Chapter 11: A One-Night Affair

Shi Yun felt completely uneasy throughout the meal, though the food was as delicious as ever.

Once she had eaten her fill, Gao Qi’an thoughtfully pulled out a few napkins and handed them to her. Shi Yun smiled as she took them, wiped her mouth with measured grace, and looked at him. "Cousin, do Uncle and Auntie know you’re back?"

"Not yet," Gao Qi’an replied with a smile. "I wanted to see you the moment I got off the plane and give them a surprise."

Fu Siyu, sitting to the side, drew out his tone. "Truly, the bond between cousins is deep." He placed a deliberate emphasis on the word "cousins."

Gao Qi’an could hardly miss the implication. He clenched his fist and glared at him. "Why are you interjecting when others are talking?"

Seeing the tension rising between the two, Shi Yun feared a physical confrontation. She quickly stood up and said, "I’m full. Let’s head back."

The three of them went downstairs together. Gao Qi’an took a few quick strides to catch up with Shi Yun. "I’ll drive you back; we can talk more on the way."

Shi Yun nodded, but Fu Siyu let out a mocking scoff. Gao Qi’an’s expression turned cold. Sensing the situation spiraling, Shi Yun quickly grabbed his arm and said to Fu Siyu, "I’m leaving with my cousin now." With that, she pulled Gao Qi’an toward the parking lot.

A night breeze swept by, carrying a chill that hinted at impending rain. Fu Siyu stared at their intimate retreating figures, his dark eyes unreadable, though the air pressure around him seemed to drop.

Gao Qi’an opened the car door, turned sideways, and held his hand over the top of the door frame to protect Shi Yun’s head as she slid into the passenger seat. He then quickly walked around the front of the car and got into the driver’s seat.

Once the engine started, Gao Qi’an’s expression softened slightly. He couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Yun, what is your relationship with him?"

Shi Yun’s lips trembled, the words hovering on the tip of her tongue but refusing to come out. What was their relationship? A one-night stand? She didn’t even know what to call it herself.

After a moment, she replied softly, "What kind of relationship could it be? He just happened to help me, so I’m treating him to a meal."

Gao Qi’an’s grip on the steering wheel loosened, and he let out an audible sigh of relief. His lips curled up slightly, and his voice turned lighter. "That’s good. Xiao Yun, you don’t know how worried I was when I first saw you two together. I was terrified he might be bullying you."

Shi Yun smiled gently. "Cousin, stop worrying so much. I’m not a child anymore."

Gao Qi’an glanced at her, his eyes filled with indulgence. "In my eyes, you will always be that little princess who needs my protection. If anything happens in the future, you must come to me first, understand?"

Shi Yun felt a warmth in her chest and nodded. "Okay, I understand."

Gao Qi’an seemed to remember something and sighed. "These past few days... I’ve heard a few things about your situation. I wanted to talk to you, but I was afraid of upsetting you, so I didn't know how to bring it up."

Knowing he cared about her, Shi Yun feigned a carefree smile. "Cousin, I’m fine. I’m doing quite well right now." She then gave him the address for Jiang Zhiyu’s place, wanting to avoid being taken back to the Shi residence. She wasn't ready to face them yet.

Gao Qi’an looked puzzled. "Why are you staying at your best friend’s place?"

Shi Yun kept a smile on her face. "I just wanted to hang out and chat with her."

Gao Qi’an remained unconvinced. "Did Aunt and Uncle say something?"

Shi Yun’s eyes darted away. "No, I just wanted to live out for a few days."

Though skeptical, Gao Qi’an didn't press further. He simply cautioned, "Alright, but if anything happens, you must tell me."

Shi Yun nodded slightly. "Okay, Cousin, don't worry."

—

When Shi Yun entered Jiang Zhiyu’s apartment, she saw her in the middle of a livestream. She quietly sat on the sofa and began to slowly unwrap the gifts Gao Qi’an had given her.

Jiang Zhiyu caught sight of her, winked, and gave a small smile. She continued chatting with the viewers: "Babes, this is that super brightening shade I mentioned. Wear this, and your elegance goes straight through the roof!" She demonstrated the product as she spoke. Jiang Zhiyu was a fashion influencer with millions of followers; livestreaming was her daily work.

Shi Yun opened the box to find an exquisite crystal bracelet, a limited-edition book she had been searching for for ages, and a box of her favorite handmade cookies, all beautifully packaged. Her cousin was as thoughtful as ever, remembering her preferences down to the last detail.

After unpacking, Shi Yun leaned back on the sofa, watching the livestream and occasionally smiling at the lively atmosphere on screen.

Moments later, the mood in the chat took a sharp turn. A swarm of uninvited guests flooded in, the comments scrolling by like madness:

"Your best friend is a homewrecker who stole someone else's life, how shameless!"
"Hanging out with a fake daughter like that, you're not much better! Unfollowing!"
"Is this blogger friends with that fake daughter who bullies Ruan Tian? Unfollowing then."
"Birds of a feather flock together; she can't be anything good. Blocked."
"Friendly advice: don't hang out with trash, or you'll end up ruined too."

Jiang Zhiyu, who had been reading comments and interacting with her fans, suddenly saw these messages and her expression turned ugly. "Babes, don't be misled by false information. The Shi Yun I know isn't like that."

However, the malicious comments didn't stop. Some even started attacking Jiang Zhiyu, questioning her character and spreading rumors that her products were defective.

Jiang Zhiyu was furious and began to retaliate, one comment at a time:

"What right do you have to say that? Do you have any evidence? Stop spewing filth!"
"Beautiful women appreciate each other, while low-class pigs just gossip."
"If you're really that bored, go lick every toilet in your village."
"My tone is harsh? Did you listen when I was being nice?"
"Did you rinse your mouth with laxatives? Just spitting venom the second you open your mouth!"
"I've seen the dumpling filling chopped by the old aunt at the village entrance, and even that isn't as gossipy as you!"

Jiang Zhiyu’s moderator was frantically messaging her behind the scenes, urging her to stop and end the stream before things got worse. But Jiang Zhiyu, face flushed with anger, continued to lash out at the camera. Her resistance didn't make the trolls retreat; instead, it only fueled their aggression. Her follower count began to drop rapidly, but Jiang Zhiyu didn't care. They could insult her, but they couldn't insult her friend.

Seeing this, Shi Yun’s eyes turned red. She never expected her own troubles to implicate Jiang Zhiyu. Not wanting to speak up, she sent Jiang Zhiyu a message, urging her to end the broadcast.

Jiang Zhiyu turned her head, gave her a comforting look, and continued into the camera: "Those maliciously edited videos are completely unreliable. I will always stand by my friend."

Just then, the doorbell rang.