Su Yirao struggled to maintain her composure, her desire to distance herself from the male and female leads growing stronger with every passing moment.
She forced a smile at Guan Qingtong, a simple acknowledgment, and then turned to Yu Xingye, her voice tinged with mockery. "Yu Xingye, Mr. Yu, what's the matter? You've always been cold and distant toward me. Weren't you just waiting for this day?"
Yu Xingye studied her in silence, as if trying to determine whether this uncharacteristic statement was genuine.
"Yu Xingye, what are you thinking? I'm letting you go, and you're letting me go. We're no longer bound by this engagement, free to pursue our own happiness. Isn't that a good thing?" Su Yirao's smile faded, replaced by a steely resolve.
After a long pause, Yu Xingye finally spoke, "We can break the engagement, but it has to be my family that initiates it."
Hearing this, Su Yirao felt a wave of relief.
"What a joke!" Su Yirao snapped. "I went to all this trouble to invite so many people, not to do your family's bidding! Just because your family cares about its reputation doesn't mean my family doesn't!"
Yu Xingye's expression remained cold as he scoffed, "Then the engagement stays."
Breaking off their engagement wasn't just a matter of making an announcement. The union between the Yu and Su families involved numerous business dealings. If one party refused to negotiate the terms, it could lead to significant losses for both families.
Their standoff began to draw the attention of the other guests at the event.
Guan Qingtong, who understood the situation but not its full implications, watched anxiously, worried for Su Yirao.
Her sister was brave to propose breaking off the engagement to pursue her own happiness. But it seemed like it wasn't going to be easy.
It looked like she might fail.
Guan Qingtong desperately wanted to help Su Yirao, to repay the kindness she had received. But as an outsider, what could she do to assist her sister?
Over the years, Su Yirao had come to understand Yu Xingye's character, and she had anticipated that the Yu family wouldn't back down easily.
She smiled confidently and began to move toward the prepared documents containing the proposed business deals.
Su Yirao's parents had always been aware of the foolish things she had done in her infatuation with Yu Xingye, and it had pained them to see it. Now that she had chosen to let go and break off the engagement, her parents were more than happy to support her.
To ensure their daughter's success, Su's father had even taken the time to prepare the necessary business documents.
They were willing to take a small loss in business, but they would not let their daughter suffer.
The Yu family could reclaim some ground in business negotiations, and the event wouldn't end in a complete disaster.
This was Su Yirao's contingency plan, and she was confident that it would convince Yu Xingye to agree to the engagement's dissolution.
However, plans often fail to keep pace with unexpected changes.
And this unexpected variable was none other than the female lead, Guan Qingtong!
Taking a deep breath, Su Yirao braced herself for what was to come.
Then, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Guan Qingtong boldly took Yu Xingye's arm.
Smiling warmly, she said, "Su Yirao, so you're my brother's fiancée? You're indeed very beautiful, but my brother will never love you. Even with an engagement, he'll only love me."
She then covered her mouth in mock embarrassment, adding, "I'm sorry, Sister. I hope you're not upset by what I said…"
Su Yirao froze mid-motion, her hand hovering over the documents. She looked up at Yu Xingye in shock.
What was going on?
Even without the original plot's dramatic first encounter, had the male and female leads fallen in love within a day? And now, were they following the original storyline, making her the third wheel?
But in the original plot, the female lead had no role in the engagement break, and her character wouldn't willingly become a third party.
As she saw the fury in Yu Xingye's expression, Su Yirao's gaze shifted back to Guan Qingtong, and she began to understand.
"Nonsense!" Yu Xingye recoiled from Guan Qingtong as if she were venomous, shaking her off.
It was the first time Su Yirao had seen Yu Xingye flustered, and she almost laughed, though she suppressed it, given the setting.
She couldn't help but think: Only the female lead could make the male lead look this foolish.
Regaining her composure, Su Yirao played her role, looking at Yu Xingye with disappointment.
"Yu Xingye, I can't believe I liked you so much, yet you…"
They were quickly turning the tables!
In just a few exchanges, they had painted Yu Xingye as the unfaithful one, leaving him seething with anger.
At that moment, Yu Xingye deeply regretted bringing Guan Qingtong along, thinking she was harmless.
He wanted to explain, but in the face of public opinion, which can destroy a person's reputation, who would truly believe him?
"Su Yirao, you win!" His face was like ice, but his eyes burned with anger. "Let's end this engagement. Our families will have nothing more to do with each other!"
With that, Yu Xingye turned and left without looking back.
Seeing him go, the Yu elders also showed their displeasure toward the Su family and followed suit.
The farce had gone this far, and the guests exchanged looks, each contemplating their future business dealings with the Yu and Su families.
As the guests began to leave, Su Yirao was taken aside by her parents, likely to discuss their next steps.
Guan Qingtong sat quietly in the corner of the banquet hall, waiting for Su Yirao to return.
The departing guests gave her a variety of looks, some amused, others disdainful.
But Guan Qingtong didn't care.
Zhou Huiying, also waiting for Su Yirao, finally noticed Guan Qingtong in the now-empty hall.
As Su Yirao's friend and confidante, Zhou Huiying was indignant. She marched over to Guan Qingtong and spoke in a cold, mocking tone, "You're so young, and this is what you choose to do? Interfering in someone's relationship—don't you feel ashamed?"
Su Yirao, who had just finished discussing how to handle the Yu family's inevitable retaliation with her parents, was already in a bad mood. Hearing this, her heart sank further.
Zhou Huiying wasn't just criticizing Guan Qingtong—she was also indirectly criticizing Su Yirao for her foolish actions in the original storyline!
Su Yirao quickly cleared her throat, signaling Zhou Huiying to stop.
Zhou Huiying looked up and, seeing her friend's expression, shifted her tone, asking with concern, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Su Yirao replied. "My parents are prepared for any business retaliation from the Yu family. We'll handle it."
Zhou Huiying smiled and said, "Good, that's a relief. Congratulations on finally being single again."
Su Yirao returned her smile but then, ignoring Zhou Huiying's disapproving look, slowly sat down next to the quietly waiting Guan Qingtong.
"Sister, I…" Guan Qingtong's voice was small, as if afraid of being misunderstood. "I'm not with him. I just wanted to help you."
Seeing the sincerity in Guan Qingtong's eyes, Su Yirao felt a soft spot in her heart being touched. She patted her on the shoulder and nodded.
"I know."
"Sister, I only wanted to help. I hope what I did didn't cause you any trouble." Guan Qingtong sounded anxious.
Su Yirao, keeping the business matters to herself, smiled lightly. "You didn't cause me any trouble. If anything, you caused trouble for Yu Xingye."
"Then… since he didn't want to end the engagement with you, I'm sorry for what I did," Guan Qingtong said, biting her lip.
"Why did you help me?"
Wasn't the female lead supposed to be on the male lead's side?
"Yesterday, you saved me and gave me the money to save my mother. You helped me, so when you were in trouble, I couldn't just stand by and do nothing." Guan Qingtong's words were firm and resolute.
"You'll be seen as a homewrecker, hated by everyone."
"I don't care. If it helps you, it's worth it."
Su Yirao was slightly moved, but knowing she was dealing with the female lead, she wasn't sure how to express her gratitude.
"You have a good heart," she finally said, maintaining a hint of distance.
"You saved her?" Zhou Huiying, beginning to piece together the events, looked at Guan Qingtong with newfound understanding. "So you're not a homewrecker, but someone who repays kindness. I'm sorry for what I said earlier…"
Guan Qingtong graciously responded, "It's okay. I'm glad Sister Su has such a loyal friend. I really admire that!"
Zhou Huiying beamed at the compliment, laughing as she said, "You've got a way with words, girl. You've got a sweet tongue."
Guan Qingtong then turned back to Su Yirao, asking timidly, "Sister, what about the job you mentioned yesterday? When can we sign the contract?"
The money was already in her account, but without a contract, she couldn't spend it with a clear conscience.
Su Yirao met her gaze and said, "Keep the money. Consider it your payment for helping me this time."
"Huh? But…"
Guan Qingtong's refusal to accept unexpected wealth, despite her obvious need for money, was surprising to Su Yirao, who was used to seeing people's greed.
"I have money to burn," Su Yirao said, her mood lifted by this act of kindness. "The money is a gift, no strings attached. Use it to pay for your mother's surgery."
After hesitating for a long time, Guan Qingtong finally accepted Su Yirao's words as sincere and expressed her overwhelming gratitude.
Just as Su Yirao was about to see her off, Zhou Huiying, for reasons unknown, decided to go against her.
"What's your name, and are you still looking for a job?" Zhou Huiying asked.
"I'm Guan Qingtong," she replied, looking troubled. "Yes, I am. But I haven't found anything suitable…"
"Give me your contact information. Su Yirao and I are planning to open a café, and we're looking for help. The pay will be fair, I promise." Zhou Huiying, impressed by Guan Qingtong's character during their brief interaction, extended an invitation without hesitation.
Hiring Guan Qingtong was out of the question!
This went against everything Su Yirao had planned!
She didn't want to have anything to do with the female lead, let alone work with her!
"She's not…"
Before she could finish, Zhou Huiying interrupted her.
"Not what?" Zhou Huiying frowned. "You've changed, Su Yirao. A few days away, and you're all hesitant. The girl's fine by me."
"Working with you two would be an honor!" Guan Qingtong's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I'm Zhou Huiying. You can call me Sister Ying," Zhou Huiying said, extending her hand to shake. "Welcome aboard, Guan Qingtong."