CHAPTER 90: CHAPTER 89: YOU REALLY HAVE SUFFERED

Ye Manman let out a meaningful "Oh~," completely putting her mind at ease.

She quite liked Cheng Yuan, after all. There weren’t many girls like her who were gentle, quiet, and tasteful. She didn’t want Cheng Yuan to be tricked by Xie Fengmian just like that.

Fortunately, Cheng Yuan had someone in her heart.

The two of them got along well, so Ye Manman stayed a little longer at the shop. But no one expected Xie Fengmian to show up at the "Mandarin Duck Wardrobe" holding a bunch of wildflowers and carrying some peach cakes.

He walked into the store casually, with all his hair slicked back to his head using some kind of hair oil, looking extremely greasy. But Xie Fengmian didn’t seem to realize it and struck an especially flamboyant pose upon entering.

With one hand holding the bouquet and peach cakes, he leaned against the mannequin at the entrance, and with the other hand, he performed some gesture he learned from who-knows-where, reaching forward and slowly moving up to touch his new hairstyle.

Even more off-putting was that he deliberately lowered his voice, using a particularly obnoxious tone while speaking and raising his head.

"Yuanyuan, I woke up very early today to pick a lot of beautiful flowers from several places, hoping you’ll like them."

He lifted his head, seemingly trying to make eye contact.

However, in front of him was not just Cheng Yuan as he imagined.

Next to an embarrassed Cheng Yuan sat two people with peculiar expressions.

And these two people were the ones Xie Fengmian least wanted to encounter at the moment.

He Chen looked at him as if he’d seen a pile of dog poop, frowning so fiercely that he could easily squash a fly.

Ye Manman was nauseated yet found it hilarious. She glanced at the greasy Xie Fengmian and then turned to look at Cheng Yuan.

"Does he come to harass you like this every few days?"

Cheng Yuan was on the verge of tears out of embarrassment, and she nodded.

She genuinely could not understand why, despite her clear rejections multiple times, Xie Fengmian acted like he hadn’t heard and occasionally did these embarrassingly awkward things.

Every time she saw him coming over with new tricks to pose and deliver gifts, Cheng Yuan wished she could turn invisible, where no one could see her.

It was just too awkward.

Ye Manman had a strange expression, holding her hand with watery eyes full of concern.

"Looks like your eyes and your soul have suffered quite a bit during this time."

"Hang in there. Hang in there."

Honestly, she had never seen such an awkward pursuit technique. Ye Manman almost wanted to help Cheng Yuan dig out a three-bedroom-two-living-room apartment.

"What are you all doing here?"

Xie Fengmian originally thought only Cheng Yuan was in the store, so he dared to be so flamboyant. Now, having been seen in such a condition by Ye Manman and He Chen, he felt somewhat embarrassed.

Could they be acquainted with Cheng Yuan?

Wouldn’t that mean he was exposed?

A lot of thoughts rushed through Xie Fengmian’s mind.

But recalling Cheng Yuan’s awkward and shy demeanor every time she rejected him, it didn’t seem like she was very familiar with Ye Manman and He Chen.

That meant he still had a chance.

After all, getting his hands on Ye Manman wasn’t possible temporarily, and he couldn’t beat He Chen.

But Cheng Yuan was alone; the Cheng Family had no men. Cheng Yuan only had a mother, who often had to run to the market. Cheng Yuan was at home watching the store without a man by her side, unmarried and thin-skinned. It was only a matter of time before he could win her over.

Sadly, Xie Fengmian’s plans were ultimately disrupted.

Just as his mind was racing to hand the flowers to Cheng Yuan, she again refused him, this time more seriously.

"Mr. Xie, you’re already married. Please stop harassing me, or I will report you for harassment."

This was a method Ye Manman taught her earlier.

Because Xie Fengmian was thick-skinned, Ye Manman feared her constant rejections were meaningless, and the solution relied on legal pressure.

Cheng Yuan didn’t expect this method to come into play so soon.

As soon as she said it, Xie Fengmian’s expression changed abruptly.

He turned to look at the two spectators.

"Did you tell her?"

Xie Fengmian looked very angry, as if the one at fault was Ye Manman, not him.

Ye Manman was stunned. How could someone’s skin be this thick?

"What, you can’t let others know you’re married? Looking for an affair? Or trying to deceive a young girl?"

If Cheng Yuan remained unaware, not to mention whether Xie Fengmian would succeed in pursuing her, seeing him come every day, others nearby would damage Cheng Yuan’s reputation. Worse, she might fall victim to Xie Fengmian’s advances.

Cheng Yuan was clearly concerned about this issue, consistently refusing loudly and quickly driving Xie Fengmian away.

But a good girl can’t withstand a rogue’s persistence.

Cheng Yuan was troubled every day and sought Ye Manman’s advice.

Seeing Cheng Yuan’s eyes filled with disdain and distance, Xie Fengmian felt angry enough to hit someone, but with He Chen there, he didn’t dare, nor would he hit Ye Manman.

Cheng Yuan was meant to be a stand-in for Ye Manman in his heart. If he couldn’t have Ye Manman, he must have Cheng Yuan!

After several deep breaths, Xie Fengmian decided not to argue with Ye Manman, instead turning to look at Cheng Yuan with deep emotion.

"Yuanyuan, I truly have feelings for you. From the first time I saw you and you handed me the handkerchief, I fell in love with you. I don’t care if you believe it or not, but I can swear to the heavens about my true feelings."

He patted his chest, his eyes full of love and regret, seeming ready to pour out heartfelt words to prove his sincerity to Cheng Yuan.

"I’m sorry, hiding my marriage from you was my fault, but I was young and naive back then, and I made a mistake while drunk. I didn’t want to evade responsibility, so I married someone else. But that doesn’t mean my true love has to be someone else."

He wanted to grab Cheng Yuan’s hand, but she pulled back. Xie Fengmian wasn’t annoyed and continued.

"Everything I’ve ever said to you was true. I did say you remind me of an old friend, and indeed, that friend is Ye Manman. But she’s married and very happy, so I’m willing to let her go and have completely moved on from her, which is why I’m seeking my true love again."

"And that true love is you, Yuanyuan. Saying you’re like an old friend was just an excuse to talk more with you. I just like you so much and didn’t know how to approach you. Please forgive me, okay?"

"My feelings for you are genuine and sincere!"

These words were truly moving if he didn’t completely absolve himself and juggle two women at the same time.

Ye Manman almost admired his ability to twist the truth—turning the act of hiding his marriage history and deceiving a young woman into a quest for true love. It was laughable.

Cheng Yuan was clearly flustered by his emotional assault and moral blackmail, unsure of how to properly refuse. Almost instinctively, she looked to Ye Manman for help.

Ye Manman received it, giving her a reassuring look, and then smilingly asked Xie Fengmian.

"So you’re this sincere, but what about your wife at home? She’s carrying your child, you know. Are you planning to abandon your wife and child in pursuit of true love?"

"Is this what you call being responsible?"