Birthmark

Since that incident, Ye Chu had not performed at Shengge Bar for many days.

After leaving Ye Shiyun’s room, Ye Chu felt a heavy weight in her heart.

Especially when she heard Ye Shiyun say that in order to get closer to Gu Muchen without being discovered, she had to create a birthmark in the same spot on her waist. Ye Chu felt an uncomfortable tightness in her chest.

After finishing her work as a maid, Ye Chu had a simple dinner and was about to visit her mother in the hospital when she received a call from Xiao Sheng.

"Ye Chu, when are you planning to come back to work?" Xiao Sheng’s gentle voice came through the phone, sounding as casual as an old friend who hadn’t been seen in a long time.

"Boss, I… I want to resign…" Ye Chu said in a very small voice.

"Betty and those three troublemakers have all been fired," Xiao Sheng said, still in his usual gentle tone.

"But…"

"Okay, stop with the buts. If you’re still not feeling well, just rest at home for a few more days." Although Xiao Sheng’s voice was calm, there was an undeniable sense of authority.

After a slight pause, Xiao Sheng changed the subject. "Do you have time tomorrow?" he asked. "I’m attending a charity auction and need a female companion. Will you come with me?"

"Me?" Ye Chu was surprised. "But I’ve never been to such an event before. I’ll just embarrass you, Boss."

"How could that be?" Xiao Sheng chuckled. "Just be yourself. If you do well, I’ll even give you a bonus."

Xiao Sheng had already said so much, so Ye Chu had no choice but to agree reluctantly.

"Okay then, let’s do it. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at 9 a.m."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Ye Chu sat on her bed, feeling a bit dazed. She thought about her conversation with Xiao Sheng and suddenly realized that if she was going to attend a charity auction, she needed to dress appropriately.

She quickly got up, opened her small wardrobe, and started rummaging through it. Finally, she found a dress that was still in good condition and had a decent style.

It was a Klein blue long dress that she had bought as a birthday gift for herself when she turned 18. She had never worn it because she couldn’t bear to.

---

The next morning, at exactly 9 a.m., Xiao Sheng arrived at Ye Chu’s house and called her. "I’m here."

After receiving the call, Ye Chu quickly ran out of the gate.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," she said apologetically as she stood outside the car.

Xiao Sheng was dressed in a white casual suit. Even while sitting in the car, his tall and lean figure was obvious. His eyes were especially captivating, with a slight upward curve at the corners, making him look effortlessly seductive.

Xiao Sheng leaned his arm on the car window and looked at Ye Chu before smiling. "I’ve never seen you dressed like this before. You look beautiful."

Ye Chu’s face immediately turned red. She fidgeted with her fingers and said softly, "I’m sorry, I don’t have high heels, so I can only wear white sneakers."

"It’s okay. You look great," Xiao Sheng said, then turned to her. "Get in the car."

Xiao Sheng drove while Ye Chu sat nervously beside him. She felt anxious, as if something big was about to happen.

Xiao Sheng glanced at her and smiled. "I prepared a dress for you in advance, but I think you look beautiful in what you’re wearing now. It’s up to you which one to wear."

"I’ll wear the dress you prepared!" Ye Chu blurted out without thinking.

When she saw Xiao Sheng’s smile widen, she blushed and quickly explained in a small voice, "It’s not because of the dress. I’m just afraid of embarrassing you…"

"I know," Xiao Sheng said, his lips curling into a smirk. His eyes became even more enchanting. "I’m here with you today. There’s no need to be nervous."

Coincidentally, the dress Xiao Sheng had prepared for Ye Chu was also Klein blue. It was paired with a set of diamond-studded high heels. Even the makeup artist who did Ye Chu’s makeup couldn’t stop praising how beautiful she looked.

The charity auction was even grander than Ye Chu had imagined.

A long red carpet was laid out at the entrance, with media reporters on both sides, eager to capture the latest news. Every guest who attended was dressed in their finest attire.

"Don’t be nervous. Just hold onto my arm and follow me," Xiao Sheng said as he got out of the car. Then, he politely helped Ye Chu out as well.

"Look! Isn’t that the illegitimate daughter of the Ye family?"

"It’s her! It’s really her! She probably couldn’t stand the fact that Miss Ye was able to attend the auction, so she clung onto someone’s thigh and got them to bring her here at the last minute."

"By the way, who is the man who brought her here?"

"I haven’t seen him before. I don’t know him… but for him to be at this auction, he must be someone important."

"She’s really good at using her skills as an illegitimate daughter to seduce people!"

As Ye Chu walked down the red carpet, holding onto Xiao Sheng’s arm, the reporters on both sides frantically snapped photos, as if they had caught a major scoop.

Hearing their comments, Ye Chu felt even more uncomfortable and uneasy.

She had grown used to the outside world’s speculations and malicious remarks since she was young. But she didn’t want to drag anyone else into it—especially those who sincerely treated her as a friend.

Sensing Ye Chu’s emotions, Xiao Sheng gently turned his head toward her and comforted her in a soft voice, "Don’t pay attention to what they say. You are my important companion tonight. I am honored to have such a beautiful companion."

Then, he added with a teasing smile, "And think about your prize money."

Ye Chu was amused by his last sentence, and her mood lightened a lot. She nodded with a small smile and straightened her back, gracefully walking into the venue with Xiao Sheng.

As soon as they entered, Ye Chu spotted Gu Muxuan standing next to a happy Ye Shiyun.

She had planned to walk past them quietly, but unfortunately, Gu Muxuan also saw her.