Wen Yan’s fingernails dug into her palm.
But soon, she raised a smile and sincerely apologized to Leng Bai Rui.
Given her earnest attitude, Leng Bai Rui couldn’t say much more, especially since Leng Xun Ze had already turned and left, clearly unwilling to meddle further. She could only glare at Wen Yan and follow her brother.
Once they were gone, everyone immediately began to comfort Wen Yan, chattering, “Don’t be too sad. Miss Leng is just like that. She’s the only daughter, spoiled by the Leng family.”
“Yes, I’m telling you, both of the Leng family’s sons have had their power stripped. Although Leng Bai Rui is also her stepfather’s child, she’s not involved in the family’s interests, so Master Leng has a good relationship with her. It’s best to just let this little thing slide and not escalate things.”
Wen Yan listened to everyone’s comforting words, a smile on her lips, “I understand, thank you, sisters.”
Her obedient and gentle demeanor endeared her to many.
Bai Quan, however, quickly came to find Wen Yan. She had seen Leng Xun Ze and was utterly shocked. She never dreamed her good friend’s husband was the heir to the prestigious Leng family in the capital. Learning of their divorce, she felt even more heartbroken for Wen Yan.
“Men are all the same, not worth much. It’s most important for us women to build our own careers,” Bai Quan said.
Wen Yan nodded, “Mm.”
“But it’s really infuriating. You took such good care of him back in Hai Cheng, and then as soon as he became the eldest young master of the Leng family, he divorced you. Men really can’t be relied upon.”
Wen Yan didn’t elaborate on the complicated details and simply agreed, “Right.”
“Hmph, we need to start our own businesses. Once we have money, we can have any man we want.”
“Exactly. There are so many young, handsome men out there. What’s the point of clinging to an old man at home?” Wen Yan actually said this for Bai Quan’s sake.
But as soon as the words left her mouth, she noticed Bai Quan’s expression change.
Thinking she had said the wrong thing.
“Bai…”
As soon as she called out, Bai Quan suddenly coughed and said, “President Leng.”
This familiar yet strange address sent a shiver down Wen Yan’s spine.
Without turning around, she knew the oppressive presence behind her belonged to him.
Seeing his expression, Bai Quan quickly left, leaving them alone in a secluded corner.
The silence was so profound that one could almost hear each other’s breathing.
Wen Yan took a deep breath, turned around, and looked at the man, smiling brightly, “Long time no see.”
Now, up close, his exceptionally handsome face was even more striking, making everything around him fade into insignificance.
Paired with that suit.
Tsk, tsk, tsk, wasn’t this the epitome of a domineering CEO?
“Indeed, it has been a long time,” he said, looking down at her from his nearly 1.9-meter height, his sexy lips curving into what seemed like a sneer. “Why are you here?”
His expression implied she shouldn’t be there.
With a hint of disdain.
Wen Yan shrugged, “Since I’ve reached a certain age, I should get out more.”
Whether it was her imagination or not, the man’s breathing seemed to tighten, and his magnetic voice turned cold, “You’re really just like you were before.”
Wen Yan continued to smile faintly, “Yes, so it’s fortunate President Leng divorced me. Otherwise, I don’t know how much I would have been wronged.”
She turned to leave.
But her wrist was tightly gripped, and with a pull, she was suddenly pressed against the wall, his warm breath engulfing her.
Wen Yan’s eyes widened, and she looked at the enlarged handsome face in front of her in disbelief.
How could he…
Didn’t he despise her the most?
A minute passed with agonizing slowness. Afterward, Wen Yan wiped her lips and looked at him angrily. His expression remained calm, his handsome face distant and abstinent, showing no trace of the man who had just acted so roughly.
“What are you doing?” Wen Yan asked, annoyed.
“Since you’ve said it like that, what’s wrong with me kissing you a couple of times?”
He was punishing her!
Wen Yan was furious and refused to back down, “I don’t like to revisit the past. The past is the past. Aren’t new people more charming than old ones?”
She deliberately provoked him, but Leng Xun Ze remained expressionless and said calmly, “You can try.”
With that, he left.
Wen Yan’s anger flared even more.
She didn’t understand how Leng Xun Ze had become like this, kissing her so wantonly and humiliating her.
Taking a deep breath, she dismissed it as a minor incident and returned to the banquet.
This banquet had helped her build quite a network. Wen Yan’s styling and fashion design studio finally opened. She hired an assistant, a male college graduate who was very meticulous and had excellent design skills.
One day, Aunt Liu cheerfully found her.
“Yan Yan, everyone has been praising the styling you did for me last time. I truly love it. Your prices are reasonable, and your designs are excellent. I’ve introduced you to a friend. Do you have time today? I want you to do her styling.”
Wen Yan checked her schedule, “Yes, I can. I’ll push back my afternoon appointments.”
Aunt Liu happily clasped her hand.
On the way, she kept introducing her friend:
“I’m telling you, if she weren’t my childhood friend, I wouldn’t have introduced you to her. You are truly the most satisfactory stylist I’ve ever had. I was even afraid someone else might steal my thunder. This girl has very high standards, but I believe you can definitely satisfy her.”
“Mm, since Aunt Liu says so, I will definitely give it my all,” Wen Yan smiled.
The car slowly drove into a luxurious manor. Wen Yan was momentarily stunned. Were this family so wealthy?
After a ten-minute drive along a gravel path, admiring the exotic flowers and plants on both sides, they finally arrived at a large courtyard with a fountain. Opposite was a mansion that resembled a castle, grand and majestic, much like the palaces of European royalty.
Although Wen Yan had interacted with many wealthy people recently, she was still surprised, but she didn’t show it much. She entered the mansion with Aunt Liu.
The interior decoration was luxurious and unique, exuding aristocratic elegance everywhere.
The butler greeted them.
“Madam is upstairs. I’ll take you up.”
The second floor was the bedroom. They walked to the room at the very end. The butler knocked, “Madam, they’re here.”
A cold, low voice came from inside, “Come in.”
A dignified and elegant woman appeared before Wen Yan. She was sitting at a vanity table, with a large floor-to-ceiling window beside her, overlooking the beautiful surroundings.
Over forty, she looked at most in her early thirties, exuding a cold, noble aura.
It was clear at a glance that she was a formidable figure.
Wen Yan greeted her warmly.
Aunt Liu smiled and held her hand, “Take a look, this is the styling designer I told you about.”
The woman’s gaze swept over Wen Yan, with a hint of surprise. Aunt Liu immediately said, “Don’t let her youth fool you, she’s very talented. She runs her own studio and her designs are much better than those of stylists who charge tens of millions. Have her give it a try.”
Then she addressed Wen Yan, “Take a look and tell me how you plan to style me.”
Wen Yan stepped forward. The woman spoke first, “My requirement is that you only use the clothes here for styling and design, and only these tools.”
There weren’t many cosmetics on the vanity, but they were quite complete.
Aunt Liu frowned, “Why are you being so demanding? She can do a better job for you with her own tools!”
“I can do it, Aunt Liu,” Wen Yan smiled gently. “Then, I’ll wait for you to get ready before starting.”
“No need, you can start now,” she said, lying down and closing her eyes.
A distant and cold aura emanated from her.
It gave Wen Yan a fleeting sense of familiarity.
She began her work, starting with styling. The work was meticulous and took two hours. Afterward, she went to the walk-in closet to select suitable clothes to match.
Every item here was high-end, haute couture.
Limited editions that were rarely seen on the market appeared ordinary here.
Wen Yan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: It’s good to be rich!
She chose the clothes and stepped out, only to unexpectedly bump into someone.