Chapter 110: Official Announcement

"Yao, you wouldn't be scared, would you?"

Jiang Yao rolled her eyes. "Cheng Yanchi, don't you dare try to provoke me."

Admittedly, publicly announcing a relationship with Cheng Yanchi at this moment was the best way to distance herself from He Yunqing.

"Fine," she blurted out, relaxed and casual.

Cheng Yanchi hadn't expected her to agree so readily.

"I said, fine." Jiang Yao raised her voice and repeated it.

Only then did it register with Cheng Yanchi, and he broke into a radiant grin. He would have been happier if Jiang Yao were being serious, but regardless, he had taken a step closer to her.

"Give me your hand." He beckoned her over.

"What for?" Jiang Yao asked, even as she reached out.

To Jiang Yao, Cheng Yanchi had always been a close brother. While they didn't usually engage in deliberate physical contact, holding a brother's hand felt as natural as one's own hands touching.

Cheng Yanchi's hand was faintly warm. He clasped hers, hooked his index finger, pulled out his phone, and snapped a photo with a click before lowering his head to edit something.

"Cheesy," Jiang Yao remarked.

"It has to be cheesy to be effective; you don't understand," Cheng Yanchi said, his fingers flying across the screen without looking up.

"You're the one who understands so well that you've scared off every girl you've ever dated," Jiang Yao replied dismissively. When it came to public displays of affection, she certainly wouldn't concede that Cheng Yanchi knew what he was doing.

Yet, believe it or not, Cheng Yanchi actually pulled it off this time. A new post appeared on his social media account:

"Bored. Keyboard warriors, keep your distance from my girlfriend."

He then tagged Jiang Yao, accompanied by a picture of their interlaced fingers.

Jiang Yao stared at the post, stunned for half a minute.

"Hurry up and reply," Cheng Yanchi urged.

Helplessly, Jiang Yao thought for a moment and replied with a single red heart.

Although Cheng Yanchi wasn't a high-profile celebrity like He Yunqing, he had his own circle, and with the added weight of being the second young master of the Cheng family, the post spread quickly. The comments section began to swell.

"Is this a joke?"

"Is this Jiang Yao the same woman who was rumored to be with He Yunqing?"

"So, is she two-timing?"

"That can't be right, didn't He Yunqing already clear that up?"

"I don't think it's possible either. With Cheng Yanchi’s status, if she were two-timing, she would have been dumped long ago. Would they really announce it at a time like this?"

"I don't care who she's with, as long as she stays away from my idol."

In front of a large floor-to-ceiling window, He Yunqing held his phone, staring at Cheng Yanchi's post. His gaze lingered on the heart emoji Jiang Yao had posted, unable to pull away.

He had known Cheng Yanchi since they were young, but they had never been close; in fact, they were often rivals. So many times, he had never lost. Even when he was seriously injured, he had prevailed. But this time, he suddenly felt he had lost—lost completely.

"Yunqing." Eileen appeared behind him at some point. He Yunqing did not turn around.

"That Jiang Yao is at least sensible. This is for the best; don't ever contact her again, lest you get dragged into her mess."

He Yunqing frowned. "What do you mean, 'that Jiang Yao'?"

"Huh?" Eileen didn't catch his meaning.

He Yunqing turned around, looking at her sternly. "Is that how you refer to people? Eileen, where are your manners after all these years?"

"I..." Eileen was left speechless by his rebuke.

"Alright, Eileen," Auntie Yu said as she walked down the stairs gracefully. "Yunqing is in a bad mood, let's not bother him. Dinner is almost ready, come, let's sit."

Unlike He Yunqing, Eileen had no issues with Auntie Yu.

"I have things to do. I won't be eating." Seeing Auntie Yu only made He Yunqing feel more irritable. He strode out and slammed the door behind him.

Auntie Yu looked embarrassed, a sense of grievance washing over her as her eyes reddened slightly. This scene was witnessed by He Huaian, who had just come downstairs. He walked over to Auntie Yu, gently patted her shoulder to comfort her, and frowned in the direction He Yunqing had left. "That boy's temper!"

Jiang Yao hadn't been to the wedding planning agency for days. With the rumors spreading so wildly online, she could imagine the gossips at the office would devour her the moment she stepped in. She had taken a week off, wondering if she should look for a new job once the storm blew over. To avoid further suspicion, she hadn't even returned to her suburban villa, choosing to rent a different place instead.

On the morning the week ended, Jiang Yao opened her door to find Cheng Yanchi's car parked outside.

"Do you have anything on today?" he asked.

Jiang Yao spread her hands. "Thanks to you two, even if I did, I can't do anything lately."

Cheng Yanchi leaned against the car door. "Once this dies down, why don't you come work at the Cheng family firm?" The Cheng family business was vast, with departments in every sector; there was bound to be a role for her.

"We'll see," Jiang Yao said, eyeing his formal suit. "Do you have somewhere to be today?"

"Indeed," Cheng Yanchi gestured to the car. "I have to ask you to keep playing my girlfriend and accompany me to a birthday banquet. I’ll pay you."

Jiang Yao didn't hesitate and got into the car. "Wire the money directly to my account."

Cheng Yanchi clicked his tongue. "You certainly don't stand on ceremony."

"Good fences make good neighbors," Jiang Yao joked, emphasizing each word.

She didn't ask whose birthday it was, and Cheng Yanchi didn't elaborate. After all, having taken on the title of his girlfriend, it was only natural to play the part; as for whose party it was, she didn't care.

Cheng Yanchi first took her to several high-end fashion boutiques until he found an evening gown he was satisfied with. They had lunch together and then spent some time at an e-sports center. It wasn't until the car pulled up to the Golden Mansion that evening that Jiang Yao realized she was attending Jin Nana's birthday banquet.

Standing before the magnificent, palace-like building, Jiang Yao took a deep breath.

"Why didn't you say we were coming to her birthday party?"

"What's wrong? Do you know her?"

Jiang Yao shook her head, then nodded. Since she was already here, it wouldn't do to turn back now. Not going in would only make her look guilty.

"My father has been doing business with old man Jin lately. It's his favorite daughter's birthday, and my brother is too busy to make it, so he asked me to show our respects," Cheng Yanchi explained. "If you don't want to go in, we can leave."

"Let's go. Why not?" Jiang Yao waved her hand, acting unfazed. "I have nothing to hide, and having some good food won't hurt."