Throw them out

"I told you, I made a reservation before coming here. How could there be no record of it?"

"Apologies, miss, but our island hasn’t been open for reservations during this period. The reservation record you mentioned simply doesn’t exist," the suited staff member explained. "Moreover, bookings must be made through our official website. If possible, please show us your reservation confirmation."

Zhao Mengyao crossed her arms coldly and glared at the staff. "Are you saying we’re lying? The boatman who brought us here claimed to be your employee!"

"We even paid the reservation fee in advance. Are you trying to cheat us now?"

"If that’s the case, then please bring this so-called employee here to verify."

"He already left on the boat! Said he was picking up other guests!"

"Then I’m afraid you’ll have to leave as well," the staff replied. "Of course, we’ll arrange a boat to take you back."

Standing beside Zhao Mengyao, Tang Hao seemed to realize something, his brow furrowing slightly. "We… weren’t scammed, were we?"

"Scammed?" Zhao Mengyao was slow to catch on, but now that she was here, the dismissive attitude of the staff pushed her already foul mood to its limit.

"This is all your fault!" She hurled her handbag at Tang Hao. "You were the one who made the reservation! How could this happen?! Fix it right now—I want in!"

The bag was adorned with decorative metal spikes, and when she threw it in anger, the sharp edges dug painfully into Tang Hao’s skin.

"I… I didn’t know it would turn out like this," Tang Hao exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm. "Let’s just go back for now, Mengyao."

"I’m not leaving! You handle this!!!" She stamped her foot.

"But this is a private island. If they’re not accepting reservations, we’re basically trespassing."

"I paid for it!"

"We got scammed…"

"I don’t care! And how is this not their fault?! If people are getting scammed pretending to be their staff, shouldn’t they take responsibility?!"

Listening to Zhao Mengyao’s outburst, Tang Hao suddenly felt exhausted. He couldn’t fathom how Ye Shuang had put up with her for so long—or was it that he himself had been using the wrong approach?

He remembered that Zhao Mengyao hadn’t always been like this.

"Huh?" At that moment, Zhao Mengyao noticed something and turned her gaze in a particular direction.

A few seconds later, her eyes widened.

"Chen Qin?! And… Ye Shuang?!"

"Oh?" Chen Qin had also spotted Zhao Mengyao and Tang Hao. She was puzzled—running into them at the movies was one thing, but after a 10-hour flight to this remote location?

"You…" Zhao Mengyao stared at Chen Qin, realization dawning. Her lips trembled before she bit down hard.

"I see, I see!"

"So you’re the one behind this, aren’t you?! You bribed them to mess with me, didn’t you?!" She jabbed a finger at the staff. "No wonder you’re saying I don’t have a reservation! I’m reporting this to your boss! I’m calling the police!"

Tang Hao also caught on, glaring at Ye Shuang. "Was this really necessary?! How low can you two stoop?!"

Chen Qin merely arched a brow, her smirk dripping with amusement.

Just then, an elderly man in a butler’s uniform approached—clearly someone of authority on the island.

"Are you the manager here?" Zhao Mengyao demanded coldly. "I demand an explanation—"

Before she could finish, the butler assessed the situation, then walked past her to stand beside Chen Qin.

"My deepest apologies, Boss. I’ll handle this immediately. I’m sorry for the inconvenience."

"Boss?" Both Zhao Mengyao and Tang Hao froze.

"Obviously. This island belongs to my family. We’re not ‘messing’ with you—it’s simply closed to the public," Chen Qin drawled. "But barging onto private property and making a scene? That’s just so… you."

"No way… I don’t believe it," Zhao Mengyao muttered, stunned.

"What’s so hard to believe? Oh, wait—don’t tell me your family doesn’t even own a private island?" Chen Qin feigned sympathy, tilting her head. "Honestly, maybe you should’ve saved that money to keep your company afloat instead of splurging on vacations."

Tang Hao quickly pulled out his phone and checked—the island was indeed listed as Chen family property.

"Did you sabotage our company?!" Zhao Mengyao snapped.

"Give it a rest. You know exactly why your company failed," Chen Qin retorted, slipping her arm through Ye Shuang’s. "But I should thank you—your terrible judgment let Ye Shuang go."

"And left you with… this." She glanced at Tang Hao and wrinkled her nose. "Not even one-tenth as handsome as Ah Shuang, and half as capable. You really aren’t picky, are you?"

"You—!" Tang Hao’s face flushed crimson. The insult hit too close to home—Ye Shuang had always outshone him, and there was no way to refute it.

In stark contrast, Ye Shuang remained composed. His gaze swept over Zhao Mengyao before dismissing her entirely, as if she were a stranger.

Zhao Mengyao stared at him. Whether it was the passage of time or his recent self-care, she suddenly realized how much more appealing he looked compared to Tang Hao.

Her eyes reddened, and she began to sniffle. "Ye Shuang…"

Chen Qin blinked, taken aback. Had her words really been that cutting?

Worried that Zhao Mengyao’s tears might stir something in Ye Shuang, she glanced at him—only to find him tilting his head slightly, his gaze seemingly fixed on her chest.

Chen Qin: "…"

"Ugh, stop staring! You can look all you want later when we’re alone!" Her face burned as she punched his arm lightly.

Ye Shuang snapped out of it—he’d only turned away to avoid looking at Zhao Mengyao, but Chen Qin had misunderstood.

Still, explanations could wait. "Let’s go," he said. "No point wasting time on these people."

In his words, Zhao Mengyao had long been relegated to just that—"these people."

"Mm-hmm!" Chen Qin beamed before turning to the butler. "Have these pests removed. If they refuse to leave, call the police."

"Understood, Boss. Right this way." The butler ushered them off, relief washing over him before his expression hardened.

"Call security. Throw them out. If they won’t board the boat willingly, tie them up and toss them into the sea."