Chapter 54: Fan Chi Loses His Temper

The application for financial assistance even included a photo ID of Lian Youyou.

"Whoever said Lian Youyou had plastic surgery or was kept as a mistress, come forward and continue your claims! The school itself has stepped in to vouch for her!"

"Would someone wealthy enough to buy their way in apply for hardship assistance from the university?"

"Keyboard warriors, put down your keyboards and read more books. Look at Lian Youyou’s grades—she’s the top of the top!"

It was no exaggeration when online commenters called Lian Youyou "the top among scholars." After all, Binhai University is ranked among the top ten in the country, a prestigious 211 institution. Every student admitted is the cream of the crop from elite high schools. To excel academically at such a renowned university, one must be truly exceptional.

A single stone stirred up a thousand waves. While Lian Youyou successfully cleared her reputation, Fan Chi began to face intense scrutiny from netizens. Speculation ran rampant about Fan Chi's lavish lifestyle after Lian Meng’s death.

One netizen even dug up photos from twenty-two years ago.

"Here are some outfits and cars Fan Chi used after Lian Meng passed away. Judging by the luxury brands and expensive vehicles, Fan Chi lived extravagantly. Insiders claim he frequented high-end clubs. Not long after Lian Meng died, Fan Chi went on a spree purchasing prime real estate downtown. At the time, Fan Chi was a third-rate actor, so it’s clear most of his spending came from Lian Meng’s income. While his daughter, Lian Youyou, lived modestly in the countryside, her father indulged in the city’s pleasures. This makes people suspect that Fan Chi may have pocketed all of Lian Meng’s inheritance for himself."

...

Inside the studio, Lian Youyou scrolled through her phone, her expression somber.

"It seems your grandparents and your professor boyfriend helped us a great deal—even the university’s administrator stepped up. Your boyfriend certainly has some influence," Richard, seated beside her, turned and remarked.

Lian Youyou’s outfit today was far more striking than her usual filming attire. Normally, she dressed elegantly and simply, with light makeup, embodying the image of a refined young lady.

Today, she wore an ornate, elaborate costume; her previously understated hair accessories were replaced with dazzling gold, silver, and jade, and her makeup was heavier, giving her a seductive, alluring look.

The sharp contrast made it clear she was now portraying the corrupted version of Princess Wang Xian.

In truth, Lian Youyou wasn’t fond of the current trend in drama productions—whenever a female character turns evil, she’s given heavy makeup, smoky eyes, and bold lips. Is it so hard for audiences to tell a character’s transformation without altering her appearance? Or have actors grown so weak that they communicate character shifts only through makeup, not acting?

"You’ve not only cleared your name, but you’ve gained a lot of fans. Why do you still look so gloomy?" Richard noticed the shadow on her face.

Lian Youyou put down her phone and sighed. "Haven't you noticed? I’ve been labeled as an academic prodigy."

Once a label is attached, it’s difficult to remove. Personality or style labels are manageable; at least you can pretend in front of the camera.

But how does one fake being a scholar?

Oh, daughter, why must your grades be so outstanding?

Lian Youyou was already worrying about her thesis and defense when she returned to campus after her internship next year...

"So what if you’re a scholar? You really are one," Richard said, unaware that this Lian Youyou was not the original, "Don’t you know? The academic prodigy persona is very popular now. Audiences are tired of pretty faces—they prefer someone with substance and real ability like you."

...

Richard’s words only deepened Lian Youyou’s gloom.

"Sis!" A familiar, bright voice echoed above her.

Lian Youyou looked up, meeting a radiant smile.

"Yuanye, you’re out of the hospital after just two days?" Lian Youyou stared at Fu Yuanye in disbelief. "You should have rested a few more days."

"It was just a minor injury, nothing to worry about. Sis, can I sit beside you?" Fu Yuanye, holding his rolled-up script, took the seat next to her.

"Hey, President Li is here too?" Fu Yuanye acted surprised, "President Li is always so busy—what brings you here?"

"I’m not here to chat with you," Richard glanced at his Patek Philippe watch. "They should be arriving soon."

"Yes, they should," Lian Youyou nodded.

Fu Yuanye was puzzled. "What’s arriving?"

As he finished speaking, two figures, one tall and one short, quickly approached.

"Lian Youyou, stand up right now!"

Fan Chi shouted before he even reached her.

So, it had come to this.

Ever since the video she recorded with Richard was released, and netizens dug up photos of Fan Chi’s life from twenty-two years ago, all the online criticism shifted to him. Waves of netizens demanded that Fan Chi present Lian Meng’s will.

He had faced relentless media bombardment in recent days, and as the frenzy grew, paparazzi began speculating about Fan Chi’s relationship with Qu Wuyan.

Now, wild theories were circulating online: Fan Chi may have started an affair with Qu Wuyan while still married to Lian Meng. Lian Meng’s death might have hidden causes!

When public focus moved onto Fan Chi, Lian Youyou had already guessed he would come looking for her.

She didn’t stand up. Instead, the actors and crew in the studio, drawn by his voice, turned to watch.

Director Li, who was discussing the script with the writer, heard Fan Chi’s voice. "Looks like Old Fan’s here with trouble."

"Of course it’s because of the recent news," the scriptwriter replied disdainfully. "I always thought he had questionable character—always with that sullen face, looking down on people. He’s clearly a conniving old man."

"Shh, keep it down!" Director Li signaled, "Be careful, others might overhear!"

Fan Chi and Fan Xiaoyun approached Lian Youyou. With a single motion, Fan Chi lifted her from her chair, both feet off the ground like a hawk snatching a chick.

"Director Fan, you’d better mind your words and actions!" Richard’s gaze was sharp and his voice commanding, a rare display of seriousness. "Lian Youyou is my employee now. If you dare lay a finger on her, I won’t show you any courtesy!"

"Richard, stop pretending to be the good guy. Isn’t this shift in public opinion your and her handiwork?" Fan Chi sneered. "Don’t think I don’t know your motives. You wanted Lian Meng, didn’t you? You couldn’t win her, so you keep targeting me. Well, now you’ve succeeded."

Richard, interested in Lian Meng?

"You rabid dog, slandering others!" Lian Youyou snapped angrily.

"Lian Youyou, do you think I’m too lenient with you, so you think your little tricks can deal with me?" Fan Chi mocked. "Let me tell you, I have my limits. If you refuse a toast, you’ll get a penalty drink!"

This was the Fan Chi she knew.

During the opening ceremony, when he brought cake to visit the set, it was all for show, a performance for others. The Fan Chi before her now was the one she remembered—cold-blooded, inhuman, living only for himself.

Lian Youyou met his gaze fearlessly. "So what if you give in to me, or not? Fan Chi, when you do enough evil, retribution will come—and yours is still ahead!"

"You brat, you need a lesson!" Fan Chi’s hair was disheveled, eyes bloodshot, like a crazed lion ready to lash out. "Come with me!"

He dragged Lian Youyou away. Fu Yuanye, seeing this, picked up his phone. "Director Fan, you’d better stop right now, or I’ll make everything you do public!"

"Put away your phone, Yuanye," Fan Xiaoyun blocked his camera, her face composed and smiling in stark contrast to her father’s outburst. "Don’t worry, my dad won’t do anything to Lian Youyou. He just wants to have a family chat. Would you really post a family conversation online?"

Is this what they call a family chat?

Fan Chi dragged Lian Youyou towards his car. Fu Yuanye tried to follow but Richard stopped him.

"No need to go after them, Yuanye," Richard watched as Fan Chi shoved Lian Youyou into the car, his expression calm. "There are so many people here, everyone’s watching. In public, Fan Chi wouldn’t dare harm her."

Clearly, Fan Chi had been pushed to his limits.

He usually kept up appearances, but today he couldn’t even pretend, immediately snatching Lian Youyou up. He was furious.

"Ah—"

Lian Youyou cried out as Fan Chi threw her heavily onto the back seat, the beads in her hair rattling crisply from the impact.

Fan Chi climbed in after her and slammed the door shut.

"What do you want?" Lian Youyou asked warily. "I warn you, lots of people saw what you did. Don’t try anything, or you’ll face even bigger trouble."

Fan Chi didn’t answer. His large hands reached toward her.

"What are you doing? Stop it!" As he grabbed her, Lian Youyou struggled desperately.

He searched her body, and when he withdrew his hand, he was holding her phone.

"Give it back!"

"No."

Fan Chi raised the phone, aiming the screen at Lian Youyou’s delicate face.

He was trying to unlock it with facial recognition!

Lian Youyou quickly hid her face behind the wide sleeve of her costume, reaching with her other hand to snatch the phone. "This is a violation of my privacy! I could sue you—give it back now!"