Ye Feng stood outside the gate of the community, staring blankly as Liu Yingying's figure disappeared inside. He hesitated, unsure whether he should follow her.

But even if he caught up, what could he say?

Filled with melancholy, he could only let out a bitter smile.

Ye Feng's dazed demeanor at the gate caught the attention of the security guards.

Changxin Garden is a high-end garden-style community in Liancheng City, featuring not only apartments but also a section of luxury villas.

While the residents here weren't from the most prominent families in Liancheng City, they were still part of the city's elite.

The two security guards, on high alert, approached and sized up Ye Feng, ready to shoo him away.

"What are you doing here? If you have no business, leave immediately."

The guards' voices were loud and booming, snapping Ye Feng back to reality. He quietly withdrew his gaze.

With a slight smile, he walked over to the steps outside the community gate and checked the time—it was almost two in the afternoon.

Hurriedly, he took out his phone and called Zheng Guozhong.

Earlier that morning, after Zheng Guozhong left Ye Feng, he urgently called Ye Feng about the shares in Xiao Jun's possession.

Back then, after Xiao Jun seized Ye Feng's shares, he held about thirty percent of Yunfeng Group. With Xiao Jun's death, those shares naturally fell into his wife's hands.

Ye Feng had intended to handle Xiao Jun's affairs with dignity and then negotiate with his wife to buy back the shares.

However, Xiao Jun's wife, aware of the suspicious circumstances of his death, refused to relinquish the shares.

Zheng Guozhong had no choice but to report this to Ye Feng, who then decided to go with Zheng Guozhong to talk to Xiao Jun's wife.

And Zheng Guozhong lived in the villa area of Changxin Garden, which is why Ye Feng was there.

But he never expected to run into Liu Yingying again, who, just like last time, still didn't want much contact with him.

Ye Feng couldn't understand Liu Yingying's attitude and could only attribute it to the sudden incident years ago that caused her immense pain.

After hanging up the phone, Ye Feng sat on the steps outside, fishing a cigarette from his pocket.

With a flick of the lighter, smoke swirled around him.

The recent encounter still lingered in his mind, filling him with melancholy as he sat there idly, legs slightly apart.

Before long, a beautiful woman approached. She was tall, with a striking figure, fair skin, and captivating looks.

Though she was dressed modestly in a down jacket, her elegance was undeniable.

In Ye Feng's eyes, her beauty and figure were only slightly inferior to Liu Yingying's.

Such a woman would attract lecherous stares wherever she went.

For instance, the two security guards ahead were staring intently in her direction.

The moment Ye Feng saw her, his gaze froze, focusing on her.

It wasn't that Ye Feng hadn't seen beautiful women before; he wasn't stunned by her beauty.

He recognized this woman!

She was Liu Yingying's good friend, Xuanxuan.

It wasn't the first time Ye Feng had seen her.

The first time was at the Yunfeng Group office building when Ye Feng rescued her from Luo Ren's office.

The second time was at the Liancheng Hotel, where he saw her walking alongside Liu Yingying.

Ye Feng guessed she must be someone Liu Yingying knew.

Xuanxuan, seeing Ye Feng sitting on the steps, was visibly surprised and, after a long pause, said, "Ye Feng, is that you?"

She now confirmed that Ye Feng was indeed the man from Liu Yingying's past, Koko's father.

Glancing inside the community, she asked in surprise, "Are you here to see Yingying?"

Though Yingying had deep reservations about Ye Feng, Xuanxuan didn't dislike the handsome man before her.

On the contrary, because Ye Feng had saved her, her first impression of him was good, thinking he was a decent man.

But feelings are strange, and her perception couldn't represent Yingying's.

At least for now, Yingying was very resistant to him and didn't want much contact.

Especially the fact that Koko was his daughter, she didn't intend to let him know.

Xuanxuan felt it was a bit cruel to Ye Feng, but as an outsider, she couldn't interfere in Yingying's affairs.

Ye Feng smiled bitterly, "No, I didn't expect to run into you here."

Xuanxuan was at a loss for words, realizing she had misunderstood.

She thought Ye Feng had discovered that Koko was his daughter and had come to confront Yingying.

In fact, she wanted to persuade Yingying, but she knew that Yingying wouldn't be swayed now.

After some thought, she wanted to give Ye Feng a hint but hesitated and ultimately said nothing.

She couldn't reveal anything, so she changed the subject, "I never got the chance to thank you for what happened at Yunfeng Group!"

Ye Feng flicked the ash from his cigarette and said, "It was nothing. Anyone would have stepped in; no need to dwell on it."

Xuanxuan was taken aback, her expression complex.

She couldn't understand how a man like him could be so notorious.

His appearance, demeanor, and aura didn't match that of a malicious person.

Instead, he had a gentle aura, and if one got to know him better, he could easily captivate women.

Xuanxuan didn't intend to discuss Yingying with Ye Feng further. With a charming smile, she said, "Your clothes are still with me. Why don't you give me your number?"

"I'll bring them to you later."

It was just a piece of clothing, something Brother Feng could take or leave.

But since she asked, he didn't refuse, and they exchanged phone numbers.

Xuanxuan didn't continue chatting with Ye Feng. Given his special status, if Yingying found out she was in contact with him, their friendship might end.

"I'll let you get back to it. I have some things to do!"

"I'll contact you later!"

Xuanxuan waved her phone and then walked into the community.

Just then, Zheng Guozhong came out and had a brief encounter with Xuanxuan.

Xuanxuan quickly greeted Zheng Guozhong, who responded briefly and hurried off.

He didn't pay much attention to Xuanxuan.

Zheng Guozhong couldn't afford to waste time; his superior was waiting outside.

When Zheng Guozhong came out and saw Ye Feng sitting on the steps, he respectfully said, "Chairman Ye, sorry to keep you waiting!"

Ye Feng remained seated while Zheng Guozhong slightly bent over to speak to him.

Inside the community.

Xuanxuan, stopping to look back at the scene, became even more certain of her long-held suspicion.

Now that Zheng Guozhong was the CEO of Yunfeng Group, who else in the entire company could command such respect and deference from him?

The answer was obvious.