As always, Ying Yun and Yang Xueyi parted on bad terms.
Back at the summit forum, Yu Shi, the colleague who attended with Ying Yun, poked his head over.
“Your girlfriend? Did you two have a fight?”
“No.”
Ying Yun was succinct.
“You’ve got the wrong person.”
Yu Shi clearly didn’t buy it.
“How could you mistake someone with looks like that? If she isn’t your girlfriend, can you introduce me?”
“No.”
Ying Yun shot Yu Shi a look.
“I can’t do something so unconscionable.”
Ying Yun was speaking from the heart.
A woman as fake as Yang Xueyi would be a disaster for anyone.
He really couldn’t understand how Aunt Yang, such a genuine person, could have raised a daughter as sharp-tongued, hypocritical, and insufferable as Yang Xueyi.
Of all things, someone like her just had to have an outstanding face and a deceptively innocent exterior.
After living with Aunt Yang for over a decade, Ying Yun was deeply grateful for her care.
He couldn’t bear to see her suffer because of Yang Xueyi’s waywardness.
He’d tried to set Yang Xueyi straight, to prevent her from going down the wrong path, but she stubbornly refused to change, insisting on heading straight for disaster.
In Japan, Ying Yun had done everything he could to create obstacles between Yang Xueyi and Li Junxin.
But no sooner had they returned home than Yang Xueyi was already scheming to get close to Li Junxin, desperate to get a room together.
Forget it. Let go of the savior complex and respect other people’s choices.
If Yang Xueyi was determined to become an unwed single mother, it was none of Ying Yun’s business.
The experts at this summit forum were top-notch.
Normally, Ying Yun would have quickly immersed himself in the professional knowledge on offer.
But for some reason—perhaps because he’d just seen Yang Xueyi—he found himself distracted and irritable.
During the intermission, Ying Yun even felt a dull ache at his temples.
At the same time, a commotion erupted at the entrance of the hotel conference hall.
Not long after, Yu Shi returned, face full of gossip.
“There’s a fight upstairs in the hotel!”
“Father and son brawling—then the father fought back, and now both are black and blue!”
Ying Yun frowned.
Yu Shi took a sip of water and explained, “From what I heard, the fight was over a woman. The father took a liking to a female subordinate and tried to set up a tryst. Unbeknownst to him, the woman somehow met his son and, not knowing their relationship, went to the son to complain.”
“Turns out, father and son have the same taste. The son also liked the same woman and had no idea his own dad was the one trying to take advantage of her. In a fit of anger, he sent the woman away, hid in the room, and when his dad came in, beat him up without a word.”
“The best part? The wife showed up too. She’d heard her husband was having an affair here and came to catch him in the act, only to find her son and husband fighting. Once she figured out what was happening, she jumped in and started beating up her husband herself.”
“Real life is more dramatic than any TV show.”
Yu Shi had barely finished when a loud argument broke out in the hotel lobby.
“There! That family!”
Ying Yun followed the sound and saw Li Junxin’s family.
His uncle, Li Liming, was bruised and battered, Li Junxin’s face was dirty and his mouth was bleeding, and his aunt had the air of someone ready to go down fighting, still screaming for a divorce.
The three of them were only kept from fighting again by the hotel security staff separating them.
Because the story was so bizarre, many people stopped to watch.
Only now did Ying Yun realize that the event next door to their summit forum was the annual meeting of an American pharmaceutical company.
Thanks to this farce, many people from the annual meeting were also gossiping in the hotel lobby.
“I never thought, didn’t President Li always have a reputation for being devoted to his wife? Turns out he’s two-faced. Headquarters will definitely investigate this.”
“If they really investigate, it’ll be a spectacle. I heard Li Liming once took Yang Xueyi’s translation credit and gave it to Tang Qi just to pressure her…”
“Li Liming’s wife was apparently brought here by Tang Qi, originally to catch Yang Xueyi in the act, but ended up shooting herself in the foot. This whole mess might just topple her own backer, Li Liming.”
Just then, Ying Yun’s phone vibrated with a message from the instigator.
[It wasn’t my intention for things to turn out like this. Who could’ve guessed Li Liming was Li Junxin’s father?]
As if she didn’t know.
She knew perfectly well.
Even through text, Ying Yun could picture Yang Xueyi’s innocent facade, while she was actually gloating.
[Is your aunt really going to divorce your uncle? What are you going to do, Ying Yun?]
Yang Xueyi’s messages kept coming—
[You have time to worry about me, but not your uncle?]
[But you’re right, I won’t be eating at Li Junxin’s house anymore.]
[After all, I realize I like drinking congee more than eating rice. Now that their family’s a pot of congee in chaos, I might as well enjoy it while it’s hot.]
Ying Yun could practically see Yang Xueyi’s smug expression right now.
His uncle’s family had been hit by disaster.
Facing Yang Xueyi, the prime culprit, he ought to be united in anger against her, but instead, knowing the whole story, Ying Yun only felt relieved.
Compared to Yang Xueyi’s attempts to curry favor with Li Junxin, he found her arrogant attitude more palatable.
Yang Xueyi might be fake and annoying, but at least she still had some bottom line.
He’d misjudged her.
Ying Yun rarely cared about other people’s business and hardly ever jumped to conclusions, but it seemed all his usual rules failed when it came to this troublesome woman.
Yang Xueyi was like a catalyst for negative emotions.
Whenever Ying Yun saw her, it was as if he was forced to relive that summer at eighteen—like an impulsive, irritable teenager, suddenly unable to control himself, quick to anger.
Years of emotional self-control as a doctor vanished in an instant, like an overinflated balloon that would pop at the slightest touch—Yang Xueyi didn’t even need to prick him, just wave her hand, and the balloon would explode.
He must have developed PTSD from ten years of dealing with Yang Xueyi.
That was the only explanation for why he was so irrational and impulsive around her.
Ying Yun rubbed his forehead, face tense as he picked up his phone to compose a message.
[Sorry.]
Too abrupt, and a little stiff.
Ying Yun pursed his lips, deleted it, and tried again—
[You should have told me in advance. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have misunderstood.]
Still sounded accusatory.
[Earlier, because of a misunderstanding, I spoke harshly. Sorry. Li Junxin’s reputation isn’t great, so it’s best you keep your distance—I’m afraid you’ll be deceived, and I don’t want to have to explain to Aunt Yang. I really didn’t know about my uncle’s situation. But I’m not someone who sides with family regardless of right or wrong. If you’d told me, you wouldn’t have had to retaliate this way. I could have helped you.]
Too wordy.
No need to explain so much.
For once, Ying Yun was truly agitated, but as he was about to delete and rewrite, he accidentally hit send.
He really shouldn’t have said so much to Yang Xueyi.
Regret and frustration filled him as he prayed she hadn’t seen the message and prepared to recall it.
But when he looked at his phone, the regret and agitation vanished.
They were replaced by a sharp pang in his chest.
On the WeChat screen, it read:
[Message sent, but rejected by the recipient.]
Staring at that line, Ying Yun gritted his teeth.
Yang Xueyi, childish as ever—after bombarding him with messages, she blocked him just to avoid a comeback, afraid she’d lose an argument.
As usual, she broke the rules and preemptively blacklisted him.
Apology?
Forget it.
What an infuriating person, utterly lacking in fairness.
Yang Xueyi was thoroughly satisfied.
With that matter settled, she finally let out a long-overdue breath.
With her troubles behind her, she could finally enjoy the annual meeting’s programs and food.
But before that, she needed to call her mother back.
Yang Xueyi was in high spirits, but before she could dial, her happiness was abruptly cut short.
“Yang Xueyi! You little wretch, you set me up!”
Ecstasy turned to disaster.
At some point, Li Liming had slipped away from the family brawl.
Now, bruised and battered, he stood behind Yang Xueyi, his face twisted with malice, clearly out for revenge.
Before Yang Xueyi could react, Li Liming lunged forward, grabbing her wrist tightly and dragging her toward the nearest empty conference room.
This whole floor of the hotel was made up of conference venues.
Yang Xueyi had purposely found a quiet, empty area far from the company’s annual meeting to make her call—never expecting it would become the perfect place for Li Liming to seek his revenge.
Now, with Li Liming desperate and reckless, if she got dragged into that empty room, she’d be in for a beating, with consequences too awful to imagine.
Yang Xueyi struggled desperately, glancing around for help—and luck was on her side.
Not far away, someone was stepping out of another empty conference room!
He must have come here for some quiet and had just finished a call. Now, he was heading out.
It was a man.
He wore a dark, well-tailored suit. His back was straight, his figure tall and lean, with broad shoulders and long legs.
Though Yang Xueyi couldn’t see his face, every movement radiated the air of someone raised in privilege—the kind who ate healthy, worked out regularly, and exuded confidence.
He’d do!
Yang Xueyi pointed at the man’s back and called out to Li Liming, “My boyfriend’s here! He’s looking for me—let go of me!”
Li Liming was momentarily stunned by the sudden appearance of the man.
Yang Xueyi seized the chance, broke free, and ran straight toward him.
Without thinking, she rushed up and grabbed the man’s arm, lowering her voice, “Sorry, I just ran into—”
But before she could finish, she froze.
The man turned, and Yang Xueyi saw his face—
Handsome features, cold expression, distant eyes, long dark lashes over deep irises.
Who else could it be but Ying Yun?
Talk about a double dose of bad luck.
Li Liming caught up, recognized Ying Yun, and his momentary panic turned smug.
“Yang Xueyi, that’s my nephew! What nonsense are you spouting about your boyfriend? He’d never go for you!”
Li Liming nodded at Ying Yun as a greeting, then reached out to grab Yang Xueyi again.
Now she was really out of options!
Li Liming and Ying Yun were blood relatives.
Even if she got along with Ying Yun, he wouldn’t necessarily help her in a situation like this—especially since their relationship was far from close.
Ying Yun would probably stand by and watch as Li Liming dealt with her.
There was no hope for help here.
Time to make a run for it.
But just as Yang Xueyi was about to slip away, Ying Yun reached out and caught her wrist.
He was even more treacherous than she’d thought—rather than standing by, he was actively helping Li Liming!
“Uncle.”
Ying Yun didn’t look at Yang Xueyi, standing in front of her with a calm voice.
“What happened? How did you get so badly hurt? Did this woman hit you? Should I call the police?”
Ying Yun held Yang Xueyi with one hand and took out his phone with the other.
“If someone assaulted you, that’s intentional injury. I’ll let my mom know and have her find you a lawyer—we’ll go through legal channels and press charges.”
Yang Xueyi, who’d thought the world had turned against her, almost burst out laughing at his words!
What a twist!
She could understand Ying Yun’s eagerness to take her down, but he was being shockingly heartless to his own uncle.
Was this really something to publicize?
This was Li Liming’s family scandal!
Yet here he was, shamelessly suggesting calling the police and getting lawyers involved to deal with her.
Luckily, Ying Yun didn’t know the full story, so he naturally assumed his uncle was Yang Xueyi’s victim, and was all too eager to call the police on her.
Sure enough, the moment Li Liming heard Ying Yun threaten to escalate things, his arrogance evaporated.
“Xiao Yun, no need, it’s a misunderstanding. I’m fine. Don’t call the police, and don’t tell your mom. It’s nothing, I just tripped and fell. No need to worry them.”
He forced out a couple of awkward laughs, shot Yang Xueyi a few resentful glares, and quickly excused himself to “treat his wounds.”
“You still haven’t let go?”
With Li Liming gone, Yang Xueyi dropped the act.
“Didn’t you hear? It was a misunderstanding. Your uncle fell on his own, he’s not pressing charges or calling the police. So why are you still holding on to me?”
Yang Xueyi was about to throw in a sarcastic comment, but just then Ying Yun’s phone rang.
When she glanced at the caller ID, her words died in her throat.
It must have been because she hadn’t called back—Yang Meiying was now trying to contact Ying Yun!
Yang Xueyi immediately took the initiative, grabbing Ying Yun’s hand and switching to a sweet tone, “Ying Yun, even if your uncle and cousin have their issues, my problems with them are just misunderstandings. But I know you’re different. Compassionate, selfless, noble, tolerant—those words barely do justice to your character.”
“I got a little emotional earlier. Don’t take what I said to heart. I was just venting because of your uncle, and took it out on you. Deep down, I really respect you…”
Ying Yun glanced at her, expressionless.
“Really.”
“Really! Absolutely! When your uncle was chasing me just now, I didn’t even recognize you, but instinctively ran to you for help. That’s because you have this aura of reliability, a spirit of helping others through tough times!”
Ying Yun didn’t reply.
He turned away, face blank, and answered Yang Meiying’s call.
Compared to Yang Xueyi’s nerves, Ying Yun’s voice was calm and steady.
“Aunt Yang. Don’t worry, I’ve found Yang Xueyi.”
“She was just busy, so she couldn’t pick up your call.”
“It’s not an excuse—she really was busy.”
Yang Xueyi finally relaxed.
Flattery works on everyone—even Ying Yun wasn’t immune.
With a little praise, he at least didn’t badmouth her to her mom.
After all, people grow up.
At eighteen, Ying Yun was nasty and moody, but ten years later, after being tempered by society, he’d matured.
Maybe there was no need to keep clashing with Ying Yun.
Yang Xueyi thought she could even extend an olive branch and try to repair their relationship.
Ying Yun wasn’t as bad as she’d thought!
But just as Yang Xueyi started to plan how to mend things, Ying Yun’s next words shattered the idea.
“Yes, I’m not lying—she really was busy.”
Yang Xueyi heard him, in the calmest voice, say the most vicious thing, “Busy with what? A few men were fighting over her just now—she was busy watching.”
She’d really been too optimistic!
Yang Xueyi swore she would never, in this lifetime, reconcile with Ying Yun!
He wasn’t as bad as she’d thought—he was worse!
But even that wasn’t enough for Ying Yun.
“I couldn’t reach her earlier because she blocked me.”
He spoke with that same irritating calm, “Why did she block me? Who knows, maybe she felt guilty.”