Everyone in the Group is a Main Character, Except Me Who's the Villain

149: I can’t refuse a little”You want to pursue me?”

Fang Ming nearly choked on the evening breeze. He turned his head, looking at her with an expression full of surprise.

Ye Nuannuan wasn’t the kind of girl who would casually talk about feelings. After what she had been through with Lu Chenzhou, her emotional defenses should be stronger than anyone’s. How could she suddenly say something like this?

”I... I know this isn’t right.”

Under the halo of the streetlight, a blush spread across Ye Nuannuan’s pretty face: ”You already have a girlfriend, maybe even... more than one. But Brother Fang Ming, I just can’t help myself.”

”After my mom left, I drifted through each day in a daze, not knowing what to do or what tomorrow would bring. It wasn’t until I met everyone in the Chat Group that I finally dared to truly breathe, dared to smile, and started to feel... that maybe the world isn’t so terrible after all.”

”In this world... the only people I can trust are the ones in the Chat Group. And within that group, the person I trust the most is you.”

”During this time, going to work with you, having meals together, even just standing side by side on the subway... I’ve felt... especially at peace.”

”Brother Fang Ming... could you give me a chance?”

The evening breeze stirred her hair and carried away the earthy smell of the river. In the distance, the sound of footsteps from a night jogger passed by and gradually faded.

Fang Ming looked at her and fell silent.

His silence lasted a bit too long. It wasn’t until the light in Ye Nuannuan’s eyes dimmed little by little that he slowly spoke.

”Actually, the feeling of being with you is pretty good too.”

Hearing this, Ye Nuannuan jerked her head up, her eyes brightening once more.

”But... you know my situation. I can’t give you any promises, and I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to spend every peaceful day with you.”

These words were very blunt, even a bit cold.

Yet, when Ye Nuannuan heard them, she seemed to let go of some heavy burden, letting out a long, relieved sigh.

She shifted her body, moving a tiny bit closer to Fang Ming. Lifting her face, her gaze was clear yet stubborn.

”I know that! It’s not like I’m asking you to marry me right away!”

”...”

”If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as you agreed?”

”You’re so beautiful, I couldn’t refuse at all. But I still suggest you think it over again...”

”I won’t reconsider. I just want to be with you...” As she spoke, Ye Nuannuan happily linked her arm with Fang Ming’s... Humans are social creatures.

Someone accustomed to loneliness, once they’ve experienced friendship and affection, finds it very hard to go back.

Although there were many men pursuing Ye Nuannuan, few had earned her trust.

Fang Ming was essentially the only one.

She knew Fang Ming wouldn’t stay at Yunlan for long; he might even leave after tomorrow. Even with the Chat Group, the time they could meet in person would be limited.

That’s why she mustered her courage tonight to confess her feelings to Fang Ming.

Fang Ming didn’t refuse, nor could he find a way to refuse. How could he refuse when a beautiful woman, deeply wounded, with no family, and countless suitors, had mustered the courage to confess?

He had no grounds to refuse. He couldn’t refuse at all. He could only try to figure out how to manage these private relationships.

After seeing Ye Nuannuan back to her rental apartment, Fang Ming returned next door. That night, both of them were lost in their own thoughts, leaving each other undisturbed.

The next day, because they had to attend the birthday celebration for CEO Mu’s grandfather, executives of Yunlan International only needed to work for half a day.

And thanks to Ye Nuannuan’s connection, Fang Ming, as an ordinary employee, managed to secure an invitation to the evening banquet.

That afternoon at six o’clock, in the banquet hall of Rong City International Hotel.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated the entire hall brightly. Champagne towers refracted enticing light under the glow. The air was a mix of high-end perfume, cigar smoke, and the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries.

A soothing piano melody flowed through the air. Uniformed waiters wove through the crowd, silver trays in hand.

”President Gong, you’ve finally arrived! Please, come in, come in!”

Mu Zhengyang—Mu Qingxue’s father—wearing a well-fitted dark gray Chinese-style mandarin collar shirt, was standing at the entrance greeting guests, his face wearing the warm, practiced smile of a businessman.

The arrival was a middle-aged man in his early fifties, his hair slicked back, a slightly protruding belly, followed by a young man who looked like a secretary, holding an exquisitely wrapped gift box.

”Chairman Mu, congratulations, congratulations! The old master’s seventieth birthday is a grand occasion.” President Gong clasped his hands, his voice booming. ”A humble gift, nothing to show my respect. Wishing the old master boundless happiness and longevity!”

”Ah, President Gong, you’re too kind! Please, come in quickly. The old master is inside having tea with a few old friends; he’ll be out shortly.” Mu Zhengyang took the gift box, casually handed it to an assistant beside him, and guided President Gong inside.

Similar scenes played out repeatedly.

”Director Wang, welcome, welcome!”

”President Liu, what a rare guest!”

”Madam Zhang, that cheongsam truly suits you today!”

Prominent business figures, key political officials, and even cultural celebrities from Chengdu—over a hundred had arrived.

Gifts piled up on a dedicated reception table, gradually forming a small mountain.

Jewelry, jade pieces, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, rare tonics... a dazzling array, each item of considerable value.

In the lounge area of the banquet hall, Mu Qingxue was slightly tilting her head, listening to her assistant Xiao Ai’s low-voiced report.

Today, she wore a light blue silk brocade modified Chinese-style evening gown. The design was dignified and elegant, with exquisite lace of the same color adorning the collar and cuffs. The dress was embroidered with faintly visible cloud patterns and hidden crane motifs, symbolizing auspiciousness and longevity.

Her long hair was swept up and secured with an ebony hairpin inlaid with pearls. Small South Sea gold pearl studs adorned her ears. Her overall aura was gentle, graceful, and refined, yet still carried the solemnity and respect befitting a granddaughter at her elder’s birthday banquet.

”CEO Mu, the guests have basically all arrived. Assistant Ye just sent a message; she and Fang Ming have arrived downstairs and are coming up now.”

”Mm.” Mu Qingxue responded softly without turning her head.

”Um, CEO Mu, there’s one thing I still don’t understand.”

Xiao Ai handed over a glass of lemon water and spoke curiously, ”Nuannuan usually seems quite sharp, not the type of girl to be fooled by sweet talk. And that Fang Ming... aside from being a bit bold, there’s nothing particularly special about him. How could he win Nuannuan over so quickly?”

”This is Nuannuan’s private matter; it’s not appropriate for us to interfere too much.”

Mu Qingxue turned around, took the warm lemon water Xiao Ai offered, and took a small sip. ”However, I asked her privately. They rent apartments in the same complex; they’re neighbors. And... a few nights ago, when Nuannuan was working late and heading home, she ran into some troublemakers in an alley. Fang Ming happened to pass by and stepped in to save her.”

”A hero saving the beauty?” Xiao Ai suddenly understood, then felt, ”That plot is way too cliché, isn’t it?”

”Though cliché, it’s often the most effective, especially for a single young woman.”

”That... is also true.” Xiao Ai nodded thoughtfully.

Mu Qingxue said no more, raising her hand to check the time.

Mr. Ming had said he would come if he had time. So... would he come tonight?