Chapter 26: Eavesdropping Outside the Door

Dawn.

Lu Yao arrived early at the auditorium. Sitting on a chair, she folded paper flying horses, but her mind wandered and she couldn’t focus, anxiety twisting in her chest. She dreaded that the madman might report her to Ye Hua, thus exposing her true identity.

Last night, Ye Zehong had left without saying much, leaving her to toss and turn, wondering why Ye Hua, born with a silver spoon and worth billions, would stoop to such despicable deeds for the sake of money. The more she thought, the more restless and confused she became, unable to untangle her thoughts.

She hadn’t slept a wink.

Xia Cui noticed her absent-mindedness and exhaustion—even her paper horses were folded the wrong way. Immediately, she intervened, “Miss Lu, if you’re not feeling well, you should go back and rest. I’m quite practiced at folding these now. We can finish them together tomorrow—there’s plenty of time.”

“Sorry,” Lu Yao said, rubbing her brow and stifling a yawn. “There were stray cats yowling all night—I hardly slept. I’ll go catch up on some sleep and come back this afternoon.”

Xia Cui nodded in agreement, urging her to rest well and not worry about the paper horse progress.

Leaving the auditorium, Lu Yao happened to pass the main building just as Ye Hua hurried by, looking tense and anxious.

Without a second thought, she cautiously followed.

Inside the tearoom.

Ye Hua locked the door and went straight to Yang Lan’s side. “Mom, who dares anger you now?”

Yang Lan’s face was ashen, her voice a furious growl. “What is Qiao Wan’er, really? If the Qiao family didn’t own the country’s largest mine, worth annexing, I wouldn’t bother glancing at her. Her head is full of nonsense—obsessed with Ye Zehong, year after year making grand proposals at that bastard’s birthday, only to be rejected in public, yet she never gives up. And who knows what’s gotten into the bastard Zehong this year, actually agreeing to her proposal for the first time.”

Ye Hua couldn’t fathom it either. After so many years, he still hadn’t figured out Ye Zehong’s true feelings. He replied offhandedly, “Maybe he was moved. Maybe he’s fallen for her.”

“Pah. If it was love, why wait until now? Why not sooner?” Yang Lan kept a close eye on every interaction between Ye Zehong and Qiao Wan’er, scrutinizing the smallest details. “Look at him—so timid, as if terrified Qiao Wan’er will pounce on him. There’s no way he agreed to the marriage out of love.”

“Then what does he want?”

Yang Lan rotated her prayer beads, closing her eyes to recall Ye Zehong’s recent actions, growing more muddled the more she thought. Ye Hua saw the darkening of her expression and continued to comfort her. “Mother, don’t worry so much. Everything is going according to our plan. No matter what Ye Zehong tries, he won’t be able to stir up much trouble. The Ye family will return to your hands in the end.”

Yang Lan frowned, letting out a soft sigh.

She rose, walked to the tea table, lifted her cup, and drained it in a single gulp. After a moment’s thought, she said coolly, “I actually think that bastard Zehong is rather interested in that young lawyer. Look into that lawyer thoroughly.”

“Very well. I’ll have someone on it immediately.”

Yang Lan fell silent and continued sipping her tea.

Ye Hua thought her complaints were finished and was about to leave when she added, “I won’t let Qiao Wan’er run wild over me. She needs to be taught a lesson. Ruin their engagement party.”

Ye Hua nodded compliantly. “Of course. I’ll see to it. Just sit back and enjoy the spectacle.”

Yang Lan smiled in satisfaction and waved him away. “Go on, then.”

Outside the tearoom.

Lu Yao hid carefully in a corner, watching as Ye Hua hurried away again. Just moments ago, she’d pressed her ear to the door and caught snatches of their conversation. What she’d overheard left her both surprised and deeply unsettled.

Was Yang Lan suspicious of her for some reason? Why investigate her all of a sudden?

She pulled out her phone and sent a message—[The tiger has awakened]—to an overseas number.

Her heart would not be still.