Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 1113 - 113 Help from an Old Classmate

Chapter 1113: Chapter 113 Help from an Old Classmate

Late at night, Gu Fan waited in a cool pavilion within a residential area, arms crossed, fingers continuously tapping on his arm, his expression solemn.

Li Shi saw Gu Fan’s condition as soon as she arrived and knew something bad had happened, so she quickened her pace towards Gu Fan, "What’s wrong, why did you call me so late? Is there something urgent?"

Gu Fan nodded gravely, "It’s not just urgent, it’s also very serious, concerning this city and everyone in it."

"Don’t scare me!" Li Shi said while reaching out to touch Gu Fan’s forehead, only to find it was normal.

Gu Fan’s face darkened, indicating this was no joke.

So Li Shi listened closely to what Gu Fan had to say, and then learned from him about the X Fund’s intentions to destroy the economic lifeline here.

However, the issue seemed too significant, and Li Shi felt Gu Fan might be exaggerating. Could Gu Fan have guessed wrong?

Gu Fan shook his head resolutely, gazing at Li Shi with a serious look, "Please trust me. According to the intelligence I have, the X Fund will really go through with it."

"Although your speculation is likely, what do you need from me?" Li Shi still didn’t understand. She was just a small fry, and such a significant matter was beyond her involvement.

Gu Fan thought for a moment, showing a troubled expression, but ultimately he spoke up, "I know this will be difficult for you, but for the sake of this city, I hope you can use your resources to write an article exposing the intentions of the X Fund."

Li Shi gasped. Her company had already been acquired by the X Fund, and she was working for Haywes. Asking her to expose the X Fund seemed somewhat inappropriate.

"I’m sorry, Gu Fan, I’m just an employee. I want to work properly and live my life. I don’t want to get involved," Li Shi said, starting to panic, and she turned to leave.

Gu Fan quickly stopped her, "I know there’s a certain risk, and it could lead to loss for you, but I assure you, if you do this big favor, Du Changhui, Luo Jingrong, Boss Lei—they will all owe you a favor. The rewards you’ll get will far exceed your losses. You might not even need to work anymore and can enjoy life freely."

"Are you trying to sweet-talk me?" Li Shi felt like she was being lured into Gu Fan’s scheme, and she detected her resolve starting to waver.

Li Shi didn’t know why but although she knew she should not get involved in such matters, she couldn’t help wanting to assist. Was it because Gu Fan had asked for her help?

Gu Fan pressed on, "Once you expose the X Fund, it’s like saving many companies. You will be the hero of this city."

"I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be any hero. I’m just an ordinary person. Please, Gu Fan, stop asking for my help, okay?" Li Shi really found it tough, but she knew very well that Gu Fan wouldn’t have sought her out so late without the situation being extremely urgent.

Gu Fan pleaded with Li Shi, "I know this is difficult for you, and I shouldn’t drag you into this, but as of now, the only solution I can think of is through you. I’ve read every one of your articles; you write very well, your click rate is high, and you’re popular with the readers. So, it’s only you who can help me, help this city."

"You could ask someone else, but please don’t ask me. I really don’t want to get involved." Li Shi was scared. Facing such an important issue for the first time, she dared not get involved. Who knew what trouble could come from offending a giant like the X Fund?

Gu Fan sighed, "There’s no time. In three days, this city will witness a tragedy that no one wants to see. I really can’t find anyone with your abilities in three days."

"Okay, let me think about it." Li Shi didn’t agree, but she didn’t refuse either, leaving Gu Fan with a glimmer of hope.

Suddenly, Li Shi became curious, "How did you find out about the movements of the X Fund? All these major bosses, Du Changhui and the rest, are being led by the nose by the X Fund, and yet you saw through them."

"That..." Gu Fan scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly, "You’d better not know, or else you’ll only get dragged in and won’t be able to escape."

Li Shi showed a look of disdain, "What’s with all the secrecy? You’re asking for my help, didn’t you consider that I might get involved?"

Gu Fan explained, "If you were willing to help me, then it would mean getting you involved too. So, telling you some secrets wouldn’t matter. But if you don’t want to be part of this, I can understand and won’t hold any grudges. You can continue living your ordinary life. However, I can tell you, if the X Fund’s plots succeed, many will suffer. And with all those positive articles you’ve written about the X Fund, do you know what the consequences might be?"

"You mean the city’s people will take out their anger on me." Li Shi grimaced, "That’s not fair. I’m just someone who writes; you can’t hold me to account for this."

"Who knows what will happen by then?" After speaking, Gu Fan looked up at the dark sky and sighed, "Three days is a short time. I hope you will consider this seriously and answer me soon."

Li Shi thought it over, then looked at Gu Fan with a serious gaze, "Answer me one question, and I’ll give you my response right now."

Gu Fan nodded, "Go ahead, ask."

Li Shi asked, "You are also a small player, so why try to show off and stop the X Fund? Aren’t you afraid of retaliation afterwards?"

Hearing this, Gu Fan considered carefully and then smiled brightly in response, "I’ve thought about your question. I’ve wished to not care about the city’s fate and just live my own life. But when I think about this city I love, the place where I grew up and have so many beautiful memories, the place with people I care about, this is my home. I must protect my home. It’s that simple. Besides, I really despise Haywes—the guy’s actually thinking of laying a hand on you."

Li Shi was taken aback at first, then passed by Gu Fan expressionlessly, completely unreadable in her thoughts.

Gu Fan turned around, watching Li Shi’s retreating figure getting further away without looking back, showing no sign of wanting to help. It seemed Li Shi had made her choice.

What to say? All hope seemed lost. Gu Fan felt troubled. He had to find another way, but was three days enough? Were there really any other options?

Just as Gu Fan was feeling downhearted, he walked and saw Li Shi waiting for him ahead, suddenly igniting fireworks in his heart.

Li Shi turned back to look at Gu Fan, and as their eyes met, an unspoken understanding passed between them, and they both couldn’t help but smile.