When facing Hou Mingzhu, Ye Tiancheng's tone was extremely weak. He quickly apologized and explained that Su Muxian had suddenly shown symptoms of death, and the matter had become too serious, which was why Ye Tiancheng had delayed. Otherwise, he would not have agreed to Hou Mingzhu's request and failed to fulfill it, and would not still be lingering at the Su family's residence.
"My daughter and I have been waiting for you. We were even waiting for you to have lunch. I've had the food reheated over and over again. You left without even saying goodbye. It's like this food, reheated countless times. Now, even if we want to eat it, we can't. The time has passed."
Hou Mingzhu's words were pointed. Ye Tiancheng had already understood. He knew he was in the wrong. Therefore, no matter how much Hou Mingzhu criticized him, Ye Tiancheng had to listen obediently, otherwise, he might offend the most important woman to him.
"I'm sorry! I'll go back immediately. As for how sorry I am, I'll explain it clearly to you in person."
Ye Tiancheng knew that no matter how much he said on the phone now, it would be useless. This woman was already angry with him. All Ye Tiancheng could do was to appease her as much as possible and then prove with his actions that his feelings for Hou Mingzhu would never change.
"Alright, then hurry back. I want to see your attitude. As long as your attitude is good, I absolutely won't be angry. But if you still try to push me away, it means you're deliberately trying to stall for time. I'm not as easily fooled as other women."
How could Ye Tiancheng dare to have such thoughts? If he were to play such tricks when facing Hou Mingzhu, wouldn't that be like throwing himself into a fiery pit?
Hou Mingzhu was incredibly intelligent. Ye Tiancheng dared not be presumptuous and harbor any ulterior motives.
"I'm going back right now. I'll hang up first. You just wait for me at home. As long as it's the meal you prepared for me, no matter how many times it's been reheated, I'll eat it all."
Ye Tiancheng hung up the phone and quickly started his car to head back. Ye Tiancheng intended to leave Fatty behind to at least keep an eye on Su Muxian. As for Little Fox, Ye Tiancheng wanted to take him back to the villa. Little Fox's deep suspicions were something Ye Tiancheng did not want to investigate for the time being, but he did not want to leave Little Fox at the Su family's residence, as he felt it was a bit unsafe.
"Brother Ye, why are you leaving in such a hurry? Sister is still unconscious. Is it okay for us to leave like this? If Sister Su wakes up, will she be angry with us?"
Little Fox was already in Ye Tiancheng's passenger seat. Although it was a bit late to say this now, Ye Tiancheng felt it was necessary to answer. Even children were independent individuals, and it was not appropriate to simply dismiss them without a few words. It felt a bit excessive.
"We'll talk about it when she wakes up. I've already promised Hou Mingzhu, and my daughter is also in an unstable state. I must go back to protect my daughter. If I'm not even concerned about my daughter, then this little girl would be too miserable. I myself cannot fulfill my responsibility as a father and cannot give my child a complete home, which is already a dereliction of duty as a father."
Little Fox still looked worried after hearing Ye Tiancheng's words. "But I'm really worried about Sister Su. Sister Su is such a good sister. Why does she have to go through so many things? Heaven is truly unfair. It's not good to good people at all."
Little Fox had been mumbling all the way. Usually, Little Fox was quite quiet and would take out his peculiar books on talismans in the car, studying them with an intensity greater than an old man.
But Little Fox was different today. He was a bit absent-minded, constantly muttering about Su Muxian. Ye Tiancheng was not a gossipy person, and as a man, he was also quite careless.
However, Little Fox's behavior was too obvious. Every so often, he would bring up Su Muxian, and some of the things he said were things Ye Tiancheng didn't even know.
For example, Little Fox said that Su Muxian exuded an ethereal aura, as if she were from a different world. Su Muxian usually played the piano and practiced dance, being incredibly talented. Even when Su Muxian had some sisters over, who were all young ladies from wealthy families of the same age, none of them could compare to Su Muxian's charisma...
All the way, Ye Tiancheng's ears were about to get calloused. Coincidentally, the car ran out of gas halfway. Ye Tiancheng parked the car at a gas station to refuel. Perhaps it was because he had some free time, and it was necessary to say something. He had felt that Little Fox was very unusual today, and Ye Tiancheng couldn't hold back anymore. At this moment, he had to speak up.
"Are you kidding me? Why have you been talking about Su Muxian all the way? I don't remember you being such a chatterbox. Su Muxian should be quite important to you, right? Could it be that you're a young boy experiencing first love and have fallen for Su Muxian!"
Ye Tiancheng's guess was just a casual one, and he only said this to tease Little Fox and see what a young boy experiencing first love would look like. To his surprise, it actually had an effect. Two red patches suddenly appeared on Little Fox's fair face, clearly showing he was a bit shy.
To be honest, in Ye Tiancheng's eyes, Little Fox had always been... In Ye Tiancheng's eyes, Little Fox had always been a half-grown child. He had never thought that such a half-grown child would be involved with emotions. However, children his age could indeed start dating early. After all, there were many middle schoolers in their teens who started dating early, and there was no need to restrict people so severely. It wasn't a heinous crime. It was natural for a male to admire a female, regardless of age.
"I didn't. I just treat Sister Su as an older sister. Besides, a perfect girl like Sister Su in the afternoon, how could I have any improper thoughts? We are worlds apart. Sister Su wouldn't even look at me properly, and only treats me as a younger brother."
Speaking of this, Ye Tiancheng remembered that Su Muxian actually quite enjoyed being with Little Fox. The main reason was that Little Fox was fair-skinned, delicate, and had refined features, looking like a girl, so she treated him like a sister.
Perhaps it was different from what Little Fox thought about romantic love. Ye Tiancheng, as someone who had been through it, naturally thought more clearly, but he didn't know how to express some things to Little Fox.
"It seems you're really serious, as you've already considered this issue. Then I have to advise you, age differences can sometimes bring about gaps. As for other things, Su Muxian is not someone who dislikes the poor and loves the rich, nor will she look down on you because you have no background. However, everything still depends on fate."
It seemed that no matter how Little Fox explained, Ye Tiancheng would think according to his own assumptions. This made Little Fox blush profusely, causing him to feel extremely embarrassed and unsure of what to say.
"Oh, Brother Ye, didn't I tell you? I really didn't mean that. If I dared to have such delusions, wouldn't I be like a toad lusting after swan meat?"
It seemed Little Fox had truly experienced first love, and had taken a liking to Su Muxian, but was afraid to admit it. Ye Tiancheng couldn't bear to break a young boy's heart, as he had been through that stage himself.
Back when Ye Tiancheng was in college, he liked a class beauty. At that time, he felt he wasn't good enough for her. Later, at the instigation of his friends, he confessed. He didn't know where he got the courage from, but he was severely humiliated by the class beauty, who said that Ye Tiancheng's family background was too poor, and they had no future together, so she wouldn't waste her youth.
Even now, Ye Tiancheng remembered that evening study session. The class beauty and he had a conversation at the entrance of the study room for over ten minutes. Ye Tiancheng could not forget those ten minutes of conversation.
The class beauty had said that a woman's youth was precious and she couldn't waste it with a man who had no future. Therefore, she hoped Ye Tiancheng would stop having wishful thoughts. She was destined to marry a man with good economic conditions to make her life easier, not to be with someone like Ye Tiancheng who had no family background, even though they attended the same school and listened to the same teacher, but in reality, he still had a peasant's roots.
"Take it slow. If you want to achieve everything you desire, then just become stronger. Once you become stronger, many things will go smoothly. When you stand at a high place, others will look up to you, and you won't feel uncomfortable looking down. Instead, when you are nothing, you have to listen to others' commands. Many things are beyond your control and not something you can decide..."
While refueling, there were many cars in line. Ye Tiancheng had more to say. As an older brother, he had to impart some life lessons to Little Fox. Otherwise, if Little Fox didn't understand, he might make more mistakes, which wouldn't be good. After all, in matters of love, Little Fox was a novice and needed guidance.
"Thank you, Brother Ye. I've remembered everything you told me. I will try my best to be low-key, hide my talents, and become stronger to gain true authority. I do like Sister Su, but I also know that I am not worthy of Sister Su, so I will not express anything to Sister Su that would affect our relationship and also make Sister Su's situation difficult."
Little Fox was truly sensible. When talking to Little Fox, Ye Tiancheng often felt a sense of disorientation. This child was indeed innocent, but at times, he was much more sensible than other children, which was not something ordinary people could achieve. Could it be that he was exceptionally gifted? The mysteries surrounding Little Fox were increasing, but Ye Tiancheng could not bring himself to act against someone close to him. He would rather deceive himself and hide all these attachments until irrefutable evidence was presented. Until then, Ye Tiancheng would not pursue any responsibility from Little Fox.
However, as soon as Ye Tiancheng arrived at the villa and before he could even see Hou Mingzhu, he suddenly received a call from the Su family with news that the surveillance footage from last night showed Little Fox entering Su Muxian's room.
"Don't worry, I'll inquire about the situation. My little brother is not that kind of person. He must not have done anything to Su Muxian. He probably just went to talk or something."
"She's unconscious now, so you can say whatever you want. Until she wakes up, I will hold that boy accountable. For your sake, I haven't called the police and had him arrested directly, but you must give me an explanation."
It was normal for them to be angry. Ye Tiancheng hadn't expected that Little Fox had indeed gone into Su Muxian's room according to the surveillance footage. This matter had become complicated. After hanging up the phone, Ye Tiancheng stared fiercely at Little Fox.
"I don't know if Fatty did it on purpose, why he gave you that name. After hiding for so long, your true colors have finally been revealed, haven't they? I suggest you stop pretending and tell me what exactly happened. Why did you go into Su Muxian's room? Is the death of the shaman related to you? Why don't you tell me everything clearly, so I don't have to ask you more questions."