Ever since Fu Yazhen lost her child and fell into a coma, she could no longer hear Xu Ziyan’s inner thoughts. At first, the Fu family thought it was because the surgery had drained her vitality, leaving her too weak to hear. But now that Fu Qiming couldn’t hear them either, they began to speculate.
Could it be that their part of the plot was over? Had they successfully changed their fate, and thus could no longer hear Xu Ziyan’s inner voice?
That seemed very likely. Otherwise, there was no way to explain the change.
Fu Qiming lived next door to Xu Ziyan and had heard her thoughts the most. Now that he suddenly couldn’t, he felt an emptiness in his heart and found it hard to get used to.
He tossed and turned in his room, unable to sleep, thinking about many, many things. Unbeknownst to even himself, he had already accepted this sister. That was why, in a setting like the game competition, he had so naturally called Xu Ziyan ‘Second Sister’.
Fu Qiming looked at the wall and, after a long time, whispered softly, “Thank you, Sister.”
The next day, as soon as Xu Ziyan turned on her phone, she saw many missed calls and messages, all from Ding Jie demanding explanations. Calmly, she called him back.
Ding Jie had endured an extremely agonizing night. He had been severely reprimanded by Father Ding, stripped of all his positions in the company, and Song Jie had called him overseas to express her disappointment. He felt isolated, helpless, exhausted, and filled with despair. The more he thought about it, the more he felt Xu Ziyan had set him up. All his hatred was directed at her, yet he couldn’t find her anywhere.
Now, finally hearing Xu Ziyan’s voice, he asked grimly, “What? Finally brave enough to show yourself?”
Xu Ziyan turned the question back on him. “What kind of tone is that? I’m just as surprised, okay? You were the one who told me to get the game from Fu Qiming, and then you secretly took it. I know nothing about games, how would I understand game-related matters?”
Ding Jie said, “It’s clearly you and your brother teaming up to trick me…”
Xu Ziyan grew angry. “Did I tell you to steal? Are you blaming me now? You even planted a corporate spy next to Fu Qixuan, and I didn’t even tell him. I’ve done so much for you, and this is how you repay my trust?”
“Then why did you leave first yesterday? Why didn’t you step forward and explain for me?”
“Explain what? Lie and say I willingly gave it to you? And then what? Why didn’t you know about the game’s flaws? That still wouldn’t be explainable, right? I left first just to avoid making things worse by saying more. Besides, did you want me to step forward now, tear up with the Fu family, and leave? Is that what you wanted? I clearly made the most correct decision, and you’re blaming me!”
Ding Jie couldn’t refute her. Given the current situation, it was indeed best to have Xu Ziyan continue helping him from within the Fu family. But could he still trust Xu Ziyan?
Xu Ziyan continued, “I’ll find a way to help you. Also, Fu Qiming is pressing to see the payment. Remember to transfer the money to me. That’s all.”
Before Ding Jie could sort out his thoughts, Xu Ziyan had already scolded him and hung up, still demanding he transfer money. He had spent so much money on Xu Ziyan, and now, after signing the agreement, he still had to pay a high price for a defective game. No sucker was ever suckered this badly!
He didn’t dare not pay. If Fu Qiming caused another scene, Father Ding might just kick him out of the house. He had worked so hard to make Father Ding dissatisfied with Ding Yao; he absolutely could not fail at this critical moment.
Fuming with resentment, Ding Jie transferred the money to Xu Ziyan. His assets had shrunk by more than half, leaving him with very little. Looking back at the call recording he had just made, it was useless. Xu Ziyan hadn’t said a single incriminating thing. Releasing it would only further prove he had stolen the game.
He didn’t know if it was a coincidence or if Xu Ziyan was just overly cautious. Did he really understand Xu Ziyan at all?
Recalling the entire incident, he was so angry he felt internal injuries.
Coincidentally, Bai Qingqing called him at that moment, asking tentatively, “Ding Jie, are you okay? I saw the game competition and learned about what happened. I believe you’re innocent. They must have set a trap for you, right? Don’t be too sad.”
At his most difficult and lonely moment, hearing these words felt like a balm to his soul. He immediately said, “Where are you? I’ll come find you.”
At this moment, he didn’t think about whether Bai Qingqing had ulterior motives. He only knew that when he was at his loneliest, a caring kitten was willing to comfort and accompany him. That was the warmest existence.
【Congratulations, Host, for completing the plotline: Pushing the Male Lead and Female Lead to Establish a Romantic Relationship. Reward: 1 skill point.】
Xu Ziyan cursed a couple of times. ‘Freaks. As expected of the brain-dead novel’s leads. Causing such a huge mess in their careers, yet they still have the mind to establish a relationship. Impressive!’
However, people blinded by love were most likely to let their guard down. Perhaps her next great opportunity had arrived!
Xu Ziyan quickly went to find Fu Qixuan and discussed pushing Lin Xiaoyun to advance the corporate spy matter. Fu Qixuan also felt the timing was right. Upon arriving at the company, he had people arrange a meeting room to receive foreign guests.
Lin Xiaoyun saw that it was actually the partner she had met abroad with Fu Qixuan not long ago. When Fu Qixuan returned to his office to put away documents, he made a phone call. Lin Xiaoyun, standing outside the door, overheard a snippet. Fu Qixuan said this was a very important project that required extreme secrecy and must not be snatched away by anyone else.
She personally saw Fu Qixuan lock the documents into the drawer. Her heart raced. She hurriedly hid on the rooftop and contacted Ding Jie.
Ding Jie had sent someone to investigate Fu’s new project but found nothing. However, the partner Lin Xiaoyun mentioned was real. This made him suspect: Could it be that the cooperation Fu Qixuan went abroad to discuss recently was just a smokescreen, and he was actually negotiating this secret project? What kind of project could make Fu Qixuan value it so highly?
Ding Jie was currently at the lowest point in his life. Everyone looked down on him, his reputation was mostly ruined. He had to produce solid results to regain Father Ding’s and the shareholders’ respect and return to a high position within the Ding Corporation.
Ding Jie weighed his options, thinking it over and over, but still couldn’t make up his mind. Bai Qingqing, seeing his distress, tentatively asked him. Learning he was troubled by this matter, she acted a little sulky. “At the game competition that day, you said Xu Ziyan was your girlfriend. Was that true?”
Ding Jie hurriedly said, “Of course it was fake.”
Bai Qingqing’s expression improved a little. “Then why not have Xu Ziyan help you? It’s a good chance to test whether she wants to help you or set you up. Clear your relationship. Even if something goes wrong, it won’t be connected to you.”
Ding Jie’s heart stirred. He also felt this was a good opportunity to test Xu Ziyan. However, he looked at Bai Qingqing, his eyes flickering. “Don’t you think having someone steal the Fu Corporation’s secrets is immoral?”
Bai Qingqing looked at him innocently. “I’ve heard people say the business world is like a battlefield. Being merciful to your enemy is being cruel to yourself. Last time, they plotted against you so badly. This time, it’s just you paying them back. What’s immoral about that? No matter what, I’m on your side.”
These words made Ding Jie feel that she wasn’t exactly a pure, kind-hearted Little White Flower either. But ultimately, Bai Qingqing was thinking of him, which still warmed his heart. He immediately called Xu Ziyan and told her about the matter.
Xu Ziyan made a couple of affirmative sounds, then suddenly asked, “You have nothing to do these two days. Where are you? What are you doing?”
For a moment, Ding Jie felt a pang of guilt, followed by irritation. He deeply resented their current dynamic, as if he was currying favor with Xu Ziyan, begging for her favors. Because Song Jie was Father Ding’s mistress, he subconsciously looked down on such relationships. Before, Xu Ziyan had been his lapdog; he could order her around without doing anything and feel no psychological burden.
But now, he had to coax and cater to Xu Ziyan. He was growing more and more annoyed, and his tone turned unpleasant. “Where could I be? If you genuinely want to help me, then think of a way. Don’t waste time talking nonsense.”
Xu Ziyan gave a cold laugh. “So you’re asking me for a favor, yet you’re so self-righteous? Then find someone else.”
“Wait!” Ding Jie ultimately softened his tone, swallowing his anger to coax Xu Ziyan. “You know I’ve been in a bad mood lately. Don’t be angry with me. I’ll wait for your good news. I can only rely on you now.”
Xu Ziyan said coldly, “It’s good that you know you still have to rely on me. You’d better not let me discover you have divided loyalties.”
The call ended unhappily. Ding Jie’s face was livid. He couldn’t understand how their relationship had become like this. Before, he was clearly in the superior position. When did it turn into him having to grovel?
Seeing his expression, Bai Qingqing didn’t dare say much. She just did her best to prepare four dishes and a soup, giving him a very homely, gentle, and warm feeling, allowing him to feel comforted once again.
Lin Xiaoyun, receiving the instruction to steal the confidential information, began looking for opportunities to interact with Xu Ziyan. Xu Ziyan simply didn’t engage, only calling out to Lin Xiaoyun as she was leaving work, “Assistant Lin, please clean up the coffee table for me. Arrange the magazines by month. I want to look at them tomorrow morning.”
“Yes.” Lin Xiaoyun immediately entered the executive office. After tidying up and leaving, she discreetly used a business card to prevent the door from locking fully. After work, she turned off the power on the top floor, cutting the surveillance, then quickly ran back to the office, pried open the drawer, photographed the documents, and sent them to Ding Jie.
【Congratulations, Host, for completing the plotline: Assisting Lin Xiaoyun in Stealing the Fu Corporation’s Trade Secrets; Indirectly Causing Fu Qixuan to Suffer a Heavy Blow.】
Xu Ziyan and Fu Qixuan were in the underground parking garage. Xu Ziyan was stunned. “Eldest Brother, what documents did you put in there? They weren’t actual trade secrets, were they?”
Fu Qixuan, knowing the task was complete, smiled and drove her home. “You could say they were secrets. It was a project I planned half a year ago. Investigations later revealed some issues, so it was shelved. It was never mentioned publicly. Does that count as a secret?”
“It’s a bit of a black mark in my history. If it gets out, it would harm my reputation quite a bit. After all, it nearly caused the Fu Corporation to suffer a major loss. Then everyone would know I’m not invincible.”
“Then that really counts as a secret!” Xu Ziyan laughed. It was good that it wouldn’t harm the company. Lin Xiaoyun’s storyline was also complete!
Back home, Fu Qixuan told the Fu family the plan had gone smoothly. Li Yunhui happily called them to a feast. She had cooked herself today. While her skills couldn’t compare to Auntie Chen’s, the meal was filled with the taste of a mother’s love.
Xu Ziyan clinked glasses with them in celebration, sighing in her heart. 【This plotline was originally very damaging. Luckily, the domineering CEO eldest brother turned back from the brink and listened to me to reinvestigate Lin Xiaoyun. Speaking of which, most of the plotlines have progressed now. The most crucial thing is that the Fu family members are safe. This is all thanks to the Fu family’s harmony and unity against external threats. Such familial love is truly wonderful, and I’m a part of it too. Hehe.】
System 001 knew she wanted to show off her loving family again. But thinking of her family in her past life, it was genuinely happy for her. It automatically played celebratory music for her. 【Congratulations, congratulations! The Host’s lifespan has been extended by a significant amount again!】
Seeing the expressions on Fu Dongfeng and Li Yunhui’s faces, Fu Qixuan knew Xu Ziyan must be speaking in her heart again, but he couldn’t hear it. So, his plotline was also finished. His fate had already been changed.
He thought about how he would no longer hear the little girl humming those off-key tunes in her heart in the office anymore and felt a hint of loss. He raised his glass to toast Xu Ziyan. “Xiao Yan, regarding today’s matter, thank you. I misunderstood you before and was impolite. Thank you for not holding it against me and for being willing to help me. You have always been my sister. From now on, no matter what you encounter, remember you can always come to me.”
Xu Ziyan clinked glasses with him. “We are family, all in the same boat. Of course I want everyone to be well. Thank you for being willing to trust me, Eldest Brother. May you run the company better and better!”
【That way, the dividends I can get will keep increasing, haha! I reminded the family to avoid disaster, and the family works hard to make money for me to enjoy. I’m truly a genius. This is a win-win!
Let me think about whose plot comes next? Oh, right, it’s Dad’s first love making an appearance. It’s Dad’s birthday soon. That day will be lively. How should I remind him that someone wants to climb into his bed and become our stepmother?】
Fu Dongfeng and Li Yunhui had been smiling as they watched their children. Suddenly hearing these inner thoughts, their smiles froze. Well, with the children’s matters settled, it was their turn next.