Jiang City, Qingyu Association.
For over a month, Liao Yu had been in seclusion, refusing to see anyone. All association affairs were temporarily handled by Wang Er, whom Su Mo had designated before leaving.
Since he was a founding elder of the organization anyway, the opposition wasn’t too vehement.
Of course, when Su Mo was away, Tang Hu took orders from him…
Hence, during the meeting, not a single person caused trouble.
“If there are no objections, then the proposal for Su Mo to become the thirteenth council member of the Qingyu Association is passed.”
Although Su Mo and Liao Yu were chairs, they were also council members, so referring to Ye Qingyi as the thirteenth was not an issue.
No one in the meeting room objected. Wang Er formally announced: “Welcome Su Mo as a council member of the Qingyu Association.”
Thunderous applause filled the meeting room.
Her selection wasn’t solely due to connections; it was primarily based on her solid track record.
A month ago, she had sternly suppressed rioting protesters, uncovered the mastermind behind them, and followed the clues to solve several serious supernatural crime cases.
A week ago, she traveled south to personally capture an internal spy attempting to flee, subsequently conducting a major purge within the Qingyu Association.
Recently, she had been handling diplomatic relations with Beidou. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, she would become the first Beidou ambassador to the Qingyu Association.
This last point alone made her the undeniable choice for the thirteenth council seat.
During the Elder Council era, because Ye Qingyu was absent, Beidou and the Qingyu Association gradually grew at odds. Had it not been for Shen Hong’s mediation, conflicts would likely have erupted long ago.
Now that the Elder Council was dissolved and Nanxuan Xuan had returned to power, his first action was to purge treacherous elements and consolidate domestic organizational forces—the Qingyu Association being one of the most important among them.
Consolidation didn’t mean merger; it meant granting legitimacy and providing certain policy supports to the integrated organizations.
Naturally, they also needed to fulfill corresponding obligations, such as protecting the homeland.
However, the Qingyu Association was special. Because of its historically excellent relationship with Beidou, the appointment of an ambassador was possible.
In a sense, the Qingyu Association was now a subsidiary organization of Beidou, receiving annual funding from the Xia country government.
Consequently, the salaries of its members had increased significantly…
After the meeting.
Ye Qingyi walked home alone.
She now lived in the villa her mother had left behind. Ye Qingwen and Ye Qingshu had come to make trouble over it.
Since leaving the Ye family that day, she had felt utterly disconnected from them and naturally had no reservations.
Besides, she was Su Mo now—standing up for her girlfriend seemed perfectly justified, didn’t it?
Preoccupied with her thoughts, Ye Qingyi unconsciously arrived at her doorstep. A black business car was parked at the front gate, seemingly waiting specifically for her.
She didn’t avoid it but walked straight towards it.
“Get in the car.” Ye Zhongwen sat inside, his expression unfriendly.
Ye Qingyi glared at him: “You get out!”
“How dare you speak to me like that?” Ye Zhongwen’s voice was laced with anger.
“You’re just a stranger. If you’re polite to me, I’ll return the courtesy. Otherwise, why should I give you a pleasant face?” Ye Qingyi retorted directly, feeling immensely satisfied inside.
“I am Qingyi’s father. You’re her boyfriend. Is this how your parents taught you to behave towards elders?”
Ye Qingyi took a deep breath and said calmly, “Sorry, you have no right to talk about them.”
Ye Zhongwen sneered, “They’re just ordinary people. How can they even compare to me?”
“They are far better than you. Qingyi herself said that from now on, my parents are her parents, my home is her home. You, Ye Zhongwen, have nothing to do with her anymore.”
Ye Zhongwen’s expression shifted uncertainly, and a glint of murderous intent gradually appeared in his eyes as he looked at Ye Qingyi:
“After all, Qingyi is my daughter. I didn’t bother with you before because of her. Now that she’s disappeared without a trace, don’t think I’ll let you off.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a cold sensation shot towards the back of Ye Qingyi’s head.
Bang!
She turned to block, engaging the attacker in combat.
“So it’s Uncle Hei.”
“Kid, you think you can call me ‘Uncle Hei’?” Uncle Hei attacked extremely fast, with lethal moves aimed to kill, seemingly unbothered by killing her on the spot.
Although Ye Qingyi was only at the Qihai realm and hadn’t yet established her Xueshan (Snow Mountain), her strength was comparable to the Xueshan realm, allowing her to hold her own against Uncle Hei in a back-and-forth fight.
“It seems Uncle Hei wants to experience Zhan Tian Dou Di (Battle Heaven Fight Earth) again.”
An immensely powerful aura condensed entirely onto her blade. Though slightly weaker than when Su Mo had used it last time, Uncle Hei, having been hit by the same move twice before, inevitably panicked and was distracted for a brief moment.
Boom!
With this psychological advantage, she temporarily gained the upper hand. Just as she was about to swing her blade for a strike, Ye Zhongwen’s voice came from the car: “Suit yourself whether you get in or not. Just moments ago, we picked up your parents and are treating them to a lavish meal they could never afford before.”
“You—” Ye Qingyi was furious, her anger striking her heart: “You’re despicable!”
“Call me whatever you want. I ask you again: are you getting in the car or not?”
“Fine.” She got into the car, her expression icy: “If anything happens to them, I will never let you off.”
Ye Zhongwen, however, was unhurried. He leisurely lit a cigarette for himself: “As long as you behave, I guarantee they’ll live a life of luxury and comfort, free from worries.”
The car engine roared to life, its low growl mirroring Ye Qingyi’s current state of mind.
She never imagined her father could be such a person. She had previously only thought he wronged her mother and herself, never dreaming he could be so vile.
Her heart felt utterly cold. The man before her no longer warranted any consideration from her.
“What do you want me to do?” Ye Qingyi asked through gritted teeth, her tone calm.
Ye Zhongwen flicked his cigarette ash out the window and spoke in a superior tone: “Just do as you’re told, no questions. Next, I’m taking you to meet someone.”
Silence served as her reply.
The car fell into quietness. Ye Zhongwen didn’t seem afraid the young man beside him might suddenly erupt and deliver a fatal blow; he continued leisurely puffing on his cigarette.
Ye Qingyi had never loathed him more than now. She didn’t even want to look at him, so she turned her head away, though her peripheral vision still monitored his every move.
Suddenly, her vision blurred. The scene inside the car gradually faded, and she vaguely saw a handsome young man sneakily glancing at her, his mouth quirking up into a pleased smile.
Who is that? What’s happening to me?
He tried to speak but found he couldn’t open his mouth. He tried to move but couldn’t. His field of vision changed involuntarily, as if someone else was controlling it.
In his dazed state, he saw his own hand—pale, delicate, and adorned with a white jade ring.
Huh? Why is the white jade ring… HOLY—!!!
Σ(ŎдŎ|||)ﾉﾉ
It took a full ten seconds to process before an intense wave of joy suddenly surged through him, his heartbeat quickening involuntarily.
I’m back!
I’ve finally changed back!!
I’ve finally turned back into a girl!!!