Chapter 50 Part 3

“Shut your stinking mouth!” Fang Nianchen glared at him and suddenly exploded in anger. “That was her mom’s mistake—what does it have to do with her!”

She took a step forward, but Yin Chi held her back. “Calm down… This is a hospital.”

Fang Nianchen glared at her stubbornly, her chest heaving violently.

She was so furious her waist started hurting again.

Out of respect for Yin Chi, she held back.

Instead, Yin Chi snapped at him for her. “Are you done? You really think no one can touch you? Do you even know that she…”

She almost forgot why Fang Nianchen had come to North City in the first place.

Yin Chi closed her eyes and let out a breath. “Chen Yuyang, you’re on your own.”

This time, Chen Yuyang let out a disdainful snort. “Just you wait. If Yu Wan doesn’t end up with me, I won’t let her have it easy—”

Smack!

Fang Nianchen snatched up the nearby flowers and hurled them at him hard, nailing him right in the face. She then stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Yin Chi chased after her.

She grabbed her just before the crosswalk. “Ancestress, what’s got you so short-tempered today?”

Honestly, she felt like Fang Nianchen had been triggered by something—her temper was off the charts, like she’d become a whole different person.

Normally, even if someone cursed her right to her face, she’d just dismiss them as a barking dog and ignore it.

But today? Arguing, throwing flowers—it was like that fight the other day had awakened her fighting spirit. Now, just seeing Chen Yuyang triggered a reflexive urge to smack him. She couldn’t hold herself back.

“What else can I do? Listen to him spread rumors about Yu Wan? Listen to him insult her?” Fang Nianchen was still fuming, every word laced with fury.

Yin Chi couldn’t handle the heat and raised her hands in surrender. “Fine, fine! I was wrong. You were right to curse him out. Great job hitting him.”

Still, she advised, “In a few days, I’ll be out of North City. It’s not realistic for you to take on Chen Yuyang alone. Don’t rile him up too much.”

“I’ll talk to my dad. Starting next month, I’ll oversee the North City projects. I’ll stick around to help you out. Then we can finish off Chen Yuyang, okay?”

The words “finish off” calmed Fang Nianchen down a little.

She hadn’t been thinking that drastically.

Her tone softened. “We’ll talk about it later.”

“Mm-hmm, we’ll talk later.” Yin Chi had successfully coaxed her out of her bad mood before asking, “Wanna grab dinner with me?”

Fang Nianchen glanced at her phone. She had no idea what time that certain someone would arrive in North City today, as they’d mentioned.

Even if she went back, they might not contact her anyway.

“Sure, let’s go.”

—

They were only half full when Yin Chi’s mouth hadn’t stopped for a moment. She started by talking about how her neck had been bothering her that day, so she’d come to the hospital to get it checked. That’s when she ran into a really scary woman—her arms were covered in scars.

She guessed the woman had been a victim of domestic violence, but with a “better safe than sorry” mindset, she just sighed about how dangerous modern society was.

She rambled on and soon steered the conversation back to Fang Nianchen.

“How far along are you and Miss Yu?”

It was fine not bringing it up, but once she did, Fang Nianchen felt a heaviness in her chest. “No progress.”

“Huh?” Yin Chi’s eyes widened. “Everyone knows she’s not straight anymore, and you still haven’t confessed?”

Well, that was within expectations, at least.

Top Student Fang had always been the same during exams back in school—she never marked an answer on the scantron unless she was 100% sure. Only then would she commit.

Being cautious was a good thing, but too much caution meant missing out on a lot of opportunities.

She had no idea about one key truth: the sweetest fruits of love were reserved for the bold and reckless.

Fang Nianchen shook her head and brought up what happened at the hospital entrance that day. “She asked me, ‘If I really liked you, what would you do?'”

Yin Chi perked up instantly, abandoning her food. “And then?”

“I said I didn’t know. I’d never thought about it.”

Yin Chi was speechless. She tugged at her mouth and drawled, “What’s wrong with you?”

Could saying “I’d accept it” really kill her?

Oh, but then it wouldn’t be her anymore.

Yin Chi got over it quickly.

Humbly accepting the rebuke, Fang Nianchen went on. “I thought hearing her say that would make me happy. But… I just couldn’t feel happy at the time.”

“Oh? So even hearing her confession left you unhappy?” Yin Chi’s tone was full of teasing. “See? I called it. You, once your goal’s achieved, immediately lose interest.”

She even playfully nudged her foot. “So? While I’ve still got some good feelings for you, wanna develop things between us?”

“That’s got nothing to do with what you said.” Fang Nianchen cut her off and pulled her foot back. “She was just joking. I couldn’t give a serious answer to that, could I?”

Right—a mere joke. If she spilled her true feelings, wouldn’t that just burden Yu Wan?

Plus, taking it seriously by herself would make her look like an idiot.

“You’re so sure it was a joke?” Yin Chi thought about another golden opportunity down the drain. She’d been smug knowing they liked each other, but now she could barely hold it in. “Can your self-doubt at least have some limits?”

Every time Fang Nianchen lacked confidence in herself, it felt like a slap to Yin Chi’s face—like Fang Nianchen was saying her judgment sucked and she’d fallen for someone worthless.

But in reality, if an ordinary person had even half—no, a quarter—of what Fang Nianchen had going for her, it’d be enough to bring honor to their ancestors and get written into the family records.

Yin Chi resisted the urge to curse her out, but still scolded, “Can you stop slapping negative labels on yourself all the time? It’s not even started yet, and you’re writing yourself off without even trying. No wonder your last crush went nowhere. Girls your age have exes piled up like mountains.”

She wasn’t directly or indirectly cursing anyone—everyone had their own views on love. It was just that Fang Nianchen was too conservative.

She didn’t have the fiery impulsiveness of someone in their twenties. It was more like she’d already had her fun and was now meticulously selecting for a stable life—latching onto one person for life, unwilling to take even the slightest risk.

But Yin Chi didn’t think there was anything truly wrong with Fang Nianchen’s attitude.

She valued her relationship with Yu Wan more than anything.

She was so afraid of losing it that she tied her own hands.

If a confession failed and they could go back to being friends? Besides not truly loving her, or just being in it for looks or lust, Yin Chi couldn’t think of another reason.

But for someone like Fang Nianchen, who was at the point of “her or no one,” she’d never settle for just friendship.

For the last five years, she’d been full of regret. What about the next five—what kind of mood would she be in?

Yin Chi sighed. “Let me ask you—have you ever considered that maybe she actually has feelings for you?”

“I used to think so.”

“Now, you should think about it too…” Yin Chi smiled helplessly. “Xiao Chen. I don’t know what kind of environment you grew up in that made you so lacking in confidence. I only know that you’re truly excellent. You’re kind and warm. Although I always joke that you’re attracting bees and butterflies, but… you deserve to be liked by me, by Yu Wan. You deserve to be liked by many people.”

She suddenly felt that promoting others’ happiness wasn’t so bad.

“Yu Wan likes you too. Just as firmly as you like her.” As she said this, Yin Chi couldn’t help feeling a bit regretful.

Her own affection had once been that firm too.

But a forced melon isn’t sweet.

She pursed her lips and continued, “So now, are you still hesitating?”

Yu Wan… likes her?

Fang Nianchen stared blankly at Yin Chi, incredulous.

She shot her a look of disbelief. “What you just said…”

“Yu Wan likes you. She told me so herself. Did you hear that clearly?” Seeing her dumbfounded expression, Yin Chi couldn’t help laughing. “You two idiots. The whole world knows you like each other.”

Just then, her phone rang abruptly.

Rarely did anyone call her cell phone anymore. She thought it was a spam call at first, but the contact that popped up was “Senior Yu.”

It was like she had a premonition, calling right at this moment.

Almost no one contacted her this way anymore.

Fang Nianchen froze, glancing at her phone, then at Yin Chi.

Yin Chi got it instantly and leaned over for a peek. “Yo~ You little lovebirds really are on the same wavelength.”

Fang Nianchen seemed dissatisfied with the label, or maybe shy—her expression was ambiguous.

“Why don’t you pick up?” Yin Chi was tempted to knock Fang Nianchen out and answer for her.

“You want me to…” Fang Nianchen wanted to say she’d taken in too much unbelievable information at once and needed time to process.

But before she could finish, the call ended.

She stared blankly at the screen, frozen.

Before disappointment could set in, Yu Wan’s WeChat call came through.

This urgent attitude was unusual, making Fang Nianchen not dare to slack off. She answered immediately.

Under Yin Chi’s watchful, amused gaze, she steadied her heartbeat and spoke. “Hello?”

There was a long silence on the other end. Fang Nianchen’s tone was gentle and patient. “What’s wrong?”

Argh! This damn favoritism!

Yin Chi inexplicably felt uncomfortable all over. She lowered her head and started eating, feeling worse with every bite.

Why couldn’t heaven grant her a girlfriend too!

After just a few bites, she heard Fang Nianchen promise the other end, “I’ll be right there.”

She stood up and looked at her. “I’m heading out first. I’ll treat you to dinner next time.”

Yin Chi knew she was rushing to see her beloved and reminded her solemnly, “Take it easy~”

—

After ending the business dinner and exiting the restaurant, the directors from the subsidiaries shook hands with her enthusiastically. “President Yu, so young and already so capable—your future is limitless!”

Yu Wan handled the perfunctory pleasantries with ease, even as the high-proof liquor made her feel physically unwell. She forced a smile. “President Qin flatters me.”

Her humble smile was exactly what the crowd ate up.

The man called “President Qin” reached out to drape an arm over her shoulder, calling “Little Yu” while reeking of booze and leaning in.

Secretary Cao stepped in promptly to support him, smiling. “President Qin, you’ve had quite a bit. Do you live far?”

Blocked like that, he knew what she meant. President Qin was faintly displeased but quickly composed himself. “I’m just upstairs in this hotel. What about you, Little Yu? Live far? Let my driver take you back?”

Yu Wan smiled and declined politely. “No need. My secretary will drive me.”

“Alright then, won’t keep you. You ladies should head home early and get your beauty sleep, right? Hahaha, go on!” President Qin laughed heartily, then linked arms with the other bosses and resumed their bragging.

With that, they ignored Yu Wan completely.

Yu Wan slipped away immediately. The smile faded from her face as she pressed her temple.

Secretary Cao asked worriedly, “Are you okay?”

She couldn’t help complaining, “Those old things are so crude, forcing that high-proof baijiu on you!”