Chapter 110 - 97: Sigh, What a Sin

Chapter 110: Chapter 97: Sigh, What a Sin

She was very curious and wanted to probe deeper.

But to her surprise, Chen Ye’s reply was curt and decisive. "I’m busy."

With that, Chen Ye turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

Lu Jinghong froze on the spot, her face flushing and paling in turns. Her eyes reddened with indignation.

She had been the center of attention her entire life; when had she ever been treated like this?

But strangely, once the feeling of being wronged passed, she wasn’t angry. Instead, her curiosity only intensified, like an itch she couldn’t scratch.

"Hmph, if you don’t want to eat, then fine. What’s the big deal?" Lu Jinghong pouted resentfully, but her mind was already scheming for the next excuse to get close to Chen Ye.

Chen Ye was unaware of Lu Jinghong’s thoughts, nor did he care to be.

In his opinion, a pampered young lady like her was treating him like a child with a new toy. She was infatuated now, but once the novelty wore off, she would surely cast him aside.

He had neither the time nor the interest to play these childish games with her.

It was better to make a clean break now and keep his distance than to deal with trouble later.

After moving out of the Lu residence and returning to the Opera Troupe, Tie Dan and a few other apprentices immediately crowded around him.

"Was the food at the Lu Mansion delicious?" Tie Dan asked, his face full of anticipation, practically drooling.

"It was delicious, absolutely amazing. I’ll take you with me next time," Chen Ye said, smiling and patting Tie Dan’s shoulder.

"Really? That would be great! Thank you, Brother Chen," Tie Dan exclaimed sincerely.

Meanwhile, Guan Sihai watched Chen Ye laughing and joking with the apprentices and couldn’t help but nod to himself in approval.

In his eyes, Chen Ye was no longer just a young apprentice. He was the pillar of the Qingchun Troupe, a star performer destined for fame in Sea Guardian Guard and perhaps even the entire Dashun Country.

’I’ll arrange his stage debut soon.’

Guan Sihai mused to himself.

Elsewhere, Bai Xiaoyu, who had been possessed by Su Lan, had also woken up.

Although she was still very weak, when she learned from others that Chen Ye had saved her, she struggled to sit up and sent someone to ask him to her room.

"Junior Brother, this time... thank you." Bai Xiaoyu looked at the young man before her, her eyes filled with a complex mix of gratitude and other emotions.

"You’re too kind, Senior Sister. It was nothing," Chen Ye said with a wave of his hand. "Just focus on resting. Don’t overthink things."

Not wanting to give rise to any gossip, Chen Ye didn’t linger in Bai Xiaoyu’s room and promptly took his leave.

Watching his retreating figure, Bai Xiaoyu was overwhelmed with a mix of emotions.

There was a time when his handsome face had stirred certain feelings in her heart.

But now, those notions had vanished completely.

She knew this young man was destined to become a world-renowned performer. In comparison, her previous little crush seemed childish and absurd.

Leaving the Opera Troupe, Chen Ye followed the address on the land deed and found the three storefronts Mr. Lu had given him.

It had to be said, Mr. Lu was truly a straightforward man.

The three shops were all located on the busiest street in the southern part of the city. They were adjacent to one another: a grain and oil store, a tailor shop, and a bookstore. Judging by the constant flow of people, business was clearly booming.

As evening approached and the shops were about to close, Chen Ye walked into the grain and oil store. The Shopkeeper, busy at the abacus behind the counter, looked up to see a handsome young man and was about to ask his business.

Chen Ye took out the land deed, placed it on the counter, and offered a faint smile. "If you would be so kind as to gather everyone, Shopkeeper. I have a few things to say."

The moment the Shopkeeper saw the deed on the counter, he understood immediately.

They had received a notice from Mr. Lu just yesterday, informing them that the new owner would be arriving and that they were to serve him well, without the slightest hint of disrespect.

But no one had expected the new owner to be so young.

Still, he dared not be disrespectful and quickly summoned the staff from the other two shops.

The employees stared at the impossibly handsome young man before them, their faces all etched with astonishment.

"Bring me the account books for the last three months," Chen Ye said, getting straight to the point.

The shopkeepers exchanged glances. Though inwardly unconvinced, they still respectfully presented the account books.

They didn’t think this greenhorn could possibly spot anything amiss.

However, after just a few casual flips of the pages, Chen Ye pointed to a specific entry in one of the books.

"This number here doesn’t match the entry on the second page."

"And the spoilage reported here is a bit excessive."

He pointed out one issue after another with unerring accuracy. The shopkeepers listened, cold sweat beading on their foreheads and soaking the backs of their robes.

The little tricks they had been playing were minor but real. They had thought their methods were flawless, but this young man had seen through them in an instant!

In that moment, any lingering thought of looking down on him vanished.

"M-Master, we..."

"Enough," Chen Ye said, waving his hand to cut them off. "What’s past is past. I’ll let it go. But from this day forward, if anyone dares to get creative with the books again, don’t blame me for being ruthless."

He understood the principle that overly clear water holds no fish. A little minor skimming was inevitable. As long as it didn’t go too far, he could turn a blind eye.

Besides, if he rashly replaced them, there was no guarantee the newcomers would be any cleaner—or as competent.

So, a sharp reprimand followed by a little sweetness—that was the proper way to manage subordinates.

"These shops are mine, but they’re also your livelihood. Work hard, and I won’t be stingy with your year-end bonuses."

This combination of threat and promise won the shopkeepers and employees over completely. They bowed deeply to Chen Ye in sincere submission.

"Thank you, Master!"

Having established his authority, Chen Ye had one of the employees prepare a room for him on the second floor above the back courtyard of the three shops.

The room was originally intended as living quarters, with its own separate entrance at the back, making it both quiet and convenient.

After everyone had withdrawn, Chen Ye pinched his nose and placed a bundle on the table.

It contained a woman’s dress and a set of cosmetics he had purchased at the market earlier that day.

Though he was inwardly repulsed, Chen Ye knew this was an essential step if he wanted to infiltrate the Celestial Empress Palace without tipping anyone off.

’Damn it,’ he thought, ’I’ve really sacrificed too much for this.’

At this thought, Chen Ye sighed, then secured the door and windows, intending to get some sleep.

He had already informed Guan Sihai that he wouldn’t be returning to the Opera Troupe tonight, so he could rest without worry.

「The next morning.」

The sky was just beginning to lighten when Chen Ye rose.

Facing the Copper Mirror, he began to apply the cosmetics to his face, bit by bit.

His movements were practiced—it was a skill that put food on the table, after all—but his feelings were exceptionally complex.

As his eyebrows were defined and color was applied to his lips, the handsome young man in the mirror gradually vanished. In his place stood a woman of otherworldly beauty and a cool, aloof temperament.

After changing into the simple, elegant dress and activating his Dramatic Appearance Skill, his entire demeanor and presence underwent a radical transformation.

Every glance and every smile was alluring, yet tinged with a palpable aloofness that warned others to keep their distance. It was a combination that could make hearts flutter, yet none would dare to take liberties.

Even Chen Ye himself fell silent for a long time as he stared at his reflection.

"What a tragedy..."

Chen Ye muttered to himself and pushed the door open.

He didn’t alert anyone, slipping out the back door and hiring a rickshaw at the street corner to take him directly to the Celestial Empress Palace.

The Celestial Empress Palace was as busy as ever today, with incense smoke thick in the air.

Countless married women and young ladies moved in and out, their faces filled with pious devotion, treating this place as their sole spiritual refuge.

The moment Chen Ye stepped out of the rickshaw, he instantly became the center of countless gazes.

His appearance was simply too striking and his aura too unique; it would have been impossible not to attract attention.

A few young dandies, fanning themselves with folding fans, even prepared to step forward and try their luck.

Chen Ye, of course, paid them no mind. He walked straight through the crowd into the main hall, where he found the female Daoist Child who served as a guide.

A flash of astonishment appeared in the female Daoist Child’s eyes upon seeing him, but she quickly regained her composure and said respectfully in a low voice, "Honored guest, please follow me."