The Duke’s Affair -Part One

When Ye Ye appeared at the gala in a deep purple knee-length dress with spaghetti straps, holding a small handbag, her signature dark red hair flowing loose, and wearing light makeup, she immediately caught everyone’s attention. Ye Ye confidently took each step, smiling lightly at the friendly greetings from all around — because her role tonight was that of the school’s translator, she couldn’t afford to be too aloof! The principal and Shirley, seeing Ye Ye’s arrival, happily approached her: “You’re finally here, I was about to collapse!” Shirley complained. “Yes, there are many guests today, Ye Ye, get to work quickly. Your task is to accompany Duke Dean-Huo-Vulcan throughout the evening and serve as his translator!” the principal instructed. “Translator for Duke Dean-Huo-Vulcan? Why not Shirley?” Ye Ye exclaimed in surprise. “Mr. Che Renxian specifically requested Shirley for translation, so you, equally excellent, were assigned to Duke Dean-Huo-Vulcan!” the principal explained. “Can I… can I switch with another translator?” Ye Ye noticed many language department students mingling at the gala and suggested. “No, you and Shirley are the best, so you must attend to the most esteemed school board member!” The principal immediately dismissed Ye Ye’s idea: “Plus, you both participated in the meeting this afternoon, so you’re already acquainted, making it more natural for you to interact!” “Uh— Alright then!” Ye Ye realized her resistance was futile and resigned herself to fate. “Go report to him!” The principal patted Ye Ye, and Shirley also smiled at her. Ye Ye reluctantly approached Dean, thinking to herself, as a girl, shouldn’t Dean come to coax her after their argument that day? Uh— now she had to initiate the conversation! Looking at Dean, who was conversing with friends with his back to her, his tall, upright figure in a tailored black suit, his distinctive silver-black hair, all exuded a unique nobility and dominance. Ye Ye couldn’t help but recall the morning they woke up together, Dean with his muscular bare chest, tenderly cuddling with her in bed… Shaking her head quickly, what was she thinking about?!! Dean turned around to see Ye Ye standing three steps away, staring blankly at him. A sly, charming smile curled at the corner of his mouth, his lake-blue eyes shining with the gleam of a hunter. He walked over gracefully, like a lion stalking its prey… lowering his gaze to look at Ye Ye — Ye Ye, suddenly aware of his approach, snapped out of her reverie, pretending to be calm, and said politely yet distantly, “Hello, Duke Dean-Huo-Vulcan, I am Ye Ye, your translator for tonight. Please guide me!” She immediately regretted her formal and pretentious greeting, wasn’t it just asking for Dean’s scorn? Dean chuckled to himself, what a fickle little thing, then put on a businesslike smile, “So it’s Miss Ye Ye, a… pleasure to meet you!” He emphasized ‘pleasure’ with a mocking tone. If you’re going to pretend, I’ll play along! Ye Ye, irritated by his deliberate attitude, pouted, “Do you have to be like this?” “You started it by talking to me this way, how else should I respond?” Dean retorted. “You were the one who argued with me that day!” Ye Ye forgot her current role as a translator, intent on settling scores, although she wasn’t really angry, just deeply disappointed… “Really? And why was that? Did you forget who was so eager to leave Paris and rush to Long Domain?” Dean, too, forgot how much he resented this cunning little thing, focusing only on settling the score! “I didn’t! With your wife there, what else could I do? And what business is it of yours about Long Domain?” “Damn it, do you have to bring up my wife and Long Domain?” “You brought it up!” “Fine, if you want to argue here and draw everyone’s attention, then keep making me angry!” Dean glared at Ye Ye, his anger barely contained. Ye Ye pouted in grievance: “You brought it up first, you were mean to me in the private room, you pretended not to know me at school, you didn’t even look at me…” Her star-like eyes began to glisten with tears, yet she stubbornly widened her eyes, trying to hold them back. Little did she know, she had never stopped missing Dean… but there were too many reasons for her to suppress her feelings… one more step forward, and it might be a point of no return! Seeing Ye Ye’s tear-filled eyes, Dean’s originally icy lake-blue eyes softened into a pool of tenderness, and he started to feel sorry for her, though his words were still stern: “Alright, save the coyness for the right occasion! Let’s not talk about this. Come with me to meet some guests!” His face showed a mix of helplessness and indulgence. Ye Ye stopped her self-pity, sniffed, and muttered to herself, “Now that you need me, you change your tune!” Dean shot her a look: “What did you say?” “Nothing!” Ye Ye quickly covered up. Dean smiled, suppressing the urge to embrace her due to the occasion, and just let Ye Ye follow him. In truth, Ye Ye didn’t know, Dean, who could speak eight languages, why would he need a translator? Ye Ye diligently translated as she accompanied Dean among the guests. Quietly, she admired Dean’s serious yet charming interaction with each person — he was so captivating when working… Due to the setting and their roles, Dean refrained from any physical contact with Ye Ye, yet he always slowed his pace, keeping a small distance, knowing she was sneaking peeks at him, which made him inexplicably happy, even forgetting the unpleasantness from the private room that day, only knowing that this little thing behind him had feelings for him! As the banquet was drawing to a close, Dean bid farewell to the hosts. The principal asked Ye Ye to escort Dean out. Ye Ye reluctantly complied. A fleet of black Chryslers lined up neatly at the hotel entrance, with a team of bodyguards in black standing by dutifully. Jones opened the car door, waiting for Dean to get in. Ye Ye stood awkwardly behind Dean, her heart in turmoil, unsure of what to say, clearly seeing that Dean had no intention of taking her along.