Ye Chen was sure of it.

Zhang Jingshan was serious.

Absolutely serious!

It was hard to imagine.

Someone of his status could have such an adorable side.

But as adorable as Zhang Jingshan was, Ye Chen couldn't handle it!

Matchmaking?

What kind of matchmaking could he do?

If he knew when Zhang Jingshan got married in his past life, it would've been easier—he could just say so.

But in his past life, at this point, Zhang Jingshan was already facing accusations of assault by a streamer named Yiyi and was in detention.

By the time his name was cleared, years had passed.

The old secretary had died of anger, Zhang Xingguo was still in prison, and even after Zhang Jingshan was released, he disappeared into the bustling crowd.

So how could Ye Chen know when Zhang Jingshan would get married?

He thought about making up something to deflect the situation.

But seeing Zhang Jingshan's earnest, eager gaze, he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Feeling cornered, Ye Chen finally said:

"There are three things I don't predict: life and death, rise and fall, and marriage!"

"There's such a rule?" Zhang Jingshan instantly deflated.

"My late master insisted on it, and I abide by it," Ye Chen replied.

"But wait, didn't you predict the rise and fall of Sihai Group?" Zhang Jingshan asked sharply.

"Did I ever say I predicted it?" Ye Chen parried smoothly.

Zhang Jingshan smacked his lips, then smiled bitterly.

Seeing this, Ye Chen explained, "Marriage is something that doesn't need predicting. When the time comes, no one can stop it. There will always be someone you're willing to fight for and protect with all your might. It's as if fate itself will bring you two together. Knowing about it in advance isn't necessary—it's better to let it unfold naturally. If I told you now that your ideal match won't come until you're forty, wouldn't you spend all those years with a weight on your mind?"

"Ye Ge, you're really different from other fortune-tellers. Two years ago, the old man hired a fraud to read my fortune. He claimed I'd find my match and marry this year. What nonsense!"

With a bitter laugh, Zhang Jingshan shook his head.

Little did he know, Ye Chen nodded in agreement.

"Then he was indeed a fraud."

In his previous life, Zhang Jingshan was framed and jailed for assault this very year.

Where could there have been any marriage in such circumstances?

What Ye Chen forgot, however, was that the butterfly wings of fate had already begun to flutter.

"Ye Ge, don't bother with this guy. He's still a playboy at heart. Unless someone's looking to climb the social ladder, no respectable girl will get close to him!" Li Changfeng teased with a smile.

"Listen to you! What's wrong with being young and full of energy? Isn't everyone allowed to let their hormones run wild? You think everyone can be like you, cutting off worldly ties and desires, practically a monk without the robes?" Zhang Jingshan retorted, frustrated.

Li Changfeng chuckled and didn't argue further.

Instead, he pulled out a card from his pocket.

A black card engraved with a bauhinia flower.

"Ye Ge, this is A's Black Bauhinia Card. It's non-personalized and recognized everywhere. Take it—it'll make reservations unnecessary whenever you visit A."

"Ye Ge, this is a treasure. The Black Bauhinia Card is A's highest-level card. If you don't want to pay, just flash the card—no one will dare to charge you. Although, to be honest, no one's ever really used that perk." Zhang Jingshan added, glancing at Li Changfeng. "You're quite generous, huh? I've asked to borrow this to show off, and you never agreed. Now you're giving it to Ye Ge!"

"Shut it!" Li Changfeng shot back with a laugh.

Ye Chen had heard of A's Black Bauhinia Card in his past life.

But he was surprised that Li Changfeng actually had one.

He didn't ask much about it, though.

He shook his head and said, "Keep it. I don't need it."

"Ye Ge, take it. You never know when it might come in handy. I'm a regular here and have good relationships with the management. For me, making reservations is just a phone call away. Keep it—you might need it someday!"

Afraid Ye Chen might refuse again, Li Changfeng handed the card to Yoyo.

"Here, Yoyo, take this!"

"What is it?" Yoyo, who had been eating quietly, finally looked up.

"Do you like this place, Yoyo?" Li Changfeng asked with a smile.

"Yes, I love it! It's even prettier than the place my mom and dad took me to last time!" the little girl answered innocently.

"Then take this card. With it, you can come here anytime you like!"

"Really? Thank you, Uncle!"

Being a child, Yoyo didn't overthink it. Unlike ordering food, which required her parents' input, she gleefully accepted the card without hesitation.

Seeing this, Ye Chen could only smile and accept it.

"Ye Ge, what's your next move? What's the plan?"

Seeing Ye Chen no longer resisting the Black Bauhinia Card, Li Changfeng swiftly changed the topic.

"The next move? A short-term investment that'll grow tenfold or more," Ye Chen said with a knowing smile.

The acquisition of houses in Jinzhong Village.

He was planning to let them in on the opportunity.

After all, the current short sale of Sihai Group stocks would only yield about forty million yuan at most.

With houses in Jinzhong Village averaging a million yuan each, he could only afford forty or so.

The rest, he'd let Zhang Jingshan and Li Changfeng have, provided they trusted him.

But hearing "tenfold or more short-term growth," Zhang Jingshan and Li Changfeng were almost shocked out of their seats.

"What kind of short-term investment can grow tenfold or more? Even the unexpected boom of Jinlin Mansion only grew fivefold!"

"Ye Ge, what's this about? What's your target?"

"Not telling yet!" Ye Chen smiled.

"When does it start?" Zhang Jingshan pressed eagerly.

"When Sihai Group's stock drops below ten yuan. Just a few more days," Ye Chen replied casually.

It wasn't that he didn't trust them—it was just unnecessary to disclose it now. Plus, maintaining an air of mystery suited him.

As night fell, they wrapped up their pleasant dinner.

Ye Chen and Yoyo were sent back to their rental by Li Changfeng's Panamera.

Now, all that remained was for Sihai Group's stock to drop below ten yuan.

It wouldn't be long before he bid farewell to the tiny rental full of bitter memories.