A Chance Encounter

Ruan Yuexi felt relieved instantly when she thought that she was a shield. She knew it was impossible for the male lead to be interested in her.

Shang Yao’s cold eyes showed a flash of doubt, but he remained silent.

“Brother Yao? Ruan Yuexi? What a coincidence,” Feng Yi exclaimed with surprise upon seeing them together.

Ruan Yuexi glanced meaningfully at the male lead, Shang Yao. She thought it was probably not a coincidence but intentional. She wondered why he would agree so readily to come on this trip.

It seemed he had ulterior motives. Ruan Yuexi’s previously anxious mood instantly lightened.

Ning Chen, with his hands in his pockets, snorted coldly, but his gaze couldn’t help but drift towards Ruan Yuexi.

Ruan Yuexi wore a light-colored long dress that reached her ankles. Her long black hair, lifted slightly by the breeze, framed her exquisitely beautiful face, which was now adorned with a smile.

Ning Chen stared at Ruan Yuexi’s delicate face, unable to look away for a moment, and then pretended to be indifferent.

Lu Yiliang’s gentle eyes lingered on Ruan Yuexi for a few seconds. Seeing that she was safe and sound, he felt much relieved.

Tang Qingqing looked at Shang Yao and Ruan Yuexi with a sad expression, tears in her eyes, as if she couldn’t accept the scene before her.

Feng Yi eagerly approached Shang Yao, throwing an arm around his shoulder. Shang Yao shrugged off his hand. “What are you doing here?”

Feng Yi, facing Shang Yao’s questioning, responded, “I’m surprised too. We planned this trip yesterday and didn’t expect to run into you here, Brother Yao.”

Ruan Yuexi thought Shang Yao was quite good at pretending it was a chance encounter. He must have known that Tang Qingqing would be here and timed his arrival accordingly. How attentive.

“Yes, what a coincidence. More people make it more fun. Seems like we arrived just in time, right, Brother Yao?” Ruan Yuexi grinned at Shang Yao, elbowing his arm.

Shang Yao: “?” He seemed to wonder what she was imagining now.

Feng Yi loved lively gatherings, and with more people, he was even more excited. “By the way, there’s still one person who hasn’t arrived. He should be here by now,” he said, checking his watch.

“Beep beep.” A luxury car pulled up next to Shang Yao’s car.

“Huh? It’s Brother Yishen,” Feng Yi warmly welcomed Ye Yishen.

Ye Yishen, though not as handsome as Shang Yao, was still exceptionally attractive.

He smiled slightly, his expression somewhat cold and distant, yet not losing any elegance or nobility.

Ruan Yuexi was initially curious about who he was. Upon Feng Yi’s greeting, she was shocked. Ye Yishen? Isn’t he the third male lead in the novel? When the man got out of the car, she was even more astonished.

“Neighbor Wang?” Oops! She meant the young master from the villa next door. He was actually the third male lead, Ye Yishen, the yandere character?

Ruan Yuexi’s words made Ning Chen, who was drinking water, nearly choke. “Cough cough cough…” She always said the most shocking things.

Feng Yi: “??” The amount of information is a bit too much.

Shang Yao: “…Neighbor Wang?”

Ruan Yuexi, still immersed in the original plot, realized Shang Yao was asking her.

“Uh? I was just babbling. Isn’t Ye Yishen living in the villa next to ours?” Ruan Yuexi responded naturally.

She thought to herself that although he seemed dangerous, a yandere was still better than a psychopath like Shang Yao. At least he was much safer.

Shang Yao cast a cold glance at Ruan Yuexi but didn’t ask further.

Ye Yishen smiled at Ruan Yuexi, “We meet again.” He walked over to her.

He was tall, as tall as Shang Yao. Ruan Yuexi didn’t feel scared because she knew he could never be interested in her. In the original novel, the third male lead, Ye Yishen, was deeply in love with the female lead, Tang Qingqing.

“Yes, I haven’t had the chance to thank you personally for  last time,” Ruan Yuexi smiled brightly.

She didn’t notice Shang Yao’s cold, piercing gaze fixed on her. Ye Yishen was smiling, but his breathing was getting heavier, and his fingers were twitching as if restraining himself.

Just as he was about to say something, Shang Yao grabbed Ruan Yuexi’s hand, pulling her into his arms.

“Is there something I don’t know?” His low, husky voice sounded in her ear, the intense pheromones instantly overwhelming Ruan Yuexi.

She was stunned, her eyes wide with surprise, cheeks tinged with a blush, and lips slightly parted, tempting one to “explore.”

Shang Yao’s cold eyes darkened, his gaze finally resting on Ruan Yuexi’s enticing lips.

Ye Yishen’s fingers paused and then clenched into a fist. “It’s been a while, Shang Yao.”

Shang Yao’s cold gaze met Ye Yishen’s. Ruan Yuexi was speechless; these two were natural enemies. Once they both fell for the female lead, their “battles” would only intensify.

Ruan Yuexi took this opportunity to quickly break free from Shang Yao’s embrace, intending to put some distance between them. However, Shang Yao grabbed her by the collar.

“Where are you going?”

Ruan Yuexi jumped in place. “Brother Yao, aren’t we going to the scenic area? I can’t wait to go with you!” she explained, forcing a smile.

Only then did Shang Yao release her, striding towards the scenic area. Ruan Yuexi patted her collar, feeling annoyed by the male lead.

“I’ll go with Brother Yao first,” Ruan Yuexi said, bidding Ye Yishen goodbye.

Ye Yishen smiled back. “Alright, stay safe.”

Ruan Yuexi nodded. “See you later.” Then she hurried to catch up with Shang Yao, worried he might do something unexpected.

Tang Qingqing watched in disbelief as Shang Yao and Ruan Yuexi walked away. Brother Yao had actually held Ruan Yuexi, making Tang Qingqing feel a sense of loss.

Lu Yiliang’s gaze lingered on Ruan Yuexi, his gentle face revealing a hint of surprise.

“Brother Yao seems to have changed his attitude towards Ruan Yuexi.” Feng Yi remarked, touching his lips in confusion. He had never seen Shang Yao show interest in any woman before.

Ning Chen remained silent, watching Ruan Yuexi and Shang Yao’s departing figures with a deepening gaze.

Ye Yishen’s cold expression suddenly turned into a smile. There is still a long way to go, so why be afraid of this moment? Perhaps this will be more exciting.

Ruan Yuexi had no idea what these protagonists and supporting characters were thinking with their domineering and obsessive imaginations.

The current situation with Shang Yao was already enough for her to handle. “Brother Yao, I know your legs are super long, but could you slow down a bit?”

She was exhausted. Was this supposed to be a fun outing or a workout? She seriously suspected Shang Yao was messing with her.

Shang Yao stopped and looked at her sideways. “So slow,” he said coldly.

Ruan Yuexi felt a surge of anger but kept her face cheerful, smiling sweetly at him.

“Brother Yao, your legs are really long, and you walk so fast. I thought you were in a hurry to be reincarnated.” She couldn’t hold back any longer and decided to confront him.

Shang Yao stared at her. “You’re scolding me,” he said coldly.

Ruan Yuexi felt intimidated under his gaze. “Of course not! I like Brother Yao so much. I’ll stick with you in this life, the next life, and the one after that. Even if you turn to ashes, I’ll recognize you.”

Shang Yao: “…” He turned and walked even faster.

Ruan Yuexi quickly caught up, grabbing his hand and holding on tightly.

Shang Yao tried to shake her off. “Let go.”

Ruan Yuexi refused. “No, you walk too fast. You can either drag me along or carry me. Choose one.”

“If you don’t let go, you’ll face the consequences!”

“Fine, I’ll face them. Unless you slow down, you’ll have to drag me or carry me. Brother Yao, pick one,” Ruan Yuexi said, making a teasing face.

“You’re looking for trouble!” he warned through gritted teeth.

Ruan Yuexi was unfazed. “Trouble is better than exhaustion. You decide.”

Shang Yao: “…” He seemed completely at a loss for words.