Chapter 6: Shen Yan Questions the Nature of Their Relationship

He had read the agreement not to renew the contract; Ye Yao did not ask him for a single cent, not even taking the anniversary gifts. The young master of the Ye family? How could Ye Yao possibly know people like that? Was her decisive departure also because of him?

Shen Yan’s protectiveness left Qin Miao feeling uneasy. Shen Yan was all she had left; no matter what, she couldn't let Ye Yao take him away.

“Perhaps I misunderstood Yao-jie,” Qin Miao ventured, edging closer to Shen Yan, but he subtly avoided her. “A-Yan, about that endorsement…”

“There’s a banquet tomorrow night. I’ll take you to meet some people. Whether or not you get the endorsement will depend on your own abilities.” Shen Yan’s tone was indifferent, strictly business.

Though Qin Miao was displeased, she knew she had to accept what she could get for now. At the banquet, as long as she made good use of Shen Yan’s connections, she could still climb higher.

After work, Shen Yan returned alone to the old house. The vast space was empty, just him. When Ye Yao had lived here, she would always run out to greet him after work. Now, the house was lifeless and cold, and even he, accustomed to silence, found it unsettling.

He collapsed onto the sofa, called for the housekeeper to prepare dinner, but found the food tasteless. Lying in bed, he tossed and turned, unable to banish the image of that woman yielding beneath him from his mind. The thought made his body burn uncomfortably. But as soon as he remembered Ye Yao entwined with Ye Shen, the fire within him cooled abruptly.

An inexplicable turmoil churned in his chest. He should have clarified things the last time they met at the company! Their relationship—Ye Yao had no right to end it unilaterally! With Ye Shen’s protection, Shen Yan could find no trace of her.

…

Meanwhile, Ye Yao received an invitation to the banquet. She needed to select a new spokesperson. The event would be attended by A and B-list celebrities and representatives from upper-middle-class enterprises. In other words, the attendees were all of high quality—just the opportunity Ye Yao needed to secure the right person.

When Ye Shen heard that Ye Yao planned to attend, he immediately arranged for formal wear—matching outfits for brother and sister.

“Big Brother, haven’t you always disliked crowded events?” Ye Yao teased.

The Ye family’s strength meant that even if Ye Shen rarely socialized, business opportunities still flowed in without end.

“I’m going to protect you,” he replied.

“Why are you so good to me, Brother?” Ye Yao dove into his arms, feigning a spoiled pout. “Having you as my brother is my greatest fortune!”

The next moment, Ye Qian grabbed her by the ear and pulled her out, though his grip was hardly forceful. He shot Ye Shen a glare but couldn’t bring himself to scold Ye Yao. “And what about me?”

“Ye Shen, you only get to be around our sister all the time because you work with her—you’ve got the home advantage!”

Smack! Ye Shen struck his hand, leaving Ye Qian’s palm red.

“Are you tired of living? How dare you twist her ear?”

“I didn’t even use any strength!” Ye Qian complained, waving his reddened hand. “You steal our sister and still hit me?”

“Ye Shen, I won’t let this go!”

Ye Yao was more than used to the brothers’ jealous squabbling; it had been going on since they were children.

She took her gown back to her room, changed, and had her hair and makeup done. The blue mermaid gown clung to her figure, its hem trailing elegantly behind her. Her hair was styled in a neat bun, softening the gown’s maturity, while her makeup was fresh and natural, set off by bold red lips—making her appear both innocent and alluring.

Ye Yao’s graceful curves were accentuated to perfection, her slender waist particularly eye-catching. Once ready, she descended the stairs. Ye Shen offered his arm, which she took with ease. Ye Qian, nearby, nearly ground his teeth to dust. “I want to go to the banquet too!”

Ye Shen shot him a glance. “This is for upper-middle-class enterprises. You, a man from the underworld, weren't invited.”

Choked by the retort, Ye Qian could only watch helplessly as the two left.

…

Outside the banquet hall, reporters thronged, eager for the latest scoop. Cars lined up, flashes popping incessantly at the entrance.

Seated in the back of their car, Ye Yao and Ye Shen watched the elegantly dressed guests come and go. She couldn’t help but reflect—before, her life was a dull routine: at the company, she was Shen Yan’s secretary, at home, his personal housekeeper—a waste of her youth.

She was the cherished daughter of the Ye family; she should stand confidently in the spotlight, the very person others envied.

Once the car stopped, the driver got out and opened the door for Ye Shen. The moment he appeared, the crowd was abuzz.

“Heavens, is that Ye Shen? He actually came to the banquet!”

“The rumors say he’s handsome, but seeing him in person—he exceeds all expectations!”

“My god, he’s not just handsome but also capable and low-key. To marry a man like that, I’d gladly trade a life of luxury for a chance!”

…

Though the crowd was full of celebrities from the entertainment world, the reporters were still struck by Ye Shen’s looks and presence.

Unfazed, Ye Shen walked to Ye Yao’s side, opened the car door, and offered his hand. Smiling, she stepped out, her hand naturally resting in his. The crowd stirred again, flashes firing faster than before.

Under everyone’s watchful gaze, Ye Yao walked confidently into the hall, arm in arm with Ye Shen.

It was a rare occasion for Ye Shen to attend such an event, and those who had once tried to curry favor with him immediately gathered around. Fearing she’d be worn out, Ye Shen settled Ye Yao on a sofa.

She didn’t refuse; she had no love for those masked faces at such gatherings. She had one goal: to secure a spokesperson for the Ye Group.

Her gaze searched the room when suddenly a figure blocked her view. She looked up to see Shen Yan’s face.

Composed, Ye Yao stood to leave, only to have her wrist seized by Shen Yan.

“Ye Yao, we need to talk.”

“You’ve got the wrong person. I don’t know you.” Unable to pull free, Ye Yao’s irritation was clear.

Without another word, Shen Yan dragged her to the balcony and slammed the glass door shut.

He had seen her enter arm in arm with Ye Shen, heard the murmurs about how perfect they looked together. A suffocating heaviness pressed against his chest. “What’s your relationship with Ye Shen?”

Ye Yao smiled. “And who are you? Why should I report to you about my relationship with President Ye?”

“Ye Yao!”

“No need to shout my name; say it a thousand or ten thousand times—it’s useless,” she replied, keeping a safe distance. “Shen Yan, let’s just say I was blind before, letting you become the stain of my life.”

“Fortunately, I came to my senses. I recognized my mistake and corrected it. My life is now back on track. Consider it your good deed—just pretend you don’t know me from now on.”

With that, Ye Yao pushed open the balcony door, ready to leave, but Shen Yan pinned her against the glass, caging her in his arms.

“Back on track? With Ye Shen?”

His face so close, Ye Yao felt sick. She leaned back, but there was nowhere to go.

Shen Yan didn’t miss the disgust in her eyes.

“Ye Yao, I told you—when it comes to our relationship, you don’t get to decide when it ends!”