The Aloof CEO’s Hidden Temptation - Chapter 4

The heavy rain last night seemed to punctuate the end of the long, biting winter. Outside the window, the tulips were in full bloom, spring had truly arrived.

Fu Chaoying sat by the French window sipping porridge, her calm expression carrying a trace of imperceptible joy.

Nanny Wu, fearing she might touch a sore spot, held back her words of comfort and instead said with a smile, “It’s been many years since I last saw Miss Jiayuan. She’s still as beautiful as ever.”

“How many years has it been?” Fu Chaoying turned her gaze toward her.

“Three years.”

Fu Chaoying became lost in thought. It seemed that ever since she and Ye Yi’an got together, Ye Jiayuan had never set foot in the Fu residence again. Not just Nanny Wu, even the number of times Chaoying herself had seen Ye Jiayuan could be counted on one hand.

It made sense, the Ye family elders had passed away one after another, and Jiayuan had moved out of the main mansion, leaving only her aunt’s family there. Besides, Ye Jiayuan had always been busy.

Nanny Wu rambled on about how attentive and gentle Ye Jiayuan had been last night, hinting that Chaoying should interact with her more.

A flash of mischief sparkled in Fu Chaoying’s eyes. Of course she would interact with Ye Jiayuan more, after all, she intended to do some “interesting things” with her. Otherwise, life would be far too dull.

After finishing breakfast, Fu Chaoying went out to negotiate with Ye Yi’an. She got straight to the point, producing financial documents related to the Chaoying Art Museum.

Ye Yi’an looked up instantly, shock and alarm flashing in her eyes. “When did you investigate this?”

“Ye Yi’an, I suspected you were cheating a long time ago.” Fu Chaoying’s tone was level, as if she were merely stating a fact that had nothing to do with her.

She didn’t bother watching Ye Yi’an’s reaction, leaving the specifics to be discussed between Shen Guannan and her. With the evidence laid bare on the table, Ye Yi’an’s attitude naturally became more conciliatory, promising to pay the back taxes according to regulations.

Fu Chaoying followed up with the subsequent arrangements, including the transfer of the museum’s legal person status and, crucially, the change in equity ownership once the accounts were settled. This was the clause she cared about most, she refused to let the representation rights of her works remain in someone else’s hands.

The negotiations went exceptionally smoothly.

“Also,” Fu Chaoying added slowly, her voice calm, “you are not allowed to take on new endorsements for clothing categories, nor are you to renew existing ones.”

The smile on Ye Yi’an’s lips froze. She remembered that Chaoying had recently been in talks for a collaboration with a high-end formal wear brand, and suddenly she understood, was Chaoying stripping away even the slim chance of her wearing Chaoying’s designs?

Ye Yi’an took a deep breath. “Fine.”

Fu Chaoying didn’t need to look to know how ugly Ye Yi’an’s expression was, clothing endorsements made up the largest portion of her portfolio and were her primary source of income.

Once the terms were set, the lawyers from both sides went to another private room to finalize the agreement. Fu Chaoying stood up to head toward the public area to read, only to hear a deep voice behind her: “A-Ying.”

Ye Yi’an’s voice was usually bright and clear, but now it was thick with an inescapable bitterness.

Fu Chaoying didn’t turn around. She simply left her with: “My name is Fu Chaoying. Please call me by my full name from now on.”

Ye Yi’an’s gaze darkened, her voice trembling. “I hold a 5% stake in Xingye International.”

Based on the average stock price over the past year, 5% was a significant sum. Fu Chaoying stopped walking, waiting for her to continue.

“I’ll give you half of my shares.” Ye Yi’an stared at her back, her tone more serious than ever before.

A 2.5% stake. Fu Chaoying hadn’t expected her to be so generous, and Ye Yi’an hadn’t expected Chaoying to actually accept.

“Fine. What’s the condition?”

Ye Yi’an looked down, her voice low and raspy. “We find a suitable time to tell my family and the public that we broke up amicably.”

Ye Yi’an knew Fu Chaoying too well, she knew Chaoying valued dignity and wouldn’t say a word in public. But if her family found out she had cheated on Fu Chaoying, she would be ruined.

“Sure.” Fu Chaoying agreed lightly, as if agreeing to an inconsequential trifle.

Ye Yi’an felt a pang in her heart. She’s so nonchalant now… she must have gone through a long period of internal struggle and exhaustion, right?

Ye Yi’an’s nose stung as guilt flooded her heart. She wanted to look at her again, but Fu Chaoying had already turned toward the courtyard outside the cafe. Just as she reached the door, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

“A-Ying, if you’re willing to give me another chance, I promise I won’t disappoint you,” Ye Yi’an pleaded with unprecedented sincerity.

“But I don’t want you anymore,” Fu Chaoying said softly, her tone as detached as if she were speaking to a stranger.

During the years Ye Yi’an had failed to notice, Chaoying had given her plenty of chances. It was Yi’an who hadn’t cherished them.

Fu Chaoying shook off her hand, but she was grabbed again. Ye Yi’an knew that if she let go now, she would lose A-Ying forever. Perhaps in the near future, A-Ying would belong to someone else, completely. Regret and guilt surged through her.

In reality, from the moment A-Ying told her to “get out” last night, she had regretted it.

“Let go.” Fu Chaoying forcefully pulled her hand away and walked out.

She didn’t stop, leaving Ye Yi’an’s sobs behind the closed door. Her gaze fell upon the lush greenery and the leaves dancing in the wind outside the glass door. It was a clear early spring day, she suddenly felt that her life should be like this weather, bright and brilliant. It was time to walk into the sunlight and see the flowers in bloom.

Breaking up with Ye Yi’an was like cutting out a tumor. After signing the agreement, Fu Chaoying spent a quiet afternoon at home.

She was staring blankly at the sunset and the tulips, feeling a sudden urge to paint, but just as she picked up her brush, she received a call from her aunt.

“Xiao Ying, tomorrow is your Aunt Chu’s birthday. Don’t forget.”

Chu Yiyun was the mother of Ye Jiayuan and Ye Yi’an. Fu Chaoying obediently agreed but made no move to pick out a gift. She and Ye Yi’an had “amicably” broken up yesterday on their anniversary, the elders didn’t know yet. Naturally, she didn’t want to show up at such an event and play a part in an incredibly awkward farce with Ye Yi’an.

By the time she hung up and returned to her desk, the sunset had faded, replaced by the deep blue of twilight. Her creative drive remained untouched. She flipped the sign outside her studio to “In Progress” and immersed herself in painting.

When she finished, she examined the work under a warm light and nodded with satisfaction. She reached for her phone to post it on WeChat Moments but suddenly remembered she hadn’t blocked Ye Yi’an yet. She set Ye Yi’an to “Chat Only” and then posted the image.

She rarely posted, so the notification bell soon rang with messages from friends, classmates, and teachers asking when she had started oil painting and praising her talent.

Fu Chaoying didn’t reply. She simply clicked the “99+” red notification bubble and scanned the dense list of profile pictures.

Ye Jiayuan wasn’t there. She scrolled through the comments; she wasn’t there either.

Fu Chaoying unconsciously touched her lips, thinking back to the kiss last night. Then she felt silly. It was just a drunken kiss. She hadn’t been clear-headed, and the other woman had been caught off guard. It likely had nothing to do with romance.

But that blurred look in her eyes… had she misread it?

Fu Chaoying shook her head gently.

The next day was the birthday banquet for Ye’s mother, Chu Yiyun.

At four in the afternoon, Fu Chaoying sent her apologies to Chu Yiyun, claiming she felt dizzy and had called a doctor to her home. To make the ruse convincing, she actually did call a family doctor. Chu Yiyun, worried, insisted on a video call with the doctor. The doctor, having worked with the Fu family for years, answered flawlessly.

When Chu Yiyun suggested sending Ye Yi’an over to take care of her, Fu Chaoying declined repeatedly, her tone sweet but firm.

Having finally dealt with the situation, Fu Chaoying sat by the window. The sunlight was perfect, not too blinding, but bright enough to read by.

“Xiao Ying, what do you want for dinner?” Nanny Wu’s primary concern was always Chaoying’s three meals.

Fu Chaoying smiled. “I want McDonald’s.”

Nanny Wu looked at her smiling face and agreed. “Alright, what should I order?”

Chaoying blinked, acting cute on purpose. “A Happy Meal.”

Nanny Wu paused for a moment but smiled tenderly. “Okay.”

Half an hour later, the doorbell rang. Thinking the delivery had arrived, Fu Chaoying went to answer it. But against the backdrop of the setting sun, she saw Ye Jiayuan.

She was dressed in blue casual wear, appearing warmer than her usual black suits. But her gaze remained neither hot nor cold, as if everything from last night was just an accident.

Chaoying’s breath hitched. Shouldn’t she be at her mother’s banquet right now?

“Xiao Ying.”

The moment Ye Jiayuan spoke, Fu Chaoying raised a hand to her forehead to fake a fever. “Jiayuan-jie, what are you doing here?”

Before she could finish, a hand touched her. Chaoying instinctively flinched, but the other woman still managed to check her temperature. At the moment of contact, Chaoying’s heart rate quickened.

“Since you aren’t unwell, come back to the old mansion with me.” Ye Jiayuan’s voice was as cool and commanding as ever.

Fu Chaoying realized there was only one possibility for this sudden visit, the elders knew about the breakup and had guessed the real reason for her absence. Sending Ye Jiayuan to fetch her was a logical move.

When Ye Jiayuan heard this deduction, she nodded slightly, a faint, almost invisible smile flashing in her eyes.

Isn’t Ye Yi’an a professional actress? Why is her acting so bad… Chaoying complained inwardly.

She turned to inform Nanny Wu, only to hear from behind: “Is the Happy Meal here?”

Fu Chaoying kept a straight face. “It’s Jiayuan-jie. I’m going to the Ye residence with her.”

Ye Jiayuan gave Nanny Wu a slight nod and turned to get into the car, the same Bentley with the aviation seats.

Jiayuan seemed very busy, once inside, she was constantly reviewing documents and replying to messages. It reminded Chaoying of when she used to stay at the Ye house as a child. Ye Jiayuan was always reading and never liked playing with them.

Yet, they had shared such an intimate contact just last night. The Ye Jiayuan of now was a different person, composed, self-contained, as if last night’s tenderness was merely a dream.

Fu Chaoying pursed her lips and closed her eyes to rest. A few seconds later, she heard the other woman speak:

“You still like Happy Meals?”

Chaoying snapped her eyes open, feeling a bit embarrassed but not hiding it. “I wanted to try returning to childhood.”

She turned her head to look at the sinking sun. She understood that life was a journey constantly moving westward, and the ultimate result was “leaving the gate to find no old friends.” So she lingered, lingered in the house she lived in as a child, lingered on the flavors of her youth, as if by doing so, she could stay in her childhood.

Ye Jiayuan remained silent for a long time. Chaoying figured she probably couldn’t understand such childish thoughts. She offered a faint smile without expectation, only to hear:

“I remember you used to love Pizza Hut when you were little.”

Not McDonald’s.

Fu Chaoying was stunned for a moment, then chuckled. “You have a great memory, Jiayuan-jie.” To remember such a small detail…

“Pizza Hut was too far,” Chaoying said softly, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

Ye Jiayuan said nothing more. Chaoying couldn’t help but steal a glance at her, her eyes drifting toward the other woman’s lips, thinking of the kiss.

Ye Jiayuan turned her head suddenly. Before Chaoying could look away, those red lips moved:

“Why did you switch to oil painting?”

So she had seen the post.

A strange surge of joy rose in Chaoying’s heart, but it was quickly followed by confusion, if she saw it, why didn’t she “like” it?