Yi Youxia sensed malice in Yang Xiaorui's approach and motioned for Rong Zhenye to wait nearby as she stepped forward to confront her.

"I heard every word of your confession yesterday," Yang Xiaorui sneered, covering her mouth as she laughed wildly. "Too bad, Yihan loves me. Don’t you know how good he’s been to me? We’ve only been dating a few days, and he already proposed—said he’s worried I’ll be snatched away because I have too many suitors."

Yi Youxia swallowed the rage burning in her throat. She had more important things to do than waste time bickering with this woman. "You’re imagining things. Yesterday was April Fools’ Day. I was just joking with my senior."

"Don’t play dumb," Yang Xiaorui scoffed. "I’ve seen the way you look at Yihan. Yesterday, he even clarified things with me because he was afraid I’d misunderstand. There’s no way he’d ever be interested in a filthy rat like you, crawling out of the gutter. Every inch of you is disgusting. He told me to tell you—be realistic, stop daydreaming. People like you belong in crowded buses and subways, not in his world."

Having clashed with Yi Youxia countless times, Yang Xiaorui had always emerged victorious. After all, Yi Youxia had neither money nor influence—she was doomed to lose against a rich beauty like Yang Xiaorui.

Not far away, Rong Zhenye caught snippets of their conversation. His only thought about Yang Xiaorui? She deserves a beating.

She should thank him for his self-restraint—otherwise, she wouldn’t even be able to breathe standing there.

Yi Youxia’s face had gone deathly pale. She turned to leave, but Yang Xiaorui blocked her path, determined to finish her rant.

Seeing this, Rong Zhenye stepped forward, wrapping an arm around Yi Youxia’s shoulders. "Darling, shouldn’t we be going?"

"Who…?" Yang Xiaorui stared at him, stunned. She had noticed him in the car earlier—someone so perfect, so godlike, that he was impossible to ignore.

"Aren’t you going to introduce us?" Rong Zhenye lightly tapped her shoulder, a sly smirk playing on his lips.

Yi Youxia understood instantly. "He’s my boyfriend, from Longcheng. His father is the chairman of a multinational corporation." She spoke clearly and deliberately, the last part entirely her own embellishment.

Yang Xiaorui’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. The man before her exuded an otherworldly elegance, his casual demeanor laced with an unshakable, regal aura—as if he were a king born to rule. Clearly, he was no ordinary man.

So Yi Youxia hadn’t been lying.

While Yang Xiaorui stood frozen, Rong Zhenye’s voice cut in, low and dangerous. "Yaxue, you look pale. Who bullied you? Tell me, and no matter who it is, I’ll make sure they regret it more than a pig on slaughter day." His tone was soft, but the chilling intent behind his words sent a shiver down her spine.

Yang Xiaorui shuddered, instinctively taking a step back, half-expecting him to punch her brains out.

Yi Youxia looped her arm through Rong Zhenye’s. "It’s nothing, just a cockroach. Let’s go."

As the two walked away, Yang Xiaorui’s eyes gleamed with malice. She pulled out a wedding invitation from her bag and hurried after them. "Yihan asked me to give this to you. He hopes you and your boyfriend can attend." She knew Xia Yihan wasn’t entirely indifferent to Yi Youxia—once he saw her boyfriend, he’d surely give up on her for good.

For old times’ sake, Yi Youxia accepted the invitation. The moment Yang Xiaorui was out of sight, she yanked her arm free.

Things just got complicated.

Her divorce plan would have to be adjusted.