Second brother was about to get played again!

After touring Old Master Mo Ye's mansion and staying for a lavish dinner, the production crew and their party returned to the courtyard house.

The production team had a strict rule that guests could not use their phones for more than an hour on the show, so Ye Lan, bored out of his mind, began pestering Ye Xunzhi, who was lazing around in bed.

"Little sis, let's play cards!" Ye Lan brought over a deck of playing cards with great enthusiasm.

Ye Xunzhi lay flat on the bed without even lifting her head. "Second brother, if you're that bored, go wash up and get some sleep."

"But I can't sleep. I need some entertainment to relieve my anxiety."

"Brother, let me tell you, anxiety is nothing to be afraid of. It's like barbecue-a little extra heat makes it tastier."

Ye Lan was not annoyed either. He calmly offered his stakes. "Your brother doesn't play low-stakes games. Five thousand for every round you win."

The moment he finished speaking, his hands were empty. Ye Xunzhi deftly opened the box.

"Brother, helping you relieve your anxiety is my duty as your little sister. Come on, Fishing, Texas Hold'em, or Chameleon?"

Ye Lan: "..."

The sudden change in her attitude left the livestream viewers dumbfounded.

[Got it. This little sister might not love her brother, but she definitely loves money.]

[Tch, her eyes light up at the mention of money. Even a wealthy heiress is this materialistic. How pathetic.]

[Well, well, well, where did this triggered loser come from? Everyone, come laugh at him.]

[What's wrong with being materialistic? What's wrong with loving money? Since money is dirt to you, I'll give you my bank account number. Please transfer your dirt to me.]

[In this day and age, if you're not after money, what are you after? The fact that you don't get welfare? That you don't wash your feet? Or that you'll die young?]

[...]

The corner of Ye Lan's mouth twitched. "Just regular Fight the Landlord is fine. I'll drag Director Mi over to make up the numbers."

He could have called the other guests, of course, but he did not know them well, so Director Mi was forcibly dragged over.

Director Mi quietly leaned closer. "Aren't you taking this a little too far? Your sister is still young."

Others might not know, but how could he not? Ye Lan had specifically sought out Old Master Mo Ye to learn card-playing skills for a role.

Although he had only learned the basics, that was more than enough to handle a fourteen-year-old girl.

Ye Lan also lowered his voice with a smile. "It's fine. I'll go easy on her when appropriate. I won't bully her too badly."

Besides, he was not doing this to bully Ye Xunzhi this time. His main goal was to let his little sister know that her second brother was pretty damn awesome too.

Of course, it would be even better if he could give her a taste of how cruel the world could be. Ye Lan quietly concealed his ill intentions.

Their voices were so quiet that Ye Xunzhi could not make out what they were saying, but the livestream viewers heard every word clearly through their microphones.

[How could you bully a kid? Boohoo. Yes, bully the kid! Bully the kid!]

[Do all brothers in the world enjoy being obnoxious in front of their little sisters?]

[Best Actor Ye might as well have "up to no good" written across his face.]

[Director Mi: please try being a decent human being.]

At this point, no one had yet realized how serious the situation was.

Until a minute later, when they watched the playing cards twirl nimbly between Ye Xunzhi's fingertips like fluttering butterflies, and everyone fell into contemplation.

After five straight losses, they were dazed.

After ten straight losses, Ye Lan, his face covered in paper strips, blurted out, "Holy shit! How are you this good? Are you cheating?"

He was on the verge of having his confidence completely shattered.

"No." Ye Xunzhi looked utterly harmless and spread her hands innocently. "You both shuffled the cards. How could I cheat?"

"Then why do you win every round?" Ye Lan simply could not figure it out.

Ye Xunzhi tapped her chin. "Playing cards isn't just about luck. There's also card-counting skill. And actually, every card has tiny differences in the pattern on its back and its thickness. As long as I remember those differences, I can win every time."

She said it as casually as, "The weather's lovely today. Perfect for heading to the docks for some fries."

Ye Lan and Director Mi: "..."

They did not understand, but they were deeply stunned.

The livestream viewers were also stunned by Ye Xunzhi, the background extra who had been coasting along all this time.

[The most sophisticated flexes often come in the plainest words.]

[I rewatched it several times and couldn't spot any sign of her cheating, but her cards were ridiculously good every time.]

[Darling Ye, you look every bit as miserable now as you were cocky at the start. I admire strength, so I'm no longer your fan. Little sister, look at me!]

[Me a few dozen minutes ago: this is definitely going to be a total stomp (certain). Me a few dozen minutes later: this really is a total stomp-a dependable kid stomping two undependable adults.]

Director Mi had originally thought he could coast to victory with his apprentice. Later, he kicked his false champion aside and clung tightly to the real one.

"Don't be sad. Victory and defeat are all part of the game. There's no shame in losing to your own sister."

Director Mi used the words he had originally prepared to comfort Ye Xunzhi on Ye Lan instead.

Ye Xunzhi also felt that winning like this seemed a little unfair and had dealt her second brother too heavy a blow. She scooted over and tugged at Ye Lan's sleeve.

"Second brother, don't be upset. If it's really that bad, the money..."

Ye Lan looked at his sister, touched. Was she planning not to take his money?

He had never expected his sister to be so considerate. A little sister really was a warm little coat. To think he had wanted to let her experience a harsh lesson from society earlier-he even felt a little guilty.

"You don't need to feel bad. A gentleman's word cannot be taken back, even by four galloping-"

"-I'll give you a one-percent discount on the money."

Ye Lan: so cold. This little coat was letting in drafts.

While they were putting away their cards, over in the southern quarters of the courtyard house...

After Lin Ranran and Bai Zhao put on a show of interacting for a while, they exchanged looks. Lin Ranran coughed a couple of times now and then.

Using a drink of water as an excuse, they walked somewhere the cameras could not see and removed their microphones.

Bai Zhao said, "Are you ready? It's about time we made our move."

Lin Ranran curled her lips confidently. "Don't worry, teacher. All that coughing was to lay the groundwork for this moment."

Bai Zhao laughed. "I knew bringing you along was the right choice."

Yes, they were not cousins at all, but teacher and pupil. After meeting by chance, they had immediately hit it off.

After Lin Ranran returned to the Lin Family, many of the tactics she used had been taught to her by Bai Zhao. This time, upon learning that Lin Ranran wanted to enter the entertainment industry, Bai Zhao had taken the opportunity to bring her along.

Bai Zhao's gaze flickered. Originally, she had pinned all her hopes on Secretary Xu, who could seize all the Ye Group's assets in one fell swoop.

She had never expected the eldest Ye brother to discover his plot afterward. Now he was being hunted by loan sharks, and to make matters worse, the truth about her saving Ye Lan all those years ago had also been exposed.

Now she could only rely on herself.

Fireflies appeared in the courtyard house at night, giving it a distinctive charm. The production crew knocked on the guests' doors and told them they could go admire this unique sight.

As it was nine in the evening and Shi Yao had already gone to sleep, Shi Che politely declined, not wanting to wake her.

The footage showed the other three groups enjoying the beautiful scenery together, giving the moment a sense of peaceful serenity.

Unfortunately, it did not last long before Bai Zhao spoke to Ye Xunzhi with a radiant smile.

"Sorry, Little Sister Little Xun. Ranran isn't in very good health, and our room might be too damp. She keeps coughing. Could I please ask you to let her stay with you tonight?"

Bai Zhao deliberately made a pleading gesture and adopted a vulnerable manner.

"I know you're the nicest girl. You'll agree to this tiny request, won't you?"

Ye Xunzhi looked at her strangely. "Do you know my guiding principle in life?"

Bai Zhao shook her head, bewildered.

Ye Xunzhi said, "Anyone who manipulates me gets blocked. Anyone who guilt-trips me gets taken down."

Give up the compulsion to help others and spare yourself breast nodules.

At these words, Bai Zhao clenched her teeth. Why was Ye Xunzhi so difficult to deal with?

She had a feeling that this girl would definitely become the biggest wild card in her plan.

"Ye Xunzhi, how can you act like this? Sister Bai Zhao only asked to let Ranran stay with you because she isn't feeling well."

"How can you be so heartless? At most, you'd lose out a little and give up half a bed. Haven't you heard that taking a loss is a blessing?"

Unable to bear it any longer, Jiang Qi spoke up. He stood in front of Lin Ranran like her gallant protector, his mouth firing off words like a machine gun.

"Taking a loss is a blessing? Then I wish you blessings as vast as the eastern sea. Stop running your mouth here for no reason. If your mouth has nothing to do, go lick a toilet."

Those words made Jiang Qi's face turn green with anger, yet Ye Xunzhi went on to speak to him in an unprecedentedly serious tone.

"In case you misunderstand, let me add one thing. My compliments might be insincere, but my insults are always absolutely genuine."

After saying that, Ye Xunzhi turned her back on everyone and took out her phone, looking as though she could not be bothered with them.

"Seriously, Ye Xunzhi, do you have any manners?" Jiang Qi was so angry his nose nearly twisted out of shape. Hearing this, Bai Zhao gently patted his shoulder.

"Don't be like that toward Little Sister Little Xun. She's still young and might not know any better yet."

It was skillfully phrased, ostensibly kind but actually disparaging, with barbs hidden in every word.

The livestream viewers were also indignant at the sight-

[Exactly, what terrible manners. Who does she think she is? Without Best Actor Ye, she'd be nothing.]

[Poor Sister Bai Zhao. My heart aches for little Ranran.]

[Something feels strange to me. Little Sister Little Xun seems to really dislike Bai Zhao. The entertainment industry is complicated, so I'll wait and see to avoid eating my words.]

[What's there to wait and see? She just has no manners.]

Ye Xunzhi paid no attention at all to their snide remarks, but Ye Lan's expression turned cold.

"Who are you saying doesn't know any better? My sister doesn't need you people passing judgment on her."

"No, that's not it."

Bai Zhao had not expected the man she longed for to speak up. Clearly, Ye Lan had acted as though he did not care about Ye Xunzhi earlier.

But the corners of her lips curled where no one could see. She quickly suppressed it and spoke to Ye Lan with a pitiful expression.

"I didn't mean to criticize Little Sister Little Xun. It's just that Ranran isn't in very good health and keeps coughing. I was wondering if she could stay with you tonight."

Bai Zhao pressed her lips together and spoke softly.

"Brother Ye, I know we've had our unpleasant moments, but Ranran is innocent. Could you help look after her?"

Ye Lan was just about to say, "Who the hell do you think you are?" when he heard a familiar voice beside him.

Ye Xunzhi patted her backside and moved behind him, fiddling with her phone and keeping well away from the group.

[Sure enough, it's this trick.]

[This woman from the entertainment industry plays so dirty. She's going to screw over second brother again. In a situation like this, he'll be in big trouble whether he agrees or refuses.]

[Oh no! Second brother is about to get played again!]