Chapter 36: Custom Gift

Hearing Fierce Tiger’s words, Su Xiaobai shot him a look as sharp as a knife and said bluntly, "You were the one who said you would help me get rid of Ye Xuan. So many days have passed—where is your action? Don’t think I’m afraid of you just because you’re from Qilin Hall. I, Su Xiaobai, never keep useless people around."

Fierce Tiger met Su Xiaobai’s gaze and grinned. "What’s the rush? You’ll see the results you want very soon."

While the Su Family was so blockaded by major media outlets that they hardly dared to step outside, the Yang Family was busy preparing for Elder Yang’s eightieth birthday.

Yang Bingyu hadn’t done anything else all week; she had just dragged Ye Xuan along to help her pick out a gift. Over the past week, the two of them had scoured almost all of Jianghai City, yet they still hadn’t found a truly satisfying present.

"Sigh, what on earth should I get Grandpa? This is stressing me to death," Yang Bingyu said dejectedly, slumping weakly over the table.

Seeing her like this, Ye Xuan offered a faint smile. Actually, he wanted to tell her that regardless of a gift’s monetary value, as long as it was given with thought, it was the best. However, Yang Bingyu insisted on giving Elder Yang the most special gift—something he would absolutely love.

That made things extremely difficult. There were so many members in the Yang Family, and every single one of them was racking their brains to celebrate Elder Yang’s birthday, all hoping to stand out at the upcoming banquet.

"Ye Xuan, do you have any good ideas?" Completely out of options, Yang Bingyu turned to look at Ye Xuan for help.

"Doesn’t Elder Yang like items designed by Orioles? Why don’t you ask him to custom-make a tea set specifically for the old man? I’m sure Elder Yang would love it."

Elder Yang loved two things most in his life: drinking tea and items designed by Orioles. Unfortunately, Orioles’ designs were practically priceless. Even someone of Elder Yang’s stature had no more than five of his pieces in his collection.

"Easy for you to say. Do you know who Orioles is? Would he really craft a tea set for Grandpa personally just for me?" Yang Bingyu rolled her eyes, instantly shooting down Ye Xuan’s suggestion. Previously, when constructing Yunju Mountain Villa, they had to court him for over a year and spend an exorbitant amount of money just to hire him.

"How do you know it won’t work if you don’t give it a try?" Ye Xuan looked at Yang Bingyu with a sly smile.

Seeing that expression on his face, Yang Bingyu instantly understood. Dropping her previously dejected demeanor, she leaped up from her stool and excitedly pulled Ye Xuan into a tight hug.

"Ye Xuan, do you know Orioles? You definitely know him, don’t you?"

Yang Bingyu was hugging him so tightly that Ye Xuan could clearly feel her soft curves against him. In an instant, a wave of heat rushed through his body, and he hastily pushed her away.

"I—I just remembered I have some business to take care of. I’ll get going."

For the first time, Ye Xuan looked completely flustered. Stumbling over his words, he threw out a random excuse and bolted. He left Yang Bingyu standing there in utter confusion, wondering why his attitude had suddenly changed.

"Ye Xuan, you animal!" he cursed himself inwardly. "She is Chen Hao’s sister! How could you have such wicked thoughts about her?"

Walking out of Yunju Mountain Villa, Ye Xuan punched a tree trunk by the roadside in deep frustration. Immediately after, a loud CRACK echoed from the trunk as a fissure split right through the middle of the tree, which was as thick as a water bucket.

Such terrifying strength.

It took a great deal of effort for Ye Xuan to suppress the lustful fire in his heart. Then, taking out his phone, he sent Orioles’ contact information to Yang Bingyu. He also made a special call to Orioles to give him some instructions.

Yang Bingyu stared blankly at the string of numbers Ye Xuan had sent her, her palms sweating with nervousness.

"Should I make this call or not?" she wondered. "What if I call and he refuses to help me?"

After hesitating for a long time, Yang Bingyu finally dialed the number. The call connected quickly. The person on the line was a foreign man who initially asked for her identity in English. Upon learning she was Yang Bingyu, he immediately switched to heavily accented but conversational Chinese.

"Please wait a moment, Miss Yang. Mr. Orioles is in a meeting. I’ll pass the phone to him for you."

"Ah, there’s no need..."

Hearing that Orioles was in a meeting, Yang Bingyu’s first reaction was to hang up and call back later. But before she could finish speaking, a magnetic and gentle male voice came from the other end of the line.

"Hello, Miss Yang."

"His voice is so pleasant to listen to!" Yang Bingyu thought. Her heart tightened, and she swallowed hard before speaking.

"Hello, Mr. Orioles, apologies for the presumptuous intrusion. Years ago, my grandfather hired you to design a manor. I wonder if you still remember? My grandfather is a loyal fan of yours and absolutely loves your creations.

"His eightieth birthday is just a month away. I would like to ask you to design a tea set for me to present as his birthday gift. I wonder if you would be willing?"

Yang Bingyu asked extremely cautiously, her tone carrying a hint of pleading toward the end. On the other end of the line, Orioles was amused by her careful and timid words, and he replied with a chuckle.

"It is my honor to serve the beautiful Miss Bingyu. In one month, I will deliver the birthday gift on time."

"Really? You really agreed? That’s wonderful!"

Seeing that he had agreed, Yang Bingyu was completely overwhelmed with excitement, nearly dropping her phone in her thrill. Orioles was startled by her sudden outburst, then let out a low chuckle.

Hearing his laughter, Yang Bingyu finally realized she had lost her composure. She hastily stammered out a thank you, and with a CLICK, hung up the phone.

"Oh my god!" she thought. "Yang Bingyu, how could you be so useless? That was completely humiliating!"

After hanging up, Yang Bingyu instantly deflated again. She slumped over the table, wanting to weep but having no tears, and thumped her own head in sheer frustration.

"Wait, who exactly is Ye Xuan? How did he get Orioles’ private number? And how did he know for sure that Orioles would help me?" she murmured.

Previously immersed in joy, Yang Bingyu only just now realized this glaring question and lost her calm once more.

"Hey, Ye Xuan, where are you right now? I have questions for you!" Yang Bingyu demanded over the phone. She couldn’t sit still anymore. She had to figure out Ye Xuan’s true identity right this instant; otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to sleep a wink tonight.

Receiving the call, Ye Xuan was slightly surprised. Although he didn’t know what Yang Bingyu wanted, he still sent her his location. The place he was currently at wasn’t far from Yunju Mountain Villa. It was a hotel owned by the Yang Family. Ye Xuan had settled Zhu Hui and three others here, occasionally dropping by to hear their reports.

"Cyan Dragon Chief, our people reported seeing Fierce Tiger in Jianghai City," Zhu Hui said respectfully after seeing Ye Xuan hang up the phone.

Hearing the name Fierce Tiger, Ye Xuan’s eyes flickered, and his fingers gently TAP-TAPPED against the table.