Chapter 124: The Gu Family Goes First

Hearing this, Shen Tiantian looked at Shen Yan in terror, unable to stop herself from pleading, "Second Brother, just let me stay here and help you. I won't cause any trouble..."

The journey back had already been an ordeal, and she did not want to endure any more.

At that moment, a commotion came from the living room; it must have been Ye Yaoyao returning. Hearing the sound, Shen Tiantian didn't wait for Shen Yan to speak before she bolted out like an arrow released from a bow.

The place where Yaoyao was felt like the only safe harbor.

Shen Tiantian ran out and threw herself into Ye Yaoyao’s arms. Ye Yaoyao was pushed back a few steps before she managed to steady herself. Shen Tiantian offered her a genuine smile, "Yaoyao, you’re back..."

Watching this scene, Ye Shen’s eyes darkened uncontrollably.

"I’m back."

"My second brother is cooking, we just need to wait."

After saying this, Shen Tiantian snuck a glance at Ye Shen, then leaned in to whisper in Ye Yaoyao’s ear, "Yaoyao, President Ye doesn't seem to be in a good mood today. I don’t know what’s wrong, so be careful when you talk to him later."

Upon hearing this, Ye Yaoyao raised her eyebrows in disbelief. Her older brother was in a bad mood today? And he even let Shen Tiantian notice it?

She knew that her brother usually hid his emotions deeply; the average person would never be able to tell. So, was this intentional?

Ye Yaoyao glanced at Ye Shen and found his gaze fixed on Shen Tiantian. Seeing this, she gave a meaningful smile. "Then go and ask him why he’s unhappy for me."

"Huh?" Shen Tiantian pointed at herself, looking utterly bewildered. "Me? Ask him? I..."

This was the easiest way to become collateral damage!

"Just ask for me. After all, he’s my boss; if he’s in a bad mood, I’ll be the one to suffer." Ye Yaoyao’s words sounded pitiful, but her tone was indifferent.

"Fine." Although Shen Tiantian was terrified, she mustered her courage out of consideration for Ye Yaoyao’s situation. After all, Yaoyao had helped her so much.

Shen Tiantian tentatively sat down beside Ye Shen. She tried her best to smile, though it looked worse than crying. "President Ye, what’s wrong today? Are you in a bad mood?"

She weighed her words carefully. "If the tutoring has been too tiring lately, we can take a break for a while. It’s really okay."

Ye Shen was already annoyed that Ye Yaoyao had pushed her over to check on him. Now, she wanted to stop the tutoring? How could this girl be so oblivious to social cues?

As Ye Shen stewed in his thoughts, the fire in his chest burned even hotter, but realizing this was all his own one-sided desire, he had no choice but to endure it.

"No, there's no need to stop."

"Are you sure it's okay? If you're too tired, we can stop." Shen Tiantian said sincerely. She was exhausted just from studying during the day. How much more draining was it for Ye Shen, who worked all day and then tutored her at night? Both were incredibly taxing.

"It's fine." Ye Shen couldn't help but frown.

Having grown up in the Shen family, Shen Tiantian knew exactly when Ye Shen was on the verge of losing his temper, so she immediately shut her mouth. She shot Ye Yaoyao a deep look and then stood up to walk away.

Shen Yan was fast, and the dishes he prepared were not simple. Soon, four dishes and a soup were placed on the table. The aroma of the food filled the air...

Of the four people at the table, only Shen Tiantian felt uncomfortable. She felt like she was in the middle of a massive battlefield. She glanced at the other three—how could they eat so calmly?

"I didn't expect Mr. Shen to have such great culinary skills. It seems Yaoyao must have lived a good life when she was with you," Ye Shen remarked with a sarcastic edge.

Shen Yan’s chopsticks paused, and he looked at Ye Yaoyao. "It wasn't before, but it certainly will be after."

"After?" Ye Shen retorted sharply. "Do you still have an 'after'?"

Hearing this question, Ye Yaoyao’s hand faltered, but she continued to eat. Shen Tiantian watched them with bated breath, terrified that they would start arguing and flip the table.

"Naturally, we do."

"Why don't I feel that way?"

"I don't need you to feel anything." Shen Yan frowned. He wouldn't let anyone else interfere with the matters between him and Ye Yaoyao.

"Oh, but I think you might really need to." Ye Shen smiled meaningfully.

A simple sentence, yet heard differently by the two men. Previously, it was Ye Yaoyao who was naive, plunging headlong into the comfort of Shen Yan’s affection. But having learned that lesson, if Ye Yaoyao were to be reckless again, Ye Shen would hold her down by force if necessary.

Shen Yan thought about how Ye Yaoyao grew up in the Ye family; she would never be able to shake off their shackles, so their future together might truly depend on Ye Shen. A stifled feeling of frustration lodged in his chest, and Shen Yan couldn't find a way to vent it.

The most miserable person at the table was Shen Tiantian. She looked from Shen Yan to Ye Shen, fearing they would come to blows at any second. Was Yaoyao’s charm truly that potent? Not only had she bewitched her second brother, but her boss as well...

The person in question, Ye Yaoyao, kept her head down and focused on her meal, pretending not to hear. Once she was full, she set down her chopsticks and headed upstairs. Shen Tiantian followed, but was stopped by Shen Yan. "Stop."

"Second Brother, what is it?" Shen Tiantian turned around, trembling.

"Go and wash the dishes."

"Okay." Shen Tiantian nodded. Going to the kitchen wasn't so bad; at least it meant escaping the battlefield between the two men.

However, just as she started to clear the table, Ye Shen spoke up. "Is this how you treat Yaoyao when you order her around at home?"

Shen Yan laughed with disdain. "President Ye, she is my sister. It’s not your place to tell me how to handle my own sister, is it?"

"And what if I insist on interfering?"

"In what capacity?" Shen Yan stared straight at Ye Shen. "As a tutor? Or... as a boyfriend?"

As the question hung in the air, the breath caught in both Ye Shen and Shen Tiantian’s throats.

"Brother, don't say such things." Shen Tiantian hurried to clear the bowls and chopsticks. "It’s just washing dishes, it’s not a big deal. I’ll go do it."

With that, she fled into the kitchen.

In the living room, Ye Shen looked at Shen Yan intensely. "Mr. Shen, isn't it a bit inconsiderate to keep two young women up so late?"

"I live here," Shen Yan retorted.

Ye Shen considered staying, but realizing it wouldn't be appropriate with the two women present, he eventually turned to leave. Watching him go, Shen Yan felt that any further development between Ye Shen and Shen Tiantian would be difficult.

Shen Tiantian lacked perception, and Ye Shen was too reserved. If no one poked through that layer of "window paper," how could anything progress? Of course, for his own sake, Shen Yan would find a way to play matchmaker.

...

Soon, the launch time for 3Y’s new collection arrived. The fans were waiting for this moment, but upon discovering that the new designs were remarkably similar to those of the Gu Corporation, they were shocked.

"What’s going on? Are 3Y and the Gu Corporation using the same designer?"

"But the Gu Corporation launched their collection first..."