Chapter 8: Her Counterattack

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Inside a VIP ward of the hospital, a slant of morning sunlight filtered through a sheer curtain, casting a warm glow over the bed.
Sensing the gentle warmth, the woman still asleep on the bed lifted her hand to rub her eyes.
“Awake?”
Before Ran Xingche was fully conscious, Xiao Yi, sitting nearby, eagerly stood up and handed her a glass of water.
Ran Xingche moved her lips and uttered a soft “Mm,” taking the cup and then scanning the room.
Seeming to anticipate her thoughts, Xiao Yi explained directly, “Xiao Yuan went to handle some matters at the set. She’ll come over once she’s done.”
Ran Xingche felt a pang of guilt, her tone involuntarily lowering.
“Did I say something harsh?”
Xiao Yi shook his head.
“How could there be nothing?” The light in Ran Xingche’s eyes dimmed as she gave a faint, weary self-deprecating smile. “Every time I have an episode, Xiao Yuan always tells me what I did.”
Xiao Yi’s dark eyes dropped slightly; deliberately turning away, he dared not look at her directly. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the floor before cautiously asking,
“Ran Xingche, how long has this been going on?”
Ran Xingche took a deep breath, her voice calm and detached as if recounting someone else’s story.
“Three years.”
After saying this, she drank some water, set the cup on the bedside cabinet, and threw back the covers, preparing to put on her shoes.
Seeing her about to leave, Xiao Yi hurriedly urged,
“Ran Xingche, I’ve already told the director to let you rest for a week.”
But Ran Xingche finished putting on her shoes and resumed her usual cold demeanor.
“I caused this mess; I have to fix it myself.”
“Xiao Yuan has taken care of it already, so you don’t really need to—”
Before he could finish, Ran Xingche interrupted harshly,
“No matter what, thank you for bringing me to the hospital. Also…” She reached into her pocket, pulled out a wallet, casually took out a bank card, and handed it to Xiao Yi with a cold tone:
“There’s one million in this card. Consider it hush money. Take it.”
Xiao Yi laughed in disbelief but still smiled,
“Ran Xingche, what do you mean by this?”
Ran Xingche didn’t explain further and slipped the card into his hand.
“I want no one else to know about my illness.”
Xiao Yi returned the card to her with a sweet smile, a smile so enchanting it seemed to draw Ran Xingche in.
“Ran Xingche, don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. You should take this card back.”
Their eyes met, and in Ran Xingche’s icy gaze shone an unyielding defiance.
She put the card into Xiao Yi’s pocket and said indifferently,
“Keep it. It’s better for both of us.”

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Seeing her so stubborn, Xiao Yi stopped pushing.
He thought to himself, as long as she’s happy.
“I’ll take you back.”
“No need,” Ran Xingche refused, her eyes looking into the distance as if making a firm decision, then she smiled faintly,
“I have other things to do.”
She had a flaw.
She never let offenses go unpunished.
No one should yield to anyone else.
Since Wen Xiaoning was merciless, then she would not be righteous.
Ran Xingche was never one to be bullied.
Yet, more than settling scores with Wen Xiaoning, at this moment she wanted to know how the photo of Xu Ting had surfaced.
Even Xiao Yuan didn’t know about that photo.
Three years ago, when she was in a cautious relationship with Xu Ting, no paparazzi had ever caught them.
In fact, no one knew she had a boyfriend.
So why did Wen Xiaoning have the means to know about Xu Ting?
Lost in thought, a voice suddenly interrupted her.
“Ran Jie, what are you thinking about?”
Xiao Yi’s voice snapped Ran Xingche back to reality.
She shook her head and replied casually,
“Nothing. Let’s meet again in a week.”
After she left, the tenderness in Xiao Yi’s eyes vanished, replaced by a sinister glare.
He took out his phone and dialed a number, speaking before the other could say a word:
“I put the projector in the trunk. Take it and destroy it.”
Lu Qing was puzzled. What projector?
His first thought was that his friend had gotten into trouble again.
He replied nonchalantly,
“Okay, got it. But where did you get a projector from?”
“It’s not mine. Someone used a projector to show Xu Ting’s photos to make Ran Xingche have an episode. When I saw it, I took the projector away.”
“No way, is that true?”
Lu Qing immediately sobered up,
“Who dares mess with you, the true power behind the Lu Corporation…”
“Hm?”
Xiao Yi dragged out the last syllable, cutting off Lu Qing’s words.
“Lu Qing, you talk too much. Tired of being CEO? Well, the company is negotiating with foreign partners lately. I’m thinking, maybe you should…”
“Don’t,” Lu Qing interrupted anxiously, “I just got back.”
“Listen, help me check one more thing.”
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“Say it.” Lu Qing complied obediently.
“Find out how Wen Xiaoning got that photo of Xu Ting.”
“Alright.”
...
Just after leaving the hospital, Ran Xingche bumped into Xiao Yuan rushing over.
Once she caught her breath, Ran Xingche said sheepishly,
“I’m sorry, Xiao Yuan, for making you worry again. Are the staff all right?”
Xiao Yuan’s eyes were full of sympathy as she sighed and then said slowly,
“I’ve calmed them down. Each was given half a million as hush money, and I apologized on your behalf.”
Ran Xingche looked guilty.
“I’ll apologize to them privately again.”
Xiao Yuan remained silent, her expression heavy as she gazed at Ran Xingche. After long internal struggle, she finally blurted out,
“Ran Jie, I’m resigning.”
Ran Jie was stunned, a sudden realization washing over her, as if her heart had been dragged to the depths.
She wanted to persuade her but couldn’t find the words.
Given her state, it was only natural Xiao Yuan wanted to leave.
After working together for three years, she respected Xiao Yuan’s decision.
After a moment’s thought, Ran Xingche nodded painfully,
“Alright. Although it’s before the contract ends, I won’t hold you to a breach.”
Xiao Yuan bowed slightly,
“Thank you, Ran Jie. As for the breach penalty, don’t worry. Someone else will cover it. I’m recruiting a new assistant; once someone comes, I’ll leave.”
“Okay.”
Ran Xingche’s gaze froze; her throat seemed blocked by something, and she strained her voice to say one word.
Then she took out a bank card and pressed it into Xiao Yuan’s hand.
“We’ve worked together for a long time. This money is my token of gratitude, and thank you for everything you’ve done. If you ever need me in the future, just ask.”
Xiao Yuan held the card, feeling her palm grow hot.
After hesitating, she decided to confess,
“Ran Jie, actually I…”
Before she could finish, Ran Xingche’s phone vibrated.
After answering the call, her brow furrowed tightly.
“What did you say? I’m coming right now.”
Watching her walk away, Xiao Yuan repeatedly apologized in her heart.
Sorry, Ran Jie, people move upward like water flows downward.
Who in this world doesn’t like money?