Chapter 57: “What Is Your Relationship?” [Bonus Chapter Included]
Under Chu Yiyun’s piercing gaze, Fu Chaoying’s mind raced. She said softly, “I just went upstairs..."
But she couldn’t think of any reason for coming down from the second floor at six-thirty in the morning, because the second floor was practically Ye Jiayuan’s private territory.
Fu Chaoying’s lips parted slightly, only to see Chu Yiyun’s eyes drop to her collar.
Fu Chaoying lowered her gaze too, only to find faint, obvious red marks at her neckline—the traces Ye Jiayuan had left from kissing her over the past two days.
There was no explaining it now.
Fu Chaoying’s heart felt as if it were about to leap out of her chest. All she heard was Chu Yiyun ask quietly, “What is your relationship with Xiaoyuan?”
Fu Chaoying snapped her head up to look at her, and in her eyes she saw only shock, disappointment, and a complicated emotion she couldn’t quite put into words.
Instinctively, Fu Chaoying looked away. Just as she was about to speak, she heard movement behind her.
Ye Jiayuan came down the stairs in a few quick steps and slipped an arm around her shoulders.
Fu Chaoying turned her head to look at her profile; her expression was still calm. Then she said flatly, “Mom, you guessed right. She’s my girlfriend.”
Chu Yiyun’s gaze moved between them, then settled on Ye Jiayuan. Her eyes were full of scrutiny. “Did you start this before she and Yian broke up, or after?”
Fu Chaoying noticed the way she looked at Ye Jiayuan; in that instant, she felt both heartache and anger. She could only explain softly, “Aunt Chu, Sister Jiayuan and I only started seeing each other after the breakup; we confirmed our feelings not long ago.”
Chu Yiyun shifted her gaze back to her. “You can call her Sister Jiayuan too? She’s Yian’s sister.”
Fu Chaoying froze slightly, but then felt Ye Jiayuan tighten her arm, drawing her closer.
“I never interfered between Xiaoying and her,” Ye Jiayuan said, stepping forward to stand in front of Fu Chaoying. “What exactly are you objecting to?”
Fu Chaoying moved aside a little and saw the shock and helplessness on Chu Yiyun’s face.
“She’s your sister’s ex-girlfriend. Getting together like this is just..."
Chu Yiyun didn’t say the last word, but everyone understood it instantly.
Ye Jiayuan gave a faint smile. “Xiaoying has nothing to do with her anymore. Being together hasn’t violated public morals, and it hasn’t broken any laws or regulations.”
Ye Jiayuan’s presence was too strong. Chu Yiyun only opened and closed her mouth uselessly, unable to say anything harsher.
“So the girlfriend you mentioned before was Xiaoying?” Chu Yiyun’s tone softened a little.
Fu Chaoying took Ye Jiayuan’s hand and stepped down one stair. “Sorry, Aunt Chu. We had our concerns before. We were afraid that if you knew about us, so we didn’t tell you.”
Chu Yiyun’s eyes settled on their clasped hands; she looked away helplessly. “So you lied to me for so long.”
Fu Chaoying was about to say something else to ease the atmosphere when she heard Chu Yiyun say quietly, “I won’t interfere in your relationship, but don’t let Yian know for now.”
Chu Yiyun looked deeply at Fu Chaoying. “She still hasn’t gotten over you.”
After saying that, she turned and walked away with her empty cup in hand.
Fu Chaoying stared after her back, dazed, until Ye Jiayuan gently pulled her into her arms.
“It’s fine,” Ye Jiayuan said softly, reaching up to smooth her hair.
Fu Chaoying shook her head slightly in her embrace. “I just feel like... Aunt Chu is only thinking about Yian’s feelings, but you’re also her daughter.”
After her younger daughter cheated and kept dragging her ex along, Chu Yiyun even dressed it up as “she hasn’t gotten over you.” Yet when her older daughter and she were in a normal relationship, it became “incest” in Chu Yiyun’s eyes.
She asked them when they got together, and made them promise not to tell Ye Yian; her starting point was simply that she didn’t want Ye Yian to be hurt.
Ye Jiayuan’s expression remained calm, as if she had long since gotten used to it. She only smiled faintly and said, “I’m very happy.”
Fu Chaoying blinked. “Why?”
Ye Jiayuan leaned closer and whispered, “Because... I have a little girlfriend who feels sorry for me.”
Fu Chaoying paused, then gave a soft hmm; her heart, however, couldn’t stop aching a little.
A light touch brushed gently across her back.
Ye Jiayuan was even the one comforting her.
Fu Chaoying let out a barely audible sigh, then parted from her on the stairs and returned to her own room to sleep.
The house was well soundproofed, and the voices at the stair landing weren’t loud either. Fu Chaohua was still sleeping soundly.
She assumed Aunt Fu hadn’t noticed the commotion outside, but Fu Chaoying’s mind kept imagining what it would have been like if Aunt Fu had found out; would she have scolded her for shamelessness, or would she have tried to reason with her earnestly, saying the Fu and Ye families couldn’t withstand any more turmoil?
Fu Chaoying shook her head and tiptoed back into bed.
Her mind was only active for a short while before sleepiness surged over her like a tide.
Fu Chaoying drifted off in a daze.
She wasn’t woken until eight, when Fu Chaohua called her, “Xiaoying, get up and wash up.”
Fu Chaoying opened her eyes slowly, looking at her cousin’s figure, and said softly, “Aunt Chu found out.”
Fu Chaohua instantly turned around and looked over in disbelief. “How did she find out?”
She hadn’t heard a thing.
“She got up to drink water and happened to run into me coming down from the second floor.”
And I was still disheveled, with my kiss marks showing.
Fu Chaohua let out a soft sigh. “It’s fine; she was going to find out sooner or later.”
Then she asked, “What about my mom?”
Fu Chaoying shook her head. “I don’t know, but she probably didn’t hear anything?”
Fu Chaohua nodded. “She usually takes melatonin before bed; she sleeps very deeply.”
Fu Chaoying sat up and got out of bed to wash up.
At this point, the bridge had already reached the middle of the river; she might as well let the boat follow the current.
When Fu Chaohua opened the door, she saw Ye Jiayuan making tea for the two elders.
Her mother still had a smile on her face; she looked like she didn’t know anything yet.
“Xiaohua, come have some tea.” Fu Anyun noticed the movement behind her and turned to look.
Fu Chaohua gave a light mm, then closed the door and quietly sent Fu Chaoying a message.
Fu Chaoying only saw the message after washing up. She naturally opened the door and greeted everyone.
She had expected the atmosphere to be a little awkward when greeting Chu Yiyun, but Chu Yiyun was wearing a faint smile; she seemed no different from usual.
It looked like Chu Yiyun had no intention of exposing them in public; she was just turning a blind eye.
Fu Chaoying met Ye Jiayuan’s calm eyes and quietly relaxed.
The group had a simple breakfast.
Chu Yiyun had arranged with Fu Chaoying yesterday to go see the exhibition together, and brought it up again now.
The three younger ones and the two elders took two cars and set off.
Guessing that the sisters had things to say, Ye Jiayuan automatically sat in the front.
When they got into the car and sat down, Fu Chaoying and Fu Chaohua both let out a breath of relief, then couldn’t help laughing at the same time.
Ye Jiayuan turned her head and looked at Fu Chaoying; even the corners of her eyes curved slightly.
“I was really worried; thank goodness Aunt Chu didn’t try to expose you two,” Fu Chaohua said softly.
Fu Chaoying nodded lightly. “Aunt Chu probably noticed before that Aunt had wanted to set you two up; it would be a little awkward if we brought it up to her first.”
Fu Chaohua picked up the thread. “Wouldn’t it be better to wait for my mom to find out on her own, and then pretend we knew nothing?”
Fu Chaoying gave a helpless laugh, then glanced at the front-seat driver and sent Ye Jiayuan a message: [The driver should’ve signed a confidentiality agreement, right?]
Ye Jiayuan replied almost instantly: [Naturally.]
Fu Chaoying finally relaxed completely, and told them about how nervous and helpless she had been when she was discovered that morning.
Especially when she was caught looking disheveled; she had wanted nothing more than to dig a hole and crawl into it.
By the time they reached the art museum, Fu Chaoying was practically acting like a tour guide, introducing each painter and the interesting stories behind their work to everyone in the group. Before long, they attracted a crowd, most of them visitors from the mainland.
Someone recognized her and asked in surprise, “Are you Teacher Fu Chaoying?”
Fu Chaoying nodded slightly. “Hello, yes, that’s me.”
“Oh my god, you’re explaining it yourself!?”
Some people joined in teasingly, while others asked whether they could get autographs and photos.
When security saw the gathering crowd, they came over and said something in Cantonese; all they heard was Ye Jiayuan explain a few things in English.
The gist was that it was just a group gathering to listen to an explanation, and no violent incident had occurred.
Fu Chaoying turned her gaze away from her and gave everyone a slight smile. “Thank you all for your support. I’m sorry, but I have family to accompany today. I hope there’ll be another chance in the future to take photos with everyone as a keepsake.”
A camera flash caught her off guard for a moment, but then she saw Ye Jiayuan’s bodyguards step forward directly to handle the matter.
Ye Jiayuan said to the crowd coolly, “It’s inconvenient to take photos. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Fu Anyun also smiled and added a few words, “You can all keep an eye on our company’s exhibitions. There will be many opportunities in the future to see our Teacher Fu.”
Fu Chaoying turned back to look at her, only to meet her eyes. There seemed to be a hint of pride in her aunt’s gaze.
Fu Chaoying rarely saw that; the tip of her heart gave a small tremor.
Chu Yiyun reached out and put an arm around her shoulder. “Let’s keep going; ignore them.”
Fu Chaoying blinked, then smiled brightly at her and continued the explanation.
This exhibition showed many famous paintings. Fu Chaoying had grown up immersed in this world and felt deeply about it, so speaking about it came naturally.
Chu Yiyun liked listening to Fu Chaoying tell stories; there was something very gentle and unhurried about the way she spoke. When the topic grew heartfelt, her eyes would even redden.
They stayed at the art museum all morning. Then Fu Anyun was suddenly invited by a friend and invited everyone to go along.
Fu Chaoying walked beside her cousin and heard her say, “I think Aunt Chu really likes you; the way she looks at you is very appreciative.”
Fu Chaoying had felt Chu Yiyun’s affection since she was a child. Even after being found out this morning, she hadn’t seen any emotions as strong as disgust on her face. It was just that she loved Ye Yian too much; her love for Ye Yian had surpassed her liking for Fu Chaoying.
Chu Yiyun had only instinctively been protecting her own daughter this morning; there was nothing wrong with that in itself. But if only she could love Ye Jiayuan the way she loved Ye Yian, Fu Chaoying thought.
When the group arrived at the private room in the restaurant, Fu Anyun pulled Fu Chaohua over to sit beside her, leaving the space between Fu Chaohua and Fu Chaoying empty. She said with a smile, “A little girl is coming in a bit; it’ll be more convenient for her to sit and talk with you two.”
Fu Chaoying and Fu Chaohua exchanged a look, both seeing a bit of confusion in the other’s eyes.
A hand lightly pinched hers. Fu Chaoying’s heart jumped; she instinctively interlaced her fingers with the other person’s. She didn’t clasp too tightly, afraid someone might notice.
It wasn’t long before a very elegant middle-aged woman entered the room with a girl in her early twenties.
“Oh, President Fu, you arrived so much earlier than expected?”
Fu Anyun stepped forward to exchange pleasantries and introduced everyone one by one.
“This is Xiaoying.” Fu Anyun beckoned lightly at Fu Chaoying. “This is Aunt Zhulan, and this is Aunt Zhulan’s daughter, Xiaosu. You used to play together when you were little, remember?”
Naturally, she did not remember.
Fu Chaoying already had a vague, ominous feeling in her heart, but on the surface she still kept a polite smile and said only, “Hello, Xiaosu.”
Xiaosu gave her a casual smile and teased, “So, does the crybaby still cry now?”
Fu Chaoying froze slightly, then heard Zhu Zhulan joke, “Oh, our Xiaosu still remembers that.”
Ye Jiayuan said lightly, “Let’s order first.”
The group sat down, and Xiaosu took the seat between Fu Chaoying and Fu Chaohua.
The first thing Xiaosu said after sitting down was, “I saw the gossip about you and Ye Yian before; did you break it off cleanly?”
The two sisters looked at each other. Fu Chaohua coughed twice. “Xiaosu, they’ve already been broken up for a long time. Of course it’s clean.”
A trace of confusion flashed through Xiaosu’s eyes. “But Ye Yian’s Instagram is still subtly showing off her relationship.”
Fu Chaoying frowned slightly. “You saw wrong, didn’t you?”
Xiaosu flipped her phone to the Instagram follow page. It showed that half an hour earlier, Ye Yian had posted: [Her favorite milk tea.]
The photo showed Ye Yian holding a lychee ice brew.
The comments were full of fans praising her, saying her hand was beautiful.
Fu Chaoying quietly withdrew her gaze, only to suddenly bump into Ye Jiayuan’s embrace. She turned back subconsciously to look at her, and met her deep, dark eyes.
Ye Jiayuan’s expression was faint as she asked, “What are you talking about?”
“We’re talking about Ye Yian showing off her relationship with her.” Xiaosu rushed to answer.
Ye Jiayuan gave an almost imperceptible smile. “Is that so.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Ye Jiayuan looked away.
Fu Chaoying blinked and began to explain, “I broke up with her before we posted the statement. We don’t really have any contact now.”
Xiaosu glanced at Ye Jiayuan, then at Chu Yiyun, looking a little confused. “Then why are you still in contact with the Ye family?”
Fu Chaoying looked back at Ye Jiayuan. “Because the other people in the Ye family are all very nice.”
Xiaosu followed her gaze to Ye Jiayuan. “True, Sister Xiaoyuan does look like a very nice person.”
The corners of Fu Chaoying’s lips lifted slightly, but she met Xiaosu’s narrowed eyes and heard her ask, “Then you two...”
Right then, Ye Jiayuan gave a soft cough. Fu Chaoying smiled and forced the topic over naturally but stiffly: “Xiaosu, what dishes do you like?”
Xiaosu listed them one by one, and the two Fu sisters exchanged a couple of bland words with her.
Then Xiaosu asked quietly, “Xiaoying, you still aren’t dating anyone, right? Can I pursue you?”
Fu Chaoying was drinking water; she nearly choked at the words, but heard Fu Anyun laugh softly and tease, “Young people are so straightforward.”
Ye Jiayuan was gently patting Fu Chaoying’s back. Fu Anyun fixed her gaze on that hand, but then heard Chu Yiyun speak loudly, “Our Xiaoying will have a partner soon.”
“What do you mean, will have?” Xiaosu looked at Chu Yiyun, then at her own mother. “But my mom said she’s single.”
Fu Chaoying instinctively looked at Fu Anyun, only to see that her gaze was fixed on the hand Ye Jiayuan had just withdrawn.
Fu Anyun looked away and smiled. “Xiaoying, Xiaosu has liked you for a long time. Want to try getting to know each other?”
Fu Chaoying’s peripheral vision caught Ye Jiayuan’s expressionless face and Chu Yiyun’s complicated look. She also smiled and said, “But I already confessed to my girlfriend the night before yesterday.”
“We’re together now.”
Fu Anyun was slightly stunned, then smiled to smooth things over. “It’s fine; today is just a casual meal.”
Zhu Zhulan also smiled and said, “Our Xiaosu has liked your paintings for a long time. We haven’t seen each other in years, so we thought we’d catch up and make a new friend while we’re at it.”
Fu Chaoying nodded lightly. A just-right smile curved her lips as she obediently said, “Thank you for your kindness. We can be friends.”
Noticing Ye Jiayuan’s expression darken slightly, Fu Chaoying curved her brows in secret and added, “But a girlfriend probably isn’t possible.”
Fu Anyun and Zhu Zhulan started smoothing things over; Fu Chaoying smiled as well, but then heard a voice beside her say, “Then why don’t we add each other on WeChat?”
The words had gone this far already. Fu Chaoying could only helplessly pull out her QR code.
Then she put her phone away again.
Fu Chaoying only listened quietly as Fu Chaohua dealt with Xiaosu perfunctorily, while she occasionally had to endure the mother-and-daughter pair’s line of sight.
A bit of irritation rose in her chest, so Fu Chaoying said softly to Fu Anyun and Chu Yiyun, “Excuse me, I’m going to the restroom.”
As soon as she spoke, she got up, and then heard Fu Chaohua say hurriedly, “I need to go too.”
Fu Chaohua stood up at once and left the table with her cousin.
Fu Chaoying waited for her at the private room door. When she saw Fu Chaohua close the door behind her, she said, “Sis, I’m going out to the terrace for a breather.”
Just as she turned to leave, Fu Chaohua behind her burst out laughing. “I’m going to get some air too.”
Fu Chaohua lightly held her arm, her tone full of gossip. “You confessed to Sister Jiayuan the night before yesterday?”
Fu Chaoying stopped and turned her head to look at her. “Yeah. She waited for me for so long; it was only right that I confess to her.”
Fu Chaoying didn’t think there was anything wrong with that.
“So our Xiaoying... cough, cough, is this thoughtful?” Fu Chaohua laughed until she bent over, her tone teasing. She couldn’t imagine the scene of her usually restrained and delicate cousin confessing to the cool and self-possessed Ye Jiayuan.
Seeing her laugh so happily, Fu Chaoying instantly felt a little embarrassed. She turned and slowly headed toward the terrace. Hearing the footsteps behind her grow clearer, she was just about to say something when she was suddenly embraced from behind.
A faint magnolia scent hit her at once; the warmth against her back and the soft touch were unmistakable, and Fu Chaoying’s heartbeat shot up all at once.
“Sweetheart...” Ye Jiayuan called to her softly, her voice full of tenderness.
Ye Jiayuan’s warm breath brushed over Fu Chaoying’s neck, bringing up a ticklish sensation. Fu Chaoying shrank her neck in slightly, then heard her say, “You’re mine.”
It was Ye Jiayuan’s uniquely overbearing yet gentle tone; the voice Fu Chaoying had drowned in countless times before.
Fu Chaoying’s heart trembled, but then Ye Jiayuan kissed her neck.
Ye Jiayuan’s light yet gradually quickening breathing lingered by her ear; her feather-soft kisses fell on her neck, tender yet carrying a hint of teasing.
Added to that was the hand resting at her waist, gently and almost absentmindedly rubbing there; Fu Chaoying was so teased that her mind swayed, and a soft moan slipped from her throat: “Mm...”
But then she heard Ye Jiayuan laugh, and in an instant, her breath and lips were already withdrawing.
Fu Chaoying turned around and hooked her arms around Ye Jiayuan’s neck, but Ye Jiayuan lifted a hand and lightly stroked her lips, her voice hoarse as she said, “No adding her on WeChat.”
Fu Chaoying curved her lips slightly and pretended not to understand. “I’m just making a friend. Is Sister jealous too?”
Ye Jiayuan slowly leaned closer, lifted a hand to loosely pinch her chin, and said in a low voice, “Anyway, you’re not allowed to add her.”
There was a faint possessiveness in Ye Jiayuan’s eyes as well.
“What if I insist on adding her?” Fu Chaoying used her fingertips to lightly stroke the back of her neck, savoring the delicate texture beneath her skin.
“Then I’ll have no choice but to quietly drink two jars of vinegar.” Ye Jiayuan’s expression remained calm, but her tone carried a touch of helplessness and grievance.
Fu Chaoying loved seeing her like this, so different from her usual self. She immediately leaned toward her lips. “Then kiss me, and I won’t add her.”
Ye Jiayuan took her hand and led her to a secluded place, then bent down to kiss her.
The moment their tongues touched, Fu Chaoying couldn’t help but laugh, only to be punished with a heavy suck from her.
Fu Chaoying clung to her shoulders and poked at them lightly.
After the deep kiss, Ye Jiayuan finally let her go and asked in a hoarse voice, “What were you laughing at just now?”
Fu Chaoying blinked and said with a smile, “I just tasted the beef flavor on Sister’s tongue.”
“I tasted your pudding flavor too.”
“Really?” Fu Chaoying unconsciously stuck out the tip of her tongue, only for Ye Jiayuan to open her mouth and take it in.
Her tongue, already numb from being sucked on earlier, was once again drawn into her mouth.
Fu Chaoying’s breathing grew more and more rapid; she pushed at Ye Jiayuan’s shoulder lightly. “Don’t...”
Ye Jiayuan really did separate from her, holding her while she steadied her breathing.
The two of them straightened their clothes before leaving, only to run into Fu Chaohua at the terrace entrance.
Fu Chaohua gave them both a subtle glance, then withdrew her gaze, but the corners of her mouth still rose uncontrollably. “I’ve got your backs.”
Ye Jiayuan gave a slight nod. “I’ll send you a big red packet.”
Fu Chaoying’s brows and eyes curved as she went back into the private room with Fu Chaohua.
The three elders were discussing some investment topic, so Fu Chaoying and Fu Chaohua’s return didn’t attract attention.
Only Chu Yiyun asked Fu Chaohua, “Where’s your Sister Jiayuan? Still on the phone?”
Fu Chaohua answered naturally, “Probably? Xiaoying and I didn’t run into her.”
Chu Yiyun’s gaze swept over Fu Chaoying, then withdrew without a trace. A few seconds later, she let out a soft sigh.
A moment later, Fu Anyun asked, “Why are you sighing?”
Chu Yiyun shook her head. “Nothing.”
Fu Chaoying simply ate quietly, occasionally dealing with Xiaosu beside her.
By the time the lunch banquet was almost over, Ye Jiayuan finally returned to the private room. “Sorry, there was something at the company just now.”
“It’s fine; young people being busy with work is good. It’s all good practice,” Zhu Zhulan said with a smile.
Fu Anyun picked up the conversation and praised Ye Jiayuan highly. “Our Xiaoyuan has been training herself since university; she’s much more capable than we were back then.”
Ye Jiayuan only nodded slightly and said softly, “Not at all.”
After chatting a bit longer, Fu Anyun saw Zhu Zhulan and her daughter off, and then the group walked to the cars.
There were no plans for the afternoon, but Fu Anyun insisted on going home. “I have something to discuss with Xiaoying.”
As she spoke, Fu Anyun’s gaze moved back and forth between Fu Chaoying and Ye Jiayuan.
Fu Chaoying froze slightly, only to hear Ye Jiayuan say softly, “All right; I happen to have something to discuss with you as well.”
Fu Chaoying froze again, and then saw the same confusion and shock in her cousin’s eyes.
Fu Anyun stared deeply at Ye Jiayuan, while Chu Yiyun stood off to the side without saying anything.
After everyone split up and got into their cars, Fu Chaohua blurted out, “Sister Jiayuan, are you going to come clean to my mom directly?”
At her question, Ye Jiayuan turned and looked at Fu Chaoying, as if seeking her opinion.
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There will be a second update today! It’ll be posted by 11 at the latest [heart]
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Second edit: so sleepy! The bonus chapter has been posted——
Good night, everyone!