Chapter 14 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 14

After the meal, Ji Ze had things to attend to and left first.

Ji Xiu set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and took the relatively quiet Ye Songyang to the living room to watch TV. This left Ye Yiyang to help Ji Mingzhu tidy up; together, they loaded the dishwasher. After coaxing his girlfriend to go upstairs to get something, Ye Yiyang hurried to the living room.

"Uncle."

"Sit."

Ji Xiu knew this future son-in-law wouldn't seek him out for no reason. He patted the sofa next to him, signaling him to sit and speak.

Ye Yiyang glanced around to make sure Mingzhu was out of sight, then sat down. Rare for him, he spoke in a low, humble tone: "Uncle, could you talk to Mingzhu? Convince her to compromise and accept my proposal?"

Ji Xiu shot him a surprised look. With that heavy expression, he had thought it was a crisis; it was just this?

Ji Xiu chuckled, which made Ye Yiyang relax slightly, only to hear a crisp: "No!"

Ye Yiyang’s brow twitched as he emphasized: "Uncle, I’ve already proposed five times."

Ji Xiu flashed a look of disapproval, pointing at the TV: "Only five? Look at the people on screen—one hundred and one times."

The TV happened to be playing the hit drama 101 Proposals. Since his investment firm was running smoothly, Ji Xiu had plenty of free time to keep up with youth trends.

Ye Yiyang sighed, knowing Ji Xiu was deliberately being difficult. He swallowed his pride and continued to plead. "Uncle, do you know why Mingzhu won't agree? It’s not because I’m not good enough; it’s because she’s worried about you."

Ji Xiu raised an eyebrow, paused the TV, and looked at him. "Worried about what?"

"Worried that you’ll be a lonely old man with no one to accompany you. She’s afraid to leave." Ye Yiyang met Ji Xiu’s eyes, though his gaze flickered with a bit of hesitation.

Seeing his future father-in-law stunned, Ye Yiyang felt a bit embarrassed, but he had to say it. He was at his wit's end. Since the end of high school, they had been a couple under Ji Xiu’s nose. After four years of university, their relationship was perfect. But since graduation, Mingzhu had rejected five consecutive proposals.

At first, he thought the proposals weren't romantic enough. After several attempts, he realized it had nothing to do with the ceremony; it was a knot in Mingzhu’s heart. He had observed her for a long time and concluded the issue lay with Ji Xiu.

Since divorcing Song Ruyue seven years ago, Ji Xiu had remained single without a single female companion. Mingzhu feared that if she married and moved out, her father would be all alone. She was delaying her own happiness until her father found a partner.

For the sake of his own future, Ye Yiyang had subtly introduced several suitable women to his future father-in-law. Ji Xiu didn't look his age—he was refined and handsome. Every woman who met him expressed interest. But whenever Ye Yiyang tested the waters, Ji Xiu’s answer was always a flat no.

Seeing his college friend Xu Ming getting married next month, Ye Yiyang couldn't hold back any longer.

Ji Xiu’s eyelid twitched as he rubbed his nose. He truly hadn't expected this to be the reason... But asking him to remarry was impossible. He had finally escaped Song Ruyue; why would he go looking for more trouble?

Ji Xiu sighed. "Then I’m afraid I can’t help you. I’m definitely staying single for the rest of my life. You’ll have to think of another way."

He wanted Mingzhu to be happy, but her wishes came first. If she didn't want to marry yet, he wouldn't force her. Likewise, he wouldn't marry some random woman just for her sake. He patted Ye Yiyang’s shoulder. "Good luck."

Ye Yiyang’s face turned dark.

…

Having hit a wall with the father, Ye Yiyang didn't know what to do. An hour later, he bid farewell. Mingzhu walked him downstairs. With a look, he signaled his brother to go to the parking lot while he and Mingzhu walked to the complex gate.

A night breeze blew, making Mingzhu shiver. Ye Yiyang immediately took off his coat and draped it over her.

Mingzhu smiled. "I'm going back upstairs in a minute. Why give it to me? Just keep it on."

Her eyes were bright with sweetness and joy as she looked at him. Ye Yiyang felt nearly drunk under her gaze. He rasped, "I'm not cold. You can't catch a chill while accompanying me. Just bring it to our date in a couple of days."

Mingzhu looked down with a soft smile, clutching the oversized coat. "Then don't catch a draft on the way back. Your health is important."

Ye Yiyang nodded, his eyes tender. He asked hesitantly, "Mingzhu, when can you marry me?"

Mingzhu froze, looking a bit lost. "But if I marry you, what will Dad do alone?"

She had returned to his side at fifteen. Because of her, he had divorced and moved here. If she left, what would happen to him?

Ye Yiyang grit his teeth and made a decision. "If you and Uncle don't mind, I can move in. We can take care of him together."

Mingzhu’s eyes lit up with surprise. "Really? You’d do that?"

Clearly, she had been caught in a dilemma. Her boyfriend's suggestion met her needs perfectly. Ye Yiyang smiled. "For you, why wouldn't I?"

Mingzhu blushed, whispering, "Sweet-talker."

Ye Yiyang just smiled. Saying sweet things to his future wife didn't count as being a "talker."

Songyang was tactful and gave them ten minutes before driving the car over slowly. Ye Yiyang waved. "Go back inside. I’ll watch you walk in."

Mingzhu didn't argue. She nodded to Songyang and turned back toward the building, her graceful silhouette melting into the night lights. Ye Yiyang let out a deep sigh. She’s so beautiful. For her, living under my father-in-law’s shadow doesn't seem so scary after all. …

The next day at work, Xu Ming brought an invitation to his office. "Next month on the 8th. Remember the red envelope; it doesn't matter if you show up, but the money better be there."

"Get out!" Ye Yiyang snapped.

Even though Mingzhu had finally softened, he hadn't had the chance to propose again. Seeing his friend show off was an eyesore. Xu Ming just laughed triumphantly and refused to leave.

Fortunately, Human Resources came in to say the interviewees had arrived. Ye Yiyang, wanting to escape Xu Ming before he resorted to violence, stood up to head downstairs.

As he walked, he was met with respectful and fearful gazes. At twenty-three, having just graduated, he was already a famous young billionaire. People didn't dare make mistakes in front of him. Of course, there were admiring glances too, but veteran employees knew he was a "devoted slave" to his childhood sweetheart. Only new hires who didn't know the inside story would dare look at him that way.

Downstairs, the HR manager handed him a stack of resumes. Ye Yiyang scanned them and sat in the center of the conference room.

The candidates were high quality, but one stood out for the wrong reasons. A young woman in designer clothes, with a hint of poorly hidden arrogance, walked in. She didn't introduce herself or greet him; she just stared at Ye Yiyang intensely.

Ye Yiyang, who had been talking to an employee, noticed the silence. He looked up, then down at the resume.

"Ji Wu?"

He frowned. "Broadcasting major from XX University? Manager Li, what is this?"

His company was a giant now; they only recruited relevant majors from top-tier universities. Manager Li, the middle-aged man who had brought the resume, stood up nervously, winking and hinting: "President Ye, didn't you say special talents count as bonus points? Miss Ji Wu is very sincere, and I didn't want to see talent go to waste." Special talent? Ye Yiyang scanned the resume and saw two words under that section: Appearance.

He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, looked at the girl again, and slammed the resume onto the table. "Manager Li, I think Xu Ming made a mistake putting you in HR. You’re wasted here; you should go be a pimp."

Manager Li’s face stiffened. He felt humiliated in front of his colleagues. "President Ye, that’s going too far! I was only trying to serve the company and ease your burdens."

Ye Yiyang tuned him out. "Get out! Next!"

The faces of both Manager Li and Ji Wu turned ugly. The deputy HR manager signaled for security. Manager Li and Ji Wu exchanged a look, and seeing that a standoff would only make things worse, they left the room.

Two hours later, after picking several qualified candidates, Ye Yiyang walked out of the conference room. Manager Li and the woman named Ji Wu were still waiting outside.

"President Ye, I was truly trying to help. I was wrong, it won't happen again." Li had spent those two hours reflecting and immediately started apologizing.

Ji Wu also stepped forward to plead. "President Ye, it’s not Manager Li’s fault. I admire you too much; I begged him to let me interview. He only agreed because he saw my sincerity. If you must blame someone, blame me."

Ye Yiyang watched their performance. He didn't care about Li for the moment, but this "Ji Wu" person was bizarre.

"Miss, I don't know who you are, but millions of people admire me. If I made an exception for everyone, I wouldn't be working; I’d be a celebrity. As for Manager Li, his fate will be decided by management. We don't need an outsider’s input."

Her face turned pale, but he showed zero "mercy for the fairer sex" and called for security. Some people really think they can come out and catch a rich husband whenever they want. Does she think I can't see her intentions? That gaze was practically glued to me.