Chapter 52: Chapter 49: The Heart ThiefIt was eleven at night when Ye Fan returned to the villa.

    Xu Li’s attempt to drive him away only caused him minor discomfort, which he didn’t take to heart. Besides, he couldn’t leave without at least saying goodbye to Chu Mengyao; that’s not how he was raised. Plus, he had nowhere else to go. Chu Mengyao’s villa was quite cozy, even sitting with her for three meals a day, along with her care and attention, were things Ye Fan cherished.

    So, no matter how much Xu Li disliked him, Ye Fan wouldn’t easily leave the villa.

    If it really came to the point where he had to leave, he would do so with dignity and would never leave without saying a word.

    Ye Fan entered the villa stealthily without disturbing Xu Hu, finding the lights on in the first-floor living room.

    Chu Mengyao, Chu Biyao, Shen Yahut, and Zhang Lu were chatting together as time ticked by and Ye Fan still hadn’t appeared, which made Chu Mengyao worry. She was convinced Ye Fan would return, but there’s always that one-in-a-million chance. What if Ye Fan really didn’t come back, then what?

    "Please come back, please," Chu Mengyao repeated over and over in her heart.

    Chu Biyao, articulate and quick-witted, lightened the atmosphere, making Chu Mengyao look better, though the knot in her heart wasn’t something Chu Biyao could untie.

    Zhang Lu and Shen Yahut kept Chu Mengyao company, tactfully avoiding any talk about work.

    Suddenly, the noise of Ye Fan entering the villa sparked joy in the four women, all eyes eagerly fixing in one direction.

    At this hour, no one but Ye Fan could have entered the villa.

    Chu Mengyao almost sprang up to dash towards Ye Fan. In the end, she held back. Why should she rush to Ye Fan anyway? She had been sad and worried for so long, where was Ye Fan? Yet, beneath her reproach, an endless joy surged.

    Ye Fan was back, relieving Chu Mengyao’s worries, like sunshine after rain.

    Chu Biyao, however, leapt up and ran toward Ye Fan.

    Chu Biyao circled around Ye Fan, hands on her back, clicking her tongue in surprise, "Yes, it’s you, this face is what upset my sister. Where on earth have you been just returning now?"

    "Uh..." Ye Fan was speechless. He looked at Chu Biyao, almost mistaking her for Chu Mengyao.

    The two sisters looked so alike, identical, no difference at all. Even their eyelashes were the same length, equally beautiful faces, with fair and delicate skin, charmingly petite noses, and eyes that sparkled with an entrancing liveliness.

    Ye Fan had seen Chu Biyao on screen before, so after a brief moment of thought, he recognized her. The method of distinguishing was through their demeanor: Chu Mengyao was icy, while Chu Biyao was pure and charming.

    "You’re Chu Biyao, right?" Ye Fan slowly opened his mouth.

    "That’s right, it’s me." Chu Biyao placed her hands on her hips, pretending to be fierce, but her pure and lively demeanor made her actions look more adorably charming, devoid of any real menace.

    Chu Biyao had seized the opportunity to give the ’big bad guy’ who made her sister sad a piece of her mind.

    Like Ye Fan, it was the first time Chu Biyao saw him in person. Within her, she couldn’t help but approve of Ye Fan. Seeing her beautiful goddess, he remained calm without showing any obscene looks, a rare quality. She thought to herself, "No wonder my sister is so attached to him. He’s a decent man."

    Ye Fan didn’t know where Chu Biyao’s hostility came from, but seeing her ********* act of standing up for her sister, he found it amusing. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to laugh and was unsure how to smile, resulting in a peculiar expression on his face.

    "Ye Fan, don’t wander around. I’ll find time to come again. Chu Mengyao’s company needs your strong assistance for a business deal," Zhang Lu briefly mentioned her purpose without going into details, leaving the remaining time for Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao. It wouldn’t do to be a third wheel now.

    "Ye Fan, daring to make the boss unhappy. You’ll get what’s coming to you when I’m free," Shen Yahut warned.

    Zhang Lu and Shen Yahut said their goodbyes and left. Chu Biyao had already thought of ten thousand ways to torment Ye Fan in her heart. She was quite pleased, thinking that she wouldn’t have to worry about boredom at home. Tormenting others was a fun way to pass the time.

    Chu Biyao knew that monopolizing Ye Fan at this time was unacceptable; her sister needed someone to comfort her. So she decided to find an opportunity to punish Ye Fan later, allowing him to enjoy the remaining beautiful moments for now.

    "Ye Fan, I’m telling you, and I’m telling you very seriously."

    "My sister hasn’t cried in a long time, but you made her cry. Do you know why she cried? Because you stole her heart. She hasn’t cried since she was five years old. Do you realize how heartbroken you made her?"

    "For these more than eight hours that you left the villa, do you know how my sister endured? You have no conscience."

    "Are my mom’s words just wind in your ears? Although your time with my sister is short, I’ve seen the mutual understanding between you two. How dare you play disappearing act?"

    "You heart-stealing thief, I’ll spare you for now. Go comfort my sister quickly, and I’ll find an opportunity to deal with you later."

    Chu Biyao reprimanded Ye Fan in her capacity as a sister-in-law.

    Ye Fan listened to Chu Biyao’s words, feeling a sweet yet guilt-ridden remorse envelop him.

    Chu Biyao swayed her beautiful hips as she ascended to the second floor of the villa.

    "What virtue or ability do I have to be missed so dearly by her?" Ye Fan, seeing the fairy-like Chu Mengyao now so haggard, suddenly felt a stab of pain in his heart. He instantly understood that leaving the villa so irresponsibly after being rebuffed by Xu Li had indeed made Chu Mengyao sad; it was unmanly of him.

    Ye Fan tiptoed to Chu Mengyao’s side. He didn’t know how to console someone, and seeing Chu Mengyao, his emotions surged, leaving him at a loss for words.

    Chu Mengyao turned her face away, refusing to look at Ye Fan. No, she wouldn’t look, why should she? Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    She had been miserable for so long, it wouldn’t do Ye Fan any good if she didn’t show him some anger.

    She was very angry and needed to be coaxed. While she was invincible in her career, she just wanted to be angry now and to be coaxed. She knew Ye Fan was awkward with words, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to be angry and would only be satisfied if Ye Fan coaxed her.

    In truth, deep down, the very presence of Ye Fan already filled Chu Mengyao with bliss, but she suppressed all that joy. Where was Ye Fan when she cried bitterly? He must pay for it.

    On the second floor of the villa, Chu Biyao propped her leg up, focusing intently on the surveillance footage, eyes wide open, afraid to miss any details as she watched the screen.