Becoming the Mother of the Trashy Romance Novel's Heroine

by Usui Takumii

not mine, asia novel . Beware edited mtl. Total: 46 chapters.

4. 31 to 40

Chapter 31

The Third Daughter [Bug Catching]

"I…" Tang Yuan shuddered at her mother's words. Even though she had anticipated her mother might feel this way, hearing it directly still made her heart ache.

"I want to keep him... Mom, please let me keep him…"

Tang Yuan understood her desire to keep the child was not because of Shen Yi, nor because Shen Yi was the father, but because she was pregnant with him; he was her child.

"You really can't keep him, Yuan Yuan." Jiang Su held Tang Yuan's pale face, looking intently into her eyes.

Many women in the world are very soft-hearted; driven by their longing for a child and inner tenderness, they grit their teeth through the pregnancy, even opting to be single mothers.

However, Jiang Su never considered such love to be noble; she even thought it somewhat selfish.

Given Tang Yuan's current situation, she could hardly support herself, let alone raise a child.

More importantly, this child is also from a previous relationship. Tang Yuan may have felt assured and committed to having the child, but what about after? Who can guarantee the child would be happy being born into a single-parent family? Who can ensure a mother raising a child alone won't overly possess the child as her own? And who can promise that after investing so much, the excessive involvement won't become a burden for the child?

"Having a child isn't as simple as you think. Just feeling that because you're pregnant, you're a mother, and that you can give birth to him. That's actually very selfish, do you know, Yuan Yuan?" Jiang Su, holding Tang Yuan's face with tears in her eyes, said, "When you're not capable of raising a child, not able to provide even a normal, let alone a quality life, rashly bringing him into the world isn't loving him, it's harming him. Do you understand?"

"I..." Tang Yuan was at a loss for words.

Jiang Su looked deeply into her eyes and continued, "Mom has been blaming herself all these years because she regarded you as the sole support in her life due to her own misfortunes. Mom thought she was the person who loved you the most in this world, but in reality, she was the most selfish." She caressed Tang Yuan's cheek, "Mom feels so sorry to you."

"If Mom hadn't given birth to you, you wouldn't have been born into such a family, nor would you have a mom like me and a dad like him."

"Don't say that, Mom... I am very happy to be your daughter," Tang Yuan said.

"But Mom can't bear it..." Jiang Su said, "Over the years, watching you grow up in that family, watching you suffer one hardship after another. Mom has been regretting, you know? Yuan Yuan, Mom once thought giving you life was the greatest gift, but all your suffering began with your birth. If Mom had understood sooner, she would know the best way to love you was not to bring you into this world!"

For the first time, Tang Yuan was profoundly shaken by such words.

She had always felt her mother loved her deeply, but sometimes that love made her feel suffocated.

The past Tang Yuan had also occasionally thought it would have been better if her mother had not given birth to her, but those were just fleeting thoughts. She never expected her mother to have the same notion.

Not giving birth is not because of a lack of love. But because of too much love. This is what Jiang Su wanted to tell Tang Yuan.

How can you bear to see someone you love suffer, get hurt, and endure so many hardships?

Tang Yuan seemed to understand her mother's intentions.

Jiang Su used the comparison between Li Xia and Tang Yuan to illustrate that the entanglement between mother and daughter was a prime example.

Besides, Jiang Su believed what could also move Tang Yuan was: "Have you considered what would happen if you encountered that man again after having the child?"

Still reeling from the shock of the previous conversation, Tang Yuan was taken aback upon hearing Jiang Su's words.

Jiang Su: "Whether you acknowledge it or not, this child will always carry half of that man's blood. As long as he exists, there can never be a complete severance between you and that man. Yuan Yuan, do you really want to remain entangled with that man?"

No, Tang Yuan's heart immediately responded. I don't want to.

Seeing Tang Yuan's expression, Jiang Su continued, "Perhaps after giving birth, you might hide your surname and evade that man, but who can guarantee you can avoid him for a lifetime? What if one day he encounters you and the baby? What can you do? And what if he wants to take the baby away? Even more, if he's already married with children, what would your baby become then? Do you understand?"

Tang Yuan understood. How could she not? If one day Shen Yi really got married and had other children, then her child would merely be called illegitimate...

In an instant, all color drained from Tang Yuan's face. Through Jiang Su's words, she also thought of much more than just being a single mother or having an illegitimate child. If she really gave birth and Shen Yi one day found out and wanted to take the child away, what could she use to fight him?

The more Tang Yuan thought, the paler she became, realizing how naive and foolish she had been. What made her think giving birth to this child was for his benefit? What made her believe the child would want to be born into such a family? And what made her think, now that she and Shen Yi had broken up, this child naturally had nothing to do with Shen Yi?

Blinded by brief joy and impulse, Tang Yuan finally saw the thorns behind the blossoming flowers.

With tears in her eyes, she firmly grasped Jiang Su's hand, "Mom, I understand now. I'll listen to you."

The child that would have stood by Shen Yi's side five years later, bringing Tang Yuan and Shen Yi together, was terminated at the zygote stage.

When Tang Yuan was wheeled out of the operating room, she was a bit dazed. She did feel a bit of loss for the child, but not as much as she had anticipated.

Since the pregnancy was in its early stages, terminating it was much simpler than Tang Yuan had imagined, and she found herself more at peace than expected.

Though an abortion still harms the body, Jiang Su insisted Tang Yuan properly recuperate, taking care of her meticulously during her confinement.

Fortunately, with Lin Le from her first life, Jiang Su, who had been a mother for ten years and had gone from knowing nothing about cooking to being quite skilled, was able to take good care of Tang Yuan.

Cared for by Jiang Su, Tang Yuan recuperated while pondering how she could earn money.

This period was tumultuous for Tang Yuan, leaving her bedridden and nearly depleting her savings.

Without finding a way to earn money soon, both of them would be facing starvation and homelessness.

"Your health isn't fully recovered yet, why rush to work? Better rest at home for now," Jiang Su advised.

Tang Yuan replied, "I'm fine now, mom. The doctor said it was a minor operation, and I'm recovering well. I can start working now."

Seeing Tang Yuan's determination, Jiang Su reluctantly agreed.

Soon, Tang Yuan began to work part-time, leaving early and returning late.

Despite just graduating from college, Tang Yuan's history of part-time work made finding a job relatively easy for her.

She worked two jobs a day.

The first job was as an English tutor. Tang Yuan's academic performance was excellent, and she attended one of the top universities in the country. If it weren't for the sudden pregnancy and her breakup with Shen Yi disrupting her plans, she could have secured a very good offer.

The second job was as an event model. This job paid well, allowing her to earn seven to eight hundred for three to four hours of work, but it was not very stable because there weren't model gigs every day.

That day, there happened to be a message in Tang Yuan's group about a need for an event model. Tang Yuan went there early, and upon arrival at the venue, a person she knew greeted her and then took her to meet the main person in charge.

"Brother Xu," the person in charge introduced Tang Yuan to a man of medium build and a friendly appearance, "This is Tang Yuan, the one I mentioned to you."

The main person in charge looked Tang Yuan up and down and then nodded in appreciation, "She looks even more like her in person than in the photos."

"Having been around Tang Yuan for a while, I never paid much attention, but now that you mention it, she really does resemble her," the familiar person in charge said with a laugh.

Tang Yuan felt perplexed and slightly frowned. After what happened with Shen Yi, she became very sensitive to any comments about her resembling someone else. If she hadn't been restraining herself, she would have asked in a displeased tone.

"Let's go, hurry up. It's about to start, Tang Yuan, you should go change," said the main person in charge.

Tang Yuan then bid farewell to the two and slowly headed to the backstage of the venue, which was bustling with activity.

Tang Yuan explained her situation to the staff maintaining order at the venue, and they immediately led her to a makeup room.

In the past, as a model, she had to pay for her makeup out of her own pocket, but now they also provided makeup artists for part-time models like her.

Tang Yuan sat in front of the vanity mirror, letting the makeup artist work on her.

"Your skin is really nice," the makeup artist genuinely complimented.

Tang Yuan smiled politely with her eyes closed, then modestly demurred.

"I mean it, you have a great foundation and you're beautiful," said the makeup artist, who had seen many attractive individuals due to her profession, yet found Tang Yuan particularly striking because her features truly stood out more than the average person.

"...Thank you." Tang Yuan didn't know what else to say besides this.

After a while, once the makeup artist applied the final layer of makeup, her assistant, seeing Tang Yuan's face, was shocked: "Oh my, she looks exactly alike, like a carbon copy!"

The makeup artist rarely nodded in agreement with her assistant's remark.

Tang Yuan, reclining on the chair, slowly opened her eyes, intending to ask who these people thought she resembled. Suddenly, she saw her reflection in the mirror.

She was stunned on the spot.

For a moment, Tang Yuan felt her blood rush, her whole body unsettled.

Written in the early hours of the morning, there are many errors to catch.

Chapter 32

The Third Daughter

Tang Yuan stared at the mirror in a daze.

The reflection showed her features, subtly enhanced by the makeup artist, though not drastically altered, her temperament underwent a complete transformation. Originally, Tang Yuan's sensitive and somewhat stubborn nature gave her eyes a hint of coldness. However, after the makeover, the aloofness disappeared, replaced by a gentle and flowing demeanor.

The astonishing beauty, coupled with a tender and affectionate expression, undoubtedly made her more captivating, but Tang Yuan did not like her current appearance at all. Because she resembled Song Xue almost exactly.

"Master, your skills are incredible! Look at her now, if you don't pay close attention, you'd think she was Song Xue herself, so similar!" The makeup artist's apprentice, Xizi, exclaimed with admiration.

The makeup artist chuckled and tapped on her head, "It's not my brilliance; this young lady naturally resembles Song Xue, hence the current look."

After saying that, she turned back to Tang Yuan's reflection in the mirror, full of admiration.

Indeed very similar.

If one didn't know about Song Xue's status, just by looking at Tang Yuan's current appearance, one might truly believe she and Song Xue were sisters.

Song Xue, a leading actress in the entertainment industry. She debuted at fifteen, co-starring with various top stars in TV dramas, which shot her to fame. She then crossed over to both film and television, with every project becoming a hit. At twenty, she became the youngest nominee for Best Actress and, at twenty-two, she won both film and television's top awards, becoming the youngest actress in the entertainment industry to achieve such a feat.

Song Xue herself had almost become a legend. Since her debut, her illustrious family background was revealed: her great-grandfather was one of the founding generals, her grandfather and uncle held significant government positions, her father, though not in politics, was a renowned scholar domestically, and her mother was a diplomat. Her maternal family was known for their wealth in the country.

With such a distinguished background, Song Xue could have easily received numerous resources without effort, elevating her status. However, Song Xue seemed to be the child favored by fortune, blessed with not just an eminent family but also unparalleled talent and dedication in acting.

Almost every director who worked with her grew fond of her, as she could transform into the characters of the scripts she was given, portraying them with authenticity and vitality.

With a large management team, a serious approach to acting, and quality scripts, Song Xue's career soared. Any TV drama or movie she participated in saw high viewership and box office success domestically, earning her the nickname "Lucky Doll" within the industry, which later became "Nation's Lucky Doll."

Debuting at fifteen, Song Xue has been in the industry for twelve years without a single scandal, and her national popularity spans across all age groups.

Tang Yuan, during her school years, became interested in Song Xue due to classmates and friends commenting on their resemblance, eventually becoming a fan, charmed by Song Xue's allure.

Initially, she was thrilled to resemble her idol, but over time, she wished she didn't share such similarities...

Tang Yuan's mind drifted back to a month ago, a day filled with despair and severed all her ties with love.

It was three days into the cold war following their first argument. Despite their past sweetness and her deep affection for Shen Yi, even though his reaction to her pregnancy wasn't as joyous as she had hoped, even suggesting she terminate it, she couldn't let go and sought reconciliation.

Despite the pain, Tang Yuan's love for Shen Yi outweighed her unexpected pregnancy, so she hoped for any reason from him - whether he disliked children, thought it wasn't the right time, or intended to remain child-free. Any reason would do, as long as Shen Yi said it, she would agree.

But she never anticipated the reason Shen Yi would give, one she couldn't bear.

The impeccably clean rosewood door, with a faint fragrance, was left ajar, presumably unanticipated visitors, leaving a gap through which sharp words could be heard.

"—If she doesn't want to, why not just take her to get it done? Could she really resist you?" Tang Yuan recognized the voice from inside as one of Shen Yi's brothers she had met, a man of gentle appearance and demeanor, reportedly a lawyer.

"Exactly, why so worried over just a woman? If this one doesn't obey, just replace her. It's not like there's a shortage of women in the world, or just find someone else resembling Song Xue." Tang Yuan had also met this speaker, another of Shen Yi's friends, known for his delicate looks and lively personality, the youngest in their circle, who always called her sister-in-law.

"Easier said than done. Do you think Song Xue's face is as common as cabbage on the streets, easily found everywhere? Over the years, besides Tang Yuan, have you seen anyone else who resembles Song Xue?" This voice belonged to another of Shen Yi's brothers, who was running an entertainment company. Though not overly warm, his treatment towards Tang Yuan was relatively kind.

"Ah—believe it or not, I actually saw someone a few days ago, a young model, only seventeen, looking about sixty percent like her. Yi Ge, want me to introduce you?"

"Will you shut up? Can't you see Yi Ge is troubled?"

"Hey, hey, hey—I'm just trying to cheer up Yi Ge. Besides, didn't Yi Ge initially like Tang Yuan because of her looks? Now that things are unhappy, why not just find someone else, no need to be so gloomy, right?"

"Or is it—Yi Ge, have you actually fallen for Tang Yuan?"

The room fell into silence instantly. Tang Yuan stood at the door, her strength to knock dissipating entirely.

She felt trapped in a nightmare, where the people inside were entirely different from those in her memories. She wished she could wake up. How great would it be if this nightmare could stop?

But it seemed like heaven hadn't heard her prayers. The person inside, who had whispered sweet nothings to her countless times and comforted her with gentle words, now spoke with sarcasm and mockery in a tone utterly foreign to Tang Yuan.

"—What do you think?"

Light laughter echoed in the room.

But for Tang Yuan, that moment turned utterly cold, plunging her into darkness.

Tang Yuan closed her eyes, then reopened them and asked the makeup artist in the mirror, "Could you... change the makeup on my face?"

"Huh?" Before the makeup artist could respond, the young apprentice interjected, "Why change it? You look great this way. These days, even if others want to look like Song Xue, they can't. You're naturally born this way, which is fantastic. Don't you like Song Xue?"

Tang Yuan: "Yes, I don't like her."

The apprentice was taken aback: "..." All the praises and excitement about seeing Tang Yuan in such a state were swallowed down, turning into a feeling of "Wow".

"Not that... Can you tell me why you don't like her?" Till now, Song Xue had been a well-reputed star in the entertainment industry, and the apprentice had never encountered someone who openly disliked her idol. Tang Yuan was the first.

Tang Yuan remained silent, just looked at the makeup artist and insisted, "Can you change the makeup?"

"Sorry, we can't," the makeup artist replied upon hearing this. Tang Yuan asked why, and the makeup artist said, "Your makeup was specifically instructed by the director. If there's an issue, you'll have to speak with them."

So Tang Yuan really went to see them.

The director mentioned by the makeup artist was the main person in charge Tang Yuan had met earlier, who spoke and felt as gentle and warm as he seemed, yet also possessed hidden sharpness.

It was through this director that Tang Yuan learned about the role she was to play today.

— Again, a stand-in.

Venues hiring temporary event models like this are mostly for promoting a company's products, and today's event was a small-scale car show. The cars on the outer circle were from less prominent brands, which is why they needed to market their company.

Hiring car models for car shows is one tactic because, besides cars, beauties also attract attention.

Additionally, Tang Yuan had another role: to impersonate Song Xue.

The director straightforwardly told Tang Yuan that they were willing to pay a high price for her because she resembled Song Xue. Just by dressing her up a bit and hanging a banner with "Song Xue's" name in front of the venue.

With Song Xue's popularity, this would be the best marketing strategy.

Perhaps they didn't consider she might disagree, or maybe they didn't think she would dislike being compared to Song Xue, but the person responsible for liaising really didn't inform Tang Yuan this job would require such.

Tang Yuan said she didn't want to take this job anymore.

However, the main person in charge was unwilling to let her go. The car show was about to start, and they had already hung the banner; the gimmick of "Song Xue's personal appearance" had been advertised, how could he possibly let Tang Yuan leave now? If she left, where would he find another fake Song Xue on such short notice?

"Miss Tang, how about this, considering our oversight, we're willing to double the payment we initially prepared for you, would you agree to stay?"

Tang Yuan accepted this job, initially compensated at four hundred per hour. Doubling the payment meant she would earn eight hundred per hour.

Tang Yuan couldn't resist this temptation.

In the end, Tang Yuan stayed, and the director instructed her to be featured in the finale.

As time passed, the number of attendees at the car show increased. As expected by the director, the mention of "Song Xue" drew significantly more people to their booth than others, doubling the crowd due to her high popularity, even with the quoted "Song Xue" presence.

With the music, other part-time car models slowly made their entrance. While there were photographs taken by the audience, most were eagerly waiting, curious about the advertised "Song Xue" and her actual involvement.

After a round of models walked, the audience voiced their doubts and complaints.

"Who wants to see these? Didn't your promotion say Song Xue was coming? Where is she? We want to see Song Xue!"

"Exactly. We haven't seen her for so long; are you making false promotions, deliberately deceiving us?!"

"Everyone, please calm down, please calm down," the onstage host calmly took control, hinting in his response to the audience's queries, "Please be assured, our Xifeng never engages in false advertising. Today, we truly have 'Song Xue' here."

The crowd exchanged looks, skeptical on one hand, thinking it impossible for Song Xue herself to appear at such an event; yet, on the other hand, harboring a faint hope of really seeing their dream goddess up close.

The noise from the crowd was somewhat chaotic but undeniably captivating. The crowd gathered in front of the stage grew larger, and seeing the timing right, the director had Tang Yuan make her entrance, circling the latest SUV model from Xifeng Company.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

As soon as Tang Yuan appeared, she triggered screams from the audience, who at first glance, truly mistook her for Song Xue herself.

The crowd below erupted into chaos, and if not for the director's prior arrangements to have someone block in front of the SUV, they might have swarmed towards Tang Yuan.

"Song Xue! It's really Song Xue!"

"My God! I can't believe I'm this close to my goddess! Ahhhhh! Song Xue! Look over here!"

The overwhelming shouts nearly made Tang Yuan lose her composure. She took a deep breath in secret and stood in front of the SUV, letting the crowd take photos.

The buzz was most intense at her initial appearance, but gradually, many in the crowd calmed down and realized she only looked very much like Song Xue but was not Song Xue herself.

At this moment, the host also followed protocol, coming up with a smile to introduce Tang Yuan. Those in marketing know not to overdo it; using "Song Xue's" name is fine, but there needed to be some explanation.

Standing beside Tang Yuan, the host kept the atmosphere lively while introducing her. Tang Yuan cooperated well with the host, thanks to her previous experiences, so her performance was not lacking.

Joking, self-deprecating, playful, and picking up the host's cues, the scene was very lively. Although there was a slight disappointment in the audience for not seeing Song Xue herself, they were excited seeing Tang Yuan's beautiful face, which closely resembled Song Xue's.

This car show by Xifeng was undoubtedly a great success. Even just the time Tang Yuan spent in front of that SUV, Xifeng's sales volume on-site reached several times the total of the previous car show days.

Not to mention the overall success of the day.

The people from Xifeng Company were overjoyed with the outcome.

The director from Xifeng even added an extra two hundred on top of the previously agreed eight hundred when paying Tang Yuan's fee.

This somewhat alleviated Tang Yuan's fatigue.

That evening, instead of having dinner at home, Tang Yuan happily took Jiang Su out to dine and then shopping. Tang Yuan bought Jiang Su two outfits, and they didn't return home until nearly ten o'clock.

Exhausted from the day, Tang Yuan slept deeply that night, dreamlessly. The next morning, her phone began to ring incessantly.

Groggily, Tang Yuan answered the call, only to be met with her college roommate's roaring voice: "—Damn! Tang Yuan, you've gone viral!"

Han Xue's background, Liu Yifei's beauty, Hu Ge's reputation.

My female supporting character is incredibly awesome.

Chapter 33

The Third Daughter

Li Rui, an avid traveler, happened to be touring A City the day of the Xi Feng Company's car show, so he decided to visit. His initial intention was merely to enjoy and take photos, but like many, the company's conspicuous banner was too enticing.

Drawn by the "Song Xue" mention, he joined the crowd waiting at Xi Feng Company's booth.

As a die-hard fan of Song Xue, Li Rui had collected countless items related to her over the years. He had even waited at airports to see her, so the chance to see "Song Xue" in person, although doubtful, was too good to pass up.

Li Rui and many others were curious about the promotional stunt Xi Feng Company used, only to be surprised that they indeed found someone who looked strikingly similar to Song Xue.

Initially, Li Rui mistook Tang Yuan on stage for the real Song Xue, and his interest intensified upon realizing she wasn't the actual celebrity.

The car show was a small-scale event, and it was understandable for the organizers to seek attention to attract traffic. The attendees, drawn by the stunt and seeing Tang Yuan's resemblance to Song Xue, harbored no malice, mainly feeling intrigued and thus took photos and videos enthusiastically.

Many on-site, like Li Rui, were curious about Tang Yuan's face, which resembled Song Xue's, leading them to share photos and videos online after the event.

Their casual shares were meant just for showing off.

However, given Song Xue's high popularity and the traffic she commanded, the uploads featuring Tang Yuan, who resembled Song Xue closely, gradually gained popularity.

By evening, hashtags #SongXueCarShow and #SongXueSisters appeared on Weibo's hot search.

Original attendees like Li Rui, who didn't think much of taking photos and videos, found it interesting, akin to encountering a beautiful woman resembling a celebrity unexpectedly in real life.

As the situation escalated, and Li Rui's Weibo post made it to hot search, other fans and the general public, initially shocked, realized it was a promotional gimmick using a lookalike of their idol at the car show.

While they breathed a sigh of relief, they also became displeased.

Any issue, once posted online, can spark significant debate. With the vast number of netizens today, anything shared online reaches a wide and diverse audience, naturally stirring up considerable noise.

Tang Yuan's resemblance to Song Xue has been noted for a while, but her previous modeling gigs never caused a stir mainly because she wasn't specifically asked to impersonate Song Xue, nor did those organizers pay much attention to leveraging this for promotion.

This time, as online sentiment began to shift, Xifeng Company's executives immediately seized the opportunity, instructing their PR team to hype it up. After all, wasn't the car show and hiring Tang Yuan all about marketing and promotion?

What could be more effective and wide-reaching in terms of marketing than trending on social media?

Xifeng Company believed they had captured a perfect opportunity, thus the tag #SongXueCarShow gradually gained traction and eventually hit the headlines.

However, while the topic heated up as expected, the online reception did not align with their hopes.

Those who were merely surprised and commented on the uncanny resemblance between Tang Yuan and Song Xue were in the minority.

Most fans of Song Xue and the general public reacted negatively.

"I thought it was really related to my dear Song Xue, only to find it's a fake. Shame on using my Song Xue's name for malicious marketing, how dare this company!"

"First, I don't see the resemblance; second, I want to officially criticize this crappy car show and this lousy company. Malicious marketing much? Think you can drag my Song Xue into this? What kind of hot search is this, having anything to do with my Song Xue?"

"Really hurts my Song Xue. Who knows where this nobody came from, trying to hog the limelight. Resemble, my foot! Is this woman crazy for fame or what?!"

"I don't know if this woman is crazy for fame, but this company definitely is crazy for money. [Smile] [Smile] [Smile] Seriously criticize this trash company, please stay away from my Song Xue!"

The originally moderate online comments were quickly overwhelmed by waves of negativity, further fueling the hostile atmosphere.

Fans of Song Xue were particularly displeased. Although they understood this matter had nothing to do with Song Xue herself, they couldn't help feeling annoyed. Normally, if a netizen stumbled upon a pretty girl resembling Song Xue, they'd just laugh it off and remark on the similarity.

But this time was different. Xifeng Company deliberately used Song Xue's name for their scheme, and Tang Yuan was purposely made up to look like Song Xue. Even if she resembled Song Xue, fans would not appreciate it, feeling their idol was insulted.

Thus, online comments became increasingly negative and extreme.

Xifeng Company's clever tactic backfired, dragging both the company and Tang Yuan into controversy.

Tang Yuan indeed became famous.

But not for reasons to be proud of.

She became known as the person who deliberately impersonated Song Xue at the car show. Although the main criticism wasn't directed at her, she still faced considerable backlash.

Online, many netizens were cursing her, and as the situation escalated, some even doxxed her.

By the next morning, when Tang Yuan received a call from her college roommate, her Weibo account, which originally had only ninety followers, had suddenly surged by tens of thousands, most of whom were malicious.

Tang Yuan was initially unaware of the situation. After her roommate called, she nervously went online to see that her posts were flooded with malicious comments, and her inbox was filled with indecent messages.

She barely read a few comments before she couldn't bear to look any further, turning off her phone and throwing it under her covers with a pale face.

"Yuan Yuan, it's time to eat."

Outside, Jiang Wei had prepared breakfast and called for Tang Yuan, who responded and then went to wash her face in the bathroom, mustering her spirits before going out.

The online storm indeed affected Tang Yuan, as she was targeted by netizens and Song Xue's fans. However, she knew she had no power or means to resolve it. Her only option was to ignore it, hoping that with time, the issue would fade away.

While she thought this way, others were not so kind as to let her off easily.

Jiang Weiwei was once close to Shen Yi, being well-treated by him before he met Tang Yuan.

He provided her with resources, status, and fame, allowing her a smooth sail in the entertainment industry.

However, everything changed after Shen Yi met Tang Yuan.

Initially, Jiang Weiwei thought Tang Yuan was just like her and the other women around Shen Yi - a plaything, valued only for her appearance.

But when Shen Yi cut ties with them for Tang Yuan, Jiang Weiwei realized he felt differently about Tang Yuan.

Though it all started because of physical attraction, and they were all treated as lovers, Shen Yi had other women while with Jiang Weiwei. But within less than half a year with Tang Yuan, he ended things with Jiang Weiwei and the others.

This clear difference made Jiang Weiwei extremely resentful and jealous. She could accept being seen as a plaything or a stand-in, comforting herself that since his heart wasn't with them, none could truly have him.

But Jiang Weiwei couldn't accept that Shen Yi would abandon them all for one person.

Shen Yi's difference in treatment towards Tang Yuan made Jiang Weiwei feel humiliated and sad. Over the years, Jiang Weiwei tried both overtly and covertly to seduce Shen Yi, hoping to return to his side, but Shen Yi never accepted her advances. It was as if he had given his heart away, focusing all his attention on Tang Yuan and protecting her so well that Jiang Weiwei couldn't touch her.

Jiang Weiwei had long harbored resentment towards Tang Yuan.

However, until recently, because she had been focused on luring Shen Yi and hadn't paid much attention to Tang Yuan, she hadn't taken any action against her.

But now, seeing Tang Yuan's misfortune on the trending topics, Jiang Weiwei wouldn't miss such a perfect opportunity to strike.

"Sister Weiwei."

Sitting in front of the makeup mirror drawing her eyebrows, Jiang Weiwei saw her assistant enter and asked with a slight lift of her eyes, "Is everything done?"

The assistant nodded, "All done. I've sent those negative materials to several media outlets. But since Tang Yuan herself isn't very famous, those media feel that exposing those things wouldn't generate much buzz, so I had to offer them more money."

In the entertainment industry, the value of the person being discredited matters; since Tang Yuan was a nobody, even with scandals, there wouldn't be much traffic or interest, forcing the media to demand a higher price from the seller.

After finishing her eyebrows and applying lipstick, Jiang Weiwei lightly pursed her lips and said, "As long as the job is done well, I don't care how much more money it costs."

"Understood."

Jiang Weiwei then tidied her hair and cautioned, "Keep a close eye on this matter. Don't mess it up, and make sure it doesn't trace back to us, got it?"

Jiang Weiwei was still unsure of Shen Yi's feelings towards Tang Yuan and worried that he might defend Tang Yuan, so she instructed her staff to leave no trace behind. She still hoped to rekindle her relationship with Shen Yi and didn't want to ruin everything because of Tang Yuan.

"Sister Weiwei, don't worry, it won't trace back to us," assured the assistant. After all, Jiang Weiwei wasn't the only ex-lover Shen Yi had cut off for Tang Yuan, so pinning the blame for this attack on Tang Yuan wouldn't be far-fetched.

"Good," Jiang Weiwei nodded lightly, then looked at herself in the mirror, raising an eyebrow to ask her assistant, "How do I look?"

"Beautiful," replied the assistant. "Sister Weiwei, you look good in anything. President Shen will definitely be captivated by you today!"

"You're just sweet-talking," Jiang Weiwei flirted, her eyes swirling with confidence.

Since Tang Yuan and Shen Yi parted ways, many women have thrown themselves at Shen Yi, but only she made further progress with him. This shows that Shen Yi still holds a torch for her.

A trace of ruthlessness flashed through Jiang Weiwei's eyes, determined to win Shen Yi over this time. She believed that what Tang Yuan could do, she could do too!

Chapter 34

The Third Daughter

"Ever since she went to college, she has never contacted us. Every time I call her, she curses at me... I know she despises me for being poor, thinking I'm not fit to be her father, but after all these years, she's still my daughter. If possible, I just hope you can find her for me, tell her that dad misses them, I just want to see them again, just to see..." Tang's father said with a sorrowful expression on camera.

Li Shi immediately cursed upon hearing this: "Why are you still thinking about them? Both mother and daughter are ruthless. You became crippled and disfigured for that woman, and she despised you in return. Over the years at home, they did nothing but curse and beat you. Finally, when you managed to send that white-eyed wolf to college, they thought they had climbed the social ladder! They never returned home and wished to see us dead! Why bother with such venomous women?!"

Tang's father shrank back, seemingly pained by Li Shi's words, yet insisted, "They are, after all, my daughter and wife, mom, I believe they have their reasons." He looked into the camera again, "Xia, Yuan Yuan, dad is waiting at home for you. Can you come back and see dad?"

Li Shi seemed exasperated: "You..."

She gave her son a disgruntled look, then turned and walked away.

The photographer followed her out. Li Shi sat beside a pile of firewood, her expression full of anger, then suddenly started wailing, slapping her thighs.

"What sin did my family commit to marry such a disaster and give birth to such a retribution?"

"Where did my son go wrong towards them? Yes, we're poor, we have no money, but everything they wanted, my son provided as much as he could! In our village, he was the only college student. For years, to fund her education, my son has been scraping by. But how did they repay us? The elder one shameless, flirting around, causing my son to be beaten, breaking his leg and disfiguring his face; the younger one follows suit, despising my son from a young age. After moving to the city, she messed around with men... What sin did my family commit? My son still thinks of them, but what about them? They probably wish we were dead..."

"I know they've climbed the social ladder and have money now, so they want to leave us. But if they want to leave, then leave. An old and a crippled person like us can't stop them. That damned witch even wants us dead, so we won't bother them anymore! What kind of conscience do they have, to be so cruel..."

Li Shi cried and sniffled for about half an hour. The photographer gestured to her, indicating enough. She immediately stopped, wiped her face with her sleeve, smiling through her wrinkles, "Is that okay?"

The photographer responded indifferently, "Yeah. It's fine."

Li Shi rubbed her hands eagerly, "And the money...?"

A photographer handed an envelope to the Li family with disdain.

Mrs. Li was ecstatic upon receiving it, delighted by the thick stack of cash, remarking on its abundance.

They hadn't paid as much for Li Xia even when pooling resources.

Mrs. Li never expected that the departure of that detestable mother and daughter could still generate income for them. Following Jiang Su's tumultuous exit, Mrs. Li and Tang's father, having survived without managing to track down Jiang Su, cursed them daily.

Later, Mrs. Li thought their curses had taken effect when some people arrived in their village, offering money for a performance to tarnish Tang Yuan and her mother's reputation. Bearing a deep hatred for Jiang Su after the previous assault and near-death experience, she agreed without hesitation upon hearing it involved financial gain against the mother and daughter.

"This is what you deserve," said the photographer indifferently.

Mrs. Li, grinning widely, exclaimed they're welcome to return for similar jobs anytime.

The photographer, despite his internal disdain, maintained a composed exterior.

A Weibo self-media named Apple Video leaked a sensational news piece titled "Impoverished Wife Conspires Against Husband and Mother-in-Law, College Daughter Disowns Father and Grandmother," detailing how a woman from Wutong Village in Qingshi City, Leshan Province, conspired with her college-going daughter to harm her husband and mother-in-law due to their poverty and unattractiveness, and then fled. The college student mentioned is Tang, recently famous for resembling Song Xue. More details in the link. Apple Video on Weishi.

After the Apple Video Weibo post, several influential public figures reposted it with angry emojis, expressing outrage over the incident.

EntertainmentBrotherV: [I can't believe there are people like this in the world! Just because her husband is poor, she wanted to take his and his mother's lives! Did a dog eat your conscience?!]

SinaQingshanV: [Angry]/Repost AppleVideoV: [Wife conspires against poor husband and mother-in-law, college daughter disowns father and grandmother] A woman from Wutong Village, Qingshi City, Leshan Province, despised her husband for being poor and ugly, and conspired with her college-going daughter to harm her husband and mother-in-law, then fled the home. Reportedly, this college student is the recently exposed Tang, who resembles Song Xue closely. More details in the link. Apple Video on Weishi.

"[Angry] Are these mother and daughter animals? How could they do such a thing?! No matter how poor, those were your family members for decades, and you just decided to harm them?!"

"[Disgusted] Editor, please change the copy, [Smile] That woman doesn't look like my little Xue at all, thank you. A person with such a disgusting heart should not be associated with my little Xue."

"[Disgusted] I had a feeling that woman was no good, and I was right!"

"Trash. Both mother and daughter are trash! [Angry]"

"To impersonate my little Xue, really makes me sick. Police, please arrest them and don't let them out to harm others!"

Tang Yuan's impersonation of Song Xue was still hot online, but the controversy sparked by Apple Video's post stirred significant public outrage. Netizens were enraged by words like poverty, conspiracy against husband and mother-in-law, and college student.

Tang Yuan was thus dragged into an even bigger quagmire.

"Ms. Tang's last incident was indeed an accident. Xi Feng Company wanted to hype for marketing but used the wrong method, hence implicating Ms. Tang," the assistant reported to Shen Yi, "But this time, someone deliberately orchestrated it. Miss Jiang's assistant filmed a video at Ms. Tang's hometown and then tipped off several media outlets to escalate the situation."

Despite Jiang Weiwei's assistant's caution in shifting the blame, the assistant easily identified the mastermind. Having observed how Tang Yuan and Shen Yi came together and then parted, the assistant, more than anyone—even Shen Yi himself—understood Shen Yi's feelings. Thus, he spared no effort in investigating the matter concerning Tang Yuan.

"It seems her heart isn't set on the entertainment industry, then let's inform Director Dong to give her some rest. And for the last movie's female lead, let's have Director Xu replace her," Shen Yi said coldly upon learning that Jiang Weiwei was behind the scheme. He despised manipulation among his circles and had warned before, but Jiang Weiwei apparently hadn't learned her lesson.

"Yes," the assistant wasn't surprised by Shen Yi's decision to freeze out Jiang Weiwei. He had seen how much Shen Yi doted on Tang Yuan over the years. Even after their fallout, Shen Yi hadn't been harsh on Tang Yuan, leaving no room for others to meddle.

"She..." Shen Yi hesitated after instructing about Jiang Weiwei.

The assistant intuited, "Ms. Tang is currently in A City, living with her mother."

"I didn't ask about her!" Shen Yi snapped.

The assistant bowed his head.

Irritated, Shen Yi waved him away, "Go, go!"

The assistant turned to leave.

"Wait—"

The assistant stopped in their tracks, turning back to look at Shen Yi, who frowned and said softly, "Send me... the address."

The assistant, not surprised at all, replied, "Yes."

Three hours later, Shen Yi stood complexly outside Tang Yuan's rental apartment, smoking one cigarette after another.

After getting Tang Yuan's address, he impulsively booked a flight over, but once he arrived, he found himself unsure of how to face her.

Shen Yi and Tang Ya's breakup was quite ugly. One felt deceived and furious, while the other was chilled to the bone by the cold reality. The confrontation was out of control.

Shen Yi thought Tang Ya was too good at pretending. He thought she was different from other women, a girl of gentle and compliant nature with simple thoughts. But Tang Ya showed him that her lack of demands was not due to simplicity, but because of her great ambition; she aimed not just for wealth but for the position of Mrs. Shen of the Shen family.

Initially, when Shen Yi found out about Tang Ya's pregnancy, he was extremely disappointed and angry. He hated being manipulated the most. Tang Ya getting pregnant behind his back and trying to force him into marriage crossed his bottom line. Allowing Tang Ya to abort the child was already his greatest tolerance towards her.

But Tang Ya refused.

Shen Yi had his first argument with Tang Ya over the child's issue. After the argument, he didn't want to face Tang Ya anymore and went to drink with his brothers. He told them all about Tang Ya, and his brothers said he was too lenient with her. They believed the only way to deal with such a woman was to decisively make her abort the child and then kick her out.

At that time, Shen Yi didn't quite agree with his brothers. He just wanted Tang Ya to abort the child, but he still wanted her.

However, he didn't want to admit it. When his brothers jokingly asked if he really had fallen for Tang Ya, he coldly responded, "What do you think?"

Whether or not he had really fallen for Tang Ya, Shen Yi didn't want to delve into it. All he knew was that he was harboring a fire inside, a fire he felt was ignited by Tang Ya's deception.

And that day, Shen Yi never expected Tang Ya to come looking for him and overhear everything outside his door.

Honestly, when Shen Yi saw Tang Ya entering the door, he felt a bit panicked and guilty. But it was just a little bit.

And just that little bit vanished when Tang Ya slapped him.

Shen Yi was so enraged that he too slapped Tang Ya back, yelling, "What do you think you are, Tang Ya? If it weren't for your face, do you think I'd have looked at you? Wanting to marry me, wanting to be Mrs. Shen, do you think you're worthy?"

"Shen Yi! You bastard!" Tang Ya was probably also stimulated by Shen Yi, and after being slapped, she slapped Shen Yi back.

Shen Yi, even more furious, retaliated and slapped Tang Ya again.

Then Tang Ya hit back, and Shen Yi retaliated once more.

The two of them started fighting furiously.

Shen Yi's brothers on the scene were stunned because they never expected the usually gentle and fragile Tang Ya to be so fierce.

Honestly, just hearing the slaps, they felt the pain. And they were shocked that Tang Ya, seemingly frail and also pregnant, managed to overpower an adult man for a while.

Shen Yi's brothers were dumbfounded for a moment, then hurriedly joined the fray to separate Shen Yi and Tang Ya...

Now, thinking back to the chaotic scene, Shen Yi felt his scalp tingle.

At that time, Tang Ya grabbed his hair with such force that it left a bald spot on his head. Later, he even had to undergo hair transplantation and hid at home for half a month before he could face people again!

Damn it!

Shen Yi felt his temper flare up again. He took a deep drag of his cigarette, then fiercely stomped the butt on the ground, intending to head straight into the building.

"—Shen Yi?" A voice suddenly came from behind him.

Shen Yi jumped, turned around, and saw Jiang Su and Tang Ya not far behind him.

He stared at Tang Ya, frozen.

"What are you doing here?" Tang Ya clutched her bag tightly, exerting a lot of effort to keep from showing weakness in front of Shen Yi.

"You..." Shen Yi wanted to speak but paused, unsure of what to say. After a moment, he finally said, "Yu Cheng told me about the situation online. I've found out who's been targeting you. Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Tang Ya trembled slightly, Jiang Su suddenly held her hand. Tang Ya glanced at Jiang Su, felt reassured, and said to Shen Yi, "So you came for this? I see, you can leave now."

Saying this, she and Jiang Su prepared to walk past Shen Yi into the building.

"Wait." Shen Yi called out to her.

Tang Ya stopped in her tracks, took a deep breath, and then turned to look at him: "Do you have anything else?"

For some reason, facing such a cold and hard Tang Ya, Shen Yi felt extremely irritable and uneasy. On his way here, he had imagined all the possible reactions from Tang Ya upon seeing him—joy, awkwardness, anger, and more... but calm was not among them.

Why could Tang Ya be so calm? Didn't she like him? They had been together for so long, and it hadn't been that long since they parted. He couldn't stay calm upon seeing her, so why could she?

Filled with questions, Shen Yi hesitated before finally asking, "...you, the child..."

Tang Ya replied, "I aborted it."

Tang Ya didn't wait for Shen Yi to finish speaking before she gave her response.

Shen Yi felt a sudden tightness in his chest and blurted out, "Why?!"

Tang Ya found it ironic and actually laughed, "Wasn't it you who told me to do it?"

Facing Tang Ya's sarcastic gaze, Shen Yi felt a surge of irritation and anger, "But didn't you say you loved him and didn't want to abort? That's your child, how could you bear it?!"

Shen Yi couldn't understand why, upon hearing that Tang Ya really had the abortion, he didn't feel the relief he expected, but instead was filled with irritation and anger. He wondered, why could Tang Ya give up so easily? Didn't she really want the child at that time? Didn't she want to use the child to force him into marriage? How could she just give up so easily?

"I really misjudged you, Tang Ya! You got pregnant on purpose to force me into marrying you, and now that he's of no use to you, you just give up on him so easily! How could you be so heartless?"

Jiang Su lights a cigarette: "How can you be so disgusting?"

Chapter 35

The Third Daughter

Slap—

Tang Ya slapped Shen Yi.

Shen Yi, fueled by anger, was about to retaliate, but when he saw Tang Ya's expression, his movements suddenly stiffened, and he couldn't bring himself to strike.

Tang Ya cried without wailing, her mouth pursed, tears streaming quietly, resembling someone desperately trying to hold back pain but failing to do so—a pitiful sight.

Shen Yi's raging anger solidified in his heart at this sight.

Tang Ya had been tense from the moment she saw Shen Yi, and his words shattered all her defenses. She had not wanted to cry in front of him, but she couldn't help it.

"Is this what you really think of me?" With tears blurring her vision and her voice hoarse with humiliation, sorrow, indignation, and anger, Tang Ya asked, "Am I sinister, cruel, and ambitious in your eyes because I married you and intentionally got pregnant... Is that how you've always seen me?"

Shen Yi's hand tensed up slightly, his stance rigid, as he stubbornly clung to his prejudices, insisting, "Isn't that the case? We've been together for so many years, I've always used contraception. If it wasn't deliberate on your part, how could you have gotten pregnant?"

Speaking confidently, Shen Yi, who loved his freedom and shirked early responsibilities, had always practiced contraception with Tang Ya. He never planned to have children at this point in his life, yet Tang Ya ended up pregnant! Surely, she must have planned it herself!

Tang Ya opened her mouth to retort that the child was conceived when he was drunk, that they hadn't used contraception then, and it wasn't intentional on her part.

However, these words died in her throat as she looked at Shen Yi's resolute face, unable to utter a single word.

Shen Yi's demeanor convicted her; in his eyes, she was guilty, and nothing she said would matter, her explanations would just seem like feeble excuses...

"So, you've nothing to say and just cry?" Seeing Tang Ya rendered speechless, Shen Yi appeared tough on the surface, but inside, he was incredibly frustrated.

In their five years together, aside from in bed, he seldom saw Tang Ya cry.

In his memory, Tang Ya rarely cried. Despite her gentle nature, she was remarkably strong. The few times she did cry were because of him...

The first and most profound memory Shen Yi had of Tang Ya crying was shortly after they met.

At that time, Tang Ya was eighteen, and he was attracted to her beauty, wanting to pursue her. But she, young and wary, initially refused, her rejection firm.

Not being a patient man, especially since his relationships with other women had always been consensual, he liked Tang Ya's face truly but didn't persist when she refused.

Their coming together was the result of a fortuitous accident.

It was fate.

At the time, Tang Ya was working part-time at a bar to earn money. The bar environment was poor, and her appearance made her prone to trouble.

One day, Tang Ya was forcibly dragged by a drunkard to accompany him at the bar where Shen Yi happened to be. Ironically, Shen Yi wasn't there for Tang Ya but to drown his sorrows over Song Xue being with someone else. Encountering Tang Ya being harassed was a mere coincidence, and he intervened more to vent his frustration than to rescue her.

However, Tang Ya, bless her naive heart, misunderstood his intentions. She thought his intervention was because of her, that he liked her enough to save her. After the fight, while sobbing, she also incessantly thanked him, apologizing for her harsh rejection before.

How to describe her at that moment?

A bit silly, but undeniably adorable.

At that moment, he thought keeping her by his side wouldn't be so bad. But he resolved not to make her cry again; after all, she was young, and her tears were too poignant.

So, throughout their five years together, aside from in bed, he hardly ever upset her.

The memory of her crying after their last fight haunted him for months, unsettling him even as he sought solace in other women.

Seeing Tang Ya like this again stirred mixed feelings within him—irritation mingled with a tender ache, an uncomfortable softness amidst the sourness.

Shen Yi kept telling himself that the woman before him was a schemer, worse than any other woman he had known, believing it would harden his heart against her. He couldn't admit how much she affected him, much like he couldn't understand why he foolishly came to her now.

"You've done what you did, and now you cry for whom to see?" Shen Yi's voice was laced with scorn.

"Get lost!" Tang Ya bit back angrily, ready to slap Shen Yi once more.

Shen Yi caught her wrist, taunting, "Addicted to hitting, are we?"

"Slap—"

Shen Yi, focused solely on Tang Ya, managed to block her in time, but he overlooked Jiang Su standing by.

Jiang Su, having witnessed the entire scene, was torn between frustration at Tang Ya and disgust towards Shen Yi.

Another self-centered, egotistical male lead.

Why do the men in these clichéd plots always have to be so repulsively fascinating?

In fact, from the moment Shen Yi began to criticize Tang Ya about the child, Jiang Su had been tempted to intervene.

Her patience was for the sake of seeing what Tang Ya would say.

Seizing the moment Shen Yi was unguarded, Jiang Su delivered a slap to his face.

Before Shen Yi could recover, Jiang Su began to silently pummel him.

"Scum! Bastard! So it was you who got my Yuan Yuan pregnant and then forced her to abort!" Jiang Su's punches landed heavily; despite not being extensively trained in her previous life, she had more than enough skill to handle Shen Yi.

"You're inhuman! Accusing my Yuan Yuan of getting pregnant on purpose, doesn't it all depend on you? You say you took precautions. Can precautions guarantee a 100% success rate? What if?! If you truly didn't want the child, you should've had the decency not to touch her at all!"

"Despicable scum! How dare you show your face to my Yuan Yuan! How dare you come here and accuse her?!"

"Aborting the child was the right decision! My Yuan Yuan did it because she loved him! Otherwise, having the child only to let him face you as a father someday, my grandson might feel disgusted himself and resent my daughter for not having the abortion!"

While assaulting Shen Yi, Jiang Su berated him. Shen Yi stood no chance against her, his attempts at defense merely provoked Jiang Su to strike harder.

Tang Ya stood dazedly aside, only coming to grasp what was happening moments later, feeling an urge to intervene. But Jiang Su, like a rapid-fire machine gun, finished berating Shen Yi and suddenly turned to yell at Tang Ya.

"What are you spacing out for?! This kind of man, if you don't hit him, what, are you saving him for New Year's?!"

Startled, Tang Ya, remembering all Shen Yi had said and done, fiercely wiped her tears and charged in.

"Hiss—" Shen Yi gasped in shock.

A bystander hurriedly said, "Hey, hey, hey, Old Xu, go easy! Go easy!"

"Can't go easy! Look at his bruises, going easy won't cut it!" Old Xu, clad in a white coat, said as he intensified his efforts.

Shen Yi gasped again, cursing under his breath, "Shit!"

Old Xu coolly responded, "Swearing at me won't help! This is how your injury needs to be treated. If you're not happy, go find the one who did this to you."

Hearing this, Shen Yi glared fiercely at Old Xu.

Feeling the chill at the back of his neck, Old Xu knew Shen Yi was fuming, raised his hands in surrender, "Okay, my bad, I'll stop."

Shen Yi looked away and closed his eyes.

His brother by his side said, "Hey, Yi Bro, this situation... who exactly did this to you?"

Shen Yi's brow twitched, he clenched his teeth, his expression turning ferocious, yet he remained silent.

What could he say?

Could he tell her that he was beaten up by a lover he had just abandoned and her mother, pinned to the ground without the ability to fight back?

A woman in her twenties and a middle-aged mom had left him powerless to retaliate?

Every time Shen Yi thought about the morning's events, he felt an unbearable tightness in his chest. He hadn't expected not only Tang Yuan to be formidable but her mother even more so, pinning him to the ground with no chance to get up! Yet, being beaten by them wasn't the most humiliating part; the worst was being knocked unconscious by them.

When he woke up, he found himself in the hospital surrounded by Yu Cheng and his brothers.

He even heard Yu Cheng say that the woman had called him, and he had been found on the roadside!

Shen Yi was infuriated. Just recalling that scene made the veins on his forehead throb.

"Hey, Brother Yi—" the youngest of his brothers kept asking, only to be silenced by a nudge from another, signaling him to look at Shen Yi's face.

The questioner, initially confused, fell silent upon seeing Shen Yi's expression, swallowing the rest of his words.

In that room, apart from Yu Cheng, who had a bit more understanding since he was directly called by Tang Yuan to pick someone up, everyone else was baffled, wondering who had the guts and capability to leave Shen Yi in such a state.

But Shen Yi, too proud to admit his own embarrassment, chose not to speak, and Yu Cheng, not one to gossip, naturally left no questions answered.

The people in the room exchanged glances. Just then, Yu Cheng's phone rang. He quickly answered, listening to the person on the other end. He frowned, glanced at Shen Yi, and hesitated whether to speak up.

Shen Yi's brother immediately asked, "What happened?"

Shen Yi, with a face swollen like a pig's head, also looked at him. Yu Cheng hesitated but finally said through gritted teeth, "Just received news that Miss Tang and her mother are currently live streaming."

"Huh?" Shen Yi's brother expressed surprise, "What are they up to? Is Tang Yuan becoming a live streamer?"

Yu Cheng glanced at Shen Yi, who nearly squeezed the words out through his teeth, "What are they doing?"

Yu Cheng replied, "They're clarifying the rumors that spread online before."

Shen Yi frowned deeply, his voice cold and biting, "Ungrateful wretches!"

Yu Cheng bowed his head. He knew his boss was scolding Tang Yuan and her mother. In fact, he also felt the mother and daughter were causing too much trouble. Initially, the boss had tasked him with handling the situation, and he could have suppressed it in a couple of days, dissipating the public's interest.

Yet, at this time, they first... beat up his boss and then took it upon themselves to stir up more trouble, truly bringing trouble upon themselves.

He sighed silently.

After a pause, Shen Yi said coldly, "Don't bother with this matter anymore. Since they want to intervene themselves, I want to see how capable they really are!"

Chapter 36

The Third Daughter

At six in the evening.

Jiang Su sat in front of the new camera lens, with Tang Yuan by her side holding her hand, looking at her worriedly.

Jiang Su smiled at her, then withdrew her hand and patted her, saying, "Go ahead, let's start."

Tang Yuan, a bit nervous, took a deep breath and launched the live streaming app.

Having previously announced it on Weibo and with Tang Yuan currently being a hot topic, the number of online viewers in the live stream had already reached several tens of thousands.

Before Tang Yuan and Jiang Su started the live stream, the chat was filled with criticism.

"I'm just here to see how this wicked mother and daughter plan to whitewash themselves."

"[Disgust] Demons among us. I hope this heartless, venomous pair finds their way to hell soon."

"How can this mother and daughter have the face to go live? Do they think this scandal will make them famous?"

"Why are these two still around? Shouldn't the police be involved? They're murderers! Why aren't they arrested?"

"To arrest them, someone has to press charges, right? Didn't you see the husband saying he's waiting for them to return? They probably haven't been sued."

"Not just that, didn't the news say they ran away? Even if someone reported it to the police, it's likely they couldn't find their location. But now, by starting a live stream themselves, they've made their location known [smile]."

The comments in the live stream were extremely harsh, overwhelmingly negative. Tang Yuan glanced at a few, her face paling, while Jiang Su held her hand, giving her a look before she bit her lip and turned on the camera.

As soon as Jiang Su and Tang Yuan appeared on camera, the barrage of comments went wild—

"Trash mother and daughter, go die!"

Due to the controversy surrounding them, the online sentiment towards Jiang Su and Tang Yuan was exceedingly negative, filling the live stream room with hostility.

Jiang Su ignored the comments, slowly beginning to unbutton her clothes, starting to undress.

The viewers were initially confused about her intentions, continuing to type their insults non-stop. However, when Jiang Su fully unbuttoned her shirt, leaving only a wrap around her chest, those watching online were stunned.

Emaciated, with cracked and aged skin, what shocked everyone was not just these aspects but the scars covering Jiang Su's body.

"In 1994, I was eighteen, just sold into the mountains. This scar was from the first time I tried to escape and was caught. They used a fire poker heated in a stove at home, saying they hated my attempts to escape and wanted to teach me a lesson. Yet, they feared killing me or causing serious injury since no one would then bear them sons. So, they used that," Jiang Su pointed to a burn scar on her left waist.

Jiang Su's words caused a great stir.

Although it felt like she was talking to herself, the implications of her words shocked everyone.

The chat was a mix of skepticism and belief, creating chaos.

Without looking at the comments, Jiang Su continued to point to each scar, ugly and old, laden with malice, and explained their origins.

"This one, from my second attempt to escape. They beat me, saying I was a wife bought by them and couldn't run away. As punishment, I was tied up by the neck and slept in the pigsty for three days."

"This one, from when I was sick and couldn't work. They said a wife bought into the village was expected to help out, but I was nothing but a burden from the start."

"This one, from when I forgot to cook. The man was drunk and more violent than usual, leaving a scar."

The chat finally quieted down.

Initially, many viewers believed Jiang Su was attempting to whitewash their image, fabricating stories. But as she revealed more scars, the preconceived notions in their minds began to crumble.

Bruises and swelling can be faked with makeup. But these old burn marks and scars are much harder to fabricate.

Moreover, the scars on Jiang Su's body were not just one or two but covered her entire body, densely packed and horrifying.

Viewers couldn't begin to imagine what kind of life would leave a person with no unmarked flesh on their body.

The once adamant keyboard warriors, who had been fervently wishing death upon Jiang Su and Tang Yuan, began to question their firmly held beliefs of right and wrong.

"…I don't know what to say. I was on the husband and mother-in-law's side before, but now, seeing this, I think it's better not to take sides."

"I never picked a side from the start. The man is nearly sixty, and his wife is only forty. I didn't believe it was all clean, and sure enough. Now, I stand with this mother and daughter. Human trafficking deserves death!"

"Let's not even talk about whether these injuries are real. Even if they are, does it prove they were inflicted by the husband's family? Without evidence, can we just take her word as the truth?"

"Wasn't it just the husband and mother-in-law's words against hers? Where's their evidence?"

"Exactly! But if what this woman is saying is true, then how vile must that man and his mother be? Damn! Human trafficking and enslaving someone for decades and now playing the victim? That's terrifying!"

"Terrifying if you think about it! Waiting for the truth. Regardless of who's telling the truth, it's all too terrible!"

The direction of the comments changed after Jiang Su finished showing her scars. She dressed again, and Tang Yuan handed her a document envelope.

Jiang Su looked up at Tang Yuan, her eyes filled with tears, and smiled softly, saying, "It's okay, it's all in the past."

"Mom…" Tang Yuan's nose tingled even more at her response. Seeing her mother's scars always filled her with indescribable sadness and pain. The suffering her mother endured over the years wasn't just limited to those visible scars; many minor injuries didn't even leave marks.

Now, the only reminders of that dark past were the more severe injuries that had been inflicted.

Jiang Su gently patted Tang Yuan, silently comforting her.

Exposing one's scars might be painful, but it's the most real, shocking, and effective method.

Of course, Jiang Su had prepared more for the live stream than just talking about the injuries. Initially unsure of how to damn the perpetrators to hell, the online incident and the mother-son duo's smear campaign against Li Xi and Tang Yuan gave her a clear plan.

Jiang Su opened the document envelope Tang Yuan handed her. The contents, gathered from V0 and Li Xi's parents, were meticulously prepared to ensure the downfall of those responsible.

Jiang Su took out documents from a folder, one by one, facing the camera, and introduced them.

The injury report, an old man's ID card, Li Xia's ID card, the marriage certificate of Li Xia and the old man, Tang Ya's birth certificate, the case file of Li Xia's parents reporting her missing, and the case file of the police catching the human trafficking gang and finding Li Xia...

Jiang Su took out everything conceivable and usable.

She didn't exaggerate, nor did she need to; simply and clearly recounting Li Xia's experiences over the years was enough.

The viewers in the live stream were left speechless by shock.

Afterwards, when the first person issued an apology, the viewers, who had been full of comments on the matter, began to apologize one after another.

"Sorry, we were biased and credulous."

"Sorry, we misunderstood you."

"Sorry, we insulted you before."

Tang Ya, seeing a screen full of apologies, finally couldn't hold back her tears and started sobbing uncontrollably.

Jiang Su embraced her, letting her lean on her shoulder.

It's strange how people can be. Faced with persecution, one can be as stubborn and tough as a rock wall, but upon receiving even a bit of kindness, they can disintegrate like foam.

In City B.

The Song family was watching Jiang Su's live stream in their living room. After everything was settled, Tang Ya's crying made everyone watching the live stream feel a lump in their throat.

The men of the Song family were okay; having navigated the political and business worlds for so many years, they had learned to control their emotions. However, the women of the Song family couldn't. The old Lady Song's eyes were completely red with crying, and no one could console her.

"It's our fault," the old Lady Song said with pain, clutching her chest, "If we had found them sooner, they wouldn't have been tormented by those beasts! It's all my fault, we were useless, I'm sorry to your father, and I'm sorry to grandfather."

"Mom, don't say that," Song Xue and Mrs. Song hurriedly supported the old lady, "No one wanted this to happen."

Mr. Song II, Song Xue's father, also said, "Yes, mother, the aunt was just a child when she went missing. Over the years, we've done everything we could, and now... no matter what, we have finally found them."

"We found them... but they suffered so much. How am I supposed to face your grandfathers and great-grandfathers in the afterlife?" Old Lady Song said.

The Song family has always valued kinship and blood ties, and starting from Song Xue's great-grandfather's generation, the Song family has had one heartache: the young girl who went missing.

During the tumultuous era in which Song Xue's great-grandfather lived, China was in turmoil. To serve the greater good of the country, Song Xue's great-grandfather and great-grandmother had no choice but to leave their infant daughter in the care of a peasant family. Then, as war ravaged the country and the village was occupied, many villagers died or fled, and the young girl was lost.

In that era, being missing was as good as dead, but Song Xue's great-grandparents could never give up searching for her.

And so they searched, for over half a century, across several generations.

Over the decades, the Song family expended immense effort in their search, facing countless hopes and despairs. The most severe blow came during the year of the regime change when someone exploited this aspect of the Song family, setting a trap specifically to target them.

Desperate to find their lost relative, the Song family fell into the trap. Therefore, even after recovering their former strength, the Song family became much more cautious in their search.

Once bitten, twice shy. Because of the Shen family's schemes back then, the Song family has always been wary of the Shen family. So when Song Xue first met Tang Ya, she didn't think along those lines but found Shen Yi's behavior very annoying.

The reason the Song family eventually found Tang Ya and Jiang Su was due to the uproar on the internet, which brought Tang Ya's video to the attention of Old Lady Song.

In this generation, Song Xue resembles her great-grandmother, and while others think Tang Ya looks like Song Xue, Old Lady Song saw in her the spitting image of Song Xue's great-grandmother, prompting her to immediately have the Song family investigate.

The subsequent findings confirmed Old Lady Song's intuition was spot on.

A minor bug was fixed previously. Song Xue's great-grandfather was a founding general. Thus, Li Xia's mom is Song Xue's great-aunt, Li Xia is Song Xue's aunt, and Tang Ya is a distant cousin. But being so similar, the chance is merely a fraction of a percent.

Chapter 37

The Third Daughter

The Song family acted quickly, and upon verifying that Li Xia's mother was indeed the young girl lost by the Song family years ago, they immediately set off to Li Xia's home to find her mother.

Old Lady Song, eager to meet them, did not agree with her eldest son's suggestion to wait for news at home. She insisted on going to meet Li Xia's parents herself. Li Xia's mother was just an infant when she went missing, and now, after so many years, all the relatives closest to Li Xia's mother by blood, including Song Xue's great-grandparents and grandparents, had passed away.

Compared to Li Xia's mother, the Song family is mostly younger generations who actually have no emotional attachment to this aunt who disappeared in their childhood. Their years of searching were for their elders' sake.

Initially, they were deeply concerned about Li Xia's mother, never forgetting her until their death. Thus, for the Song family's younger members, searching for Li Xia's mother became a duty, never once giving up over the years.

In truth, within the Song family, only Old Lady Song held genuine affection for this sister-in-law she had never met. With age comes a tendency toward soft-heartedness, especially since Old Lady Song had a very close relationship with her husband and deeply empathized with her in-laws' and her husband's regret over not finding the missing sister.

Old Lady Song's emphasis on this reunion made the Song family take it even more seriously.

Old Lady Song insisted on visiting personally, and despite the younger members' attempts to dissuade her, they had no choice but to accompany her to the Li family home.

But the Li family was somewhat baffled by the Song family's sudden desire to acknowledge kinship.

Li Xia's mother was fostered by a simple and honest peasant family by the Song family, who treated her as their own daughter and never thought to claim her as their possession. They truthfully informed her that her biological parents were soldiers dedicated to the country, separated by the war.

Thus, Li Xia's mother knew from a young age she wasn't her foster parents' biological child.

Her foster parents always told her that her parents would come for her, and she always waited. But the country's turmoil and war made the village unsafe, forcing her foster parents to flee for safety, severing ties with the Song family.

In her early years, Li Xia's mother considered searching for her kin, but the vastness of China and her ignorance of her relatives made it too difficult. After marrying Li's father and having Li Xia, forming their family, finding her relatives became less of a priority.

Decades later, the Song family suddenly claiming to be her lost relatives brought her joy but also confusion.

In the days leading up to meeting the Song family, Li's parents were uneasy. Having lived honestly their whole lives, they never imagined connecting with such influential people, let alone that their lost relative would be from such a prestigious family.

"With their status and background, what if they look down on us, despise us? What then?" Li's father worried.

Li's mother was also uneasy, feeling the gap of time and the Song family's high status, which made them hesitant despite wanting to recognize their kin.

"Don't worry, Dad," Jiang Su reassured, "If the Song family sought us out, it means they genuinely want to acknowledge Mom. If they really didn't want to, they could've chosen not to come after learning about us."

Jiang Su and the Li parents have grown closer, especially since they needed evidence previously, and now with the Song family matter, they've been living together for peace of mind.

Li's parents doted on Li Xia, their only child, to no end. When she was kidnapped, they were so frantic they nearly went grey and searched desperately for her for a decade without giving up.

When they finally found Li Xia, they even told her they didn't care about reputation or what others said, as long as she was with them, they would support her no matter the cost.

However, Li Xia herself was stubborn and, for the sake of that family and Tang Yun, deeply hurt her parents' hearts. This is why the family grew apart over the years.

Over the years, Li's parents actually harbored resentment towards Li Xia.

When Li Xia asked them to forgive that family, it deeply disappointed them. Despite Li Xia's later attempts to reconcile, her parents, furious at the family for abducting their only daughter and mistreating her, wanted Li Xia to cut ties with them. Li Xia couldn't do it, so they never really forgave her.

Now, Jiang Su has taken Li Xia's place, completely severing ties with that family and apologizing to Li's parents. Even if Li's parents had great dissatisfaction before, facing their only child, their hearts would soften. Thus, their relationship began to mend.

"I hope you're right..." Li's mother sighed, looking at Jiang Su and then at Tang Yun, "Well, it's good in a way. Our family forming ties with the Song family will make dealing with those beasts easier... You won't go soft this time, will you?"

Li's mother's doubt was understandable, considering Li Xia's past actions and Tang Yun being related by blood to that family. Despite knowing Jiang Su had cut ties with them, she couldn't help but worry.

"Of course not, Mom," Jiang Su assured.

Li's mother turned to Tang Yun, who had been quiet, and immediately said, "I won't either, Grandma. I hate them, I've never considered them my family."

Hearing this, Li's mother felt satisfied, looking at Tang Yun with a softer gaze.

In the past years, because Tang Yun carried the blood of that family, Li's parents felt uncomfortable, seeing her always brought discomfort. So when Li Xia suggested bringing her over, they were reluctant. They agreed for their daughter's sake but were extremely unkind to her upon her arrival.

Fortunately, Tang Yun, despite carrying their blood, did not inherit their character. She was sensible. Li's mother felt relieved remembering how Tang Yun looked when she first arrived, feeling guilty and more affectionate towards her.

"Good child..." Li's mother realized she had been displacing her anger onto Tang Yun over the years.

In the late morning, the Song family arrived.

Tang Yun and Jiang Su supported Li's parents, while Song Xue and Lady Song helped Old Lady Song, with other members of the Song family also present, filling the small Li household.

Upon their first meeting, Old Lady Song, moved, called Li's mother by her maiden name, which had been given by Song Xue's great-grandmother and never changed by her foster parents, making it known to the Song family.

Initially, Li's mother was bewildered facing the emotional Old Lady Song, after so many years, this person was her sister-in-law, not her brother. But as Old Lady Song recounted the efforts the Song family made to find her, even to their dying regrets, she couldn't help but cry.

Jiang Su, Tang Yun, and the younger members of the Song family rushed to comfort them. Old Lady Song and Li's mother, being of advanced age, couldn't handle too much emotional turmoil.

After Li's mother cried, feeling closer to Old Lady Song, they talked about their experiences over the years. Realizing it was getting late and time for lunch, Li's mother held Old Lady Song's hand, "Old sister, stay and eat with us today. It's rare for our family to be reunited."

"Yes, yes," Old Lady Song agreed immediately.

Lady Song II was about to mention they had already made restaurant reservations but seeing how happy the elder was, she chose not to speak up.

Tang Yun softly told Jiang Su she needed to go out and buy some things. Jiang Su understood immediately, knowing the Song family's visit meant the Li family had prepared food early on, but they hadn't anticipated so many guests, so they might be short on provisions.

"Go ahead," Jiang Su encouraged.

As Tang Yun was about to leave, Old Lady Song, seeing this, playfully slapped Song Xue on the back and said, "Go, you accompany your sister."

Song Xue was surprised and looked at Tang Yun, who instinctively waved her hands, indicating it wasn't necessary.

Old Lady Song insisted, making Tang Yun feel slightly uneasy, but then Song Xue stood up smiling, "Alright, I'll go with my sister, Grandma, you all continue talking."

Old Lady Song gestured for them to hurry back. Song Xue then took Tang Yun outside, even asking Song II for the car keys on their way out.

"You don't need to come with me, there are many people outside who recognize you, it could cause trouble, I can go by myself," Tang Yun whispered to Song Xue once outside.

"Don't worry, it's fine," Song Xue said, twirling a keychain around her finger.

Tang Yuan wanted to say more, but Song Xue had already headed downstairs first. Left behind, she watched her retreating figure, sighed in resignation, clenched and unclenched her fists twice, then finally followed.

"I'm not familiar with this area, you'll have to guide me," Song Xue said, starting the car from the driver's seat. "Are we going to the supermarket or the farmers' market?"

Tang Yuan was surprised that Song Xue knew what she wanted to buy and stammered, "The, the supermarket."

"Okay," said Song Xue. "Which way?"

Tang Yuan paused, then softly began to give directions.

Tang Yuan chose the closest supermarket. After parking, she told Song Xue to stay in the car, saying she could go in by herself.

But Song Xue didn't agree and turned off the car to get out.

Tang Yuan felt a headache coming on and gently warned, "You, you'll definitely be recognized by fans looking like that."

Though she hadn't "eaten pork," she had seen "pigs run." With Song Xue's popularity, being out like this made it too easy to be recognized and too prone to trouble.

But Song Xue clearly didn't mind, saying, "So what if they recognize me? I'm a celebrity, not a criminal. What's there to fear?"

Tang Yuan, feeling helpless and unsure of what else to say, hesitated. Then, Song Xue nodded towards her again, "Come on, let's go in."

With no other choice, Tang Yuan resignedly followed.

Upon reaching the basement level of the supermarket, Song Xue told Tang Yuan, "Just buy whatever, as long as it's enough. My family isn't picky, no need to make it complicated."

Previously, Madam Song had insisted Song Xue accompany her, understanding the implication. The Song family truly valued this family recognition. The initial plan of Mr. Song to book a private room for the meeting was outright rejected by Madam Song. She said they were there to recognize family, not to inspect. Meeting in a private room might seem formal but was actually very informal, so they decided to visit the family home instead.

Now, visiting and being invited to stay for a meal, Madam Song was worried the Li family might be too restrained, which is why she had Song Xue come along.

"This..." Tang Yuan felt at a loss. Even though Song Xue said so, the Song family's status made her hesitant to take her words at face value.

But regardless of Tang Yuan's reservations, Song Xue went ahead with what she wanted.

Radishes, cabbages, potatoes, tomatoes, pork belly, ribs - she didn't let Tang Yuan hesitate and chose what to buy herself.

"That... are you really Song Xue?" People at the supermarket had noticed Song Xue quite early but hesitated to approach, following behind with their shopping carts for a long time. The more they watched, the more convinced they became before finally coming over to ask.

"Shh, if you've figured it out, keep it to yourselves," Song Xue playfully said.

Her indirect admission immediately caused the two girls to scream, attracting the attention of others around.

The crowd in the supermarket started to gather around them, making Tang Yuan increasingly nervous. She wanted to leave quickly, but Song Xue grabbed her hand.

"Xiao Xue'er, who is this?" the fans also noticed Tang Yuan.

Although Tang Yuan had become quite popular online these days, she wasn't universally recognized. Seeing her standing with Song Xue, and noting their resemblance, the fans speculated, "Is she your new body double?"

Tang Yuan stiffened, unable to respond, when suddenly Song Xue wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leaned in close with a smile, and said, "No, she's my family."

Embracing the dazed Tang Yuan affectionately, Song Xue's smile was bright and warm, her tone serious, "Let me introduce you, this is my sister, by blood."

"Bang—"

The cup in Shen Yi's hand fell to the floor as he looked at Yu Cheng incredulously: "What did you say? Say that again?"

Yu Cheng swallowed and repeated, "Miss Song, on behalf of the Song family, has released a statement confirming that Miss Tang's grandmother was indeed the young girl lost from the Song family years ago. Now, the Song family has publicly acknowledged Miss Tang's family, and Miss Song has also announced plans to file criminal lawsuits against the Tang family members involved in the abduction, Jiang Weiwei... and you."

The Song family acted swiftly. The image of Song Xue at the supermarket went viral, and that very evening, the Song family posted several tweets from Song Xue's account. First, clarifying the relationship between Tang Yuan's family and the Song family. Second, suing the Tang family members for trafficking. Third, suing the media outlets that spread false news about Jiang Su and Tang Yuan. Fourth, suing Jiang Weiwei and Shen Yi.

Shen Yi, furious to the point of laughter, said, "They want to sue me? For what?!"

Yu Cheng, with his head down, thought to himself that there was plenty.

Back then, you deceived that young girl, dated her while treating her like a mistress, abandoned her after she got pregnant, even resorted to violence; the crimes that could be pinned on you are too numerous to count...

But these were thoughts Yu Cheng couldn't voice, only saying, "What they're suing for isn't important. What matters is that if they make a case with Tang Yuan, public opinion will be very unfavorable to you, boss. After all, you truly did wrong."

A vein throbbed on Shen Yi's forehead.

Yu Cheng continued, "The lawsuit against you is just a smokescreen. Once your affair with Miss Tang is exposed, public opinion will definitely side with her. And then, with a little guidance from the Song family, they can use this incident to strike against the Shen family."

Yu Cheng's emphasis was on his last point, but Shen Yi was too enraged to think clearly.

He angrily said, "Why would public opinion only side with her? Haven't I been harmed too?! They beat me up like that! Should I sue them for domestic violence?!"

Yu Cheng's expression twisted for a moment.

Taking a deep breath, he then said, "Boss, although it might not be nice to hear... if you publicize that Miss Tang beat you up, people are likely to say she did a good job."

Shen Yi: "..."

Chapter 38

The Third Daughter [End]

Shen Yi didn't want to believe what Yu Cheng said, but the truth was, Yu Cheng's words were factual.

After the Song family issued a lawsuit statement through Song Xue's Weibo, although the primary targets were those two from the Tang family, Jiang Weiwei and Shen Yi also found themselves embroiled in trouble.

Especially Shen Yi.

The Song family's lawsuit against Shen Yi in Tang Yuan's name was never really about convicting him. Shen Yi, though morally questionable, wasn't accused of any crime that could be legally proven, and the Shen family would never allow a conviction to happen. The Song family's aim was always to sway public opinion.

Once the story about Tang Yuan and Shen Yi spread online, it created a significant negative impact on Shen Yi, Shen Corporation, and the entire Shen family.

Shen Yi was summoned back to the Shen family home overnight. Upon his arrival, the current patriarch, his Uncle Shen, slapped him across the face with a livid expression, saying, "Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused me?!"

The elder Mr. Shen had two sons. The elder, a hedonist who was rebellious and unfit for leadership; the younger, Mr. Shen, was cautious and cunning, earning him the family's mantle from Mr. Shen. Following in his father's footsteps, he entered politics and became the de facto leader of the Shen family.

"I'm sorry, uncle. I'll take care of it."

Having wielded power for years, Mr. Shen's authority was unquestioned within the family. His slap in front of the family left even Shen Yi's parents with merely a frown, no words spoken in objection.

Shen Yi, having taken the slap without protest, clenched his fists and wore a grim expression but did not retort, instead bowing his head in acknowledgment of his fault.

"You'll take care of it? How exactly do you plan to do that?" Mr. Shen's anger was not quelled by Shen Yi's admission of guilt. "Are you planning to silence everyone on the internet, or are you going to confront the Song family directly to stop their underhanded tactics?"

Shen Yi pressed his lips together, unable to answer. If it were just Tang Yuan targeting him, Shen Yi might have found a solution, but the Shen Corporation and family, such a colossal entity, could not be easily shaken by Tang Yuan alone.

Yet, this time, the Song family intervened. Targeting the Shen family with prepared evidence, they showcased Shen Yi's reckless past. His dual dealings with Tang Yuan, treating her merely as a mistress while leaving behind countless proofs of his misdemeanors, led to an overwhelmingly one-sided public opinion.

Mr. Shen: "Do you realize what they're saying about us out there? They accuse us of abusing power for personal gain, of bullying by virtue of our position! I've worked diligently for years, and because of you, because you messed around with a woman, all my efforts are in vain! Do you understand?!"

With political changes afoot, Mr. Shen had worked years for a chance to advance further, almost a sure thing until Shen Yi's scandal erupted.

In normal circumstances, Shen Yi's affair with Tang Yuan wouldn't be a big deal to the Shen family; after all, it was just fooling around with a woman.

But the scandal blew up, and Tang Yuan's identity and background became a hot topic online recently. She and Jiang Su, as victims of trafficking, already garnered public sympathy as a vulnerable group.

Then, adding Shen Yi's actions towards Tang Yuan naturally incited public outrage.

Many online condemned Shen Yi for his oppressive behavior and for being unkind despite his wealth, pressuring others with his power. As a member of the Shen family, his actions inevitably tied back to them, affecting Mr. Shen significantly even if the online content was merely suggestive.

"I'm sorry." Shen Yi's clenched fist, his fingers digging into his palm, caused a dull pain.

"Is your apology useful now?" Mr. Shen said coldly.

Shen Yi's lips pressed tighter, and Mr. Shen, squinting at him, added, "I'll arrange for you to go abroad in a few days. Stay out of sight for a while, and leave the company matters to Shen Ye."

Shen Yi looked up sharply, disbelievingly at Mr. Shen.

Mr. Shen, expressionless, said, "Your current situation is not suitable for staying in the country or at the company."

Shen Yi paled, struggling to say, "I can agree to go abroad for a while, but the company's affairs, I..."

"Will be handled by Shen Ye," Mr. Shen interrupted, "That's our decision."

Shen Yi shook, his gaze drifting to the other Shen family members in the room. Elder Mr. Shen showed no guilt, Mrs. Shen's eyes were slightly red, Mrs. Shen the second was cold, and as Shen Yi's eyes passed over them, he suddenly laughed.

"Alright then."

He deflated like a punctured ball and resembled a defeated fighting dog, "I'll do as you say."

Suddenly feeling exhausted, Shen Yi reflected on the years he had dedicated to the Shen Corporation, believing he could claim credit for at least half of its current success. Yet, at this juncture, his so-called family was ready to cast him aside over a minor issue.

Shen Yi felt a chill in his heart, realizing instantly the true sentiments of the entire Shen family.

His father, the senior Mr. Shen, was indifferent to whether it was him or Shen Ye in control, for either way, it would be his son in charge. Moreover, Shen Ye, the illegitimate child, might even be more favored than Shen Yi himself.

His mother, Madam Shen, had no say within the family and couldn't support him.

His aunt, Mrs. Shen, had always been indifferent towards anyone outside her immediate family. Now that his uncle had missed a promotion opportunity because of him, she probably couldn't wait to see him gone.

With a heavy heart, Shen Yi slowly turned and walked away.

"Ay Yi..." Madam Shen, still tenderhearted towards her son, instinctively called out to Shen Yi as she watched his desolate figure.

Shen Yi paused slightly but didn't stop, continuing out of the hall to the courtyard and driving away.

That day, Shen Yi stayed at Shen Corporation for a full day and night, then early the next morning, he posted an apology video online.

In the video, a haggard Shen Yi apologized to Tang Yuan, admitting he had let her down and failed to bear responsibility. He acknowledged his wrongdoing towards her but denied playing with her feelings, insisting they had always been in a romantic relationship.

He expressed his willingness to renounce his claim to the Shen Corporation and comply with all of Tang Yuan's demands as recompense, seeking her forgiveness.

After the video was released, it went viral online. Shen Yi instructed the Shen Corporation's PR to steer the narrative towards framing the issue as a lovers' dispute rather than a class conflict.

The Song family.

The Song family knew about Shen Yi's video the moment it was released.

After watching the video, Song Xue raised an eyebrow at Tang Yuan and said, "See, that's Shen Yi for you, always finding ways to disgust you."

Tang Yuan couldn't help but snort with laughter.

Song Xue looked at Tang Yun with a smile, gently ruffling her hair, "Remember, be more discerning about men in the future, you definitely can't settle for someone like him."

"I understand," Tang Yun replied obediently.

Over time, Tang Yun and Song Xue's relationship had become very harmonious. Song Xue was easy to get along with, and although Tang Yun's feelings towards her were complex due to being used as a stand-in by Shen Yi, it wasn't dislike.

Initially, Tang Yun didn't know how to interact with Song Xue, but after Song Xue opened up and shared her feelings, Tang Yun felt reassured.

Song Xue didn't share her past with Shen Yi or mention the fact that Shen Yi kept a lover similar to her. Instead, she introduced Tang Yun to her boyfriend, whom she had pursued from the age of fifteen until she finally won him over at twenty-two.

Tang Yun was surprised to find Song Xue's partner was nine years her senior but couldn't deny his charm.

Tang Yun could see the love between him and Song Xue, understanding that Song Xue was using her relationship to show Tang Yun that whatever Shen Yi thought of her, her feelings towards him were non-existent.

If anything, those feelings were of disgust.

"What do you plan to do with that video?" Song Xue asked Tang Yun, "If you don't want to deal with it, let us handle it."

After some thought, Tang Yun said, "I'll also release a video. I have some things to say."

Song Xue nodded, "Alright, as you wish."

Tang Yun released her response video that afternoon.

That day, the internet exploded with discussion because of Shen Yi's statement, and this time, with the involvement of the Shen family, the online community was not uniformly in support of Tang Yuan, nor was it a unanimous condemnation of the Shen family. The public debate was fierce.

People online were waiting for Tang Yuan's response, and she did not disappoint, updating her Weibo with a new video that afternoon.

The video featured herself, countering the narrative Shen Yi had tried to set with his previous video.

Tang Yuan stated that her relationship with Shen Yi was not romantic as he had implied, but rather that he had been supporting her financially, leading her to believe they were in love.

She accepted Shen Yi's apology but would not forgive him.

She added that the damage was done, and meeting him was her life's greatest misfortune. If he truly wanted to make amends, she wanted nothing from him except for him to never appear before her again.

After Tang Yuan's response video was posted online, Shen Yi's side fell silent, but news from the Shen family kept emerging. With a change in leadership, Shen Yi stepping down, and Shen Ye taking over, the topic regained popularity.

Netizens were divided, some feeling Shen Yi got what he deserved, others sympathizing with him, and some even starting conspiracy theories attacking the Song family and Tang Yuan.

But all of this was no longer related to Tang Yuan.

When Tang Yuan agreed to let the Song family publicize her situation with Shen Yi, she was told that the lawsuit online was more of a formality, as there wasn't a substantial legal charge against him. The primary goal was to generate public pressure on Shen Yi and the Shen family.

Now, having achieved their desired effect, there was no need for further pursuit.

Tang Yuan no longer dwelled on Shen Yi. She stayed in City B until the court's verdict on the two members of the Tang family was issued, sentencing them for multiple crimes including trafficking, rape, and domestic violence—the older man received ten years, her mother five, likely ending their days in prison.

After receiving the verdict she awaited, Tang Yuan left City B from the train station, boarding a train to Lhasa. She had previously discussed this trip with Jiang Su and others, who thought she needed time away and didn't stop her.

Alone on the train, Tang Yuan received a text from an unknown number that night, containing just the word "Okay," which puzzled her for a moment before she deleted it.

Whether it was a belated reply or a wrong message from a stranger, it was all in the past now…

Writer's block and internet issues have delayed this update. Apologies QAQ.

Chapter 39

The Fourth Daughter

That night, under a bright moon and a gentle breeze, the alley's lights flickered as the night watchman walked the streets. The city of Bianjing was quiet, with every household secured for the night, except for Meng Mansion in the city's south, where lights shone brightly and servants hurried about.

"Father…" Cries echoed from Xiangwan Courtyard on the east side of Meng Mansion.

Prime Minister Meng, a man of high status in the court, held his ailing father's hand, his expression filled with sorrow.

"Wan… Wan…" Mr. Meng Senior, lying on the nanmu bed, pale and severely ill, murmured weakly.

Prime Minister Meng, not quite catching what his father said, leaned closer and asked, "Father, what are you saying?"

"Wan… Wan…" Mr. Meng Senior's voice was muffled and unclear, his mind clouded by illness, his gaze fixed on the canopy above, where, in his delirium, he seemed to see a smiling face, as radiant as flowers and as exquisite as brocade.

Mr. Meng Senior's throat moved as if excited, but his frail body remained motionless.

Prime Minister Meng could not discern what his father saw, his gaze following to the empty embroidered canopy. Yet, his father's expression was clearly one of regret, harboring unfulfilled wishes. The Prime Minister wished to know what they were, to fulfill his father's last desires.

But beyond the faintly murmured "Wanwan," Mr. Meng Senior said nothing else, tears slipping from the corners of his eyes, passing away with regrets.

"Father!" Prime Minister Meng watched Mr. Meng Senior take his last breath, overwhelmed with grief.

The rest of the Meng family also wept uncontrollably.

"My poor Ming, you were the legitimate heir of the Prime Minister's household, the direct eldest son! How could that lowly common girl be worthy of marrying you?!"

The recently deceased Mr. Meng Senior was startled awake by the wailing, regaining consciousness to see a ragged old woman before him.

Mr. Meng Senior, surprised, exclaimed, "Aunt Zhang?"

Shocked and puzzled, he recognized the woman before him as the caretaker who had raised him. Yet, he clearly remembered Aunt Zhang had passed away decades ago, and he had personally attended her funeral. How could she appear so vividly alive before him?

Mr. Meng Senior was shocked, glancing around at his surroundings, his heart skipping a beat. The room was simple and dilapidated, not at all like the Meng Mansion. Before he could marvel further, he recognized the place as exceedingly familiar.

He paused, then gasped in shock—this was his residence before he moved to the capital. How could he be here?!

Mr. Meng Senior vividly remembered dying at the Meng Mansion. Yet, everything around him seemed too real to be a dream, including Aunt Zhang, long deceased, crying beside him. Clenching his fist, feeling the pain as his fingernails dug into his palm, he looked down at his youthful hands, daring to guess the unbelievable.

"Aunt...?" He called out to the weeping woman.

Zhang Chunyun stopped crying and looked at him anxiously, "What is it? What's wrong, Ming?"

Mr. Meng, Meng Ming, locked eyes with Zhang Chunyun, and through her gaze, he saw himself, decades younger!

Meng Ming was initially stunned, then overwhelmed with joy.

He had returned; he was truly back!

"Ming? What's the matter with you?" Zhang Chunyun, seeing Meng Ming's dazed yet joyously sorrowful expression, grew anxious, "Don't scare your aunt, Ming. If you really don't want to marry the escort agency's daughter, we can call off the engagement. It's alright; your aunt can take on more work, slowly save up for our journey to the capital, and we won't entangle with that family, okay?"

Snapping back to reality, Meng Ming grasped Zhang Chunyun's hand, reassuringly saying, "Don't worry, aunt. I'm fine. No need to call off the engagement. I'm willing to marry Wanwan."

Calling out that name again stirred a mix of bitterness and pain in Meng Ming. In his previous life, he hadn't treated her well, and by the time he realized her importance, it was too late—she had already passed away. One mistake had led to a lifetime of regret.

In his remaining years, he had prayed countless times for a chance to do it all over again, but thought he would die with regrets. Little did he expect, heaven granted him a second chance, allowing him to be reborn.

Meng Ming vowed in his heart that this time he would not fail Shen Wan again; he would truly love and make it up to her!

"My poor Ming, why is your fate so harsh!" Hearing Meng Ming say he was fine, Zhang Chunyun sighed in relief, but hearing his serious intention to marry Shen Wan, she felt a wave of sorrow.

She said, "It's all because of that damned witch's doings. If not for her, how could the madam have died, and why would you have suffered so much! You are the legitimate eldest son of the Prime Minister's household, with your status, even a princess would have been within your reach, let alone being forced to marry such a vulgar person!"

"Auntie, I..." Meng Ming hesitated, feeling a headache coming on. He truly, sincerely wanted to marry Shen Wan, but faced with Zhang Chunyun's outraged and sympathetic demeanor, he didn't know how to explain his feelings for Shen Wan.

In his memories, Aunt Zhang detested Shen Wan, never speaking a good word about her from the start of their acquaintance and even being very dissatisfied with their marriage, to the point of crying on several occasions.

Thus, Meng Ming understood that even if he explained his genuine desire to marry Shen Wan, his Aunt Zhang might not believe him and could even think he was deliberately martyring himself.

Meng Ming sighed in resignation, softly comforting Zhang Chunyun, "Auntie, don't be upset. Marrying Shen Wan is a good thing. I'll be heading to the capital for the exams soon, and with you here, the Shen family will surely take care of you, which eases my mind."

Zhang Chunyun retorted in a huff, "I don't need their care."

Meng Ming coaxed her with a smile, and although Zhang Chunyun still harbored some resentment, she no longer wailed incessantly.

After talking for a while, Zhang Chunyun went to cook.

Alone in the room, Meng Ming wandered around, touching everything, pinching himself, and even splashing his face with water from the courtyard tank, reassuring himself through these actions that he had indeed been reborn.

Thinking of his past life, his regrets, and Shen Wan, his heart was filled with gratitude and joy.

Wei Wu Escort Agency, Shen family.

Jiang Su had just finished acclimating to her new body when she heard someone muttering, "This won't do, this won't do, you're completely off the mark!"

Regaining consciousness, she found herself in what appeared to be a boudoir, surrounded by a group including a beautiful woman in her thirties or forties, four robust young men, and a girl about fifteen or sixteen years old.

The girl was sitting in front of an embroidery frame, with the beautiful woman standing beside her, looking disdainfully at the piece of red silk she was embroidering, presumably the source of the earlier comment.

"What's wrong with it? It looks quite good to me! I think Xiao Wu did just fine," the young men defended from the other side of the girl, having revisited the embroidery following the beautiful woman's critique.

The beautiful woman rolled her eyes, pointing directly at the red silk, "These ducks don't look like ducks, mandarin ducks don't look like mandarin ducks, and this is acceptable? Do you all have problems with your eyes or your brains? This is supposed to be Wanwan's wedding dress. How many times does a girl get to wear a wedding dress in her lifetime, and you want Wanwan to wear this?"

"Uh..." The young men who had retorted earlier touched their noses awkwardly. While they genuinely believed in Xiao Wu's embroidery skills, the idea of using it for her wedding dress... perhaps not.

"So, Aunt Han, what should we do? Xiao Wu's wedding is coming up so soon, and there's not enough time to improve her embroidery skills. Should I just go buy one instead, would that be okay?"

Xiao Ya Han looked at Shen Wan's embroidery again, massaging her temples in resignation, "Alright, alright! We have no other choice but to do that."

Upon receiving the order, the young man immediately turned and ran outside, declaring his intent to find the best embroidery house and the finest embroideress. Hearing this, the other men also excused themselves in a rush, eager to help in the search.

"I want to go too! I'll go as well!" Shen Wan, seated at the embroidery frame, stood up, wanting to join them.

Xiao Ya Han pressed her shoulder, pushing her back onto the chair, "You stay right here and keep embroidering. You're not going anywhere! You might not be allowed to embroider your wedding dress, but you must practice your needlework during this time!"

Shen Wan made a face, feeling as if the sky were falling. She looked at Jiang Su with pleading eyes, "Mother..."

Jiang Su raised an eyebrow, "Calling me won't help, just listen to your Aunt Han."

Xiao Ya Han gave her a glance, "Now you know to listen to me? If you had listened earlier and made her practice needlework from the start, would we need to go through all this trouble now?"

Jiang Su laughed gently, "I admit my mistake."

Xiao Ya Han huffed and, seeing Shen Wan gripping the embroidery needle without starting, slapped the back of her head, "Get moving, can you embroider by just looking?"

Shen Wan's head jerked forward from the slap, and with a resigned sigh, she started to puncture the red silk with the needle, frowning in concentration.

Watching her, Xiao Ya Han frowned; Shen Wan had barely learned needlework before, making her skills quite poor. Xiao Ya Han had no choice but to closely monitor and correct her, teaching her the proper way to embroider.

Standing in the room, Jiang Su watched one teach and the other learn. Despite the teacher's frustration and the learner's confusion, the scene was quite heartwarming.

Jiang Su chose a stool and sat down, quietly observing Shen Wan and Xiao Ya Han.

At this moment, the perplexed Shen Wan was Jiang Su's mission target in this world.

Jiang Su's mission world was once again set in ancient times, with the female lead Shen Wan born into a humble escort agency, and the male lead, a direct eldest son from the prime minister's household, exiled here.

In the original storyline, the female lead fell in love with the male lead at first sight, thereafter paying close attention to him. Knowing he was financially embarrassed, she would secretly buy him things and covertly provide him with assistance. Later, the male lead, Meng Ming, also showed affection towards her. After she discussed it with her family, the Shen family began to treat Meng Ming as their future son-in-law, providing for his food, clothing, and education.

Meng Ming, young yet promising, had already passed the imperial examinations at a young age. Later, as Meng Ming prepared to go to the capital for further exams, the Shen family provided financial support, but considering Shen Wan's age, they decided to have her and Meng Ming marry first.

Meng Ming agreed, and after their marriage, he went to the capital for the exams, where he not only passed with flying colors but also emerged as the top scholar. His long-forgotten father recognized him and brought him back to the Prime Minister's residence.

Meng Ming thus stayed in Bianjing.

As the newly crowned top scholar and legitimate eldest son of the Prime Minister's household, his talents and looks made many daughters of the capital pine for him. A noble lady from a distinguished family took a liking to him, and Meng Ming, ambitious and eager to climb the social ladder, reciprocated her interest, leading to talks of marriage.

Meanwhile, Shen Wan, hearing of Meng Ming's success, traveled to the capital in search of her husband, only to be discovered by Meng Ming's half-brother. Intending to use Shen Wan to ruin Meng Ming, the half-brother took her to meet their father.

Meng Ming's father was furious and severely reprimanded him. However, the marriage between Meng Ming and the noble lady was already arranged. After his anger subsided, he ordered Meng Ming to deal with Shen Wan. Meng Ming, unable to bear harming her, planned to fake her death and send her away, but his father discovered his intentions. Not only did he have Shen Wan killed, but he also had the entire Shen family exterminated to prevent any scandal that could tarnish the Meng family's name.

Only after Shen Wan's death did Meng Ming feel remorse. Nevertheless, he married the noble lady and, using her family's influence, gradually eliminated the Meng family's opposition and climbed the social ladder.

Thus, by the end of that life, Meng Ming had become a high-ranking official serving under two emperors.

In that lifetime, Meng Ming was consumed by the pursuit of power and status, but the higher he climbed, the more he thought of Shen Wan. He regretted his actions deeply and, after his death, was given a chance by the heavens to return to his youth.

Reborn, Meng Ming treated Shen Wan exceptionally well, doting on her while using his knowledge from his previous life to reach the same high position.

According to the original storyline, after Meng Ming's rebirth, the plot takes a sweet and doting route.

However, in Jiang Su's eyes, this is no different from the usual scumbag redemption arcs seen in other worlds. In fact, this world might be even more distasteful, as it is essentially wrapping filth in sugar.

This rebirth male lead concept was the second world set in this novel, huh! Back then, I really had my fill of sugar-coated filth! Hence, I extremely despise stories where scumbags are reborn as loyal dogs and follow a sweet doting narrative!

Chapter 40

The Fourth Daughter

"Xiao Wu, I've inquired! Ji Xiu Niang here is the best embroideress in town. They say that the clothes she makes can make a girl look like a fairy!" Shen Wan's third senior brother excitedly introduces an embroideress to Shen Wan, pulling her along.

Shen Wan, excited: "Really?"

"Of course not!" Shen Wan's second senior brother suddenly pushed aside the third senior brother, pulling another embroideress towards Shen Wan, "Let me tell you, Xiao Wu. This Miss Li is truly the best embroideress in town. Everyone says she can make clothes as beautiful as brocade clouds!"

Shen Wan then turned her attention to Miss Li.

"No, no!" Shen Wan's fourth senior brother also hurriedly pulled yet another embroideress in front of Shen Wan, "Xiao Wu, this one! Miss Song here is the real deal. People in town say her wedding dresses are the most beautiful and best. If you wear her dress, you'll definitely be the most beautiful bride!"

Shen Wan glanced at Miss Song, then at Miss Ji and Miss Li, hands on her hips, and asked her senior brothers, "So, who's the best?"

The second senior brother quickly said, "Of course, it's Miss Li!"

The third senior brother countered, "It's Miss Ji!"

The fourth senior brother roared, "No, it's Miss Song!"

The three senior brothers argued non-stop about the person they had brought back, each firmly believing theirs was the best. Hearing the others, they glared fiercely at each other, then launched into elaborate praises of their chosen embroideress.

"Miss Li made a skirt for the eighteenth concubine of the county magistrate, and even he praised its beauty!"

"You're joking, senior brother! Was the magistrate praising the clothes? He was complimenting the person, the beauty of his eighteenth concubine!"

"Exactly! And so what if she made clothes for the magistrate's concubine? My Miss Song made a wedding dress for the magistrate's wife! The magistrate's wife comes from a prominent family, and if Miss Song could satisfy them, could her skills be anything but excellent?"

"Being excellent doesn't mean she's the best! My Miss Ji has embroidered wedding dresses for many prominent families; she is the best!"

"Miss Song is the best!"

"Miss Li is the best!"

"Miss Ji is the best!"

"Bang—" Jiang Su slammed the table, "Everyone shut up!"

The three, who had been arguing heatedly, immediately fell silent like chickens.

Jiang Su's gaze swept over the three disciples of the Shen family, her temples throbbing in pain. Where did the original owner pick up these blockheads?

"Mother, please don't be angry..." Shen Wan, too, had been annoyed by her three senior brothers' arguing, but seeing Jiang Su's anger, she became anxious, afraid that Jiang Su would punish the three blockheads, quickly trying to soothe and explain, "My senior brothers are just a bit anxious because of me..."

Jiang Su, with a headache, waved it off, "Alright, alright. I'm not blaming them; I just want them to quiet down for a bit."

After a moment, Jiang Su turned to the three embroideresses, "Talking gets us nowhere. If you want to prove who's the best, why not show your skills instead of causing such a ruckus?"

Hearing this, the three senior brothers of the Shen family, not daring to argue and blushing with shame, said in unison, "...We understand our mistake, Master."

All four senior brothers are disciples of the original Shen Yi.

Wei Wu Escort Agency, the Shen family, is managed by the original Shen Yi. Shen Yi, the only daughter of the Shen family, had been passionate about martial arts from a young age. The previous head of the escort agency had intended to find her a martially skilled husband to help manage the agency, but she ended up choosing a frail scholar instead.

The previous head of the escort agency disagreed with their marriage, but Shen Yi was adamant, and the matter was eventually dropped. Shen Yi and her scholarly husband managed well together, with Shen Yi handling the escort duties and her husband managing domestic affairs, living harmoniously. However, due to the husband's frailty, he fell ill and passed away years ago, leaving Shen Yi to manage the escort agency and their daughter alone.

Jiang Su took a sip of tea and then asked the embroideresses, "You don't mind, do you? My disciples are rash, and just claiming you're the best doesn't help us decide, so could you perhaps show us your skills?"

The three embroideresses glanced at each other, all of them amiable and aware of Wei Wu Escort Agency's good reputation in town, as well as having a favorable impression of Jiang Su, so they had no objections.

They simply said, "As the head of the escort agency wishes."

Jiang Su bowed in thanks, "Thank you."

The three senior brothers of the Shen family went to prepare, and soon, the three embroideresses began their work. Jiang Su and Shen Wan stayed in the room to watch, with the three senior brothers keenly following the competition and curious about needlework, frequently peeking at the embroideresses' work.

After drinking some more tea, Shen Wan's eldest senior brother also returned. With Shen Wan's wedding approaching, the other three had rushed off to find an embroideress to prepare her wedding dress, each hoping their chosen embroideress could make it, essentially considering it as personally preparing their little sister's wedding dress, thus neglecting other matters.

Only Shen Wan's eldest senior brother was more thoughtful.

While he too eagerly anticipated Shen Wan's wedding dress, he also patiently took care of purchasing the necessary items for the wedding.

Shen Wan's eldest senior brother reported back to Jiang Su on the items he had bought. Jiang Su nodded and finally asked, "Have you prepared Meng Ming's wedding attire as well?"

Shen Wan's eldest senior brother was taken aback, then as if he just remembered, replied, "Not yet."

Jiang Su thought for a moment and said, "Then let it be. Once we decide on the embroideress, we can have them make it together and send it over."

Shen Wan's eldest senior brother agreed.

An hour later, the three embroideresses completed their embroidery pieces. After comparison, the Shen family chose Miss Song.

Miss Song stayed to take Shen Wan's measurements, while the other two embroideresses left Wei Wu Escort Agency together.

As the two were escorted to the gate by the person who brought them to the Shen family, they politely bid each other farewell. Miss Ji, watching the two senior brothers re-enter, whispered to Miss Li, "It seems the rumors outside are true. The Shen family is indeed seeking a son-in-law this time."

Miss Li wasn't surprised, "Of course, they're seeking a son-in-law. Otherwise, who would take over the Shen family's business if Shen Wan marries off?"

"I understand that," Miss Ji said. "But I heard that Meng Ming is quite talented and is going to the capital for exams soon. Now that he's married into the Shen family, if he achieves a high rank, it won't look good for his reputation."

"That's premature," scoffed Miss Li. "Never mind whether Meng Ming will achieve a high rank. Even if he does, all his expenses and education in recent years have been covered by the Shen family. Having received such favor, he should repay it, even if he achieves a high rank."

"You're right," Miss Ji nodded in agreement, then enviously added, "By that logic, the Shen family made a good deal. If Meng Ming does achieve a high rank, they will have struck it rich!"

"That's uncertain," Miss Li tempered, "The world isn't without its ungrateful people. If Meng Ming does achieve a high rank, whether he'll acknowledge the Shen family is another matter."

"Ah, you—" Miss Ji was left speechless by Miss Li's dampening remark, giving her an annoyed look, "Talking to you is really no fun."

Miss Ji waved her hand, "Forget it, I'm heading back to the embroidery shop. Thought I'd land a big order, but ended up wasting so much time."

"Alright," Miss Li said goodbye, and after leaving the alley in front of Wei Wu Escort Agency, they went their separate ways.

The Shen family's handling of matters caused a sensation, and the brothers' deep affection for Shen Wan, wanting her wedding to be perfect, meant nearly everyone in town knew about Shen Wan and Meng Ming's situation.

And inevitably, discussions arose about whether Meng Ming was indeed marrying into the family.

With the precedent set by the original Shen Yi, most people already believed Meng Ming was marrying into the family, and after the three embroideresses spoke up, the majority became the whole town.

Rumors and gossip spread, becoming more mixed the more they were discussed.

Some neighbors of Zhang Chunyun and Meng Ming, who held grudges against Zhang Chunyun, couldn't stand to see her family do well. Knowing this, they deliberately provoked her, saying, "Ah, Sister Zhang. Your family's Ming is truly the most accomplished. At such a young age, he found a girl willing to provide for him, and now he has a father-in-law who'll let him marry without your family spending a dime. Truly impressive. Ming is indeed a great talent."

"You!" Zhang Chunyun's face turned red with anger at the backhanded compliments, glaring at the taunting neighbor.

Delighted by Zhang Chunyun's anger, the neighbor had always disliked her airs of superiority, scoffing at her claims of noble lineage. Despite looking down on others, her life was no better than theirs.

Daily boasting about her Ming's talents and capabilities, yet in reality, he was just a man living off a woman. Without the support of the Shen family and their daughter, their survival was questionable.

The neighbor continued sarcastically, "Oh, Sister Zhang, what's wrong? I was just praising your Ming. Look at how capable he is, even before marrying Shen Wan, she was already so good to him. Once he marries into the Shen family, they'll surely dote on him even more, leaving him nothing to do but leisurely manage accounts and embroidery—ah!"

"You wretch!" Zhang Chunyun, furious, rushed over and grabbed the neighbor's hair, "Spouting nonsense! Dare to slander my Ming! I'll tear your mouth apart!"

"Ah—You harlot!" The neighbor, not one to be easily bullied, grabbed Zhang Chunyun's hair in return, and the two began fighting and cursing.

Bystanders gathered around, struggling to separate them. The neighbor, face scratched by Zhang Chunyun, hair in disarray, tried to hit back but couldn't reach, her mouth never stopping.

"You harlot! Shameless! Living off a woman, now even planning to marry into a family, relying on them for life. If Confucius were alive, he'd die of anger at your so-called talented Ming!"

"Shut up! Shut up!" Zhang Chunyun, looking ferocious, tried to hit the speaker but was restrained by several neighbors, unable to reach her. "You damned wretch! I'll kill you! Let me go!"

Zhang Chunyun was Meng Ming's mother's personal maid. She served Meng Ming's mother for decades, witnessed Meng Ming's birth, and stayed by his side through all adversities, including when Meng Ming was abandoned by the Meng family. Her affection for Meng Ming was deeper than that of a biological mother and son.

Zhang Chunyun held Meng Ming in high regard. Despite the Shen family's kindness to Meng Ming, she disliked Shen Wan and the Shen family, considering them beneath her noble Ming.

In Zhang Chunyun's eyes, Meng Ming could do no wrong. She even felt Meng Ming's alliance with the Shen family was beneath him, let alone now being directly insulted.

Zhang Chunyun was furious.

She struggled to break free from the neighbors restraining her, but they dared not let go, fearing the fight would continue.

The neighbors split into two groups, each holding one back to prevent further clashes.

Upon returning from the Shen family, Meng Ming was greeted by this chaotic scene.

"Auntie!"

Recognizing Zhang Chunyun, Meng Ming's heart tightened. He rushed to her side, and seeing her current state, his expression turned cold as he demanded, "What happened here?"

Having wielded authority for decades in his previous life, Meng Ming's official demeanor was no bluff. At his cold and stern voice, the neighbors involuntarily shivered, about to explain when Zhang Chunyun saw Meng Ming and burst into tears, throwing herself at him.

"Auntie!" Shocked by Zhang Chunyun's crying, Meng Ming quickly supported her, anxiously asking what had happened.

Zhang Chunyun wanted to explain, but overwhelmed by her grievances, she cried uncontrollably, her sobs making it impossible to speak clearly, which only added to Meng Ming's anxiety.

Shen Wan's eldest and second senior brothers had returned with Meng Ming, knowing the Meng family's modest means, the Shen family had also prepared Meng Ming's wedding necessities.

Today, as Meng Ming visited the Shen family, they had come along to deliver these items, not expecting such a scene.

Shen Wan's second senior brother urgently asked, "What happened here?"

The neighbors, eager to explain, began, "Well, it's like this..."

Zhang Chunyun glared hatefully at the Shen family's senior brothers, then, still crying, pulled Meng Ming toward their home.

"Brother Meng!" Shen Wan's eldest senior brother called out, taking a few steps after Meng Ming.

Meng Ming turned back, about to speak when Zhang Chunyun, gripping him tightly, screamed in a hoarse voice, "Go home!"

"Auntie—" Meng Ming frowned, stopping in his tracks, "What exactly happened?"

"Go home!" Zhang Chunyun repeated stubbornly, trying to drag him away.

Meng Ming, frustrated, saw the Shen family's senior brothers catch up, who asked with concern, "Aunt Zhang, what's wrong? What happened?"

Zhang Chunyun's gaze turned fiercer, screaming at them to go away.

The Shen family's senior brothers frowned unconsciously at her reaction.

Meng Ming, shocked, sternly called out, "Auntie!"

Meng Ming cared deeply for Shen Wan and, by extension, the Shen family, so he was displeased with Zhang Chunyun's harsh treatment of them.

However, Zhang Chunyun, unaware of Meng Ming's feelings, felt enraged by the neighbor's insults and blamed the Shen family for forcing Meng Ming into marriage with Shen Wan.

"You all go away! Get out!" Zhang Chunyun screamed at the Shen family's senior brothers.