Chapter 63: I Need to Please You

But now, Ning Lan’s reputation was in tatters as well. She huddled at home, not daring to step outside, and had even blocked Du Xingyuan’s number.

Du Xingyuan, seething with anger, was just about to leave Ning Lan’s place when he found himself surrounded by a crowd at the door.

There were so many people, many of them carrying cameras.

A surge of panic washed over Du Xingyuan.

"This is where Ning Lan lives. Let’s just wait here. I don’t believe she’ll never come out!"

"After doing such disgusting and heinous things, we must put her back on the headlines."

"Scum like them must be exposed—let’s drag her into the light!"

"The entertainment industry is a mess because of people like this."

These reporters weren’t here for justice—they were here to kick Ning Lan while she was down.

Du Xingyuan had never expected that he would run into reporters during his visit.

He shrank into his car, listening to the voices outside, each word hitting him like a bullet, piercing him with pain.

He never considered that, when he and Ning Lan plotted against Yun Fu, it never crossed his mind that Yun Fu would suffer the same torment.

What they were experiencing now was nothing more than reaping what they had sown.

He ducked his head, trying to hide behind the steering wheel, but there was no escaping it.

Soon, the crowd noticed him.

"It’s Du Xingyuan!" someone shouted, and a flock of people turned in his direction.

When they saw him, it was as if a pack of hungry wolves had caught sight of fresh meat—terrifying and excited all at once.

Du Xingyuan was one of the main characters in this scandal, perhaps even the most sensational one. The reporters would never let him go.

Like a siege of zombies, they swarmed around his car, camera flashes exploding incessantly.

"Du Xingyuan, as the president of Star Entertainment, what exactly is your relationship with those directors?"

"Is it true that you’re attracted to men? Were your relationships with Yun Fu and Ning Lan just covers?"

"Did Ning Lan cheat on you because she knew you were gay?"

One question after another rained down on him. Du Xingyuan felt chilled to the bone. He had dreamed of such questions in his nightmares, but now they had become reality.

He was on the verge of collapse. He wanted to explain, to say that even now, he was still the president of Star Entertainment—someone these paparazzi couldn’t afford to offend.

How dare they, how dare they talk about him like this here and now?

He was furious! But there was nothing he could do.

——

Yun Fu watched the video that had been sent to her. In it, Du Xingyuan was surrounded by reporters, his face ashen, as if he might faint at any moment.

Seeing this, Yun Fu let out a faint sigh.

After a while, a long, quiet exhale drifted through the still air.

"Yun Fu, you can finally rest in peace."

Once, the former Yun Fu had been so disillusioned by public opinion and injustice that she had chosen to leave this world without a trace of regret.

Now, the two people who had driven her away had finally received their just deserts. She could let go at last.

As she spoke those words, Yun Fu felt her body lighten, as if something had truly slipped away from her.

Then, a gentle breeze blew in, brushing the hair from Yun Fu’s face. Her eyes, no longer those of the past Yun Fu, flickered with a new light.

The wind caressed her hand, like a final farewell.

The wind stilled, and all was quiet again.

Yun Fu stood where she was, frowning slightly. From this moment on, she was herself. She would live on in Yun Fu’s place.

But the one who would keep on living was Yun Fu, the queen of the assassin rankings.

"Ding dong!"

The doorbell shattered the fierce glint in her eyes.

Yun Fu gathered her thoughts and went to open the door. A tall, handsome man stood there, exuding strength and poise.

"I tried some really good pastries yesterday and thought I’d bring you some today," he said.

Yun Fu glanced at the takeout box in Lian Hanqi’s hands, stepped aside impassively, and turned to walk inside.

Lian Hanqi entered, setting the box on the table with practiced ease.

Their actions were so natural, as if they had done this countless times.

By the time Yun Fu walked over, the box was already open, revealing exquisite pastries that filled the room with a delightful aroma.

She picked one up and took a bite, nodding unconsciously.

The taste really was good—it was just what she liked.

Lian Hanqi smiled. "Not bad, right?"

"Mm."

"Your scenes are nearly wrapped up, aren’t they? Have you thought about signing with a new agency?"

Yun Fu glanced at him, her expression still languid. "I’m still considering."

Lian Hanqi leaned against the sofa, his arm resting naturally along the back, as if he were embracing Yun Fu.

"Splendor Media is a good choice. You could think about it."

"Is that your suggestion?"

Her gaze grew a touch colder, but Lian Hanqi’s gentle smile remained. "Yes, just a suggestion. If you don’t like it, you can look elsewhere."

Now it was Yun Fu’s turn to be surprised. She had thought Lian Hanqi would insist on her joining Splendor, especially since he was friends with Qin Yi.

"So this is Splendor’s sincerity?" Yun Fu lifted her chin, glancing at the pastries on the table.

Lian Hanqi paused, then quickly regained his composure. His smile deepened.

"Of course not. I’ll have Qin Yi contact you tomorrow—he’ll offer you the best contract."

"Star Entertainment can’t threaten you any longer. Once you’re with Splendor, you can take any role you want, do anything you wish."

Yun Fu looked at him for a long moment before finally nodding lightly.

She was not someone who easily trusted others, but for some reason, she believed Lian Hanqi.

It wasn’t a good sign.

With that thought, Yun Fu’s grip on her phone tightened slightly.

Just then, her phone rang. It was a call from Qiao An.

"Yun Fu, have you checked Weibo? It’s so satisfying—Du Xingyuan has admitted to cheating!"

Yun Fu opened Weibo, which was even livelier than before.

First, Star Entertainment had officially announced Du Xingyuan’s dismissal as president—because the scandal had caused their stock to plummet, inflicting severe losses. There were too many 'righteous' voices online; they had no choice.

Yun Fu’s fans flooded to demand answers.

Du Xingyuan’s official account posted a statement admitting that he had indeed been with Ning Lan while he was still with Yun Fu—solid proof of his infidelity.

Then, Star Entertainment staff exposed that Du Xingyuan and Ning Lan had threatened Yun Fu, forced her to take on projects, and coerced her into signing unfair contracts.

Her fans were outraged and instantly launched a crusade against Du Xingyuan and Ning Lan. Weibo was in uproar.

"Was this your doing?" Yun Fu hadn’t orchestrated the campaign, and Qiao An lacked the ability. That left only Lian Hanqi.

Meeting her burning gaze, Lian Hanqi shook his head calmly. "It wasn’t me. It was Qin Yi—he said he wanted to win you over."