Ye Zhi faced a formidable enemy. The calories in a bottle of cola were equivalent to two bowls of rice, and she definitely didn't want that!
"I won't drink it," Ye Zhi shook her head like a rattle drum.
Qi Xuan's gaze deepened. Ye Zhi had always loved drinking cola, even affectionately calling it 'happy water.' What had happened to make even happy water unable to bring her joy?
Qi Xuan pondered but found no clues.
"I just received news," Qi Xuan's eyes flickered, "that Xingmeng Club has been ordered to close for rectification."
Ye Zhi's eyes lit up, and her expression improved significantly. She sneered, "Serves them right! They privately offered special services, ran gambling dens, and lent money at exorbitant interest rates, doing so many illegal things, they should have expected this day. But this time, it's all thanks to you."
"The idea was yours, the credit is yours," Qi Xuan said calmly.
Ye Zhi blinked in surprise and couldn't help but find it amusing. "It's like we're shirking responsibility from each other! Fine, since the outcome is gratifying, I'll take the blame then!"
This time, it was also her idea, and Qi Xuan carried it out.
This so-called Xingmeng Club, Ouyang Minghan had outwardly presented it as high-class, requiring a certain asset level for consumption, a place for elite gatherings. In reality, it was where Ouyang Minghan used low-down tactics to expand his network.
Manager Ding of Yuxin Trade was a regular here.
During this period, Ye Zhi had also gotten a good grasp of the wealthy people in the capital. That Manager Ding was a man who married into his wife's family, and whether at home or in the company, his wife was the one in charge.
Suppressed, Manager Ding engaged in extramarital affairs, but fearing his wife's discovery, he dared not maintain long-term relationships with other women.
Ouyang Minghan catered to his desires, continuously providing him with various women through Xingmeng Club and helping him conceal it. Manager Ding, sharing his same vices, also offered him many benefits in cooperation.
Xingmeng Club had been under rectification for so long, and today it reopened. Manager Ding naturally couldn't resist sneaking in for a bit of fun.
Ye Zhi's plan was to inform Manager Ding's wife about this. Mrs. Ding kept a very close watch on her husband and had a fiery temper. She would definitely go to Xingmeng Club to catch him in the act and make a scene.
The task of revealing the news to Mrs. Ding naturally fell to the resourceful Qi Xuan, as Ye Zhi currently had no relationship with them.
Now, Xingmeng Club, just reopened, had once again achieved the feat of being closed for rectification. The guests invited to the banquet today had not only witnessed a good show but would likely never patronize the place again.
After all, with this incident, if they were to go again, wouldn't people assume they were there to find special services?
Since things went so smoothly, Ye Zhi was happy to take the blame.
Qi Xuan's brows rose. Ye Zhi seemed completely unaffected by the incident. He had initially wondered if Ye Yongxian had learned about it and said something hurtful to Ye Zhi, but it seemed that wasn't the case.
He then asked, "Your actions today caused such a stir. Are you worried it might make your father think your sisters' relationship is not harmonious?"
"No," Ye Zhi said nonchalantly, "My sister and I have been estranged for over half a month. My parents stopped caring a long time ago."
Qi Xuan frowned slightly. So it wasn't because of that either? Then why was Ye Zhi suddenly unhappy?
However, after their conversation, Ye Zhi's mood had improved considerably.
Soon, the car returned to the villa on the mountainside and stopped in front of Qi Xuan's house.
Ye Zhi got out of the car. Just as she was about to leave, Qi Xuan called out to her.
"The housekeeper has prepared various fried skewers today, and specifically stewed black chicken soup for you. Come in and try some," Qi Xuan invited.
Ye Zhi froze. Fried skewers?! Her mouth instinctively watered, but Ye Zhi immediately thought of their calories.
"No, no, no, I won't eat it! Not just today, but in the future..." Ye Zhi said with a pang, "I won't eat it in the future either!"
Qi Xuan was slightly taken aback. These were clearly things Ye Zhi had casually mentioned wanting to eat before, which was why he had asked the housekeeper to prepare them. Why would she refuse?
He asked, confused, "Don't you like tonight's supper, or did I do something to upset you?"
"No, no," Seeing that Qi Xuan had misunderstood, she explained somewhat sheepishly, "Actually, it's because my dad said I've gained weight, and I want to lose it..."
Qi Xuan was stunned. He suddenly understood what Ye Zhi had been agonizing over on the way.
He couldn't help but laugh, his laughter growing more unrestrained.
In his eyes, Ye Zhi had always been calm, intelligent, meticulously planning, strategizing, and focused on her career. He admired her greatly. However, it turned out she was also like ordinary girls, enjoying delicious food and worrying about her figure.
This made her more down-to-earth, and he quite liked this real version of her.
Seeing him laugh so heartily, Ye Zhi's face flushed with a hint of annoyance. "What are you laughing at? Is it that funny? Or do you also think I've gotten fat?"
"I just didn't expect you to be troubled by this," Qi Xuan said with a faint smile. "I think your current figure is just right; you were rather too thin before. But if you're concerned, I'll work out with you tomorrow."
"Ah?" Ye Zhi's face immediately contorted in pain. For someone who firmly believed that simply lying down and watching fitness videos would lead to weight loss, she was now being asked to exercise in person! She couldn't help but say, "Can't I just eat less?"
"Dieting is bad for your stomach," Qi Xuan said calmly, "and it will affect your health. When you're in danger, do you think those who want to harm you will spare you just because you've lost weight?"
Ye Zhi's expression turned serious. It seemed that her temporary victory today had made her a bit overconfident.
She had only temporarily defeated Ouyang Minghan, not utterly vanquished him.
Their complete falling out and declaration of war would inevitably trigger a fierce retaliation from Ouyang Minghan. No one could guarantee that Ouyang Minghan wouldn't be enraged and directly target her. If she were sickly and weak then, she would truly be at anyone's mercy.
Ye Zhi took a deep breath, her expression resolute. "I'll work out with you tomorrow!"
"Good," Ouyang Minghan's lips curved slightly. "Since we're only starting to exercise tomorrow, let tonight be a final celebration."
Ye Zhi's eyes lit up. She liked this suggestion; it was truly exhilarating!
"Let's go, let's go, let's go eat skewers!" Ye Zhi said impatiently.
The next day, Qi Xuan indeed knocked on her door early in the morning, dragging Ye Zhi out to exercise.
Although his workouts were well-planned and at an intensity suitable for Ye Zhi, she was still exhausted as a dog.
When Ye Zhi arrived at the company, Chen Wei was startled by her semi-lifeless appearance.
He couldn't help but say, "Did I work overtime last night, or did you? You look so tired."