The Aloof CEO’s Hidden Temptation - Chapter 14

The air stagnated at that moment, and the sound of breathing became distinctly audible.

Outside, the lightning had just rested before preparing to strike again. Ye Jiayuan’s silhouette remained motionless as she lay on her side in the darkness, yet Fu Chaoying could inexplicably feel a slight tension radiating from her body.

Time seemed to freeze for a long while, so long that Fu Chaoying thought her request would be met with a silent refusal until finally, Ye Jiayuan spoke.

“I’m sorry.”

Ye Jiayuan’s voice was extremely soft, yet it was strikingly clear in the silence of the night.

Fu Chaoying’s heart shuddered violently along with a sudden crash of thunder outside.

She had been rejected.

Ye Jiayuan had refused her “give an inch, take a mile” attempt to test the boundaries of their relationship.

Fu Chaoying opened her lips, responding with the same soft, gentle tone. “I’m sorry.”

Just as the words left her mouth, a rustling sound reached Fu Chaoying’s ears, it was the sound of Ye Jiayuan moving her body.

Immediately after, a cold and steady voice rang out.

“If you’re afraid, you can hold my arm.”

Fu Chaoying’s fingertips trembled momentarily. She slowly reached out and found Ye Jiayuan’s forearm.

It was slender and warm. Fu Chaoying’s palm pressed firmly against her skin, feeling the body heat radiating from her.

Ye Jiayuan’s arm tightened slightly at first, as if by a subconscious self-protective instinct, but it relaxed in the next second.

Her voice was gentle yet restrained: “Go to sleep.”

The warmth from her skin seemed to reach Fu Chaoying’s heart. While her mind settled slightly, her heartbeat showed no sign of slowing down.

Was she still too nervous?

Afraid of disturbing Ye Jiayuan’s rest, Fu Chaoying didn’t dare move an inch.

After an unknown amount of time, Fu Chaoying slowly loosened her grip, only to find that Ye Jiayuan had not withdrawn her arm.

Fu Chaoying’s heart stirred. Her fingers quietly slid down, eventually grasping Ye Jiayuan’s palm and resting her hand gently within it.

Ye Jiayuan’s fingers seemed to twitch slightly, then returned to stillness.

Fu Chaoying held her breath, listening to the other woman’s steady, even breathing, guessing she must have fallen asleep.

Otherwise, how could she allow her to be so bold as to hold her hand and interlock their fingers?

A curve touched the corners of her lips as Fu Chaoying closed her eyes and gradually drifted into a dreamland.

The morning sun spilled into the room through the gaps in the curtains.

When Fu Chaoying woke up, Ye Jiayuan was still beside her, though there was now a person’s width of space between them. She was sleeping peacefully, her breathing light.

Their hands remained in the same position as the night before, though they were only lightly resting against each other rather than fully entwined.

Fu Chaoying carefully slid her fingers into the gaps between Ye Jiayuan’s fingers before falling back to sleep.

When she woke up for the second time, Fu Chaoying subconsciously turned her head to the left, but Ye Jiayuan was nowhere to be seen.

Checking the alarm clock, she saw it was only past seven in the morning local time.

So early? Ye Jiayuan had already gotten up to start working?

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help but admire Ye Jiayuan’s time management skills.

After freshening up, Fu Chaoying opened the bedroom door and immediately saw a figure sitting on the balcony.

In the faint morning light, Ye Jiayuan’s profile was outlined by a thin halo of glow. She looked both cold and ethereal, yet not without warmth.

Fu Chaoying memorized this scene, a picture perfect, beautiful moment.

“Good morning, Sister!” Fu Chaoying said in a lighthearted tone.

Ye Jiayuan glanced back at her. “Morning. Check your phone; Aunt Jun probably sent you a message.”

Fu Chaoying found her phone on the coffee table and indeed saw a voice message from her eldest aunt. The gist was that she had urgent business and had to return to the country, so she told Chaoying to contact Ye Jiayuan if she needed anything.

“So, I’ve been ‘entrusted’ to you, Sister?” Fu Chaoying asked with feigned surprise.

“If anything happens, you can contact me. If you can’t reach me, find Liu Xin,” Ye Jiayuan said flatly, as if stating the most natural thing in the world.

“Okay.”

Ye Jiayuan ordered breakfast for her and then lowered her head to continue reading.

Fu Chaoying took her travel bag and applied light makeup. When she finished and came out, she found Ye Jiayuan already waiting for her at the dining table.

Once she was settled, Ye Jiayuan asked casually, “What are your plans for today?”

While eating breakfast, Fu Chaoying talked about a fashion show she was about to attend and mentioned her interactions with the brand’s owner, Yun Ji.

Fu Chaoying paused mid-sentence and added, “Your sister might be there too.”

Ye Jiayuan merely nodded, acknowledging the information.

“But I’ve already promised to attend,” Fu Chaoying added.

Ye Jiayuan didn’t say much else, only reminding her: “You can have the butler arrange for a driver to take you. Also, if a situation like last night happens again, handle it appropriately.”

That last sentence was heavy with meaning, the implication being that she wouldn’t suddenly appear to bail her out today like she had before.

Fu Chaoying nodded obediently. “Understood. Thanks for the reminder, Sister.”

After breakfast, Ye Jiayuan stood up to leave.

Fu Chaoying watched her figure and spoke up just before she reached the door: “Sister, did you check the weather forecast?”

Ye Jiayuan stopped in her tracks and looked her directly in the eye. “Move your luggage to the second bedroom.”

Having her thoughts seen through, Fu Chaoying blinked and gave an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Sister, I’m troubling you again.”

Ye Jiayuan gazed at her for a moment without speaking, then turned toward the door. “I’m going to work.”

Fu Chaoying quickly chased after her to see her off at the door, muttering softly, “I hope tonight…”

As she watched Ye Jiayuan’s departing back, Fu Chaoying suddenly wasn’t sure what she was actually hoping for.

She went downstairs to pack her bags, moved them into the second bedroom, and then went back to Ye Jiayuan’s master bedroom to retrieve her pillow and teddy bear.

In the afternoon, the driver arranged by the butler took her to the show venue.

On the way, Fu Chaoying constantly thought about various potential situations and strategies. For instance, how to respond if Yun Ji tried to hype up their breakup, or how to skillfully dodge Ye Yi’an if she started pestering her again.

However, reality turned out much smoother than expected.

Upon arriving at the show, Fu Chaoying was led directly to a front-row seat, sitting next to Yun Ji.

The top-tier VIP treatment ensured she was free from any interference throughout the event, she didn’t even see a sign of Ye Yi’an.

Fu Chaoying watched the show quietly, while Yun Ji struck up conversations with her from time to time, introducing the brand’s philosophy and expressing sincere interest in a collaboration.

Fu Chaoying took it to heart and said she would consider it seriously.

But when the final group of grand finale gowns appeared, her mind stirred. Meeting Yun Ji’s expectant gaze, she said, “We can talk.”

Yun Ji’s smile grew even brighter. “It would be my honor.”

Amidst the curious or surprised glances of the crowd, Fu Chaoying followed Yun Ji to the VIP lounge.

On the way, she heard the other woman tease, “At the last cocktail party, some people said you were riding on your ex’s resources. I think those people are just blinded and utterly ignorant.”

“To be honest, if it weren’t for wanting to get closer to you, why would we ever lend gowns to Ye Yi’an?”

As a top-tier national style luxury brand, their target was top-tier domestic and international stars.

Ye Yi’an indeed didn’t make the cut.

Fu Chaoying just smiled and said nothing.

Taking the opportunity to disparage an ex was a very undignified thing to do.

Yun Ji stopped there and once again expressed her sincerity.

At the VIP lounge dinner, Yun Ji quickly finished her socializing and returned to discuss the collaboration details in depth.

No matter how inexperienced Fu Chaoying was, her brows furrowed when she heard the terms, the conditions Yun Ji offered were so good they almost seemed like a scam.

Yun Ji noticed her expression and laughed. “Is there a problem, Ms. Fu?”

Fu Chaoying looked at her seriously and went straight to the point: “Do you have any special conditions?”

“Besides the terms of our collaboration with you, there is also…”

Fu Chaoying nodded slightly, signaling her to continue. She heard the woman set the stage: “I heard you are already a shareholder of Xingye International.”

Fu Chaoying instantly caught the deeper meaning and followed up directly: “Are you trying to get investment from Xingye?”

Faced with such a sharp question, Yun Ji saw no need to hide. She honestly explained that she indeed hoped to deepen Xingye’s trust in the brand through this collaboration, thereby attracting long-term investment.

Fu Chaoying rejected the suggestion without hesitation: “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I can’t help with that.”

She clearly recognized her position and would never attempt to interfere with the professional judgment of Ye Jiayuan and her team.

Despite the rejection, Yun Ji still showed enough sincerity, readjusted the plan, and reached a preliminary agreement with Fu Chaoying.

Both parties agreed to sign the contract the following day and make an official announcement.

When Fu Chaoying left the VIP lounge, she called the driver.

Tonight, the moon was bright and the sky was full of stars, with no sign of wind or rain.

Looking at the beautiful scenery outside the window, Fu Chaoying felt a strange sense of disappointment in her heart.

Yet, the moment she walked out of the venue doors, she caught sight of a familiar Bentley and the figure of an assistant waiting by the car.

“Ms. Chaoying, please get in.”

Ye Jiayuan had actually come to pick her up in person?

In an instant, all her emotions were masked behind a smile.

Fu Chaoying’s eyes shimmered as she quickly walked toward the car.