Geng Sijian had initially convinced herself not to pay attention to the online rumors. If she didn't look, they couldn't hurt her.
For her now, the most important thing was Zhan Yangyi's expectations of her.
No matter what, she had to truly become a capable assistant by Zhan Yangyi's side.
But when she opened the door, she was stunned by the scene before her.
On the wall by the door, offensive words were scrawled in glaring red paint.
Geng Sijian had always believed that human language was a beautiful thing, but now she fully realized that anything, in the hands of someone with malicious intent, could become utterly disgusting.
Someone had even deliberately dumped trash here, including animal carcasses, filling her doorstep with a nauseating stench.
"This...this is..." Geng Sijian stumbled back a step, experiencing such intense malice for the first time.
She did like Zhan Yangyi, but she had always been clear about her own position and had never dared to hope for any future with him.
She had only recently learned that Zhan Yangyi had a wife.
She hadn't done anything wrong, so why did she have to bear such consequences?
Geng Sijian's first thought was of Chen Yutong, with whom she had clashed. But what if she knew? She was no match for Chen Yutong.
She forced herself to calm down, but a sense of injustice still welled up in her heart.
She tried to wipe away the paint on the door, but it was stubborn. Even with all her strength, she only managed to erase a small portion.
As Geng Sijian scrubbed, fighting back tears, she finally couldn't take it anymore.
Just then, a few residents coming up from downstairs saw Geng Sijian.
Although they didn't say anything openly and merely hurried past, Geng Sijian still caught their disdainful glances.
Even the building manager, who had been friendly with Geng Sijian, gave her a contemptuous look.
Though none of them spoke, their gazes and expressions pierced Geng Sijian's heart like sharp knives.
"If it's too much, I should just move," Geng Sijian mumbled.
She couldn't think of any other solution. She couldn't live under such judgmental eyes forever.
"Bitch, you still have the nerve to go out."
Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the air. Geng Sijian spun around to see a man with a somewhat sleazy appearance.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Geng Sijian asked warily.
"You're seducing someone else's husband, are you willing to do anything with any man?" he leered, approaching Geng Sijian with a sly smile. "I believe if you follow me, I can make you happy."
"You...you get away from me!" Geng Sijian cried out, but it was useless.
Geng Sijian retreated step by step, and the man advanced with every one of hers.
Geng Sijian wouldn't let him succeed, but there was no one else around.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you."
Geng Sijian shook her head and continued to back away. Finally, her hand touched the doorknob.
She quickly rushed back into her home and locked the door from the inside.
"Heh, let's see how long you can hide. If you have the guts, don't come out for the rest of your life. You did such a thing, you should pay the price!"
Geng Sijian was terrified, feeling that the man could break in at any moment.
If it were just the words and the prankish threats, she might have endured them, but now it seemed things were far more complicated.
She realized that if she walked on the street, would she become the focus of everyone's attention? Would the whole world think she had stolen someone's husband?
Moreover, Chen Yutong was a public figure with fans everywhere, making her surroundings fraught with danger.
"Why...why..." Geng Sijian sank to the floor, trembling and hugging herself.
She had never been so scared. The malice from all directions was suffocating her.
How she wished someone would come to her rescue at this moment, but who could save her?
Suddenly, she heard the sound of glass shattering in her room.
She could no longer hold back the tears that streamed down her face.
"Mr. Zhan..."
He was the only person she could think of now, Zhan Yangyi.
As Zhan Yangyi approached what he suspected was Geng Sijian's apartment, he heard voices in the hallway.
"Are you sure this is the place?"
"Of course. Look at the words on the door: 'Someone who ruins other people's marriages,' and 'Geng Sijian, get out of other people's marriages.' Who else could it be?"
"That's right. It's time to get some justice for our goddess."
Just as they were about to take action, a cold voice startled them.
"What are you doing?" Zhan Yangyi's icy gaze fell upon the men before him. He was so angry he wanted to tear them limb from limb.
The offensive words on the door were so glaring, and he saw these men preparing to place a dead mouse by the entrance.
"You... you're Zhan Yangyi..." someone recognized him.
Zhan Yangyi didn't deny it, simply stating coldly, "Do you want to stay here, or go to the police station? You choose."
The men exchanged glances. Despite their reluctance, they didn't want to end up at the police station, so they slunk away.
He knew Geng Sijian must be at home; this situation was likely the primary reason she hadn't gone to work.
The words on the wall clearly indicated who was involved, fueling the rage in Zhan Yangyi's eyes. However, before settling scores, he needed to address the immediate issue.
But some matters, he would eventually settle.
Inside the apartment, Geng Sijian flinched at the sound of knocking.
She assumed it was those people again.
What should she do if they broke in?
Geng Sijian didn't know. She could only hide in a corner, curl up, and watch the door with trepidation.
Zhan Yangyi knocked for a long time without any response from inside.
"Geng Sijian, open the door," Zhan Yangyi said aloud.
"Mr. Zhan..." Hearing Zhan Yangyi's voice, Geng Sijian almost burst into tears.
Just as she was thinking of him, he had arrived.
"Don't be afraid. I've driven those people away. It's alright now," Zhan Yangyi softened his tone.
Based on his understanding, Geng Sijian must have been terrified by such an ordeal.
Geng Sijian wanted to open the door, but realizing she had been on high alert, her strength suddenly left her. Her body felt weak, but she still managed to walk to the door, reach for the handle, and open it.