Chapter 44: Young Master Yan, the Adulterer Is None Other Than Me!

Xia Ling is now the evening host. She finishes work at half past nine. He arrived at half past seven, which was certainly early. Xia Ling saw Jiang Zhiyou coming out of the studio and pulled Yan Feng over with her.

“Zhiyou, I especially asked Yan Feng to order your favorite almond tofu. The head chef at the Caesar Hotel is quite skilled—you must eat a little more,” she said.

Jiang Zhiyou smiled. “No need, I’m not hungry. You should eat more yourself.”

Xia Ling’s smile grew even brighter. “A Feng told me the same thing, but I haven’t had much of an appetite lately—always feel like throwing up. A Feng’s worried I don’t eat well here at the station, so insists on picking me up and dropping me off every day to supervise me. I don’t know if he’s more concerned about me, or the baby in my belly.”

She put on an intentionally jealous look. Yan Feng lightly tapped her nose, his face full of affection. “How can you even be jealous of the baby?”

Clinging to his arm, Xia Ling pouted, “I just want to be the only one in your eyes.”

“Ling, you and Young Master Yan are too sweet. I’ve barely touched my cake and you’re already making everyone jealous,” someone teased.

“With Ling and Young Master Yan’s looks and talent, their child will be beautiful.”

“Ling, Young Master Yan treats you so well. The Caesar Hotel is famous for being expensive and hard to book, but the manager delivered us supper like it was takeout. We’re only enjoying these treats thanks to you.”

The television station was a complicated place; most people here were skilled at navigating such currents. Although many secretly disapproved of Xia Ling’s past—snatching interviews and framing Jiang Zhiyou—when real benefits were involved, they were happy to flatter. Who here didn’t say one thing and do another? Besides, she was the future mistress of the Yan family.

Watching the two of them act deliberately affectionate, Jiang Zhiyou’s smile was utterly sincere. “Xia Ling, with your belly this big already, when are you two getting married? We’re all waiting for your wedding sweets.”

As soon as these words left her lips, Yan Feng’s face darkened imperceptibly. On Jiang Zhiyou’s face, there wasn’t a hint of jealousy—only the concern of an old friend, sincere yet edged with irony.

Xia Ling’s face didn’t look good either. Jiang Zhiyou knew perfectly well that she and Yan Feng could never marry, yet spoke like this for others to hear. Sure enough, the crowd began to stir.

“That’s right, Xia Ling, you must be nearly three months along. When’s the wedding? Any later and you won’t fit the dress.”

“The Yan family’s wedding will be grand, I’m sure. We’ll really get an eyeful then.”

“Ling, all the ladies in our department are unmarried. Let us be your bridesmaids, maybe we’ll catch some of your good fortune and get married soon ourselves.”

Xia Ling’s expression soured further. She forced a smile. “If we hold a wedding, you’ll all be invited.”

Just then, someone in the crowd spoke up. “Am I remembering wrong? Didn’t the Yan family hold a wedding three years ago? It was very low-key—no media coverage. Director Tang asked me to try and snap a few photos, but I was thrown out before I even got inside. I remember it clearly. The bride’s family was very well-off; I heard it was a business arrangement.”

It was Zhao Yuan from the camera department, known for his bluntness. All eyes turned to him. Only now did he realize what he’d said, and scratched his head awkwardly. “Uh…maybe I’m mistaken…”

But Zhao Yuan’s comment jogged other people’s memories. There had indeed been rumors that the Yan family heir was already married. The station’s entertainment channel had once done a ranking of the city’s top bachelors, and Young Master Yan hadn’t made the list precisely because of his marital status.

People began whispering.

“Could Xia Ling be the other woman?”

“Didn’t you hear Zhao Yuan? The bride’s family was prominent—it had to be a business marriage. Certainly not Xia Ling.”

“If it were Xia Ling, she wouldn’t be calling him her boyfriend publicly.”

Though the gossip was quiet, it still reached Xia Ling’s ears. Her face grew ashen.

A clueless intern suddenly asked Jiang Zhiyou, “Sister Jiang, you know both Young Master Yan and Ling. Ling can’t be the other woman, right?”

Jiang Zhiyou turned and gave her a playful glare. “Qianqian, with how blunt you are, how will you survive in this station?”

Then, half-joking, she added, “But what if he was married? Divorce rates are so high these days.”

She looked at Yan Feng. “Young Master Yan, don’t you agree?”

Though Jiang Zhiyou hadn’t answered directly, with those words she confirmed that Yan Feng had been married.

“Jiang Zhiyou, that’s enough,” Yan Feng snapped, his face grim.

Jiang Zhiyou turned to the others. “Enjoy your food. I’m heading home.”

“Sister Jiang, why are you leaving so early?” someone called.

She smiled, radiant. “The one at home is strict—my curfew is nine.”

The office erupted in good-natured laughter. “Sister Jiang, are you dating? All the single men here won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

Jiang Zhiyou said nothing more, clicked away in her heels, and left. Yan Feng stared after her for some time, unable to hold back, then strode out in pursuit.

Outside the station building, Yan Feng grabbed Jiang Zhiyou’s arm. “Jiang Zhiyou, explain yourself.”

She turned, smiling, but her lips were laced with mockery. “Yan Feng, what’s wrong? Weren’t you always wishing I’d give you your freedom? Now that I’ve let go, you won’t leave me alone. What, do you enjoy having me and Xia Ling fight over you, clawing at each other for your favor?”

Yan Feng’s face was dark, his gaze locked on hers. She was born with a hint of allure in her features; even when displeased, she was captivating. Jiang Zhiyou’s eyes smiled, but there was disdain there as well. She met his stare unflinchingly. “Too bad. I don’t want you anymore.”

But Yan Feng, still furious, demanded, “Who’s the man?”

Deep down, he couldn’t believe it. He was sure Jiang Zhiyou was just playing games to get back at him. The two of them had despised each other for years. His feelings toward her were complicated; just thinking of her made his teeth ache with frustration. Yet, perhaps because of that, the intensity of those feelings had become the very substance of his life. If Jiang Zhiyou really let go, truly vanished from his world, he found he couldn’t accept it.

Yan Feng’s grip on her wrist was painful. She tried to break free, but he only tightened his hold. Faced with her indifference, his anger nearly erupted. “Jiang Zhiyou, tell me—who is he?”

“It’s me.”

A tall, dark figure emerged behind Jiang Zhiyou. The man had just stepped out of a Maybach, impeccably dressed, unhurried as he climbed the steps. He reached Jiang Zhiyou and pulled her into his arms, his voice cold yet powerful.

“Young Master Yan, the man you’re looking for is me.”