Chapter 156: Chapter 156: If You’re Not Strong Enough, You’ll Be Ignored _1
At that moment, one person stepped forward, gave a bow to Ye Ming, and said, "Mr. Ye, good day to you, we have been sent by Miss Xia!"
As one of the six great families of Yanjing, the strength of the Xia family was not to be underestimated.
Merely sending over three bodyguards, Ye Ming had already discerned that all of them possessed the strength of a Post Grandmaster.
Together, these three could prevent any formidable opponent from getting close, rendering the idea of harming Jiang Rou utterly preposterous.
Even if a Great Grandmaster were to come and attack, under their joint protection, they could still manage to escape unharmed with Jiang Rou, even if they couldn’t win the fight.
Ye Ming smiled and nodded, hastening to express his gratitude, "Thank you all very much. For the next few days, my mother’s safety is in your hands."
Before they could respond, Xia Ningning had already arrived promptly and explained to Ye Ming, "You don’t need to doubt their strength, and moreover, it’s not just these three who I have deployed to protect your mother!"
"They are only there in the open. In the shadows, I have also arranged for some others. After all, I can’t expose all my forces openly!"
Ye Ming nodded, expressing strong approval for Xia Ningning’s approach, which he greatly respected.
After that, Xia Ningning went on to say, "The Martial Artist Tournament is just a few days away, why don’t you come with me to Yanjing? It’ll be good to prepare in advance."
"Of course, this is also Le Le’s wish. The Spirit Spring Water you gave me yesterday, you’ll have to bring it to her as well!"
The implications in Xia Ningning’s words were very clear, and naturally, Ye Ming understood what she meant.
That very day, Ye Ming summoned Qin Tianyu, entrusting him with the task of managing the affairs of the Spirit Spring Water.
By now, he had complete trust in Qin Tianyu; he always employed people without suspicion, and if he doubted someone, he simply wouldn’t use them.
Qin Tianyu was extremely grateful, eagerly assured Ye Ming that he could rest easy.
As for Lin Bingqing, under Jiang Rou’s insistent urging, she was arranged to stay by Ye Ming’s side. Given the long journey to Yanjing alone, Jiang Rou believed that Ye Ming needed someone to take care of him.
After spending some time together, Jiang Rou felt that Lin Bingqing was a good girl and entirely trustworthy.
Ultimately, neither Ye Ming nor Lin Bingqing could overcome Jiang Rou’s insistence, and the two decided to go together.
After lunch, Xia Ningning drove Ye Ming and Lin Bingqing onto the road herself.
It had been too long since she had returned to Yanjing, and she was somewhat excited.
While gazing at the scenery along the way, Xia Ningning suddenly asked, "If you really win the championship and gain both honor and a substantial reward, would you content yourself with just marrying Le Le and taking her home?"
Ye Ming, puzzled, asked, "Miss Xia, what do you mean by that?"
Xia Ningning said with a half-smile, "After winning the championship, your status will redouble its current standing. The Xu Family will no longer dare to look down upon you. In fact, the whole of the Xu Family combined might not even equal your status alone."
"By then, will you really forsake all other matrimonial engagements and only take Le Le as your wife? After all, you are a man with nine marriage arrangements."
"You haven’t even met those other girls yet. Perhaps, some are even more outstanding than Le Le!"
Hearing this, Ye Ming felt a headache coming on, and before he could speak up, Lin Bingqing, with a face full of surprise, asked, "Master, is what Miss Xia said true? You have nine marriage arrangements? Does that mean, in the future, I might have nine mistresses?"
"I don’t have a good memory; I’m afraid I won’t recognize them all."
"What if I call one wrong? What then?"
Upon hearing Lin Bingqing’s words, Xia Ningning couldn’t help but laugh out loud, clearly enjoying the commotion.
Scratching his head and blushing, Ye Ming hastily said, "It’s just an arrangement, nothing serious, and besides, when my grandfather made those engagements, he meant for me to choose for myself, surely."
"Of course, I would choose Le Le and have no second thoughts."
Xia Ningning snorted, hesitated to speak, then focused on driving.
After over two hours of travel, the bustling Yanjing came into view.
Xia Ningning expertly arrived at Xu Lele’s estate, where Lele had been eagerly waiting at the entrance.
"Dear Lele, I’ve brought you a surprise!"
After getting out of the car, Xia Ningning joked, "Guess what kind of surprise it is?"
Xu Lele pouted and said, "Isn’t it just Spirit Spring Water? Made personally by Ye Ming."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ye Ming had already gotten out of the car.
Upon seeing Ye Ming, Xu Lele was stunned, thinking she was dreaming.
"Ye Ming? How did you get here?"
Xu Lele was both shocked and delighted, almost wishing she could throw herself into Ye Ming’s arms immediately.
However, an unexpected cough interrupted her.
The cough belonged to none other than Xu Lele’s father, Xu Zhendong.
"Miss Xia, Lele has been talking about you for a long time, please come in and sit down!"
Xu Zhendong cheerfully greeted Xia Ningning, blatantly ignoring Ye Ming.
Ye Ming smiled awkwardly and just as he greeted him, he was met with a barrage of criticism from Xu Xincheng.
"Ye Ming, you fickle playboy, how dare you show your face at our house? You’d better go find your fiancée; she’s still waiting for you!"
Ye Ming smacked his lips, wanting to explain, but then he thought, nothing he said now would make a difference, it was better to take action to prove himself.
According to Xu Xincheng’s words, Ye Ming still had six fiancées whom he hadn’t met, so explaining was futile.
Xu Lele smiled apologetically at Ye Ming, then was forcibly taken back into the house by her brother and father.
Seeing the Xu family’s treatment of Ye Ming, Xia Ningning was somewhat indignant and hastily advised, "Go back to the car and wait for me. We sisters will catch up and be right back."
Ye Ming nodded and dejectedly got back into the car.
He could tolerate the Xu family’s rudeness, but Lin Bingqing couldn’t understand, puffing with anger, she said, "Master, we’ve come all this way, and they treat you like this, it’s so impolite."
Ye Ming felt touched inside, at least Lin Bingqing truly cared for him.
He said calmly, "It’s okay. When one’s strength isn’t strong enough, it’s inevitable to be overlooked. Once I truly make a name for myself, they will see me in a different light. I will earn their respect with my own actions."
"You need to have faith in me."
Lin Bingqing showed a bitter smile and nodded with some heartache.
"Master, of course I believe in you, you can definitely do it!"
About ten minutes later, Xia Ningning came out.
After getting into the car, she told Ye Ming, "Lele asked me to tell you to keep pushing forward, but to also be careful. If you truly cannot win, just concede quickly. Don’t get hurt."
Ye Ming gave a wry smile and said, "I understand."
