"An apology? And a sincere one at that!"
Ye Yuning raised an eyebrow. "Are you apologizing to me?"
How rare! Previously, whenever he caused a commotion, this man would stubbornly insist he was right, acting as if he was unquestionably innocent.
Seeing Xiao Shuo’s face darken, Ye Yuning let out a soft laugh. "You’ve improved, huh? It seems your Uncle Seven still has a few tricks up his sleeve."
Back when the Third Master was around, Xiao Shuo seemed to be nothing but arrogant. Now, at least, he knows how to apologize. But what’s this about him completely breaking up with Ye Tong?
"When you say you broke up with Ye Tong," Ye Yuning continued, "are you trying to shirk responsibility?"
Other than that, she couldn’t think of any other reason at the moment. After all, he had broken up with Ye Tong before. It was only after he saw Ye Tong secure the Nanjia Peak project that his side of the family probably got greedy again! Some people, if they don’t have real skills, really shouldn’t try to fight fate; they’re bound to capsize! Now that trouble has struck, Xiao Shuo is eager to distance himself from Ye Tong. That Ye Tong really is pitiful. It seems having a good eye for men is crucial sometimes.
Listening to the mockery in Ye Yuning’s voice, Xiao Shuo’s face alternated between pale and flushed. "Regarding the Qin Family matter, I wronged you."
"And Ye Tong... I was wrong. It’s all my fault."
At this moment, Xiao Shuo offered no explanations, only admissions of guilt from the moment he opened his mouth.
Ye Yuning found this rather uncharacteristic of him.
She nodded. "Hmm, it’s good that you recognize your mistake. Just make sure you learn from it and do better in the future."
She spoke casually, her tone light.
Xiao Shuo looked at her, a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Can you take over the Nanjia Peak project?" he asked cautiously.
He hadn’t let his father come in with him just now precisely because he was afraid his father would beat him up in front of Ye Yuning again. He had lost all face, both inside and out, before this woman. That was why he had volunteered to face Ye Yuning alone.
Ye Yuning raised an eyebrow. "I’ve received your apology. However, regarding the Nanjia Peak project, you’re not the one who should be discussing it with me."
Xiao Shuo froze at her words.
Is she looking down on me? It’s precisely this kind of disdainful attitude that made me cheat on her with other women! Even though I’m not very capable myself, I can’t stand women who are more powerful than me. Ye Yuning might have some skills, but I’m from the Xiao Family; I don’t need to rely on her abilities to get by. Her saying this now only makes me more resentful. But, ultimately, I don’t dare say much. This is definitely not the time to provoke this tigress.
"Then, can you forgive me?" he asked again after a moment.
The question made the corners of Ye Yuning’s mouth twitch. "Forgive?"
"In your dreams!" Ye Yuning retorted with an amused chuckle.
Seeing Xiao Shuo’s face fall once more, she scoffed. "You humiliated me to this extent, and you expect me to forgive you?"
He humiliated her? Xiao Shuo found his breath catching in his throat!
He wanted to retort, but Ye Yuning glanced at the time on her phone and said, "You should go. I’m busy. As for the Nanjia Peak project, have the responsible person from the Xiao Corporation come and discuss it."
If it weren’t for her husband, she would want nothing more than to cut off all ties with the Xiao Family forever. But thinking about how her husband hadn’t slept all night, she decided to endure it. Even though she and Xiao Linye were still in the getting-to-know-each-other phase, she had to admit he was a truly good man. He came home every day smelling fresh and clean, without a hint of any other woman’s perfume on him. How many successful men could achieve that? Yet Xiao Linye was exemplary in both character and conduct, which she genuinely liked. So, for the sake of this man who might be her partner for life, she would make this small concession.
Hearing Ye Yuning concede on the Nanjia Peak project, Xiao Shuo finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Then you can’t go back on your word. You have to take on Nanjia Peak."
"That depends on the terms the Xiao Corporation offers me." Even though she was doing it for her husband, she wasn’t the type of woman to be swayed by a handsome face. If the Xiao Corporation’s terms were outrageous, she still wouldn’t budge.
Xiao Shuo said, "Good! As long as my part here is done!"
As for the rest, that was their business. He hadn’t expected Ye Yuning to be so accommodating today. Was this woman actually a softie with a sharp tongue? Did she still harbor feelings for him? But women shouldn’t be so convoluted. That sharp tongue of hers alone was more than he could bear. So, let her think whatever she wanted; he was definitely not going to take her back.
Ye Yuning, unaware of the irrelevant thoughts swirling in Xiao Shuo’s mind, waved him off. "Mm, your task is complete. You can go now!"
"Thank you." Xiao Shuo stood up and sincerely spoke these two words to Ye Yuning.
His earnest and serious demeanor was, surprisingly, rather endearing.
Ye Yuning snorted. "Spare me the thanks. Next time you see me, make sure to take a detour."
Xiao Shuo was speechless. This woman! Her words were truly infuriating!