"Since your secretary was here the whole time, why didn't I see her just now? If she had been there, all that awkwardness could have been avoided." Ye Feng's tone softened a bit, but it still carried a hint of skepticism.

When they were almost at their destination, Liu Qingyi parked the car on the side of the road.

"Want to know the answer?" Liu Qingyi turned to look at Ye Feng, her tone unusually calm.

Ye Feng didn't speak, he just looked at her.

"Go check the trunk." After saying that, Liu Qingyi pushed open the car door and got out first.

Ye Feng got out of the car and walked to the back. Liu Qingyi had already opened the trunk.

In the trunk, there were neatly arranged gift bags. Judging from the labels, they contained high-end cosmetic sets, health supplements, and other items, all of which looked quite valuable.

Ye Feng glanced at the gifts; the quantity and variety were clearly carefully selected and prepared according to the number of people.

He understood instantly. These were clearly prepared for the Xiong family.

Instantly, his heart was filled with guilt.

He recalled all his previous doubts about Liu Qingyi, which now seemed almost like a joke.

"Did you prepare all of this in advance?" Ye Feng's voice was a little dry and lacked confidence.

Liu Qingyi retorted, "If I didn't prepare them, did they grow legs and run up here on their own?"

Ye Feng felt embarrassed.

Liu Qingyi could no longer control her emotions: "I had already arranged for my secretary to prepare a gift list! In order to make time to buy these things, she had to leave the company early, which is why I was so passive in front of Qin Yifei!"

At this moment, feelings of grievance and anger welled up, causing Liu Qingyi's voice to tremble slightly.

She didn't understand why Ye Feng always misunderstood her.

Looking at her reddened eyes, Ye Feng was filled with remorse. He knew he was wrong, terribly wrong.

He reached out to take Liu Qingyi's hand, but she dodged it.

"I'm sorry, Qingyi, I misunderstood you." Ye Feng's voice was low and sincere.

"I don't need your apology." Liu Qingyi turned her face away.

However, the feigned indifference could not ultimately conceal the grievances in her heart.

Tears finally streamed down her cheeks.

Back in the car, Ye Feng pulled out a few tissues and handed them to Liu Qingyi.

"Don't cry."

Liu Qingyi took the tissue and wiped her tears haphazardly, choking back sobs as she said, "You have no idea how much pressure I'm under! The company's performance is declining, the shareholders are pressing for a solution every day, and the market competition is so fierce... I can't sleep well every day, and I have terrible headaches. And when I get home, I have to face your suspicions. I'm so tired."

As she spoke, tears began to fall again.

Ye Feng listened silently. He realized that he had indeed neglected Liu Qingyi and ignored her feelings during this period.

“And then there’s Qin Yifei…” Liu Qingyi sniffed, “He’s always trying different ways to pursue me—sending flowers, gifts, taking me out to dinner. I’ve rejected him so many times, but he still won’t give up. I’m so fed up with him!”

Ye Feng sighed: "Qingyi, if you're really wronged, just cry. It's not good to keep it inside."

Hearing these words, Liu Qingyi couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

To avoid being seen by others, she turned around and threw herself into Ye Feng's arms, bursting into tears.

Liu Qingyi's shoulders trembled slightly, and Ye Feng could feel her long-suppressed emotions erupting at this moment.

He patted her back, comforting her softly as if soothing a child.

"Is this how you comfort people?" Liu Qingyi scolded him, her voice trembling with tears.

"I was wrong, I deserve to be punished." Ye Feng could only admit his mistake, his tone filled with helplessness and self-reproach. "Tell me, how do you want me punished so you can forgive me?"

Liu Qingyi gradually calmed down in his arms.

"Are you still angry?" Ye Feng asked cautiously.

"Hmph!" Liu Qingyi snorted, indicating that she was still angry.

Ye Feng smiled helplessly, "Don't cry even if you're angry. If your eyes get swollen from crying, your godmother will think I did something to you and she'll punish me."

"Serves you right!" Liu Qingyi burst into laughter through her tears. "Just you wait, I'll tell everyone when we get back!"

Liu Qingyi got into the passenger seat.

Ye Feng understood what she meant, got into the driver's seat, started the car, and drove towards the Xiong family's location.

On the way, Liu Qingyi touched up her makeup in front of the mirror, then turned to Ye Feng and said, "I know my attitude towards Qin Yifei upset you. Give me a little more time, and I'll handle it."

Ye Feng nodded without saying anything.

From the very beginning, Ye Feng had anticipated that their relationship would be entangled with interests.

The business world is like a battlefield; who can remain unscathed in it?

He didn't want to be a deserter.

Especially just now, when Liu Qingyi cried in his arms, that feeling was irresistible to him.

He wanted to protect her and face reality with her.

Just then, Liu Qingyi's phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Qingyi, are you home yet? Was the journey smooth?" Qin Yifei's voice came from the other end of the phone.

Ye Feng glanced at Liu Qingyi, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.

Liu Qingyi said coldly, "Qin Yifei, I didn't refuse you today because of cooperation. Don't misunderstand."

There seemed to be a pause on the other end of the phone, followed by Qin Yifei's urgent voice: "Qingyi, did Ye Feng cause you trouble? What did he say to you?"

"Yes, he contacted me. I don't want this to happen again." After saying that, Liu Qingyi hung up the phone and threw it aside.

She turned to look at Ye Feng, "Are you satisfied now?"

Ye Feng grinned, "I'm very satisfied."

Liu Qingyi frowned. "I'm not satisfied. That bouquet of flowers today was the first gift you ever gave me. What do you mean by throwing it in the trash?"

Ye Feng's smile froze on his face, and he said somewhat awkwardly, "I just acted on impulse."

Liu Qingyi felt wronged. That bouquet of flowers, though only eleven roses, was a gift from him, and it held special significance.

Ye Feng quickly tried to salvage the situation, "I'll make it up to you, okay? Let's go to the movies tomorrow?"

Liu Qingyi snorted lightly, "You're getting off easy this time."

Ye Feng took a bank card out of his pocket and handed it to Liu Qingyi.

Liu Qingyi didn't take it. "What is this?"

"Money," Ye Feng explained. "Jiang Yanqing, Feng Xiaoqian's wife, gave me this card."

He briefly recounted what had happened.

Liu Qingyi took the card, her eyes filled with complicated emotions. "What exactly is your relationship with Yang Yunqing? You promised me before that you wouldn't have any more contact with her."

Ye Feng felt a little guilty. "There was no other way; the situation was special."

"How could someone who has shared both hardship and prosperity be just an ordinary friend?" Liu Qingyi's tone was laced with sarcasm.

Ye Feng sighed, "Qingyi, I was wrong. There won't be a next time."

Liu Qingyi sneered, "Go back and explain to your godmother."