The paparazzo posted Tang Shiba's photos online.
He even thoughtfully blurred out the entire background.
Her phone, which had been silent for ages, rang. The moment she answered, the company's management started berating her.
"Tang Shiba, what the hell is wrong with you! A nobody like you actually dares to cause trouble for the company? Are you worried you're not obscure enough? Get down here and terminate your contract!"
Tang Shiba frowned after hanging up.
[System: This wave of online harassment and boycotts puts you at risk of an astronomical contract termination penalty.]
A huge termination penalty? No way. Anyone who dares touch my retirement money will have to fight me for it. Even my brothers don't get a pass.
With no other choice, Tang Shiba reluctantly got up early and headed to the company to face her second brother's wrath.
"Shiba, are you going to the company? I'm heading that way too. Shall we go together?"
"Sure."
Just as Tang Shiba was about to leave, she gained a companion.
In the car, Tang Shiba couldn't be bothered with Tang Xueqing.
She gazed out the window, her thoughts wandering.
Looking at that delicate, fair-skinned face, Tang Xueqing seethed with jealousy.
"Shiba, what beauty products do you use? How is your skin so nice?"
"I was born with it."
"Could you recommend something for me to try?"
"It's genetic."
Shut down, Tang Xueqing lowered her head, her eyes turning cold.
Then she started crying again.
"Shiba, why are you so hostile toward me?"
"Because you keep going out of your way to be a bitch."
This woman really is made of water. No wonder so many people like her. She could cry West Lake dry.
When they reached the company building, Tang Shiba couldn't help silently complaining.
They took the elevator together, and the company's employees were surprised to see them together.
"Why is Xueqing with that nobody? Won't it hurt her reputation?"
"Ugh, why is someone like that still with the company?"
Poor second brother. He worked so hard to run this company, only for it to end up as Tang Xueqing's dowry.
A livestream variety show is about to start filming, and second brother is participating as a guest. Unfortunately, Tang Xueqing drugs him on the show for money and gets him into bed with another celebrity.
Oh, that celebrity is Tang Xueqing's best friend. They've been planning this for ages.
To keep that actress quiet, second brother pays her a huge amount of hush money. In the end, it all goes into Tang Xueqing's pocket.
Oh, and that celebrity is a professional bed-hopper with an infectious disease. Second brother catches it afterward. If they hadn't caught it early, he would've been rotting away.
In his office, Tang Xiao frowned and asked his assistant, "Who's talking?"
"No one. It's just you and me in here."
Suddenly, the door swung open, and a figure rushed in and threw herself into Tang Xiao's arms.
"Second brother, I missed you so much."
"Oh, Xueqing. What brings you to the company today?"
Wow, so this is Tang Xiao, my sister-doting fanatic of a brother. He's ridiculously handsome!
She's the one talking!
I can hear her thoughts? Was all that earlier from her too?
"Who is she?"
Tang Xueqing sniffled and said, her eyes red, "Second brother, she's our older sister."
Tang Xiao's heart ached for her. "Why are your eyes so red? Who bullied you?"
Tang Xueqing glanced at Tang Shiba. "On the way here, she called me a bitch. It hurt my feelings."
An icy gaze landed on Tang Shiba.
Without greeting anyone, she found a sofa and sat down.
He actually believes that? Second brother really is brain-dead.
"Why did you bully Xueqing?"
Why did I bully her? Oh, please. She's so noble, so beautiful, and such a drama queen. I'll just sit quietly and watch her perform.
But aloud, she said, "Second brother, it's all my fault for not knowing how to speak properly. Our little sister is so delicate and has such active tear ducts. She's been crying ever since I came back. I don't know why either."
In a minute, she'll cry and beg you to go on that show. If you go, you're done for. An infectious disease—syphilis!
Syphilis!
That's disgusting.
Tang Xiao immediately tossed a contract onto the desk for Tang Shiba to read.
"Either apologize to Xueqing or sign this contract."
I can't be bothered to read it. Trying to swindle me out of my money? Not a chance. Not even the tiniest chance.
"Second brother, I'm not signing myself into slavery. I'm still pure and innocent!"
Tang Shiba put on an innocent, adorable expression, making Tang Xiao's gaze flicker.
This sister... is pretty good-looking...
He cleared his throat. "Don't you know what you've done?"
"Oh, you mean that rumor about me being a kept woman? I went shopping with Mom yesterday. Didn't Xueqing know?"
Such a simple thing, and he doesn't even ask. He's not just brain-dead, he's blind too.
Mom knows about the paparazzo taking those photos yesterday. Why doesn't he just ask her?
Tang Xueqing paid off a paparazzo to frame me, and nobody even checks the facts? What's wrong with this world? Just let it end!
Tang Xiao suddenly went to the restroom to make a call, leaving Tang Xueqing dissatisfied.
What's wrong with second brother? He should have thrown her out immediately.
With a look of concern, she "kindly" tossed the contract to Tang Shiba. "Shiba, you're not suited to the entertainment industry. You should sign this contract. I'll introduce you to a permanent public-sector job, so you won't starve."
"Oh, I forgot. Aren't you technically still enrolled in school? You can't take a permanent public-sector job."
"Then I suppose you'll have to work at a bar. I know a friend who works at one. The pay is pretty good."
Having finished verifying the matter, Tang Xiao came back out.
He looked at Tang Xueqing with a frown.
She really had hired someone to secretly photograph Tang Shiba and smear her.
Yet he still couldn't believe it.
Then he said gently to Tang Xueqing, "The company has booked you a livestream variety show. Filming starts in three days."
"You'll go with your third brother."
"Second brother, is it One Big Happy Family? But I only want to go with you. Please come with me?"
Tang Xueqing wheedled. This had always worked best in the past.
But this time, Tang Xiao refused to go, no matter what she said.
He even felt their third brother shouldn't go either.
Finally, his gaze fell on Tang Shiba.
"Tang Shiba can go with you!"
"What? Isn't she terminating her contract? Why should she get to go on the show?"
Realizing she had gotten carried away and said the wrong thing, Tang Xueqing hurriedly added, "Her reputation is bad. I won't be able to help her either."
Tang Xiao studied Tang Xueqing carefully. He didn't know why, but ever since seeing Tang Shiba, his head had felt much clearer.
What she had just said didn't sound like something the usual Tang Xueqing would say.
"Just tell them she's a distant relative. I have a company to run. I don't have time to go."
Tang Xueqing kept insisting. "Second brother, please come? I heard livestreaming is really fun. Just think of it as keeping me company. Pretty please?"
Tang Xiao felt torn. It was all Tang Shiba's fault for spouting nonsense and making him turn down his beloved little sister.
Pretty please~ Pretty please~
Sure, absolutely. Go ahead. Syphilis is waiting for you, and so is that surgically enhanced celebrity.
Wow, that celebrity has had her whole body done. Seriously? Even her butt is fake?
Rich people really know how to have fun. Three men in one night, too. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Tang Xiao is her next target. Go on, then. Your little sister will sing for you: Listen to me, thank you, because of you, syphilis came along~
"Stop talking!"
Tang Xiao suddenly shouted.
Seeing Tang Xueqing freeze, he explained, "I wasn't talking to you."
Then he turned to Tang Shiba. "You'll go with your little sister. If you don't cause trouble this time, you won't have to terminate your contract."
"Second brother." Tang Xueqing wanted to try persuading him again.
But Tang Xiao refused.
Before you continue