Zheng Cai was seething with anger, but seeing the guests already coming and going, she could only suppress her fury. She glanced at Ye Tong, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and said, "You should go back first." Since the birthday girl herself had spoken, Ye Tong knew it wasn’t appropriate for her to stay, especially since she felt so uncomfortable. Ye Tong nodded. "Then I’ll go back first." Having fully experienced the sting of being despised, she didn’t want to stay here a moment longer and wished to leave immediately. Zheng Cai nodded. "Go back first. Don’t overthink things; I’ll be there soon." Although Zheng Cai had been quite dissatisfied with Ye Tong’s recent actions, Ye Tong was, after all, her own daughter. Seeing her daughter so openly scorned, Zheng Cai couldn’t help but feel a pang of discomfort. Not long after Ye Tong had left, Elder Ye had Ye Shilong summoned. "Father," Ye Shilong addressed him. Elder Ye said, "Why didn’t that girl, Yuning, come back today? Are you really planning to expel her from the Ye Family?" Ye Shilong said nothing. It would have been better if Yuning hadn’t been mentioned. But now that she was, he was filled with irritation. That wife of his, Zheng Cai, could be so thoughtless. He’d made things perfectly clear to her, yet she still managed to provoke Yuning to the point that Yuning refused to return to the Ye family. Seeing Ye Shilong remain silent, Elder Ye raised an eyebrow. "What? Are you really willing to discard a glowing pearl for something worthless?" It was painfully obvious who that "something worthless" referred to. Ye Shilong felt even more frustrated with Ye Tong. Elder Ye was a pragmatic man who prioritized profit above all else. He was well aware that the Ye Family’s current standing was largely thanks to Yuning. Though he didn’t involve himself much in the company’s day-to-day affairs, he understood the significant role Yuning could play in the Ye Corporation. "You need to teach that wife of yours a lesson. She still has a lot to learn about conducting herself properly!" Since Yuning hadn’t returned, Elder Ye directed his displeasure at Zheng Cai. Ye Shilong nodded. "I understand!" "I hope to see that girl back for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet next month." "Alright," Ye Shilong nodded. For now, Ye Shilong had to defer to Elder Ye; whatever the old man said was law. 「Back with Ye Yuning,」 After returning to Shanyu Pavilion and eating the meal Xiao Linye had prepared, she retreated directly to her room. She had brought her computer home today. She wouldn’t be going to the Xiao Corporation for the next few days, but some work still needed to progress. When Ye Tong’s call came through, she answered it directly, "Hello." "Ye Yuning, you must be feeling incredibly smug right now, mustn’t you?" Ye Tong’s voice came from the other end. Ye Yuning raised an eyebrow. "I haven’t done anything to provoke you just now. Can you please not act like a rabid dog?" She honestly had no idea why Ye Tong was flipping out again. Ye Yuning was about to hang up, but Ye Tong continued, "You usurped my life for so many years! Now that I’m back, you’re still clinging to everything. How utterly shameless can you be? How pleased with yourself you must be!" A clear note of desperation laced Ye Tong’s voice. Tonight had been utterly humiliating for her! Her own family, her own grandfather! After everything that had happened, he offered no comfort, no understanding. Instead, he told her to learn from Ye Yuning. The thought filled Ye Tong with a wave of intense humiliation. What was there to learn from a contemptible creature like that? Ye Yuning’s breathing grew heavier. "Did you call me just to spout this nonsense?" "What else do you want to hear? What do you think you’re worthy of hearing?" "Ye Tong, if I were in your shoes, I’d be trying to figure out how to remedy the situation right now, not calling me to stir up trouble." Ye Tong’s breathing grew even more ragged. Ye Yuning added, "The Ye Family is truly cursed to have a daughter like you." With that, she hung up the phone. Ye Tong probably still had no clue why it had become so challenging for the Ye Corporation to secure various projects lately, did she? Ye Shilong, however, undoubtedly knew what had affected him. He was sharp as a tack; there must have been an explosion at the Ye residence. Otherwise, Ye Tong wouldn’t be calling her at a moment . 「Meanwhile, Ye Tong,」 She was on her way back. Hearing the call disconnect, she hammered the steering wheel in fury. "Ye Yuning, you just wait!" Xiao Shuo wanted to break up with her, all because of that woman. And now, even Elder Ye was treating her this way, also because of that woman. Remedy the situation... yes, she had to remedy it! Ye Yuning was right. She absolutely had to find a way to fix things now! But how could she fix it? Lord Xiao? Yes, Lord Xiao! These relentless blows made Ye Tong realize with stark clarity, once again, that she couldn’t just sit by and wait for her doom. She also understood, more profoundly than ever, just how vital the marriage alliance with Lord Xiao truly was!