Chapter 73: The Three Rules
Xiao Ye was also quite interested in ancient prescriptions.
One should never underestimate the wisdom of the ancients. Through sheer trial and error, like the legendary Shennong tasting a hundred herbs, their understanding of Chinese medicine was bone-deep.
Modern Chinese medicine was merely standing on the shoulders of giants.
He picked up the file. Inside were several yellowed, old sheets of paper, laminated with a protective film to prevent damage.
Due to improper preservation, a few spots had grown moldy, conveniently obscuring the names of several medicinal herbs.
Xiao Ye's eyes swept over it, and he understood at once.
"I know this prescription. The missing herbs are Chenopodium ambrosioides, Money Grass, and Cassia Seed."
Bai Xue froze, finding it hard to believe. "This is an ancient prescription. How could it be that simple?"
"Don't you understand the principle that the greatest truths are the simplest? It's an ancient prescription only because it's old and comes from our predecessors, not because it's inherently profound."
"This is just a prescription for treating liver disease. Go back and test it, and you'll see."
Bai Xue mentally inserted Xiao Ye's suggestions and found that the entire prescription became surprisingly harmonious.
'Could he be telling the truth?'
"Xiao Ye, how did you know?"
"Because I've seen this formula before."
Xiao Ye's answer made Bai Xue purse her lips in disdain. "This is an ancient prescription, not something you find every day. How could you have possibly seen it?"
"Believe it or not, I've told you the missing herbs. You can get lost now."
"You—!"
Bai Xue stomped her foot. "Why are you so rude! I… I'm a woman, you know!"
He should at least be a little more polite when speaking to a woman. Who tells someone to get lost every other sentence?
Xiao Ye instinctively glanced at her chest. While she had some assets, they were a far cry from Lin Chuyue's.
When Bai Xue realized where he was looking, her pretty face flushed red. She quickly covered her chest. "You… pervert!"
Furious, she turned and stormed away.
Xiao Ye found it amusing. He hadn't meant anything by it.
'Besides, what can you even see through clothes?'
'If that's considered perverted, then there are no good men left in this world.'
Seeing Bai Xue about to leave in a huff, he tapped the table lightly. "Hey, you haven't taken your ancient prescription."
Bai Xue turned back, snatched the file from the table with a pout, and shot Xiao Ye a fierce glare before finally leaving.
Lin Chuyue walked in the door just as Bai Xue was coming out, and they nearly collided.
Bai Xue lived up to her name—"White Snow"—with skin as fair as snow, so translucent that the veins beneath were faintly visible.
Right now, her face was as red as a peach blossom in early spring, looking utterly adorable.
Bai Xue didn't say a word to Lin Chuyue; she practically fled in a panic.
Then, seeing Xiao Ye sitting on the sofa with a smile still on his face, Lin Chuyue's expression instantly turned sour.
'Scumbag!'
'He's a player, and now he's seducing a sweet, innocent girl like Bai Xue!'
"Well, my wife is back."
Xiao Ye stood up, wanting to greet her.
Lin Chuyue dodged his hand, her eyes filled with disgust. "Don't touch me!"
"What, are you mad at me? That young lady was just here to ask me about a prescription. I didn't do anything. I didn't even touch her hand."
His wife was great in every way, except she was a real jealous type—it didn't take much to set her off.
"I never said you did anything. Besides, you're nothing to me. Who you want to touch is your freedom. It has nothing to do with me."
Lin Chuyue's pretty face was cold and sullen; she was in a terrible mood.
'This jerk, getting involved with so many women, and he has the nerve to live in the Lin Family home.'
'If outsiders found out, she'd be drowned by the gossip!'
The rumors had been running wild these past few days, saying she was not only involved with Huo Wenhao, but that even Yuan Tiancheng had fallen for her charms.
"Xiao Ye, pack your things and leave today. Go back to your Jiangpan Villa. I don't want anyone misunderstanding our relationship."
"It's perfect. You can go and get to know your other fiancées. Don't let my Lin Family get in the way of your life!"
Xiao Ye grabbed Lin Chuyue's hand. "Are you jealous? I have nothing to do with the Bai Family or the Ye Family. You're the only one I like."
"Let go of me!"
Lin Chuyue struggled but couldn't break free. "Then I'll tell you the truth: I could never like you in this lifetime!"
"We're not the same kind of people, and we can never be together!"
"Chuyue! What nonsense are you spouting!"
An angry shout came from upstairs.
Lin Aoshan was leaning on the railing, scolding her coldly. "Xiaoye is an honored guest of our Lin Family! How can you kick him out!"
"Grandpa..." Lin Chuyue's head throbbed. It was always like this.
"Xiaoye, you just stay right here and don't worry. I can still call the shots in this Lin Family. No one can make you leave!"
"As for Chuyue, don't take her words to heart. Her bark is worse than her bite."
Lin Aoshan absolutely would not allow the outstanding son-in-law he held in such high regard to just run off.
'So many women out there are eyeing him like tigers, and here's my own granddaughter, treating a priceless treasure like it's worthless dirt!'
Frustrated, Lin Chuyue could only nod resentfully. "Fine. I won't kick him out."
With that, she sat on the sofa and pointed to the seat opposite her. "Sit. I have something to say to you."
Xiao Ye wasn't angry at all. 'This girl, she always talks about kicking me out, but when trouble comes, she's the first to stand in front of me to protect me.'
'This little thing, all bark and no bite. I like it!'
Xiao Ye plopped down casually and gave Lin Chuyue a suggestive arch of his brow. "Chuyue, just admit it. You like me."
"We're already engaged and a match made in heaven. There's no need for these daily misunderstandings."
"In this life, I am your destiny."
"And you can't be with anyone but me."
Lin Chuyue heaved a heavy sigh.
'I'm going to lose my mind!'
'What on earth did I do to make Xiao Ye think I like him?!'
'Where does he get this confidence!'
"Xiao Ye, I don't want to hear any more of your twisted logic. Listen to me. The only reason I'm letting you stay is because my grandpa insists, and I don't want to make him angry."
"So stop flattering yourself. I have never said I like you."
"From now on, we're laying down three ground rules. If you don't agree, then for every day you stay in the Lin Family home, I'll stay away for a day."
"I can't provoke you, but I can avoid you!"
'The stubborn little thing, trying so hard to justify herself again.'
'Whatever. He couldn't be bothered to call her out on her petty jealousy.'
Xiao Ye leaned back on the sofa and spread his hands in a pampering gesture. "Alright. Go ahead. What are the three rules?"
Lin Chuyue held up a slender, jade-like hand. "First, you are not allowed to call me 'wife' anymore, and you especially can't call me that in public. In short, that word is forbidden!"
"Second, no matter where we are, you are not to touch me, and you certainly can't do anything intimate with me!"
"Third, I don't care what you do with your other fiancées, but you can't do it in the Lin Family home!"
This was her home. She absolutely would not allow Xiao Ye to be promiscuous under her roof!
Her Lin Family was a prestigious clan, not some hotel!
Xiao Ye couldn't help but laugh. "Wife, what kind of person do you take me for?"
"I've never brought a woman back here. They're the ones who come looking for me."
"You have to believe in my loyalty to you. Besides you, no one else can have me."
Lin Chuyue was speechless. 'Who would want him when he acts so cheap!'
"Shut up. Just tell me, do you agree or not?"
"Of course, I agree. A man has to dote on his own wife. Forget these three points—even if you asked me to walk through fire, I, Xiao Ye, would..."
"Stop!"
Lin Chuyue was so angry she felt like she would explode. "Don't call me 'wife' again! This is your last warning!"
"Also, no more intimate gestures toward me, and don't bring women to the Lin Family home!"
"If you can't do these things, I'll chop you into eighteen pieces!"