The crowd dispersed.

After saying goodbye to the deputy principal, Zhou Xiaolan, the warm glow of the setting sun fell upon the family of three standing outside the kindergarten gate.

"I'll go help you pick up your bike!"

Seeing Chen Yinuo's electric bike lying on the ground, Ye Chen didn't wait for her to speak before hurrying over to lift it upright.

Chen Yinuo instinctively opened her mouth to speak but ultimately refrained from uttering any ungrateful words.

Watching Ye Chen's figure and recalling the words of the observing parents earlier, she couldn't help but feel dazed.

Because this version of Ye Chen was completely unfamiliar to her.

Could it be that in just ten days, he had truly undergone a transformation?

"Can you approach things more calmly in the future? Have you thought about the consequences if you were really detained or ended up with a criminal record?"

Unknowingly leading Ye Youyou toward Ye Chen, Chen Yinuo furrowed her delicate brows and said.

"My bottom line is you two—mother and daughter. As long as neither of you is hurt, I can approach things rationally. But when someone's actions harm you two, I can't stay calm, and I won't consider the consequences! No matter how they curse at me, I can bear it. But insults directed at you two—I can't!"

Ye Chen, having lifted the electric bike, spoke with heartfelt emotion.

If Ye Chen had said such words ten days ago, Chen Yinuo would have scoffed disdainfully.

Because in her fixed impression, Ye Chen's cowardice was ingrained to his core.

But now, after witnessing his determination in the rented apartment, his flying kick at Yang Di at Yuntian Network, his slap to Wang Tao at Baihua Xuan, and his actions at the kindergarten gate just now, she had to admit—Ye Chen had indeed changed. This change wasn't something that could be faked; it was a true transformation.

"You never used to be like this," Chen Yinuo hesitated before saying.

"As you said—that was the past!"

Ye Chen gave a bitter smile.

Seizing this rare opportunity, he said, "Yinuo, I know I was a jerk in the past, but the old Ye Chen is dead. Yinuo, give us another chance to start over. I promise that for the rest of my life, I won't let you down again. I will spend the rest of my days making up for all I owe you. Yinuo, come back with Youyou. Let's live together, okay?"

Chen Yinuo froze, her heart in turmoil as if a deer were racing around inside her chest.

Under Ye Chen's expectant gaze, she remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "We'll see."

Though it wasn't an outright agreement, her response still filled Ye Chen with joy.

"Youyou, let's go home," Chen Yinuo said to Ye Youyou.

"Mom, can we go home with Dad? I want to live with both Dad and Mom!" Ye Youyou said, blinking her bright, watery eyes.

"Be good, go home with Mom first."

Not allowing Ye Youyou to argue, Chen Yinuo placed her on the front seat of the electric bike.

Just as she was about to get on, her phone rang.

"Yihau?" She answered after taking out her phone.

"Sis, where are you now?" Chen Yihao asked urgently on the other end.

"I just picked up Youyou and am about to head home. Why?" asked a confused Chen Yinuo.

"Sis, don't go home yet! Mom and Dad are coming for you again. I couldn't stop them. Sis, it's all my fault—I shouldn't have shown them the way last time!"

Hearing this, Chen Yinuo's face stiffened instantly.

When Mom and Dad came looking for her, their intentions were obvious. She couldn't face them!

"Okay, I got it," she said, biting her lip.

"I'll hold them off, Sis. Wait for my text before you head back."

"Alright."

After ending the call, an emotionally drained Chen Yinuo put her phone away.

Noticing something amiss, Ye Chen quickly approached her. "What's wrong? What did Yihao want? Is everything okay?"

"It's nothing." She shook her head, unwilling and unable to let Ye Chen know about those matters.

"Yinuo, it's getting late. Why don't we go have dinner together with Youyou?" Ye Chen suggested, seizing the chance.

"Dad, I want ribs, steamed fish, steamed egg custard, and chicken drumsticks!" Ye Youyou's eyes lit up at the mention of food.

"Ah, ribs, steamed fish, egg custard, and drumsticks? Then how about Dad goes to the market, buys the ingredients, and cooks for Youyou?"

Capitalizing on his daughter's enthusiasm, Ye Chen suggested, "After all, eating at home is much more cozy than eating out."

"Yes, yes! Mom, let Dad cook for us, okay?" Ye Youyou eagerly looked at her mother.

"In all the years I've known you, the only thing you've cooked for me was two bowls of noodles. Are you sure you know how to cook?" Chen Yinuo looked at Ye Chen with suspicion.

Unconsciously, her attitude had softened considerably compared to before.

"You'll see soon enough."

Ye Chen smiled with excitement but restrained himself.

Without waiting for her objection, he stepped onto the electric bike's driver's seat.

After a brief hesitation and inner conflict, she sat on the bike.

The last time Ye Chen gave her a ride on his bike was over three years ago.

Instead of taking them to the unpleasant-smelling, rundown market, Ye Chen dropped off mother and daughter at their rental home before heading to the nearby market on his own.

He returned with bags of groceries containing all their favorite foods.

Donning an apron, he threw himself into washing, chopping, and cooking with enthusiasm.

Watching him busily working in the kitchen, his face brimming with genuine happiness, Chen Yinuo couldn't help but feel a sense of unfamiliarity.

Gradually, she found herself staring at him.

If the Ye Chen of the past had been even a fraction of what he was now, she wouldn't have uttered a word about divorce.

Away from the bustling Zhang family mansion.

Inside, Zhang Jingshan was accompanying the elderly patriarch at dinner.

When the topic of Ye Chen came up again, Zhang Jingshan inadvertently let slip about shorting the Sihai Group's stock.

Little did he know, the moment he said this, Zhang Weimin, the former municipal secretary, froze in shock.

"Grandpa, what's wrong?" A flustered Zhang Jingshan asked anxiously.

"Jingshan, did you just say he invested over twenty million yuan with Changfeng to short the Sihai Group? And even asked you to join him?" Zhang Weimin's expression grew grave.

"Uh, yes. I thought he was crazy. The Zhang family and the Sihai Group may not get along, but even I have to admit that Sihai's stock is thriving right now. Shorting them at this point is madness!" Zhang Jingshan swallowed nervously, quickly adding, "But don't worry, Grandpa—I didn't join him in his madness!"

Yet his words did little to ease Zhang Weimin's grave expression.

As a former municipal secretary lauded for his integrity, Zhang Weimin had occasionally received confidential updates from the inspection team.

Even though their actions were top secret, he had some insider knowledge.

Now, the inspection team's operations were approaching their climax, ready to strike. Once the net was cast, not only would the Fengye Hotel be uprooted, but the Sihai Group would also face ruin.

This was classified information known to very few people.

And yet Ye Chen had chosen this precise moment to short Sihai Group's stock?

The last incident at Jinlin Mansion could still be dismissed as a coincidence.

But this time—could it be mere coincidence?

Impossible!

"Grandpa, what's wrong?" Seeing the old man lost in thought again, Zhang Jingshan asked nervously.

"Nothing. Later, give that young man Ye Chen a call. Ask him if he's free tomorrow and invite him to visit our home. I want to have a chat with him," Zhang Weimin said after recovering.

"Huh?!"

Zhang Jingshan was stunned.

So sudden? What was going on?

"What's with the 'huh'? Can you handle this or not?" Zhang Weimin shot him a glare.

"Yes, of course!" Zhang Jingshan replied, utterly bewildered.