Chapter 84: Befriending a Rival in Love—How Despicable!

As the words fell, Xie Yunting rose on tiptoe, her palm tightly gripping Shen Yanlie’s hand. Slowly, she leaned toward his face… Mai Xijun’s already aching eyes watched this scene unfold, unable even to blink. It was as if everything about her was no longer under her control. But in the next moment, darkness swept over her.

Mo Shaoxing stood behind Mai Xijun, his hands covering her eyes.

The darkness before her made Mai Xijun’s lashes flutter. A sharp pain welled in her eyes and two lines of tears slid down her cheeks.

* * *

Inside the lounge, Mo Shaoxing approached the silent Mai Xijun holding a glass of water. At this moment, Mai Xijun appeared defenseless, but in truth, every inch of her bristled with thorns. Mo Shaoxing simply sat beside her, placing the glass into her hands, gripping them so she had an anchor, a source of strength.

In the office, Yu Wen Si paced anxiously, unsure whether to sit or stand. It seemed Shen Yanlie’s heart was nearly melted. Although he had always felt Xie Yunting hurt Shen Yanlie far too deeply, there was nothing he could do to change anything. And he could no longer, as in the past, seek out Mai Xijun and shamelessly demand that she stay by Shen Yanlie’s side.

After all, if Xie Yunting had truly left out of necessity…

Nian Yuchen called Mai Xijun. Mo Shaoxing got up and left the room. He still hadn’t explained to Shen Yanlie why he’d failed to go to France. Although Shen Yanlie hadn’t pursued the matter, it was still his responsibility. As long as he worked under Shen Yanlie, he owed him an answer.

He had agreed with Nian Yuchen to meet the next day at noon, but Mai Xijun felt she should observe propriety. After all, Nian Yuchen had helped her so much; she asked if he was free that day. As it happened, Nian Yuchen agreed.

So, at noon, when she got off work, Mai Xijun returned home, collected the freshly washed and ironed clothes, and went to the Nian Corporation.

Waiting patiently outside the company building, Mai Xijun knew that Nian Yuchen’s schedule was tight; the reports said he would soon be engaged, something she had also heard. She didn’t intend to take up much of his time and suggested dining at a restaurant near his company, arriving early herself.

When Nian Yuchen finished discussing the business proposal and glanced at his watch, it was already the time they had agreed upon.

As he descended, Nian Yuchen looked around until he spotted her—tall and slender, holding his clothes. Instantly, the gloom between his brows dispersed.

“Have you been waiting long, Miss Million?” Nian Yuchen greeted her with a bright, gracious smile. He wore his signature silver-gray suit, as always. Shen Yanlie’s trademark, in contrast, was a black suit and that unmistakable aura of a king of the wild.

It seemed that Shen Yanlie’s catchphrase was always: “Has your conscience been eaten by a dog?” Anyway, Mai Xijun had heard him say it more times than she could count. She spaced out for a moment, thinking how easily her mind wandered to him these days, no matter the occasion.

“No, I just got here,” Mai Xijun replied with a smile, lifting the bag in her hand. “I’m returning your clothes.”

* * *

Yu Wen Si stood at the table between Xie Yunting and Shen Yanlie like a glaring third wheel—a two-thousand-five-hundred-watt lightbulb. He thought Xie Yunting was cruel; why drag him into this mess?

Really, women like Mai Xijun were far better. Though her temper wasn’t the best and her words could be cutting, she was sharp and decisive in action. Most importantly, she didn’t cling. Look at that—how wonderful. Yet, why on earth was Xie Yunting the one eating with Shen Yanlie now? It shouldn’t be like this…

While Yu Wen Si was internally criticizing Xie Yunting once more, he caught the flash of coldness in Shen Yanlie’s eyes and followed his gaze.

Truly, fate had a twisted sense of humor. Mai Xijun stopped short so suddenly that Nian Yuchen nearly bumped into her.

Last time, she’d run into this situation while dining with Mo Shaoxing; this time, it was with Nian Yuchen. The same awkward scene.

Mai Xijun wanted to ignore it and walk past, but she stopped, nodding politely with poise, then turned away and walked elegantly in the opposite direction.

She didn’t need to cry at a time like this. No matter what anyone had done, she needed to live well, without begging, without tears, without charity.

Nian Yuchen also nodded slightly in greeting. In the business world, even if relationships weren’t close, one couldn’t avoid seeing familiar faces. Everyone recognized everyone else.

A step behind Mai Xijun, Nian Yuchen followed her to their table. The entire atmosphere was uncomfortably tense, almost suffocating.

Back when Eurasia Group was in crisis—when Shen Yanlie needed her most—Xie Yunting had left for her dreams. That story had dominated both financial and entertainment news. As a businessperson, Nian Yuchen had heard plenty about it, and had even followed the headlines at the time.

After all, Eurasia was a multinational company teetering on the brink of collapse. The news was everywhere, on every street and in every alley—practically a global sensation. How could he not have paid attention?

Mai Xijun handed the menu to Nian Yuchen, as if the earlier encounter had not affected her at all. She smiled, “Thank you so much for helping me. I really don’t know how to repay you, so…”

“It’s nothing, really. A small favor. But I appreciate the thought,” Nian Yuchen replied, returning her smile and accepting the menu.

Yu Wen Si exhaled, finally unable to endure any longer. He stood up, unable and unwilling to watch.

“Hey, you still owe me for that meal last time. Today you’re hosting, so I’ll eat too. Consider it settling the debt,” Yu Wen Si said, moving to Mai Xijun’s side and kicking her chair. “Sit inside.”

Mai Xijun froze for a moment, but only for a second. She immediately gave up her seat to Yu Wen Si. Nothing good ever happened when this guy showed up.

Nian Yuchen handed the menu to Yu Wen Si, who glanced at it briefly, named a dish, and closed it with an obvious look of displeasure.

Mai Xijun kept silent. She hadn’t provoked anyone, nor did she intend to. So…

“Aren’t you…?” Yu Wen Si, bored out of his mind, suddenly pointed to Nian Yuchen as if he’d just discovered the New World, but then tapped his own head. “Right, you’re Nian Yulan’s younger brother…”

“Yes, that’s right. My sister had a contract with Yu Wen Media a few years ago,” Nian Yuchen replied, hitting the point Yu Wen Si was getting at. Yu Wen Si nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, your sister’s truly gifted, though she’s put her family first after marriage and buried her talents.”

Yu Wen Si sounded genuinely regretful, but Nian Yuchen knew he was not someone to be trifled with. Though their families were evenly matched in business, Yu Wen Si was ruthless, and besides, they weren’t close, so Nian Yuchen kept quiet for most of the meal.

Yet, the more he observed Mai Xijun, the more mysterious she seemed—not exactly unfathomable, but enigmatic.

Yu Wen Si disliked many people, and could be fussy. Though he was blunt with Mai Xijun, there was a familiarity between them, a kind of closeness that came from their constant bickering and nitpicking. Nian Yuchen saw it all.

What kind of woman was Mai Xijun, that even Yu Wen Si acted this way around her? And why did it seem that, every time he saw her, the dark clouds looming overhead would suddenly disperse?

* * *

After the meal, Nian Yuchen excused himself with work, leaving first. Shen Yanlie and Xie Yunting drove off in their flashy car, disappearing from Mai Xijun’s sight, leaving only her and Yu Wen Si.

In the dazzling afternoon, Mai Xijun narrowed her eyes, looked to the roadside, and raised her hand to hail a cab.

“Hey, why are you so eager to get away from me? I haven’t done anything to you.” Yu Wen Si strode over and grabbed her arm. Why did everything Mai Xijun did make it seem like she couldn’t wait to be far from him? Was it just his imagination? But it felt so real.

“I have to get back to work. Is there something you need?” she replied coolly.

Yu Wen Si rolled his eyes helplessly. Mai Xijun found it amusing—no wonder he was Shen Yanlie’s buddy. Both were equally eccentric and odd—a pair of quirky uncles.

With a single motion, Yu Wen Si closed the cab door. Fortunately for him, his attire made him look like a man of means, or else no taxi driver would stand for being treated this way. She’d finally flagged down a car, only for him to send it away.

“Mai Xijun, must you be so pathetic? There’s a road to heaven and you won’t take it, but you insist on walking into hell,” Yu Wen Si said with disdain.

Mai Xijun tilted her head in confusion. “What do you mean by that?”

Yu Wen Si, in no hurry, shoved his hands in his pockets and walked back to a long bench, sat down, and watched Mai Xijun—still dazed, probably trying to make sense of his words.

“Making your rival your confidante—can’t you stop degrading yourself? How many times have you been dumped? And you’re still so clueless?”