C13 I Still Have My Body

Tang Anan, usually so spirited, felt the air in the room growing thin, making it hard to breathe. Facing Gu Yifan's despair, she felt powerless, which filled her with self-reproach.

After a long silence, Gu Yifan finally moved her parched lips and, with a hoarse voice, turned to Tang Anan. "Anan, do you think I can still bring Grandpa back?"

Yifan was only twenty-six, in the prime of her life, yet she spoke such words. A wave of bitterness washed over Anan, and her eyes stung as tears began to fall. She nodded, choking back her own sobs, and tried to comfort Yifan. "You will. You'll definitely reunite with Grandpa. Yifan, you can't give up. He's waiting to see you."

"Really? Why do I feel like I won't make it?" Yifan murmured blankly. "Anan, my heart feels heavy, like it's all clogged up."

As she spoke, Yifan gently thumped her chest, and finding some relief, she hit harder.

"Yifan, don't do this. Things will get better! Everything will be okay!" Anan quickly grabbed Yifan's cold hand, holding it tightly to stop her from hurting herself further.

"If you need to cry, just cry, Yifan. I'm here, it's okay." Anan, crying herself, still tried to comfort Yifan.

“Pfft.” Gu Yifan couldn't help but laugh out loud. With her free hand, she playfully tapped Tang Anan on the forehead and said with a grin, “Silly girl, do you really think I, Gu Yifan, am that easy to defeat? I was just teasing you!”

Tang Anan couldn't hold back her tears, crying while pretending to scold Gu Yifan lightly, “How dare you trick me! Gu Yifan! Once you're better, you're in for some serious payback!”

Gu Yifan clasped her hands over her head, pleading, “Spare me, Your Majesty, I promise I won't do it again.”

The two of them laughed and joked around for a while until it was time for dinner, and Tang Anan finally left to go home and cook.

In the hospital room, Gu Yifan stared at the ceiling, feeling a sense of loneliness as one phrase kept echoing in her mind: “Mrs. Hsu!”

Hsu Moyan's wife.

For so many years, Gu Yifan had always thought of herself as a woman without a heart. She had dated thirteen boyfriends, breaking up without a second thought, never feeling any attachment. The only thing that kept her going was the belief that she would save her grandfather.

But now, someone she couldn't even call a boyfriend, just a fling, had gotten married. He had his own wife, and deep down, Gu Yifan felt a pang of jealousy and discomfort.

Her act of revenge on his wedding day was nothing more than a fleeting fantasy.

Meanwhile, at home, Tang Anan was in the kitchen preparing Yifan's favorite dishes, the steam making the room a bit hazy. Her quiet sobs were drowned out by the sizzling sound of food hitting the hot oil.

They had known each other for so many years that Anan could tell when Yifan was pretending to sleep, so of course, she could see through Yifan's hidden sadness. But since Yifan didn't want her to feel upset too, Anan chose to hide her own sadness as well.

Their unspoken understanding was enough; they knew they could rely on each other without needing to say it out loud.

Three days later, Yifan insisted on leaving the hospital to recover at home. Facing the cold, sterile hospital room every day made her feel like she was going to wither away there.

As soon as she had packed up and returned home, Yifan received a call from Moyan. His voice on the other end was calm, but Yifan knew he was holding back, trying to stay composed.

They arranged to meet at a quiet café not far from Yifan's radio station. The place was serene, or perhaps Moyan had ensured it was cleared out, as Yifan didn't see anyone else besides the server bringing their coffee.

"Yifan, have you forgotten who you are?" Moyan's sharp gaze pierced through Yifan's calm demeanor, his intense eyes exerting a palpable pressure.

Gu Yifan felt nothing, having grown even thinner during her ten days in the hospital. The most noticeable change was her protruding knuckles on her pale hands. Her skin was so fair that if she wore white, she could easily pass for a ghost without any makeup.

She stirred her coffee, her thoughts drifting to Tang Anan, who was tidying up at home. It was quite the coincidence that just as she was discharged and returned home, Hsu Moyan called.

"Gu Yifan!" Hsu Moyan's anger was barely contained as he slammed his hand on the table, veins bulging, his temple throbbing visibly.

"I know my place, Director Hsu. You don't need to remind me," Gu Yifan replied, her gaze lifeless as she looked at him.

Hsu Moyan leaned over the table, grabbing her collar and squeezing her neck, making it hard for her to breathe. He snarled menacingly, "Do you realize that because of you, I almost suffered a huge loss? Those who sold you out couldn't even begin to compensate for it!"

Yifan looked up without struggling, a sad smile on her lips. "So, what does Director Hsu want me to do to make amends?"

"Amends? What could you possibly offer? All you have is a radio station!" Hsu Moyan sneered, scrutinizing her. Yet, he noticed the indifference in her eyes, the lack of their former sparkle. He felt an urge to do something to make those eyes shine again, even if it was with hatred.

Radio station?

Gu Yifan suddenly remembered her radio station. Her pupils contracted slightly, and her long lashes cast shadows under the lights, hiding the retreat in her eyes.

Hsu Moyan noticed and continued without blinking, "You already belong to me. The only way to compensate is with your radio station. From today, Hsu's will acquire it."

With that, Hsu Moyan picked up his suit and strode out of the café, leaving Gu Yifan stunned.

She wasn't naive enough to doubt Hsu Moyan's words about the acquisition. After all, Hsu's Group was enormous. Acquiring her small radio station, or even the largest one in the industry, would be a breeze for them.

Could it be that she was about to lose her last hold, the radio station?

By now, the city's lights were aglow, cars flashing their headlights, and neon lights painting the city in vibrant colors, highlighting its bustling and lively nature.

Yet, the glass walls completely blocked out the noise, leaving only tranquility and peace.

Gu Yifan slowly calmed down and picked up her phone to call Hsu Moyan.

She couldn't lose the radio station! No matter what!

"What makes you think you have the right to negotiate with me?" Hsu Moyan replied coldly, still engrossed in his paperwork.

Gu Yifan blurted out desperately, "I still have my own body!"

"Your body is mine, and you have no right to use it as leverage," Hsu Moyan said, hanging up the phone abruptly. He glanced at the documents in his hand, feeling an inexplicable wave of irritation.