Chapter Four: The Stone Has Fallen

"Ye Yaoyao, you owe us an explanation," Qin Miao sobbed.

Ye Yaoyao responded with nothing but the resolute turn of her back. Guided by memory, she opened the drawer, found the ring her mother had given her, and finally felt the weight in her heart ease.

Thankfully, she found it.

Having retrieved what she needed, Ye Yaoyao was about to leave, but Shen Yan blocked her path.

"Ye Yaoyao, we need to talk." Shen Yan’s chest felt tight.

"Shen Yan, you two really are a match made in heaven—neither of you understands human speech." Ye Yaoyao glanced at him. "If you have any issues, speak to my lawyer. Don’t waste my time."

With those words, she strode past Shen Yan without hesitation, her waist-length hair bouncing with every step, her slender waist and perfect hips drawing the eye.

Shen Yan watched her, his gaze deep.

Ye Yaoyao, what on earth are you doing?

Suburbs, Ye Family Villa.

At the dinner table, Ye Yaoyao sat close to her mother, Liu Ruyan, her eyes full of emotion.

Three years ago, her reckless ways had made her believe her family could never forgive her for what she’d become. Yet, since her return, not a single word of reproach had been uttered.

Her bowl overflowed with food, piled high by loving hands.

"Yaoyao, you’re far too thin." Liu Ruyan, full of concern, kept adding to Ye Yaoyao’s bowl.

Liu Ruyan knew all that Yaoyao had done these past three years, but she had always supported her daughter’s choices.

Mistakes didn’t matter; to live is to err. Sometimes you have to crash headlong into walls to find out what you truly want.

"Thank you, Mom!" Ye Yaoyao’s eyes curved with joy.

Only now did she realize how absurd her past mistakes were, all for the sake of so-called love.

"The shrimp’s been peeled for you, eat up," said Ye Shen, the eldest brother, pushing a bowl full of shrimp toward her. Before she could respond, another bowl of soup was slid her way.

The second brother, Ye Qian, wore a gleaming stud in his right ear. He looked the part of an idle playboy, but his gaze turned gentle as water when he looked at Ye Yaoyao.

He tapped her forehead lightly, scolding, "You little ingrate, you finally remembered to come home? We almost thought you’d abandoned us."

"Ye Qian, don’t bring up the things she’d rather forget. It’s not easy for our sister to come back," Ye Shen admonished.

"You’re one to talk! Who was it that kept reminding me about Yaoyao every day?" Ye Qian retorted.

"Enough, you two! What are you doing, competing for your sister’s attention in front of her? Have you no shame?" Liu Ruyan glared at them.

Ye Yaoyao understood their meaning well.

Surrounded by love, she was overwhelmed, feeling ever more foolish for her past self.

"Yaoyao, what are your plans now?" Liu Ruyan asked, once everyone had eaten their fill.

Ye Yaoyao set down her chopsticks, answering seriously, "I plan to work at the company. Big Brother is working too hard on his own."

She was determined to focus on her career.

Ye Yaoyao had studied abroad, earning a doctorate in business management.

Three years of turmoil, and now she was finally getting back on track.

As a member of the Ye family, it was only right to do her part.

"Won’t it be too exhausting? Yaoyao, I don’t want you to work yourself so hard," Liu Ruyan said, clasping her hand, her eyes full of worry. "Your brother can manage; he’s a man, after all."

Ye Shen: ...Fine, our sister belongs to all of us. We’ll spoil her together.

Ye Qian nodded seriously, "That’s right. I don’t need help on my side. It’s not right for a woman to work late into the night."

"Mom, I’ve made up my mind," Ye Yaoyao declared with resolve.

Her decisions had always earned her family’s support.

In the end, Ye Yaoyao got her wish and joined Ye Corporation, shadowing Ye Shen to learn the ins and outs of the business.

She worked hard, enduring three days and nights to understand the company’s operations.

Those three days and nights made the Ye family ache with worry for her, but they were glad she had no time to dwell on Shen Yan, so they let her be.

Ye Corporation was among the world’s top five companies, with broad development and a complex industrial chain that extended into every field—including the entertainment industry.

As she reviewed the entertainment division’s files, Ye Yaoyao came across Qin Miao’s information.

Before her official announcement, Qin Miao was just a third-tier celebrity.

But after photos of her kissing Shen Yan were released, luxury brands lined up, hoping to use her to reach Shen Yan.

Ye Corporation was different.

The endorsement Qin Miao wanted was one she had managed to secure through Shen Yan’s connections.

Tsk, Qin Miao was so determined, so eager.

But Ye Yaoyao simply wasn’t going to give it to her.

She tapped Qin Miao’s name on the file. "Cancel this collaboration."

"Understood."

Orders from the boss were not to be disobeyed; her subordinates acted immediately.

Soon enough, Qin Miao received the notice, so furious she nearly smashed her phone.

She had worked herself to the bone, doing everything possible and impossible to secure this endorsement!

Everyone knew Ye Corporation was behind the brand!

A world-class company, top five!

She’d languished in the third tier for so long and needed a major endorsement to climb higher. Just as she was about to move up, it was canceled at the critical moment.

No matter how angry she was, Qin Miao knew she had no grounds to confront the partner.

This could only be resolved through Shen Yan.

…

Meanwhile, in the CEO office of Shen Corporation, Shen Yan stared at the red exclamation mark in his chat window, his face darkening.

Ye Yaoyao was swift and decisive, clearing out the house entirely. Aside from the signed divorce papers, nothing was left behind.

She’d blocked every way to contact her; he had no means of reaching her.

Unable to help himself, Shen Yan thought back to that day—her fiery red lips, her voluptuous waves, her seductive beauty.

He’d always known she had a remarkable figure, but her striking style that day was unprecedented. In his memory, she was always quietly elegant, her smiles gentle, keeping everyone at arm’s length—except, somehow, with that person… so intimate.

The thought made Shen Yan tug at his tie in frustration.

Creak—

The door suddenly opened. Shen Yan looked up, his expression settling into calm when he saw Qin Miao.

He was displeased she hadn’t knocked. "What is it?"

"Yan, the Ye Corporation endorsement was canceled," Qin Miao said carefully. "You know how hard I worked for it. I don’t want all my effort to be wasted."

"Ye Corporation’s endorsement?" Shen Yan thought for a moment, his tone indifferent, "It’s normal. You’re not suited for that endorsement anyway."

Whether in image or rank, Qin Miao simply wasn’t a fit.

Ye Corporation was an international brand; Qin Miao’s looks were too provincial.

Moreover, Qin Miao’s career was focused on domestic entertainment, with no notable works—only scandals.

His thoughts drifted to Ye Yaoyao’s face. He felt she would be a better fit.

"Yan, how can you say that? I…" Qin Miao could hardly believe it.

She’d come to Shen Yan for comfort, not to be disparaged.

She didn’t agree that she wasn’t suited for the endorsement.

"Ye Corporation has already rejected you. Their stance is clear," Shen Yan replied in a businesslike manner.

He was well aware he’d been used by the trending topics, but he didn’t care; he’d had them pulled down afterward anyway.

"Alright, I’ll let you get back to work," Qin Miao said, seeing she’d get nowhere with him.

She decided to try for herself.

She had to get the Ye Corporation endorsement.

It was the key to her next step.

With this in mind, Qin Miao changed her outfit and applied makeup to match.

Looking in the mirror, she was nearly mesmerized by her own reflection, convinced she was the perfect fit!

Using Shen Yan’s connections, she quickly secured an appointment at Ye Corporation.

Led by a staff member, she made her way to the general manager’s office.

Nervous, she entered, watching the door close behind her. But when she looked up and saw Ye Yaoyao seated on the sofa, she was stunned.

"Why is it you?!"