"By the way, Cousin, Feng Yi mentioned that today is Jiuliang’s father’s death anniversary," Jiang Yisheng suddenly remembered what Feng Yi had brought up the day before and mentioned in a hushed voice.

Li Mochan continued walking without stopping, "I know."

Inside the bedroom, Ye Jiuliang was up early. After getting washed up, she stayed curled up on the sofa, not moving.

Li Mochan came in through the door and saw the person huddled up on the sofa, his brows slightly furrowed.

She was staring blankly, not even noticing when he approached her.

Li Mochan set down the milk, sat next to her, and extended his arm to embrace her.

"Drink the milk first," he said, placing the cup in her hand.

Ye Jiuliang picked up the cup and quickly finished the milk in a few gulps.

Li Mochan took the cup from her and gently rubbed the top of her head.

"After breakfast, how about I take you out for a walk?"

Ye Jiuliang shook her head, burying herself in his embrace, and said in a muffled voice, "They all say he’s dead, but I don’t believe it. I’ve been searching for so many years and still haven’t found him. Mohan, do you think I’m really wrong?"

After her mother passed away, it was just her, always persisting, always searching on her own.

Years of silence, maybe it proved that her obsession was for nothing.

In Li Mochan’s eyes, there was a flicker of heartache, "My little wolf cub, whatever you do is right. It’s okay if we can’t find him; I’ll search with you in the future, alright?"

The frown on Ye Jiuliang’s face relaxed, and a moisture rose up from the depths of her eyes.

For all these years, he was the only person who said those words. Even Achen had tried to persuade her to give up, but only he said he would accompany her in the search.

"Mmh," her voice was clear but somewhat choked up.

The smartphone on silent mode vibrated again, its "buzz, buzz" sound irritably noticeable.

Ye Jiuliang reached for the phone and pressed the answer button, expecting it to be Aren’s voice.

"Miss Jiuliang, the old master asks that you come back. He said, as long as you come today, he will give you that item," Aren’s voice came hesitantly.

A sharp light flashed in Ye Jiuliang’s eyes, "And if I don’t return?"

"If you don’t come back, the old master will burn that item," Aren said haltingly.

Ye Jiuliang terminated the call, her face set in a frost.

Suddenly, cool fingertips touched her furrowed brows, attempting to smooth them, "Don’t be upset, I’ll have someone retrieve the item."

Although he didn’t know what it was, whatever she wanted, he was prepared to get it for her at all costs.

Ye Jiuliang held onto his hand, hiding the darkness in her eyes, "Mohan, I need to make a trip to the Ye Family."

"I’ll go with you," he said.

She shook her head, "It’s better if I go alone."

It was her mother’s belonging; she had to retrieve it personally.

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Li Mochan didn’t argue, just cautioned her, "Don’t allow yourself to be mistreated."

"Mmh."

After changing clothes and finishing breakfast under Li Mochan’s watchful eye, Ye Jiuliang left in a hurry.

"Cousin, aren’t you going?" Jiang Yisheng closed his book, looked toward Li Mochan, and asked in a gentle voice.

"Wait a bit longer," he said.

Jiang Yisheng’s lips curled, understanding that he still couldn’t rest easy.

**

Today, some of Ye Yuan’s friends who came to pay tribute also offered their incense, and then exchanged a few pleasantries with Old Master Ye to the side.

Suddenly, someone tactlessly mentioned Ye Jiuliang.

"Why haven’t I seen Ye Yuan’s daughter? Isn’t it said that she recently returned to the capital to study?"

As the words fell, the low murmur of whispers died away.

People exchanged glances, and those who had a closer relationship with the Ye Family knew something about the situation.

Everyone knows that Ye Jiuliang never comes back to pay tribute on the anniversary of Ye Yuan’s death.

Ye Xin and the others acted as if it were none of their business, while casting glances at Old Master Ye’s slightly annoyed expression, secretly hoping for Ye Jiuliang’s misfortune.

At this moment, Aren arrived quickly and whispered something to Old Master Ye.

"Excuse me for a moment," Old Master Ye said in a heavy voice, then briskly walked away.

Seeing this, Ye Xin and the others stealthily followed.

Hearing the hurried footsteps, Ye Jiuliang turned around and saw Old Master Ye striding in furiously from outside.

"Where’s the thing I wanted?" Ye Jiuliang asked, neither cold nor warm.

Old Master Ye’s rage surged as he scolded, "Ye Jiuliang, do you know what day it is today? You come back and don’t even pay tribute to your father first, do you think that’s appropriate?"

After all these years, have you still not come to terms with reality, Ayuan is gone, just how long do you plan to keep running away?"

The rest of the Ye Family arrived just in time to hear Old Master Ye’s words.

"Grandfather is right, Ye Jiuliang. Do you know what those people were saying just now? You haven’t paid tribute to your own father even once in all these years, how can you be so heartless?" Ye Xin took the opportunity to kick Ye Jiuliang while down.

Ye Jiuliang had no interest in arguing with them and looked solemnly at Old Master Ye, "You said that as long as I came, you would return the item to me. I hope you keep your promise."

Old Master Ye’s fury rose, "You really won’t pay tribute to your father?"

"Do not keep testing my limits," Ye Jiuliang said, her voice turning cold.

"Give me back my thing."

Seeing the situation take a bad turn, Ye Yu stepped in to mediate, "Jiuliang, he’s your grandfather, mind your tone. Besides, what is it that you want? Express yourself properly, let’s not hurt the harmony of our family."

Others were also curious about what exactly Old Master Ye had taken from Ye Jiuliang. Could it be Ye Yuan’s inheritance?

Ye Jiuliang ignored her and just kept her gaze fixed on Old Master Ye, dark eyes revealing flecks of resentment.

"Really not returning it?"

It seemed she couldn’t keep the promise she made to her grandmother after all.

"Aren, give her the item," Old Master Ye finally conceded amidst the standoff.

Aren nodded and went upstairs to get the item.

"Even if just for my sake, could you please pay tribute to Ayuan?" Old Master Ye softened his tone, and the rest of the Ye Family, watching, grew even more discontent with Ye Jiuliang.

Such a stubborn and proud man as Old Master Ye had never plead with anyone in such a low voice before.

Ye Jiuliang stepped forward lightly, reached her grandfather, and in a low voice, whispered in his ear, "You were the one who personally sent my father to his death, and now you hold grand tributes after he’s gone. Don’t you find that laughable?"

Old Master Ye’s pupils dilated, thoroughly shaken.

"You..."

"Grandmother blamed you for the death of her son until her dying breath. Every time you ask me to come back and pay tribute to my father, does your conscience not hurt?" Ye Jiuliang continued.

Old Master Ye was visibly shocked, staggering slightly, and Ye Yan hurriedly moved to support him.

"Jiuliang, what exactly are you trying to do?" Ye Yan glared at Ye Jiuliang, taking on the airs of an elder.

Ye Jiuliang’s lips curled into a cold smile, "Since everyone is here today, let’s lay it all out. For the sake of my grandmother and my father, I won’t do anything to the Ye Family, but on the condition that no one provokes me. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to destroy any of you, even the Ye Family that you hold in such high regard, I assure you."