Chapter 3

Rose Three: Kissing, low, hoarse, and trembling.

Fu Chaoying froze; a faint laugh flickered in her brows and eyes—

Since when had Ye Jiayuan become so warm-hearted?

The Ye Jiayuan in her memory had always been cool and restrained, as if nothing in the world could shake her.

Shen Guannan noticed the subtle change in Fu Chaoying’s expression, amusement flickering in her eyes. Then she coughed lightly. “Ye Jiayuan is a good person, and she’s close to your mom and grandma too. Why don’t you ask her to help?”

Fu Chaoying took a small sip of wine; her gaze darkened.

Of course she knew Ye Jiayuan’s reputation in their circle—capable, upright, and decent.

And Ye Yian listened to this older sister the most. If Ye Jiayuan spoke up for her, anything could be negotiated.

But...

“Guannan-jie.” Fu Chaoying suddenly asked, her voice so soft it was almost lost beneath the bar’s music, “Are you good to me because of my mom?”

The question sounded absurd, yet there was a thread of logic in it.

Shen Guannan immediately understood. “You mean, if she’s nice to you, it would only be because of your family?”

In Fu Chaoying’s impression, Ye Jiayuan had always been neither warm nor cold toward her. After the job change three years ago, that polite distance only deepened, as if she were deliberately keeping her distance.

She still remembered one time when she had a fever as a child. Her mother and grandma just happened to be away on business, so they left her at the Ye family home.

Ye Jiayuan had not been very patient with her.

Fu Chaoying nodded. “If I took the initiative to ask her for help, she’d probably help me.”

“But if she helps me, it would only be because of my family.”

Her family was gone; Fu Chaoying was the last person who wanted to trade on their memory.

Shen Guannan thought of certain old matters. “Then how did you put up with Ye Yian back then?”

In the past, Ye Yian often posted publicly on social media to commemorate Fu Chaoying’s grandma, the ink-wash painter, her gold-medal lawyer mother, and her scientist father.

Every word and line suggested Ye Yian’s kindness, and her care for the poor orphan girl of the Fu family.

Fu Chaoying gave a self-mocking laugh; a flash of chill passed through her eyes. “Probably because I was love-brained.”

After her mother died, her grandma and Ye Yian became her emotional anchors.

Later, when her grandma passed away, Ye Yian became the only one left.

It took her a very long time to accept that even the person she believed to be her “only one” could betray her and leave her.

Shen Guannan patted her shoulder. “Xiaoying, being alone isn’t so bad. Look at me; I’m doing just fine, aren’t I?”

Shen Guannan had no close relatives who had died, yet it was almost as if she had no family at all. During the period when she decided to completely leave her birth family behind, she had never been as calm and composed as Fu Chaoying was now.

Fu Chaoying’s eyes curved slightly, though the smile didn’t reach them. “I’ll find something interesting to do first.”

If there was no emotional anchor, no love, and no hate, how was she supposed to live?

Estimating the time, Shen Guannan clinked her glass against Fu Chaoying’s. “Ye Jiayuan should be here soon. When you get home later, remember to send me a message.”

Shen Guannan left first.

Fu Chaoying’s vision grew hazier and hazier as she listened to “A Gift for Tomorrow” playing not far away.

She had hummed this song softly on countless afternoons.

Back then, she had kept herself so restrained, thinking all along that it was Ye Yian who had been putting up with her.

Only after seeing the truth clearly did she realize she had been the more accommodating one.

She knew Ye Yian was using her, yet she still clung to the warmth and dopamine Ye Yian gave her.

She had once naively believed those benefits could keep Ye Yian by her side.

She never imagined that Ye Yian could use her while cheating without the slightest hesitation.

Her glass was nearly empty, and Fu Chaoying wanted another.

But the bartender had already handed her a drink. “That lady is treating you.”

Fu Chaoying followed the direction of the pointing finger and immediately saw that woman sitting in the bright light, dressed all in black.

With one look, Fu Chaoying withdrew her gaze and pushed the glass away. “Get me a fresh one.”

Perhaps seeing that she hadn’t drunk it, the woman walked straight over and sat beside her. “Little sister, want to have a drink together?”

Fu Chaoying was highly safety-conscious; naturally she would not clink glasses with a stranger.

She tilted her head slightly and swept a cool glance over the woman. “Sorry, I don’t like women in black clothes.”

The woman laughed softly and lifted a hand to tug open her collar, revealing the red lingerie beneath. The gesture was playful and suggestive.

Fu Chaoying lowered her eyes, just about to call for security, when a tall figure emerged from the darkness.

The person was dressed in a carefully tailored black suit, and her slightly wavy long hair swayed gently with each step.

On her slender, pale wrist, the watch caught the light with a cold gleam.

Ye Jiayuan reached out and caught the woman’s wrist, her movement graceful yet firm. “Have some self-respect.”

Her voice was low and calm, but it carried a warning.

Fu Chaoying turned slightly and met those deep, dark eyes.

Just one glance was enough to make her heartbeat suddenly quicken. There was always something hidden in those eyes that she couldn’t quite understand.

The stranger froze, then cursed at Ye Jiayuan, “Who the hell are you?”

Ye Jiayuan said nothing; security soon hurried over after hearing the commotion.

Fu Chaoying ignored what was happening over there and kept drinking.

There was only one sip left. Just as Fu Chaoying raised her hand, another hand stopped her.

Her heart sped up again; she turned in a daze and muttered, “What are you doing...?”

Ye Jiayuan looked at her face. Seeing her clear eyes now clouded with drunkenness, and the deep disappointment in her gaze, she said softly, “How did you get yourself into this state?”

Her tone was gentle beyond reason. Fu Chaoying suddenly felt wronged, and stopped trying to pull her hand away. “Who are you...?”

So she was so drunk she didn’t even recognize her.

Ye Jiayuan took the glass from her. “I’ll take you home.”

Fu Chaoying obediently let her guide her into her arms and help her walk, but when they reached the door, she called out to security—

“Security! I don’t know her; she said she was taking me home.”

Ye Jiayuan looked helpless; at least her drunkenness hadn’t erased her safety awareness.

Ye Jiayuan pulled Fu Chaoying back and negotiated with security. Only after proving the two of them did know each other did security let them leave.

Ye Jiayuan helped her into the car. The back seat had been fitted with an airline-style seat; after she settled Fu Chaoying in, she went around and got in on the other side.

The smell of alcohol filled her nose again.

Ye Jiayuan lifted a hand, about to roll down the window, but paused with her finger on the button and took her hand back.

In the early spring night, the cold was still biting; keeping warm mattered more.

“Ye Jiayuan...”

“Why would Ye Jiayuan come pick me up?”

“Are you really Ye Jiayuan...?”

Ye Jiayuan looked at her opening and closing lips, and the corner of her mouth curved faintly.

Fu Chaoying seemed to have fallen asleep, but she was still muttering, “Ye Yian, you’re disgusting,” “How could you do this to me”...

As she spoke, her voice even turned faintly choked.

She sounded pitiful.

Ye Jiayuan saw tears welling at the corners of her eyes and reached out to wipe them away gently. Her fingertips lingered on Fu Chaoying’s cheek for less than two seconds before leaving.

As if she were restraining something.

In her dazed state, Fu Chaoying felt a feather-light touch, itchy and fleeting.

When they arrived at the Fu residence, Aunt Wu recognized Ye Jiayuan and saw Fu Chaoying in her arms, drunk and incoherent. She cried out, “Oh my, how did she drink so much!”

“Good thing she ran into Miss Jiayuan; what would we have done if something had happened!”

Ye Jiayuan frowned slightly and helped Fu Chaoying inside. “Which room does she stay in?”

Aunt Wu led her upstairs.

The old Fu residence had a retro style. When they had moved in three years ago, it had only been repaired, not substantially altered.

Fu Chaoying’s room still had the birthday gift Ye Jiayuan had given her when she turned eighteen, a rare old painting.

Fu Chaoying had loved it very much and said she wanted to see it the moment she opened her eyes every day.

A promise made for six years.

She had indeed hung the painting by her bed, so that she could see it as soon as she woke up.

Ye Jiayuan withdrew her gaze, helped her onto the bed, and then turned to Aunt Wu. “Could you please make some sobering soup?”

Aunt Wu did not go downstairs immediately; she stood at the door for a moment, looking at how Ye Jiayuan’s black shirt had been wrinkled beyond recognition, and then at how she was helping Xiaoying take off her shoes without the slightest disgust.

Her heart jolted with surprise for a moment, then eased. She went downstairs to make the sobering soup.

Ye Jiayuan laid Fu Chaoying on the bed and carefully covered her with the blanket.

Just as she was about to turn away, Fu Chaoying sat up and wrapped her arms around her waist. “Is sister leaving already?”

The warmth and strength around her waist were impossible to ignore. Ye Jiayuan lifted a hand a little, only for it to land on Fu Chaoying’s hair. “I’m going to check on the sobering soup.”

Fu Chaoying ignored her reason and only held tighter. “Don’t go, sister... ”

Ye Jiayuan looked into Fu Chaoying’s hazy, pleading eyes and slowly looked away, helpless. “I’m not leaving right now.”

Ye Jiayuan stopped moving and let her keep holding on.

Fu Chaoying seemed to realize she was safe and gradually loosened her grip.

Before long, Aunt Wu brought the sobering soup up. Seeing the position of the two of them, she was startled.

Ye Jiayuan noticed the movement, lightly patted Fu Chaoying’s shoulder, and then turned to ask Aunt Wu, “Is the sobering soup the right temperature?”

Aunt Wu only then reacted that Xiaoying was acting spoiled because she was drunk, and smiled. “Just right.”

Ye Jiayuan sat by the bed, gathered Fu Chaoying into her arms, and only then took the sobering soup.

Watching how gently she moved, Aunt Wu glanced at the pink-cheeked Xiaoying nestled in her arms.

An idea suddenly occurred to her. “Could Miss Jiayuan please help take care of Xiaoying for a moment? I think I forgot to turn off the heat.”

Ye Jiayuan didn’t lift her eyes; she simply gave a soft mm and gently blew on the soup in the spoon.

With her head cushioned by something soft, Fu Chaoying opened her eyes and saw only Ye Jiayuan’s smooth jawline, along with those red lips pursed slightly as she blew.

Fu Chaoying’s throat moved, and then she saw a spoon appear before her lips.

“Be good.”

Ye Jiayuan’s voice was too gentle, as if coaxing a child.

Fu Chaoying blinked and parted her lips to take the spoon, then swallowed the sobering soup softly.

Halfway through, Fu Chaoying turned and hugged her waist again, burying herself in the soft warmth of her body as she mumbled coquettishly, “It doesn’t taste good... ”

Ye Jiayuan let out a light sigh, set the bowl down, and straightened slightly, intending to push her back onto the bed; unexpectedly, Fu Chaoying rose up and hugged her tighter.

Fu Chaoying murmured softly, “Hug me, sister... ”

Ye Jiayuan froze, hesitating over whether to respond to the small request. In the next instant, that pair of brows and eyes was right before her, and then—

Fu Chaoying kissed her lips.

At that moment, the air seemed to freeze.

Ye Jiayuan went completely still, feeling Fu Chaoying’s soft, warm lips press against hers, carrying a little drunkenness and hesitation.

What she wanted was more than an embrace.

Ye Jiayuan’s breathing grew faintly uneven; the pressure of her hand on Fu Chaoying’s shoulder unconsciously increased a little.

When their lips touched, there was a strange, tingling sensation.

Only when Fu Chaoying quietly deepened the kiss, her tongue nimbly brushing across Ye Jiayuan’s teeth as if seeking permission, did Ye Jiayuan finally come to her senses. She tightened her hands on Fu Chaoying’s shoulders, trying to push her away.

But fearing she might fall, she used only a little force.

“I’ll ask Aunt Wu to take care of you.” Her voice remained steady, though there was a faint hoarseness and tremor hidden within it.

Fu Chaoying watched her retreating figure, and a smile curved at the corner of her lips.

Perhaps, if she wanted Ye Jiayuan’s help, there could be another possibility.

After all, she had never seen this ever-calm, ever-composed woman reveal such a slightly dazed expression before.

This kind of reaction was much more interesting than the deliberate affection her sister put on.

*

The next morning, in the CEO’s office.

“...Also, Little Ye said she wants to transfer 2.5% of the shares to Miss Chaoying, and would like you to preside over the shareholders’ meeting.”

After the assistant finished the quiet report, Ye Jiayuan only lightly shook her head.

Her long fingers tapped softly on the keyboard; a nearly imperceptible smile flashed through her eyes.

“No need to go to the next step yet.”

The assistant was somewhat puzzled. “Is there a problem somewhere?”

“The number is wrong.”

Ye Jiayuan looked out at the cloudless weather beyond the window, her tone calm.

Only 2.5 percent; too little.

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We have to control the word count before ranking; there won’t be an update tomorrow [crying]

See you at 8 p.m. on Tuesday [hug] I’ll randomly send out 16 bags then~