Chapter Fifteen: A Kiss in Public!

Fang Zhiyin’s heart skipped inexplicably. She asked Ouyang Junyan in a soft voice, “How did you…”

“I was originally coming to help, but then I saw…” He tilted his head, glanced at the evening gown she was wearing, and couldn’t help but lift his chin at her, “You managed to save yourself just fine.”

Fang Zhiyin smiled along with him, whispering, “I do have a few tricks.”

“That’s surprising,” he replied coolly, but the slight curve at his lips was gentle.

Arm in arm, the two of them walking together was a pleasing sight. Flashes from the magnesium lights below flickered ceaselessly; many people took photos of them side by side.

Fang Zhiyin was so nervous her palms were sweaty. Perhaps this was the first time, since marrying Ouyang Junyan, that she had walked so high-profile beside him in a public setting.

Yet, as Fang Zhiyin stepped onto the stage, she suddenly felt that this moment, these few seconds, belonged entirely to her. Everyone else seemed to fade into transparency. She vaguely heard the exclamations from the audience, whether about herself or Ouyang Junyan, but she paid them little mind. All she knew was that, before everyone’s eyes, she was confident, poised, and gracious; her smile was radiant and self-assured. In her heart, she was the most beautiful, the protagonist of her own story.

Being the main character wasn’t so difficult after all!

After walking off the stage with Ouyang Junyan, Fang Zhiyin finally let out a breath. She noticed that other influencers were still watching them, so she offered a polite smile in return.

Ouyang Junyan maintained his icy expression, his entire demeanor spelling out: “Strangers, keep away!”

“Mrs. Ouyang, you look absolutely stunning tonight!” A woman she barely knew suddenly approached them, complimenting Fang Zhiyin.

The woman held her phone as if she were filming something.

“Thank you, you look lovely too,” Fang Zhiyin replied politely, though she didn’t recognize her.

“Hello, Mrs. Ouyang. I’m Lin Xiaomei.” In the next moment, the woman reached out and introduced herself.

Ouyang Junyan’s brows furrowed slightly.

Fang Zhiyin suddenly remembered that, when her evening gown had run into trouble earlier, this woman’s silhouette had briefly flashed before her eyes.

So it was her doing?

“Hello, have we met before?” Fang Zhiyin kept her composure and asked courteously.

“I once submitted my work to your magazine, but you rejected it. You personally reviewed the submission.” After a pause, she continued, “Later, I became a blogger, making short videos, and unexpectedly gained some followers online.”

When Fang Zhiyin first started her publishing house, she had indeed personally reviewed manuscripts for a while, always signing her name in the replies. Lin Xiaomei must have submitted something back then—and remembered it all this time?

“Mrs. Ouyang, may I ask about your relationship with Mr. Ouyang?” Lin Xiaomei raised her phone higher, making it clear she was filming.

“Hey, Miss Lin!” Fang Zhiyin’s tone turned displeased. “What are you filming? Don’t you know that recording someone without their consent is an infringement of their portrait rights?”

“I’m filming a vlog!” Lin Xiaomei retorted confidently. “My followers all know I’m attending the launch tonight, and they expect me to record.”

Fang Zhiyin was furious.

“You haven’t answered my question yet!” Lin Xiaomei’s gaze flashed with malice. “I heard you and Mr. Ouyang are in a sham marriage, and your relationship is strained. Is that true?”

Lin Xiaomei had always resented Fang Zhiyin for rejecting her work. After gaining popularity online, she kept a close watch on Fang Zhiyin’s publishing house. Learning that she could attend this launch together took some effort on her part.

As Fang Zhiyin considered her next move, Ouyang Junyan reached out and snatched Lin Xiaomei’s phone away.

“Ah?!” Lin Xiaomei was stunned.

“This is a launch event. Are you a journalist? If so, please show your press credentials,” Ouyang Junyan said coldly. “If not, you are not permitted to film here.”

His powerful and frosty aura intimidated Lin Xiaomei.

“And, my wife and I have a wonderful relationship. Where did you hear these rumors?” With those words, Ouyang Junyan wrapped his arm around Fang Zhiyin’s shoulder.

The next moment, he lowered his head and sought her lips.

The kiss came unexpectedly. All Fang Zhiyin knew was that, as Ouyang Junyan’s lips touched hers, her mind went completely blank. The world seemed to spin wildly.

It wasn’t as though they hadn’t kissed before, but previously it had always been businesslike.

Never had she been kissed by Ouyang Junyan in front of a crowd!

It was like riding a roller coaster—thrilling beyond belief!

Perhaps it lasted eight seconds, maybe ten. Those few moments felt as long as half a lifetime. After a lingering embrace, Ouyang Junyan’s lips parted from Fang Zhiyin’s, leaving everyone present dumbfounded, including Lin Xiaomei, the instigator.

Fang Zhiyin felt her face burn as if a volcano were about to erupt. For a long time, she dared not look up at anyone, knowing all eyes were on her.

“So your relationship is… quite good…” Lin Xiaomei sounded like a flustered on-site reporter, her voice dry and clearly upset.

She had come for Fang Zhiyin, hoping to embarrass her with a video. Who would have thought she’d be outdone by a display of affection?

Weren’t these two on the verge of divorce?

The sudden and sweet kiss between Fang Zhiyin and Ouyang Junyan turned them into the event’s center of attention. Only then did Ouyang Junyan remind Fang Zhiyin of her purpose for attending the launch—to promote her publishing house and attract more interest.

After their show of affection, many media professionals approached to chat. At first, Fang Zhiyin was a little reserved and nervous, but she quickly found her footing and distributed all the business cards she had brought.

Several prominent social media personalities added her on WeChat, leaving her astonished.

Ouyang Junyan stayed quietly by her side, his usual practice of silent support. He had planned to step in only if Fang Zhiyin faced an insurmountable problem, but she had handled everything admirably. Though she seemed nervous, she conversed confidently with everyone.

Talking about work, publishing, writing—whenever it was her field, she displayed ample passion and professionalism.

Recalling his dash to the rescue earlier, Ouyang Junyan realized, belatedly, that this woman had grown strong where he couldn’t see. And he was only discovering it today?

Fang Zhiyin, today… you’ve truly surprised me, he thought to himself.