After Bankruptcy, the Billionaire Asked Me to Marry Him!
Chapter 322: Only I Can Help You

Chapter 322: Chapter 322: Only I Can Help You

"What are you talking about?"

Ye Li’s expression was cold, and her voice matched it, "Will you tell me you had no choice and beg me not to tell Xiaoxiao? Or will you ask me to pretend I know nothing about it?"

Ye Li’s sharp words cut off any explanations Xie Yunkai had, leaving him at a loss for words and filled with embarrassment.

The hope in his eyes dimmed little by little.

"Ye Li, Zhong Keke and I... there’s nothing between us. I wouldn’t do anything to betray Xiaoxiao. I..."

Xie Yunkai paused, suddenly at a loss for what else he could say.

His expression grew heavier as he looked up at Ye Li and said, "Ye Li, I will handle this! I won’t hurt Xiaoxiao, and I certainly won’t betray her or let her feel disappointed. Please give me a little time, okay? Just pretend..."

His ears turned a bit red, and Xie Yunkai lowered his voice, "...just pretend that I’m only working part-time at the bar as a host, is that alright?"

The words "host" came out of Xie Yunkai’s mouth like something unbearable to mention.

His ears turned even redder.

However, his eyes were clouded and troubled.

Ye Li’s heart stirred. "Xie Yunkai, are you... facing some kind of difficulty?"

"No!"

Xie Yunkai blurted out.

Xiaoxiao had told her that she only managed to live in Fanxing Apartment because of Ye Li’s influence. The school had somehow forgotten or deliberately omitted her accommodation fees, and even though Xiaoxiao wanted to pay Ye Li back, Ye Li refused her, telling her to stay without worries.

Xiaoxiao also mentioned that Ye Li’s boyfriend sent people over frequently to clean out the refrigerator, taking away leftovers and stocking it with fresher, better supplies, leaving Xiaoxiao without even the chance to buy some snacks as a small gesture of gratitude.

Xiaoxiao said she already owed Ye Li a lot, so much that she didn’t know when she’d be able to repay it all.

Given how much Xiaoxiao already owed, Xie Yunkai couldn’t allow himself to become indebted as well.

Besides, Ye Li probably couldn’t help with the matter between him and Zhong Keke.

"Ye Li, thank you!"

Xie Yunkai looked sincerely at Ye Li and said, "I can manage things on my own!"

Ye Li nodded.

She initially wanted to ask him what was really going on between him and Zhong Keke. But as the words reached her lips, she realized she had no standing to inquire.

Ye Li changed the subject. "The ring you gave Xiaoxiao, did you buy it with your own money?"

Knowing that Ye Li wouldn’t be fooled by the truth about the ring, Xie Yunkai still harbored a sliver of hope. Yet Ye Li saw right through him.

Understanding that his earlier words about being a host had been misunderstood, Xie Yunkai quickly clarified, "I followed my professor’s research project, and he provides stipends. Plus, I saved up from a holiday job... Ye Li, the money is all mine!"

Ye Li nodded but suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

Even at a lavish banquet, Xie Yunkai carried himself with an air that never betrayed his less privileged background.

However, Ye Li still saw him as the campus heartthrob brimming with boyish charm.

The hopeful look in his eyes seemed to plead silently: "Ye Li, I beg you, please don’t tell Xiaoxiao."

But Ye Li didn’t know what to do.

"What are you two chatting about?"

A sweet, playful voice broke the moment, making Ye Li turn her head. There, striding toward them in high heels, was Zhong Keke.

She wore a deep V-neck dress in striking cobalt blue.

Her chestnut-colored curls cascaded over her bare back.

Zhong Keke, with her meticulously applied makeup, looked every bit like the centerpiece of the banquet.

The moment Ye Li laid eyes on Xie Yunkai, her gaze naturally followed to Zhong Keke, immediately recognizing her as the girl in the nightclub photo standing with Xie Yunkai.

Identifying Zhong Keke’s background was hardly a challenge.

With the revelation, Ye Li’s impression of Zhong Keke and the entire Qin family dropped several notches.

Like staking her claim, Zhong Keke wrapped her arm around Xie Yunkai’s elbow, glanced suspiciously at him, and then turned her gaze to Ye Li, saying, "Mrs. Fu, do you know each other?"

Mrs... Mrs. Fu?

Xie Yunkai froze.

"Of course, we know each other!"

Ye Li cast a glance at Xie Yunkai. "He’s my roommate’s boyfriend. He’s frequently around; how could I not know him?"

Zhong Keke raised an eyebrow, her expression flickering with discomfort for an instant.

Part of her felt that winning Xie Yunkai over might be impossible. After all, Lu Xiaoxiao was Ye Li’s roommate, and if they were on good terms, Ye Li could easily coax Fu Yanci into stepping in—something disastrous for Zhong Keke and the Qin family.

Yet another part of her believed that Xie Yunkai’s stubborn male pride might stop him from explaining the situation clearly to Ye Li.

With the latter scenario feeling more likely, Zhong Keke smiled with seductive flair. "Well, sorry to intrude, but he’ll soon be my boyfriend anyway!"

Turning her head, she caught sight of Xie Yunkai’s somber face, though he didn’t push her away.

As if done entertaining her, Ye Li gave Xie Yunkai a quick glance before walking away.

Watching her figure in a smoky-gray dress gradually fade, Zhong Keke turned to Xie Yunkai and taunted, "Did you think getting Ye Li involved would rid you of me? Ye Family is bankrupt; do you even know how she clung onto Uncle Fu to survive? Her position as Mrs. Fu might not even last long. Do you really think she’d risk tarnishing her reputation with Uncle Fu... for someone like you?"

"Xie Yunkai, don’t be stupid!"

Blowing softly at his ear, Zhong Keke smirked, "I’m the only one who can help you."

She was already her father, Professor Zhong’s, prized protégé. Grad school admission was virtually guaranteed for her.

With her introducing him to elite circles at high-profile events, even if they broke up soon, the connections he made wouldn’t vanish.

Wouldn’t that be better for him than staying with Lu Xiaoxiao, who offered little to his future?

"Xie Yunkai, I’ve been incredibly patient..."

Her lips brushed against his cheek, but he stiffened, dodging her with suppressed anger. Smiling coldly, Zhong Keke’s tone dropped, showing a trace of menace. "But my patience has its limits."

With that, she left him with an icy "Wait for me here," shoved her purse into his hands, and clicked her way into the restroom.

The pressure inside him seemed to deflate completely, and Xie Yunkai slumped against the cold marble wall.

Gazing at the reflection of his handsome face in the mirrored surface, Xie Yunkai’s eyes glimmered with disgust for the first time.

The banquet ended at ten o’clock.

Ye Li and Qin Chu stepped through the hotel’s revolving door, and as they descended the staircase, a sleek black Aston Martin smoothly pulled up alongside them. "Mrs. Fu, Lady Qin, let me drive you home!"

The driver, dressed sharply in a black shirt, was Su Nanjin, smiling brightly.

"No need, but thanks, Second Young Master!"

Ye Li curved her lips into a smile, pointing at the approaching stretch limousine. "My car’s here. I’ll be off first!"

After saying so, Ye Li lightly nudged Qin Chu. "You should let him drive you."

Raising her gaze, Ye Li winked playfully.

Understanding her intention immediately, Qin Chu turned back to Su Nanjin, who was walking around the car’s front toward her. Glancing toward the banquet hall, she remarked, "The guests haven’t all left yet. Shouldn’t the main host stay a bit longer?"

"Since when is that necessary?"

Su Nanjin chuckled. "Everyone in the Imperial City’s aware that Second Young Master Su is the family’s spoiled brat. Besides, my brother’s still there—he’ll take care of things."

Qin Chu nodded and bent to slide into the front passenger seat.

As the car door eased shut, Su Nanjin turned around and commented on her black dress, "It’s stunning! But, I was thinking of taking you out for a spin—want to change first?"

Their eyes met, and Qin Chu seemed to figure out what Su Nanjin intended.

"Alright!"

Qin Chu nodded and shared Freely’s address.

The Aston Martin glided away smoothly.

Over half an hour later, two sports cars roared out of Freely, speeding straight toward the mountain roads outside the city.