After Seeing Through the Plot, the Cannon Fodder Supporting Female Lead Overturned Her Fate - Chapter 9

After exiting the fitting room, Ye An had the sales associate wrap up a few more dresses suitable for Xia Yihuan.

“Wear these when you come to pick me up from now on,” Ye An said, looking her up and down with a smile in her voice. “You look much prettier like this.”

“Mhm,” Xia Yihuan nodded. “I’ll do as President Ye says.”

Ye An was pleased. “Let’s go.”

“President Ye, these are the clothes Miss Xia just changed out of.” Seeing them leave, the associate hurried over and handed a bag to them. “I’ve packed them up—”

“Throw them away.” Ye An frowned. Before Xia Yihuan could respond, she had already made the decision for her.

She seemed to truly despise her in casual wear.

Xia Yihuan raised an eyebrow slightly. She wasn’t particularly strict about clothing; as long as it was suitable, it was fine. Although she usually wore dresses more often in the past, she had certainly worn casual clothes before.

She felt she looked presentable enough, but she hadn’t expected Ye An to be so repulsed by them.

“Then I don’t want them,” Xia Yihuan said. “Thank you.”

“Oh, alright.” The associate nodded, enthusiastically seeing them off. “Safe travels, President Ye and Miss Xia! Please come again!”

With that, the two walked away into the distance—one in red, one in white. They were noble, elegant, and uniquely beautiful.

They looked unexpectedly well-matched.

After purchasing a gift for Liu Yue, the two returned to the car.

Liu Yue’s house wasn’t far from the city center; the drive took about fifteen minutes.

Over the years, the Liu family’s business had grown larger, and their residence had become increasingly spacious. Mother Liu was a romantic who loved classical European architecture. To please her, Father Liu had spent a fortune to have the entire estate renovated from the inside out.

Even the courtyard was built to Mother Liu’s taste: shrubs, sculptures, pavilions, and fountains. Underfoot was a pebbled path, surrounded by buildings of complex design, with attention to detail seen in the shrines and pedestal planters scattered throughout.

The car stopped on a patch of lush green grass. Ye An smoothed her skirt and stepped out.

They were still some distance from the villa, but even so, the sounds of laughter and joy from afar were clearly audible.

“Yueyue is really having the time of her life today.” Ye An smiled. The sky had gradually darkened, and lights were beginning to flicker on, stretching forward in a continuous line and reflecting off the water. The surrounding scenery looked dreamlike.

The two stepped onto a bridge, following the direction of the light.

Xia Yihuan glanced sideways, observing the person beside her from the corner of her eye.

Through their interactions over the past few days, Xia Yihuan had gradually gained a new understanding of Ye An—including her tastes, her preferences, and her personality.

Ye An was unlike anyone she had ever met. She was beautiful in an extraordinary way—bold, proud, passionate yet distant. She was like a thorned rose growing on a cliffside; anyone could admire her, but not everyone was qualified to get close.

Two people who were polar opposites might not be able to become friends, but as a former rival, Xia Yihuan sincerely admired someone like her.

Thinking of her future fate, Xia Yihuan couldn’t help but feel a flicker of regret.

As she was thinking, a breeze blew by, and a leaf landed gently on Ye An’s head. Ye An continued walking with her head held high, seemingly unaware.

Xia Yihuan didn’t say a word to remind her; she simply reached out and brushed the leaf away for her.

In the next second, Ye An suddenly turned around with a small gasp. “Ah!”

Xia Yihuan paused. “What’s wrong?”

Ye An frowned, looking back toward the car. “I didn’t bring the gift for Yueyue.”

“It’s okay.” Xia Yihuan shook her head gently. “I’ll go get it. You go ahead, President Ye.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay alone?” Ye An glanced at her.

“I’m fine.”

“Alright.” Seeing her insistence, Ye An nodded and pointed. “The place with the brightest lights is where we’re going. Just keep walking straight once you’re back.”

“If you really can’t find it, call me,” she added with a smile. “I’ll send someone to get you.”

“I’m not a child,” Xia Yihuan said with a touch of helplessness. “I won’t get lost.”

“Alright, alright.” Ye An waved her hand. “Hurry back. We’ll wait for you to eat.”

“Go on.”

There seemed to be quite a lot of people here today.

To ensure everyone could have fun, Liu Yue had given all the servants the day off. Without her parents’ watchful eyes, she could do whatever she wanted. She had redecorated the courtyard to her liking and invited a long list of friends.

She couldn’t even keep track of how many people she had called.

“An’an, you’re here!” Liu Yue was currently directing several people to carry out speakers. Turning to see Ye An, she ran over eagerly. “I’ve missed you so much!”

“Xiao Wen said she’ll be a little late.” She cheerfully gestured for someone to move a chair. “Come and sit first.”

Ye An scanned the crowd and drawled, “Quite a few people here today.”

“Ah, about that…” Remembering her solemn words to Ye An over the phone, Liu Yue felt a pang of guilt. “I didn’t expect so many people either.”

“Mainly because everyone hasn’t gathered in so long,” she coughed. “Plus, a lot of people brought their own friends, so it looks like a lot.”

“But I really wanted to see you most,” she said, blinking hard at Ye An.

Ye An was amused by her. “It’s fine, it’s livelier with more people.”

“Besides, I actually brought someone with me today too.”

“Who?!” Liu Yue was instantly curious. “Man or woman? Have I met them before?”

“Woman,” Ye An said. “You could say you’ve met her.”

“Could say?” Liu Yue was baffled. “Who is it? You’re just talking about her—where is she? Why haven’t you shown her to me—”

Before she could finish, Xia Yihuan walked up from the marble path.

Ye An’s lips curled into a smile. “She’s here.”

Liu Yue straightened up and turned around. First, she saw long legs, a slender waist, and a graceful figure, then a fair collarbone and beautiful shoulders…

When she finally saw the face, Liu Yue choked. She turned back to Ye An, her round apricot eyes wide with shock. “This is who you brought?!”

“Xia… Xia Yihuan?!”

Two beauties sitting quietly under the lights made for a stunning sight.

Provided their names weren’t Ye An and Xia Yihuan.

Liu Yue was mostly fine; Ye An had briefly explained why Xia Yihuan was there in a few sentences. Liu Yue blinked, only half-understanding, feeling that the scene before her was far too surreal.

Aside from her, everyone else was frozen in shock.

Weren’t these two rumored to be arch-rivals? Why were they here together?

What exactly was their relationship now, and who should they talk to first?

And hadn’t Xia Yihuan gone bankrupt? Why did she still look so noble and beautiful?

The atmosphere was awkward for a moment. Finally, a middle-aged man in his forties stepped forward and greeted Ye An. “President Ye, I’ve heard much about you.”

Ye An looked up. “And you are?”

“I am Yuan Hu from Xinze Company. I came with my girlfriend today.” Yuan Hu handed over a business card, his face covered in a wide smile.

He hadn’t expected to run into Ye An here.

Yuan Hu wasn’t young, but he looked very youthful due to good maintenance—people often said he looked to be in his early thirties. Combined with his successful background, quite a few girls liked him.

His newest girlfriend happened to be a friend of Liu Yue’s. When Liu Yue held this party, she invited her, and Yuan Hu had nothing to do, so he tagged along.

It turned out to be the right move.

“Pleasure.” Ye An gave a polite, professional smile. She was good at giving people “face”; even when facing someone she had no interest in, she could remain unruffled. Yuan Hu chatted with her for a bit, seizing the moment to recommend his company, hoping for a chance to collaborate with Shi Qian in the future.

“Perhaps,” Ye An smiled, lightly clinking glasses with him.

Soon, Yuan Hu walked over to Xia Yihuan with his glass. “Uh… President Xia.”

“There’s no need to call me President Xia,” Xia Yihuan shook her head. “Just call me by my name.”

“How could I do that?” Yuan Hu chuckled. “President Xia is President Xia regardless of the time. I greatly admire your ability and vision, and I sincerely hope to work with you one day. I just haven’t found the opportunity.”

Seeing two capable women like Ye An and Xia Yihuan at once, Yuan Hu, as a businessman, was naturally going to seize every opportunity.

Everyone had heard something about Xia Yihuan’s bankruptcy, but the level of detail varied. Yuan Hu knew that for someone like her, even if she had fallen, there would still be plenty of people wanting to hire her.

Regardless of the outcome, he had to try.

“Might I ask where you are currently employed?” Yuan Hu lowered his voice slightly. “I know what I’m about to say might sound like a joke, but opportunity is right in front of me; I have to take it.”

“Would you be interested in joining Xinze Company?” He observed Xia Yihuan’s expression. Seeing that she seemed inclined to refuse, he spoke quickly. “While our company isn’t as large-scale as the giants yet, in terms of future development, I don’t think we’ll be far behind.”

“I’m willing to hire you as the Vice President of Xinze with a high salary and offer a portion of shares at a reasonable cost,” Yuan Hu said. “I doubt many companies can offer both. You should give it some serious thought.”

He was headhunting right in front of her.

Truth be told, Yuan Hu’s offer was quite sincere. Ye An calmly took a sip of her wine without saying a word, listening to the conversation with great interest.

She was actually quite curious to see what Xia Yihuan would choose.

Soon, she saw Xia Yihuan shake her head gently. She even reached out, calmly picking up an orange from the table and peeling it. “I’m sorry. Your offer is indeed very sincere, but I cannot accept it.”

Yuan Hu looked disappointed, but his curiosity was piqued. “Do you… already have a better choice?”

Xia Yihuan nodded. “Yes.”

“May I know who has the ability to hire someone as excellent as President Xia?” Yuan Hu said. “I promise not to tell anyone.”

“Actually, you’ve already met her.” The orange was peeled. Xia Yihuan smiled and gently handed it to Ye An. “Let me introduce you. President Ye is my boss now.”

“I am working for her.”