Chapter 37

“Nothing much, just that Zhao Qingqing was caught by people in the compound meeting someone for a date tonight.”

Ye Yao stretched lazily, feeling a bit sleepy. However, after walking for so long, her whole body was sweaty and sticky, making her feel uncomfortable.

Zhang Qiufeng’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you saying that Qingqing went on a date? She already has a boyfriend?”

After snapping back to reality, her focus was completely misplaced.

Ye Yao nodded. This matter would likely spread everywhere by tomorrow. Rather than letting her hear about it from others and be caught off guard, it was better for her to know now. Plus, Ye Yao could use this chance to prepare her mentally.

“But what’s so surprising about this?”

Zhao Qingqing was already nineteen years old. Having a boyfriend was perfectly normal.

Zhang Qiufeng remained confused.

“Her boyfriend is Li Yukun.”

Ye Yao’s words made Zhang Qiufeng, who was sweeping the kang bed, freeze in place.

She stared at Ye Yao in disbelief, even doubting her own ears.

“You didn’t hear wrong. It’s Li Yukun.”

Ye Yao repeated herself as if she had guessed what Zhang Qiufeng was thinking.

Zhang Qiufeng’s voice trembled. “Which Li Yukun?”

Ye Yao was amused by her exaggerated and shocked expression. “Who else could it be?”

“Yaoyao, you’re joking, right? Qingqing with him? But isn’t he supposed to be with you…?”

“Mom, there was never anything between me and Li Yukun. Besides, why would he even like me? The one he truly likes is Zhao Qingqing. I don’t know who started the rumors about us, but tonight, the neighbors caught them together. From now on, our ears can finally be at peace.”

In other words, this was a good thing.

That was the message Ye Yao wanted to convey to Zhang Qiufeng.

It took Zhang Qiufeng a full five minutes to process everything she had just heard.

But she still found it unbelievable. Zhao Qingqing and Li Yukun seemed like two completely unrelated people.

And yet now…

“Mom, all you need to know is that I never liked Li Yukun. It’s late. I’m going to wash up and sleep.”

“Yaoyao, tell me the truth. You had nothing to do with this, right?”

Zhang Qiufeng finally spoke, watching Ye Yao as she reached the door.

Even though she wasn’t good at handling social situations or conflicts, that didn’t mean she was clueless.

Thinking about everything from beginning to end, she felt an overwhelming sense of unease.

Ye Yao paused briefly while lifting the curtain, then turned back to look at her.

“Of course not.”

“If you say no, then no. I believe you.”

Zhang Qiufeng almost had to summon all her courage to say that.

Ye Yao clenched her grip on the curtain tightly but didn’t say another word.

—

“Li Cheng, what’s going on outside? Why were you gone for so long?”

When Li Cheng returned home, Li Guoxiong and Shen Yun were waiting for him. The moment he stepped in, they hurriedly questioned him.

“Nothing, just a ridiculous drama.”

Li Cheng didn’t even feel like explaining. It was an absurd situation, and it had nothing to do with them.

The couple exchanged a glance. Although they were curious, since he had put it that way, it meant they didn’t need to know.

Li Guoxiong put down the newspaper in his hands and gestured to Shen Yun and Li Cheng.

“As long as it’s nothing serious. It’s late. Go to bed.”

—

In the silent night, some were happy while others were miserable.

Wang Guihua’s sighs, complaints, and furious outbursts mixed with Zhao Qingqing’s sobbing.

The sounds continued for a long, long time…