The elevator doors opened.
Li Xinyue stepped out first.
Shen Yichen followed right behind her.
They had barely taken two steps into the lobby—
and Xinyue stopped.
So did Shen Yichen.
Because Ye Chenyan was standing directly in front of them.
Too close for coincidence.
Too still for accident.
Xinyue's eyes narrowed immediately. "…Why are you here?"
"What did you mean?" Ye Chenyan asked glaring at the person behind Li Xinyue
Shen Yichen reacted at the same time, voice colder. "You were upstairs weren't you?."
Ye Chenyan didn't move.
"I was."
That one word.
No explanation, no softness, no consideration
Shen Yichen scoffed under his breath. "You came down first and waited."
Ye Chenyan finally looked at him. Not annoyed. Not rushed. Just steady.
"And you followed her down," he replied.
That hit the air wrong.
Both of them glared at each other
Xinyue glanced between them. "Stop it."
Neither of them stopped.
Shen Yichen took a step forward. "This isn't normal, Ye Chenyan."
Ye Chenyan tilted his head slightly. "What part?"
Shen Yichen almost laughed, but it came out tight. "You standing here like you were expecting us.".
Ye Chenyan didn't deny it. "I am"
That silence it but the glaring continued
Xinyue exhaled sharply. "I said stop."
This time, it cut through.
Both men paused—but tension didn't drop.
It just changed direction.
Xinyue's expression cooled. "I'm leaving."
Shen Yichen turned toward her immediately. "Xinyue—don't ignore this."
"I'm not ignoring anything," she snapped back, the first real edge in her voice.
That made both men go quiet for half a second.
Ye Chenyan watched her now more carefully.
Not speaking yet.
Just watching.
Shen Yichen lowered his voice. "He followed you."
Ye Chenyan finally spoke. "Say it properly."
Shen Yichen's eyes darkened. "What?"
"I didn't follow her," Ye Chenyan said calmly. "I came down and stood here."
A pause.
Then, almost casually—
"And what is wrong with that?" Xinyue asked
That changed the atmosphere immediately.
Yichen's eyes sharpened. "What did you mean?"
"She meant I am her fiancee" Ye Chenyan said.
She Yichen turned to Li Xinyue for confirmation
Li Xinyue didn't answer directly.
Which was worse than yes.
Shen Yichen stepped closer, voice lower now. "You're playing games."
LIi Xinyue finally looked at him fully.
"No," he said. "I'm done being the pawn."
That word landed heavier than anything else so far.
Xinyue closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again.
Ye Chenyan looked at Li Xinyue and smiled discreetly
Shen Yichen looked at Ye Chenyan and faced Li Xinyue again
"Is he forcing you?" He asked
"Mr. Shen, should I call security?" Ye Chenyan asked
"You..."
"Enough" Li Xinyue said and faced Shen Yichen fully
"I told you. I already blessed both you and Li Ruoruo's engagement"
"Ruoruo was just playing. It was a harmless game" Shen Yichen said
that finally snap the last string of patience with her
Sigh
"You're wasting your time," she said flatly.
That shut everything down for a moment.
Not because it was polite.
Because it was final.
She adjusted her sleeve, already turning away emotionally.
"Am leaving" she announced.
Ye Chenyan pulled her close and pecked her head marking his territory
Li Xinyue was taken a back a little but she didn't let it show.
Shen Yichen shone his eyes wanting to protest
"I'm leaving," she repeated.
Neither man moved.
Shen Yichen looked like he wanted to stop her.
Ye Chenyan didn't.
Xinyue walked away
This time, no one followed.
But the moment she left the lobby—
Shen Yichen finally said under his breath,
"You did that on purpose."
And Ye Chenyan, still watching the direction she left, replied quietly:
"Of course I did."