Chapter 18: Finding the Benefactor Who Once Supported You

A wave of immense shock and absurdity swept over Qiao Xi in an instant.

She stared fixedly at Qin Yiren’s smiling face, barely able to restrain the questions that threatened to burst out.

But in the next second, Qiao Xi bit down hard on the inside of her lower lip.

She couldn’t act impulsively!

She needed to see what exactly Qin Yiren, who had stolen her identity abroad, intended to do.

So Qiao Xi took a deep breath, forcibly tamping down her emotions, using every ounce of strength to maintain her outward composure.

Fu Yancheng hadn’t noticed Qiao Xi’s fleeting unease and continued, “Dr. Qin will be joining Fu Group, responsible for the core development of the ‘Youthful Face Project.’”

“Engineer Qiao, as one of our most outstanding internal engineers, from today onward, you will join Dr. Qin’s team and fully assist her in completing the project.”

He looked at Qiao Xi, his gaze filled with expectation.

Qiao Xi lowered her lashes.

When she looked up again, she managed a strained smile, her voice stiff, “Rest assured, President Fu, I will… learn well from Dr. Q.”

She deliberately emphasized those last three words.

Her gaze calm, she looked at Qin Yiren and extended her hand. “Dr. Q, I’ve heard much about you. Please guide me in the future.”

Qin Yiren’s smile was gentle as she took Qiao Xi’s hand, replying flawlessly, “You’re too kind, Engineer Qiao.”

Their hands parted almost immediately.

Fu Yancheng nodded in satisfaction. “Very good. Dr. Q, Engineer Qiao, I hope you can bring the ‘Youthful Face Project’ to market as soon as possible.”

“Yes, President Fu,” Qin Yiren replied, brimming with confidence.

Looking at Qin Yiren’s insincere face, Qiao Xi took another deep breath.

What was this imposter really after?

How much did she actually know about “Dr. Q”?

Since she dared to come, then Qiao Xi would play along with her!

Qiao Xi was determined to see just how long Qin Yiren could keep up this performance.

-

That evening, at the Fu family villa.

Fu Yancheng sat on the sofa, watching Qiao Xi beside him, her hands wrapped around a cup, lost in thought.

Her eyes revealed exhaustion and worry.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked in a low, lazy, magnetic voice.

Qiao Xi snapped back to reality and shook her head. “No… nothing.”

“Still troubled by your mother’s situation?” Fu Yancheng asked, his tone soothing.

“No…” Qiao Xi denied instinctively.

Fu Yancheng chuckled softly and didn’t press further.

He reached out, gently drawing her into his arms.

-

“Don’t worry,” Fu Yancheng’s voice was low and comforting. “With me here, nothing will go wrong.”

Qiao Xi could feel the warmth of his embrace rising, and the kiss he placed on her hair grew hotter.

His breath gradually became heavier, and his kisses trailed along her neck.

Qiao Xi’s body tensed involuntarily, her hands gripping his collar instinctively.

Fu Yancheng lifted his head.

He saw her shimmering eyes filled with nervousness and fear.

His heart softened.

“Fu Yancheng…” her voice trembled, like a frightened fawn, and she instinctively curled up in his arms.

“I… I’m scared…”

Fu Yancheng sensed her stiffness.

“Scared of what?” his voice was hoarse, laced with tender restraint. “Are you scared of me?”

Qiao Xi’s cheeks were flushed. “It hurts…”

At her words, Fu Yancheng chuckled softly. “Silly girl.”

He coaxed her lovingly, “The first time was unexpected. The second… won’t hurt, I promise.”

Qiao Xi buried her face deep in his neck.

“But I… I’m still scared.”

Fu Yancheng took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the desire raging inside him.

He tightened his embrace around Qiao Xi, holding her closer and patting her gently.

“Then I’ll wait for you, wait until… you’re ready.”

That promise was the gentlest she’d ever heard.

“Mm…” she replied softly.

Fu Yancheng said nothing more, simply holding her quietly.

He was willing to wait—wait until the day she fully let down her guard and entrusted both body and soul to him.

At that moment, Qiao Xi finally felt he was truly good to her.

-

That day after work, Qiao Xi’s mother’s injuries finally healed, and she was discharged from the hospital.

Qiao Xi brought Zhao Huiyun back to the tranquil rehabilitation apartment Fu Yancheng had arranged and settled her in comfortably.

Seeing her mother’s healthy complexion, Qiao Xi finally felt the weight in her heart lift.

While peeling an apple, she hesitated for a long time before blushing and speaking softly, “Mom… there’s something I want to tell you.”

“Mm? What is it?” Zhao Huiyun looked at her lovingly.

“I… I got married.”

Qiao Xi’s voice was barely audible, her cheeks reddening.

Zhao Huiyun was stunned, nearly dropping the cup in her hand.

“Married?!”

Her disbelief was overwhelming. “When did this happen? Who did you marry? Why… why so suddenly?”

-

Seeing her daughter’s shy yet earnest expression, Zhao Huiyun realized she wasn’t joking.

Qiao Xi took a deep breath and briefly recounted everything that happened between her and Fu Yancheng, including how they finally registered their marriage.

“…So, Mom, now… I’m Mrs. Fu.”

Her voice was sweetly bashful.

After hearing everything, Zhao Huiyun’s shock slowly faded, replaced by comfort and relief.

She reached out, gently clasping Qiao Xi’s hand, her voice filled with emotion and satisfaction. “Xixi…”

“My greatest wish in this life is for you to find someone who truly cherishes, loves, and protects you for a lifetime.”

“As long as you are happy, as long as you live well, I can rest easy.”

Zhao Huiyun’s eyes were full of warmth. “When you have time… bring him home for me to meet?”

“I want to see what kind of man has made my Xixi willing to marry.”

Qiao Xi’s eyes grew hot. She nodded vigorously, her voice choked with emotion. “Yes! Mom, he… he treats me very well. When you’re feeling even better, I’ll bring him to see you.”

-

After work, Chu Xiangxiang invited Qiao Xi to a café.

As soon as they entered, Chu Xiangxiang pushed Qiao Xi into a seat, lowered her voice mysteriously, her eyes sparkling like stars.

“Qiao Qiao, I found him, I finally found him!”

“Found who?” Qiao Xi was confused.

“Who else!” Chu Xiangxiang tapped the table. “The benefactor you’ve been searching for all these years! The one who funded your university anonymously!”

Qiao Xi instantly widened her eyes.

“Really?!”

Her voice trembled with disbelief as she grabbed Chu Xiangxiang’s hand. “Xiangxiang, are you serious?! Where is he? Who is he?”

He was the deepest obsession in her heart—the anonymous benefactor who lent her and her mother a helping hand when they were at their most desperate, yet never left a name.

She had searched for years, but the trail was always cold.

“Don’t rush, don’t rush.” Chu Xiangxiang shook her phone triumphantly. “I pulled a lot of strings, investigated for ages, and finally found a clue.”

She leaned close to Qiao Xi, lowering her voice further. “I found out that the anonymous donation was made through a charity foundation. The foundation’s main founder and long-term, major donor…”

Chu Xiangxiang paused, savoring the suspense, before finally revealing, “Is the eldest son of the Lu Corporation, Lu Yanzhi.”

“Lu Yanzhi?!”

Qiao Xi was utterly stunned.

Of course she’d heard the name—Lu Corporation’s heir, notorious for his playboy reputation, a frequent subject of tabloid gossip.

It was worlds apart from the image of a humble, gentle, and kind benefactor she had imagined.

The contrast was simply too dramatic!

“Are you sure?”

Qiao Xi still couldn’t quite believe it. “How could it be him?”

Could it be that beneath the flashy exterior was a glittering soul?