Chapter 62: Don’t Even Think About Slandering Me

Shen Yan remained seated, unmoving.
“That’s enough from you. I’ve done all I could. Eat it or don’t, I don’t care.”
With these words tossed behind her, Ye Yaoyao turned and left Shen Yan’s apartment.

Shen Yan finished his meal unhurriedly, only to discover when he went downstairs that Ye Yaoyao had already left. His good mood evaporated instantly.

...

Word had it lately that Ye Yaoyao had been cooking for Shen Yan, and the news drove Qin Miao mad with jealousy. Why? Hadn’t they been apart for some time now? How had they gotten back together? Ye Yaoyao’s little trick disgusted her—trying to win Shen Yan’s heart by way of his stomach!

Qin Miao clenched her fingers in rage, her teeth grinding with hatred. But after reaching the peak of her anger, she calmed herself. Fine, if Ye Yaoyao liked to start with the stomach, she’d just help her along!

Afraid Ye Yaoyao might slip away, Shen Yan began waiting for her outside her office at the end of each workday, dragging her back to cook for him. Ye Yaoyao couldn’t be bothered to resist, and simply bought groceries and cooked, as docile as could be.

Once the meal was prepared, they each ate in silence, minding their own plates. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Ye Yaoyao remained seated, unmoved. Shen Yan glanced at her, then went to answer the door.

As the door swung open, Qin Miao’s voice drifted in. “Ah Yan.”

Shen Yan’s tone was icy. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard your stomach’s been acting up, so I brought something good for digestion.”

“No need. There’s someone cooking at home.”

Qin Miao craned her neck, blinking innocently. “Did you hire a housekeeper?”

Before Shen Yan could reply, Qin Miao had already squeezed her way inside. At the sight of Ye Yaoyao, she froze for an instant, then forced a saccharine smile.

“So it’s Sister Yaoyao. And here Ah Yan led me to believe it was a housekeeper...”

Ye Yaoyao could only marvel at how brazen Qin Miao was, twisting the truth right in front of them. She didn’t hesitate to expose her. “If I remember correctly, you’re the one who called me the housekeeper.”

Shen Yan, who had been wondering whether to clarify things, felt immediately at ease upon hearing this. Thankfully, Ye Yaoyao was sharp—this would save a lot of trouble.

“Huh?”

Qin Miao put on her best innocent act. “Sorry, Sister Yaoyao, I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Then what did you mean?” Ye Yaoyao pressed her, relentless. She wasn’t one to let things slide, not when she was in the right—why should she? If she were in the wrong, she’d still argue her case!

The atmosphere turned tense, and Qin Miao bit her lip, a flash of resentment in her eyes. Ye Yaoyao had certainly changed—she’d never dared be so bold in front of Shen Yan before.

“Ah Yan...” Qin Miao turned, looking pitifully at Shen Yan. “Did I say something wrong just now? I... I didn’t mean to.”

Tsk, Qin Miao was something else. She sure knew how to redirect attention.

Ye Yaoyao gave a cold laugh and looked at Shen Yan, waiting for his response.

“All right, it’s just a few words. No need to make a fuss,” Shen Yan said as he sat down. Then he asked Qin Miao, “Have you eaten?”

Qin Miao shook her head sweetly. “No.”

“Sit down and eat with us.”

“Okay.” Qin Miao sat down beside Shen Yan, shooting Ye Yaoyao a provocative glance.

Ye Yaoyao was about to pick up her chopsticks when Shen Yan spoke again.

“Go get her a set of dishes.”

“Shen Yan, what did you just say?” Ye Yaoyao couldn’t believe her ears.

“She’s...” a guest.

Before Shen Yan could finish, Qin Miao was already on her feet.

“Oh, Ah Yan, there’s no need to be so polite. I come here all the time—I know my way around.” With that, she darted off to the kitchen to fetch dishes herself.

Ye Yaoyao shot an angry glare at Shen Yan, but when she looked down, she found she couldn’t eat a single bite. Did he really see her as the housekeeper?

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She gathered her things and left.

When Qin Miao came out, she found Shen Yan sitting alone at the table. Blinking in confusion, she asked, “Hey? Where’s Sister Yaoyao?”

Shen Yan let out a quiet sigh. “Eat. I have work to do.”

“Ah...”

Before Qin Miao could react, Shen Yan had already gone upstairs.

Qin Miao stared fixedly in the direction he’d gone, resentment welling in her eyes. She glanced at the food on the table with a scornful smile, then slipped something from her pocket, reheated the dishes in the kitchen, and followed upstairs.

The next day, Ye Yaoyao heard that Shen Yan had been poisoned.

Qin Miao certainly had nerve.

Anyone with a grain of sense could guess who was behind it. Yet somehow, Ye Yaoyao was made the prime suspect.

She was summoned to the hospital office to face questioning from Madam Shen and Qin Miao.

“Qin Miao? You have the nerve to stand there?” Ye Yaoyao’s question cut straight to the bone.

“Ye Yaoyao, show some respect—Grandma is here!” Qin Miao hid behind the authority of her elders. “And besides, I’m standing here because Grandma asked me to. Do you have an issue with her arrangements?”

“You really know how to bully with borrowed power.”

Ye Yaoyao couldn’t be bothered to bicker with Qin Miao any longer and turned directly to Madam Shen. “Shen Yan’s poisoning has nothing to do with me.”

“Nothing to do with you?” Madam Shen narrowed her eyes, her sharp and bitter nature on full display. “You’ve been responsible for Ah Yan’s meals lately, and now you say it has nothing to do with you?”

“I ate the same food last night. Why am I perfectly fine?”

“That’s easy. You could have poisoned only his portion,” Madam Shen retorted, cutting off her argument.

Ye Yaoyao knew full well she was only there to make it easier for these two to pin everything on her. Even if Madam Shen knew it was Qin Miao’s doing, she’d probably still find a way to throw the blame on Ye Yaoyao.

But this was not a burden Ye Yaoyao intended to bear.

“If you’re both so sure it was me, then show me the proof,” she said, sidestepping the trap of self-defense. “If you can’t, I’ll have to sue you for defamation.”

With that, she lounged lazily on the sofa, watching the pair before her.

The sudden shift left them both momentarily stunned.

But Madam Shen was no stranger to adversity, and she could perform shamelessness with a thousand different faces.

“We do have evidence, of course, but it wouldn’t do your reputation any good if we made it public,” she said, patting her knee. “How about this—we both compromise. I won’t pursue responsibility if you give me some shares of Three Y.”

Shares of Three Y?

Qin Miao was taken aback. How did this old woman know Ye Yaoyao was the manager of Three Y?

Ye Yaoyao hadn’t expected Madam Shen’s demand to come so abruptly, either. No wonder she was so eager to pin this on her...

“Shares of Three Y? You really are reaching, aren’t you?” Ye Yaoyao couldn’t help but laugh. “Why should I hand over a business I built with my own hands?”

“Ye Yaoyao, mind your tone. I’m only trying to help you here.”

“Help me? Help me admit to a crime I never committed?”

If she gave up those shares, that would truly be the end.

Disgusted by Madam Shen, Ye Yaoyao stood, unwilling to stay a moment longer.

“I’ll say it again—bring out your evidence. Otherwise, don’t even think of throwing this filth at me.”

With that, she slammed the door and strode out.