However, Ye Tiancheng soon discovered he had underestimated the dead frog. It turned out the frog hadn't been lying, and he would indeed suffer backlash.
First, he found himself stumbling even when walking, and nearly choked to death drinking cold water. These were minor issues. Soon, Xiao Pang called to inform him that several of Ye Tiancheng's major businesses were encountering problems.
In just three days, everything around Ye Tiancheng had changed dramatically. The horticultural center was the first to be suspended and investigated. Following that, the dessert shop and pharmaceuticals also ran into trouble.
After people consumed the desserts, they suffered food poisoning, causing a significant negative impact nationwide. The dessert shop had to temporarily close and undergo investigation by the food bureau.
When it rains, it pours, and misfortunes never come singly. The medication also caused adverse reactions, not just one, but dozens of cases at once.
In this situation, Ye Tiancheng's pharmaceutical brand also suffered a great deal of damage, forcing it to cease operations.
As for the money Ye Tiancheng had previously saved, it was currently frozen due to some disputes. This meant Ye Tiancheng had reverted to being a penniless farmer.
He now had no channels to earn money, unless he went back to farming. In essence, Ye Tiancheng was now less than a farmer; farmers at least had income from their crops, but Ye Tiancheng didn't even have that.
Xiao Pang was also severely implicated. To resolve the disputes surrounding Ye Tiancheng's businesses, Xiao Pang had mortgaged his sports car and villa.
This wasn't enough; Xiao Pang might even face significant debt.
Ye Tiancheng became somewhat despondent. He finally understood the meaning of the Nuwa Stone. Even the Nuwa Stone had become so fearful that it had fled in advance. It seemed the negative repercussions this time were truly substantial.
Just as Ye Tiancheng was losing all hope, he suddenly received a call from Xiao Pang, but Xiao Pang's tone was peculiar.
"Xiao Pang, why do you sound a bit anxious?"
"Brother Ye, I really can't hold on any longer. I've already bought a boat ticket and plan to escape elsewhere. Don't worry about me; I'll try my best to take all the blame. No one should trouble you. Once we've recovered our strength after some time, we can make a comeback."
Before Ye Tiancheng could hang up the phone, he suddenly saw a very familiar figure – Wang Xiaomiao, Xiao Pang's ex-wife, who had been missing for a long time.
"I need to find Xiao Pang. He's not answering my calls right now."
"What do you need to find Xiao Pang for?"
Ye Tiancheng sensed something was amiss with Wang Xiaomiao and watched her with some caution. However, Wang Xiaomiao was no longer as stern as before. Instead, she put on a pitiful expression.
"Brother Ye, I know Xiao Pang is in trouble now. I want to help him. I can't bear to see him so down and out. After all, we were husband and wife, and I still have feelings for him. That's why I want to contact him, but he won't answer my calls. Can you help me?"
Wang Xiaomiao said this while crying, and it was quite touching to watch.
Such a display of true feelings in times of hardship made Ye Tiancheng feel that the relationship between the two might not be solely about interests, but perhaps just pure affection.
"Alright, I'm on the phone with Xiao Pang right now. You can talk to him."
As soon as Wang Xiaomiao took the phone, her expression changed instantly. She was no longer the pitiful figure she had been moments before. Instead, she became aggressively overbearing, as if there were no turning back.
"Heh, Xiao Pang, you deserve this. I never imagined you'd end up like this. It's a shame you won't see me; otherwise, I'd point at your nose and curse you. When you abandoned me back then, you should have foreseen this day. You brought this upon yourself, and heaven punishing you is truly satisfying."
Ye Tiancheng was completely shocked. He hadn't expected Wang Xiaomiao's earlier display to be mere acting, and that she had actually intended to trick him into contacting Xiao Pang just to humiliate him.
"Xiaomiao, what's between us is in the past. We've both moved on to new lives. I don't think you need to keep paying attention to me."
"Why shouldn't I pay attention to you? When you heartlessly threw me away, you should have expected this retribution. I'm so relieved!"
Ye Tiancheng couldn't listen any longer. Worried about his brother Xiao Pang getting hurt, he snatched the phone back and immediately turned it off. Wang Xiaomiao glared fiercely at Ye Tiancheng.
"Ye Tiancheng, don't think you're so handsome. Unfortunately, you're bankrupt now, with nothing. You're a pauper. What's the use of that face? It can't be eaten, and no woman would even glance at you twice. You're destined to be single for the rest of your life."
Before Ye Tiancheng could properly admonish Wang Xiaomiao, he heard Hou Mingzhu, who had been watching silently beside them, suddenly speak.
"Sister, what you're saying is wrong. I like Ye Tiancheng. Even if he's become a pauper, I still like him."
"Don't be foolish. Everyone knows you're the eldest daughter of the Hou family. You're a precious jewel. What kind of person is worthy of you! The reason you haven't separated yet is because your father doesn't know. If your father found out you were with such a pauper, he'd probably call you a money-losing item."
Wang Xiaomiao's sharp tongue was equivalent to ten people. Before, she had reservations, thinking Ye Tiancheng was, after all, a wealthy and capable person whom she shouldn't offend.
Now, she had no reservations at all and had completely let loose, disregarding everything.
"Brother Ye, this sister is wrong. I'm not a money-losing item. She's talking nonsense."
Seeing Hou Mingzhu getting anxious, with tears welling up in her eyes, Ye Tiancheng felt a pang of heartache. He remembered that day he took Hou Mingzhu to see the frog monster, which had scared her into a coma for a long time. Hou Mingzhu's health hadn't fully recovered, yet she was being insulted by Wang Xiaomiao.
"Wang Xiaomiao, stop it. Or be careful, or I won't be polite to you."
"So what if I said it? I've always been straightforward. I didn't dare to speak to you when you were rich, but now that you're poor, can't I say anything? Why not? There's no such unfairness in this world. You just have to endure it."
Ye Tiancheng was furious, his body trembling slightly. He hadn't wanted to lay hands on such an ignorant woman, but he couldn't help himself and channeled his true qi.
"Ah, my stomach hurts so much..."
It was the effect of his true qi. Wang Xiaomiao clutched her stomach, which was writhing in unbearable pain, as if she had acute gastroenteritis. The pain was so severe that she soon collapsed on the ground, sweating profusely. She writhed on the ground, like a clown.
"See, this is retribution. Retribution comes so quickly for letting your mouth run wild and spew nonsense. Now your stomach hurts unbearably, doesn't it? You'd best pray to heaven and be mindful of your words and actions in the future, and accumulate some verbal virtue, lest you end up in such an embarrassing situation today."
Ye Tiancheng stood by with his arms crossed, watching with a cold sneer. Hou Mingzhu, not knowing what was happening, saw Wang Xiaomiao in such agony and quickly crouched down, anxiously asking her.
"Sister, are you alright? Where does it hurt? Should I call a doctor to examine you?"
Little did Hou Mingzhu know she had become foolish, nor did she realize Hou Mingzhu had lost many important memories. It was widely known that this young lady was quite spoiled. Wang Xiaomiao, seeing Hou Mingzhu's reaction, was instantly infuriated, believing Hou Mingzhu was deliberately putting on an act for her, a top-tier green tea.
"Hou Mingzhu, stop pretending. Everyone knows you. If you're second in terms of a venomous heart, no one else dares to claim first. Get out of my sight and stop being an eyesore."
"Mingzhu, stay away from that woman with such heavy killing intent. She's gone mad now and bites anyone she encounters, as if she's contracted rabies."
"Ah, it hurts so much! I wish I could die from the pain..."
Seeing that Wang Xiaomiao had suffered enough pain, and Hou Mingzhu was still there trying to intercede, Ye Tiancheng felt it was sufficient and withdrew his true qi.
Wang Xiaomiao's condition soon eased. After getting up, she spat at Ye Tiancheng.
"Pah! Ye Tiancheng, you just wait. Your retribution has only just begun. I'll wait to see your demise."
"What's wrong with you, woman? I shouldn't have shown you any compassion, yet you still spew such malicious words. It seems your stomach hasn't hurt enough."
Ye Tiancheng was about to use his true qi to deal with Wang Xiaomiao again, but Hou Mingzhu stopped him in time. Hou Mingzhu grabbed Ye Tiancheng's hand. "Brother Ye, don't be angry with sister. She seems to be in a bad mood. Let's talk after she feels better."
"You know, I really wish you were like you used to be. You're too easily bullied now, practically a pushover. You don't even know how to resist when someone pushes you."
"Hmph, Brother Ye, you said before that I'm better off like this. Now you wish I'd go back to how I was. Your thoughts change so quickly."
Hou Mingzhu had a point. One couldn't let their will be dictated by everything. Ye Tiancheng soon realized this too. Let nature take its course. He was already so unlucky; things couldn't possibly get any worse.
"Alright, you weren't too scared just now, were you?"
"I've been through training with you before, so my courage isn't as low as it was. Furthermore, my courage will only grow stronger. Don't worry, Brother, I'll become stronger and stronger from now on."
Fortunately, he had someone by his side at this moment. With Xiao Pang also having fled, Ye Tiancheng had worried that without money and due to his bad luck, he would only get worse. Now, with Hou Mingzhu by his side, he felt much more at ease.
"By the way, Mingzhu, my situation has probably spread. What if your father calls you home?"
"I'm not going home. I'll stay by Brother Ye's side and won't go anywhere."
As Hou Mingzhu spoke, she hugged Ye Tiancheng's arm and leaned her head on his shoulder, showing immense care.
"Mingzhu, thankfully I still have you. Otherwise, I would truly have nothing."
After Xiao Pang left, many creditors came looking for him. Unable to find Xiao Pang, they turned to Ye Tiancheng.
That evening, a large group of people in black suits suddenly appeared, frightening Hou Mingzhu to the point of tears. Fortunately, Ye Tiancheng rushed back in time.
Those people were holding weapons. "Ye Tiancheng, it's good you're back. Hurry up and pay the money. We don't want to lay hands on a woman, and you wouldn't want your woman to be attacked because of your debt, would you?"
"Get out of here immediately."
Ye Tiancheng had truly thought that with the departure of Xiao Pang, all these troubles would also leave. It seemed reality was far more difficult than he had imagined.
"We won't leave without the money. Mr. Ye, you must have some assets, right? Please don't make things difficult for us. We're just employees, and we can't make decisions ourselves."