Chapter 12 — My Best Friend's Older Brother Took Responsibility for Me

On Monday, I worked as usual. Two appointment clients in the morning went smoothly. During lunch, Xiao He hurried in. "Sister Wan, there's a man downstairs looking for you—says he's your friend and insists on meeting."

I put down my chopsticks. "What does he look like?" "Quite tall, white hoodie, looks intellectual. Reception asked his name and he wouldn't say—just said you'd know once you saw his face." My heart leaped. Walking to the elevator and looking down, Chu Yan was standing by the first-floor reception, looking up toward the elevator. Catching my eye, he smiled at me—that look of *see how devoted I am*.

I turned and walked away. Chu Yan chased after me. "Lin Wan!" His voice echoed across the first-floor lobby. "Why are you running? I traveled all the way to Hecheng to find you—won't you say a single word to me?" "For better or worse, we dated for two years—you're denying everything just over one video? Have you ever considered my feelings?"

I stopped—not out of soft-heartedness, but because his voice was too loud and the reception staff were staring. Turning around, I said, "Chu Yan, I'm saying this once and for all: We broke up. Don't come to my company, don't look for me in my city, don't try to contact me in any way." "Are you really this heartless?" "Yes." "You have someone else, don't you?" I didn't answer. Chu Yan's face shifted. "You really have someone new. Is it the owner of that Maybach? I saw everything last week." He glared at me, lowering his voice. "Lin Wan, you think clinging to a rich guy changes your life? Do you think you're worthy?"

Just as I opened my mouth, a voice came from behind: "She's worthy of anyone."

Ye Zhihang—Ye Zhiyi's second brother. Dressed in a racing-style leather jacket and sunglasses, he stood behind me out of nowhere. Having a lunch date with Ye Zhiyi near the company today, he happened to witness this scene. Taking off his sunglasses, he looked at Chu Yan. "Who's this?" Chu Yan froze—Ye Zhihang was half a head taller, broader-shouldered, with a face that had made entertainment headlines. Standing side by side, the contrast was stark. "Who are you?" "Her brother," Ye Zhihang lied casually, arm over my shoulder. "Sister, who's this guy? So annoying." Chu Yan's face turned pale; wanting to say more, Ye Zhihang turned and led me toward the elevator. "Let's go. Don't mind him." Behind us, Chu Yan's voice echoed: "Lin Wan, just you wait!"

The elevator doors closed. Ye Zhihang dropped his arm, leaning against the wall. "That ex-boyfriend of yours is like a leech—we should call the police." "He's just all talk—he doesn't dare do anything." "Does Eldest Brother know about this?" "No. Don't tell him." Ye Zhihang raised an eyebrow. "Why? Afraid he'll get mad?" "Afraid he'll beat him up." "...Makes sense."

The matter should have ended there. But a person like Chu Yan—the more you ignored him, the more he pushed. On Friday afternoon, the company hosted a small client appreciation event in the banquet hall of a downtown hotel. I was in charge of supervising on-site styling. Guests included brand partners and VIP clients; Wen Ruyue was also present in a black fishtail gown, pearl studs I advised last time. Truly beautiful. Seeing me, she nodded politely. "Miss Lin, long time no see." "Hello Miss Wen." We passed each other by.

The event began; I was busy backstage touching up makeup for guests about to present. Xiao He ran over flustered. "Sister Wan, someone claiming to be your friend snuck in outside!" My heart sank. "Description?" "White hoodie, quite tall." Chu Yan. Telling Xiao He to guard backstage, I stepped out through the side exit. Chu Yan stood in a corner, holding a champagne glass swiped from the reception table. Seeing me, he sneered, "You wear that same uniform to every event? Look just like a hired hand." "How did you get in?" "Told the door I'm your friend and they let me in—your security is terrible." He took a sip. "Lin Wan, I'm giving you one last chance. Come back to me, and I'll let everything slide."

I stared at him. "Chu Yan, on what authority do you offer me a chance?" "You didn't talk like this before." "That's because I wasn't sober enough before." "You think you're sober now? Thinking you changed your life by clinging to a rich guy?" His voice rose, drawing looks from nearby people. "You think someone like him would care about you? You're just a petty stylist, not fit to polish his shoes—"