The Aloof CEO’s Hidden Temptation - Chapter 12

Ye Yi’an stared at Ye Jiayuan’s hand resting on Fu Chaoying’s shoulder, his expression darkening. “Sister, why are you here?”

Ye Jiayuan’s gaze merely swept over him lightly as she responded indifferently, “Work finished early.”

Without another word, Ye Jiayuan ignored the stares from the crowd. She lowered her eyes slightly, looking into Fu Chaoying’s clear eyes, and said, “President Fu is looking for you.”

This was clearly a clever excuse.

Fu Chaoying understood her meaning instantly. She gave a slight nod and a graceful smile toward the new friends she had just met nearby. “Excuse me.”

The two walked side by side, their pace composed.

Fu Chaoying followed Ye Jiayuan straight toward the exit. At some point, the weight on her shoulder vanished, and the lingering scent of magnolia seemed to drift away.

Fu Chaoying’s heart suddenly felt a void. She couldn’t help but turn her head to look at Ye Jiayuan, only to be pulled back by the other woman’s cool voice: “Why didn’t you strike back just now?”

Fu Chaoying’s eyes dimmed slightly with a hint of disappointment, but she quickly looked away and murmured softly, “It wasn’t appropriate for such an occasion.”

Her voice was so quiet it was almost inaudible, like a night breeze brushing past the ear.

Ye Jiayuan gave her a steady look, noticing the pink flush spreading from her cheeks to her neck. She moved her gaze away unobtrusively. “Xingye is the sponsor today. There was no need to worry about the occasion.”

“Don’t forget that you are a shareholder of Xingye,” she added, her tone softening by a fraction.

“Well… I still have to consider Xingye’s reputation.”

Fu Chaoying spoke in a well-behaved tone, yet a flicker of undetectable mischief danced in her eyes.

“Then should I thank you on behalf of the company?”

Ye Jiayuan rarely made jokes. Moved by the gesture, Fu Chaoying couldn’t help but gently tug at her sleeve, acting spoiled. “It’s a good thing Sister came.”

She called her “Sister” (Jiejie). It wasn’t out of fear during a thunderstorm, nor was it a slip of the tongue while drunk.

Ye Jiayuan looked down at the slender fingers clutching her sleeve, her throat tightening slightly. After a long pause, she gave a soft “Mm.”

A few seconds later, Fu Chaoying quietly let go and naturally pivoted to the next topic: “So Sister, what special privileges do shareholders of Xingye have?”

Ye Jiayuan introduced them to her succinctly yet professionally.

To summarize, there were two most important rights, dividend rights and voting rights.

“Then do I have to attend the shareholders’ meeting too?” Fu Chaoying blinked curiously, looking both obedient and spirited.

Ye Jiayuan nodded. “There is one the day after tomorrow. You can come if you want.”

“But I don’t know anyone except Sister.” Fu Chaoying sighed as she looked at the Bentley in front of them, she was truly in a strange land.

Once they were in the car, Ye Jiayuan didn’t respond to that statement.

Silence fell over the cabin for a moment. Just as Fu Chaoying was about to change the subject to break the ice, she heard a cool voice from beside her.

“You seemed like a fish in water just now. I imagine a small shareholders’ meeting won’t defeat you.”

Fu Chaoying froze for a second, then tilted her head to look at Ye Jiayuan, blinking innocently. “Really?”

Ye Jiayuan didn’t look up, remaining focused on the tablet in her hands, but she gave a light “Mm.”

Her voice was soft, yet it somehow carried a faint trace of an emotional ripple.

The oil painting she had seen that morning flashed through Fu Chaoying’s mind, and her eyes crinkled into a smile.

A sudden ringtone broke the subtle atmosphere.

Fu Chaoying answered the phone. It was her aunt, Fu Anjun, who couldn’t find her and was worried she had drunk too much.

“I only had a little bit. I just ran into Jiayuan-jie and left with her,” Fu Chaoying said sweetly before handing the phone to Ye Jiayuan.

After a few pleasantries, Ye Jiayuan handed the phone back.

The moment Fu Chaoying reached out to take it, her fingers brushed against the warmth of the other’s fingertips. But before she could savor the sensation, the other woman had already withdrawn her hand.

Her stomach let out an untimely “growl.” Fu Chaoying took the opportunity to ask, “Sister, are you hungry?”

Ye Jiayuan looked up from the screen and back at her. “You’re hungry?”

Fu Chaoying nodded vigorously, her eyes full of anticipation, only to hear a flat response: “I don’t have the habit of eating late-night snacks.”

Very well. Very principled.

Fu Chaoying grumbled, “Okay then.”

Her tone carried a hint of dejection.

Ye Jiayuan seemed to hear the disappointment in her voice and asked, “Is takeout alright?”

Fu Chaoying’s eyes lit up instantly. “Yes!”

Ye Jiayuan gave the driver an address, it seemed to be a busy street.

“You should like it.”

Fu Chaoying didn’t press further. It wasn’t until they arrived that she understood why Ye Jiayuan had said that.

Because Ye Jiayuan had brought her to a night market.

Fu Chaoying looked at Ye Jiayuan’s expensive gown, then at the bustling, noisy night market outside. She spoke with difficulty: “Should we… change places?”

Ye Jiayuan shook her head. “No need.”

As soon as she spoke, Assistant Liu, sitting in the passenger seat, began reciting a menu.

Fu Chaoying ordered two simple items, and then watched Assistant Liu get out of the car.

Fu Chaoying asked curiously, “How is she so familiar with this place?”

“Her girlfriend likes eating here; she comes often,” Ye Jiayuan explained simply.

Hearing this, Fu Chaoying chuckled and sighed, “Then her girlfriend must be so happy.”

Before the words had fully landed, Fu Chaoying met Ye Jiayuan’s deep gaze. In an instant, the latter looked back down at her documents.

Waiting was boring, so Fu Chaoying opened her phone to reply to messages.

Her frequent, rapid typing caught Ye Jiayuan’s attention.

Ye Jiayuan cleared her throat. “What perfume are you wearing?”

Without looking up, Fu Chaoying replied, “Eau Rose.”

“Oh. The scent lasts quite a long time.”

Fu Chaoying looked up at her, asking seemingly casually, “Hmm?”

Ye Jiayuan looked her directly in the eye and said calmly, “My bedroom is full of that scent.”

Fu Chaoying’s heart skipped a beat, but she forced a relaxed smile. “Then what do you think of the scent?”

Before Ye Jiayuan could answer, Assistant Liu returned with the fragrant food. “Miss Jiayuan, here.”

“Thank you, Sister Liu!” Fu Chaoying reached out to take the food.

Hearing her sweet “Sister Liu,” Ye Jiayuan shot her an imperceptible look.

As the car drove toward the hotel, Fu Chaoying stealthily checked the weather forecast and immediately locked her screen.

However, out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Ye Jiayuan’s tablet, it was showing a real estate floor plan.

Upon arriving at the hotel, the two got out of the car.

Fu Chaoying lightly lifted the snacks and asked with a hint of embarrassment, “Can I eat at your place?”

It was a nonsensical request.

Ye Jiayuan tilted her head toward her, silently asking for a reason.

“I’m afraid…” Fu Chaoying paused. Realizing it had been a clear day, she changed her excuse. “I’m just not used to eating alone.”

Fu Chaoying lowered her head slightly and added softly, “I won’t disturb Sister’s work.”

Ye Jiayuan gave a slight nod. Seeing her downcast eyes, she gave another soft “Mm.”

“Then I’ll be bothering you, Sister!” Fu Chaoying’s tone turned cheerful.

Ye Jiayuan gave a helpless smile and swiped her card to lead her upstairs.

This was the second time Fu Chaoying had been to Ye Jiayuan’s residence. Taking advantage of the relaxed atmosphere, she asked casually, “Sister, why don’t you make a home here?”

“Family rarely visits. Whether I settle down or not makes no difference,” Ye Jiayuan replied nonchalantly.

Fu Chaoying was puzzled, wasn’t she just looking at real estate?

Ye Jiayuan went into the study to work.

Fu Chaoying sat at the dining table eating her snacks, watching as the other woman brought out her laptop.

Fu Chaoying’s eyes followed her movement. She thought Ye Jiayuan was going to the balcony, but instead, she walked straight over and sat down opposite her.

Fu Chaoying blinked. Only then did she realize. Ye Jiayuan was going to… keep her company while she ate?

Fu Chaoying spoke softly, “Sister, you don’t have to worry about me.”

“It’s fine.” Ye Jiayuan’s fingers tapped lightly on the keyboard, her expression focused.

By the time she finished her meal, Ye Jiayuan hadn’t lost her concentration.

Fu Chaoying sat in a quiet daze when suddenly, a low rumble of thunder rolled in from the distance.

The weather forecast had not lied, it really was thundering at this hour.

A glint flashed in Fu Chaoying’s eyes. She feigned panic and looked at Ye Jiayuan pleadingly.

“It sounds like it’s thundering again. Can I stay over at Sister’s place for one more night?”

An undetectable ripple surfaced in Ye Jiayuan’s eyes. She stared at her for two seconds before slowly nodding her consent.