When the Male Lead Finds Out I’m the Transmigrator Trying to Win Him Over - Chapter 55

Han Qi thought about why Yun ruo was willing to attend the gathering with him.

He experienced what “love tug-of-war” really meant with her. Back when he and Meng Tingmo were discussing divorce, she had already said she would pursue him, which kept his heart on edge. After the divorce, she came to his side but didn’t cross any boundaries.

He thought they would take things slowly; one kiss pulled him back in. He assumed she agreed to attend the event with him to make their relationship public, but later she was still hiding it.

Previously, he assumed Yun ruo had her reservations—maybe she didn’t truly like him (×), or maybe she feared there would be no way out once their relationship became public… After pondering all the possible reasons, they all boiled down to one sentence: Yun ruo didn’t want to be with him.

Han Qi: …

Ha, even if you don’t want to, you’ll go anyway—since you came, you came.

Still, he genuinely couldn’t read Yun ruo’s thoughts this time.

The four of them entered, and everyone in the room had varying expressions, constantly exchanging glances. The responses were either a shake of the head or a shrug.

Wen Shao dashed out from the balcony, letting go of his companion, and extended both hands toward the four of them: “Old Meng, Feng You, Old Han, Yun ruo, finally you guys are here!”

“How long has it been? Every time we call you, you say you’re busy.”

He appeared calm, as usual. Each person shook hands with him, wearing wide smiles, warm and attentive.

Someone behind him gave a thumbs-up—truly, a social butterfly at work.

Wen Shao’s companion covered her mouth, smiling. Just last night, he had mentioned: “Meng Tingmo and Han Qi both said they’d come. If Yun ruo comes too, what if the three of them meet?”

“She won’t start a fight at my event, right?”

He turned to message his assistant: “Call more bodyguards tomorrow.”

Assistant: ?

Wen Shao: “Just in case a fight breaks out, I’ll be there to help mediate.”

He couldn’t intervene physically; what if he failed and got beaten?

He also pondered how they should greet each other. After some deliberation, he snapped his fingers: “Meng Tingmo and Han Qi are on the same level. Whether it’s Meng Tingmo’s wife or Han Qi’s wife, they both should be called ‘sis.’ Once they’ve switched partners, let’s leave the past behind, as if nothing happened.”

After all, it was just that Yun ruo had changed men.

His companion leaned on his shoulder and asked, “Are you really sure Yun ruo and Han Qi are together? They’ve never publicly admitted it.”

Wen Shao looked at her as if she were an idiot: “They haven’t publicly confirmed, but they haven’t denied it either. No denial means there’s something going on. Besides, Han Qi always looks calm and detached; if it were fake, he’d have announced it to the world. When have you ever seen him involved with a woman?”

His companion finally understood.

In a certain sense, Han Qi was also a bit blind; outsiders could see clearly, but he was still anxious and insecure.

Wen Shao didn’t just greet them, he even arranged their seating: “Sorry, it’s a bit crowded, just make do. Old Meng, you sit here; since you and Yue Cheng just had a collaboration, it’ll be convenient to chat about work.”

“There’s a seat here too, Old Han, you and Yun ruo can sit on the double sofa, hehe.”

With the four seated, he took the main seat with his companion.

The room was well-heated. Yun ruo took off her coat, and Han Qi instinctively took it and held her hand for a moment to make sure it was warm before letting go.

Yun ruo sighed: “I won’t catch a cold.”

Han Qi now had what could be called a “Yun ruo Cold PTSD.”

“The experts say catching a cold once a year helps activate the immune system.”

Han Qi ignored her.

Someone served tea, and Han Qi turned, just catching Meng Tingmo’s gaze. For a moment, Meng Tingmo looked away, turning to chat with someone nearby.

Han Qi thought that what he had seen just now probably wasn’t about him.

Yun ruo was greeting those around her. Previously, she had a few friends in the circle, occasionally going out shopping, but it was mostly for practical benefits. Since coming back, she had been busy with work and had severed ties with most people.

He Xi Tong would also attend, though still on her way. Yun ruo thought she might be bored for a while, but unexpectedly, these people approached her actively.

After seeing Wen Shao’s behavior, everyone realized that no matter who the male lead was—Meng or Han—Yun ruo was part of this circle. As long as she was around, maintaining relationships was necessary.

It was possible both male leads might try to please her. Yun ruo was with Han Qi now, but she had a son with Meng Tingmo. Since mother and son were close, in the future, Meng Fei Han’s influence might ensure some respect for Yun ruo.

Yun ruo also instantly understood these convoluted dynamics.

She smiled, not overthinking it.

She only thought about studying hard when she returned: “I’ll be a CEO someday.”

[Ambitious]

The system was very pleased that Yun ruo had no intention of reverting: [I have friends in the business department. When you return, I’ll bind them to you and help you become a CEO—changing male models every day.]

“This isn’t necessary.” Yun ruo declined, a little wistful. She didn’t want any more missions.

She would achieve it on her own.

Someone called Han Qi’s name, wanting him to chat for a bit. Han Qi looked at Yun ruo.

“Don’t worry about me. Xitong will be here soon, you go handle your stuff.” Yun ruo nudged Han Qi, and the gesture strangely felt like a husband notifying his wife of his plans.

Han Qi then got up, worried Yun ruo might feel uncomfortable alone.

As soon as he left, someone took the empty seat beside her: “Ah Ru, long time no see. Didn’t expect you went to Han Qi’s company, haha.”

Jiang Yueying gave a fake smile and handed Yun ruo some fruit.

Yun ruo took it but didn’t eat. Jiang Yueying had been one of her closer acquaintances, but a hypocritical one. Both Meng Tingmo and He Xi Tong had warned her not to confide in Yueying.

Yunruo could tell as well: “It’s been a long time. I heard you got married last year. Congratulations.”

Jiang Yueying’s husband was a competitor of Han Qi. Whenever vying for projects, he always lost to Han Qi, and rarely attended events with Han Qi present. Today, she came alone.

“Thank you. Where did you go the past few years? How’s life? I wanted to invite you to my wedding but couldn’t reach you.” Yueying asked question after question.

Yun ruo didn’t mention her four-year coma, as disclosing it would only make her a topic of gossip. Those who knew kept it private.

She evaded the topic. Yueying wasn’t truly concerned about her whereabouts anyway.

As Yueying gradually leaned closer, seeing Yun ruo’s calm demeanor, she changed the topic: “I’ve always been curious—are you really with Han Qi? That’s Han Qi, you know. Don’t get fooled; I’m worried about you.”

Yun ruo remained expressionless: “Oh? Seems like there’s a story.”

“Yes.” Yueying took a sip of water, sighed, and said, “Back then, Meng Tingmo protected you too well. Plus, he and Han Qi were friends. You probably didn’t know, but Han Qi has a bad reputation outside.”

Yun ruo propped her head with one hand: “What did he do?”

“All sorts of underhanded tactics to seize markets. Our Yu Ming suffered because of him. Yu Ming didn’t confront him, so Han Qi went further.” Yueying frowned, realizing she could only reference her own husband. She subtly pointed at a few people present: “See, Zeng, Jin… who hasn’t been harmed by him?”

Yun ruo looked and saw notorious figures in the circle: “He’s so arrogant, how come there’s no rumor about it outside?”

“You know he used to be close to your ex-husband.” Yueying showed a troubled expression. “Who would dare offend him together with Meng Tingmo?”

Yun ruo said, “Oh.”

Seeing Yun ruo unfazed, Yueying switched tactics: “Actually, that’s not the main point. The most important thing now is you.”

Yun ruo adopted a listening posture.

Yueying lowered her voice: “I’m going to be blunt, but it’s for your own good. Meng Tingmo introduced Han Qi to the circle. When you and Meng Tingmo had issues, Han Qi took advantage and took you away. No matter what, Meng Tingmo showed him kindness before. For him to do this is unethical.”

“Shows his character isn’t great.”

“And, he’s been celibate for over thirty years. How did he suddenly take a liking to you? I have a guess.”

Yun ruo said, “Hmm.”

Yueying, encouraged, continued: “I seriously suspect he was secretly jealous of Meng Tingmo. Maybe he doesn’t even like women, but he deliberately took you to step on Meng Tingmo.”

“Everything he said—love, liking—was a lie.”

Yun ruo stayed silent for a moment.

Yueying assumed she was processing it and didn’t push. She hoped Yun ruo and Han Qi would fight over it. If Han Qi had encroached on her husband’s business, Yueying wanted to break his relationship too.

But Yunruo thought about how Han Qi had lived all these years. When she was by his side, his status was already high; everywhere he went, he was treated like a star. Nobody spoke ill of him openly, so she assumed he was living comfortably.

She realized she had been wrong. Even now, despite his status, people still slandered and gossiped about him.

Meng Tingmo had invited Han Qi into the circle because of his abilities. Han Qi was already close to skyrocketing; he could have joined other circles if not Meng Tingmo’s. He never lacked admirers, and he could work independently.

After joining, he never relied on Meng Tingmo. In fact, when Feng You and others had problems, they sought his help. He always tried to assist without asking for returns.

As for seizing business, that’s not something she could judge. She only knew Han Qi always acted with integrity.

And the idea that Han Qi “took her away” from Meng Tingmo? Didn’t these people forget that it was Meng Tingmo who insisted on divorce? Han Qi had nothing to do with it.

Han Qi had also experienced failures in entrepreneurship. Along the way, he had faced many disappointments.

“So what?” she replied to Yueying.

Yueying, expecting drama, was momentarily stunned: “So what?”

“Yes. Let me tell you, Han Qi never took anything from Meng Tingmo. As for me…” Yun ruo raised two fingers: “First, I’m not a possession; ‘taken’ doesn’t apply. Second, I actively pursued Han Qi. It had nothing to do with him.”

Jiang Yueying’s eyes widened: “You chased Han Qi?!”

No one could confirm Yun ruo and Han Qi’s relationship yet, so most assumed Han Qi had used some tactic to make her obedient.

Now, Yun ruo revealed that she had pursued him, leaving Yueying utterly shocked.

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