Fu Qixuan noticed that Xu Ziyan had no intention of speaking to him, so he first asked Lin Xiaoyun how her sprained foot was.
Lin Xiaoyun wanted to struggle a bit more, to test if she could make Fu Qixuan misunderstand that she had suffered injustice in the Fu household. After all, her mission was to get closer to Fu Qixuan; as long as he believed her, that was enough.
She lowered her head, looking slightly embarrassed, and said, “Thank you for your concern, Manager Fu. I’m fine. Actually, I shouldn’t have come to disturb you all last night. Today, I even troubled Madam to call a family doctor for me. I feel really embarrassed for causing you all so much trouble. My foot is fine now. I’ll leave in a bit. Thank you all for today.”
Sure enough, Fu Qixuan’s brow furrowed slightly.
Xu Ziyan excitedly thought: 『It’s here, it’s here! The Social Butterfly is approaching with her scheming beauty’s tricks! If she was really so embarrassed, she would have left long ago. Is it so hard to hail a cab? Asking the family driver to send her off wouldn’t be a problem either. Why must she wait for the eldest young master to return before leaving?
There’s only one answer—she doesn’t want to go!』
Fu Qixuan’s frown deepened. He calmly spoke, “It’s no trouble. Consider it an employee benefit.”
『Wah, why have I never encountered such a good boss? Did I not strike a beautiful pose in my past life? 001, you have to admit, that scoundrel Ding Jie really did his homework, sniping the eldest young master with precision. The social butterfly he hired is exactly the type the eldest young master is most attracted to.』
001: 『Host, your boss hasn’t treated you like this probably because you are too self-reliant. You solve all problems yourself, leaving no room for the boss to intervene.』
Xu Ziyan sighed: 『This matter teaches us a lesson. Those who are self-reliant and grind themselves to death are just beasts of burden at the bottom. It’s people like Lin Xiaoyun who use clever tricks for a strategic three-step leap who can truly cross class barriers.』
Then she immediately denied it. 『Pah! I’d rather die than do such a thing. A noble person loves wealth but acquires it through proper means. We don’t earn money that’s immoral.』
The system also let out a sigh, as if imitating her. 『That’s why you’d rather let your soul dissipate than follow the malicious plotline, refusing to harm them. I’ve figured it out too. If the world collapses, I’ll just go back to the furnace for reforging. Whatever will be, will be.』
Xu Ziyan couldn’t hold back a laugh. Seeing everyone look at her, she quickly pointed at the sour soup with beef and said, “This dish is too delicious. You all should try it.”
She found her system amusing. It had now deeply grasped the true essence of lying flat—so be it! Truly the system bound to her; they were a perfect match!
Lin Xiaoyun immediately seized the opportunity, treating that laugh as one of mockery directed at her. She looked at Fu Qixuan with a gaze mixing grievance and stubbornness, straightened her back, and said, “Manager Fu really doesn’t need to take special care of me. I also want to go to the hospital to see my grandmother. I’ve already disturbed you all too much today. Doctor Lin has already checked my foot and said it’s fine. I can manage on my own.”
『Look at this, what a fragile yet tenacious little weed? So worried about her grandmother, yet she hasn’t gone to see her for a whole day and night. Let me see what the original plot was. Oh ho! Once, Lin Xiaoyun injured her foot at Fu Qixuan’s home. Limping, she insisted on going to see her grandmother. Fu Qixuan was touched and accompanied her. Watching her hold her grandmother’s hand by the bedside and cry, his heart ached in sympathy.』
Xu Ziyan laughed out loud again, hurriedly pretending to look at her phone, acting as if something on it had made her laugh.
She really didn’t mean to. It was just that this plot was so cliché, like an old-school romance novel. Domineering CEOs were really so easily moved by strong yet vulnerable Cinderellas.
Fu Qixuan, whose heart had just been slightly touched, stiffened. Sensing the Fu family’s gazes, he felt extremely uncomfortable all over. He wasn’t moved in that way; he just thought Lin Xiaoyun seemed pitiful, isolated and helpless. When he encountered someone in need, he helped—just like when he rescued kittens and puppies in his childhood. It had nothing to do with romance between men and women. How did it become, in Xu Ziyan’s mouth, that he was like some foolish, love-struck idiot?
Lin Xiaoyun genuinely began to resent Xu Ziyan this time. Every time she spoke, Xu Ziyan laughed. What was so funny?
She wrongfully lowered her head, allowing Fu Qixuan to see her reddened eyes. From what she knew, Fu Qixuan had been aware since childhood that the foster sister his family adopted had a terrible personality and low moral character. He had always ignored her and was very cold. At this moment, Fu Qixuan should stand up for her and reprimand Xu Ziyan. Then, if she escalated the situation, she could smoothly draw closer to Fu Qixuan.
As a result, she performed her bowed-head act for five full minutes, yet no one spoke. She peeked up slightly and discovered everyone had already started eating. ‘No talking during meals or in bed’—it seemed Xu Ziyan’s single laugh of mockery directed at her had ended the topic.
Did that mean everyone in the Fu family found her ridiculous?
Lin Xiaoyun’s mind was in a bit of turmoil. She had been invincible all these years, which was why Ding Jie spent a fortune to hire her and entrust her with this important task. Yet, in the Fu household, it was like she had run into a steel plate. Nothing she did worked. Speaking now would be awkward, but saying nothing was even more awkward. For a moment, she froze there.
It was Fu Qixuan who snapped back to reality and gave her a slight nod, saying succinctly, “Let’s eat first.”
Hearing Fu Qixuan’s voice, Xu Ziyan continued reading the plot. 『So, Lin Xiaoyun’s grandmother was the one she angered into a cerebral hemorrhage and coma. Tsk tsk. If her grandmother knew she was even using a comatose old woman, she’d probably jump up in rage.』
Fu Qixuan put down his chopsticks, took a sip of water, and suddenly asked, “Assistant Lin, what’s the specific situation with your grandmother? What caused her coma?”
Tears welled in Lin Xiaoyun’s eyes. “My grandmother and I have depended on each other since I was little. She worked too hard to raise me and put me through school, damaging her health. She also constantly worried about my work and marriage. Some time ago, she heard our old house was going to be demolished. Thinking good days were finally here, she got too excited and fainted.”
The information Fu Qixuan had investigated also pointed to the demolition, the old woman getting too excited and fainting. He couldn’t help but glance at Xu Ziyan. She was lowering her head, eating, seeming completely uninterested in them.
However, Xu Ziyan couldn’t help but complain internally: ‘It’s true the old lady supported her. But the poor health? That was because she discovered Lin Xiaoyun was being a mistress for a rich man and got furious. Lin Xiaoyun is materialistic and never learns her lesson. The old lady cut ties with her, declaring she would never acknowledge her again.’
Then Lin Xiaoyun heard the house was going to be demolished, ran back, and demanded the old lady transfer the property deed to her name, giving all the demolition compensation money to her. She even said the old lady was getting on in years and should make way. The old lady was so angry she couldn’t get a word out before collapsing.
Vicious. More vicious than my plotline. At least I was adopted. That was her own flesh and blood! Outrageous.』
Fu Qixuan frowned. Materialistic? A mistress? The information he had investigated said that after graduation, Lin Xiaoyun was very unlucky—a friend stole a good job from her, and then she lost a new job because of her kind-heartedness in helping someone. To top it off, her grandmother fell ill. Regardless of the impending demolition, she directly sold the house to pay the medical bills. How could it be as Xu Ziyan said?
Fu Qixuan put down his chopsticks again, displeased, and looked at Xu Ziyan. Seeing this, Fu Qiming, afraid he would give himself away, quickly kicked him under the table. Only then did Fu Qixuan retract his gaze, suppressing a bellyful of doubts and showing no further intention to speak.
But Fu Qiming, inspired by that kick, got an idea and sent a message to a servant in the household.
Not long after, the servant hurried over carrying a large bowl, saying as she walked, “Careful, it’s hot.”
Lin Xiaoyun looked up to see the servant approaching with the hot soup. Just as she reached the table, her foot slipped. The hot soup suddenly splashed toward Lin Xiaoyun. Without thinking, she jumped up with a scream and ran three steps away.
The servant hurriedly apologized, “Sorry, sorry, Miss Lin! Is your foot alright?”
Her words made Fu Qixuan recall Lin Xiaoyun’s agile movement just now, and his brow furrowed tightly again. Fu Qiming said with a hint of sarcasm, “Doctor Lin’s medical skills are getting better and better. At noon, Miss Lin couldn’t even put her foot on the ground. After applying Doctor Lin’s medicine, she’s back to normal.”
Lin Xiaoyun’s heart gave a lurch. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Yes, that bottle of medicinal oil is really good. I just said I was already fine. I’m really grateful to Mrs. Fu for calling Doctor Lin for me.”
She smiled and sat down again.
Xu Ziyan sighed: 『Just the thickness of this skin alone proves she can’t be a bottom-tier Cinderella. If she were a real Cinderella, she would have felt she troubled others or was humiliated by the rich and run off by now.』
Fu Qixuan shot Fu Qiming a warning look. Regardless, this was a guest he brought back. Doing this was excessive. However, regarding the incident just now, he also felt something was off. Just as Xu Ziyan said, being able to sit back down and continue eating in this situation really didn’t match the Lin Xiaoyun he understood.
But he really had investigated Lin Xiaoyun.
Coincidentally, Xu Ziyan’s inner thoughts provided him with an explanation. 『Lin Xiaoyun is a talent Ding Jie hired at great expense. Not only did he customize a story for her that fits the eldest young master’s preferences, but he also deliberately packaged it, arranged for people to be prepared, ensuring Fu Qixuan could only investigate the background he had prepared.
001, you have to admit, with this level of dedication, Ding Jie would succeed at anything he does.』
The Fu family members looked at Fu Qixuan, clearly seeing his face turn cold. He stood up and said, “I’m done eating. Take your time.” After speaking, he strode into the elevator. Lin Xiaoyun stood up, wanting to speak to him, but didn’t get the chance.
Fu Qiming looked at Lin Xiaoyun and deliberately asked, “Miss Lin, are you also finished? Leaving now? Do you need a driver to take you?”
Lin Xiaoyun had absolutely no reason to stay any longer. Moreover, she felt being “chased out” now would make her seem wronged and could soften Fu Qiming’s heart toward her a little. Today had been so unsuccessful; it was better to go back, review everything, and make new plans.
Thus, Lin Xiaoyun thanked them again, politely declined the Fu family’s driver, and pushed her suitcase outside herself.
Fate seemed to set the scene appropriately, as a light drizzle began to fall, adding a touch of “desolation” to Lin Xiaoyun in the rain. She felt the same way. After leaving the villa and seeing the rain, she didn’t go to the guardhouse to ask for an umbrella but walked alone along the road.
Fu Qixuan stood by the window, one hand in his pocket, watching Lin Xiaoyun’s figure from afar, his eyes devoid of emotion. If there was a problem with Lin Xiaoyun’s story, then this wasn’t someone he was helping, but a corporate spy sent by an enemy.
It concerned the company. Fu Qixuan’s heart, which had barely begun to soften, instantly turned cold and hard. He took out his phone and made a call.
“Arrange for someone to investigate Lin Xiaoyun again in detail. Every single thing. Do it discreetly; don’t let anyone know.”
With just that sentence, Fu Qixuan’s special assistant knew there must have been a problem with the previous investigation and promptly agreed, using a friend’s identity to hire someone at a high price to investigate.
Fu Qixuan was a materialist. Making him believe he had truly heard Xu Ziyan’s inner thoughts was too difficult for him. But Lin Xiaoyun did seem a bit strange.
He stood by the window, frowning in thought for a moment, then changed into black sportswear and went out.
As he reached the door, he heard Xu Ziyan’s “inner thoughts”: 『Ugh~ the sour scent of love. She just left and he can’t wait to chase after her. He even changed clothes. Did he spray cologne? An iron tree blooming is truly unbearable.』
Fu Qixuan quickened his pace, got his car, and headed for the area near the old house where Lin Xiaoyun and her grandmother used to live.
He wanted to personally find out what was really going on. No matter how capable Ding Jie was, could he silence all the neighbors around the Lin family?