Chapter 47: Don't Be Nervous, Hold Me Tight

It wasn't long before Qiao Xi received the address sent by Qin Yiren.

She packed up briefly and arrived on time at a highly private restaurant suite.

As soon as the door closed, the two assistants Qin Yiren had brought quickly scanned Qiao Xi from head to toe with various devices. They even inspected the compartments of her handbag and her phone, leaving nothing unchecked, wary of any possibility that she might try to secretly record or play tricks.

“Team Leader Qiao, please don’t take offense—we just prefer to be cautious,” Qin Yiren said, lounging on the sofa with a cup of tea, a false smile upon her lips.

Qiao Xi opened her arms in silence, cooperating fully throughout. Yet deep in her eyes flashed a trace of cold mockery. She had anticipated this and naturally carried nothing she shouldn’t.

The search completed, the assistants shook their heads at Qin Yiren.

Only then did Qin Yiren finally relax. She dismissed the assistants, leaving only the two of them in the suite.

Qin Yiren spoke coldly, “Qiao Xi, what kind of cooperation do you want to propose? Speak.”

Qiao Xi smiled lightly, unruffled. “Dr. Qin, how did you fool Fu Yancheng back then? Weren’t you afraid your disguise as Dr. Q would be exposed?”

Qin Yiren’s expression changed instantly. “Qiao Xi, are you looking for trouble?”

“You were lucky last time and managed to escape. Do you think, on my turf, anyone will come to your rescue this time?” Her words dripped with malice.

Qiao Xi merely smiled calmly. “Don’t get worked up, or your persona as Dr. Q really will collapse.”

“I suppose you came for the Eternal Youth Project from the start, hoping to saddle the Fu Corporation with plagiarism once again.”

“Only, you didn’t expect I’d prepared a contingency. The formula you stole isn’t the latest version.”

“If Mr. Miller ever grows suspicious of the formula, he’ll find a scapegoat. By then, you’ll be the first to be abandoned.”

“Shut up!” Qin Yiren screamed, losing all composure. She suddenly raised her hand and slapped Qiao Xi fiercely across the face.

Qiao Xi’s head was knocked to the side, a vivid red handprint instantly blooming on her fair cheek, burning with pain.

Slowly, she turned back, looking at Qin Yiren with composure—and then, she smiled.

Qin Yiren, seeing her like this, only grew more enraged and humiliated. She sneered, voice raised, “So what if I impersonated Dr. Q? Even if you have proof, what of it?”

“Does Fu Yancheng believe you now?”

“Once the seed of doubt is planted, you’ll never be trusted again.”

“Qiao Xi, you’ve already lost. Still, I admire your talent. Only by cooperating with Mr. Miller can you have a future.”

But just as her words fell—a cold, thunderous male voice suddenly rang out at the door, brimful with fury.

“Oh? Is that so.”

Qin Yiren spun around in terror.

The door was kicked open from outside.

Fu Yancheng stood there, face grim and cold, a chilling aura radiating from him. Behind him stood Zhou Ze and several bodyguards.

“President Fu?!”

Qin Yiren stumbled backward in fright, stammering incoherently. Suddenly, she drew a dagger from her waist, lunging at Qiao Xi.

Fu Yancheng rushed forward, kicking her away, then pulled Qiao Xi securely into his arms.

Qiao Xi’s heart pounded in shock—it had been dangerously close.

Fu Yancheng gently stroked her reddened cheek, his voice full of remorse. “I’m sorry, Xi Xi. I came too late.”

Only then did Fu Yancheng turn toward Qin Yiren, who was sprawled on the ground. His gaze was icy, devoid of any warmth, as if looking at a corpse.

“No…it’s not like that! President Fu, please listen to me, it was Qiao Xi who set me up!” Qin Yiren panicked, making a final, desperate attempt to explain.

Fu Yancheng sneered, unwilling to hear another word. He issued orders to Zhou Ze: “Take her away.”

“Notify the police and the legal department. All evidence is to be handed over.”

“Copy the surveillance footage and send it to Karl Miller.”

“Yes, President Fu!”

Zhou Ze immediately complied.

Qin Yiren’s legs gave out and she collapsed to the floor, her face a mask of despair.

It was over for her—completely over.

Without a backward glance, Fu Yancheng turned and left, Qiao Xi in his arms.

The truth was revealed, the snake captured, but the woman in his embrace had endured too much.

Now, all he wanted was to make it up to his wife.

An hour earlier—

Qiao Xi had understood that the audio recording alone would not be enough to convince Fu Yancheng. It would be far more powerful for him to witness and hear the truth for himself.

She needed him to see through Qin Yiren’s mask.

Taking a deep breath, after arranging the meeting with Qin Yiren, she called Zhou Ze. She lied, saying it was Qin Yiren who had requested the meeting with unclear intentions.

Qiao Xi was certain Zhou Ze’s caution and loyalty to Fu Yancheng would ensure he reported it immediately.

As expected, she had bet correctly.

Before Qin Yiren and Qiao Xi arrived, the restaurant’s manager, staff, and security had all been replaced by Fu Yancheng’s people.

The latest in micro surveillance and recording equipment had been installed throughout the suite.

Fu Yancheng himself waited in the adjoining room.

Through one-way glass, he watched as Qin Yiren brazenly shed her disguise.

He saw her slap Qiao Xi and heard her admit to impersonating Dr. Q—every word was clear.

Only then had he stormed in, unable to bear it any longer.

Now, sitting in the car, Fu Yancheng held Qiao Xi tightly.

He gently cupped her face, retrieving some ice from the mini-fridge and carefully pressed it to her cheek.

“Does it hurt?” His voice was hoarse, full of guilt.

“I’m sorry, Xi Xi…it was my mistake for trusting her and letting you get hurt.”

Hearing his words, the injustice Qiao Xi had endured surged up; her nose stung and her eyes reddened.

Still, she stubbornly turned away, her voice low. “President Fu has his own opinions. I have no right to interfere.”

She was sulking.

Those words of suspicion lingered like a thorn in her heart—not something that could be removed with a simple apology.

Fu Yancheng’s hand froze midair; he hurried to comfort her.

“My tone was too harsh today. I apologize. Please don’t be upset, all right?”

He leaned in, trying to kiss her.

She dodged.

His heart jolted. Did she now harbor resentment toward him?

Just then, Zhou Ze knocked softly on the car window and reported in a low voice, “President Fu, the police have taken her into custody. The legal team is following up.”

Fu Yancheng’s eyes grew cold once again. “Tell Lawyer Zhang I want no possibility of settlement—no grounds for leniency!”

“I want Qin Yiren to pay the most painful price for everything she’s done!”

“Press every possible charge to the fullest extent. I want her in prison for life!”

“Yes, President Fu!” Zhou Ze, sensing his boss’s fury, replied at once.

Fu Yancheng took a deep breath.

Another matter, like a bone stuck in his throat, resurfaced in his mind.

He rubbed his brow, his tone heavy as he continued, “Also, assign more people to keep searching for Dr. Q.”

“Use all available resources, no matter the cost—she must be found!”

“I need to apologize to her in person and bring her to Fu Corporation.”

He added in a low voice.

“Yes, I’ll see to it immediately!” Zhou Ze replied.

The window slowly rolled up.

Fu Yancheng leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes in exhaustion.

Qiao Xi watched his handsome profile, torn with emotion.

She took a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper. “Actually, Dr. Q…”

Just then, Fu Yancheng’s phone rang abruptly, cutting her off.

He answered at once. Something urgent seemed to be happening on the other end.

His brows furrowed as he listened, and then he turned to Qiao Xi. “There’s an emergency at the company. I’ll have Zhou Ze take you home first.”

He brushed a kiss against her cheek before opening the door and getting out.

Qiao Xi watched him board another car, the words she’d left unsaid stuck in her throat.

If she told him she was Dr. Q, would he believe her?