Chapter 989: Bargaining Chips

Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Ye Leng’an’s refusal silenced the entire venue.

In most cases, the challenged party wouldn’t refuse. After all, declining a challenge in front of everyone would be a blow to one’s pride. Plus, challengers usually proposed stakes, adding to the temptation.

Of course, some refused, though few. However, even when declining, they did so tactfully, never as direct as Ye Leng’an, who refused without any reason.

Ye Wanwan clearly hadn’t anticipated such a straightforward refusal. She didn’t know how to react, instinctively asking, “Ye Leng’an, why refuse my challenge?”

She assumed Ye Leng’an wouldn’t refuse, given the embarrassment it would cause her. How could someone like her admit defeat in public?

Ye Leng’an raised her head, casting a glance at Ye Wanwan, then calmly replied, “No reason. I just don’t want to fight you.”

Ye Wanwan must have thought too highly of herself! Did she believe that merely by proposing it, Ye Leng’an would definitely agree?

Ye Leng’an’s refusal wiped the joy off Ye Wanwan’s face, replaced by frustration.

Feeling the mocking gazes from the crowd and her grandfather’s cold stare, Ye Wanwan panicked. She had to make Ye Leng’an accept her challenge to appease her grandfather.

Eyeing Ye Leng’an, she spoke sharply, “Ye Leng’an, by rejecting me, are you afraid of losing face if you lose to me?”

She doubted Ye Leng’an would admit it in public.

All eyes turned to Ye Leng’an, awaiting her response.

“Oh!” Unexpectedly, Ye Leng’an remained unfazed by Ye Wanwan’s belittlement, her expression unchanged. “Think what you want. I have the right to refuse.”

Seeing Ye Leng’an’s clear refusal, Ye Wanwan felt anxious, though she didn’t show it. Especially under her grandfather’s cold gaze, she felt even more pressure. She couldn’t forget her grandfather’s demand. That was to prove she was more suitable than Ye Leng’an to be the Ye family’s young lady.

Just when it seemed Ye Wanwan would abandon the challenge, she turned to Ye Leng’an again. “Ye Leng’an, I’ll challenge you today no matter what. If you have conditions, state them.”

Ye Hongxuan wanted to reprimand Ye Wanwan but was stopped by Ye Yikun.

“Father, isn’t Wanwan discrediting our Ye family with this behavior?” Ye Hongxuan couldn’t help but speak. “Since Ye Leng’an won’t accept the challenge, can’t we just drop it?”

“Don’t worry too much about it,” Ye Yikun said calmly. “And since Wanwan wants to challenge, as her father, you should support her. Remember, she’s your daughter, not Ye Leng’an.”

Though Ye Yikun’s tone was calm, Ye Hongxuan sensed a warning. He wanted to speak but remained silent.

Lian Mengzhu, too, was anxious. She didn’t want to see a fight between Wanwan and Ye Leng’an. Though she had chosen Wanwan, Ye Leng’an was still her biological daughter.

Wanting to intervene but seeing her husband stopped by Ye Yikun, she dared not speak. She anxiously watched Ye Wanwan on stage, her gaze shifting to Ye Leng’an, hoping she’d refuse. That was the only way to prevent a fight.

Hearing Ye Wanwan, Ye Leng’an smiled with interest. “It seems you’re eager to compete with me. But think carefully. If you lose today, you’ll be the one losing face.”

The more Ye Wanwan heard, the more she believed Ye Leng’an was afraid of losing. Her smile grew confident. “I want to challenge you, Ye Leng’an. I’ll have no regrets regardless of the outcome.”

Ye Leng’an chuckled. “I know the challenge rules. If you can offer enough to entice me, I’ll accept.”

Her words left everyone speechless. Ye Leng’an had rejected Wanwan’s challenge due to the lack of bargaining chips.

Only Huangfu Ruiling chuckled, finding Ye Leng’an’s reaction adorable.

Ye Wanwan looked disdainful. “Then tell me, what kind of chip do you want?”

Ye Leng’an thought for a moment, then smiled brightly. “Let’s bet on your cultivation. If I win, I’ll cripple it. How about that?”

This statement caused an uproar in the entire venue, with everyone looking at Ye Leng’an in shock, their eyes filled with astonishment. Clearly, no one expected Ye Leng’an to make such a demand. It was an almost completely unreasonable request, to say the least.