The villain turns into the infatuated second male lead

In the usually warm and refreshing living room, apart from Qiu Yiyuan’s indifferent face, Xia Wanshi and Yin Miaoyan were scrutinizing each other, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense over time.

Xia Wanshi could sense the intense hostility from the beautiful woman standing beside Qiu Yiyuan. After her initial confusion, she didn’t take it to heart. Instead, she pushed back the stray hair from her hurried steps earlier, revealing a warm and sincere smile on her fresh and clean face. “Hello, sister.”

One had to admit, that serene and gentle smile gave Yin Miaoyan a significant shock, causing her to be momentarily dazed. Realizing she had been dazzled by her rival’s beauty, she quickly rolled her eyes in disdain.

She knew all too well the kind of person this innocent-looking girl was!

Remembering the analysis from her best friend, she reinforced her previously shaken resolve, curled her lips, and said, “Who are you?”

“Me?” Xia Wanshi pointed to herself. Seeing the obvious hostility in the other’s tone, she hesitated a bit but still took out a business card from her bag on the sofa and handed it to her with a smile. “Hello, I am Xia Wanshi from Shiqing Landscape Co., Ltd. I hope we can work together in the future.”

Even though she didn’t know Yin Miaoyan’s identity, she could guess that anyone familiar with Qiu Yiyuan and brought to this rented house must be someone significant. It wouldn’t hurt to network for her parents.

“Do you know who I am?” Yin Miaoyan, perplexed by her attitude, found herself at a loss on how to react. She knew that continuing to be aggressive might put her at a disadvantage in front of Qiu Yiyuan.

“If possible, I hope your identity is as a future partner of my company.” Xia Wanshi smiled, extending her slender, fair hand.

Yin Miaoyan’s mouth twitched a few times. Seeing that Qiu Yiyuan hadn’t paid much attention to Xia Wanshi since they entered, she began to doubt if she was overthinking. Reluctantly, she shook her hand.

Qiu Yiyuan seemed indifferent to the silent battle between the two women, but he was actually closely observing the situation. Seeing that Yin Miaoyan only had an unfriendly tone initially and nothing more, he stood up, ready to say something. Just then, a gentle and clear voice rang out.

“So many people here today.” Ying Zhiyi looked around the room and smiled calmly.

Qiu Yiyuan instinctively turned around, meeting those gentle eyes, and his heart skipped a beat. He then nodded calmly, “Yes, the daughter of my father’s friend wanted to visit.”

“???” Yin Miaoyan, admiring Ling Su’s handsome face, heard Qiu Yiyuan’s evasive introduction in the next second. She turned her dissatisfied gaze to Qiu Yiyuan, keenly catching a hidden emotion in his eyes.

That kind of look… she couldn’t ignore it. But since it was directed at Ling Su, she found it hard to believe, thinking she might be seeing things.

Biting her lip, she wanted to refute his words but couldn’t find a way to correct him since what he said was factual.

“Ling Su.” After greeting, Xia Wanshi sensed something was wrong, glanced around, and after a moment of contemplation, understood the situation. Did this beautiful sister mistake her for a rival?

Did the beautiful sister know her real rival was the person she just admired, Ling Su?

Her eyes moved between the few people, sparkling. She must keep her childhood friend’s and Qiu Yiyuan’s secret safe!

“I brought food, but only three portions.” Ying Zhiyi, observing everyone’s emotions, slightly raised the food he brought, showing a gentle and elegant smile, “Should I go buy another portion?”

Hearing this, Qiu Yiyuan’s brow furrowed imperceptibly. Xia Wanshi was fine, but Yin Miaoyan’s uninvited presence already annoyed him. He didn’t want her to continue intruding since it was agreed she would leave after a brief visit.

Just as he was about to refuse for her, the beautiful woman herself disdainfully said, “No, I won’t eat this junk food.”

With that, the atmosphere turned awkward.

Seeing everyone’s displeased expressions, Ying Zhiyi nonchalantly smiled, placing the food on the dining table. “That’s a shame.”

Too bad he didn’t set more traps for the Yin family earlier.

“I’m going to get utensils. I haven’t eaten since getting off work. I’m starving.” Xia Wanshi quickly dashed into the kitchen, pretending to be relaxed to ease the tension.

She suddenly worried about her childhood friend’s and Qiu Yiyuan’s relationship future.

Qiu Yiyuan quietly watched the proud woman beside him, his gaze cold. His good upbringing restrained him from reprimanding her.

Her father had a deep friendship with his father when they were young, and the two families supported each other in their early entrepreneurial days. With Ying Zhiyi’s rise, the cooperation between their families had gradually ceased, and the Yin family suffered significantly.

He didn’t feel he owed her anything, as he had rejected her feelings from the start. Only after his parents’ persuasion and his lack of interest in anyone else had he softened his stance a bit.

But things were different now. He had Ling Su. Even if the outcome of this love was harsh, he would accept it. Even if it meant getting hurt.

For him, that moment of heart flutter was worth a lifetime.

“I didn’t mean it, I just can’t get used to this food.” Yin Miaoyan, uneasy under his implicit anger, reluctantly explained.

Her strong reaction was all because of Qiu Yiyuan, wasn’t it?

She used to think she only needed to guard against women, but after the recent events, she realized Ling Su was the biggest threat. Before this, even if Qiu Yiyuan ignored her, he had never shown such a clear affection for anyone else.

Qiu Yiyuan had fallen for him.

A woman in love is sometimes most sensitive to these things. Observing him, she saw that cold eyes held an indescribable emotion, making her feel ridiculous.

“Speak nicely.” Qiu Yiyuan, always composed, was genuinely annoyed, lowering his voice.

“What if I don’t? Your father won’t tolerate your defiance and cut ties with the Yin family?” Her eyes filled with grievance, speaking recklessly.

He rubbed his temple, disliking her using his father to threaten him.

Had it not been for his concern over his father noticing Ling Su, he wouldn’t have kept contacting her after knowing about Qiu Tongfu’s discharge. His father, a seasoned businessman, was not easily fooled, and he knew he couldn’t protect Ling Su yet.

Ying Zhiyi listened quietly to the living room’s commotion. Glancing at the absent-minded Xia Wanshi, who almost stuck her ear to the door, he chuckled softly. “Look at you, making everything a mess.”

“What mess?” She paused, then looked down at the messy utensils, blushing. “S-sorry.”

“This is fine, almost time to eat.” Ying Zhiyi raised an eyebrow, the curve of his lips showing his great amusement.

How could he not be pleased with such an entertaining scene?

His dear brother’s destined partner was preparing utensils with him, completely devoid of any romantic feelings, while mistakenly developing feelings for him and causing friction with the novel’s second female lead. What a mess indeed.

He was very satisfied with this result.

As he pulled out a chair to sit, Qiu Yiyuan, with a tense face, walked in. His mood was obviously sour, but as his gaze landed on his secret crush, his icy demeanor softened. After a moment’s hesitation, he chose to sit beside Ling Su.

Ying Zhiyi slightly turned his head, fixing his gaze on him, then naturally leaned closer, whispering so only they could hear, “After dinner, I’ll give you my contact information.”

Qiu Yiyuan’s hand holding the chopsticks trembled, feeling a burning warmth spreading from his ears to his heart, slowly melting him. He never knew his ears were so sensitive; the light tickle of that breath trickled down, stirring a hidden desire. For a moment, his reason wavered.

“Okay.” He restrained his wandering thoughts, responding in a low, slightly hoarse voice.

“Do you already have secrets I can’t know?” Xia Wanshi’s clear eyes brimmed with mist, giving a pitiful look.
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