Volume One, Chapter 29: Do You Need Me?

Fu Yuting’s cool, clear voice cut through the uproar of the crowd, dominating the atmosphere through the microphone in an instant.

Not a trace of panic showed on her face; only a calm forged in fire remained.

She bent down, unhurried, and picked up a comparison chart that had fluttered to the floor, holding it up before the cameras. Her gaze, sharp as a torch, swept across the audience and finally fixed on the faces of the agitated protestors.

“I am Fu Yuting of the Lu Corporation. Regarding the accusation of plagiarism today at the signing ceremony, directed at Mr. Xie Yunzou and his studio—”

She enunciated each word with crisp clarity and power:

“The Lu Corporation’s position is—”

“Zero tolerance!”

The protestors’ shouts faltered, and the journalists held their breath. Even Xie Yunzou turned sharply to look at her, shock written all over his face.

Fu Yuting did not look at him, but continued, “Originality is the soul of art, and even more so, the cornerstone of commercial collaboration! When Lu Corporation selects its partners, artistic integrity and the spirit of originality come first!”

She raised the comparison chart higher, her voice suddenly growing stronger, resonating with a force that pierced hearts: “Therefore, in light of these so-called ‘irrefutable’ pieces of evidence, Lu Corporation solemnly declares—”

She paused for a second, her gaze sweeping the room like a queen surveying her realm:

“To launch the highest level of independent investigation! Led by Lu Corporation’s legal department, we will engage top international copyright authentication agencies to conduct a thorough comparison and trace the origins of both parties’ works! The media is invited to supervise the entire process!”

An uproar erupted below.

Inviting the media to supervise throughout? That would make the investigation process completely transparent!

Either one proves their innocence, or walks into ruin!

What a woman—such audacity!

“Before the results of the investigation are available,” Fu Yuting’s voice was decisive and absolute, “Lu Corporation will suspend, but not cancel, its collaboration with Xie Yunzou. Should Mr. Xie and his studio be proven innocent, Lu Corporation will pursue legal action against the fabricators and those pulling strings behind the scenes. If the accusations are true…”

She turned slightly, her gaze for the first time meeting Xie Yunzou’s angry face, her eyes frosty as winter:

“Lu Corporation will immediately terminate all collaboration and assist the infringed party to the very end—no leniency, none whatsoever!”

Her declaration struck the crowd like thunder, leaving the hall in dead silence.

The protestors were stunned by her commanding presence and merciless stance. The reporters frantically pressed their shutters, capturing this dramatic moment.

Xie Yunzou looked at her, his eyes awash with a tumult of complex emotions.

Deep inside, he felt a faint, involuntary tremor—shaken by her strength and sense of justice.

“As for now,” Fu Yuting moved the microphone aside, her voice low yet clear enough to reach the front row of journalists, “security, please maintain order. All unrelated parties, please leave. The Lu Corporation investigation team will arrive at the Xie Group’s conference room in ten minutes to begin evidence collection.”

“Mr. Xie, and the representative of…Designer Lin Wan,” her steely gaze swept the protestors, “please cooperate fully.”

Without glancing at anyone else, she handed the microphone to a staff member at her side and turned away.

Fu Yuting strode in high heels, her spine straight as a pine, walking steadily towards the backstage corridor under the spotlight of countless cameras and gazes. Her pearl-white suit shimmered with a cold, unyielding brilliance in the light, like an invincible suit of armor she had donned.

Zhou Lin hurried to catch up, shaken yet full of admiration. “Yuting! The investigation team…”

“Isn’t real.”

Fu Yuting did not pause, her voice lowered so only Zhou Lin could hear, icy with insight. “That totem pattern—the main strokes are closely imitated, but the hesitation at the end was deliberately crafted. The original ends in a natural, flowing finish. This is a master forger’s ‘ironclad proof.’ That newcomer isn’t capable—she has someone backing her.”

Zhou Lin drew in a sharp breath.

—

At this moment,

In a private club atop the city, floor-to-ceiling windows shut out the urban din, leaving only the thick silence inside, tinged with the scent of expensive wine and the hint of conspiracy.

On the 4K giant screen, the chaos in the Xie Group’s signing hall was captured in high definition—every detail rendered with crystal clarity.

The moment Fu Yuting bent to pick up the comparison chart, the camera zoomed in on the barely perceptible quiver in her fingertips and the taut, almost fragile lines of her profile under the lights.

As she raised the chart and declared the launch of an independent investigation, beneath her forced composure, a flash of terror and desperate resolve flickered deep in those beautiful eyes—a soul driven to the cliff’s edge.

A contemptuous, snake-like, chillingly sticky laugh sounded.

“Zero tolerance? Launching an investigation?”

Su Yu’s voice was low and magnetic, yet as cold and sharp as a blade dragged across glass. “Secretary Fu puts on quite a show. But no matter how high the stage, an actress is still an actress—never fit for the real spotlight.”

She lounged languidly, radiating the superiority of someone in control. “Before absolute power, these little tricks are nothing but a clown’s dying struggle.”

Across from her, Xu Qian was trembling in near-delirious excitement.

“That wretch Fu Yuting! It’s time she had a good cry!”

Su Yu regarded her distastefully, once again marveling at Lu Jingyan’s poor judgment.

“Assistant Su, is that ‘special gift’ ready?” Xu Qian’s voice was shrill with anticipation. “Once she receives it, let’s see if she can still keep that fake, lofty air! I want everyone to see that Fu Yuting is nothing but a whore who clawed her way up by seducing men and underhanded tricks!”

“Don’t worry.” The cold gleam of Su Yu’s wineglass matched the look in her eyes.

Xu Qian was startled by the sudden, almost vicious chill in Su Yu’s gaze, but her excitement quickly drowned out any fear.

—

Rest lounge.

Fu Yuting pushed open the door to the backstage lounge—empty.

She closed the door behind her, leaning against the cold surface, finally permitting a trace of weariness to show on her face.

She closed her eyes; when she opened them again, the exhaustion had vanished, leaving only a keen, icy edge.

She immediately dialed Wen Yunzhi, her voice calm and steady:

“Yunzhi, help me investigate the newcomer and whoever’s behind her. Focus on Designer ‘Lin Wan’s’ background—every social account, every financial transaction, recent contacts, especially connections to Xu Qian and…certain people in Lu Corporation. Also, find the expert who forged that ‘evidence.’ I want a preliminary report before dawn.”

Hanging up, Fu Yuting walked to the window, looking down at the still-restless crowd below.

Amid the chaos, a low-profile black Maybach had quietly parked in the shadows of the street corner.

The rear window slid halfway down, revealing Bo Xingzhou’s cold, sculpted profile.

Why is he here?

Suddenly—

Her phone vibrated unexpectedly in her palm!

The caller ID flashed: [Bo Xingzhou].

She drew a deep breath, swiped to answer, and pressed the phone to her ear.

There was silence on the line, only the faint hiss of static, as if she could hear his slow, steady breathing.

“Where are you?” Bo Xingzhou’s voice finally came through—deep, steady, emotionless, yet like a stone tossed into a still pond, it shattered the icy surface of Fu Yuting’s heart in an instant.

Fu Yuting was taken aback, all her prepared words of self-defense stuck in her throat.

She instinctively glanced outside at the Maybach, still quietly lurking in the shadows—a silent riddle.

“…In the lounge.”

She heard her own voice, carrying a dryness and bewilderment even she hadn’t noticed…

Another brief silence on the line. But this time, it was no longer cold—instead, it seemed to pulse with some invisible tension, tugging at her nerves.

“Do you need my help?” Bo Xingzhou’s voice sounded again, still steady, yet like a second stone cast into deep water, stirring a larger ripple in Fu Yuting’s heart.

Help?

Did he come because he saw her battered image on the news?

A wave of astonishment surged over Fu Yuting.

All her doubts and defenses seemed to waver before this wholly unexpected offer.

Her knuckles whitened around the phone, her throat blocked by something unnameable, and for a moment, she couldn’t speak.

“N-no… That won’t be necessary.”

Fu Yuting finally found her voice—tinged with a haste, and…an unfamiliar trace of panic, even to herself.

She unconsciously straightened her back, as if that could hide the inner chaos that had erupted in a flash. “I can handle it.”

On the other end, Bo Xingzhou seemed to pause, almost imperceptibly.

Fu Yuting could almost picture the slight furrow of his brow, or the fleeting, unreadable emotion in his deep-set eyes.

“Alright.” He responded with a single word, his tone unreadable.

Just as Fu Yuting thought the conversation was over, his deep voice rang out again, unmistakably steady and powerful, breaking through the cold air of the lounge and the confusion in her heart:

“Then I’ll wait for you.”

Those simple four words sliced through the layers of gloom that suspicion and betrayal had cast over Fu Yuting’s heart, like an unexpected shaft of light.

A strange, unfamiliar sensation—sour yet tinged with a faint warmth—sprouted quietly from the depths of her chest and spread.

As if a crack had opened in the frozen river, revealing the warm, surging current beneath.

Fu Yuting stood there, phone in hand, staring blankly out at the black Maybach on the corner.

A gentle knock sounded at the lounge door, Zhou Lin’s anxious voice following: “Yuting! There are some people at the conference room next door claiming to be Lin Wan’s friends. They’re making a scene, accusing us of shielding a plagiarist!”

The storm of reality swept in again.

Fu Yuting snapped back to herself, her eyes refreezing with sharpness and composure.

She cast one last glance at the silent car outside, hung up the call, and strode to the door—her steps steady and powerful, her pearl-white suit gleaming in the light with cold, unwavering resolve. Her voice had already returned to its usual calm and steadiness:

“I understand. I’m coming now.”