Chapter 57: Forcing a ridiculous mistress.

Summer downpours always come suddenly.

Two hours later, Ke Yanchen finished everything. When he came out of Xia Tingxue's building, he realized it was raining outside.

The air was damp with the scent of earth, seeping into the pores of his skin. Ke Yanchen stood under the eaves on the first floor, not in a hurry to leave, staring blankly at the vast night.

It's unclear whether Xia Tingxue listened to his words or not; she just kept crying, her eyes brimming with tears, looking utterly pitiful.

Strangely, he was able to resist, his mind filled with thoughts that the longer he stayed, the deeper the misunderstanding would become, and he wondered if Yu Wu would mind.

He lit a cigarette, its crimson glow crackling as it burned. Frowning, he flicked off a speck of ash. The next moment, his eyelids lifted, his fingertips paused, and he stared blankly at the slender figure in the rain—a figure that should have been at home. The rain pounded in his ears, his neck stiffened, and the questions he wanted to ask caught in his throat.

In the boundless night, under the dim yellow streetlights, amidst the torrential rain, Yu Wu held a transparent umbrella and stood ten steps away from Ke Yanchen. The mist obscured her expression, but a delicate voice could be heard.

The wind and rain were heavy, and she called out to him, "Ke Ke."

She walked a little closer and got under the eaves. "I only realized it was raining when I got home. I thought you didn't have an umbrella, so I followed you here."

Noticing Ke Yanchen's tense jaw, she nervously closed her umbrella and asked timidly, "You won't blame me, will you?"

The rain poured down, carrying the damp scent of earth. The sound of the rain was dense, and the wind ruffled her slightly curled hair. It was a little cold, and she shivered. The silly girl nervously pursed her lips and stared blankly at him.

She seems to have been born knowing how to love.

Xia Tingxue was upstairs, but she was too lazy to even lift a finger to call and check on him; while Yu Wu, that silly girl, went around most of the city in the pouring rain just to bring him an umbrella.

In one's life, it's rare to have a few truly sincere and passionate moments.

A warm feeling washed over Ke Yanchen, all his previous annoyance vanishing. He let out a long sigh, pulled Yu Wu into his arms, and asked in a hoarse voice, "How long have you been waiting?"

Yu Wu's voice was soft: "It wasn't long, maybe half an hour? Or maybe ten minutes?"

Separating their bodies, Ke Yanchen lowered his eyelids and noticed water droplets clinging to her delicate, lotus-root-like white ankles. He knelt down and gently wiped them clean for her.

"It's alright, we still have to walk later," Yu Wu said. "Let's go back quickly."

Ke Yanchen intended to carry Yu Wu in his arms, but she refused. In the end, the two of them walked towards his car together under an umbrella.

Ke Yanchen held the umbrella and tilted it towards her, his shoulder completely soaked. After getting into the car, Yu Wu handed him a tissue and insisted on drying him off before leaving.

......

After dropping Yu Wu off at home, Ke Yanchen lit another cigarette in the quiet underground parking lot.

He sighed deeply; this silly girl had warmed his heart.

She's so lovable, I want to protect her for the rest of my life.

He'd had five or six relationships in total, all with innocent, naive girls. He was always the one making the effort and taking care of them. None of them loved him as foolishly and passionately as Yu Wu.

Thinking of Yu Wu's clean and soft eyes, his heart softened, and the corners of his lips unconsciously curved into a tender smile.

For some reason, his expression froze, and a deep sense of regret and remorse arose within him.

If it weren't for those past mistakes, they would both be innocent and pure. Their first kiss was a light, fleeting peck, then a careful prying apart. Both were inexperienced; their teeth would chatter, clumsily entwining. Her eyes must have been filled with helplessness, her ears and cheeks burning red, her waist weak and sliding down, and she would pitifully call him "Keke," begging him to stop...

He exhaled a deep puff of smoke, then felt it wasn't too late. She was still innocent; he could teach her.

She's the one for me in this life.

Take your time.

*

A downpour cleaned up the entire city, and Monday arrived in the blink of an eye.

The Yu family is currently in a precarious situation, with new issues arising every day.

Yu Wu had finally managed to keep an old client in line after a lot of effort. Just as she was about to take a sip of water to soothe her throat, Gu Yun knocked on the door and came in, saying that Ao Ziye was in the conference room and wanted to see her.

Yu Wu was a little surprised, wondering what Ao Ziye wanted to see her about, but she still went anyway.

As soon as they entered, a low whistle sounded. Ao Ziye casually shifted his gaze to her face, his handsome, noble face grinning mischievously: "How's your new boyfriend?"

Yu Wu's heart tightened, and she said in a low voice, "If you're here to cause trouble, then I'll be leaving."

"Tsk." Ao Ziye slid a document from the table to Yu Wu's face with his long, slender fingers, and raised his chin. "I'll help you."

Yu Wu glanced at him, then picked up the documents in her hand: an investment plan and suggestions for facilitating capital recovery and business continuation. She casually flipped through them; the second document was clearly structured, and the sharp eye suggested a certain individual. These two documents would temporarily alleviate Yu's immediate financial crisis.

Did he send you?

“Him? Cheng Yi?” Ao Ziye leaned back, chuckling, “Don’t be naive.”

Why are you helping me?

Ao Ziye shrugged. "That guy is so wicked, consider it a good deed I've done. Of course, you owe me a favor."

Yu Wu wanted to say something more, but Ao Ziye had already strolled away, waved, and left.

"If I really can't take it anymore, I'll break up with that guy surnamed Ke."

*

Busy days always fly by. Today is Saturday, and it's the birthday of a friend of Ke Yanchen's in the industry. He's invited me to go out. This guy used to work in the south of the city, but later his business expanded to the north of the city, and he's become increasingly successful, making him very well-known throughout the entire Nanhai City.

Yu Wu and Ke Yanchen arrived at the party, where the lights were dazzling and the atmosphere was already lively with guests and hosts enjoying themselves.

Yu Wu stayed by Ke Yanchen's side, doing her best to play the role of a well-behaved girlfriend and giving him plenty of face in front of his friends. Suddenly, her eyes lifted up, and her numb and empty heart began to thump powerfully, her blood flowing to her limbs and bones, and she felt a slight warmth.

The man leaned back lazily, while Ao Ziye and his friend chatted idly beside him, laughing heartily at the most interesting parts. Only he remained expressionless, appearing listless and uninterested. A cigarette dangled between his slender fingers, the ash falling silently. His features were thin and sharp, exuding an aloof detachment from the world, and an undeniable, almost sinister, air of nobility.

Ao Ziye noticed Yu Wu's gaze and patted Cheng Yi on the shoulder.

Cheng Yi's gaze shifted over.

Their eyes met.

In just a second, he looked away from that indifferent and cold gaze.

It was as if she were a complete stranger.

Her heart clenched suddenly, the world spun, and countless fragments of scenes flashed through her mind. She thought that all that remained in her heart was a desolate silence, and that she could live like an emotionless robot.

In reality, she still couldn't do it.

Upon seeing him, tears welled up in my eyes.

She was addicted to him, drawn by an inexplicable magnetic attraction. With just a glance, a slight lift of his thin eyelids, a touch of crimson with his fingertip, or a cool, detached smile, he could easily draw her soul from her chest. Yet, he always maintained a nonchalant, wicked indifference, a languid yet oppressive scrutiny that instilled fear in her.

Ke Yanchen put his arm around her shoulder and led her to the dessert area, his voice deep and mellow: "Want to eat something? Hmm?"

Yu Wu looked up and smiled, "Okay."

Yu Wu didn't have much of an appetite. She ate a few bites of dessert and sat down with Ke Yanchen at the far left of the room. At the far right were Cheng Yi and his group from the north of the city, clearly separated and not disturbing each other.

Ke Yanchen, standing beside her, lowered his eyelids and played with Yu Wu's hand, saying, "I've noticed you're a picky eater."

Yu Wu, who was absent-minded, was startled and murmured "hmm" while looking away.

Ke Yanchen suddenly leaned close to her, pressing his forehead against hers and staring intently, his dark pupils unfathomable.

"You're a little stiff because he's here?"

His tone seemed relaxed and casual, but it carried a sinister undertone.

Yu Wu's eyes widened, she opened her mouth, and pouted pitifully: "...Ke Ke, I didn't."

Ke Yanchen remained silent, staring at her with suppressed icy coldness in his dark pupils, without uttering a sound.

There was an indescribable, unique atmosphere between the two of them. Even though they were at opposite ends of the room and their eyes never met, there was a sticky, natural connection between them, an unspoken bond.

His chest was filled with irritation. He knew that Cheng Yi was a thing of the past for her, and that he had even been denied his identity, with no official status whatsoever.

Yet, a strong sense of unease still lingered. She even began to regret and feel remorse, regretting that she hadn't held on tighter, preventing Cheng Yi from taking advantage of her. Unexpressed possessiveness swelled within her chest, threatening to explode.

"Keke?"

Her innocent eyes struck his tainted heart like a heavy blow. Then he realized, those who haven't experienced love simply wouldn't understand.

Perhaps he was overthinking it.

Ke Yanchen took her hand and kissed it, his lips slightly upturned, his voice low and deep: "It's nothing."

*

Cheng Yi had a friend who had met Yu Wu before but wasn't aware of the latest situation. Seeing Yu Wu with Ke Yanchen, the friend asked in confusion, "Chengzi, isn't that your girlfriend? Why is she with Ke Yanchen?"

Cheng Yi slowly raised his eyes and glanced at him, his tone sarcastic: "Of course she's with her new boyfriend."

My friend was taken aback and blurted out, "Then what are you?"

Ao Ziye loudly and cheekily chimed in, "He's a mistress!" He put his arm around his friend's shoulder and gossiped to him in a nonchalant manner, "Hey, you don't know yet? The girl publicly denied him, but Ke Yanchen's faction in Chengnan is all calling him a shameless mistress behind his back! A free gold digger!"

The friend stared in horror, eyes wide, and remained silent.

Cheng Yi gritted his teeth, his peripheral vision catching her bright smile, and the cloying "Ke Ke" sounds echoing in the noisy environment piercing his heart like sharp knives. He finally couldn't help but glance at her sideways, his brows furrowing imperceptibly, his knuckles clenching tightly around the cup.

I've lost weight.

They definitely didn't eat properly.

Ao Ziye secretly rejoiced as he looked at the bulging veins on Cheng Yi's hand and the way he seemed to want to look but dared not, pretending to be nonchalant. He thought to himself, "Finally, I've found your weakness. Usually, you have the sharpest tongue, aloof and detached from worldly desires, yet you've made him and Shu Yueqiao look like drowned rats."

He glanced at Cheng Yi again. Cheng Yi leaned back in his chair, his jaw clenched tightly. The dim light from his phone illuminated his absent-minded face. The phone screen was off, his eyes drooped, and he gave a mocking laugh. After the laugh, his expression visibly emptied.

Like an empty shell devoid of its soul. All the former haughty and arrogant contempt and pride, even that lazy and domineering air of certainty, have all shed their skin on him.

Ao Ziye sighed, patted Cheng Yi on the shoulder, and poured him a glass of wine.

*

Yu Wu walked down the long corridor and went into the restroom. When she came out, she forced a smile at herself in the mirror, repeatedly suppressing the surging, bitter emotions welling up inside her.

As long as he was there, she could feel the oppressive low pressure enveloping the entire room.

She had just stepped out of the restroom when someone bumped into her from behind, causing her phone to fall to the ground. She crouched down, about to pick it up, when a light, mocking laugh rang out—

Looking up, Yuwu saw a small group of men and women in the south of the city, all drunk and arrogant.

Unfortunately, the one in charge was Ding Xiaoxiao. Because she offended Cheng Yi last time, she hadn't been able to make any appearances or events for a long time. She hated Cheng Yi and Yu Wu to death. Now that she finally had a chance, of course she wanted to take the opportunity to mock him.

"Isn't this the hottest person in our Nanhai City lately? Hey, hey, hey, how come you're hooking up with two men at the same time? Teach us!" Ding Xiaoxiao shouted, causing a burst of laughter.

Yu Wu's love triangle is arguably the biggest headline in Nanhai City recently, with various opinions and different factions emerging.

Cheng Yi's faction in the north of the city has accused Ke Yanchen of being a despicable mistress who stole her husband's girlfriend.

The Ke Yanchen faction in Chengnan portrayed Cheng Yi as a mistress, the kind who was unwanted but still pursued.

Yu Wu also had a group of people who disapproved of her, believing that she was incredibly powerful and resourceful, and that she was two-timing.

It is clear that Ding Xiaoxiao and others belong to the third faction.

Yu Wu was exhausted and didn't want to argue with her at all. She picked up her phone, lowered her eyes, and said calmly, "What's it to you?"

"Oh, who do you think you are! We're just trying to learn from you, and you think you're something special?" Ding Xiaoxiao's words were followed by another round of sarcastic laughter, and their eyes were full of contempt and disdain.

Facing the oncoming malice, Yu Wu stood there, gazing at them silently, and suddenly laughed.

"You call yourselves celebrities, do you even know how filthy and ugly you look? You're like village shrewish scoundrels, living off the gossip at the village entrance all day long, you—"

"I went up there myself."

A deep male voice suddenly came from behind, and the situation was immediately brought under control. The moment she heard his voice, Yu Wu's heart began to pound. She held her breath and turned her head to look at him.

Cheng Yi strolled leisurely alongside Yu Wu, his expression indifferent. The imposing aura he had cultivated over the years, ingrained in him by his high position, was evident simply from his presence. He exuded power and dominance, wielding considerable authority and commanding respect.

His thin eyelids drooped down, his aura cold and disdainful, like a sharp knife gleaming with a gloomy light.

"It was I who forced her; it has nothing to do with her."

Ding Xiaoxiao's small group looked at each other, their faces extremely grim, and whispered amongst themselves.

"He admitted he was the other woman?"

"Holy crap, so it really wasn't Yu Wu seducing me?"

"He tried to force himself on me, but he still failed?"

With such an arrogant demeanor, her words ultimately condemned her to the mire of gossip and slander. In this absurd love triangle, she was the sole, perfect victim, morally impeccable.

He was clearly a demon, skilled at plundering, seizing, and destroying. For her sake, he sacrificed his dignity, stripping away his flesh and bones, leaping into the inferno of public opinion, becoming a laughable, unloved mistress, the target of everyone's ire.

Cheng Yi's gaze was icy as he looked at Ding Xiaoxiao.

Ding Xiaoxiao's face turned pale, and she tensed up, unable to meet his gaze.

“Gossiping behind someone’s back is fine. But if it gets to my ears—” He smiled knowingly, leaving the question open, then added casually, “I’d be looking forward to it.”

"Get lost."

After he finished speaking, the crowd slunk away like rats in a sewer.

The corridor fell silent, leaving only the two of them.

The central air conditioning was on, but the temperature felt noticeably higher. My heart was pounding wildly in my chest, and all I could hear was each other's low, labored breathing; the quiet air felt sticky and stifling.

The two looked at each other silently, without saying a word.

-----------------------

Author's Note: Both men are suspicious.