C20 Miss Yi

"I'm so frustrated!" Fang Yuan exclaimed as she sat on Yi Rui'er's bed, punching a plush doll in the face. "That brat is outrageously arrogant!"

"You're telling me!" Yi Rui'er pouted, clearly displeased. "Yuanyuan, you have no idea. She's been flaunting herself since she got here, spending the Yi family's money like it's nothing, and she even manipulated things to get Dad to scold me!"

"What? Your dad scolded you?" Fang Yuan was taken aback. She always thought Yi Haoen, despite his stern demeanor, had a decent temper. "She must have a lot of tricks up her sleeve!" Fang Yuan's expression turned serious as she clenched her fists. "I've really underestimated her."

"Yuanyuan, what are you planning to do?" That was the burning question on Yi Rui'er's mind.

"She won't have an easy time with me around," Fang Yuan said through gritted teeth. She had never been crossed by anyone in her life!

"Yuanyuan, if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know!" Yi Rui'er offered eagerly, more than ready to deal with that wretch herself.

"I do have a favor to ask of you," Fang Yuan said, motioning Yi Rui'er closer, "During lunch later on..."

Yi Rui'er's eyes sparkled at the suggestion but then she hesitated, "What if she tattles?"

Yi Rui'er was admittedly intimidated by Yi Haoen and dreaded the thought of facing family discipline.

"What's there to fear? I can't imagine Uncle would do anything to me!" Fang Yuan said, lifting her chin with pride.

"Wow, Yuanyuan, you're so impressive!" Yi Rui'er exclaimed with feigned admiration, exactly what she had been waiting to hear.

Yi Rui'er's flattery visibly delighted Fang Yuan, who swelled with pride.

"Yuanyuan, the weather's lovely right now. How about I take you to the garden? The Persian chrysanthemums were blooming beautifully when I checked a couple of days ago," Yi Rui'er suggested.

"Sure!" Fang Yuan responded eagerly, and they left the room together.

Upon entering the main hall, they saw Yi Lanyou sitting on the living room sofa, sipping water.

Fang Yuan rolled her eyes, her disdain for Yi Lanyou growing with every glance.

Yi Rui'er shared the sentiment, though she reminded herself to wait just an hour or two more.

Just then, a man in a suit entered the room.

"Uncle Lian? You're back? Is Dad with you?" Yi Rui'er recognized the man. Lian Cheng had been Yi Haoen's driver and secretary for two to three decades, serving as his trusted confidant.

"The boss hasn't returned. I'm here to pick up the young miss," Lian Cheng replied.

"To pick me up?" Yi Rui'er was taken aback, feeling unexpectedly honored. Yi Haoen was usually distant with his children, so why had he sent Lian Cheng to fetch her now? It was an extraordinary privilege. A smile spread across Yi Rui'er's face. "Where is Dad taking me?"

"This..." Lian Cheng hesitated, looking somewhat uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Yi Lanyou stood up and, passing by them, announced, "I'm ready. Let's go."

"Alright," Lian Cheng responded, offering Fang Yuan an apologetic smile before hurrying after Yi Lanyou.

Yi Rui'er's complexion turned ashen as she gripped her fists tightly, her eyes blazing with fury.

Fang Yuan watched the scene unfold, a subtle smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.

Upon reaching the seventh floor of the Yi family's hotel, Yi Lanyou adjusted the hem of her dress at the private room's entrance. Lian Cheng opened the door, and Yi Lanyou took in the scene before her.

A round table sat at the center of the room, with Yi Haoen occupying the seat of honor on the left. Across from him sat a man and a woman. The man, in his early forties, had a respectable look and an impressive presence. The woman was well-maintained, her fair skin and captivating eyes exuding astuteness, her lips curved into a graceful, dignified smile.

"Dad," Yi Lanyou greeted Yi Haoen with a nod.

"Come here quickly; I want to introduce you to our guests," Yi Haoen beckoned to Yi Lanyou.

"Okay," Yi Lanyou replied, walking to Yi Haoen's right to face the man and woman.

"These two are..." Yi Haoen hesitated briefly, "you can call them Uncle Long and Auntie Feng." Yi Haoen's introduction bridged the gap between the parties and sidestepped potential awkwardness.

"Hello, Uncle Long, Auntie Feng," Yi Lanyou greeted them with a polite nod and a slight smile.

"So this is the Yi family's eldest daughter!" Feng Yingshu appraised Yi Lanyou with a warm smile. "Truly a vision of beauty."

"She seems more modest than I expected," Long Hanmo remarked with a chuckle.

"There's nothing wrong with a girl being modest," Feng Yingshu chimed in.

Yi Haoen, upon hearing their comments, became acutely aware of Yi Lanyou's attire and felt a twinge of embarrassment.

"Please, have a seat," Yi Haoen said, clearing his throat before addressing Lian Cheng at the door, "Let's have the waiter serve the dishes."

"Right away," Lian Cheng acknowledged and departed.

Regarding the engagement..." Feng Yingshu began, smoothing her skirt as she settled into her chair and turned to Yi Lanyou. "You're aware of it, aren't you, Lanyou?"

Yi Lanyou glanced at Yi Haoen and, catching his embarrassed gaze, responded to Feng Yingshu with a reassuring smile, "Yes, I'm aware."

"That's good to hear," Feng Yingshu continued. "I was supposed to bring Tianqi to meet you today, but he's been spoiled at home. He went out and likely forgot about today's arrangement."

"Humph! The boy has no sense of duty!" Long Hanmo scowled.

"Well, he's young," Yi Haoen said with an easygoing laugh. "We can always arrange for them to meet on another occasion."

"President Yi, there's no need to make excuses for Tianqi. Even if he didn't show up today, I'm quite fond of Lanyou," Feng Yingshu stated, then gestured to Yi Lanyou, "Come, sit next to me, Lanyou."

Upon invitation, Yi Lanyou rose and made her way to Feng Yingshu's side. Feng Yingshu casually removed the valuable jade bracelet from her wrist and presented it to Yi Lanyou, saying, "This is a token of our first meeting."

Yi Lanyou glanced at Yi Haoen, who gave a slight nod. "Since it's a gift from Auntie Feng, you should accept it."

"Thank you, Auntie Feng," Yi Lanyou said with a gracious smile.

The meal was filled with lively conversation. Feng Yingshu made no secret of her fondness for Yi Lanyou, and Yi Haoen was equally pleased with Yi Lanyou's grace and generosity.

After dining, the father-daughter duo personally escorted their guests to the car for their departure. In the quiet of the vehicle, Long Hanmo asked in a somber tone, "What's your opinion of Yi Lanyou?"

"I'm not interested in her," Feng Yingshu replied, her gaze fixed on the swiftly passing landscape outside the window, yet her eyes held a depth akin to a black hole. Her true interest lay in the secrets that Yi Lanyou concealed.