It could be said that Ruan Ming had a mixed reputation.
In recent years, she had worked on fewer projects and the latest news was that she had a boyfriend who had successfully proposed, with their wedding drawing near.
However... looking at these old pieces of news, Yun Ya furrowed her brows.
It was because of that movie that Zhu Yangyang fell for Ming Han during filming, and Ruan Ming also participated in that film. Was it a coincidence?
Yun Ya always felt that things were not that simple.
On a hunch, she searched for news on Ming Han’s contract termination. The most recent entry showed it happened eleven years ago—truly old news.
Someone inside the industry leaked that Ming Han’s contract termination back then was due to dissatisfaction with the unspoken rules, hence despite the hefty penalty for breach of contract, she was determined to leave.
Yun Ya looked up Ye Wenxing’s personal entry: thirty-seven years old, a Master of Business Administration graduate from Oxford University, a highly educated and wealthy beauty. It was Ye Wenxing who had founded Xinghuang back then, and at the time, people speculated it was Ye Wenxing who wanted to enforce the unspoken rules on Ming Han, causing her discontent and insistence on breaking the contract.
However, such rumors were soon suppressed, and nobody brought them up again. With Shenghua’s capabilities, it was entirely possible to bury the matter.
In that case, Ye Wenxing had really been inseparable from Ming Han over the years.
Yun Ya whiled away time reading gossip until the evening event came to an end. Afterwards, she joined Ming Han, Le Yu, Tang Boyong, as well as Gao He and Ye Wenxing at a nearby hotel. Ming Han had reserved a private room in advance, ostensibly to celebrate Yun Ya’s success.
Trailing at the end of the group, Yun Ya secretly tugged at Ming Han’s sleeve, "Didn’t we agree it would just be the two of us?" With so many people, how could one enjoy the meal?
Her tone was that of a young daughter acting coquettishly.
Ming Han chuckled as he ruffled her hair, "When we have time, I will definitely make it up to you, okay? But these people are all my friends. It’s proper to treat them to a meal."
Not an unreasonable person, Yun Ya pursed her lips and said, "Remember your own words, you owe me a meal."
Ming Han laughed, "I wouldn’t dare forget."
"How could I be missing from a meal?"
Yun Ya and Ming Han both turned their heads to see Dong Xieyou walking over with his hands in his pockets, a playful smile on his lips, his gaze falling on Yun Ya’s face.
Yun Ya slightly furrowed her brows.
Ming Han paused, then smiled, "Mr. Dong joining us is a delight indeed."
Dong Xieyou passed by them, glancing at Yun Ya as he walked by her side.
That look involuntarily made Yun Ya furrow her brows.
Entering the private room, as they all had just taken their seats, Zhu Yangyang and Ruan Ming walked in. Zhu Yangyang said with a smile, "We’ve come uninvited; surely no one here minds." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novᴇlfire.net
Ming Han’s brow furrowed deeply as he cast a cold glance at Zhu Yangyang.
Le Yu cursed under his breath at the unwelcome situation but stood up with a smile, "Ms. Zhu joining us certainly makes the occasion shine. Waiter, add two more chairs."
Having not planned for Dong Xieyou, Zhu Yangyang, and Ruan Ming, their sudden inclusion made the setting somewhat crowded.
Yun Ya sat close to Ming Han, with Le Yu on her left, followed by Tang Boyong. Two extra seats were added next to Tang Boyong where Zhu Yangyang and Ruan Ming sat down, with Dong Xieyou ending up coincidentally facing Yun Ya right across the table.
And Ye Wenxing sat on the right-hand side of Ming Han.
The atmosphere at the dining table was awkward. Le Yu, adept at socializing, made continuous efforts to lighten the mood.
Yun Ya felt that everyone at the table had unclear intentions, making the meal quite exhausting.
Moreover, Dong Xieyou’s gaze kept falling on her now and then, making her feel very uncomfortable.
"Miss Ji, what you said today really resonated with me. I’ll raise my glass to you and congratulate you on receiving the youth award." Zhu Yangyang stood up with her glass, toasting Yun Ya.
Yun Ya stood up with her juice, smiling, "Thank you."
Zhu Yangyang glanced at Ming Han, who had his eyes lowered, and downed her drink with a tilt of her head.
Yun Ya smiled, drank her juice, and sat down.
Zhu Yangyang didn’t sit down but poured another drink and raised her glass towards Ming Han, her smile radiating charm, "Ming Han, to have such a treasure of a daughter, I congratulate you. This drink is for you."
Ming Han remained seated without moving.
The atmosphere turned a bit awkward.
A hint of triumph flashed in Ye Wenxing’s eyes, her gaze toward Zhu Yangyang filled with disdain.
Steadfast, Zhu Yangyang stood there as if she would not sit down unless Ming Han drank, but under the table, Ruan Ming sneakily tugged at her sleeve and softly called her name.
Zhu Yangyang brushed off her hand, raised her glass to Ming Han, and challenged, "It’s just a glass of wine. Are you afraid to drink it?"