Zhang Wei leaned back, savoring the tension bubbling in the auction hall like the finest wine.
His gaze drifted to Qiao Qing, who, to his amusement, hadn't denied Yang Lei's audacious claim that she was his "wife." Not a single flinch, not a single glare.
Well, well, he mused. Is that how it is, then?
But the revelation left him oddly uninterested. If she was already caught up with the likes of that, then his attention was better placed elsewhere. His eyes slid over to Ye Mengying, the beautiful, mature woman whose mere presence exuded a refined charm. Her every gesture seemed meticulously controlled, a far cry from the hotheaded Monkey beside her.
'This "Monkey" dared call me a "little white face"?' Zhang Wei's lips curled into a devilish smirk. 'Let's see who's the real monkey here.'
He had no need to boast—everyone around him did that for him. Even those who trembled at the mention of "The Prince" knew Brother Zhang's reputation. And this "Monkey?" He wasn't even worth comparing.
His voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd, taunting, dripping with playful venom. "Miss Ye," he called, tone laced with mischievous curiosity, "what exactly did this... gentleman offer to have you standing by his side?"
Ye Mengying's gaze didn't waver. She gave a soft, knowing smile and replied coolly, "Just here for some herbs, Mr. Zhang."
At those words, Yang Lei's face darkened as if someone had slapped him with a fresh fish. Was Zhang Wei really about to "steal" her, right here, right now?
A sliver of panic flared in his chest, but he quickly masked it, sighing with relief when he realized she hadn't spilled the true purpose behind her presence.
The crowd, however, was just getting started. The promise of scandal ignited whispers and stifled laughter.
"Come on, Brother Zhang!" someone hissed. "Let's see a real show!"
"Oh, I thought we were about to witness a live cucking here!" another muttered eagerly.
Zhang Wei's eyes gleamed, noticing a faint hesitation in Ye Mengying's response. CHerbs?' he thought, his smirk widening. If it were just that, she wouldn't be here, not with this fool acting like her knight in shining armor.
"Herbs, you say? So, what is he, your gardener?" he sneered, glancing at Yang Lei with a derisive tilt of his head.
Zhang Wei leaned back, delivering the final blow with a casual, almost lazy tone. "Miss Ye, if your grandfather's health is at stake, I'd help him for free. No need to be blackmailed by... this." His gaze flicked dismissively to Yang Lei, and the crowd burst into laughter.
The crowd's laughter took a dark turn, transforming into angry.
"Extorting a beauty like Miss Ye? This Money is a shameless dog!" one man spat, eyes narrowing with disgust.
"Look at this idiot! Doesn't even have the decency to earn her respect!" barked another, shaking his head. "Brother Zhang would never pull this cheap act!"
"Hah! Any real man would heal her grandfather and earn her gratitude, not blackmail her into marriage!"
"Someone get this monkey out of here before he embarrasses himself more!" jeered a warrior near the front, his words sparking another wave of laughter.
Yang Lei's face darkened, shame and anger swirling like a storm. He clenched his fists, seething at the indignity of it all. 'I'm not going to let this pompous bastard make a fool of me,' he thought, his stomach twisting as he realized Zhang Wei's victory would mean much more than public humiliation.
Ye Mengying turned to Zhang Wei with a sigh, skepticism still faintly flickering in her eyes. "If you're truly willing to do this... for nothing in return," she said carefully, "then you may come to my home. Try your hand at healing my grandfather."
A victorious gleam sparkled in Zhang Wei's eyes as he inclined his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "Miss Ye, I'll come by tomorrow, then," he replied smoothly, his words laced with an unspoken promise. "I assure you—your grandfather's well-being will be my only concern."
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The crowd roared with a mix of cheers and groans. "Oh, man, Brother Zhang's snagged himself a beauty! She's in his hands now!" one grumbled, his tone both admiring and begrudging.
"Life is unfair!" someone sighed dramatically.
Another leaned back with a resigned grin, crossing his arms. "Miss Ye's as good as his. No man competes with Zhang Wei. He is better than this monkey!"
Yang Lei's heart clenched, his mind racing. In his vision, an imaginary green hat—one that marked him as a fool—hovered mockingly above his head.
The humiliation twisted into desperation. Was he really going to get cuckolded here? No. He couldn't allow it. If Zhang Wei succeeded, his hopes with Ye Mengying would shatter like brittle glass.
He gritted his teeth, his pride fueling his resolve. 'I'll heal her grandfather first,' he thought fiercely. 'No matter what it takes.'