Yang Hui stared at Ye Ling, not feeling embarrassed at all, just looking directly at her. Or perhaps she was confident, knowing that after saying all this, Ye Ling would certainly help her.

After so many years together, everyone understood each other’s temper and character to some extent.

Moreover, with Ye Ling having given such a response, Yang Hui felt assured in her heart.

"Then it’s nothing, let’s head back first, so we won’t keep everyone waiting." Ye Ling felt that staying longer would not lead to anything more to say with Yang Hui.

Yang Hui’er nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed, "Ye Ling, can you not let others know I asked you for help with this matter? I’m really afraid that Sui Gang might get angry, you know his temper, he’s always concerned about face. If something spreads, he’ll definitely be upset."

"Since that’s the case, why don’t you just ask him yourself? There’s no need to go around such a big circle. If you ask him directly, he won’t be angry. Besides, considering your relationship, what can’t you ask him?" Ye Ling couldn’t understand what Yang Hui was thinking.

Initially, Ye Ling didn’t want to ask these questions directly and was planning to leave. But since Yang Hui stopped her and brought this up, Ye Ling felt it necessary to express what was on her mind.

Yang Hui looked embarrassed. "In front of Sui Gang, I always present myself as if I don’t care about our relationship, always letting Sui Gang take the initiative while I’m the passive one. If I ask first now, Sui Gang will definitely think I care about him, and then he won’t care about me, which is why I..."

The rest of the words were left unsaid, but Ye Ling understood.

Lovers shouldn’t have to resort to such tactics. Ye Ling really didn’t like it, but it was Yang Hui’s business, and she wouldn’t say more. The relationship between her and Yang Hui was just that of schoolmates and acquaintances, with no deep friendship.

Ye Ling nodded, "I promise to ask Sui Gang about his thoughts, but I can’t guarantee that this won’t get back to him. You know, I’ll have Zhao Guodong and the others to ask. Zhao Guodong and the others won’t pry, but once Sui Gang himself is asked, he’ll definitely think more about it. Why else would Zhao Guodong and them ask out of the blue? You agree, right? Anyone would think a bit more when asked a direct question."

Ye Ling didn’t want to help only to end up being blamed, so she pointed out the potential issues.

"Then... let’s leave it at that!" Yang Hui showed some embarrassment, "Sorry, Ye Ling, for making it hard on you when I asked for your help. Just pretend I didn’t say anything earlier."

Ye Ling waved her hand nonchalantly, "Between friends, there’s no need for such formalities. Yang Hui’er, since you consider us friends, don’t be so polite all the time; it makes everyone feel distant, like strangers."

Yang Hui nodded and didn’t say anything more, though her smile seemed forced. Ye Ling didn’t say more either, and the two entered the room where the men were still drinking.

Ye Ling noticed Zhao Guodong with an arm over Shen Bin’s shoulder, saying to Xiang Weilai across from them, "Don’t think that since Shen Bin got to marry Ye Ling, he’d have an easy time. Let’s just say, for anything, if Ye Ling doesn’t approve or she’s not involved, even if Shen Bin agrees, he has to take the cold shoulder, you know? We’re good brothers, so I’ll just say it today. Only Shen Bin can put up with this in-between stance, causing others like Liu Nan to follow her lead. I’m telling you, I’m the kind of man who doesn’t indulge women."

Just as he was saying this, he saw Ye Ling walk in, and he couldn’t continue, looking embarrassed as he sheepishly scratched his head, "I was just joking, everyone, don’t take it seriously!"

Including Liu Nan, everyone in the room looked at Zhao Guodong with schadenfreude.

Ye Ling laughed, "Zhao Guodong isn’t wrong; you can take it to heart. That’s exactly how I am."

Zhao Guodong’s face flushed bright red immediately.

Instead, it was Ye Ling’s acknowledgment that made the previously embarrassed Shen Bin unconcerned, as he looked at Ye Ling with a gaze full of gentle indulgence.

"Ye Ling, don’t take it seriously. He’s just had a bit to drink and has a lot of opinions about me, which is why he’s talking nonsense." Liu Nan spoke up too, worried that Ye Ling might get angry.

Ye Ling chuckled, "Don’t I know what he’s like? Don’t worry, I’m not angry, but I think your Zhao Guodong needs to be managed properly. Normally, I don’t see you being strict with him. He’s this full of complaints and says these things in front of everyone. Talk to him at home and help him remember better."

After saying this, Ye Ling winked at Liu Nan.

"Don’t worry, even if you don’t say anything, I’ll have a good talk with him about today’s incident once we get home." Liu Nan blinked back at Ye Ling, playing along.

Zhao Guodong’s face drooped after hearing this, and he looked at Ye Ling with a face full of grievance, like a scolded wife.

Wang Ping couldn’t help but burst into laughter, which made everyone else join in.

Yang Hui watched the scene in front of her, feeling like an outsider, unable to fit into this circle.

She couldn’t describe the feeling in her heart, but she couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. They all knew each other, so why did Liu Nan get along so well with everyone while she felt like an outsider? She could see that everyone’s attitude toward her was neither warm nor cold. But Sui Gang was good friends with everyone, so why did they still treat her like this when she was Sui Gang’s girlfriend?

Everyone was there to comfort Xiang Weilai. Even though they didn’t say much else, this way of interacting warmed Xiang Weilai’s heart.

After everyone had enough to drink and it was getting late, the gathering finally dispersed.

"You guys go first, I have a few words to say to Xiang Weilai," Shen Bin said to the group.

Ye Ling glanced at him without speaking, then left with Liu Nan, followed closely by Yang Hui, while Zhao Guodong was supported by Wang Ping, and Zhang Lin also nodded to Shen Bin before the three of them left. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

With no outsiders in the room, Shen Bin spoke directly, "You know you’ve had such a big issue. Ye Ling won’t be without concern. Now that your family isn’t around here, and Liu Family is pressuring on what you do, making things awkward. If there’s anything you need, just say so directly to me. You consider Ye Ling to be family, so that makes you my family too."