The Master Descends the Mountain: My Destined CEO

Huo Wenhao didn't dare let Xiao Ye get involved. He quickly waved his hands. "No need to be so courteous! I'll figure something out about the Yuan Family's matter."

Xiao Ye gave a casual nod to show he understood.

Of course, his reward was an immediate eye-roll from Lin Chuyue.

'I give up,' she thought. 'We're both adults, so how can Xiao Ye be so reckless? He has absolutely no understanding of how the world works!'

'If this keeps up, he's going to get into serious trouble sooner or later!'

In an attempt to salvage the situation from Xiao Ye's disastrous lack of social grace, Lin Chuyue had no choice but to step in and smooth things over.

With a faint smile, she said to Huo Wenhao, "Young Master Huo, you've rushed to our aid several times now. We are truly grateful."

"We've prepared a meal at home. Would Young Master Huo honor us with your presence and stay for dinner?"

Huo Wenhao immediately looked at Xiao Ye.

'Should I stay for this meal?'

When he saw Xiao Ye's expression darken, Huo Wenhao immediately took the hint and waved his hands dismissively. "It's getting late. Let's do it tomorrow."

With that, he prudently took his men and left.

Lin Chuyue failed to convince him to stay. She heaved a heavy sigh. "I hope nothing goes wrong tomorrow."

Meanwhile.

The Bai Family Estate.

Staying in the best room, Yuan Tianrui dialed Yuan Tiancheng's number. "Bro, I've been calling you over and over. Why haven't you answered?"

"I've been busy with work. What is it?"

"Don't get me started, bro. I came to Jiangcheng, right? And I ran into some guy who was just asking for it."

Yuan Tianrui said indignantly, "He's running some kind of scam that's completely ruined several families."

"I was trying to get justice for them, and the bastard beat me up instead! He broke the bridge of my nose."

"I can't swallow this humiliation!"

"Bro, the guy's got some skills. I want to borrow a few of your men to teach him a lesson!"

"A Daoist from the mountains?" Yuan Tiancheng frowned, slightly startled.

'Recently... haven't there been rumors that Lingxiao Daoist's personal disciple has come down from the mountains?'

'It couldn't be such a coincidence... could it?'

Seeing his brother's silence, Yuan Tianrui prattled on, "Bro, just lend me a few men! I have to get my reputation back!"

"And you know what? He even had the gall to use our family's name against me! What right does a lowlife like him have to know anyone from the Yuan Family?"

"He probably just saw news about the Yuan Family online and decided to bluff by using our name. If we don't shut him down now, he might use the Yuan Family's name to do god-knows-what in the future!"

Yuan Tiancheng's hand clenched the phone. "What did you say? He knows someone from the Yuan Family?"

"Tell me everything, right now! What exactly happened?"

"And what does he look like?"

Yuan Tianrui hated it when his brother got all cautious like this. "Bro, he's just some hick. Is all this caution necessary?"

"Fine. He's passable, I guess. Around twenty years old. Not as handsome as me, but a little paler."

CLACK!

Yuan Tiancheng's phone had fallen to the floor.

'He knew exactly what kind of character his own brother was, didn't he!?'

'For his brother to admit someone was 'paler' than him, that person must be leagues more handsome!'

"Young and handsome? What's his name?!"

"Xiao Ye. Bro, why all the questions? Are you lending me the men or not?"

"Shut up! I'm warning you: you are not to cause him any trouble tomorrow!"

'Down from the mountains, named Xiao Ye, young and handsome... everything pointed to him being the disciple of Lingxiao Daoist.'

'If it's really him, then this is a disaster!'

"Do you hear me? You are forbidden from causing any trouble! Otherwise, forget about Dad—I'll be the first one to break your legs!"

"I'm booking a flight right now to get to Jiangcheng as fast as possible!"

Yuan Tiancheng hung up immediately and ordered his subordinate to book the earliest flight.

Yuan Tianrui was completely baffled.

'Is Big Brother actually coming to get revenge for me himself?'

'Hmph. Once he's here, getting rid of that hick Xiao Ye will be a piece of cake!'

「The next day.」

All was quiet at the Lin Family estate.

Yuan Tianrui didn't come, nor did the Bai and Ye Families. It was so peaceful it was as if yesterday had never happened.

Lin Chuyue was convinced this was all thanks to Huo Wenhao.

First thing in the morning, she called Huo Wenhao to treat him to a meal.

Huo Wenhao didn't dare accept without permission. Only after checking with Xiao Ye and getting the go-ahead did he muster the courage to show up.

At the dining table, Lin Chuyue poured two glasses of wine and pushed one toward Xiao Ye. "Go on, propose a toast to Young Master Huo. If it weren't for him, you wouldn't be sitting here so comfortably today."

Xiao Ye raised an eyebrow with a grin. "Alright. Whatever wifey says, goes."

The corner of Huo Wenhao's eye twitched. He wouldn't dare accept a toast from Xiao Ye. He simply raised his glass and drained it in one go. "Miss Lin, no need for such formalities."

Lin Chuyue gave an awkward smile. "Xiao Ye, Young Master Huo finished his drink. You should drink up, too."

'Even if he can't hold his liquor, after such a huge favor, he has to at least make a gesture,' she thought.

Xiao Ye resignedly raised his glass, but Huo Wenhao stopped him. He cleared his throat. "Alright, that's enough. No one else has to drink. I don't like alcohol, and I dislike the smell of it even more."

"Men, get all this alcohol out of here!"

Thinking Huo Wenhao was offended, Lin Chuyue hastily snatched the glass from Xiao Ye's hand and downed it in one go. "Young Master Huo, Xiao Ye is ignorant of etiquette. Please don't mind him."

"I'll drink this one in his place!"

Huo Wenhao's face went pale with fright. He frantically urged his men, "What are you standing around for? Get this alcohol away from me, now!"

When his men moved too slowly, he started clearing away the bottles himself.

Suddenly, his phone rang. Huo Wenhao glanced at the caller ID. "I need to take this outside. You two start without me."

As soon as he left, Lin Chuyue shot Xiao Ye a look of displeasure. "You really can't be taken anywhere, can you? You don't even know the most basic table etiquette."

"You don't even know how to propose a toast! You have to hold your glass lower than his to show sincerity, not raise it up high. Didn't you see how angry Young Master Huo was getting?"

"It's fine if you don't understand these social rules—I'll just assume it's because you've never had to. But can't you at least make an effort to learn? You have to at least show the right attitude!"

Seeing her cheeks flush from the one glass of wine, Xiao Ye smiled and took her hand. "Okay, okay, I'll listen to you. But from now on, you don't have to drink on my behalf."

"The height of the glass doesn't matter. Huo Wenhao wouldn't dare get angry. You really don't need to worry about him."

"You..."

Lin Chuyue snatched her hand away, her patience completely gone. "So I've just been talking to a brick wall this whole time!"

"I knew it! I never should have brought you with me!"

Just as the words left her mouth, Huo Wenhao walked back in from his phone call.

Suppressing her anger, Lin Chuyue smiled graciously. "Young Master Huo, you must try this. These are all local Jiangcheng specialties."

For the rest of the meal, things were more or less harmonious, except for the fact that Xiao Ye's glass was always held too high.

By the time they saw Huo Wenhao off, the alcohol had gone to Lin Chuyue's head. Her gaze was slightly unfocused.

She lifted her foot to get into the car, but her legs wobbled, and she nearly stumbled.

Xiao Ye's reflexes were faster; he steadied her in an instant. Feeling the softness of her skin under his hand, his face lit up with a brilliant smile.

Without a moment's hesitation, he gave her a gentle squeeze.

"Bastard! Let me go!"

"You're all talk, little girl."

'If she didn't like me, she wouldn't have drunk on my behalf.'

'This haughty little act of hers is actually getting more and more endearing.'

"Stop struggling. You're drunk. I'm just making sure you don't fall."

Xiao Ye decisively guided Lin Chuyue into the car. "Is your head hurting? I can massage it for you."

Before Lin Chuyue could refuse, his large hands were already pressing gently against her scalp.

A wave of relaxation, the likes of which she had never felt before, washed over her.

She hesitated for a moment. 'Oh, well,' she thought. 'I'll just lean on him for a little bit.'

The next moment, she was drifting into a drowsy sleep.

The car arrived at the Lin Family estate, but Lin Chuyue still hadn't woken up.

Xiao Ye lifted her out of the car and strode into the living room.

Seeing their intimate posture, Lin Aoshan nodded in satisfaction. "You're back?"

Ye Baiwei, who was sitting on the sofa, stood up as well. Her gaze fell on the arm Xiao Ye had wrapped around Lin Chuyue, and she offered a small smile. "Mr. Xiao."