Ye Lingyun, upon hearing from the butler that Tang Xiaomin had caused trouble at the banquet, came over to check, only to witness Yang Yang push the woman into the water.
Without thinking, he immediately jumped in to save her.
Unfortunately, in his haste, he forgot that he couldn't swim.
After swallowing several mouthfuls of water, he was eventually pulled ashore by Tang Xiaomin.
Cough, cough… cough, cough…
Looking at the dripping wet and disheveled Ye Lingyun before her, who had risked his own safety to jump into the water for her.
His actions spoke volumes about his feelings for her.
"Xiaomin, are you alright?"
Ye Lingyun asked, glaring fiercely at the culprit, Yang Yang.
"Yang Yang, what are you doing?!"
Although Yang Yang knew Ye Lingyun would react this way, she couldn't help but feel hurt.
Instead of making a scene, she spoke to Tang Xiaomin.
"Tang Xiaomin, Lingyun can't swim, yet he risked his life to save you. Do you understand?"
She understood. She understood perfectly.
She could no longer regard Ye Lingyun as just a friend. She looked at him with eyes that saw through everything.
"I can swim, and you can't. Why did you save me like that?"
Why did he save her regardless of the consequences?
This question stunned Ye Lingyun.
After a long pause, he sighed, a helpless smile suddenly appearing at the corner of his lips.
She had finally discovered his feelings.
"I jumped into the water to save you, and this is what you were thinking?"
It was as if Tang Xiaomin was testing his heart, playing with his true feelings.
Such games were hurtful, but Tang Xiaomin had no choice but to resort to this to avoid further confusion.
"I'm very grateful that you saved me. But please, don't do it again next time. I can swim myself."
She didn't need him to save her?
She rejected his feelings so decisively, without any hesitation.
He knew it would be like this, but hearing her words still caused his heart to ache.
Ye Lingyun slowly stood up, his straight back exuding a sense of desolation.
He left without a word, without looking back.
This unrequited affection would only cause trouble for Tang Xiaomin. It was not good for anyone.
Yang Yang looked at Tang Xiaomin, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Then, she hurriedly chased after him.
"Lingyun, wait for me, Lingyun…"
Madam Ye, who had been observing from the side, said to Zhang Meiyu beside her, "You've seen it too, Lingyun has feelings for your daughter. I don't want to see them interact anymore, as it will interfere with the marriage alliance between the Ye family and the Yang family."
"I believe you know what to do."
Zhang Meiyu finally understood that Madam Ye had invited her over for this very reason.
Being threatened felt quite unpleasant.
So, she retorted with a cold smile.
"Madam Ye, I think you've mistaken something."
"Firstly, my daughter's boyfriend is the CEO of Xianfu Group. President Yan's strength is no less than your Ye family's, and perhaps even superior."
"Secondly, it is your son who has feelings for my daughter. Emotions between men and women are complex. Surely, Madam Ye, you can't control what your son thinks in his heart?"
For a moment, Madam Ye's expression turned grim.
She hadn't expected that Zhang Meiyu, despite her current predicament, would still be so arrogant.
"The marriage between the Ye family and the Yang family is imperative. If your daughter hinders this marriage, I will absolutely not allow it."
"Alright, I understand what you mean," Zhang Meiyu said unhurriedly.
"Instead of going to great lengths to guard against my daughter, you should focus on managing your own son."
"You…"
Zhang Meiyu, ignoring Madam Ye's displeased look, went to Tang Xiaomin with concern.
"Xiaomin, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, just my clothes are wet. Let's go home."
"Yes, let's go home. I wish we hadn't come if I'd known this would happen."
Mother and daughter left the Ye family's troublesome estate together.
In the car, Zhang Meiyu turned the heater to its maximum and said indignantly.
"I never expected that Madam Ye, who usually keeps a low profile, would be so petty. I've noted down what happened today."
"Revenge is best served cold. Once I find an opportunity, I will repay it tenfold."
Hearing this, Tang Xiaomin couldn't help but smile.
When it came to facing enemies, she found she and Zhang Meiyu had similarities; both were determined to retaliate.
"Your clothes are all wet, how can you still smile?"
Tang Xiaomin didn't say anything, but the smile remained on her lips.
As soon as they returned home, she hurried to take a hot bath and change her clothes.
However, by evening, she developed a fever.
She lay on the bed, feeling groggy and with a splitting headache, listless like a sick bird.
Zhang Meiyu showed the thermometer to the doctor, whose expression turned serious.
"Thirty-nine point five. She needs an injection."
Upon hearing about the injection, Tang Xiaomin's cold symptoms improved by more than half.
"I don't want an injection. Doctor, just give me some cold medicine. I'll be fine."
The reason for her refusal to get an injection was fear.
Getting an injection was different from being injured. Just the thought of the needle piercing her flesh made her bottom ache.
"Xiaomin, you have a high fever. You should listen to the doctor and get an injection."
"No, I won't. I'll only take medicine."
Tang Xiaomin's strong resistance left the Tang family members helpless.
In the end, the doctor had to prescribe oral medication.
The next day, Tang Xiaomin took sick leave and stayed home to rest.
Tang Ye and Tang Yu took leave specifically to look after Tang Xiaomin's condition at home.
Tang Ye went in and out of Tang Xiaomin's room countless times, constantly checking her temperature.
In the kitchen, Tang Yu, wearing an apron, studied recipes for therapeutic diets and stewed soup for Tang Xiaomin.
Wang Na was truly shocked by Tang Yu's actions.
"Tang Yu, Xiaomin just has a common cold. She'll get better slowly with medicine. You've been in the kitchen for almost three hours. Even if you're making soup, she's sick now and probably won't have an appetite for it."
Tang Yu patiently tended to the pot of soup, occasionally testing its taste.
"She hasn't eaten all night. When she wakes up, she'll likely be hungry, and it will be perfect for her."
Looking at this loving family, Wang Na felt it was unreal and remembered past events.
"Tang Yu, remember that time you had a car accident? Tang Xiaomin left you in the fire. Have you forgotten so quickly?"
Hearing this, Tang Yu suddenly turned around, looking at Wang Na with a grave expression.
"Nana, that's all in the past. I don't want to hear such disharmonious words again. Be mindful in the future."
"Ultimately, I was the one who wronged Xiaomin first. It wasn't her fault."
Having been in the Tang family for some time, Wang Na had witnessed how they treated Tang Xiaomin.
"I was just saying it casually. Why are you so serious?"
"In your heart, your sister is more important than me, isn't she?"
Wang Na said enviously, and the more she spoke, the more uncomfortable she felt.
She hadn't lost to any other woman, yet she had lost to his sister. What was this?
After Wang Na left, Tang Yu shook his head in the kitchen, muttering to himself, "I only have one sister."
Underworld.
Lu Xing respectfully reported the situation to Yan Jue.
"President Yan, the news we released has indeed had an effect."
"King Qin sent a messenger, saying that if you can bring out the Supreme Commander, he will agree to your reform plan."
"Now, what should we do?"