The wheel of fortune turns
Every jeer was like a knife slicing into my skin.
Once, Gu Hansheng had married into the Yu Family as the Gu Family's illegitimate son. Back then, I had been her pride.
Now, though, she was being mocked because I was flaunting my charms onstage.
Life really was unpredictable.
I bit my lip, not daring to look up.
Gu Hansheng tilted his head slightly and swept a cold glance over me. "You... what do you have that's worth wanting?"
In that instant, something inside me hollowed out.
He was right.
There was nothing left about me that he wanted.
The novelty of me had worn off for him long ago.
Even if I stood naked before him now, he probably wouldn't spare me another glance.
As I was wondering what to say to salvage things, Gu Hansheng suddenly handed the voting device to Shen Nian beside him.
His movements were unhurried, his tone casual. "Since you wanted to come watch the fun, I'll leave this final vote to you."
A deathly silence instantly fell over the room.
Shen Nian took the voting device. "Then... I'll cast this final vote for Brother Hansheng."
She spoke softly, her finger slowly descending.
As for me, I felt all the blood in my body freeze in that instant.
A second before Shen Nian pressed the voting device, I cried out almost instinctively.
"Gu Hansheng!"
At that moment, every light on the stage seemed to shine on me.
My voice trembled, but I summoned every ounce of strength. "Gu Hansheng... this vote really matters to me. I'm begging you, all right?"
I had never imagined that one day I would abase myself to this extent in front of everyone.
Gu Hansheng frowned slightly and raised his eyes to me. Those eyes were cold and still, yet their weight almost left me unable to breathe.
I could see the fire in his eyes, burning under restraint, little by little.
That restrained anger was more chilling than a furious outburst.
My eyes reddened, and I choked back a sob, trying to say more. But the words reached my lips, only to be forced back by that single look from him.
He didn't respond.
Not even a single word.
A moment later, Shen Nian's slender fingertip gently pressed the voting device.
The instant the numbers changed on the screen, my heart sank completely.
The result was no surprise at all.
Winner: contestant No. 18.
She had won.
Shen Nian slowly rose to her feet. "Oh dear, Brother Hansheng, I'm so sorry... my hand slipped. I meant to vote for Sister Yu Han."
She turned, her gaze settling on me, and added gently, "She begged you so humbly. Surely you should have given her a little face for old times' sake."
The words "for old times' sake" pierced my heart like needles.
Shen Nian smiled faintly, her eyes clear. "But... there aren't really any old ties between Brother Hansheng and Sister Yu Han, are there? We all saw how she treated you before."
An uproar swept through the audience, whispers rising without end.
My fingertips trembled. She was right. In the past, I really had done far too many hurtful things.
But I was no longer the person I had been back then.
Gu Hansheng's expression was indifferent. Without another word, he simply rose slowly and left.
His retreating figure was tall and slender, utterly cold.
Shen Nian slipped her arm through his, and they left side by side.
I watched their retreating figures, my throat tightening, and finally could no longer hold back my tears.
"Gu Hansheng!" I shouted, my voice almost hoarse. "Do you have to treat me like this?"
But he didn't even turn his head.
He left me with nothing but his indifferent back.
The entire room fell silent for a few seconds, then the murmurs spread like a tide.
"Tsk, how humiliating..."
"President Gu really doesn't have... a shred of pity for her."
I heard every one of those voices clearly.
But I no longer had the strength to defend myself.
With my head lowered, I walked off the stage.
Only when the lights faded away did I realize I was trembling all over.
Backstage, all I wanted was to hurry and change out of that suffocating gown.
In the changing room mirror, my face was as pale as a ghost's.
I hadn't imagined I could end up in such a wretched state.
Shen Yanchuan leaned against the doorway. "Was it worth it, for a mere five million?"
I kept my head lowered, not wanting to acknowledge him.
He stepped closer and chuckled. "If you want money, you don't necessarily have to beg Gu Hansheng. You... could consider me, too."
I looked up, my brows drawing together slightly. "Shen Yanchuan, what do you mean? Do you really take me for someone selling herself?"
Shen Yanchuan spread his hands, his smile unchanged. "Don't be angry. I'm only giving you another option..."
"Did you invite Gu Hansheng here? You deliberately wanted to humiliate me, didn't you!"
He paused, looking at me with amusement. "I didn't tell Gu Hansheng you were taking part in the event. I just... mentioned it casually to Shen Nian. Who knew they'd actually come?"
I stared at him, suddenly realizing...
Shen Nian, Shen Yanchuan.
They... both had the surname Shen.