Chapter 202: Which Ye Boss Are You Looking For?
"Ah, I'm so bored."
The leisurely Miss Zhao Mengde now sat at the entrance of Ye Zhen's company lobby, basking in the sun while sipping a delicious glass of chilled watermelon juice.
She let out a long sigh and belched rather inelegantly.
After devouring a stack of pink comics that could give anyone nutritional deficiencies, she finally entered a state of enlightened emptiness.
"So empty, so lonely…"
She hummed to herself, though in truth, she had no desire to find a partner.
She was starting to realize that shipping couples and being a fangirl was way more satisfying than actually getting into a relationship herself.
"That bastard Ye Fuli, that pervert! Does it really take this long to win over his wife?"
"Ugh, damn it!"
"I really want to draw their little notebook."
Of course, despite her grumbling, she still didn't dare to be so blatant.
Don't be fooled by Ye Zhen's seemingly weak exterior—this airhead is actually all darkness inside!
As for Ye Fuli…
She was even more untouchable.
Just as Zhao Mengde lay daydreaming, a bright pink supercar pulled up across from the company.
The door opened, and out stepped a gothic-styled girl with pink hair.
That splash of pink was undeniably eye-catching.
Zhao Mengde's drowsiness dissipated considerably in that instant.
The pink-haired girl circled the area before crossing the street and approaching the company entrance.
Before even stepping inside, her gaze locked onto the boldly dressed veteran soldier, Miss Zhao Mengde.
"Hey, are you the doorkeeper? Where's your boss? Go tell her Miss He, the third daughter of the He family, is back. Have her reassign me a job—preferably somewhere near the He residence."
"The third young miss of the He family?"
Zhao Mengde raised an eyebrow and scrutinized her closely. "Which boss are you looking for?"
He Ying carried no aura of danger, only a hint of childishness.
Zhao Mengde had heard the name before, but this was his first time meeting her in person. He wondered if he could make a little money off her… After all, his account balance was now under a million.
"Of course I'm here to see the boss surnamed Ye!"
"There are two bosses surnamed Ye here." Zhao Mengde stood up, his imposing stature looming over He Ying. "Which one are you looking for?"
He Ying couldn't help but press her hand to her forehead.
"Both. I'll see both of them."
She had secretly tracked Ye Fuli's location and discovered that Ye Fuli had frequently lingered here over the past few months.
The owner of this company was surnamed Ye, and the name she found was "Ye Zhen."
This "Ye Zhen" was someone she had seen at Mond Academy and investigated herself.
At the time, He Ying had only thought Ye Zhen resembled Ye Zhen. Considering Ye Zhen's face was irreparably damaged, she had easily dismissed the possibility that they were the same person.
Now, over half a year had passed.
Ye Fuli frequently accompanied this Ye Zhen, even investing in her company and secretly funneling talent to it. She nurtured Ye Zhen's company as if it were her own child, transforming this fragile, newborn-like enterprise into a thriving business.
Running a company? It's never that easy.
Without powerful backing, you're just ripe for being devoured!
Wasn't it strange that Ye Fuli had given so much to this person named "Ye Zhen" without demanding a single share of the company?
This didn't seem like the kind of benevolent act one would expect from someone as selfish and cold-blooded as Ye Fuli.
He Ying had considered the melodramatic possibility that Ye Fuli had fallen for Ye Zhen's stand-in, but knowing her, it seemed unlikely.
Ye Fuli was an incredibly stubborn person.
She'd rather have nothing than settle for less.
As for the absurd notion that "Ye Zhen" had been impersonating "Ye Zhen" and deceiving Ye Fuli for over half a year…
If Ye Fuli were that gullible, the world would probably be at peace by now.
After weighing all these possibilities, He Ying could only reach one conclusion: Ye Zhen and Ye Zhen were the same person.
The thought was utterly absurd.
She had actually solemnly recognized an imposter as the real Ye Zhen in front of Ye Zhen herself. Worse still, she had turned hostile toward Ye Fuli over that imposter, nearly getting beaten by Ye Fuli in the process.
Sigh.
Back then, Ye Fuli must have mocked her in her heart countless times.
As for Ye Zhen back then, she must have been deeply disappointed and hurt.
What should she say upon meeting again?
An apology? A complaint? Or simply bury her head in her hands and weep?
…
"They're both gone. They went home."
Zhao Mengde's voice pulled He Ying out of her memories.
He Ying rubbed her throbbing temples and asked, "Oh? When will they be back?"
"I don't know. I'm just the gatekeeper."
"Gatekeeper? Doesn't quite fit the description."
He Ying narrowed her eyes, studying the brutish tattoo on her arm and the solid muscles beneath it.
When no one is good, they naturally recognize each other's scent.
This gatekeeper girl had blood on her hands.
"At the very least, you're a bodyguard too."
Zhao Mengde chuckled. "Guarding the door is part of a bodyguard's duties."
Just as they spoke.
The car carrying Ye Fuli and the others arrived at the company entrance.
After their trip back, both women looked noticeably more haggard.
Ye Zhen stepped out first, taking a folder from Ye Fuli's hands.
She turned around.
She walked toward the company building.
As soon as she finished the last step, she spotted He Ying waiting there.
Long separated, now reunited, everything had changed.
Though their hearts churned with turbulent emotions, their faces maintained the restraint and politeness expected of adults.
This reunion wasn't what she had imagined.
Yet, perhaps this was the most fitting way after all.
He Ying tugged at the corners of her mouth, forcing a polite smile. "Ms. Ye, shall I introduce myself?"
The moment she heard that tone, Ye Zhen knew her identity had been seen through.
Continuing to hide it was pointless.
Yet, to simply admit her true identity was something Ye Zhen found unbearably difficult to utter! Especially when she thought of the immense effort He Ying had made to save her—the guilt welling up inside her was beyond words.
"My name is He Ying. I'm the third daughter of the He family."
He Ying stepped toward her, extending her hand.
The bell ornament on her wrist jingled softly.
"I'll soon be transferred to work in South City. In the future, I hope to receive your guidance, Ms. Ye."
Ye Zhen sighed, gathering her composure before taking her hand. "Yes, I look forward to working with you, Miss He."
They exchanged a brief handshake before quickly releasing each other.
Back in the company lobby, Zhao Mengde had already prepared tea and pastries.
"Hmm? The vibe between you two… feels off." Zhao Mengde teased, "You two aren't exes, are you?"
At this remark, He Ying, who had just lifted her teacup, set it down again.
Her gaze fixed on Zhao Mengde with such intensity it seemed she could bore a hole through his face. "You can eat whatever you want, but you shouldn't say whatever you want! Mr. Ye and I have only met a few times—it's perfectly innocent!"
Ye Fuli, emerging from the elevator, caught He Ying's stern voice.
Her footsteps halted involuntarily.
She knew Zhao Mengde was always a sharp one, adept at reading social dynamics, yet he couldn't keep his own mouth shut. He always had to pierce through the thin veil of politeness, leaving everyone collectively embarrassed.
"Not an ex-lover, but definitely more than just a passing acquaintance." Zhao Mengde stroked his chin, flashing that classic "scheming frog rubbing your belly" expression: "You…"
"You… must have secretly harbored feelings for our boss Ye Zhen, right?"