Chapter 25: The Timely Help of My Benefactor Years Ago

Qiao Xi suddenly froze all over.

“Huh? No, you were mistaken!”

Her voice shifted, trembling with panic and forced calm. “Maybe…it’s just a similar avatar.”

She stammered through her explanation, eyes darting away anxiously.

Wang Lu was taken aback by her exaggerated reaction, then chuckled.

“Oh, maybe I was seeing things. But it really did look a lot like President Fu’s avatar, didn’t it?”

She didn’t dwell on it further, picking up her documents and walking away.

Qiao Xi patted her chest, exhaling in relief.

For a moment, she felt as if her very soul had fled in fright.

“Qiao Qiao? What’s wrong? You're so pale,” Lin Moran leaned in, concerned.

Qiao Xi snapped back to herself, grabbing her phone tightly.

“No…nothing…” her voice quivered.

Lin Moran shot her a suspicious look, glancing at the phone in her hand as if she’d figured something out.

With a mischievous grin, Lin Moran lowered her voice, “Oh~ I get it! I get it!”

“Is it your ‘husband’ sending flirty messages again? Look how nervous you are.”

Qiao Xi’s cheeks flushed at the teasing, mumbling a vague reply.

She silently vowed: from now on, she would never, ever let her phone screen light up facing anyone at work.

Especially…that nickname and avatar!

–

Early the next morning.

Qin Yiren strode into the research center, her expression dark.

She walked straight to Qiao Xi’s desk and slapped a file down with a loud smack.

“The core formula of the ‘Youth Project’ requires a special plant extract—Star Moon Grass. This ingredient is extremely rare; in this city, there’s only a small amount growing wild deep in ‘West Mountain Botanical Garden.'”

“West Mountain Botanical Garden?”

Qiao Xi frowned slightly.

She knew the place: abandoned for years, remote and overgrown, hardly anyone ever went there.

Qin Yiren stared at her, sneering, “You—go there right now, collect at least 500 grams of fresh samples. Remember, it must be done today.”

“This is vital to the project’s progress. If you delay, you bear full responsibility.”

Qiao Xi was stunned.

It was clearly a deliberate act of making things difficult, meant to give her a hard time.

“Dr. Qin, that place…”

“Why? Is it too much for you?” Qin Yiren cut her off. “President Fu has made it clear: project progress is the top priority. Team Leader Qiao, as a core member, can’t you handle such a trivial challenge?”

She purposely invoked Fu Yancheng’s authority to pressure her.

Qiao Xi looked at the undisguised malice in Qin Yiren’s eyes, drew a deep breath, and forced down her anger.

“Alright.”

She picked up the file, her voice calm. “I’ll go.”

She knew arguing was pointless; Qin Yiren was determined to target her.

–

President’s office.

Qin Yiren carefully adjusted her makeup and skirt, took a deep breath, and knocked.

“Come in.”

Fu Yancheng’s low voice called out.

Qin Yiren entered, wearing a gentle smile. “President Fu, regarding the next phase of the ‘Youth Project’…”

“Sit.”

Fu Yancheng didn’t look up, his gaze still fixed on the documents in his hands.

Qin Yiren sat as instructed and began her report.

She purposely softened her tone, her eyes full of admiration and subtle hints.

“…Therefore, I believe this direction is highly feasible. What do you think, President Fu?”

When she finished, she looked at him expectantly.

Fu Yancheng finally lifted his eyes, his deep gaze passing over her with calm indifference.

“Mm.”

He responded lightly, signing the file. “Leave the proposal here. I’ll review it.”

He paused, as if casually asking, “Where’s Team Leader Qiao? Have her come in.”

Qin Yiren’s smile froze in an instant.

Qiao Xi again!

She suppressed her surging jealousy and anger. “President Fu, Team Leader Qiao…isn’t at her desk.”

“Where did she go?” Fu Yancheng paused, raising his eyes.

Qin Yiren’s heart skipped under his gaze, and she instinctively avoided it.

“She…went to West Mountain Botanical Garden,” Qin Yiren replied after a moment. “President Fu, you know, Team Leader Qiao is…rather individualistic in her work.”

“I assigned her a task this morning to collect Star Moon Grass samples. She seemed reluctant, dawdled quite a while before leaving.”

Qin Yiren sighed softly. “It’s pouring heavily outside now. I wonder if she’ll finish on time. If progress is delayed…”

Fu Yancheng listened without any change in expression.

Yet in his dark eyes, a hint of coldness flickered.

He leaned back, gazing at Qin Yiren with a deep, intense look.

Qin Yiren felt uneasy under his stare.

“Understood.”

Fu Yancheng’s thin lips parted, his tone low and unreadable.

He returned his attention to the files, no longer looking at her.

“You may go.”

The smile on Qin Yiren’s face collapsed completely.

She stood up stiffly. “Yes, President Fu.”

As the door closed,

Fu Yancheng slammed his pen onto the desk.

West Mountain Botanical Garden?

He immediately picked up the internal phone. “Zhou Ze.”

“Find Madam’s location immediately. Confirm her safety. Hurry!”

Fu Yancheng hung up, stood abruptly, and strode to the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows.

Outside, the sky was gloomy.

The chill in his eyes gradually gave way to anxious concern.

He took out his phone, opened the pinned chat window.

Remark: Wife.

Fu Yancheng quickly typed: [Where are you?]

Sent.

He stared at the screen, and a few seconds later, added: [Call me. Immediately.]

–

West Mountain Botanical Garden.

Qiao Xi carefully pushed aside waist-high weeds, trudging forward with uneven steps.

Sweat soaked her back; her arms bore several red scratches from sharp grass blades.

Just then, a surprised and uncertain aged voice sounded behind her.

Qiao Xi spun around.

Not far away, an elderly man with gray hair and simple clothes pushed a battered bicycle, staring at her in astonishment.

Qiao Xi instantly recognized him, delight lighting her face.

He was her high school chemistry teacher—a kind, rigorous mentor who had profoundly influenced her.

Mr. Wang, seeing her clearly, broke into a gratified smile.

He approached, clapping her shoulder with genuine warmth, eyes filled with questions and concern.

“Where are you working now?”

“I’m with the Fu Group,” Qiao Xi replied.

“Fu Group?”

Mr. Wang’s eyes widened further. “That’s a famous company, not just in our city but nationwide! Qiao Xi, I’m truly happy for you.”

Qiao Xi felt a little embarrassed by the praise.

“Sigh… Seeing you like this now, I feel so much,” Mr. Wang said, sighing deeply. “Back in your senior year, your family had troubles, your mother was seriously ill, your father… well!”

He shifted topics, “Thankfully, there was that generous benefactor who anonymously supported you and paid your mother’s medical bills.”

Hearing this, Qiao Xi’s eyes reddened instantly, overwhelming gratitude and emotion flooding her heart.

Yes, if not for that benefactor’s timely help, pulling her from the depths of despair, she dared not imagine how far she would have fallen…

It wasn’t just money—it was a kindness that changed her entire destiny.

No matter what, she had to repay this debt!

Qiao Xi’s gaze grew resolute.

When she returned, she must thank Mr. Lu properly. And whatever he needed, she would do her best to fulfill it.

Meanwhile, at the top floor of Fu Group headquarters.

Fu Yancheng stared at his unresponsive phone screen.

Suddenly, the incoming call notification flashed.

His first reaction was joy, then disappointment.

It was Zhou Ze, not Qiao Xi.

Fu Yancheng answered, his voice hard and cold. “Speak.”

Zhou Ze’s urgent voice came through:

“President Fu, the location shows Madam is indeed at West Mountain Botanical Garden. Signal is weak, and just now we received a torrential rain warning—there’s a risk of landslides in that area…”

“Damn it!”

Fu Yancheng smashed his fist onto the desk, worry in his eyes instantly transforming into fierce rage.