CHAPTER 400: CHAPTER 400

Don’t act as if you can promise anything on a whim! Especially ’not a penny less.’ Could a business manager like him make such promises so carelessly? Although I know he has some status within the Xiao Family, that’s five million we’re talking about. Can he really make that decision?

Hearing her unhesitant astonishment, Xiao Linye was also stunned.

No doubt, what I just said was out of habit...

Seeing Ye Yuning staring at him with wide, curious eyes, a wave of guilt washed over him.

He pinched her soft, chubby cheeks. "Seventh Master is very approachable. I’ll make the request to him, and he won’t refuse."

When she heard him say that Seventh Master was approachable, Ye Yuning couldn’t help but scoff. Her expression plainly said, "It’s not like I don’t know."

Xiao Linye felt a bit helpless as well.

As for Ye Yuning, she had no hope whatsoever for the five million design fee. Having already received part of her manuscript fee, she was now indifferent to it.

I just want the Xiao Family to disappear from my world, to have no further dealings or connections with them ever again. The final wrap-up has already been handed over, so there shouldn’t be any more trouble, right?

BUZZ. BUZZ. Her phone vibrated—it was a message!

She picked it up for a look.

Upon seeing the content of the message, Ye Yuning’s face instantly changed, and the corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily.

The message was from the Xiao family mansion: "Miss Ye, remember 11 o’clock at noon!"

Even through the screen, Ye Yuning could feel how brusque the tone on the other end was!

No...! I’ve already submitted the manuscript, so why are they still looking for me?

She glanced at Xiao Linye, a strange feeling washing over her. It felt like there was something important amidst the chaos that she had consistently failed to realize. Right now, there’s a vague outline of it, but no matter how I try, I can’t see it clearly.

「After breakfast.」

The two headed out; a housekeeper would come later to clean up.

Xiao Linye drove her directly to the studio, and throughout the ride, Ye Yuning remained preoccupied with her thoughts.

As she was getting out of the car, Xiao Linye suddenly grabbed her wrist. "What’s wrong?" Ye Yuning asked.

"Should I pick you up at noon?" Xiao Linye asked.

"Ah? No, there’s no need, right?" she stammered.

Pick me up again? Just yesterday’s visit was enough to make my heart pound. If Xiao Linye keeps coming to the studio every other day, I’m really worried my cover will be blown. I’m not ready yet... Besides, I don’t know what tricks the Xiao family has up their sleeve for noon. The manuscript has been submitted, yet they still want me to go to the old mansion. If I don’t go... given the Xiao family’s status in Upper City, I can’t afford to clash with them head-on right now. So, I have to go!

Thinking of the Xiao family’s veiled threats, Ye Yuning seethed.

When Xiao Shuo and I were engaged, those people never paid me this much attention. And now? Good heavens! It’s been so long since the engagement was broken, and I still have to go to the Xiao family.

"So, you’ll eat at the studio for lunch then?"

"Yes, I’ll eat with my colleagues. You don’t need to keep running back and forth."

Xiao Linye nodded. "Alright then, you should go."

"Oh, right," Ye Yuning remembered something. Having taken just one step out, she turned back to look at Xiao Linye.

Xiao Linye frowned. "What is it?"

Ye Yuning said, "Let’s go shopping on the weekend. The weather is gradually getting colder; we should buy something for your parents."

When Xiao Linye had broached the subject of living with his parents, she had firmly refused.

As compensation, I should still buy them something and send it over. I can’t bring myself to accept them unconditionally, but I still have some basic filial piety.

Hearing her say she wanted to buy things for his parents again, a soft spot in Xiao Linye’s heart was instantly touched.

"Actually, there’s no need. They don’t lack anything."

"What they don’t lack is their business. What we buy is from us. It’s different," she insisted.

Seeing her persistence, Xiao Linye took her small hand, enveloping it in his palm.

He sighed. "You saw last time, my father doesn’t like you."

"Well, we’re not living together anyway. If he doesn’t like me, he doesn’t like me," Ye Yuning said nonchalantly.

Tang Xi had once told her that Jiang Bo’s parents were very good to her before they lived together. And what happened in the end? After they moved in together, there were constant conflicts. This is perfect for me. Knowing beforehand that they don’t like me means there’s no need to force living together.

Seeing her so broad-minded, Xiao Linye felt an even stranger warmth spread through his heart.

"You should get going," he said.

"Alright."

After Ye Yuning replied, she turned and got out of the car.

Hearing the car drive away behind her, her steps quickened.

Her cheerful figure seemed completely unaffected by the Xiao family matter.

「Later, at the studio.」

As soon as she exited the elevator, she encountered Chen Wei, who, as always, had arrived a step early.

Chen Wei wore an anxious expression, and Ye Yuning’s eyelid twitched. "What’s happened now?"

"Xiao Shuo is here! He forced his way in. Luo Xin couldn’t stop him just now!"

Ye Yuning was speechless.

Xiao Shuo came again?

She instinctively glanced at Luo Xin, who was pouting with a wronged expression. Clearly, Xiao Shuo had angered her!

Ye Yuning took a deep breath. "He forced his way in again?"

What’s with this Xiao Shuo? Has it been too long since he last got a beating? Barging in like this again and again... does he really think my studio is some kind of public inn he can just waltz in and out of as he pleases?