Chapter Thirteen: Wasn’t Saving Her Just for the Money?

Saturday evening arrived swiftly. The family gathering at the House of Jiuyayue began right on time, and she had thoughtfully arranged a car to pick up Su Ye.

“So this is Jiuyayue’s home? What a sight!” Su Ye exclaimed, gazing at the vast estate outside the car window. The landscaping, the softly glowing enormous pool, the manor itself, even the attendants stationed at every corner—all these details bespoke a wealth far beyond that of ordinary merchants.

“Yes, I heard this estate was purchased for a staggering sum. It was only thanks to the family patriarch that they managed to secure it,” replied Jian Muchen, sitting beside him, her expression filled with longing. Because Jiuyayue was her student, she knew a fair bit about the family.

Su Ye nodded, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that the manor was somehow cold and forbidding.

“We’ve arrived, honored guests!” The chauffeur in front politely reminded them. At that moment, attendants hurried forward to open the door with respectful haste.

As Su Ye and Jian Muchen stepped out, before they even set foot inside the grand entrance, they found Jiuyayue waiting for them, smiling sweetly.

Tonight she wore a beautiful evening gown that accentuated her slender waist, and under the warm lights at the doorway, she radiated charm. It was hard to imagine that at school, she was known as the Ice Queen.

Other guests arriving for the gathering looked on in surprise, whispering among themselves: who could possibly warrant Miss Jiuyayue greeting them in person?

They paused, turning to watch.

“Su Ye, Mentor Jian, you’ve finally arrived! Welcome, welcome.” Jiuyayue smiled, walking quickly toward them.

“Thank you for the invitation. We’re honored,” Jian Muchen replied with a sweet smile.

Su Ye frowned slightly, noticing a trace of bitterness in Jiuyayue’s expression. “What’s wrong? You look a bit unwell.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just haven’t stopped all day, feeling a little tired. Let’s go inside!”

As she led them in, Jiuyayue explained in a low voice, “Quite a few people are here tonight, many prominent families have come. Originally, my family also invited Yu Zhisha… but she didn’t attend. Of course, the Guide is here, I’ll introduce you later.”

Jian Muchen was delighted, “Really? I must meet them. If I could receive some guidance, that would be wonderful.”

Su Ye, however, didn’t hold out much hope. At this gathering, ninety percent of the guests were likely here seeking guidance; he had no intention of jostling for attention.

Once inside the hall, he realized the gathering was quite different from what he’d imagined.

The enormous banquet featured three long tables in the style of Western courts, each able to seat at least a hundred people on either side. To walk from one end to the other would take quite a while.

“Little sister, is this your guest? Such a beautiful woman—aren’t you going to introduce her?”

At that moment, a handsome young man strode out from the crowd ahead.

He stood nearly two meters tall, broad-shouldered, holding a glass of red wine, and moved quickly toward them, his eyes fixed on Jian Muchen.

She smiled and said, “Hello, I’m Jiuyayue’s mentor. My name is Jian Muchen.”

“Oh… I’ve heard there’s a goddess at First High School in Yangcheng. Now I finally see her! I’m Jiu Zheng, Jiuyayue’s brother.” As he spoke, he reached out and gently clasped Jian Muchen’s delicate hand.

Jian Muchen was momentarily taken aback, looking a bit uncomfortable, as Jiu Zheng held her hand longer than necessary. She tried to withdraw it without making a scene, but he held it fast.

Su Ye stepped forward, separating their hands with a firm gesture. “I’m Su Ye. Pleased to meet you.”

Jiu Zheng finally seemed to notice Su Ye, giving him a quick once-over from head to toe, then smirking, unconcerned. “Su Ye? That sounds familiar… Ah, I remember now, you’re the one who saved my sister?”

Jiuyayue immediately stepped forward, blocking Su Ye and Jian Muchen from her brother, her eyes flashing as she said, “My affairs have nothing to do with you! Step aside!”

Her words made it clear to everyone nearby that these siblings did not get along.

Jiu Zheng laughed loudly, ignoring the guests around them. “Nothing to do with me? Do you know what kind of occasion this is? You just bring anyone home?”

“What do you mean? One is my mentor, the other saved my life. Even Father wants to meet them. If you can bring your rowdy friends, why can’t I bring my guests?” Jiuyayue’s voice rose several notches.

Her cheeks were flushed with anger. Though the event was planned entirely by Jiu Zheng at their father’s request, she was still a member of the family—why shouldn’t she bring two guests?

Su Ye and Jian Muchen exchanged uneasy glances; they hadn’t expected to encounter such hostility so soon after arrival. Clearly, the siblings’ conflict was long-standing.

Jiu Zheng beckoned an attendant over, then looked at Su Ye and said in a low voice, “I know you saved my sister. I also know what you’re here for tonight. Here, take this card…”

He nodded, and the attendant immediately understood, producing a bank card and handing it to Su Ye.

“What do you mean by this?” Su Ye’s brow furrowed.

Jiu Zheng took a slow sip of wine, then replied, “You went to such lengths to save my sister—wasn’t it for money? Our family doesn’t lack such things. Take it! There’s three million inside, the password is six ones. After tonight, the Jius owe you nothing!”

What?

Su Ye’s pupils contracted sharply as he stared at the card held out to him, his expression darkening.

Jiuyayue snapped, “Jiu Zheng, what is the meaning of this? Take back your filthy money!”

Jian Muchen’s face turned crimson with anger; she hadn’t expected such a scene. Was this how great families conducted their affairs?

“My dear sister, are you stupid? He saved you and you think a few words of thanks are enough? That’s naïve—Su Ye, isn’t it? Take it! Three million is enough for someone like you to live comfortably for a lifetime. Besides, our family never likes to owe people like you anything,” Jiu Zheng said lightly.

Jiuyayue and Jian Muchen fell silent, both turning to look at Su Ye.

They didn’t know him well enough; perhaps, given his circumstances, taking the three million was the best option. After all, most people would never earn that much in a lifetime.

As Su Ye stood there, Jiu Zheng laughed heartily. Who wouldn’t be tempted by three million?

He swirled his wine, relishing the feeling of seeing through people’s hearts.

“Remember, from now on, the Jius owe you nothing.”

Suddenly, Su Ye looked up, grabbed the card, turned it over twice as if studying it closely.

Jiuyayue and Jian Muchen stared, their expressions complicated; they knew taking the card was a valid choice, and they would respect it.

“How fortunate! I don’t like owing anyone anything either. You can keep it yourself!”

With a snap, Su Ye pinched the card and twisted it, breaking it cleanly in two without hesitation. He flicked the broken card forcefully.

Bang—

Jiu Zheng’s wine glass shattered in his hand, red wine spilling over his clothes.

“You…” Jiu Zheng’s eyes widened, fury flooding his face.

With Jiuyayue and Jian Muchen present, attention was already drawn; now, as Jiu Zheng lost his temper, many guests paused in surprise.

They wondered why the second young master of the Jiu family was suddenly so angry.

Su Ye, unconcerned, met his gaze directly and said in a low voice, “I, Su Ye, act always from the heart! I saved her—it had nothing to do with you, or with the Jiu family! You think you’re something because you have a bit of filthy money? If I wanted to make money, a hundred of you wouldn’t compare.”

“Oh? Hahaha, ha! Arrogant, aren’t you? And utterly overestimating yourself!” Jiu Zheng’s fury faded, replaced by laughter.

He ignored the shattered glass, handed it to an attendant, and said in a low voice, “Who do you think you are?”