Chapter 37: Huang Dalei Offers a Humble Apology

Ye Fan and Li Yaoyao chatted affectionately for quite a while. It wasn't until past eight in the evening, when Chen Shuting returned, that they hung up the phone with lingering reluctance.

"Ye Fan! Who were you chatting with just now?"

Chen Shuting's voice came from outside the door. Ye Fan scrambled to turn off his phone, only to realize that Chen Shuting had walked straight in.

"Didn't I lock the door?" Ye Fan distinctly remembered bolting it.

Chen Shuting crossed her arms, lifting her heavy chest, and chuckled, "Whose house do you think this is? Do you really think I don't have a spare key?"

Ye Fan was immediately displeased. "Still, you shouldn't just barge into my room!" Everyone had their privacy, and walking in unannounced was truly disrespectful.

Chen Shuting realized she had overstepped, so she smiled and placated him, "I was just curious about what you were up to! Alright, don't be angry—I bought the things you wanted!"

She patted Ye Fan on the arm. For the sake of the pigeons, Ye Fan decided to let it slide this time.

Chen Shuting led Ye Fan downstairs and pointed to a wine jar as if presenting a treasure. "This is 'Hundred-Whip Wine'!"

"What?"

Chen Shuting pulled out a bundle of dried meat: "These are deer pizzle and velvet antler!"

"Huh?"

She then produced several vouchers: "These are exchange coupons for oysters. Just tell me whenever you want to eat them!"

"No, sister, I asked for live pigeons!"

"Oh, I bought the live pigeons! They’re out on the balcony," Chen Shuting complained, "They were smelly, so I left them outside!"

Ye Fan took a look and quickly thanked her, "Thank you, Sister Chen!"

"Thanking me? And how exactly are you going to thank me?" Chen Shuting rolled her eyes at him, unable to resist teasing him again. She had spent all evening running errands, while this brat had been at home video-chatting with someone. She had heard it through the door when she returned—it was a girl!

Chen Shuting knew there wouldn't be any future between her and Ye Fan, but hearing him on the phone with another woman still instinctively made her feel a bit angry.

"Tell me, who were you talking to today?"

"Uh, just a classmate."

"A classmate? When are you going to introduce us so I can take a look?"

Ye Fan rolled his eyes and could only say, "Maybe in a while! It's late, I'm going to rest."

"You!" Watching Ye Fan leave, Chen Shuting bit her lip, a spark of competitive spirit igniting within her.

The next morning, Chen Shuting woke up early. After washing up, she stood before the mirror and yawned, her little white camisole slipping off her fair, smooth shoulder.

"Sigh!"

Looking at her slender figure in the mirror, Chen Shuting couldn't help but sigh. She couldn't understand why Ye Fan didn't find her attractive. Feeling stifled, she pressed a button on the wall; the curtains slowly opened, revealing the scenery outside through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Chen Shuting covered her mouth in surprise. A figure was sitting cross-legged on the rockery, meditating toward the rising sun. It was Ye Fan!

He was wearing only his pajama bottoms; the muscles of his upper body were outlined in athletic curves under the morning light, with glistening beads of sweat rolling down. Chen Shuting couldn't help but lick her dry lips as she watched.

Just then, Ye Fan moved. "Rise and shine! Embrace the sun!"

He stretched his arms out, his muscles tensing tightly, accompanied by the cracking sound of his bones. Though the early autumn morning was chilly, Chen Shuting clearly saw steam rising from his body!

Ye Fan was practicing the Three Yang Acupuncture Technique! This was his first day. According to Li Yaoyao, meditating before sunrise to welcome the dawn could stimulate a practitioner's 'Yang' energy, aiding in the application of the technique—a form of internal energy cultivation.

Chen Shuting had never seen such a sight, and it left her blushing.

Suddenly, her phone rang urgently! Chen Shuting answered it hastily, only to hear Old Luan’s frantic voice on the other end: "Miss, it’s bad! Huang Dalei’s men have surrounded the shop!"

"Huang Dalei? I haven't even gone after him yet, and he dares to come here?" Chen Shuting was furious.

"I don't know!" Old Luan said helplessly, "He’s just sitting in the shop, not saying a word!"

"Keep things steady, I'll be there right away!" Chen Shuting said.

"Understood!" Old Luan replied.

Chen Shuting hung up. There was no time for breakfast; she tidied up briefly and went to Ye Fan's room.

"Ye Fan, come with me!" She shouted while pushing the door open, only to see Ye Fan with his back to her, taking off his pajama bottoms.

"Ah!" Chen Shuting screamed and backed out of the room. "Hurry up!"

"Sister Chen, why don't you knock!" Ye Fan was startled too. Luckily, he had been facing away from the door, or he would have been completely exposed. "What's the rush so early in the morning?"

He quickly pulled his pants back up and went to the door. Chen Shuting was hiding behind it like a frightened little bird. When she saw Ye Fan’s well-defined chest and abdominal muscles, her face flushed like an apple. *Damn it! How did I not notice before that this kid has such a great body?* Chen Shuting thought to herself.

In truth, Ye Fan had always liked working out, but his muscle definition had never been this sharp. The morning exercise had left his muscles engorged and tingling, making them stand out even more.

"Sister Chen?" Ye Fan called out again, seeing her standing there blushing and silent.

"Ah!" Chen Shuting finally snapped out of it, growing anxious again. "Huang Dalei's men have surrounded the antique shop! We need to hurry!"

"What?" Ye Fan was also shocked. He still remembered how Huang Dalei had targeted him before. He hadn't even gone after him yet, and the guy had the audacity to come to them!

Thinking of this, Ye Fan quickly dressed and followed Chen Shuting to the car, simmering with anger. "Sister Chen, this Huang fellow clearly hasn't learned his lesson. I'm going to rip his head off today!" Ye Fan rubbed his wrists. His morning workout had made him feel a surge in strength, and he was ready to use Huang Dalei as a punching bag!

The car sped through the streets. A trip that usually took half an hour took only fifteen minutes. As soon as they arrived, they saw the entrance of the Ririsheng Antique Shop surrounded by thugs in black suits.

Chen Shuting stormed out of the car and into the shop, only to see Huang Dalei sitting on the sofa. As soon as he saw her, he dropped to his knees with a thud! The thugs outside followed suit, kneeling in a row!

"Sister Chen! I was blind and offended you before. I've come today to apologize!" Huang Dalei shouted, and his men chimed in, "We apologize!"

"Huh?" Both Chen Shuting and Ye Fan were baffled. *You were so tough before, why are you being so soft today?*

Ye Fan felt uneasy and reflexively looked for a problem. "I say, Old Huang, is this an apology or a show of force?"

"Not at all! How would I dare show force to Sister Chen? I'm here to surrender!" Huang Dalei said with a fawning smile. "Everything I did to you before was under duress. If I didn't do what Lin Zhenjie told me, he would have destroyed me! Now that I've turned over a new leaf, Sister Chen, please have mercy and take me in! From now on, I'll follow your every command. If you tell me to go east, I won't go west!"

Chen Shuting snorted, "What nonsense is this!"

Truth be told, she didn't want to forgive Huang Dalei at all; she wanted to finish him off. But she had just taken over Lin Zhenjie's businesses and hadn't fully consolidated her power yet. She couldn't suppress Huang Dalei just yet. Since he was apologizing, she had no choice; burning bridges would be bad for both sides. Huang Dalei had realized this, which was why he had come to apologize.

Seeing Chen Shuting ignoring him, Huang Dalei knelt toward Ye Fan. "Brother Ye Fan, don't be angry either. Please, convince Sister Chen for me! It was all my fault before. I brought these men today to say that from now on, they are all Sister Chen's people, at her beck and call!"

*Wow,* Ye Fan thought to himself. This Huang Dalei was ruthless but knew how to bend when necessary; he was quite a character. He even felt a bit of admiration for the guy.

Chen Shuting knew when to stop, and the tense expression on her face relaxed. Seeing the shift in her mood, Huang Dalei pressed his advantage: "I've set up a banquet at the Golden Dragon Tower tonight to properly apologize to Sister Chen!"