If someone once abandoned you, there might just be someone else who will cherish you twice as much.
Extreme hurt and overwhelming affection—Cheng Yi had experienced it all in just a few days. She was beginning to realise that there's no obstacle in life you can't overcome, no pain you can't move past. If you've endured the worst, remind yourself: It doesn't get worse than this.
So, when Yan Xuemei appeared at the door, Cheng Yi felt nothing but indifference.
Yan Xuemei no longer carried her usual overbearing air. Her eyes were swollen and red, and she avoided Cheng Yi's gaze. It wasn't surprising that she'd brought another pot of soup. With the generosity Old George had shown at the store, his affection for Yi was plain as day. That she was living in such a luxurious place was to be expected.
Guests are guests, after all. Cheng Yi made tea, while Yan Xuemei laid the soup on the table.
"Drink it while it's hot. Chicken soup is good for your health."
Yan Xuemei's voice was no longer forceful; instead, it carried a tentative gentleness. This sudden display of kindness was undoubtedly driven by an agenda. What's more, after all the heavy soups she'd been having these past few days, just the sight of soup made her stomach churn.
"No need, I've had more than enough these past few days."
It was true, but to Yan Xuemei, it felt like she was rejecting her goodwill.
"Yi, I know I was wrong before, you have every right to blame me."
"That's not what I meant."
There was no point in explaining further. Better to just drink this bowl of soup and get it over with. Cheng Yi took the bowl and drained it in one go.
"How does it taste?"
The chicken skin hadn't been removed, and the soup was far too oily.
"It's good—very rich."
Cheng Yi's response was somewhat perfunctory, but it seemed to put Yan Xuemei at ease. She immediately ladled out another bowl. Cheng Yi managed a few more sips before giving up.
She'd had the soup; now it was time to get to the real reason for the visit.
"Why did you come by today?"
Yan Xuemei started to glance around nervously. For someone who had always been so domineering, expressing regret, even if she genuinely felt it, didn't come naturally. Cheng Yi couldn't help but smile wryly—this was probably harder for her than anything else.
"If it's about the past, there's really nothing left to say. It's all behind me now."
Yan Xuemei let out a deep sigh, whether from guilt over the pain she'd caused or relief at not having to explain further, Cheng Yi no longer cared.
"Yi, we really owe you an apology, especially me. If it weren't for me back then, that child—"
There were some things Cheng Yi had already made peace with. She cut her off, her voice calm and firm.
"It was my choice to keep the baby. You weren't involved."
"But—"
"I don't want to dwell on the past. I'm doing well now."
"Yi, we let you down, and we let your parents down too. Zhiyuan's locked himself in his room, refusing to eat or drink. He's punishing himself."
"Zhiyuan's strong. He'll get through this. They'll be back soon. You should head home."
Cheng Yi knew she wasn't a saint and that there was really nothing more she could do.
Shamelessness knows no bounds.
Today, Cheng Yi truly understood the meaning of this phrase. After observing Ye Minglang's shameless antics for so long, she decided to put it into practice herself——and it turned out to be surprisingly effective.
An uninvited guest sat down opposite her, interrupting her peaceful afternoon tea. No matter how exquisite the woman's makeup or how expensive her clothes, all her elegance vanished the moment she opened her mouth.
"Cheng Yi, shouldn't you be busy catering to your sugar daddy's whims? Oh, right, at his age, I guess it's probably nap time, huh?"
Instead of getting angry, Cheng Yi found it amusing. Perhaps she really had moved on from the past, because she felt a calmness she'd never experienced before.
"Exactly. I was worried I'd have no one to pay the bill for me. You really are my saviour."
Her voice was calm but laced with a subtle sharpness that made the woman's smile freeze.
"What? Did he leave you?"
"Pretty much. Got any recommendations for a replacement?"
Hu Yali's face darkened in an instant. What was going on? She'd come here fully intending to mock Cheng Yi, but now it felt like she couldn't get the upper hand no matter what she said. Cheng Yi continued to browse the menu leisurely, which only infuriated her more.
"This restaurant belongs to my family. Eat as much as you like. I'll just consider it my good deed of the day."
"That's very kind of you."
Cheng Yi responded with composure, seizing the chance to milk the situation for all it was worth.
"By the way, offer takeout?"
Cheng Yi asked nonchalantly, making Hu Yali grit her teeth in fury before storming off.
Cheng Yi knew very well that Hu Yali was the vengeful type, and it was best not to lower her guard. Who knew if she might do something extreme like poisoning the food? Not daring to eat anything, she left shortly after.
But Hu Yali wasn't about to let things go so easily. If it hadn't been for Cheng Yi's phone call back then, how could Fang Zhiyuan have broken up with her? She'd spent so much time and effort on both Fang Zhiyuan and his status-obsessed mother, only for it all to fall apart. And now, even Fang's mother, who used to support her, had turned against her and sided with someone she considered beneath her.
When Hu Yali received the celebratory banquet order forwarded by the restaurant manager, she immediately smelled an opportunity for revenge. After meeting with the beautiful PR lady from the investment firm, a plan quietly took shape in her mind.
Zhu Mandy perched on the edge of Ye Mingzhe's desk, casually summarizing the banque meeting in just a few words.
"That third wheel who's never been loved has finally found an opportunity. She's planning to publicly humiliate the leading lady at the party. Any ideas, Boss?"
Her tone was light, her voice full of curiosity as she waited to see Ye Mingzhe's reaction. He frowned slightly, pausing for a moment before giving his instructions decisively.
"Let her have her moment. Give her an even bigger stage. And add two more people to the guest list."
Zhu Mandy's eyebrows shot up in surprise as she took the list. Seeing the names, she felt a deep sense of admiration. A glimmer of anticipation flickered in her eyes.