Chapter 77

Chapter 77

The clerk’s mouth fell open.

But she had heard that Mr. Yi and his wife were a corporate power couple.

Who told her that?

Every tabloid ran stories about them. Even when she scrolled through short videos after work, she’d come across at least three influencer accounts gushing over this storybook romance in the business world.

The clerk hesitated for too long, and Yi Sheng grew impatient. He asked, “Is there a problem?”

The clerk hurriedly replied, “No problem, no problem.”

She closed the box and took out a ribbon from the counter. She asked, “Mr. Yi, which color ribbon does your wife prefer?”

Yi Sheng answered casually, “Pink.”

“Alright, I’ll just—”

A new voice cut in: “Blue.”

The clerk looked up and saw the person walking over slowly—none other than Mrs. Yi, He Jingning.

Just earlier that morning, while slacking off, she had seen the two of them filming a trendy transition video together.

The clerk glanced at Yi Sheng. Awkward much?

Unexpectedly, Yi Sheng was cool as a cucumber. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Since when did you like blue?”

He Jingning began sifting through the items inside the box. “I’ve always liked blue. Maybe it’s one of your side pieces who likes pink—you got it mixed up?”

The clerk was stunned. Were people this… this blunt nowadays?

After saying that, He Jingning added, “But it’s fine if you misremember my preferences. If one day you mix up one of your side chicks’ favorites, you’ll probably have a headache.”

Yi Sheng shrugged. “If it’s a headache, I’ll just swap her out. Why waste the energy?”

What kind of fuckboy energy was this?!

He Jingning finally found her favorite piece in the box. She held it up and dangled it in Yi Sheng’s face. “I’m taking this. Now the ribbon can be pink.”

The first half was directed at Yi Sheng, the second half at the clerk.

The clerk: “…Got it.”

Like, what even is this? She was literally numb at this point.

Lin Tingyue would describe this scene as—

“Each doing their own thing, next-level shit.”

“Bet your stans have no clue you’re playing them like this?”

Yi Sheng and He Jingning had gained countless fans by posing as a corporate power couple, but now…

The clerk: “!”

I’ve got some tea, but I can’t spill it.

Yi Sheng had hoarded so many crystal trinkets that Lin Tingyue immediately backed out of the crystal section. She turned her attention to other gifts and noticed Yi Sheng and He Jingning were still in the store—each cornered, one by a woman, the other by a man.

The woman asked, “Darling, is this gift for me?”

The man said, “I was afraid you’d change your mind, so I came to pick you up myself.”

“I have a feeling things are about to get interesting.”

Lin Tingyue quietly crept toward the door, ready for a front-row view of the chaos.

Lin Yuhuan: “…”

He glanced over and saw the sales clerk peeking as well.

Lin Yuhuan: “…”

Both Yi Sheng and He Jingning frowned. Yi Sheng yanked his arm free from the woman’s hold and snapped, “Didn’t I tell you to wait at home?”

He Jingning dropped the guy on the spot. “Bad dogs get put down.”

“If men are He Jingning’s pets, then she must be running a pet shop.”

So many people?

The woman was surprised—but secretly relieved that Yi Sheng only had eyes for her.

She clung tightly to Yi Sheng like a limpet, chattering, “I know, I know! I dodged all the paparazzi on my way here. No one followed me.”

“Yikes… You dodged the paps, but did you know those crystal trinkets Yi Sheng bought also have a set for your sister?”

Talk about two-timing. But then the woman noticed the slogan on the box: *Couple’s Limited Edition*.

Oof. Still clueless. Every time she leaves, her sister shows up. Yi Sheng had been playing sister bingo from the start.

Fists clenched, she finally snapped and slapped Yi Sheng across the face. He stared, stunned. “What the hell was that for?”

“When you were with my sister, did you ever think I’d hit you?”

“You should be grateful I’d stoop to double-dip. How dare you disrespect me? We’re done.”

“You think you landed god-tier love? Please. At best, you’re just a trust-fund brat—not royalty.”

All hell broke loose. The man tried dragging He Jingning away, but she shook him off, rolling her eyes. “Breaking news: We’re through.”

The man sneered. “He Jingning, who do you think you are? You’re Yi Sheng’s leftovers.”

“Plot twist!!!”

“Holy crap. This dude is Mr. Ying and Second Brother’s colleague—he’s the one behind that poster across the street.”

The sales clerk stared at the ad, nearly dropping her commission clipboard. Wait—that’s the original top star?!

A renowned actor degrading himself as a side piece?

Nope. This was beyond her job scope. Even fanfiction couldn’t pull this off without major vibes. In real life? Trashier than a reality TV reunion.

Hearing He Jingning say this, the man feigned deep hurt. "He Jingning, I love you so much, yet you threaten me?"

Lin Tingyue rolled her eyes.

"Spare me. You just enjoy the thrill of affairs. That's right—his freaky kinks are super weird. Besides He Jingning, he's also in a booty-call arrangement with three married women at the same time."

The store clerk facepalmed. Compared to this mess, those cheesy soap operas were nothing.

Can someone please put these crazies in their place???

"Oh my god, it really is Yue Boyuan!"

A weirdly familiar voice rang out as a woman excitedly rushed to Yue Boyuan's side.

Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at him. "Yue Boyuan, can we take a photo together?"

"Snort—"

Watching this, Lin Tingyue couldn't hold back a mean chuckle.

"A fan witnessing her idol's downfall in real time—what a unique life experience, huh?"

Why does that voice sound so familiar?

Xu Lanfeng turned to look, making eye contact with Lin Tingyue.

Lin Tingyue immediately shut her mouth, swallowing her laugh.

"Sorry, Lanfeng-jie..."

Xu Lanfeng gave a nod of acknowledgment.

Lin Tingyue found a dessert shop and bought Xu Lanfeng boba and sweets.

Xu Lanfeng absentmindedly chewed on her spoon while scrolling through her phone.

[Yue Boyuan, knowingly the other woman.]

[Yue Boyuan, four women.]

[Yue Boyuan, freaky kinks.]

[Yue Boyuan, Master of Scheduling.]

[Yi Sheng and He Jingning, marriage of convenience.]

Endless trending tags flooded Xu Lanfeng's screen, literally overwhelming her. These paparazzi worked at TMZ-worthy speed—they'd barely left before Yue Boyuan, Yi Sheng, and He Jingning were thoroughly dragged.

She couldn't keep scrolling. The more she saw, the worse she felt. Xu Lanfeng tossed her phone aside and looked up at Lin Tingyue.

Xu Lanfeng and Lin Tingyue sat facing each other, with Lin Yuhuan beside Lin Tingyue. When Xu Lanfeng glanced over, her eyes landed on Lin Yuhuan.

At the sight of his handsome face, Xu Lanfeng's deadened heart flared momentarily, then extinguished again.

"Buck up," Lin Tingyue pushed a strawberry mousse cake toward Xu Lanfeng. "Have something sweet to boost your spirits."

Xu Lanfeng shoveled a heaping spoonful, propping her chin in her palm with a sigh. "How did we get here? I thought today was my lucky day."

Lin Tingyue asked curiously, "Was that your horoscope app?"

Xu Lanfeng: "That’s what I said."

*Lin Tingyue: …*

"We all pulled an all-nighter yesterday and finally got the design approved. I slept until noon and came out to find something to eat when I got hungry. Coincidentally, I saw a post saying Yue Boyuan was nearby. I thought, *Whoa, an actual celebrity!* So I figured I’d try to spot him. And well, I did," Xu Lanfeng muttered, pouting slightly, "but it was in a total dump."

"Lanfeng-jie, didn’t you say you’d never go fangirl mode again?"

Xu Lanfeng whined, "It’s not about fangirling or not—that was a real-life celebrity!"

Lin Tingyue was at a loss for words for a moment, but then again, she could understand. If she heard a celebrity was near her home in real life, she’d probably want to go see for herself too.

She wasn’t a fan, but seeing someone who usually only exists on screen in real life always felt weirdly magical.

Lin Tingyue comforted her, "Alright, alright, you can’t fall any lower."

Xu Lanfeng: *…*

Gee, thanks. *So* comforting.

Xu Lanfeng snuck a glance at Lin Yuhuan, who was busy with work.

Lin Yuhuan seemed to sense it and looked up. "Ignore me, carry on."

Xu Lanfeng: *…*

She turned back to Lin Tingyue. "Has your brother ever thought of going into showbiz?"

Look at that face, that build, that family background, that character—and most importantly, Lin Yuhuan had gotten Lin Tingyue’s stamp of approval!

Xu Lanfeng had a feeling that if Lin Yuhuan debuted, he’d go viral overnight.

Lin Tingyue replied, "Probably not, but I have a second brother who’s been in the industry for years."

Xu Lanfeng had heard about him before and did a quick search. Unfortunately, he wasn’t her type.

After some aimless wandering, Xu Lanfeng checked out Zheng Xinran to calm herself down.

The three left the dessert shop but ran into a sketchy person at the corner—someone all bundled up, impossible to tell their gender.

Xu Lanfeng frowned, "Are there still paparazzi around at this hour?"

Lin Tingyue hesitated, "Maybe there’s another celebrity in this mall?"

Xu Lanfeng: "This mall’s vibes are off."

"It’s me."

The figure took off their sunglasses, revealing Song Hezhu’s unmistakable eyes.

Song Hezhu looked drained, like a wilted lotus.

Xu Lanfeng caught her as Song Hezhu leaned into her embrace, sweetly murmuring, "Lanfeng is still the best to me."

"Ugh," Xu Lanfeng shuddered, goosebumps rising. "Boss, what are you doing here?"

Song Hezhu replied, "Busting a cheater."

Xu Lanfeng: *…*

She *knew* this mall had bad vibes!!!