In recent days, since Shi Shuning had been busy with his startup, he hadn't had much time to properly accompany Ye Jinmeng. But today was Saturday, and it was Christmas too, so Shi Shuning stuck to Ye Jinmeng's side all day long.
He Junting was no less clingy, following Xu Wanwan around like a puppy. After all, the final exams were coming up soon, and after that, he would have to start working at the company. These carefree days would be far and few in the future.
The two young couples had arranged to go watch a movie together, which made Gu Qi sigh heavily.
"Mom? What's wrong? Why are you sighing?" Ye Jinchen asked with a smile.
Gu Qi snorted coldly, "What's wrong with me? My dear little darling has been swept off her feet, and Wanwan is with that boy Junting too. Even that little brat Shu Ning has set his sights on Jun Yan. Look at you, still not blossoming at all, just grinning like a fool all day long!"
Ye Jinchen: ...
Then Gu Qi seemed to remember something, her eyes lighting up, "Oh, that's right, what was the name of your assistant again?"
"You mean Lin Yijun?"
"Yes, yes, Lin Yijun. That girl is quite nice, good-looking, polite, and capable too. At the last gala, standing next to you, she didn't pale in comparison to those high-society ladies. Why don't you consider her?"
Ye Jinchen's mouth twitched, "...Mom, she's just a colleague at the company, and company rules forbid office romances."
Gu Qi was displeased, "So what if she's a colleague? Rules are dead, people are alive. Whether you can date or not is up to you as the boss to change!"
Ye Jinchen: "Mom, you're being unreasonable!"
Seeing his wife getting bullied, Ye Junli stepped in, "Alright, wife, maybe the girl doesn't even like this stinky boy."
Then he glared at Ye Jinchen, "Hmph, don't think you're so great just because you're the boss. You don't want to find a wife yourself, but you expect one to just show up at your doorstep? Dream on. Pfft! Pathetic man, absolutely useless!"
Ye Jinchen: ???
After sending Ye Junli and Gu Qi back to the Ye Family manor, Ye Junwen had lunch and couldn't stop thinking about buying Ye Jinmeng a Christmas present, so he found an excuse to leave the manor.
After wandering around several malls, he felt that nothing seemed good enough for his dear Jinmeng.
After much thought, he ended up at a high-end custom jewelry brand store.
At D Family, a man could only purchase a custom piece of jewelry for one woman in his lifetime, representing his one true love.
Ye Junwen customized a heart-shaped pink diamond necklace worth 1.8 million yuan. He signed both his and Ye Jinmeng's names on the agreement, his heart filled with longing.
Since it was a custom piece, he couldn't take it home that day. But Ye Junwen wasn't in a hurry—this gift was meant to be given to his Jinmeng at the most appropriate time.
As for today's Christmas present, Ye Junwen bought Ye Jinmeng's favorite lemon-flavored double-layer cake. When he returned to the Ye Family villa, it was already 8 PM.
"Big brother, where's Jinmeng?" Ye Junwen asked, holding the cake. He only saw Ye Junli and Gu Qi watching a movie in the living room.
"Junwen is back. The little darling went out on a date with that brat Shu Ning and hasn't returned yet," Ye Junli said, looking at Ye Junwen. "Did you need to see Jinmeng for something?"
Hearing that his Jinmeng was out on a date with another man, Ye Junwen's hand tightened around the cake box, a flash of coldness flickering in his eyes before disappearing just as quickly.
He lifted the cake, smiling, "Oh, no, I just bought a cake outside and thought I'd give it to Jinmeng as a late-night snack. Since she's not here, I'll just put it in the fridge. She can have it when she gets back."
Ye Junli nodded without giving it much thought.
After asking Auntie Chen to put the cake in the fridge, Ye Junwen returned to his room, feeling agitated. "Damn that Shi Shuning, luring Jinmeng out on a date!"
Just as he was about to vent his rage by throwing things around, his phone rang.
Ye Junwen pulled out his phone in annoyance. It was Xiao Jianren. He spat in disgust before answering, "What is it?"
Xiao Jianren had just signed the termination agreement and left the hospital alone.
She only had a few thousand yuan in her mobile payment account, not enough to last her even one night with her extravagant lifestyle. So she had to ask Ye Junwen for help right away.
"Junwen, do you have time? Can we meet and talk?" she asked.
Ye Junwen's brows furrowed, disliking Xiao Jianren bothering him. His voice was cold and grim, "If you have something to say, just say it over the phone. I don't have time to play around with you."
Xiao Jianren stammered on the other end. Ye Junwen was truly annoyed now and growled, "Xiao Jianren, I'm telling you, don't call me if it's nothing important. Do that again, and I'll terminate our cooperation!"
Xiao Jianren panicked at the threat of terminating cooperation. That wouldn't do!
"No, no, don't be angry. Let me explain," she said, taking a deep breath. "They found out I took abortion pills, so I was kicked out of the Xiao Family. I've been disowned by Xiao Wenyao as his daughter. I have nowhere to go, and I need your help!"
Ye Junwen's brows knitted tightly. He cursed in his heart, "This idiot who can't even succeed at being a mistress!"
Hearing no response from Ye Junwen, Xiao Jianren quickly added, "Junwen, you have to help me. I may have cut ties with the Xiao Family, but I must get my hands on Xiao's Company. Help me, please. No matter what you ask me to do, I'll do it."
Her voice took on a coy tone.
Ye Junwen felt disgusted but realized he couldn't waste such a good pawn. Since Xiao Jianren had already thrown out the bait, he might as well pretend to bite.
"Alright, where are you now? I'll come get you."
Xiao Jianren was delighted and quickly gave him her location, waiting for Ye Junwen to pick her up.
In less than half an hour, Ye Junwen arrived to get Xiao Jianren.
"Junwen, where are we going now?" Xiao Jianren asked sweetly from the passenger seat.
Ye Junwen's brows were furrowed as he suppressed his discomfort, his voice calm, "We'll find a hotel to stay at first. I'll transfer you some money, but remember, you have to obey me. I won't mistreat you, but if you don't listen, I won't help you anymore."
Xiao Jianren blushed when she heard "hotel," nodding, "Junwen, don't worry, I'll listen to you from now on."
The car stopped in front of a place called the "Welcome Inn." The area was relatively deserted, at least avoiding the chance of being seen by any acquaintances.
Xiao Jianren looked out at the shabby place, displeased that Ye Junwen had brought her to such a rundown place.
"Junwen, there are so many hotels in the city center. Why did you have to come to this dump?" she complained.
It was rather dumpy, a five-story hotel with a broken sign that used to read "Welcome Inn" but now said "Women's Barracks."
If not for the word "inn" still on the sign, who would have guessed this was a hotel?
Ye Junwen was unfazed. "You should know that we're in a cooperative relationship now. Some things can't be found out, or we might both get in trouble. Get out of the car!"
