Chapter 85 Mature Woman Sister Yan

Ye Chen gazed at Sister Yan for a full ten seconds. Sister Yan flashed him a wicked smile, and Ye Chen immediately dropped his head in embarrassment. To stare at a beautiful woman for more than four seconds was already considered extremely rude, yet he had foolishly held his gaze for ten whole seconds—such was the power of Sister Yan’s allure. Even a man like Ye Chen couldn’t help but be captivated. He had to admit, there was a unique, hard-to-describe charm about Sister Yan, a quality that even Li Ruo did not possess.

“Ruo, you’re here!” Sister Yan’s voice was melodious, carrying a soft, tingling sweetness that sent a shiver through Ye Chen’s mind. He couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to have this woman beneath him, calling out his name on the bed. As if she had seen through his wicked thoughts, Sister Yan shot him a sly glare, making Ye Chen start in alarm.

“Sister Yan, I didn’t expect to see you here!” Li Ruo hurried forward and gave Sister Yan a gentle hug. Ye Chen’s eyes landed on the spot where the two met—four mountains colliding, slowly flattening and then regaining their shape. Li Ruo turned to glance at Ye Chen, catching the wolfish look in his eyes, and glared at him. “Ye Chen, aren’t you going to come greet Sister Yan?”

“Sister Yan!” Ye Chen walked over. He stood at about one-eight meters tall, with Sister Yan around one-seven. She looked up at him and smiled, “You did well just now—handled those two cockroaches without even lifting a finger. Set a fine example.”

“Heh, you flatter me, Sister Yan!” Ye Chen grinned.

“All right, come by my bar for a drink sometime!” As she was leaving, Sister Yan pinched Ye Chen’s cheek, then turned to Li Ruo with a smile. “This guy’s got thick skin and good looks—don’t let him slip away!”

“Sister Yan, don’t say that! There’s nothing between me and this rascal!” Li Ruo hurried to explain.

“Hehe, no need to protest. At the start, no couple ever admits to their feelings!” Sister Yan laughed. “That’s just a fear of falling in love. I’m sure you’ll get over it soon. I’ll be off now!”

With that, she sashayed away, her perfectly shaped hips mesmerizing Ye Chen so much he stared for quite a while. Those delicate curves, those dazzling white legs under her short skirt—Ye Chen muttered to himself, “Damn, this trip was worth it.”

As Ye Chen was mumbling, the banquet began. Zhang Kaiguo had changed into fresh attire, and the lights shone on the stage. With a faint smile, he addressed the guests, “Thank you all for coming to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. She’s twenty-two now, of marrying age. If anyone knows a suitable candidate, do recommend him to me. I’d like to see my only daughter married off soon!”

Laughter filled the room. In Jiangbei City, few people actually knew Zhang Kaiguo’s daughter. Everyone recognized Zhang Kaiguo himself—he was the provincial party secretary. As for his daughter, surely the daughter of such a powerful man would have no trouble finding a husband, no matter her looks. Ye Chen leaned over and whispered to Li Ruo, “I bet his daughter’s not fit to be seen.”

“Why do you say that?” Li Ruo’s eyes gleamed. “Don’t you know who his daughter is?”

“How would I know?” Ye Chen replied, surprised. “With a position that high, he can’t possibly have a daughter no one wants to marry. If you ask me, she must be terribly ugly, which is why she’s twenty-two and still single, right?”

“Hehe, I won’t tell you. I’ll remember what you just said!” Li Ruo giggled, a mischievous light in her eyes. Ye Chen felt increasingly uneasy, suspecting Li Ruo might actually know the woman.

Zhang Kaiguo smiled, “Enough talk, let’s welcome my daughter to the stage so everyone can meet her!”

The hotel’s ceiling lights suddenly swept down, a blade of light cutting through the entryway. A red carpet stretched toward the entrance, and all eyes fixed on the ornate European doors as they opened. Bright light flooded in.

A woman in a lavender-pink gown entered. The first thing to catch the eye was a pair of flawlessly fair, slender legs—such an entrance instantly stirred the imagination of every guest. Eyes locked on the end of the red carpet as the white dress was fully revealed, and the young woman’s face was exquisite.

She wore a pale violet dress with a sheer white shawl, perfectly highlighting her graceful figure. Her shoulder-length hair was gently tousled by the breeze, with a few playful strands floating in front. No decorations adorned her hair, only a light blue ribbon tying a small lock. Around her neck, a violet crystal glimmered, making her skin seem snow-white, like a fairy descended to earth. Her hands were delicate, her skin like creamy jade, her slender neck graceful, her teeth pearly, her brows arched like willow leaves, her smile radiant, her eyes bright and expressive. With brows like emerald feathers, teeth like pearls, a waist as slender as a reed, her enchanting smile could beguile any city. A sky-blue bracelet rested casually on her wrist, making her skin appear even more luminous. Her gaze was pure as water, tinged with a trace of melancholy, creating an ethereal, unattainable beauty. Her lips, rosy and slightly pouted, added an air of innocent charm.

A collective gasp swept through the crowd. Such a fairy-like girl was beyond anyone’s expectations. In truth, most at the scene had thought like Ye Chen: a woman in her twenties, daughter of a provincial party secretary, still single—she must be terribly ugly, or how could she have no suitors? Yet the reality defied all their assumptions.

“She’s stunning!”

“Isn’t she? Who would have thought Secretary Zhang’s daughter would be this beautiful?”

“She looks awfully familiar, too!”

The crowd erupted in discussion. Her family background and beauty made her the center of heated debate. As everyone talked about the girl, Ye Chen stared as if he’d seen a ghost, his gaze unfocused as he watched Zhang Yantong walk gracefully down the red carpet, muttering to himself, “My God, how can this be? How could it be her! How could it be her!”

“Hehe, Ye Chen, you’re in trouble now!” Li Ruo teased, her eyes dancing. “I just heard you say Zhang Yantong was as ugly as sin!”

“That was a misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding!” Ye Chen shook his head desperately.

“It was not! I heard it with my own ears!” Li Ruo pouted adorably, but Ye Chen had no mind to appreciate her cuteness. If this little minx really told Zhang Yantong what he’d just said, he’d be doomed. First, he’d refused Zhang Yantong’s birthday invitation; second, he’d badmouthed her behind her back. Even if it was unintentional, it was unforgivable.

“President Li, Ruo, I’m begging you, please don’t!” Ye Chen pleaded. “If you tell Zhang Yantong, I’m dead meat!”

“Hehe, that depends on my mood!” Li Ruo grinned, clearly enjoying Ye Chen’s discomfort, loving to see him beg. She looked at him haughtily, “If I’m in a bad mood someday, you know what will happen. Not only will I spill the beans about your thirty-million, I’ll tell Captain Zhang what you said about her too!”

Ye Chen shuddered all over. Now that Zhang Bold’s men were already investigating, if the news got out, both he and Feng Zixiao would be in endless trouble.

“President Li, I’ll get on my knees if you want!” Ye Chen begged.

“Call me Sister!” Li Ruo teased, smiling wickedly.

“Sister—heck, I’d call you Granny if you wanted!” Ye Chen replied with a wry smile. Damn this girl—she really was schizophrenic. During the day, she was cold as ice, impossible to approach, but come nightfall, her other soul emerged—passionate and playful as a mischievous elf. Ye Chen had no idea how to deal with a woman like Li Ruo.

On stage, Zhang Yantong began to speak. With a gentle smile, she said, “Uncles, aunties, friends—thank you all for coming to Tongtong’s birthday banquet. I wish you all boundless wealth in business and ever-growing success in your careers!”

A round of applause erupted. Everyone clapped enthusiastically—not just for her beauty, but for her auspicious words. After all, nearly everyone present was either in the business or political world, except Ye Chen. Such words were music to their ears. Zhang Kaiguo beamed as he joined his daughter at the front. “All right, let the banquet begin. Tonight, I’ll have the first dance with my daughter—please, everyone, join us!”

The lights dimmed, and then colored lights flashed as the song “Shanghai Bund” began to play. Smiling, Zhang Kaiguo took his daughter’s hand and started to dance. The guests quickly partnered up and entered the dance floor.

“Ye Chen, let’s dance too!” Li Ruo invited eagerly.

“I’d better not, I don’t know how to dance,” Ye Chen immediately refused.

“I’ll teach you!” Li Ruo smiled, but Ye Chen still shook his head, sinking into the couch, unwilling to budge. Mostly, he wanted to avoid Zhang Yantong’s notice and the awkward explanations that would follow. Seeing Ye Chen’s stubbornness, Li Ruo’s face instantly turned cold. “If you don’t come now, I’ll go and expose you to Zhang Yantong!”

“You…” Ye Chen leapt up reflexively, forcing a bitter smile. “All right, all right, let’s dance. Don’t blame me if I step on your feet!”

“Don’t worry!” Li Ruo nodded.

Ye Chen followed, and Li Ruo took his hand. For the first time, Ye Chen didn’t reject her touch—her delicate hand felt smooth and soft, the sensation quite pleasant. Hand in hand, they entered the dance floor together.