Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Feed by Mouth
In the Qingchuan Clubhouse, Jiang Yuan and Ye Yan entered a private room together, where seven or eight men and women were already seated, all friends of Jiang Yuan and somewhat influential figures in Ao City.
"Inside are all my buddies, give me some face, I promise not to make a scene at your hospital."
Jiang Yuan had shown her the banners prepared in his car earlier; if she refused, he would indeed make it known to everyone.
She had seen medical disputes involving banners and wreath deliveries, but if Jiang Yuan were to bring such confession banners to the hospital, she would definitely lose face.
There were many who had pursued her in the past, most of whom were polite, and occasionally there were some arrogant ones, but due to their status, nobody would do something so crazy.
It could be said that Jiang Yuan took the phrase "shameless" to the extreme.
"Mr. Jiang, I will eat this meal, but please also keep your promise."
"Don't worry, Dr. Ye cares about face, and so do I," replied Jiang Yuan readily.
Someone stood up in the room: "Mr. Jiang, you actually managed to bring the beauty over?"
"Mr. Jiang really has good taste, such looks and temperament, even movie stars can't compare."
Jiang Yuan said with a smile, "This is Dr. Ye, she's a PhD, a person of beauty and talent."
He pulled Ye Yan to sit down on the sofa and poured her a clean glass of alcohol.
Ye Yan's expression remained cold, "The hospital has rules, no drinking."
"Then have some food, what would you like? I'll order for you," Jiang Yuan was very attentive.
"No need, I'll just sit for a while and leave."
Jiang Yuan's expression fell slightly, but he still maintained a smile, "How can you not eat anything? I'll casually order."
Soon, a waiter brought over a variety of snacks and drinks, setting a dazzling array on the table.
"Mr. Jiang really spoils his girlfriend," a woman said sarcastically, "You practically ordered straight off the menu."
"Our Mr. Jiang used to be a ladies' man, when did he become so thoughtful?"
"With such a beautiful girlfriend, if you don't pamper her, she might belong to someone else tomorrow."
Beautiful women in their circle were like Ferris wheels; as one stepped off, another stepped on, it was not unusual for them to be passed around, and the successors were never as good as the last.
Lions share their finished meals with wolves, wolves pass them to foxes, and by the time they reach stray dogs, probably only bones are left.
Jiang Yuan enjoyed the teasing from the crowd, having a beautiful and highly educated companion by his side greatly boosted his ego.
He picked up a piece of fried chicken with a small silver fork and held it to Ye Yan's mouth, this feeding gesture provoking laughter from the bystanders.
Ye Yan glanced indifferently, "I'm sorry, I don't eat high-calorie food at night."
The expression on Jiang Yuan's face froze, clearly unhappy at being put down.
Someone shouted from the side: "Mr. Jiang, if she won't eat from a fork, feed her with your mouth."
"She's just waiting for you to feed her with your mouth."
Amidst the laughter, Jiang Yuan bit the chicken piece, held Ye Yan's head with his large hand, and forcefully turned her toward himself.
Ye Yan was shocked, her composure slipped, "Mr. Jiang, what are you doing?"
With the chicken still in his mouth, Jiang Yuan's speech was unclear, but Ye Yan understood him perfectly, "Ye Yan, in front of so many people, don't make me lose face."
His eyes carried a clear threat and warning, as if he would not let the matter rest if she didn't eat.
"Mr. Jiang, you've gone too far." Agreeing to attend the dinner was already her bottom line, simply to avoid further unreasonable harassment and becoming the subject of gossip for others.
But Jiang Yuan had evidently broken his word, and he wanted to play even bigger.
Ye Yan struggled, but Jiang Yuan was relentless, forcefully trying to feed her fried chicken.
A loud "bang" sounded as someone kicked open the door to the private room, and Jiang Yuan's movement abruptly stopped.
Ye Yan looked toward the doorway where, bathed in backlight, stood a man's tall figure, partly lazy and partly noble. He seemed to walk in the moonlight, but his presence scattered a boundless cold sharpness that chilled to the bone.
Ye Yan hadn't expected Fu Xingzhou to come, especially while she was caught in such an awkward pose, almost as if she was soliciting a kiss from Jiang Yuan.
More than once, she had bumped into Fu Xingzhou with other women. How did he manage to keep his composure, as placid as water?
It must be because he has a thick skin.
Ye Yan took the opportunity to push Jiang Yuan away.
"I can't be seeing things, right? Is that Mr. Fu?" People in the room began to stand up, competing to see who could be more obsequious.
Jiang Yuan also hurried forward, "What wind has blown Mr. Fu here? Please, have a seat."
Fu Xingzhou often frequented the Qingchuan Clubhouse to squander money, but his cohort was from the top of the pyramid—a whole different level from Jiang Yuan and his associates.
Occasionally, Jiang Yuan would see him at the Clubhouse, surrounded by bodyguards and a crowd, never daring to approach and make small talk.
Without a word, Fu Xingzhou walked in with long strides and casually sat down next to Ye Yan.
Jiang Yuan caught a glance and didn't dare to make a peep.
For someone as stunning as Ye Yan, it wasn't surprising that Fu Xingzhou would take an interest in her. He even pondered that, should Fu Xingzhou show the slightest interest in her, he would immediately give her up.
The bodyguard took out a cigarette case and presented it with both hands.
Fu Xingzhou pulled out a cigarette, and immediately someone reached for a lighter to light it for him.
Instead, he turned his head to look at the woman beside him, his narrow eyes seemingly shrouded in mist, obscure. "Miss, do you know how to light a cigarette?"
Ye Yan couldn't fathom his thoughts or predict his mood—his fury and affection both flickered in an instant.
But regardless of his current state of mind, Ye Yan found his presence here inexplicably comforting.
In a way, Fu Xingzhou and Jiang Yuan belonged to the same kind of people, but Fu Xingzhou never made her feel disgusted.
"I do." Ye Yan skillfully reached into his trouser pocket, knowing his habits well—his heavy smoking meant there was usually a lighter there.
Her warm, soft hand brushing through the thin fabric was like striking a flame. Even that brief touch deepened the man's brows, as if his desire beneath was barely contained.
Ye Yan pulled out the lighter, feeling the cool metal and its engraved pattern against her palm.
She had never lit a cigarette for him before. Now, pressing her thumb against the flint wheel, a flame sparked to life. She was about to bring it closer when he leaned in, igniting his cigarette himself.
The cool lips held the pale cigarette; he took a drag, and the robust tobacco flavor couldn't mask the yearning in his eyes.
There she was, looking up at him with her porcelain face, like a wronged little kitten finally back in her master's arms, the sharp claws gone, only using her soft pads to silently seek favor.
The fire inside Fu Xingzhou grew even more intense.
This simple act of lighting a cigarette between them caused various expressions among the onlookers.
Even someone unattainable, perched high up in the echelons of power, would bend down before a young woman?
They thought that this time, Jiang Yuan might just ride the coattails of his new girlfriend to success.
"Miss Ye, what are you standing there for? Get the ashtray for Mr. Fu," someone boldly tried to make an impression.
Ye Yan was slightly startled.
He smoked at home, and she always complained about him polluting the air—when had she ever fetched him an ashtray?
Fu Xingzhou suddenly lifted his gaze and gave that person a look, "You, come here."