CHAPTER 393: CHAPTER 393

After all, rumors about what kind of woman she truly was had long circulated throughout Upper City.

Among the rumors, Ye Yuning was described as exceptional but also known for her terrible temper—so bad, in fact, that she had even beaten up members of the Xiao family. The Xiao family’s young third master had suffered her wrath on multiple occasions, even being hospitalized by her twice.

How could such a woman possibly cry? How could she?

Thinking back to their recent meeting, Qin Jinchuan’s expression turned exceedingly grim.

"That damned woman, she deceived me!" Qin Jinchuan raged.

Ji Nan’s mouth twitched. Although he was reluctant to admit it, there was no denying that his typically astute master had indeed been deceived this time. And by a woman’s tears, no less.

"So, what do we do now?" Ji Nan asked tentatively.

That adopted daughter of the Ye family certainly had guts, daring to deceive someone like the Master.

Qin Jinchuan’s chest heaved with suppressed fury. He wanted to beat that arrogant woman right now. Could he even do that?

"Call her. If she doesn’t show up tomorrow, she’ll face the consequences!" Qin Jinchuan said through gritted teeth.

That damned woman, daring to deceive him! And what’s with this cold indifference now, as if she wants nothing to do with him?

Ji Nan remained silent. See? He knew it. The Ye family’s adopted daughter had truly overplayed her hand this time. Who did she think she was deceiving? The Master, of all people! It was a terrible move.

Before Ji Nan could make the call, Qin Jinchuan angrily added, "It was one thing for her not to want to marry me before, back when I was a fool. But I’m not a fool now. What is she being so picky about?"

Ji Nan was left completely speechless, unsure how to respond. In any case, Ye Yuning’s decision to deceive the Master was a very unwise one. How could she do such a thing?

"I’ll call her first, and you two can talk when you meet," Ji Nan said.

Qin Jinchuan snapped, "Tell her to get out here and see me right now."

Speaking of meeting to talk, Qin Jinchuan wanted to settle matters with Ye Yuning immediately; he didn’t want to delay a single moment.

Ji Nan’s mouth twitched again. His first instinct told him that, given Ye Yuning’s earlier attitude, she definitely wouldn’t come.

But seeing how furious Qin Jinchuan was, he still nodded. "I’ll try."

Ye Yuning’s number flashed on his phone screen.

By now, Ye Yuning had already lain down on her bed. Seeing the call from Ji Nan, she frowned, sat up in bed, and answered, "Assistant Ji, is there something else?"

"Miss Ye, are you at Xiangti, or staying elsewhere? We’re coming to pick you up. The Master wants to see you."

It seemed like a question, but even over the phone, Ye Yuning could clearly sense the coercion in his tone. Her already displeased expression hardened. "Sorry, but I have no desire to see your master."

Her attitude at this moment was firmer than ever before.

Ji Nan had the call on speakerphone, so Qin Jinchuan also heard Ye Yuning’s firm refusal loud and clear. In the dim evening light, Qin Jinchuan’s eyes glinted with a dangerous darkness.

That damned woman! She really had deceived him at their last meeting.

This arrogant, untamed demeanor was a perfect match for the Ye Yuning of the rumors.

Noticing Qin Jinchuan’s darkening expression, Ji Nan’s tone grew even harsher. "Miss Ye, if the Master doesn’t see you tonight, there might be consequences you cannot bear."

His tone, initially firm, now carried an overt threat.

On her end, Ye Yuning massaged her aching temples. She faced this threat not with her earlier panic, but with an air of indifference. "Are you implying that if I don’t come out to see him tonight, he’ll target my Manlang again?"

"You really are astute, Miss Ye, to understand so quickly!"

"He promised he wouldn’t cause trouble for Manlang again!"

"But Miss Ye, your current attitude has greatly displeased the Master!" Ji Nan retorted through clenched teeth. He was clearly infuriated by the stark contrast in Ye Yuning’s behavior.

He seethed. Ye Yuning was an ungrateful wretch, burning bridges the moment she achieved her objective.

Ji Nan, however, seemed to have forgotten that Qin Jinchuan’s initial retaliation against Ye Yuning had also been manipulative. And not just manipulative—he’d used methods Ye Yuning might not have been able to withstand! She had employed extreme measures to turn the tables, and now *she* was the immoral one?

The white lotus act was effective, certainly, but Ye Yuning found such tactics repulsive. Thus, having escaped that retaliation, she now refused to feign civility with them.

Hearing Ji Nan’s forceful, threatening tone now, Ye Yuning sneered. "HEH. Dissatisfied, are you? I have ways to make you even more dissatisfied. Want to know what they are?"

More dissatisfying... methods? She still had another card to play? Ji Nan wondered, alarmed.

The line suddenly went quiet.

"What else are you planning?" Ji Nan demanded, his voice grim.

Ye Yuning continued calmly, "Everyone in Upper City knows the Qin family values its promises above all else. To receive a promise from the Qin family is akin to a carp leaping over the dragon gate."

The Qin family valued promises? So, at their previous meeting, she had put on that innocent, pitiful act just to secure the Master’s promise? Ji Nan finally understood. Ye Yuning had been playing the ingénue all along!

Seeing Ji Nan too furious to speak, Ye Yuning continued, "The Eldest Young Master Qin has been a laughingstock for the past twenty-odd years. If this promise isn’t kept, I’m afraid the entire Qin family will become a joke!"

"You...!" Ji Nan choked out.

"Oh, and I recorded our conversation that day!" Ye Yuning added with a light, triumphant laugh, not giving Ji Nan a chance to respond.