The school bell rang, signaling the end of classes.
"Yanyan, what are you planning to do after school?" Ye Chen asked casually.
"I'm going to train with Sister Yuechan," Zhao Yanyan replied, smiling. "Ever since I started learning the Melody of the Goddess technique, my musical skills have improved a lot. It's actually kind of fun."
She looked excited just talking about it. Clearly, she had developed a real fondness for her instrument and the cultivation technique tied to it.
Ye Chen reached into his storage ring. "Here, I have a gift for you."
He handed her a small jade bottle. Inside were four Soul Absorption Pills—pills that could significantly increase the speed of absorbing Yuan Qi during cultivation.
"My husband, you really don't need to give me these," Zhao Yanyan said, gently pushing the bottle back. "I still haven't even used the Marrow Washing Pills you gave me yesterday. You should keep these for yourself."
Ye Chen chuckled. "Honestly, they don't help me much anymore. My cultivation level is too high. These will be much more useful for you. Please take them."
Zhao Yanyan paused, touched by his sincerity. "Alright, thank you." She accepted the bottle and carefully tucked it into her bag.
Ye Chen smiled. "Actually, I have one more gift. Give me your hand."
Zhao Yanyan obediently extended her hand. Ye Chen pulled out a silver ring and gently slid it onto her middle finger.
It was a Storage Ring—a spatial tool that allowed the user to store items inside.
"I noticed you didn't have one yet," Ye Chen said. "I'm already using the Unlimited Fairy Gate Storage, so I figured you could use my old one."
Zhao Yanyan's eyes sparkled as she stared at the ring. "Husband… is this a proposal ring?" she asked, half-joking, half-hoping.
Ye Chen laughed. "It's a Storage Ring, Yanyan. You can use it to keep your pills, treasures, even weapons."
Zhao Yanyan was stunned. She had heard of Storage Rings but had never owned one herself. They were rare and valuable.
With Ye Chen's guidance, she quickly learned how to use it.
"This is amazing! Now I can store all my clothes inside!" she said, delighted.
Ye Chen nearly fell out of his chair. She wants to use a rare Storage Ring as a wardrobe? But in the end, it was her ring—she could use it however she liked.
Just then, a male classmate ran over. "Ye Chen! There's a gorgeous woman looking for you at the school gate."
Ye Chen frowned. "Who is she?"
"I don't know, but she's wearing a professional OL outfit and pulled up in a flashy sports car."
Zhao Yanyan smirked. "Looks like I'm about to get another sister."
Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. "Come on, she's just a friend. Don't get any ideas."
"Sure… a friend," Zhao Yanyan teased. "Let's go see who she is."
They walked to the school gate, where Ye Chen immediately recognized the visitor. It was Liu Yue.
Dressed in a sleek office outfit that accentuated her curves, she stood confidently by her car. Every male student in the area couldn't help but glance at her.
"Liu Yue, what are you doing here?" Ye Chen asked.
"I came to pick you up. I was afraid you'd flake," she said playfully.
When Ye Chen introduced Zhao Yanyan, Liu Yue's smile faltered for just a moment before she extended a hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Liu Yue."
Zhao Yanyan shook it firmly. "I'm Zhao Yanyan. The pleasure's mine, Sister Liu."
Neither woman let go quickly, and both kept their smiles steady—though Ye Chen could feel the unspoken tension between them.
Trying to ease the atmosphere, he suggested, "Shall we head out?"
"Let's go to the company," Liu Yue said. She winked at Zhao Yanyan. "Mind if I borrow your boyfriend for a bit?"
"Don't take too long," Zhao Yanyan replied with a grin.
Ye Chen climbed into the car. As they drove away, he looked at Liu Yue. "You're dressed up today."
"And you have a stunning girlfriend. I didn't expect that," Liu Yue replied, a trace of jealousy in her tone.
"I'm lucky to have her," Ye Chen said honestly. "But you're beautiful too. Whoever ends up with you will be lucky as well."
Liu Yue's cheeks flushed at his words. She turned her gaze toward the road, hiding her smile.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the Liu family company. Several high-end cars were parked outside—clearly, the other shareholders had already arrived.
"My grandmother owns 45% of the company," Liu Yue explained as they headed inside. "The next biggest share—40%—is split among thirty board members. The rest is with minor shareholders."
They took the elevator to the top floor. Inside the executive suite were two people: Luo Bing—now dressed in an office outfit instead of her police uniform—and an older man, likely in his sixties.
Ye Chen sensed a sharp gaze. Luo Bing was glaring at him, likely still annoyed about the "incident" from before.
"Grandma!" Liu Yue greeted warmly.
"Yue'er, Ye Chen—good, you're both here." Liu Yue's grandmother, Situ Rui, gestured toward the older man. "This is General Zhao Jinshan, an old friend of mine. He owns 4% of the company."
"Nice to meet you, General Zhao," Ye Chen said respectfully.
"Just call me Grandfather Zhao. I've long retired," the older man replied with a kind smile.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
A young woman entered—beautiful, with a mature, elegant air. "CEO Liu, all the shareholders are present. They're just waiting for you."
"Tell them I'll be there shortly," Liu Yue said. The woman gave Ye Chen a cheeky wink before exiting.
"Let's go," Liu Yue said, leading the group toward the meeting room.
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