Chapter 82: Who Is the Beloved?

Ye Shen was unconvinced, but he understood that Ye Qian was not someone who acted without reason.

“I’ll handle this. You should rest for a while and recover from your injuries,” Ye Shen instructed.

“No need, I’m fine,” Ye Qian shook his head.

The fact that the Black Boss had found his hideout greatly affected him, and he needed to seize this opportunity to solidify his position. Besides, he had always made time for weekly training over the years; his physical condition was not lacking.

However, Ye Shen disagreed. He frowned and shot Ye Qian a cold glance, “Do you believe I’ll steal your position?”

“If you’ve got the guts, try it.”

Such was their relationship. At first, they could get along peacefully, but as time passed, their true natures surfaced, and they were constantly at odds.

Ye Shen ignored him.

The two brothers were close in age, just a year apart in adulthood. When it came time to assign responsibilities, Ye Qian had considered Ye Shen’s well-being and chose the underworld’s violent path.

When Ye Qian took over, the Ye family’s influence in that sphere was unstable. He often came home covered in wounds, and several times he barely escaped death.

Ye Shen would see this, expressionless, but inwardly wishing he could kill those who hurt his brother. Unfortunately, he lacked the power back then.

Later, through their joint efforts, the Ye family's foundations in that sphere became increasingly solid, and their fortunes improved.

They finally achieved what they set out to do, ensuring the Ye family’s safety.

Ye Qian had no intention of resting; he wanted to know if Ye Yaoyao was involved in this matter.

They debated but found no answers. Just as Ye Qian was about to leave, Ye Yaoyao pushed open the door.

She entered with a smile and wrapped her arms around both brothers’ shoulders.

The two stern-faced Ye brothers immediately softened their expressions and, to let Ye Yaoyao rest comfortably, bent down in unison.

“What are you two scheming behind my back?” Ye Yaoyao teased. “Seems my absence from home has really dampened our bond. Oh…”

With that, she put on a disappointed look and prepared to leave, prompting the brothers to hastily explain.

“Yaoyao, what are you talking about? How could our bond ever wane?”

“Exactly! My bond with him might fade, but ours never could,” Ye Qian echoed.

The eldest brother was there to be pampered.

Ye Yaoyao was amused, “Alright, I’ll trust you for now.”

“Big Brother.”

She grabbed Ye Shen’s arm, swaying it gently in a coquettish manner, “I’ve been exhausted from work lately. I’d like to take some time off to rest. Is that okay?”

She had matters to attend to.

Ye Qian’s injury would affect the Ye family’s standing here. Ye Yaoyao needed to find a way to stabilize things. But she couldn’t bear to watch Ye Qian, wounded, handle it all.

“Of course,” Ye Shen doted on her, stroking her hair. Influenced by Liu Ruyan, he and Ye Qian had been taught from childhood to always treat Ye Yaoyao well. Everything they did was for her to have a better life.

“If you’re tired, rest. Enjoy yourself.”

Hearing this, Ye Yaoyao threw herself into Ye Shen’s embrace, “Big Brother, it’s so good to have you!”

At that moment, a hand blocked Ye Yaoyao’s face as she was about to snuggle closer.

Ye Qian glared fiercely at Ye Shen, “Yaoyao, your second brother is here too. If you want to rest, you can be sweet to me as well. I can help you.”

Ye Yaoyao glanced at Ye Qian, then turned and hugged his hand, “Alright, for the sake of your injury, I’ll be sweet to Second Brother!”

“What do you mean…”

Ye Qian felt her logic was off, but on second thought, having his sister act spoiled was good enough, regardless of her reason.

With her leave granted, Ye Yaoyao left Ye Corporation together with Ye Qian.

Both had their own matters to attend to.

Shen Yan, meanwhile, was swamped by work and couldn’t find the time to make his presence known to Ye Yaoyao.

His busy days were only beginning.

The old matriarch of the Shen family felt he was uncontrollable and was already considering other ways to restrain him.

It didn’t matter; Shen Yan was unafraid.

“What has Ye Yaoyao been up to lately?”

Feng Yuqi trembled at the question, rubbing his nose, “Miss Ye took leave from Ye Corporation.”

What should he do? Yan had actually asked him to report the boss’s whereabouts. If the boss ever found out he was a spy, he’d be doomed.

Impossible.

No matter what, he could not betray the boss.

Yan could be forsaken; the boss could not.

“She took leave?”

Shen Yan closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. “Why did she take leave?”

That woman had always been a workaholic. She could let go of anything else, but never her job.

Back when she worked at Shen Corporation, he’d simply wanted to make things difficult for her, increasing her workload. She was stubborn, insisting on finishing everything even if it meant working three days and nights straight.

“I… I don’t know,” Feng Yuqi replied guiltily.

Of course he knew; the boss had invited him after all.

Since returning to the country, he’d only been by Yan’s side as an assistant, living a dull life.

Being with the boss was far more interesting!

Shen Yan opened his eyes and looked at Feng Yuqi, “So, what did you take leave for lately?”

“I… I fell in love,” Feng Yuqi answered honestly.

As long as he didn’t reveal who the person was, it was fine.

“Oh? Who is it?” Shen Yan asked unhurriedly.

He wished he could play the fool, but his position wouldn’t allow it.

He watched every move Feng Yuqi made.

Shen Yan hadn’t expected Feng Yuqi to have anything to do with Yu Wanqing.

“Yan…” Feng Yuqi hesitated, fearing he would expose the boss.

“What, can’t you even tell me now?” Shen Yan stood up, patted his shoulder, and pressed, “We grew up together. I thought we shared everything.”

Feng Yuqi felt the pressure. His parents were servants in the Shen family, and when Shen Yan was young and needed a companion, he became that person.

Later, he was groomed as Shen Yan’s assistant, which allowed him to study abroad.

Truth be told, besides being grateful to Ye Yaoyao, Shen Yan was indeed indispensable in his growth.

Feng Yuqi knew he should be thankful.

But what he liked was never those refined, cultured things.

He liked sports, the exhilaration of sweating and moving.

But his preferences didn’t matter.

“Yan, it’s Yu Wanqing—the youngest daughter of the Yu family.”

Under pressure, Feng Yuqi confessed. Seeing Shen Yan’s calm expression, he realized Yan had already known and was merely waiting for him to admit it.

“Yu Wanqing?”

Shen Yan slowly walked to the window and said lightly, “So, you also know Ye Yaoyao?”

Feng Yuqi dared not lie and nodded, “Yes, we met abroad.”

“Abroad?” Shen Yan’s sharp ears caught the word. “You met Ye Yaoyao abroad as well?”

When did that woman ever go abroad?