“The news of your kidnapping made the headlines today.”
Yan Xiu spaced out for a fraction of a second because his gaze happened to fall on Gu Ting’s profile. The fine, tiny peach fuzz on her skin was gilded with a trace of dull gold from the setting sun’s afterglow, looking fragile yet possessing a few hints of inexplicable cuteness.
He replied in a slow voice, “I had someone contact the news media.”
Gu Ting’s eyes went wide. “Huh?!”
A moment later, she exclaimed, “You are truly an amazing friend!” From the looks of it, he had planned to expose the kidnapping all along, yet he had still taken her along to make a fortune the day before. Although a part of it might have been out of vengeance, the benefit of 10 million yuan was something she had substantially pocketed.
It could only be said that Yan Xiu was a friend completely worth making. When there was money to be made, he truly brought you along! The last person who brought her along to make 10 million yuan was still back in her dreams.
Unable to contain her excitement and emotion, she gave Yan Xiu’s arm a pat and said, “Yan Xiu, I’m definitely locking you in as a friend!” It wasn’t because of the money. Blessed with the Wealth God buff, she didn’t need to deliberately socialise with someone for money. What she took a liking to was Yan Xiu as a person… his character.
“If you ever need my help with anything in the future, just say the word,” Gu Ting said in all sincerity.
Hearing this, Yan Xiu gave a soft laugh. “There isn’t really anything I need help with recently. The only concern… might be that the hospital food isn’t quite to my taste.”
Gu Ting was just about to say, “You’re being a bit high-maintenance,” but when her gaze met Yan Xiu’s slightly helpless eyes, she understood instantly. After going through a kidnapping and almost being killed, any human being would develop a sense of guard. They wouldn’t easily trust anything around them, which naturally included food and drink.
In case the mastermind failed with one plot and hatched another, trying everything possible to ensure Yan Xiu’s death at all costs, that wasn’t impossible either.
Gu Ting’s sympathy for Yan Xiu grew even stronger. Although she was quite miserable herself—enduring a torturous transmigration, inexplicably shouldering a 5 million yuan debt, and working a job she didn’t want to do—at the very least, her life was safe. Unlike Yan Xiu, who, despite his prominent family background and privileged upbringing, was actually surrounded by a pack of wolves, constantly placed in danger.
Looking at it this way, life in a wealthy family wasn’t as relaxed and comfortable as she had imagined.
“Tell you what, I’ll take care of your meals during your stay in the hospital!” Gu Ting’s voice was decisive. “Send me the dishes you want to eat and your dietary restrictions later, and I’ll arrange it.”
After all, they had met through an ordeal, and Yan Xiu had helped her a lot. She already regarded him as a friend. Besides, he had helped her make 10 million yuan… delivering a few meals was nothing.
Anyway, she just had to make up one more day of dance class tomorrow, and she would be free afterward. Delivering meals wouldn’t affect her nightly livestreams either. Calculating it this way, this matter wasn’t difficult at all.
Yan Xiu hesitated and said, “Will it be too much trouble? Perhaps I should find a way myself.”
Gu Ting waved her hand grandly. “I livestream at night and have nothing to do during the day anyway. It’s no trouble.”
Yan Xiu’s eyes crinkled slightly, and a brilliant smile resembling springtime appeared on his somewhat pale face. “Thank you.”
It was also at this moment that Gu Ting realized Yan Xiu must be very young. When he smiled, his face looked very clean, closely resembling a bright and neat university student.
While she was dazed, she heard Yan Xiu speak at an unhurried pace: “I entered your livestream room last night…”
Gu Ting: “Hmm?”
Yan Xiu: “Based on what you described last night, I think you should perhaps be on guard against your manager. He might have some issues.” Although he felt Gu Ting looked careless on the surface, she was actually sharp-minded and shouldn’t be easily deceived. However, the world was unpredictable; he himself was a living example.
Gu Ting froze first, then couldn’t help but burst into loud laughter. “Thanks, brother, but if you want to worry, there’s practically an endless stream of things to worry about! You should focus on recovering from your injuries first!”
“What are you two chatting about that’s making you so happy?” The door opened, and a tall, slender young man dressed in a sharp suit strode inside. The leather shoes on his feet were particularly clean, to the point of being mirror-like.
“Brother, aren’t you going to introduce us?” The young man had a smile curling on his lips, his eyes pointing at Gu Ting, whose eyes were rolling around.
The smile on Yan Xiu’s face faded slightly. This version of him was an indifferent, cold, and aloof look that Gu Ting had never seen before. “Gu Ting, this is my cousin, Yan Zheyuan. This is Gu Ting.”
Yan Zheyuan sat down naturally beside the sofa where Gu Ting was. Hearing the introduction, his body leaned slightly forward as he said in pleasant surprise, “You’re Gu Ting? The Gu Ting who tumbled straight into a Han Dynasty tomb? I didn’t expect Miss Gu to not only possess extraordinary courage and insight, but also excellent luck and such a beautiful appearance.”
Gu Ting instantly pulled back to distance herself from him, her attractive brows knitting into an impatient frown. “Even though you’re Yan Xiu’s cousin, if you get any closer, I’m going to start swearing.”
The smile on Yan Zheyuan’s face froze. “…”
A faint trace of amusement gleamed in Yan Xiu’s eyes.
“Miss Gu, I was merely curious about you. Please don’t misunderstand.” Yan Zheyuan backed away, offering an apologetic smile before turning to Yan Xiu. “Brother, the news of your kidnapping made the headlines of major news outlets, shaking the board of directors. Dad asked me to come visit you and, while I’m at it, ask if the news leaked from the hospital’s side? Or was it someone else?” As he spoke, a flash of coldness crossed his eyes.
Yan Xiu’s eyes were as deep as an abyss. Though cold and aloof, his aura was fierce and sharp. “I consulted Grandpa about this matter, and he agreed to let me make it public. Swallowing our pride has never been a tradition of our Yan family.”
Yan Zheyuan seemed momentarily speechless.
Gu Ting, who was watching the drama with great relish: Oh, this guy has two faces, doesn’t he? Weak and pitiful one moment, cold and fierce the next.
Gu Ting didn’t stay in the ward for too long. She took the lead to leave and went down the elevator. After a moment of hesitation, she stealthily paid a visit to the emergency room, only to be informed by a nurse that the elderly grandmother who had fallen and been brought in had already regained consciousness, and her children and family had all rushed to the hospital.
Gu Ting took a silent look from outside the ward. Seeing the old lady surrounded by her children and grandchildren with her complexion significantly recovered, she didn’t disturb them any further, turning around to leave quietly.
Leaving once the deed was done, concealing her identity and name—please call her the modern-day Living Lei Feng.
Emerging from the hospital, the sun had already departed. Gu Ting noticed a large shopping mall right next to the hospital. She went inside and browsed for a while, and when she came out, she had a few bags of clothes in her hands. Apart from her own, she had also bought two sets of clothes and shoes for the little girl, Pan Ruoling.
Truth be told, ever since the balance on her card surpassed a million, doing these good deeds wasn’t hard at all! If it were before, she would probably only be able to buy two sets of clothes for the little girl Pan Ruoling from a street stall while crying out at how much her wallet hurt.
On the way home, Gu Ting sent a message to inquire with Wan He whether she needed to go to the company for a livestream tonight. Wan He’s reply came within seconds: No need!
Gu Ting felt wonderful, even having the mind to send Wan He a smiley face.
The moment Wan He saw the smiley face in his office, his paranoia flared up: What does she mean by sending a smiley face? What is she laughing at? What’s so funny? Why does this smile also carry a trace of deep meaning?
Ten seconds later, Gu Ting inexplicably received a transfer red packet of 10,000 yuan with the attached note: Hush money.
Gu Ting: “???” What hush money? Keeping what secret? What kind of secret is it that even the person keeping it doesn’t know?
Although extremely curious, she felt it must have been sent to the wrong person. Could the boss’s money be accepted carelessly? So she directly returned it along the original path.
Ten seconds later, she received another transfer, the amount raised to 15,000 yuan, with the attached note: Hush money, I advise you not to push your luck!
Gu Ting returned it once more and sent a message: “Vice President Wan, you really transferred it to the wrong person!!! I don’t know your secret!!!”
This time it didn’t even take ten seconds. Wan He initiated a third transfer, the amount a flat 20,000 yuan, with the attached note: Company bonus!!!
Gu Ting accepted it half-skeptically. In her heart, she spat at Wan He for calling it a company bonus yet transferring three different amounts. It was riddled with loopholes. He was definitely pocketing her money and reluctant to give it up. Sure enough, capitalists were capitalists, dripping with the blood of working people from head to toe!
With a cold smile, she left another message: Vice President Wan, you should still make sure of the amount before transferring money next time to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
In his office, Wan He practically smashed his desk to pieces. Next time? You fucking want a next time?!
Gu Ting returned to her residence. Seeing Pan Ruoling, she handed the clothes to her. “The new clothes I bought for you, see if they fit and if you like them?”
Pan Ruoling changed into a long-sleeved princess dress, looking left and right in front of the mirror before finally saying reluctantly, “It’s alright, I guess.”
Gu Ting was angered into a laugh. “You’re quite picky, little girl. If I knew, I would have bought you a couple of pieces from a street stall, saving me from spending money without even getting a word of appreciation!”
Pan Ruoling inexplicably let out a long sigh facing the mirror, lamenting, “Why do adults dislike hearing the truth so much?”
Gu Ting was hungry and didn’t feel like tangled up any further, so she asked, “What do you want for dinner?”
Pan Ruoling almost jumped up on the spot, stating with absolute certainty, “Instant noodles!”
Gu Ting was currently drinking water and almost choked. Why was this child picky one moment and completely unpicky the next?
Swallowing the mouthful of water, Gu Ting’s phone rang. It was an unfamiliar local number. Gu Ting pressed answer. “Hello, who is this?”
“Hello, may I ask if this is Miss Gu?” The other party should be a middle-aged gentleman, speaking with clear articulation, unhurriedly, and with a very polite attitude.
The moment Gu Ting heard this customer service tone, her attitude turned perfunctory. “No parents, no house, no car, no boyfriend, no kids, ugly appearance, low salary… alright, alright, a high-class matter like a loan isn’t suitable for me. Bye-bye…”
“Miss Gu…” the other party called out hastily, saying rather helplessly, “Please don’t misunderstand, I am not a customer service representative. The elderly grandmother you saved today is my mother. The nurse said you left upon learning my mother was well, so I had to call to express my gratitude. Thank you, Miss Gu, you saved my mother’s life today. My mother has now regained consciousness, and she can be discharged after two days of observation in the hospital.”
Gu Ting reined in her slightly casual manner and replied, “It’s good that the elderly lady is fine. It’s a small matter.”
The other party chuckled but spoke solemnly, “A life-saving favor ought to be remembered. If you don’t mind, I would like to invite Miss Gu to my home for a gathering in three days. My family and I will thank you in person.”
Gu Ting breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the other party didn’t extort her, she was deeply grateful, so she politely declined. “The elderly lady’s body still needs quiet rest, so it’s better not to disturb her. Let’s meet again if fate permits.” With that, she hung up the phone.
Lin Mengmeng floated past her like a ghost, giving a thumbs-up along the way. “Going to the hospital for three hours and doing another good deed, awesome!”
Gu Ting flipped her hair. “Beautiful appearance, kind heart, and plenty of hair—it’s not my fault for being too perfect.”
Lin Mengmeng: “…”
Pan Ruoling: “…”
Having done too many good deeds recently and “picking up money” every day, Gu Ting decided to treat herself to a good meal. Thus, she brought her roommate and the child into a local home-cooking restaurant, ordering three dishes, a soup, three bowls of rice, and a pitcher of corn juice.
The child Pan Ruoling was still lost in melancholy over not getting to eat instant noodles, but Gu Ting and Lin Mengmeng used wine glasses filled with corn juice, drinking heartily. After two glasses of corn juice down, Lin Mengmeng began to chat about a variety show with a bitter face.
“…The manager said the show is tentatively called something like Celebrity Survival Log. It’s about throwing a bunch of unknown 18th-tier celebrities and internet influencers into a poverty-stricken, remote area. They have to find their own solutions for daily meals and accommodation. The last three people standing can form a group and get more exposure opportunities.”
“I’m well-acquainted with variety shows. This kind of variety show produced by a makeshift crew has no money, no sponsorships, and no popularity. Even personal safety can’t be guaranteed, so why should I go? Isn’t this just inflicting unnecessary hardship on oneself? I heard the production team can’t even gather ten people, yet my manager insists that I’m a newcomer and must cherish any opportunity for exposure, forcing my head down to sign the contract! I’m suffering!” After speaking, she threw her head back, boldly draining an entire glass of corn juice.