Forcing

Wei Yin quickly snapped a photo of the group’s retreating backs and sent it to Hua Yu: 【Dr. Hua, someone’s about to steal your home out from under you】

The traffic was probably a mess; Hua Yu was already looking at her phone and replied at once.

【Ignore her. Wait for me to get back】

Wei Yin kept her expression calm and followed after them, typing furiously with one hand: 【Your little maid says she’s helpless in this situation】

Wei Yin’s words came true. Once Yu Tiantian went in, she used her silver tongue to coax the elders into a very good mood, then naturally turned to chat with Wei Yin. “Xiao Yin really likes fish, not to mention Aunt Sun’s cooking.”

Hua Mu said in surprise, “You know Xiao Yin?”

Wei Yin started to say, “I—”

But Yu Tiantian cut in first. “Of course we know each other. We were classmates in college.”

That made Hua Mu even warmer toward her. “Why didn’t Hua Yu ever mention this before?”

Hua Father and Hua Mother only knew that Wei Yin was Hua Yu’s junior from university; they hadn’t known she and Yu Tiantian had been classmates too. If that was the case, the few of them ought to be quite familiar with one another.

Wei Yin smiled faintly and lowered her eyes. “I don’t remember very well.”

Hua Mu knew her memory was incomplete; hearing that, her heart ached again. “All right, all right, let’s not talk about that.”

Wei Yin smiled at Hua Mu, then got up and headed for the kitchen. “I’ll help Aunt Sun.”

As she left, she caught Yu Tiantian tilting her head at her, a smile on her face that carried a deeper meaning.

Aunt Sun had overheard their conversation and planned to add a steamed fish dish. She was busy scaling the fish when Wei Yin came in, and immediately shooed her away. “You smell all fishy; why are you coming in here? Hurry up and wait outside.”

“I’m here to learn,” Wei Yin said as she pulled out her phone and opened her notes app. “Dr. Hua likes fish too. I want to learn how to make it.”

“If you ever want to eat fish, just tell Aunt Sun and I’ll make it for you and send it over,” Aunt Sun said with mock annoyance. “Besides, you and Ya Qing are both busy with work, and Hua Yu’s workplace has a cafeteria. You don’t need to spoil her.”

The Hua family’s upbringing and manners were excellent; they never thought omega should naturally be responsible for taking care of alpha.

Wei Yin gave a sly smile. “Mm-hm. I’ll learn so Dr. Hua can make it. She likes cooking.”

Aunt Sun laughed at that. “Yes, Hua Yu loved running into the kitchen to help me even when she was little.”

The two of them chatted and worked side by side. Wei Yin was quick and deft with her hands, and Aunt Sun kept praising her, full of relief and satisfaction. Hua Yu had been single for so many years and finally had someone to keep her company; the more she looked, the more pleased she felt.

Just then, someone in the living room called for Aunt Sun. Li Leran took out her car key and told her there were still some ingredients in the car that hadn’t been brought down, asking Aunt Sun to go get them.

Aunt Sun took the key and went out. Wei Yin was about to go with her when someone suddenly walked over to her.

Yu Tiantian came into the kitchen and pulled the door shut behind her.

Wei Yin looked at her expressionlessly.

“Don’t be so tense,” Yu Tiantian said. She didn’t step closer; perhaps she was afraid Wei Yin would simply tear the matter apart and walk out. She only leaned against the door with her arms folded and smiled. “I didn’t lie to you. We really were good friends before.”

Wei Yin gave her a cool look, noncommittal. “I don’t want to talk about the past. If you don’t have anything else, please leave the kitchen.”

“Of course I do. Why are you exactly the same as you were in college? Whenever something happened, all you thought about was shrinking away. You run into the kitchen and think that solves everything?” Yu Tiantian’s smile deepened. “But one thing hasn’t changed; you really are a good kid who repays kindness.”

Wei Yin stared at her. “That has nothing to do with you.”

“Don’t make judgments about things you don’t remember,” Yu Tiantian said, the curve of her lips turning cold. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even have been able to pay your second-year tuition, and as for your mother’s ashes, who knows where they’d be now? Do you think you’d have had such a good cemetery to choose from?”

Wei Yin’s eyes flew wide open. “What do you mean?”

Yu Tiantian studied her expression leisurely, as though she had long since predicted her reaction. “I told you before, we were very close. You owed me a lot of favors. Even if you fell and forgot everything, you can’t just pretend nothing ever happened, can you?”

She was trying to force repayment through kindness.

The mention of the cemetery stirred Wei Yin’s thoughts. She didn’t know who had bought the grave for her mother. Over the years, the burden of living frugally and repaying debts every month had weighed on her a lot, but deep down, she was still grateful to the person who had helped her.

Even if it hadn’t been Yu Tiantian, she would have found her mother a resting place first, but after graduation she would still have worked hard to move her mother somewhere better.

Cemetery prices kept rising year by year; by then, she might have needed to work twice as hard.

That unknown benefactor had suddenly become Yu Tiantian, and Wei Yin’s feelings turned into a tangled mess.

“I’ve already paid back the cemetery money,” Wei Yin said, not very confidently. “But even so, I still want to thank you for that.”

Yu Tiantian sneered softly. “You changed your attitude that fast? Looks like Hua Yu never told you anything about me, and probably filled your head with plenty of bad things about me too.”

Wei Yin didn’t like people talking about Hua Yu, and immediately retorted, “If you have something to say, then say it. Don’t bring Dr. Hua into this.”

Yu Tiantian didn’t miss a single expression on Wei Yin’s face. Of course she could see how much Wei Yin was defending Hua Yu, and jealousy rose thick and heavy in her chest.

Why was Hua Yu the one who got someone’s wholehearted devotion?

Why was it that Yu Tiantian had been kind to Wei Yin too, but Wei Yin still didn’t like her?

Why couldn’t they be like Li Leran, a little duller, a little stupider, someone she could just wave her hand and reel in?

Countless thoughts flashed through Yu Tiantian’s mind. In the end, she suddenly smiled with absolute confidence.

Wei Yin frowned in confusion. “What are you smiling at?”

“Smiling at how many things you’ve gotten wrong,” Yu Tiantian said softly. “The position Hua Yu has now is mine.”

Wei Yin’s brow furrowed hard; it was an instinctive rejection. Before she even understood the meaning of those words, she already hated the fact that Yu Tiantian and Hua Yu were being spoken of in the same breath.

“I never once thought about making you pay me back,” Yu Tiantian sighed. “This was an accident too. I’m not short on money, and back then you were my… girlfriend. Doing something for you was only natural.”

“What did you say? Girlfriend?” Wei Yin stared at her in shock, dumbfounded. “What are you talking about?”

Yu Tiantian stepped closer and lifted her phone. On the screen was a photo.

It showed two girls standing very close together; at a glance, it was obvious they were her and Yu Tiantian.

Yu Tiantian swiped through them one by one. “I have lots more. Oh, right; I even kept a sunflower you gave me.”

Photo after photo flashed by. Wei Yin’s heart pounded like a drum, and she stared at them without blinking.

Yu Tiantian was very clever. She hadn’t produced any especially intimate photos of the two of them; there were pictures of them eating together, watching movies together, going out together, but none of them holding hands, hugging, or kissing.

Even so, that was enough to prove what Yu Tiantian meant by “we were pretty close.”

If they were ordinary friends, Wei Yin would never have left so many photos with her.

“What exactly are you trying to say?” Wei Yin’s mind had turned into a jumble. She drew in a breath and quickly glanced outside.

Yu Tiantian followed her gaze and smiled. “Don’t worry; I won’t say anything to Hua Yu. I’m not like her, showing you off all the time. I just think you’re being too cold to me. If you remembered the past, you definitely wouldn’t treat me this way.”

Wei Yin still didn’t dare believe everything she said, but the evidence was right in front of her, and she couldn’t help believing it by thirty percent.

Those thirty percent were enough to make her wary.

Did Hua Yu know about this?

Was her relationship with Yu Tiantian really what Yu Tiantian claimed it was?

Wei Yin looked at her and did her best to stay calm. “I don’t need to pay for anything from the past. Forget that I don’t remember it now; even if I did, I still wouldn’t choose you.”

Yu Tiantian’s smile stiffened. “What do you mean?”

“You brought me home when I was gravely ill. You saved me, and I like you. That’s enough,” Wei Yin said, looking at Yu Tiantian with a steady voice. “And how are you proving that everything you said is true? My diary never mentioned you, and there isn’t any proof that I’ve ever been in a relationship. You’re just showing me a few photos and saying we dated?”

Yu Tiantian hadn’t expected Wei Yin to be this hard to handle. Her voice turned cold. “I came here in a hurry today. If you want other evidence, I’ll—”

“No need,” Wei Yin cut her off sharply. “I don’t want to hear you say any more of this.”

Yu Tiantian looked at her. At first, Wei Yin’s attitude had clearly softened, but then she suddenly turned so hard-edged. Could it be…

Yu Tiantian suddenly smiled. “Fine, I won’t say anything in front of Hua Yu. Let’s just pretend we never talked about it. Your attitude toward your benefactor is really terrible.”

Wei Yin took a deep breath. “I’ll look into the cemetery matter. If it really was you, I can pay the interest from these years as compensation.”

“How heartbreaking,” Yu Tiantian said. “Actually, there’s no need for you to keep drawing such a clear line between us. Do you think Hua Yu doesn’t know about you and me? She knows better than anyone. She was there for every single thing back then. If you doubt what I said, you can ask her to verify it; especially whether you and I ever had a…”

“Xiao Yin.”

The kitchen door was pulled open, and Hua Yu stepped in, striding straight toward Wei Yin.

Then her gaze landed on Yu Tiantian, and her voice went completely flat. “President Yu.”

Yu Tiantian shrugged. “Hello, Dr. Hua.”

Hua Yu first confirmed that Wei Yin was all right, then turned to look coldly at Yu Tiantian.

“I remember we said that from now on, you are not to appear in front of Wei Yin on your own,” Hua Yu said, her voice cold as ice. “Is President Yu planning to break her promise herself?”

“Things are different when circumstances change,” Yu Tiantian said with a fake smile. “Who would have thought she’d end up with Pedro backing her?”

Hua Yu enunciated each word. “So you intend to break your word?”

“Don’t phrase it so absolutely,” Yu Tiantian yawned. “We’re discussing this.”

“Pedro is an artist, and you’re a businesswoman. What does she have to do with your business?” Hua Yu was doing her best to suppress her anger. She had exchanged many unequal terms with Yu Tiantian, and the most important one was that Yu Tiantian was never to bother Wei Yin again.

Yu Tiantian was very capable; as long as she was willing to flatter someone and move closer to them, there was almost no one she couldn’t influence.

At the same time, she only acted where there was profit; coming here now was absolutely to get something out of Wei Yin.

Yu Tiantian looked at Wei Yin, then back at Hua Yu. “But Pedro has helped many orphaned children with damaged glands. She has connections to a lot of charitable organizations, and our project happens to need clinical trials…”

“Yu Tiantian!”

Hua Yu exploded all at once. She shoved Yu Tiantian against the wall and gripped her chin hard, grinding out through clenched teeth, “Even shamelessness has its limits.”

She actually wanted to put ideas into those girls’ heads!

Hua Yu was almost unable to suppress the malice in her heart. For a moment, she even wanted to tear everything open right there. Who the hell cared to dance with tigers? Let whoever wanted to do that do it! It was only the last sliver of reason, and Wei Yin’s voice, that kept her controlling her strength and stopped her from really strangling the woman.

Wei Yin rushed forward, squeezing herself between them with force, using her body to separate them. She scolded Yu Tiantian in a low voice, “Don’t even think about this!”

Then she turned and gently pushed Hua Yu. “Auntie’s still outside. Don’t shout, don’t fight; if there’s something to say, say it properly.”

Hua Yu forcefully let go of Yu Tiantian’s neck. “This is a society ruled by law. If you want me to guarantee something for you, serve as an expert, or act as a consultant, that’s all fine. But if you want me to commit crimes with you and go sit in prison, don’t even think about it.”

“Then hurry up and invest!” Yu Tiantian shoved them both away in anger, her gaze on Hua Yu practically wanting to devour her alive. “Damaged-gland cripples have no reference value at all. Of course I wouldn’t set my sights on them. I mean you, Hua Yu! There’s only you left. I’ve waited half a month; why hasn’t the money arrived yet?”

Wei Yin didn’t understand what she was talking about. “Dr. Hua, what money?”

Yu Tiantian pointed at Hua Yu. “Don’t think I don’t know; you have shares left behind by your grandparents. If the money isn’t enough, go borrow it and scrape it together. I don’t believe for a second that you’d really help me… unless you put all of your assets into this. We rise and fall together; that’s the only way to show your sincerity!”

From the very beginning, when Yu Tiantian came looking for Hua Yu, she had never intended to let her off.

Hua Yu had funds, connections, and reputation. If Yu Tiantian could squeeze out one hundred percent of her value, she would absolutely be the best stepping stone.

From the start, she hadn’t believed Hua Yu would sincerely help her unless Hua Yu put herself in too; no, unless the entire Hua family fortune went in. Risk should be shared together, after all.

And with her careful planning, she had kept a little “handle” on Wei Yin back in college. Hua Yu’s weakness was clutched tightly in her hands; whether Hua Yu agreed or not, she had to agree.

Wei Yin was stunned after hearing this. “Dr. Hua, you absolutely must not agree.”

Yu Tiantian was too angry to tolerate even the slightest contradiction. She immediately turned her head, and her vicious gaze landed on Wei Yin. “Stop saying such ridiculous, childish things here. Actually, you’re the biggest troublemaker. If it weren’t for you, Hua Yu never would…”

“Shut your mouth!”

Hua Yu was even angrier this time. She raised her hand directly, but before it could land, Hua Mother’s voice came from outside.

Although the three of them had deliberately kept their voices low, the noise still drew the attention of the people outside.

Hua Mother came over and knocked on the door. “What are the three of you whispering about in the kitchen?”

All three went silent at once.

Wei Yin hurriedly patted Hua Yu’s back, rubbing it over and over as she whispered to soothe her, “Don’t be angry, don’t be angry. I won’t listen to her nonsense.”

Hua Yu reached back and held Wei Yin’s hand. The pounding in her chest gradually calmed under that restrained anger.

Half a month ago, Yu Tiantian had asked her to put in all her assets to invest in the project; that was actually within her expectations.

She still hadn’t figured out how to deal with this situation when Yu Tiantian, unable to wait any longer, rushed in front of Wei Yin.

Fortunately, she’d made it back in time. It looked like Yu Tiantian still hadn’t said the most shameless things yet.

Hua Yu steadied herself, curved her lips at Wei Yin, and said in a low voice, “I’m fine.”

On the other side, Yu Tiantian took a deep breath and straightened her clothes.

Outside, she was used to keeping up appearances at all times; she didn’t quarrel with others, and she received the respect and courtesy she was due.

But every time she faced these two, it made her burn with rage, so much so that she wanted to grit her teeth.

One of them had clearly benefited from her so much; the other had been her defeated opponent. Yet now they were acting so arrogantly in front of her.

No matter what, though, she had to accomplish her goal.

Yu Tiantian pushed the door open and instantly put on an impeccable smile. She said softly to Hua Mother, “We were just talking about some fun things from college. Aunt Hua, I have something to take care of at the company, so I won’t stay any longer. Please take care of your health, you and Uncle both. I’ll come see you again next time.”

Although Hua Mother felt it was a bit sudden, she didn’t think much of it and cheerfully saw her out.

When Li Leran saw Yu Tiantian leaving, she hurried to follow. Along the way, she kept turning back to look at Hua Yu and Wei Yin, a little worried.

Seeing the atmosphere between them, Xu Ya Qing roughly understood what had happened and called out loudly, “Leran, are you busy with work too?”

Li Leran stopped short and stammered, “I-I’m all right. Not very busy.”

She didn’t even have a proper job right now, just half-heartedly showing up at her family company whenever she felt like it. Yu Tiantian saying she was busy with company matters carried a bit of credibility; she was different.

Hua Mother warmly took her hand. “Then stay and eat before you go.”

Li Leran looked toward Yu Tiantian, but the other woman had already gotten into the car without looking back.

She had learned from her own mother that Wei Yin and Xu Ya Qing would be coming home for dinner, and she’d accidentally let it slip, which was how Yu Tiantian found out.

Li Leran didn’t know why Yu Tiantian was so determined to see Wei Yin, and she also didn’t know Hua Yu had happened to return.

But however slow she was, she could still sense that something wasn’t right.

Xu Ya Qing walked over to Li Leran’s side and smiled without warmth. “What are you looking at? They’ve never taken you seriously. They used you up as a tool and tossed you aside. Stop staring; come in and eat. If your heart’s chilled, at least don’t let your stomach be chilled too.”

This time, Li Leran didn’t explode in anger, and she didn’t argue back. She simply lowered her head in silence and went around Xu Ya Qing back into the house.

Xu Ya Qing looked in the direction Yu Tiantian had left and sneered.

A message from Pedro came through on her phone.

【Is Xiao Yin doing all right today?】

Xu Ya Qing’s previous message had been from yesterday, saying Wei Yin had gotten obsessed and wanted to make “light iron-red porcelain.” Pedro had replied, “Pretty creative.”

In front of her teacher’s teacher, the teacher of her teacher, Xu Ya Qing acted incredibly obedient and immediately told the truth.

【Ran into an idiot. Not too well】

The other side sent back a concerned question mark and immediately took it to heart.