Chapter 14: Metaphysical Secretary? No, It's the Client Master

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Ye Qingyan did not answer Chen Huai’an.

“That girl is formidable!” The clamor inside the gambling house gradually subsided as the crowd respectfully parted to make way for Ye Qingyan.

She clenched the phoenix hairpin tightly; the icy touch pierced into her palm, reminding her of the reality of this victory.

Just as she stepped outside the door, a figure caught up to her and stood before her.

It was Chen Huai’an.

Gone was his usual gentleness; his gaze burned like a flame, fixed steadily into Ye Qingyan’s eyes.

“Miss Ye, your gambling skills truly open one’s eyes. You didn’t answer my earlier question.”

His voice was low, yet it struck Ye Qingyan’s recently calm heart like a stone thrown into a still lake, stirring waves upon waves.

“He saw through it?” Ye Qingyan thought, her body stiffening, a cold sweat breaking out on her back. The system’s bug was her greatest secret; if exposed, the consequences would be disastrous.

She forced herself to stay calm, about to respond evasively, but Chen Huai’an said something that almost stopped her heart.

“I’ve heard that Madam Ye was skilled in mysterious arts during her lifetime, one of which is the ‘Plum Blossom Divination’—a method to foresee the future and divine opportunities. Is that true?”

He didn’t continue but simply looked at her quietly, his eyes curious yet carrying a subtle understanding.

Ye Qingyan’s heart skipped a beat. Plum Blossom Divination? Her mother? She had never heard of such things in her previous life. Yet now, it was the best explanation.

Her mind raced, and she immediately went along with his words.

“How… how do you know about the ‘Plum Blossom Divination’? It was a secret my mother passed down to me on her deathbed!”

Feigning shock mixed with caution, her eyes glimmered with a trace of wariness. Then she lowered her voice, her tone weighted with gravity.

“My mother said this art harms the natural order and should only be used in dire circumstances. Today was one of those times—I had no choice. You absolutely must not tell anyone!”

Chen Huai’an gave her a deep look; the sharpness in his eyes softened into understanding and a hint of pity. He nodded. “I understand.”

“But please, don’t use it lightly again to avoid unnecessary trouble.” His tone was genuinely concerned, as if he believed her story.

[Traitor! How dare you call My heavenly might a mere trick!] the system grumbled indignantly inside her mind but soon quieted, seemingly satisfied that this explanation was convincing enough. It only warned her, [Let this be the last time!]

Ye Qingyan exhaled deeply. This incident had forged a peculiar bond of tacit understanding and trust between them. Chen Huai’an seemed to have assumed the roles of “protector” and “confidant.”

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“Thank you for the reminder, Young Master Biao.” She nodded to Chen Huai’an and hurried away from the gambling house.

Back in the courtyard, Ye Qingyan locked the door and laid the ten thousand taels of silver notes she had won and the phoenix hairpin on the table. The silver notes formed a thick stack, while the hairpin shimmered coldly under the candlelight.

For the first time in this world, she felt the exhilaration of grasping her own destiny. This money, this hairpin, were more than mere wealth and objects—they were the first step in her revenge.

Wang Feifei’s loss of the hairpin was like having her sharpest claw removed—the most direct symbol of Ye Chengzong’s favor. And the ten thousand taels of silver were enough to severely wound, even bankrupt, the Golden Abacus.

Ye Qingyan took a deep breath and began to plan.

Her mother’s shop, though located in a prime spot, had been poorly managed and was steadily declining. This ten thousand taels would be the seed capital to revive it.

Her mind flashed with memories of her previous life’s business models.

Modern marketing, branding, chain operations—concepts unheard of in this era, yet her greatest advantage.

She would use this money and modern business acumen to transform her mother’s shop into the premier enterprise in the capital, utterly destroying Ye Chengzong and Wang Feifei economically. She would make them taste what it meant to have nothing.

Just as she was mapping out the future, a knock came at the courtyard gate.

“Miss, are you home?”

It was the Ye household steward. Ye Qingyan’s heart sank, knowing the master had arrived.

She opened the door. The steward wore a smiling face but couldn’t conceal the sharpness in his eyes.

“Miss, the master requests your presence. He says you brought honor to the Ye family today by winning a large sum and wants you to ‘turn in the silver to the household treasury’ for safekeeping.”

Ye Qingyan sneered coldly. Ye Chengzong was truly impatient.

“Turn it in to the household treasury?” she repeated mockingly.

“Yes, Second Miss. The master said it’s unsafe to keep the money yourself, so he’ll manage it for you, ensuring your needs are met,” the steward smiled wider, as if she had been handed a great favor.

Ye Qingyan was about to protest when a paper slipped into her palm. She took it discreetly—it was from Chen Huai’an.

Two words were written on it: “Land deed.”

Her heart stirred. The land deed? Her mother’s shop’s deed was still in Wang Feifei’s possession. Today, upon winning the silver, Ye Chengzong wanted to take the money without ever mentioning the deed.

[Traitor, amassing wealth is the way of merchants, not kings! My goal is the stars and the sea… no, the entire world! Main quest activated: reclaim control of the Ye family’s estate!] the system announced haughtily in her mind.

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A cold smile curled on Ye Qingyan’s lips. Reclaim control of the estate? That was exactly what she wanted.

She looked at the steward, her gaze sharp.

“Fine, I’ll go. But I have one condition.”

The steward was taken aback; he hadn’t expected her to set conditions.

“Please, Miss, speak.”

“Since the silver is to be turned over to the household treasury, my mother’s shop should also be returned to me for my personal management,” Ye Qingyan said clearly and firmly, leaving no room for objection.

The steward’s expression shifted slightly. This was not part of the master’s orders.

“Miss, the master has been managing the shop well. You’re just a young lady; you don’t understand business…”

“Whether I understand or not isn’t for you to decide. If the shop is not returned, I won’t hand over a single coin!” Ye Qingyan’s tone was resolute, cutting off the steward’s words.

The steward was in a dilemma. This young lady seemed transformed today—her speech and actions carried a ruthless edge.

“Well… I will report this to the master.” He dared not decide on his own and quickly turned to leave.

Ye Qingyan watched his retreating figure, a flicker of scorn passing through her eyes.

“Ye Chengzong, Wang Feifei, your good days are over.”

“What I want is not just a shop and ten thousand taels of silver. I want everything of the Ye family—and their complete ruin. To reclaim all that should have belonged to my mother, and to ensure that my worthless father and wicked stepmother get their just deserts.”

The paper with “Land deed” written on it was like a beacon in the dark, guiding her next move.

“Once again, thank you, Young Master Biao.”

Ye Qingyan clenched the note tightly.

Chen Huai’an said calmly, “Are you ready with your countermeasures?”