THD Chapter 20

She had said she was going to rest, but who actually slept in the middle of the day?

Wang Ma took her responsibilities very seriously.

The moment she escorted Ye Xiqing upstairs, she led her directly into the bathroom. Then, under Ye Xiqing's watchful gaze, she ordered the entire room disinfected from top to bottom. The fresh-air system was activated at full power, completely replacing the air inside.

Only after everything was finished did Wang Ma bow respectfully and say with a flattering smile,

"Miss, please don't worry. The bathtub was just installed today, and absolutely no one has ever used it. All the other equipment has also been replaced with brand-new ones, so you can use everything without concern."

Ye Xiqing surveyed the bathroom.

Even the air smelled new.

Very satisfied, she nodded approvingly.

"Thank you, Wang Ma. You're very thoughtful."

The praise nearly made Wang Ma beam with joy.

In truth, the eldest young master had long since taken over much of the company and owned numerous properties of his own. He rarely stayed at the family home anymore.

But Wang Ma was a woman.

Putting herself in the young lady's shoes, she felt that no matter how luxurious a place was, it would still feel uncomfortable knowing it had previously belonged to someone else, especially a man.

A bathroom was, after all, an intensely private space.

To ensure the young lady felt completely at ease, Wang Ma intended to erase every trace of the previous occupant and replace everything with brand-new furnishings in the shortest possible time.

This was the ultimate skill of a professional housekeeper.

After patiently explaining every bathing facility and how to use it, Wang Ma quietly backed out of the room.

The moment the door closed, she straightened her spine, cleared her throat, and immediately began exercising the authority of her newly acquired position.

"Pack up and store all of Eldest Young Master's belongings on this floor. Wait until he returns to decide what to do with them."

"Anything that will come into close contact with the young lady must be replaced with new items."

"Any decorations that reflect too much of Eldest Young Master's personal taste should also be replaced."

"However, don't make things overly extravagant. The young lady seems quiet and reserved. She doesn't look like someone who would enjoy flashy decorations."

"Use a simple and elegant style."

"The young lady has spent so many years suffering outside. We need to be more considerate and make sure she never feels like she doesn't belong here."

The servants immediately responded in unison.

"Yes, Housekeeper Wang!"

People who had spent years working in wealthy households possessed a unique talent for reading the situation.

Ever since news of the real and fake heiresses had spread, they had been secretly discussing it amongst themselves.

Who would lose favor?

Who would gain influence?

Who would emerge victorious?

Now they had their answer.

Whether the fake heiress had fallen from grace remained unclear.

But one thing was certain.

The real heiress was genuinely favored.

The former housekeeper's dismissal over her room arrangement was a warning to everyone.

The new young lady could not be underestimated.

They needed to treat her with the same respect they showed the legitimate heirs of the family.

In fact, considering that Mr. Ye had given her the entire second floor—a space reserved exclusively for the eldest young master—it wouldn't be excessive to treat her with the same status as the eldest heir himself.

With that understanding, everyone carefully considered Ye Xiqing's preferences while carrying out their work.

Only after everything was underway did they suddenly realize something.

A new master had truly moved into this house.

---

Meanwhile, downstairs, the Ye family's top chef was busy preparing lunch to celebrate the young lady's return.

At the long dining table, Father Ye sat at the head seat.

His gaze rested on Ye San, who sat obediently to his left.

After a long silence, Father Ye finally spoke.

"You can hear it too?"

Ye San immediately straightened his back.

He had known this conversation was coming.

After hesitating for a while, he finally nodded.

"Yeah."

"It's really strange."

"My sister never actually says anything, but somehow I can hear her thoughts."

"Mom seems to hear them too."

"Only Li'er can't."

"Do you think it's some supernatural phenomenon? Or maybe a special kind of telepathy?"

"It's so weird. I honestly can't figure it out."

Father Ye took a deep breath.

The evasive answer irritated him.

"Is that all you have to say?"

"Didn't you hear anything else?"

Ye San carefully studied his father's expression before replying.

"Dad, it's not that I didn't hear anything."

"It's just..."

"Everything she says is too unbelievable."

"Would my brothers really do something like that?"

"We're family."

"Even if they're ruthless, they wouldn't kill their own father and mother over money, right?"

Father Ye stared at him.

"Wouldn't they?"

"You're always around them. How could you not know?"

Ye San immediately raised both hands in surrender.

"Dad, you know how they are!"

"They've always looked down on me because I'm younger."

"They never include me in anything important."

"I'm already an adult, and I barely know where the company entrance is."

"How could I possibly be involved in their affairs?"

After a brief pause, he quickly added,

"Besides, Sister also said that I die in the future."

"If I'm dead too, there's no way I could be working with them!"

Hearing that, Father Ye finally withdrew his scrutinizing gaze.

He sank into thought. When he was young, he had built his empire from nothing.

Although his wife's family had offered some assistance early on, the company had reached its current scale through his own efforts. After achieving success, he never abandoned his wife as many wealthy men did.

His wife had remained by his side through everything, giving birth to three sons and a daughter. He considered himself a man with a conscience.

Which was precisely why he found it so difficult to accept what Ye Xiqing's memories implied. He shouldn't have believed such an absurd phenomenon so easily.

Yet there was one thing stronger than logic.

The instinctive fear every aging father feels toward increasingly powerful sons. As sons grew stronger and gradually took control of the family business, every father inevitably felt some degree of unease.

And Father Ye was no exception.

He had already been unhappy about gradually surrendering authority within the company. Now, after hearing Ye Xiqing's thoughts, that unease exploded into suspicion.

Looking at the two empty seats at the dining table, his expression darkened further and further.

---

At that very moment, the eldest and second sons of the Ye family remained completely unaware of everything that had happened.

To most people, discovering that the younger sister they had cherished for eighteen years was not biologically related would have been earth-shattering. To them, however, it wasn't particularly important.

Human beings were emotional creatures. Relationships built through years of daily interaction were real. They had pampered Li'er for eighteen years. Every bit of affection they showed her was genuine.

What difference did blood make?

If the newly returned biological sister was sensible and willing to get along with Li'er, they could coexist peacefully. But if she insisted on competing with Li'er for status...

Then they would teach that presumptuous woman that becoming a member of the Ye family wasn't so easy. Because of that mindset, neither brother had bothered to attend the grand event of welcoming their sister home.

As a result, they completely missed the day's shocking developments. Only later did a phone call arrive.

The former housekeeper. Annoyed, Eldest Son Ye answered.

"What is it?"

The moment the call connected, a shrill, tearful voice erupted from the speaker. Eldest Son Ye frowned and instinctively held the phone farther away. But as he listened, his expression gradually changed. Then, suddenly, he shot to his feet.

"What?!"

Across from him, Ye Er looked over in surprise.

"What's wrong?"

Eldest Son Ye slowly lowered the phone. His expression was unreadable. After a long pause, he finally said,

"This new sister of ours...She's quite something."

So, the Eldest Young Master Ye and the Second Young Master Ye, whom they had tried so hard to persuade to come, returned on their own without needing any further invitation.

The black car door opened, revealing the tall and imposing figure of the Eldest Young Master Ye. His handsome features and commanding presence made him look like an emperor striding through the Ye family estate.

Following behind him, the Second Young Master Ye was no less remarkable. Taking after his mother, he possessed a refined and almost feminine beauty. A smile was always on his face, making him appear gentle and approachable. Yet everyone knew that beneath that pleasant exterior lay a heart more venomous than a snake's. In the Ye family, people would rather offend the Eldest Young Master Ye than the Second Young Master Ye.

The three Ye brothers, one a domineering emperor, one a ruthless and calculating strategist, and one a rebellious young man, were once known throughout X City as the "Three Young Masters of X City." Now that all three were gathered under one roof, their lives could only be described as turbulent and dramatic.

By mealtime, the food was already prepared. A long dining table was covered with delicacies from across the country and around the world.

The moment he saw his brothers return, Ye San quickly shifted his seat at the end of the table.

Across from him, Ye Xueli sat beside her mother, silently wiping away tears.

Although the room-changing incident had not actually happened, it had still frightened her badly. She finally realized that everything she possessed existed only because Ye Xiqing had never asked for it. The moment Ye Xiqing decided she wanted something back, Ye Xueli had no right to refuse.

How could this be?

What had she done wrong?

She had never wanted to be switched either.

Why did she have to watch the family she had known for eighteen years suddenly become complete strangers?

The resentment in her heart continued to grow. Even though she knew she should not think that way, she could not stop herself from crying.

When she saw her two older brothers return, the sorrow she had been holding back finally overflowed.

Throwing herself into their arms, she sobbed softly, "Big Brother... Second Brother..."

The two brothers had arrived in a foul mood, but the moment they heard her tearful voice, their expressions softened.

Patting her fluffy hair, they comforted her.

"Don't be afraid. Big Brother is here."

The Second Young Master Ye even held out his hand and smiled gently.

"Who made our little princess so sad? Come on, your brother has candy for you."

Ye Xueli stopped crying and smiled through her tears.

With her reddened eyes and soft shoulder-length black hair, she looked like an obedient little rabbit.

Turning her head awkwardly, she said, "Who's sad? I just haven't seen my two brothers in so long. I missed you both. Second Brother, honestly, I'm already so old, and you're still trying to coax me with candy..."

"Hahaha!"

The atmosphere immediately became warm and harmonious as the siblings laughed together.

After comforting the sister they adored, it was only natural that they would seek justice from the sister they disliked.

The Eldest Young Master Ye patted Ye Xueli's shoulder before walking toward the staircase. Looking up at Ye Xiqing as she descended, he crossed his arms and asked coldly, "Was it you who told Dad to fire the housekeeper?"

Meanwhile, Ye Xiqing had just finished a very comfortable bath under Wang Ma's meticulous care.

By the time she emerged refreshed, Wang Ma had already replaced every item in the dressing room with clothes suited to her.

Looking at the wardrobe, Ye Xiqing guessed that her mother had been the one to make the selections. The style was very similar to both her mother's and Ye Xueli's preferences.

Unfortunately, she had never been the type to follow someone else's fashion sense.

"I don't like shoes that are difficult to move in," she said bluntly. "And I don't like clothes with too many metal accessories."

The biggest difference between Wang Ma and her biological mother was simple.

Wang Ma listened.

If the young lady expressed a preference, Wang Ma would immediately make arrangements.

As a result, Ye Xiqing eventually came downstairs wearing a pair of simple gray platform shoes and a black-and-white color-blocked straight skirt with almost no decorative elements.

Surrounded by people dressed in tailored suits, elegant gowns, expensive jewelry, and designer accessories, she looked as though she had wandered into a grand banquet wearing pajamas.

Yet her demeanor was so relaxed and natural that it felt as though she were the true owner of the house, while everyone else had intruded upon her private space.

Step by step, Ye Xiqing descended the staircase.

When she reached the landing, she stopped and looked down at the Eldest Young Master Ye.

There was a smile on her face.

It was definitely not a friendly one.

Meeting the gaze of the man who had come to question her, Ye Xiqing curled her lips into a half-smile.

"Yes. I asked Father to fire him."

"Not only did I have him dismissed, I also took over your position."

"I assume he already told you that. Otherwise, you wouldn't have rushed back so quickly."

She tilted her head slightly.

"So what I'd really like to know is this."

"Are you here to question me about the first thing?"

"Or the second?"

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