Chapter 21: A Perfect Resolution

At the press conference, Yang Likang attended together with his wife’s assistant.

The reporters were seated in three rows.

Once the press conference officially began, one male reporter started asking questions:

“Mr. Yang, can you shed some light on the online entertainment news? Is it true or false?”

Other reporters began to stand and join in.

“I heard that Wen Xiaoning is pregnant with your child? This counts as infidelity. How do you intend to face your wife?”

“Do you think the sharp drop in Yang Corporation’s stock price is related to this incident?”

...

Yang Likang felt a headache from the barrage of questions and was about to curse, but when he glanced at Wen Xiaoning sitting quietly in the corner, a woman’s warning echoed in his mind.

“Remember, no matter what the reporters ask, you must keep smiling.”

Fearing that the Yang Group would fall into the hands of that half-dead woman, Yang Likang clenched his teeth and forced a smile, maintaining his composure as he said:

“Please, everyone, quiet down. I held this press conference to explain. Miss Wen’s father was a long-time family friend. After his passing, I have taken care of Xiaoning. Although she is not my biological daughter, she is like one to me. As you all know, my wife and I have no children, so we both regard Xiaoning as our own. Our interactions are purely father-daughter affection. My wife is fully aware of this. I ask everyone to be considerate and not let this baseless rumor disrupt the harmony between my wife and me. Thank you all once again.”

With that, Yang Likang stood, bowed deeply to the audience.

The room buzzed with murmurs.

Seeing this, Wen Xiaoning discreetly applied a few drops of eye drops.

When her eyes turned red, she gracefully walked up to the stage.

Yang Likang moved aside to give her space and handed her the microphone.

Before she spoke, tears slid down Wen Xiaoning’s delicate cheeks as she began to play the victim:

“Dear reporters, I lost my parents early and it is my godfather’s care that has brought me to where I am today. I never expected that our ordinary photos together would be exploited by those with ill intentions. I can assure everyone this is completely false. After this press conference, I will take legal action against those spreading rumors and damaging my reputation. If I find any leads, I will inform everyone promptly. I hope for your support. Here, I also want to apologize to my film crew. Due to personal reasons, I have affected the filming schedule. Director, I am truly sorry.”

She then bowed to the cameras, looking toward Ran Xing sitting in the corner, choking up:

“I also want to apologize to someone else—my dear friend, Sister Ran Xing. If it weren’t for her standing up to clear my name and testify, I wouldn’t have come forward. What happened three years ago is in the past; I hope everyone can forgive Sister Ran Xing’s youthful impulsiveness and stop targeting her. Finally, please focus on our new production. Thank you.”

After finishing, she put down the microphone, lifted her head with a hint of defiance, glanced at Ran Xing, and smiled triumphantly.

Ran Xing shook her head with a bitter smile, never expecting Wen Xiaoning to be struggling herself yet still dragging her down.

Hmph—

Let her keep flailing for a few more days.

—

When the press conference ended, Ran Xing did not leave immediately but stayed behind, waiting for the wife’s assistant to arrive.

Upon seeing someone, Ran Xing stopped the woman.

Even seated in a wheelchair, she maintained an air of dignity.

Seeing the puzzled expression, Ran Xing reached out her hand politely first and introduced herself:

“Hello, I’m Ran Xing.”

The woman glanced disdainfully at the outstretched hand, barely acknowledging it with a grunt and spoke curtly:

“I’ve heard of you—the Miss Ran who walked out on a big star three years ago, right?”

Ran Xing remained calm, withdrew her hand, and respectfully said:

“May I have a word? I have something important to discuss.”

The woman was about to refuse but was silenced by Ran Xing’s next words:

“Aren’t you curious who gave Wen Xiaoning the idea?”

The woman’s eyes showed surprise.

“What do you mean by that?”

Ran Xing smiled:

“There’s a café just down this street. I’ve made a reservation. Why don’t we talk over coffee?”

The woman no longer refused, turning to leave, but Ran Xing stopped her.

“Um... could you help push my wheelchair? I’m a bit slow on my own.”

—

Inside the café,

The waiter served two cups of coffee.

The woman elegantly stirred her coffee two or three times around the rim, pursed her red lips, and looked up with a contemptuous smile.

“What do you want? Speak.”

“I’m not here for you but for Mrs. Yang. I heard her health isn’t very good. I’m thinking of paying her a visit.”

“That’s unnecessary. Mrs. Yang doesn’t see visitors. If you have something to say, you can say it to me.”

“Alright, then I won’t beat around the bush. Actually, I came to apologize.”

The woman stopped stirring abruptly, glancing at Ran Xing blankly before withdrawing her gaze and inquiring nonchalantly:

“Apologize? For what?”

Ran Xing felt a pang of guilt:

“Because I was the one who gave Wen Xiaoning the idea. I can’t live with myself without apologizing.”

No sooner had she spoken than a cup of coffee was suddenly thrown onto Ran Xing’s face.

The coffee ran down her jawline and dripped onto her clothes.

Ran Xing sneered lightly and gently wiped herself clean.

The woman angrily said:

“You ruined Mrs. Yang’s life! I just don’t understand—why did you do it?”

Ran Xing lowered her head, a faint bruise visible beneath her eyelid.

“I’m sorry. I regret helping a pair of scoundrels and causing Mrs. Yang mental anguish.”

“If it weren’t for you, they would have divorced long ago, and Yang Likang would have left with nothing!”

The woman raised her hand to slap her, but Ran Xing caught it mid-air and calmly asked:

“But if not for me, could Yang Corporation’s stock have rebounded?”

The woman fell silent.

Ran Xing finished her coffee, wiped her lips, and slowly said:

“Please convey my apologies to Mrs. Yang. And if she ever wishes to thank me, I would be glad to accept it.”

Having said that, she pushed open the door, only to see Xiao Yi approaching.

Seeing her lightly dressed, Xiao Yi quickly took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

He gently pushed the wheelchair and said softly:

“Let’s go.”

Ran Xing was preoccupied with the phone call and asked first upon seeing Xiao Yi:

“How is Auntie?”

Xiao Yi nodded firmly.

“I’ve seen the doctor. There’s nothing serious. Don’t worry. But what about your hand?”

Since first meeting Ran Xing, he had noticed the bandage was gone and asked with concern.

Ran Xing waved it off:

“It was inconvenient, so I took it off. By the way, have you solved your problem?” she asked tentatively.

Xiao Yi paused for a moment, then answered calmly:

“Yes, it’s resolved.”

“How did you know I was at the café?”

“Wang Ying told me,” Xiao Yi replied casually.

“Oh, really?”

Ran Xing sneered, the light in her eyes growing colder.

If she guessed correctly,

Xiao Yi had lied to her once again—