Chapter 17, Chapter 017: The Secret Chamber
There were no ceremonies or disturbances tonight, and with plenty of time, Ye Baoling could finally take a nice bath.
Before taking a bath, she locked the door to the dressing room, took the carefully prepared chocolates and two apples, and sneaked into the secret room to offer them devoutly to Guanyin Bodhisattva.
At the same time, she took out the biscuits that had been offered earlier, stuffed them into her bag and hid them, before preparing to take a bath.
I took a quick shower first, and only after I was clean did I soak in the bathtub.
In a state of extreme relaxation, tilting your head back allows your body to float naturally on the water.
Relax your mind and body, and quietly daydream.
Over the next two days, she needs to free up money from the closed-end fund. How should she invest the withdrawn money? How can she make the money work its magic?
The place where you can lose a lot of money, but also accumulate capital the fastest, is the stock market.
Yes, we need to find a way to get information from Ye Huaizhang about South Africa buying diamond mines.
If the news is true, then she will buy the corresponding stocks.
Does this involve insider trading?
First, you need to understand the current laws in the port city. You can't do anything illegal.
One thing after another kept swirling in her mind.
Squeak... squeak...
A strange sound came from behind.
Ye Baoling turned around to check, but found nothing unusual.
Looking around, the bathroom wasn't small, but it wasn't particularly large either. It had a black and white color scheme, and you could see everything at a glance. I couldn't find the source of the sound.
squeak……
Suddenly, a piercing sound assaulted my eardrums.
It sent chills down my spine!
Ye Baoling quickly climbed out of the water.
Before I could react, the lights suddenly went out, plunging the surroundings into darkness.
She screamed in terror: "May Buddha protect me!"
throat!
The Bodhisattva did not protect her.
In her haste, she accidentally bumped her toe somewhere, stumbled, and her knee hit the bathtub, making her wince in pain.
When you're down on your luck, even drinking water can cause problems.
At that moment, light came from outside the door, followed by a knock.
"The power went out, are you alright?"
It was Ye Huaizhang.
Using the dim light from outside, Ye Baoling grabbed her bathrobe and hurriedly put it on before limping to open the door.
Is your house haunted?!
The flashlight shone on her, revealing her wet hair dripping water, with droplets running down her slender white neck and onto her chest.
He looked away, trying not to see what he shouldn't. "It's probably a power outage."
"There were also strange noises, squeaking and screeching that were terrifying."
"That's the sound of the water pipes; it makes noise occasionally. You'll get used to it." Ye Huaizhang was clearly unfazed by it.
The power went out in her luxury house, and the old water pipes were making strange noises. She's just not experienced enough!
"Is no one going to take responsibility for the tripped circuit breaker?"
"The maid will handle it."
As soon as he finished speaking, the lights in the room came on.
Ye Baoling was still shaken and dared not continue taking a shower. She went into the dressing room to change into her pajamas.
Seeing that she was walking with a limp, he couldn't help but ask, "Did you fall?"
"She didn't fall." How could she have fallen?
But I bumped my toe, and it hurts.
Ye Baoling bled quite a bit from her toes, and it took her half a box of tissues to absorb all the blood.
After changing into my pajamas, I noticed a first-aid kit on the low table next to the sofa, containing bandages, alcohol, and medicated oil.
Ye Huaizhang was sitting to the side, adjusting a small machine that looked like a video recorder. He glanced at her and asked, "Should we call your maid to help?"
"No need. I can do it myself." After sitting down, Ye Baoling picked up a cotton ball, dipped it in alcohol, and disinfected the wound.
"Her name is Chen Yulan. She's not my maid; she's my neighbor's child. She helps me with chores." As she spoke, she wiped the wound with a cotton ball.
hiss!
That's sour and refreshing.
My head is throbbing with pain.
She was so frightened in the bathroom that she exerted too much force, and the nail on her left big toe cracked.
Applying alcohol to a wound hurts more than cutting flesh.
She silently gasped for breath.
Hearing the noise, Ye Huaizhang turned his head and glanced at her, only to find that her foot injury was more serious than he had imagined.
Only then did he put down the video camera and walk over.
He picked up the alcohol bottle, skillfully poured the alcohol into a small measuring cup, and then put four or five cotton balls in it.
Ye Baoling glanced at him sideways as he picked up her foot to clean the blood. Just as the cotton ball was about to touch the wound, she quickly reminded him, "Be gentle."
She screamed as soon as she finished speaking.
Ye Baoling was in so much pain that she wanted to kick him, but he held her foot tightly and she couldn't move. She could only plead softly, "Be gentle! Don't you have any mercy on a woman?"
"You can talk to the alcohol and ask it to be gentle with you, but it won't work if you do it to me."
In other words, it was the alcohol that hurt you, not my rough handling.
Ye Baoling has finally met someone whose mouth is just as sharp as hers.
She immediately retorted, "You killed someone with a gun, can you get the judge to release you and sentence you to hanging for 'the gun'?!"
Ye Huaizhang was taken aback for a moment. "It's all taken care of, Judge. Now, do you want the hanged convict to put a band-aid on your wound?"
"He who eats another's food is bound to him," so the judge shut up.
She nodded slightly: "Let's wrap it up."
Why not use him if you can order him around?
Ye Huaizhang put her feet on the low table, got up and walked to the bedside table, where he took a box out of the drawer.
"Weren't you going to put a bandage on my wound?"
"Your toenails are so long, don't you need to treat them first?"
He disliked her long toenails...
Ye Baoling had just trimmed her nails a few days ago, but when she glanced at them, they had grown quite long again.
Young people have a fast metabolism, and there's nothing she can do about it.
Seeing that he had brought over nail clippers, Ye Baoling felt embarrassed to have someone trim her toenails, so she held out her hand and said, "I can do it myself."
Once she got the nail clippers, she carefully avoided touching the wound, appearing somewhat clumsy.
She's good with words, but not good at anything that requires physical labor in daily life.
Ye Huaizhang, who was waiting to bandage her wound, couldn't bear to watch any longer, so he snatched the nail clippers and went to cut her nails.
He placed her feet on his thighs, frowned, and held his breath. He had never trimmed anyone's toenails before, but his hands were very dexterous.
Her delicate, fair feet were curled up slightly, like tender lotus sprouts, which would break if bent with the slightest force.
He was patient and cut very lightly.
Looking at his sharply defined profile, Ye Baoling suddenly thought of her father from her original world.
When she was very young, her father cut her nails like this. She had a very short period of fatherly love. Unfortunately, her parents divorced, and her father became that middle-aged man who only saw her once a year and was always impatient with her.
After the wound was bandaged, Ye Huaizhang noticed that her entire left knee was bruised. He guessed that she had bumped into the bathtub, so he took out a bottle of Wong To Yick from the medicine box and handed it to her.
It turned out she was spacing out.
She looked a bit dim-witted, and if he hadn't just been teased by her, he would have thought she was a silly, clumsy, and cute girl.
He doesn't like dealing with stupid people, but his wife is clearly the other extreme—she's too cunning.
It's like cheating in the lottery last night; it's impossible to guard against.
Ye Huaizhang shook the bottle in his hand. "Your knee is bruised. I'll put Huang Daoyi on the table. Rub it again in 48 hours."
He then picked up the phone and called downstairs, asking the maid to bring up an ice pack for her to apply as a cold compress.
After doing all that, he started fiddling with his video recorder again.
Ye Baoling gently applied ice to his knee and asked him, "Is this a camera?"
"The latest model video recorder. Have it delivered to their seaside villa tomorrow for them to use."
"oh."
Once Ye Baoling has made a plan, she has a strong desire to carry it out.
She then seized the opportunity to ask, "Is it okay to take a picture here?"
"Can't."
"We didn't take wedding photos or have a diamond ring when we got married..."
Ye Huaizhang had never thought about this issue; he had been reckless in his decision.
"We can retake the wedding photos. We can buy the diamond ring together sometime. Or if you have a favorite style, you can let me know in advance, and we can customize it."
She pretended to be clueless, saying, "I don't know anything about diamonds and jewelry, you choose. Didn't you buy a diamond mine in South Africa? You definitely know more about diamonds than I do."
Ye Huaizhang paused in his work. "How did you know I bought a diamond mine in South Africa?"
“Your family told me. I can’t remember exactly who told me.” Ye Baoling observed his expression and continued to probe for information. “You can also use diamonds from your South African diamond mine.”
Ye Huaizhang put the calibrated video recorder back into the packaging box. "It won't be available so soon. You can choose the style first. As long as the purity is high, diamonds from anywhere are the same."
He said it won't be available so soon, but it's not that it won't be.
So, Ye Huaizhang really did buy a diamond mine in South Africa.
This is good news.
When? When will the news be announced?
Ye Baoling: "Why not use our own diamonds? Maybe we can even pick a big one. Will we have to wait that long?"
"The paperwork will take another month to process, and the mining process will take at least six months. Are you willing to wait?"
There's still a month left, not too long, perfect.
Having achieved her goal, Ye Baoling quickly changed the subject: "Then forget it. Diamonds are fine too; I prefer a simple design. Or we can decide whether to buy a wedding ring in a year."
What if we get divorced a year from now?
Ye Huaizhang's thoughts changed so quickly; he really didn't understand women's minds.
But to show that he valued her, he still said, "Let's find some time to go look at jewelry together. We'll buy whatever you like."
Ye Baoling just smiled and didn't say anything. Her favorite thing was gold.
There is no other.
*
When it was time to go to bed, the lights were turned off, and Ye Baoling, clutching a small blanket, curled up on the sofa with her legs up.
The sofa was about the same size as her height, and it was just the right size for her to lie down on.
But she couldn't sleep.
Open your eyes, and a strange red kaleidoscope on the ceiling is right in front of you; close your eyes, and the kaleidoscope will slowly enlarge in your eyes, getting closer and closer, bigger and bigger.
This house is haunted.
It's not clean.
Last night, Ye Huaizhang had a nightmare while lying on the sofa; tonight, it's her turn.
In her dream, the old woman performing a ritual transformed into a snake spirit, chasing her all over the building. In her desperate attempt to escape, she ran until her legs were about to break, and accidentally bumped into a window.
"ah!"
It hurts so much.
Hearing the noise, Ye Huaizhang turned on the bedside lamp.
It turned out that Ye Baoling's injured foot had kicked the cabinet next to the sofa.
He said, "The bed is wide enough for each of us to have half. But you have to follow my rules."
His rule was simple: he had to sleep quietly.
Still half asleep and writhing in pain from her injury, Ye Baoling was furious. She retorted irritably, "What rules are you talking about? Why should I follow your rules? You begged me to move in! Don't think I don't know that if I didn't grant your request, your whole family would suffer. Ye Huaizhang, please remember, I'm your savior! Please be grateful, okay? And you expect me to follow your rules? That's outrageous!"
Ye Huaizhang, completely bewildered by the scolding: "..."
She stood up angrily, grabbed the blanket, and scrambled onto the bed.
A big bed is still the most comfortable.
She was still unhappy and said again, "From now on, I will be the rule."
A resounding and thought-provoking statement, a profound truth!
Ye Huaizhang, also half-asleep, stared at her with dazed eyes, unable to refute her.
Her words, "From now on, I'll be the rule," echoed in his ears. He had truly married a queen; he couldn't resist and had to treat her with utmost respect.
"hiss!"
Ye Baoling accidentally bumped her toe again, and inwardly roared, "This haunted old house!"
*
Early in the morning, Ye Baoling returned to the Gu family home wearing slippers. After she got back, Sister Ping treated her wounds again with anti-inflammatory medicine.
Recently, Ye Baoling has been spending every night at the third son's house, supposedly to keep Old Madam Guan company.
Ping couldn't help but complain, "Wasn't that old house renovated a few years ago? How could the water pipes have aged so quickly?"
Ye Baoling asked curiously, "Has Chengheju been renovated entirely?"
"I renovated three years ago, but I'm not sure if it was a complete renovation. Logically, when renovating an old house, the main things to fix are the plumbing and electrical systems, right?"
If the house has been renovated, someone in the old third bedroom should know about the existence of the secret room.
Could Ye Huaizhang also know? After all, it was in his bedroom.
It seems she can no longer offer food to Guanyin Bodhisattva, lest she be discovered to have sneaked into the secret chamber.
Gu Zhen'er walked in carrying her family's big tabby cat, but as soon as she sat down, the cat ran away.
Ye Baoling took out the biscuits that had been prayed to Guanyin from her bag and gave them to her, saying, "Here you go."
Where did it come from?
"I brought it back especially for you."
"My cousin still loves me the most." Gu Zhen'er unwrapped the cookies and ate them with gusto. "Cousin, I've run into a problem with my household management plan."
"What problem?"
Gu Zhen'er explained it to her in detail.
“Every month, my dad hands over 5500 yuan of his salary, and you, cousin, get 2000 yuan for living expenses. Listen to this: apart from Ping, who is paid by the Ye family, we have to pay for all the other servants. Two Filipino maids cost 2200 yuan each, and the driver costs 3000 yuan, which adds up to 5200 yuan. That means my dad's salary is only enough to cover the servants' expenses. Water, electricity, food, gasoline, and other miscellaneous expenses add up to a lot of money, so my grandma has to contribute money every month, but there's always a gap. And when school starts, there are also textbook and tuition fees... I'm at my wit's end.”
Ye Baoling guided her through the process: "To find a solution, it all boils down to increasing revenue and reducing expenditure. Man'er and I will go to work, and we'll be responsible for increasing revenue. That's one part. You can also think of other places around the house where you can increase revenue. As for reducing expenditure, cutting only small things won't work. You need to cut the major expenses that aren't essential for living."
Gu Zhen'er had thought about this issue seriously. She stretched her muscles and said, "That's what I mean too. If we want to cut costs, the first thing to do is to eliminate the driver's job. That would immediately save 3,000 yuan in wages."
"Then let's find a way to cut it off."
"But no one in the family can drive. Who will pick up and drop off my younger siblings from school?"
"Let your dad learn to drive, and your mom, Man'er, and you can all learn to drive."
"Learning to drive is another big expense."
"Arrange for one or two people to learn first. This is a one-time expense, which is better than paying salaries every month."
"That makes sense."
The little cousin heard her older sister eating cookies, peeked in, and said, "Second sister, I want some too."
Gu Zhen'er grabbed two pieces for her, "I'll keep two for my eldest sister, and the rest for my third, fourth, and fifth brothers."
Just then, Gu Man'er came in carrying a plastic bag. It contained a pair of sandals that exposed her toes, which Ye Baoling had asked her to buy.
"I only found this one that looks good. Try it on first. If it doesn't fit, I'll take it to exchange it."
As she spoke, Man'er took out the shoes and gently put them on Ye Baoling's feet. "They're fine, they fit perfectly and don't look bad on you."
Ye Baoling laughed and said, "If you didn't know better, you'd think you were my mother."
"Yes, my good girl."
Ye Baoling wanted to hit her: "You're taking advantage of me."
"You can't hit me." Gu Man'er took advantage of her painful foot and dodged away with a laugh.
*
At Ying Bao Securities on the 12th floor of a building in Central, during lunch break, everyone went out for a meal.
Ye Baoling arrived at the door on time. Lu Tianyou, who came out to greet her, was taken aback when he saw Chen Yulan accompanying her.
If he remembered correctly, this was Ye Baoling's ex-girlfriend whom he had bumped into at the restaurant before? Had they gotten back together?
He smiled and pretended not to recognize Chen Yulan, only greeting Ye Baoling: "I was just about to come downstairs to meet you. What happened to your foot?"
Ye Baoling explained, "I accidentally kicked the bathtub last night."
Lu Tianyou imagined some taboo scenes between the two women in the bathroom. He didn't know how to respond, so he just said, "Let's go to my office first. I've already prepared the documents."
Chen Yulan did not follow Ye Baoling into the office. After Ye Baoling sat down, Lü Tianyou asked in a low voice, "Have you two made up?"
Ye Baoling clicked her tongue, smiled, and said nothing more.
Lu Tianyou gave him a knowing look: "I'm genuinely happy for you."
He handed her the contract, saying, "I've applied for the most favorable handling fee of 2% for you..."
"That's great, thank goodness you were there to help."
"Don't mention it. We're friends, after all."
Last year, Ye Baoling bought 4.2 million S101 fund in her account. So far, the return is 8.2%, which means a profit of 340,000.
After deducting handling fees, I finally received 4,453,000.
No wonder Ye Kaimin dared to confidently say that if he lost money, he would be as good as barbecued pork. Based on the current trend, it is indeed difficult for him to lose money unless something unexpected happens.
Unfortunately, accidents often come in a very "unexpected" way.
With nothing more to consider, Ye Baoling happily signed the document.
happy!
Lu Tianyou was sure he could make a profit from this, so he was happy to help.
"Redeem today, and the funds will be returned to your bank account in 2-3 business days. Please remember to check your account."
"Okay." She tried to remain calm and not show too much joy.
"Please explain things to your uncle and beg him to let me go."
Ye Baoling smiled and said, "Don't worry, he won't find out so soon. Just keep it a secret."
"I don't have the guts to talk to him."
Are you free next Friday?
"I know it's your grandfather's birthday, so I'll definitely go to wish him a happy birthday."
After chatting for a while, Ye Baoling took her leave.
Back home, her cousins gathered in the living room drinking soda. Gu Man'er excitedly told her that Ye Qingtang's HR department had called to inform them that they had both been hired.
"Really?! That's something to celebrate!"
Ye Baoling was confident that she would be hired, but she was surprised that Gu Man'er was also hired.
In the original series, Man'er's first job was as an assistant at a law firm.
Could it be that my cousin's fate was changed because of her?
I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing.
However, the starting salary for legal counsel at Ye Qingtang is relatively high, which is a good start.
Gu Man'er's probationary salary is 4500, and it will be 5000 after she becomes a regular employee.
Ye Baoling's probationary salary was 2,500 yuan, and it would be 3,000 yuan after she became a full-time employee. Of course, she didn't go to work for this meager salary.
Gu Man'er said generously, "I'll treat you to soda. Cousin, what are you treating me to?"
Before Ye Baoling could say anything, her third cousin, who had the biggest craving, shouted, "I want to eat McDonald's!"
"I want to eat it too!"
Seeing her cousins' expectant expressions, Ye Baoling obliged, "Please! What would you like to eat?"
"I want fries."
"I want to eat crispy chicken wings."
"I want chicken nuggets and fries..."
My aunt, who was getting ready to play mahjong, grumbled from the side, "Keep your voices down, or Grandma will scold you for eating so much fried food! It'll make you feel hot!"
Ye Baoling took out 100 yuan and handed it to her third cousin. There was a McDonald's right at the street corner, so she could just buy some to take home and eat.
Gu Man'er brought over a bottle of soda: "Here you go, cousin."
Ye Baoling sat down on the sofa and asked, "Did they say when we'd start work?"
Next Monday.
Did you look up the information I asked you to look up?
"I checked. There is no insider trading law."
Ye Baoling understood that the relevant laws were perfected in the 1990s, so she did not need to avoid suspicion.
However, to avoid trouble, she does not plan to buy Ye family stocks in her own name for the time being.
She has enough time to plan things out gradually.
*
This is the third night. When Ye Baoling arrived at the third room, the maid told her that Ye Huaizhang had a social engagement and would not be back until very late.
"Young Master told Young Madam to go to sleep first, there's no need to wait for him."
Who's waiting for him!
After Ye Baoling finished complaining in her heart, when she lay alone in bed that night, afraid to turn off the light, she knew she had made a mistake.
Fortunately, all these bright red decorations will be replaced tomorrow.
If we switch back to thick curtains, the streetlights won't shine in, and at least the ceiling won't have that eerie kaleidoscope effect.
Unable to sleep, she could only watch TV. Watching the still young and inexperienced superstars acting in fake period dramas on the TV screen made the time pass quickly.
It's almost one o'clock, and Ye Huaizhang still hasn't returned.
Ye Baoling yawned, then suddenly remembered that she hadn't taken out the offerings she had placed in the secret room to worship Guanyin. But she didn't dare go in at night, so she decided to leave it at that.
Let's talk about it tomorrow.
She was watching a TV series and fell asleep while watching it.
When she groggily woke up, it was already broad daylight; she had been awakened by noises outside.
There were sounds of cars and children laughing and playing.
Ye Huaizhang also opened his eyes at the same time as her.
The two were too close; his high, straight nose was just a few millimeters away from the tip of her nose, their breaths mingling. Ye Baoling, like a startled bird, instinctively moved back.
What time did you get back?
"A little past one." Ye Huaizhang reached for the alarm clock on the table and glanced at it; it was not yet eight o'clock.
The third branch of the family should be returning from the beach one after another. He has a meeting in the morning and needs to review some documents first, so he doesn't have time to sleep in.
Ye Huaizhang yawned and got out of bed, lifting the covers.
Ye Baoling, who had gone to bed earlier than him, stayed in bed until Ye Huaizhang changed his clothes and left before she reluctantly got up.
She stood at the window, brushing her teeth and looking down.
Two children, a boy and a girl, were playing with balloons on the grass downstairs.
This must be Ye Huaizhang's fourth uncle's child.
She doesn't dislike children; having children means there's plenty of yang energy, and this old house needs that kind of vitality.
Remembering the offerings in the secret room, Ye Baoling quickly brushed her teeth, changed her clothes, locked the door of the dressing room, and sneaked into the secret room in the four-sided space.
The chocolate and apples are still there, undiscovered.
Ye Baoling clasped her hands together in prayer. "Bodhisattva, I'm afraid someone will discover that I'm secretly feeding you. From today onwards, could you please take a few steps to the dressing room outside to enjoy the food? To express my apology, I will prepare an even more sumptuous meal. Is that alright?"
Ye Baoling looked up at Guanyin Bodhisattva with reverence, "You have a smile on your face, does that mean you agree? I knew you would agree."
She bowed three times gently, picked up the food, and prepared to go out.
While getting the chocolate, I accidentally bumped into a Buddha statue that was placed next to me.
The Buddha statue fell backward, and Ye Baoling quickly caught it. Just as she was helping the Arhat up, her flashlight hit a baffle on the shelf next to it.
A soft "crack" sound came from under my feet.
That voice sounds so familiar.
Like the clicking sound at the door of a wardrobe.
Are there other secret rooms?
Ye Baoling had become timid from the torment she had endured these past few days. She touched her cold arm, torn between whether or not to continue investigating.
But hands move faster than brains.
The flashlight beam had already shone in the direction of the sound.
In the northernmost corner, a crack appeared in the floor.
Her heart was pounding.
The more afraid I am, the more I want to find out what's inside.
I walked over quietly, squatted down, and shone my flashlight into the gap.
There was a panel in the gap.
I tried to fasten the buckle and pull it forward, but it didn't budge.
I pushed back harder, but there was still no movement.
She thought for a moment, then simply lifted herself up. There was a support frame underneath that she could use for leverage, and she was lifted up without much effort.
The raised floor, about half a square meter in size, was lifted up. She held her breath and shone her flashlight over it.
Inside is a spiral staircase leading downwards!
Is this a secret passage leading to the second floor?
Not knowing what lay below, and filled with a strange sense of awe for the unknown, she dared not venture down rashly.
She has a leg injury that makes it difficult for her to move around. If something happens, she won't even have time to escape.
Let's retreat first and then figure it out.
After putting the movable floor back and adjusting the position of the switch, Ye Baoling left the secret room and returned to the square space. Before she could leave, she faintly heard someone calling her.
"Baoling! Ye Baoling!"
Ye Huaizhang's voice grew closer and closer; he was in the dressing room!
Didn't she lock the walk-in closet door from the inside? How did he get in?
Now she's trapped here, in a dilemma.
-----------------------
Author's Note: A reader asked about the pace of the romantic development. The timing of the "spiritual" connection is uncertain, but the "physical" connection is coming soon. [Let me see...]
As for the female lead's career, there's no need to worry about her. She's a master at managing people and a money-making queen.
There are small red envelopes (cash gifts) for comments in this chapter, until the next chapter is updated [doge head with rose].
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