Chapter 93: Shen Yan's Train of Thought

Wanqing’s disgust for Shenyang reached new heights.

How could Shenyang be so repulsive? It was bad enough when he hovered between Yao Yao and Qin Miao, but now he was interfering with her date with Feng Yuqi. Couldn’t he leave well enough alone? There’s a saying: better to demolish ten temples than to break up one marriage! Damn Shenyang.

No matter how furious Wanqing was, Feng Yuqi still had to rush over. “I’ll accompany you shopping next time,” Feng Yuqi apologized.

Wanqing forced herself to keep her expression in check. Not wanting to make Feng Yuqi feel guilty, she squeezed out a reluctant smile. “Work comes first. Go ahead, I’m fine.”

“Alright.”

Feng Yuqi drove away, and Wanqing stood where she was, watching him leave, the wind whipping around her, feeling utterly disheveled.

Once he was out of sight, Wanqing called Yao Yao, her voice trembling with tears, loudly venting her frustration without caring who passed by.

“Yao Yao, you have to do something about that bastard Shenyang! I was just on a date with Yuqi, and he called, didn’t even let him say no, just whisked him away. How could he be so damned infuriating?”

Wanqing was nearly beside herself with rage, wishing she could storm up to Shenyang and slap him a few times, maybe beat him senseless.

Shenyang went to see Feng Yuqi? She guessed he must be trying to dig up information about her.

Yao Yao calmly analyzed the situation, then soothed Wanqing: “Don’t be angry. Shenyang is just the sort of person everyone dislikes. Is this the first day you’ve known him?”

“But what can I do? I really want to go on dates with Yuqi.”

“How about letting Feng Yuqi quit his job?” Yao Yao teased.

“That won’t do.” Wanqing quickly corrected herself, “I’m not that domineering.”

Making someone change jobs for the sake of a romance—if word got out, people would think she looked down on Feng Yuqi’s profession. Besides, Feng Yuqi owed much of his success to the Shen family. It was safe to say he’d never be able to sever ties with them.

After thinking it through, Wanqing’s anger dissipated.

Fine.

For the sake of Shenyang’s irreplaceable role in Feng Yuqi’s development, she’d grudgingly accept him.

Yao Yao knew Wanqing was sensible; most of the time, it was just her emotions getting the better of her. Once she cooled down, she’d figure things out on her own.

“But that doesn’t change the fact I still dislike Shenyang,” Wanqing grumbled.

...

Shenyang summoned Feng Yuqi to Yao Yao’s apartment.

Having paid rent, he had free access here.

Under pressure, Feng Yuqi sat beside him, head bowed, mind racing.

There’d been no new developments from Shen Sheng’s side, and even while dating, he hadn’t slacked off on intelligence gathering.

Brother Yan was staring at him this way—had he missed something crucial?

Feng Yuqi felt his scalp prickling under Shenyang’s gaze.

Shenyang patted Feng Yuqi’s shoulder, estimating the time and finally spoke. “Yuqi, do you know where this is?”

Feng Yuqi was momentarily bewildered, then nodded. “Yes, this is Miss Ye’s home.”

The simpler the question, the more dangerous it felt. Feng Yuqi sensed immense pressure. Brother Yan had never interrogated him like this before!

“Correct, you answered right.” Shenyang’s smile was all surface, his eyes cold. He hated pointless roundaboutness, but for his goal, he had to persist. “I remember you said you knew Yao Yao from abroad, right?”

At this, Feng Yuqi’s pupils involuntarily widened.

So, Brother Yan wanted information about the boss through him?

Feng Yuqi was on pins and needles, unsure what to do. He didn’t want to betray the boss, but he didn’t want to lie to Brother Yan either.

Shenyang took in Feng Yuqi’s struggle, displeased but showing nothing.

He had no idea what sort of magic Yao Yao wielded, to make even his close confidants protect her so fiercely.

Then again, wasn’t he himself tangled up with this woman?

“What’s her relationship with the Ye family?” Shenyang asked.

The Ye family? So that was the question.

Feng Yuqi relaxed inwardly—this was something the boss had already anticipated.

“They’re siblings.”

Siblings? Shenyang was shocked.

So Yao Yao’s orphanage background was fake? In reality… she was the Ye family’s daughter?!

“Miss Ye grew up in an orphanage, and by chance was adopted by the Ye family,” Feng Yuqi explained as Yao Yao had instructed. “The Ye family has two sons, everyone knows that. Their matriarch always wanted a daughter. One day, she visited the orphanage and saw Miss Ye, so she took her in.”

So Yao Yao’s orphanage background was real, and her connection to the Ye family was real, too?

It was rare for prominent families to adopt children—the more established, the less likely.

This should have solved Shenyang’s doubts.

But instead, he felt a looming sense of crisis!

Yao Yao was the Ye family’s adopted daughter? That meant she had no blood ties to the two Ye brothers!

Suddenly, Shenyang recalled Yao Yao’s interactions with the Ye brothers.

If there was nothing suspicious, he wouldn’t believe it!

...

Feng Yuqi waited anxiously for Shenyang’s response, wondering if his performance had been lacking. Why was Brother Yan silent?

“Bastards!” Shenyang sprang to his feet.

The Ye family hadn’t adopted a daughter; they’d acquired a plaything for their sons.

No wonder Yao Yao’s time by his side was limited.

In that moment, Shenyang felt a surge of pity for Yao Yao.

Living under another’s roof—she must have had a hard time.

Feng Yuqi hurriedly stood as well. Bastards? Had he given himself away?

He was at a loss, watching Shenyang stride out and then return, his face full of helplessness.

Unable to read Shenyang’s thoughts, Feng Yuqi could only stand quietly, head lowered.

He immediately reported everything to Yao Yao.

Yao Yao admitted she didn’t understand either; no ordinary person could keep up with Shenyang’s train of thought.

When she returned after work, she found Shenyang had prepared a nutritious meal for her.

Yao Yao eyed him curiously. “What’s this?”

“Had nothing better to do, so I made it for you,” Shenyang replied awkwardly.

“You didn’t poison it, did you?” Yao Yao asked bluntly. “Ye Qian’s health is delicate—he can’t handle any trouble.”

“Would I stoop so low?” Shenyang muttered in irritation.

“I’d better try it myself first.”

To be safe, Yao Yao took a spoonful. The taste and texture were both excellent, almost as good as her own cooking.

Sampling it left her hungrier than before.

Just then, Shenyang handed over a steaming bowl at the perfect moment. “Eat before you go.”

“Alright,” Yao Yao accepted without ceremony.

The atmosphere was quiet—one person sipping porridge, the other watching silently.

After eating, Yao Yao looked up, meeting Shenyang’s dark eyes, and her heart skipped a few beats.

At that moment, she found herself curious about what had prompted Shenyang’s reaction earlier.

“I’m leaving,” Yao Yao withdrew her gaze.

“Take care on the road,” Shenyang nodded.