Pool Party

Ruan Yuexi complained with a grievance, causing Ning Chen and others to eagerly await the spectacle. Everyone speculated that Shang Yao would surely scold Ruan Yuexi again.

Several women leaned against their wealthy boyfriends, casting somewhat malicious glances at Ruan Yuexi.

Meanwhile, Tang Qingqing’s face was notably pale, but her gaze remained fixed on Ruan Yuexi, showing apparent concern for the interaction between Ruan Yuexi and Shang Yao.

Shang Yao exuded an astonishingly cold aura. “Let go,” he said coldly, staring fixedly at Ruan Yuexi, without any regard for the relationship between “husband and wife”..

At this moment, someone couldn’t help but laugh mockingly—It was the girl next to Ning Chen. Tang Qingqing seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, her mood visibly brightening.

Lu Yiliang lowered his eyes, gracefully leaning against the sofa, pushing his glasses slightly.

Ruan Yuexi didn’t mind his cold demeanor. Instead, she leaned closer to Shang Yao’s ear and whispered softly, “If you beg me, I’ll let go.”

Her warm breath brushed against Shang Yao’s ear, her tender lips almost touching his earlobe, sending tingles down his spine.

Shang Yao visibly froze for a few seconds, captivated by the enchanting beauty leaning against his side, her alluring figure and seductive charm catching everyone’s attention.

Ruan Yuexi hadn’t really thought through this, acting impulsively. Although she wanted to play the victim, she couldn’t afford to lose too much face.

“Brother Yao?” Ruan Yuexi shook him twice as he continued to stare at her.

Shang Yao’s jade-like face stiffened, and he coldly withdrew his gaze. Her remark about “making him beg to let go” had already faded into a trance.

Ruan Yuexi was surprised. He wasn’t angry? Could it be that he wasn’t that twisted yet?

“I don’t want to hear your voice anymore.” Shang yao warned Ruan Yuexi coldly, showing no interest or mood to deal with her.

Before Ruan Yuexi could respond, a sneering laugh interrupted her. It was Ning Chen?

“Did a pig choke you?” Unexpectedly, Ruan Yuexi retorted. Laughing at her? Looking for trouble?

Ning Chen: “…”  But I didn’t say anything yet? Can’t even laugh?

“Hahaha… choked by a pig… If you can talk, say more.” Zhao Yi was once again amused by her words.

Feng Yi couldn’t help but smile. He didn’t expect Ruan Yuexi to be quite entertaining.

Ruan Yuexi glanced at Ning Chen, who was left speechless by her retort, leaving other women hesitant to speak for fear of being targeted by her.

However, Lu Yiliang remained seated gracefully, seemingly equally disdainful of Ruan Yuexi.

This party was centered around games by the pool, and soon all the women except Ruan Yuexi had changed into swimsuits.

Seeing the scene, Ruan Yuexi regretted not wearing a casual home attire instead. She had expected a sophisticated dance and drinks party like those on TV, not a pool party.

She rolled her eyes, feeling a bit out of place. Soon after, even Ning Chen and his friends changed. Some wore shorts and T-shirts to maintain dignity, while others opted for just shorts.

Ruan Yuexi scrutinized Shang Yao from head to toe. “Brother Yao, why haven’t you changed?”

Ignoring Ruan Yuexi, Shang Yao refused to engage with her. Ruan Yuexi shrugged and decided not to push it. If he didn’t care, she wouldn’t force it. She could always torment him from behind.

With her poor abuse value at 2, she had to find an opportunity to be miserable to increase the abuse value.

“Why aren’t you in a swimsuit, Ruan Yuexi?” Ning Chen casually walked up to her in shorts, feigning indifference.

Ruan Yuexi stared at Ning Chen for a moment, then covered her eyes silently. “I’m afraid of the cold.” She was even more afraid of the stinging eyes.

Feeling insulted by her behavior, Ning Chen retorted, “What do you mean? Are my eight-pack abs bothering you?”

Ruan Yuexi glanced at him again and said nonchalantly, “Sure, sure, you’re handsome. Can you stay away from me?”

Although Ning Chen was indeed handsome, exuding youthful charm, everyone preferred types like Shang Yao and Lu Yiliang.

“You!” Ning Chen felt slighted. Weren’t all the women just swooning over him earlier?

Shang Yao sipped his red wine, his cold gaze fixed in a certain direction. Tang Qingqing was shyly wearing a conservative swimsuit, while behind her, Lu Yiliang in white shorts seemed intentionally, or unintentionally, focused on Tang Qingqing, his eyes showing a hint of heat.

Ruan Yuexi also noticed Tang Qingqing and Lu Yiliang. Tang Qingqing in her swimsuit indeed had a pitiable charm, the type men liked and wanted to cherish.

Ning Chen was so annoyed by Ruan Yuexi that he started doubting his own physique, completely oblivious to Tang Qingqing.

Quietly, Ruan Yuexi looked towards Shang Yao, noticing him staring at Tang Qingqing. He was probably starting to take an interest in her. Even among these men, she was sure Tang Qingqing was quite likable.

Feng Yi had already started enjoying himself with the other women nearby.

Music played by the poolside, and the lights combined with the seaside scenery created a refreshing atmosphere.

“Brother Yao, why haven’t you changed?” Ruan Yuexi leaned close to Shang Yao.

Ning Chen, in a huff, wasn’t in the mood to play anymore. Sitting beside Ruan Yuexi, he glared at her from time to time.

Shang Yao’s cold, handsome face carried a warning beneath, and Ruan Yuexi understood his gaze meant she shouldn’t expect any compassion from him due to her beauty. He detested her.

Grinning, Ruan Yuexi said to him, “Brother Yao, your figure is so good. You could easily outshine them all. I’ve never even seen you naked.”

“Shameless,” Shang Yao’s jade-like face darkened further, clearly irritated by Ruan Yuexi.

“Brother Yao, as husband and wife, we should be ‘open and frank’ with each other. I don’t mind,” Ruan Yuexi blinked at him.

“I mind,” Shang Yao replied coldly.

Ning Chen, listening nearby, chuckled. “Ruan Yuexi, you’re too lustful. Brother Yao will be eaten by you sooner or later.”

Ruan Yuexi earnestly assessed Shang Yao, “Desire is emptiness, emptiness is desire. But Brother Yao looks so delicious.”

“Hey, are you even a woman?” Ning Chen teased, taken aback by her boldness.

“Do I look like a man to you?” Ruan Yuexi countered, turning to Ning Chen.

Ning Chen stared at her flawless beauty for several seconds, then pretended to look disdainful as he turned his head away.

Ignoring him, Ruan Yuexi continued to pester Shang Yao, ” Brother Yao, do you have abs? Or chest hair? Even if you have hairy legs, I wouldn’t mind. I like everything about you.”

“Ruan Yuexi!” Shang Yao growled lowly, full of anger.

“Huh? Brother Yao, are you moved? My goodness, even your eyes are turning red!” Ruan Yuexi exclaimed excitedly.

Ning Chen snorted. Was he moved? He was just plain irritated.

“Could you please be quiet for a while?” Shang Yao seemed on the verge of exploding, glaring fiercely at Ruan Yuexi, his eyes devoid of any warmth.

Quickly covering her mouth, Ruan Yuexi shook her head, trying to appease him. Ning Chen watched her with a mix of amusement and a hint of sympathy.

“Hey, want to go grab something to eat?” Ning Chen awkwardly asked the “emotionally depressed” Ruan Yuexi.

“Sure!” Ruan Yuexi suddenly perked up, her eyes sparkling at Ning Chen.

Ning Chen: “… “ He can’t stand this.

Thus, the snack area at the pool party was left to just Ruan Yuexi and Ning Chen. Shang Yao didn’t mind where Ruan Yuexi went at all; she was completely absent from his eyes throughout.

At that moment, Ruan Yuexi’s eyes were solely focused on the delicious treats laid out before her. Scooping up a spoonful of cake, she found it incredibly sweet.

Ning Chen ate only a few bites before losing interest, but he found watching Ruan Yuexi eating so joyously quite entertaining.

“Is it really that good?” he asked as she couldn’t stop eating.

Ruan Yuexi nodded, “Absolutely delicious.” She reached for another treat and popped it into her mouth.

Chuckling, Ning Chen placed his drink beside her. “Be careful not to choke.”

“Mmm, thanks,” mumbled Ruan Yuexi, taking a gulp of her drink.

Ning Chen shook his head helplessly, glancing over at Shang Yao seated nearby with Tang Qingqing and Lu Yiliang. Shang Yao’s expression had visibly softened, at least compared to when he was with Ruan Yuexi.

“Do you really like Shang Yao so much? Aren’t you angry about him humiliating you the other day?” Ning Chen asked.

Swallowing a mouthful of cake, Ruan Yuexi replied, “As long as Brother Yao looks at me a little more, it’s fine. Even if he… hates me, even if he has another woman in the future, I’m willing to stay with him for life.”

Ning Chen’s expression softened slightly, touched by her words. He looked towards Shang Yao, who was conversing with Tang Qingqing.

Ruan Yuexi, out of the corner of her eye, noticed his distraction and quickly ate several bites of cake. Later on, she wouldn’t be able to eat anything to maintain the abuse value.

“So that day, he embarrassed me in front of so many people for another woman. No matter how hurt I am, I can’t bear to lose Brother Yao,” she said.

Ning Chen’s eyes softened as he glanced at her downturned face. Her eyes, which had just sparkled from eating, now dimmed noticeably.

“Brother Yao has always been like this. You don’t have to be so sad. Sometimes letting go is also a form of love.” Ning Chen knew Shang Yao would never change his heart towards Ruan Yuexi, so he kindly advised her to leave him.

Ruan Yuexi took a deep breath, seeming to struggle to stabilize her emotions. “I know, but what can I do? As long as I can see him, no matter how he treats me, I am willing to endure,” she said, her voice choked with emotion. She felt like she might vomit if she continued with such cheesy lines just to increase the drama value.

Ning Chen felt pity for her. Falling in love with Shang Yao, who was known to be ruthless, was indeed pitiful.

“Why bother?” he asked softly.

Ruan Yuexi shook her head gently. “It’s okay, I can bear it.” She turned slightly and gave him a sorrowful smile.

Ning Chen was momentarily stunned by her pale face, which moments ago had been enjoying the cake so much.

“You’re not that bad,” he said, feeling a slight sympathy for her.

“Thank you for comforting me. I… I need to use the restroom,” Ruan Yuexi said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Without waiting for Ning Chen’s response, she turned and hurried out of the pool area.

Ning Chen’s gaze followed her fleeing figure. “Sigh…” He shouldn’t have asked her while she was eating. He didn’t expect her love for Shang Yao to run so deep.

Inadvertently, he noticed that the side table, which had been full of cakes and snacks, was now half-empty…

Ning Chen: “?”