Xixi knocked quietly on the apartment door. Jia Hao, her long-time friend from acting school, opened up.
She took one look at Xixi's swollen eyes and dragged her inside without a word.
"What happened this time?" Jia Hao asked, setting a glass of water on the table.
Xixi's lips trembled. "He threw me out. And now the whole country thinks I cheated on him."
Jia Hao sighed, shaking her head. "That man is poison. You should've left him long ago. Stay here tonight. Don't worry about anything."
Xixi nodded gratefully.
That night, lying on Jia Hao's couch, she stared at the ceiling in the dark.
The headlines replayed in her mind like a nightmare. She felt like the whole world had turned against her.
Her hand reached for her phone. Her thumb hovered before she finally typed a message.
To Lin Feng:
Please, I need your help. Can we meet tomorrow?
She didn't expect an answer so late, but within minutes, the screen lit up.
From Lin Feng:
Tea House on Samseong Road. 10 a.m.
Relief washed through her. For the first time in days, she closed her eyes and managed to sleep.
****
The next morning, She left for the restaurant. Pulling her cap low, hiding from curious stares.
Lin Feng was already there when she arrived. He sat at a corner table, a steaming cup of tea before him.
His posture was straight, as though scandals and chaos didn't exist in his world.
"Ms. Gu," he greeted as she sat down.
"Thank you for meeting me," she said softly.
"Tell me what you want to do," he replied.
"I want to sue him. I want the truth out. I didn't cheat, and he can't keep lying to everyone." Her hands balled into fists.
Lin Feng listened without interrupting. Then he set down his cup and looked her in the eye.
"You can't file a lawsuit without solid evidence."
Xixi blinked. "What do you mean? Isn't the truth enough?"
His voice was even.
"The court doesn't move on words alone. Fang Li is powerful. He has influence. Unless you can prove the abuse he caused you, the case will fall apart.
Worse, it could backfire on you."
Her chest tightened. "So what do I do? Just sit back and let him ruin me?"
For a moment, her voice shook, louder than she meant.
The room grew quiet. A couple at another table glanced over. Xixi lowered her head, ashamed.
"I've suffered enough," she whispered. "And now… now he's taking everything else away. I don't know how much more I can take."
Lin Feng leaned forward, his tone soft but firm.
"Listen to me. I didn't say it's hopeless. I said we need evidence.
If you're willing to fight smart, I'll help you. We'll find a way."
Her eyes lifted to his. "You'd really do that for me?"
"I gave you my word," he said simply. "And I keep my word."
For years, she had lived with broken promises. Hearing his steady assurance felt almost unreal.
She nodded slowly. "Then… I'll trust you."
Xixi stepped out of the tea shop.
She felt uneasy, like someone was watching her.
She walked down the street, pulling her bag close.
The sound of her shoes echoed on the ground. She stopped and turned quickly. No one was there.
Still, her skin crawled.
She started walking faster. The feeling grew stronger, like heavy eyes on her back.
She wanted to run but forced herself to stay calm.
Her phone buzzed. A message flashed on the screen: I see you.
Xixi froze. Her hands shook as she read it again.
She didn't need to guess it was Fang Li. He was watching her. He wanted her scared.
She tucked the phone into her bag and almost broke into a run.
The street seemed longer. Every corner felt like a trap.
When she reached the building, she rushed inside.
Her steps echoed in the empty hallway. Suddenly, she bumped into someone.
"Ah!" she cried out, pulling back.
"Xixi?" Jia Hao caught her arm before she could fall. "Hey, calm down. It's me."
She stared at her, breathing hard. Relief hit her, but she was still shaking.
"What happened?" Jia Hao asked, eyes sharp.
"I… I think someone followed me," she whispered.
She looked around the hallway, then back at her. "Don't worry. Let's get you inside first."
Xixi nodded weakly. But even as the door closed, the message echoed in her mind.
I see you.
Fang Li was still pulling the strings.
***
Later that evening, Lin Feng returned to his own apartment.
It was neat, almost too neat. Books lined the shelves, legal documents stacked on the desk.
His life was orderly, quiet, predictable.
His phone buzzed. He sighed when he saw the caller ID: Mother.
"Feng," her voice rang warmly the moment he answered, "when will you finally settle down? You're already thirty.
All your cousins are married. Do you want me to die without seeing my grandchildren?"
Lin Feng pinched the bridge of his nose. "Mother, I'm busy with work. We've talked about this."
"You're always busy," she scolded. "But work won't keep you warm at night. I've met a nice young woman from a good family. Pretty, smart. I'll send you her photo."
"I don't need" he began, but she cut him off.
"Just meet her once. For me."
He hung up after promising falsely, but the conversation left him disturbed.
Marriage. Love. Those words meant little to him. He had never believed in them, never cared enough to try.
Yet today, when he saw Gu Xixi sitting across from him, eyes tired but burning with determination, something inside him felt different.
He shook his head, dismissing the thought. She was a client, nothing more. And he had work to do.
Still, as he sat back in his chair, sipping his tea, he found himself replaying her words. I'll trust you.
And for reasons he couldn't explain, he wanted to prove she hadn't been wrong to.