Chapter 108: What's the Big Deal?

The concert had ended.

A swarm of reporters surged forward, surrounding He Yunqing’s nanny van.

Most of their questions, however, were about He Yunqing’s gossip.

The manager, Sister Cai, sighed helplessly as she opened the car door and stepped out, facing the countless microphones and continuous flashes. “Please make way.”

“Miss Yunqing, say something, please.”

“Just say a few words and we’ll leave.”

“Is the rumored romance between Yunqing and Miss Jiang true?”

Sister Cai frowned. “Since you say it’s just a rumor, of course it’s not true.”

“Then how do you explain that photo that was leaked?”

“I’ve heard that Miss Jiang isn’t from the entertainment industry. Is there anything you can reveal about her identity?”

“Some netizens have been talking about Miss Jiang’s past during her school days. Do you have any response to that?”

“Sorry, no comment. We’re pressed for time,” Sister Cai replied in a very official tone.

“Just say a few words, anything at all.”

The reporters persisted relentlessly.

“I’ll answer you.” A deep, magnetic voice suddenly rang out.

He Yunqing slowly rolled down the car window, his gaze coldly sweeping over everyone around. Without changing expression, he said softly, “If you have any questions, you can ask me.”

In an instant, all eyes fixed on the man.

Sister Cai whispered anxiously by his side, “Yunqing… don’t do anything rash…”

...

The morning sunlight filtered gently through the gap in the curtains, falling softly on Jiang Yao’s sleepy, slightly puffy face.

She rubbed her still-heavy head and looked around, realizing she was lying in a guest room at Spring Breeze Ten Miles.

She tried hard to recall last night’s events but could only piece together a few scattered fragments; the rest eluded her completely.

The doorbell rang.

Jiang Yao tugged at her somewhat messy clothes and went to open the door.

Standing there was a young girl dressed as a waitress. “Sister Yao, you’re finally awake.”

Since they worked at the same place, Jiang Yao naturally recognized her.

“Have I slept long?” Jiang Yao asked, only noticing her hoarse voice when she spoke.

The girl sighed helplessly. “Manager Zhao sent me with breakfast. He said you’re not allowed to sing anymore…”

Jiang Yao noticed her hesitation and asked, “What’s wrong?”

The girl pursed her lips, imitating Manager Zhao’s tone. “He said your singing is like a banshee’s wail—really awful. He also said you’re not allowed to drink here anymore, and he said…”

“What else did he say?” Jiang Yao yawned, feeling awkward. “If it’s not important, just don’t bother.”

“No, this is important. I have to tell you.” The girl handed Jiang Yao the breakfast. “Last night’s bar tab, this morning’s breakfast, and the cost of this room—all deducted from your salary…”

Heh heh heh…

That was indeed very important.

Jiang Yao glanced around the room—Manager Zhao had booked her the most expensive room at Spring Breeze Ten Miles.

Looks like she was here to bring in some revenue…

Jiang Yao scratched her head. “Got it, got it.”

Better not drink so freely anymore. After last night, she’d lost almost half a month’s wages.

She closed the door, set the breakfast down, and was about to lie back down when suddenly a hand grasped her ankle.

The unexpected cool touch startled Jiang Yao.

“Ah!” she cried out, instinctively stepping back and looking down.

It was a very beautiful woman’s hand.

Following the arm upward, she saw a disheveled woman wrapped in bed sheets lying on the floor.

Hearing Jiang Yao’s shout, the woman looked up in confusion, sleepily brushing hair from her face.

It was Ye Yiyi’s face!

Jiang Yao swallowed hard, pinched herself to confirm she wasn’t dreaming, then slowly said, “Ye… Yiyi…”

Ye Yiyi’s drunken haze barely cleared. She mumbled, “Mm, don’t make noise. I’m going back to sleep, Ah Yao.”

Jiang Yao tugged at her hair, trying hard to recall last night’s events.

Suddenly, Ye Yiyi seemed to realize something, springing up from the floor like a coiled spring.

“You were with me last night?”

Ye Yiyi shot Jiang Yao a side-eye but said nothing. She glanced at the time and hurriedly gathered her things.

“Ye Yiyi!”

Ye Yiyi grabbed the breakfast from the table. “Don’t get the wrong idea—I’m not trying to patch things up with you. I just felt sorry for you after seeing how trashed you were last night.”

She spoke as she left, answering a phone call on the way out.

The voice on the other end must have said something, for Ye Yiyi’s tone suddenly softened. “No, I’m not. I’m coming back now. Really, sorry. Please don’t be angry…”

Ye Yiyi left the room, hung up, then glanced back at the door.

After a moment’s thought, she dialed again.

As soon as the call connected, she immediately cursed, “Where the hell have you been all this time?”

On the other end, Cheng Yanchi sounded surprised, “I was abroad with my mom for a break. Just got off the plane. Didn’t you block me and refuse to talk to me anymore? Wow, Miss Ye actually calling me—that’s rare.”

Ye Yiyi wasn’t in the mood for Cheng Yanchi’s sarcasm. “If you have time, open your phone and check the news.”

With that, she decisively hung up.

At this point, Cheng Yanchi probably understood what she meant.

“News?” Cheng Yanchi frowned and opened his phone, scrolling casually until he saw the “news” Ye Yiyi referred to, his brow furrowing deeply…

Jiang Yao ate a few bites and lay back down.

It was the weekend; she didn’t need to go to the wedding planning company.

Besides, since she was already in such an expensive room at Spring Breeze Ten Miles, it would be a waste not to stay a little longer.

She drifted back to sleep, only to be awakened by the doorbell again around noon.

“Coming.” She thought Manager Zhao had sent someone again, yawned, squinted, and got up to open the door. “I’m leaving soon, so don’t rush me.”

But the visitor stood silently at the door.

Jiang Yao rubbed her eyes and looked closely.

It was Cheng Yanchi, gazing at her with concern, chest rising and falling slightly. Beside him stood a suitcase he hadn’t yet carried inside.

“Cheng Yanchi?” Jiang Yao was surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“If I don’t come find you, will you ever come find me?” Cheng Yanchi wheeled his suitcase into the room. “Something this big happened, and you didn’t even say a word to me?”

“What happened?” Jiang Yao was still in the dark. “I just drank a little too much, went on stage to sing, lost someone—what’s the big deal?”