Chapter 9: The Crime of Slander

Yun Fu frowned, glancing down at the card in her hand.

Suddenly, she recalled the day she went to exchange it for cash. The bank manager had been exceptionally courteous. When she asked to convert the check into cash, the staff’s faces changed dramatically, and a new manager was ushered in to attend to her. He was extremely respectful, explaining that it was inconvenient to exchange it for cash, so he helped her open a bank card instead. Now, thinking back, Yun Fu realized the manager must have known this card was something special.

Ning Lan’s face was full of disbelief, barely concealing her scorn.

“Yun Fu, this is the exclusive emblem of the Lian family. Only Madam Lian and the head of the family possess it. It allows unlimited spending within the Lian family’s businesses.” Such a card wasn’t just a token of wealth—it was a symbol of status. Yun Fu, who didn’t even know a single notable director, how could she possibly have such a card?

Unless...

The thought made Ning Lan smile. “Sister Yun Fu, I know you’ve been short on money lately, but how could you steal someone else’s card? This isn’t an ordinary card.”

The faces of those nearby changed immediately.

Ning Lan looked worried. “Sister Yun Fu, you’d better tell everyone where you stole this card from and return it to its owner.”

They were so certain she’d taken it? All this fuss over buying a dress. Yun Fu’s eyes were filled with impatience.

“Steal?” Yun Fu sneered. “You’re slandering me.”

Unfortunately, no one believed her.

Ning Lan let out a mocking laugh. “Sister Yun Fu, we’re all adults here. If you make a scene, it’ll be hard to clean up the mess.”

As she spoke, she quietly dialed the police, murmuring a few words into the phone.

This time, she was determined to ruin Yun Fu’s reputation!

Du Xingyuan, nearby, was equally disgusted. “Yun Fu, where did you steal the card from? Tell me honestly and I can help you return it.”

“The card is mine. Don’t judge people by appearances.”

“You!” Du Xingyuan’s eyes blazed with anger, though he maintained a facade of concern. “Yun Fu, this isn’t just any bank card. You should know you might offend someone even I dare not cross.”

“What’s the matter? Who stole President Lian’s card?”

A deep voice sounded from behind, the crowd automatically parting to make way.

A man in a tailored suit, stern-faced and imposing, strode toward them. The moment he appeared, the staff became instantly respectful. “Manager Chen.”

The crowd buzzed with excitement—this was the manager of Yun Guang Mall, a figure rarely seen.

Even Ning Lan and Du Xingyuan couldn’t help but show a hint of yearning. If they could form a connection with someone like him, the benefits would be countless.

Following closely behind him were several uniformed police officers.

Ning Lan’s smile grew sharper. Hmph, let’s see how Yun Fu wriggles out of this now.

The onlookers, phones raised, were even more excited. They never expected such a dramatic scandal over something so trivial.

“Manager, it’s her—she showed a card with President Lian’s emblem,” the staff member said angrily, pointing at Yun Fu.

Chen Li looked at Yun Fu, his brows furrowing. “You’re the one who took President Lian’s card?”

“That’s my card.”

The staff snorted and handed the card Yun Fu had given her to Chen Li. “Manager, this card.”

Chen Li examined it, noting the obvious golden emblem—a clear sign that this card belonged only to Lian Hanqi.

He signaled the police behind him.

“Miss, you’re suspected of theft. Please come with us.”

With that, they moved to seize Yun Fu.

Strangely, Yun Fu simply stepped back, and in the blink of an eye, she was several meters out of reach.

Her cold, proud gaze was now tinged with icy contempt.

“Slander is a criminal offense. According to Article 246 of the Criminal Law, the penalty is up to three years imprisonment, detention, control, or deprivation of political rights.”

They knew this, but refused to believe it.

Especially the police.

“Don’t try to talk your way out of this. You know whose property you stole. Even if the king of heaven himself showed up today, you’ve committed theft!”

“I gave Miss Yun the card.”

Suddenly, a low, lingering voice drifted in from behind, shrouded like mist.

Ning Lan turned around.

The man wore a black suit—broad shoulders, narrow waist—even the handkerchief in his breast pocket was perfectly placed. His hair was slicked back, revealing flawless features, a high bridge of nose, pale skin. He looked as if the finest artist had painted him into existence.

His gaze was gentle, those deep, unfathomable eyes softening as he approached.

“President... President Lian!” the staff exclaimed, legs almost buckling.

The man she called boss was far more than just that—he was the owner behind Yun Guang Mall, the master of both the Lian family and the Lian Group. To say he was wealthier than a nation was an understatement; he stood at the very pinnacle of the pyramid.

Seeing Lian Hanqi, both Ning Lan and Du Xingyuan were stunned. This was a figure they had no hope of meeting under normal circumstances.

Especially Ning Lan, who had thought Du Xingyuan was already exceptional. Now, seeing Lian Hanqi, she realized what true excellence and true supremacy meant.

Of all present, only one person’s expression remained unchanged. She lounged lazily against the door, as boneless as a cat, yet somehow never seemed slovenly.

“Miss Yun, we meet again.”

Yun Fu hadn’t expected to see this man so soon, but since she’d just earned twenty million from him, she nodded politely.

The two of them actually knew each other?!

That shocked everyone present.

And what Lian Hanqi said next was even more astonishing.

“Miss Yun, do you like the clothes here?”

“They’re alright.”

“Wrap up everything.” And that wasn’t all—Lian Hanqi looked at Yun Fu, his tone unprecedentedly gentle. “Miss Yun, to show my gratitude, anything you like in this mall is yours for the taking.”