Chapter 39
Fang Yi tucked her stray hair behind her ear and looked up at the curve of the woman’s lips.
Some people’s nobility seemed to be innate. Even if she didn’t say a word, just by slightly raising her chin, she had an aura of her own.
Fang Yi was not very sensitive to human facial features. After graduating from university, she didn’t even remember many of her classmates’ faces.
Wang Quan had once complained that she was face-blind, and that she saw everyone as “seems familiar, but not well-acquainted.”
Including the fact that Li Sinian and He Shuanghua could recognize each other at a glance in a crowd, Fang Yi had always found it incredible.
But at this moment, just the lips under this purple mask made her lose her composure for a moment.
If you looked closely, you could still find many differences. The woman in front of her had thinner lips, revealing a hint of heartlessness, while Lin Shuxing’s lips looked softer…
So every little detail of the person you love becomes so special, shining brightly in the mundane world, enough to become an anchor for a certain memory.
Just a seventy percent resemblance, and her cold expression couldn’t help but melt, a slight smile appearing.
He Shuanghua’s gaze fell on the dark dragon pattern embroidered on the woman’s collar. Her eyes darkened, and she sized her up nonchalantly.
She shook off Li Sinian’s hand, half-squatted down in front of Fang Yi, and said with concern, “Sister, did you twist your ankle?”
Fang Yi noticed that He Shuanghua’s little finger was nonchalantly on her wrist, gently tracing an “L.”
L, Li?
Someone from the Yanjing Li family?
Li Sinian hadn’t expected that a light push would send Fang Yi flying, and that she would be caught by a woman.
Her heart was filled with sourness, and she couldn’t help but speculate with the greatest malice, “What are you pretending for? You did it on purpose, didn’t you? It was time to switch dance partners anyway.”
As she spoke, she reluctantly held out her hand, wanting to pull Fang Yi up. “Are you mute? Hurry up and thank her for catching you.”
“You can’t even stand steady, and you keep stepping on your dance partner’s feet. I think you should go and dance in the children’s area. This place is not suitable for you.”
Crazy. Fang Yi frowned. Just as she was about to curse her, she was stopped by He Shuanghua, who glanced back and quietly shook her head at her.
Fang Yi followed her gaze, and the anger on her lips froze and twitched.
She had long felt that Li Sinian was a jinx. Now, Xue Lan and Lin Qingwan had also been attracted.
Xue Lan crossed her arms, shook her head at Li Sinian’s back, her dangling earring swaying with her movement. It seemed she was very ashamed of Li Sinian’s behavior.
Lin Qingwan stood quietly by Xue Lan’s side, observing. The sweet smile on her face was the same as ever, but her lowered gaze flashed with a hint of suspicion.
Fang Yi pressed down on her mask and silently swallowed the thanks she was about to say to the woman.
Lin Qingwan was undoubtedly very smart. She was worried that she would find some clues.
He Shuanghua noticed her awkwardness, her eyes flashed, and her face immediately turned cold. She called her name softly.
“Li Sinian.”
“Attacking someone’s physical disability, are you very proud?”
“…”
Physical disability?
Fang Yi had a flash of inspiration and immediately used sign language to say “thank you” to the mysterious violet lady who had just caught her.
“Mute?” Li Sinian frowned, thought for a moment, and her expression changed drastically.
It seemed there really was such a thing.
Previously, He Shuanghua had taken on a case for a pair of deaf-mute sisters for free. When she heard about their tragic experience, she had even donated five million to a charity fund.
“I’m sorry, so it’s you, sister. How about this, have you graduated from university?”
Li Sinian forced a kind smile and held out both hands to take hers with great sincerity. “We’re all family. When you graduate, come to your sister-in-law’s place. I’ll arrange a good job for you.”
“…” What’s wrong with her? They’ve already broken up, and she’s still calling herself her sister-in-law.
Fang Yi looked at her hand and slowly rotated her ankle.
It wasn’t twisted. It was just that these high heels were too cumbersome, and it wasn’t convenient for her to get up by herself.
The crowd only saw the mute beauty purse her lips, half-raise her eyes to look at Li Sinian, looking cool and fragile against the bright red.
Li Sinian is too much. How can she bully someone like this?
Not even an apology, and she wants to send her away with a job?
Most of the people who could come here were either rich or noble. They were all a little indignant, but due to Li Sinian’s status, no one dared to say anything openly.
They more or less knew about the relationship between the Yanjing Li family and the Z City Li family. Now that the higher-ups wanted to make a move, a normal person would not go and provoke Li Sinian at this time.
However, the next second, the mute beauty waved away Li Sinian’s hand and bluntly gave her the middle finger.
“…”
Amidst the surprised gasps of the surrounding people, Fang Yi heard the woman who was supporting her let out a little laugh from her throat.
He Shuanghua bent down and held out her hand to Fang Yi. The violet lady also stood up, patted the wrinkles on her skirt, and held out her other hand to her.
Noticing the commotion here, Wang Quan stood on her tiptoes, squeezed through the crowd, and also held out her hand. “Let me, let me!”
Wang Quan straightened her back proudly, feeling that they were particularly tall and mighty at this moment, and even the little Li Sinian didn’t dare to say anything more.
United, there is strength in numbers!
The violet lady tilted her head slightly, scanned them, and as if she had discovered something interesting, the smile on her lips deepened.
Like the most romantic idol drama, the violet lady’s elegance and nobility, He Shuanghua’s cool and intellectual demeanor, and Wang Quan’s passionate and sunny personality, they all held out their hands to her.
Everyone’s eyes were focused here, waiting to see which one Fang Yi would choose.
“…”
So dramatic.
The corner of Fang Yi’s mouth twitched. She felt that they should just get a rope and have a tug-of-war with her over there.
She was playing a mute, not a cripple.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Fang Yi didn’t take anyone’s hand. She directly kicked off her high heels and got up neatly.
Anyway, she hadn’t taken He Shuanghua’s hand. Li Sinian’s heart was at ease, and she looked at her much more favorably, thinking that this sister who knew how to avoid danger was very smart.
So she didn’t care at all about being given the middle finger just now. Instead, she smiled amiably. “Haha, sister is really full of personality, just like your sister.”
He Shuanghua glanced at Li Sinian and ignored her.
This small commotion did not stop the ball. Soon, Miss Jiang also came and ordered someone to invite Fang Yi and the violet lady to the lounge, asking about their well-being for a long time.
He Shuanghua sat by Fang Yi’s side, quietly squeezed Fang Yi’s palm, and glanced at the violet lady who was surrounded by stars, hinting that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
But Li Sinian stuck to He Shuanghua’s side and refused to leave. Lin Qingwan, as Li Sinian’s dance partner, also stayed in the lounge, chatting with Fang Yi with concern about the lives of deaf-mute people.
“…”
Tell one lie, and you have to use countless lies to cover it up.
Fang Yi could only brace herself and chat with Lin Qingwan on her phone, occasionally cooperating with some random sign language.
She had indeed learned some basic sign language, but it was limited to “hello,” “thank you,” and “help.” The rest of the time, she was performing a half-baked shadow play.
She made a little rabbit for Lin Qingwan, a pig’s head for Li Sinian…
The violet lady’s gaze intentionally or unintentionally fell on her hands, and a subtle smile appeared on her lips.
Lin Qingwan asked very seriously, including the most common assistive software for deaf-mute people on the market, which made Fang Yi change her opinion of her slightly.
She was not a “soft and kind little white rabbit.” Growing up in an ordinary family had made her closer to the grassroots and able to understand what people needed.
When talking about the fact that most charity funds could not be implemented, Li Sinian suggested that a supervisory agency should be set up. Lin Qingwan shook her head and said that supervision would only add another layer of exploitation and kickbacks. The accounts should be made public and subject to the supervision of everyone.
He Shuanghua added that a system of joint responsibility and point-to-point assistance should be implemented.
The main door of the lounge blocked out the elegant and romantic orchestral music from outside. They talked about society, about policies, and finally, He Shuanghua, as if unintentionally, mentioned the loopholes in the existing laws.
When the law cannot stop evil, it actually becomes a kind of cover-up.
Fang Yi subconsciously looked at the violet lady, and when she looked up, she happened to meet her smiling gaze.
If the Yanjing Li family really has that much power, why can’t they do something?
“And you, what do you think?”
The violet lady did not hide her gaze and raised an eyebrow at Fang Yi. “As a member of the assisted, your opinions should be respected more.”
Fang Yi subconsciously opened her lips, but at the last moment, she suppressed the syllable and smiled awkwardly.
The violet lady herself did not participate in the discussion. She just rested her chin on her hand and quietly listened to everyone’s speeches, so elegant that it was as if everyone else was reporting to her.
Fang Yi thought for a moment and typed on her phone: Not only donations and assistance, but we should also find ways to create living and employment conditions.
Not all disabled people were willing to accept donations.
Besides, no matter how much money there was, it would be spent one day. A job that could create wealth was more important than directly giving money and supplies.
The woman nodded and smiled, spitting out a word, “Good.”
Her gaze seemed to be able to see through everything, but it was more peaceful, like a sea that embraced all rivers.
Fang Yi couldn’t help but suspect that she had already discovered that she was pretending, but it was strange. Where was the flaw?
Even someone as smart as Lin Qingwan hadn’t discovered her disguise.
Fang Yi took a sip of grape juice, hesitated for a moment, and still typed a few lines, holding the phone out to her.
“Can you let them go out first?”
The woman raised her eyelids and smiled ambiguously. “I like smart people.”
She waved her hand and casually found a reason to send the others away.
Only the two of them were left in the magnificent room.
Fang Yi held out her hand and took the initiative to introduce herself. “Hello, I’m Fang Yi.”
Never heard of her.
The woman stretched her limbs, no longer confined to a dignified and serious appearance. Her long legs were crossed, and she asked with interest, “Hmph, not pretending anymore? What do you want to ask me for?”
She had met many people who had approached her with all sorts of means.
But the “qi” on Fang Yi was very interesting, and it also gave her a strange sense of intimacy, which was why she was willing to help her.
Fang Yi recounted the story of Jiang Wan being harassed and bullied by the male director, Mo Yaozu, according to the timeline, and then added the matter of Mo Yaozu and the person behind him colluding to take bribes.
She observed the woman’s expression at all times, but she could not capture any subtle emotional changes from her elegant smile.
After Fang Yi finished, the woman smiled. “It’s him.”
“We have evidence. They are suspected of—”
Before Fang Yi could finish, the woman gently raised her hand and interrupted her. “I know everything you’ve said.”
She slowly picked up a grape, threw it into her mouth, and delivered a further critical blow. “I also have the so-called evidence of a crime you mentioned.”
“This kind of thing, countless people will offer it to me with a flick of my finger. You actually want to use it as a bargaining chip?”
The woman gave a gentle smile, but Fang Yi saw a hidden wickedness between her lips and teeth.
Fang Yi’s expression did not change. “You helped me. I think you are a good person.”
“Just as you like smart people, so do I. I don’t want to lie to you, and I know I can’t lie to you, so I have to be honest.”
“I hope this Mo Yaozu gets his retribution, but with my current ability, I can’t kill him.”
“Kill him,” the woman rolled the word in her throat. “Who is Jiang Wan to you? Your lover?”
Fang Yi: “No, I’m her… fan.”
The woman confirmed with her, “Jiang Wan’s disappearance, she was not substantially harmed, just hiding?”
“Yes.”
“What punishment do you want Mo Yaozu to receive?”
Fang Yi thought for a moment. “His reputation ruined, go to jail, or die. Anything is fine.”
The woman played with the grape. “This retribution doesn’t seem to be equal, does it?”
“Why does it have to be equal?”
Fang Yi retorted, “This world is not fair to begin with. When Mo Yaozu bullied people with his power, no one talked about equality.”
The woman slowly raised her eyes, taking in Fang Yi’s sharp and exposed appearance, and applauded with a smile.
“Good, good. I was afraid you wouldn’t dare to speak up.”
“You have the right to know my name. Remember, my name is Li Xianqing.”
The woman narrowed her eyes, a little light in her lazy gaze. “I can help you, send him to his death, but you also have to agree to one request of mine.”
Fang Yi asked, “What request?”
Li Xianqing raised her chin slightly. “I haven’t thought of it yet. I’ll owe you.”
“I have an additional request,” Fang Yi said, meeting Li Xianqing’s surprised eyes, and continued on her own, “I don’t think Mo Yaozu’s harassment did not cause substantial harm. It’s not impossible that someone has been persecuted to death like this. This is bullying.”
Li Xianqing raised an eyebrow. “So?”
Fang Yi paused. She also felt that this request was a bit abrupt, but she still insisted on proposing it. “I think there is a problem with the existing laws. Sexual harassment is not a small matter.”
The woman said bluntly, “This, I can’t help you with.”
Fang Yi said “oh” and nodded, saying nonchalantly, “It’s fine. I know.”
Even if she knew it was useless, she still wanted to mention it.
Li Xianqing was inexplicably annoyed by her “I know” and raised an eyebrow. “You’re not going to beg me a little more? What if?”
Since that person had taken office, she had actually been quite concerned about this issue. A new bill was already in the works.
Fang Yi shook her head. “No. I know that for this kind of thing, it’s useless to beg a certain person.”
This was a long-standing problem, far from being solved overnight.
But being unable to solve it and not proposing it were two different things.
She was neither overly expectant nor discouraged.
Li Xianqing looked at Fang Yi’s unyielding appearance and touched her chin. “How old are you? What do you do for a living? Do you want to develop in Yanjing?”
“No,” Fang Yi refused bluntly.
Li Xianqing was even more annoyed.
Yanjing, that was a place of pilgrimage for so many people. How could Fang Yi refuse without thinking?
She didn’t even know what she was refusing.
She sized Fang Yi up and down and resumed her noble tone. “You have to give me a token. Otherwise, if I help you and you don’t acknowledge it in the future, what then?”
“…”
Fang Yi looked down. She only had He Shuanghua’s bag and a phone on her.
“The phone for you?” Fang Yi asked tentatively.
The corner of Li Xianqing’s mouth twitched, and she gave a humorless smile. “I don’t collect junk.”
Fang Yi pointed to the million-dollar bag, a little hesitant. “The bag?”
“…”
Li Xianqing laughed out loud in exasperation.
Her gaze searched Fang Yi’s body for a moment and finally settled on Fang Yi’s slender neck. She curled her lips with a bit of a wicked taste. “Give me the silk scarf.”
Something personal is more meaningful.
The silk scarf was harmless, but the problem was that under her silk scarf were all kiss marks.
Fang Yi seemed to have seen through her wickedness and said calmly, “I don’t mind, but this is very cheap. It’s disposable.”
Li Xianqing didn’t speak, but the slight purse of her lips looked as if she were about to lose her patience.
Fang Yi spread her hands, untied the silk scarf, and handed it to her.
It doesn’t matter. Anyway, she’s still wearing a mask, and no one knows who she is.
When Li Xianqing saw those ambiguous marks, she let out a subtle sound.
Her elegant, noble, and somewhat bad-tempered appearance was really like… Lin Shuxing.
If it weren’t for the fact that her figure and the tone of her voice were completely different, Fang Yi almost wanted to take off her mask and question her why she wasn’t at home studying properly.
Could it be some kind of hormonal trick, that she automatically adds a filter when she looks at people, and loves the house and its crow?
Fang Yi shook her head. Actually, none of that matters. Anyway, there probably won’t be any more contact in the future.
Since the business was done, she could leave.
Fang Yi sent a message to He Shuanghua and Wang Quan respectively. She really didn’t like the atmosphere at this kind of banquet and would rather go home and sleep early.
She stood up in the lounge’s cotton slippers, holding her high heels, and after getting Wang Quan’s “OK,” she walked out.
However, just as she opened the door, she saw Xue Lan and Lin Qingwan standing in a corner of the corridor, talking in low voices.
Their six eyes met, and Fang Yi immediately closed the door again.
Hehe, I didn’t check the almanac before going out.
Fang Yi turned back. To be on the safe side, she decided to have Wang Quan or He Shuanghua get a replacement silk scarf before leaving.
However, before the message could be sent, the main door was pushed open again.
Fang Yi had her back to the main door and thought to herself who was so tactless. She pressed the mask down with one hand.
“Li Xianqing, didn’t you want to see me? What are you doing hiding here?”
The newcomer’s voice was cold, with a unique arrogance. Fang Yi almost immediately recognized her identity.
The one who had not appeared at the venue.
Zong Heng.
