A tall figure in a hat flashed past, and Wen Tingxue was momentarily dazed.
Did she just see Chi Zerui?
The instant the thought surfaced, Wen Tingxue turned her head, staring intently at the person's retreating back.
"What are you looking at?" Xu Kexin and Qiao Xixi got out of the taxi, flanking her.
Wen Tingxue pointed at the figure walking with his head down. "Doesn't he look familiar?"
Qiao Xixi squinted for two seconds and exclaimed, "Damn, he really looks like Chi Zerui."
"He does look like him. Is he back in the country?" Xu Kexin asked curiously.
Qiao Xixi shook her head. "Haven't heard anything. But that brat Chi Zerui is incredibly fussy. He only wears branded clothes. That person's attire is quite ordinary, and he's walking with his head down. It's not Chi Zerui's style at all."
"That's true," Wen Tingxue nodded.
Young Master Chi would absolutely never present himself in such a manner.
It must have just been his back that resembled him.
"Oh, don't dwell on that," Qiao Xixi was more concerned about Wen Tingxue's affairs. "How did your meeting with that scumbag go today?"
Wen Tingxue touched her ear uncertainly. "Probably, almost done?"
Around the corner.
After watching the three enter unit twelve, Chi Zerui, who had been hiding in the shadows, emerged in a daze.
He stood still for a moment, then looked up, his gaze slowly moving to the eighteenth floor.
He knew she lived in 1802, but he didn't have the courage to knock on the door.
Heh.
He never expected to reach a point where he lacked courage.
He let out a self-deprecating laugh and turned to walk away.
Wandering aimlessly, he unexpectedly stopped in front of the Xing'er Milk Tea shop.
Perhaps it was because he lingered for too long, but a store employee couldn't help but ask, "Handsome guy, want a cup? It's delicious."
Chi Zerui didn't like milk tea, but he wanted the cup she designed.
"Then I'll have one."
He stepped forward, his gaze falling on the menu, and his right hand instinctively went to his pocket.
The employee smiled and recommended several options, but Chi Zerui said nothing.
"Handsome guy?" The employee, thinking he was spacing out, called out softly twice.
Chi Zerui pursed his lips awkwardly. "I, I don't want milk tea anymore. Could you trouble me for a cup of water?"
He had snuck back into the country, and he didn't have much money on him.
Ding Xi hesitated for two seconds and asked curiously, "What's your relationship?"
Hao Luo'er replied, "I'm his current girlfriend."
As expected, Ding Xi still raised an eyebrow. "Current?"
"Yes."
"And in the future?"
"In the future..." Hao Luo'er fell silent for a while before smiling, "Maybe it'll be me, maybe it'll be someone else."
Ding Xi felt a hint of bitterness in her smile.
"Let me treat you to a cup of milk tea," he said, rolling up his sleeves before she could refuse. "I'll make it for you myself."
Meanwhile, at Ning'an Apartment.
By the time Wen Tingxue and the two others arrived home, the evidence had already been posted online.
Que You marveled, "The way the popularity is surging, someone must be hyping this up behind the scenes."
Otherwise, it wouldn't have spread so quickly, nor would so many big V's have rushed to repost it.
Wen Tingxue glanced at it and said, "It's probably from the Han family."
Que You scoffed, "If the Han family is so capable, why didn't they make any moves before?"
The Painting Association and Xing'er, at least, had responded immediately.
They had also presented corresponding evidence.
For example, during the gold medal selection, Elder Yan and Fu Yushen had not participated, and even Sha Zhengxin and Pei Zhong had found excuses to avoid it.
Another example was Ding Xi directly presenting proof of Wen Tingxue's help, boldly stating: "A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring. Tingxue helped me when I was at my lowest, and I have no reason to abandon her when I'm at my peak. Forget the position of chief designer in District One; if she wishes, I can give her even more."
What had the Han family done?
They were merely adding frosting to the cake now.
Que You was speechless.
Mu Chen kicked him. "Without evidence, how could the Han family help? It would just confirm that Wen Tingxue relied on the Han family and there was foul play."
Que You choked, "You have a point."
Mu Chen, too lazy to bother with him, looked away.
Actually, there was one more thing he hadn't said.
He had a feeling that the force hyping things up wasn't just the Han family.
It was probably the Fu family too.
But it was truly bizarre that Fu Yuchuan would target her one moment and help her the next.
If Mu Chen could think of this, Yu Wenli naturally could too.
But he didn't say it directly.
He reached out and pulled the young woman into his arms, gently massaging her shoulders.
"You must be tired today."
"I'm okay."
Recalling the secrets Song You had mentioned, Wen Tingxue hugged him with a sense of lingering fear.
"I'm a bit sleepy. Can you carry me to the bedroom?"
Yu Wenli, hearing a tone of affection he hadn't heard in a long time, froze for a second and then picked her up.
It was a classic princess carry, exuding an idol drama vibe.
Qiao Xixi was about to chime in with some teasing when Mu Chen said, "Shut up."
"?" Qiao Xixi turned and glared at him. "Are you getting too big for your boots again?"
Glancing sideways as the two entered the room, Mu Chen skillfully admitted fault. "I was wrong. You can kiss me to death."
Qiao Xixi rolled her eyes, unfazed. "You're such a tsundere!"
"Mmm, only tsundere for you."
"..."
Xu Kexin really hadn't seen Mu Chen like this before, unsure where to look.
Xing Jiahe leaned directly in front of her. "Look at me. I'm better looking than him."
"..."
Que You's mentality instantly imploded. "I shouldn't have stayed here!"
Bedroom.
Wen Tingxue explained everything to Yu Wenli, worrying, "I think Senior Song's words make sense. Fu Yuchuan might not be targeting me in the future, but you."
This was what she feared the most.
There were already enough people targeting him, and if Fu Yuchuan were added to the mix.
It was simply unimaginable.
"That would be for the best," Yu Wenli said with a smile, pinching her drooping cheek and gently coaxing, "This is a matter between men, after all. You should trust your boyfriend."
Wen Tingxue wanted to believe him, but he was facing the immensely powerful Fu Yuchuan!
She really lacked that confidence.
Just as she was about to say something, her phone on the side rang.
It was an unfamiliar number.