Urban Martial Saint

When Ye Qing returned to the mansion with Old Fifth Yang, the subordinates here had already arranged accommodation for Ye Changwen and others.

This estate of the Seven Steering Committees of Hong Alliance is incredibly vast. Previously, most members of Hong Alliance’s Seven Rudders lived here, indicating just how large the estate is to accommodate so many people. Moreover, each house in the estate is built luxuriously, and the decor is grand. This estate was originally constructed in Shenchuan City by dozens of wealthy tycoons to serve as their residence, only to later be seized by Li Lianshan, who then allowed the Seven Steering Committees of Hong Alliance to reside here. The scale and grandeur of the estate need no further explanation.

As they entered the estate, Zhou Hongxia was the first to express amazement. She widened her eyes and mouth, completely stunned. Having lived her entire life in Jiuchuan County and seldom traveled far, she had never witnessed such a bustling scene. In Jiuchuan County, owning a decent house with good decor was already a source of pride for her. Now, with the sight of this estate and its surroundings, she was utterly overwhelmed with disbelief.

After a long while, she gradually regained her composure and turned to Ye Qing, excitedly asking, ”Qingzi, is this... is this where you live?”

”Of course!” Li Lianshan nodded beside her and said.

”This place is like a palace, so beautiful!” Zhou Hongxia was filled with shock and excitement as she looked at Ye Qing and softly said, ”Living here, I reckon the monthly rent isn’t cheap.”

”Rent?” Li Lianshan was initially taken aback by her words, then laughed and said, ”Auntie, this is Ye Zi’s property. Why would there be rent?”

”What... what property?” Zhou Hongxia was still not fully grasping it, as she could never imagine that such a large estate could belong to Ye Qing. In fact, this estate is indeed Ye Qing’s property. When Li Lianshan seized it, he initially split it evenly with Ye Qing, but later, when the Seven Steering Committees of Hong Alliance occupied it, Ye Qing, not wanting Li Lianshan to feel uncomfortable, bought the estate outright as a residence for the alliance. Although the Seven Steering Committees of Hong Alliance are currently occupying it, it is, in fact, owned by Ye Qing.

”Property, what else could it be?” Li Lianshan said, ”This estate belongs to Ye Zi. He’s the one renting it out, who would dare charge Ye Zi rent?”

As he spoke, Li Lianshan discreetly glanced at the Seven Steering Committees of Hong Alliance. He was somewhat displeased with the alliance for taking over Shenchuan City and imposing orders here, sidelining him, the city’s underground emperor. So, he kept mentioning rent, primarily for the alliance’s ears.

However, the main leaders of the Seven Steering Committees were not present, so nobody paid him any attention. Zhou Hongxia, however, was thoroughly shocked by his words. She widened her eyes and asked Li Lianshan, ”So, these... these houses, are all... all Qingzi’s?”

”Auntie, it’s not just the houses, even the land belongs to Ye Zi.” Li Lianshan laughed and said, ”The houses are worth a few pennies. Combined, they might fetch three to five billion, but this land is different. It’s close to Shenchuan City’s downtown, near the seaside, with excellent environment and location. This vast stretch of land is far more valuable than the houses!”

In Zhou Hongxia’s simplistic mindset, she couldn’t grasp the value of land in Shenchuan City. While her thoughts were basic, she did understand that regardless of whether the land is valuable, the villas together constitute a considerable fortune, numbers she could never have imagined.

”Qingzi, no wonder Boss Yang said you’re flourishing in Shenchuan City.” Zhou Hongxia gave a sheepish smile to Ye Qing and said, ”Renting out so many houses would surely fetch a tidy sum each month!”

”Auntie, the houses are for us to live in, why rent them out?” Li Lianshan laughed.

Zhou Hongxia quickly responded, ”So many houses, how could we live in all of them? Renting them out would surely bring in a substantial income monthly!”

Li Lianshan waved his hand and said, ”Renting them out is too troublesome, why bother for such small change!”

Zhou Hongxia’s eyes widened, ”Small change? Renting all these houses could easily earn tens of thousands each month!”

”Tens of thousands?” Li Lianshan was momentarily stunned by Zhou Hongxia, then looked at the helpless Ye Qing beside him and laughed, ”Auntie, renting out a single villa here starts at a hundred thousand a month!”

”What?” Zhou Hongxia’s eyes nearly bulged out, and she murmured, ”A hundred thousand? How... how is that possible? Renting a villa for three months could buy a house!”

In Jiuchuan County, thirty thousand yuan really could buy a house. Zhou Hongxia’s shock was understandable.

Standing beside her, Ye Qing understood very well why Zhou Hongxia was so shocked. After all, having lived in that small county her entire life, she had never ventured out; how could she possibly comprehend the vastness of the world outside?

”Auntie, let’s not dwell on this. Let’s go inside and rest.” Ye Qing beckoned, seeing Zhou Hongxia’s state, thinking if they talked outside any longer, she might faint from the shock.

Actually, not only was Zhou Hongxia shocked, but Ye Changwen was even more so. However, Ye Changwen wasn’t as vain as Zhou Hongxia, so he didn’t say much. But when Ye Qing walked up to him, he quietly grabbed Ye Qing and whispered, ”Qingzi, are... are these houses really yours?”

”Of course, they are!” Ye Jun chimed in from the side, ”Brother has many houses in Shenchuan City, this estate is just one of the many properties he owns!”

”What?” Ye Changwen was also stunned, and after a long while, he grabbed Ye Qing, whispering, ”Qingzi, we must be down-to-earth and never engage in unlawful activities...”

Ye Qing was speechless; apparently, Ye Changwen thought he had resorted to illegal activities to amass such wealth. In reality, while Ye Qing’s financial success was partially influenced by Li Lianshan, it was largely due to Huangfu Ziyu. Before returning to Xi Hang, Huangfu Ziyu transferred most of her assets to Ye Qing. In Shenchuan City alone, Huangfu Ziyu held numerous land and assets, which she entrusted to Ye Qing, enabling him to reach this stage.

”Dad, I remember your words!” Ye Qing patted Ye Changwen’s shoulder and said, ”As members of the Ye family, we are always upright, never engaging in illegal activities. I assure you, everything I’ve achieved has come through legitimate means; I’ve never done anything unlawful!”

”That’s good! That’s good!” Ye Changwen nodded repeatedly; he trusted his son completely. Since Ye Qing had assured it, he must not have engaged in any illegal acts.

After Ye Jun helped Ye Changwen inside, Ye Qing was about to follow when Zhou Hongxia hurriedly approached. She secretly pulled Ye Qing aside, waiting for Ye Jun to lead Ye Changwen away, and whispered, ”Qingzi, are these houses really yours?”

”Yes.” Ye Qing nodded. He didn’t have much respect for this stepmother, but because of his father Ye Changwen, he treated this family quite well. In his heart, as long as his father was happy, it didn’t matter even if he, as a son, was slightly at a loss.

Upon receiving Ye Qing’s confirmation, Zhou Hongxia swallowed hard, enviously looking at the houses around them, and whispered again, ”Qingzi, you… you brought us over this time to let us reside permanently?”

”Certainly.” Ye Qing nodded. His intention was to have them here as a precaution against upcoming events, in case anyone targeted them. However, given that things would likely be chaotic for a while, it was uncertain how long they’d need to stay.

”Living here permanently means Xiao Zheng will need to study and work here.” Zhou Hongxia’s voice was a bit low, seemingly embarrassed, as she murmured, ”But here in Shenchuan City... the housing prices are too high, when Xiao Zheng works here...”

Before Zhou Hongxia could finish, Ye Qing already understood her meaning. All along, she was angling to secure a house for her son to feel reassured. This woman remained as greedy as ever. However, considering he once handed over all his forty thousand yuan just for her to treat his father a little better, how could he be stingy now?

Ye Qing said, ”Don’t worry, I’ve already found two houses, registered under Xiao Zheng and Xiao Yu’s names. Xiao Zheng’s house is close to his school, making it convenient for him to attend classes. Of course, after Xiao Zheng graduates, if he wants a different residence, he can choose freely among all the houses I own!”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Hongxia could hardly contain her joy, her eyes narrowing into slits. Disregarding her elder status, she trembled as she said, ”Qingzi, thank... thank you...”

As she spoke, her voice was choked with emotion. This was understandable as she had already secretly learned that the houses in Shenchuan City typically cost over a million yuan. With Ye Qing gifting two houses to her children, how could she not be moved? If she weren’t the elder and there weren’t so many people present, she might have knelt down to express her gratitude!

Ye Qing understood this family’s character, but for his father Ye Changwen’s sake, he didn’t mind these losses. Moving forward, he suddenly recalled something, turned, and said, ”Oh, since Xiao Yu will be working here, Manager Lin, who is looking after Fifth Brother, will let Xiao Yu temporarily take over her previous job.”