“So, do you want to be my girlfriend? The kind where we cultivate feelings with marriage as the ultimate goal.”
Ye Jiayuan’s voice was cool yet gentle, like a soothing love song singing softly in Fu Chaoying’s heart.
The study’s overhead light hit her, casting her in half-light and half-shadow, creating a soft halo around her. Fu Chaoying felt her mind go blank, as if submerged by a sudden tide, her ability to think seemed to vanish in that instant.
Fu Chaoying gazed at her, a complicated emotion rising in her heart like a tangled mess of yarn she wanted to unravel but didn’t know where to start.
One question crashed around inside her, nearly bursting forth: Do you like me?
But her pride, bruised by a recent rejection, combined with adult rationality, made it difficult to ask so bluntly. She didn’t want to taste that sense of defeat again.
Fu Chaoying’s lashes fluttered as she changed her phrasing: “Why me?”
Ye Jiayuan stared at her calmly, her gaze honest and earnest. “I don’t have the time to get to know someone new, to spend time with them, and fall in love.”
“In our past interactions, I’ve found our dynamic to be comfortable, sustainable, and we know each other’s backgrounds well.”
“I will take this relationship seriously, with the intent of marriage.”
Looking at her, Fu Chaoying felt an indescribable bitterness rise in her heart. She choked up slightly before asking with a hint of self-mockery: “Is this… blind-date style dating?”
Ye Jiayuan smiled imperceptibly, appearing somewhat helpless. “Something like that.”
“We can agree on a set term. If we don’t fall in love, we can part ways.”
“Of course, during the process of cultivating feelings, you can propose an end at any time.”
After Ye Jiayuan finished, she added seriously: “My core advantage is likely that I can give you all the resources you want and, furthermore, I will not cheat.”
She spoke the latter half casually, but Fu Chaoying’s heart tightened. It was impossible not to think of her ex. Ye Jiayuan’s sister and that cheating scandal that had rocked both families. It was a shadow she had spent months digesting.
Ye Jiayuan added warmly and honestly: “But I have flaws. I am very busy with work and don’t have much time.”
“That includes the fact that we might be long distance, but I will try my best to make time to be with you.”
At this moment, Fu Chaoying could only hear her own breathing and heartbeat. Then, she saw Ye Jiayuan lean closer, staring into her eyes as she asked: “Will you consider me?”
Hearing this, Fu Chaoying could clearly feel her heart beating at an extraordinary speed, as if it were about to leap out of her chest.
Ye Jiayuan’s terms were too tempting. Whether from a practical or emotional standpoint, it was hard to say no. Xingye International was a powerful enterprise across Mainland China, Singapore, and Hong Kong. They had excellent strategic vision, a hand in every industry, and possessed resources and connections beyond the reach of ordinary people.
On an emotional level, her feelings for Ye Jiayuan were complex, she was starved for love; having glimpsed a bit of special treatment, she wanted to possess it at any cost. And when such a “favored daughter of heaven” looks her way and extends an olive branch, who could refuse without hesitation?
But if they truly started dating, the distance, the relationship between the two families, and whether she and Ye Jiayuan were truly compatible were all hurdles standing between them.
Fu Chaoying’s inner thoughts were a mess, various ideas crashing into each other. But on the surface, she remained calm and reserved: “I know you are very good to me, Sister Jiayuan, but this is not a small matter. I need some time to think.”
Ye Jiayuan smiled, a flash of understanding crossing her eyes. She turned to look at the brilliant sunset outside the window. “Of course. This is your life. You can take your time to consider, and you have the right to make any choice.”
Fu Chaoying followed her gaze out the window, asking as if casually: “Sister Jiayuan… why did you send me the Magnolia Painting?”
Ye Jiayuan turned back slowly, her gaze warm and serious. “Because you are worth it.”
Fu Chaoying’s heart trembled, as if brushed by a feather. Just as she was about to ask further, she saw a car pull into the courtyard below. It was a Porsche she knew all too well. Ye Yi’an’s car.
Just as Fu Chaoying retracted her gaze, she saw Ye Jiayuan step in front of her, blocking her view. A crisp scent of magnolia instantly invaded her senses, and then she heard a gentle sentence: “Don’t be afraid.”
These were the same two words Ye Jiayuan had said the day she brought her back to the Ye house to confront Ye Yi’an. Just two words, yet they carried the power to soothe the soul.
Fu Chaoying looked up suddenly, meeting her eyes. At this moment, the two were so close that their noses were only a fist’s width apart, their breaths were clearly audible to each other.
Their warm breaths mingled, and the air was thick with a hint of ambiguity. Fu Chaoying’s gaze locked onto the depths of Ye Jiayuan’s pupils, which reflected her own face, clear and focused. Her heart accelerated again.
The air seemed to freeze in that moment, only to be shattered by a knock on the door.
“Sister, is A-Ying with you?” Ye Yi’an’s voice came from the other side of the door.
The two abruptly pulled apart.
Fu Chaoying took a deep breath, trying to calm her heart, only to hear Ye Jiayuan say calmly: “We’re discussing work.”
“Okay, Mom asked me to come get you guys for dinner.”
There was no more sound outside. Fu Chaoying stood rooted to the spot, but she felt her right hand enveloped in a warm, delicate sensation, it was gone in a flash, but her fingertips couldn’t help but tremble.
Ye Jiayuan released her hand immediately after the squeeze, then patted her shoulder lightly. “Let’s go downstairs for dinner.”
It was a gesture of comfort, perfectly distanced and measured. A smile touched Fu Chaoying’s lips, but a wave of complex emotions rose within her again.
Fu Chaoying followed Ye Jiayuan downstairs. Just as they reached the stairs, they heard the conversation from below.
“You kids, returning home one by one without any advance notice, is this supposed to be a surprise for me?” Chu Yiyun’s voice carried a hint of mock-reproach, but her joy was palpable.
Ye Yi’an was acting cute and flattering her mother. Fu Chaoying acted as if she hadn’t heard, automatically filtering out everything related to her.
Fu Anhua saw Fu Chaoying and Ye Jiayuan coming down together. As the only person “in the know,” he had a bit of a gossipy heart. Additionally, to protect his younger cousin, he walked directly to Fu Chaoying’s side, quietly separating her from Ye Yi’an.
In such an awkward situation, Fu Chaoying walked between Ye Jiayuan and Fu Chaohua, feeling incredibly secure.
The three sat down. Ye Yi’an was seated quite far from her, only casting secret glances at her, remaining unusually silent. Fu Chaoying didn’t look at her directly, simply eating quietly and trying her best to pretend she didn’t exist.
Since the younger generation was rarely all together, Chu Yiyun began asking about their work, mentioning that Ye Jiayuan had been focusing on the arts lately and could help Chaoying more.
Fu Chaoying smiled faintly. “Sister Jiayuan is our company’s strategic consultant; she has already helped me a lot.”
Ye Jiayuan glanced at her imperceptibly before adding casually: “Xiao Ying is very independent; she generally doesn’t ask me for help.”
This was blatant sarcasm… Where was Ye Jiayuan’s usual composure?! Fu Chaoying grumbled inwardly, yet felt a hidden sense of pleasure.
Fu Chaoying’s eyes curved into crescents as she accepted the compliment gracefully: “Sister Jiayuan flatters me.”
Ye Jiayuan glanced at her again, a trace of an unnoticeable smile flickering in her eyes.
Fu Chaohua observed the two of them silently. He felt something wasn’t right, didn’t Xiao Ying say Sister Jiayuan rejected her? The atmosphere between these two didn’t look like a rejection at all.
Chu Yiyun continued to express concern for Fu Chaoying’s work, offering various comforts. Fu Chaoying looked up to give brief answers, but when she looked down again, she found several peeled shrimp in her bowl.
Fu Chaoying turned her eyes slightly and noticed that Ye Jiayuan’s plate was full of shrimp shells.
She was startled, thinking Ye Jiayuan was being too blatant. Auntie Chu was sitting right next to her!
A second later, Fu Chaoying calmed down, it was common for sisters from family-friend backgrounds to peel shrimp for each other. Fu Chaoying quietly ate them, never finding a chance to say thank you to Ye Jiayuan.
After dinner, Fu Chaohua had the habit of going for a walk. Fu Chaoying naturally went with her, wanting to use the opportunity to calm down and escape the complicated vortex of the Ye house. Ye Yi’an happened to be kept at home by Chu Yiyun for a chat and couldn’t get away.
As Fu Chaoying and Fu Chaohua headed out, they heard footsteps behind them.
Ye Jiayuan caught up in a few steps. “The forecast says it might rain, take two umbrellas.”
Fu Chaoying and Fu Chaohua took them. “Thank you, Sister Jiayuan.”
However, Ye Jiayuan didn’t turn back home. She walked beside them naturally. “I’ll walk with you for a bit.”
Fu Chaohua, unaware of the actual status between the two, walked in the middle to prevent any potential awkwardness. Fu Chaoying was happy with this arrangement as she needed to clear her head.
The group chatted idly, mostly about gossip in their social circles, and the atmosphere was relaxed. Walking by the lake, a cool breeze dispelled the summer heat. They encountered many people walking dogs. Fu Chaoying watched them with envy.
They met a fluffy little Bichon Frise who was wagging its tail happily. It was cutely “against the rules” and even followed them. Fu Chaoying bent down and asked the owner politely: “May I pet it?”
The owner agreed enthusiastically. “Of course! He loves making new friends!”
Fu Chaohua watched his cousin petting the dog with a bright smile. He noticed that although Ye Jiayuan stood a bit further back, her gaze was fixed on his sister, a rare softness in her eyes. Fu Chaohua was surprised and puzzled, the vibe between them was definitely subtle.
Fu Chaoying had fun with the dog. Her cousin teased: “Do you want to raise another one?”
Fu Chaoying’s mother had once raised a dog named Xing Xing, who accompanied Fu Chaoying from childhood to her teenage years. It was a very important presence in her life. Memories flashed back, and Fu Chaoying froze for a moment, a trace of loss in her eyes. She shook her head with a smile: “Maybe I’ll consider it in the future.”
Before she finished her sentence, she heard the sound of a dog running followed by a sharp bark. Fu Chaoying looked back to see Ye Jiayuan had already run in front of her, arms outstretched, blocking a Labrador that was lunging toward her.