Volume One, Chapter 48: Whose Woman Are You, Really?

But not everyone is willing to be the one someone returns to after leaving.

Ye Sheng sneered inwardly.

The truth was simple—what you can’t have is what stirs you the most.

“Don’t get worked up, I was just making a casual remark.”

She looked at Huo Mingting. “Since President Huo is so concerned about me, was it you who had today’s trending topic taken down?”

At that, Huo Mingting’s expression grew momentarily uneasy.

“No,” he replied. He hadn’t done it, and he wasn’t about to accept credit for it.

Ye Sheng let out a soft “oh,” then smiled.

“Then how exactly does your concern manifest? By showing up at my workplace to disrupt my job, making a few perfunctory remarks about caring, and now taking up my time after work as well?”

Huo Mingting's face turned awkward. When had this woman become so sharp-tongued and fierce in her words?

Steadying himself, he recalled his purpose for coming.

“I wanted to ask you—the trending topic, was it a deliberate stunt? Was it to generate publicity for Huatai Pharmaceuticals?”

Ye Sheng’s brows knitted. “What are you implying?”

He looked at her intently. “At first, I thought someone was targeting you on purpose. But as things unfolded, the situation didn’t add up. So I checked into the shareholders of Huatai Pharmaceuticals and discovered a name—Wan Sandao. He holds eight percent of the company’s shares.”

As he spoke the name, Huo Mingting’s voice was both heavy and cold.

Ye Sheng’s gaze remained calm. “And?”

“So, I have good reason to believe this whole drama was orchestrated by you all to catapult Huatai Pharmaceuticals into fame. In short, it was all hype.” Huo Mingting narrowed his eyes. “Including President Li and his wife—they were part of your plan.”

Ye Sheng was puzzled. “President Li and his wife?”

“This afternoon I met with President Li and President Zheng. President Li said you saved his son, Li Mo, several times, and that tomorrow you’re even taking Li Mo to a jiu-jitsu gym.”

A touch of derision curled at Huo Mingting’s lips. “I didn’t know you, who have always been delicate and unskilled in a fight, suddenly knew Brazilian jiu-jitsu. But in front of President Li, I didn’t expose you—I let you keep your dignity.”

Unable to hold back, Ye Sheng laughed at the ridiculous accusation.

Huo Mingting stared at her. “Why are you laughing? Did I hit the mark?”

“It’s nothing.” Ye Sheng made a gesture for him to continue, “Go on.”

Her refusal to admit anything only stoked Huo Mingting’s anger; his voice grew colder. “You approached Li Mo as a doctor to get close to the Li family, intending to use Li Mo to manipulate President Li and his wife, so they’d see you as their savior and do your bidding. Am I wrong?”

At this, Ye Sheng finally understood. “So, according to you, the ones who had the defamatory trending topic removed and got all those celebrities to share the full promotional video were President Li and his wife?”

Huo Mingting’s dark eyes suggested he thought she was still playing dumb.

“Li Group owns an entertainment company. President Li’s wife, President Zheng, is a well-connected agent in the entertainment industry, with influence over several PR firms. Surely you know that?”

“I really didn’t. Thank you for telling me.” Ye Sheng nodded calmly, glanced at her watch, and, not wanting to make Wang Liang wait outside any longer, said, “Is that all you have to say? Nothing else? If not, I’ll be going…”

“Ye Sheng.”

Huo Mingting called her name, his voice grave. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk about your past or origins. Wan Sandao is a shareholder in Huatai Pharmaceuticals, but Granduncle told me Wan Sandao is his sworn brother. And as it happens, the owner of Huatai Pharmaceuticals has the surname Ye.”

The veins at his temple bulged; his emotions finally broke through. Suddenly, he seized her wrist and pulled her in front of him.

“Ye Sheng,” his burning breath brushed her ear, but the words he uttered were icy cold, “tell me, whose woman are you—really?”