Bai Yiran was surrounded by reporters, finding it difficult to move. It was the first time she faced such a scenario, and she didn’t know how to handle it. Instinctively, she used her bag to cover her head, but whether intentionally or unintentionally, amidst the chaos, someone pushed Bai Yiran, causing her to lose her balance and fall, her hand striking the doorstep and scraping a wound.
None of the reporters present helped her up; instead, they all rushed forward to capture images of Bai Yiran’s fall.
The security manager personally led all the security guards from Huamei International to charge out, dispersing the reporters and helping Bai Yiran up. The guards quickly formed a human wall, protecting Bai Yiran behind them.
"Madam, are you alright?" the security manager asked with concern.
"I’m fine..." Bai Yiran anxiously looked at the reporters, only realizing at that moment the magnitude of the commotion that had been stirred.
At this time, someone in the crowd of reporters shouted, causing everyone to turn their cameras towards the back.
A Maybach slowly came to a stop; it was Leng Yichen’s car, he had returned!
Bai Yiran looked towards the direction of the car. Wang Hai was the first to get out and opened the door for Leng Yichen. He stepped out of the car, seeing the reporters swarming in, his brows furrowed.
Leng Yichen, with a cold demeanor, was saying something to the reporters, while Wang Hai shielded him, blocking the reporters’ advances.
From a distance, Leng Yichen glanced at Bai Yiran at the doorway, then subtly shifted his gaze away.
For a moment, Bai Yiran couldn’t get out, and Leng Yichen couldn’t come in, both separated by this group of reporters.
Anna appeared beside Bai Yiran at some point, speaking unhurriedly, "Madam, please follow me to bandage your wound."
Wound?
Only then did Bai Yiran realize her palm was bleeding, a steady throb of pain emanating from it.
Following Anna, they arrived at Leng Yichen’s office on the top floor, where Anna retrieved a medical kit and skillfully and gently bandaged Bai Yiran’s wound.
Bai Yiran watched her quietly, knowing that Anna, as the chief secretary of Huamei International, must be aware of such significant news. Yet she didn’t scrutinize or look down on her like others, remaining composed as usual. Bai Yiran thought this might be what is called professionalism, perhaps why she became Leng Yichen’s secretary.
Noticing Bai Yiran observing her, Anna looked up, "Madam, is there something you need?"
"Um... no, how did you know I was injured?"
Anna smiled, "Mr. Leng informed me."
It was Leng Yichen... he noticed her injury from such a distance...
After bandaging the wound, Anna left with the medical kit, leaving Bai Yiran alone in Leng Yichen’s office.
Her uncle’s call came in, "Yiran, is what they say in the news true? What’s with that photo?"
"That’s not my photo..." Bai Yiran’s voice was muffled, realizing it was impossible to hide it anymore. Since her uncle knew, her grandmother must know as well.
"Not your photo? But..." Her uncle paused, suddenly exclaiming, "It’s Cheng Ting! It’s your mother’s photo?"
"Yes..." Bai Yiran’s eyes welled up with tears, "It’s Gu Manli, she found these photos from my dad. She meant to use them to blackmail me, but somehow they got released anyway..."
"What did she threaten you with? Yiran, tell your uncle quickly!"
"She..." Bai Yiran nearly blurted out, but steadied herself, forcing a smile, "It’s nothing, uncle, Leng Yichen is here."
"That’s right!" Her uncle’s tone softened, "He doesn’t misunderstand you, does he?"
"No..." Bai Yiran choked up a bit, "He doesn’t misunderstand me... I won’t talk long. Please take good care of grandma and tell her it’s nothing."
Bai Yiran hung up the phone, but tears fell uncontrollably.
"What did she threaten you with?" Leng Yichen’s voice suddenly sounded from behind.