Chapter 20: Turmoil at the Press Conference

When they arrived at the entrance of Yang Corporation, it was exactly nine-thirty, and a crowd of reporters had already gathered outside. Security guards were keeping everyone at bay.

Xiao Yuan parked the car right at the entrance and turned to ask Wen Xiaoning, who was sitting inside. “Sister Xiaoning, we still have half an hour. Should we go in now, or wait until the press conference starts?”

Wen Xiaoning, hiding in the car, casually put on her sunglasses, a hint of anxiety in her voice. “Of course, we wait until the press conference begins. Do you want me to be trapped by those people?”

Noticing Wen Xiaoning’s reaction, Ran Xing merely shook his head with a faint smile. His deep, sharp gaze carried a trace of defiance. He then opened the car door and said to Xiao Yuan, “Could you help me with the wheelchair?”

Once the wheelchair was set up, Ran Xing sat down and headed straight towards the reporters.

Seeing Ran Xing in the wheelchair, the reporters swarmed forward, thrusting microphones toward him, bombarding him with questions.

“Miss Ran, we’ve heard that Wen Xiaoning is pregnant. Is this true?”

“Miss Ran, there are rumors that Wen Xiaoning is being kept as a mistress and even ruined President Yang’s marriage. Could you shed some light on this?”

“Miss Ran, what is your relationship with Wen Xiaoning?”

“May I ask if Wen Xiaoning’s role will continue filming despite her troubles, or will someone replace her?”

And so on.

“Sorry,” Ran Xing glanced at the circle of microphones before him, casually picking up one from a male reporter, calm and composed. “Everyone, I’m here today to accompany someone. As for the questions you just asked, she will answer each one at the press conference.”

Suddenly, a sharp male voice sliced through the crowd, targeting Ran Xing directly. “Miss Ran, do you regret your diva behavior on the set three years ago?”

She hadn’t expected that after three years, someone would still bring up that incident. Three years ago, she would have snapped back without hesitation. But now, she had long since let it go.

When she remained silent, other reporters began murmuring among themselves.

“Yeah, I remember now—Ran Xing did act like a diva.”

“Right, you reminded me too.”

“How does she even have the nerve to show up?”

Ran Xing’s lips curled into a slight smile. Bringing the microphone back to her mouth, she cleared her throat and spoke with quiet authority.

“Everyone, the star of today’s press conference is not me. I just want to tell you that Wen Xiaoning and I are close friends. As for her pregnancy, it’s false—I can vouch for that. If you’re interested in my personal matters, I’m happy to hold a separate press conference.”

The reporters whispered among themselves.

“Then why have you been visiting the hospital so frequently these past three years?”

The same male voice drilled into her ear again. Despite being surrounded, she caught the source of the voice: a man wearing a black baseball cap and a mask, revealing only a pair of eyes. Those eyes were dark and brooding, and she felt she had seen them somewhere before.

Before she could ponder further, the microphones pressed in again. When she glanced back, the man had vanished.

The reporters, scenting explosive news, pressed on with their questions.

“Ran Xing, why are you going to the hospital? Can you share more?”

“Sorry, that’s my private matter and I’d rather not say. Like I said, I’m here to accompany someone. The pregnancy news about Wen Xiaoning is true, but that Wen Xiaoning is a civilian, not the actress Wen Xiaoning. If you don’t believe me, take a look at this.”

Ran Xing held up a pregnancy report.

Raising her voice, she said, “Please look carefully. This report says the woman is 23 years old, while actress Wen Xiaoning is 26. There’s the doctor’s signature and the hospital’s official seal—it’s genuine. As for that civilian, I hope the press respects her privacy. Thank you.”

She then checked her watch.

Nine fifty-eight.

“Everyone, it’s almost ten o’clock. The press conference will begin shortly. Please go inside and wait.”

The reporters surged into the Yang Corporation building.

After the crowd had dispersed, Wen Xiaoning stealthily stepped out of the car. Passing Ran Xing, she couldn’t resist a jab.

“This is what you wanted—getting scolded by reporters. Serves you right.”

With a swish of her hips, she strode arrogantly into the building.

Xiao Yuan’s gaze lingered on Ran Xing for a moment. He moved his lips but said nothing, then hurried after Wen Xiaoning.

Once they had entered, Ran Xing smiled softly.

Serves her right? Not necessarily.

She had come out for a reason—and she had gained something.

She pulled out her phone and dialed an unfamiliar number.

The other party answered first.

“Miss Ran?”

“Yeah, it’s me,” Ran Xing said quietly. “I’m at the entrance of Yang Corporation now. Can you find a way to get me the surveillance footage from here? No matter the cost, I’m willing to pay.”

After a brief pause, the person agreed readily.

“All right, but it will take some time.”

“I know, but please make it as soon as possible.”

The line went dead after a short acknowledgment.

Ran Xing’s mind drifted back to that man—where had she seen those eyes before?

Meanwhile, in a clinic on the tenth floor of a hospital, Xiao Yi placed a black card on the desk and lazily sat down. A chill lingered at the corners of his eyes as he spoke not as a request, but an order.

“Just like before, don’t tell Ran Xing I was here.”

Dr. Li adjusted his glasses and gently declined, returning the card.

“Mr. Xiao, you’ve invested a lot in this hospital over the past three years. I simply cannot accept the money on this card, no matter what.”

“Is she all right?”

Though Xiao Yi sat upright, his brow betrayed his anxiety and unease.

“Don’t worry. She was just given a sedative. She’s been taking her medication regularly and hasn’t shown any suicidal tendencies.”

“Good. If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now. Contact me if anything happens.”

He rose and strode toward the door. Just as he reached it, he turned back as if remembering something and said, “Next time, don’t call us both at the same time.”

Dr. Li nodded sheepishly, replying humbly, “Understood, I’ll remember.”

After leaving the clinic, Xiao Yi stopped by the window of the ward, glanced at the frail woman in the bed, pressed his lips together, then quietly left.

On his way back, he happened upon a red traffic light. Slowly pulling his car to the edge of the road, he took a USB drive from his coat pocket and held it up, eyes filled with suspicion.

Why had Ran Xing put an empty USB into her pocket? What was she up to?