Chapter 41: Kindness Without Motive Toward Her

However, this was something the influential figure could have easily discussed with her through the forum account; why come to meet her in person?

Meanwhile, after Yun Fu left, she didn’t go straight home. Instead, she made a trip to the supermarket and bought a few things. While waiting in line to pay, her phone vibrated—Lian Hanqi had sent a message.

“How was dinner tonight?”

A trace of ruthlessness flickered in Yun Fu’s eyes. Part of the reason she had agreed to meet Fang Zeming today was precisely because of Lian Hanqi. She no longer had her former power, and Lian Hanqi kept appearing around her, yet she couldn’t uncover anything about him. Whatever his motives, she knew that alone, she probably wasn’t his match. Besides, she suspected she’d encounter many situations in the future where she’d be unable to act openly. Fang Zeming had invited her many times before; she simply took this opportunity to finally meet him.

Yun Fu had always been the type to plan ahead and was never one to trust others easily. Lian Hanqi’s kindness only made her more suspicious of his motives. So, she didn’t reply to the message; she disliked this kind of vague uncertainty.

But when she returned home, she found the very person who’d just messaged her waiting at her door.

Her expression turned cold.

“You’re back?” Lian Hanqi’s face showed no particular emotion; he even reached out, offering to help with her bags.

Yun Fu dodged him. She set down her things and her helmet, frowning as she looked at the man before her, meeting his deep gaze. In that moment, she saw herself reflected in his eyes. Suddenly, she had the strange feeling that they had known each other for a long time, and that Lian Hanqi’s approach was simply due to their familiarity.

She pushed this absurd thought aside and suddenly lost interest in guessing any further, picking up her things again. Just as she was about to unlock the door, her hands were suddenly empty—Lian Hanqi had taken the groceries from her.

“You didn’t reply to my message. I thought something might have happened. Now that I see you’re fine, that’s all that matters.”

After placing her things inside the now-open apartment, Lian Hanqi simply turned and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Yun Fu narrowed her eyes. Under Yu Xi’s surprised gaze, she closed the door and followed him out.

In the corridor, Lian Hanqi was still waiting by the elevator. He wore a simple yet luxurious suit, standing there quietly yet exuding an imposing aura.

Hearing footsteps, Lian Hanqi turned and was momentarily surprised to see Yun Fu.

“What is your purpose?” It was the second time Yun Fu had asked him this.

Both their expressions changed—Lian Hanqi’s with a hint of helplessness, Yun Fu’s remaining cold.

Suddenly, Lian Hanqi smiled and stepped closer. He was tall, standing well above Yun Fu in her flat shoes, easily able to see the expression on her face.

His low, gentle voice sounded, “Yun Fu, sometimes, when one person is good to another, there isn’t always a motive behind it.”

Yun Fu looked up, meeting his eyes, her heartbeat suddenly erratic.

Then she heard him say, “Sometimes, he just wants that person to have a better life. That’s all.”

Lian Hanqi reached out and gently pressed the top of her head. With her head lowered, her expression was hidden from him, but he imagined it must be endearing.

“Little one, if I do have a motive, then think of it as my wish to treat you well—openly and honorably.”

“…”

“All right, you should get some rest now. Don’t you have to go to the set tomorrow?”

Yun Fu slowly lifted her head to meet his gentle gaze, her own eyes unreadable. She bit her lip and murmured, “I don’t like eggplant.”

Then she turned around, swiftly entering and closing the door behind her.

Watching her retreating figure, Lian Hanqi let out a silent laugh. She really was adorable. He recalled the girl from his dreams—so strong, yet so fragile. He hoped she would find a better life from now on.

Yu Xi stayed with Yun Fu for the night. Though she had many questions, she refrained from asking, mindful of the awkwardness between them.

—

These past couple of days, the entertainment industry had been in complete upheaval, with one shocking scandal after another. First, a top male idol was exposed for a chaotic personal life—cheating on fans, pretending to be single, while in reality, he was seeing multiple people and even slandering his own fans. The public devoured the news.

Then, the situation took a turn. The exposer turned out to be an obsessed fan who couldn’t have him. The company intervened, as did the fandom. The exposer’s identity was swiftly uncovered, and she was taken to court. An ordinary person, up against a major company and a star with tens of millions of fans—the outcome was almost a foregone conclusion.

But at that moment, there was another twist. The Fang Yue Law Firm in the Imperial Capital announced on social media that their lawyer, Fang Zeming, would be taking the case, with Yu Xi as his client.

This time, not just the fan circles but the entire internet was in an uproar. Everyone knew what kind of person Fang Zeming was—a perennial winner, the uncrowned king of the legal world. Countless major companies and wealthy families tried and failed to hire him. Yet now, he would represent an ordinary girl.

“Wow! Who exactly is Yu Xi, that she could get Fang Zeming to take her case? Looks like Luhua Company is finished this time.”

“It’s not just Luhua—Cheng Zhun is done for too. No amount of fan damage control will help. The world isn’t so upside down after all.”

“Exactly, anyone with eyes can see the truth in this matter. Yu Xi just didn’t have anyone to back her before. Now that Fang Zeming is involved, justice is sure to be served.”

“Maybe Cheng Zhun was just so disgusting that even the great Fang Zeming couldn’t stand by and watch, so he decided to help Yu Xi.”

“That makes sense!”

Public opinion quickly shifted. The battle hadn’t even started, yet it already seemed won. The court date was set for the day after tomorrow, and countless onlookers were waiting to see what would become of Luhua and Cheng Zhun. With Fang Zeming on her side, no one thought she could lose.

Yun Fu had gone out to film. Yu Xi, scrolling through the online chatter, was just as shocked as everyone else. She hurriedly messaged Yun Fu—“Yun Fu… have you seen what’s happening online?”

She knew Yun Fu must be behind it, but Fang Zeming… how did Yun Fu know him? And how could she persuade him to help?

Yu Xi was full of questions, but since Yun Fu was on set, she didn’t dare disturb her. About half an hour later, Yun Fu replied, “I’ve seen it. It’s resolved now, so you can go home.”

As expected, Yun Fu had helped her.

“Yun Fu, do you know Lawyer Fang?”

“Not exactly.”

Yu Xi was taken aback. Did this really mean Fang Zeming just couldn’t stand by and watch, so he decided to help her?

Yu Xi began to question herself.

At the same time, Lian Hanqi also learned of the matter. Remembering how Yun Fu had gone out that day, his eyes grew unreadable.