Chapter 126: A Breakthrough in Spiritual Energy

After a long while, the car finally reached the entrance of Lin Qiqing’s villa safely. Bai Yaoyao’s face was slightly flushed, and she dared not even open her eyes to look at Ye Fei.

Ye Fei noticed her unease and felt somewhat awkward himself. He had just been overcome by a momentary lapse in judgment; had he not stopped in time, he might have had to find someone else to inherit the Nine Dragons Divine Art.

"It’s just a foreign custom; there’s no need to be so uptight, is there?" Ye Fei brazenly continued his deception. The third senior sister’s only flaw was that she was far too ready to believe others.

She turned her head slightly, her fingers fidgeting nervously, half-believing his words. "Really?"

Ye Fei feigned composure and nodded faintly. "Of course. What else could it be?"

Is kissing a mere custom?

Bai Yaoyao gasped. Having grown up in the entertainment industry, she wasn’t particularly averse to such behavior, but had Ye Fei simply failed to control himself just now?

"Haha, I’ve been acting since I was a child. I don’t know how many times I’ve played out scenes like this. A kiss is just a kiss—does it really need some special explanation? Besides! I’ve filmed kissing scenes with so many people; what’s the big deal?" Bai Yaoyao’s nonchalance left Ye Fei, who was preparing to get out of the car, frozen in place.

He offered an awkward smile, not knowing how to respond.

Bai Yaoyao tossed her hair, stepped out of the car with a cool air, and strode toward the villa. Ye Fei stood behind her, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

His senior sister’s openness was unheard of, but fortunately, she didn’t mind; otherwise, their future interactions would be incredibly awkward.

They followed each other into the villa. Lin Qiqing was busy auditing the company’s accounts when she suddenly discovered that some of the records regarding the money Wang Fang had embezzled still didn’t add up.

No wonder the company’s profits had been declining. It seemed Wang Fang had never trusted her from the start, viewing her merely as a tool to siphon money.

Ye Fei sat directly beside Lin Qiqing. Seeing her gloomy expression, he couldn't help but ask, "Senior Sister, what’s wrong with the accounts?"

She let out a long sigh and smiled bitterly. "It’s nothing, just that the books don’t balance."

Zhou Danzhuang walked downstairs in a semi-sheer nightgown. Her long legs were striking, and her figure was shapely and alluring. Ye Fei couldn't help but watch, mesmerized.

"Stop staring!" Bai Yaoyao chuckled. This kid was definitely just trying to trick her earlier, making up nonsense about foreign etiquette.

Zhou Danzhuang poured a glass of water and sat next to Lin Qiqing, sighing softly. "Should I go ask the higher-ups again tomorrow?"

"Don't. You keep running up there every few days, and those lecherous fools aren't looking at your competence, but at your appearance. I’m worried!" Lin Qiqing didn't want this poor child, who had no parents, to take any more risks for her sake.

Ye Fei could see that the two senior sisters shared a bond that was closer than that of biological siblings.

"I’ll go! I’ll balance the books for you tomorrow."

All three stared at Ye Fei. Their expressions shifted from disbelief to astonishment. Bai Yaoyao spoke first: "Sorry, but I don't think you have the brainpower for that."

Ye Fei silently rolled his eyes. He had to admit, the third senior sister’s emotional intelligence was effectively zero.

"Although I usually don’t like Yaoyao’s words, I think she’s right this time. Don't get involved!" Zhou Danzhuang patted Ye Fei’s head as if stroking a puppy, adding, "Now, be a good boy and stay home."

The doting tone made Ye Fei want to drown in it. He nuzzled his head into Zhou Danzhuang’s embrace. "Senior Sister, if you protect me, I won't go out!"

Seeing Ye Fei acting spoiled, Lin Qiqing’s expression changed instantly. She grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it at him. "Show some respect—that’s your senior sister!"

Ye Fei continued to lie in Zhou Danzhuang’s lap. "A senior sister is still a sister, what’s wrong with acting like a kid?"

His tone was so sugary sweet that even the usually flirtatious Bai Yaoyao couldn't take it. "That’s enough. Your acting is making me want to vomit."

Ye Fei sat up reluctantly, feeling inwardly thrilled. Zhou Danzhuang’s figure was incredible; lying against her felt like resting on soft clouds. If he could, he would never get up.

"Senior Sister, I wanted to ask—do I have a senior sister who runs an orphanage?"

The three shook their heads. Lin Qiqing said calmly, "You don't have a senior sister who runs an orphanage, because all of your senior sisters are more successful than you, and each one is a leader in her respective field."

Ye Fei tried to cover his embarrassment with a cough, muttering to himself that it was only because he had been busy training with the old man for years and had no chance to mingle in society. If he had spent that time out in the world, he’d at least be a CEO by now.

"Now he’s even learned to use coughing to cover up his embarrassment," Bai Yaoyao continued her assault. She didn't think much of it herself and went back to sipping her tea as if nothing had happened.

Ye Fei asked Zhou Danzhuang softly, "Ninth Senior Sister, is it a miracle that my third senior sister wasn't beaten to death by Master when she was a child?"

Zhou Danzhuang was amused by the comment. She laughed like peach blossoms in spring; the smile blooming on her face was like an opening flower bud.

Her laughter instantly brightened Ye Fei’s mood. "Indeed. She has a powerful background, so everyone lets things slide. She isn't a bad person; she just has a sharp tongue."

Lin Qiqing went upstairs to shower. It was rare for the three of them to sit and chat together; had it not been for Bai Yaoyao’s constant cooling of the atmosphere, it would have been a rare, heartwarming moment.

"The Northern Forest Sect? How are you two involved with them? I’ve been tracking a case recently that also links back to the Northern Forest Sect." Zhou Danzhuang found it strange that they had been chased by the sect leader earlier that day.

Ye Fei frowned. A martial arts sect and the police department were worlds apart; how had they become connected?

"Senior Sister, is it okay to disclose details about your case?"

Zhou Danzhuang smiled. "What of it? If you help me out, perhaps I can become a department head ahead of schedule."

The police department had a new case involving missing children. Zhou Danzhuang had followed the clues to the very end, only to discover that the trail led back to the Northern Forest Sect.

"The Northern Forest Sect lacks neither money nor influence. Why would they do this?" Zhou Danzhuang’s delicate brows knitted together, her frustration plain to see.

"Children? This is getting interesting. It seems Chen Bo has been making new moves. Senior Sister, don't worry! Give me three days, and I guarantee I’ll give you a chance for a promotion and a raise." As Ye Fei spoke, he patted Zhou Danzhuang on the shoulder.

Bai Yaoyao, in the corner of the sofa, let out a heavy sigh. "Ninth sister, with the pittance you make every month, how do you even survive? Do you want me to give you some money?"

...

Zhou Danzhuang laughed. "I go to the North Mountain in Hangzhou to drink the northwest wind during the second half of every month."