Praise You

There's no room for compromise in business; one wrong move can lead to a complete loss. Chen Diang was committed to his duties, diligently working without distractions. So he arranged with Qin Ling to pick her up at the villa in the north of the city in the morning, drive over an hour to the city for consultation, and then return her when the time came.

Qin Ling was of course happy to offer this courtesy to his cousin.

I'm bored on the road, so I occasionally talk about gossip.

"Ayin, your love rival has recently been writing a column for the supplement of Ancheng Daily."

"who?"

"Zou Meng."

"What's it about?"

"A romantic novel, serialized." While waiting for the red light, the resourceful Qin Ling sent her the formatted PDF file. "Read it for yourself. Even though I'm not well-read, I can tell she's scolding you."

Ye Yuanyin was curious, so he opened the phone and took a look, and his blood rushed to his head.

The character based on her is a veritable caged courtesan, whose lowly status leaves her unable to control her own destiny, leading her to commit herself to a series of men, engaging in passionate affairs with them. Zou Meng, however, transforms into the sober and calm heroine, even prompting the once courtesan-infatuated male protagonist, Chen Yan'an, to repent and, in a desperate attempt to win her back, resort to all means.

The writing is lingering and poignant, the emotions are well-placed, and the several love scenes are charming and erotic. After reading this series, Ye Yuanyin praised Qin Ling lightly, "She has a very good writing style."

Qin Ling thought disdainfully, with her gentle and easygoing personality, and her lack of paranoia, how could she possibly be suffering from depression? Drawing on his own experience in society, he warned her, "Your brother-in-law has such a deep family background and a celebrity face. Even if you keep a low profile, people will still notice him. You've got to strike first."

Ye Yuanyin humbly asked, "How do I play?"

"Only those who seize the high ground of public opinion can seize the initiative. Create an account and share your bed photos."

...It's so simple and crude.

As expected, when I returned from the counseling room, I saw Zou Meng right there. She got out of her family's luxury car, with the license plate number all six, and seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

Ye Yuanyin was waiting for her to make the first move.

Zou Meng knew she had earned a master's degree in art therapy in the US. In contrast, she had been obsessed with fantasy since childhood and looked ordinary, so she naturally had a dislike for beautiful and well-educated people. So, she looked up at the large light-box sign for the consultation room and asked curiously, "Is Miss Ye here to work?"

Ye Yuanyin never lied, but out of concern for the impact on Shen Ji'an, he didn't say much. "What do you want to talk to me about?"

"I'm having a party with friends tonight and I'd like to invite you."

Qin Ling frowned and shook his head, suggesting that she should solve this problem as soon as possible.

Ye Yuanyin smiled, "We don't seem to be familiar with each other."

Zou Meng was very persistent. "My father has booked a dinner at the Hilton to celebrate my birthday. There will be a performance of the Italian opera 'Tosca'. You can enjoy the show while enjoying the delicious food. I have invited a group of friends to come. Please be sure to come and join us."

Ye Yuanyin stared at her round, white face. From such a close distance, Zou Meng's well-maintained skin was so delicate that not even a trace of pores could be seen.

"Ms. Zou, thank you for your invitation. But I haven't been feeling well lately, so I'd better not bother you anymore."

"It's not me, it's someone else who wants you to come." Zou Meng took out a silver bracelet from her bag with a tissue under her hand, her movements and expression showing disdain: "He's coming too."

Ye Yuanyin reached out to take it, and his expression changed - first he asked someone to send a hairpin, and now he sent a bracelet. It seems that Shen Yuheng is very anxious.

Zou Meng hurriedly said politely: "Miss Ye, I look forward to your visit."

No wonder her novels are written with such true feelings. Perhaps, beyond her excessive imagination, someone told her some actual materials.

*

Zhang Moha knew that Ye Yuanyin had returned and couldn't wait to meet her.

It was almost three o'clock in the afternoon. There was a cafe downstairs of the KZ office building. There were plane trees planted all along the street, and their tall, lush leaves shone with a green jade-like glow.

"The group's top management isn't very optimistic about this healing project, especially now that the main creative staff are also facing problems." Maha asked her, "We're under attack from all sides. How are you doing? Are you feeling better?"

Ye Yuanyin shook his head.

"Xiao Ye, what should we do?" Zhang Mohe still hadn't mastered the Heart Sutra, nor had he grasped the true meaning of suffering, accumulation, extinction, and the path. Forced by life, he still felt endless regret in this secular world. "It's been three years, and we've worked so hard. What was it all for? I was hoping to use this money to buy a house in Ancheng."

Ye Yuanyin asked, "Has this project been completely abandoned, or temporarily suspended?"

"Ji Quan said that the board of directors has basically given up on their decision." Zhang Mohe was still struggling, "But the boss hasn't made the final decision yet. Did you two have a fight? Did you make him angry? Can't you just whisper in his ear?"

"I'll give it a try," Ye Yuanyin said somewhat awkwardly, "He has his own difficulties. If it doesn't work, I hope you can understand."

Zhang Mohe was anxious and annoyed by her lack of enthusiasm and asked, "Don't you have any feelings for this project at all? From childhood to adulthood, have you never thought about fighting for what you desperately need? Now that you have met Chen Di'an, you have a supporter in life and can live a worry-free life. But what if you didn't meet him? What if you were abandoned and continued to live an insecure life? What would you do?"

Ye Yuanyin never imagined a life of unearned gain. Although she grew up in a less-than-affluent environment, her parents' unwavering love and respect gave her the confidence to persevere despite her poverty. She would strive for her future and career, but she would never tire of them.

Chen Di'an felt the same way about her. Liking him was her own choice; leaving him was her own choice; deciding to accept him again was also her own choice. If they ever did break up, it would definitely be the decision that best suited her current situation.

Enjoy love when it comes. If you can't keep it, you'll be sad for a while after it's gone, but just live your life well. Her mother's death, during the three heartbreaking years, caused her to undergo a dramatic transformation and growth, gradually teaching her to accept the growth and loss, separation, and death of all external things.

In a sense, she has now reconciled with her sensitive and unruly past self.

"For me, a life without any security is the norm. But don't worry," Ye Yuanyin promised him, "For the sake of countless children like Xiao Ruan, I will do my best to persuade him."

"Okay." Zhang Moha felt that perhaps she, whose heart was not constrained by external things, was the one who had truly mastered the Heart Sutra.

*

In the evening, Qin Ling drove her to her destination and asked again, "Don't you really need to tell your brother-in-law?"

Ye Yuanyin shook her head. It was really hard for her to talk about the fact that she had almost lost her virginity in the past and had to go to a meeting with unpredictable results.

When he reached the door, Qin Ling was stopped.

He was furious, thinking, "It's just a party for rich people, why shouldn't I be allowed to attend?" Seeing the security guard at the door was determined, Qin Ling had no choice but to tell her, "I'll call you every ten minutes. If I can't reach you, I'll call the police."

Ye Yuanyin agreed.

Zou Meng had a lot of guests tonight, and since she entered the door, she was followed and guided by the waiter.

Chu Jinxi was also there. She had just starred in a suspense film a while ago, and it had unexpectedly become a hit, sending her net worth skyrocketing. She was here tonight simply because she was in a passionate relationship with a young talent in the city, and the two of them had come to the hotel just to spend the night together.

"My dear, you go up first."

The man was very sensitive. "What's going on? Are there paparazzi following us?"

"No, I saw someone I know." Chu Jinxi kissed his cheek affectionately, "I'll come find you in a while.

The man left first.

Chu Jinxi followed Ye Yuanyin closely. When the elevator stopped at the thirteenth floor, she took another elevator up. The long shag carpet in the hallway muffled the sound of Chu Jinxi's high heels. A door opened, and Xiao Ye walked in. Chu Jinxi tilted her head slightly and saw half of her ex-husband's profile. This was really strange. I had warned her to stay away from Shen Yuheng before, so why were these two still in contact?

Two men in black suits were conducting a thorough inspection from the other side of the corridor. Although he was no longer in charge, a lean camel was still bigger than a horse. Chu Jinxi did not want to offend someone he could not afford to offend, so he turned around and left quickly.

Worried, she returned to the first floor lobby only to run into Shen Dian'an again, seeing him accompanied by an unremarkable young woman. Rumors circulated that he was planning a marriage alliance with the Zou family, forging a powerful alliance. Was that why Xiao Ye had turned to Shen Yuheng again?

*

Ye Yuanyin walked into the room and carefully looked at the structure inside.

Shen Yuheng had his back to her, holding a glass of wine.

Although the man was already in his fifties, he looked like he was in his early forties due to his long-term fitness and maintenance. Furthermore, having been in high positions for many years, he carried himself with a calm and composed demeanor.

"Sit down."

Ye Yuanyin didn't move, but his fingers were tightly gripping his cell phone.

"What do you want from me?"

Shen Yuheng turned around, put one hand in his trouser pocket, and looked down at her condescendingly, like an emperor looking down on everyone. "How come you are sick too?"

Ye Yuanyin thought, it turns out that he has been monitoring him.

"The girl's death is not your fault." Shen Yuheng held the wide-mouthed glass in his hand. Every time he took a step closer, the ice cubes would make a slight collision sound. Ye Yuanyin suddenly felt a splitting headache.

"Stay away from me."

"Oh," Shen Yuheng suddenly laughed and said thoughtfully, "I really miss such frank conversations with you."

Like an animal with its fur standing on end and ready to fight at any moment, she warned him again, "Don't come near me."

Shen Yuheng actually stopped, and the two of them exchanged sharp and silent words. Ye Yuanyin was so distracted that no matter how you looked at him, he looked like an upgraded version of Shen Yan'an.

"Come on, Xiaoye, come and chat with me." Shen Yuheng stopped approaching, his voice soothing, "I might have scared you before. But I'm not that frivolous and dissolute person. I've always wanted to explain this to you."

"What do you have to explain? You killed someone and you're saying sorry in front of the corpse."

At this time, Qin Ling called. Ye Yuanyin hung up and sent another message. [I'm fine]

The other side seemed relieved and stopped fighting.

Shen Yuheng could see the infinite restraint and defensiveness in her tense body movements. He seemed to be the manipulator behind everything, cruel and weird.

"No explanation needed?" He stared at her, sighed deeply, and said, "Perhaps what you need is an apology? But apologies are so rare for the Shen family."

"Just like Chen Dian'an. Over the past three years, he first executed the royal family, then the old ministers. Within three years, he replaced all the senior executives with his own confidants. To stabilize the military, he gave everyone a huge salary increase last year... As a former president, I can admit that I'm not as skilled as him after falling from grace, but what he did was simply too ruthless."

"I won't apologize to you." He raised his eyes, his sharp gaze locked onto her again, "Xiao Ye, I hope you can love me more than pity me."

The door outside was suddenly kicked open, and Chen Yan walked in with a frosty face. He seemed to be carrying the ghost fire of hell, with a green face and fangs, and he would not stop until he saw blood.

Ye Yuanyin, with a look of fear on his face, was pushed out by him, and the door was closed behind him. From inside came the dull sound of impact and the crisp sound of something falling to the ground and breaking.

She was outside, and she felt that his silence was like a knife cutting through, but his violence was like a tide.