Chapter 4: To Bet or Not to Bet
1002 Words
Jingchen Gu stared intently at the stage.
Even though the woman on the stage was being accused, she didn't show the slightest bit of panic. Instead, her calm and composed demeanor made her delicate face appear even more radiant.
He spoke, his voice steady, "She didn't."
Those three simple words conveyed his trust completely.
No one knew better than Jingchen Gu that Qi-Nian Yun wasn't using drugs.
So he wasn't afraid of any investigation.
At that moment, Qi-Nian Yun responded loudly.
"Fine! I can accept the investigation, but let's make one thing clear first."
Her cold eyes swept across the audience and landed on Qianyu Yun.
"I don't know why my sister is so sure she saw me taking drugs in the restroom, but whether she truly saw it or is framing me, I, Qi-Nian Yun, will not let anyone sully my name lightly.
If the investigation proves that I did take drugs, I'll accept the punishment. But if it doesn't, shouldn't my sister apologize to me?"
Qianyu Yun hesitated.
Apologize?
To her?
Her instinct was to refuse.
But recalling the substance she had spiked Qi-Nian Yun's drink with, she swallowed her refusal.
"If it turns out I wronged you, of course, I'll apologize. But I'm afraid I didn't."
"Sister, you've done a great job framing me and still managed to kick me when I'm down."
Qi-Nian Yun sneered.
"Oh really? In that case, let's raise the stakes, shall we?"
Qianyu Yun was taken aback.
"If the investigation finds I took drugs, I'll accept the punishment. But if not, you'll have to kneel down and slap yourself three times to apologize. Deal?"
Qianyu Yun was completely stunned.
This... this wasn't going according to her plan.
When did this airheaded Qi-Nian Yun become so assertive?
Just then, Fan Yun intervened.
"Enough! Nian Nian, don't go too far!"
"Who's going too far? Dad, she's only your stepdaughter, while I'm your biological daughter. Do you trust her over me?"
Fan Yun was at a loss for words.
The hall fell into a deathly silence.
Qi-Nian Yun stared coldly at Qianyu Yun, her voice clear and resolute. "Well? Are you in or out?"
Her demeanor was so composed, exuding a sense of confidence that even made the police start to doubt.
They looked at Qianyu Yun with suspicion.
Qianyu Yun's eyes darted around nervously.
She had personally watched Qi-Nian Yun drink that spiked beverage and had ensured the substance was hidden in her bag.
She couldn't believe that things had come to this point, and Qi-Nian Yun could still be so confident.
Biting her lip, she finally said, "I bet!"
Qi-Nian Yun smirked.
"In that case, officers, my sister, please proceed with the investigation."
The initial check was straightforward; it just required scanning her pupils with a detector.
For her belongings and a body search, a female officer would handle it.
Everyone in the hall watched intently. Qianyu Yun was nervous but couldn't suppress the thrill of what she expected to happen next.
Qi-Nian Yun, today is the day you fall from grace!
When your reputation is ruined, I will replace you as the eldest daughter of the Yun family! Everything you have will be mine!
Let's see what you can do to stop me then!
Soon, the results came in.
The officer displayed the data from the instrument for everyone to see.
"All indicators are normal, no drug use detected."
"And nothing suspicious found on her person."
Qianyu Yun was stunned.
How could this be? She had seen Qi-Nian Yun drink the spiked beverage. She had personally arranged for the substance to be sewn into her bag!
What was going on?
Suddenly, a scream erupted from the crowd.
"Yuan Lin! Yuan Lin, what's happening to you?"
Yuan Lin staggered out from the crowd, laughing hysterically and tearing at her clothes.
"It's so hot... so uncomfortable..."
Fan Yun's face turned pale. "Yuan Lin, what are you doing?"
But Yuan Lin was beyond hearing him. Her mind was fogged by the effects of the drug, and she soon stripped down to her underwear, barely covered.
The guests were shocked.
"Oh my god, is that Yuan Lin? What's wrong with her?"
"She must be on drugs! It's insane that Qi-Nian Yun was clean, but she exposed herself like this!"
"She always seemed so dignified, but now look at her."
"She actually has a pretty good figure, huh..."
Even among the upper class, some couldn't help but make lewd comments about her body.
Fan Yun rushed over to cover her with his coat, his face a mix of fury and urgency. Old Master Ye shook with anger.
"What are you all standing around for? Get her out of here!"
Several women from the Ye family hurried to help, but the drugged Yuan Lin was too strong for them to handle, breaking free easily.
Not only that, but she also started ranting, pointing at Qi-Nian Yun and shouting hysterically.
"Hahaha... The little b***h is finally going to die! Hahaha..."
At that moment, Qi-Nian Yun splashed a basin of cold water over Yuan Lin, followed by several slaps across her face.
Qianyu Yun shrieked, "Qi-Nian Yun, what are you doing?"
Qi-Nian Yun sneered. "Just helping Aunt Lin. See for yourself."
Everyone turned to look. Sure enough, Yuan Lin's eyes showed signs of regaining clarity.
Qianyu Yun's drug wasn't very potent; strong external stimuli could temporarily clear the mind.
"What's happening to me?" Yuan Lin looked around, confused, and saw the guests' odd expressions. She glanced down and screamed.
"Don't look at me!"
Qianyu Yun quickly covered her with a coat and cried to Old Master Ye, "Grandfather, my mother is usually so well-behaved. She would never touch those things! Someone must be framing her!"
Old Master Ye's face was grim.
No matter what, Yuan Lin's outburst at the family's celebration had brought shame upon the Ye family.
He commanded, "Investigate! Find out who brought those things in and expose them!"
Nearby, hidden in the shadows, Zesu quietly tried to slip away.
- Writer
