A harsh voice rang out.
Jing Yiyi turned her head to see Shen Tingyu holding a glass of wine, one arm crossed, looking at her with interest.
She flattened her lips and quickly composed herself, saying dismissively, "What do you mean, stealing someone's love? It's been so long since you broke up, and you're still thinking about your ex-boyfriend?"
"So what? At least we were together once. That's better than you not even having a chance," Shen Tingyu smiled.
Jing Yiyi couldn't refute this, her expression turning ugly. "Who do you think you are, daring to point fingers at me?"
"Don't be angry. I came to you because there's something I want to discuss," Shen Tingyu said.
"What do I have to discuss with you? Shen Tingyu, we have too many grievances," Jing Yiyi scoffed. "Why would you expect me to be pleasant to you?"
"As the saying goes, it's better to resolve enmity than to create it. There's something I want to talk about that you'll definitely be interested in. Don't rush to refuse me," Shen Tingyu said with a good-natured smile.
"Spit it out if you have something to say," she said impolitely.
"Do you know why he rejected his family's arrangements?" Shen Tingyu asked.
"Are you sick? How would I know?"
"It's because there's another woman by Ji Zhixiu's side!" Shen Tingyu blurted out.
The words were shocking. Jing Yiyi froze. So this man wasn't completely uninterested in women after all?
"That's why he rejected you. If you want to have him, you can cooperate with me! We'll drive that woman away together." As she said this, Shen Tingyu lowered her voice.
Jing Yiyi came back to her senses, looking at Shen Tingyu. A mocking smile curved her lips, and her bright face held a hint of arrogance. "Shen Tingyu, do you think I'm stupid? You wouldn't be so kind."
Shen Tingyu looked at her seriously. "You don't have to believe me, but I'm serious. I'm very sincere about cooperating with you, and I will never fight with you for Ji Zhixiu. I simply can't stand that woman."
Jing Yiyi remained unmoved inwardly, but pretended to be tempted. "Then tell me, what do we need to do?"
"If you don't agree, I can't tell you the plan," Shen Tingyu wasn't foolish either.
"It seems you're not sincere. Why are you looking for me? By the way, who is this woman you're talking about?"
"Jiang Mian."
Jing Yiyi chewed on the name, feeling like she'd heard it somewhere before.
However, if she wanted someone, she would pursue them herself. Even if she couldn't get them, there were plenty of men with two legs in this world. She, Jing Yiyi, disdained using such underhanded tactics.
She put this question aside for now, set down her wine glass, and took a step forward in her high heels, leaning down to look at Shen Tingyu. "Shen Tingyu, this young lady isn't interested in cooperating with you. I hold grudges, and when you scheme against others, you should be careful. Be wary of my wrath, I fear you can't bear it."
"Also," she smiled, "tell me, did Ji Zhixiu only settle for you because he couldn't get Jiang Mian back then?"
She said this casually, as she didn't know the truth of the matter. She had no contact with this man before going abroad.
But if it could strike a blow to Shen Tingyu, that would be even better.
Shen Tingyu's face contorted for a moment. Preposterous!
Jing Yiyi truly had a venomous tongue!
Shen Tingyu felt stifled. If she could have contacted Ji Zhilan, she wouldn't have come to find this young lady, Jing Yiyi.
It seemed she would have to find Luo Fei.
...
Jing Yiyi walked out of the banquet hall.
The sky outside was overcast, looking like it might rain.
She took out her phone and dialed. "Uncle Jing, I'm done here. You can come pick me up."
"Okay, young lady. Please wait a moment."
After hanging up, Jing Yiyi suddenly felt a sense of emptiness. Why wasn't she happy at all after returning to the country?
Water droplets gathered in the air and soon began to fall, splashing onto the ground, creating ripples.
Jing Yiyi's phone rang, and Uncle Jing's apologetic voice came through. "Young lady, I'm truly sorry. Mr. Jing is drunk and asked me to pick him up. You know Mr. Jing only listens to me. Why don't you take a taxi back?"
"Okay, it's fine, go ahead, Uncle Jing. It's raining outside, be careful," Jing Yiyi reminded him.
"Alright, young lady, don't worry. I'll bring Mr. Jing back safely."
Hanging up again, Jing Yiyi rubbed goosebumps on her arms and whispered, "It's so cold."
"Those wild Arctic shrimp today are quite good," a man's approaching voice reached her ears.
Jing Yiyi turned her head and recognized the person. Her fox-like eyes narrowed, tinged with a hint of gritted teeth. "Ye Yi!"
Ye Yi paused, his eyebrows slightly raised. "Oh, Miss Jing, we meet again."
"What a cursed encounter!" Her anger was evident in her tone, and her face was flushed, from the cold, of course.
Ye Yi shrugged and looked at Ye San. "Is the car here?"
Ye San nodded. "Should be soon."
As soon as he spoke, a Rolls-Royce stopped at the foot of the steps. Ye Yi whistled. "Right on time!"
He looked at Jing Yiyi, his expression teasing. "Miss Jing, I'm leaving now. You can wait here slowly. By the way, do you want me to lend you a jacket?"
Jing Yiyi looked at his smug expression, wishing she could punch him in the face.
She scoffed. "Get lost!"
"Alright, since that's the case, I'll be going then."
The driver opened the door and held an umbrella for him. Ye Yi didn't look at her again and stepped into the back seat with his long legs.
Ye San sat in the passenger seat. "Where to?"
"To..." Ye Yi paused, then turned to look out the window. In just a few minutes, the rain had intensified. Coupled with the dark sky, Ye Yi could barely see Jing Yiyi.
But in his vision, he could vaguely see her figure stomping her feet to keep warm.
Thinking of the sleeveless dress she was wearing, with so much skin exposed, Ye Yi frowned. "Tell her to get in the car."
"Huh?" Ye San was momentarily stunned, then followed his gaze outside. "Miss Jing?"
"Who else?"
Ye San: "Miss Jing, in that state, she's unlikely to get in the car."
Ye Yi let out a mocking laugh. "If she doesn't come, she won't be able to get a car either. Just tell her this rain won't stop for at least two hours. Ask her if she'd rather freeze or go home?"
"Understood."
Ye San got out of the car in the rain and ran up the steps.
Ye Yi smirked. He was really being too kind. Maybe he'd reward himself with two cups of mango freeze-dried yogurt when he got back.
Soon, the car door was pulled open, and Jing Yiyi got in, bringing a gust of cold air with her.
Ye Yi frowned, found a dry towel, and threw it at her. "Wipe yourself, don't get me wet."
Given that he was giving her a ride, Jing Yiyi refrained from snapping at him. She grabbed the towel with one hand and said, "How did you know this rain wouldn't stop for two hours? How did you know I couldn't get a taxi?"
Ye Yi gave Ye San a meaningful glance. Ye San didn't dare to look back.
He hadn't relayed the latter half of his thought to Jing Yiyi.
"Are you going to talk?"
Ye Yi withdrew his gaze, amused by her. He even showed a hint of a smile.
Jing Yiyi saw his smile and felt a little uncomfortable. "What are you laughing at?"
When this man smiled, his teeth were red and white, incredibly seductive. He was quite good-looking.
"Miss Jing, taxis aren't allowed to pick up passengers on this road without Bi Yun's permission. Even if you managed to get a car, it wouldn't be able to come in. Not to mention the heavy rain today, where would you get a taxi? Hmm?"
His voice was languid, his words clear and precise. Although it was pouring outside, it sounded incredibly clear in Jing Yiyi's ears.
She inexplicably blushed.
"As for the weather, you just need to check the weather forecast on your phone," he said nonchalantly, leaning back against the seat in a relaxed posture, his long legs casually propped up, lacking any sense of formality.
"In any case, thank you..." Jing Yiyi dried her hair, and without pretense, said her thanks and handed him the towel.
If it weren't for Ye Yi, she would have surely fallen ill if she had gone home dressed so lightly.
Ye Yi took the towel and casually tossed it to Ye San. He rested his hands behind his head, his gaze sweeping over her. "No thanks, who told you I'm a good person?"
Jing Yiyi felt his gaze and raised her face to glare at him. "Don't think that just because I thanked you, you can stare at me wantonly. You're not allowed to look at me."
She was wearing a simple and elegant white sleeveless dress today, but after getting wet, it had become somewhat transparent.
Ye Yi chuckled. "What's there to look at about you?"
Jing Yiyi gritted her teeth, unsure whether it was Ye Yi's reaction to her anger or his disdain for her beauty that angered her more.
"Am I not pretty?"
"Not pretty," he shook his head.
In his eyes, there were only two categories of people in this world: Jiang Mian and everyone else.
For some reason, Jing Yiyi felt a surge of nameless anger. She leaned in abruptly, her face magnified in front of Ye Yi. "Take a good look, what part of me isn't pretty?"
Frankly, Jing Yiyi had a grand and bright face, with a pair of fox-like eyes that always held a hint of liveliness. Her height of 175 cm was considered outstanding among girls, and her demeanor was exceptional. She was the type that elders would favor.
When Mrs. Ji took a liking to her, she felt that this girl was lively and not dull. Even after studying abroad for a few years, she didn't have that dullness about her.
Ye Yi slowly sat up straight, his dark, deep eyes appraising her, not blinking.
"Thump... thump..."
Jing Yiyi suddenly became nervous. She knew it, she was definitely not unattractive! Had this man just realized it? Was he mesmerized?
"You..." he started to speak.
"How is it?" she asked.
They were too close, and Jing Yiyi was completely unaware.
Ye Yi's expression became increasingly serious. "You..."
"How is it, really?" Jing Yiyi began to get anxious.
"Can you stop interrupting me?" Ye Yi frowned, displeased.
What was wrong with this woman? Couldn't he even speak?
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry, I won't talk anymore! Hurry up and say it!" Jing Yiyi said kindly.
"I don't want to say it anymore. You've interrupted my train of thought," Ye Yi leaned back again. What did she take him for?
He didn't want to say it anymore.
"You..." Jing Yiyi's delicate eyebrows furrowed, her voice tinged with annoyance. She had never met such an annoying man!
"I'm sorry, I won't interrupt you! Hurry up and say it!" She forced a smile and said gently.
"Fine. Seeing as you're begging me so earnestly, I'll tell you."
Ye Yi nodded and sat up straight. "There's something stuck to your eyelash, looks like bird droppings!"