36: Chapter 36 Performing a Play

Xiao Bei let out a cold laugh, his tone tinged with sarcasm: "Ms. Su, did you think I would come to this trap without any precautions? From the moment Station President Jia Chengzhi called me, I knew you all had ill intentions. They've already used this trick on me once; how could I not be prepared this time?"

Su Yun's face turned from pale to ashen, a flash of despair crossing her eyes.

She bit her lip, her voice so low it was almost inaudible: "Xiao Bei, I... I was forced to do this..."

"Forced?"

Xiao Bei narrowed his eyes, his grip loosening slightly, but he still didn't let her go. "Tell me, what did Station President Jia Chengzhi promise you to make you frame me?"

A flash of pain crossed Su Yun's eyes, and her voice choked up: "He... he has leverage over me. A few years ago, he used the same method to set me up, taking my... my nude photos. If I don't do as he says, he will publish those photos and ruin my reputation..."

Xiao Bei frowned slightly, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He couldn't help but recall that Qin Ruoxi and he had also been framed by someone in the past.

This trick was likely the standard tactic of that scum!

Besides Su Yun, he wondered how many other young, pretty girls had suffered from such threats and harm.

Xiao Bei released Su Yun's wrist and sat up, his tone carrying a touch of coldness: "So, you chose to come and frame me?"

Su Yun lowered her head, tears streaming down her cheeks, her voice filled with regret: "I didn't want this either, but I had no choice... Station President Jia Chengzhi has great influence in Canglan City, and I simply can't fight him. He threatened me, saying that if I didn't help him, he would destroy everything I have..."

Xiao Bei was silent for a moment. His gaze remained cold, but his tone softened slightly: "Su Yun, do you know that by doing this, you aren't just hurting me, but also yourself? People like Station President Jia Chengzhi will never keep their word. Even if you help him frame me, he won't let you go."

Su Yun looked up, her eyes full of tears, her voice trembling: "I know... but I really have no other choice. Xiao Bei, please, help me... I really don't want to go on like this..."

Xiao Bei looked at her, a flash of pity in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He stood up, adjusted his clothes, and said: "I can choose not to hold you accountable, but you must cooperate with me to expose Station President Jia Chengzhi's crimes."

Su Yun was stunned for a moment, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes: "You... you are really willing to help me?"

Xiao Bei nodded, his tone firm: "People like Station President Jia Chengzhi must be brought to justice. Only by coming forward can you truly break free from his control."

Su Yun bit her lip, a struggle flashing in her eyes, but in the end, she nodded: "Okay... I am willing to cooperate with you. But... those photos..."

Xiao Bei said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, I will find a way to help you get those photos back, but the prerequisite is that you must do as I say."

Su Yun nodded: "Okay, what do you want me to do?"

Xiao Bei pondered for a moment and said: "Tonight, we need to act out a play for Station President Jia Chengzhi."

Su Yun was slightly taken aback, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes: "Act out a play? What do you mean?"

Xiao Bei smiled faintly, his gaze deep: "Since Station President Jia Chengzhi wants you to frame me, we will use his own strategy against him. You stay here tonight, and let him think that we have already 'consummated the relationship.' That way, he will lower his guard and reveal more flaws. I am going to dig out the backers behind them!"

Su Yun frowned and asked, somewhat uneasily: "But... will this really work? Station President Jia Chengzhi is not someone easily fooled."

Xiao Bei nodded gently and said: "The more confident he is, the easier it will be for him to fall into the trap we've set. You just need to cooperate with me and pretend that everything is going smoothly."

Su Yun lowered her head, her fingers twisting together unconsciously, her voice hesitant: "But... won't this have a bad impact on you? After all, you are Mayor Qin's secretary. If any scandal gets out..."

Xiao Bei shook his head, his tone indifferent: "Don't worry, I have my own sense of proportion. Besides, Station President Jia Chengzhi and his group's target is Mayor Qin. If I don't take the initiative to strike, he will only become more unscrupulous."

Su Yun was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay, I agree. But... what about tonight? I mean... how are we going to sleep tonight?"

Xiao Bei pointed to the sofa in the room, his tone relaxed: "You sleep on the bed, and I'll sleep on the sofa. We'll just make do for one night."

Su Yun looked up, somewhat surprised: "You... you're sleeping on the sofa? Isn't that not quite right?"

Xiao Bei smiled, his tone carrying a touch of teasing: "What, do you hope we really 'consummate the relationship'?"

Su Yun's face turned red instantly, and she waved her hands hurriedly: "No, that's not what I meant... I just think this is too unfair to you."

Xiao Bei waved his hand, his tone relaxed: "It's not unfair at all. I often work late, so the sofa is already a luxurious resting place for me."

Su Yun looked at Xiao Bei, a feeling of gratitude rising in her heart. She nodded gently, her voice soft: "Then... thank you, Xiao Bei."

Xiao Bei didn't say anything more. He turned and walked to the sofa, picking up a blanket to cover himself.

Su Yun stood in place, looking at his back, a warmth suddenly welling up in her heart.

She walked gently to the bedside, sat down, and said in a low voice: "Xiao Bei, actually... you are a good person."

Xiao Bei closed his eyes, his lips curving slightly upward: "A good person? Perhaps. But in this position, a good person might not live for very long."

Su Yun was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood what he meant.

She sighed softly, lay down, and pulled the quilt over herself.

The room fell into silence, with only the occasional sound of wind from outside the window breaking the tranquility.

After a while, Su Yun couldn't help but ask softly: "Xiao Bei, are you asleep?"

Xiao Bei's voice came from the sofa: "Not yet, what's wrong?"

Su Yun hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice: "I... I can't sleep."

Hearing Su Yun's voice, Xiao Bei slowly opened his eyes and sat up from the sofa.

He took out his cigarette case, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. The smoke slowly rose in the dimly lit room.

"Can't sleep?" Xiao Bei's voice was slightly hoarse.

Su Yun turned on her side, looking at Xiao Bei's profile by the faint light from outside the window, and said softly: "Yeah, my mind is a bit messy."

Xiao Bei exhaled a puff of smoke, casting his gaze out the window, and said calmly: "Tell me about it—about your situation."