Chapter 7: Cast Out from Home

Thinking of that possibility, Lian Hanqi’s expression turned completely cold. “From today onward, Lian Bingqing has no ties to the Lian family. The Lian family will no longer offer you any protection.”

Someone who nearly sent his grandmother to her grave was unworthy of being called a member of the Lian family.

Lian Bingqing was thrown into utter panic. She lunged forward, trying to grab Lian Hanqi’s hand, but he deftly avoided her.

“Cousin!” Lian Bingqing collapsed to the ground, her eyes red as tears streamed down her face. “Cousin, I know I was wrong. I know I shouldn’t have used Grandma’s illness as an experiment.”

“But—but at the time, Grandma truly had no hope, didn’t she? Even my mentor was helpless. Who could guarantee that woman’s strange prescription would really save Grandma, cousin?”

Lian Hanqi had no interest in her excuses; he turned and strode away.

The rest of the Lian family followed, leaving Lian Bingqing standing alone, abandoned by the world.

Watching their retreating figures, Lian Bingqing clenched her teeth so hard she nearly shattered them.

Hatred blazed in her eyes, her heart burning with fury, her gaze so venomous it chilled the air. “Yun Fu! It’s all your fault, you wretched woman. I will not let you go!”

Meanwhile, Yun Fu sat on the hospital balcony, legs swinging, slender fingers holding a cigarette.

When Lian Hanqi found her, he saw this scene: the breeze lifting loose strands of hair from her shoulders, her slim figure radiating an inexhaustible strength.

A cigarette between her fingers, her silhouette blurred in the faint smoke, as if overlapping with someone from his dreams.

She was so delicate, yet so resilient, and seemed to carry a trace of sorrow.

“Mr. Lian.”

A cool, clear voice snapped Lian Hanqi back to reality. He glanced at the ring on his finger, his gaze flickering.

He watched as Yun Fu hopped down, took a check from his pocket, and handed it to her. “Miss Yun, this is the remaining amount I promised you. Thank you for saving my grandmother.”

Yun Fu took the check without hesitation, her voice as steady as ever.

She gave a slight nod. “You pay, I do the job.”

With that, she turned to leave.

Watching her back, Lian Hanqi felt a sudden impulse—he wanted to keep her here. He sensed that this girl was like the wind: impossible to grasp, and perhaps she would vanish like the person from his dreams, gone without a trace.

“Miss Yun.” His voice was swifter than his thoughts.

Yun Fu stopped again, frowning slightly as she looked back at him.

“If my grandmother ever has any further issues, may I still reach out to you?”

“You may.” Her tone was cool, but she agreed.

Lian Hanqi let out a silent sigh of relief, quickly handing her his phone to input her number. “Rest assured, I’ll compensate you accordingly.”

Yun Fu entered her number, nodded, and left decisively.

Lian Hanqi watched as she stubbed out her cigarette and tossed it neatly into a distant trash bin, his expression shifting.

Back home, Yun Fu took out the check and found it was five million more than agreed.

She arched a brow, unfazed. In her past life, those who could hire her wouldn’t blink at paying even fifty million extra, let alone five.

Now that she had money, she naturally felt like spending it. Glancing around the empty room, she recalled tossing away the original owner’s garish, pink clothes and shoes. She now had nothing at all.

She was an actress, after all.

Yun Fu sighed impatiently.

In the past, a single word from her would have brought clothes delivered to her door; she’d never need to go out shopping herself.

But now she was this Yun Fu.

At Yunguang Mall—

This was the most coveted spot in the capital, where the parking lot was filled with luxury cars you’d never expect to see.

Inside were the finest luxury goods. Not only ordinary people, but even middle-class families wouldn’t dare step inside. Even a single potted plant here cost millions.

Yun Fu walked straight ahead, her noble aura undiminished even in inexpensive attire.

She frowned as she passed countless shops, finally stopping in front of a store with understated colors.

“Hello, miss. May I help you?” A sweet-faced girl with a ponytail greeted her warmly.

Yun Fu pointed to a few outfits she usually wore. “Please, take those out.”

“Certainly.”

The attendant gathered the clothes and handed them to Yun Fu, but suddenly a hand shot out from behind, yanking the garments away.

Danger flickered in Yun Fu’s eyes.

She turned, and saw two of the most loathsome people: Ning Lan and Du Xingyuan.

The moment they saw Yun Fu, both were startled.

“What are you doing here?!” Their tone was full of disbelief and annoyance at Yun Fu’s presence. “Do you know what kind of place this is? If you ruin any of these clothes, ten of you couldn’t pay for it.”

Yun Fu glanced at the clothes now in her hand, and instantly lost any desire to purchase them. She only wanted to get away from these fools.

She handed the remaining garments to the attendant. “Please, ring these up.”

“Wait a minute.” Ning Lan clung to Du Xingyuan’s arm, her face adorned with coy affection. “I like these outfits too.”

Ever since she and Du Xingyuan became a couple, she flaunted her love openly.

“Wrap them up,” Du Xingyuan said, taking out his bank card.

The attendant was caught between them. “Miss, this young lady saw them first.”

Ning Lan scoffed, sizing Yun Fu up and down. Seeing her cheap clothes, her disdain only deepened.

“Sister Yun Fu, these clothes are quite expensive. Where did you get the money after terminating your contract?” Ning Lan stepped beside Yun Fu, looking down on her. “Besides, didn’t you tell me a few days ago that you only had a few hundred left in your account? Did the settlement money come from some other man, perhaps…?”

Ning Lan smiled sweetly, but her contempt was obvious. Even Du Xingyuan beside her had a trace of scorn and disgust in his eyes, though he kept his tone falsely gentle. “Yun Fu, if you’re really struggling, there’s no need to do something like this for money.”

“Even though we’ve broken up, we were once a couple. Seeing you fall so low makes me sad.”

She must have sold herself, he thought coldly. Otherwise, where else could she have gotten the money?

Du Xingyuan sneered inwardly. After years of dating, she never let him touch her, but now for a bit of cash, who knew which old man had benefited from Yun Fu. It left him bitter.

Even the attendant’s gaze had changed, regarding Yun Fu with newfound suspicion.