Chapter 54: You’re a Better Fit

After dinner, Lian Hanqi escorted Yun Fu back.

This time, Yun Fu didn’t fall asleep as soon as she got in the car, so Lian Hanqi hurriedly started a conversation.

“If you ever feel bored, come find us. We’ll keep you company.”

Just moments ago, Gu Zhishu had created a group chat for them all.

Yun Fu glanced at him; he kept his eyes on the road ahead, as if what he said was nothing more than a simple statement.

But she had already looked into it. Su Changzhou, head of SC Technology, tied to the state, eldest grandson of the Su family—one of the world’s top five hundred companies headquartered in the capital. That Lu Ting was no ordinary man either, former captain of the “Black Panther” assault team, now owner of this gaming base. Owning such a large gaming venue in the expensive heart of the city was proof enough that he was anything but simple. Qin Yi and Gu Zhishu—these two were also major players.

Yet, in Lian Hanqi’s words, these people became ordinary, always available should she want their company.

“I’m not a child,” she said, implying she didn’t need anyone to play with her.

The traffic light turned red; Lian Hanqi braked, smiled, and somehow produced a lollipop, handing it to Yun Fu while starting the car again. “Who says only children can play?”

“Yun Fu, you can always be a little girl.”

Something seemed to strike her heart.

All her life, the words she’d heard most often were, “When you grow up,” “You need to grow up quickly.” Never had anyone told her, “You can always be a child.”

Because children were weak, useless, and burdensome.

She gazed out at the night, casually unwrapped the candy and placed it in her mouth. An unprecedented sweetness filled her palate; she glanced down to see it was the familiar grape flavor.

“Rest early. If you need anything, call me.” Lian Hanqi brought her to the hotel room door, only then handing her the box he’d won earlier.

He watched her take out her room card and open the door, turning to leave only then.

Just then, Yun Fu’s voice rang out: “Lian Hanqi.”

He turned back; the girl’s figure was framed in the bright room, while he stood in the dim corridor.

She suddenly smiled. “Thank you.”

Her smile vanished in an instant—like sunlight melting snow, the ice dissolved away.

Lian Hanqi was stunned.

Then he heard the fierce pounding of his own heart, his voice hoarse and soft, “Yun Fu… I don’t treat you well so you’ll thank me. I just hope you’re happy.”

His expression was earnest and solemn.

A door slammed shut in response.

Lian Hanqi chuckled silently. This heartless little thing.

Inside, Yun Fu stared at the box, listening to the new messages flooding into the group chat. Lian Hanqi’s words seemed to echo in her ears.

Her eyes showed a new emotion—mostly confusion.

Her gaze gradually sharpened again; she would not allow herself any feelings beyond her control.

Just as she pondered how to handle these emotions, her phone rang, breaking her train of thought.

It was Qiao An.

“Yun Fu, the brand just called me…” Qiao An’s tone was distinctly off.

“Our ad… got snatched.”

In show business, such things were common.

But this was a rare endorsement for Yun Fu, and Qiao An couldn’t accept it, worried Yun Fu would be affected.

After a moment, Yun Fu’s voice came, calm and emotionless. “Who took it?”

“Ning Lan.” If it had been someone else, Qiao An wouldn’t have been so angry, but it just had to be Ning Lan.

A second-tier actress, she had no need to take this ad—most likely she did it just to spite Yun Fu.

Qiao An was even more furious.

Hearing the name, Yun Fu’s lips curled; the warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced instantly by a chilling, intimidating aura.

The air itself seemed to grow dangerous.

“I understand. Come pick me up tomorrow.”

“What? Aren’t we not shooting the ad anymore? Yun Fu, Ning Lan must have someone backing her, you shouldn’t—”

“Come pick me up.”

“…Alright.”

At that moment, Yun Fu received a contract from Lian Hanqi, along with a message: “The terms are pretty good. I’ve looked it over, you should review it before signing.”

Yun Fu glanced through it—the terms were more than good, they were top-tier, the kind reserved for the hottest celebrities. It was clear Su Changzhou had offered them for Lian Hanqi’s sake.

Tomorrow she was to visit SC Technology, and shoot a promotional video.

She’d intended to sign immediately, but remembered she had an agent, and decided to let her check it first.

When Qiao An saw the contract the next day, she was dumbfounded.

“This… SC Technology?! Is it the SC Technology I know? They want you as a pharmaceutical ambassador?!”

Yun Fu calmly finished off a character in her game, nodded. “I suppose so. Their CEO is Su Changzhou.”

“How did this happen?”

“Su Changzhou mentioned it yesterday.”

“…Su Changzhou said it?! How do you know Su Changzhou! And how did you two end up talking about endorsements!”

A hundred questions boiled in Qiao An’s mind, frustration and urgency mingling together. Yet seeing Yun Fu sitting leisurely playing her game, she swallowed her doubts.

Coincidentally, the previous watch advertisement was being shot in a building right beside SC’s tower.

Stepping out of the car, Yun Fu immediately spotted Ning Lan greeting her rabid fans.

Surrounded by the crowd, Ning Lan’s smile was dazzling, as if nothing at all had happened.

Yun Fu cast her only a glance before heading straight toward the SC tower, hands in her pockets, her demeanor cool and defiant.

Qiao An followed behind, strangely confident.

But some people never learn.

Ning Lan caught sight of Yun Fu approaching, assuming she couldn’t let go of the lost ad, her smile grew even wider.

She walked toward Yun Fu, sweetly smiling, “Yun Fu, what brings you here?” She eyed Yun Fu’s sportswear, her grin deepening. “Are you here for work? But the ad agency… haven’t they notified you? They said your image didn’t quite fit, so they reached out to me instead. I’m really sorry. If I get any suitable ads in the future, I’ll recommend you.”

How magnanimous—stealing someone’s endorsement and dressing it up as benevolence, her lips curled in a condescending sneer.

Qiao An was so angry, she nearly went up and slapped her.

Yun Fu remained indifferent, expressionless, not even sparing her a glance.

Some people truly forget the pain once their wounds heal.

A fleeting bloodlust flashed in Yun Fu’s eyes; she frowned, her tone sharp, “No need. Cheap brands suit cheap spokespeople. You’re more fitting.”

“You—!”

Yun Fu spoke quietly enough for Ning Lan alone to hear. In front of her fans, Ning Lan had to swallow her anger.