
Shang Jingchen watched as she put down her chopsticks after eating only a small bowl of rice.
Ye Zhixing’s cold voice rang out: "Whose room is at the end of the hallway?"
Hearing this question, Shang Jingchen’s expression shifted. Before he could answer, Ye Zhixing stated directly, "There are several strands of souls inside, and they have been there for a long time."
"It's my sister."
"She had an accident a year ago and became a vegetable. She hasn't woken up to this day," Shang Jingchen told her truthfully.
"Give me your sister’s name and her Eight Characters of Birth Date."
Ye Zhixing took a piece of yellow paper and a pen from her cloth bag and handed them to him.
Upon hearing this, Shang Jingchen paused; then, a glimmer of hope ignited in his eyes.
"You have a way to save her?" His hands clenched slightly into fists, trying to keep his emotions steady.
"Write it down first."
Ye Zhixing offered him no promises. Shang Jingchen immediately put down his chopsticks and wrote down his sister's date of birth.
"Here you go."
Ye Zhixing took it and began to count on her fingers. Shang Jingchen observed her face intently, not wanting to miss a single expression. He saw her brows knit together slightly.
After about five minutes, Ye Zhixing finally finished her calculation.
"How is it? Is there something wrong with my sister's accident?"