Chapter 1982: Choice

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Realizing his emotions, Ye Ze fell silent for a few seconds before saying slowly,

“The situation inside isn’t as harmonious as it seems. It’s not safe for you to be alone. Miss, let me go in with you.”

Towards the end, Ye Ze sounded like he was pleading.

Ye Qingqiu still didn’t agree.

“I’m really fine. I’ll call you if anything happens.”

With that, she smiled at him and turned to walk towards the hotel.

She was wearing high heels that she had bought today. She walked carefully and swayed a little.

After passing through the entrance of the hotel, there was a large screen outside the main entrance of the banquet hall.

There were shadows moving inside.

After standing outside the door for a while, her high heels shifted slightly before she straightened her back and stepped into the banquet hall.

Her silent appearance shouldn’t have attracted much attention.

However, she was a beautiful and exquisite woman. It was inevitable that someone would notice her when she appeared at the door alone.

After a moment of amazement, more people cast curious and envious gazes at her.

Li Tingshen, who had been standing in a corner near the door, saw this figure and his eyes darkened.

Before she could get close to her, whispers sounded around her.

“That’s the little princess of the Ye family. Why is she here alone?”

“Didn’t her boyfriend accompany another girl just now?”

“Was she cheated on or dumped? Her boyfriend went out with other women and she came to the banquet alone. If we meet later…”

Ye Qingqiu had never cared about what others said about her.

Naturally, she had not heard too many comments taken out of context by the outside world. But at this moment, she still felt a little uncomfortable when she heard those comments that were deliberately suppressed but still heard clearly.

She took a few more steps forward and looked up to see Li Tingshen staring at her.

He was alone.

Their first meeting tonight was not satisfactory.

It was much better than what she had imagined.

She raised an eyebrow and walked towards Li Tingshen.

“I’m curious. What car did you bring today?”

Li Tingshen’s gaze on her was cold and sharp.

“Maserati business sedan.”

Ye Qingqiu smiled and nodded. “That’s possible. The price should be much higher than your previous price.”

Li Tingshen’s gaze became heavier and his voice was as cold as ice. “Leave this place immediately.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingqiu paused for a moment before chuckling softly. “What’s wrong? Am I not allowed to come to this place, or are you afraid that my appearance will embarrass you? Speaking of which, my man is with another woman. If anyone is embarrassed, it’s me.”

“But I’m not that stupid to be deceived by the surface. But Li Tingshen, you’re my boyfriend and I’m the closest person to you in this world other than your mother. You can use what I have and I won’t mind.”

Even if you didn’t want to trouble my father, you could have told me about the invitation to tonight’s banquet. Why did you have to make use of Liang Xuer? You knew that I would be angry and cause trouble for you. Why did you seek trouble for yourself?

“I’ll give you the explanation. Now, leave this place immediately and go home.”

Li Tingshen’s face was cold and impatient. His words were an order that could not be questioned.

Ye Qingqiu’s face turned cold. “Why are you in such a hurry to chase me away? Li Tingshen, what are you hiding from me…”

“Brother Tingshen, what happened… Ye Qingqiu, why are you here?”

Seeing that everyone’s gaze was on her, Liang Xuer couldn’t help but be curious. In the end, she realized that it was Ye Qingqiu.

Before Ye Qingqiu could finish her sentence, she heard Liang Xuer’s voice and looked over instinctively.

With just a glance, she felt as though someone had poured a bucket of ice water on her, making her body turn cold.

Ye Qingqiu looked at Ye Qingqiu in surprise before lowering her head to look at herself. Her expression gradually turned ugly.

Their clothes were identical.

However, their styles were worlds apart.

In order to match the dress, Liang Xuer had her hair done neatly and she had exquisite makeup on. She looked refreshing and neat.

Ye Qingqiu’s hair was draped over her shoulders, and her bright face was lightly made up. It naturally carried her unique charm and was stunning.

Both of them had their own merits, but she had to admit that Ye Qingqiu was better.

Liang Xuer looked a little embarrassed.

Her gaze shifted from Liang Xuer to Li Tingshen’s face. A few seconds later, she suddenly smiled.

“Don’t tell me that’s why you’re in a hurry to chase me away. Li Tingshen, did you go to the shop to get this dress for her personally?”

Li Tingshen frowned and didn’t say anything. Ye Qingqiu wasn’t in a hurry either. She sneered and said, “I’m very angry now, but my rationality tells me that I can’t argue with you here. Li Tingshen, either come with me now or let’s talk outside.”

Li Tingshen pursed his lips and endured the throbbing in his temples. He reached out to pull Ye Qingqiu’s hand and walked out.

Liang Xuer panicked and quickly reached out to stop him. “Brother Tingshen, are you leaving me here alone?”

Li Tingshen retracted his hand. “I’ll be back soon.”

Ye Qingqiu’s beautiful face turned cold.

Li Tingshen brought her to the end of the corridor, where there was a huge pool.

He let go of her hand and said coldly, “If you have anything to say, try to keep it short.”

“Long story short.”

Li Tingshen frowned and lowered his gaze to look at her. Suddenly, his face was slapped.

Her voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet pool.

Ye Qingqiu shook her hand that was in pain from the slap. “No wonder the salesperson looked so mysterious when I went to get the dress. She told me that buying this dress was equivalent to buying a custom-made dress. I felt puzzled at first, but I didn’t expect this…”

She suddenly sneered. “They probably think that my boyfriend came to the shop to get a dress for me. They think that you want to give me a surprise… Ha.”

Ye Qingqiu had never felt more aggrieved than now.

‘No.’

She had never been wronged before.

Even though her father had given his love to Liang Xuer all these years, she had never felt so aggrieved.

Her heart felt sour and heavy.

However, in the end, she only sneered and said, “From tomorrow onwards, I, Ye Qingqiu, will add another joke for the entire Ping Cheng City before and after tea. Everyone will know that the surprise that I thought was going to be given to me will be worn by another woman. What’s more ridiculous is that the dress on that woman was personally bought by my man, and the one on me was bought by me. In the end, I even wore the same dress at the same banquet…”

She felt even more ridiculous and sad when she revealed this matter.

There were tears in her voice and her eyes were red, but not a single tear fell.

The coldness in Li Tingshen’s eyes dissipated instantly.

“I’ve never suffered such humiliation before. Not since I was young.

Before I came, I found an excuse for you to bring Liang Xuer here. I smashed the car and vented my anger. I convinced myself that you could be forgiven and that I should stop.

But no matter what reason you have, is there a need for you to buy her a dress personally? If you don’t send her off, can she still come to the banquet naked?”

“Still not saying anything? Then what reason should I give you to convince myself?”

She looked like she was about to cry.

Li Tingshen gulped and said in a low and hoarse voice, “I’ll get someone to send you back.”

“…”

Ye Qingqiu looked up at him quietly.

Not getting a response, Li Tingshen pulled her arm, wanting to force her out.

Ye Qingqiu stood rooted to the ground, her voice cold and emotionless. “Are you going to send me home personally? If not, let go of me.”

Li Tingshen’s face turned colder. “Is Ye Ze waiting for you outside? Call him and get him to pick you up, or I’ll send you out personally.”

Ye Qingqiu’s heart sank. “Let go.”

Li Tingshen didn’t.

“You’re hurting me.”

This time, he let go.

Ye Qingqiu felt dizzy and her feet hurt badly.

“I don’t want to see you now, so you don’t have to send me out. I’ll call Ye Ze. You can go back and continue attending the banquet. Don’t worry about me.”

Li Tingshen’s patience was worn out. He bent down to carry Ye Qingqiu and strode out of the villa with a cold face.

Ye Qingqiu’s voice was wooden and emotionless. “I said, put me down.”

“Ye Qingqiu.” Li Tingshen didn’t let go of her and his deep voice sounded.

“From the beginning to the end, I don’t know what you like about me. But since you keep saying that you like me, you have to tolerate whoever I bring to the banquet today and whatever scandals you have tomorrow. I’ve told you not long ago that if I really choose another woman, I won’t waste time with you.”

Ye Qingqiu’s eyelids twitched and her long eyelashes fluttered. In the end, her gaze landed on the man’s face. “Do I have to thank you for not dumping me?”

Li Tingshen’s jaw tightened. “Since I’ve promised you, I won’t dump you easily.”

Ye Qingqiu sneered and said, “After that, I have to tolerate whoever you bring to the banquet and who you get involved in scandals with. Do you think I’m so heartless that no matter what you do, I won’t be sad?”

Li Tingshen stopped in his tracks and looked down at her. “Don’t you like me? Do you trust me that much? I’ve said that I won’t dump you easily. Of course, I won’t have anything going on with other women. Or am I a hypocrite in your eyes?”

Ye Qingqiu closed her eyes slightly. Her already dizzy head seemed to have been filled with anger just now. Now, she felt her temples throbbing violently.

“Alright, I’m not feeling well now. I don’t want to talk to you, nor do I want to see you again. Put me down, I’ll call Brother Ye Ze to pick me up.”

“Where do you feel uncomfortable?”

“Head.”

Li Tingshen glanced at her and quickened his pace.

Ye Qingqiu was annoyed. She had never felt as disgusted and annoyed by Li Tingshen as she did today.

But she didn’t have the energy to continue arguing with him.

Just as she was about to compromise and allow him to carry her out, Li Tingshen’s phone rang.

The man narrowed his eyes in the dim light.

He looked at Ye Qingqiu, who had just closed her eyes.

After a pause, she quickened her pace.

A figure hurried over with a phone.

“Sir, they have already left.”

Glancing at the woman in his arms, the person lowered his voice and said, “You have to do it as soon as possible. Otherwise, Liang… Miss might really be in danger…”

Even though she lowered her voice, Ye Qingqiu could still hear her clearly.

Li Tingshen stopped in his tracks and lowered his head to look at her. In the next second, he bent down to put her down.

“Call Ye Ze and get him to pick you up.”

Ye Qingqiu said, “My head hurts now. You insisted on sending me out just now.”

Li Tingshen’s face was tense. “I have something else to do now. Get Ye Ze to pick you up.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he didn’t give Ye Qingqiu any chance to speak. With the advantage of his long legs, he quickly strode away.

Ye Qingqiu stood rooted to the ground in a daze as she watched Li Tingshen leave anxiously. Her expressionless face was filled with indifference and sarcasm.

A gust of wind blew along the corridor, and Ye Qingqiu felt a chill run down her spine.

Every step she took felt like she was being rubbed against a sharp rock. She bent down and took off her heels.

After taking two steps, she saw a large patch of light in front of her. She turned around and saw that it was indeed the lobby of the hotel. She turned around and sat on the sofa in the lounge area.

Then, she took out her phone and called Ye Ze.

“I’m not feeling well now and my feet hurt badly. I don’t want to walk out alone. Find a way to come in and fetch me.”

After receiving Ye Ze’s response, she hung up.

After sitting for a minute, she got up and walked to the front desk. The staff saw that her face was a little pale and asked softly, “Miss, what’s wrong?”

Ye Qingqiu said calmly, “Please pour me a cup of hot water.”

“Okay, please wait a moment.”

During this short wait, two figures seemed to have entangled with each other outside a room on the other side of the hall.

The woman’s hair was a little messy and her posture didn’t look elegant in the panic. She waved one arm and couldn’t move the other. It seemed like someone had grabbed her.

Ye Qingqiu frowned.

It wasn’t too far away. She would probably never forget that dress that woman was wearing.

“Qin Hao, let go of me!”

“Xu’er, Xu’er, you’re so beautiful today. I really like you. Don’t you like plays? I’ve already picked out the two best scripts. One of them is a stage play. Many directors want it. If you follow me, I’ll give you this script and let you be the female lead. Isn’t that good? I bought this specially for you…”

“I don’t need your help! I can fight for the role myself!”

“Xu’er, you’re so naive. How many people in this circle have relied on their own abilities and hard work to get a chance? Do you feel awkward in the Ye family? Without your parents, the head of the Ye family wouldn’t treat you like his daughter. If I didn’t help you, you would have to rely on yourself. You might have a chance, but it will take at least 20 years. Can you afford to wait?”

Liang Xuer’s expression changed slightly. Qin Hao’s words had hit her sore spot, but no matter what, she wouldn’t be with someone like Qin Hao and ruin her life.

This is none of your business. Let go of me…”

“Xu’er, I like you. As long as you want it, I can give it to you…”

Liang Xuer couldn’t resist Qin Jianjia’s strength and couldn’t escape. She was anxious and frustrated. She wanted to ask for help, but she turned to see Ye Qingqiu looking at her.

She paused, not wanting to beg Ye Qingqiu.

At this moment, the staff poured some hot water for her and glanced in Liang Xuer’s direction. She immediately turned her head and pretended not to see anything.

Ye Qingqiu carried the water to the sofa in the resting area.

The situation was still in a deadlock, but the staff at the front desk seemed to have not heard anything.

Ye Qingqiu also knew that those staff members had probably seen too much of such things. Instead of feeling righteous and angering those rich young masters, they might as well cling to their jobs and support their families.

“Let go of me… Ah—”

Liang Xuer suddenly screamed. Ye Qingqiu frowned and turned her head. She realized that Liang Xuer was being hugged by a man and his head was buried in her neck.

Disgusting.

“Help! Ye Qingqiu!”

Ye Qingqiu closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She picked up the high heels beside her and strode over. She raised the high heels in her hand and smashed them on Qin Jianjia’s head.

Qin Jianjia cried out in pain and pushed Liang Xuer away. She covered her head with one hand and grabbed Ye Qingqiu’s arm with the other.

“You dare to hit me?”

At this moment, Qin Hao’s eyes were red and the hand holding her arm was abnormally warm.

No matter what, Liang Xuer was the daughter of the Ye family. If not for her lack of rationality, he wouldn’t have dared to commit such crimes.

She immediately realized something, but she couldn’t break free from his grip.

In the end, Qin Hao suddenly pulled her into the room.

Ye Qingqiu staggered and subconsciously turned to look at Liang Xuer.

Liang Xuer panicked and stood rooted to the ground. When she met Ye Qingqiu’s gaze, she was stunned. She knew what Ye Qingqiu meant, but when she looked at the irrational man, she shook her head and took two steps back. In the end, she covered her mouth and ran away in a panic.

The door slammed shut behind her.

She paused and looked back. Peace had returned to the room.

Biting her lips, she turned around and ran away…