"I know Yuan Wei likes you. Yuan Wei's mother is undergoing cancer treatment in the hospital, owing over a million yuan. She's currently working as a secretary under Gan Yulu. But as far as I know, Gan Yulu has repeatedly tried to make Yuan Wei submit to her, but Yuan Wei refused, so Yuan Wei has been beaten quite a few times."
"If you go along with Yuan Wei for show, and let me capture a video or photos, I'll give you twenty-five million yuan and also help Yuan Wei pay off his debt of over a million yuan. This way, even if you go back on your word, I'll have evidence to prove everything. The key is that by doing this, Si Bing will also let go, and won't think about using marriage to compensate for your disfigurement."
Shi Ran was stunned and lost her train of thought.
On the other end of the line, Zhao Wuyan's voice rang out again, "I'll give you thirty minutes to consider."
With that, she hung up the phone.
Shi Ran clutched her phone, collapsing onto the sofa, unsure of what to do.
After a long hesitation, she finally decided to call Yuan Wei.
Since Yuan Wei wasn't doing well either, it might as well be a mutual pretense. She could help Yuan Wei, and Yuan Wei could help her – killing two birds with one stone.
Shi Ran dialed Yuan Wei's number, "Are… are you busy?"
"Not really. What's wrong?" Yuan Wei's voice was as gentle as ever.
"How have you been recently?" Shi Ran asked, concerned about him.
After returning from the Hidden Clan, Yuan Wei had only called her a few times. On several occasions, Yuan Wei had asked to meet her, but she had refused.
Shi Ran didn't want Yuan Wei to see her current appearance.
Her question received no response for a while. Through the phone, she faintly heard a self-mocking chuckle, "Fine, I'm doing fine."
A very forced answer.
Shi Ran bit her lip tightly, watching the clock on the wall tick by. With less than eight minutes left, she clenched her fist and said in one go, "Yuan Wei, can I ask you for a favor."
"Of course, no problem. It's my honor," Yuan Wei replied without hesitation.
At that moment, Shi Ran felt touched.
Then, she recounted everything that had happened in detail to Yuan Wei, but concealed the part about going to the Hidden Clan. She only said she had been kidnapped in Country C and disfigured, but the disfigurement was not largely related to Tang Si.
She then relayed Zhao Wuyan's words to Yuan Wei.
After a long silence, Yuan Wei asked only one question, "Won't you regret it?"
Regret?
Shi Ran gave a bitter smile. Did she even have a chance to regret it?
"No."
After a brief silence, she answered Yuan Wei's question.
Yuan Wei naturally agreed readily.
After hanging up the phone, Shi Ran immediately called Zhao Wuyan.
Zhao Wuyan arranged for them to meet at a hotel over the phone and booked a room under Shi Ran's name.
As the main planner, Zhao Wuyan dictated every step of the process, and Shi Ran followed them one by one.
That night, she and Yuan Wei stayed in the hotel, leaving the next morning.
In the hotel corridor, they were still kissing passionately, and the same went for the elevator.
Afterward, Shi Ran received a check for fifteen million yuan. Zhao Wuyan kept a contingency, saying that if she continued to follow her instructions, the remaining ten million would be paid.
Shi Ran had no choice but to agree and gave the fifteen million to her mother, asking the debt collectors to extend the deadline.
Yuan Wei, meanwhile, paid off his debt of over a million yuan to Gan Yulu and left the company.
Yiling Province.
Meng Jingwei and Qing Mu Ye went to a private hospital with a fruit basket and nutritional supplements, and met Tang Si, who was seriously injured, in his ward.
Only Han Yu and a nurse were in the ward.
"Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law is here." Han Yu saw them and stepped forward to greet them.
Meng Jingwei looked at Tang Si, who was lying in bed, and asked, "Has he not woken up yet?"
"He woke up earlier and just fell asleep again," Han Yu explained.
Qing Mu Ye looked at the pale Tang Si lying on the bed and asked Han Yu, "Has the car accident investigation been completed?"