Chapter 21: Is It You?

The call was from Zhao Wenqian.

She explained that she had obtained Wei Yang’s contact information from Zhao Yunkai, insisting that she had no ulterior motives and simply wanted to chat.

For a split second, Wei Yang’s heart skipped a beat, fearing that Zhao Wenqian had discovered her relationship with Xie Yanli. Yet, she knew deep down that neither worry nor fear would be of any use; she had to face it, as avoidance would solve nothing.

After a moment of hesitation, she agreed.

Wei Yang suggested meeting at the café across from her office building.

When she arrived on time, Zhao Wenqian was already seated at a window table waiting for her. Wei Yang felt a brief jolt of nerves, composed her thoughts, and hurried over.

"What would you like to drink, Miss Wei?" Zhao Wenqian asked politely.

Wei Yang signaled the waiter to bring a cup of Nanshan coffee. She picked up the spoon and stirred it a few times, the rich aroma of the coffee wafting up. She was in no rush, waiting for Zhao Wenqian to break the silence.

Zhao Wenqian raised an eyebrow slightly, observing Wei Yang unobtrusively.

Wei Yang possessed a stunning face, the kind that epitomized the "first love" aesthetic that men found most captivating. Paired with her steady, professional office attire, she exuded a charm that made men feel an irresistible urge to conquer her. Zhao Wenqian considered herself to have seen plenty of beautiful women, but few were as striking as Wei Yang. What she hated to admit even more was that Wei Yang was, in fact, more beautiful than she was.

Her fingers tightened involuntarily around the coffee cup.

Zhao Wenqian took a subtle breath, lifted her gaze to meet Wei Yang’s, and a smile curled her red lips. "Actually, I didn't reach out for any major reason. I just wanted to ask you, has Yanli had any women by his side in the last few years?"

"Miss Wei, since you were his secretary, you should have some insight into his private life, shouldn't you?"

Wei Yang froze for a moment, her beautiful pupils contracting slightly as her mind raced.

What was the meaning behind this? Was it a warning? Or was she trying to fish for information?

Regaining her composure, Wei Yang looked at Zhao Wenqian, her expression apologetic. "I’m sorry, Miss Zhao, but that is my employer's privacy."

Zhao Wenqian raised an eyebrow with a mocking smile, showing no signs of impatience. She pulled a bank card from her purse and slid it across the table. "Miss Wei, there are fifty thousand in here. The PIN is six zeros."

Fifty thousand?!

Wei Yang’s gaze flickered. That night, Xie Yanli had given her five million in cash, plus a property, as hush money.

Before Wei Yang could speak, Zhao Wenqian continued, "I am only buying a name from you."

Wei Yang remained calm and gentle. "Miss Zhao, I truly apologize. I don't know anything."

"You!"

Zhao Wenqian choked on her words, her fingertips tightening. "Is it not enough?"

"Miss Zhao, I have already told you, I know nothing." She could not afford to offend that man, and besides, the hush money was substantial.

Seeing Wei Yang refuse without a moment’s hesitation, Zhao Wenqian’s expression turned cold and derisive, as if covered in a thick layer of frost. Her voice, too, turned frigid. "Miss Wei, you were Yanli’s secretary—how could you possibly know nothing? Are you unwilling to tell me?"

"Or is it that you have some hidden difficulty?"

Wei Yang’s expression shifted slightly. Her fingers tightened around the spoon. She looked up at Zhao Wenqian, neither humble nor pushy. "Miss Zhao, if this is the only reason you asked to see me, then I have nothing to say. I have work to attend to, so I will be leaving now."

With that, she stood up to go.

"Stop right there!"

Panicked, Zhao Wenqian scrambled to her feet, her expression a complex mix of frustration and mockery.

"Is that person... you? Miss Wei, tell me, is that person you?"