Chapter 7: Now It's Your Turn to Taste the Bitterness of Being Unable to Defend Yourself

Since she could remember, Bai Lu had always lived in the dazzling world of show business. Having seen too many handsome men and beautiful women, she had long since grown numb to beauty. To be fair, Ye Jingyan was quite good-looking. He wore a white coat with such elegance that it seemed like a custom-tailored suit. Anyone who didn’t know him would be fooled by his elite air.

Unfortunately, in her past life, Bai Lu had spent four years as partners-in-crime with Ye Jingyan in a psychiatric hospital, and she was all too familiar with his ridiculous nature. Besides, she had just been stunned by the breathtaking looks of the celestial man in the glass conservatory. Now, looking at Ye Jingyan, she could only think he resembled a foot-washing attendant.

The “attendant” rushed over in three long strides and scolded her furiously, “Bai Xiaolu, why are you wandering around instead of resting in your ward at noon? Do you even know where you are? This is the back area! Are you tired of living? Do you want to die?”

Startled, Bai Lu suddenly felt wronged by his outburst. In their past life, he’d never mentioned any of this! He had been too busy bragging about the gorgeous glass conservatory, never once telling her that this private hospital belonged to the richest man, Huo Yan Fang!

If he had told her, would she have wandered off? If she hadn’t wandered, would she have seen Huo Yan Fang bullying the celestial boy? If she hadn’t been dazzled by the celestial boy’s beauty, would she have nearly provoked Huo Yan Fang himself? So this mess was on him—he could carry the blame.

Tilting her head, Bai Lu stared intently at Ye Jingyan for a few seconds before pretending to realize something. She nodded, “It’s you! Doctor Ye, you almost shook me apart yesterday!”

Ye Jingyan grew flustered and waved his hand. “Didn’t you eat the lunch I got you today? That means you’ve forgiven me. Let’s not talk about the past. We have to look forward.”

So that was it. Not even the hospital’s chef was immune to her charms—things had gotten out of hand. The dishes she enjoyed for lunch were Ye Jingyan’s way of apologizing.

Ye Jingyan continued, “Besides, I was just so worried about you yesterday, afraid someone would bully you. I’m your fan, you know. While you were in a coma for over two weeks, I couldn’t eat or sleep, and I watched over you every day. I’ve barely slept five hours a night. Xiaolu, you have to believe me.”

Of course she believed Doctor Ye. In her previous life, when everyone else had abandoned her, he was the only one who stayed. She considered him family.

“I trust you, Doctor Ye.”

Ye Jingyan glared. “Bai Xiaolu, do you have any sense? Do you believe everything people say? One day you’ll be sold off and even help them count the money! You’re a girl—how can you not have the slightest bit of caution with strangers?”

Bai Lu: “?????”

So do you want me to trust you or not?

Ye Jingyan pinched the bridge of his nose and softened his tone, “Xiaolu, you’re a girl. Out in the world, you need to be careful with strangers, right?”

Bai Lu spoke her mind, “But Doctor Ye, you’re not a stranger. Yesterday, you stood up for me—no one else did. I’m not stupid; I can tell who truly cares for me and who only wants to use me.”

Ye Jingyan felt like an anxious father. If only she genuinely could tell the difference!

She should have seen through the Shen family’s true colors—better to cut ties before they bled her dry and then sold her off! But as fan and idol, doctor and patient, it wasn’t his place to say such things outright. He waved his hand, deciding to get closer to her before broaching the subject.

“Bai Xiaolu, how did you end up here? Everything beyond the bamboo grove is private property of the hospital’s owner. The area behind the grove isn’t open to anyone. You can’t just wander wherever you want! Would you like it if someone barged into your house?”

Bai Lu drew a deep breath. All right, Ye Jingyan, you’re leaving me no choice. If cuteness doesn’t work on you, I’ll admit defeat!

She pouted, her eyes instantly turning red and misty, tears trembling on her lashes, “The ward was so stuffy, I just wanted some fresh air. But I don’t know my way around… I’m sorry, Doctor Ye. I got lost, and only you came to find me. You’re so good to me.” She lifted her head, looking at him, and said slowly, “Bai Xiaolu wants to be friends with Doctor Ye for life.”

As she finished, she offered him a sweet, pleading smile, accidentally blowing a bubble from her nose. Her long lashes were still wet with tears, her eyes and nose red as a little rabbit’s, her cheeks flushed—she looked like a silly, adorable child.

Doctor Ye had no resistance against Bai Lu. As his beloved idol, he couldn’t bear to scold her; her cuteness was lethal. All he could do was spoil her.

He sighed. “Bai Xiaolu, what are we going to do with you? Someday someone will sell you off, and you’ll help them count the money. You’re getting older, your acting’s improving, but your common sense isn’t. You’re lucky today that Huo isn’t around. Otherwise, with his temper, barging onto his turf, he might’ve buried you himself.”

Bai Lu’s eyelid twitched, and she nearly cursed out loud. What nonsense—Huo isn’t around!

Just remembering Huo Yan Fang in the glass conservatory, fierce with rage, made her shudder. He was terrifying—a beauty like that couldn’t hide the danger.

What truly frightened her wasn’t the scar-covered face, but those eyes—wild, angry, as if he’d lost everything and wanted to take the world down with him.

Thank goodness she’d reacted quickly and escaped by playing the fool. Otherwise…

She didn’t dare imagine further.

Ye Jingyan escorted her back to her ward. As they neared the inpatient building, a nurse hurried over. “Doctor Ye, the director is looking for you—it’s urgent!”

Ye Jingyan said, “Bai Xiaolu, go straight to your ward and don’t wander off again. I’ll come see you when I’m done.”

Bai Lu nodded obediently, the very picture of compliance. But the moment Ye Jingyan left, her face turned cold, and she bit her lip with her little canine tooth.

Behind the curtains on the third floor, a burning gaze fixed on her. Bai Lu glanced up carelessly and then looked away.

That was Shen Xinluo’s room.

Shen Xinluo, of course you wouldn’t die so easily.

If a single crash could kill you, that would be far too dull.

Wishing to prove your innocence by dying? How laughable—does innocence come so cheaply?

Bai Lu closed her eyes, recalling the scenes from her past life when she was framed and could not defend herself. One after another, they replayed before her eyes—so vivid, so searing.

A few blurry photos exposed, claiming she’d assaulted someone on set. She produced the full video, proved her innocence—did it matter?

Shen’s parents incurred mountains of debt in her name—bank loans, gambling debts, all kinds of shady borrowings. When the truth came out, she painstakingly clarified, insisted it had nothing to do with her. Even the bank confirmed the money wasn’t borrowed by her, but by Shen’s parents using her documents as adoptive guardians.

Did that clear her name?

When she was accused of tax evasion, the authorities investigated and found her contracts and accounts were controlled by Shen’s parents—it had nothing to do with her. Even the state tax bureau exonerated her—did that restore her reputation?

No, not only was she not exonerated, Shen Xinluo fabricated more rumors—claimed she had slept with her patron for protection, and shifted all the blame onto Shen’s parents.

In the end, even her Best Actress trophy was said to be earned in bed.

Drunkenness, drunk driving, diva tantrums, drug abuse… The accusations were endless.

Bai Lu took a deep breath and opened her eyes again.

In her past life, even with evidence, she could not clear her name. Now, Shen Xinluo didn’t have a shred of proof.

“This time, you’ll get to taste what it’s like to be framed and abandoned by everyone, to have no way to defend yourself. Shen Xinluo, don’t worry—it’s only just begun. We have plenty of time to play.”

The girl’s eyes slowly turned red—the color of blood.