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Admitting something with your own mouth and what the other person thinks are two different things.

Le Ya actually hadn’t thought about marriage before, but she couldn’t deny that when Xie Qingyu mentioned it last time, she suddenly found herself thinking about it a bit.

The marriage problems of the older generation didn’t seem to affect her.

She had never thought Chen Yang would be that kind of person. She still had endless longing for marriage, and even when she said the words “fiancé,” she felt something very strange inside.

That feeling... that Chen Yang belonged to her.

Le Ya realized she actually wanted to get married, but Chen Yang hadn’t proposed yet, and she would have to bring it up herself — too... embarrassing.

She hesitated for a few seconds, then decisively decided not to think about it anymore.

Feeling a little shy, Le Ya steadied herself, pulled her hand away from his waist, and quietly said, “You didn’t hear what I just said, did you?”

Didn’t hear?

Chen Yang’s eyes darkened. Before her hand could fully withdraw, he pulled her into his arms, the fresh scent from his hair drifting to her nose.

This afternoon, he was still denying having a fiancée, and now she had admitted it herself, and out loud, to him.

He had already been happy when she mentioned “boyfriend.”

The last three words made him even more joyful.

Le Ya’s face flushed, the warmth almost exploding. She buried herself in his chest and whispered, “You heard it, so why won’t you let go...”

Before she could finish, Chen Yang gently rubbed her earlobe.

“I won’t let go.”

Le Ya got up from his embrace and tilted her head to look at him, accidentally bumping his chin and knocking her forehead lightly.

It didn’t hurt at all.

Chen Yang lifted his chin slightly and hummed, mumbling indistinctly, “You hurt my chin.”

Le Ya heard his unclear speech and thought he really got hurt, so she anxiously reached out to touch it.

She asked, “Do you want to go to the hospital and check it out?”

Le Ya gently rubbed it a little.

She saw Chen Yang’s Adam’s apple move.

On impulse, she reached out again and touched it. Under her fingers was something hard, a strange sensation.

She suddenly felt this action might not be good, so she quickly withdrew her hand and tried to leave his side.

Chen Yang grabbed her back just as she was about to slip away from under his arm. Le Ya lost balance and fell into his arms.

He quickly said, “Hasn’t anyone told you not to touch here?”

No sooner had he spoken than he gently grabbed her chin and kissed her — but this time it was a soft kiss.

Unlike the previous forceful kisses, this was like a spring breeze brushing her face: gentle yet impossible to ignore, quietly lingering and entwining with her.

At first, Le Ya was stunned, her eyes wide open, then she reached out and grabbed the hem of his shirt, closing her eyes.

After a while, Chen Yang moved his lips to the corner of her mouth.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. The secretary’s voice came through: “Boss, Director Wen has already left.”

Chen Yang hummed in response.

The secretary waited a long time without hearing him say to open the door and muttered silently, wondering what was going on inside.

Le Ya urged, “Maybe he has something urgent.”

Chen Yang touched her lips and then opened the door.

Seeing the door open just a crack, the secretary got excited and was about to peek in, but Chen Yang blocked her.

Secretary: “...”

Chen Yang’s face was expressionless. “Anything else?”

The secretary swallowed silently. “Nothing else.”

Taking advantage of the boss not being angry, she quickly made her exit, muttering she would go check the office.

Le Ya heard the movement and peeked out, only to see the secretary entering the elevator.

Chen Yang led her out and closed the door.

Le Ya remembered how the texture of his skin felt when she had touched him in the car last time. She often saw related photos on Weibo of fitness enthusiasts.

She wondered how Chen Yang maintained himself.

She sneaked a pinch, then squinted her eyes, like a thief, and quickly withdrew her hand.

Unexpectedly, the owner noticed.

Chen Yang grabbed her hand, speaking softly above her head, “Moving around like that, did you forget where we are?”

There’s a bed in here.

Following his words, Le Ya suddenly blushed deeply and angrily shook off his hand.

She said righteously, “Have you finished your work?”

Seeing Chen Yang remain silent, she seriously said, “Next time, I won’t bother you. I don’t want to delay your work.”

Chen Yang had already sat back in his seat.

Hearing this, he glanced over and said, “Do you know why many bosses can work well even with beautiful companions?”

Le Ya asked, “Why?”

Chen Yang said, “Because they’ve taken care of what needs to be done.”

Le Ya immediately understood and snorted coldly at him.

Chen Yang turned off the computer. “Off work.”

Although the CEO in their line of business didn’t really have an official off-work time, now that the employees were off, he could leave as well.

Le Ya looked suspiciously at him. “Really off work?”

Chen Yang smiled, “Really.”

When they went out, Le Ya saw some people packing their things and leaving in small groups.

People glanced their way as they passed.

Though Le Ya had been here once before, being seen by everyone with Chen Yang still felt a bit strange.

Chen Yang directly held her hand as they left the company.

After returning home, Le Ya went home.

Because the charity gala was coming soon, Le Yi Jian had prepared a dress for Le Ya. That morning when she got up, Aunt Zhang just happened to bring the box inside.

Aunt Zhang said, “It was sent over from the clothing department.”

Le Yi Jian’s taste was consistent over ten years — today’s dress was pure and simple, just a bit more delicate than Le Ya’s usual short dresses.

Le Ya tried it on.

Aunt Zhang praised, “Miss looks good in anything.”

“Thank you.” Le Ya smiled slightly, deciding that if she hadn’t settled on what to wear by then, she would wear this dress.

Because it was Friday and she still had to work in the afternoon.

The whole company was discussing the gala in the afternoon since Jiang Mei had already revealed last time that Le Ya would be attending.

They couldn’t avoid paying attention in their office.

When Le Ya sat at her desk in the afternoon, several girls came over to ask what she would wear that night and if she was going to dress up nicely.

She didn’t know how to respond.

It’s just a charity gala after all—I don’t understand why they’re making such a big deal out of it.

In the end, Le Ya gave the same answer to everyone: “Of course, I’ll be wearing a gown.”

Some tried to pry further but got nowhere, since she really did have plenty of gowns and nothing specific came to mind.

Wang Kexi also got asked about it, but she had no idea what Le Ya would wear—she only knew it would definitely be a haute couture dress.

During the break, Le Ya went to the pantry to get some water.

“…There’s a livestream for the charity gala tonight. I really want to see what it’s like, so curious,” said a female voice she didn’t know well.

“That livestream is online, no filters, right? Le Ya is so pretty, she’s definitely going to look great on camera.”

Le Ya didn’t expect them to actually be praising her.

“She really is pretty. The boss looks good taking her out, I suspect that’s part of the reason too. Otherwise, why does he always only bring Manager Zhang?”

Suddenly Jiang Mei’s voice chimed in: “It’s probably about connections, but the livestream tonight should clear things up.”

She really wanted to see if she was a mistress or something else.

Hearing this, Le Ya walked in holding an empty cup, passed right in front of Jiang Mei, and filled the cup mostly full.

As she was leaving, she paused.

Jiang Mei immediately felt tense.

Le Ya calmly said, “It’s about connections, indeed.”

This company belonged to her family—connections ran deep.

After she left, Jiang Mei took a while to snap out of it. A nearby girl whispered, “She heard it…”

Jiang Mei said, “She just admitted it herself.”

“It’s normal to have connections. Which company doesn’t have a few? Anyway, if Le Ya doesn’t go, it won’t be me.”

“Actually, I think the same.”

The two girls chatted quietly as they left the pantry, leaving Jiang Mei alone inside.

At 3 p.m., Le Ya received a phone call.

It was from an unfamiliar woman: “Miss Le, hello, I’m the stylist responsible for your look tonight…”

She explained a lot, saying the styling for tonight’s gala was arranged by her studio, and everything was already planned.

Le Ya had heard of their studio; it was one of the top in the country. Big-name celebrities had to book in advance, and most of the time it was impossible to get an appointment.

She hesitated, “I don’t think I hired you.”

The woman smiled gently and replied, “It was Mr. Chen’s decision.”

Seeing she might not know which Mr. Chen, she added, “Your fiancé, Miss Le.”

Le Ya: “…”

Chen Yang was constantly broadcasting his identity as her fiancé—she now found it kind of cute.

Le Ya told Zhang Qiu and then left the company directly.

She had done styling before; if her 18th birthday hadn’t been abroad, Le Yi Jian would have prepared a coming-of-age gift for her.

Thinking about it, she still felt a bit regretful.

But that birthday was unforgettable, and Le Ya felt lucky to have such good friends—and Chen Yang.

After arriving at the destination, she first changed clothes.

The stylist said, “At Mr. Chen’s request, we prepared a new gown for you.”

Le Ya followed her gaze and saw a black gown.

Among many formal events, black gowns were always versatile and timeless. Little black dresses were also popular in daily life.

Le Ya rarely wore long dresses, but this one was floor-length.

She glanced around and saw many other items, all understated luxury style.

The stylist added at the right moment, “All selected by Mr. Chen.”

Le Ya opened her mouth but said nothing.

They often say straight men’s aesthetics are questionable, but thankfully Chen Yang didn’t pick a deathly Barbie pink one, or she’d be in trouble.

…

At 8 p.m., the gala started on time.

Before entering, there were some interviews. As a local business, Le Yi Jian was naturally among those being interviewed. If it were just a normal female companion, she wouldn’t be by his side.

But Le Ya was different—she accompanied Le Yi Jian.

When Jiang Mei opened the livestream, she saw backstage.

A media reporter was interviewing a well-known entrepreneur, then the camera slowly panned to the other side.

Jiang Mei was the first to see Le Ya linking arms with Le Yi Jian.

Stunningly beautiful, Le Ya looked even better than usual in her formal wear. The gown outlined her graceful figure, and her naturally fair skin looked even paler against the black dress. Her delicate facial features were exquisite.

She remembered during her own livestream, the chat was full of praise for Le Ya, and she felt annoyed.

She wished she hadn’t filmed her last time.

But Jiang Mei also recalled that because of the traffic Le Ya brought, even though most left in the end, she still gained some benefits.

So she was a bit reluctant.

Jiang Mei kept thinking and stared at the computer screen.

Since it wasn’t a formal interview, there wasn’t much attention paid. Questions were all related to the company or the gala.

Le Yi Jian answered everything frankly, and Le Ya quietly listened beside him.

The reporter had covered several galas and recognized that Le Yi Jian always brought the company manager along.

During these few minutes, he glanced at Le Ya many times.

When the last question ended, the reporter finally asked, “I heard Mr. Le’s daughter studied abroad. Has she returned now?”

“Yes.” Le Yi Jian chuckled, patting Le Ya’s hand. “What, don’t we look like father and daughter?”

The reporter naturally agreed.

Unable to resist curiosity, he asked again, “Miss Le is so pretty, does she have a boyfriend?”

Le Yi Jian was displeased inside—how could a reporter ask about his daughter’s love life in front of him? No tact at all.

Most importantly, he didn’t want her to marry off so early.

But he still said, “She does.”

Le Ya blinked and quietly added beside him, “He’s my fiancé.”