Volume One, Chapter 19: Sister... Unwilling?

Her pupils contracted sharply, her heart pounding wildly. Before He Yancheng’s hand could fully grasp her, she immediately broke free.

She had smelled it!

Biting her lip, her face flushed like a peach, and without daring to raise her gaze, she cleared her throat: “I—I’m going to the restroom!”

...

In her flustered state, she fled to the restroom outside the hall, breathed in some fresh air, and the oppressive heat that had engulfed her head seemed to gradually dissipate.

Not far behind her, Song Weiying, dressed in a black crop-top dress, was feeling a bit dizzy, probably from the alcohol. She had also wanted to come out for some fresh air but was stopped by Director Wang who had followed her out.

Director Wang, in charge of internal medicine, was unaware of Song Weiying’s true identity. He had been attracted to her since her first day interning at the hospital but had never found an opportunity to approach her. Tonight, several high-ranking leaders of the hospital’s internal medicine department were dining together. He Yancheng was supposed to be there too, but for some unknown reason, he didn’t show up at the last minute. Song Weiying felt she had miscalculated; otherwise, she wouldn’t have come.

Since she was already there and surrounded by hospital leaders, she dared not leave and reluctantly ate a bit. Unexpectedly, when she stepped out for air, she was intercepted by the greasy Director Wang, and the usually innocent and delicate expression on her face now looked less obedient and gentle.

“Director Wang, do you need something from me?”

Having drunk enough to be tipsy, Director Wang lowered his voice lecherously: “Dr. Song, you must have heard the leaders’ conversations at tonight’s dinner. I think you’ve learned a lot. In this hospital, if you want to get ahead, you absolutely need a patron. He Yancheng is just an ordinary doctor. No matter how good his skills, without an official position, he can’t protect you. Take your internship confirmation, for example—without my signature, even if you’re close with him, he can’t do anything!”

“Heh.”

Song Weiying understood his meaning but, as the proud heiress of the Song Group, did she really need this confirmation opportunity? She didn’t take Director Wang’s words to heart and gave him a disdainful eye roll.

Director Wang frowned, his eyes flashing displeasure. “What’s so funny? Do you think I’m no match for He Yancheng?”

Song Weiying smiled coldly. “It’s not that you’re no match—you simply have no right to compare yourself to Dr. He!”

“You—”

Director Wang was furious, but Song Weiying ignored him and turned to leave, only to notice Ji Yao standing not far away. Why was she here?

An idea struck Song Weiying. She turned back to Director Wang, her gaze sharp and venomous like a snake’s: “Director Wang, you must really dislike Dr. He, right? Now’s your best chance to take him down. Do you see that woman ahead? She’s Dr. He’s girlfriend. If you deal with her, aren’t you afraid no one will give you a handle on Dr. He?”

Following Song Weiying’s gaze, Director Wang looked over. The woman’s delicate face was petite, with cherry lips and a perfect nose, and her almond-shaped eyes shone like spring blossoms and autumn moons—no less beautiful than Song Weiying herself.

Seeing Ji Yao, Director Wang felt an inexplicable surge of jealousy. He hadn’t expected He Yancheng to be so well off privately.

He was about to approach when suddenly, He Yancheng’s tall figure appeared behind Ji Yao. His calm voice carried a hint of teasing: “Trying to avoid me by standing outside in the breeze?”

Ji Yao hesitated, her heart racing as she turned to look at He Yancheng. Why had he come out too? She stared at his face for a second, then quickly lowered her head.

“I’m not avoiding you.”

He Yancheng lowered his eyes, a faint dark gleam flashing within them. “Then what is it?”

Somehow, Ji Yao’s heart skipped a beat, then beat unevenly. As the man drew closer, she caught the scent of his rich, pleasant aroma mixed with a faint tobacco fragrance, as if even her breath was infused with his unique scent.

Suddenly, her heart felt uneasy. “I just finished using the restroom and wanted some fresh air.”

“Feeling better now?”

“...”

She knew her explanation was a poor excuse in He Yancheng’s eyes; he had never believed her from the start.

Biting her lip, she replied guiltily, “Yes, I’m better now.”

“Shall we go back inside?”

“All right...”

Ji Yao had no choice but to steel herself and follow He Yancheng back to the private room.

On the way, Song Weiying spotted them from a distance. Her gaze sharpened, filled with deep resentment. No wonder He Yancheng, who was on the dinner list, hadn’t shown up tonight—he was here dining with Ji Yao!

How dare she!

Song Weiying had devoted so much to He Yancheng, following him since high school. When he chose his university, she applied to the same one, chasing after him all the way, yet she never even got a chance to dine with him. Now that the opportunity finally came, Ji Yao had snatched it away!

Song Weiying struggled to control and calm her jealousy...

...

Back in the private room, everyone was still warm towards her. She was seated next to He Yancheng as before. Just as she was about to pick up the tongs to grill the meat, Gu Yanzhe snatched them away and handed them without hesitation to He Yancheng.

“Those chores should be done by the men. You women just sit pretty and enjoy the food.”

He Yancheng grilling meat for her? And even serving her? He might have been okay at it when they were kids, but after all these years, as a wealthy heir who only needed to move his lips to have servants do everything, he probably didn’t even know if the meat was cooked properly.

Ji Yao found this quite unbelievable but reached to take the tongs. “No need, I can grill.”

“Yancheng?”

Gu Yanzhe glanced at He Yancheng, signaling him to take the tongs. Unexpectedly, He Yancheng replied coldly, “If she wants to, let her.”

Gu Yanzhe was speechless. What woman likes doing chores? They only do it when forced, and men ignore it so women do! Gu Yanzhe thought He Yancheng’s emotional intelligence was really low—too much of a stereotypical straight man. Luckily, Ji Yao was his sister, not his girlfriend, or she’d suffer a lot.

Ji Yao didn’t mind grilling; she actually believed she could do better and avoid getting sick from undercooked meat. She picked up a piece of beef and started grilling. When it was done, He Yancheng gave her a look.

“Dip it in this sauce.”

Ji Yao frowned. That piece wasn’t meant for him; she intended to eat it herself. But since he spoke first, refusing would seem rude.

Reluctantly, she dipped the beef into the sauce he wanted. Once it was well coated, He Yancheng suddenly leaned in.

“Feed me.”

Feed him in front of all these people?

Her eyes widened, staring at him. He Yancheng had long seen the fear in her eyes. Leaning closer with his tall frame, he said calmly, “What, don’t want to?”

Ji Yao froze, then replied, “You do have hands, you know.”

He Yancheng’s sharp features softened. His brows no longer held the strictness they had at the hospital: “If I grilled it, it’d already be in your mouth.”

Was this a form of moral coercion? His meaning was clear: if he could do it, why couldn’t she?

Looking around at the table, Ji Yao saw that no one was paying attention to them; everyone focused on Gu Yanzhe. Tonight’s dinner was a chance to get closer to the director, so no one had extra energy to notice her.

Seeing that no one was watching, Ji Yao picked up the beef dipped in sauce and fed it to He Yancheng herself. As he chewed, his brow relaxed, and the corner of his eye curved slightly, seemingly pleased by her act.

After the dinner ended, everyone paired off to leave. Even a socially anxious colleague was being driven home by Gu Yanzhe. Seeing that Gu Yanzhe was kind-hearted and it was on his way, Ji Yao quickly spoke up: “Director Gu, I... might trouble you to give me a ride too. I just booked a car, but the driver canceled. Apparently, there’s a traffic jam ahead due to an accident, and it might take a while.”

Gu Yanzhe put his hands in his pockets. “There’s stuff in my back seat; you can’t sit there. He Yancheng also drove here. You should ask him to take you home.”

This was a perfect chance for the siblings to reconnect. Gu Yanzhe wasn’t the type to be oblivious—there was no way he would drive her; it had to be He Yancheng.

Ji Yao hesitated: “I...”

Gu Yanzhe didn’t give her a chance to finish and started driving away.

He Yancheng had already sensed her reluctance to ride with him, so in a low voice that carried undeniable pressure, he said, “Ride with me or walk back—your choice.”

Who would walk such a long way in this cold weather?

A ridiculous thought suddenly flashed through Ji Yao’s mind. “No, I just checked the map. The bus stop is right ahead. I’ll take the bus home.”

She and Xie Huaijin were in the midst of a divorce; she couldn’t afford any rumors or let him discover anything.

He Yancheng sighed softly, a very faint, gloomy sound. His tall figure walked ahead steadily, his measured steps and upright posture making her feel somewhat intimidated.

“You... aren’t you driving back?”

She had already said she would take the bus and didn’t want to trouble him, so why was he walking ahead? Shouldn’t his car be parked in the underground garage?

He turned back, his voice deep and commanding: “I’m accompanying you. We’re taking the bus home together.”