On The Night I Confirmed My Girlfriend's Infidelity, I Kissed Her Sister (GL) - Chapter 16: Entwined Breaths

When Fu Chaoying awoke from her dream, daylight had already flooded the room.

The dream had been like a silent downpour, leaving her dazed and slow to return to reality.

She had dreamed of running through darkness, the growls of beasts behind her, with no one by her side—her mother, her grandmother, even Ye Jiayuan were nothing but fleeting shadows. Not a single person had reached out to pull her back.

“Jiayuan-jie…” She had stretched out her hand in the dream, but the other woman had only watched coldly, as distant and untouchable as a painting on the wall.

Endless fear and loneliness had swallowed her whole.

It was as though there was no one left in the world to hold her hand, no one to pull her into an embrace and warm her with their body heat.

She had woken up crying, her pillow damp with tears. Fortunately, the morning light in reality had chased away the nightmare’s gloom.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains at seven o’clock. Fu Chaoying rubbed her eyes and got up to wash her face.

When she stepped out of the guest bedroom, she saw Ye Jiayuan already seated on the wicker chair on the balcony, reviewing documents in the morning light—who knew what time she had returned last night.

“Morning,” Ye Jiayuan’s voice was still cool, but with a faint, almost imperceptible softness.

The corners of Fu Chaoying’s lips lifted slightly. “Good morning, jie.”

The two of them went to a restaurant for breakfast together.

Ye Jiayuan noticed the faint dark circles under Fu Chaoying’s eyes. “Did you not rest well last night?”

“It’s fine, just had a lot of dreams,” Fu Chaoying replied lightly, her tone obedient but carrying a hint of probing.

“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself,” Ye Jiayuan said softly, her words laced with the kind of concern one might expect from an ordinary older sister next door.

But that wasn’t what Fu Chaoying wanted—not a neighborly older sister.

A ripple of emotion flashed by, but Fu Chaoying smoothly changed the subject, talking about the day’s schedule. First, signing the contract with Yunji, then visiting a Chinese painter who resided in Old Singapore.

In the afternoon, of course, they would head to Xingye for the shareholders’ meeting.

Ye Jiayuan listened and nodded, adding at the end, “You can contact Liu Xin directly when the time comes.”

Her tone was calm, yet it left no room for refusal.

As breakfast neared its end, Fu Chaoying casually brought up, “How is Sister Jingyuan doing?”

Ye Jiayuan shook her head. “The housekeeper arranged for someone to take her home last night.”

The implication was clear—she didn’t know how Qu Jingyuan was doing afterward.

So, Ye Jiayuan hadn’t gone to see Qu Jingyuan last night. Then where had she gone? If it really was just overtime work, why had she left in such a hurry?

–

In the morning, after signing the contract with Yunji and reposting the official announcement on Weibo, Fu Chaoying went to visit the Chinese female painter her aunt had introduced her to—the elderly Madam Bai Youqing.

Bai Youqing was an old acquaintance of Fu Chaoying’s grandmother, Fu Li. She chatted with Fu Chaoying for a long time, reminiscing about everything related to Fu Li’s life. The affection in her words made Fu Chaoying feel a deep sense of warmth and familiarity.

Throughout their conversation, not a single word was mentioned about business. Fu Chaoying let go of her original purpose and simply indulged in the nostalgia with the elderly woman.

After lunch, Fu Chaoying excused herself under the pretense of other matters.

“Going to Xingye? Perfect timing,” Bai Youqing said, quickly asking the housekeeper to fetch a can of tea leaves. “Take this to Xiao Yuan for me—it’s her favorite.”

Surprised that Bai Youqing also had a connection with Ye Jiayuan, Fu Chaoying smiled. “Of course, thank you, Grandma Bai.”

As she accepted the tea, Fu Chaoying’s eyes curved with amusement, but she couldn’t resist bringing up the business matter. “Actually, I came today hoping to discuss—”

Noticing the figure of Ye Jiayuan’s assistant in the distance, the elderly woman smiled kindly. “I’ll give you a contact. You can discuss it with her.”

Fu Chaoying quickly thanked her, only to hear the woman add, “I’ve already spoken to her about it.”

So that was how it was.

Fu Chaoying waved goodbye and got into the car heading to Xingye.

Holding the can of tea, she casually asked Liu Xin, “Assistant Liu, do you often work overtime?”

“We do, usually accompanying President Ye to events,” Liu Xin explained with a smile. “But it’s always compensated.”

“How late does overtime usually go?” Fu Chaoying pressed gently, her voice soft but her gaze intent.

“Never past nine.”

Then Ye Jiayuan hadn’t left last night for work?

Preoccupied, Fu Chaoying simply echoed Liu Xin’s words. “That sounds exhausting.”

Liu Xin shook her head lightly. “President Ye has it harder. I heard she rushed back to the company to work overtime last night.”

So Ye Jiayuan really had gone to work.

Unconsciously, Fu Chaoying let out a sigh of relief, the weight in her heart finally lifting.

A faint smile tugged at her lips, unable to hide her relief. “Is she always this busy?”

Liu Xin nodded emphatically and turned to smile at her. “Yes, too busy for romance. Many people want to introduce potential partners to President Ye.”

Fu Chaoying’s heart fluttered slightly. She lowered her head to conceal her emotions, but her mind began racing.

–

Upon arriving at Xingye International Tower, Fu Chaoying was taken directly to the executive elevator by Liu Xin.

“The shareholders’ meeting isn’t until 3:30. President Ye asked me to let you rest first.”

Under the sidelong glances of others, Fu Chaoying followed Liu Xin straight to the CEO’s office, stopping at Ye Jiayuan’s door.

“President Ye is still in a meeting. Please come in and wait.” Liu Xin opened the door for her, revealing a familiar sight—a painting she recognized immediately.

It was the ink wash painting she had given Ye Jiayuan.

Fu Chaoying was momentarily lost in thought when she heard Liu Xin exclaim, “You painted this? It’s wonderful.”

Her gaze fixed on the signature. Even though she couldn’t make it out clearly, she remembered using vermilion to sign it—Fu Chaoying.

Ye Jiayuan had boldly displayed it in her office.

If hanging oil paintings was for adding color, what about this ink wash painting? Was it to complement the office’s minimalist and sophisticated style, or was there deeper meaning?

“When was this hung?” Fu Chaoying couldn’t help but ask.

“Right after she returned. It’s the first time I’ve seen President Ye so fond of a painting,” Liu Xin replied succinctly yet firmly.

Fu Chaoying’s heart skipped a beat, her mind swirling with countless thoughts. Just as she was lost in contemplation, the sound of the door handle turning snapped her back to reality.

She looked up, only to see Qu Jingyuan standing there—

“Little sister is here.”

Fu Chaoying nodded politely. “Hello, President Qu.”

Qu Jingyuan walked straight up to her, teasing, “Why not call me Sister Jingyuan?”

“We’re at the company,” Fu Chaoying replied smoothly.

Qu Jingyuan didn’t press further, simply taking a seat on the single sofa across from her.

Fu Chaoying didn’t look at the painting again, but from the corner of her eye, she noticed Qu Jingyuan studying it intently.

“This painting is quite different from you,” Qu Jingyuan remarked casually.

Ignoring the implied jab, Fu Chaoying replied, “Inspiration is always full of surprises.”

Their conversation meandered without depth.

Qu Jingyuan teased, “Your painting is indeed understated—perfect for hanging here.”

A veiled insult about the painting’s lack of value.

Fu Chaoying’s smile didn’t waver. She was about to retort when Ye Jiayuan’s voice came from the doorway—

“What are you doing here?”

Fu Chaoying turned to see Ye Jiayuan standing at the entrance, clad in a deep blue suit that exuded power and elegance. Her gaze was calm yet sharp, fixed on Qu Jingyuan.

“Waiting for you to go to the meeting together,” Qu Jingyuan replied playfully, her tone laced with flirtation.

Ye Jiayuan didn’t spare her another glance, simply gesturing lightly to Fu Chaoying. “Let’s go.”

Fu Chaoying quickly moved to her side, while Qu Jingyuan walked on the other.

Qu Jingyuan and Ye Jiayuan were clearly close, their rapport natural—as if nothing had happened the night before.

Fu Chaoying’s eyes dimmed slightly.

In the conference room, Fu Chaoying sat beside Ye Jiayuan, overwhelmed by her commanding presence.

The room was filled with shareholders, many older and more experienced than Ye Jiayuan, yet they listened to her with bated breath, showing utmost respect.

Sitting beside her, Fu Chaoying suddenly felt an intangible pressure.

Ye Jiayuan introduced her with formal tone: “This is our new shareholder, Fu Chaoying.”

Amidst enthusiastic applause, Fu Chaoying stood and gave a slight bow to the crowd.

A faint smile lingered on Fu Chaoying’s lips as she spent the entire meeting stealing glances at her profile.

Yet inexplicably, her mind flashed to those two paintings—one hung in the study, the other in the office—along with countless fleeting moments of their interactions.

She couldn’t help but feel certain that Ye Jiayuan treated her differently—unprecedentedly so.

But was it affection? If it truly was, how could she remain so restrained?

The meeting lasted two hours, finally concluding as the sun began to dip below the horizon.

Ye Jiayuan led Fu Chaoying out of the conference room, each step drawing curious sidelong glances from those around them.

Everyone could tell that Ye Jiayuan’s relationship with this new shareholder was anything but ordinary. Some even whispered, “Isn’t that the ex of President Ye’s younger sister?”

Fu Chaoying overheard but paid it no mind.

Back in the CEO’s office, Fu Chaoying gazed at the painting and remarked casually, “You really do love this painting, don’t you?”

Ye Jiayuan’s eyes followed hers, responding evenly, “It carries the spirit of your grandmother.”

Her tone held an inscrutable emotion, yet she offered no further explanation.

Fu Chaoying suddenly recalled those words—“Gifting you ‘Jade Orchid’ wasn’t entirely for your grandmother’s sake”—but she resisted the urge to press for answers. It wasn’t the right moment.

As twilight settled over the city, Xingye International’s building gradually quieted down.

Fu Chaoying and Ye Jiayuan stepped into the car together, but just as the door was about to close, Qu Jingyuan’s voice rang out again—

“Ayuan, dinner tonight?”

Without hesitation, Fu Chaoying leaned forward with a light smile. “Sorry, Jiayuan already has plans.”

She then tilted her head toward Ye Jiayuan, eyes glinting mischievously. “Right?”

The movement brought them dangerously close, their breaths mingling in the humid air, and Fu Chaoying’s heart skipped a beat.