Chapter 16 — My Best Friend's Older Brother Took Responsibility for Me

"No need to introduce," Chu Yan spoke up himself. Dressed in a neat suit, looking sharper than usual, but the resentment in his eyes couldn't be hidden. "Lin Wan, let's talk." "Nothing to talk about." "Are you sure?" Pulling out his phone, he opened an anonymous smear post screenshot for me to see. Headline: *Hecheng female stylist clings to rich guy to advance, ousting high-society heiress from blind date.* The post was long—though naming no names, the details were so specific anyone reading knew who it referred to.

"You posted this?" I looked straight at Wen Ruyue. "I didn't post anything," Wen Ruyue looked innocent. "How can I control internet posts?" "So it was him?" I looked at Chu Yan.

Chu Yan put away his phone, leaning against the wall. "I just want you to see how fragile your current life is. One post is enough for everyone to point fingers at you. Lin Wan, think marrying a rich guy gives you peace? Your past can't withstand scrutiny." "Scrutinizing what? Scrutinizing my design work across four years of university? Scrutinizing client reviews from my freelance photography days? Or scrutinizing that video of you hugging two girls at a karaoke lounge?" Chu Yan's face shifted. "You—" "Chu Yan, stalking me to Hecheng, sneaking into my company, and now creeping into this event—what is your goal? Still delusions of being the victim?" He opened his mouth. "Lin Wan, don't back me into a corner." "I backed you? You brought yourself here."

Footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway as Li Hangzhi emerged with two bodyguards, witnessing the scene. He stopped, his gaze resting on my face before shifting to Chu Yan, then Wen Ruyue. Wen Ruyue tensed briefly, then restored her smile. "Mr. Li, what a coincidence." Li Hangzhi didn't look at her. He stepped beside me and looked straight at Chu Yan. "Last warning. Stay away from her." Chu Yan stood rigid, not daring to utter a sound. Li Hangzhi turned to his bodyguards. "Contact hotel security—this gentleman lacks credentials to be here." Chu Yan was escorted out without a fuss. Wen Ruyue stood frozen like a statue, ignored. She remained paralyzed for several seconds, watching Li Hangzhi and me walk away side by side, and ultimately didn't dare follow.

At 9 PM, the Gala entered its final segment. Organizers announced a special category: *Best Styling Design Award of the Night.* The presenter announced the winner on stage: "The Best Styling Design Award goes to—Lin Wan." The hall burst into applause. I hadn't prepared a speech; backstage, Xiao He gestured wildly. "Sister Wan, go up!" Stepping onto the stage under bright spotlights, hundreds of eyes focused on me. Li Hangzhi in the front row didn't clap—he looked at me, then gave a slight nod. Raising the trophy, I spoke into the microphone: "Thank you, everyone. This is the result of five years of my own hard work, without relying on anyone." The applause grew louder. Wen Ruyue in the back rows sat with her hands limp, not clapping; meanwhile, Li Hangzhi in the front row stood up slowly, leading the whole table to stand and applaud me. In that moment, I saw Wen Ruyue's hands tremble slightly. Someone beside her asked softly, "Who is that woman?" Another replied, "Li Hangzhi's wife."

The day after the Gala ended, that anonymous post trended on social media. Internet users split into two camps: One bashing *another woman clinging to men to rise*, the other defending *she won the best award on real merit*. The two camps argued fiercely. I ignored the comments entirely. Xiao He filtered them, stomping her feet in the office. "Sister Wan, someone started digging into your privacy, even pulling up your ex's account, claiming you cheated to catch a rich guy!" "Ignore it." "But shares are increasing rapidly!" I paused work, thinking briefly. "Find out which account first published this post." Xiao He typed for half a day, finally finding a clue—a newly created alt account posted at 5 PM on the Gala day, when Wen Ruyue and Chu Yan were already at the hotel. Though lacking direct evidence, the timeline matched perfectly.

"Sister Wan, what now?" "Wait." "Wait for what?" "Wait for her to make a second mistake. Smart people rarely make only one mistake."