Chapter 79: Tian Ai, I Love You Most

After Lü Buyu stormed out of Tianming Group with a face like thunder, Xue Tian’ai looked helplessly at Ye Hairuo, who was tightly clinging to his arm with a beaming smile, and said in a low voice, “Hairuo, you really know how to get your brother into trouble. Aren’t you worried you’ll never find a boyfriend because of this?”

“Not at all! If I can’t find a boyfriend, I’ll just let Brother Tian’ai take care of me for the rest of my life!” Ye Hairuo nuzzled against Xue Tian’ai’s shoulder, her face radiating pure happiness.

“Young Master!” At that moment, Old Huang approached, bowed politely to Xue Tian’ai, and greeted him with respect.

“Ah, Old Huang! You’re looking well. Thank you for staying by Hairuo’s side and protecting her all these years.” Looking at the elderly man before him, Xue Tian’ai’s thoughts drifted back to the past.

Time really flies—so fast it slips right through your fingers.

“Young Master, you and Miss should go upstairs to talk. This is the lobby on the first floor—too many people, too many eyes,” Old Huang whispered, shielding his mouth with his hand.

“Alright.” Xue Tian’ai nodded, then turned his gaze back to Ye Hairuo. “Hairuo, everyone’s watching. Let’s go upstairs first.”

It was only then that Ye Hairuo realized they were still in the company building… She had just been crying her eyes out, and now she looked every bit the little woman—how embarrassing. Noticing the stunned expressions of those around her, a faint blush crept across her cheeks. She let go of Xue Tian’ai’s arm and composed her expression as best she could.

Ye Hairuo cast a cool glance at the onlookers, cleared her throat, and said coldly, “Don’t you all have work to do? What are you gawking at? Back to work!”

The employees scattered at once. No matter how curious they were, now was definitely not the time to linger.

Though today they’d seen their usually icy beauty of a president acting all gentle and demure, that side was clearly not meant for them. President Ye was still the same President Ye—the ice queen to everyone else.

So, no matter how curious or envious they were about the man who could win her heart, work still had to come first.

Once the crowd had dispersed, Ye Hairuo sidled up to Xue Tian’ai again, looping her arm through his with affectionate sweetness shining in her eyes.

“Brother Tian’ai, let’s go upstairs!” Compared to before, she was like a completely new person, her gaze filled with deep affection for Xue Tian’ai alone.

“Alright,” he replied with a gentle smile, letting her lead him toward the elevator.

Old Huang watched the two figures, pressed so close together, their backs slowly receding. His weathered eyes grew misty with emotion. Compared to the Ye Hairuo of old, today she moved with a spring in her step, as if dancing with newfound vitality and youthful energy. Her beauty seemed to bloom fully at last, like a withered flower suddenly revived.

“Old Huang, that man…” Ye Hairuo’s secretary, Luan Yu’an, had just come down and witnessed the scene herself, joining the ranks of the dumbfounded. But unlike the other employees, her shock ran deeper. She had always been Ye Hairuo’s personal secretary—and knew better than anyone just how cold and distant her boss could be.

It wasn’t just the first time she’d seen Ye Hairuo cry like that; she’d probably smiled more times today than in the past several years combined. Who on earth was this man?

“Secretary Luan, I don’t quite know how to explain it either. Just remember—he’s the most important, irreplaceable person in Miss’s life.” Old Huang sighed softly. “Also, for now, don’t disturb Miss for a while.”

“Oh… alright,” Luan Yu’an replied, still dazed as she watched Xue Tian’ai and Ye Hairuo step into the elevator.

Meanwhile, inside the elevator, Ye Hairuo was excitedly introducing the functions of each floor to Xue Tian’ai, chattering away without pause.

Xue Tian’ai simply watched her, smiling, saying nothing.

At last, they reached the twenty-fourth floor. Ye Hairuo’s cheerful voice continued, “Brother Tian’ai, this is where my office is. Isn’t it great?”

The twenty-fourth floor—Tianming Group’s president’s office. Dreamstar Group’s president’s office was on the twenty-third. The floors were close indeed, Xue Tian’ai thought to himself.

From her enthusiastic introduction and his own observations, Xue Tian’ai felt a deep admiration. Years ago, he had only given Ye Hairuo the funds to start a company; he’d never imagined she would build it into such a grand enterprise.

But his heart also ached for her. Nothing comes easily. For Tianming Group to become what it was today, Ye Hairuo must have worked incredibly hard. The way her staff regarded her—with fear and respect—showed just how much she had endured over the years.

“Brother Tian’ai, do you know why the president’s office is on the twenty-fourth floor?” Ye Hairuo looked up at him proudly, only to be met by a gaze filled with tender concern.

Startled, she quickly lowered her voice. “Brother Tian’ai, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you saying anything? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, not at all.” Xue Tian’ai shook his head, reaching out to gently pat her head. “You’ve done wonderfully. I just feel I’ve let you down. You’ve worked so hard all these years. I’m sorry, Hairuo.”

Clearly savoring his gentle caress, Ye Hairuo’s cheeks flushed once more. She ducked her head and murmured, “So you know I’ve worked hard? You left for so many years… Do you have any idea how much I missed you?”

“I’m sorry, Hairuo.” Xue Tian’ai faltered, unable to find the right words. Though he’d left China in a fit of youthful anger, disappearing without a word was still his fault.

“No need to apologize…” Ye Hairuo whispered.

“By the way, Hairuo, why did you choose the twenty-fourth floor for your office?” Xue Tian’ai asked softly.

She grinned mischievously. “Hey, what day is your birthday?”

“The twenty-fourth,” Xue Tian’ai replied, then his eyes widened in disbelief. “Don’t tell me…”

“That’s exactly why I put my office on the twenty-fourth floor! Hehehe.” With that, Ye Hairuo released his arm, skipped to her office door, opened it, and beckoned him over. “Brother Tian’ai, come here.”

Watching her lively antics, Xue Tian’ai shook his head, smiling. Ten years had passed, and though she had grown more beautiful and accomplished, beneath it all she was still the same little girl who clung to him, always calling out “Brother Tian’ai.”

Once inside, he settled onto the sofa, glancing around. He found her office was almost identically furnished to Qin Mengxue’s—the taste of young female presidents was strikingly similar.

Ye Hairuo sat right beside him, resting her head blissfully on his shoulder. “Brother Tian’ai, I still can’t believe you’re really back. This isn’t a dream—is it?”

“Silly girl, I’m right here. How could it be a dream?” Xue Tian’ai put his arm around her.

“Oh, right—this is for you.” Xue Tian’ai lifted a bag in front of her.

“What’s this?” It was an insulated bag, offering no clue to its contents. Slightly puzzled, Ye Hairuo took it.

“Open it and you’ll see. But I’ll tell you now—it’s nothing fancy.”

“Ugh, so mysterious.” She opened the bag—and froze. Lying inside was a simple pancake.

“I told you, today’s pancake has egg and green onions.” Watching her momentary daze, Xue Tian’ai chuckled softly.

Ye Hairuo said nothing. Silently, she picked up the pancake and took a bite. The moment the sauce-soaked pancake, wrapped around sausage, chicken strips, egg, and green onions, touched her tongue, tears began to pour down her cheeks uncontrollably.

She had waited ten years for this taste. For this promise, she had waited ten years.

Seeing her face awash with tears, Xue Tian’ai panicked. “What’s wrong, Hairuo? Did I make a mistake with the pancake again?”

Lifting her tear-stained, delicate face—a sight to move anyone—Ye Hairuo whispered, “No, you didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just… so happy. I missed this taste so much. I missed you so much.”

Looking at her gentle, vulnerable innocence, Xue Tian’ai’s heart melted. The Xue family owed this girl far too much, and so did he.

But now, words failed him. It was as if something gripped his throat, suppressing his voice, leaving him unable to utter a sound.

All he could do was embrace her tightly, holding her trembling form.

Silent, yet more eloquent than any words. Ye Hairuo slowly chewed the pancake she should have tasted ten years ago, her sobs gradually fading.

She was content now—Brother Tian’ai’s warm arms and the familiar taste of the pancake were the dreams she had yearned for over a decade.

Though her cheeks were still streaked with tears, a smile blossomed across her lovely face. Nestled in Brother Tian’ai’s embrace, she felt as happy as a carefree child, her joy radiant as sunlight.

“Brother Tian’ai, I love you most of all,” she murmured softly.

“Hm?” Xue Tian’ai hadn’t quite heard.

Blushing, Ye Hairuo rephrased her words. “Brother Tian’ai, I like you best.”