Chapter 10: Work Requires In-Depth Exploration
1338 Words
Chapter 10: Work Requires In-Depth Exploration
[Detected: The fated woman Jiang Qimeng has developed a distaste for Ye Feng.]
[Congratulations, host. You have earned 300 Hat Points.]
Ye Feng’s words proved to be more disastrous with each utterance, leaving Jiang Qimeng's face etched with evident loathing.
Unable to tolerate this any longer, Bai Ji reprimanded sharply, “Enough! Are you the police, or are we?”
Startled by Bai Ji’s authoritative tone, Ye Feng suddenly realized his overzealousness and forgot that he was the one who had called for the police.
“Officer Bai, it was him! I saw him dragging Miss Jiang into the private room!” Ye Feng seized the opportunity to slander Chen Fan. “Miss Jiang appeared unwilling, yet she was no match for such a man!”
Bai Ji then shifted her gaze to Chen Fan, who stood against the wall in silence. “So, it’s you again. What are you and your unsavory companions doing here?”
Chen Fan shrugged. Bai Ji was an old acquaintance, but he hadn’t anticipated her being one of Ye Feng’s fated women.
Jiang Qimeng, observing Bai Ji’s misinterpretation of Chen Fan, stepped forward to clarify, “Officer Bai! You’ve misunderstood. Chen Fan helped me! If not for him, I might have been sold off by my manager!”
“Why then is he being falsely accused?” Jiang Qimeng pointedly directed her ire at Ye Feng, who had barged in with baseless accusations. She detested such people.
“I was rescuing you! Miss Jiang, you have no idea what kind of person Chen Fan is!” Ye Feng, taken aback by the turn of events, fervently tried to defend himself.
“What kind of person he is has nothing to do with you! I find you to be quite similar to them!” Jiang Qimeng trusted her own eyes and knew Chen Fan had genuinely assisted her.
Bai Ji, troubled by their bickering, knew Chen Fan’s character better than either of them. However, Jiang Qimeng did not seem to be lying, indicating that Chen Fan had indeed been her savior.
[Detected: Bai Ji’s inner emotions are shifting.]
[Congratulations, host. You have earned 200 Hat Points.]
Bai Ji looked at Chen Fan, who was leaning against the wall in silence, and asked, “Is what she said true?”
“Officer Bai, my reputation may be sullied, but I am not one to abandon someone in need,” Chen Fan responded. “If you are to judge me based on my reputation, I have no defense. To you, I am merely a villain.”
Seeing Chen Fan’s candidness, Bai Ji felt a pang of guilt.
[Detected: Bai Ji feels apologetic towards the host.]
[Congratulations, host. You have earned 100 Hat Points.]
Jiang Qimeng rushed to Chen Fan, once again defending him, “Officer Bai, he’s not a bad person!”
“And I suspect he and they are not in league!” Jiang Qimeng pointed at Ye Feng, then at Li Gan and others.
Chen Fan had taken her into the private room, and shortly after, Ye Feng had arrived with the police, evidently pre-arranged to frame Chen Fan.
[Detected: Jiang Qimeng’s disdain for Ye Feng has intensified.]
[Congratulations, host. You have earned 400 Hat Points.]
A flicker of realization crossed Bai Ji’s face. “Miss Jiang, please stay calm! We will not arrest anyone without proper reason!”
[Detected: Bai Ji harbors doubts about Ye Feng.]
[Congratulations, host. You have earned 200 Hat Points.]
Chen Fan, satisfied with the system’s notifications, smiled. Though Ye Feng’s attempt at heroism was foolish, the accumulated Hat Points made it worthwhile to indulge him a bit longer.
“Alright, Miss Jiang, don’t waste your breath on my behalf!”
“I trust Officer Bai will clear my name.” Chen Fan added.
Bai Ji nodded. “Miss Jiang is a victim; I certainly believe her words. You are not involved in this case, and I will ensure your name is cleared!”
Turning to Ye Feng, Bai Ji added, “As for those with ulterior motives, none will be spared!”
...
At the entrance of Taohuayuan Restaurant.
“Master, why don’t you let me contact a lawyer? Ye Feng’s slander could lead to his conviction!” Song Xin had been waiting at the private room door. If not for Chen Fan’s instructions, she would have already contacted the best lawyer in Nandu to punish Ye Feng severely.
Chen Fan understood Song Xin’s concern, but if Ye Feng were arrested, he wouldn’t be able to capture the fortune value from him.
“If he is arrested, he will only be held for a few days and fined.”
“But must we allow him to defame you like this?”
Song Xin, like Jiang Qimeng, found Ye Feng’s behavior abhorrent.
“Slander? Secretary Song, he hasn’t defamed me. You know my situation better than he does.”
“I’m just following the roles they’ve cast me in.” Chen Fan’s self-deprecating remark was imbued with genuine sentiment.
Song Xin was taken aback. If Chen Fan’s usual words were half-truths, this statement was undeniably sincere.
[Ding! Detected a change in the heart of the fated heroine Song Xin.]
[Congratulations, host. You have earned 1000 Hat Points.]
Despite employing numerous methods and even growing close to Song Xin’s daughter, Wenwen, Chen Fan had not managed to affect Song Xin’s heart until now.
[Destined Heroine]
[Song Xin: Your personal secretary]
[Fortune Value: 14,000]
At last, Chen Fan had managed to pry open a crack in Song Xin’s long-sealed heart.
Chen Fan knew he must proceed gradually with Song Xin, avoiding any haste, or all his efforts and plans would come to naught.
Turning his attention back to Jiang Qimeng, he inquired, “Miss Jiang, your management company should have terminated your contract by now?”
Jiang Qimeng received a call after leaving the restaurant, informing her of the contract termination and demanding compensation.
“They said they were very disappointed with today’s events.” Jiang Qimeng’s expression was grim. Having risen to stardom as a national goddess, the sudden termination was a blow.
“Miss Jiang, if you don’t mind, Giant Star Entertainment under Chen Group warmly welcomes you to join us!”
Song Xin, aware of Chen Fan’s intentions, extended an invitation for Jiang Qimeng to join Chen Group’s entertainment division.
Jiang Qimeng glanced at Chen Fan. He had helped her today and now offered a chance to continue her career.
“I am willing!”
Without hesitation, Jiang Qimeng accepted Song Xin’s offer.
Chen Fan smiled gently. “I will arrange for someone to take you home. Tomorrow, I will personally discuss work matters with you.”
“Alright.” Jiang Qimeng nodded, her earlier sadness replaced with a sweet smile.
As Jiang Qimeng left, Song Xin sighed, “What a naive girl.”
The contract termination was not her own doing but Chen Fan’s machinations.
Jiang Qimeng, unaware of this, still saw Chen Fan as her ‘white knight.’
Song Xin knew well that the “work” Chen Fan mentioned was far from straightforward.
Chen Fan raised an eyebrow and pulled Song Xin into an embrace. “Secretary Song, aren’t you quite naïve yourself? Do you still qualify as such?”
“I—I was simply in urgent need of money and was deceived by you!” Song Xin defended herself.
Chen Fan offered no explanation, as Song Xin spoke the truth.
Shortly after, Ma Qiang arrived with the car to pick up Chen Fan and Song Xin.
“Master, if you’re going home, I can get off at the intersection up ahead.”
Song Xin thought he was returning to his solitary home, but then noticed Ma Qiang’s change of route. As they passed an intersection, a vehicle identical to theirs headed in the opposite direction.
Chen Fan smiled reassuringly, “Don’t worry, this time I’m heading to my real home, not planning to sell you.”
- Writer
