Chapter 31: Yaoyao, Please Don't Leave

When it came to boasting about his romantic exploits, Ji Yanxi became animated.
"Of course that's not a problem. What woman could possibly resist my charm?"
As he spoke, Ji Yanxi flamboyantly flicked his hair. "The moment news of the arranged marriage got out, the daughter of the Yu family couldn't wait to climb into my bed."
At this, Ji Yanxi paused, recalling that night. "Her skills were average, but with a little training, she could improve."
The Yu family?
Shen Yan's interest was piqued at the mention of those two words.
Wasn't Ye Yaoyao's close friend from the Yu family?
"So you're saying... she seduced you?" Shen Yan, rarely curious, asked.
"That's right."
"Then you'd better make sure the one who got into your bed is the one you're supposed to marry," Shen Yan reminded him kindly.
"Doesn’t the Yu family have only one daughter?" Ji Yanxi was confused.
He had confirmed her identity beforehand.
The woman had claimed to be the Yu family's daughter!
At his words, Shen Yan and Bai Mohan exchanged a knowing glance.
Before long, rumors of Ji Yanxi's tryst with Yu Qingqing spread like wildfire.
Yu Wanqing, for her part, was indifferent; she had never wanted the arranged marriage anyway.
At the Yu residence—
Yu Qingqing was being punished according to family law for her actions.
Yu Boyao was shaking with fury, pointing at Yu Qingqing with undisguised disappointment, his words merciless.
"You disgraceful creature! How dare you scheme for your own sister's future husband? How are you any different from your mother, willing to do anything to get your way?"
Yu Boyao had never gotten over what happened years ago, and now history was repeating itself—how could he possibly swallow his anger?
"If not for the fact that you're my own flesh and blood, I would never have allowed you into this family. Yet you show no gratitude, no appreciation. Over the years you've caused endless trouble, and now everyone knows about your latest scandal!"
The more Yu Boyao spoke, the angrier he became, and the harder the whip landed.
Yu Qingqing bit her lip, enduring in silence.
She had suffered enough in the Yu family. Fortunately, the Yu family always concealed their scandals, so outsiders had no idea about her real status at home and naturally treated her with respect because of her family name.
As long as she married into the Ji family, she would finally enjoy the privileges of a wealthy heiress.
She would never return to the Yu family.
That was exactly why Yu Qingqing had made her move.
Yu Boyao lashed her a few more times, wishing he could beat her to death.
Yu Wanqing watched from the sidelines before snatching the whip from his hand. "Enough. What's done is done. Why ruin your health over her?"
Seeing her, Yu Boyao heaved a heavy sigh and pulled her into his arms, voice full of regret. "Wanqing, I've failed you..."

To Yu Wanqing, Yu Boyao's guilt was endless.
"Dad, it's all right. I never wanted to marry into the Ji family anyway. If she likes him so much, let her have him."
Yu Wanqing comforted Yu Boyao. "Don't be angry anymore. You're not young—do you really think you're still a young man, getting worked up so easily?"
Soothed by her words, Yu Boyao affectionately tapped her nose. "All right, I'll listen to you and keep my temper in check."
"Go inside and rest. Leave the rest to me."
Yu Wanqing gently pushed Yu Boyao inside, as if coaxing a child. "Go on, go rest."
"All right. Don't tire yourself out," Yu Boyao replied, obediently going inside.
Yu Boyao was a completely different person depending on whether he was with Yu Wanqing or Yu Qingqing.
Yu Qingqing seethed with resentment. Weren't they both his daughters? Why was he so cruel only to her?
"Get up. Dad's gone."
Yu Qingqing tried to move but couldn't get up no matter how she tried.
Yu Boyao had shown no mercy.
Yu Wanqing made no move to help, only looked down at her from above.
"To marry into the Ji family, you really will stoop to anything. But I wonder if Ji Yanxi is worth all this scheming."
"What do you mean?" Yu Qingqing asked weakly.
"Don’t you know about Ji Yanxi's notorious affairs?" Yu Wanqing reminded her kindly.
But to Yu Qingqing, the words took on a different meaning.
"You're just jealous of me."
Yu Wanqing glanced at her. Even now, as weak as she was, Yu Qingqing still managed to lift her chin in pride. Yu Wanqing could only sigh.
Hopeless.
"Then I wish you a smooth wedding."
With that, Yu Wanqing turned and left.
...
After word got out about Yu Qingqing and Ji Yanxi, the Yu family, for the sake of appearances, had no choice but to continue preparing for their wedding.
Ji Yanxi realized he'd been set up, but he couldn't refuse outright.
Still, he wasn't ready to give up; he wanted to see for himself what the other Yu daughter was really like.
Allegedly, she was leagues ahead of Yu Qingqing.
Organizing a gathering was child's play for Ji Yanxi.
After telling Yu Qingqing about the team-building event, he went to find Shen Yan.
"Yan, why don't you bring your wife Yaoyao along for some fun? And bring Yu Wanqing, too."

"'Bring her along,' you say?" Shen Yan repeated the words thoughtfully.
Ji Yanxi just grinned foolishly.
Shen Yan didn't bother arguing. The way Ji Yanxi called her "sister-in-law Yaoyao" pleased him.
"All right."
Yu Wanqing's immediate reaction was to refuse, but to her surprise, Yu Boyao insisted that she attend.
He had been worried that things between Ji Yanxi and Yu Wanqing were over, but now there was hope again.
Unable to defy her father, Yu Wanqing persuaded Ye Yaoyao to go with her.
Naturally, this was all Shen Yan's doing.
If he had invited her himself, Ye Yaoyao would never have agreed.
But at Yu Wanqing's request, she didn't hesitate at all.
When Ye Yaoyao heard about it, her mind went blank. She couldn't figure out what was going on.
"Wanqing, doesn't your father know what a playboy Ji Yanxi is? Why would he push you toward such a disaster?"
Ye Yaoyao frowned as she analyzed the situation. "After everything between him and your sister became public, now he wants you to join the party too? Isn't it obvious he wants to meet you?"
Thinking of this, Ye Yaoyao couldn't help but laugh. "Does Ji Yanxi really think he can pick any Yu daughter he likes?"
"When the rumors broke, my father was furious," Yu Wanqing admitted. "But the Ji family is the result of his careful matchmaking over many years. Even if Ji Yanxi isn't reliable, the rest of his family is good."
"For us in arranged marriages, love doesn't matter as much as the kind of family you're marrying into."
The Ji family was so easygoing, it was no wonder they'd raised a playboy like Ji Yanxi.
"All right, I'll go with you."
"Thank you, darling."
Yu Wanqing kissed Ye Yaoyao on the cheek. "I knew you'd be the best! We'll just treat it as a little getaway."
Now that things had reached this point, what else could Ye Yaoyao do but look on the bright side?
Yet her easy mood shattered the moment she saw Shen Yan.
Shen Yan?
Why was he here too?
At the sight, Ye Yaoyao turned to leave without hesitation, only to be stopped by Yu Wanqing.
"Yaoyao, don't go..."