On The Night I Confirmed My Girlfriend's Infidelity, I Kissed Her Sister (GL) - Chapter 7: The Warmth and Touch of Her Wrist

[When I return from my business trip, I should have time to have dinner with you.]

In just a few hours, Ye Jiayuan had gone from politely declining to actively extending an invitation.

Fu Chaoying picked up a wet wipe and began cleaning her hands with deliberate slowness, unable to suppress the thought: Could it be that Ye Jiayuan feels something special for her?

As she wiped her right palm, Fu Chaoying’s movements suddenly paused. A faint smile curled her lips as she continued, wiping away the lingering warmth and touch of that person’s wrist.

Then, she slowly typed into the chat box: [Sounds good! When will you be back?]

Not expecting an immediate reply, Fu Chaoying returned to her late-night snack.

Sure enough, Ye Jiayuan replied an hour later—but her message was: [There’s a shareholders’ meeting tomorrow morning. I should be able to courier the contract to you by the afternoon.]

Ye Jiayuan didn’t respond to her question about when she’d return. Keeping timelines vague seemed to be a privilege of those in power.

Seeing this, Fu Chaoying didn’t press further, merely shaking her head slightly and politely thanking her.

From what Fu Chaoying knew, over the past few years as Xingye International expanded its overseas operations, Ye Jiayuan’s main bases had been in Singapore and Hong Kong. This trip to Singapore could hardly even be considered a business trip.

“A-Ying, if you don’t eat now it’ll really get cold. Be careful not to upset your stomach,” Aunt Wu gently reminded from the side.

Fu Chaoying turned her head to give her a faint smile, then gathered her thoughts and slowly finished her late-night snack.

Hopefully I can get a good night’s sleep, she thought.

–

The next morning, Fu Chaoying went to the building where her friend Shen Guannan worked at a law firm, asking her to review the electronic contract sent by Xingye’s legal department.

The contract had no issues, and Shen Guannan prepared to go back upstairs to continue working.

Just as Fu Chaoying was about to invite her to dinner, she suddenly received a call from her aunt.

“Xiao Ying, are you free tonight? Come have dinner with me and your cousin.”

Fu Chaoying knew her aunt was very busy with work—if she was making a special effort to invite her to dinner, there must be a reason.

Although it was likely to discuss yesterday’s events again, this dinner was something she couldn’t avoid.

Fu Chaoying obediently agreed, then drove home.

The sunlight was pleasant today, with comfortable temperatures. After lunch with Aunt Wu, they had coffee together in the gazebo.

Fu Chaoying had never considered herself someone who feared loneliness before.

But after losing her closest family members one by one, she’d grown increasingly afraid of being alone.

Now even reading a book or drinking coffee required Aunt Wu’s company.

Aunt Wu understood her feelings, but worried that staying home all the time would make her depressed.

So she casually brought up: “We didn’t manage to keep Miss Jiayuan for tea yesterday either.”

Fu Chaoying kept her eyes on the book, not looking up. “She had a business trip today, couldn’t stay long.”

“When will she be back?” Aunt Wu asked curiously.

Fu Chaoying shook her head lightly. “She didn’t say.”

“Big bosses like Miss Jiayuan usually don’t volunteer their schedules—you’d have to ask her directly.”

Hearing Aunt Wu’s earnest advice, Fu Chaoying looked up helplessly. “I did ask. She didn’t reply.”

Aunt Wu was perplexed.

Logically speaking, whether considering Ye Jiayuan’s personal ties with Xiao Ying’s mother and grandmother or the Fu family’s past kindness to the Ye family, she should show Xiao Ying more care.

Moreover, her attentiveness and gentleness that night didn’t seem like an act at all.

Noticing Aunt Wu’s hesitant expression, Fu Chaoying shook her head slightly—she herself didn’t know what Ye Jiayuan was thinking.

She’d taken the initiative to invite her to dinner, yet wouldn’t give a definite time. Was this how people in power always behaved?

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together slightly and returned to her book.

“Sleepy? Want to take a nap?” Aunt Wu noticed her yawning repeatedly.

“There should be a contract delivered soon. I’ll rest after signing it.”

Aunt Wu didn’t ask further, simply sitting quietly with her.

Spring drowsiness and autumn fatigue were natural cycles. Reading her book, Fu Chaoying gradually dozed off at the table.

About half an hour later, the gatebell rang. Assuming it was the contract delivery, Aunt Wu hurried to answer.

Fu Chaoying vaguely heard the noise through her drowsiness, intending to rest a little longer—until steady footsteps approached from behind, followed by a cool voice calling:

“Xiao Ying.”

Fu Chaoying hadn’t yet registered the visitor’s presence, yet her heart had already begun racing inexplicably. After taking a moment to compose herself, she rubbed her eyes and slowly rose from her seat.

The visitor… was Ye Jiayuan?

Fu Chaoying blinked several times before confirming it was indeed Ye Jiayuan standing before her—

Dressed in a deep blue tailored suit, she held a kraft paper envelope in her hand.

“Jiayuan-jie?” Fu Chaoying couldn’t hide her surprise. “Why did you come personally? Weren’t you supposed to be on a business trip today?”

The questions tumbled out before she could stop them.

Ye Jiayuan gave a slight nod, her gaze lingering on Fu Chaoying’s still-sleepy eyes. The corners of her lips lifted in an almost imperceptible smile as she explained, “My flight’s in the evening.”

Fu Chaoying blinked again before reaching out to take the contract.

The signing pen was already prepared, and she began writing her signature without hesitation.

Watching her decisive strokes, Ye Jiayuan asked softly, “Aren’t you going to read it first?”

Between signatures, Fu Chaoying shook her head without looking up. “I trust the Ye family. And I trust you.”

Having said this, she lowered her head to finish signing.

Ye Jiayuan’s eyes traced the clean line of Fu Chaoying’s jaw before drifting to the slight curve of her lips, feeling an involuntary tightness in her throat.

After completing the signatures, Fu Chaoying placed the contract back into the kraft envelope but didn’t immediately return it. “Thank you for making the trip, Jiayuan-jie. Would you like to stay for some floral tea?”

Ye Jiayuan inclined her head in agreement before turning to Aunt Wu: “If you please.”

Aunt Wu, who had assumed Ye Jiayuan would leave immediately after the signing, had only brought her a glass of water. Now she hurried off to prepare the tea.

A small smile playing on her lips, Fu Chaoying returned to her book. She tried to focus on the pages, but the silhouette of Ye Jiayuan in her peripheral vision proved impossible to ignore.

She was far too curious about Ye Jiayuan.

Ye Jiayuan wasn’t looking at her—she was gazing at the flowers in the courtyard, utterly absorbed.

No one had mentioned the business trip, and Fu Chaoying naturally wouldn’t ask when she’d be back.

After all, sharing itineraries was the beginning of intimacy.

And right now, their relationship was merely one of exchanging paintings. Hmm, not exactly close.

“Do you like Adena?” Ye Jiayuan suddenly spoke up.

Fu Chaoying didn’t look up, only giving a soft hum in response. After a pause, she finally raised her eyes and asked quietly, “Jiayuan-jie knows her too?”

Adena was a relatively niche female writer.

Ye Jiayuan nodded. “I’ve read two of her books.”

Just as Fu Chaoying was about to ask her something, an unfamiliar ringtone cut through the air.

Ye Jiayuan glanced at her phone but didn’t answer.

Fu Chaoying pretended not to notice. Within seconds, the ringtone sounded again.

By the third time, Ye Jiayuan finally picked up.

Fu Chaoying could hear a sweet, lively voice on the other end. Who was that? Could Ye Jiayuan already have a girlfriend?

But Aunt Chu practically nagged her about blind dates every time they met.

Fu Chaoying shook her head slightly, chiding herself for overthinking.

Aunt Wu happened to walk over with floral tea. “Miss Jiayuan, are you leaving already?”

Fu Chaoying watched Ye Jiayuan’s retreating figure, then shook her head gently and picked up a cup of tea. “Aunt Wu, I’ll have some.”

Not long after, Ye Jiayuan returned to the pavilion.

Fu Chaoying looked up at her. “Jiayuan-jie, do you have something to attend to?”

“No rush.” Ye Jiayuan sat beside her again, the delicate fragrance of floral tea instantly filling the air.

Aunt Wu had always enjoyed casual chatter. Earlier, during the contract signing, it hadn’t been appropriate to ask questions, but now, the relaxed atmosphere was perfect.

“Miss Jiayuan, you’re taking a red-eye flight for your business trip tonight?”

Ye Jiayuan took a small sip of tea. “Mhm.”

Fu Chaoying, flipping through her book, felt a flicker of confusion: Jiugapo wasn’t that far—why take a red-eye?

Aunt Wu cheerfully pressed on. “Miss Jiayuan, is work very busy? How long will you be staying in Singapore this time?”

Fu Chaoying slowly lifted her gaze, exchanging a helpless look with Aunt Wu before offering Ye Jiayuan an apologetic smile. “Aunt Wu loves small talk—she doesn’t mean to pry.”

Her words carried a faint sense of distance.

Ye Jiayuan studied her for a long moment before replying in a low voice, “It’s not a secret. I’ll probably be back in about two months.”

“That long?” Aunt Wu couldn’t help but sigh.

Fu Chaoying closed her book and smiled lightly. “It’s always been like this. Jiayuan-jie is busy with work—we hardly see each other a few times a year.”

“With the recent favorable domestic policies, the company’s focus is shifting.” Ye Jiayuan’s gaze drifted to the vast clouds in the blue sky.

Fu Chaoying couldn’t suppress another yawn.

Ye Jiayuan noticed. “Didn’t sleep well last night?”

Fu Chaoying nodded. “My stomach was a bit upset.”

After all, she’d skipped dinner and then eaten nearly cold fried food late at night.

Aunt Wu looked stricken with guilt upon hearing this.

Ye Jiayuan glanced at the coffee cup on the table and turned to Aunt Wu. “Next time her stomach’s bothering her, don’t let her drink coffee.”

Before she could finish, Fu Chaoying quickly interjected, “I’m fine now.”

It was just diarrhea—she’d already taken smectite.

Ye Jiayuan studied her face, as if verifying the truth of her words.

Fu Chaoying met her gaze, only to see her rise slowly. “You should rest first.”

“If you ever travel to Singapore for business or leisure, feel free to contact me.”

Fu Chaoying quickly stood to express her thanks, accompanying Aunt Wu to see her off at the door while waving, “Safe travels, Jiayuan-jie.”

Ye Jiayuan nodded slightly. “I’ll treat you to dinner when I return from my business trip.”

Fu Chaoying froze momentarily, pondering silently: Did Ye Jiayuan originally intend to invite her to dinner tonight? Only postponing it because of her stomach discomfort?

Before she could dwell further, Ye Jiayuan had already driven away.

The “next time” would be two months later.

That’s too long, Fu Chaoying thought.

–

That evening, Fu Chaoying returned to the family estate for dinner with her aunt and cousin.

The first half of the meal was spent reminiscing about her past with Ye Yi’an, including her aunt’s furious outbursts against him and her heartfelt sympathy.

“You silly child, you should have told us sooner.”

Fu Chaoying smiled. “I didn’t want to trouble you.”

“That’s what family is for—troubling each other!”

With another light laugh, Fu Chaoying replied, “Next time, I will.”

“Next time? Next time you’d better keep your eyes open!”

Fu Chaoying didn’t argue. On this point, she wholeheartedly agreed.

As the dinner progressed, her aunt shifted focus to her future plans.

This was the real purpose of tonight’s gathering.

This time, Fu Chaoying was direct: “I plan to establish an art management company handling curation, collaborations, and auctions.”

Her aunt looked puzzled. “Doesn’t that overlap with the gallery’s functions? Are you abandoning the gallery then?”

“Abandoning it.” The determination in Fu Chaoying’s voice was unmistakable.

Rather than pressing further, her aunt redirected the conversation. “Are you looking to represent traditional painters?”

“Most established artists already have professional teams managing their work.” Fu Chaoying shook her head gently. “I don’t want to limit myself to ink painters or domestic markets.”

Her aunt, Fu Anjun, was an executive at an international auction house with extensive artist connections.

Among the few younger generation members of the Fu family, only Fu Chaoying had inherited her grandmother Fu Li’s legacy—her aunt had every reason to support her.

True to form, her aunt praised enthusiastically: “Broadening your horizons is excellent.”

“I happen to have numerous connections with international artists.”

Even if her aunt hadn’t offered resources proactively, Fu Chaoying would have requested them.

Things were proceeding exactly as she’d hoped.

Her aunt patted cousin Fu Chaohua’s arm while smiling at Fu Chaoying. “Your sister has different aspirations. Make good use of these resources before they go to waste.”

Fu Chaoying winked at her cousin before smiling sheepishly. “Then I’ll be counting on your guidance, Auntie.”

Her aunt waved dismissively. “Nonsense—we’re family.”

After discussing specific ideas in detail, her aunt suddenly suggested: “There’s an artists’ reception in Singapore next week. Why don’t you join me?”

Instantly, Ye Jiayuan’s image flashed through Fu Chaoying’s mind—Singapore… wasn’t that where she was?

This trip could conveniently shorten their reunion timeline. What if Ye Jiayuan forgot about her after too long without contact?

Fu Chaoying nodded immediately in agreement.

–

On the way to the airport, Ye Jiayuan’s assistant reported: “President Ye, the invitation has been delivered. President Fu was very pleased and said she would definitely attend.”

Ye Jiayuan nodded, then heard the assistant continue: “Also, President Qu is pressing for a meeting again.”

Ye Jiayuan remained composed. “Didn’t you tell her we’d switch to a video conference?”

“I did, but she insists on meeting in person.”

Before the assistant could finish, Ye Jiayuan’s phone suddenly rang.

Upon answering, a sweet female voice came through—

“A-Yuan~ Weren’t you supposed to take an afternoon flight? Why did you change it to evening?”

“There’s someone I need to meet,” Ye Jiayuan replied calmly.

“Who is it? Could it be your sweetheart?” the voice asked curiously.

A flicker passed through Ye Jiayuan’s eyes, but his voice remained steady. “I’ll hang up if there’s nothing else.”