novelraw Chapter 498
Chapter 498
After talking to Tang Xi for quite a while, Ye Yuning’s emotions still weren’t soothed.After hanging up the phone, she sat dully in her office chair, her entire head feeling numb.
When Luo Xin came in, she saw Ye Yuning looking as pale as death.
"Boss, are you feeling unwell? Do you want to go to the hospital for a check?" Luo Xin asked with concern.
With Chen Wei absent, Luo Xin was being extra attentive to Ye Yuning.
Ye Yuning waved her hand. "Give me some peace and quiet for a while."
"Oh, okay!"
Luo Xin nodded, set down the warm water, and left.
When Ye Yuning was left alone, she picked up the cup in front of her and drank it dry.
Even so, she still felt terrible inside. The heaviness in her chest hadn’t been washed away in the slightest.
As she put the cup down, she muttered to herself, "Why does it have to be Seventh Master Xiao?"
This...!
Now, Ye Yuning was completely at a loss for what to say about herself.
Xiao Linye is Seventh Master Xiao! For me, this is an absolute catastrophe! And I didn’t even recognize Elder Xiao when she was at Shanyu Pavilion. My eyesight...! I really don’t know what to say about myself now!
She frantically ruffled her hair with a frustrated cry.
The phone on her office desk buzzed.
Seeing it was Xiao Linye calling, Ye Yuning tensed up. She... didn’t dare answer! The first time she saw his number, it felt like a death knell.
Even though she had already discussed it with Tang Xi over the phone, there was no better solution at present than to hide the truth. But at this moment, she still didn’t have the courage.
She didn’t dare answer!
Until the ringing stopped, she didn’t pick up.
Then, a message from Xiao Linye came in: "Busy?"
Just two words, as sparing with them as ever, yet they still conveyed his tenderness to Ye Yuning.
However, this reassuring, cherished tenderness now felt incredibly dangerous to Ye Yuning.
She didn’t dare imagine what Xiao Linye would be like if he exploded, once that gentleness was gone.
Trembling, she picked up her phone. She wanted to reply with something, but in the end, just sent one word: "Mm."
Then, Xiao Linye’s call came through again.
Ye Yuning clutched the phone, feeling like she was holding a hot potato.
She had just replied to his message. Now, staring at the caller ID, she felt trapped. Answer, and she might give herself away. Don’t answer, and that seemed wrong too.
Xiao Linye was very astute. Especially now that she knew he was Seventh Master Xiao, Ye Yuning dared not act rashly.
Finally, with trepidation, she answered the call. "Hello."
"Still busy? It’s after work hours," came the man’s slightly displeased voice from the other end.
Clearly, Xiao Linye especially disliked her working overtime.
The issue of workload and working hours had always been a point of contention; each thought the other’s company was more unreasonable!
"Something came up today that I haven’t finished dealing with," Ye Yuning said.
She struggled to keep the tremor out of her voice, trying her best not to stutter.
"How much longer will it take?" Xiao Linye asked.
"Is... is something wrong?"
"I’m on my way to your studio. I’ll take you to dinner in a bit."
Hearing he was coming to take her to dinner... In the past, her heart would have leaped for joy whenever he said he’d pick her up. She even loved the way he took care of her during meals. But now...!
Tang Xi’s earlier advice from their phone call flashed through her mind. Tang Xi had said that she should minimize appearing in public with Xiao Linye as much as possible right now.
Yes, that’s right!
Based on what Xiao Shuo had told her before, she knew they must have been seen together by Xiao Shuo and his crowd.
Ye Yuning took a deep breath. "Um, I’m busy right now."
"You still need to eat, even if you’re busy."
His displeased tone was particularly firm.
Ye Yuning wanted to say something else, but then she heard Xiao Linye say from the other end, "I’ll be there in ten minutes."
"W-well, alright then!"
So much for not appearing in public too often. Faced with his assertiveness, Ye Yuning simply couldn’t refuse.
She hung up.
Ye Yuning collapsed back into her office chair, completely bewildered.
*What do I do? What do I do?* The question circled endlessly in her mind. What on earth was she supposed to do now? She felt like she was going to lose her mind.
Even by the time Xiao Linye arrived, she still hadn’t figured out what to do.
Marrying Xiao Shuo’s seventh uncle to get revenge on him... it was a joke from the start. Whether she’d intended it or not, that’s how everyone would see it.
BUZZ. BUZZ. BUZZ. Xiao Linye’s call came through. Ye Yuning answered, "Hello."
"Come down."
"Okay, right away!"
After hanging up, Ye Yuning really, really didn’t want to go.
She was even a little afraid to face Xiao Linye now...
But in the end, she could only resign herself to picking up her bag and getting up.
As she left the office, Luo Xin saw her and quickly came over. "Boss, are you going out?"
Ye Yuning nodded. "Mm, don’t worry about me for lunch."
"Okay, sounds good."
Luo Xin nodded.
Ye Yuning numbly stepped into the elevator.
She was usually so clear-headed about things, but now, she was a complete mess! She had absolutely no idea what to do!
Xiao Linye’s car was parked at the exit of the elevator lobby, headlights on, engine still running.
Ye Yuning’s hands clenched tightly as she got into the car, sat down, and stiffly fastened her seatbelt.
Throughout the entire process, she didn’t dare look at Xiao Linye.
Xiao Linye furrowed his brows at her. "Why do you look so pale? Are you still feeling unwell?"
Hearing his magnetic voice, Ye Yuning shivered involuntarily.
But then she remembered that Xiao Linye didn’t actually know anything yet, so she quickly tried to feign composure.
She shook her head. "N-no, I’m fine!"
Hearing her stammer, Xiao Linye frowned and gave her a puzzled look.