Chapter 6: Just Five Minutes

Last night?

Deling recalled that Qizhiping had called once last night, but her phone had died and shut off.

She felt a bit frustrated but quickly regained her confidence.

Since Ye Hongxiao had given her a first chance, there must be a way to earn a second.

“Is he at Lanting Court or Maple Grove Villa now?”

The person on the other end of the line hesitated for a moment before replying, “I believe I made that clear in last night’s message.”

Deling understood and thanked them before turning to leave.

Outside the Hongsheng Building, her phone chimed again. Deling glanced at it—it was another bank reminder for repayment.

She let out a bitter smile and silently blamed herself.

A month ago, Wang Siyang had told her his family was facing a serious emergency and needed money. Remembering how he had once devoted everything to her mother, she transferred most of her savings to him without hesitation.

But the money had vanished without a trace.

Later, Deling discovered he had already been addicted to those elite gambling tables, fantasizing about getting rich overnight, while she had been too busy with work to notice his abnormal behavior.

Calculating the money she had left and the expenses coming up, if she couldn’t secure the Ye Corporation’s project, she would be left penniless.

She thought, if fate truly brings her to that point, then she has only herself to blame.

Deling couldn’t remember how long it had been since she last came to Lanting Court. It wasn’t that she was deliberately avoiding it, but this place belonged to a circle vastly different from her own life.

If not for her past relationship with Ye Hongxiao, she would never have stepped foot in a home like this.

Staring at the familiar gate, memories surged forth, piecing together the fragments she had tried so hard to avoid—until they all crystallized into a sharp dagger piercing her heart.

The car stopped at the underground garage entrance but was blocked by the security guard. Deling gave the address of Ye Hongxiao’s residence, yet the guard remained strictly professional and denied entry.

Resigned, Deling parked the car in a nearby spot and got out.

At the gate was a facial recognition system, one she and Ye Hongxiao had registered during their better years.

With her heart pounding, she approached and stood before the screen; the automatic door clicked open. She walked up to Ye Hongxiao’s building and entered again through facial recognition.

Exiting the elevator, Deling took a deep breath standing before Ye Hongxiao’s door, then raised her hand to knock.

No one answered.

She knocked a few more times, still no response. Hesitation flickered in her heart, and she thought about turning away, but considering her current predicament, she steeled herself and raised her hand once more.

Before she could finish, the door opened.

Ye Hongxiao appeared, evidently just out of the shower, his hair still damp at the ends, the bathrobe loosely tied at the waist, leaning lazily against the doorframe.

“How did you get in here?”

“I…” Deling began.

Before she could respond, Ye Hongxiao turned and walked into the living room.

Deling heard him speak on the phone.

“Yes, keep Song Zigu’s files, delete the rest.”

She had forgotten—she was already considered one of the ‘rest.’

Deling remembered registering with the system required ID verification. At the time, she had joked with Ye Hongxiao, asking if the two of them looked like they were about to get a marriage certificate at the civil affairs bureau.

Ye Hongxiao had paused his smile, replying coldly, “Do we?”

The past was too painful to recall. Deling wanted to leave, but the project proposal in her hand reminded her why she was here.

She spoke, “Can you give me five minutes?”

“No!” Ye Hongxiao hung up, strolling back to the door with deliberate slowness. “I remember... I gave you a chance last night, and you gave up.”

“Last night…” Deling hesitated, then said, “My phone died, I didn’t see it.”

“As partners, Deling, I must remind you of professional ethics,” Ye Hongxiao said coldly. “Since I set the meeting time, failure to show up means automatic forfeiture.”

He was about to close the door.

“I can explain.” Deling grabbed the sleeve of his bathrobe. “I know Ye Corporation’s focus this year is on art investment and auctions. You know my expertise. I’m the best person to handle this project.”

“Best… doesn’t mean it’s what I want.”

Her heart stung at those words.

He had said this before—he claimed she was the most suitable woman for him in the world, but not what the Ye family desired.

A flood of memories crashed into her mind like a wave. She couldn’t recall her expression when he said that, only that she was drunk that night.

A woman who never touched alcohol had gotten completely drunk and, due to severe alcohol allergy, ended up in the hospital.

But so what?

In love, the one who falls first always loses utterly.

Clenching the folder tightly in her hands, Deling looked up at the man still handsome and refined before her.

“Five minutes! President Ye, I only need five minutes.”

Her tone was urgent, yet she heard him chuckle softly. Then he bent down, leaning close to her face, stopping just inches from her lips.

So close that Deling could even smell the minty freshness of his toothpaste.

“Five minutes, huh? Deling, do you want to see whether my mouth is stubborn, or… my body is harder? That might be too little time.”