Chapter 106: Blows Striking Heavily Against Shen Yan’s Face

Shen Yan was stunned upon hearing the decision. He had been brimming with confidence about this project, having meticulously reviewed the proposal and pulled several all-nighters to perfect it. It was the project he had invested the most effort into over the past year. Yet, he had been rejected? How could he possibly be rejected?

When Yu Wanqing saw Shen Yan exit the office, his usual aura of inevitable victory replaced by shock, she had already lost hope—only to find that this immense stroke of luck had ultimately fallen to her. Overcome with emotion, Yu Wanqing couldn't help but embrace Ye Yaoyao.

"Yaoyao, did you hear? I actually succeeded! I really succeeded!"

Yu Wanqing had been restless and unable to eat for days, terrified of failure. Thankfully, it had worked out.

The next second, Shen Yan’s cold gaze swept over them, and Yu Wanqing’s excitement abruptly ceased. Yet, her heart swelled with double the joy; after all, she had defeated Shen Yan.

Ye Yaoyao calmly patted her shoulder with an expression of knowing insight. "Didn't I tell you that you would succeed?"

"Yes, your words were prophetic."

Shen Yan, initially fuming and about to storm off, stopped in his tracks at Ye Yaoyao’s remark. He tilted his head slightly, locking eyes with her, both harboring their own hidden thoughts. Did she have anything to do with this?

Ye Yaoyao, meanwhile, felt a lingering sense of alarm. When Shen Yan had mentioned earlier that he intended to give this project to her, she had felt incredibly fortunate that she had already decided to hand it over to Yu Wanqing. She wasn't crazy enough to take on a project that required her to do all the heavy lifting herself.

As they left, Yu Wanqing clung to Ye Yaoyao and insisted on treating her to a meal. While ordering, Yu Wanqing kept smiling, diligently pushing the menu toward her. "Yaoyao, see what you’d like to have?"

Ye Yaoyao smiled with understanding, taking the menu. "Tell me, what are you plotting?"

"Yaoyao, you always know me best!" Yu Wanqing didn't bother to hide it. "Although I’ve secured the project, I’m terrified of failing to live up to expectations. So, I want to ask, as the project moves forward, could you keep an eye on things for me?" She needed guidance on the finer practical details.

Yu Wanqing knew her proposal had many flaws, but she hadn't wanted to hire outside help, wishing to win on her own merits. Though she didn't know what kind of dumb luck had led to her success, she was determined to do the work justice.

Upon hearing this, Ye Yaoyao paused, then nodded. She agreed it was a sensible request. Yu Wanqing’s proposal was indeed immature in several areas, and since the project was vital to the company, it was for the best that she keep a watchful eye on it.

"Alright," Ye Yaoyao agreed readily.

Yu Wanqing beamed. "Thank you, Yaoyao! You really are the best sister!"

From then on, every time they met, they discussed nothing but the project. Seeing this, Feng Yuqi couldn't help but tease, "Do you two workaholics have to be so intense? What does that leave for us men to do?"

"Don't try to stir up gender conflict. Both men and women are capable of working hard." Yu Wanqing retorted without hesitation. It wasn't about feminism; she simply detested people labeling women.

Realizing her tone might have been too harsh, she laughed awkwardly. "Yuqi, I was just joking."

"You weren't wrong. I think I was the one who was out of line." Feng Yuqi reflected on his words. "I need to correct my mindset."

Yu Wanqing was left stunned. She had just made a passing comment; she hadn't expected him to take it so seriously. She glanced at Ye Yaoyao, who only smiled.

After spending the evening discussing details with Yu Wanqing, Ye Yaoyao was bombarded with voice messages even after getting home. Exhausted, she yawned as she walked through her door and flicked on the light, only to be startled by Shen Yan sitting on her sofa with a dark expression.

The sudden noise forced Yu Wanqing to stop talking on the other end. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I have something to deal with here. I’ll call you when I’m done."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Ye Yaoyao kicked off her shoes and asked casually, "Why are you here today?"

"The Y-division project... was it you who gave it to Yu Wanqing?" Shen Yan asked bluntly. From the 'Three-Y' to the 'Y,' he had every reason to suspect that the person behind the scenes was Ye Yaoyao.

Ye Yaoyao froze, then stood straight, crossing her arms and denying it without batting an eye. "No." She had to admit, Shen Yan was sharp; he had hit the nail on the head immediately.

"Are you sure?" Shen Yan pressed.

Ye Yaoyao nodded. "Of course I'm sure."

Shen Yan didn't pursue the matter further, coolly changing the subject. "I'm hungry. Make me dinner."

"Why should I?" Ye Yaoyao found it absurd. Shen Yan would never outgrow his sense of superiority. No matter where he was, he always acted like the master, barking orders at others.

"Because I cooked for you before," Shen Yan replied with complete seriousness.

Ye Yaoyao: ...So, he was here to collect a debt? She instinctively wanted to retort that she hadn't forced him to cook, but feeling it wasn't worth the energy to argue over such a trivial matter, she sighed and headed to the kitchen.

Seeing this, Shen Yan’s gloomy mood lifted significantly. At least this woman still knew how to be sensible and wasn't constantly defying him.

Ye Yaoyao washed her hands and rolled up her sleeves. The ingredients in the fridge were simple, so she decided to make tomato and scrambled eggs, and a stir-fry of chili and pork. She had been exhausted from the project for days and lacked the energy for anything complex. Considering this, Shen Yan didn't press for more and ate the simple meal.

Afterward, he didn't rush to leave. As Ye Yaoyao finished washing the dishes and prepared to kick him out, he beat her to it. Shen Yan transferred a sum of money to her and said slowly, looking up, "This is the rent for today. How is that? Is it enough?"

"Just for tonight. You aren't staying any longer," Ye Yaoyao said helplessly.

Shen Yan didn't respond. When she came out of the shower, she saw him sprawled across the bed. Exhausted, she didn't have the energy to fight him; she pulled the quilt, and Shen Yan obligingly rolled aside, sliding under the covers.

She lay down, drifting into a daze, until a warm embrace pulled her close, followed by a cool sensation on her forehead. Ye Yaoyao shifted away, then tightened her grip on his embrace, eventually letting it be.

When she woke up, she found herself—for the first time ever—looking at Shen Yan while he slept. His eyes were closed, his lashes thick, his features as sharp as if carved by a blade. Even in sleep, he was impossibly handsome.

Ye Yaoyao couldn't help but recall how she used to be so infatuated that she would watch him sleep all night, only to head to work the next day feeling invigorated. Now, however, Ye Yaoyao picked up a pillow and slammed it heavily onto his face.