Chapter 2: The Ning Family Breaks the Engagement
Ye Mo stared, astonished, at the woman before him. She had short hair and, while not conventionally pretty, possessed a captivating quality. He felt a sense of familiarity but couldn't place her. Memories of his past life, before his reincarnation, were beginning to surface, blurring the recollections of his time as the original Ye Mo.
"Hmph, Ye Mo," the round-faced woman said, "I lent you a considerable sum, and you pretend not to know me? You're incredibly annoying!"
Suddenly, Ye Mo remembered. This was Wang Ying, from the Wang family in the capital. Outgoing and somewhat boisterous, she spoke impulsively, but possessed a kind heart. Like Ye Mo, she attended Ning Hai University.
Initially unwelcome in the capital, and even more so after his expulsion from the Ye family, Ye Mo had few acquaintances. His connection to Wang Ying stemmed from her friendship with his sister, Ye Ling. They often visited Ye Mo's home.
Although ostracized by many after his expulsion, Wang Ying, ever vivacious and uncalculating, remained a friend, even lending him money during difficult times.
"Ugh, it's you, Wang Ying," Ye Mo stammered. "I'm sorry, I was dizzy and didn't recognize you" He paused, acutely aware of his empty pockets. Perhaps he could ask her for a little more
Before he could formulate a request, Wang Ying spoke mysteriously: "Ye Mo, do you know who's become the most infamous—or rather, the most hilariously scandalous—person in the capital after you?"
Unfazed by the potential for offense, she continued cheerfully, seemingly unconcerned with Ye Mo's reaction. She added, "A few months ago, the Ning family visited your family to break off the engagement. Do you know what your great-uncle said?"
Ye Mo responded plainly, "I am Ye Mo. I don't have an uncle."
"Oh, right. I forgot you're no longer part of the Ye family. Your great Mr. Ye, declared you estranged. As for the engagement, I'm not entirely sure. I heard he attends Ning Hai University; you could try contacting him there."
"The Ning family was furious but powerless. Hey, Ye Mo, have they been looking for you? I heard the Song family approached the Ning family, proposing a match between Ning Qingxue and Song Shaowen. You won't believe what your fiancée said!" Wang Ying paused, her gaze fixed expectantly on Ye Mo.
Ye Mo shook his head. He had no memory of Ning Qingxue, despite her reputed beauty and their former engagement. He wasn't the original Ye Mo, nor a member of the Ye family; her disposition held no significance for him. She could marry whomever she pleased.
More importantly, could anyone surpass his master in attractiveness? His past naiveté had blinded him to Luo Ying's feelings. Only near-death experiences had illuminated his master's affection. Now, however, he wondered if Luo Ying had even reincarnated.
Lost in thought, Ye Mo appeared dazed. Wang Ying, mistaking his distress for regret or anxiety over his expulsion, hurried to add, "Ye Mo, though Ning Qingxue is stunning and from a powerful family, you're no longer a Ye family heir, so"
Ye Mo understood her implication and smiled indifferently. "Ning Qingxue? Oh, I've forgotten all about her." He spoke truthfully; he genuinely had no recollection. In fact, he found himself more impressed with Wang Ying.
Wang Ying rolled her eyes but pressed on. "If you say that, you'll hurt her feelings. Do you know who's become the subject of capital-wide ridicule? Her."
Ye Mo was taken aback. His impotence and expulsion were public knowledge; the broken engagement would seemingly conclude the matter. Could a man like him even aspire to her hand?
Wang Ying continued without waiting for his reply. "When the Song family proposed, she publicly declared, 'I am already Ye Mo's woman and will marry no one else, unless' She trailed off, leaving the 'unless' hanging. Whatever it meant, her father reportedly confined her to her room. Whether that's true or not, I don't know."
"That announcement sparked widespread mockery. Everyone knows she's using you as a pretext to reject Song Shaowen. And what are they saying about you? They say that, never having experienced a man, she doesn't understand natural impotence, and when she learns the truth"
Wang Ying stopped abruptly. "Oh wait, I'm sorry. That's what they are saying," she corrected herself, finally realizing her blunder. She expected Ye Mo to react—perhaps even check his…equipment.
Ye Mo simply thought Wang Ying remarkably tactless, but he felt nothing. He wasn't naturally impotent. Reaching the third stage of Chii Gathering would open his blocked meridian. It was arduous, but hope remained.
As for Ning Qingxue, he wouldn't take her words seriously. Even without meeting her, her reputation suggested stunning beauty. She probably disliked Song Shaowen and used Ye Mo as a shield. Yet, why the public announcement? A private communication to the Song family would have sufficed.
Then, it dawned on him. Ning Qingxue wanted to avoid any engagement, hence the public declaration. The "unless" wasn't a condition for marrying someone other than Ye Mo, but a condition for marrying anyone at all. The woman was clever.
"And this is for you," Wang Ying said, producing an envelope.
Ye Mo opened it, revealing a stack of money. Surprised by her unsolicited generosity, he looked at her questioningly.
"It's from your brother, Ye Zifeng," Wang Ying explained. "He said someone asked him to deliver it, but didn't specify who. I suspect it was him."
The mention of his siblings reminded him of Ye Ling’s coldness and Ye Zifeng’s kindness. He needed the money and accepted it, intending to repay his brother later.