The Aloof CEO’s Hidden Temptation - Chapter 2

Even with a heart full of doubts, Fu Chaoying couldn’t possibly voice her questions out loud, she simply offered a gentle, poised smile.

After a few polite pleasantries, she courteously saw off Ye Jiayuan’s assistant.

“Xiaoying, drink this while it’s hot.”

Fu Chaoying took the ginger tea that Auntie Wu had prepared and kept warm, the temperature was perfect.

Auntie Wu’s gaze inadvertently fell upon the brocade box on the entryway cabinet, her expression hesitant.

Capturing the subtle look, the corners of Fu Chaoying’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Auntie Wu, Ye Yi’an and I are about to break up.”

She spoke so calmly it was as if she were telling someone else’s story.

Auntie Wu opened her mouth to speak but ultimately sighed. “It’s for the best.”

In truth, the elders of both families had never favored this relationship. Fu Chaoying was sensitive and dignified, while Ye Yi’an was passionate and flamboyant, anyone could have predicted that the former would be the one to get hurt. Now that they were splitting, Auntie Wu didn’t even feel the need to ask why.

Fu Chaoying moved to the floor to ceiling window and dialed Ye Yi’an’s assistant.

“Hello. Ye Yi’an and I are breaking up. There is no need to release any photos involving me today.”

The person on the other end responded hurriedly, but she didn’t listen further and hung up directly. As expected, the assistant had likely sensed something long ago, she was the only one kept in the dark.

It didn’t matter anymore.

Outside, the rain began to subside, and the scent of damp earth in the air started to dissipate. Fu Chaoying had no intention of disturbing Ye Yi’an’s “passionate spring night,” but ending a relationship with a single WeChat message felt too flippant.

However, the call failed to connect.

Fu Chaoying lowered her eyes and slid her finger across the screen, composing a simple text: [I know about you and Yu Qingqi. We’re over.]

Fu Chaoying called Auntie Wu to help pack Ye Yi’an’s things.

As she placed items into the suitcase, she realized just how thin the traces of Ye Yi’an’s presence were in this home, aside from some clothes, makeup, and office supplies, there was nothing else.

By the time she finished packing, Ye Yi’an finally called back. The personalized ringtone she hadn’t yet changed echoed in her ears, but Fu Chaoying didn’t have the time to answer. She decisively finished packing the items and, with Auntie Wu’s help, moved them piece by piece to the door.

“Xiaoying, should we move them out to the yard?” the auntie asked softly.

Fu Chaoying gazed at the drizzling rain and shook her head. “Just leave them here.”

The Fu and Ye families had been close for generations; the situation was complex. They couldn’t let a petty squabble between two juniors ruin the mutual “face” of the families. Moreover, they would inevitably cross paths in the future, so it was better to leave some breathing room.

After closing the door, Fu Chaoying went straight to the control panel, changed the house passcode, and deleted Ye Yi’an’s fingerprint data. Once finished, the house seemed to return to its former state, even the air regained a sense of tranquility.

“Xiaoying, this box…” Auntie Wu’s voice rose again.

Following her gesture, Fu Chaoying looked at the entryway cabinet where the brocade box sat quietly.

“Put it outside with Ye Yi’an’s luggage.”

Now that she and Ye Yi’an had broken up, there was no reason to accept a gift from her sister, especially since a congratulatory gift from her sister would naturally be chosen based on Ye Yi’an’s tastes.

Just as she spoke, Fu Chaoying’s footsteps toward the stairs were halted by Auntie Wu’s next words: “Xiaoying… it looks like it might be calligraphy or a painting. Do you want to take a look?”

Fu Chaoying paused, her gaze locking onto the box. Ye Yi’an had always been indifferent to antiques and paintings, why would Ye Jiayuan choose such a gift?

With a hint of curiosity, she took the box to the living room and opened it.

The moment she unlatched the red sandalwood box, an authentication certificate came into view alongside a descriptive booklet. Fu Chaoying held her breath as she read the text. A moment later, Auntie Wu gasped, “Is this the… original Magnolia Painting?!”

The name triggered a memory. The Magnolia Painting was one of the representative works of the “Southern School” to which Fu Chaoying belonged. Her grandmother, Fu Li, often spoke of it while teaching, mourning its loss overseas for decades.

She had heard that The Magnolia Painting recently appeared at an international auction and was bought by a Chinese individual. Was that person actually Ye Jiayuan?

Recalling the assistant’s words. “A gift for you”, Fu Chaoying suddenly realized that this gift might not have been for Ye Yi’an at all, but specifically for her.

Shocked, she carefully repacked the painting and took it to her studio for safekeeping. Why would Ye Jiayuan give her something so precious? Was it out of respect for the art? Or respect for her late grandmother? Regardless, this debt of gratitude was far more than a simple “thank you” could cover.

Just as Fu Chaoying was about to contact Ye Jiayuan, a familiar voice drifted from downstairs: “A-ying, can you come down? Let’s talk face to face.”

Ye Yi’an’s tone sounded incredibly aggrieved, as if the entire ordeal were a misunderstanding. But how could it be?

Fu Chaoying went to the intercom. The screen showed a rain drenched Ye Yi’an. Her slightly disheveled clothes made Fu Chaoying think of certain images, and she felt a wave of nausea. She looked away, spotting the swing in the yard, they had built it together. The wisteria and tulips were also planted by their own hands three years ago.

Taking a deep breath, Fu Chaoying opened the door.

Ye Yi’an immediately stepped forward, trying to push inside, but was stopped by Fu Chaoying’s cold voice: “If you have something to say, say it at the door.”

Auntie Wu stood in front of Fu Chaoying, shielding her from any potential physical contact.

“A-ying, I didn’t…” Ye Yi’an tried to force a smile to ease the tension.

Fu Chaoying stared into her eyes and said coldly, “You didn’t what?”

“I didn’t… cheat.” Ye Yi’an whispered the last word, her eyes darting nervously.

Fu Chaoying gave a mocking laugh. “So you do know it’s something shameful.” She paused, then continued, “Ye Yi’an, I remember we agreed: if the love is gone, speak up. Don’t lie.”

Hearing the finality in Fu Chaoying’s voice, Ye Yi’an’s expression shifted drastically. This was the first time Fu Chaoying had called her by her full name in such an icy tone, and it stung her heart.

Tears fell as Ye Yi’an pleaded, “You misunderstood, there’s really nothing special between us…”

Fu Chaoying remained unmoved. “So did you go to the hotel just to sleep with your clothes off?” She added, “Actually, that makes sense. You are frigid, after all.”

Fu Chaoying realized for the first time that she could be this cutting, and it felt strangely liberating.

“No, we went to the hotel to talk about work!” Ye Yi’an blurted out, then realized her contradiction and apologized frantically. “I’m sorry, I lied about that, the film crew didn’t look for me.”

“Is that the only thing you lied about?” Fu Chaoying asked. “The perfume? The late-night chats when you couldn’t sleep, who were those with?”

Ye Yi’an was speechless, only able to repeat: “My heart only has you, it’s always been you…”

Fu Chaoying had no desire to argue further. “That’s enough. We’re done.” She turned to walk back inside.

Behind her, Ye Yi’an’s hysterical crying rang out: “A-ying, I really didn’t do anything with her…”

A guilty person is always the most theatrical. A hint of bitterness rose in Fu Chaoying’s heart. She turned back with a final warning: “If you don’t want to end up on the trending searches, take your luggage and get out.”

This was the only leverage she had over Ye Yi’an, and it was the most effective.

Ye Yi’an’s shock and dismay were shut out along with her luggage. As the door closed, the world outside fell silent. Fu Chaoying leaned against the door and closed her eyes, remembering three years ago when they entered this house full of hope.

It turns out human hearts can change so quickly. Or perhaps, Ye Yi’an had never changed at all. Since the day she confessed, she had intended to use Fu Chaoying to build her “persona.” Compared to profit, so-called true feelings were insignificant.

Fu Chaoying went up to her study. Her phone vibrated with a message from Ye Yi’an:

[A-ying, regardless of everything, I shouldn’t have lied. I’ve asked my lawyer to draft a compensation agreement. I’ll give you a portion of the studio shares. You can propose other conditions. Can we meet tomorrow morning?]

Coincidentally, tomorrow was the third anniversary of the founding of the Chaoying Art Museum. Back then, Ye Yi’an had confessed in that very yard, and the museum was the surprise she prepared, a show of her sincerity. What could be more romantic than naming a museum after your girlfriend? Who would have thought it would end like this?

Fu Chaoying immediately contacted her friend and lawyer, Shen Guannan. She would never let Ye Yi’an cheat in silence and walk away without paying a price. After arranging the meeting, she replied to Ye Yi’an: [Tomorrow at 10 AM, Nan Yan Cafe.]

Having handled that, she planned to contact Ye Jiayuan. Considering how busy the other woman was, she sent a text first: [Sister Jiayuan, is it a convenient time for a call?]

However, before she received a reply from Ye Jiayuan, Shen Guannan called first. “A-ying, the rain has stopped. Want to come out for tea?”

Fu Chaoying knew Shen Guannan, she wasn’t just coming to comfort her, she wanted the full story.

“Okay.”

Fu Chaoying took documents from the safe and hailed a taxi. Her destination wasn’t a tea house, but a quiet bar. Tea would keep her awake, alcohol would help her sleep. All she wanted tonight was a good night’s rest.

Under the dim lights of the bar, Fu Chaoying recounted the facts to Shen Guannan with chilling clarity, appearing devoid of emotion.

Shen Guannan was both impressed and puzzled: If Fu Chaoying had sensed Ye Yi’an’s infidelity long ago, had she ever truly loved her? How could she be so rational?

Seeing her thoughts, Fu Chaoying explained calmly, “The moment I saw her smiling at her phone and making excuses to stay out all night, I began to detach myself. Finding the ‘smoking gun’ was just a formality.”

Shen Guannan looked at her and smiled in relief. “Your mother must be very proud of you.” Fu Chaoying’s mother had been Shen Guannan’s mentor.

Fu Chaoying lowered her eyes for a moment and stated her demands.

Shen Guannan caught on quickly. “You have other leverage, don’t you?”

Fu Chaoying nodded, taking a kraft paper bag from her purse. “The museum’s accounts are compromised.” While she was investigating the cheating, she had also secretly looked into the finances; the results had arrived a week ago.

“No wonder Ye Yi’an offered compensation so quickly,” Shen Guannan mused. “The museum working with auction houses, and them being in the film industry…” It wasn’t hard to suspect tax issues.

“So she needed me,” Fu Chaoying laughed self-deprecatingly. “She wanted everyone to think the museum was opened solely out of love for me.”

“And,” Shen Guannan whispered, “she wanted to use you to build her ‘perfect partner’ persona.”

The whole internet thought Ye Yi’an was kind and responsible, caring for the orphaned daughter of the Fu family. But the truth was far uglier.

After two drinks, Fu Chaoying ordered a third. Shen Guannan watched her, wondering if this breakup had changed her or if it had simply allowed her true nature to emerge, rational yet wild, delicate yet rebellious.

“This one is strong,” Shen Guannan warned.

Fu Chaoying smiled faintly. “I might have inherited my mother’s high tolerance. I’m hard to get drunk.”

No one knew. No one knew she drank, no one knew she had tattoos, and no one knew she actually didn’t like ink wash paintings, she just had to like them.

Halfway through the third drink, her phone screen lit up. That name appeared on the screen.

Fu Chaoying’s heart skipped a beat. Her eyes grew hazy, and her speech became slurred: “Sister Guannan, my head is so dizzy… can you answer that for me?”

The resident singer was performing nearby. Shen Guannan stepped outside to take the call. When she returned, she handed the phone back.

“Ye Jiayuan. She said if you need something, call her tomorrow.”

“Oh,” Fu Chaoying replied flatly. It figured. Ye Jiayuan had always been polite but distant, why would she care?

Shen Guannan’s lips quirked up as she added, “I told her you broke up with Ye Yi’an, that you were heartbroken and drunk at a bar.”

Fu Chaoying’s gaze shifted. “And?”

“She said she’s coming to pick you up right now.”