After the divorce, the aloof CEO begged me not to withdraw my investment.

Brother Li was stunned. Two hundred thousand plus a storefront?

These conditions are indeed tempting.

He was tempted, but then worried: "Would Tingting agree? What's her attitude towards Wu Dagui...?"

Aunt Li waved her hand confidently: "Don't worry, leave this to me! I'll make sure she nods obediently!"

She picked up her phone and dialed Li Tingting's number.

The call was connected.

"Tingting, it's so late, why haven't you come back yet?" Aunt Li's tone was unusually gentle.

"Sister-in-law, I'm sleeping at the shop tonight. I have something to take care of. Let's talk about it tomorrow," Li Tingting replied.

Aunt Li didn't press for details and readily agreed, "Okay, then you should get some rest and we'll talk about it tomorrow."

Aunt Li hung up the phone, a smile appearing on her lips.

Li Tingting, however, held her phone, her expression complex. She vaguely guessed that Wu Dagui must have promised her sister-in-law some benefits.

She hesitated, and her steps unconsciously slowed down.

Ye Feng turned around and saw her lagging behind. He asked with concern, "What's wrong? Was it your sister-in-law on the phone?"

Li Tingting nodded: "Yes, she said she wants to talk to me tomorrow."

Ye Feng noticed her worry: "About Wu Dagui?"

Li Tingting did not deny it.

"What do you plan to do?" Ye Feng asked.

"I will make my own decisions about my marriage," Li Tingting said firmly.

Ye Feng nodded approvingly: "That's right. We live in a society governed by law. No one can force you if you don't want to."

Li Tingting hesitated for a moment, "But I'm afraid of my sister-in-law and the others..."

Ye Feng understood her concerns and was also somewhat troubled.

How can he help her?

It seems inappropriate to step in directly.

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly thought of someone: "How about this, I'll have my godmother talk to your sister-in-law. My godmother works for the Women's Federation, so she's more suitable to handle this than I am."

Li Tingting's eyes lit up: "Aunt Xiong? That's great!"

She had a very good impression of Ye Feng's godmother and felt that the suggestion couldn't be more appropriate.

Back downstairs, Li Tingting took out her key. She inserted it into the lock, gave it a gentle turn, and with a click, the lock opened.

"I'll do it." Ye Feng took the keychain from her and opened the roller shutter door.

The store was completely dark.

Li Tingting was a little scared and whispered, "Brother Ye Feng, I'm scared."

Ye Feng glanced at her and nodded: "Let's go in together."

The two went into the kitchen and fumbled for the power switch.

Just then, a dark shadow flashed past.

"Ah!" Li Tingting screamed in fright and instinctively hugged Ye Feng.

Ye Feng was also stunned for a moment. He felt her strong heartbeat as she was held in his arms.

He froze. But soon, Ye Feng came to his senses.

He didn't dare to think too much and hurriedly switched on the power, instantly illuminating the room.

"It's nothing, it's just a cat." Ye Feng pointed to a trembling black cat in the corner.

Li Tingting then realized that she was still tightly hugging Ye Feng, and her face immediately flushed.

She hurriedly let go, took a step back, and lowered her head in embarrassment.

Before she could say anything, a deep voice suddenly came from the kitchen doorway: "What's going on?"

Brother Xiong stood at the door, his face serious, holding a folder in his hand.

Ye Feng and Li Tingting looked at him at the same time.

Ye Feng felt a tightness in his throat.

He opened his mouth, "Tingting was scared by a cat just now."

Ye Feng tried to make his tone sound more natural.

He regretted his hesitation earlier; if he had pushed Li Tingting away sooner, he wouldn't have been in such an awkward situation.

Li Tingting's face turned as red as a ripe apple, and she lowered her head even further, calling out, "Brother Xiong."

Brother Xiong's gaze shifted back and forth between the two men, carrying a scrutinizing tone.

"I'm fine now," Li Tingting's voice was barely audible.

"Then I'll head back first. Be careful on your own." Ye Feng felt like he was being pricked by needles and just wanted to leave this place of trouble as soon as possible.

"Okay." Li Tingting kept her head down and didn't look at him.

Ye Feng and Brother Xiong turned and left the kitchen.

Back upstairs, Brother Xiong suddenly suggested, "Xiao Feng, come to the terrace later and have a couple of drinks with me."

Ye Feng nodded, "Okay, I'll go back to my room and check first."

He was thinking that Liu Qingyi was still waiting for him, and he just wanted to end all of this as soon as possible.

Pushing open the door, Liu Qingyi was indeed still on the sofa, holding a book in her hand, but clearly not reading it.

She put down her book, looked up at him, and asked, "Is everything alright with your friend?"

Ye Feng looked at her gentle eyes and was touched by her thoughtfulness.

He walked over and couldn't help but hug her shoulders. "You're so good to me. I'll definitely come back earlier in the future so you won't worry."

Liu Qingyi broke free from his embrace. "I was just afraid you forgot your keys and wouldn't be able to get in, causing me trouble. I'm sleepy, I'm going to sleep now."

Ye Feng looked at her retreating figure and felt a pang of guilt.

He felt he had let Liu Qingyi down.

Ye Feng changed his clothes and went to the rooftop.

Brother Xiong was already sitting there, with two bottles of wine in front of him.

"Keep your distance from that Li Tingting from now on," Brother Xiong said directly.

"Big brother, I..." Ye Feng tried to explain.

"Don't you understand what I'm saying?" Brother Xiong interrupted him, his tone stern.

Ye Feng had no choice but to shut up. "I promise I won't look for her."

"What exactly is going on between you and Li Tingting?" Brother Xiong stared at him, his eyes sharp. "Are you two-timing?"

"No, absolutely not!" Ye Feng immediately denied. "I will never have any contact with her again."

"I'll only give you one chance." Brother Xiong's tone was cold, carrying a warning.

"Brother, there's really nothing between her and me," Ye Feng tried to explain, his tone tinged with helplessness.

Brother Xiong didn't say anything, but silently poured himself a glass of wine, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

He sighed heavily and placed the wine glass on the table.

Ye Feng noticed that his older brother was in low spirits, a stark contrast to his usual cheerful demeanor.

"Big brother, is something on your mind?" Ye Feng asked tentatively.

Brother Xiong looked up and sighed, "I can't keep doing this job."

Ye Feng's heart tightened. "What's wrong with work?"

"It's nothing, I'm just a little tired," Brother Xiong said, clearly trying to cover up his feelings.

Ye Feng stopped his elder brother from picking up the wine glass. "Brother, is there anything we can't say to each other?"

Brother Xiong hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, "Xiao Feng, don't tell your sister-in-law about this, and don't tell Mom either."

Upon hearing this, Ye Feng became even more anxious.

"Big brother, what's wrong with you?"

Brother Xiong didn't answer immediately; instead, he reached out to Ye Feng for a cigarette.

Ye Feng quickly took out a cigarette and lit it for him.

Brother Xiong took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled the smoke.

After a long while, Brother Xiong finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse, "The factory isn't doing well, and they're laying off workers."

"Layoffs?" Ye Feng's heart sank.

"Yes, a third of the staff have already been laid off." Brother Xiong's eyes reddened. "If the factory is really in trouble, I understand, but those who are left behind are just lazing around and waiting for retirement, while the truly capable workers have been laid off. What kind of company is this!"

"Brother, you're not just upset about the layoffs, are you?" Ye Feng flicked his cigarette ash and stared sharply at Brother Xiong.

He understood him; Brother Xiong's disappointment might not be just because he lost his job.