“After all, it was custom-made to my measurements, and I was the one who picked it out.”
Su Wanqing’s face turned pale. She stared at Yu Yan’s gradually receding figure, clenching her fists so tightly that the ill-fitting diamond ring dug painfully into her palm.
He Fan, the position of Young Madam of the He family, a future of boundless glory… all of it should have been hers six years ago.
It was all her own fault—she had been young and short-sighted back then, swayed by her mother and stepfather’s persuasion into believing that a better future awaited across the ocean.
In the end, her stepfather’s business plummeted, and she spent years abroad gaining nothing of substance except the skill of pleasing people.
Meanwhile, she watched Yu Yan occupy the position she once held, enjoying everything that should have belonged to her.
She refused to accept it.
So she came back, meticulously orchestrating their reunion. Sure enough, He Fan still had feelings for her.
Men were all the same—they could never let go of the pure, unattainable first love of their youth.
Su Wanqing took a deep breath, suppressing the irritation in her heart, and put back on her flawless, gentle smile.
It didn’t matter that the ring didn’t fit. What she was after wasn’t He Fan’s love—it was the power and influence of the He family.
At noon, in the employee cafeteria.
Su Wanqing was surrounded by a few colleagues eager to curry favor with her. She basked in this feeling of being the center of attention, deliberately choosing a table diagonally across from Yu Yan.
“Wanqing, that diamond ring of yours is so dazzling—Young Master He gave it to you, right? How many carats is it?”
Su Wanqing raised her hand slightly, letting the diamond catch and refract even more brilliant light: “He picked it out himself. Honestly, I thought it was a bit too flashy, but he said an engagement ring must be the best.”
She paused, then added, “He said it’s the only way to match the fate of us finding each other again after losing each other.”
“From school uniforms to wedding gowns—how romantic,” another colleague chimed in. “Young Master He truly dotes on you.”
Su Wanqing smiled without replying, her gaze drifting toward Yu Yan, who was eating alone at the diagonal table.
Yu Yan was wearing a cream-colored turtleneck sweater today, quietly looking at her phone, seemingly oblivious to the commotion nearby.
But Su Wanqing’s sharp eyes caught something—when Yu Yan raised her hand to pick up food, the edge of her turtleneck shifted slightly, revealing a few ambiguous red marks on the side of her neck.
Su Wanqing’s eyes flickered, and she sneered inwardly.
Broke up just a few days ago and already sleeping with another man. Acting so aloof and superior, even mocking her—at her core, she was no better.
Whoever that man was, he must be someone who couldn’t even be brought into the light, not even bothering to cover up a hickey.
She picked up her tray and walked straight over to sit across from Yu Yan. “Sister Yu Yan, you don’t mind if I sit here, do you?”
Yu Yan looked up, glanced at her, and said, “Suit yourself.”
Su Wanqing picked up her spoon and stirred her soup slowly, then suddenly let out an “Oh my” in a voice pitched just right—loud enough for everyone with perked ears to hear.
“Sister Yu Yan, what happened to your neck? Is it an allergy?” She furrowed her brows, her expression one of pure concern.
Yu Yan set down her chopsticks and dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “Mosquito bite.”
“Mosquito?” Su Wanqing covered her mouth with a light laugh. “It doesn’t look like it to me… Could it be a hickey?”
The surrounding area went silent instantly, and several curious gazes immediately focused on Yu Yan.
Since joining the company, Yu Yan had been known as the untouchable ice queen—beautiful, highly capable, but extremely private about her personal life. No one had ever heard of her being close to any man.
Suddenly being exposed as having a hickey was explosive gossip.
Yu Yan looked at the barely concealed smugness and provocation in Su Wanqing’s eyes and found it rather tedious.
Such low-level tactics—only Su Wanqing could take such delight in them.
“Miss Su seems very interested in other people’s private lives?”
“I’m just worried about you.” Su Wanqing blinked, her smile innocent. “Sister Yu Yan must be dating someone, right? What does he do? When are you going to bring him around for everyone to meet?”
She pressed on relentlessly, determined to tear down Yu Yan’s aloof facade in public.
Yu Yan set down her napkin, leaned back slightly, and met Su Wanqing’s gaze. “I’m not dating. I’m married.”
“Married?” The smile on Su Wanqing’s face froze instantly. She was genuinely stunned.
How long had it been since Yu Yan and He Fan broke up? And she was already married? What a joke!
Murmurs rippled through the surrounding crowd.
Su Wanqing quickly snapped back to her senses, her mind racing.
Yu Yan must have married someone at random out of heartbreak, just to spite He Fan.
With that thought, Su Wanqing felt instantly reassured, even a surge of condescending pity and satisfaction welling up inside her.
She put her smile back on. “Congratulations, Sister Yu Yan. But…”
She drew out her words, her gaze meaningfully sweeping over Yu Yan’s bare left hand. “Why haven’t I seen you wearing a ring? Haven’t had time to buy one yet? Or…”
She gracefully raised her own left hand, the massive diamond nearly blinding under the cafeteria lights.
“Actually, you really should get a ring—it’s the symbol of marriage, after all. It only happens once in a lifetime, so it’s worth it.”
Her tone was earnest. “Women sometimes shouldn’t be too hard on themselves. If you can’t afford a big one, a small one will do. It’s the thought that counts, don’t you think?”
The words were beautifully spoken, but every sentence was laced with barbs.
The colleagues around Yu Yan all looked at her differently—sympathy, curiosity, speculation, even some eager for a show.
“Did Yu Yan just marry some random person?”
“How come she doesn’t even have a ring…”
“Is her husband’s situation not great?”
Whispers rose softly.
Yu Yan listened, her face expressionless.
She even felt a little like laughing.
If these people—especially Su Wanqing—knew who she had married, the scene would be absolutely spectacular.
Unfortunately, now wasn’t the time.
“Miss Su is right.” Yu Yan suddenly smiled, the radiant color spreading from the corners of her eyes and brows silencing the surrounding noise.
She looked at Su Wanqing, her gaze clear yet seemingly seeing through everything.
“I really do need to pick out a ring carefully.”
Su Wanqing felt an inexplicable unease from her smile, but she forced herself not to show weakness, dismissing it as Yu Yan putting on a brave face to save face.
“By the way, have you had the wedding yet?” Su Wanqing pressed her advantage, her tone growing more considerate. “If not, I know a few good wedding planners I could recommend to you. Although your husband’s circumstances can’t reach the standard of the He family, a simple ceremony should still be achievable, right?”
Every word reminded Yu Yan and everyone present that she had married into the prestigious He family, while Yu Yan had married some nobody—they were now worlds apart.
Yu Yan picked up her tray and stood, moving unhurriedly, her back straight as a rod.
“No need to trouble yourself.”
Su Wanqing stared at her retreating figure, the satisfaction in her eyes nearly spilling over.
Yu Yan was married, to a poor man who couldn’t even afford a ring.
As for He Fan, whatever lingering affection and guilt remained should now be completely severed.
From now on, He Fan belonged to Su Wanqing, and the position of the He family’s young mistress was hers too.
She took out her phone and opened her chat with He Fan.
“Fan, guess what big news I heard at the company today? Sister Yu Yan actually got married! I really didn’t see that coming… but it seems she doesn’t even have a wedding ring… how strange. Are you picking me up after work tonight? Missing you~”
The message sent successfully. Su Wanqing cut a piece of steak and brought it to her mouth, feeling pleased.
At six in the evening, downstairs at Lingyu Design.
Yu Yan had just stepped out of the office building when her path was blocked.