Chapter 94: Visiting the Qitian Manor

Ye Tianci nodded, his expression serious. “If my guess is correct, you’ve come this far relying on your wife’s family connections.”

“She is your true and rightful partner. Leaving her would be like a leaf torn from its tree—soon, you’ll wither.”

Shen Guosheng lowered his voice. “But the powerful figure I depended on in the Zheng family has already fallen. That great tree has collapsed.”

Ye Tianci sneered. “Do you think when the great tree falls, a single branch can become a new tree?”

“Shen Guosheng, you’re just like your father—short-sighted, convinced of your own importance, and arrogantly dismissive of the world.”

He actually dared to rebuke Shen Guosheng, the overlord of an entire city!

Beside them, Shen Ying was utterly cowed by Ye Tianci’s imposing manner, staring in stunned disbelief.

When Ye Tianci had scolded Shen Jianye earlier, she’d been worried and afraid. Now, watching him chastise Shen Guosheng with the severity of a grandfather correcting his unruly grandson, Shen Ying was beyond fear—she was simply dumbstruck.

What was even more astonishing was that, despite being rebuked so harshly, neither Shen Jianye nor Shen Guosheng lost their temper.

Shen Guosheng even bowed slightly, speaking with utmost respect. “Master Ye, I beg you to show me a way out of this predicament.”

Ye Tianci glanced at him, his voice cool. “There is a certain fate between us. Since fate has brought us together, I will offer you some guidance.”

“Your canary isn’t local, is she? You brought her from elsewhere.”

Shen Guosheng nodded in shock.

“She comes from the same place as the great tree you once relied on, doesn’t she?”

Another nod, Shen Guosheng’s face filled with disbelief. Ye Tianci’s insight seemed almost supernatural.

“That was a trap set by others. You are now caught in it. If you don’t wake up soon, within a hundred days you’ll be imprisoned, and that will also be the end of your life.”

“Your entire branch of the family will be dragged down by you, headed toward ruin.”

Shen Guosheng’s face went pale; he staggered back two steps and stood frozen.

Shen Jianye finally spoke. “Even if your fortune-telling is accurate, how can we trust you on your words alone?”

A faint smile played at Ye Tianci’s lips. “Shen Guosheng, have you dreamt of three deer drinking from a stream?”

Shen Guosheng’s face turned ashen. “I have! In my dream, there were three beautiful little deer by a river, drinking and drinking, until they turned the river into a brook. Only when the brook dried up did they leave.”

Dipping his finger in tea, Ye Tianci wrote the character for “Shen” on the table.

“‘Shen’—Three deer drinking, the water stops, the line is broken.”

“Your canary’s surname must be Lu—‘Deer.’”

“Shen Guosheng, Shen with broken water, less than a farmer. As for the fate of your family, I’ll say no more. You would do well to heed my warning.”

With that, Ye Tianci turned and strode away.

Shen Guosheng panicked at once. Shen Jianye glared at his son. “Is your mistress really surnamed Lu?”

Shen Guosheng nodded in frantic affirmation. “Dad, Master Ye was right about everything! How could he know such details? Is he really some living immortal?”

“You fool! Hurry and invite him back! He’s the real master!” Even Shen Jianye was unnerved now.

Shen Guosheng rushed out of the villa, earnestly begging Ye Tianci to help him escape this trap.

Seeing his sincerity, Ye Tianci said coolly, “Breaking this trap isn’t difficult. But first, you must do something for me.”

“Master Ye, just say the word! In Shu City, there’s nothing I, Shen Guosheng, can’t accomplish!”

This was no exaggeration; he was, after all, the city’s overlord.

Ye Tianci leaned in and whispered in Shen Guosheng’s ear. Shen Guosheng nodded repeatedly, bowing low. “I will comply with all of Master Ye’s instructions! I only ask you to save me from this calamity.”

They sealed the agreement with a handshake, and only then did Ye Tianci depart at a leisurely pace.

…

The next day passed in complete calm.

It was like the ocean before a storm—utterly still.

Qi Tian Mansion stood on Dingkang Avenue, the most bustling street in Shu City.

Though only nine stories tall, its design evoked the grand underwater palaces of legend—extraordinarily magnificent!

Especially at night, when the lights glittered and the gilded halls shone from afar.

Inside, the décor was even more lavish; Qi Tian Mansion was a palace in every sense.

Everyone in Shu City knew this was the city’s most famous entertainment venue. Every night, countless men and women lost themselves here, indulging in endless pleasure.

In the parking lot, Tang Ying parked the car and entered with Ye Tianci.

The moment they stepped inside, both were stunned by the opulence. As they gazed at the beautiful women everywhere, Tang Ying couldn’t help but exclaim, “No wonder wealthy men love spending their money here—this place is just like Heaven on Earth in Beijing!”

Ye Tianci gave a cold snort. “Soon, this will all be nothing but smoke and dust.”

Tang Ying stopped a female attendant and asked for a private room.

The attendant eyed them up and down. Seeing their modest clothing, she rolled her eyes. “Our private rooms start at a minimum of a hundred thousand yuan. Can you afford it?”

Tang Ying had purposely dressed simply, following Ye Tianci’s lead, insisting that everything should match his elder brother’s style.

Yet wherever he went, he was looked down upon.

“Nonsense! If we couldn’t afford it, why would we be here? Give us the largest, best private room you have!”

Tang Ying glared fiercely, exuding authority.

The attendant hesitated, her attitude softening as she took a closer look. “No need to get upset, handsome. I was just worried you wouldn’t be able to afford it. Our best room has a minimum charge of five hundred thousand yuan for a night!”

“Enough with the chatter—just get it done,” Tang Ying said impatiently.

The attendant beamed, personally leading them to a suite on the second floor.

Spring River, Flower Moon Night—that was the poetic name of the room.

“Would you like me to call over some companions? We have thirty-six beauties, each as lovely as a flower, with all manners of talent—especially skilled with their hands and lips.”

As soon as Ye Tianci and Tang Ying sat down, the attendant batted her eyes at them suggestively.

Tang Ying waved her off. “Just bring the drinks and a fruit plate. Nothing else!”

But Ye Tianci called her back, a sly smile on his lips. “Why not call for one companion?”

“Just one, then,” Tang Ying agreed absentmindedly.

The attendant left, radioing ahead in a hushed voice, “Spring River, Flower Moon Night has been booked by some suckers. Serve them fruit and counterfeit wine.”

She swayed away, delighted. Just this one room would earn her several thousand yuan tonight.

To her, Ye Tianci and Tang Ying were nothing but clueless upstarts—easy marks.

Inside the suite, Tang Ying asked, “Big Brother, why are we here tonight?”

“Take a guess,” Ye Tianci replied with a mysterious smile.

“I’m not a worm in your belly! How am I supposed to know?” Tang Ying muttered.

Ye Tianci only smiled.

He hadn’t told Tang Ying the real reason for coming, lest the boy refuse to follow.

But as he watched Ye Tianci’s face, Tang Ying suddenly had a revelation. “Big Brother, don’t tell me you’re here to cause a scene—to deliver a special gift for Qi Changling’s grand birthday tomorrow?”

Ye Tianci grinned, patting him on the shoulder. “You’re sharper than you look!”