"I’ve rented a villa here," Fu Bing said. "Once your stitches are removed, we’ll move there. Take it slow; don’t put too much pressure on yourself."
"Thank you," Han Hui replied.
They were chatting when a sharp slap echoed from outside the door, followed by a woman’s cry of pain.
Fu Bing didn’t hesitate. She rose and went outside, where she saw a petite woman pinned to the ground by a man who was furiously slapping her. A crowd had gathered, but no one dared to step forward and intervene.
Fu Bing walked over, pulled the man away, and kicked him on the shin. "What kind of man hits someone who can’t fight back?"
The man, reeling from the kick, was furious. "None of your damn business! Mind your own fucking business."
Fu Bing helped the girl up and pulled her behind her.
The girl was terrified, her face pale, her voice choked with sobs. "Sister, I don’t know him! He just started hitting me as soon as he saw me."
"Three fucking years I’ve slept with you, and you don’t know me? Maybe I need to leak your intimate photos for you to admit it!" the man snarled.
Fu Bing looked at the onlookers closest to her. "I’m Fu Bing. Please help call the police. I’ll take responsibility for any issues."
Some had already recognized her; no one could believe that the goddess herself had truly appeared before them. The men present immediately formed a protective circle around Fu Bing and the girl, preventing the assailant from lashing out in desperation.
The police arrived quickly. Fu Bing and a few enthusiastic onlookers followed them to the station to make statements. After giving their statements, Fu Bing was surrounded by people asking for autographs, and she signed a bunch of them.
When the policewoman learned that Fu Bing had just arrived in Jiangnan that day and had rushed straight to a cosmetic surgery clinic, she immediately grew anxious. "Sister Bing, you’re so beautiful! Please don’t even consider cosmetic surgery. So many celebrities look worse after getting it. Please don’t do anything rash."
Fu Bing said helplessly, "I’m just visiting a friend who needs cosmetic surgery due to an accident. Don’t worry, I still prefer the face my mom gave me."
"We like it too!" the policewoman said enthusiastically. "If you want to visit anywhere, just contact us. I’ll provide you with the most comprehensive guide."
"I’ll take your word for it."
"I’d love another chance to be near my goddess," the policewoman said with a bright smile.
Fu Bing had once played the role of a police officer, and she had done it exceptionally well. It was the only high-quality series in recent years that wasn’t just a romance idol drama masquerading as a professional one. It was said that Fu Bing had staunchly prevented the scriptwriters, often brought in by other actors, from altering the script. That was how the high-quality drama came to be. Even when she eventually went to prison, no one ever said her dramas were bad.
That was the greatest charm of an actor.
The girl’s family arrived.
Gu Si’an leaped out of the latest model Porsche, his face as cold as ice. "Where’s my sister?"
"Brother!" Gu Sining wailed, collapsing into his arms and crying uncontrollably.
Gu Si’an’s face was so dark it looked like thunder. "Where’s that trash?"
How dare he lay a hand on Gu Si’an’s sister.
"Mr. Gu, please calm down," the policewoman said. "He’s been detained and is currently under interrogation."
"I want to settle this privately. Please give us some space."
The policewoman hurried to find her captain. The captain was very cooperative, allowing Gu Si’an to take the man to a secluded corner.
Wails of agony echoed continuously. The officers present pretended not to hear. The law wasn’t always enough to punish brutes; sometimes, a little something extra, outside the law, was required. The victim’s family wanted to settle it privately. They couldn’t very well deny them that chance, could they?
Gu Sining, still fearful, clung to Fu Bing’s arm and whispered, "Sister, thank you. If it hadn’t been for you, I would have been in real trouble."
Fu Bing patted her hand. "It’s alright now."
Gu Si’an returned, his expression cold and detached. Seeing Gu Sining clinging to Fu Bing, his harsh eyes instantly softened. "It’s settled. Let’s go," he said, his gaze lingering on Fu Bing’s face.
"Brother, this is Sister Bing, the one I told you about—my goddess," Gu Sining said.
"Oh," Gu Si’an responded lazily. "Get in the car."
Gu Sining didn’t dare defy her brother and obediently got into the Porsche. Fu Bing waved at her.
Seeing that Fu Bing had no intention of getting in, Gu Si’an said, "Miss Fu, why don’t you join us?"
"I still have things to do. Perhaps another time."
Gu Si’an didn’t press further, stepping on the gas and driving off.
Gu Sining smiled awkwardly, bracing for her brother’s impending fury.
Gu Si’an’s blood boiled as he recalled watching the surveillance footage. "I told you to take bodyguards when you go out, but you refused. This time you encountered an idiot and got lucky. What about next time?"
"How was I supposed to know today would be so unlucky?"
"You’re the daughter of the richest man! In many people’s eyes, you’re a prime target. Countless eyes are on you."
"But nothing serious happened, right?" Gu Sining mumbled.
Gu Si’an, too tired to argue further, declared, "You’re grounded for a month."
Gu Si’an threw Gu Sining into the solitary confinement room and then went to the study to find Gu Yazheng. "Dad, the person has been dealt with."
"What’s your take on this situation?"
"Fu Bing had just arrived in Jiangnan. Sining was dragged to the hospital room where Fu Bing’s friend was staying and was then coincidentally rescued by Fu Bing. It’s all too coincidental."
"Did you interrogate the man? What did he say?"
"His mental state is unstable. He’s a lunatic."
"Is that all the information you managed to get?"
Gu Si’an fell silent.
"Fu Bing is not to be underestimated. Besides, your sister still needs her for her illness. If there isn’t sufficient evidence, don’t alert her."
Fu Bing had dinner with Han Hui at the hospital before taking a taxi back to the villa.
The villa, situated by the river, boasted several floor-to-ceiling windows and a landscaped yard. Its elderly-friendly design was also excellent. Housekeeping had cleaned that morning, and the fridge was stocked with fresh vegetables, seafood, and fruit. Aunt Ning and Uncle He both liked it very much.
The four of them chatted for a while before retiring to their rooms.
Fu Bing had someone look up the Fu Family’s address. She wanted to visit the place where her mother had lived before turning twenty. She yearned to walk through the city her mother had once loved, to experience it for her.
After greeting Aunt Ning and the others, Fu Bing drove towards Chelli Avenue, where the Fu Family residence was located.
It was an area where the wealthy congregated, exuding the classical, graceful charm characteristic of Jiangnan.
Fu Bing’s car was stopped just outside the villa district.
"Miss, this is a private residential area," the security guard said. "Outsiders cannot enter without an invitation."
Fu Bing rolled down her window. "I’m sorry," she said, "our film crew is scouting locations. Could I just take a quick look? I’ll be out right away."
The young security guard looked troubled. "That’s against the rules."
"I’m sorry to put you in a difficult position. How about this: I’ll park my car to the side. When your security personnel make their rounds, perhaps I could accompany them for a look?"
The security guard, looking at her more closely, instantly recognized Fu Bing. "Sister Bing! You’re so busy, yet you’re also handling location scouting?"
"I can’t always be in front of the camera," Fu Bing replied. "I need to plan for the future."
"You can’t stop acting! We all love watching your performances."
"Then I’ll try even harder."
The security guard nodded happily. "Sister Bing, please park your car to the side first. You’re blocking the residents’ entrance and exit here. I’ll call my supervisor to confirm, but I can’t guarantee I can help."
"If it might affect your job, please don’t make the call," Fu Bing said. "We can always find other locations, but it’s serious if your work is impacted."
"No problem, it’s just a phone call."
Fu Bing parked her car by the roadside.
As she got out of her car, Gu Si’an’s car was just exiting the villa complex.
Upon seeing Fu Bing, his expression turned cold.
As expected, Fu Bing was behind yesterday’s incident!