Ye Yan was completely struck dumb. He had thought of many possibilities. But, he had never thought this would be Zhao Youlin’s reason.
She had said that the way he looked at her was like seeing a beloved toy and thus, a trophy-like desire grew in him and he wanted to seize it. These were not true feelings, it was only his own desire. He only wanted to satisfy his hidden vanity and vile desire.
In fact, the moment he stepped into Zhao Enterprise today, he was no longer so obsessed with Zhao Youlin. Ye Yan had noticed this when he could calmly discuss the contract with Zhao Youlin.
He still had a strange feeling for Zhao Youlin. However, he vaguely felt like he lacked something. He felt an emptiness and coldness in his heart as if there was a big hole in it.
Looking at Ye Yan’s startled look, Zhao Youlin was helpless. The next moment, she schooled her face and looked serious. She stared straight into Ye Yan’s eyes and snorted, “President Ye, there had always been an ulterior motive each time you approached me from the beginning. When you pour your heart out to others, you might not receive anything in return. However, if you have never put in effort in the first place, you certainly would not receive any returns at all. If you want someone else to treat you with sincerity, you have to treat them wholeheartedly first. Apparently, that was where you failed.”
Ye Yan’s entire body shuddered. He unwittingly had his eyes flying wide open and looked truly shocked at that moment.
Seeing this, Zhao Youlin heaved a sigh and no longer wanted to dwell on this topic. She said in a low voice, “President Ye, go back and think about it. You can simply talk about things or even simply take in any food. But, if you can’t even distinguish who your true love is, then…”
Zhao Youlin had not finished her sentence, but her words had already clearly spoken for themselves. Ye Yan’s expression changed slightly. In the end, he did not say anything further. He turned around and left Zhao Youlin’s office.
Ye Yan had no idea how he had left Zhao Enterprise. His mind went blank as he got into his car in a haze.
Under the blowing of a cold wind that came from outside the car window, he slightly snapped out of his daze. However, Zhao Youlin’s words that had come to him before his departure had inexplicably resounded in his mind again.
She had mentioned that he had no feelings for her. In fact, he only did not want to lose to others and had treated her as a trophy to fulfill his own desire.
Treated her as a trophy? Had he treated her as a trophy to compete with someone else? Was the person Mu Tingfeng?
The reason had sounded ridiculous and perfunctory. However, the small voice in Ye Yan’s heart had once again rung out and reminded him, ‘She’s right. That’s how it is!’
Ye Yan’s expression abruptly changed. Under his deepened eyebrows, his eyes were filled with puzzlement.
Why did he want to compete with Mu Tingfeng? Why was he so annoyed? Why was he so furious and resentful, as if something important to him had been taken from him when he saw Zhao Youlin standing next to Mu Tingfeng?
Why…? Why…?
He kept asking himself why. There was something stirring in his heart and was about to break through the ground. However, it had somehow been forcefully suppressed.
Ye Yan furrowed his eyebrows. He used one of his hands to cover his chest. He felt empty, as if he had forgotten something, something that had been very important!
After Zhao Youlin sent Ye Yan off, she finally heaved a sigh of relief. Just when she was about to turn around and go upstairs, she bumped into an acquaintance whom she hated to come across with.
“Youlin, you’re looking very leisurely lately. You often come downstairs and walk around.” Zhao Youming smiled faintly as he walked toward Zhao Youlin.
The first thing that came to Zhao Youlin’s mind was, ‘Doesn’t this guy have anything to do all day? Why am I running into him whenever I go?’
“I just sent off a guest. Chief Zhao, I’m considered more free compared to you when you have to drink and socialize with the guests every night.”
Zhao Youlin’s words carried double meaning and Zhao Youming’s eyes lit up. However, soon, he resumed normalcy and said teasingly, “A guest? Is it the president of Ye Group? Youlin, your guests are all VIPs. First, you have the president of Mu Feng Group as your guest. Next, you have the president of Sheng Huang Group to be your guest and today, you have the president of Ye Group… No matter which one, all of them are VIPs that should not be underestimated. Youlin, how admirable it is that you are able to recruit them and have them as your guests.”
‘Have them as my guests? This rascal is mocking me for granting sexual favors with a bunch of men in exchange for business benefits!’
Zhao Youlin narrowed her eyes and smirked, “Chief Zhao, I wonder when did you grow so fond of gossiping about other people’s affairs just like the ladies. Instead of using your talent to count the number of guests that I have, you might as well think of the gift to give to my mother on her birthday which is in two days. Oh, by the way, I almost forgot to inform you, our younger cousin, Third Uncle and Third Aunt would be present at that time too. Chief Zhao, don’t forget to inform Second Uncle. I’m afraid it might not reflect well on us if our entire family is missing him alone.”
Zhao Youming had never thought that Zhao Youlin would use Zhao Yifei and Zhao Shuncheng to fight him back. His expression changed slightly. However, soon, he returned to his senses and nodded as he said, “Youlin, don’t worry. I’ll certainly prepare Eldest Aunt’s birthday gift with care. My younger cousin, Third Uncle and Third Aunt are returning to their home country? I heard that Yifei had gone abroad to cure his sickness. I am worried about his health. Since he’s about to come back soon, I suppose there’s nothing serious now. I am relieved to know that too. As for my father…”
Speaking of Zhao Shuncheng, a trace of unnaturalness flashed across Zhao Youming’s expression. The smile on the corners of his lips turned slightly stiff. He said, “Even though my father no longer works in Zhao Enterprise, he is still a part of the Zhao family. He definitely would arrive on time upon Eldest Aunt’s birthday banquet.”
The trace of unnaturalness lingered for less than a second on Zhao Youming’s face, yet Zhao Youlin had captured the expression without fail.
Zhao Youlin stared straight at Zhao Youming for some time before the corners of her lips curved upward and blurted out, “I certainly hope so.”
After she spat out the words nonchalantly, Zhao Youlin walked past Zhao Youming and went upstairs.
Zhao Youming stood in place and sucked in a deep breath. He did not turn his head back and instead walked in the opposite direction.
Unbeknownst to him, behind him, Zhao Youlin, who had walked halfway up the stairs, suddenly turned her head around and watched in the direction he had left with her eyes filled with sinister and coldness.
‘Guests, huh?’ In fact, she wanted to witness Zhao Youming’s reaction when he was weighed down by one of her guests who happened to be the eldest grandson of the Zhao family when his identity was revealed in the presence of the crowd from upper-class society.
As for Zhao Shuncheng… A hint of suspicion appeared in Zhao Youlin’s eyes. If the report from the person whom she had assigned to keep an eye on that old coot was correct, Zhao Shuncheng’s mistress was recently pregnant.
If the mistress was lucky, she might still be able to deliver the baby smoothly. By that time, the Zhao family would have another illegitimate child just like Zhao Youming and Zhao Youxi.
By then, she would have an additional nominal cousin while Zhao Youming would also have an extra step-sibling.
