After much deliberation, Ye Tiancheng ultimately couldn't overcome his conscience. He didn't want to cause trouble, but he also didn't want to stand idly by.
Following a brief internal struggle, Ye Tiancheng finally called Hou Mingzhu.
Hou Mingzhu was no ordinary woman, and she felt no trace of pity for the currently down-on-his-luck Ye Tiancheng. "Ye Tiancheng, you're not calling to borrow money, are you? I heard about your situation and offer my deepest condolences. You finally had money, and you were only a rich man for a few days before going bankrupt. You're truly pitiful."
"I didn't plan to borrow money from you, don't worry. I wanted to remind you that you have someone named Hou Damao working under you. He'll be tampering with your restaurant's ingredients. Be careful, and don't rush into anything." At this moment, Hou Mingzhu was at a dessert shop with her wealthy girlfriends, enjoying sweets. Hearing Ye Tiancheng's words, her first reaction was shock.
"No way, Ye Tiancheng, I must have misheard you. You're actually worried about me and went out of your way to tell me? I seriously suspect you have some ulterior motive."
Hou Mingzhu was a difficult woman to deal with. Ye Tiancheng wanted to warn her, but this pampered girl suspected ill intentions. Ye Tiancheng saw no need to offer his warm side to her cold shoulder.
"If you don't believe me, so be it. I've said what I needed to say. If you don't guard against that insidious character, you might fall into his trap."
"It's just a small restaurant, and the investment isn't much. That kind of merchandise isn't enough to make me bother. Of course, Ye Tiancheng, don't think you can curry favor with me through this. I'm not some gullible fool."
Hou Mingzhu was indeed a woman prone to conspiracy theories. Ye Tiancheng couldn't be bothered to deal with her any longer.
"Suit yourself. I'm busy. Goodbye."
For those who didn't appreciate his intentions, Ye Tiancheng felt no need to harbor any further pity. Even if Hou Mingzhu was deceived, she would absolutely deserve it.
After hanging up, Hou Mingzhu still couldn't figure out why the man who had always been indifferent to her had suddenly changed his ways and actively warned her. Could there be some unspoken conspiracy behind this?
However, Ye Tiancheng was right about one thing: Hou Mingzhu was indeed preparing to open a restaurant. This time, Hou Mingzhu intended to make a big splash. This was no ordinary small eatery; she planned to open ten branches simultaneously.
Such a grand undertaking was not something anyone could achieve. The reason Hou Mingzhu was so determined this time was that she wanted to make a name for herself in the culinary world.
Previously, relying on her family's resources, Hou Mingzhu had been unrestrained, showcasing her talents in various fields. However, no matter what she did, she couldn't earn much money, and most importantly, she couldn't establish a reputation.
This caused Hou Mingzhu great distress. Although she didn't lack food or clothing in her large family, without renown, these superficial things were fleeting.
She wanted to achieve something this time. Hou Mingzhu was a cautious and suspicious person. Since Ye Tiancheng had already called to inform her, Hou Mingzhu would not allow any obstacles on her path to success.
Therefore, the most reliable method was to send people to guard against Hou Damao. Once he made a move, she would not let this detestable traitor off the hook.
After making the call, Ye Tiancheng felt much more at ease. After a profound experience, Ye Tiancheng realized that growing too rapidly powerful wasn't necessarily a good thing.
To become an invincible strongman, one essential quality was broad-mindedness.
Engaging in crooked ways only yielded temporary benefits that wouldn't last. Ultimately, such actions would harm oneself and others.
"Brother Ye, I'm not trying to criticize you, but with Hou Mingzhu's personality, it's normal for her to suffer some losses. Why did you even bother to warn her? It's useless even if you're remembering old affections. That woman only cares about profit. If you have no value to her, many women will kick you aside without any mercy."
Little Fatty couldn't stand it. After all, Hou Mingzhu, his fiancée, hadn't done anything for Ye Tiancheng. When Ye Tiancheng was in trouble, she had kicked him while he was down. Such a woman was not worth helping.
The truly worthy people to associate with were those like Hou Qing'er, who were gentle and virtuous, and wouldn't turn away when Ye Tiancheng was in a slump. That was true affection.
"Little Fatty, I know what you mean. Even if it wasn't Hou Mingzhu, I would still have made this call. I just can't stand the crooked ways in this world."
Ye Tiancheng didn't remember many details from his dreams, but upon hearing Hou Damao's cunning suggestions, he immediately recalled how he had been a fearless youth back then, and his methods were sufficiently ruthless.
He had actually put Hou Damao, that cunning scoundrel, in a sack and thrown him down the mountain. If he were to do it again, Ye Tiancheng wouldn't do such a thing.
Everything was destined. If Hou Damao didn't repent, he would surely face a terrible end. Ye Tiancheng saw no need to act himself; it would only tarnish his cultivation.
As Ye Tiancheng predicted, Hou Mingzhu had people watching the restaurant's raw materials. She never expected that someone like Hou Damao would actually dare to challenge her.
Early in the morning, not long after dawn, Hou Damao, without any subordinates, personally took action. As he stealthily approached the raw material warehouse, he was immediately caught by Hou Mingzhu's men.
"Young Lady, I was wrong! I was just impulsive. I shouldn't have done something so outrageous! Please, give me a chance to live!"
On the way to the warehouse, Hou Mingzhu didn't have a moment of peace. Hou Damao was beaten severely. When Hou Mingzhu saw him, he was covered in blood and spitting blood from the corner of his mouth.
"The fact that I came to see you myself is already giving you face, Hou Damao. You're just a nobody, yet you dared to try and shake me. Who gave you the courage?"
Hou Mingzhu found it unbelievable that Hou Damao would do something so suicidal. Had this man been possessed, or what? He seemed quite normal before.
Hou Damao was prone to flattery and always tried to build connections. It seemed this man was unwilling to accept an ordinary fate but lacked the decisive and brilliant methods, leading to this outcome.
Beaten to the brink of death, Hou Damao knew that if he couldn't win Hou Mingzhu's pity, he had no hope of survival.
Hou Damao kowtowed frantically, using his last ounce of strength. However, Hou Mingzhu looked at him coldly. Towards this man, who was at the extreme of humility and looked like a bloodied gourd, one could say her heart didn't stir even a little.
To witness such a thrilling scene of catching a thief alone, Hou Mingzhu suddenly felt a sense of loneliness. She wished she had someone to share this spectacle with. For some reason, Hou Mingzhu suddenly thought of Ye Tiancheng.
Perhaps it was because of Ye Tiancheng's tip-off that this grand drama could unfold. Hou Mingzhu felt it was normal to think of that scoundrel; after all, Ye Tiancheng was her fiancé, not a stranger.
When Ye Tiancheng received the call, a beautiful woman, Hou Qing'er, was sleeping soundly beside him. Hearing the sound, she unconsciously hummed and turned over.
Fearing he would wake the sleeping Hou Qing'er, Ye Tiancheng reluctantly got up, went out, and closed the door tightly, isolating all sound before answering the phone with peace of mind.
"Ye Tiancheng, why did it take you so long to answer? Did some little vixen's arm go numb, making it hard for you to move!"
Hou Mingzhu finally saw the call connected. For her, the great lady, to be kept waiting, whoever it was had committed a transgression.
"Hou Mingzhu, why are you calling so early? I haven't woken up yet."
Ye Tiancheng's usual tone was somewhat stiff. Perhaps he was truly not awake yet, and his voice, with a nasal tone, sounded soft.
"A bit cute. Do you know why I'm calling you?"
Hou Mingzhu was on the phone with someone, and Hou Damao was still shouting senselessly.
"Young Lady, I beg you, for the sake of our kinship, spare me this once! I'll accept any punishment you give me, and I'll definitely reform. I've disappointed you!"
The most annoying thing was that when she was on the phone, Hou Damao was so inconsiderate, shouting loudly and greatly disrupting her call experience.
Hou Mingzhu shot him a look, and her subordinates, being quick-witted, immediately gagged the loudly shouting Hou Damao.
Hou Mingzhu, almost losing her train of thought due to the interruption, took a moment to regain her composure and then continued to press Ye Tiancheng.
"Alright, you can answer my question now. Do you know why I'm calling you?"
"No idea. You're the one calling. I think you should get straight to the point. Compared to talking with you, Hou Mingzhu, I'd rather sleep a little longer."
Ye Tiancheng was indeed a bit annoyed. He had to keep his voice low to avoid waking someone, yet Hou Mingzhu showed no consideration for his difficulties. She seemed consistently selfish.
No matter how beautiful a woman was, if she was selfish, vicious, and cruel, Ye Tiancheng found it difficult to tolerate.
Hou Mingzhu was accustomed to being flattered and had countless sycophants around her. Ye Tiancheng, however, had always been indifferent, which ignited the competitive spirit of this wealthy young lady, who wanted to conquer everything.
"Ye Tiancheng, don't be so half-hearted. That guy just shouted out, giving you so many hints. Can't you figure it out? Or do you simply not want to guess?"
"If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."
When he hadn't woken up, his temper was worse than usual. Moreover, the person on the other end of the phone was Hou Mingzhu. Ye Tiancheng had absolutely no interest in this woman. If he felt anything at all, it was probably aversion.
"Alright, I won't play coy with you anymore. I don't know where you got the information, but it's indeed correct. My people have already caught Hou Damao."
"So? You don't need to thank me specifically for calling. I don't need your thanks! I just hope that when Miss Hou encounters me in the future, she'll give me a smile."
"I'm calling you to invite you to watch this show. I find it boring alone, and Hou Damao isn't a notable character. No matter what I do to him, it feels like I'm just entertaining myself."
Ye Tiancheng couldn't fathom what this woman was thinking and didn't bother to delve deeper. In any case, he didn't want to have any further entanglement with her.
"It's early in the morning, and you're calling just to tell me this? I'm sorry, I find your behavior even more boring. If there's nothing else, I'm going back to sleep."
Being ignored felt unbearable. Furthermore, Ye Tiancheng's attitude towards her wasn't a recent development. Her always listless demeanor over time had even made Hou Mingzhu doubt her own feminine charm.