Chapter 12: Merely a Broken Arm

They were all the type who only knew brute force; Ye Yao and Shen Yan dealt with them in no time. Shen Yan glanced at the valiant Ye Yao, falling silent. Perhaps he truly didn't understand her.

The project manager watched in stunned disbelief. He’d been worried he might drag the two of them into trouble, but it turned out they didn’t need his help at all.

Ye Yao dusted off her hands, glanced at the villagers sprawled on the ground, and fixed her gaze on Zhao Zhicheng, the land project manager.

“What’s going on here?”

“President Ye, all my paperwork for this land is in order. They’re the ones going back on their word.”

Zhao Zhicheng let out a heavy sigh. “They promised to move out and took their compensation. But when they heard the land’s development value was high, they started making trouble to get more money. I paid them off a few times to keep the peace, but they just got worse. Now they’re at it again—I really can’t afford any more. The project hasn’t even started and I’ve spent nearly everything I have!”

Ye Yao found Zhao Zhicheng’s attitude sincere. She’d checked, and the paperwork was indeed all in order, so his words were credible.

The problem, then, lay with those people.

As she pondered this, Ye Yao sensed something off behind her. She was about to dodge an ambush when, out of nowhere, Shen Yan leapt in front and took the blow solidly with his right hand.

Ye Yao spun around and kicked the attacker over with one swift move.

“President Shen!” Zhao Zhicheng panicked.

This was the president of the Shen Group, a man of status and reputation. If something happened to him here, how could he ever explain it?

Ye Yao watched Shen Yan cradle his hand, leaning awkwardly against the car. She asked, a little awkward herself, “How are you?”

“My hand’s broken.”

“Why did you rush over? I could have dodged it easily.”

Such needless bravado!

To the others, her words sounded as if she thought Shen Yan was foolish and didn’t know how to protect himself.

Shen Yan had done it intentionally. He knew that with Ye Yao’s skills, she could have avoided it without any effort, but he wanted her to owe him a favor.

“Ye Yao, I just saved your life. Mind your manners.”

“You… never mind, I’ll take you to the hospital.” She steadied him. “President Zhao, we’ll have to sign the contract later.”

“That’s fine, you go to the hospital first.” Zhao Zhicheng reached out to help Shen Yan into the car, but Shen Yan’s look stopped him.

So be it.

There was some distance to the car, and Ye Yao supported Shen Yan as they walked.

Shen Yan, intentionally or not, leaned closer to her.

As the car drove off, Shen Yan clutched his hand and rested his head on Ye Yao’s shoulder.

Ye Yao stiffened but didn’t push him away.

She remained rational. Shen Yan was her equal in martial skill; logically, he shouldn’t have taken that blow. So why had he been struck so hard?

No matter how she thought about it, Ye Yao couldn’t shake the feeling something was amiss.

Shen Yan’s hand was indeed broken and put in a cast. It was his right hand, making everything inconvenient.

To thank him, Ye Yao ordered takeout for him.

Shen Yan frowned. “Is this how you show your gratitude?”

He hadn’t had her cooking in ages and found himself missing it.

Hearing this, Ye Yao pondered for a moment but truly couldn’t see what was wrong with her solution.

She softened her tone, “Is there a problem?”

“You expect an injured patient to eat takeout?” Shen Yan raised an eyebrow.

“I understand now.” Ye Yao promised she understood. “Wait a moment.”

She pulled out her new phone and typed quickly, then put it away. “Just wait here. I’ll go to the restroom first.”

With that, she left the room.

The hospital room had a bathroom, but Shen Yan didn’t call her out, thinking she must have gone home to cook for him.

At least she knew to do the right thing.

About an hour later, Qin Miao appeared carrying a lunchbox.

Shen Yan was resting with his eyes closed. At the sound of movement, he looked up and frowned upon seeing Qin Miao. “Why are you here?”

“Ah Yan, Sister Yao said you were hurt and asked me to bring you a home-cooked meal and take care of you.”

Qin Miao was consumed with jealousy. When the housekeeper finished making the meal, she’d already sent someone to look into the matter and found out Shen Yan was injured protecting Ye Yao?

At the banquet, Ye Yao had humiliated her in front of everyone, and afterward Shen Yan hadn’t tried to make amends.

Qin Miao’s reputation in their circle was sinking, and her resources were getting worse.

She had to find a way to win Shen Yan back.

“Ye Yao sent you?” Shen Yan frowned.

So the restroom was just an excuse to escape?

This woman had no conscience—he’d saved her and she’d just abandoned him?

Qin Miao set the lunchbox on the bedside table. “Ah Yan, eat something first. You’re hurt; you need to nourish yourself.”

Shen Yan closed his eyes. “I’m not hungry. You should go.”

“Ah Yan…” Qin Miao’s tears fell. “You won’t even look at me. Do you hate me now? Or do you think I’m getting in the way between you and Sister Yao?”

Her sobs irked Shen Yan. He opened his eyes, full of impatience.

“Qin Miao, don’t hope for things that were never yours.”

It was the first time Shen Yan had ever spoken so harshly to Qin Miao.

Qin Miao stared at him in disbelief. “Ah Yan, what do you mean?”

“We both know there’s no going back.” Shen Yan’s gaze was calm. “I overlooked what you did before for old times’ sake, but if you go too far, you’ll have to bear the consequences.”

“Ah Yan, what are you saying? What have I done?” Qin Miao’s heart pounded, but she forced herself to stay calm. “Did Sister Yao say something to you? I haven’t disturbed you two in three years. Why does she still slander me?”

Shen Yan said nothing, only looked at her steadily.

Qin Miao wilted under his gaze. “I see. If you find me annoying, I’ll leave.”

With those words, she left in tears.

Shen Yan glanced at the lunchbox on the bedside table, then looked away and closed his eyes.

…

The first thing Ye Yao did after leaving the hospital was find Zhao Zhicheng to sign the contract.

Shen Yan’s hand was just broken; he’d recover in a few days.

Once she secured the project, Ye Yao immediately told Ye Shen.

Ye Shen affectionately pinched her nose. “Yao Yao, you’re amazing!”

“It’s all thanks to you for checking my proposal, Brother.”

The two of them waited for a car in front of Ye Group’s building, standing close together, unconcerned about the passersby.

This was how close siblings acted.

At that moment, a car honked not far away. Ye Yao saw Shen Yan in the driver’s seat, one hand holding the steering wheel.

Only then did she remember Shen Yan.

“Brother, head home first. I’ll handle this.”

Ye Shen caught her arm. “No need. Doing the project well is the best response to him.”

“Don’t worry, there’s nothing between us anymore.” Ye Yao reassured him. “But his hand was injured because of me. I should at least pretend to show some concern.”

“Fine,” Ye Shen relented.

Ye Yao waved goodbye to Ye Shen, watching him get into the car and drive off before walking over to Shen Yan.

“Why did you leave the hospital? Driving one-handed is dangerous.”

The next second, Shen Yan opened the car door and got out.