Those Who Cannot Celebrate the New Year Well

Ye Feng did not answer Wang Siyuan’s question, but instead walked up to him and handed him the bowl of porridge in his hand. “Don’t talk right now. Drink this porridge first.”

Wang Siyuan looked at the porridge in his hand, then at Ye Feng, his eyes filled with even greater confusion. What on earth had happened after he lost consciousness? Who was this man before him? Was he the one who saved him? Why would he save him? If he was the one who rescued him, why lock him up here, which looked suspiciously like a cave?

With doubts swirling in his mind, Wang Siyuan took the porridge, but he didn’t dare drink it immediately, probably fearing it might be poisoned.

Ye Feng noticed Wang Siyuan’s hesitation and smiled softly. “Go ahead and drink. If I wanted to kill you, there are plenty of ways. Why bother with poison?”

Wang Siyuan thought about it and realized it made sense. He gulped down the porridge in just a few mouthfuls, not caring if it was hot. He must have been truly starving.

“I know you must have many questions, but before I answer yours, you need to answer mine honestly.” Ye Feng’s steady voice echoed in the enclosed room, sounding unusually loud.

After speaking, Ye Feng didn’t rush to question Wang Siyuan. Instead, he waited quietly.

Wang Siyuan was silent for dozens of seconds after hearing Ye Feng’s words, then asked, “Can you tell me who you are?”

“I can tell you this: I am not someone from the Ai family.”

Wang Siyuan looked at Ye Feng, a hint of mistrust in his eyes, and fell silent.

Ye Feng laughed. “What are you worried about now? No matter who I am, your life and death are no longer in your own hands. Since you have no choice, I think you’d better believe what I say and tell me everything you know. It’s like a game you’re destined to lose—since you’re bound to lose, you might as well go all in. You might even get lucky and win.”

Ye Feng’s words clearly struck Wang Siyuan deeply. After a brief silence, Wang Siyuan spoke. “Ask whatever you want.”

From the tone, Ye Feng knew Wang Siyuan had let go of many things.

“Let’s start with something simple. Why is Ai Zhongtang hunting you?” There were things Ye Feng had seen in his memories, but still wasn’t fully clear on. Besides, this could reveal whether Wang Siyuan was trustworthy and worth keeping.

“Because I overheard secrets I shouldn’t have.”

“What secrets?”

“About the entire Ai family joining the Zang Tian Organization and participating in the ‘Genesis’ project.”

“Why did you eavesdrop on these secrets?”

“If I said it was a personal hobby, would you believe me?”

Hearing Wang Siyuan’s answer, Ye Feng asked Huaihuai in his mind, “Is he telling the truth?”

Huaihuai immediately replied, “Yes, he’s telling the truth. I don’t know whether to pity him or hate him.”

“I believe you. If someone saved your life, how would you repay that kindness?”

“You mean, how would I repay you? Don’t joke. I’m lucky to be alive now. The Ai family’s power is unrivaled; I can’t escape. What’s the point of talking about repayment?” Wang Siyuan sounded a little dejected. Ever since he learned about the strength of the Zang Tian Organization, he never thought he could survive. Even if he lived, it wouldn’t be in the light.

“If I could save you, I can certainly keep you alive—and much better than you are now!” Ye Feng promised Wang Siyuan a bright future.

“You have no idea what kind of people you’re up against!” Wang Siyuan’s emotions flared, fear erupting at that moment.

“The Zang Tian Organization? They’re nothing but clowns, thinking a bit of money lets them control the Huaxia Nation. How laughable,” Ye Feng muttered disdainfully.

“What? You mean you’re not afraid of the Zang Tian Organization?” Wang Siyuan’s face was full of shock.

“When did I ever say I was afraid? They’re just frogs at the bottom of a well—no threat at all.” Ye Feng’s tone remained dismissive. Then, in a sudden turn, he said, “Let me put it this way: I saved your life. Will you follow me with unwavering loyalty?”

“If you can guarantee my survival, I won’t betray you. But…” Wang Siyuan hesitated.

Before he could finish, Ye Feng cut him off. “No buts. Whatever you’re worrying about, I’ll take care of it. But you must be absolutely loyal to me! Otherwise, I’ll make your death worse than if the Ai family caught you.”

At this point, Wang Siyuan understood—he was utterly powerless. “Yes. May I ask how I should address you?”

“Just call me Young Master.”

“Young Master, when can I leave?”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Just stay here quietly.” After speaking, Ye Feng didn’t give Wang Siyuan a chance to reply and turned to leave the room.

Once he left, Ye Feng began preparing food, water, and clothing for Wang Siyuan. After all, he’d need to stay in the room for several days, and it wouldn’t do for him to go hungry.

…

After Ye Feng left, Wang Siyuan stood in the room. Despite the bright fluorescent lights, the enclosed space still felt eerie. The bowl of porridge had replenished some of his energy, and he began searching for an escape route, only to confirm his suspicions—this was a sealed space, with nothing but plenty of oxygen.

With no way out, Wang Siyuan gradually regained his composure. He had no way to retreat. He didn’t know who this mysterious Young Master really was, but the fact that he had been rescued from the Ai family and healed showed that Ye Feng had some real ability. For now, this was probably his best option.

Ye Feng soon finished preparing everything needed for Wang Siyuan’s daily life, then went to the study, asking Huaihuai to monitor Wang Siyuan through the wall. He found Wang Siyuan sitting quietly on his temporary bed.

Ye Feng brought the supplies into the room. When he entered, Wang Siyuan rose to speak, but Ye Feng stopped him. “Use these for now. In a few days, you’ll be able to leave safely.”

Again, Ye Feng didn’t give Wang Siyuan a chance to speak before leaving.

…

Compared to Wang Siyuan’s safety, Sang Biao’s situation was much more precarious. He’d finally gotten a chance to advance, only for things to go disastrously wrong. If he hadn’t found Wang Siyuan, it wouldn’t have been as bad. But now Wang Siyuan had been captured and then vanished—right under his nose. That was his fault, and not just an ordinary mistake.

Terrified, Sang Biao returned to the Ai family and knelt in the study to report the situation to Ai Zhongtang. The outcome was predictable: Ai Zhongtang flew into a rage, cursing him as useless, terrifying Sang Biao.

Just when Sang Biao thought his life was over, Ai Zhongtang suddenly calmed down, his expression no longer so ferocious.

Ai Zhongtang reasoned that Sang Biao’s report matched those of the family’s trained elites—he was telling the truth. If someone or some organization had the ability to render everyone unconscious in an instant and whisk Wang Siyuan away, they must possess abilities rivaling the Zang Tian Organization.

With that in mind, Ai Zhongtang was no longer so angry. Still, Sang Biao’s incompetence was obvious; it was a good chance to use him as a test.

“I understand. Go investigate again! I’m giving you two weeks—search all of Haifeng City if you must, but bring Wang Siyuan back to me.” Ai Zhongtang’s voice was unreadable, but to Sang Biao it was filled with fury.

“Yes… yes… yes!” Sang Biao hurriedly replied, then got up and ran out of the study, cold sweat pouring down his back. He’d nearly died just now.

Sang Biao couldn’t figure out where Wang Siyuan had gone, or who this Young Master Ye was. Back home, he’d only been worried about his own life. Now, thinking about how Ye treated him so dismissively yesterday, he resolved to investigate Ye’s identity. If Ye had no powerful backing, Sang Biao would make him pay.

Sang Biao was vindictive by nature, a minor figure in the Ai family. It didn’t take him long to dig up Ye Feng’s background: no strong connections, nominally part of the Luo family, but if anything happened to him, no one would care. Sang Biao was determined to settle the score.

Although he wanted to go after Ye Feng immediately, Ai Zhongtang’s orders were fresh in his mind. The week would pass quickly—let Ye Feng enjoy another month, Sang Biao thought to himself.

…

During the New Year, many people were unhappy, one of them being Nan Jing. On the eve of the Lunar New Year, her mother told her she had a marriage arranged before she was born.

It was the first time Nan Jing learned she had a fiancé, someone she didn’t even know. How could she not be troubled and upset?

Like many girls, she longed for a beautiful love story, a fairytale romance between prince and princess. Now her dreams had been shattered. She confronted her father, only to be slapped. Never in her life had Nan Jing been slapped, least of all by her father, who’d always doted on her and given her anything she wanted. She never imagined he’d strike her over an arranged marriage, leaving her stunned.

On New Year’s Eve, Nan Jing lay on her bed and cried all night. She only fell asleep at dawn, waking groggily when her mother called her. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and even makeup couldn’t conceal it, making her mother’s heart ache. But her father’s decision was unchangeable.

On New Year’s Day, Nan Jing’s family decided to take her to meet this fiancé, but wouldn’t tell her where they were going. Nan Jing nearly ran away from home, but her father anticipated this and sent four female bodyguards to watch her, forcing her out the door.

…

When Ye Feng left the study, it was already past seven. Seeing that daylight had broken, he returned to his bedroom and changed into slightly more formal clothes, though they were only a bit dressier than usual. Carrying his things, Ye Feng headed out.

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