Chapter 17 I Am Truly Happy for You

At this moment, Jiang Fuya’s face was etched with panic. Her hands trembled uncontrollably as she instinctively shook off Shen Li’s hand that had just been holding hers, stumbling backward.

She repeated over and over, “No, it’s not me, it’s not me.” Suddenly, she pointed at Shen Li, her eyes bloodshot: “You’re framing me! You deliberately fabricated that video to ruin me!”

“Won’t shed tears until you see the coffin, huh?” Shen Li manipulated the virtual screen again, and a cluster of indecipherable codes appeared on it. The head of the technical department immediately recognized them and shouted, “No way, it’s Tianyan technology!”

Although he quickly covered his mouth, his words spread throughout the room, inadvertently proving Shen Li’s point.

Step by step, Shen Li approached Jiang Fuya. “I gave you a chance. I asked why you wanted to slander me. But unfortunately, Miss Jiang, you didn’t seize that opportunity. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have revealed the surveillance footage to everyone.”

She stopped in front of Jiang Fuya, who was trembling and clutching her head, bending down to meet her gaze. “I never thought it was you, but you’re the real culprit. Why were you so eager to jump out and defame me, Miss Jiang?”

Her lips curved into a faint, elegant smile that exuded grace, but to Jiang Fuya, it was pure terror reflected in those eyes.

At that moment, only one thought raced through her mind: she was doomed.

But she couldn’t afford to fall from grace!

She glared furiously at Shen Li. “Who knows if you used some technology nobody understands to trick us? Anyway, I didn’t do it. It wasn’t me. If you’re framing me, then you’re just staging the whole thing yourself!”

Confidently, she looked around, seeking support from others. “You all know me. I wouldn’t lie. You know what Shen Li did in the past. How can you trust her? So you believe me, right?”

But this time, no one echoed her words. Her heart sank deeper and deeper.

The surveillance footage continued to play, broadcasting the entire process of Jiang Fuya’s deliberate setup of Shen Li, including the scene where she secretly placed a syringe and medicine bottle into Shen Li’s bag.

—Wow, this—

—Turns out the kind and beautiful image of Jiang Fuya was just a publicity stunt, hahaha.

—Amazing! Absolutely amazing! Shen Li is incredible!

—Jiang Fuya: Who would have thought she’d be the one to create the Tianyan system? (feeling wronged) Hahaha, this is hilarious.

—Paradise for tech enthusiasts! Some experts online have already analyzed it. Shen Li’s messy codes (can’t understand them) are real—genuine Tianyan technology. You can check that tech blogger’s Weibo.

—Jiang Fuya’s reputation is completely ruined. Luckily, I chose to wait and see before taking sides. Now I’m firmly on Shen Li’s side. She’s awesome!

—Totally fangirling here. To stand alone against the entire production team and even the backing capital is so inspiring. I’m about to cry!

—Shen Li slandered my beloved Yaya. Yaya, sue her! So angry!

—Exactly, how could so many people believe a serial liar and murderer? Poor Yaya, so miserable! I’m furious!!!

……

To prevent Jiang Fuya from saying anything more damaging, Pei Wenxuan immediately instructed the director to pause the live broadcast. The show’s recording was halted abruptly. Jiang Fuya was taken away by her manager, while Shen Li calmly retracted the virtual screen.

Suddenly, her eyes met Jiang Nian’s gaze not far off. Usually cold and expressionless, like a living corpse, his handsome face now radiated an incredibly relieved and sunny smile.

Strange—it was clear she had just foiled his master’s plan, yet he still looked so happy.

Confirmed: Jiang Nian’s acting skills were excellent; in front of her, he was flawless.

Suddenly, Jiang Nian strode over with long legs. Passing by Shen Li, he spoke in a low voice, “I’ve always believed in you. Congratulations on your victory.” With that, he left.

Shen Li grabbed his arm. “What do you mean?”

Jiang Nian blinked innocently, “What I said.”

Shen Li realized she couldn’t communicate with Jiang Nian normally; otherwise, she would never detect a single flaw in his expression. So she stepped closer step by step. Jiang Nian backed away, and she hooked her arm around his neck, pulling him near.

Their breaths mingled, tingling softly on each other’s faces.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

Shen Li’s three teammates nearby were stunned.

“When did they become so close?” Ji Beishu’s eyes widened.

“I-I don’t know, ah,” Qiao Le blinked rapidly, while Bai Qiuya’s pupils dilated in shock. The three of them were so dumbfounded they forgot they had come to talk to Shen Li, standing frozen.

Shen Li licked her lips, her rosy mouth inches away. Jiang Nian urgently swallowed several times, his neck stiffening backward, “Shen, Shen…”

Suddenly, a tinkling, melodious laugh entered Jiang Nian’s reddened ears. He lowered his gaze to see the girl beaming triumphantly, her eyes curved like crescents—exquisite and captivating.

He was momentarily dazed. When he came back to himself, the girl had already stepped back and left with her teammates.

Jiang Nian didn’t know where his courage came from. Unable to restrain himself, he shouted after Shen Li’s retreating figure, “Shen Li, I really am happy for you!” He worried she wouldn’t believe him—who would easily trust a stranger’s inexplicable goodwill?

So he added deliberately, “I mean it. I’m truly happy for you.”

After nearly a hundred meters, Shen Li stopped, turned, and stared steadily at him. He couldn’t read what her sparkling eyes were thinking, but he understood one thing: she believed him.

She believed he was genuinely happy for her.

Shen Li tilted her head, scrutinizing Jiang Nian for a long moment, then smiled faintly, waving her hand. “I know, you innocent little puppy.”

Instantly, Jiang Nian blushed from head to toe, embarrassed and hesitant about whether to chase after Shen Li’s smug retreating figure.

Chasing now would be laughable! Ah!

He scratched his head in frustration, hurriedly walking in the opposite direction. Shen Li glanced back, seeing Jiang Nian’s clumsy, duck-like steps—so awkward.

She couldn’t help but laugh, then stopped herself and wiped the smile away.

No!

That was Pei Wenxuan and Jiang Nian’s trap!

A trap to lure her!

……

The two teams’ rest areas were several hundred meters apart, within sight but beyond hearing range. Ji Beishu babbled the whole way, “I’m telling you, Shen Li, you were amazing just now. I’m sticking with you!”

He was ecstatic. Fortunately, he had agreed to collaborate with Shen Li. Although he had believed Jiang Fuya’s words during the crisis—her past image was just too…—when the surveillance footage came out, he was stunned, utterly impressed by Shen Li.

Qiao Le awkwardly stammered, “Sorry, I misunderstood you earlier. But just so you know, I still don’t like you.”

Ji Beishu was displeased. “Why are you stealing my line?”

“Nyah nyah, why don’t you apply for a patent, then?” Qiao Le smirked, shaking her head.

Bai Qiuya, usually silent, took a deep breath and solemnly approached Shen Li. “Thank you for saving me earlier. If not for you, I might have drowned. Also, I’m sorry I didn’t stand up for you just now.”

She truly despised her own cowardice.

“It’s okay.” Shen Li patted Bai Qiuya’s shoulder and glanced around. “Everyone, are you ready? Our counterattack begins now!”