Chapter 124: Bringing It to an End

That figure had lingered in his mind for years; even if she were to rot into a pile of filth, he would still recognize her.

Ba Wanqing!

Ye Qin felt an overwhelming surge of complexity at this moment, his entire body trembling slightly, though he could not tell if it was from agitation or pure indignation. Perhaps it was a mixture of both.

Ye Kun also saw Ba Wanqing, and not just her—there were three others beside her. Ba Tai, that fellow Pan Pingping from back then, and Pan Pingping’s father, Pan Ming. They had all met these people in the past; what could be the meaning of their arrival today?

Wait, it seemed they had been invited by his mother. Was this to provide some form of closure for his younger brother?

Ye Li had only heard of Ba Wanqing but had never met her, while Yan Mu’er had seen her back when she was still a cat; Ba Wanqing had been quite young then, and calculating the time, it had been six years since they last crossed paths. Dong Ci and Da Ci stood to the side, silent and uninterested in the four newcomers. In their eyes, aside from their teacher’s family, every other breathing creature was merely an ant.

As the four approached, Ye Kun noticed that Ba Wanqing’s entire demeanor had changed; she was nothing like she had been years ago. Could this Ankang Prefecture really transform a person so quickly? Looking at her gait and her attire, there was no doubt she was projecting an air of power. She had never been like this back in Taixi County.

Ye Qin felt as though he barely recognized the Ba Wanqing of today; only a few years had passed, yet she seemed like an entirely different person. Beyond Ba Wanqing, Ye Kun noted that Pan Pingping seemed to have lost some of his edge, appearing much more reserved—the Pan Pingping of the past had been incredibly fond of showing off. Standing together, the two even shared a certain resemblance of a married couple, and Ba Wanqing kept her hand looped through Pan Pingping’s arm, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Did this woman not feel a shred of shame? Not even a hint! Ye Kun even observed that when Ba Wanqing looked at his younger brother, her expression was completely nonchalant—the kind of look one gives an old friend, nothing more than an old friend!

A fire ignited in Ye Kun’s gut. His brother had spent his days and nights pining for her at home, yet Ba Wanqing did not even take him seriously! Ye Kun recalled his brother saying that when they had parted ways back then, Ba Wanqing had asked him to wait for her. Yet, this was the result he had waited for.

As the four walked into the waterside pavilion, Ye Kun noticed something even more astonishing: Ba Wanqing’s belly was slightly rounded! Although the curve was not very pronounced, it was still discernible; it certainly wasn't from overeating. Ye Qin stared at Ba Wanqing, his eyes seemingly asking, *Why? Why did it come to this?!*

Ba Wanqing finally withdrew her smile and exhaled softly, but offered no explanation. Pan Pingping stood by her side, as if asserting his ownership.

Ye Ming cupped his hands toward the group and smiled. "Prefect Ba, Captain Pan."

Dongmen Meng leaned forward slightly from the side, a gesture of greeting.

"It has been a long time, Brother Ye. And Ye Kun and Ye Qin, you have both changed quite a lot in these few years," Ba Tai said with a smile, appearing much the same as he always had.

Pan Ming also laughed. "Brother Ye, what happened to your eyes?"

"I was carelessly ambushed."

Pan Ming clicked his tongue. "What kind of villain would dare to ambush my Brother Ye? Do you know what the scoundrel looks like? I will have the whole city put on alert, and once caught, I’ll have them hung at the city gates to be scorched by the sun!"

"I am that villain. Would Captain Pan like to arrest me and hang me out to dry?" Dongmen Meng said softly. Inviting them here today was for one purpose only: to vent her son's grievances! Everything she did was for Qinqin; her child was not someone others could trample upon!

Pan Ming felt a bit awkward and laughed loudly to ease the tension. "Brother Ye, let us not make such jokes. It is all a misunderstanding..."

Ye Ming felt a sense of grim satisfaction and said in a deep voice, "Take your seats. The food is getting cold."

"In that case, Brother Ye, we won't stand on ceremony." Ba Tai chuckled, appearing to understand Ye Ming’s bottom line.

Everyone sat down except for Zhang Tiantian, Liu Ling, Dong Ci, and Da Ci. The round table held exactly ten people. A cool breeze brushed by, and the faint sound of running water echoed in their ears; such an environment would usually be pleasant, but the mood of those seated was anything but. This dinner felt like a banquet at Hongmen.

"Are these two perhaps the wives of Ye Kun and Ye Qin?" Ba Tai finally asked, voicing his curiosity. If they were, things might be a bit more comfortable.

Ye Kun replied softly, "They are both my wives. My younger brother is not married."

*Since no one else will say it, I, Brother Kun, will start it. No matter what, my brother’s grievance must be aired tonight!*

Ba Wanqing was stunned. Upon walking in and seeing two beautiful women, she had assumed one of them must be Ye Qin’s wife, and her sense of guilt had evaporated, which was why she had smiled—thinking everyone had found their own harbor. But hearing this, she realized both women were Ye Kun’s wives, and Ye Qin was not married!

With Ye Kun breaking the silence, everyone fell quiet. Pan Ming coughed lightly. "Young people have their own pursuits and their own ideas; it is indeed difficult for us parents to interfere."

"It is good for young people to have their own pursuits and ideas, but one must also possess a sincere heart. Prefect Ba, would you not agree?" Ye Ming stared fixedly at Ba Tai. *I don’t care what you want to do, but your daughter broke my son's heart, and for whatever reason, that is unforgivable!*

Ba Tai understood Ye Ming’s implication; they were in the wrong, and they had no ground to stand on. Any argument would be futile.

"Wanqing, speak," Ba Tai said in a low voice. This matter had to be resolved sooner or later.

Ba Wanqing took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed slightly. "Uncle Ye, Aunt Ye, the matter between Ye Qin and me—it was I who was wrong first. I have failed Ye Qin, and I am willing to bear all the consequences."

Pan Pingping, standing beside her, also stood up to express his stance. "I am willing to bear them together with Wanqing."

Ye Li sighed inwardly. Ba Tai was indeed formidable; this tactic of advancing by retreating was well-played. By admitting fault, his parents would not find it easy to make things difficult for a pregnant woman. Besides, Ye Qin likely didn't want to either. With these factors combined, it would be difficult to achieve their goal today. He was worthy of being a Prefect; he knew how to bend and stretch. Such a person would be a terrifying force if he were to rise in the future.

Ye Kun knew that some things were hard for parents to say, so he had to do it himself.

"Ba Wanqing, I have one question," Ye Kun asked in a deep voice.

"Please ask, Brother Kun."

Ye Kun frowned. "The reason. What was the reason?"

Some things didn't need to be said too bluntly; they were all intelligent people, and they would understand. Ba Wanqing looked toward Ye Qin, who had remained silent the entire time, waiting for this very moment. Why had Ba Wanqing done what she did?