Chapter 85: Where Is Your Boyfriend?

Xia Yu drove his sports car, racing all the way to the apartment complex where Lin Yuqing lived.

From a distance, he spotted her sitting on a bench outside the complex. He drove straight over.

Lin Yuqing looked up, her tear-filled eyes blurred with emotion as she saw him step out of the car, confusion written all over her face.

“Yu... Brother Yu, where did you get a sports car?”

“It’s the boss’s. I’m driving for someone now,” Xia Yu replied, worry etched on his face as he approached her. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

Lin Yuqing had no mind to dwell on it; her tears streamed down again as she suddenly threw herself into Xia Yu’s arms.

“Yu... Brother Yu, everyone is cursing me.”

“Everyone is blaming me...”

Xia Yu felt the unusual closeness. Normally, propriety would keep a man and woman from such intimacy, and in the past, he never thought much of it. But now that he was seeing Zhao Sijie, it felt somewhat inappropriate.

Still, given the circumstances, he knew Lin Yuqing meant nothing by it. He didn’t say more, only comforted her, “What happened? Tell me, don’t cry...”

Gradually, Lin Yuqing calmed herself and let go, saying, “Didn’t you see the news today?”

“News?” He shook his head. “No, I haven’t.”

Lin Yuqing sat back down on the bench, took out her phone and handed it to him. “See for yourself.”

Xia Yu sat beside her, took the phone, and his expression darkened at once. The screen was filled with news reports about Lin Yuqing.

Though she was still a livestreamer, her immense popularity had made her a public figure. But all the articles were negative, a heavy blow to her.

Heiress pretending to be poor, crafting a sunny, pure persona—contradicting the image of positivity and striving. With influencers stoking the flames and netizens’ resentment of wealth, she had become the target of public outrage, condemned throughout the internet.

Others may not know, but Xia Yu understood clearly what kind of person Lin Yuqing was, what she had been through, and how she had come this far.

Though she was a daughter of the Lin family, she was but one among many, unremarkable, and her father lacked ambition and talent, relegating her to the family’s fringes.

She had to find a job on her own after graduation. Without Xia Yu’s quiet support, she would still be a small streamer holding onto dreams.

She was innocent and kind, never competitive, but now everyone saw her as a scheming, manipulative woman who succeeded only thanks to men and her background.

Faced with such rumors and vicious attacks, even a strong man would struggle to withstand it, let alone the pure-hearted Lin Yuqing. No wonder she wept so bitterly.

“Yuqing, don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

Xia Yu had no immediate solution, only comforted her. After all, this was public opinion, spreading rapidly online—it couldn’t be solved with money.

“Brother Yu, I know you’re trying to console me,” Lin Yuqing wiped her tears and said, “This circle is cruel. As a public figure, once your reputation turns negative, you’ll be blacklisted for sure.”

“I’m ready for that to happen. It’s just... I’m not the person they say I am, and it hurts...”

She was philosophical about it, yet still felt deeply wronged.

Every time she was upset, she never knew whom to confide in. She had grown accustomed to Xia Yu; whenever she spoke to him, her mood always improved.

“I know. Don’t be so pessimistic; there will be a way to fix it.”

Xia Yu comforted her tenderly, heart aching at her distress.

After her tearful venting, Lin Yuqing gradually recovered and switched topics. “Alright, let’s not talk about sad things anymore.”

“What have you been busy with lately? Why haven’t you reached out to me?”

“I… I haven’t been busy. You’re the one busier than me.” Xia Yu smiled wryly.

“Is that so? Looks like you’re busy dating. How… how are things with Sijie?” Lin Yuqing stared at him intently.

“Mm, it’s… it’s going well.” Xia Yu nodded. “I spent today with her and her classmates. Originally… well, never mind.”

“Originally what? Finish your sentence!”

Lin Yuqing pressed him urgently, inexplicably eager to know about him and Zhao Sijie.

“I was with her, but when you called, I… left her at the hotel and came to find you.” Xia Yu felt awkward and guilty.

“Oh…”

Lin Yuqing’s face fell, a dull ache in her heart. Before, she could call Xia Yu without hesitation, but now, every invitation required consideration for another girl.

“Brother Yu, I’m sorry. I… I didn’t know you were together. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have called you.”

“It’s alright. Sijie isn’t a stranger, and you’re good friends. She was worried about you and told me to hurry over.” Xia Yu smiled awkwardly.

Perhaps it was because of the confession she’d rejected last time; the two now had a thin barrier between them—slight, yet undeniably there.

“You should hurry back. I’m fine now, don’t keep Sijie waiting.”

Lin Yuqing’s heart ached, but she was afraid of hurting their relationship.

“It’s fine. She’s probably resting by now.” Xia Yu lit a cigarette, paused, and asked, “You… how are things with Li Hao?”

“We’re… we’re alright.”

She forced a smile. In reality, things with Li Hao were the same as ever, hardly resembling lovers. Sometimes she tried to see him as her boyfriend, but each time, she failed.

Only now did she realize that feelings can’t be forced. With Li Hao, she couldn’t even bring herself to hold his hand, let alone embrace or kiss him like other couples.

Was this really love?

Perhaps she should find an opportunity to be honest with Li Hao. Otherwise, wasting his time would be terribly unfair.

If only Xia Yu weren’t with Zhao Sijie…

“That’s good…”

Xia Yu exhaled smoke rings, not daring to meet her gaze, feeling an indescribable heaviness inside.

That night, the two talked deep into the night, just as they had in the past, treating each other as family and friends.

Only at dawn did Lin Yuqing stand and say, “Alright, Brother Yu, I feel much better now. You should go home and rest.”

“Mm, don’t overthink it. Things will get better.” Xia Yu nodded.

“So… good night.”

Lin Yuqing hesitated as if she wanted to say more, but in the end, she said nothing. She gave him a sweet smile, reluctant to part, and walked away.

Xia Yu sighed, collected himself, and left.

Early next morning.

Zhao Sijie and Wang Dong gathered with their friends in the hotel restaurant for breakfast, preparing to leave.

“Hey, Sijie, where’s your boyfriend?”

Many people, not seeing Xia Yu, asked curiously.

“He had something to take care of last night and left early,” Zhao Sijie replied.

“What? That’s outrageous!”

Everyone started scolding, while Wang Dong’s eyes lit up, as if he saw an opportunity.