September 11, four days before the results are released.

Ye Caiping is drawing the latest furniture designs at the academy.

Shanzi walked in: "Madam Ye, are you looking for me?"

"Hmm." Ye Caiping said without looking up, while drawing, "Go to the Shen family and ask Mr. Shen how that matter is progressing."

Shanzi was completely confused: "What is it?"

“Tell me, and he’ll understand.”

Shanzi responded and turned to leave.

Before evening, Shanzi returned, carrying a cloth bag mysteriously, and tiptoed in like a thief.

"Madam Ye... Mr. Shen said that everything is ready and they can arrest people as soon as the fifteenth is over."

Ye Caiping nodded.

The results wouldn't be released until September 15th. To avoid causing panic and discussion among the students, Shen Zhiyan and Prefect Qin agreed to arrest people after the results were released.

Shanzi then said mysteriously, "And... Mr. Shen gave you a small fish..."

As he spoke, he opened the cloth bag, revealing a fish basket inside.

Ye Caiping took it and saw a small crucian carp in the basket, and couldn't help but raise her eyebrows and smile.

Speaking of which, it's been a while since I last saw Shen Zhiyan after Ye Xuan's banquet last month.

It's a pity I've been busy with furniture workshop dealerships lately, otherwise I would have gone to find a fisherman to cast a line and relax.

Ye Caiping said, "You can go out now."

Shanzi breathed a sigh of relief and fled as if he were escaping.

The journey was filled with trepidation.

It turns out that this little fish was given to Madam Ye by Mr. Shen.

And just now, Madam Ye was plotting with Mr. Shen to capture someone... Is this little fish conveying some unknown and terrifying message?

Shanzi was very scared.

Grandma Ye sat on the floor under the corridor, watching Shanzi walk by with a frown and a look of panic, before finally letting out a soft sigh.

She's evolved to the point where she can tell if there are small fish just by looking at Shanzi's expression!

What's worrying is that she's checked all of Ye Caiping's contacts, but still can't find the cat.

Grandma Ye sighed, looked up, and saw Ye Caiping taking a fishing rod and going out.

Grandma Ye coughed lightly and asked directly, "Has someone brought small fish again?"

Ye Caiping's expression stiffened slightly. Why was her mother so sensitive? After thinking for a moment, she said, "Uh...no, I just wanted to eat fish..."

Grandma Ye rolled her eyes at her: "Last time I saw Shanzi give you a fish basket! Just now I saw him looking for you with a cloth bag."

Ye Caiping: "Hahaha, Shanzi said last time that he was the one who picked it up... The cloth bag just now wasn't a fish..."

Grandma Ye sighed, "Alright. There have been a lot of fish being caught in the village lately."

Ye Caiping's lips twitched.

If I had known, I should have just said yes when she brought the small fish back the first time!

Because it wasn't said directly at the time, one lie covered up another, and with so many lies, it became suspicious.

Ye Caiping arrived at the door and, upon seeing Shanzi, whispered:

"From now on, if you receive any small fish, don't bring them in for me. Hide them in your room. Call me to get them later."

Shanzi swallowed hard and nodded.

It's getting more and more mysterious...

But he already knew that the person who sent the small fish was Mr. Shen, and he also overheard something about arresting someone.

Will he be murdered to silence him one day?

Panicked, Shanzi squatted at the door, wiping away tears, wanting to tell Yang Ma and Shizi his last wishes.

The next morning.

Ye Caiping is still drawing blueprints.

Gui Xiang walked in: "Madam Ye, Mr. Shen and Miss Shen have arrived."

Ye Caiping paused in her writing and smiled, "Manman is here."

After saying that, he left the room.

Grandma Ye was very happy to hear that Shen Zhiyan had arrived, and she came out with Ye Caiping.

At the entrance.

Jin'er and Huan'er had already come out and were chatting with Shen Manman.

Today was supposed to be a day off, no classes.

Shen Zhiyan stood silently to the side, and when he saw Ye Caiping come out, he said, "Good morning."

Ye Caiping smiled and said, "Oh, why did you suddenly come?"

Shen Zhiyan said, "The sandalwood has arrived. I thought I had nothing to do, so I delivered it myself."

Ye Caiping looked back and, sure enough, saw a long convoy of cars behind her. They were all tied with sandalwood.

This is for making furniture for Shen Zhiyan.

But sandalwood is precious, and this small southern prefecture doesn't have any, so Shen Zhiyan bought it from elsewhere. It only arrived today.

Ye Caiping stepped forward and touched one of the pieces of wood, exclaiming with delight, "Good wood!"

Shen Zhiyan smiled: "You like it?"

"Who wouldn't like such valuable wood?"

Grandma Ye stepped forward and said, "Mr. Shen, Miss Shen, please come inside."

Ye Caiping stepped forward and pulled Manman along, preparing to go inside.

"Wait a minute." Shen Zhiyan suddenly turned around, took a fish basket from the carriage, and shoved it into Ye Caiping's hand: "Here, for you."

Ye Caiping: "..."

Grandma Ye: "..."

Shanzi, standing to the side, froze on the spot, gasped for breath, and screamed in his heart: Could this little fish be allowed to appear in public, in front of everyone?

Grandma Ye gasped.

Mr. Shen is actually that cat? How could this be? This person is someone she never even dared to imagine!

But the way they delivered the fish was so natural, appropriate, and aboveboard!

While shocked, Grandma Ye was also somewhat pleased and couldn't help but take a closer look at Shen Zhiyan.

She was in her thirties, about the same age as my daughter. And she was incredibly beautiful!

He was also exceptionally talented, a scholar with the potential to become a top scholar.

I heard they come from a very good family...

But the conditions are too good, making it a bit difficult to handle.

Grandma Ye felt a mix of joy, elation, trepidation, and overwhelming gratitude.

Despite her happiness, Grandma Ye remained quite lucid.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!