Chapter 63: Saving a Superstar
*Ring! Ring! Ring!*
Wu Yifan jolted awake, his phone blaring like a siren. He squinted at the time—just past 8 a.m. He'd crashed at 2 a.m. after a long night, and his eyes felt glued shut. With a groan, he swiped to answer.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Wu Yifan?" A sharp, angry voice cut through the line, firing accusations like bullets. "You promised! You said you'd follow through! Do you have any idea what I'll do if you back out? I'll go to every TV station in Beitian, I'll ruin Infinity's reputation, I'll—"
Wu blinked, still half-asleep. "I'm sorry! I really am! It was an oversight, I swear. Give me a chance to make it right?"
A冷哼. "Fine. Half an hour. Fude Yuan Hotel entrance. Be there, or I'll make sure you regret it. And I mean *regret* it."
"I'll be there! Definitely!"
"Good.挂了 (Hanging up)."
"Wait!"
"What now?"
"Who… are you?"
Silence. Then: "WU YIFAN!" The scream was so loud Wu pulled the phone away from his ear.
Recognition hit. "Liu Wei? Is that you? The *Eyewitness* host? How did you get my number?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but I'm a journalist. Finding a phone number is child's play. Now move. Thirty minutes." She hung up.
Wu sighed, dragging himself out of bed. Liu Wei was relentless—but he'd made a promise. He threw on clothes, splashed water on his face, and hailed a taxi.
The taxi was weaving through morning traffic when a girl darted out of an alley, her hair wild, her face streaked with tears. She was in her early twenties, dressed in a scuffed tracksuit, and she looked terrified. She ran blindly, straight toward the taxi.
"Watch out!" Wu shouted.
The driver, a burly man in his forties, swerved hard, tires screeching. The girl stumbled, barely avoiding a collision, and collapsed onto the sidewalk.
The driver leaned out the window, yelling, "What the hell's wrong with you? Trying to get yourself killed? I've got a family, you know!"
The girl looked up, her eyes wide with panic. "Please! Help me! They're chasing me! Take me anywhere, I'll pay—please!"
Behind her, four men emerged from the alley, brandishing switchblades. Their faces were twisted with rage.
The driver glanced at Wu,犹豫 (hesitant).
Wu nodded. "Help her. It's the right thing to do."
The girl scrambled into the backseat, slamming the door. "Go! Go!"
The driver hit the gas, the taxi lurching forward and leaving the men in the dust.
The sudden acceleration sent the girl tumbling into Wu's lap. He caught her, but his hand accidentally brushed against something soft and full, drawing a faint, involuntary gasp from her.
"Sorry!" Wu said, pulling back quickly.
The girl's cheeks flushed. "I-it's okay. Thank you." She sat up, folding her arms tightly across her chest, her body still shaking.
Wu studied her. Even disheveled, she was striking—high cheekbones, full lips, eyes that would've been beautiful if they weren't red from crying. "Who were those guys?"
She bit her lip. "I'm from Beijing. I came to Beitian to visit relatives, but… they tried to kidnap me. Said they'd sell me to a nightclub. I ran, but they've been chasing me for blocks."
The driver cursed. "Scum. We should call the cops."
The girl shook her head. "They're connected. Said they work for someone called… Master Qian. I don't want to make it worse."
Wu's expression hardened. *Qian*. Qian Baoqing. Of course.
The girl noticed his reaction. "You know him?"
"I've crossed paths with his type," Wu said, carefully vague. "What's your name?"
She hesitated, then whispered, "Ding Shihan."
Wu's eyes widened. Ding Shihan? The A-list actress? He'd seen her in movies, on billboards—glamorous, untouchable. Not… like this.
Ding Shihan saw the recognition in his eyes and looked away, embarrassed. "Yes. That's me. I came here incognito, but my bag was stolen—money, ID, everything. I've been hiding ever since."
The driver gaped. "A movie star? And those thugs…?"
"Didn't recognize me, I guess. Just saw a vulnerable girl." Ding's voice cracked. "I never thought I'd be so… helpless."
Wu nodded, understanding. Even celebrities weren't immune to Qian's reach.
The taxi fell silent, the only sound the hum of the engine.
Finally, Wu said, "I'm Wu Yifan. I work at a place called Infinity. You can stay there, if you want. It's safe. For now."
Ding Shihan looked up, hope flickering in her eyes. "Really? You'd do that?"
Wu shrugged. "What are the odds? Saving a movie star on my way to get yelled at by a TV host? Life's weird."
The driver laughed. "You can say that again."
As the taxi approached Fude Yuan Hotel, Wu turned to Ding. "Wait here. I'll handle Liu Wei, then we'll figure out how to get you help. Deal?"
Ding nodded, a small, grateful smile tugging at her lips. "Deal. Thank you. Really."
Wu stepped out of the taxi, already bracing himself for Liu Wei's wrath. But as he walked toward the hotel entrance, he thought of Ding Shihan in the backseat—scared, alone, hunted by Qian's men—and made a silent promise.
He'd help her. And in doing so, he'd strike another blow against Qian Baoqing.
Two birds, one stone. And maybe, just maybe, he'd finally start winning this war.