Chapter 18: Chapter 18

“Where’s Dad?”

In her memory, her family consisted of her dad and big brother. Her mom left her hopelessly stupid father; she had even remarried because of some other family matters in the past. It was Ye Junpo who brought up the two children on his own.

The two generations of the Ye family were weak and, therefore, lost their rights to continue being a Sword of the Empire. One generation was Ye Junpo, and the other was Ye Yunji.

Ye Junpo did not like violence but rather enjoyed literature and art. He had dreams of becoming an actor, but the Yan Kingdom encouraged a military spirit. Hence, Ye Junpo was like an entertainer amongst the scholars, making him the laughingstock in his family.

Even then, he embarked on the journey of becoming a director. Although everyone despised him, he went busily about his own path.

Her big brother was just like Ye Junpo. He had no liking for violence, for he liked designing and spent a lot of time in his studio.

“He said he had a discussion with some people; it seems they are going to start shooting a film.” n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

A film?

She remembered that there were no potential sponsors who thought her father was promising?

He was starting to film so soon?

“There’s a sponsor?”

“It appears so, last month, dad had millions in hand!”

Their branch was kicked out of the main clan home base as a consequence of having two weak generations and lived in a small rented apartment in a cheap district.

Although they received a monthly stipend, that had been diminishing year after year. They struggled to eke out a living.

Hence, a few million was not a small sum to their family.

“That much?”

Ye Yunxi frowned. Strange. Since when had Dad become so capable?

“Bam!”

The door was thrown open. A figure was tossed into the house like a ball and landed rolling on the sofa, halting face up.

Ye Junpo spat out a mouthful of blood and struggled to get up.

“Dad!”

Ye Yunji hurriedly helped him up, asking, “What happened?”

“What happened?”

A few thugs walked in, smiling icily with sticks as thick as an arm. They seemed to fill the tiny living room at once.

“Your father owes us two million. Pay up!”

“That’s right! Pay up!”

One of them smashed the window panes, making them jump as the glass shattered loudly.

Ye Yunji turned pale with fright as he looked at the men.

“What… what money… I… I don’t know!”

“Ha. Great Young Master Ye. Your father here wanted to make a film and borrowed money from us. We even have an IOU. Don’t you know that all this money has to be returned? Don’t you agree?”

The group leader leaned toward him. He was a ferocious-looking man nicknamed Big Brother Zhuang.

“Big Brother Zhuang, Big Brother Zhuang!”

Ye Junpo shielded his son behind him protectively. Smiling apologetically, he said, “We made an agreement back then that I’ll repay the two million in installments—a hundred thousand a month. Furthermore, this month’s installment is not due yet. Big Brother Zhuang, I will repay the money for sure, but you are a wee bit early!”

“We have to be early!”

Big Brother Zhuang sneered, “You—the supposed head of the Ye family—have been ousted by the clan. So what are you going to repay us with? This is a lousy apartment, and you leased it. The only valuable thing you have…”

Big Brother Zhuang’s eyes fell on Ye Yunxi, and suddenly they lit up.

“I would have never thought you’ll have such a pretty daughter. Heh, why don’t you just use her as a repayment!?”

He raised his hand to reach toward her. Ye Junpo and Ye Yunji both panicked and lunged forward, each hugging one of Big Brother Zhuang’s legs. They cried out in alarm, “Big Brother Zhuang, Yunxi is still very young, only 16 and not even an adult yet!!”

“Not an adult yet?” Big Brother Zhuang sneered again, “They’re easier to teach when they’re young!”

***