Chapter 14: Apology

Liu Lan assumed that Ye Chen was reluctant to state his terms because of Qin Sisi’s unreasonable behavior earlier—she must have offended him. No matter what, Ye Chen had saved her daughter, even if the rescue had been somewhat improper. But it was a matter of necessity. With a gentle smile, Liu Lan said, “Ye Chen, don’t mind Sisi; she’s been spoiled by us since she was little!”

“Your Uncle Qin asked you to name your conditions, so please speak freely. Our Qin family is quite influential in Cloud City.”

Before Ye Chen could reply, Qin Sisi, pouting, muttered under her breath, “Hmph, what a show-off. Isn’t he just trying to get more? People like him are disgusting!”

She felt Ye Chen had not only taken advantage of her but was also going to take a sum of money from her family. What a loss! She’d rather give the money to Ye Chen’s sister, Ye Xue, than let Ye Chen name his price.

Liu Lan overheard Qin Sisi’s complaint. She shot her a glare. “Sisi, Ye Chen saved you. You can’t treat him rudely—apologize to him right now!”

With that, Liu Lan pushed Qin Sisi forward.

Qin Hongcai’s expression shifted, realizing the situation. He spoke sternly, “Sisi, apologize to Ye Chen immediately!”

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, saying nothing, watching Qin Sisi with interest.

Qin Sisi’s face and heart protested a hundred times over. “Dad, Mom, why should I apologize to him? He saved my life; we can just pay him. It’s not like we’re short on money. Why should I lower myself to apologize to him?”

“You must apologize to Ye Chen!” Qin Hongcai’s face turned cold.

But Qin Sisi, used to being proud and pampered, wasn’t afraid of him. She stomped her feet in protest. “I absolutely won’t apologize to him—unless I die!”

Qin Hongcai frowned, watching Sisi with a stern smile. “If you don’t apologize to Ye Chen, I’ll freeze your bank card immediately. Wait until you want to buy a bag or cosmetics, then come begging to me!”

“Dad! You’d actually freeze my card for this guy?!”

Qin Sisi stared at her father in disbelief. Her two greatest passions in life were buying handbags and cosmetics! Without those, what was the point of living?

She looked helplessly at Liu Lan, recalling what her mother had always said: a daughter should be raised in luxury. Whenever Sisi wanted to buy something extravagant and Qin Hongcai objected, Liu Lan would always speak up for her.

Sisi thought Liu Lan would defend her again this time. But today, Liu Lan’s attitude matched her father’s. She kept a stern face and said coldly, “Don’t look at me. This time, I won’t speak for you. If you want your card to stay unfrozen, you’d better apologize to Ye Chen and earn his forgiveness.”

Sisi’s last hope shattered.

“Fine, fine, I’ll apologize—will that do?” Sisi’s face was full of reluctance as she glared at her parents. “Now I see—you’d rather help an outsider than speak up for your own daughter!”

Neither Qin Hongcai nor Liu Lan responded.

“For the sake of handbags and cosmetics, I’ll endure it!”

With a stiff neck, Sisi walked up to Ye Chen, lowering her head reluctantly. “I’m sorry. It was all my fault earlier.”

Ye Chen noticed her sour expression and how tightly her fists were clenched as she apologized. Clearly, her words were forced.

“You were wrong?” Ye Chen’s face wore a playful smile. “Wrong about what, exactly?”

“What do you mean by that?” Sisi jerked her head up, her cold eyes glaring at him. “I’ve apologized. What more do you want?”

Ye Chen looked at her flawless face, her puffed cheeks making her appear rather cute. He suppressed a mischievous smile. “Is that how you apologize to me?”

Her willow brows furrowed, anger rising within her. She’d been spoiled since childhood, always receiving apologies from others—never giving them herself. If not for her father threatening to freeze her card, she’d never apologize to Ye Chen, not even if he beat her.

Unable to restrain herself, Sisi shouted at Ye Chen, “Whether you forgive me or not is your business! I’ve apologized, haven’t I? Do you expect me to kneel before you?”

Ye Chen was utterly amused by her angry demeanor. Staring at her, he replied calmly, “If you truly felt remorse, I’d accept it even if you knelt. After all, I did save you twice.”

“I’ll kneel to your sister!” Sisi exploded with fury, raising her hand to strike Ye Chen.

Qin Hongcai saw his daughter losing control and quickly shouted, “Sisi! Step back!”

At the sound of her father’s roar, Sisi dared not continue. After all, he held her bank card hostage.

Left with no choice, she forced her anger down.

Qin Hongcai turned apologetically to Ye Chen. “Brother Ye, please don’t take offense. My daughter really has been spoiled by us. I’ll give her a proper lesson later.”

Ye Chen hadn’t minded, merely teasing Sisi for fun. He shook his head at Qin Hongcai. “It’s fine, Uncle Qin. I don’t care! I was only provoking Miss Qin to see how well she’s recovered from her poisoning.”

He turned to look at Sisi, who was nearly bursting with rage. “Seems like Miss Qin is back to her lively self. I’m relieved.”

Qin Hongcai gave an awkward laugh. “Brother Ye, regarding your issues with the Wang family, why not let me mediate? Those old men of the Wang clan still owe me some respect.”

“No need!” Ye Chen declined his offer.

The Wang family had spent the past five years nearly driving his mother and sister to ruin. He couldn’t let it go so easily.

Thinking of his mother’s legs, broken by the Wang family, Ye Chen recalled the expensive medicines needed for her treatment. Since Qin Hongcai wanted to show his gratitude, perhaps it was best to have him purchase the necessary herbs.

“Uncle Qin, I’ll handle the Wang family myself. If you genuinely wish to thank me, I’ll write you a prescription—could you help me acquire the herbs?”

Qin Hongcai was taken aback. He’d have agreed to give Ye Chen tens of millions if asked. He hadn’t expected Ye Chen to request nothing but medicinal herbs. This only made him see Ye Chen in a better light.

With medical skills like his, earning money was a trivial matter.

“No problem, Brother Ye. Just write the prescription, and I’ll have Divine Doctor Liu get the herbs for you!”

He handed Ye Chen pen and paper.

Ye Chen didn’t refuse. He immediately wrote a list of herbs and reminded Qin Hongcai, “Uncle Qin, some of these are rare and might cost over two hundred thousand altogether.”

Qin Hongcai wasn’t concerned at all and passed the prescription to Liu Yizhen. “Divine Doctor Liu, money is no issue. Please get the best herbs for Brother Ye.”

“Brother Ye cured my stubborn illness—I owe him. I’ll find only the finest herbs!” Liu Yizhen took the prescription and promised, “President Qin, send someone to the Association of Traditional Medicine tomorrow afternoon to collect the herbs.”

“Very well!”