Chapter 17: Contract Girlfriend

"Right?"

Ye Jiayuan was slightly taken aback. Her gaze lingered on Fu Chaoying’s face for a moment before she gave a soft hum of agreement.

Satisfied with the answer, Fu Chaoying took a small step back to put a little distance between them, but Qu Jingyuan’s voice drifted over again. "Where are you going to eat?"

Fu Chaoying’s mind raced. She was just about to casually make up the name of a restaurant they’d been to before when Ye Jiayuan’s cool voice spoke first, giving the name of a restaurant Fu Chaoying had never heard of.

The smile on Qu Jingyuan’s face froze instantly. Looking awkward, she tossed out a perfunctory, "Okay, then go ahead and eat there."

Before she could finish speaking, the driver closed the car door at just the right moment, and the car pulled out of the underground garage.

The car fell quiet, with only the shifting glow of streetlights sliding past the window.

"Why did she react so strongly?" Fu Chaoying asked curiously.

Ye Jiayuan lifted a brow slightly, her tone as calm as still water. "That restaurant is run by her ex-girlfriend."

Fu Chaoying snorted with laughter. "Sis is really ruthless."

The corner of Ye Jiayuan’s lips lifted, but she said nothing, only gave the driver a new address.

When the car finally stopped, what came into view was a fairly secluded restaurant, surrounded by lush greenery, like a hidden retreat from the world.

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her heart; this was the first time she and Ye Jiayuan were having dinner alone together.

After they sat down, Ye Jiayuan let her order first, then added two of the restaurant’s signature dishes herself.

"Those happen to be my favorites." Fu Chaoying’s eyes lit up, her tone bright.

Ye Jiayuan nodded slightly. "Then that works out well."

When the server came over to pour them lemon tea, Fu Chaoying suddenly remembered something. "Sis’s favorite tea is Biluochun, right?"

Ye Jiayuan looked slightly surprised, then gave a small nod.

"Grandma Bai asked me to bring you a tin. Assistant Liu should have already put it away for you."

Ye Jiayuan gave a quiet hum and deftly changed the subject. "I have a forum tomorrow. If you need anything, just contact Liu Xin directly."

Fu Chaoying obediently said okay, then added, "But I have plans tomorrow too; Grandma Bai invited me to her home as a guest."

Ye Jiayuan’s expression remained calm, as if she had little interest in the topic.

Fu Chaoying thought it over and tentatively asked, "Are you close with Grandma Bai, Sis?"

Ye Jiayuan sidestepped the question. "We met because of your grandmother."

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together, took a sip of lemon tea, then asked in a casual tone, "Then did Sis put in a good word for me with Grandma Bai?"

The collaboration was moving too smoothly; it was hard not to be suspicious.

Ye Jiayuan’s gaze settled on her. Her voice was cool. "My words probably wouldn’t have been decisive."

If Fu Chaoying hadn’t specifically asked her aunt that afternoon, she would have almost believed that.

Really, Ye Jiayuan was the first person who did good deeds without leaving her name behind.

Fu Chaoying barely held back a laugh and lightly clinked her cup against Ye Jiayuan’s. "Either way, I still have to thank Sis!"

Ye Jiayuan replied lightly, "No need to be so polite."

As she spoke, a trace of barely noticeable amusement flashed through her eyes.

*

The next day, Fu Chaoying stayed at Bai Youqing’s home until evening and met several other painters who also lived in Singapore.

She chatted with them so happily that when she returned to the empty house, she was still a little dazed.

Ye Jiayuan had a banquet tonight, so she naturally wasn’t home.

Fu Chaoying was stargazing on the balcony when she suddenly received a phone call.

It was Assistant Liu calling. "Miss Chaoying, are you free right now?"

Fu Chaoying spoke softly. "Yes, go ahead."

The other end sounded somewhat anxious. "My girlfriend isn’t feeling well, and I need to take her to the hospital. Could you go pick up Ms. Ye for me?"

"Of course. Send me the address." Fu Chaoying agreed without hesitation. After hanging up, she quickly contacted the driver.

When she arrived at the agreed location, Fu Chaoying saw Ye Jiayuan standing at the hotel entrance from far away, surrounded by a group of middle-aged, elite-looking women.

Under the lights by the entrance, Fu Chaoying noticed that her steps were a little unsteady.

Fu Chaoying got out of the car without hesitation. As she approached, she heard those women teasing her.

"Ms. Ye is so young and promising. Really not thinking about my daughter?"

"Oh my, my niece is also incredibly pretty. Ms. Ye, do you want to meet her?"

Wasn’t this a business forum? How had it turned into a matchmaking office?

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help quickening her pace, and then she heard another middle-aged woman say, "Or, Ms. Ye, what kind of person do you like? We’ll definitely help you find the best match."

The moment those words fell, Fu Chaoying frowned slightly and pushed through the crowd faster.

Just as she squeezed into the middle of the women, a familiar voice came from behind her.

"Chaoying."

Fu Chaoying didn’t turn around. She kept moving forward until she reached Ye Jiayuan.

The middle-aged women introducing candidates hadn’t noticed this uninvited guest, only to see her directly take hold of Xingye International’s CEO Ye Jiayuan by the wrist.

"What is this?"

The women, who had been talking nonstop, all froze; then they saw Fu Chaoying naturally support Ye Jiayuan’s arm, smiling lightly and serenely. "I’m here to pick up Ms. Ye."

Ye Jiayuan paused slightly, then gave a small nod and cooperatively started to leave.

Fu Chaoying helped her take two steps, but then heard another voice behind her. "Chaoying."

It was Ye Yian.

Fu Chaoying pretended not to hear, but she could hear the footsteps catching up, along with the murmurs from the middle-aged women behind her.

"Ms. Ye already has someone?"

Someone who recognized Fu Chaoying shook her head. "Probably not, right? She’s her younger sister’s... ex-girlfriend."

"Then why is she only helping Ye Jiayuan and not Ye Yian?"

"Yeah, that is strange..."

Fu Chaoying’s heart remained utterly calm. She helped Ye Jiayuan into the car and sit properly, then turned around and asked, "How is Young Ms. Ye getting back?"

Ye Yian walked straight to the front passenger seat and pointed at it. "There’s still a seat here."

She said it as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

The driver clearly knew Ye Yian and immediately opened the door for her with great enthusiasm.

Fu Chaoying fell silent all at once. She couldn’t refuse, after all; this was Ye Jiayuan’s car, and she had no right to drive anyone away, much less when that person was her sister...

As the car door closed, the cabin seemed to sink into darkness.

Ye Jiayuan leaned back against the soft cushion and closed her eyes to rest.

Ye Yian surprisingly made no scene; she only occasionally cast a few probing looks.

Fu Chaoying treated her like air and closed her own eyes as well.

The car was filled with a mixture of alcohol and perfume, along with an indescribably subtle atmosphere.

Ye Jiayuan had so many admirers that even attending a forum had people trying to set her up... Fu Chaoying thought about it and suddenly opened her eyes to glance at Ye Yian; an idea abruptly came to her.

*

When they arrived at the hotel, Fu Chaoying helped Ye Jiayuan out of the car, only to hear Ye Yian call out to her.

"Can you take me off your blacklist? I’ll only send you one message; I won’t bother you again." Ye Yian’s voice was choked with emotion, sounding pitiful beyond belief.

Ye Jiayuan slowly turned her head to look at her younger sister; her eyes were cold. Then she withdrew her gaze and fixed it on Fu Chaoying’s face.

Fu Chaoying chose to ignore her and directly supported Ye Jiayuan toward the elevator.

Inside, Ye Jiayuan’s body suddenly swayed and she nearly lost her balance.

Fu Chaoying quickly steadied her by the waist; her palm met soft warmth.

In that instant, the faint fragrance of magnolia mixed with alcohol wrapped around her nose; for some reason, it was intoxicating.

Fu Chaoying’s throat moved. She took a deep breath and said softly, "We’ll be there soon. Sis, don’t fall asleep yet."

There was a trace of a hoarse note in her voice.

Feeling the person in her arms slowly nod, Fu Chaoying couldn’t help but turn her head to look at her; all she could see were her dark hair, the pinkish-white earlobe hidden within it, and the sparkling stud in her ear.

Fu Chaoying’s heart started beating faster and faster, as if it might burst out of her chest.

At last the elevator reached the top floor; the butler was already waiting. "Miss Chaoying, the hangover soup is ready."

Fu Chaoying thanked him and carried Ye Jiayuan inside. The light illuminated the room, letting her take a closer look at this usually composed and self-possessed woman.

At this moment, Ye Jiayuan was hazy with drunkenness, yet her expression remained calm; only her brows and eyes carried a rare vulnerability.

Fu Chaoying’s heart inexplicably tightened.

She slowly helped her into the room, and when she saw the bed, Fu Chaoying finally realized something.

That night when she got drunk after the breakup, she had also held Ye Jiayuan this intimately.

Only this time, the sober one was her, and the one initiating the embrace was Ye Jiayuan.

Fu Chaoying gently laid her on the bed, but then she looked at Ye Jiayuan’s clothes and fell into a brief dilemma.

Then she suddenly heard her slightly tipsy, cool voice. "It’s fine if I just lie down for a while."

Fu Chaoying turned around and saw that although she was drunk, her eyes were still clear.

"I’m not so drunk that I’ve gone blurry." A faint smile curved Ye Jiayuan’s lips, her voice so gentle it didn’t sound like the usual decisive Ms. Ye.

Fu Chaoying nodded slightly, then walked over to the sofa by the window. "Then I’ll sit over here and wait for you. Call me if you need anything."

This sofa was the same style as the one in the study, with no backrest.

Fu Chaoying looked out at the night through the floor-to-ceiling window. Outside, traffic flowed endlessly; behind her, there seemed to be no sound at all.

On a sudden impulse, Fu Chaoying looked back at her and, unexpectedly, met her eyes. The next second, she saw her slowly close them again.

There seemed to be a thin sheen of sweat at her neck; her hair curled around her collarbones.

Fu Chaoying quietly shifted her gaze away, when the phone in her skirt pocket suddenly vibrated.

It was a long message from Ye Yian; since WeChat and text messages were blocked, she had created a new email address just to send her an email.

Fu Chaoying had no interest in reading her regret and explanations. She deleted it immediately; but just as she looked up, the doorbell rang.

Fu Chaoying’s first thought was Ye Yian, so she instinctively looked toward Ye Jiayuan. The latter slowly opened her eyes. "Go see who it is."

Fu Chaoying saw on the monitor that it was the butler and immediately let out a breath of relief.

"Miss Chaoying, this is the bouquet Miss Yian left at the front desk; she said it was for you."

Fu Chaoying nodded slightly. "Please help me dispose of it. Thank you."

After closing the door, Fu Chaoying had only just turned around when she saw Ye Jiayuan leaning by the door, silently gazing at her.

The emotion in those eyes was too complicated; Fu Chaoying couldn’t make sense of it at once.

"Does she bother you like this often?" Ye Jiayuan asked in a low voice.

Fu Chaoying shrugged, feigning ease. "It’s okay; not that often."

Ye Jiayuan gave a small nod, and just as she was about to walk over, she swayed unsteadily.

Fu Chaoying hurried over in three quick steps to support her. "Then sit on the sofa for a bit first."

The warm yellow light fell on Ye Jiayuan’s slightly drunken face, giving her an almost dreamlike quality.

Fu Chaoying poured two cups of warm water and sat down beside her, saying seriously, "First she had a bunch of letters sent to my house; I asked Aunt Wu to destroy them for me."

"Later she switched to texts and WeChat, so I just blocked her."

"Now she’s started sending emails and flowers too... I have to say, she’s persistent."

Ye Jiayuan took a sip of warm water and said in a low voice, "I’ll talk to her."

Fu Chaoying gave a faint, bitter smile. "But she’s always done things her own way. Even if you talk to her, it might only solve the symptoms, not the root problem."

Fu Chaoying looked at Ye Jiayuan as if she were looking at an exquisite landscape painting.

Ye Jiayuan leaned back against the sofa and motioned for her to continue.

Fu Chaoying suddenly changed tack. "Sis has so, so many admirers; it’s impossible to avoid them all."

Ye Jiayuan narrowed her eyes slightly, asking with interest, "Then what do you think would count as a complete solution to this problem?"

Fu Chaoying leaned in a little, her warm breath brushing across both their cheeks. "Maybe... we could work together?"

She blinked; a flash of slyness glinted in her eyes.

"Work together?" Ye Jiayuan repeated, her tone amused. "How would we work together?"

"Be my contract girlfriend."

Fu Chaoying boldly made the suggestion, and her gaze drifted, almost unconsciously, to Ye Jiayuan’s red lips. Her heart pounded like a drum.