C7 Go and Thank Ye Ziyan Personally

When Ye Tian heard his words, she stopped in her tracks, completely taken aback that Gu Qinian had managed to trace the video back to her so quickly, especially since she had only posted it an hour ago. She had been filming on location at the time of the incident, and her DV camera had been running continuously, capturing the moment Ye Ziyan dramatically fell backward. This footage was precisely why Ye Tian remained unfazed by the situation; she had evidence in her hands.

Yet, she couldn't possibly confess to Gu Qinian, so she instinctively denied it: "What are you talking about? I don't understand."

"The first ID to post that video was linked to your phone. You may have tried to hide the posting address, but you can't erase the initial ID," he countered.

Gu Qinian swiftly dismantled Ye Tian's denial with just a few words. For him, unraveling such matters was trivial, easily resolved with a mere flick of his fingers.

Realizing she could no longer keep up the pretense, Ye Tian looked at him guardedly. "What do you want?"

"I'll overlook the video if you do me a favor," he proposed, his voice calm, betraying no sign of anger, yet his words carried the weight of a negotiation.

"What favor?"

"I want you to publicly thank Ye Ziyan in front of all the reporters," Gu Qinian said evenly. "Claim that you were the one who was falling, and Ye Ziyan accidentally fell trying to save you, contrary to the media's portrayal of a dispute between you two."

Ye Tian gazed at him for a full three seconds before bursting into laughter. "Hahaha, that's hilarious. You expect me to thank someone who tried to set me up with a staged fall and even incited an online mob against me? And to do it in front of the press? Do you really think that's possible?"

Ye Ziyan's fall was a calculated move, not just to garner sympathy from Gu Qinian but also to craft an image of a delicate, innocent victim. And it worked; since the incident, Ye Tian had been vilified online, with some even digging up the fact that she was Ye Ziyan's cousin and concocting grand family dramas. Had she not released the video when she did, her identity would have been outed by now.

Expecting her to express gratitude to Ye Ziyan under these circumstances?

Did Gu Qinian lose his mind?

Gu Qinian watched her exaggerated laughter with an impassive face. Once she had stopped, he spoke deliberately, "Shen Gushan, an internationally acclaimed medical professor, will be visiting Ann City for a conference next week."

"And who is he? What's that got to do with me?"

Ye Tian's brow furrowed in confusion. What was he getting at with this sudden revelation?

"He's the nation's foremost expert in cardiology and neurology. In A City, there have been four instances where comatose patients regained consciousness thanks to his treatment."

"What are you saying?"

Ye Tian's face transformed, a flicker of hope igniting in her eyes.

Pleased with the shift in Ye Tian's expression, Gu Qinian's lips quirked into a slight smile, and his voice took on a more relaxed tone. "I funded one of his medical research projects a year ago, so naturally, if I request it, he would agree to examine your grandfather's condition."

It dawned on Ye Tian that this was the bargaining chip Gu Qinian was using with her. If she thanked Ye Ziyan, her grandfather might have a chance to wake up. If not, the professor wouldn't even consider treating her grandfather.

Taking a deep breath, Ye Tian acknowledged internally that she couldn't turn down such an offer, yet she still wanted to resist. "Perhaps we could negotiate a different term? As long as it doesn't involve Ye Ziyan, I'm willing to do anything else you propose."