It was called a birthday banquet, but in reality, these occasions were also excellent opportunities for him to build his connections.
The Ye Family had a certain status in Upper City, but ever since Ye Yuning left the Ye Corporation, there had been some apparent impacts on its projects.
Zheng Cai did not know this, but Ye Shilong, who was in charge of the Ye Corporation, was well aware.
Therefore, he also wanted to take advantage of the status the Ye Corporation still held to properly integrate his connections.
Moreover, he wanted to introduce Ye Tong to everyone and let them know she was also collaborating with the Xiao Corporation.
Zheng Cai had no idea about the importance of this birthday banquet and just nodded gloomily. "Hmm."
Then, the conversation turned to Ye Yuning again.
As usual, every discussion made their chests burn with anger.
Xiao Linye had been waiting for Ye Yuning to finish work that day. For some unknown reason, he had arrived early.
Seeing her limp out of the hall, he even went forward to support her.
Noticing the faint bloodstain still visible on her knee bandage, he promptly swept her up into his arms.
This sudden action nearly made Ye Yuning scream, "I—I can walk by myself!"
Her heart was pounding wildly.
The Manlang employees who came out behind them all exchanged knowing smiles.
Seeing Xiao Linye remain calm, showing no signs of letting her go, Ye Yuning’s face turned red, and she simply buried her head in his chest.
This man, did he have to be so flirtatious!
This was all happening in public!
Chen Wei, Ma Di, and Lei An were walking together. Seeing this scene, they couldn’t help but chuckle. "Whoever said our boss was a tomboy before?"
What was it that Xiao Shuo often used to say in front of others?
He said that Miss Ye looked gentle and demure, but in fact, she was a complete tomboy.
He also said she was clueless about romance, with very low emotional intelligence, claiming that despite being engaged for several years, she hadn’t even let him touch her hand.
As for that jerk, our boss probably didn’t want to dirty her hands, right?
And now look at this romance! Not only is he allowed to touch her hand, but he also carried her in broad daylight.
When an iron tree blooms, the romance it sparks can’t be stopped by just anyone.
After getting into the car, Ye Yuning quickly straightened her messy clothes, her face reddening even more.
Xiao Linye leaned in again.
At that, Ye Yuning really couldn’t hold back.
Yet, the man only silently helped her fasten her seatbelt. "Is this awkward for you?"
Ye Yuning took a sharp breath!
No, aren’t we still...
"We’re still in the stage of getting to know each other, aren’t we?"
"Yes, but a lot of ’accidents’ have happened between us already. I thought you wouldn’t be awkward anymore," Xiao Linye said earnestly.
Ye Yuning’s lips twitched. What ’accidents’ is he talking about? The bathing incident?
That really was quite an ’accident’!
Even though I didn’t see everything, I definitely saw things I shouldn’t have at this ’getting-to-know-each-other’ stage.
"No, it’s not that I’m awkward, it’s just..."
"Did you interpret that as intimate behavior?"
Ye Yuning looked at Xiao Linye blankly.
She looked completely puzzled, but Xiao Linye had no intention of explaining. Instead, he asked, "Do you dislike being close to me?"
It’s not that... Why is he acting so unusually today?
This question... isn’t it a bit too... direct?
Xiao Linye said, "We’re getting to know each other after marriage, so I think it’s quite different from dating."
"How is it different?"
"At least the pace shouldn’t be the same!"
Ye Yuning was speechless. The pace shouldn’t be the same...
She hasn’t really dated before! But she’s heard that some people date for years before getting married; that speed is indeed slow.
But they’re getting to know each other after marriage; their pace definitely can’t compare to dating.
Ye Yuning agreed with this point.
But faced with such a question, how should I respond?
Why does Xiao Linye seem so straightforward now? Shouldn’t these kinds of questions be phrased a bit more subtly?
Many people used to say my emotional intelligence wasn’t very high.
But now, it feels like Xiao Linye’s emotional intelligence is even lower than mine!
They had almost reached Shanyu Pavilion when Ye Yuning finally looked at Xiao Linye somewhat hesitantly. "Why did you suddenly bring this up?"
"I saw you were uncomfortable earlier."
"I wasn’t uncomfortable. It’s just that there were so many people there," Ye Yuning muttered.
Xiao Linye asked, "So, it’s okay when no one’s around?"
Ye Yuning’s breathing became even more erratic.
I suspect Xiao Linye is flirting with me, but he says these things so seriously that I have no evidence!
Her face turned bright red again.
While waiting at a traffic light, Xiao Linye glanced at her and understood why she wasn’t responding.
The little minx says she’s not uncomfortable, so why is she blushing?
He stopped teasing her and changed the subject. "What do you think of Xiao Shuo?"
Ye Yuning was taken aback. Why is he bringing up that good-for-nothing heir again?
Although the previous topic had been a bit difficult to navigate, Ye Yuning couldn’t contain her outburst regarding the current one.
"That good-for-nothing heir doesn’t even have a shred of decency! How could he possibly be any good?"
Yes, in my heart, Xiao Shuo is a scoundrel utterly devoid of character.