Chapter 47: Who Gave You Permission to Gossip About Her?

Qin Miao’s fingers clenched, her nails digging deep into her flesh. Hatred! She truly hated them! Yet all her forbearance now was for the future. Ayan was here—she could not afford to lose her temper. For the sake of long-term plans, she endured! One day, when Ayan saw through that woman’s true nature and returned to her side, she would have plenty of opportunities for revenge.

Ye Yao smiled faintly, having seen right through Qin Miao’s inner turmoil.

Qin Miao forced herself to bear it and apologized to Ye Yao once more.

With the main scene over, Ye Yao rose to her feet. “Tonight’s performance wasn’t bad. At least I’m not too disappointed. As for the video, you can release it yourselves.” With that, she strode away.

Qin Miao and Liu Xuemei’s faces flushed red and then turned pale, ugly with humiliation. They had thought Ye Yao’s insistence on a second apology was because she intended to publish the video herself. Who could have guessed she was merely toying with them? Infuriating! The two of them—the mother and daughter—had been played for fools by Ye Yao!

Feeling utterly wronged, Qin Miao’s eyes reddened as she looked at Shen Yan, hoping he would stand up for her. But to her shock, Shen Yan merely smiled, watching Ye Yao’s departing figure.

What was happening? Ye Yao had been so unreasonable—why was Ayan still smiling?

Turning back, Shen Yan’s expression was calm. “I’ll have someone send you the video.” Leaving these words, he followed after Ye Yao.

Ye Yao paused at the door, her gaze complex as she looked at Feng Yuqi. So, he was connected to Shen Yan?

“What’s wrong?” Shen Yan asked.

“It’s nothing,” Ye Yao replied, making her way toward the parking lot.

Feng Yuqi drove, while Shen Yan and Ye Yao sat in the back. Every so often, Ye Yao would glance at Feng Yuqi, her little gestures all falling under Shen Yan’s watchful eyes.

Was Feng Yuqi her type? The thought unsettled Shen Yan, who had half a mind to throw Feng Yuqi out of the car.

“Is he new?” Ye Yao asked.

Shen Yan nodded. “Yes, he just returned to the country today.”

“Today?”

“What’s wrong?” Shen Yan asked again.

Ye Yao shook her head. “Nothing.” She was only reminded of something involving Yu Wanqing.

After Ye Yao got out of the car, Feng Yuqi opened Shen Yan’s door, but Shen Yan didn’t get in. Instead, he sized him up thoughtfully.

Feng Yuqi had rugged good looks, a tall and muscular build. Beside him, Shen Yan seemed almost delicate.

Did Ye Yao prefer men with such a physique?

Feng Yuqi felt uncomfortable under the scrutiny. His master really knew how to get him into trouble.

“How do you usually work out?” Shen Yan asked out of the blue.

“Uh… just at the gym, mostly.”

Shen Yan patted his muscles—the sound was dull and solid.

“Call me the next time you train.”

“Uh… sure, of course.” Feng Yuqi wiped his brow nervously.

…

Qin Miao posted the video online. Since she had mentioned it to Shen Yan, she had to follow through. Besides, she wanted everyone to see Ye Yao’s arrogant demeanor as she accepted the apology.

As expected, once the video was up, Ye Yao was instantly attacked by netizens. Still, there were some who thought she had done nothing wrong, and were even captivated by her lazy elegance as she lounged with folded arms, flocking to her social media to support her.

“It wasn’t that bad, was it? Forgive and forget—she’s already received an apology. What more does she want?”

“And what would you suggest? If I shot you and apologized afterward, would you forgive me?”

“I’m just a bystander, but wow, that face… Sis, have you considered entering showbiz? You’d take the industry by storm!”

…

Ye Yao only browsed these comments at work for a bit of amusement, nothing more.

Meanwhile, Yu Wanqing’s old flame had returned to the country, but things weren’t progressing smoothly. To this day, the two hadn’t met even once!

Yu Wanqing was about to explode from frustration. “Yao Yao, why is that jerk so busy? I’ve asked him out so many times, but he still won’t meet me.”

“So eager? Can’t hold back any longer?” Ye Yao teased her. “Weren’t you always the one who passed through countless admirers untouched? Weren’t men never able to pique your interest before?”

“Yao Yao, I’m dying here and you’re still laughing at me.” Yu Wanqing’s tone was anxious. “I’ve waited so long for him to come back.”

“What’s his name? I can help you look him up.”

“No need for that.” Yu Wanqing took a deep breath. “Just keep an eye on your phone for me. As soon as I manage to set up a meeting, you have to come right away.”

“Alright.”

Yu Wanqing could hardly wait to introduce her first love to Ye Yao. After hanging up, Ye Yao threw herself back into work.

At the Shen Corporation, Shen Yan checked his phone over and over, but the message he’d been waiting for never came.

Standing by the door, Feng Yuqi could guess what was going on. Master’s charm was truly formidable—even President Shen couldn’t resist.

Shen Yan was restless. Ever since the apology incident, Ye Yao hadn’t reached out to him even once. Had she forgotten about him?

Reflecting, Shen Yan realized that lately, he was always the one to contact her—she didn’t necessarily reply, let alone take the initiative herself.

The more he thought about it, the more imbalanced he felt. In the end, he decided to go out drinking with his group of friends that night.

After marriage, Ji Yanxi was no different than before—still living as he pleased, drifting among women. At that moment, he held a wine glass, slung his arm around Bai Moxian’s neck, and complained.

“Tsk, how can women have so many faces? Before marriage, Yu Qingqing was the picture of gentleness and understanding—almost too good to be true. But now? She’s a shrew! If anything at home isn’t to her liking, she smashes things and yells. And since she’s pregnant, I can’t even scold her.”

Sighing, Ji Yanxi threw back the rest of his drink.

Bai Moxian wrinkled his nose and pushed his head away, the strong smell of alcohol making him uncomfortable.

Like a spring, Ji Yanxi bounced right back, disdainfully staring at Bai Moxian. “Why am I even talking to you? You’re single, you’ve never even held a woman’s hand—how could you possibly understand my pain?”

With the courage of the intoxicated, Ji Yanxi leaned over to Shen Yan. “Brother Yan, you’ve been married—you get it! Take Ye Yao, for example. When she was with you, she acted like she couldn’t live without you, never talked back, never dared show any attitude. But now…”

The more he spoke, the more agitated Ji Yanxi became. “The way she treats you now, even I want to slap her! Tell me, what is Ye Yao so smug about? She’s just an orphan—being chosen by you should be her greatest fortune, but she’s always putting on airs, utterly…”

Before he could finish, a loud crash interrupted him.

Shen Yan had smashed a bottle, the jagged edge pressed against Ji Yanxi’s neck.

Ji Yanxi sobered up instantly.

“Brother Yan, what… what are you doing?”

“Who gave you the right to badmouth her? What makes you think you can criticize her?” Shen Yan’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“That’s not what I meant, I… ah!”