Chapter 17: Replacing Your Life (17)

During this period, Tong Ling transformed herself into a master of time management. On weekdays, she interned during the day, acting as Lu Yue’s “good friend” at work. After hours, she would invite Wei Wei out for shopping trips.

To fulfill her promise to the wealthy woman sponsoring her, Tong Ling brought along Lu Yue to accompany their outings. Initially, it was a trio date, but later on, she strategically excused herself midway through, finding ways to leave Lu Yue with Wei Wei—a skillful matchmaking tactic.

As several dates passed, Lu Yue’s expression grew increasingly sour, and Wei Wei’s mood also remained low. Before Tong Ling could make another escape, Wei Wei grabbed her hand.

“Don’t you go; let him leave!” Wei Wei said irritably. “I must have been blind before, thinking he was the epitome of a gentleman, only to find out—” She raised a finger, pointing at Lu Yue’s face, devoid of any lingering affection, filled instead with resentment. “Look at him, acting like I owe him millions! If he’s so unwilling to be my companion, then why bother coming? I’ve had enough!”

Lu Yue glanced at Tong Ling and snidely remarked, “Demanding conditions while asking me to keep company? Wei Wei, didn’t you claim to love me? Is such a minor change unbearable? Your love sure is shallow!”

Indignant, Wei Wei retorted, “It’s clearly you who has changed! With that attitude, no woman will ever like you again!”

Lu Yue chuckled sarcastically, “Don’t worry, I don’t need you to like me; my kindness is reserved only for the woman I love.”

In response, Wei Wei tersely spat out one word: “Get lost!”

Tong Ling hurriedly comforted Wei Wei, frowning disapprovingly at Lu Yue. “Lu Yue, that’s going too far! How could you talk to Weiwei like that?”

Lu Yue’s gaze turned icy. “Weiwei, Weiwei, always just Weiwei! What do you see me as?”

Wei Wei clung to Tong Ling’s arm and sneered, “As if you can compare with me? Lingling wouldn’t be interested in someone like you; she likes me!”

“Likes me? With your arrogant and domineering nature, anyone would steer clear of you. It must be a momentary lapse in judgment that let you bewitch Lingling!”

“You called who arrogant and domineering?”

“The one who responds knows whom I meant!”

Watching the escalating tension between them, Tong Ling quickly gestured for Lu Yue to leave. “Go away, all of you! Can’t you give me a break?”

“A break?” Lu Yue scoffed. “Using me to win favor with another woman? You’re dreaming more likely than achieving that!”

Tong Ling was dissatisfied with Lu Yue’s change. “Lu Yue, you used to be so understanding. Now your temper has become unbearable!”

The vein in Lu Yue’s temple throbbed angrily. “Unbearable? Who’s responsible for this, huh!”

Tired of the quarrel, Tong Ling swiftly grabbed Wei Wei and left Lu Yue behind.

Before departing, Wei Wei didn’t forget to flash a taunting expression at Lu Yue, causing his face to turn yet another shade of pallor.

M577 expressed deep sorrow: [The charming playboy persona has crumbled so completely…]

Tong Ling shared the sentiment, lamenting, “If only Lu Yue would listen and spend more time with those wealthy young ladies, I could expand my business even further. With so many lovers, every bit earned counts… Lu Yue is truly too disobedient!”

M577 felt its host’s words were utterly heartless: […Just be decent for once!]

Treating the male supporting character as merely a tool for entertaining clients—was that something a decent person would do? No wonder Lu Yue’s character had collapsed so drastically. Now, instead of courting women, his every word dripped with venomous sarcasm. Even Wei Wei, who remained steadfastly devoted, couldn’t help but storm off in anger—a clear sign he was beyond redemption.

On weekends, Tong Ling occasionally invited Song Xingyi out to tutor him in academics. Unlike the rebellious and uncooperative Lu Yue, Song Xingyi became increasingly well-behaved, prompting Tong Ling to teach him additional material despite herself. Song Xingyi displayed immense enthusiasm for learning; if not for Tong Ling strictly managing their study sessions, he likely would have spent entire days immersed in academics.

Concerned for Song Xingyi’s well-being, Tong Ling typically spaced out their tutoring sessions, leaving him without contact for extended periods. As a result, whenever they met, the little pup became incredibly clingy. Fortunately, with Song Xingyi’s high school exam approaching, he spent most of his final days focused on studying. Despite his busy schedule, even amidst the tight deadlines, Song Xingyi didn’t forget to promise her that once he got accepted into his dream university, she must reward him.

Tong Ling readily agreed; helping others was what she loved best.

By this point, Ye Xu remained the person with whom Tong Ling interacted the least. However, Tong Ling knew that Ye Xu quietly kept track of her activities all along.

The nurse assigned to care for Ye Huan was one of Ye Xu’s contacts. Anything happening at the hospital would be promptly reported back to Ye Xu in full detail.

On the surface, it seemed as though Ye Xu never directly inquired about Tong Ling, but in reality…

Nurse: “Miss Yu, Mr. Ye Huan will soon begin rehabilitation training. Mister Ye has arranged for the most specialized rehabilitation doctors, ensuring comprehensive care and dietary management. You won’t need to visit daily or bring meals anymore.”

Tong Ling: “I don’t have to bring food?”

Nurse: “Yes, the hospital provides specialized nutritious meals that greatly aid in the patient’s recovery.”

Tong Ling: “What about the training schedule? Do you need my assistance?”

Nurse: “No, having family members present can actually hinder the patient’s focus during rehabilitation. For Mr. Ye Huan’s swift recovery, it’s best to leave these matters to the doctors.”

Tong Ling was momentarily speechless.

Brilliant! Tong Ling had never been particularly keen on visiting Ye Huan; her most conscientious act was bringing him daily meals from the restaurant. With Ye Xu’s arrangement, she no longer needed to worry about anything. What could she say? Ye Xu truly was the ultimate toolman, second to none!

“Then I won’t get to see Ye Huan often anymore…” Tong Ling feigned disappointment, adding, “It seems like there’s nothing I can really do to help…”

The nurse comforted her, “Knowing Miss Yu cares deeply for Mr. Ye Huan, I believe he will recover swiftly.”

Tong Ling nodded, accepting the nurse’s advice and subsequently reduced her visits to once a week instead of daily.

Remembering his superior’s instructions, the nurse continued, “Regarding Miss Yu’s employment…”

Tong Ling looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Following her supervisor’s instructions, the nurse suggested to Tong Ling, “I’m not sure if Miss Yu has considered working at Mr. Ye’s company? Mister Ye has been excessively busy lately, unable to visit Miss Yu, primarily because he is striving to become independent from the Ye Family. Now that he has his own company, I believe Mr. Ye would be truly delighted if Miss Yu joined him there.”

Internally, Tong Ling found this amusing. Ye Xu must have learned about her internship at Lu Yue’s company, but she couldn’t tell if he was also aware of the rumor regarding her being Lu Yue’s fiancée.

During this period, Tong Ling hadn’t contacted Ye Xu, and he, in turn, had kept silent without revealing anything. She assumed he genuinely didn’t care.

“Why doesn’t Ye Xu ask me personally?” Tong Ling feigned disappointment. “If I had known earlier that I could work with him, I wouldn’t have approached Lu Yue.”

She sighed in front of the nurse. “But I’ve already completed my employment procedures and secured a stable job at the company. Leaving abruptly wouldn’t be appropriate; I’ll just have to forego joining Ye Xu.”

The nurse tried to persuade her further, “If you wish to go, any issue can be resolved.”

“Forget it, I don’t want to bother Ye Xu too much…” Tong Ling pursed her lips and whispered softly, “If this continues, I won’t know how to thank him anymore.”

The nurse clearly understood his employer’s reservations, and as he saw Tong Ling about to give up, he became anxious. “Miss Yu, Mister Ye wouldn’t mind any trouble for you.”

“You’re not him; stop talking nonsense.” Tong Ling shot a glare at the nurse before swiftly leaving the hospital.

That very evening, Tong Ling received a call from Ye Xu.

Ye Xu sounded somewhat weary, his voice more hoarse than usual. “Are you really so reluctant to involve me?” He had been waiting for Yu Yurou to reach out, but unexpectedly, he couldn’t bear it any longer and initiated contact first. “You should know that anything I do for you is voluntary. I don’t expect anything in return; all I ask is for you to continue seeing me as your little gege and relying on me as before.”

With these words, Ye Xu effectively lowered himself to a subservient position. Most people would be deeply moved upon hearing such sentiments, but Tong Ling was not most people.

Tong Ling didn’t believe a single word from Ye Xu. If he truly had no ulterior motives, why would he immediately reach out to her as soon as the nurse informed him that she didn’t intend to burden him like before?

In their past interactions, Yu Yurou was always the one taking initiative, often finding Ye Xu too aloof. Although Ye Xu could fulfill Yu Yurou’s various requests, it required her to be the one asking first. Ye Xu derived satisfaction by giving, hoping this approach would make Yu Yurou dependent on him.

However, Tong Ling did not plan to let Ye Xu continue his manipulations. She wanted him to understand that it was he who needed her more than vice versa. If he desired her attention, he must genuinely plead with sincerity. After all… she possessed far greater patience than him.

“It’s precisely because I knew you’d say this that I didn’t want to…” Tong Ling spoke with evident frustration, “I feel like my debt to you keeps growing, making it hard for me to comfortably accept your kindness.”

“In the past, these concerns never bothered you.” Ye Xu recalled the old Yu Yurou; after they reunited, she unreservedly enjoyed his care without any qualms. Amidst his happiness, he couldn’t help but notice how the grown-up girl seemed to have changed.

She had become much more demanding, and he couldn’t help but wonder if he still held a special place in her heart.

Ye Xu desired that uniqueness; he wanted her to remember him as her little gege, forever unchanged.

Fortunately, after Yu Yurou stayed domestically, she reverted back to the image he cherished from his memories. She remained pure and beautiful, with him holding a special place in her eyes, being her one-of-a-kind little gege. They could intimately joke around, and she freely displayed her affectionate charm towards him. In her demeanor, there was both the grace of a woman and the innocence of a child.

She embodied everything Ye Xu had dreamed of, and he kissed this manifestation of his dreams.

He gave her time to adjust, not contacting her for many days. During this period, he learned about the substitute contract, her internship at Lu Yue’s company under the identity of Yu Ling, and how she cooked meals daily for Ye Huan, caring for him… Despite doing so much, she never once complained or expressed any grievances.

Why hadn’t she come to find him? Did their kiss scare her off? Was she unwilling to give him even the slightest chance?

Ye Xu found himself unable to remain calm; his heart was already in turmoil.

“The past is the past, and now is the present.” Having teased him enough, Tong Ling shifted gears, “Don’t you find it strange? You…you kissed me, yet still expect me to pretend nothing happened? I can’t…I keep thinking about that kiss, all your fault! It makes me worry incessantly, fearing my little gege might disappear, that he’s changed…”

Ye Xu’s heart raced wildly. Did these words mean what he hoped they did? She harbored feelings for him too, just as much as she thought about him…

“I won’t change,” Ye Xu said tenderly. “I will always be your little gege.”

Tong Ling mumbled, “I don’t want to owe you anything.”

“You’ve never owed me,” Ye Xu replied with a slight smile, “It’s me who owes you.”

Ye Xu felt deeply content; he wasn’t alone in this dream—she felt the same way.

“Then we…can still be like before?” Tong Ling asked hesitantly.

“It has never changed,” Ye Xu assured her.

Although Ye Xu claimed things remained unchanged, his behavior indeed evolved. He no longer passively waited for Yu Yurou to seek help from him. Realizing that if he didn’t take initiative, his girl might truly ignore him, their relationship had fundamentally shifted after that kiss.

Ye Xu believed this change was for the better.

Two months swiftly passed by. Ye Huan’s recovery progressed rapidly, and he couldn’t bear staying in the hospital any longer. Being limited to seeing his girlfriend only once a week while constantly surrounded by doctors every day made it clear who was behind these restrictions.

As expected, Ye Xu had revealed his ambitions. Not only did he obstruct Ye Huan from meeting Yu Yurou, but he also plunged the Ye Group into chaos.

During this period, Shen Man hadn’t approached Ye Huan. Apart from Ye Huan evading her inquiries, the most crucial reason was that Ye Xu had caused significant trouble for the Ye Family.

Ye Xu sold off his shares, prompting several board members with ambitious intentions to increase their own holdings. These members had long-standing conflicts with Shen Man. The shift in share ownership dynamics drastically altered the balance of power within the board. Now, everyone on the board was unsettled, and the struggle over equity plunged the company into turmoil.

Moreover, before leaving the company, Ye Xu poached several key technical staff members. With extensive knowledge of the company’s operations and armed with the substantial funds from selling his shares, Ye Xu established a new firm.

This move essentially declared open defiance against the Ye Family!

Whenever Ye Huan recalled how Ye Xu had obstructed his meetings with Yu Yurou, it made him seethe with resentment. He now fully understood the importance of power; both Shen Man and Ye Xu, through their authority, had significantly impacted his comfort and control.

Ye Huan’s ambition surged to unprecedented heights. Upon leaving the hospital, he rushed straight to the company without wasting a moment, determined to formally involve himself in its decision-making process. He aimed to gradually take over the company’s affairs from Shen Man, ensuring that anyone hindering him would disappear one by one.

With Ye Huan immersed in his new pursuits, Tong Ling enjoyed some carefree days until she received the invitation to the Song family banquet. Accompanying the invitation were three separate evening gowns sent by different individuals.

1. A sensual red long dress with a daring backless design and high slit. You’ll look stunning in this. Be my date, and everything I have will be yours. (Lu Yue)

2. An ethereal white fairy-like gown adorned with delicate sparkling beads. My dear girl, I can’t wait to see you in this; you’ll forever be my princess. (Ye Xu)

3. An elegant black off-shoulder dress with a high waistline. As the host of the banquet, I solemnly invite you to attend. Sister, I’m eagerly waiting for you! (Song Xingyi)

The three dresses were exquisite, custom-made to perfectly fit her figure. Tong Ling felt slightly torn, unsure which one to choose without disappointing the others.

“Oh no, oh no…” As m577 contemplated the upcoming banquet scenario, it suddenly doubted whether the plot would unfold smoothly: “This storyline is already falling apart before even starting…”

In the original plot of this banquet scene—Ye Huan attended with his substitute, Yu Ling. During the event, Ye Huan’s friends constantly criticized Yu Ling and made it clear that they only recognized Yu Yurou as his girlfriend. They insisted that Yu Ling, as a mere substitute, should not dare to replace Yu Yurou’s position. Upon seeing Yu Ling, Shen Man also dismissed her, stating that she fell short compared to Yu Yurou and was merely an unworthy plaything. Song Xingyi, who harbored feelings for Yu Yurou, took matters further by directly confining Yu Ling to the black room, forbidding her from leaving throughout the entire banquet.

The substitute spent the night locked in the black room, only being remembered and taken away by Ye Huan the following day after the banquet ended.

Tong Ling smiled brightly and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll obediently accept the punishment of the black room. It’s my destiny as a substitute minor female character!”

M577 shuddered, recalling those male characters whose personas were crumbling one after another… The black room? Is it truly the original black room? It couldn’t bear to think about it anymore; m577’s entire system felt numb.