Since suspicion had already formed in his heart, Ye Tiancheng had no choice but to help Su Muxian wholeheartedly.
However, Ye Tiancheng also believed that this matter could not be resolved by simply rejecting Su Muxian.
If Su Muxian truly had a problem, and she failed to achieve her goal this time, she would undoubtedly try a second time. Moreover, due to the initial setback, if she were to be prepared the second time, it would be very disadvantageous for Ye Tiancheng and his side, who would be unprepared, with one side in the dark and the other in the light.
Ye Tiancheng had many things to consider and would think things through carefully, never acting on impulse. Even when facing Su Muxian, he would analyze and consider repeatedly, acting cautiously and not easily believing anyone.
But what should he do now?
After thinking for a moment, Ye Tiancheng felt that there was no need to hide his suspicion, as that would make him appear too foolish. Those who knew him well would notice the abnormality and might immediately realize that Ye Tiancheng had ulterior motives and was perhaps trying to trick them.
Although Su Muxian and Ye Tiancheng's relationship was fine now, in the past, they could be said to have had a deep connection. Su Muxian definitely knew Ye Tiancheng quite well, so Ye Tiancheng could not appear too foolish.
Therefore, Ye Tiancheng directly told Su Muxian, "Given our past relationship, if you are truly in trouble today, I have no reason not to help. But I must confirm that you have indeed encountered a problem and need my assistance. Then, for the sake of our past affection, I cannot refuse to act."
"You also know that I am not the type to refuse to help someone in dire straits, but..."
Ye Tiancheng paused for a moment. The pause was quite long. Su Muxian did not know the reason for it. Perhaps her emotions were too urgent, or perhaps Ye Tiancheng's defenses were too high, and she was unable to achieve her goal, causing Su Muxian to become somewhat anxious, making her lose her usual composure.
Or perhaps, Su Muxian had undergone significant changes, and she was completely different from her past self, with a completely opposite personality.
In fact, this point was entirely visible. Although she was still as beautiful, the current temperament of Su Muxian was vastly different from her past self, like the difference between heaven and earth.
Unable to wait for Ye Tiancheng to continue speaking, Su Muxian impatiently asked, "But what?"
Ye Tiancheng looked at Su Muxian thoughtfully, his gaze filled with a deeper meaning, causing Su Muxian to involuntarily avert her gaze and dodge his sight. Only then did Ye Tiancheng continue, "But I find it very strange that you suddenly appeared before me and brought up this matter. If you cannot prove yourself, then I cannot help you."
At this, Su Muxian found it truly difficult to remain rational. She immediately asked anxiously, "How else can I prove myself? If I weren't at my wit's end, why would I come to bother you?"
"I, I also know that you are with Hou Mingzhu now... If it weren't absolutely necessary, why would I actively approach you and seek humiliation?"
Ye Tiancheng nodded. Su Muxian frowned, not understanding what Ye Tiancheng meant by this.
Ye Tiancheng said to Su Muxian, "It's not that difficult to prove yourself. I still have some trust in what you say. However, you must understand that your behavior today is indeed too strange."
Su Muxian's heart skipped a beat, and she did not rashly respond, but waited for Ye Tiancheng to continue.
Ye Tiancheng also continued, "You only need to answer a few questions. If your answers can convince me and make me believe that your account is reasonable and normal, then I will naturally agree to your request and will definitely not abandon you."
Su Muxian was silent for a moment. Since Ye Tiancheng had stopped speaking, she knew it was time for her to give her answer.
After a long pause, Su Muxian finally said, "Okay, I agree. Ask away, and I will definitely prove myself to you."
Ye Tiancheng raised an eyebrow, smiled, and directly asked, "First question, did you happen to encounter me today, and then because your own matter was unresolved, you came to find me?"
Ye Tiancheng himself did not expect that his first question would stump Su Muxian.
Su Muxian stammered when she answered, "Meeting you was not a coincidence. I, I inquired about your whereabouts and confirmed... that you might attend this auction, so I came to try my luck."
"I actually went to another small auction before, but you were with Hou Mingzhu, so I didn't show up."
"I am indeed here because I am truly unable to bear this any longer... that's why I found you."
Very good, it was premeditated, but this was not enough evidence to suspect someone.
So, Ye Tiancheng just nodded, not asking further for the moment, and continued, "Alright, if that's the case, then the second question. I know about your previous situation, and Fatty also knows. Moreover, since it concerns your life, it's not something that must be kept secret from others. Now, only my friend and I here can hear it."
"If you were really that desperate, why insist on discussing it with me in private?"
"You should know that your insistence on this matter, time and time again, is very strange. I have already made my stance clear, and you are also facing a life-threatening situation. Your personality should not be that of someone who doesn't know when to back down. Why must you insist on doing this?"
Su Muxian was rendered speechless by the second question.
What she had done before was indeed too obviously strange. It was natural that Ye Tiancheng refused to agree. Ye Tiancheng was not a fool; he was not so easily deceived. Things that were too unusual were even harder to believe.
What should she do now?
However, she could not delay her answer for too long, as it would look like she was making excuses. Su Muxian knew that her pause had already made it difficult to prove her innocence.
Su Muxian could only hastily reply, "I, I don't know why I did that. I wasn't thinking at all at the time. Perhaps I was too anxious and lost my train of thought. I apologize for the misunderstanding; I cannot prove myself on this matter."
Ye Tiancheng crossed his arms and did not immediately express dissatisfaction, but continued to ask his questions, "No rush, there's a third question, which is the last one. Please answer it."
"We also analyzed and confirmed the situation at the time. It's very likely that Ouyang Xuxuan was not willing to give up on you, and even after death, he wanted to be with you and pester you. In fact, there should be no major doubts about this matter, but my doubt about you is..."
After speaking for a long time, Ye Tiancheng was also a bit parched, so he paused again. This could not be called intentional, but it did put considerable pressure on Su Muxian.
Ye Tiancheng did not overthink it. Even his instinctive habits told him that this pause might not be a disadvantage for him.
He continued, "At that time, Ouyang Xuxuan pestered you, not in a way that required your willing consent. It was forceful, disregarding your personal wishes. And he is already dead. If he wanted to possess you, you had to die, and he had no reason to let you go."
"So the question arises, due to some other reasons, we left for such a long time. How did you manage to hold on by yourself? If someone was truly capable of protecting you, you wouldn't have to find me, would you?"
At this point, Su Muxian truly had no way to explain.
She instinctively took two steps back but quickly stopped herself.
After all, she was not a weak and helpless little girl. Su Muxian's composure was slightly shaken.
Su Muxian looked at Ye Tiancheng steadily and then said, "I know you have chosen Hou Mingzhu now, and in your heart, I no longer have any status. It's normal that you are unwilling to help me. You don't need to find so many excuses; I will retreat."
"If you truly don't believe me, then forget it. This is my fate."
Su Muxian knew that if she continued to pester him today, there would be no result, and Ye Tiancheng would suspect her even more. She had no choice but to find another opportunity next time.
Therefore, after speaking, Su Muxian turned and left without looking back.
Ye Tiancheng watched her retreating figure, remaining silent, lost in thought. Suddenly, he felt someone pat his shoulder. Ye Tiancheng turned his head and saw Fatty.
Fatty looked at Ye Tiancheng with some hesitation, but seeing that Ye Tiancheng had already looked at him, he still spoke.
"Brother Ye, you don't need to think too much. You and Sister-in-law Mingzhu are living well now. If we get close to Su Muxian again, Sister-in-law will surely be unhappy. It's normal that you are unwilling to agree to Su Muxian."
"So you don't need to overthink it. Everyone has their own destiny. Now that you are with Sister-in-law, it's indeed impossible to look after Miss Su for a lifetime, and you can't wrong Sister-in-law. Even if you refused Su Muxian, you are not wrong."
Ye Tiancheng did not feel he was wrong, but Fatty's comforting words made Ye Tiancheng find it quite amusing and a little exasperating. It seemed Fatty had a considerable misunderstanding of him.
Ye Tiancheng did not explain much, only saying, "You don't think my three questions to Su Muxian were just excuses, do you?"
If that were the case, then Fatty was indeed too slow-witted. This was not very safe. Ye Tiancheng felt that if he had time, he would have to have a good talk with Fatty and help him become more discerning.
Fatty was indeed stunned for a moment, carefully recalling Ye Tiancheng's questions and Su Muxian's answers.
He said blankly, "N-no way? Su Muxian really has a problem? That shouldn't be the case! Could it be that because Brother Ye chose Sister-in-law Mingzhu and not her, she became resentful out of love and wants to plot against you?"
Ye Tiancheng was speechless for a moment. He really wanted to open Fatty's head and see what was inside, why his way of thinking about problems was always off, and he couldn't get to the point.
Little Fox couldn't stand it anymore. He said to Fatty, "I don't know if she resents Brother out of love, but this person definitely has a problem, and this problem is definitely not as simple as plotting against someone out of resentment. There might be some terrible conspiracy involved."
Ye Tiancheng couldn't help but sigh, "Fatty, oh Fatty, you should be more discerning in the future. Learn from Little Fox and don't just look at things superficially. You'll easily suffer losses outside if you do."
"You're good at everything, but you're too naive. And you follow me around, which worries me."
Fatty sheepishly rubbed his head, feeling in his heart that perhaps he wasn't very good and was holding Ye Tiancheng back too much. If he couldn't become smarter sooner, he might cause trouble for Ye Tiancheng in the future.