Chapter 114: The Threat

A small incident at the birthday banquet caused Jiang Yao to leave the party early.

Cheng Yanchi sat with her on a park bench, letting the gentle evening breeze wash over them.

"That Ye Yiyi—she used to just be a bit dim, but I never expected her to be this clueless now!" Cheng Yanchi fumed.

"She’s not dim; she’s just pure-hearted."

Cheng Yanchi leaned back against the bench. "Things have reached this point, and you’re still speaking up for her?"

Jiang Yao sighed softly. "No matter how much trouble she causes, I don't like seeing her get cheated or taken advantage of. As for you, don’t tell me you can bear to see her get hurt?"

Cheng Yanchi pursed his lips, his expression stiffening, and he retorted petulantly, "Me? I couldn't care less about her. She can do whatever she wants."

Watching his transparent attempt to hide his true feelings, Jiang Yao couldn't help but roll her eyes at him.

"A-Yao, what did you think of Jin Nana's birthday banquet?" Cheng Yanchi changed the subject.

"What do you mean, 'what did I think'?"

"Your birthday is coming up soon. I want to throw you one even better than hers."

Jiang Yao waved her hands repeatedly. "Stop right there. You know I’ve never celebrated my birthday, and I don’t like crowds."

"This year is different. This year, you’re Cheng Yanchi’s girlfriend. If I don’t even throw you a birthday party, my friends and brothers will laugh me to death!" Cheng Yanchi crossed his arms and looked at her earnestly. "A-Yao, you deserve the best. I want to show you that everything Jin Nana has, you can have too, including..."

He thought of He Yunqing.

Tonight, the sight of He Yunqing standing beside Jin Nana had stung Jiang Yao. Even though she acted as if nothing was wrong, her eyes could not lie. And Jiang Yao’s gaze had stung Cheng Yanchi just as deeply.

He could not give Jiang Yao a He Yunqing, but he could give her the best version of himself.

Jiang Yao lowered her head and remained silent for a long moment. Cheng Yanchi’s logic held some weight; given his status, not to mention his circles in esports, he knew plenty of people in high society, and maintaining appearances did matter.

"Then..." Jiang Yao hesitated. "Let’s not have a formal banquet. Let’s just find a few friends and celebrate together. Keep it simple and quiet; I don't like anything too complicated."

Cheng Yanchi immediately slapped her shoulder. "No problem!"

Late at night, in the apartment where Luo Yixian was staying, Ye Yiyi carefully applied an ice pack to the bruises on his face.

Perhaps she was a bit too heavy-handed, because Luo Yixian winced, his brows furrowing. "Do you even know what you're doing?!"

Ye Yiyi shrank back visibly. "I'm sorry."

Luo Yixian snatched the ice pack away. "Sorry, sorry—that’s all you ever say! What else are you good for? I’ll do it myself, get out of my sight!"

Ye Yiyi sat to one side in silence. "Yixian, A-Yao was only looking out for me. Please don't be angry."

"Don't bring up that jinx of a woman to me again. Are you trying to make me miserable on purpose?" As he spoke, Luo Yixian raised his foot and kicked her, a gesture that had become routine.

Ye Yiyi didn't dodge; she only felt her eyes welling up with tears. "Please don't hit me. Yixian, my acting roles require me to show my skin. It will be discovered."

Luo Yixian sneered. "Always talking about acting, but I’ve never seen you bring home any real money. You aren't seeing some other little man behind my back, are you?"

"How could I? You know... I can't get away." Ye Yiyi kept her head down, her voice barely a whisper.

"It’s good that you know your place," Luo Yixian glared at her. "I know you wouldn't dare. Don't forget, I still have your photos—not just yours, but your dear friend's as well."

Ye Yiyi choked back a sob. "I know."

"Right, there's something else you need to do for me." Luo Yixian tossed the ice pack aside, lit a cigarette, and beckoned her over.

Ye Yiyi leaned in, and as he whispered into her ear, her eyes widened in horror.

"No, that’s absolutely impossible!"

"Are you talking back to me now?" Luo Yixian gripped her chin tightly. "The moment I release those photos, they’ll be all over the internet. You won’t be able to scrub them clean even if you try. My beautiful actress, you’ll be completely ruined."

Ye Yiyi trembled, holding back tears as she looked at him.

"A person has to learn to look out for themselves. You can't sacrifice your own life just for that friend of yours, can you?" With a violent shove, he sent her sprawling to the floor.

Luo Yixian glanced at her coldly and stepped over her. Ye Yiyi’s fingernails dug deeply into the expensive Persian rug as a single tear fell in silence.

Soon, Jiang Yao’s birthday arrived.

Cheng Yanchi had reserved a private room at the "Spring Breeze Ten Miles" restaurant. Per Jiang Yao's request, they invited only a few close friends to celebrate. It was the first time Jiang Yao had ever celebrated her birthday with such a lively group. Her friends crowded around her and Cheng Yanchi, teasing them relentlessly.

"Tell us, how did you and Yanchi meet?"

"Who pursued whom?"

Cheng Yanchi shielded her. "Hey, hey, if you have questions, ask me directly."

"Oh, look at that! Protecting his woman!"

As the group laughed and joked, Jiang Yao inexplicably thought of Ye Yiyi. She should have been by her side. For so many years, Ye Yiyi had always been the one to celebrate with her, just like last year, when she flew thousands of miles to her city and sat outside her door for an entire night.

Just then, the door to the private room opened. A waiter poked his head in. "Sister Yao, someone is looking for you outside."

"Looking for me?"

Jiang Yao had taken the night off; she was a guest here tonight, not a bartender. She left the room and followed the waiter to the innermost suite.

Inside the luxurious room, there was no one else but an elegant, imposing woman sitting in the center chair. The woman looked at her, a faint, cold smile playing on her lips. "Sit."

Jiang Yao recognized her—it was Cheng Yanchi’s mother. She offered a polite, graceful bow. "Good evening, ma'am."

Cheng mother smiled thinly. "I met you once before. I thought even then that you weren't an ordinary girl, but I never expected..." Her tone dripped with mockery. "You really are quite 'extraordinary'."

Jiang Yao wasn't there to endure her veiled insults. "Ma'am, if you have something to say, please be direct."

"Hmm?" The woman frowned. Every girl hoping to marry into the Cheng family was usually fawning and obsequious in her presence. This was the first time a girl had spoken to her with such defiance.

"Fine. Since that is the case, I will be direct."