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Secretary Huang nodded. "Yes."

Once she had finished her work report, Secretary Huang left. Ye Lin sat in his seat for a few seconds before getting up and sitting beside Ye Mo.

"You already knew the company's money tree died because someone poured boiling water into its pot?" he asked Ye Mo, though his tone was certain.

At that, Ye Mo's eyes shifted slyly. "...I worked myself to the bone, investigating openly and in secret, before I finally uncovered the truth."

Ye Lin said, "By working yourself to the bone, you mean going to the cafeteria with Secretary Huang and using my card to buy a bowl of rice noodles, two little cakes, and a bowl of chicken soup?"

Ye Mo said, "..."

Ye Lin smiled. "Didn't expect that, did you? I get a transaction notification for every bit of food you buy with my card."

Ye Mo gritted her teeth and insisted, "The investigation wore me out, so I went to the cafeteria to treat myself!"

Ye Lin gave her a lingering look, then suddenly asked, "Has anyone ever told you you're terrible at lying?"

Ye Mo, suddenly stabbed right in the heart, said, "..."

Only after several seconds did she speak, her voice filled with mournful resentment. "Take a guess. Why do people online call me trash with no acting skills?"

In some ways, lying to deceive people and acting had something in common. With her trash acting skills, Ye Mo was naturally no great liar.

Hearing his words, Ye Lin nearly failed to hold back his laughter. He cleared his throat. "...So how did you know the money tree had been scalded to death with boiling water?"

Ye Mo's eyes shifted. "Would you believe me if I said I divined it?"

"Of course I would." Ye Lin smiled, without the slightest hesitation in his voice. "Since that's what you say, of course I'll believe you!"

He reached out and patted Ye Mo's head. "If I don't trust my own little sister, who else can I trust?"

Ye Mo gave him a lingering look. "...Don't think saying that means you can get out of paying me!"

Ye Lin chuckled. "Naturally, I won't go back on what I promised you..."

With that, he picked up his phone,

and transferred four million to Ye Mo.

"...Your big brother isn't a cheapskate!" He stood up and said this as he looked down at Ye Mo.

Meanwhile, as Ye Mo stared at the four million freshly deposited into her account, her eyes had practically turned into money signs.

"Of course you're not that kind of person, big brother!" she said immediately, praising him. "You're clearly the best big brother in the whole world!"

She said those words with the utmost sincerity.

Naturally, Ye Mo had lunch with Ye Lin.

Since he had Ye Mo with him, Ye Lin made a rare departure from eating in the company cafeteria. Instead, he had Secretary Huang book a Western restaurant and took Ye Mo there.

"...Apparently, this restaurant is famous online. You have to book a table two weeks in advance." After they sat down, Ye Lin shared some information about the Western restaurant that he had learned from Secretary Huang. Looking around, he said, "This is my first time here, too. From the looks of it, the atmosphere really is quite nice."

The Western restaurant was clearly aimed at the high-end luxury market. Though business was booming, it felt exceptionally peaceful inside, not noisy at all.

A raised platform stood in the middle of the restaurant, with a black piano on it. A beautiful pianist sat there, melodious notes drifting from her fingertips, filling the entire restaurant with pleasing piano music.

As the piece came to an end, some guests applauded appreciatively. The pianist in a white dress stood and gave the crowd a slight curtsy, then stepped down from the platform and was pulled into the arms of a young man who looked rather sleazy.

Caught off guard by the sight, Ye Mo reflexively narrowed her eyes.

Seeing her reaction, Ye Lin asked, "What's wrong with your eyes?"

Ye Mo said, "...Nothing. I just saw something filthy I shouldn't have."

She looked at Ye Lin and asked curiously, "Big brother, there's actually something I've wanted to ask for ages... Your name is Ye Lin, and second brother's name is Ye Sen. Yours has two trees, and his has three, so why is third brother called Ye Miao?"

Ye Lin considered it. "Well, when the third was born, Dad had someone tell his fortune. They said he lacked water, so he was named 'Miao'..."

With the question in her mind finally answered, Ye Mo immediately felt better. "I thought it was because there wasn't a character with four trees to use as a name!"

Ye Lin looked at her. "...Actually, I think that was part of the reason."

The siblings exchanged a glance and suddenly burst out laughing together.

"Don't tell Dad that..."

"Got it!"

Ye Mo and Ye Lin spent almost an hour on their meal.

The food at this restaurant more than justified its price, and complimentary desserts were served afterward. The desserts were delicious, or at least very much to Ye Mo's liking.

"If you like it, you can have mine, too." Ye Lin pushed his portion across the table to Ye Mo. "I don't like sweet things."

Hearing that, Ye Mo immediately said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony... Their desserts are really good. You're missing out by not having any, big brother."

She took the dessert with natural ease. As she ate the delicious dessert, little flowers almost seemed to bloom all around her, her delight plain to see.

Watching her, Ye Lin's eyes unconsciously took on a hint of amusement. Suddenly, he felt that Ye Mo really was very much like Ruan Xianyue. At least when it came to their love of desserts, the two were exactly alike.

"Oh? Ye Lin! President Ye!"

Suddenly, an exaggerated cry of surprise came from beside them.

Ye Mo looked up and saw a sleazy-looking young man approach her and Ye Lin's table with an arm around a beautiful young woman.

Ye Mo looked at them, a little surprised-these two were actually the pianist she had seen earlier and the sleazy young man who had pulled her into his arms.

Now, the young man spoke to Ye Lin with a face full of smiles. "What a coincidence, President Ye! You're eating here, too!"

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Ye Mo, and a knowing, suggestive look appeared on his face.

"...So you're out having a meal with your little lover, President Ye!" He raised his voice, his exaggerated tone instantly drawing the attention of the other people in the restaurant.

"Ah, Young Master Luo..." Ye Lin gave a polite smile, clearly not well acquainted with this Young Master Luo.

He stood and asked Ye Mo, "Have you finished? If you have, let's head back."

Ye Mo put the last bite of dessert into her mouth and stood. "I'm done!"

The two gathered their things, looking ready to leave. Seeing this, Young Master Luo hurriedly spread his arms to block their way. "Don't rush off, President Ye. It's not every day we run into each other. Let's have a chat!"

He looked at Ye Mo with an expression of recollection. "I think I've seen you before. Aren't you that celebrity? What was your name again? Ye, Ye Mo?!"

"Right! Ye Mo!"

A look of realization crossed his face, and he gave Ye Lin another highly suggestive smile. "So this is the sort of woman you like, President Ye..."

His tone when he mentioned Ye Mo was far from respectful, even carrying a hint of contempt. He had clearly taken Ye Mo for a lover at Ye Lin's beck and call.

Clearly displeased by his tone, Ye Lin immediately frowned. "Ye Mo is my younger sister. I'd like you to speak more respectfully."

"I get it!" Young Master Luo said instead, winking at Ye Lin. "Your sweetheart of a little sister... This one here is my little sister, too!"

He looked at the woman in his arms, frivolously hooked a finger under her chin, then let his hand wander downward.

"But," Young Master Luo continued, his leering gaze falling on Ye Mo, "I really didn't expect President Ye to like this sort of woman... I heard she never even attended high school. She's barely educated!"

"I thought President Ye would prefer someone more educated... Still, this sort of woman is pretty good for a bit of fun. At least she's beautiful, and she'll make you look good when you take her out!"

Clearly, he looked down on Ye Mo. His contempt and disdain for her had already shown through in his tone, his expression, and his eyes.