Chapter Twenty-Five: Boundless Peaks

Wan Tianze, hearing his daughter’s disrespectful tone, was not angry but rather amused. “Zhengzheng, I only sent Jiayu to take care of something.”

Ye Dong and the others naturally knew that Wan Tianze had sent Jiayu into the deep mountains to find the person in the photograph.

Zhengzheng rolled her eyes. “Well, you should have told me beforehand. I still need him to accompany me to the orphanage today.”

Madam Wan pursed her lips and beckoned. “Zhengzheng, the guests have arrived. Aren’t you going to greet them?”

The faces of the servants nearby changed immediately, for the usually gentle Madam Wan rarely wore such a stern expression.

Though Zhengzheng felt annoyed, she had no choice but to obey her mother's authority. Pouting, she reluctantly settled into a chair.

She dropped her spoiled demeanor, glanced at Nianxue and the others, and exclaimed, “Are you this year’s outstanding employees? Such unfamiliar faces!”

Nianxue shook her head. “No, we’re simply here because Uncle Wan invited us for a meal.”

Zhengzheng looked at Nianxue in confusion. “That’s odd. We rarely receive friends from everyday life at home.”

Ye Dong chimed in, “That makes us all the more grateful for your hospitality.”

Wan Tianze leaned close and whispered in Zhengzheng’s ear, “These few made exceptional contributions to the July 14 case. Be polite.”

Zhengzheng’s eyes lit up, and she whispered, “Is the case’s inside story especially bizarre?”

Wan Tianze coughed twice. “Zhengzheng, are you looking for material for your novel?”

She pouted. “I am not!”

Madam Wan smiled. “Our Zhengzheng is a young writer, fond of composing supernatural stories. Please guide her as much as you can.”

Ye Dong thought to himself, “I doubt you invited us just to offer advice to your daughter.”

He offered a polite smile. “It’s perfectly normal for young people to enjoy supernatural tales.”

Zhengzheng put down her chopsticks, her face full of delight. “Really? You like them too?”

The group nodded with smiles, not denying it.

Ye Dong asked, “What’s the name of your work?”

Zhengzheng seemed intrigued. “I have a column called ‘Urban Night Panic.’ Have you read it?”

Ye Dong was momentarily speechless. “So that messy ‘Urban Night Panic’ is hers? And it’s actually a column? My goodness, I have to admit, it’s rather poor.”

The group exchanged glances, all looking at Ye Dong, as if saying, “You brought up the topic—you handle it.”

Ye Dong recalled, “I’ve read it. The author is ‘Pen in Panic,’ right?”

Zhengzheng was pleasantly surprised. “You really have? It’s the first time I’ve met a reader in real life! Come on, give me some feedback!”

Ye Dong thought, “That column only has about a hundred readers; I just stumbled across it.”

He smiled. “Maybe we could talk after the meal? You see, the others can’t join in the conversation, and I feel a bit embarrassed.”

Zhengzheng dragged her chair next to Ye Dong, giggling. “Right, right—I’ll sit by you and we’ll chat as we eat.”

Ye Dong was both amused and exasperated. Across from him, Wan Tianze looked a little embarrassed. “My daughter is rather rude—please don’t mind her.”

Ye Dong laughed. “Of course not. We’re all of the same generation; nowadays, people make friends quite directly. This dish is delicious—what’s it called?”

He deftly changed the subject, dissolving the awkwardness of the Wan couple.

When Zhengzheng heard Ye Dong praise the dish, she promptly scooped a large piece into his bowl. “You like this? Is it enough? If not, I’ll have the kitchen make more.”

Liang Lingzhi and the others were a bit surprised. Wasn’t this heiress remarkably approachable?

After the pleasant luncheon, Zhengzheng tugged at Ye Dong. “Now that we’re full, you can give me some pointers, right?”

Nianxue and Liang Lingzhi exchanged smiles. “Looks like Ye Dong’s luck with women is pretty good these days.”

Little Bao slanted his eyes. “Why doesn’t such a beauty ever show interest in me?”

Da Chun shook his head. “Because we didn’t do our homework. He’s ridiculously lucky—he’s actually read Zhengzheng’s stories. I’m jealous. If Ye Dong becomes Wan Tianze’s son-in-law, that would really be something!”

They pricked up their ears, listening as Ye Dong said, “Your ‘Backstreet Specter’ is well-written, but it lacks genuine emotion and proper logic. Think about it—if you had no supernatural abilities and encountered a ghost, wouldn’t your first thought be to run or fight? But your protagonist chats with the ghost and even adds it on social media, which clearly isn’t logical.”

His words were pleasant to hear. Liang Lingzhi couldn’t help but laugh, only to be glared at by Zhengzheng. He hurriedly explained, “Was my sneeze ill-timed? Sorry, sorry.”

Nianxue and the others struggled to suppress their laughter. Zhengzheng, crestfallen, said, “I’ve never experienced such a life, so it’s hard to write it authentically.”

Ye Dong comforted her. “Zhengzheng, I think your writing lacks a certain imagination—a kind of imagination that breaks free from constraints.”

Zhengzheng seemed to have discovered a treasure, handing over a large plate of fruit. “Hero Ye! Do you have ways to help me improve?”

Ye Dong gently pushed the fruit aside. “I used to do some work in the literature club. Imagination isn’t just wild fancy—it’s about breakthroughs and creativity built on logical foundations.”

Zhengzheng listened intently, noting down everything Ye Dong said. He continued, “Gathering material is important too. Like your ‘Subway Terror’ story…”

Seeing Ye Dong and Zhengzheng engrossed in conversation, Nianxue and the others didn’t want to disturb them and took the opportunity to explore Wan Tianze’s grand estate.

As their lively discussion continued, the estate’s heavily guarded gates slowly opened. A gray sports car, headlights gleaming, rolled in.

A handsome young man stepped out, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers, and hurried into the hall.

Nianxue asked the attendant, “Xiao Hong, who is that?”

Xiao Hong smiled. “Him? He’s the son of the chairman of Splendid Mountains Group—his name’s Mo Dingxi. He’s your typical super-rich heir. He’s been smitten with our young lady for ages, but she always ignores him.”

Nianxue nodded. “Mo Dingxi? He looks refined and handsome—quite a catch.”

“Zhengzheng! Guess what I brought you!”

Mo Dingxi called out before he even entered, but seeing Zhengzheng and Ye Dong deep in conversation, his heart soured and his smile froze.

Zhengzheng glanced up and immediately put on a sour expression. “Xiao Dingxi, what are you doing here? I didn’t invite you.”

Mo Dingxi’s smile brightened again as Zhengzheng spoke to him. “I missed you, so I went out of my way to find your favorite blue roses.”

Zhengzheng replied with an indifferent “Oh,” choosing to ignore him and trying to continue her conversation with Ye Dong. But Ye Dong advised her, “A guest is still a guest; that’s not very polite.”

Zhengzheng pouted, put down her pen and paper, and asked, “Where are the flowers? Give them here.”

Mo Dingxi handed over the bouquet with a smile. “Just picked them. I did it myself.”

Zhengzheng took the flowers and scoffed, “Please, who are you fooling? Save those lies for the starlets you court.”

Mo Dingxi’s eyes showed disappointment, but he forced a smile. “I knew you wouldn't believe me, but that’s alright. Who’s your friend?”

Ye Dong extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Ye Dong.”

Mo Dingxi shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, I’m Mo Dingxi.”

Zhengzheng shot him a glare. “You’ve given the flowers, shaken hands. Aren’t you going back to work now?”

Mo Dingxi, feeling unwelcome, forced a smile. “Alright, alright—I’ll leave you to it. Enjoy your chat.”

Ye Dong waited until Mo Dingxi left before saying, “These roses really were picked by him.”

Zhengzheng asked, “How do you know?”

Ye Dong explained, “When I shook his hand, I noticed several wounds on his fingers—probably scratched by the thorns while picking them.”

Zhengzheng cradled the bouquet and sighed. “I’ve told Xiao Dingxi many times—I don’t like him, but he just won’t give up. He comes to see me almost every day.”

Ye Dong thought, “I’m just an ordinary guy—how could I understand the love lives of the ultra-rich?”

He smiled. “It’s getting late. I’d like to go home and rest for a bit.”

Seeing Ye Dong about to leave, Zhengzheng seemed a little disappointed. She pouted. “We get along so well—I was hoping to take you to the orphanage to meet the kids.”

Ye Dong was taken aback. “I have to admit, this domineering princess is quite compassionate.”

He rubbed his nose. “I don’t have much planned for the afternoon. Visiting the children sounds nice.”

When Ye Dong changed his mind, Zhengzheng was delighted. She called out, “Nianxue, do you want to come to the orphanage and meet the kids?”

Upon hearing “orphanage,” Little Bao and Da Chun felt a chill and said in unison, “Nianxue, I have a bad feeling about this…”