Hedonist Prodigy

Chapter 67: Ye Qingxuan’s Worries

“Qingxuan, why are you here so early today? Did you miss me that much?” Xu Minmin emerged from the kitchen carrying two cups of coffee, handing one to Ye Qingxuan while sipping the other.  

Xu Minmin had a habit of sleeping in. On lazy days, she usually wouldn’t wake up until lunchtime. It was barely past eight in the morning now, and she wasn’t fully awake yet—her face unwashed, her hair disheveled—relying on coffee to keep herself from dozing off again.  

Ye Qingxuan, however, didn’t seem to notice her friend’s messy appearance. She held the coffee cup without drinking, her expression gloomy. “I was driving by and thought I’d stop by for a bit.”  

Xu Minmin smirked. “You rarely go out. Whenever you do, it’s always because something’s bothering you. You can’t fool me—is it still about Qin Junlin?”  

Ye Qingxuan gave a bitter smile, knowing there was no point hiding it from Xu Minmin, who was already well aware of her troubles. She nodded faintly.  

Xu Minmin sat across from her and sighed. “I knew it. Nothing else would upset you like this. Old Master Qin’s eightieth birthday is coming up—did the Qin family send an invitation to the Ye family?”  

Ye Qingxuan absentmindedly took a sip of coffee. “You know I’d rather not attend if I had the choice.”  

“You can’t ‘not’ go! That would be like announcing to the world that you’re avoiding Qin Junlin. How would that make him look? And how would you face your own family afterward?” Xu Minmin exclaimed.  

Ye Qingxuan covered her face with her hands. “Then tell me, what should I do? I’m completely at a loss about this.”  

“There’s always a way. The birthday banquet is still two days away—no need to panic yet,” Xu Minmin reassured, though she, too, felt it was a pity.  

In her eyes, Qin Junlin was the only man in all of Yanjing worthy of Ye Qingxuan. But while the flower was willing, the stream was not—Ye Qingxuan had no feelings for him, making the situation far more complicated.  

If the Qin family were just an ordinary household, rejecting Qin Junlin would be simple. But now, refusing him wasn’t just about the Qin family’s reaction—even the Ye family would never allow it.  

Hesitating, Xu Minmin added, “I’ve heard rumors that Qin Junlin plans to propose to the Ye family during Old Master Qin’s birthday banquet. Is there any truth to that?”  

Ye Qingxuan’s face paled slightly. “I don’t know. Who told you that?”  

“Supposedly, Qin Junlin himself mentioned it to someone. I’m not sure who spread it, but there’s no smoke without fire. Old Master Qin has always adored you—he practically sees you as his granddaughter-in-law already. If Qin Junlin really proposes at the banquet, the old man would surely be delighted. This might not just be a rumor.”  

Ye Qingxuan bit her lip. “I’ll call my mother and ask.”  

Only now did she realize her mother’s recent behavior had been odd—constantly making her try on dresses and preparing heaps of jewelry. She had assumed it was just her mother’s usual attention to etiquette with the Qin family. But now, it seemed there was more to it.  

Xu Minmin grabbed her wrist. “Are you stupid? Judging by your reaction, it’s obvious everyone in the Ye family knows except you. If you call now, do you really think your mother will admit it outright? Or will she keep you in the dark?”  

Ye Qingxuan sighed, her eyes dimming. “You’re right. Calling or not makes no difference now.”  

If her family was deliberately hiding this from her, they clearly knew she disliked Qin Junlin. They were probably planning to force the engagement during the banquet, banking on her unwillingness to embarrass Old Master Qin by refusing in front of him.  

Every angle had been considered—except her own feelings. If not for Xu Minmin, she wouldn’t even have known what to do if Qin Junlin really proposed.  

Seeing her distress, Xu Minmin softened. “Qingxuan, don’t overthink it. Things will work out—no need to torture yourself.”  

Ye Qingxuan had no energy left to talk. She stood up. “Minmin, I’m tired. I want to go home and rest. Thanks for the coffee.”  

“Hey, wait! Since I’m free, why don’t I take you out for a walk?” Xu Minmin quickly offered as Ye Qingxuan turned to leave.  

*****

After hosting Pei Yuanshan and Pei Ruoxi, Zhao Wuxia had to return to work and soon left. Pei Ruoxi, restless by nature, grew bored listening to her grandfather chat with Jiang Feng and decided to leave as well.  

She drove around aimlessly for a while before stopping to buy a drink and call some friends to hang out.  

After arranging a meetup, she jumped back into her car and sped off—completely unaware that Ye Qingxuan and Xu Minmin were standing not far behind.  

Xu Minmin had suggested a walk to distract Ye Qingxuan, who, not wanting to go home yet, agreed. But unlike most women, she had no interest in shopping. After driving for a while, she asked Xu Minmin to pull over so they could stroll along the quiet, clean streets.  

Ye Qingxuan watched Pei Ruoxi drive away, frowning slightly. There was something familiar about the girl, but she couldn’t place where she’d seen her before.  

Xu Minmin, however, recognized her immediately. “Qingxuan, wasn’t that the girl we saw at the hospital with Jiang Feng?”  

“Oh, her.” Ye Qingxuan remembered now.  

She had seen Pei Ruoxi at the hospital that day—apparently pregnant with Jiang Feng’s child and there for an abortion. Jiang Feng’s callous attitude had disgusted her.  

Now, seeing the girl drinking a cold beverage, she assumed the abortion had already happened.  

“Hmph, I knew I wasn’t mistaken,” Xu Minmin sneered. “How could Jiang Feng be so heartless? Abandoning her and making her abort the child? What a scumbag.”  

Ye Qingxuan frowned. “Minmin, it’s impolite to gossip about others.”  

Xu Minmin huffed. “If he dares to do it, why can’t I say it? Tell me, is that something a decent person would do?”  

Ye Qingxuan sighed. She agreed Jiang Feng’s actions were terrible, but since he had nothing to do with her, and the girl seemed willing, there was no point judging.  

“Everyone lives their own life. What seems wrong to us might not bother them.”  

Xu Minmin scoffed. “So should we blame Jiang Feng for being a scoundrel, or the girls for being too careless? Whatever—it’s none of our business anyway.”  

“Enough. Let me treat you to something.” Ye Qingxuan tugged her along.  

They found a café and ordered juice and ice cream. As Xu Minmin dug into her dessert, she asked, “Fine, we won’t talk about others. But your problem is still a big one. Have you thought of anything yet?”  

Ye Qingxuan sipped her juice. “Let’s wait and see. Maybe the rumors aren’t true.”  

“Better safe than sorry,” Xu Minmin said between bites. “Qingxuan, how about this—what if you tell Qin Junlin you already have a boyfriend? That’d make him back off, right?”  

Ye Qingxuan’s cheeks flushed. “But everyone knows I don’t. Where would I even find one?”  

“Not a real one—just a fake! Plenty of men chase after you. You’ve just always been too picky.” Xu Minmin grew more excited about the idea.  

“It’s not that simple. If we slip up, it’ll just become a joke.” Ye Qingxuan doubted the plan’s feasibility. Finding a convincing stand-in wouldn’t be easy, and Qin Junlin was too sharp to fool so easily. If exposed, she’d only humiliate herself.  

“Ugh, Qingxuan, you’re too timid. I’ve said my piece—what you do is up to you. But think carefully. This is about your lifelong happiness. Don’t take it lightly.”  

Ye Qingxuan nodded silently, sipping her juice without another word.