"Tang Xueqing, were you the one who tipped off the paparazzi? You were the only one who knew I was at a hotel."
The actress Zhao Tiantian called Tang Xueqing in tears.
Ever since she had been photographed, she hadn't dared go anywhere. Hiding at home alone, she grew more suspicious the more she thought about it.
Tang Xueqing must have sold her out.
"How could I? Tiantian, I didn't even know you were at the Zhengyang Hotel. You never told me."
Thinking it over, she realized she really hadn't mentioned the address.
"I suspect someone's targeting you. Don't worry. They only caught you at a hotel. It won't affect your variety show."
"That's a relief. I worked hard for several nights to get onto that show. Xueqing, your second brother really broke my heart. He actually threw shade at me himself."
"Oh, he just wants your attention. Men like that whole love-hate thing."
"Really? Then why won't he join the show?"
Tang Xueqing grew irritated. "There'll be plenty of chances. Don't worry."
After hanging up, Tang Xueqing felt so disgusted she wanted to throw up.
If Zhao Tiantian hadn't been bold enough to set her sights on her second brother, who would have bothered befriending her?
Tang Xueqing left her room and saw Song Jia standing outside her door. Startled, she felt a little uneasy.
"Mom? What are you doing here?"
Song Jia had become hooked on gossip these past two days and had stopped outside the door without even realizing it.
"Oh, I came to call you downstairs for cake."
Tang Xueqing happily linked arms with her. "You're the best, Mom."
Downstairs, Tang Shiba was already eating. The remaining half of the cake was a sorry sight.
"Oh, you're here. Sorry, you took so long to come down that I've eaten most of it. You can have what's left."
Who could stomach that mangled, rather disgusting cake?
Keeping her smile in place, she waved a hand. "You finish it, sis. Mom used to buy it for me all the time. I've had plenty."
Looking a little disappointed, Tang Shiba continued eating.
"Mom, let me give you a massage. You used to love my massages."
"Ah, all right."
Mrs. Tang lay down on the couch and let Tang Xueqing massage her.
It was free service. Why turn it down?
Tang Xueqing wanted to see Tang Shiba get jealous. She wanted her to know that her own bond with Mom was the strongest.
There's some juicy gossip!
Mrs. Tang immediately pricked up her ears.
The servant who was arrested last time was released after paying compensation. Now she wants revenge on Mom. She's waiting outside the Tang Family home with a knife.
What?! Mrs. Tang sat bolt upright.
Both girls looked at her strangely.
"It's nothing. My leg suddenly cramped."
She's hiding in the trash bin across from the gate right now.
"Oh, I need to call your father about something. You girls have fun."
Mrs. Tang went upstairs to call the police.
After reporting it, she headed outside, frightening Tang Shiba into quickly calling out to stop her.
"Mom, where are you going?"
"Oh, I'm taking out the trash."
Didn't they have servants? Why was she taking out the trash?
Tang Shiba got up to accompany her. "I'll go with you."
"I want to go too." Tang Xueqing followed behind them.
The servants exchanged bewildered looks.
What sort of trash needed the lady of the house to take it out herself?
They would rummage through it later. Maybe they'd strike it rich.
Mrs. Tang really was taking out the trash.
What she was throwing away was Er Gou's dog poop from the garden.
The poop stank so badly that all three of them pinched their noses.
"The servants are so forgetful. I knew they'd forgotten to throw it away. No wonder it smells around here."
So that was it.
Mom's so generous. Instead of blaming the servants for their mistake, she's doing it herself. She isn't even afraid of the stink. Impressive.
Mrs. Tang was in such a good mood that even the dog poop no longer seemed to stink.
Tang Shiba had planned to take it and throw it away herself, but when she saw a police car pull up outside, she left it alone.
What a perfect opportunity.
Mrs. Tang was clever too. Rather than approaching the trash bin, she opened the garbage bag, dumped the dog poop in, and quickly jumped away.
"Damn it! Which bastard dumped shit on my face?!"
A woman with a brutish face leaped out of the trash bin, spitting over and over.
She looked up, spotted Song Jia, and charged at her viciously with a knife.
"You bitch! It's you! I'll kill you!"
Thud!
With a slick kick, a police officer knocked the woman to the ground and restrained her.
Song Jia patted her chest and stepped forward, telling the police, "Thank you. It's a good thing you got here in time."
The officers nodded and took the woman away.
The woman looked like a beaten dog, but before leaving, she glanced at Tang Xueqing.
Tang Xueqing avoided her gaze, not daring to look at her.
Wow, Tang Xueqing was the one who told the servant to get revenge this way. Too bad they deleted their chat history.
Tang Xueqing wanted to take a knife for Mom so the Tang Family would feel guilty toward her. All I can say is, she's ruthless!
What?!
Tang Xueqing again!
"This time, I'll press every charge I can and make sure she gets a proper lesson in prison."
Then she said to Tang Xueqing, "Xueqing, thank goodness you weren't hurt. Don't be like that ungrateful servant. The Tang Family fed and clothed her, paid her wages, and even gave her gifts."
"But she refused to appreciate any of it and turned around to bite the hand that fed her. Tell me, isn't someone like that utterly heartless?"
Mom's absolutely right. Tang Xueqing is utterly heartless. Beautifully said. Mwah!
Tang Xueqing nervously clenched her hands and forced a laugh. "Yes. Thank goodness you're all right, Mom. Otherwise, I'd be heartbroken."
When Mr. Tang came home, Tang Mom told him what had happened.
"What an ungrateful wretch. The Tang Family never mistreated her. How could she do something like this?"
"Honey, you can never be too careful around people. Stop showing her favoritism. Don't give her any money until she learns to behave."
And so, everyone's allowance was cut off.
Even the cakes at home became smaller.
When Tang Xueqing noticed, she couldn't help asking Mr. Tang about it.
"Dad, has something happened at the company lately?"
Tang Dad looked pained. "Yes. All the money you gave me might go down the drain."
"What?!"
Didn't that mean she wouldn't get those fifty million back?
Tang Xueqing's eyes reddened, and she burst into tears.
"Dad, I want to help you too, but I don't have any money left either. Why don't I come help at the company?"
If she went to the company, she could secretly transfer some assets to herself. If she waited until the Tang Family went bankrupt, she wouldn't get a penny.
"No need. I care about you too much to let you suffer. Don't worry. Everything will be fine once we get through this."
Tang Xueqing gritted her teeth. It looked like she would have to find herself another family to rely on.
If she married soon, the Tang Family would still provide her with a dowry.
She had heard that a Film Emperor would also be joining this variety show.
If she could...
Once that idea took root, Tang Xueqing couldn't stop thinking about it.
Wow, the Tang Family hasn't gone bankrupt at all. Dad's lying.
Tang Dad's mouth stiffened.
But Tang Xueqing believed him. She's getting ready to hand herself over to someone.
Mr. and Mrs. Tang listened closely. Hurry up and say it. Who was she going to hand herself over to?
Let's see who the sucker is. Oh, the celebrated Film Emperor Si Wuyu. Wow, the male and female leads are about to meet.
The gears of fate have begun to turn!
What?!
The man who headed the Si Family?
Before you continue