C13 Soong Qingyue You're so Capable!

If Ann Yun hadn't threatened her with the safety of Dabao and Erbao, Soong Qingyue would have never set foot in this place today.

Ann Yun, noticing Soong Qingyue's silence, nudged her and urged, "Qingyue, go on and have a drink with Director Zhang."

Soong Qingyue glanced at the wine glass before her and replied, "I don't drink alcohol."

Zhang Yunshan's displeasure was immediate. "Director Ann, is this the flawless execution you promised?"

Ann Yun hadn't anticipated Soong Qingyue's lack of cooperation and struggled to maintain her composure. Leaning in, she whispered threateningly, "You'd better play along, or I can't promise that your children will be safely returned to you."

"You're threatening me!" Soong Qingyue's gaze was piercing.

With a sly smile, Ann Yun retorted, "Blame yourself for exposing your vulnerabilities. Did you really think I wouldn't exploit such valuable leverage?"

Soong Qingyue was seething with anger.

Biting back her fury, she grabbed the wine glass. "Fine! I'll drink!"

She downed the contents of the glass in one go, choking and coughing, tears welling up in her eyes.

Zhang Yunshan seized the opportunity to feign concern, patting her back under the guise of helping her catch her breath.

Soong Qingyue instinctively tried to pull away, but a glance at Ann Yun's stern look forced her to swallow her revulsion.

Zhang Yunshan, pleased with his tardy arrival, cheerfully continued to pour drinks for Soong Qingyue, one after another.

The room spun around Soong Qingyue as she became increasingly inebriated.

She knew she had to stop drinking or face dire consequences.

Seizing the chance to escape to the restroom, Soong Qingyue left the private room and breathed in the fresh air deeply.

As Ye Qingchuan stepped out of the room, he immediately recognized the familiar silhouette: Soong Qingyue.

His brows knitted in confusion.

What was she doing here?

Then it hit him – Soong Qingrou's words about finding a father for those two children.

With a snort of disdain, he thought about how her search had led her to the Orchid Club. Quite the tactic.

Ye Qingchuan strode up to Soong Qingyue, took her hand firmly, and with a deep, resonant voice, he said, "Soong Qingyue, it seems I've greatly underestimated you."

Soong Qingyue was initially disoriented, but the sound of Ye Qingchuan's voice jolted her into alertness, and her thoughts sharpened considerably.

Raising her head, she locked eyes with Ye Qingchuan's piercing gaze. "Mr. Ye, what brings you here?"

"The question is, what brings you here?" Ye Qingchuan countered with certainty. "Has the Soong family fallen on such hard times that they can't pay you, forcing you to seek a livelihood here?"

Soong Qingyue thought Ye Qingchuan had quite the imagination, but she couldn't be bothered to correct him. "Mr. Ye, what concern is it of yours? Don't you have better things to do? Shouldn't you be with Soong Qingrou, perhaps getting some rest?"

With that, she reclaimed her wrist from his grasp.

Ye Qingchuan observed Soong Qingyue's rosy cheeks, his expression growing more intense.

"Jealous of Qingrou, are you?" he mocked with a cold laugh.

Spurred on by the alcohol, Soong Qingyue retorted, "Yes, I am jealous! Why should she be the one to receive affection? Why do I have to take the fall and go to jail for her? It was her disappearance, yet I'm the one blamed. She drugged me, and yet I'm accused of misconduct. Why!"

His eyes turned a deeper shade of darkness. "Because you're a woman of ill repute."

At his words, Soong Qingyue let out a low, scornful chuckle.

Everyone thought she was disreputable, and Ye Qingchuan was no different.

So be it.

Leaning against the wall, Soong Qingyue decided she had no more words to waste on Ye Qingchuan.