Zhan Yangyi’s breathing grew ragged. He had already extended his hand, his fingers inches away from embracing Chen Yutong.
Yet, he slowly lowered his arm. Only he knew how difficult that simple action was for him.
Finally, Zhan Yangyi steeled his heart and pushed Chen Yutong away.
Suddenly, the familiar warmth vanished. Chen Yutong was left with only disappointment and reluctance.
“I’ve already made myself perfectly clear. No matter what you do, I won’t change my decision.”
Zhan Yangyi’s voice turned colder, instantly chilling Chen Yutong’s heart to its core.
“You should leave. This project’s contract was never my instruction. I will punish the relevant personnel accordingly, and of course, we won’t use the promotional images you’ve shot.”
Chen Yutong looked defiant. “Yangyi, do you really have to take things this far? Please, let me stay and work. Even if you don’t look at me, don’t talk to me, I don’t care! As long as I can still have some connection with you, I… I’ll be content.”
Zhan Yangyi remained unmoved. “Please leave. I don’t want to say it a third time.”
But Chen Yutong appeared equally resolute, her gaze fixed on him. “I won’t leave.”
Zhan Yangyi frowned, then waved his hand. Several bodyguards emerged from the side.
“Escort her out,” Zhan Yangyi commanded, turning to walk back into the studio.
The bodyguards looked sheepish. “Madam, we apologize.”
Then, each grabbed an arm of Chen Yutong, forcibly pushing her out.
Chen Yutong stood at the entrance of the studio, unable to re-enter.
Although she had anticipated this outcome, she hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.
She looked at the studio doors, feeling a wave of injustice wash over her. She constantly reminded herself not to show weakness at this moment.
Yet, the hurt and sadness gradually enveloped her.
Frustrated, Chen Yutong went to a bar alone and ordered several of the strongest drinks she knew. Soon, she was in a complete daze.
“Beautiful lady, why are you drinking alone?”
Chen Yutong looked up at the person but showed no reaction, even turning her head away with a hint of disgust.
But the person was persistent. “It’s so boring alone. Why don’t you let me keep you company?”
As he spoke, the man seized the opportunity to sit beside Chen Yutong, even reaching out to touch her face.
But just as his hand was about to touch her, it was forcefully slapped away.
“Who are you?” the man grumbled angrily. “Don’t you want to live!”
Wei Yumeng merely glanced at him and then said to the bar owner, “Boss, this man was about to do something improper to my sister-in-law. If you don’t want trouble, kick him out.”
The owner recognized Wei Yumeng and knew she was not someone to be trifled with. He promptly complied and expelled the man.
Mu Linjing, seeing that the situation was resolved, walked over.
“Yumeng, why are you bothering with her? Isn’t this her own doing?”
Wei Yumeng sighed, looking helpless. “Don’t say that. No matter what, she’s still our sister-in-law.”
Mu Linjing pouted. She had never considered Chen Yutong as a sister-in-law.
Wei Yumeng tried calling Chen Yutong’s name a few times, but Chen Yutong, in her drunken state, clearly didn’t recognize her.
“Come, have a drink with me!”
Chen Yutong said, picking up her glass again.
Wei Yumeng had no choice but to snatch it away.
“What are you doing? Yangyi doesn’t want me anymore, can’t I just have a few more drinks to drown my sorrows?”
Chen Yutong began to cry again. “I already know I was wrong. I’ve tried every way to get close to him, but why… why is it still useless? Is his heart made of stone?”
Chen Yutong felt deeply wronged. She had exhausted all the methods she could think of and truly didn’t know what to do next.
“Yangyi, if we divorce, what will I do?”
As she spoke, she stared blankly at the table, lost in her own world.
Seeing her like this, Wei Yumeng’s heart softened.
“Look at her, doesn’t it seem like she truly realizes her mistake?” Wei Yumeng said to Mu Linjing.
Mu Linjing, seeing Chen Yutong’s state, didn’t know what to say.
Previously, she truly believed Chen Yutong was untrustworthy, given her past actions that were still vivid in her memory. And her acting skills were so superb that no one could see through her.
But now, witnessing this scene firsthand, she was genuinely unsure if Chen Yutong’s distress was real.
She even began to subtly believe what she was seeing.
Chen Yutong started crying again, this time with such heart-wrenching sobs that people around them couldn’t help but look at her.
Wei Yumeng and Mu Linjing were at a loss.
After some thought, Wei Yumeng decided to call Zhan Yangyi.
When Zhan Yangyi saw Wei Yumeng’s call, he already suspected it had something to do with Chen Yutong.
He hesitated, unsure whether to answer. He should have nothing more to do with Chen Yutong.
At that moment, the phone stopped ringing, and Zhan Yangyi lost the chance to answer.
Yet, he couldn't help but worry. Wei Yumeng wasn't someone who often asked for favors. And after his recent argument with Chen Yutong, if she were truly in trouble, it would be disastrous.
He involuntarily picked up his phone and found Wei Yumeng’s number, but he hesitated to dial.
If he called now, and it turned out to be related to Chen Yutong, all his persistence might have been in vain.
With that thought, he put his phone down again.
But to his surprise, the phone rang again. This time, the number wasn’t Wei Yumeng’s, but Mu Linjing’s.
Zhan Yangyi hesitated for a moment, then finally answered.
“Big Brother, you finally answered.” It was indeed Wei Yumeng’s voice.
Her voice sounded somewhat anxious.
Zhan Yangyi frowned. He knew something must have happened, or Wei Yumeng wouldn't be so urgent.
“What is it? Take your time and tell me.”
Wei Yumeng then explained, “Linjing, Yutong, and I were drinking at a bar. When we left for just a moment, Yutong was surrounded by some hooligans. We’re women and we can’t do anything. Big Brother, please come quickly.”
Mu Linjing deliberately chimed in, “Yumeng, what’s happening? Those hooligans were getting handsy. I’m really worried they might hurt sister-in-law.”