Chapter 15: Let's Talk

The next day was a work day so Zhao Yingyue woke up happy that her parents would likely be out doing what they had to do—her dad, running the family business and her mom, socializing.

Of course, she'd have to deal with Gu Yan during her schedule for the day but what was there to fear with Bai Xinyi here by her side?

Zhao Yingyue excitedly hummed to her comfort artists as she got ready for her day. She knew she would have a great day today no matter what her parents had planned for her to maintain her image as the perfect socialite.

As she was finishing up, Gu Yan entered her room without knocking.

"Zhao Yingyue, we have a full schedule before the dinner tonight! Don't you think that your engagement means you're free from your everyday responsibilities. You're still a member of this Zhao family!"

Zhao Yingyue looked at Gu Yan. Her cheeks were still swollen and bruised from the slaps she'd received the last two nights.

"Gu Yan, are you a masochist?"

Gu Yan was still upset over the night before but thought that without Liu Haoyu there, Zhao Yingyue would be defenseless and submit before her.

"What?"

As if she was a child, she slowly said, "A person who enjoys pain and humiliation."

"Zhao Yingyue, you won't get away with how you abused me!"

Zhao Yingyue could've laughed at Gu Yan's accusation. She seriously blamed what happened on her rather than her own actions. If Gu Yan didn't needlessly hate her so much, this would have never happened to her. But Gu Yan would never be able to understand that.

"Bai Xinyi, who am I?"

Bai Xinyi replied, "The Young Miss of the Zhao family."

"Then Bai Xinyi, do you know why this outsider of the Zhao family blood is talking to me in such a way?"

Gu Yan was furious but after hearing Bai Xinyi's name, she knew better than to keep going. Gu Yanya had warned her earlier about Bai Xinyi. She needed to make sure not to embarrass herself in front of this person while also making sure that she made Zhao Yingyue look as bad as possible.

Gu Yan switched up her attitude and clenched her teeth as she bowed, "I'm sorry Young Miss. I must have lost my brain since Madame has said she will be joining us today for our activities."

Zhao Yingyue just turned away and said, "It seems you've been doing a lot of apologizing these days. Either way, leave me. I'm almost done and this interaction has caused a bit of a delay."

Gu Yan quietly shuffled out of the room and softly closed the door.

Almost immediately, Bai Xinyi said, "Young Miss, I can't believe how she treats you. Does she think a simple apology always helps her get away with things? What if I wasn't here? Would her tantrum have gone further?"

"You don't have to call me Young Miss," Zhao Yingyue reminded her. "Besides, you are here so nothing did happen. Let's not think about the hypotheticals, alright?"

Zhao Yingyue went back to what she had been doing before and took her time this time. She also wanted to think a bit about what Gu Yan had said.

Her mother was coming along with them today? Her mother never attended any of her plans with her but what was different now?

The answer couldn't simply be her engagement. That would make no sense as it's not like she benefits from giving up her day of socializing to join her.

After thinking a bit about it, the only answer that made sense was Bai Xinyi. She actually should have figured it out earlier. It was easy to assume her mother didn't want her in a position of power greater than what she had. How else would Gu Yanya maintain control over her?

If she could make Bai Xinyi "report back to the Liu house" that Zhao Yingyue was somehow a bad person, then they'd naturally want to break off the engagement. Or so the pair had probably thought.

Unfortunately for Gu Yanya and Gu Yan, no such thing would happen. Her future in-laws adored her and would surely take her side no matter what. However, their poor attempts of defamation would surely be funny and Zhao Yingyue always welcomed amusement.

"Bai Xinyi, be ready for a good show today."

Bai Xinyi was confused but decided against asking what Zhao Yingyue meant by that. Instead, she pulled out her phone and sent an update to Liu Haoyu. Part of her job was to update him on anything that happened to Zhao Yingyue under her care.

Knowing her Young Master, she knew he'd make sure to pay them back double for every bit they made his fiancée suffer. That Gu Yan would soon learn that being a bad person came with even worse consequences—especially where her young master was involved.

After a few minutes, Zhao Yingyue walked out with Bai Xinyi trailing behind.

Gu Yan, who had been waiting outside of the door, quickly got up and bowed.

"Young Miss, please allow me to lead you to the car up front. Madame is already waiting there for us. The schedule is quite full today once again so if you're ready, we should getting going now."

Zhao Yingyue wanted to laugh. So she does know how to properly talk to her? That was news to her!

Zhao Yingyue quietly nodded as she made her way to the car. She didn't feel like dealing with Gu Yan's act, even if it was funny. She'd rather just get on the road and hold out until the dinner later on. She couldn't imagine the dinner going smoothly—especially considering Hua Mengyao's temper.

She greeted Yang Zimo, as usual, before sliding into the car.

Once everyone was in, the atmosphere was awkward to say the least. Gu Yanya and Gu Yan were both fiddling with their phones. It was easy to tell that Gu Yan was trying and failing to act cool like Gu Yanya.

It was only a few minutes in when the silence was broken by Gu Yan.

"Yang Zimo, remember to stop by our usual café to pick up the Young Miss' coffee."

She then turned to Gu Yanya and politely asked, "Will you also like coffee Madame?"

Gu Yanya nodded, "Of course. You know what I like Yanyan."

Zhao Yingyue held in a deep breath at the tender nickname and how sweet Gu Yanya's voice was in that moment and momentarily felt bitter. This woman truly did treat Gu Yan better than she treated her own daughter. It used to make her sad but now it was just pitiful. She didn't feel bad at any of what would happen to the pair.

Gu Yan smiled, happy at the praise, pointed a look at Zhao Yingyue. She wanted to rub in that Gu Yanya would always be nicer to her and praise her, even for the smallest things. Meanwhile, Zhao Yingyue could live her whole life trying to please her and never even receive the lightest compliment.

Zhao Yingyue ignored the look and turned to Bai Xinyi, "Would you like anything to drink or eat? This café has a delicious selection."

Gu Yan's smile faltered a little. She understood that Zhao Yingyue was showing her up by acknowledging the person it seemed that Gu Yan had forgotten about. The one who their whole fickle plan revolved around.

Zhao Yingyue had just indirectly called her out for being rude but it was in such a subtle way that she wouldn't even be able to complain about it. She wasn't supposed to be the one looking bad.

"Oh, I didn't think I would be getting anything. That's so kind of you, Young Miss. I'll just take a latte."

Zhao Yingyue nodded before saying to Gu Yan, "Well, you can add that and two breakfasts to the order."

Zhao Yingyue had usually never asked for food because since this place had quality food and it often time took a little extra time to be made.

After Yang Zimo pulled up in front of the café, Gu Yan let herself out to collect everyone's orders.

Zhao Yingyue then turned to Bai Xinyi and said, "Why don't you and Yang Zimo get some air?"

Zhao Yingyue wanted to talk to her mom one on one without the need of some facade. In order to do that, she needed everyone out of the car.

Bai Xinyi nodded silently before sliding out of the car though Zhao Yingyue knew that the woman wouldn't stray far. Only when the car was empty did Zhao Yingyue open her mouth.