As expected, Yan Beichen didn’t show up at the company again, which greatly facilitated Fang Zhiyi’s plans.
"Calculating the timeline, Yan Beichen should be preparing to look for Xiao Ruoruo soon. But without my help this time, how will he manage? If he’s too late and Xiao Ruoruo ends up in bed with Lin Moyan, wouldn’t that be a hilarious mess?" Fang Zhiyi muttered to himself. Today, Yan Nanzhe was out dining with business partners, leaving Fang Zhiyi alone in the office to work.
The system nodded enthusiastically beside him. "Host, you’re absolutely right."
"Hmm?" Fang Zhiyi turned in surprise.
The door swung open, revealing a tall figure standing there. "Find Ruoruo for me."
"Damn, I jinxed it," Fang Zhiyi grumbled under his breath before looking at Yan Beichen. "Mr. Yan, finding your fiancée isn’t something I can handle. Oh, wait—I just remembered, your engagement wasn’t even finalized yet, so she’s not technically your fiancée, right?"
Yan Beichen took a sharp breath, his face darkening with fury. "What did you just say?"
Fang Zhiyi remained unfazed, straightening the files on his desk with a light tap. "I’m busy, Mr. Yan. I really can’t help you find Xiao Ruoruo."
Yan Beichen glared at him. "If Ruoruo isn’t found, I’ll make sure you pay with your life!"
"???" Fang Zhiyi’s face was a picture of confusion. It wasn’t like I kidnapped her!
"Mr. Yan, legally speaking, demanding someone’s life as compensation is a crime," Fang Zhiyi replied, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
Yan Beichen nearly choked on his rage. After steadying himself, he growled, "I’ll pay you—no, three million. Find Xiao Ruoruo for me." He was well aware of Fang Zhiyi’s capabilities.
Fang Zhiyi remained unmoved. "Mr. Yan, is the company paying for this, or are you?"
Yan Beichen paused. "What’s the difference?" Clearly, he already considered the company his personal property.
"There is. If it’s coming from your personal account, I’ll consider helping. If it’s the company’s money, I’ll pass. The finance department’s insults are way too vicious..."
Gritting his teeth, Yan Beichen agreed to transfer the money from his personal account. Only then did Fang Zhiyi reluctantly accept the job.
He already knew where Xiao Ruoruo was, but he wasn’t in a hurry to find her. Instead, he spent his days wandering around—sipping coffee in the east district, browsing houses in the west.
As days passed, Yan Beichen grew increasingly haggard, neglecting company affairs and drowning his sorrows in alcohol.
When the time was right, Fang Zhiyi called his boss. Hearing the drunken accusations over the phone, he couldn’t help but smirk.
"What? You found her? I’m on my way!" Yan Beichen threw down his bottle and rushed out.
But as soon as his car reached an intersection, he was stopped by traffic police. An officer saluted and held out a breathalyzer. "Sir, please cooperate with the test." They had received a tip about a drunk driver and arrived just in time to catch one.
Unsurprisingly, Yan Beichen was detained. The system, eager to watch the drama Fang Zhiyi had orchestrated, activated a live feed. Fang Zhiyi hadn’t expected Yan Beichen to actually try ramming through the checkpoint just to see Xiao Ruoruo!
"Honestly, I don’t know whether to praise him or scold him," Fang Zhiyi mused.
The system chimed in, "Does this man have nothing in his head except Xiao Ruoruo?"
Yan Beichen didn’t escape. Backup officers arrived and blocked him. What should have been a few days in detention turned into a charge for reckless endangerment due to his extreme behavior—landing him six months in jail.
The system marveled, "Truly living up to the domineering CEO trope. Even behind bars, he’s cursing at everyone without a hint of fear."
"Would he have gotten six months otherwise?" Fang Zhiyi retorted, rolling down his car window to observe the couple outside. The man and woman who had merely walked side by side days ago were now holding hands.
"Tsk tsk, Mr. Yan, you can’t blame me for this," Fang Zhiyi sighed, snapping a few photos and sending them to Yan Beichen. Even if the man couldn’t see them in jail, Fang Zhiyi had to prove he’d done his job.
Afterward, he returned to the company. With Yan Beichen locked up, Yan Nanzhe had been spinning like a top, constantly berated by their father. But unlike before, Yan Nanzhe no longer argued back—he just listened in silence.
Pleased with his attitude, the old man reassured him, "Keep working hard. When your brother gets out, I’ll make sure he gives you some shares." Both Yan Nanzhe and Fang Zhiyi scoffed at the empty promise.
Six months flew by.
A gaunt Yan Beichen was released from prison. The company sent a car to pick him up, but as soon as he got in, he gave an address—the location from the photos he’d received. In them, Xiao Ruoruo’s familiar figure was smiling sweetly at another man, their arms wrapped around each other. The timestamps showed a new photo every two weeks.
Yan Beichen’s teeth ground in fury. During his six months in jail, no one had treated him with deference. He’d nearly gotten into several fights, and if not for the guards’ timely intervention, he might have been crippled. Now, stepping out only to learn Xiao Ruoruo had moved on, his heart burned with rage.
"How about I cook fish for you this afternoon?" Lin Moyan asked Xiao Ruoruo gently.
Xiao Ruoruo was lost in thought. "Mm." As Lin Moyan leaned in for a kiss, she closed her eyes and puckered her lips—only to be yanked away by a powerful force. When she opened her eyes and turned, she saw a pale, haggard face that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Ah!" she screamed. Lin Moyan reacted instantly, pulling Xiao Ruoruo into his arms and glaring at the stranger.
Yan Beichen forced a gentle expression. "Ruoruo, it’s me. I’ve finally found you."
Xiao Ruoruo stared in disbelief. "Beichen?" Then, remembering their failed engagement, she snapped, "Why don’t you go find your Xie Yutang instead?"
Yan Beichen’s heart ached. "It’s all my fault. I wasn’t thinking clearly. Please forgive me. Xie Yutang is gone—now and forever, there’s only you in my heart, Ruoruo."
Xiao Ruoruo gaped at him. Despite his sickly appearance, she couldn’t help feeling a flutter in her chest—had he really been so tormented without her? Even more shocking was that Yan Beichen, who never apologized to anyone, was apologizing to her!
Yan Beichen reached out, and Xiao Ruoruo abandoned her boyfriend to throw herself into his arms.
Watching the heartbroken Lin Moyan and the reunited couple walk away, Fang Zhiyi mused, "What happens to this cannon-fodder side character now that he wasn’t hit by a car and turned into a vegetable?"
The system shook its head. "Unpredictable. His role was always minimal."