Rebel

After all, so many executives were present, and at this moment, Chen Qin didn't want to push Xu Yitian too hard. She slowly withdrew her gaze and then asked Bai Yuyou and the others beside her, "Have you eaten? Let's eat together."

"Oh, we actually..." Tang Keke caught a whiff of tension and realized that she and Bai Yuyou might have been tricked into coming here, instantly feeling the urge to slip away.

On the other hand, Bai Yuyou simply said, "Not yet."

Chen Qin smiled slightly and then asked the server to add two chairs and tableware.

Seeing so much food on the table, Bai Yuyou sat down obediently at first. Only after Chen Qin reminded her did she begin to eat in small bites.

Seeing Bai Yuyou eating so happily and feeling hungry herself, Tang Keke also started eating without further hesitation.

Forget it, forget it, it's not really my business. Better eat first.

Tang Keke and Bai Yuyou were originally cooking at home, but they had rushed out halfway through, leaving the cured meat rice in the rice cooker untouched.

Though letting it steam a bit longer would probably make it even more fragrant.

Everyone else, including Xu Yitian, had lost their appetite. With such a juicy piece of gossip right there, who wouldn't want a taste?

In contrast, Xu Yitian's face was shifting between shades of unease; he was fidgeting, full of embarrassment.

He had calculated everything, but he never anticipated that there was such a layer of relationship between Chen Qin and Bai Yuyou. The two seemed to be on good terms and were aware of each other's existence.

He finally understood why Chen Qin hadn't reacted much upon learning about this—she already knew about it from the start.

Xu Yitian originally thought he was holding a trump card, but when he flipped it over—

It was indeed a trump card, just the Joker.

He had made a complete fool of himself.

"I'm not feeling well, I'll take my leave first." Xu Yitian felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. In the end, he chose to stand up and slink away with his assistant in tow.

Chen Qin didn't stop him. After all, Xu Yitian was still her capable subordinate, and such an occasion called for saving a little face. The fact that Chen Qin hadn't pressed further earlier was, frankly, giving Xu Yitian some consideration out of past rapport.

But that was only for this occasion. In private, she would have to have a good talk with her daddy about this matter.

Those who like to scheme behind the scenes, especially those who turn on their own, are what Chen's Father dislikes the most.

According to Old Master Chen's temperament, scheming in the shadows is normal—some even go as far as cutting off a competitor's power or stealing goldfish... but such tactics should never be used against one's own people. Otherwise, you're just a traitor.

Chen's Father would teach Xu Yitian how to behave properly.

Chen Qin's original intention was for Xu Yitian and Ye Shuang to build a good relationship, to join forces as a powerful duo. Encountering such a situation, she naturally sided unconditionally with Ye Shuang, especially since he wasn't at fault from the beginning.

Who would have thought Xu Yitian would pull something like this behind the scenes? It was completely beyond Chen Qin's imagination; she didn't even understand his motive.

"Ah Ye, I'm sorry. I didn't know Xu Yitian would do such a thing." Chen Qin also apologized to Ye Shuang, promising to investigate this matter thoroughly afterward.

"It doesn't really concern me, so why are you apologizing?" Ye Shuang shook his head. He was actually aware of Xu Yitian's little maneuvers, but he shouldn't have involved Yuyou and the others.

Calling them to a hotel was one thing, but what if it had been somewhere else?

It seems those two still need a proper lesson. It's not good to believe everything someone says over the phone.

The dinner continued. The many executives tacitly understood not to ask too many questions. After all, Ye Shuang, Chen Qin, and Xu Yitian were people they couldn't afford to offend. It was best not to get involved in their affairs to avoid getting burned.

After eating a few bites, Bai Yuyou stopped and put down her chopsticks.

"Full already?" Ye Shuang asked, surprised. This appetite wasn't like Yuyou at all.

"Yeah." The girl nodded.

"Are you feeling unwell somewhere?" Seeing Bai Yuyou nod, Ye Shuang couldn't help but ask. He cooked for the girl daily and knew her appetite best.

Hearing this, Bai Yuyou had to confess honestly, "Need to leave some for others."

Upon hearing this, both Ye Shuang and Chen Qin laughed. After all, everyone was just taking a few casual bites; the rest was all about drinking. At such business banquets, no one came with the intention of filling their stomachs.

"Let's order some more dishes. Waiter, the menu." Chen Qin doted on Bai Yuyou. After getting a new menu, she let Bai Yuyou choose for herself.

Any single dish at this hotel cost over a thousand, making Tang Keke's eyes widen beside them.

So expensive.

Even plain water was 88 yuan. Ridiculous. Drinking it probably makes you feel like you can fly.

Bai Yuyou didn't dwell on it too much. Since Chen Qin said she could order, she genuinely picked a few dishes she liked and then asked Tang Keke beside her, "Keke, do you want to add anything?"

"Ah? Me?" Looking at the table full of seafood, Tang Keke felt no need.

After the meal ended, Chen Qin had no mind to continue discussing work. Instead, she took the two girls back with her.

Ye Shuang's car was handed over to a designated driver, and he rode back with Chen Qin.

After all, they had all been drinking, and one shouldn't drive after drinking.

In the car, a wave of tipsiness seemed to wash over Chen Qin, compounded by work fatigue. She chose to rest, leaning against Ye Shuang.

Meanwhile, Ye Shuang lectured Bai Yuyou and the other about not believing everything they hear from a random phone call.

"Not really. I didn't quite believe it at the time either. I even sent you a message, brother, but you didn't reply," Tang Keke said. She had remained relatively calm then, but since Ye Shuang didn't reply, she had also been somewhat skeptical.

In contrast, Bai Yuyou didn't overthink it and just changed her shoes and went out.

"Don't easily believe such things next time. What if it was a bad person?" Ye Shuang said to Bai Yuyou as well.

Hearing this, Bai Yuyou whispered after a few seconds, "What if something happened to Ye Shuang?"

These two "what ifs" were actually expressions of mutual concern for each other.

For a moment, Ye Shuang didn't know what to say. Could he say that he actually wouldn't get into trouble? That wasn't possible either.

No one knows whether tomorrow or an accident will arrive first.

"Then you need to learn how to judge." Ye Shuang reached out and ruffled Bai Yuyou's head.

Bai Yuyou still didn't understand. "That person, why did he call us to the hotel?"

"Because he wanted to make your Sister Chen Qin and me angry," Ye Shuang said.

"That would make people angry?"

"Because he thought you were someone I was keeping... but the truth is," Ye Shuang thought carefully.

He should be the one being kept by Yuyou.

Listening to the conversation between Ye Shuang and Bai Yuyou, Chen Qin slowly opened her beautiful eyes and looked out the car window—

She...

seemed to have no right to be angry.