Chapter 40 p1
“What did you say?” Ren Xiaoqi asked, stunned.
Xu Jinnan turned to her, her gaze condescending. “Is your character as bad as your hearing?”
Realization dawned on Ren Xiaoqi. No wonder their interaction at the restaurant had felt strange; they weren’t just casual acquaintances.
“Well, I wasn’t wrong. She’s shameless, putting on that innocent act. Disgusting,” Ren Xiaoqi said, crossing her arms and meeting Xu Jinnan’s gaze defiantly.
Xu Jinnan chuckled softly. “That slap didn’t hurt enough, did it?”
Ren Xiaoqi had initially asked for Shen Shu’s contact information at the restaurant because she found Xu Jinnan attractive, her clothes and demeanor suggesting wealth and status.
Shen Shu had made an excuse at the time, and Ren Xiaoqi, remembering a few days later, had asked around in her social circles, learning that the most prominent heiresses in North City were the two daughters of the Xu family.
Any other Xus were second-rate or insignificant.
She had assumed Xu Jinnan was at best second-tier, but now, hearing her confession, any lingering apprehension vanished.
How powerful could she be, compared to Ren Xiaoqi’s own backer?
“What? You want to hit me again? Just because you bribed the writers to change a few scenes, you think you’re some kind of hero? Shen Shu’s reputation is already tarnished. Be careful not to get dragged down with her,” Ren Xiaoqi sneered.
Xu Jinnan’s smile vanished, a chill entering her eyes as she rubbed her thumb against her forefinger.
“Say that again, and I’ll actually hit you. Don’t test me.”
Ren Xiaoqi glanced at Shen Shu, who was talking to Xia Chun. She didn’t take Xu Jinnan’s threat seriously. “Miss Xu, take a look for yourself. Shen Shu is nothing but a seductive vixen, a KTV hostess with cheap tricks… Ow!”
Xu Jinnan slapped her.
“Feel better now?” she asked, rubbing her hand. “Do you understand me now?”
It was late, and most of the crew were inside the studio, so few people noticed the commotion.
Ren Xiaoqi was still reeling from the slap. “You… you hit me?”
Her eyes reddened with anger and disbelief, but before she could speak, a voice interrupted her.
“CEO Xu, what are you doing?”
Ren Xiaoqi saw Tong Jia, the owner of Sacred Heart Pictures, approaching.
Two months ago, it had been a small, struggling company, trying to sign her, but she had refused. Now, they were one of the investors in this drama.
Her face burning with pain and humiliation, and seeing the onlookers and a few phones pointed at them, Ren Xiaoqi quickly changed her expression, tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” she whimpered, her innate sense of theatrics kicking in, pausing slightly for the cameras. But beneath the lowered eyelids, a glint of anger flashed. This isn’t over.
After she left, Tong Jia turned to Xu Jinnan. “Assaulting someone on set? Aren’t you afraid of trending online?”
Xu Jinnan scoffed. “Afraid? Please.”
Shen Shu might be able to tolerate such behavior, but she wasn’t as patient.
She glanced at Shen Shu, who was walking towards them. “Does Ren Xiaoqi have a backer?” she asked Tong Jia.
“You noticed?”
Such blatant arrogance usually meant either stupidity or powerful connections.
“Who is it?”
Tong Jia shook her head. “I just found out today that her backer paid to have the original version of the slapping scene rewritten.”
“The director was already annoyed with her, so he readily agreed. He thought the slap was necessary,” she added with a smile. “Anyway, CEO Xu, why don’t you take your wife home? She doesn’t look well.”
Xu Jinnan turned to see Shen Shu approaching, her face slightly flushed.
Once in the car, Shen Shu’s throat felt scratchy. Xu Jinnan drove quickly, reaching Shen Shu’s apartment in thirty minutes, a journey that usually took forty.
As soon as they parked, Tong Jia sent a series of voice messages.
“Are you home yet? Things are getting interesting online. Someone posted a long article on Zhihu defending Shen Shu and criticizing Ren Xiaoqi. It’s been screenshotted and shared on Weibo, and now several entertainment bloggers are reposting it.”
“It’s a full-blown online war, but thanks to all the drama, Shen Shu’s Weibo followers have increased by twenty thousand. I just posted about signing her on Sacred Heart’s official account, and it’s already trending. Call me when you’re settled. We need to discuss our next move.”
Tong Jia’s voice was filled with pride, like a talent scout who had discovered a hidden gem.
Xu Jinnan clicked on the trending topic. The article described Ren Xiaoqi’s deliberate attempts to sabotage Shen Shu, and included a photo of Shen Shu, drenched and kneeling by the pond, her head bowed, her beauty accentuated by her vulnerability, while Ren Xiaoqi looked on with disdain and smug satisfaction.
The comments section was a battlefield of conflicting opinions:
Shen Shu is shady, and Ren Xiaoqi’s behavior is also questionable. They’re both terrible.
*I’m on Ren Xiaoqi’s side. If it were me, I would have drowned her. Using a sugar momma to steal roles is disgusting. vomit emoji.
Am I the only one who thinks Shen Shu looks amazing in that photo? So hot and wet!!! I want to be her sugar momma!!!
Are you all crazy? No evidence, just baseless accusations. Keyboard warriors thinking they’re so righteous. Where’s the proof?
Upstairs, they sat on the sofa.
Tong Jia joined their group chat. “Check Ren Xiaoqi’s Weibo. CEO Xu, between the two of you, you’ve driven her to desperation.”
Shen Shu looked at Xu Jinnan, puzzled.
Xu Jinnan smiled and opened Weibo. “Let’s see what she has to say.”
Ren Xiaoqi’s post: You all say I’m the bully? Look who’s talking! I admit I wasn’t experienced enough for the falling scene, but I didn’t do it on purpose! But Shen Shu and her sugar momma actually hit me! Just because of that scene, Shen Shu had her sugar momma rewrite the script! I was slapped multiple times on set, and then her sugar momma even came to slap me after filming! Is there any justice in this world? Just because she has a backer, I have to be humiliated and bullied? Why?! [photo] [photo]
Two selfies showed her face slightly swollen, her eyes red and puffy from crying.
“I knew she would try to spin this. I’ll release a statement to divert some attention,” Tong Jia said.
“Not yet,” Xu Jinnan interrupted. “Shu Shu, you post this.”
Shen Shu met her gaze, understanding instantly.
Shen Shu’s Weibo post: @RenXiaoqi I don’t want to explain myself. The crew knows what happened during the slapping scene. As for your other accusations, please provide evidence.
While seemingly direct, the post actually made her look weak.
The netizens weren’t convinced, accusing her of being evasive, even implying that her “sugar momma” had tacitly admitted to the assault. Public opinion shifted towards Ren Xiaoqi.
“I think it’s time to strike back. If we wait any longer, it’ll look like we’re deliberately creating drama,” Tong Jia said.
Xu Jinnan, her legs crossed, tapped her fingers on her knee, but didn’t speak. Shen Shu said softly, “It’s fine. Can it get any worse than this? Let’s wait. I don’t think Ren Xiaoqi, even as impulsive as she is, would try to ruin me with just two selfies.”
Hearing the slight hoarseness in her voice, Xu Jinnan looked at Shen Shu’s hand, which was holding a cup of hot water, then at her face, her cheeks flushed, her lips a brighter red than usual.
She couldn’t tell if she had a fever.
She reached out and touched Shen Shu’s forehead.
No fever.
Seeing Shen Shu’s surprised expression, she quickly withdrew her hand. “Shu Shu’s right. Ren Xiaoqi is probably waiting for this. She’ll have more to say.”
Xu Jinnan was right.
Ten minutes after Shen Shu’s post, Ren Xiaoqi tagged her.
Ren Xiaoqi: @Shen Shu Apologize now, and I’ll pretend this never happened.
Meanwhile, Ren Xiaoqi soaked in her hotel bathtub, a glass of wine in her hand, her tongue tracing the cut on her lip. Shen Shu would never apologize.
And she wouldn’t believe Ren Xiaoqi had more evidence.
A notification popped up on her phone: Tan Jie liked your Weibo post.
Ren Xiaoqi smiled faintly. She had met Tan Jie a few times; they weren’t close, but they had talked a couple of times since their shared animosity towards Shen Shu. She’s quick to jump on the bandwagon, she thought.
It didn’t matter. Soon, Shen Shu would be out of the entertainment industry, and Ren Xiaoqi would use this opportunity to boost her own career. Then… she wouldn’t have to rely on her backer anymore.
It was 9:20 p.m., peak Weibo activity time.
Two new comments appeared under Ren Xiaoqi’s post.
So many unsubstantiated accusations lately. I’m tired. Show us some proof.
Expose Shen Shu and her sugar momma. Let’s see what kind of people they are.
A few minutes later, Ren Xiaoqi posted again.
Ren Xiaoqi: @Shen Shu I said I would let this go if you apologized, but you clearly think I’m easy to bully. Someone from the crew, disgusted by what happened, sent me this video. The person who slapped me is Shen Shu’s sugar momma. I don’t know her full name, only that her last name is Xu, and even the owner of Sacred Heart Pictures is respectful towards her.
The video was blurry, but it showed Ren Xiaoqi being slapped by a tall, elegant woman in a long dress. Another woman appeared, and Ren Xiaoqi left, wiping away her tears.
Anyone watching would assume Ren Xiaoqi was the victim.
Then, Tan Jie posted on Weibo: It’s tough in this industry. So many talented actors, but so few opportunities. So much unfairness… Sigh. Late-night musings. Time to memorize my lines.
She included a photo of her script, highlighted with colorful markers.
While seemingly just a comment about the hardships of her profession, the implication was clear – she was alluding to Shen Shu using her connections to get ahead, while she, Tan Jie, had to endure unfair treatment and work hard.
#QipaoBeautyAssaultsActress
#RenXiaoqiAssaulted
#TanJieSpeaksOut
The hashtags quickly started trending.
Shen Shu’s Weibo was flooded with hate comments.
Tan Jie’s fans, Ren Xiaoqi’s fans, and random passersby all left hateful messages on Shen Shu’s and Sacred Heart Pictures’ Weibo accounts.
I’m boycotting Into the Dream until Shen Shu is out of the entertainment industry.
No one’s going to expose her sugar momma? I wonder how she’s feeling now. Probably regretting everything.
Disgusting! Get out, get out, get out!!!
I support exposing her sugar momma! Let’s see what kind of woman she is!
Someone even posted the photo of Shen Shu at the jewelry store.
–
In Shen Shu’s living room, Xu Jinnan refilled Shen Shu’s cup with hot water, then glanced at her watch. “It’s time,” she said.
–
Hearing the door close, Ren Xiaoqi put down her phone and wine glass, stepped out of the bathtub, and wrapped herself in a bathrobe, then went to the bathroom door and whined, “Young Master Han, what took you so long?”
“Family matters. My sister kept me busy,” he replied, his youthful face lighting up as he saw her. He took off his shirt and walked over. “What happened to your face?”
Ren Xiaoqi leaned against him, her eyes reddening. “Haven’t you seen Weibo? I was bullied! By that newcomer I told you about…”
“A sugar momma? Is she richer than me?” he asked dismissively.
“Of course not! How could anyone compare to Young Master Han of HP?” Ren Xiaoqi said, flattering him.
Meeting Han Hui had been a stroke of luck. She had originally been assigned to another newcomer, but Han Hui had taken a liking to her and had her reassigned.
Han Hui, pleased, patted her butt, then paused. “You didn’t mention my name, did you?”
Ren Xiaoqi was startled. “Of course not! You told me not to.”
“Good.”
He was just playing around with Ren Xiaoqi. While he didn’t mind a little scandal in the past, it was best to be discreet lately.
The three Han siblings were all known for their playboy/playgirl lifestyles, especially him. After the incident with Xu Jinnan at the banquet, his family had given him a strict warning.
Any more scandals, or any more reckless behavior with women, and they would freeze his accounts.
So, he had warned Ren Xiaoqi not to mention his name.
She had been obedient. He looked at the bruise on her face, frowning. “The actress is easy to deal with. Just give me her name, and I’ll make sure she never works in this industry again. As for the sugar momma… what’s her name?”
Ren Xiaoqi had been waiting for this.
She sniffed. “I don’t know her full name. Just her last name – Xu.”
Han Hui paused. “Xu? The one you asked about before?”
“She acted so refined and polite, but she attacked me! I was so scared! I wish you had been there, Young Master Han. She wouldn’t have dared do anything if you had been there,” Ren Xiaoqi said.
Refined and polite.
That couldn’t be Xu Jinnan.
As long as it wasn’t Xu Jinnan, it didn’t matter.
Ren Xiaoqi’s phone buzzed in the bathroom. As she reached for it, Han Hui pulled off her bathrobe and embraced her from behind, his hands wandering.
She giggled and dodged his touch, answering her agent’s call.
“Why didn’t you consult me before posting that?! I can’t be your agent anymore. Deal with this mess yourself!”
She frowned. Idiot. Thanks to tonight’s trending topics, her follower count had increased by fifty thousand, and after releasing the video, public opinion was on her side.
Shen Shu’s career was over, and with Han Hui as her backer, she didn’t have to worry about that “Xu” woman.
She had taken a risk, but it had paid off, hadn’t it?
Her future was bright, and there would be plenty of agents lining up to represent her!
“Put your phone away and take care of me…” Han Hui reached for her, but she dodged him again. “I just posted something on Weibo. Let me check it,” she said coquettishly.
She opened the app, and the smile froze on her face.
Within minutes, the comments section had turned against her.
Is this a self-produced drama? I’m dying of laughter. Was she dodging the slap because she’s a bad actress, or because she’s guilty?
This is so cringeworthy… Didn’t she know they’re married?
Regardless, violence is never the answer.
So many white knights in this thread?! Get out! If someone bullied my wife, I’d slap them too!
Ren Xiaoqi’s face paled as she scrolled through the comments. A new trending topic had appeared.
#ShenShuClarifies
#RenXiaoqiExposed
She clicked on Shen Shu’s Weibo post.
Shen Shu: Not a sugar momma. My wife. My wife is not a public figure, so I didn’t want to involve her, but I’m being forced to now… Here’s our marriage certificate.
@RenXiaoqi We apologize for the assault, and you can even demand compensation. But you also owe me an apology for your slander, your hateful words, and your repeated harassment. I can provide further evidence if necessary.
[photo] [photo]
The first photo was their marriage certificate, clearly showing their names and faces.
The second photo showed three versions of the script for the slapping scene.
And that wasn’t all. Several other posts and screenshots of comments had appeared, from both regular users and verified accounts.
LittleWheat: #RenXiaoqiExposed Ren Xiaoqi is a drama queen. Always stirring up trouble and chasing clout. She’s also a total bitch. She even sent suggestive messages to my friend (who’s super rich).
Huhu: #RenXiaoqiExposed Actually, she was the one who had the script changed… Don’t ask how I know. Just look at the second version.
FrontlineGossip: #RenXiaoqiExposed Is Tan Jie involved too? The casting director of Into the Dream just posted – no shady dealings, Shen Shu was simply a better fit for the role than Tan Jie.
…
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