During famine years, I had a divination slip in hand, and my whole family ate chicken, duck, fish, a

"They're not coming, they're never coming back."

Ye Qingqing picked up her chopsticks again and placed a piece of fish on her plate. "The fish at the old lady's residence is really well-prepared. I won't be polite."

The old lady's smile froze on her face.

Although she felt embarrassed, she couldn't press the matter further since the girl had already put it that way. So she awkwardly changed the subject and asked how many people were in the Ye family, how many acres of land they cultivated, and how many people they employed at their shop.

Ye Qingqing finished her meal in a few bites, quickly nodded, and politely took her leave.

The old lady tried to persuade her to stay twice but failed, so she asked Zhao Yuanlang to escort her out.

Ye Qingqing declined a few times, but ultimately couldn't refuse.

Never mind, I'll go first and talk about it later.

Zhao Yuanlang walked beside her, always keeping a half-step distance.

That handsome face still smiled just right... but it always gave Ye Qingqing a sinister feeling.

Zhao Yuanlang continued talking as he walked.

"What Qingqing said today really hurt me, but my feelings for you are sincere."

Even if we're not meant to be, it wouldn't be bad to be friends...

Ye Qingqing glanced at him and said swiftly and decisively,

"Young Master Zhao, it's best to be frank. I have no feelings for you, so there's no need to remain friends to avoid future trouble."

Zhao Yuanlang gave an awkward laugh, "Miss Qingqing is really straightforward."

Ye Qingqing frowned, feeling that there was something else in his smile that made her feel uncomfortable.

As they reached the front door, Zhao Yuanlang suddenly turned to the side, his hand naturally resting on Ye Qingqing's shoulder, as if in an intimate gesture when seeing a guest off, and said...

"It's dark and the roads are slippery, so drive carefully... I'll have someone prepare a carriage to take you home."

"Need not!"

A flicker of disgust flashed through Ye Qingqing's mind, an instinctive reaction.

The instant his fingers touched her shoulder, a huge arrow suddenly appeared in Ye Qingqing's mind.

The arrow pointed at Zhao Yuanlang and flashed a few times before disappearing from sight.

Ye Qingqing blinked. This was the display of the ominous spirit divination slip!

[Middle Ominous]: The person you are meeting is from a wealthy and noble family, but is cold-hearted and unfaithful; they are definitely not a good match.

Holy crap?

So that's him!

Ye Qingqing's face remained expressionless, but in her heart, a string of thoughts was surging...

A strange feeling suddenly welled up in her heart. The questions Zhao Yuanlang had asked today—what was the price of wild vegetables, how many people were employed at the shop, how was the harvest in town recently…

At the time, I thought it was just small talk to make conversation, but looking back... wasn't this just me trying to figure her out?!

You old fox!

Are you after me, or are you after my family fortune?

No way. Given Zhao Yuanlang's background and family history, why would he be interested in the wealth of an ordinary commoner like her?

Ye Qingqing felt a surge of emotions, and she couldn't quite understand it.

Could it be because she rose rapidly in the town, selling wild vegetables and opening shops, making people feel like she was making a fortune every day... that this thing targeted her?

Ye Qingqing couldn't help but glance at Zhao Yuanlang. The more she looked at his smiling face, the more she could sense something hidden in his eyes.

Ye Qingqing was right, Zhao Yuanlang was thinking about it!

This country girl suddenly came to town, and her shop is thriving. Her way of making money is really shady!

He has handled several big deals.

He had specifically asked around and found out that this girl was incredibly lucky with money; the speed at which she made money was unlike anything that could be achieved through legitimate business!

His debts have ballooned to a considerable amount, and if this drags on any longer, those people are probably capable of anything!

Regardless of Ye Qingqing's background, if he could marry this girl, wouldn't her fortune be Zhao Yuanlang's?

He'd be content with just a title for a country girl; how could he not obediently hand over the money?

Thoughts raced through his mind, but Zhao Yuanlang showed no emotion on his face. He even patted her shoulder lightly twice with the hand he had on it.

Get your dirty hands off me!

Touch me again, and I'll cripple your claws!

Ye Qingqing took a step back in disgust and said coldly,

"Young Master Zhao, that's enough for you!"

Suddenly, right next to the stone lion at the entrance, a tall figure darted out of the shadows.

It was Ye Dazhuang!

Ye Qingqing's vision blurred, startling him. "Brother Dazhuang?"

Ye Dazhuang had obviously been waiting for quite some time. His face, with its strong features, was expressionless, but his eyes were fixed on Zhao Yuanlang's hand that had touched Ye Qingqing's shoulder, and his eyes suddenly turned cold and dark.

When Zhao Yuanlang saw him, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

The hand that Ye Qingqing had dodged suddenly came back up, deliberately patting her shoulder twice, and said with a half-smile,

"Miss Qingqing, then I won't see you off... Take care on your journey, and I'll visit you at the shop another day."

Ye Dazhuang's face suddenly darkened. "Let go!"

Before he could finish speaking, the other man strode over and, without a word, punched Zhao Yuanlang hard in the face.

Caught off guard, Zhao Yuanlang staggered back a few steps and crashed into the stone lion's base with a thud.

Blood immediately trickled from the corner of his mouth. He raised his hand to cover his face, a fierce and ferocious look flashing across his face as he glared at Ye Dazhuang and shouted.

"you……"

Ye Dazhuang didn't even glance at him. He grabbed Ye Qingqing's wrist, pulled her along, and dragged her away with such force that she almost fell over.

"Big Zhuang, slow down!"

Ye Qingqing was pulled forward a few steps by him. "Be gentle! It hurts!"

She complained, but when she turned back to look at Zhao Yuanlang, a smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.

Cool!

I've been holding back all night, and I've been wanting to hit him for ages!

"stop!"

Zhao Yuanlang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, quickly caught up with the two, and shouted with a dark frown and a gloomy expression.

"Who do you think you are? How dare you hit someone at my Zhao family's doorstep? Guards..."

He was about to call for the doorman when Ye Qingqing stepped between them, looking at him coldly.

"What are you trying to do, Young Master Zhao? I advise you to give up that idea. I, Ye Qingqing, am not a pushover that your Zhao family can easily manipulate!"

Zhao Yuanlang's expression changed, but he forced a smile and said...

"Miss Qingqing, what do you mean by that? He hit me for no reason!"

Are you misunderstanding something? I meant well…

"kindness?"

Ye Qingqing chuckled softly, but there was little warmth in her laughter.

"Was my brother Dazhuang wrong to hit you? Young Master Zhao, what kind of good person keeps putting their arm around a girl's shoulder? I didn't hit you; I'm already giving your mother face!"

Zhao Yuanlang's forced smile froze.

Ye Qingqing gave a cold laugh.

"Young Master Zhao, I didn't originally intend to be so blunt, but it's better to be clear about it now."

We were just strangers who met by chance. From now on, I'll go my sunny path, and you go your narrow bridge; let's pretend we never knew each other.

Zhao Yuanlang's face flushed red and then turned pale, and he gritted his teeth in anger.