Before Chen Yuzhe made his decision, he had already weighed everything.

If he insisted on defending Jiang Xiaoyao against the storm, his current position alone wouldn’t be enough—not even as her friend.

So if he chose to stand by her, he had to steel himself.

Like now.

After a brief stunned silence, the crowd erupted.

Exaggerated gasps, mocking snickers, pitying sighs—the clamor nearly drowned him out.

Yet his eyes remained as still as an ancient well, his face unreadable.

No matter how fiercely the rumors surged around him, he stood unmoved like a reef against crashing waves.

*Hmph. Not the first time I’ve faced this sea of judgment. Honestly? I’m used to it.*

He’d long decided to live for himself, ignoring others’ opinions. Let them whisper all they wanted.

Call him a fool biting off more than he could chew. Sneer that he was a toad craving swan meat.

Go ahead. He’d lose if a single insult actually stuck.

Huang Yanchen stared at Chen Yuzhe in disbelief for nearly ten seconds before snorting.

*Snort. Heh heh. HAHAHAHA!*

His laughter grew wilder, tears streaming as he clutched his stomach.

“Wait—did I hear that right?” He jabbed a finger at Chen Yuzhe between gasps. “Xiao Chen, are you naive or just adorably stupid?”

“You seriously think Jiang Xiaoyao would ever like someone like *you*?”

“Ugh. Seeing how deeply she’s fooled you… I almost feel bad mocking you further.”

After finally calming slightly, he added, “Actually, Xiao Chen, you’re lucky.”

“Lucky I’m here. At this rate, with you so utterly bewitched by Jiang Xiaoyao? Who knows how badly you’d end up.”

“Come on, let your senior enlighten you about Jiang Xiaoyao’s *real* history. After this, you’ll definitely—”

Huang Yanchen eagerly reached to pull Chen Yuzhe aside, only to be flatly refused.

“Pass. Nothing you’ll say is new. Whatever you dug up, I already know.” Chen Yuzhe idly swirled his wineglass, bored.

“Flirting ambiguously with guys, pulling tea-girl antics everyone scorns—I know it all.”

“You *know*?” Huang Yanchen frowned. “Then why jump in anyway?”

*Heh.* Chen Yuzhe smirked faintly.

*At worst, she’s just a tea girl.*

*Compared to you—a complete monster—she’s practically harmless.*

“Senior. May I ask you a few questions?”

Huang Yanchen’s brow furrowed at the sudden topic shift. “What do you mean?”

“First—if I recall correctly, you and Jiang Xiaoyao had rumors swirling last year. Right?”

*Tch. Digging up old dirt now?* Huang Yanchen scoffed inwardly but answered smoothly:

“Yes. I admit—I was temporarily blinded, unable to see Jiang Xiaoyao’s true colors.” He spread his hands. “But I’ve corrected my mistake. I reunited with Wanmei, who forgave me. What does that prove?”

“Ah… Don’t mention Senior Li Wanmei,” Chen Yuzhe sighed, shaking his head with exaggerated regret.

Huang Yanchen’s frown deepened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ignoring him, Chen Yuzhe turned sharply to Li Wanmei behind Huang Yanchen.

“Senior, when Huang Yanchen was flirting with Jiang Xiaoyao behind your back last year… how did that make you feel?”

All eyes snapped to Li Wanmei. She flinched back half a step, old wounds flaring at the question.

Chen Yuzhe watched her, expressionless, waiting.

“…It hurt,” Li Wanmei whispered.

“I even… thought about ending it all.”

“But… that’s all in the past, isn’t it?” She gazed lovingly at Huang Yanchen, voice softening. “Chenchen has finally understood his heart. He swore he’ll love only me from now on—that I’m the one who truly cherishes him. Our bond grew stronger through this.”

Huang Yanchen flashed a smug grin.

*Predictable. She’s so pathetically in love, she swallows even this nonsense.* Chen Yuzhe closed his eyes briefly.

*Good. Still within expectations.*

*Her expression and body language just confirmed enough.*

“Then let me ask—if Senior Huang Yanchen truly loves you so much…”

“Where do you think he sneaked off to behind your back last August?”

The abrupt question froze Li Wanmei. The crowd murmured, confused. Only Huang Yanchen’s face tightened.

“CHINA JOY. CJ. Held in City S last August.”

“Most here know CJ—it’s a massive expo.”

“But for certain… *special* guests?” Chen Yuzhe’s lips curled into a cold smirk.

“It has another infamous nickname.”

*CJ’s other CJ.*