Chapter 179: Ye Hai: Money’s Not an Issue, Just Stay Away from Yi Nan

Ye Yi Nan's outfit was a bit of a hassle, so it took a while for Shen Lang to help her sort it out. Finally, the two of them left the private room and returned to the grand, lavishly decorated reception hall.

Meanwhile, Yi Nan's parents, who had just wrapped up a chat with some old friends in a private suite on the 14th floor, appeared in the reception hall. They were mingling and laughing with other business elites.

When Shen Lang and Yi Nan entered the hall, laughing and chatting, her parents exchanged a glance. With a polite smile, they said a few words to the other guests and then walked toward the two with mixed emotions.

"Yi Nan," called out her mother, Zhong Mei Ru, her face lighting up with a cheerful smile.

"I was just downstairs chatting with Mr. Qin. Sorry I wasn't here to help you host earlier."

"It's fine," Yi Nan replied nonchalantly.

But as Ye Hai approached, a brief flash of annoyance crossed her face before disappearing.

Ye Hai stood stoically beside Mei Ru, his imposing, square-jawed face showing no emotion. His sharp gaze fixed on Shen Lang, though he seemed calm and collected.

"So this must be Shen Lang. Such a fine young man," Mei Ru said warmly.

"Xiao Shen, Yi Nan just returned from abroad and isn't quite familiar with domestic customs yet. I hope she hasn't been too much trouble for you recently?"

"Not at all, Auntie," Shen Lang replied with a friendly smile. "She's actually been a big help to me."

"That's good to hear," Mei Ru said with a gentle laugh, keeping the exchange simple and friendly. There were no hidden traps or probing questions. Despite her slightly prideful demeanor, she was genuinely grateful to this young man for helping her daughter recover from her struggles.

"I heard you scolded Mr. Gu's son in front of the other guests earlier?" Ye Hai suddenly cut in, his stern gaze shifting to Yi Nan.

"Yeah, I did," Yi Nan admitted with a small nod.

"And why is that? I don't recall teaching you to be rude," Ye Hai said, his tone laced with anger, as though he was about to erupt.

"He insulted my friend," Yi Nan mumbled, lowering her head. She'd always been somewhat afraid of her father, a feeling ingrained in her since childhood.

"That doesn't mean you should—"

"Yi Nan, I got you a necklace as a birthday gift. Let's go try it on," Mei Ru interrupted, gently patting Ye Hai's arm before leading her visibly upset daughter away with a smile. "Xiao Shen, we'll chat later."

Once the mother and daughter left, Shen Lang and Ye Hai exchanged a knowing glance, each with their own thoughts.

"Xiao Shen, thanks for taking care of Yi Nan recently," Ye Hai said, his tone suddenly polite as he invited Shen Lang. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you. Could we talk privately in a suite?"

"Sure," Shen Lang agreed after a moment's hesitation. It was Yi Nan's birthday, so it wasn't like her dad would do something drastic. This was probably just a warning.

He followed Ye Hai to a luxurious suite, where a young woman in a professional outfit was busy writing at a desk.

Ye Hai gestured to a mahogany chair. "Have a seat, Xiao Shen. Make yourself comfortable."

Shen Lang scanned the room with a cautious eye but found no hidden threats. Apart from the secretary, there was no one else. He sat down, slightly more at ease.

"You probably know Yi Nan has autism, right?" Ye Hai began, pouring Shen Lang a cup of tea. "Her doctor said that interacting with people and having conversations helps her improve."

"Yeah, she mentioned that," Shen Lang replied, feeling like Ye Hai was leading up to something.

"Thanks to you, her condition has significantly improved," Ye Hai continued with a smile. "The doctor said she might fully recover soon."

"You're too kind," Shen Lang said modestly, sensing the underlying tone in Ye Hai's words.

"You're being humble," Ye Hai said with a chuckle, then shifted to a more serious tone. "Yi Nan just got back from abroad, so if she's said or promised anything odd, don't take it seriously. She'll probably forget about it in a few days."

Recognizing the veiled warning, Shen Lang nodded. "Understood, Uncle."

"Good." Ye Hai seemed satisfied, but his smile quickly faded as he got to the point. "So, what exactly is your relationship with my daughter?"

**[Options:]**

1. "Uncle, we're just friends. Please don't overthink it."

2. "Uncle, you might not know this, but she just became my fourth girlfriend."

3. "Old man, isn't it a bit late to ask? Your daughter's practically mine now."

"Uncle, don't overthink it. Yi Nan and I are just friends," Shen Lang said calmly. There was no way he'd actually admit to anything deeper.

"Haha, that's good to hear. I was just curious. Don't mind me." Ye Hai laughed lightly, then looked over at the secretary. "Ms. Man, is the paperwork ready?"

"Yes, Chairman," the secretary said, handing over a check and a property deed.

"Uncle, what's this?" Shen Lang asked, though he already had a hunch.

"To be honest, my daughter needs a proper, high-quality environment to grow in," Ye Hai said sternly. "I'm sure you were shocked today. A young lady speaking so rudely is unacceptable."

"That said, I'm grateful for what you've done for her. I won't let you leave empty-handed." He slid the check and deed toward Shen Lang.

"I heard you've been looking to buy a building for your film company. I've found a great spot in the city center for you. Don't worry about the cost; just sign the papers."

"As for the check, fill in any amount you want. Money isn't an issue. Consider it compensation for your efforts."

Ye Hai's tone turned colder as he delivered the final blow. "All I ask is that you keep your distance from Yi Nan. Don't see her in private anymore."

Shen Lang stared at the check in his hand, feeling like he'd stepped into a cliché scene from a romance novel.