An Ruo poured a glass of water, tapped the record button on the call, and leisurely sipped her tea, unhurriedly listening to An Qing’s frantic agitation on the other end.
The other party remained silent for a long time, and An Qing, afraid she might post the original video online, deliberately slowed her tone and made it gentle: “Ruo Ruo… considering we once lived under the same roof, please let me off easy. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll cooperate, okay?”
Since childhood, An Qing had always held herself high and mighty, too proud to care about anyone, rarely stooping so low to beg like this.
“So you can beg too?” An Ruo sneered. “I thought you’d stay that arrogant forever.”
On the other end of the line, An Qing bit her lip hard. She could clearly hear An Ruo’s mockery, but this was no time to lose her temper. She had to swallow her pride and grit her teeth.
“We’re sisters—why talk about begging? Next time you need help, I’ll definitely step up without hesitation.”
Hearing this, An Ruo let out another cold laugh, raising an eyebrow lightly. “You never saw me as a sister before.”
If she had even a shred of sisterly feeling, she wouldn’t have thought to kick her while she was down after the forced marriage, kidnap her, slander her, or even want her dead!
An Ruo still couldn’t figure out why An Qing hated her so much, to the point of being utterly intolerant!
“If you want me not to post the original video online, it’s simple: publicly clarify the photo incident and restore my enrollment at A University.” An Ruo leaned back heavily. “You’re so capable—this little thing is nothing. I believe you can do it.”
Before An Qing could say more, An Ruo hung up the phone.
She wasn’t foolish enough to believe An Qing’s insincere words. If she hated her so deeply, how could they easily make peace? It was just that An Qing had a handle on her, forcing her to bow her head.
A leopard can’t change its spots!
…
Han Chong swiped on his iPad, watching the explicit video posted by an anonymous account on B University’s forum, with over a million views.
But soon, the account owner withdrew the video. Some gossipy students forwarded it everywhere, and it even trended on Weibo!
At the same time, regarding the earlier fabricated story about a “female college student being kept by a wealthy man,” an anonymous blogger publicly apologized and posted several photos. The woman in them was someone else, not the student.
The public opinion came and went quickly. The netizens who had seen the earlier photos as a misunderstanding now rallied under the original blogger to defend the wronged An Ruo, and the matter was put to rest.
The man, with deep eyes, browsed through several forum headlines, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a faint smoke ring.
“She’s clever.”
She knew to use An Qing’s ID to register a new phone number for the anonymous account. That way, even if someone traced the clues, the scapegoat would still be the victim, An Qing.
He had always known this girl was sharp—decisive in action, eerily calm in crises, and with clear logic, she could quickly plan her next counterattack.
But sometimes she acted recklessly, like sneaking into the hotel to take photos. Wasn’t she afraid An Qing would check the surveillance and catch her? Then, after this blew over, she could be charged with trespassing and illegal filming?
Luckily, he had someone cut out that period of surveillance footage, cleaning up the traces behind her.
This time, though An Qing saved face by opening a small account to clarify the photos and publicly apologized, regardless of how genuine her words were, as long as the school knew the matter was baseless and restored her enrollment, it was a success.
Professor Zhang personally vouched for her, writing a letter of proof to the school, which reluctantly reinstated her enrollment and used the incident as a warning to students!
After the clarification, An Qing couldn’t wait to find her: “I’ve publicly cleared this up as you said. When will you give me the original video?”
An Ruo deleted the original video in front of her. Such disgusting content on her phone—she was afraid of getting styes anyway!
She’d wanted to delete it long ago!
“Who knows if you have a backup on your phone? What if it surfaces again to blackmail me?”
See, this person really can’t change their spots—respectful when begging, but once out of danger, they start attacking!
“I have no interest in keeping your passionate video.”
“You…” An Qing couldn’t save face. Such a scandal was already shameful, and being spoken of with such disdain made her both embarrassed and angry. She shot back, “At least I’ve had a man touch me. What about you? I bet Young Master Shen doesn’t even want to sleep with you, right?”
An Ruo turned to look at her. “He and I are legally married. Even if we share a bed, it’s marital intimacy. You, on the other hand, would be called a bed warmer.”
“You…”
“What can you do if there’s a backup on my phone? You have no choice.” An Ruo didn’t bother with a verbal fight. Leaving that remark, she hugged her books and walked away coldly.
…
With the photo incident resolved, An Ruo was in a great mood these past two days. While the man was home, she made some trendy snacks, hoping to ask about the black card.
Since his eyes recovered, the man had been busy with many things. She hadn’t paid much attention lately or asked how things were going at the company.
An Ruo carried a freshly brewed pot of tea, stopped at the study door, and knocked. The man’s deep voice came from inside.
“Come in.”
She gently pushed the door open and saw him sitting upright at the desk, surrounded by a pile of documents, with stock market trends playing on the computer in front of him.
“I brewed you some tea. Take a break and have a bite.” An Ruo placed the tray on the table, careful to avoid his documents.
The man rubbed his temples, closed the file with a sigh, feeling mentally drained by the mess at the Shen Group.
Ever since he was forced out two years ago, Shen Yu had been embezzling company funds more severely, turning the group into a chaotic mess.
A few days ago, when he returned to the Shen Group, Shen Yu teamed up with the board to squeeze him out, using all sorts of underhanded tactics.
He had no ambition for the Shen Group and didn’t care about their petty tricks. Besides, coming home to see her every day balanced things out a bit.
“You’ve been busy with work lately. I can’t help much, so I thought I’d make you tea and snacks in my free time…”
Shen Xiaohang took a sip from the teacup. Hearing this, a warmth spread in his heart, and the irritation on his brow softened because of her.
He reached out his hand. An Ruo paused, then inexplicably walked over, placing her slender hand in his broad palm. Their relationship was quietly warming up…
“You don’t need to do anything.” The man’s thumb gently stroked the back of her hand, his low, magnetic voice carrying a hint of tenderness. “Just stay by my side safely. That’s all I ask.”
Was he confessing his feelings to her?
Otherwise, why did it sound like a declaration of love? Or was she just overthinking it?
An Ruo’s heart pounded. Every time the man looked at her with such affection, her heart raced uncontrollably. At this rate, would she end up with heart problems?
“Or, if there’s anything you’re unhappy about, you can bring it up.”
An Ruo shook her head. “No… I’m not unhappy with anything. This is fine.”