Early the next morning, just as Xu Yinyin gathered the “melon-eating” crowd for a gossip session, Xu Yanrui kicked open the office door, storming in with fury.
“Everyone, get out!” His sharp gaze swept over everyone except Xu Yinyin.
The crowd froze for a moment, then, led by Xue Weiwei, quickly fled the scene as if escaping disaster.
“Second Uncle, what’s going on—”
Xu Yinyin was stunned.
“What’s wrong with him? Why is he so angry?”
“Who knows? They say men can have a midlife crisis too, and when it hits, they can be even crazier than women.”
“Xu Yinyin!”
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Dw Zydawk’p ydtau asya xyel Dw Zkdukd qlya vbl osapv, cwv vbl dlmv plnsde, zkjl y elqzyvle cyzzssd, bl pzwxrle sdvs vbl psqy, zssjkdt wvvlazu elflnvle.
Tl prsjl olyjzu, “Lyxl uswa raknl — plzz xl uswa rasrspyz.”
Dw Zkdukd oypd’v pwarakple yv yzz. “Gb, kpd’v vbyv y ckv kdyrrasrakyvl?”
Dw Zydawk dyaasole bkp lulp yv bla. “Ebyv, yal usw vaukdt vs aykpl vbl raknl?”
Dw Zkdukd oyhle bla bydep iwknjzu. “Ls, ds, kv’p fwpv vbyv… vbkp rasrspyz oypd’v esdl cu xl yzsdl. Rq R plzz kv vs usw zkjl vbkp, oswzed’v vbl alyz nsdvakcwvsap cl shlazssjle?”
Tlyakdt vbl bkeeld xlydkdt kd bla osaep, Dw Zydawk ypjle, “Mbld obyv es usw oydv?”
“R oydv usw vs vyjl csvb vbl rasrspyz yde vbl rlsrzl clbkde kv. R esd’v oydv y pkdtzl nldv qasx vbl rasflnv’p rasqkvp sa ydu qwvwal cldlqkvp.”
“Twb?!” Dw Zydawk oyp pvwddle. Eyp vblal alyzzu pwnb y tsse elyz?
He scrutinized Xu Yinyin’s expression, trying to detect any hidden agenda.
Last night, when he found out that Yan Feng had finalized the contract with Xu Yinyin and rejected working with him, his rage nearly made him explode on the spot.
Just the day before, Yan Feng had looked gloomy, his face practically screaming “I’m out for revenge.” He had even urgently asked about Xu Yinyin’s whereabouts — every move hinted at a tragic end for her.
But in the blink of an eye, they had reached an agreement? It was absurd!
Xu Yinyin’s cursed inner thoughts could embarrass anyone to the point of wanting to strangle her on the spot, yet somehow she always emerged unscathed.
Perhaps, compared to the humiliation of being exposed, cleaning house swiftly was more crucial. It was all so outrageous!
No wonder the old man dared to throw Xu Yinyin — someone with no backing — into the company’s power struggles. He must have foreseen all this long ago.
Truly, the older, the wiser. While Xu Yinyin’s “talent” was shocking, the grandfather’s control over the situation was what sent shivers down one’s spine.
Xu Yanrui was self-aware — he knew his abilities were limited, and that the old man didn’t think highly of him. The only reason he had any real power was out of fatherly sentiment.
But disappointment can turn into despair, and after despair comes complete indifference.
This competition was the old man’s final warning — if Xu Yanrui lost, he would be forced to pack up and leave for good.
So, in order to give himself a sliver of hope, he didn’t mind lowering himself to negotiate with Xu Yinyin.
However, her attitude baffled him.
If she wasn’t ambitious, why did she secure the contract? But if she was ambitious, why refuse benefits when he offered them?
“No hidden conditions?” Xu Yanrui asked cautiously.
“Nope! I never wanted to get involved in the company’s affairs anyway. You know me — I’m just a useless slacker. If the company ever falls into my hands, it’s doomed.”
“……” Xu Yanrui’s lips twitched. Why did that sound like a backhanded insult?
“Second Uncle, I really didn’t expect Grandpa to make me compete with you.” Xu Yinyin grabbed the contract sent by Rongmao Group from the file cabinet and handed it to him. “Look, I haven’t even signed it.”
Xu Yanrui flipped through the contract suspiciously, then looked up at her seriously. “Why aren’t you fighting me for this? You clearly have the upper hand.”
“Because I’d rather be a salted fish — lying flat, eating and waiting for death, and wasting time.”
“You’re… surprisingly honest.”
“Not too bad, right?”
“The more my family strives and succeeds, the more secure my wealthy lifestyle becomes. If everyone relaxes, who will make money for us? If I can win by doing nothing, why work hard? How stupid would that be!”
Xu Yanrui: “…”
“Besides, unlike you, I know my limits. You, on the other hand, keep pushing yourself to prove something — not realizing that the harder you try, the more obvious your incompetence becomes. What you should learn is how to hide your flaws, not show off. If Grandpa didn’t have a massive empire, you would’ve ruined everything by now. Compared to my useless rich dad, your delusional confidence is even more frustrating. Grandpa really has it rough.”
Xu Yanrui gritted his teeth in silence. I’ll endure!
“If you take in the key contributor behind this proposal, the contract is yours. It’s a great deal, trust me,” Xu Yinyin subtly tempted him.
“Who is this person you’re speaking so highly of?” Xu Yanrui’s curiosity was piqued.
“You know her too—Sun Min.”
“Her?” Xu Yanrui frowned. “She’s on your second aunt’s side. Are you trying to make me poach her?”
Knew she had an ulterior motive!
“No, no, it’s just you recognizing true talent, and Secretary Sun realizing where she truly belongs.”
Xu Yanrui was confused. “What do you mean?”
“Secretary Sun has done extensive research on AI applications, which is why this proposal was able to win over the picky client. She had actually brought up this market potential to my second aunt multiple times, but was rejected every single time. Given my second aunt’s decades of experience in the business world, she should have a keen sense for promising industries—yet she ignored such a great opportunity. Why do you think that is?”
Xu Yanrui lowered his gaze in thought. He recalled Tang Wan’s ridicule, the way she had suppressed him for years, and how ever since Guo Cheng was ousted, she had been secretly meeting with other shareholders. Her intentions were becoming all too clear.
Seeing the shift in his expression, Xu Yinyin knew he was beginning to grasp Tang Wan’s ambitions, so she pressed on. “Actually, Grandpa isn’t unwilling to support you—it’s just that your potential has been overshadowed. If you don’t achieve something, how can you win people’s respect? In my humble opinion, you should use this opportunity to make a strong comeback and show Grandpa that even if you’re not personally skilled, you have the wisdom to recognize and utilize talent. That’s a management skill in itself, right?”
Xu Yanrui chuckled at her backhanded compliment. This girl has such a sharp tongue—brutal honesty, zero concern for how others feel.
“Yinyin, I never thought of you as useless. On the contrary, you’re sharper than most. I’ll take your advice—I’ll take her in.”
“Mm-hmm, thanks, Second Uncle! But there’s something else I need to inform you about.”
“What is it? Just say it.” Feeling like he had just struck a great deal, Xu Yanrui was in a generous mood.
Seizing the moment, Xu Yinyin told him about how Tang Wan had been using Sun Min’s gambling-addict husband to control her. She ended with, “Giving support when someone is struggling leaves a much deeper impression than offering help when everything is already good.”
Xu Yanrui smirked. “Got it. I’ll make sure Secretary Sun stays with me. If she’s as capable as you say, I won’t let her down.”
“That’s great! I’ll thank you on her behalf in advance, then.”
Xu Yanrui patted her shoulder. “Your dad is lucky to have you.”
What a little mastermind.
Once Xu Yanrui left, Xu Yinyin let out a long sigh of relief.
“See? As long as I ensure Grandpa’s company has someone competent in charge, my luxurious lifestyle will be secure. Hard work isn’t a good thing—winning effortlessly is the true way of life.”
“Yinbao, I admire you more and more. That little brain of yours is brilliant.”
Pleased with herself, Xu Yinyin grinned. Just as she was about to call back her gossip squad, Xue Weiwei rushed in.
“Yinyin, Yan Dong’s daughter, Yan Yiyi, is here to see you.”
“Yan Yiyi?” Xu Yinyin was puzzled. “Why is she looking for me? Is there a problem with our partnership?”
“I don’t think so. She doesn’t seem to be here for business—she came alone.”
“I see… I’ll go check it out.”
“She’s in the guest lounge next to your desk.”
“Got it.”
As she walked over, Xu Yinyin was still wondering, Why would Yan Yiyi come looking for me? We’re not even close.
“Well, you’ll find out when you see her.”
The moment Yan Yiyi saw Xu Yinyin, she beamed brightly. Her crescent-shaped eyes sparkled, perfectly complementing her fresh and innocent girl-next-door look—it was an instantly likable presence.
“Wow, Yan Yiyi is really pretty. Good thing she escaped from those scumbags, or such a lovely flower would have been ruined.”
“No kidding. Chen Xu, that lowlife, totally didn’t deserve her.”
Yan Yiyi quietly listened to their thoughts, her smile growing even brighter.
To her, Xu Yinyin was a great benefactor. Without her, she’d still be stuck in that nightmare. She was determined to befriend her—gossip together, have fun together.
“Miss Xu, I hope I’m not disturbing you,” Yan Yiyi said apologetically.
“Not at all, not at all! If anything, I should have visited your home to thank your father for giving us this business opportunity. Please, have a seat,” Xu Yinyin responded politely.
“I’m actually here today to apologize. The recent family gathering was a mess, and because of my family drama, it must have ruined your mood. I feel really bad about it and hope you won’t hold it against me.”
“Oh no, not at all! That was just a minor episode—I already forgot about it. Please don’t worry. And no need to be so formal—we seem to be about the same age, so just call me Yinyin.”
Yan Yiyi looked at her warmly and nodded. “Yinyin.”
“See? Doesn’t it feel more friendly now?”
“Yinyin, I’d like to invite you to my family’s ranch this weekend as a way to make it up to you. Would you be interested?”
“A ranch? The kind where you can ride horses?” Xu Yinyin asked directly.
“Yes, and there are also hot air balloons and paragliding.”
“Wow! Then I’m definitely going! That sounds so fun!” Xu Yinyin’s face lit up with excitement.
Rich people really know how to enjoy life. I approve!
“Oh, by the way, will President Yan be there?” she asked, looking slightly uneasy.
“If he’s there, then it’ll feel like a business meeting, which would totally kill the vibe!”
“My dad has business back in our hometown, so he won’t be there. This is a personal invitation.”
“Mm-hmm, alright, I’ll definitely go.”
“Let’s exchange contact information, I’ll come pick you up then.”
“Okay.”
“By the way, why did Director Yan suddenly go back to his hometown?”
“What else? To clean up the family mess, obviously.”
“What do you mean?”
Yan Yiyi perked up her ears silently. Her father only said he had something to deal with, but didn’t mention any details. When she asked her mother, she got vague answers, which only made her more curious.
“Didn’t we talk about this before? His third brother had a son with his brother-in-law. Ever since they had the child, the couple spoiled him like crazy. The kid is a total menace now — always causing trouble and throwing the whole family into chaos. Realizing their son was a lost cause, the couple decided to “try again” by having another kid with the same brother-in-law — hoping to raise a better, more obedient child this time.”
“…What the hell kind of logic is that? Isn’t this just plain greed?”
Yan Yiyi’s eyes widened in shock. So the youngest son in her third uncle’s family was actually born from an affair between her third aunt and her little uncle-in-law? That’s… a mess. And now they want to have another kid?
She didn’t even know what to be more shocked by!
“Of course it’s greed.”
“When the third brother brought up this absurd idea, didn’t the brother-in-law slap some sense into him?”
“The brother-in-law didn’t, but Yan Feng did — the eldest brother. He didn’t just give him a slap, he delivered a whole storm of punches until the guy was knocked out cold. Then, he had the ambulance he brought along take him straight to the family hospital for treatment.”
“Pfft, bringing an ambulance just to beat someone up — that’s wild!”
Despite her shock, Yan Yiyi couldn’t help but picture the scene in her head. Honestly, it was a bit satisfying.
Her dad had always been troubled by the third uncle’s obsession with having a son. He thought as time passed, they’d grow out of it — but never expected them to take such an unethical turn. It was outrageous.
And it seemed like this whole situation was something Yinyin had picked up while “gossiping,” because normally, her father didn’t have time to deal with the family’s hometown affairs. Besides providing financial support, he rarely meddled.
Her uncles and aunts were all well past their forties — nobody expected them to pull a stunt like this.
“I bet the third aunt won’t back down so easily.”
“Of course not, but Yan Feng holds a lot of authority in the family as the eldest brother and the main breadwinner. The whole family relies on him for their comfortable lifestyle. Even if they’re angry, they wouldn’t dare cause a big scene — it’d be airing their dirty laundry, and they know pushing him too far could cost them their cushy lives.”
“But surely there has to be some kind of punishment for what they did, right? Otherwise, why would Director Yan go back?”
“Oh, there is. Yan Feng made it clear — since the third brother’s family is so obsessed with having a son, disregarding the family’s reputation and traditions, it means they don’t care about the family at all. So, Yan Feng crossed their names off the family tree — from now on, they’re no longer part of the Yan family.”
“Whoa… Director Yan really went that far?”
“You call that far? Compared to what they did, this was merciful.”
“Fair point.”
“Not only did Yan Feng remove their names from the family tree, but he also froze their assets — planning to kick them out with nothing. I mean, the couple has been living off company dividends for years, doing nothing but enjoying a luxurious life.”
“As the eldest brother, Yan Feng has always seen himself as the pillar of the family since their parents passed away. He’s been managing the company and taking care of his siblings — making all the big decisions. As the company grew more successful, everyone’s lifestyle improved. He thought he was honoring their late parents this way. But ironically, it was the comfort and wealth that led to this scandal.”
“So Yan Feng is stripping away their wealth, forcing them to struggle, so they’re too busy surviving to think about having another kid?”
“Exactly. When you’re waking up before dawn, going to bed past midnight, earning less than a beggar, and pouring what little money you have into raising a kid — all those wild ideas disappear. Plus, the naughtier the kid, the more stressed they’ll be. It’s a lesson in karma — suffer for your own actions.”
“Honestly, that’s a fitting punishment. They won’t forget this anytime soon.”
“That’s why Director Yan is so respectable — he doesn’t go easy on family members when they cross the line.”
“Although I admire his sense of justice, he was still a bit rigid when it came to handling his daughter’s situation. Luckily, he finally realized Yiyi was being bullied by that toxic mother and son duo. Otherwise, who knows — Yiyi might have ended up like Zheng Sisi.”
Hearing this, Yan Yiyi glanced at Xu Yinyin once again with gratitude. Their whole family avoided disaster thanks to her. To Yiyi, Yinyin wasn’t just a friend — she was someone worth protecting.
If she wanted to get closer to her, being friends was the first step.
*
The weekend arrived quickly, and Yan Yiyi drove to pick up Xu Yinyin at the agreed time.
Xu Yinyin gazed out the window, already daydreaming about the activities they’d be doing later. To prepare for this day, she even researched tips online, afraid she’d embarrass herself.
Ever since the recognition banquet, she’d received tons of invitations from socialites and wealthy ladies — finally experiencing what it meant to be a “rich heiress.”
Although she was determined to be a “useless rich girl,” that didn’t mean she wanted to be rude. Proper etiquette was a must in certain social settings — otherwise, it wouldn’t just be her losing face, but the entire Xu family.
Even though her parents, grandpa, and aunt repeatedly told her she didn’t need to force herself to fit in — that she could do whatever made her comfortable — she understood one thing clearly: their love and indulgence weren’t a free pass to act recklessly.
If she stirred up too much trouble and earned people’s resentment, would her luxurious lifestyle still be secure?
“Yinyin, when we arrive, just play whatever you want, don’t feel restrained.”
“Mm-hmm! Actually, I’ve never ridden a horse before. I think I’ll need a coach to teach me.”
Yan Yiyi chuckled. “To be honest, even though my family owns a horse ranch, I’ve never ridden a horse either.”
“Huh?”
“So we can learn together.”
“Great idea!”
However, the moment they arrived at the ranch, their plan for a quiet riding lesson was completely derailed by a group of enthusiastic young ladies.
As the car drove down the private driveway, they could already see a crowd of elegantly dressed, perfectly made-up girls. The moment they recognized the car, they started jumping and waving excitedly.
“Ahhh! They’re here! Hurry, hurry!”
Seeing the group rushing towards them, Yan Yiyi sighed and stepped on the brake.
Xu Yinyin’s eyes widened in surprise as she watched the dazzling girls — as graceful as butterflies — flocking towards them. She was stunned.
“Oh my god, if I didn’t know better, I’d think they were a bunch of fangirls chasing celebrities! They’re so enthusiastic!”
“I think I saw most of them at the recognition banquet before. Aren’t they the ones who sent you those invitation cards?”
With that reminder, Xu Yinyin began matching the faces in front of her with the names on the invitations she had received. They were all heiresses from powerful families and business empires, on par with the Xu family.
“Looks like they’re all here for you, Yinyin,” Yan Yiyi teased.
But all Xu Yinyin could think of was that these weren’t just heiresses — they were walking, talking sources of gossip.
“Little Qi, you have one minute to identify everyone in front of me. And if there’s any juicy gossip, spill it!”
“Got it!”
Little Qi swiftly activated facial recognition, and the moment identities were confirmed, the information popped up.
As the heiresses greeted Xu Yinyin warmly, Little Qi quietly whispered updates to her. Sadly, this group of well-mannered heiresses didn’t have much drama — but there was something interesting happening not far away.
“There’s nothing juicy about these ladies, but… see that stunning figure by the car in the right-hand driveway? She’s got some drama. Want the scoop?”
Hearing that, both girls discreetly glanced at the car parked nearby. A tall, elegant man was standing by the passenger door, graciously holding it open for a woman.
The man’s tailored suit highlighted his broad shoulders and slender waist. When he extended his arm, the luxury watch on his wrist subtly hinted at his wealth and status. His striking features and dignified air marked him as a classic rich heir.
The woman stepping out of the car wore a high-slit, form-fitting gown that accentuated her graceful figure. Her long, swan-like neck and straight shoulders suggested years of dance training. Her dark hair was loosely tied in a low bun, with a few wisps framing her face — a mix of elegance and casual allure.
“Wow, is this what they call a “vibe queen”? She’s stunning!”
“Her name is Song Qing — an up-and-coming actress. The man is Ji Kai, a billionaire’s son. Song Qing is his kept woman.”
“Wait, a power couple — a business tycoon and a rising star? Is this one of those “forbidden love” stories brought to life?”
“Not really — more like a mutually beneficial relationship.”
“Let me guess: She struggled to get ahead in showbiz, realized connections were everything, met him at a company party, and traded beauty for resources. Classic, right?”
“Half correct. When Song Qing made her move, Ji Kai had already investigated her in advance.”
“Oh? So he was already interested? Was he plotting something?”
“Let’s just say… have you heard of the “white moonlight stand-in” trope?”
“Ugh, why do men always have some “white moonlight” they can’t forget? Isn’t that cliché?”
“You know how it is — the one you can’t have is always the one that haunts you.”
“Please. He’s a billionaire. What kind of woman could possibly reject him? Unless… she just doesn’t like him.”
The heiresses secretly nodded in agreement — exactly!
“Well, it’s not a woman he couldn’t have… it’s a man.”
“…What?”
“And to make things even spicier — that man happens to be Song Qing’s twin brother.”
“Wait, WHAT?!”
“Yup. Ji Kai fell for her twin brother, but since he couldn’t have him, he settled for the next best thing — the sister who looks just like him.”
“Oh my god, this is more dramatic than a soap opera! Tell me more, tell me everything!”
The heiresses’ eyes lit up like hungry gossip hounds, practically begging for the full story — jumping up and down, scratching their ears and cheeks, while they kept urging in their hearts, “Hurry up and spill, don’t force us to kneel down!!!”
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Okay i think the biggest question we should ask ourselves is how did tha author thought about all of this gossip cause this is beyond imagination
All the gossips are so juicy that even people who wants to be friends with Yinyin either are real victims/or have tragic story and strive or people who live super clean and honorable life because they knows that if they have live a screwed up life, Xiao Qi will dug up everything about them 😆