"...You should apologize to your aunt and uncle. They're doing it all for your own good, and they won't be truly angry with you..."
The butler glanced at her with displeasure. The woman speaking was Zhan Ruoqing. She had come to see their young master early this morning, and he disliked this woman who had absolutely no sense of propriety.
Qi Xuan's expression was indifferent, as if he had no intention of paying attention to her. Seeing the butler walk in, he calmly interrupted her, "Miss Zhan, please wait a moment. Butler, who was that just now?"
"A delivery guy," the butler replied. "Young master, someone entrusted him to deliver a gift to you."
"A gift?" Qi Xuan furrowed his brows. "Who sent it?"
The butler glanced at Zhan Ruoqing beside him and said loudly, "It's from your girlfriend!"
Qi Xuan's eyebrows slightly rose. When did he get a girlfriend? How come he didn't know?
Zhan Ruoqing's expression turned nervous. She forced a smile and said, "Butler, you do like to joke. How could Qi Xuan have a girlfriend? This must be some woman with ulterior motives, deliberately sending it under the guise of Qi Xuan's girlfriend. I think we should just throw this thing away. What if it's something dangerous..."
"Bring it here," Qi Xuan said calmly.
Zhan Ruoqing's face immediately turned quite unpleasant. The butler glanced at her and presented the gift box to Qi Xuan.
Qi Xuan untied the ribbon and opened the box. Inside, he found a vase in a modern minimalist style. Next to the vase was a card.
[Dear Mister Next Door, Hello! Sorry for my abruptness last night. This vase is beautiful and matches your temperament perfectly. I hope you like it~]
At the bottom of the card was a cute cat emoji. Qi Xuan's lips curved slightly. He had already guessed who had sent the vase.
Seeing Zhan Ruoqing craning her neck, trying to sneak a peek at the card, he reached out to cover it and picked up the vase.
Zhan Ruoqing immediately let out a disdainful scoff. "I told you it was someone impersonating! Butler, look at this vase. It's clearly just an ordinary modern craft, not worth much at all. It's probably only worth a few hundred yuan! How can something like this be worthy of Qi Xuan..."
"Butler," Qi Xuan took out the card, placed the vase back in the box, and handed it to the butler. "Put the vase in my bedroom."
Zhan Ruoqing's smile froze. Before she could speak, she heard Qi Xuan add, "By the bedside."
"Yes, young master." The butler readily agreed.
Zhan Ruoqing's face had become even more unpleasant. Why would Qi Xuan put such a cheap vase in his bedroom, and by the bedside at that?!
Who sent this vase, and why did Qi Xuan care so much? Could it be that Qi Xuan really had a girlfriend? No, that was impossible!
"Wait." Qi Xuan called back the butler who was about to go upstairs, as if he had thought of something.
Zhan Ruoqing felt a wave of relief, looking at Qi Xuan expectantly. Qi Xuan must have changed his mind; he wouldn't like such a cheap vase!
"Butler," Qi Xuan's expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Don't let Miss Zhan in so casually from now on. I don't want my girlfriend to misunderstand."
Zhan Ruoqing's face instantly turned pale!
Her lips moved several times before she could force out a smile. "Qi, Qi Xuan, we're friends. You can't stop talking to other women just because you have a girlfriend, can you? Your girlfriend wouldn't really be that petty..."
"Miss Zhan," Qi Xuan's face darkened, and he impatiently interrupted her. "If I hear you say one more bad word about my girlfriend, don't blame me for being rude! See her out!"
Zhan Ruoqing's face was as pale as paper. Seeing the servants coming to escort her out, she could only rise and take her leave.
Seeing that she had finally left, the butler breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but complain, "Miss Zhan was quite sensible when she was little, how is she so..."
He paused, then thought for a moment and said, "So passive-aggressive."
Qi Xuan chuckled slightly. "You're quite trendy."
"One has to keep up with the times, can't be left behind by you young people. But..." the butler said with a face full of gossip, "Young master, do you really have a girlfriend? When will you bring her to meet us?"
Qi Xuan was somewhat helpless. "Go do your work."
The butler left with a dejected air. Their young master had grown up and had his own thoughts, refusing to tell his old butler.
After delivering the gift, Ye Zhi went directly to Ye Corporation. She had no idea that by tipping the delivery guy an extra red envelope, she had inadvertently "given" herself a boyfriend.
After visiting Ye Corporation, Ye Zhi rushed to Fengleju without delay.
Although she had thwarted Ou Minghan's plan, given his insidious nature, he likely had other contingencies in place. She had to keep a close eye on things to prevent any further incidents.
As it was nearing the end of the workday, Ye Zhi received a call from Ye Yongxian.
"Little Zhi, your sister's friend is having a birthday, and she's invited your sister to a birthday banquet. Your sister is worried about being bullied at the banquet and wants you to accompany her..."
Ye Zhi's eyebrows slightly rose. This was clearly Ou Minghan's idea. He knew that if Ye Qinya invited her directly, she would absolutely refuse. But if Ye Qinya went through Ye Yongxian, playing the victim, and asked him to extend the invitation, it would be difficult for her to decline.
"If she's afraid of being bullied..." Ye Zhi said lightly, "Then why not just not go?"
"You little thing!" Ye Yongxian said with a wry smile. "You can't stop your sister from socializing just because something might happen, can you?"
"Then let Ou Minghan accompany her. That's what a boyfriend should do. If he can't do it, wouldn't that make Qinya see his true colors even more clearly?"
"Aren't they having a spat? Qinya said he wouldn't go," Ye Yongxian sighed helplessly. "Alright, Little Zhi, just accompany your sister to the banquet and protect her from being bullied. Besides, everyone attending will be your age, and you should meet some new friends. You're so young, don't think about work all day..."
Ye Zhi couldn't help but complain in her heart. Was it because she loved her work? She was saving herself!
"I'm not going. I'd have to prepare a gift, and I'm so stingy!" Ye Zhi said honestly.
Ye Yongxian was speechless. "Your sister will prepare the gift; you don't have to pay..."
She didn't have to prepare a gift? Then she might as well go. It seemed the lesson she taught them last time wasn't enough. This time, she'd escalate the stakes.
"Alright." Ye Zhi agreed, and Ye Yongxian happily hung up the phone.
The banquet was held at the Xingmeng Club. Ye Zhi arrived at the private room where the banquet was being held and saw Ye Qinya waiting for her at the entrance.
As they walked into the private room, an arrogant woman approached them. "Ye Qinya, is this your sister who makes a fuss over nothing?"