“Sigh! I don’t know when it started, but Qianqian went from being a silent shadow to a porcupine.”
“Qianqian is so troublesome. Whenever Qingyan is around, she always clashes with her.”
Song Yuntao listened as the Ye family angrily criticized Ye Qianqian, and he felt a sharp pain in his heart.
In his memories, when Ye Qianqian first arrived from the countryside, she was almost without temper, allowing everyone to push her around.
Classmates at school, neighbors, relatives—everyone looked down on Ye Qianqian for growing up in the countryside, and they all distanced themselves from her and disliked her.
No matter how hard she tried, Ye Qianqian couldn’t fit in. She lived like an isolated island. He pitied her and often stepped in to help.
When he was injured and nearly paralyzed, she selflessly encouraged him and took care of him, yet he felt she was too clingy and humble.
After Qingyan returned to the country, he trampled on her sincerity without hesitation. Now, he had married the one he loved as he wished.
So why did his heart ache so much?!
Looking at Qingyan, surrounded by the Ye brothers, she hung her head and shrank her neck.
Tears fell like broken strings of pearls, making her appear even more fragile and pitiful. Anyone who saw her would feel sympathy.
In contrast, Ye Qianqian, who was half-embraced by Third Master Lu, seemed even more detestable!
No wonder the Ye family was so furious with her!
Last night, he had clearly sent Qianqian to Lu Zhenting’s room, so why was it Third Master Lu protecting her today?
Lu Jingchen, walking ahead, asked softly, “Qianqian, why did you let those who harbor ill will toward you off the hook?”
His hearing was astonishing. Even from a distance, he could hear the Ye family slandering Ye Qianqian. How dare they trample on the person he held dear?
“After all, he is my own brother. Does Third Master want me to cut ties with the Ye family? But I don’t want to be left all alone!”
Ye Qianqian spoke gently. Though she was already alone, she wouldn’t say it.
She couldn’t very well tell Lu Jingchen that she wanted to see Ye Ruixuan’s reaction when he found out he was flirting with his half-sister!
“I don’t want that. As long as you’re happy, even if you tear the sky of Rongcheng apart, I can fix it.” Lu Jingchen’s voice was deep and magnetic.
[The big shot was just very angry. He really cared about what Ye Qingyan said about her living and eating with Song Yuntao.]
[The big shot had already prepared a golden chain for the female supporting character, planning to imprison her and unlock different positions with her every day.]
[But the female supporting character really knows how to flirt. Now the big shot’s lips are curved upward—he must be in a great mood. Last night, he took pity on her and only unlocked eight positions with her.]
[Now that the big shot is happy, he’ll definitely unlock the remaining 100 positions with the female supporting character tonight.]
[Really? That’s so exciting! I’m a pervert who loves watching beautiful men and women unlock all kinds of positions.]
Watching the lines of golden text float before her eyes, Ye Qianqian looked at the person beside her in shock. She truly couldn’t tell if he was happy or not!
If Ye Qianqian hadn’t insisted on registering their marriage today, he would have been in Country Y negotiating a contract.
Since she wanted to stay for the banquet, he would accompany her.
Even though he disliked dining with strangers, with her by his side, nothing was impossible.
“Master, please take a seat. Miss Ye, please take a seat.” Bai Lang stepped forward and pulled out two chairs.
“Thank you.” Ye Qianqian politely sat down.
“Qianqian, how could you let Assistant Bai pull out a chair for you?” Father Ye, who had caught up, angrily questioned her.
Seeing Third Master’s assistant pull out a chair and that rebellious daughter foolishly sit down, Father Ye felt his second daughter was too naive.
Although Bai Lang was merely an assistant, his status in upper circles was extremely high. Even someone like Father Ye, the head of the Ye family, had to treat him with utmost respect.
Hearing this, Bai Lang quickly interjected, “President Ye, I am more than happy to do so. It is my honor to pull out a chair for Miss Ye. Do you have any objections?”
“None, none at all. Assistant Bai, please have a seat.” Father Ye hurriedly pulled out the chair beside Ye Qianqian, inviting Bai Lang to sit with an almost fawning demeanor.
“Have some tea to soothe your throat. If you’re hungry, have some snacks first.” After sitting down, Lu Jingchen personally poured a cup of tea and handed it to Ye Qianqian.
Meanwhile, Bai Lang swiftly brought the fruit platter from the center of the table to Ye Qianqian. The eagerness of the two men left Father Song and Father Ye utterly stunned.
Father Song, quick-witted, signaled the waiter to serve the dishes. He was nervous, not daring to take the seat next to Lu Jingchen.
This was his first time sharing a table with Third Master Lu. Usually, when he saw his father dining with Third Master Lu from afar, no one ever sat beside him.
Song Yuntao, who had caught up, pulled out the chair next to Father Song and sat down. Seeing an empty seat beside Lu Jingchen, Ye Qingyan walked over to take it.
“Yanyan, why aren’t you sitting next to Yuntao? Where are you going?” Father Song asked sternly.
“In-law, Yanyan probably wants to join her mother and brothers at their table,” Father Ye quickly mediated.
“Dad, I want to sit with my sister today,” Ye Qingyan said, stomping her foot coquettishly as she continued toward Lu Jingchen.
“Don’t be unreasonable. There’s no seat next to your sister!” Father Ye said displeased, knowing full well that Ye Qingyan wanted the empty seat beside Third Master Lu.
But he knew Third Master Lu was unattainably high above them. Usually, only Bai Lang accompanied him, and he had no idea where his eldest daughter got the audacity!
Although Third Master Lu had visited the Ye family with Bai Lang several times to deliver gifts, he had never stayed for a meal.
Within their circles, it was quietly rumored that Third Master preferred men, as he only ever attended events with the tall and handsome Bai Lang by his side.
Though Father Ye had signed contracts with Bai Lang more than once, this was his first time being in such close proximity to Third Master Lu.
Third Master Lu and Bai Lang were well-matched in both height and looks, and Ye Qianqian sitting between them didn’t seem out of place at all.
Father Ye assumed Bai Lang had taken a liking to Ye Qianqian, and Third Master Lu was merely being kind to his second daughter out of affection for his assistant.
After Song Yuntao’s unilateral annulment of the engagement, this second daughter no longer seemed like the obedient, submissive girl she once was.
Instead, she had grown sharp thorns from the cracks in the wall. Having lost the protection of her father and brothers, she knew to cling to Assistant Bai. That was fine—at least she was still somewhat useful.
So Father Ye said with a smile, “Qianqian, when we get home, I’ll explain today’s wedding events to you.”
“Dad, I understand your thoughts. I also know that Sister and Young Master Song are better suited. There’s no need for explanations,” Ye Qianqian said without a hint of emotion.
She was all too familiar with such scenes—they were always the same. A slap, then a piece of candy.
They dangled that tiny bit of warmth before her, making it impossible for her to let go or break away.
This time, thanks to the Living Yama, her father had taken the rare initiative to show her kindness. But they had absolutely no idea how deeply she had been hurt.
Fortunately, the Living Yama was by her side. Gratefully, she tugged at Lu Jingchen’s sleeve. However, Lu Jingchen thought she wanted to leave, which suited him perfectly.
Lu Jingchen had never liked others getting too close to him since childhood. He immediately pulled Ye Qianqian to her feet, saying, “We have matters to attend to and must leave now.”
With that, he took Ye Qianqian’s hand and strode away quickly.
His movements were so swift that Ye Qingyan, who hadn’t even gotten close to him yet, was left dumbfounded!
“Madam Song, haven’t you heard that Third Master doesn’t allow strangers near him? If there’s a next time, your legs will be broken.” After saying this, Bai Lang hurried after Lu Jingchen.
“You… you… you…” Ye Qingyan pointed at Bai Lang’s retreating figure, unable to form a complete sentence for a long while.
Bai Lang glanced back at Ye Qingyan, his gaze utterly indifferent, filled with disgust and mockery.