Chapter 69: No One Leaves This Door

“He must be jealous, don’t you think?” Yu Wanqing smiled meaningfully.

“Jealous?”

Ye Yaoyao sneered, “He only gets jealous over Qin Miao. With me, it’s just a bout of possessiveness.”

“Some people are just shameless; even if someone isn’t theirs, they still feel possessive,” Yu Wanqing remarked.

As soon as she returned, Yu Wanqing immediately tried to track down Feng Yuqi.

But she found nothing.

Anyone who could use an assistant’s identity must be wealthy or influential, making it impossible to find any information.

Ye Yaoyao began living in her apartment again, but for some reason, the place felt empty—like something was missing.

Ignoring the strange feeling in her heart, Ye Yaoyao walked toward the kitchen.

Cooking was always a healing activity for her.

After preparing a meal, her mood improved significantly.

In contrast, Shen Yan was in a terrible mood.

Ye Yaoyao! How dare she!

Was she really not coming back?

Had she forgotten what she promised him?

He picked up his phone and dialed her number, but after an age, it never connected.

Shen Yan hung up.

How had their relationship come to this?

Wasn’t it Ye Yaoyao who used to chase after him?

Ye Yaoyao had just circled the dining table to pick up her phone when the ringing stopped.

The caller ID: Shen Yan.

Shen Yan?

It was exactly the sort of thing he would do.

Ye Yaoyao thought about putting down the phone, but for some reason, she remembered his stomach problems and couldn’t help but worry.

Gastric illness was chronic and needed careful nurturing.

Shen Yan was a workaholic, always throwing caution to the wind when he got busy.

Did he call her because his stomach was hurting again?

Just one phone call, and Ye Yaoyao found herself spiraling with worry. When she finally realized what she was doing, she thought she must be mad.

Shen Yan’s life or death—what did it matter to her?

Ye Yaoyao sat back down to eat, but the food tasted like nothing. Her feelings were tangled and unsettled.

After a few bites, she tidied up.

She showered, and then tossed and turned in bed, her mind replaying every moment spent with Shen Yan.

How he got hurt protecting her, the incident on the mountain…

That night, Ye Yaoyao couldn’t sleep.

Her feelings for Shen Yan had changed.

Elsewhere, Shen Yan was sleepless as well.

He arrived at the company with dark circles under his eyes, startling Feng Yuqi.

Feng Yuqi coughed. “Yan, when should we arrange for Miss Ye to try on the gown? If it’s not a good fit, we can make adjustments in time.”

“Tonight, I suppose,” Shen Yan replied uncertainly. “I’ll contact her.”

In a week, it would be the fiftieth anniversary of the Shen family’s founding.

He intended to bring Ye Yaoyao back with him.

The banquet was hosted by the Shen family, attended only by family members and a select few powerful individuals—a gathering of hidden talents.

Shen Yan planned to publicly announce Ye Yaoyao’s identity.

With all the rumors lately about Ye Yaoyao and Gu Yancheng, he had rarely looked online, but the consensus was that women liked that type—so he thought he’d try learning a thing or two himself.

“Alright.” Feng Yuqi bowed his head and withdrew.

Was it just his imagination?

Why did it feel like Yan was becoming a sycophant in front of the boss?

No, surely just an illusion!

Yan was such an outstanding man—how could he possibly be a sycophant?

Shen Yan took out his phone, carefully typed out the first message, only for it to vanish into the void.

He was so frustrated he nearly smashed his phone, but remembering that the matter needed resolving, he forced himself to think of another way.

Recently, Ye Group had a lot of projects, and Ye Yaoyao was busy with them—so much so that she barely had time for lunch, let alone to check her phone.

By the time she finished work, it was already midnight.

Ye Shen had been on business trips lately and wasn’t at the office.

If he were there, he would never let her work herself so hard.

After work, Ye Yaoyao stepped out.

Her apartment was close by; she could walk there.

She strolled along the road, the night breeze lifting her hair and bringing cool relief.

With her nerves taut these days, she finally had a moment to rest.

Ye Yaoyao sat by the lake, finally finding time to check her phone.

Shen Yan had sent several messages, asking if she was free tonight.

For some reason, she felt her heart fill a little.

“What’s wrong?”

After replying, she immediately heard her phone chime behind her.

She turned and saw Shen Yan approaching with an impassive face, sitting down beside her.

“What are you doing here?”

Guessing that she had just replied to his message, Shen Yan felt a slight sense of balance restored.

“I need to talk to you.”

“About what?”

“Come home with me.” Shen Yan seized her hand.

The instant their skin touched, Ye Yaoyao’s heart gave a fierce shudder.

She struggled slightly, “I’m exhausted lately. Is it urgent?”

“It’s urgent.”

His voice brooked no doubt. “Come with me.”

Ye Yaoyao let him hold her hand, climbed into the passenger seat, and fastened her seatbelt.

She hadn’t slept all night and had worked all day, yet still couldn’t feel any drowsiness.

But as Shen Yan started the car, her eyelids began to droop.

Without meaning to, Ye Yaoyao fell asleep.

Shen Yan didn’t disturb her.

Did she really have to push herself so hard? She always did—before and now. The shadows under her eyes were even worse.

When they arrived home, Shen Yan gently carried Ye Yaoyao out of the car. When she moved, he stood still, afraid to wake her.

In the end, Ye Yaoyao simply shifted to a comfortable position and slept deeply again.

Shen Yan breathed a sigh of relief and placed her on the large bed in the master bedroom.

Directly opposite the bed stood the gown he had designed himself.

Ye Yaoyao woke the next day at noon.

She slowly opened her eyes, the environment unfamiliar yet oddly familiar.

Then, last night’s memories flooded back. She sat up, and when she saw the gown, her eyes widened.

Was this gown designed by Shen Yan?

The staff had only told her that a mysterious person brought in the design, instructing them to follow it closely, without revealing anything else.

Shen Yan could design gowns?

Ye Yaoyao hadn’t expected that.

While she was still stunned, the door opened and Shen Yan entered, carrying food.

“Get up, brush your teeth, eat something, and try on the gown.”

“This one?” Ye Yaoyao asked.

“So surprised?”

Shen Yan teased, “You’re the owner of Three Y, and you’re surprised to see a gown from your own shop?”

At his words, Ye Yaoyao’s gaze flickered; she had thought Shen Yan had forgotten all about it.

She hurried to change the subject. “Why try it on?”

“The Shen family banquet is next week. I’m taking you with me.”

“The Shen family banquet?”

Ye Yaoyao frowned. “Shen Yan, we’re no longer involved. The person you should bring isn’t me.”

Shen Yan suppressed his anger. This damned woman—she really knew how to provoke him!

“Then who should I bring?”

“You and I both know the answer.”

“I don’t know at all. Where does this ‘we both know’ come from?” Shen Yan feigned ignorance.

“I don’t care.”

Ye Yaoyao rolled out of bed. After a quick wash, she headed for the door, clearly not intending to pay Shen Yan any attention.

However, Shen Yan blocked her way directly. “Eat something and try on the gown.”

“Why should I?”

“No reason.”

Shen Yan, his logic shaky but his tone forceful, declared, “If you don’t eat and try it on today, you won’t leave this room.”