Chapter 612 - 611: Kidnapping? (Part 1)

"Hello, everyone. I’m Su Li’s fiancé, Wu Sheng. I’m just here dropping her off for work."

Wu Sheng gave a small smile and rested a hand on Su Li’s shoulder as he introduced himself.

The women who had been chattering away were stunned into silence.

Those who hadn’t joined the gossip, those who had witnessed the whole exchange, and those who had only caught a glimpse and were piecing things together—all wore complicated expressions.

Those who were initially confused could guess what was happening just by looking at Li Anna’s face.

At that moment, Li Anna couldn’t spare a thought for what her colleagues might be thinking. She stood frozen, a buzzing sound ringing in her ears.

She tried to force a smile despite her anger, but she couldn’t manage it.

She felt as if she were reliving that humiliating, unbearable moment with the two foreign experts.

Li Anna’s face paled, then flushed. It took her a long moment to force out a stiff greeting. "You... hello."

’Why is Wu Sheng Su Li’s fiancé?!’

’Since Ye Xilan introduced him to me, he shouldn’t have a fiancée! If he did, why would she even make the introduction?!’

’Wasn’t Su Li’s fiancé just some soldier? I never gave him a second thought. How did he suddenly turn into Wu Sheng?!’

’If she was really Wu Sheng’s fiancée, then why didn’t he show his face all those times I was giving her trouble? And why didn’t Su Li ever say anything?!’

’With a fiancé that successful, shouldn’t she have been showing him off long ago? Why did no one know?!’

’Why?!’

Li Anna’s mind was reeling with questions. She couldn’t make sense of any of it, so much so that she began to suspect it was all a lie.

She had just made a complete fool of herself, and only after she’d said all that did Su Li finally get out of the car.

’Su Li just wanted to watch me make a fool of myself! She was hiding in the car, laughing at me!’

Li Anna, who already hated Su Li, was so furious in that moment she could have killed her.

The humiliation was overwhelming. She was consumed by a mix of hatred, anger, and regret, her entire body trembling.

From his taller vantage point, Wu Sheng saw every flicker of emotion on Li Anna’s face. When he caught the malicious glint in her eyes, a coldness flashed through his own before he turned back to Su Li.

"Come on, you’re going to be late."

Su Li nodded, not sparing Li Anna another glance.

’She and Li Anna had never gotten along. Even if Li Anna didn’t know the full situation, the fact was she had her sights set on Wu Sheng. I’m not about to have a bleeding-heart moment and feel sorry for her.’

’After today’s scene, it’s best if she gives up on the idea for good!’

Su Li and Wu Sheng walked past Li Anna. A handsome man and a beautiful woman walking side by side—they couldn’t have looked more perfect for each other.

"Morning," Su Li said, greeting her colleagues at the entrance to the TV station.

Her colleagues, who had been frozen as if under a spell, snapped out of it one by one and offered quiet replies.

"Morning."

"Hello, everyone. I’m Wu Sheng, Su Li’s fiancé. I hope you’ll all look after her for me."

Wu Sheng followed up with a smile for the group, even shaking hands and introducing himself to a few of the male colleagues.

"Once Su Li graduates and we have our wedding banquet, please, you must all come and celebrate with us."

Wu Sheng was a man of few words, but he knew how to make his point. As he shook hands with the male colleagues, he delivered his most important message.

The message was clear: He and Su Li were getting married. Any woman with eyes for him should give up hope, and as for these male colleagues, they shouldn’t even think about having designs on Su Li.

Su Li was his, and he was Su Li’s.

"Of course, of course, we’ll definitely be there! Hello, I’m..."

The male colleagues didn’t overthink it. Flattered, they eagerly agreed and rushed to shake Wu Sheng’s hand.

Even though they worked at a TV station and were used to seeing all sorts of people, they were still deeply impressed by the military insignia on Wu Sheng’s shoulder.

They didn’t get to meet such important figures on a daily basis.

’And he’s so young and handsome, too! You can tell just by looking at him that he’s no ordinary person!’

’For someone like that to personally invite them to a wedding banquet—what an honor! It was something to be thrilled about!’

Back then, there was no strict rule that guests had to bring a gift to a wedding, so an invitation was a genuinely joyous occasion. Getting to enjoy a good feast was a major, uplifting event.

With just a few simple words and one appearance, Wu Sheng had not only provided juicy gossip about Li Anna but had also gotten everyone fired up as if they’d been shot full of adrenaline.

Wu Sheng tactfully left before the workday officially began, but he left the TV station in an absolute uproar.

Less than half an hour into the workday, news of what had happened at the entrance had spread like wildfire throughout the entire station.

The way everyone looked at Li Anna and Su Li changed completely.

The looks directed at Li Anna, of course, were not kind. They were a mixture of curious mockery, wary disdain, and outright contempt, pushing her to the brink of an outburst. She desperately wanted to flee, but she had the morning news broadcast and couldn’t leave.

Her position as an anchor was not something to be trifled with, and she couldn’t afford to lose it. In the end, all she could do was bite her lip and endure.

However, her emotional state was clearly unstable, and the station management was worried. For that day’s morning news, her on-air time was drastically cut.

If she hadn’t appeared and spoken at the beginning and end of the broadcast, everyone would have thought the male anchor was hosting alone.

Su Li had no time to dwell on Li Anna’s torment, resentment, and frustration.

With Wu Sheng’s appearance, the way everyone looked at Su Li changed.

No one had ever imagined that she was hiding such a trump card—a fiancé that powerful.

Everyone had witnessed Su Li’s capabilities firsthand. But no matter how competent she was, she was still just a young woman. People respected her, but they didn’t fear her.

After Wu Sheng’s appearance, however, people were now a little intimidated.

In the first hour of work, Su Li was subjected to a baptism of stares and a bombardment of questions that made her head spin.

She was supposed to be doing office work that day while others handled the interviews, but after an hour of the relentless attention, she couldn’t take it anymore and beat a hasty retreat.

She had to get out and do an interview, to go find a story!

Su Li and the cameraman set out once more. Without hesitation, Su Li went to find her old acquaintance, Mr. Zhang.

Although Su Li still called him Mr. Zhang, he had, in fact, already been promoted.

He had made significant contributions during the last nationwide anti-trafficking operation, earning him a promotion from group leader to captain.

It was common practice to look for news stories at hospitals and police stations like this one. Su Li had just come on a whim, but as soon as she stepped out of the car, she realized... it looked like there was a real story here.

Several haggard-looking middle-aged and elderly people stood by the entrance. Their eyes were red, and they were either overwrought with emotion or on the verge of breaking down.

Su Li and the cameraman sensed something was wrong the moment they got out of the car. They exchanged a look and immediately slipped into work mode.

The cameraman hoisted his livelihood—the camera—and followed closely behind Su Li as she walked toward the entrance.

The people, who had been talking amongst themselves in small groups, noticed their arrival. After a moment of observation, a woman suddenly spoke up.

"You’re... are you reporters from the TV station?"

As she spoke, she rushed toward Su Li. "You are, aren’t you? I’ve seen you on TV! You’re that reporter, the one who speaks foreign languages!"

Su Li quickly steadied her. "Ma’am, please be careful..."

Before Su Li could even ask what was wrong, the woman blurted out her story.

"Did you hear what happened? Is that why you’re here to do a report? Please, interview me! Report on this! Help me find my child!"