Chapter 12

The 12th Rose: “Sister.”

Ye Yian looked at Ye Jiayuan’s hand resting on Fu Chaoying’s shoulder, and her expression dimmed. “Sis, why are you here?”

Ye Jiayuan merely glanced over and answered flatly, “Work ended early.”

She said nothing else. Ignoring the eyes on them from every direction, Ye Jiayuan lowered her gaze slightly and met Fu Chaoying’s clear, bright eyes. “Fu Zong is looking for you.”

It was clearly a convenient excuse.

Fu Chaoying understood at once. She gave the friend she had just met not far away a small nod and smiled. “Excuse me.”

The two of them walked side by side at an unhurried pace.

Fu Chaoying followed Ye Jiayuan straight toward the exit. At some point, the weight on her shoulder vanished all at once; even the lingering magnolia scent by her nose seemed to drift farther and farther away.

Her heart gave a sudden, hollow lurch. She couldn’t help turning to look at Ye Jiayuan, only to be tugged back by that cool voice: “Why didn’t you talk back just now?”

Fu Chaoying’s eyes darkened slightly, a little disappointed, but she quickly looked away and murmured softly, “It wasn’t appropriate in a setting like that.”

Her voice was so light it was almost swallowed by the air, like a night breeze brushing past one’s ear.

Ye Jiayuan held her gaze for a moment. Noticing the pink spreading from Fu Chaoying’s cheeks to her neck, she then looked away without a trace. “Xingye is the sponsor today; you don’t need to worry about what’s appropriate.”

“Don’t forget you’re a shareholder of Xingye.” Her tone softened a little.

“Then... I should still think about Xingye’s reputation.”

Fu Chaoying’s voice was obedient, but there was a barely noticeable glint of mischief in her brows and eyes.

“Then should I thank you on behalf of the company?”

It was rare for Ye Jiayuan to joke like that. Fu Chaoying’s thoughts stirred; she couldn’t help tugging lightly on Ye Jiayuan’s sleeve, acting spoiled. “I’m glad you came, Sister.”

She called her Sister. Not in fear and trembling, and not in the heat of drunken feeling either.

Ye Jiayuan lowered her eyes to look at the slender fingers tugging at her sleeve; her throat bobbed once. After a long moment, she gave a soft hum.

Less than two seconds later, Fu Chaoying quietly let go and naturally changed the subject. “Then, Sister, what special privileges do Xingye shareholders have?”

Ye Jiayuan explained it to her in concise but highly professional terms.

In summary, the two most important rights were dividend rights and voting rights.

“Then do I have to attend shareholder meetings too?” Fu Chaoying blinked curiously, looking both obedient and lively.

Ye Jiayuan nodded. “There’s one the day after tomorrow. If you want to come, you can.”

“But besides you, Sister, I don’t know anyone.” Fu Chaoying looked at the Bentley in front of them and let out a soft sigh. It was fair to say she was completely out of her element.

After the two got into the car, Ye Jiayuan didn’t answer.

The car fell into a brief silence. Fu Chaoying was just about to change the subject to break the ice when a cool voice came from beside her.

“I saw you fit in like a fish in water just now; I doubt a small shareholder meeting could stump you.”

Fu Chaoying froze, then turned her head to look at Ye Jiayuan and blinked innocently. “Did I?”

Ye Jiayuan didn’t lift her head. She was still focused on the tablet in her hands, but she gave a faint hum.

Her voice was very light, yet for some reason it carried a trace of emotion.

An image of the oil painting she had seen that morning suddenly surfaced in Fu Chaoying’s mind, and her brows curved slightly.

The ringtone of a phone abruptly broke the subtle atmosphere.

Fu Chaoying answered. It was Aunt Fu Anyun, who couldn’t find her and was worried she’d had too much to drink.

“I only had a little alcohol. I just ran into Jiayuan-jie and left with her.” Fu Chaoying’s voice was obedient; then she handed the phone to Ye Jiayuan.

The two exchanged a few polite words, and Ye Jiayuan returned the phone to her.

The moment Fu Chaoying reached out to take it, her fingertips happened to brush against Ye Jiayuan’s warm ones. But before she could savor the touch, the other woman had already withdrawn her hand.

Her stomach chose that inopportune moment to rumble. Fu Chaoying took the chance to ask, “Sister, are you hungry?”

Ye Jiayuan lifted her eyes from the screen and looked at her. “You’re hungry?”

Fu Chaoying nodded hard, looking at her with clear expectation, only to hear her say calmly, “I’m not used to eating late-night snacks.”

Very well; very principled.

Fu Chaoying muttered, “Oh, okay.”

Her tone carried a bit of disappointment.

Ye Jiayuan seemed to catch it and asked again, “Would takeout be okay?”

Fu Chaoying’s eyes lit up immediately. “Yes!”

Ye Jiayuan gave the driver an address; it seemed to be on a busy street.

“You should like it.”

Fu Chaoying didn’t ask further. Only when they arrived did she understand why Ye Jiayuan had said that.

Because Ye Jiayuan had brought her to a night market.

Fu Chaoying looked at the expensive dress Ye Jiayuan was wearing, then fixed her gaze on the lively, crowded night market outside the window, and said with difficulty, “How about... somewhere else?”

Ye Jiayuan shook her head. “No need.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Assistant Liu, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, began rattling off dishes by name.

Fu Chaoying ordered two simple items, then watched Assistant Liu get out of the car.

Curious, she asked, “How is she so familiar with this place?”

“Her girlfriend likes the food here; she comes often to browse.” Ye Jiayuan gave a brief explanation.

At that, Fu Chaoying laughed softly. “Then her girlfriend is so lucky.”

No sooner had she spoken than she met Ye Jiayuan’s deep gaze. After just a moment, Ye Jiayuan lowered her head again and continued looking at the documents.

Bored while waiting, Fu Chaoying opened her phone to reply to messages.

Her frequent, rapid typing drew Ye Jiayuan’s attention.

Ye Jiayuan coughed lightly. “What perfume are you wearing?”

Fu Chaoying didn’t look up. She only answered, “Rose water.”

“Oh; it lasts quite a long time.”

Fu Chaoying lifted her head to look at her and asked casually, “Mm?”

Ye Jiayuan met her eyes and said calmly, “My bedroom smells like this too.”

Fu Chaoying’s heart gave a tremor, though her face remained relaxed as she smiled and asked, “Then what do you think of this scent?”

Before Ye Jiayuan could answer, Assistant Liu was already back with food fragrant enough to make anyone hungry. “Miss Jiayuan, here you go.”

“Thank you, Liu-jiejie!” Fu Chaoying reached out and took the food.

Hearing her sweetly call her “Liu-jiejie,” Ye Jiayuan gave her an unreadable look.

The car headed toward the hotel. Fu Chaoying secretly checked the weather forecast; after looking, she immediately turned off her screen.

But in the corner of her eye, she caught the page on Ye Jiayuan’s tablet; on it was clearly a floor plan for a property.

When they reached the hotel, the two got out of the car.

Fu Chaoying lifted the late-night snack slightly and asked a little awkwardly, “Can I eat at your place?”

It was a pretty absurd request.

Ye Jiayuan turned to look at her, signaling for a reason.

“I’m afraid...” Fu Chaoying paused mid-sentence. Thinking of the clear, sunny sky earlier that day, she quickly changed her reason. “I’m not really used to eating alone.”

She lowered her head slightly and added in a small voice, “I won’t disturb your work, Sister.”

Ye Jiayuan gave a slight nod. Seeing her head lowered, she hummed softly again.

“Then I’ll be bothering you, Sister!” Fu Chaoying said brightly.

Ye Jiayuan smiled helplessly and used her card to take her upstairs.

This was Fu Chaoying’s second time at Ye Jiayuan’s place. Taking advantage of the relaxed atmosphere, she casually asked, “Sister, why don’t you settle down here?”

“There aren’t many family members who come here; whether I settle down or not makes no difference.” Ye Jiayuan’s answer was calm and detached.

Fu Chaoying was puzzled. Wasn’t she just looking at property a moment ago?

Ye Jiayuan went into the study to work.

Fu Chaoying sat at the dining table eating her late-night snack, but then saw Ye Jiayuan bring out a laptop.

Fu Chaoying’s gaze followed her movements. She thought Ye Jiayuan was going to the balcony, but instead she walked straight over and sat down across from her.

Fu Chaoying blinked; only then did she realize Ye Jiayuan was... staying to keep her company while she ate?

Softly, she said, “Sister, you don’t have to mind me.”

“It’s fine.” Ye Jiayuan’s fingertips tapped lightly on the keyboard, her expression focused.

Even after Fu Chaoying finished her late-night snack, Ye Jiayuan still didn’t let herself be distracted.

Fu Chaoying sat there quietly, daydreaming. Then, suddenly, a dull roll of thunder came from far away.

The weather forecast hadn’t lied; by this hour, thunder really was starting.

Fu Chaoying’s eyes flickered. She put on a deliberately flustered expression and looked at Ye Jiayuan pitifully.

“It seems like it’s thundering again. Can I borrow your place for one more night, Sister?”

A nearly imperceptible ripple passed through Ye Jiayuan’s eyes. She looked at her for two seconds, then slowly nodded in agreement.

————————

8 random bags will be sent out [milk tea]