Ji Qian moved among the crowd like a social butterfly. Interpersonal relationships have always been a great subject of study, and those small families particularly praised Ji Qian, perhaps more out of respect for the Ji Family.

Ye Shikai held a glass of wine, standing silently in the corner, his gaze sweeping over all the guests.

He enjoyed the feeling of having everyone in his sight.

The welcome ceremony for Ji Qian was enough to attract almost all the big and small families in Yanjing. The wedding in a few days would be even more "lively," causing quite a headache.

Although Ji Qian was the main character, she was not the only one who drew people in. Chen Yuxin, Wang Qian, and others were surrounded by people unfamiliar to Ye Shikai, likely high-ranking executives of some corporations, probably just there to make connections and curry favor.

"Damn, it hurts." Suddenly, Ye Shikai felt a pain in his palm. Upon lifting his hand, he saw several small blood spots on the back of it. Looking up, he saw Ji Yu glaring at him fiercely, tightly holding a fork.

"Why is it you?" Ye Shikai quickly wiped his hand, relieved that the stab wasn't too deep. When did he become so unalert that he wasn't aware of a little girl getting so close?

"Nonsense, if it weren't for so many people here today, that stab would have been right in your heart." Ji Yu glanced at the surrounding crowd and growled softly.

"Cough, cough, I have business to attend to, so don't disturb me, kid." Ye Shikai turned his head, intending to leave, but was pressed back into the chair by her.

"I warn you, don't think just because my sister didn't hold you accountable, I will let it go."

"That's between me and your sister. What does a little girl like you have to say about it?" Ye Shikai poked Ji Yu's forehead.

"Hmph, just you wait." Ji Yu's face turned red with embarrassment, and after leaving a harsh remark, she left.

Two hours later.

"Kai, I have something to discuss with the Family Head Ji. You should head back first. You haven't been resting well recently, so take a good nap." Chen Yuxin said with concern. It's likely due to today's incident that she felt a sense of crisis, and so she took the time to check on him.

"Alright, I'll wait for you at home." Ye Shikai left the Ji Family estate and happened to run into Su Qingyu.

"Qingyu, wait a moment." Ye Shikai hurriedly approached to stop her; An Lan was also nearby, but seeing the situation, she didn't reprimand Ye Shikai.

"Qingyu, I'll wait for you in the car." An Lan gave Ye Shikai a subtle look and then quietly left.

"What did you want to say just now?" The two found a nearby coffee shop, which was quieter and didn't worry about being overheard.

"Actually... it's nothing. When I called you... I mainly wanted to chat." Su Qingyu blushed and picked up her coffee cup to hide, possibly because Chen Yuxin's sudden appearance left her feeling a bit shaken.

"Qingyu, how have you been these days?" After several days apart, it was the first time Ye Shikai asked this question.

"Very... very good." Su Qingyu took a sip of coffee.

"Qingyu, I've always felt really guilty."

"You don't have to say anything. I understand all your feelings." Su Qingyu interrupted him and took out a gift box from her bag.

"I won't be going to the wedding. This is a gift I prepared for you." Su Qingyu paused and said, "It's really... not something very expensive."

"Thank you." Ye Shikai's heart trembled. Among the women he knew, Su Qingyu had no Inner Strength, and her wealth and status were less than the other women, yet just this set her far beyond the others.

Ye Shikai slowly took the gift box, with bitterness concealed under his calm exterior.

"Just now, Miss Chen won't misunderstand, right?" Su Qingyu shivered at the thought of what happened earlier. It would be awful if things got out of hand.

"Don't worry. I've explained things to her. It's fine."

"How... how is your life now?" Su Qingyu hesitated before asking.

"Still... not bad." Ye Shikai gave the same answer as Su Qingyu, pretentiously. Knowing the other was lying, yet pretending it was the truth, is a lesson life demands.

"I have to go now." Su Qingyu stood up, and before leaving the coffee shop, she still didn't forget to turn back for a glance.

"Sir, if you find the coffee bitter, you can add some sugar." The considerate waitress came forward, adding two spoonfuls of white sugar to Ye Shikai's coffee cup...

....................................…

Chen Family.

"Kai, how is the information review going?" Chen Yuxin flashed a long-missed smile, seeing Ye Shikai on the sofa looking at the information, she hugged him directly.

Chen Yuxin looked up; Ye Shikai seemed to be examining not information, but more like a blueprint, crisscrossed like a maze.

"Kai, what is this?"

"Just delivered by Ghost's people. It should be a part of the map of Bai Qi's Relics sold on the black market." Ye Shikai explained.

"Really? I wonder if the black market's information is accurate." Chen Yuxin asked curiously.

"You and Ji Tao should be discussing an alliance, right?" Ye Shikai spoke out.

"Yes, so you know." Chen Yuxin nodded.

"Knowing the enemy and oneself, the Ji Family's intelligence has always been a step ahead, and gaining the upper hand is important." Ye Shikai said blandly.

"How did you know?"

"Because, there's that little girl Ji Yu in the Ji Family." Ye Shikai smiled slightly. The reputation as a spy isn't for nothing. Who knows where she, a little girl, got so much information, but it doesn't really matter. The focus is on the relics themselves.

"The Ji Family has been of great help to us. I've heard that Chang'an's three prominent local families—Li, Gao, and Gongsun—are poised to take action. Their decision to ally would mean we won't be isolated." Chen Yuxin analyzed, seemingly forgetting the existence of the Netherworld Palace, or rather, she didn't intend for the Netherworld Palace to participate.

"I'll have Ghost prepare and bring Hidden Guards, and go in together with us."

"Kai, the Netherworld Palace is, after all, a Western power. It might not be good to rashly venture into Huaxia's relics." Chen Yuxin's expression changed slightly, advising on the side. The saying 'the fat of one's own family should not flow to outsiders' means Huaxia's treasures should not be let out. If those families found out that Western forces were involved, the Netherworld Palace might become the target, and in turn, the Chen family could also be affected.

"It doesn't matter. I'll have them keep a low profile. The relics are fraught with danger, and they all have a wealth of experience. Atlantis, that was also the place I ventured into with them." Ye Shikai recounted his past experiences to Chen Yuxin.

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