The world is as it is; if fate wills it, you meet; if not, you can bow before the Buddha for ten thousand years and never cross paths. As the saying goes: 'Only those destined to clash end up meeting.'

"It's you?"

A simple query that was enough to stun everyone present. In that moment of astonishment, Xu Ming couldn't help but ask, "Boss, does the second brother know that woman?"

"Know her? More than just know her!" Yang Yi shook his head with a wry, bitter smile, truly unwilling to recall that period. He pictured the two little brats in the courtyard, quarreling incessantly over some triviality, eventually coming to blows. Both of their personalities were fiercely competitive; neither would yield to the other.

"Damn fatty, have you only learned to bully me after all these years?" the girl snapped, pointing furiously at Lin Fatty and unleashing a torrent of abuse.

"Hell, when the hell did I bully you?" Lin Fatty retorted testily.

The assembled group found the exchange utterly baffling, soon exchanging glances that appeared rather amusing.

However, on the upper floor across the way, Ling Tian and his companions were staring with marked astonishment.

"Boss, that kid knows the daughter of the Qin elder?" Mo Leng's face was grim as he watched Lin Fatty converse with the girl, as if his deepest taboo had been touched.

"I'm not sure!" Ling Tian murmured, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully, then turned and walked away.

He had originally intended to test Yang Yi, but for some inexplicable reason, he now felt such an action would be utterly superfluous. For their group, regardless of whether it was Ye Han or the Black God Gang, strength was certainly crucial, but ensuring the safety of their own 'Crown Prince Party' was of paramount importance.

"Damn fatty, are you saying you haven't? Didn't I just tell you to move aside? Why are you still standing there letting people run into you?" the girl continued to press, pointing relentlessly at Lin Fatty.

"Qin Huihui, can't you stop being so overbearing? Damn it!" Lin Fatty was speechless. He had found this woman infuriating in their youth, and now, reuniting with her, her spoiled temper seemed even more pronounced, leaving him utterly helpless.

"What did you say?" The girl—no, she must be called Qin Huihui—was the daughter of Qin Feng, the young mistress who had once stayed for a period at Elder Yang's residence. Years had passed, and she had grown into a woman in her early twenties. While her beauty wasn't enough to topple kingdoms or rival Xiu'er's devastating charm, she possessed a captivating allure that grew on you. Unadorned, she appeared incredibly simple, the kind of woman who could be called a supreme beauty.

However, it was her sharp tongue and volatile temper that kept everyone at a distance, significantly diminishing her appeal—dropping her from a supreme beauty to merely an excellent one. No one ever gained an advantage when dealing with her.

Back then, Yang Yi and Lin Fatty had certainly received a great deal of her "care." As for what kind of care that entailed, only Lin Fatty and Yang Yi likely knew, but just thinking about it suggested it certainly wasn't anything pleasant.

"Uh!" Lin Fatty was momentarily stunned.

Yang Yi, standing nearby, shook his head helplessly, thinking that Qin Huihui still hated it when people called her overbearing. He stepped in to mediate, saying, "Miss Qin, long time no see."

"You are?" Qin Huihui didn't recognize Yang Yi at first glance; he had changed significantly. But after a closer look, her face filled with shock. "You're Yang Yi?"

"Yes, precisely!"

"Good, I'm glad you're here. Come, you be the judge—am I wrong, or is the fatty wrong?" Qin Huihui turned to Yang Yi.

"Uh!" Yang Yi was taken aback. "Fatty, apologize to her."

"Brother Yi, this damned shrew clearly..." Lin Fatty, though deeply reluctant to apologize to Qin Huihui, relented when he saw Yang Yi glare at him. He then addressed her: "Yes, Young Miss Qin, I was wrong, it was my fault."

"Hey, look! His apology has zero sincerity. Even like this...!" Qin Huihui clearly intended to continue making things difficult for Lin Fatty.

Lin Fatty looked ready to overturn the entire situation in a massive row, but Yang Yi stopped him, saying, "Miss Qin, let it go this time."

"Fine, I'll grant you this favor, Yang Yi. I'll let him off this once, hmph!" Qin Huihui finished, then bent down to gather the books that had scattered across the ground from the collision.

Yang Yi smiled wryly and also bent down to help pick them up. Seeing Yang Yi being so courteous to Qin Huihui, the others all bent down to assist. Although they didn't know why Yang Yi treated her with such deference, they knew intuitively that Yang Yi wouldn't act this way without a strong reason.

In a short while, they had collected the books and handed them to Qin Huihui. She offered a brief thanks and started to leave, but Yang Yi stopped her. "Miss Qin, you aren't in a rush to go, are you?"

"Why? Want to catch up?" Qin Huihui looked at Yang Yi with a smile. She had never imagined that the skinny little brat from years ago would turn out to be so well-put-together. While he wasn't overwhelmingly handsome, he skillfully utilized his natural advantages, lending his refined features a very appealing touch of charm.

"Hehe, if you don't mind, Miss Qin, I certainly wouldn't be so presumptuous!"

"Oh, you actually possess a bit of the bearing of the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang. Alright, wait for me for a moment! I need to put these books away first!"

"Then I'll wait for you by the entrance," Yang Yi offered.

"Deal!"

Qin Huihui seemed to grasp the reason Yang Yi wanted to speak with her, nodding in agreement before departing.

Those standing nearby looked at Yang Yi with confusion, but he just smiled and said, "Let's go!"

"Second Brother, what exactly is your relationship with the Boss and that woman?" Ye Xiaohou asked.

"Nothing much, just some shrew who once stayed at our place!" Lin Fatty replied resignedly.

Ye Xiaohou frowned, but Xu Ming interjected, "Second Brother, you and the Boss actually know Elder Qin's daughter? It seems what you mentioned in Hangzhou last time was true."

"Of course it was true! If it wasn't, I would have agreed immediately to marry that old man's daughter back then, damn it!"

"Qin Feng's daughter?" Ye Xiaohou exclaimed in surprise upon hearing Xu Ming's explanation.

"Keep your voice down! You might not be embarrassed, but we are!" Xu Ming shot him a look before asking Yang Yi, who was walking ahead, "Boss, what exactly are you trying to do?"

"What am I trying to do?" Yang Yi turned back, puzzled.

"That girl just now!"

Hearing this, Yang Yi smiled faintly and said, "Catching up. A simple catch-up!"

"No, I don't believe that. I think there's definitely something more going on," Lin Fatty stated decisively.

After they walked out the entrance, Yang Yi scanned them and saw the confused expressions of Lin Fatty, Ye Xiaohou, and Xu Ming. He found it somewhat amusing. "What's wrong with you all?"

"Boss, tell us! Second Brother said you definitely had some reason for waiting for her just now...?"

Xiu'er, seeing Yang Yi had no desire to answer, couldn't help but smile slightly. "Actually, if you think a little deeper, you'll understand why my husband is waiting for that woman."

"If my guess is correct, Yi is putting on a show for someone. You bad boy!" Xuanyuan Bing, who had maintained a cold demeanor all day, was now much more composed.

"Putting on a show for someone?" Lin Fatty and the other two looked at Yang Yi in astonishment, voicing their question in unison: "For whom?"

"Everyone in the capital!" Yang Yi stated in a low, steady voice. "Alright, stop discussing it so much. We’ll catch up properly later. I’m clear on the current situation. If you don't understand, ask me at the appropriate time!"

"Yes!" Seeing Yang Yi's face darken, the three immediately responded.

In their memory, the early Yang Yi and the current Yang Yi felt somewhat different. They couldn't quite articulate where the difference lay, but in terms of methodology, it absolutely surpassed his past self. Consider his intent in waiting for Qin Huihui right now.

There were two possibilities: one was putting on a show, and the other was a warning.

The show was entirely for the three most powerful 'Crown Princes' currently operating in the North, and simultaneously, a subtle message for Ye Han.

The warning was much more obvious. Qin Huihui was Qin Feng's daughter, and anyone with a shred of influence in the capital would know and understand this connection. If they saw Yang Yi and his group being close to Qin Huihui, they wouldn't rashly make a move; they might even steer clear entirely. This was purely to reduce a host of unnecessary trouble for Yang Yi himself.

Undoubtedly, Yang Yi's current tactic was brilliant. Those who had been secretly monitoring him were already rushing back to report their findings. Moreover, Ling Tian, one of the three major princes of the underworld, was a highly astute individual. Seeing that Yang Yi knew Qin Feng's daughter, he immediately grasped the implications.

"Boss, he actually knows Qin Huihui. What should we do about this?" Mo Leng, less impulsive than Fang Kai, was much more deliberate and immediately saw the significance of Yang Yi’s acquaintance with Qin Huihui.

Ling Tian stared straight ahead, watching Qin Huihui walk out of the entrance, looking quite happy as she conversed, and then leave the North University grounds with them. This sight caused him a degree of frustration and helplessness. But above all, it signaled a quiet concession.

"Tonight, dispatch men to track Yang Yi's location. Also, issue a general notice: do not engage in conflict with any members of the Black God Gang."

"Boss? Are you planning to see him?" Fang Kai asked.

"It has come to this; there is no other way. Whether it's the nation or the Qin family, they have placed their wager on Yang Yi. His strength, I needn't elaborate, you all know well. However, if it were Ye Han in his place, we would likely be in serious trouble!" Ling Tian stated.

"That's true. If it's really as Boss says, we truly don't have the authority to make any decisions," Mo Leng agreed, deeply empathizing with Ling Tian's comparison.

After all, if the person acquainted with Qin Huihui now had been Ye Han instead of Yang Yi, and if Ye Han were to create any complications involving Qin Huihui, the capital would immediately descend into chaos, and forces from all directions would instantly move against Yang Yi. That entire predicament would then be directed squarely at their Crown Prince Party.