Chapter 523: Fine, Then Let’s Form an Alliance

Ying Yuezi’s sudden outburst left Wang Yun momentarily confused.

‘Why is she mad? And why is she yelling at me?’

Her expression was crystal clear to everyone watching the livestream. Even in the dead of night, quite a few loyal viewers were still awake and tuned in.

“LMAO, our Big Bro is such a straight man! How can he compare his girlfriend to another woman right to her face?”

“I dunno… felt a little rude. He totally shut her down in public. No consideration at all!”

“Nah, I think Big Brother was right. He already has a girlfriend. Why should he care what other girls think?”

“Exactly. It was Ying Yuezi who stepped back first. Big Brother just kindly made things clear. Why blame him?”

“Judging by our chat, we’ve got a lot of women here, huh? Shouldn’t the real focus be on the fact that Ying Yuezi wants to ally with him? If I were Big Brother, I’d say yes in a heartbeat!”

“Uhh, did you all forget what Ying Yuezi used to do? Don’t let her pretty face fool you!”

In the comment section, debate flared.

Since livestreams were now cross-visible across channels, most viewers were already aware that Ying Yuezi had previously cooperated with the program inspectors.

What kind of cooperation? Clearly, it had something to do with going deep undercover. A mole, in other words.

“You’re not leaving? Fine, then I will. But don’t follow me again.”

Wang Yun wasn’t about to waste time trying to coax a girl. He knew exactly what kind of game Ying Yuezi was trying to play.

Still, he was curious just what kind of act she was planning to put on this time.

The thought of this sharp, cunning woman running through complex calculations in her head, trying to fool him while he was completely aware of it all… was kind of hilarious.

Wang Yun walked forward slowly, deliberately.

His ears stayed tuned to the faintest sounds behind him.

Ten meters in, just as he’d expected, her voice rang out behind him.

“Wang Yun!”

It had a teasing lilt to it—half scolding, half pleading.

Ying Yuezi fixed her gaze on his back. His posture was perfectly upright as straight and poised as any professional model.

“I hope you’ll reconsider. An alliance between us can only be a win-win. If you’re worried about what happens afterward, we can talk it through. I’m not interested in money. I just want to prove something for myself. And… I want to understand you. I want to know how you kept escaping us, again and again, last season. I want closure. I want to learn from you. That’s why I came back for this season,” she said with rare sincerity.

Wang Yun didn’t need to look back; he could already imagine it.

Her eyes were probably a little red right now.

To a woman as proud as her, laying bare her feelings to the man who had repeatedly outmatched her in front of millions was more unbearable than surrender.

Wang Yun finally stopped walking and slowly turned around.

Hands in his pockets, his face was hidden in the shadows. The moonlight wrapped around him like a cloak, casting him in mystery.

“Alright.”

A single word—softly spoken—made Ying Yuezi shudder. She never thought a man’s single word could shake her this much. Her nose tingled with the urge to cry.

“Then can you at least tell me where you’re staying now?”

Ying Yuezi took a breath, trying to steady her voice.

Wang Yun shrugged. “I’ll take you there in a bit. But first, walk with me. I’m still getting a feel for this city. Oh, and by the way, did you invite anyone else into this alliance of yours?”

And just like that, the two of them strolled side by side, their shadows stretching long on the pavement. They looked like any couple from a distance, chatting casually, observing their surroundings.

Wang Yun didn’t hide his reasons. He told her outright that walking the city at night helped him prepare for escape routes.

Ying Yuezi, too, spoke with honesty. She explained that she only wanted to partner with him because he was skilled.

And because she was, too.

Compared to anyone else, no one else was worthy of being her partner.

Her blunt confidence made Wang Yun feel strangely flattered, but he still kept a teasing distance. After all, he had no intention of lowering his guard.

Before they knew it, four hours had passed as they strolled the city on foot.

The sun rose right on schedule.

Shops began to open one by one along the street.

“How much money do you have left?” Wang Yun asked with a grin as he spotted a breakfast shop ahead. “Don’t tell me you had to borrow from some old granny.”

Ying Yuezi had been staying with an elderly woman who’d lost her daughter.

She’d been lucky enough to be taken in. And truthfully, with her features, she did resemble the old woman’s late daughter. So, she’d been able to wear that woman’s clothes and stay for two nights without issue.

Food and lodging were no problem.

“No, I didn’t borrow,” Ying Yuezi replied. “But I also didn’t have anywhere to spend money. I can’t keep staying with her, though. It’s obvious she’s starting to project her daughter onto me. I’ll have to leave soon. I can’t let her get hurt all over again.”

Ying Yuezi’s voice was gentle, genuinely moved.

She hadn’t intended to lie to the elderly woman, nor take advantage of her. That’s why she’d been sneaking out at night, desperate to find Wang Yun.

The sooner she found him, the sooner she could leave.

If she stayed any longer, the old woman’s feelings would only deepen. And when she finally left, the pain would return all over again.