Chapter 21: A Woman Deserves to Be Cherished

When Wanqing heard about this, she burst out cursing, “That old woman from the Shen family is truly despicable! You haven’t even done anything to her—how could she stoop to something so vile?”
“And as for Qin Miao, trying to play dirty and failing, now she wants to turn the tables and act the victim.”
“Luckily, she’s the one who got caught up in it!”
Yao Yao had been furious when it happened, but now she felt nothing.
Retribution always comes.
“Yao Yao, you can’t just let this go. They have to pay a heavy price or else they’ll only get worse.” Wanqing’s thoughts echoed Yao Yao’s own.
To repay someone in their own coin, that principle must be carried through.
“I understand.”
“Let me handle this.”
Wanqing was worried Yao Yao would be too soft-hearted. “I’m just about to take over the family business. Why not let me use this as a trial run?”
“Alright,” Yao Yao agreed.
The two chatted during their lunch break. Yao Yao closed her eyes for a moment’s rest, then opened them to throw herself back into work.
After work, Yao Yao was invited to meet with Wanqing and Yan Cheng; after everything that had happened, it was their way of helping her unwind.
She didn’t refuse.
This time, they’d chosen a restaurant—a surprise, as Wanqing usually preferred private rooms at lively bars.
When Yao Yao pushed open the door, the whole room was filled with balloons and candlelight.
Realizing what was about to happen, she turned to leave, but Wanqing suddenly appeared and grabbed her.
“What are you doing? Where do you think you’re going? Yan Cheng has been planning this for ages.”
Wanqing spun her around and whispered in her ear, “Yan Cheng is a good man, someone you can rely on. He’s liked you for years—why not give him a chance?”
Compared to Shen Yan, Wanqing felt that Yan Cheng’s virtues far outweighed his.
Yao Yao looked helpless; she simply didn’t have those kinds of feelings for Yan Cheng.
Yan Cheng stood there in a suit, hair meticulously slicked back, clutching a bouquet, staring at Yao Yao with nervous anticipation.
Behind her, Wanqing couldn’t help but laugh—Yan Cheng looked just like a child dressed in adult’s clothes, too thin to fill them out.
But he wanted to show he was serious, so he insisted on wearing the suit.
“Yao Yao.”
Yan Cheng held out the flowers. “I like you. I’ve liked you since the first time we met.”
“But don’t feel pressured. I truly like you, but I won’t use that to force your hand. If you’re willing to give us a try, just nod. If not, I won’t insist.”
What Yan Cheng wanted most was for Yao Yao to be happy. If her happiness wasn’t with him, that was alright.
Hearing this, Yao Yao looked up and offered Yan Cheng a gentle smile.

“Yan Cheng, you think just like Wanqing and me—you’re a good person. Even this confession isn’t coercive.”
She took the flowers. “These are lovely, I’ll accept them. But I can’t say yes. All these years I’ve only ever seen you as a younger brother. Nothing more, I’m sorry.”
Disappointment was plain in Yan Cheng’s eyes.
Wanqing couldn’t help but pat Yao Yao on the shoulder and chide her softly, “What are you doing?”
“Wanqing, it’s alright. Even if we can’t be lovers, we can still be friends.” Yan Cheng’s smile was more pained than tears.
“Alright, enough of that. Let’s sit down and eat. After everything that’s happened to Yao Yao, we should help her relax,” Wanqing said, smoothing things over.
Yan Cheng had originally planned to confess to Yao Yao later, but the sudden events made him want to be her support sooner.
He’d thought his chances were fifty-fifty.
But it didn’t matter. He’d accomplished what he needed to do.
After dinner, Yao Yao returned to her small apartment.
The Ye family’s old residence was a bit far from her office; she’d only recently moved out to avoid the commute.
As she pressed her finger to the lock and opened the door, a force slammed into her, and a warm embrace wrapped around her from behind.
Shen Yan’s face loomed up before her, magnified many times over. Yao Yao opened her mouth to curse, but he suddenly kissed her with an arrogant insistence.
Yao Yao: “???”
She bit down hard on Shen Yan’s tongue, the taste of blood spreading between them.
Shen Yan winced in pain but still didn’t let go.
She tried to kick him, but he anticipated it, blocking her easily.
Pinned between the wall and Shen Yan’s embrace, she could only endure as the bloody kiss ended. Shen Yan gazed at her with gentle admiration. “Well done.”
Yao Yao frowned. “You’ve got the wrong person. Let me go.”
Her hands were pinned above her head. Shen Yan’s grip was so strong she couldn’t break free.
“I’m talking about Yan Cheng’s confession. You were right to refuse him.” Shen Yan finally let go, but his eyes were full of satisfaction.
She hadn’t accepted someone else. Maybe—just maybe—she still cared for him.
Realizing this, Shen Yan’s expression softened, and in his gaze lingered a tenderness even he didn’t notice.
Yao Yao stared at him, momentarily dazed.
Gentle and tender?
Toward her?
Impossible!
She stepped back as soon as her hands were free, only for Shen Yan to scoop her up in his arms.
“Shen Yan, what on earth are you doing?”

Shen Yan kicked the door shut, carrying her straight toward the bathroom.
“You took care of me when I was injured. Now it’s my turn to look after you.”
“My hands and feet are perfectly fine. I don’t need it.”
Yao Yao really thought he’d lost his mind. “Get out of my house right now!”
But Shen Yan seemed deaf to her protests, calmly running the bath.
He’d been at that same restaurant for a business meeting earlier and happened to see the scene through the crack in the door.
When he saw Yao Yao take the bouquet, he’d nearly burst in to drag her away.
No one else was allowed to get close to her without his say-so.
Yet Yan Cheng’s defeated expression made it obvious he’d been rejected.
That meant she’d said no.
After filling the tub, Shen Yan disappeared for a moment.
He returned to find Yao Yao had come back with a security guard.
Yao Yao pointed at him. “That’s him. He broke into my home—get him out of here!”
“Yes, miss.” The security guard hesitated, approaching cautiously.
Shen Yan took a tissue and elegantly wiped the water from his hands, speaking mildly, “Sorry for troubling you at this late hour.”
“I made my wife angry—she’s just upset with me now.”
“Wife? Who’s your wife?”
Yao Yao was furious, shoving the guard. “He’s lying! Get him out of here!”
“Er…” The guard looked left and right, uncertain.
From their argument, they really did sound like a married couple.
He could drag the man out now, but if they made up later, how would he explain himself?
“Yao Yao, enough. The bath is ready—come in and wash up.”
Shen Yan remained unruffled. “Sorry for disturbing you so late. I’ll see you out.”
“Shen Yan! What are you up to?” Yao Yao shouted in exasperation.
But that very question reassured the guard.
They knew each other’s names, were alone together, and even mentioned something as intimate as bathing—surely they were a couple.
“Ah, brother, whatever it is, talk it out. You have to cherish your woman,” the guard advised earnestly.