Yu He finished washing up and went downstairs. The outside was quite lively, as if someone had arrived.
She paid no mind and went to the dining room, sitting opposite Ye Qichen. Just as she was about to eat breakfast, she heard Ye Jianming's obsequious voice from the living room door.
"I didn't expect Young Master Qin to visit. Please forgive our humble abode for its lack of proper reception. Your presence graces our home."
"Xiao Cui, quickly make some tea." It was Old Mrs. Ye's voice.
Yu He turned her head and saw Old Mrs. Ye and Ye Jianming respectfully ushering Qin Beiting into the living room, followed by Chen Dong and Cheng Lizhu.
Why was Qin Beiting here?!
Ye Qichen also heard the commotion, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face. Why was that old man here again?!
Did he want to poach Yu He again?!
In the living room.
"No need to be formal. I'm here to pick up Yu He," Qin Beiting said, glancing towards the dining room.
As he entered, he had seen Yu He heading that way.
Yu He immediately turned her head back, deciding to fill her stomach first.
Old Mrs. Ye: !!!
Ye Jianming and Cheng Lizhu had seen Qin Beiting visit the Ye family before. Though they were no longer as shocked as Old Mrs. Ye had been the first time, they were still quite surprised.
Qin Beiting had actually deigned to come in person to pick up Yu He!
No, why was Qin Beiting here to pick up Yu He?!
Was he interested in Yu He?!
This was a super rich bachelor, the kind you couldn't find even with a lantern!
Ye Jianming immediately said, "Please wait a moment. Lizhu, why aren't you going to call Yu He over quickly?"
"No rush. Let her finish her breakfast," Qin Beiting said, raising his hand to stop them. He sat on the sofa and waited.
He detested sycophantic people like Ye Jianming and disliked the Ye family. He knew everything they had done to Yu He in the past.
If it weren't for Yu He's request not to interfere, the Ye family would have likely ceased to exist long ago.
Now, Yu He was still willing to stay at the Ye family home, for over a week, which meant this place wasn't so rotten that it was unbearable.
No matter how much he disliked them, they were still his future in-laws. He unconsciously lowered his stance, answering their questions as they asked them.
In the dining room.
Ye Qichen saw Yu He calmly eating breakfast, clearly uninterested in the people outside. He understood her attitude.
"Brother will help you chase him away." He put down his cutlery, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and stood up to leave.
Yu He: ...
Ye Qichen walked into the living room. Out of politeness, he stepped forward and extended his right hand. "Young Master Qin Seven, no, you should be addressed as Master Qin Seven."
After the old Mr. Qin passed away, the new head of the family and his brothers had all been elevated to the rank of "Master." However, Qin Beiting was only a little over ten years old then, and addressing him as "Master" seemed premature, so many people in the outside world still referred to him as Young Master Qin Seven.
But at this moment, Ye Qichen said this deliberately, intending to remind him of his age and seniority.
An old man, if you want to flirt with a younger woman, don't set your sights on my sister.
"Young Master Ye," Qin Beiting looked up at him and shook his hand.
His future brother-in-law, he had to show some respect.
Ye Qichen inadvertently noticed the cufflinks on Qin Beiting's sleeves as he extended his hand. They were exquisite canary diamond cufflinks.
He recognized them as the shop's prized possession from Jacob & Co. One piece cost 4.2 million US dollars, so a pair would be 8.4 million US dollars!
As expected of a Young Master from the Qin family, with such noble status, even a small pair of cufflinks could be the most expensive in the world.
"Nice cufflinks," he praised generously.
Qin Beiting rubbed his cufflink with his thumb, a smile curving his lips.
He looked up and noticed the sapphire cufflinks on Ye Qichen's shirt cuffs. Compared to his canary diamond cufflinks, these sapphire ones were much inferior, but they were still tasteful.
"Yours are nice too," he said casually, in a good mood.
Ye Qichen seized the opportunity and said, "I think so too. My sister gave them to me."
Whether they were expensive or not wasn't important. The important thing was that Yu He had given them to him.
"Coincidentally, mine were also from her."
Ye Qichen: ???
Also from her?
Her?
Yu He?
How could Yu He possibly have so much money to give such expensive gifts!
Who was he kidding!!
"Ahem, Master Qin Seven, you've come at an inopportune time today. Our family is preparing to go on a hot spring resort trip and may not be able to entertain you." Ye Qichen returned to the main point.
Going to the hot springs was decided by Cheng Lizhu last night. They were worried Yu He might be bored and wanted to take her out to relax and cheer her up.
"It's fine, I..."
Ye Jianming started to say that he didn't have to go and could stay, but as soon as he saw Ye Qichen's warning glare, he immediately shut up.
Anyone else would have understood the subtle hint to leave when the host said this.
But Qin Beiting seemed oblivious to the unspoken meaning. He leisurely picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked, "Is Yu He going too?"
Ye Qichen: "Of course."
"Good, then I'll go too," Qin Beiting nodded in agreement.
"I'm sorry, but this might be inconvenient. We've already finalized our itinerary..."
"It's convenient, it's convenient. I won't go. Let Young Master Qin go. You young people go and have fun," Old Mrs. Ye interrupted Ye Qichen, busily.
She had finally recovered from her shock. This was the head of the four great families, Master Qin Seven! He held a significant portion of the Qin Corporation's shares, second only to the Patriarch. This meant that if the Qin Patriarch abdicated, he would be the next head!
If Yu He could marry him, she would become the matriarch of the Qin family.
This was a status she dared not even dream of!
At that time, the Ye family could return to its peak and be listed among the prominent families of Beicheng!
She had to make this marriage happen, no matter what.
When Yu He came out after breakfast, she saw Old Mrs. Ye directing Xiao Cui to load their hot spring gear into the car. Qin Beiting was still sitting on the sofa, sipping tea and chatting idly with Ye Jianming.
It wasn't until they got into the car and set off for the hot spring resort that things became clearer.
Yu He sat in the passenger seat and glanced at Qin Beiting, who was looking down at his phone and texting, in the rearview mirror. Then, she looked at Ye Qichen, who was driving, with a questioning gaze.
Ye Qichen noticed her gaze and looked at her.
Her exquisite face seemed to convey: Didn't you say you would help me get rid of him? Why is he still coming with us?
"I didn't expect this man to be so thick-skinned," Ye Qichen whispered. "I suspect even bullets would rebound off him."
Yu He: ...
"Bullets shot at someone will rebound, but the force of the rebound varies depending on the material," a deep, magnetic voice came from the back seat.
Ye Qichen: ...
Yu He: ............
Silence all the way.
Qin Beiting seemed very busy, his head bent over his phone, texting and occasionally taking calls. Yu He leaned against the passenger seat, closing her eyes to rest.
"Master Qin Seven is so busy, perhaps you shouldn't come after all," Ye Qichen couldn't help but tease.
Qin Beiting put away his phone and looked at him. "Young Master Ye seems very opposed to me interacting with Yu He."
Ye Qichen thought to himself: You can tell that much. As a man, don't I know your intentions?
"Baby, haven't you told them about our relationship yet?" Qin Beiting suddenly said again.