The inside of the car was eerily quiet. Both of them were silent, not saying a word. He did not give her any explanations for his actions. Was he angry with her? She had so many questions but did not dare to ask any of them.
Yu Yan felt awkward, not sure how to react with this development. She looked at him. He was as dignified as usual. Looking down at her hands that rested on her lap, she thought back about how she had been acting around him.
- Flashback -
A sixteen-years-old Yu Yan was sitting at her desk, happily drawing in her notebook. The Yu Yan at that time had been so carefree, not interested in anything but her designs and love. She was rudely interrupted when someone came barging into the classroom, screaming.
"Ah Yan! You, how could you sit here leisurely when that woman is seducing brother Yi Feng?" Yu Yan looked up in shock. What?
Yun Feng looked hat her in a loss as she spoke. "Ah Yan, how could you be so innocent. There are so many women, that want to be with brother Yi Feng. There's a rumour that he's dating the school belle!"
Seeing Yu Yan's worry, Yun Feng continued to talk. "Why are you just sitting here? We have to go and take care of it!"
Yu Yan was worried, so she did not feel there was something wrong with what her friend said. Trusting the girl she asked her for a solution.
"What should I do? We're just high schoolers, we can't get into M University."
"We'll barge in of course," Yun Feng said.
Yu Yan knew that would cause a lot of trouble. Li Yi Feng would be unhappy if she did something like that. Knitting her brow, she voiced her thoughts.
"No we can't, we'll be in trouble."
Yun Feng was displeased. This fool was not following her plan. The whole purpose was to make trouble. There were no such rumours about Li Yi Feng, to begin with, but she had to somehow make him hate Yu Yan. If things did not work out as planned, how was she supposed to get together with brother Yi Feng?
"Don't be stupid. With your backing, it doesn't matter what you do. It's that woman's fault for seducing brother Yi Feng." Yun Feng gave reasons to convince Yu Yan. It was not that hard, Yu Yan had always been very trusting and when it came to matters concerning Li Yi Feng, she was not able to think straight.
"Ok, I'll go talk to her. I'll tell her that I and Li Yi Feng are childhood sweethearts," Yu Yan hesitatingly said. Calling herself his childhood sweetheart was already stretching it, but she did not want to see another woman besides the man she loved.
"How could you be so stupid. If you gently talk to her, would she give up? These kind of women are the type that wants to climb into a rich man's bed! You have to act domineeringly. Give her a few slaps, curse at her and pull out half her hair," Yun Fen irritatedly said.
Yu Yan was hesitant. That seemed too harsh. "Ah Feng, isn't that too much?"
Yun Feng did not give up. While she dragged Yu Yan to M university, she tried everything to convince Yu Yan. Telling her lies about similar happenings in the past that had been resolved like this. Though doubtful, Yu Yan could only believe her one and only friend. After being convicted by Yun Feng, she had acted viciously not caring to listen to the poor girl's explanations.
"You think I'd believe you! You sl*t! How dare you!" She screamed her lungs out as she grabbed on to the girl's hair, pulling as the girl cried out in pain. Many people tried to stop her, but she would not listen. Looking back at her friend who was signalling her to do more, she did not stop and continued.
PA!
She slapped her.
Pa! Pa! Pa!
Again and again, until her hands felt numb.
"Stop!"
An angry voice could be heard. She turned around to find Li Yi Feng glaring at her. He stomped forward and dragged Yu Yan away from the innocent school belle.
"What are you doing?! How dare you make trouble?" Li Yi Feng angrily roared at her as he glanced at the beaten girl.
For the first time in her life, Yu Yan had felt heartbroken. So it was really true? Why else would he protect the girl? Hurt and angry she screamed back at him.
"How could you take that b***h's side! If she had not acted so shamelessly, would I do all this?!"
The more she spoke, the angrier he had gotten. For the first time, she saw Li Yi Feng expression show something besides his indifference. He had never been too cold or too warm towards her, but that day he showed disgust for the first time. His disgusted look, painfully squeezing at her heart.
"Drag her out! Who let her in?" Li Yi Feng looked on coldly as he spoke.
She had been so shocked that she could not say a thing. She had blamed Yun Feng for a long time. But Yun Feng had somehow convinced her that it was because Li Yi Feng was under the other woman's spell. She told her again and again that it was her own fault for being too naive and let other women approach the man she liked. It was because Yu Yan was not good enough to satisfy Li Yi Feng!
The young Yu Yan lost all her confidence that day. Hearing again and again that she was not good enough until she was brainwashed to believe it was the truth. She became uncertain and insecure, easily jealous if another woman came to close to Li Yi Feng.
**********
In a luxurious room, an elegant woman was sitting by the table. The waiting room was elegantly decorated. It was sparsely furnished, with just what was needed and nothing more. The woman was beautifully dressed as she sipped her tea while awaiting someone's arrival. As she waited, someone burst in and glared at her.
She smiled kindly at the woman as she spoke.
"Madam Li, it's nice to finally meet you. What do I owe the pleasure of your company today?"