The Aloof CEO’s Hidden Temptation - Chapter 5

Perhaps someone mentioned her social media post at Aunt Chu’s birthday banquet.

Fu Chaoying quietly scanned the tablet in Ye Jiayuan’s hand, which was filled with dense text and images. She couldn’t help but mock herself inwardly with Jiayuan being so busy with work, how could she expect her to have time to look at her social media?

As if acting casually, Fu Chaoying withdrew her gaze and spoke softly: “I just wanted a change of mood.”

Oil paintings are bright and vivid, compared to ink wash paintings, they possess more agility and unrestraint.

To make one feel better, such a justification was perfectly suited for her current “heartbroken” persona.

Ye Jiayuan nodded slightly. “That’s fine.”

Her tone remained indifferent, but a flicker of scrutiny passed through her eyes.

Noticing that lingering gaze from the corner of her eye, Fu Chaoying let a trace of amusement and cunning flash through her own.

Ye Jiayuan closed her tablet with efficient, composed movements, her eyes resting on Fu Chaoying’s face again. “Did you message me last night because of Yi’an?”

“I was in a meeting then.”

The explanation came unexpectedly. Fu Chaoying froze for a moment before offering a gentle smile. “I wanted to thank you for sending the Magnolia Painting. Do you have time in the next two days, Sister Jiayuan? I’d like to treat you to dinner.”

Ye Jiayuan paused and shook her head slightly. “No need for formalities. It was my duty to fulfill an elder’s wish.”

Fu Chaoying’s heart tightened. In this world, the only person who knew of and had the power to fulfill her grandmother’s dying wish was Ye Jiayuan.

Yet, Ye Jiayuan had declined the dinner invitation as if spending a fortune to bid on the Magnolia Painting and delivering it was merely part of her job, carrying no other meaning.

Fu Chaoying lowered her gaze and asked softly: “Then how about I gift you two of my paintings?”

Ye Jiayuan was stunned for a moment, looking up at her.

The thoughts in those eyes were complex, as if she were evaluating the value of the gift or perhaps pondering something else entirely.

After a long silence, she spoke: “Painted recently?”

Some of Fu Chaoying’s works were displayed at the Chaoying Art Museum, while others circulated at auctions to raise funds for charity.

Fu Chaoying nodded, her voice slow and solemn: “I painted them a few nights ago. I originally planned to keep them for my private collection.”

Paintings kept by an artist for themselves are usually those they are most satisfied with. To give them to Ye Jiayuan now, Fu Chaoying felt no reluctance.

Ye Jiayuan didn’t answer immediately. She simply watched her quietly, as if trying to read something from her face.

Fu Chaoying felt her heartbeat quicken uncontrollably, though she maintained her gentle smile until the other woman finally nodded.

Fu Chaoying let out a faint, imperceptible sigh of relief. Except for moments of intoxication, she always felt strangely nervous whenever she was alone with Ye Jiayuan.

The car slowly entered the courtyard. Once it came to a halt, the two got out together.

The Ye family mansion was brilliantly lit under the surrounding mist, but it was unusually quiet. Fu Chaoying sensed a suppressed, tense atmosphere.

“Don’t be afraid.”

Before pushing open the front door, Ye Jiayuan suddenly whispered those words.

Her tone was calm, yet it carried a grounding power.

Fu Chaoying looked at her back, wondering why she had said that, but she still responded with a soft “Mm.”

As soon as Ye Jiayuan entered, she summoned Ye Yi’an to the study.

Fu Chaoying watched her silhouette disappear up the stairs, only to be instantly pulled into Aunt Chu’s arms. A concerned voice reached her ear: “Good child, you’ve been wronged.”

Fu Chaoying stiffened slightly as her aunt’s voice followed: “That mistress somehow got your Aunt Chu’s WeChat. She sent a friend request pretending to be Ye Yi’an’s new girlfriend. That’s how we found out…”

Before the words were finished, Fu Chaoying’s tears fell abruptly. It wasn’t because she was moved by the atmosphere, but because she needed to fit the moment, to look pitiful and helpless.

Aunt Chu held her tightly in sympathy, and Fu Chaoying silently played her part as the victim, letting tears blur her vision.

Inside the Study

Ye Jiayuan stood with her back to Ye Yi’an, hands folded in front of her, gazing at the distant misty mountains.

Her silhouette was upright, casting a long shadow under the dim, soft light.

Ye Yi’an stood by the desk, her eyes darting nervously, her voice trembling: “Sister, between me and Yu Qingqi… that woman, we really didn’t go that far.”

Ye Jiayuan did not turn around. She simply spoke coldly: “I remember telling you three years ago.”

“The Fu family has been kind to the Ye family. If you were determined to be with the orphaned daughter of the Fu family, you could not let her suffer even a bit of grievance.”

These words were forceful and hit home, making Ye Yi’an’s face turn pale instantly.

Back then, she had been young and impulsive, blinded by love. How could she have considered a future so far away?

“Sister, I know I was wrong. We didn’t have a physical relationship… and I don’t know how that woman contacted Mom,” Ye Yi’an choked out an excuse.

Ye Jiayuan suddenly laughed, a hint of coldness in her eyes. She turned around slowly, staring at her younger sister with a gaze full of disappointment.

“I taught you better.”

“The facts are set. There is no need for further sophistry.”

Ye Yi’an dared not look her sister in the eye. She lowered her head, her voice growing smaller: “Sister, I will transfer half of the shares under my name to A-Ying as compensation… I already transferred the art museum to her.”

Ye Jiayuan said sternly: “If you don’t show enough sincerity today, I’m afraid this will be difficult to settle.”

Ye Yi’an was shocked. Was this not enough sincerity? She looked up at Ye Jiayuan. “Sister, I’ve given everything I can give…”

Ye Yi’an’s studio was currently in the red, her judgment was poor, and the artists she signed kept getting into trouble.

“Transfer 5% of your [Ye Group] equity to her,” Ye Jiayuan’s voice was calm but brook no argument.

“Sister!” Ye Yi’an almost screamed. “That’s all the equity I have!”

“Sister, I am your sister!”

How could she be so biased? Ye Yi’an didn’t dare say the words aloud.

Ye Jiayuan looked at her calmly, her eyes devoid of ripples. “When you were hurting her, did you remember that you were a daughter of the Ye family?”

This question struck deep. Ye Yi’an was speechless.

Fu Chaoying’s grandmother, Fu Li, had saved the Ye family multiple times during their darkest hours. The Ye family were the last people who had the right to hurt Fu Chaoying.

“Get out.” Ye Jiayuan dismissed her directly.

When Fu Chaoying entered the study, Ye Jiayuan was sitting at the desk.

“You’re here,” Ye Jiayuan said in a low, gentle voice.

Fu Chaoying stood still and called softly, “Sister Jiayuan.”

Ye Jiayuan noticed the faint redness at the corners of her eyes and handed her a pack of wet wipes.

“Thank you.” Fu Chaoying took them and slowly wiped her eyes. Her movements were slow, projecting a sense of fragile beauty.

“Please, sit.” Ye Jiayuan gestured slightly.

“Ye Yi’an owes you for this. She will transfer all her shares to you.”

Fu Chaoying was slightly shocked but didn’t show it. She said softly: “If money could erase sadness, I should be very happy right now.”

Her voice was still choked with emotion, making her look piteous.

Ye Jiayuan looked at her, a flash of complex emotion in her eyes before she looked away. “Money is all she has now.”

Fu Chaoying remained silent.

Ye Jiayuan spoke again: “If there is any other compensation you want, you can ask.”

Fu Chaoying slowly raised her head, her watery eyes fixed on her. She asked tentatively: “Sister Jiayuan, is any request okay?”

After a moment’s consideration, Ye Jiayuan nodded. “Yes.”

Fu Chaoying thought for a while, then suddenly said: “Then can you be the strategic consultant for my company?”

Ye Jiayuan’s expertise was in venture capital; she had invested in several unicorn projects, and her strategic vision was peerless.

Ye Jiayuan’s eyebrows arched slightly, a trace of an unobservable smile in her eyes. “I can recommend other professionals to you.”

Xingye International had just opened up overseas markets, and she spent most of her time abroad.

Another rejection.

Fu Chaoying’s breath hitched. She looked out the window with a bitter smile.

Night had fallen. Only a glimmer of light remained outside. The layered mountains looked like a beautiful, natural ink painting.

“But right now, I don’t dare trust anyone else,” Fu Chaoying murmured.

Ye Jiayuan watched her profile quietly. A deep meaning flashed in her eyes before she finally spoke: “I am ‘anyone else’ too.”

Fu Chaoying suddenly turned to look at her. Ye Jiayuan didn’t look away. For a moment, their eyes locked.

Ye Jiayuan saw that those eyes, once filled with disappointment, suddenly held a bit of amusement. Then she heard her say: “But Sister Jiayuan hasn’t changed.”

Fu Chaoying smiled faintly through her red eyes. “Sister Jiayuan is the same as always, cold, rational and heartless when rejecting me.”

With that, Fu Chaoying turned and walked out of the study.

That silhouette was lonely, yet resilient and independent. More importantly, she seemed angry.

Ye Jiayuan inexplicably remembered the cunning hidden deep within her hazy, drunk eyes that night. She reached up and touched her lips, the softness and warmth seemed to linger there.

The corners of Ye Jiayuan’s mouth turned up slightly. The show was just beginning.

Fu Chaoying left the study and went to the restroom to compose herself.

In the mirror, her eyes were slightly red, just the right amount of “piteous.” She pursed her lips, adjusted her expression, and went downstairs.

Seeing her come down, Aunt Chu immediately invited her to sit. “It doesn’t matter if I celebrate my birthday or not, but don’t let yourself go hungry.” Her tone was full of heartache.

Since the elder’s birthday was the priority, Fu Chaoying obediently sat between her aunt and her cousin. Ye Yi’an was nowhere to be seen.

Aunt Chu continued to scold her daughter mercilessly: “She made such a big mistake, there’s no place for her at the table today.”

After taking a few bites, Fu Chaoying excused herself from the table. Her cousin, Fu Chaohua, said she would check on her and followed.

The two met by the restaurant entrance.

Fu Chaohua grabbed her hand, her voice full of blame and concern: “You didn’t tell my mom about something this big, and you didn’t even tell me! Xiao Ying, you don’t treat me like a sister at all!”

Fu Chaohua had been stressed lately with her doctoral graduation.

Fu Chaoying immediately took her arm and said softly, “Sister, you’re under a lot of pressure. I was afraid of making things worse for you.”

Fu Chaohua could never resist her acting spoiled. Her heart softened, but she couldn’t help saying: “I told you long ago she didn’t seem like a good person, but you wouldn’t believe it.”

She sighed. “But it’s good that you broke up now, before she caused even bigger problems.”

Fu Chaoying patted her hand. “Sister, I’m fine now.”

Fu Chaoying said it lightly, but it made Fu Chaohua’s nose sting. She had been so busy with research; she had cared too little for her sister.

When they were young, Xiao Ying was a crybaby. But since their grandmother passed away when she was 21, she rarely cried. She hadn’t even cried at the funeral.

Fu Chaohua thought she had just moved on. Now she realized, was it because there was no one left to protect her, so she felt crying was useless?

Fu Chaohua’s eyes reddened.

Noticing this, Fu Chaoying hurriedly wiped her tears. “Sister, what’s wrong?”

Fu Chaohua shook her head, but then saw Ye Yi’an walking past a rockery nearby.

Anger flared, and Fu Chaohua’s feet moved involuntarily to follow. Fu Chaoying followed her, confused.

After a few steps, they heard a voice from not far away: “Sister.”

Fu Chaoying immediately grabbed Fu Chaohua’s hand. “Sister Jiayuan is there too.”

Just as Fu Chaoying was about to pull her cousin away, she heard Ye Yi’an’s nearly pleading voice: “The studio is in terrible shape right now. Sister, can you give me some guidance?”

“Sorry, I’ve already accepted Chaoying’s invitation to be her consultant. My time is limited.”

Ye Jiayuan’s voice was as cold and heartless as ever.

Fu Chaoying was stunned. Her cousin looked at her in confusion and whispered: “She actually agreed to you?”

Fu Chaoying didn’t answer, but a faint smile touched her lips.

Sure enough, before the banquet ended, she received a WeChat message from Ye Jiayuan:

[I agree to be your strategic consultant.]