C26 Bitch Looking for a Bitch

In less than a week, Ye Ziyan's perspective had changed entirely, all thanks to a photo Ren Yuanhua sent her.

It was an image of Ye Tian entering the Jinghao Apartment.

A wealthy heir from Ren Yuanhua's Lady Circle, who resided at Jinghao, had snapped the picture. Assuming the taxi passenger was a lady of the night, he shared the photo on social media for a laugh. Ren Yuanhua, finding it amusing and feeling vindicated, forwarded it to Ye Ziyan.

Ye Ziyan was aware that Gu Qinian lived at Jinghao Apartment, even though Ren Yuanhua was clueless.

The revelation hit Ye Ziyan like a bombshell. Connecting the dots to Gu Qinian's recent aloofness, she directed all her frustration at Ye Tian.

She was both furious and frantic, uncertain whether Ye Tian had spilled the beans to Gu Qinian, especially since he hadn't reached out to her for a week.

Yet, she doubted Ye Tian would have told him. Ye Tian was mindful of the family patriarch, and if the truth had been disclosed, Gu Qinian would have already confronted her, and the Ye family would not have been spared.

"Dad, has anything happened at the company recently?" Ye Ziyao inquired.

"No, what's up? Oh, and could you mention to Qinian that I'd like to invite him to dinner? There's a deal I want to discuss..."

"Got it, I'll talk to him later," she said, cutting the conversation short.

Ye Ziyan quickly excused herself with a laugh, relieved to deduce that Ye Tian hadn't gone public with the situation and that Gu Qinian was still in the dark.

"Tsk, you and your husband, forgetting your old man," Ye Yongcheng remarked without a hint of resentment.

He was acutely aware of his priorities. Gu Qinian's current assistance was a favor, but if he were to marry Ziyan, it would become an obligation. In time, A City would be dominated by the Gu and Ye families. With Ziyan's influence, even the Gu's could end up under the Ye family's control.

Ye Yongcheng wasn't just boasting; given that Ziyan had "saved" Gu Qinian's life, acquiring the Gu's Group seemed well within reach. It all hinged on Ziyan's capabilities.

Determined, Ye Ziyan headed straight for Jinghao, only to be halted by the security guard. "Miss, there's no resident here by the name of Ye. If you continue to make a scene, we'll have to ask you to leave."

"I've already told you, I'm Gu Qinian's woman. Are you really not going to let me in?"

Ye Ziyan was so infuriated that she nearly called Gu Qinian right then and there, but she managed to restrain herself. If this got back to Gu Qinian, Ye Tian might spill everything, and no amount of threatening would help her then.

Her dream of becoming Mrs. Gu would be dashed.

No, she wouldn't allow that to happen!

Ye Ziyan shot the security guard a venomous look. "I won't forget your face!"

With that, she stormed off.

The security guard watched Ye Ziyan's retreating figure and clicked his tongue. Nowadays, it seemed mistresses were brazenly confronting the wife.

And yet, he hadn't seen Director Gu bring her around. She even drove a luxury car, but he thought the one who often took taxis seemed more suitable for a domestic life. Anyone with eyes could see which one to choose!

Early that morning, Ye Tian's right eyelid kept twitching.

Left for wealth, right for calamity, she thought, not because she was superstitious, but because there was wisdom in the old sayings.

Lost in thought, she glanced at the elevator door just as it opened to reveal Ye Ziyan.

Ye Tian simply shrugged and walked into the lounge.

But she had barely settled on the sofa when the door was flung open, and there stood Ye Ziyan.

The audacity!

Ye Tian gave her a disdainful look. "You're looking for a man in the wrong place. If you're after Gu Qinian, try Gu's."

Ye Ziyan snorted, her eyes blazing with rage as she hurled insults. "You're such a bitch!"

Ye Tian suppressed a laugh. "The pot calling the kettle black."

"You!" Ye Ziyan was seething, her voice sharp as she demanded, "Are you living in Jinghao?"

Ye Tian paused, a sly smile playing on her lips. "And what if I am? Is there a problem with me living in Jinghao?"

"You're actually living with Qinian! You shameless whore! I'm going to sort you out today!" Ye Ziyan was livid, her face contorted with anger.

"Oh please, the one who should be accused of stealing someone else's nest is you. Didn't your mother teach you any decency? Claiming others' efforts as your own and acting so entitled?" Ye Tian's retort left Ye Ziyan speechless. "So what if I live in Jinghao? What are you now? Nothing but a yapping dog!"

Ye Ziyan's complexion soured, and she was on the verge of snapping back when Gu Qinian intervened.

"Enough, Ye Tian, you've crossed the line," he said firmly.

Tears welled up in Ye Ziyan's eyes, genuine this time, spilling over uncontrollably. "Qinian, I'm sorry. It's my fault. I shouldn't have sought out Ye Tian or picked a fight with her. She wouldn't have gotten so upset, to the point of wanting to hit me. Qinian, I'm to blame."

Gu Qinian furrowed his brow, his gaze shifting to Ye Tian, but his thoughts lingered on her earlier words.

Usurping the nest.

Claiming it as her own.

If not for the bone marrow...

He gave Ye Tian a penetrating look, then reached for a tissue from the table and handed it to Ye Ziyan.

Ye Tian watched Gu Qinian's tender concern and sneered. "Oh, hit you? With that thick skin of yours, I'd be more worried about my hand swelling up. You're overthinking it."

Gu Qinian's eyes cooled. He was aware of Ye Tian's biting wit, yet he hadn't realized she was so unrestrained.

With a flick of her ponytail, a sour taste filled Ye Tian's mouth. Why hadn't he heard when Ye Ziyan called her a whore?

"Director Gu, you certainly have an eye for talent. Some people can stick a feather in their cap, and you'd mistake them for an angel."

Ye Ziyan's panic was evident, and with a dismissive pout, Ye Tian didn't spare Gu Qinian another glance before turning on her heel and walking away.

To the whole world, Ye Ziyan was the untouchable moonlight, a toxic lotus destined to bring ruin. Ye Tian seethed with this thought.

Ye Ziyan, struck by fear, stopped her tears. The implications of Ye Tian's words were too suggestive, and she dreaded Gu Qinian delving deeper.

As Ye Tian walked away, Gu Qinian made no move to console Ye Ziyan, simply stating, "Stay away from Ye Tian from now on."

Ye Ziyan froze. Had he perceived something? Or had Ye Tian bewitched him with some sort of spell?

Clenching her fists, Ye Ziyan trailed behind the man.

Ye Tian, I won't let you off easily. We'll see about that!

Inside the coffee shop.

"I'll pay whatever it takes. Look into Gu... Investigate Ye Tian." As Ye Ziyan thought of Gu Qinian's tactics, she switched to a different name at the last moment.

Ye Tian.

The mere thought of Ye Tian brought a fierce scowl to Ye Ziyan's face.

"Just one person? Sure, take a good look." The private detective bared his teeth in a confident grin as he took the job. Then, with a teasing tone, he added, "I wouldn't have guessed, Miss Ye, that you wield such influence..."

Frustration colored Ye Ziyan's response. She had only remembered to consider her status after she had invited the private detective to sit down, but by then, it was too late. Reluctantly, she slid a card across the table, "Don't get too greedy. We both know the rules of this game, and I'm not naive. If word of this gets out, it won't just be my life that's ruined—you'll be out of business as well."