Page 3

Just like this person's heart—black through and through.

Noticing the undisguised, chilling killing intent in Chu Hengyi's eyes, Ye Mingzhao's smile deepened. He took the initiative to show goodwill again. "Mom prepared a whole table of dishes to welcome you home. She hasn't cooked personally in years. We'll all be benefiting because of you."

Mrs. Ye immediately chimed in. "That's right! I made a whole table of dishes myself, all your childhood favorites. I don't know whether they still suit your tastes now. Come and try them."

After saying that, she quietly urged Ye Mingzhao to hurry and apply some medicated wine. "Don't let it bruise."

Chu Hengyi's face darkened. He glanced again at Ye Mingzhao's absurdly swollen right hand—several clear blue-purple welts even stood out on the pale back of his hand, making him look as though he had been abused.

In this situation, no one would believe Chu Hengyi even if he explained that their grip strength had actually been evenly matched.

How could someone's skin be so good at playing the victim?!

Chu Hengyi frowned fiercely, discreetly flexing his slightly numb right hand. His already stern expression became even more menacing.

Big Brother Ye took a deep breath, grabbed Ye Mingzhao's arm, and said softly, "I'll help you apply the medicated wine."

Ye Mingzhao unobtrusively tucked his swollen right hand into his sleeve and smiled gently. "It's really nothing. It doesn't hurt at all; it just looks scary. I've always been like this since I was little—I turn red at the slightest touch. You all know that."

Of course the Ye family knew about Ye Mingzhao's victim-like constitution. But knowing was one thing; seeing his hand swollen red like this was another.

Chu Hengyi coldly watched Ye Mingzhao's obedient, mild-mannered appearance, and his expression turned even colder. He said nothing, allowing Mrs. Ye to link her arm through his and lead him to the dining table.

"Mom made all of these herself. There's egg custard, your favorite, pine nut corn, winter melon fish balls, mango milk pudding, millet and Chinese yam porridge..."

As Mrs. Ye spoke, her eyes reddened. Chu Hengyi had only been three when he was abducted. A three-year-old child could not eat much to begin with. Mrs. Ye had made child-friendly foods according to his preferences at the time, but eighteen years had passed. What grown man would still have the same appetite he had at three?

After all, she had missed the most crucial eighteen years of her son's life.

And it was all because of those damned traffickers.

In a flash, Ye Mingzhao's words crossed Mrs. Ye's mind. "If the Chu family had called the police the moment they found the child, perhaps..."

Perhaps mother and son would not have been separated for so long. She could have watched him grow up properly, raised and cared for him properly, and never allowed him to drop out after middle school to work.

Mrs. Ye's muffled sobs reached Chu Hengyi's ears, and the severity in his eyes softened ever so slightly. But in the next instant, they turned cold and hard again.

Chu Hengyi knew very well that Mrs. Ye's guilt at this moment was only an illusion. In the end, Ye Mingzhao would still deceive her, and she would stand completely on his side.

Watching Chu Hengyi's stiff back, Ye Mingzhao's eyes curved slightly. The book said that after his rebirth, Chu Hengyi had been completely unmoved by the Ye family's goodwill. But judging from his behavior, he did not seem indifferent at all.

Chairman Ye looked at the brightly smiling Ye Mingzhao and sighed softly. His gaze fell on Ye Mingzhao's hand, covered in medicated wine, as he comforted him gently. "You've been wronged. Mingyi has only just come home, and he hasn't adjusted yet."

"I haven't been wronged." Ye Mingzhao shook his head and said obediently, "I know why Brother Mingyi dislikes me. He must care greatly about his family, which is why he's dissatisfied with me."

Everyone smiled upon hearing Ye Mingzhao's words. Big Brother Ye handed the first-aid kit to Auntie Wang and could not help laughing. "I knew our Zhaozhao was the most sensible."

But everyone had also seen how Chu Hengyi had targeted Ye Mingzhao the moment he came home. Feeling somewhat apologetic, Big Brother Ye said, "Didn't you say you liked Ferrari's newest supercar? Big Brother will give you one."

At those words, Chu Hengyi, who had already been quiet and reserved, looked even gloomier.

"Better not." Ye Mingzhao blinked his naturally amorous peach-blossom eyes, his smile bright. "I'm going out to film, so I probably won't have time to drive a sports car around for fun from now on."

Everyone was startled by Ye Mingzhao's words. Even Chu Hengyi, who had remained silent, looked over.

Mrs. Ye could not make sense of it no matter how she thought about it and blurted out, "You're going to film? Since when? How come I didn't know?"

"I just decided." Ye Mingzhao said with a smile, "A friend of mine is a producer. He invited me to make a guest appearance in a role before, and I'm quite interested. As for my current work, I'll hand it over as soon as possible. I definitely won't affect Dad's and Big Brother's normal work."

The Ye family exchanged looks. Chairman Ye said in a deep voice, "I don't agree."

Big Brother Ye did not agree either. "This decision is too hasty. I don't understand—you're doing perfectly well as the chairman's assistant, so why have you suddenly decided to film? Haven't you always told us that your dream was to assist Dad and me and make the Ye Group flourish? Now you suddenly want to become an actor. How does that help with your life plans?"

"Being an actor is great too. The money is good, the work is glamorous, and it isn't as exhausting. I think people should try more new things in life. Wouldn't it be too much of a waste to decide so early what you'll do for the rest of your life?" Ye Mingzhao smiled warmly. "Besides, I've already made an agreement with my friend. I can't exactly stand him up, can I?"

Before anyone else could speak, Chu Hengyi suddenly cut in. "When did you agree to it?"

Ye Mingzhao looked into Chu Hengyi's eyes and replied with a smile, "Not long ago."

Chu Hengyi looked at Ye Mingzhao coldly and spoke bluntly. "You're leaving in such a hurry because you want everyone to think that I, Chu Hengyi, can't tolerate you?"

Ye Mingzhao was fine, but the rest of the Ye family all caught their breath in unison. Clearly, Chu Hengyi had voiced the thought they had not dared to say aloud.

The smile on Ye Mingzhao's face became even brighter. "Why would you think that? I just suddenly felt that filming would be fun."

He had not thought so earlier, nor later, yet he happened to make this decision on the very day Chu Hengyi returned to the Ye family. What a coincidence, wasn't it?

Chu Hengyi's gaze grew colder and colder, and the look he gave Ye Mingzhao seemed capable of freezing ice.

Ye Mingzhao remained utterly unruffled, still smiling as he met his gaze.

So what if he had been reborn? Did he think that living ten extra years meant he could use his foreknowledge to set traps for him? Did he want to expose his true face, make everyone abandon him, and have the Ye family throw him out?

Beneath Ye Mingzhao's obedient, slightly ingratiating smile, increasingly deep ripples stirred in his bright, clear eyes. As his gaze shifted, a faint sheen of tears seemed to spill from them. In contrast, his manner grew gentler and his tone more submissive, making Chu Hengyi's cold, forceful, aggressive attitude stand out all the more.

At that moment, Chu Hengyi felt awful. He felt as though he had not even made a move before crashing headfirst into a ball of cotton. That airtight softness had not only forcibly stripped away all his offensive power but also left him suffocating.

Even knowing that Ye Mingzhao was putting on an act, Chu Hengyi could not help reflecting: was he being too harsh? After all, Ye Mingzhao had not done anything yet. He should wait until Ye Mingzhao made a move against him, then expose his true face in one stroke!

Yes, that was what he would do!

After turning it over in his mind, Chu Hengyi suddenly realized something. "You want to film?"

That had not happened in his previous life!

Mrs. Ye could not hold it in any longer and suddenly burst into tears. "He just said he wanted to transfer the apartment in the city center to the Chu family because they raised you for eighteen years. He said he wanted to repay the Chu family, on behalf of the Ye family and on behalf of us, for raising you."

Everyone was shocked upon hearing Mrs. Ye's words.

Chairman Ye and Big Brother Ye looked at Ye Mingzhao with faces full of gratification. Chairman Ye said with emotion, "It's enough that you have such intentions. But you don't need to pay this money, nor should you have to. The Chu family raised my son, and as his parents, we will naturally reward them generously."