Jiang Yihai arrived quickly.
Everyone here was familiar with each other, so naturally, they quickly started chatting about common topics.
Jiang Yihai turned his head and, as if unintentionally, said to Yun Morong, "You seem to have been busy these days? I didn't see you when I went to deliver things."
Yun Morong nodded, "Yeah, there's a lot to do at the end of the year. Ziyu is busy spending time with her boyfriend, Yuling has to handle matters at St. Dia Noble Academy, so I have to keep things together at Danni Cosmetics."
Wei Ziyu glanced at Yin Siyao for no reason when she heard Yun Morong say that.
She had clearly been spending time with Yin Siyao these past few days, but she always felt like there was something between them.
She couldn't quite put her finger on what it was, but it just felt a little off.
Yin Siyao wasn't a playboy; he hadn't been seeing other women.
His orientation was normal too—he wasn't seeing men, either.
Yet, he was always so polite and never crossed any boundaries.
Wei Ziyu couldn't tell if what she felt was disappointment or something else.
When Yin Siyao heard Yun Morong say that, he gave a mischievous smile and said, "Miss Yun, are you blaming me? It's my fault! As the future member of the Yin family, Ziyu should stick with everyone through thick and thin! Whenever you need her, Ziyu can always come back to help! I wouldn't dare tire out my big sister-in-law's most capable assistant!"
Yun Morong quickly glanced at Yin Siyao, then at Wei Ziyu, her eyes flashing as she said, "Forget it. I'll handle it myself. Otherwise, Ziyu might end up like someone in Cao's camp with their heart in Han!"
Wei Ziyu blushed at Yun Morong's teasing. "Morong, you're making fun of me!"
Everyone burst out laughing together.
Just then, someone invited Yin Siyao and Jiang Yihai over to chat. Yin Siyao and Jiang Yihai said goodbye to Yun Morong and left.
Yun Morong saw Wei Ziyu staring blankly at Yin Siyao's back and couldn't help but ask, "Are you okay?"
Wei Ziyu gently shook her head.
Yun Morong wanted to comfort her, but then thought, everyone has to live their own life.
Since you've made your choice, just walk the path you've chosen.
Wei Ziyu, her mood a bit low, asked Yun Morong, "Morong, do you think I'm... too calculating?"
"Hm?" Yun Morong smiled at Wei Ziyu. "Why do you say that?"
"Yin Siyao doesn't really like me, does he?" Wei Ziyu gave a bitter smile. "He's always so polite to me, perfect with manners, and even cares for my parents and family. But he just... isn't moved. His heart belongs to someone impossible."
Yun Morong had actually guessed this a long time ago.
But sometimes, knowing doesn't mean you have to say it out loud.
Yun Morong didn't know how to comfort Wei Ziyu, either.
They were all assistants to Cecilia Gu, so they had plenty of interaction—colleagues, really.
But some things really can't be said.
"Morong, I'm not after the Yin family's wealth, really." Wei Ziyu suddenly got emotional, her eyes turning red. "At first, I admit, I got close to Yin Siyao with a purpose. But as we spent time together, I truly fell in love with him. What should I do?"
Yun Morong stared at Wei Ziyu, but said nothing.
She knew Wei Ziyu just needed to vent—she wasn't really asking for advice.
"I've seen him when he's in pain, when he's happy, when he's sad, when he's joyful. He hides all his pain deep inside. I want to be the one who wipes away his suffering. But he just won't give me a chance." Wei Ziyu looked painfully at Yin Siyao in the distance.
Yun Morong followed Wei Ziyu's gaze and looked at Yin Siyao.
Yin Siyao was standing with Jiang Yihai, chatting and laughing with others.
He'd shed his former immaturity and recklessness, becoming mature and steady.
His title as the Yin family's second young master made him shine, and he really did have the looks and figure to attract girls.
The Yin family's genes really were excellent.
Yin Sicheng was so strikingly handsome it was almost unfair, so naturally he overshadowed all of Yin Siyao's brilliance.
But as long as Yin Sicheng wasn't around, Yin Siyao could still shine.
No wonder Wei Ziyu fell for Yin Siyao.
Just judging by looks, Yin Siyao really did have what it takes.
Not to mention, Yin Siyao now even mimicked Yin Sicheng's every move.
For the girls outside, Yin Sicheng was completely unattainable in this lifetime.
But it was still okay to fantasize about Yin Siyao.
Look at Yin Siyao now—chatting and laughing with others, confident and charismatic. He was nothing like the old Yin Siyao.
Wei Ziyu stared blankly at Yin Siyao and said to Yun Morong, "Morong, have you ever loved a man so much you couldn't help yourself?"
"No," Yun Morong replied calmly.
"Why not?" Wei Ziyu asked Yun Morong in confusion.
"No reason," Yun Morong answered lightly. "There are other people who need my care more. I don't have the energy to spare for someone else."
"You have someone you like?" Wei Ziyu looked at Yun Morong in surprise.
"Yeah, I really like her." Yun Morong's smile was soft, her eyes warm. "In this world, she's the person I care about most."
"He... who is it?" Wei Ziyu stared blankly at Yun Morong.
"My younger sister," Yun Morong sighed wistfully.
"Huh?" Wei Ziyu was a bit stunned.
So all this time, she was talking about her sister, not a man?
In her eyes, her sister was even more important than her own man?
Wei Ziyu was about to ask who Yun Morong's sister was when the host started speaking. Everyone immediately stopped chatting and turned to look at the host, ready to welcome today's birthday girl.
A member of the Yates Family came out to give a speech, thanking the guests for coming. When the speech ended, Yvonne Ye strode out gracefully in ten-centimeter heels.
Yun Morong stood in the crowd, applauding for Yvonne Ye.
The moment Yvonne Ye saw Yun Morong, she smiled happily.
Yvonne Ye stood at the microphone, looked around, and said, "Thank you all so much for coming. This is my first birthday back in China, and being able to spend it with everyone is the happiest thing for me. Today, what makes me happiest is that a new friend I just met is here tonight."
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After the lights swept across the crowd, they stopped on Yun Morong.
Although Yun Morong was a bit surprised, she quickly smiled gracefully, nodded to those around her, and showed perfect manners.
Yvonne Ye happily ran down, grabbed Yun Morong's hand, and rushed back to the microphone. She raised Yun Morong's hand and said, "She's my best friend."
Yun Morong was a little embarrassed, but she took the microphone and gently said, "Thank you so much to the Yates Family for inviting me. I'm just a nobody, but you've treated me so kindly, and I'm truly humbled. Miss Ye is sincere and pure, a good girl. Although this is only our third meeting, being treated with such honor is overwhelming. Finally, I wish Miss Ye eternal youth and happiness! I'm honored to meet you all—everyone here is amazing! Thank you, everyone!"
Yun Morong's words were appropriate and proper, nothing out of line.
A trace of disappointment flashed in Yvonne Ye's eyes.
Yun Morong politely gave Yvonne Ye a quick hug and then turned to leave.
Yvonne Ye wanted to hold onto Yun Morong, but congratulations from others quickly came, and she had to greet them first.
Jiang Yihai came over to Yun Morong and whispered with a smile, "Only met three times and already best friends?"
Yun Morong gave a wry smile. "Wasn't she supposed to be after you? At our first meeting, she even asked me to back out between you two."
Jiang Yihai chuckled softly.
Now it seemed like she wanted him to back out between them instead?
But the Yates Family didn't dare challenge the Jiang Family, so maybe that's why?
But this was something he definitely wouldn't tell Yun Morong.
"So what do you think of her?" Jiang Yihai looked down at Yun Morong. Seeing people crowding toward Yvonne Ye, a few nearly bumped into Yun Morong, so Jiang Yihai quickly spread his arms to shield her and said quietly, "Should we go somewhere else?"
Yun Morong nodded.
She had no intention of being in the spotlight.
The two of them quickly left the crowd, turned, and went out to the balcony, sitting down on the tatami.
Molly Yun lazily leaned against the tatami, admiring the scenery outside, and answered Jiang Yihai's earlier question: "Yvonne Ye is someone who's been both protected and restricted by her family. Her nature is so tightly bound. She's like someone living inside a shell."
A person living inside a shell—that's the title of a famous classic novel.
Anyone who's read that book knows what it criticizes.
Molly Yun used that classic to describe Yvonne Ye, meaning her life is so rule-bound that, when the pressure builds up, it'll one day explode.
Jiang Yihai nodded quietly.
Nora Yun was always Nora Yun.
Even people who didn't care could see right through to the heart of things.
"By the way, she's the blind date your family set up for you. That's why you came tonight, right? Ditching your blind date to hide out here—is that really okay?" Molly Yun looked up at Jiang Yihai.
Jiang Yihai looked up at Molly Yun, a gentle smile appearing. "Do you want me to be with her?"
Molly Yun met Jiang Yihai's gaze, and her heart inexplicably trembled.
Did she... want Jiang Yihai and Yvonne Ye together?
Just imagining them side by side made her feel uncomfortable inside.
Did she not want that?
Why didn't she want that?
Was it because she was greedy and selfish?
She'd already given up on Jiang Yihai!
So why did she still feel this sour ache?
Jiang Yihai slowly leaned closer, until there was less than a fist's distance between them.
"Do you really want to push me toward another woman?" Jiang Yihai asked, pronouncing each word clearly.
Molly Yun suddenly looked up, staring blankly at Jiang Yihai.