What Can You Give? Lady

"Have you seen any contact between her and other men?"

Zhao Shen's tone became noticeably more serious as he asked the question.

[…]

[What kind of contact?!]

[Wait! Isn't that me?]

[That scent is still fresh in my memory!]

This scoundrel!

Such thoughts brought an intoxicating smile to Qu Yingmeng's face.

"I have!"

Ye Liuyun answered decisively.

"You have?"

Zhao Shen was surprised.

"Yeah! But there wasn't much contact, and we eventually separated."

[It was just a hug and a kiss!]

Zhao Shen felt relieved upon hearing that he hadn't been betrayed.

However, even such a simple interaction was something he didn't want to happen again.

"Liuyun, you did well!"

He actually told me everything in detail. That proves his loyalty.

Zhao Shen was very satisfied.

"From now on, while following Qu Yingmeng, keep an eye on her actions and report everything to me."

[I knew it!]

[He wants me to spy on Qu Yingmeng!]

Ye Liuyun had already guessed Zhao Shen's intentions before this.

So, hearing it now didn't surprise him at all.

Still, he nodded seriously.

"Understood, Boss!"

In any case, I've said my piece—whether you believe it or not is up to you!

"Good."

Seeing Ye Liuyun's response, Zhao Shen was pleased. Coming back early had indeed been the right decision.

He never expected to come across such a capable talent.

"In two days, that commercial street will be transferred to your name. You can manage it however you see fit."

"Thank you, Boss!"

[The boss is amazing!]

[Show some respect for the boss!]

Doesn't this mean I'm moving up from a worker to a small business owner?

Not bad!

After leaving the study, Qu Yingmeng immediately stood up.

"I need to go back to the company. Liuyun, take me there."

"Alright!"

[Does this make me a driver now?]

Standing nearby, Zhao Shen frowned as he observed Qu Yingmeng for a moment.

Is she trying to recruit Ye Liuyun?

From Zhao Shen's perspective, that had to be her intention.

However, thinking back to their conversation in the study, Zhao Shen smiled confidently.

Now that he had secured Ye Liuyun's loyalty, there was no way Qu Yingmeng could sway him.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Liuyun!"

Zhao Shen spoke calmly.

"Understood!"

Naturally, Ye Liuyun didn't argue.

"Please, Madam!"

Qu Yingmeng gave a faint smile, took one last glance at Zhao Shen, and then turned to leave.

"Madam, are we heading straight to the company?"

With his expert driving skills, Ye Liuyun maintained a smooth and steady ride.

"No rush!"

Leaning back in the passenger seat, Qu Yingmeng gazed at Ye Liuyun lazily.

"Let's just drive around for a while. I don't feel like going to the company or home right now."

[…]

[This woman is dangerous!]

[If she keeps acting like this, I might have to start reciting a meditation mantra!]

I can't take this… I really can't!

"Understood!"

It took a while for Ye Liuyun to suppress the feelings stirring inside him.

He started circling around Haicheng.

"Liuyun."

After a brief silence, Qu Yingmeng suddenly spoke.

"Zhao Shen wants you to spy on me, doesn't he?"

"Yes."

[Damn, my mission hasn't even started yet, and I've already been exposed?!]

"You're very sharp, Madam!"

Since she had already figured it out, there was no point in hiding it.

Ye Liuyun admitted it without hesitation.

"That old man is still wary of me, huh?"

Qu Yingmeng's voice was casual, as if it didn't bother her at all.

[Is she revealing her true thoughts?]

Ye Liuyun could tell when someone was being genuine or not.

Why is she suddenly opening up like this?

"But doesn't that also mean he's afraid of me? That's why he's so cautious around me."

Honestly, Ye Liuyun didn't understand how things had escalated to this point.

But still—

"It's already impressive that Madam has come this far!"

[Honestly, Qu Yingmeng hasn't done anything wrong.]

[Isn't it natural for people to have ambition?]

[Not everyone wants to live their life as a caged bird!]

She had married into the Zhao family at a young age.

For so many years, Qu Yingmeng had remained dignified—that alone was admirable.

[It seems that from the very beginning, it was Zhao Shen who constantly distrusted her, which eventually provoked her dissatisfaction.]

[That's why she wants to fight for a share of the Zhao family's assets!]

[According to the original storyline, Qu Yingmeng ultimately failed. Left with nothing, she had no choice but to seek help from the male protagonist, Long Tian, eventually turning her fate around. But even then, she was still just a canary!]

[She simply had a different owner!]

From Zhao Shen to Long Tian.

When I first read this novel, I found it pretty absurd.

The male lead only cared about having fun and nothing else!

However—

After hearing Ye Liuyun's thoughts, a flicker of emotion crossed Qu Yingmeng's eyes.

Failure… Is that really my fate?

She was right.

Zhao Shen's dominance over the Zhao family's empire was built upon his own strength.

How could she possibly compete against such a formidable force?

Rely on Long Tian?

No! That wasn't the future Qu Yingmeng wanted.

With this realization, she slowly turned her gaze toward Ye Liuyun.

[Hmm?]

Ye Liuyun immediately noticed her intense stare.

"What's wrong, Madam?"

"Don't call me 'Madam.' Call me Xiao Meng."

[Xiao Meng?]

She's being quite forward!

"If I asked you to help me, would you?"

After all, every woman has moments of helplessness.

Especially after realizing what the future holds.

Being someone else's caged bird?

No! If that was her only fate, Qu Yingmeng would rather see everything fall apart.

[She's trying to recruit me!]

Hearing her words, Ye Liuyun quickly regained his composure.

So, in the end, her goal was the same as Zhao Shen's—both of them recognized his abilities.

Thinking about this, Ye Liuyun chuckled.

"The boss gave me an entire commercial street. What can you offer me, Madam?"

Given Qu Yingmeng's current position, she had nothing to offer him.

Zhao Shen still held absolute control over the company.

But—

Upon hearing his response, Qu Yingmeng simply smiled.

"What if I offer you myself?"

"???"