Accidentally Sold Myself (Rebirth) - Chapter 13

13: Mom Always Gets Slapped in the Face

Looking into Luo Ningshuang’s captivating eyes, Gu Xi’s gaze had nowhere to settle. She could only muster, stiffly, “I’m going to take a shower.”

As a dominant figure, to think she was fleeing in embarrassment today—what a disgrace! No, this was a strategic retreat. But then, Luo Ningshuang’s teasing voice followed: “Going to take a cold shower to cool off?”

Was she really that pathetic? Gu Xi whipped her head around, glaring, but deflated instantly and let out a cold huff before heading to the bathroom.

It wasn’t that she was cowardly—she just didn’t want to argue with someone who wasn’t even dressed. Magnanimity was a quality a true leader should have.

Luo Ningshuang smiled faintly. Teasing Gu Xi turned out to be quite amusing. The days ahead wouldn’t be boring, it seemed.

Her phone suddenly rang. Luo Ningshuang’s smile faded as she saw it was Jiang Wenxi calling. Frowning, she answered.

“President Luo, you need to check online right now. There are rumors about you spreading everywhere.”

Luo Ningshuang’s deep, shadowed eyes glinted with an imperceptible chill. “Got it. Notify the finance, PR, and tech departments to hold an emergency meeting tonight.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

After hanging up, Luo Ningshuang searched herself online. The content she found was vile, and her expression darkened as she scrolled.

—LS President Luo Ningshuang Suspected of Cheating
—Is LS President a Lesbian?
—Who is LS President’s Wife?

Below, a unified wave of insults clearly orchestrated by paid trolls. Luo Ningshuang, initially dismissive, grew furious as she read on.

—Sigh, my idol is so great, and she still cheated on him.
—They say Xiao Feng supported her against all odds when she had nothing, which is why LS exists today. What a pity—she’s a green tea btch.
—Do you have proof? You’re just Xiao Feng’s lapdog.
—You’re the dog.
—+1, get lost, saintly dog. I feel bad for my idol.
—It’s all the mistress’s fault.
—Exactly, what a slut. I hate mistresses the most.
—Expose her! Mistresses deserve to be beaten to death.

Though some rational netizens tried to argue, they were drowned out by the trolls.

Luo Ningshuang couldn’t read any more. For the first time, she understood what it meant to be so angry her heart raced. Putting her phone away, she shed her bath towel without hesitation, revealing a perfect, statuesque figure—flawless fair skin, a slender waist without an ounce of fat, and long, shapely legs.

If Gu Xi saw her now, she’d probably turn into a wolf. After all, she wasn’t some saintly Liu Xiahui.

Gu Xi had just started her shower when a knock came at the door, startling her. She grabbed a towel to cover herself. “Gu Xi, I have to go to the company for an emergency. Stay here tonight—someone will pick you up tomorrow. Also, don’t use your phone. Go to bed early. I’m leaving now.”

“Oh, okay.” Gu Xi didn’t understand what could be so urgent to make Luo Ningshuang sound so anxious.

Shrugging, she figured it was nothing serious and continued her shower. She didn’t understand these things anyway.

After her shower, she flopped onto the big bed, hugging a stuffed dog in each arm, and started scrolling through her phone.

She logged into Jinjiang first, checking for any unread messages.

—Ding! Congratulations, Author Ji, for gaining fame! Though it’s negative fame, it’s still a step toward success. Keep it up! System Reward: 1 Lucky Point
—Total Accumulated: 1/100

Gu Xi was thrilled. The cap seemed to be 100 points.

“Finally got one point! Awesome! But… what does ‘negative’ mean?” Puzzled, she thought for a moment before searching online.

Within half an hour, she didn’t even need to search—she was plastered on the news headlines: “The Mistress Who Butted In Turns Out to Be Her.”

Gu Xi clicked in, and her bl00d boiled.

—No wonder she’s a mistress. Turns out she’s a lowlife even her parents didn’t want.
—Mistresses are the worst, destroying two families.
—Exactly, and she’s ugly too. Not as good-looking as my idol. Luo Ningshuang must be blind.
—Are you all crazy? They’re not even married.
—The one above is definitely a mistress too.
—Agreed, how shameless can a mistress be?

Gu Xi tossed her phone aside, out of sight, out of mind. No wonder Luo Ningshuang told her not to use her phone.

“Hmph, negative fame is still fame. As long as I get lucky points, who cares!” Gu Xi pulled the blanket over her head, muttering.

Knock knock. Gu Xi snapped out of it and said, “Come in.”

Shu Lanting walked in with a glass of milk and handed it to Gu Xi. “Drinking milk at night helps you sleep.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Sigh, I used to worry about Ningshuang so much. She works too hard for the Luo family, always socializing, and now her stomach acts up from time to time. Can I ask you to make sure she drinks a glass of milk every night? That girl never listens to me, no matter how much I nag.” Shu Lanting asked earnestly.

“Don’t worry, leave it to me.” Gu Xi said, sipping the warm milk. It seemed even rich people weren’t always happy. But if she had money, she’d definitely be happy.

Shu Lanting nodded, satisfied, then started gossiping about her daughter. “I was always worried Ningshuang would marry into the Xiao family. Thank goodness she didn’t, and instead brought me a daughter-in-law. Don’t worry—if Ningshuang ever bullies you, you beat her up. If you can’t, I’ll help you. We’ll take her down together.”

“Uh, Mom, Ningshuang’s great.” Gu Xi said quickly.

“Don’t defend her. I know my daughter. She acts all proper, but she’s full of mischief. She just never had the chance to show it before. Now she does.” Shu Lanting said meaningfully.

Gu Xi: “…” Did she mean Gu Xi was the one giving Ningshuang that chance?

“Come on, don’t look so hopeless. If she’s naughty, you can be naughty too. Don’t you want to pin her down and…” Shu Lanting said, exasperated, as if teaching a hopeless student.

Gu Xi nearly choked on her milk, coughing awkwardly. “Uh, Mom, I got it, haha!”

Shu Lanting took the glass from Gu Xi, set it on the nightstand, and patted her back. “You kid, why are you so hasty with your milk? No one’s stealing it.”

Gu Xi: “…”

“Don’t worry. The Luo family’s got your back. If anyone dares mess with you, don’t back down—give it right back. If you can’t, we’ll all back you up. Strength in numbers.” Shu Lanting advised patiently. Her daughter-in-law was too soft—she’d have to teach her to be fierce, like a tiger.

“Got it, Mom. It’s late—you should get some rest!” Gu Xi smiled politely, subtly urging her to leave.

Shu Lanting glanced at her watch. “It’s only 9 p.m., not late. But fine, you’re still growing. Early to bed, early to rise. I’m going. Sleep soon, and no more phone, got it?” She pinched Gu Xi’s cheek before leaving.

Gu Xi: “…” Who was it that said 8 p.m. was late? And her precious milk—she’d only had two sips before it was taken away!

“Whatever, I’ll look at my phone a bit more then sleep.” Gu Xi grabbed her phone and started scrolling again.

Recalling Shu Lanting’s words, she rolled up her sleeves and started arguing with netizens, trading insults.

Outside the door, Shu Lanting sent a message to Luo Ningshuang: Baby, mission accomplished. Gu Xi’s not on her phone~

Luo Ningshuang replied instantly: You sure?

Shu Lanting thought back and replied earnestly: Sure, she’s asleep.

Luo Ningshuang: Good.

Shu Lanting: Don’t forget my kiss reward next time.

Luo Ningshuang: Ugh, fine. I’m heading into a meeting now.

Satisfied with Luo Ningshuang’s agreement, Shu Lanting happily put her phone away, ready to brag to Luo Ziqian.

Meanwhile, Gu Xi, still arguing with netizens, got angrier the more she fought, and fought harder the angrier she got. She lost track of time, arguing until she fell asleep.

The next morning, when her phone alarm blared, Gu Xi’s head was foggy. She felt like she was back in her days of staying up all night writing.

Glancing at her phone, she desperately wanted to sleep, but for the sake of her 20,000 yuan, she couldn’t be late.

Dragging herself up, she washed up and looked in the mirror. Dark circles hung under her eyes, and she looked drained.

“Gu Xi, you up? Come down for breakfast—the driver’s here to pick you up.” Shu Lanting called from outside.

When she saw Gu Xi, Shu Lanting gasped. “What happened to you? Did someone rob you?”

No, this wouldn’t do. If Ningshuang saw Gu Xi like this, she’d know she hadn’t slept, and then Shu Lanting’s kiss reward would be gone. She’d just bragged yesterday! “Uh, Gu Xi, why don’t you skip work today and stay with Mom instead?”

Gu Xi shook her head. “No way, I have to go to work.” For her 20,000 yuan.

“Really? You have to? Well, fine, but you need makeup. Come on, to my room.” Shu Lanting dragged Gu Xi along.

Gu Xi, weak and listless, was pulled along without resistance.

In Shu Lanting’s room, Gu Xi gaped at the dazzling array of cosmetics. She never wore makeup and didn’t recognize a single item.

She watched as Shu Lanting picked up various brushes and started painting her face.

It wasn’t going smoothly. “Stop blinking!” Shu Lanting said, exasperated. “You’re not going to seduce me with those blinks.”

Gu Xi: “…”

“No, Mom, I’m just worried your delicate hand might slip and poke my eye out.” Gu Xi said nervously.

“Don’t worry, I’m skilled. My hands are steady. Look at me—I’ve done my own makeup for years, and my eyes are fine. Ugh, stop blinking! Now you’re making me nervous. Look, my hand’s shaking now.” Shu Lanting gestured to her trembling hand.

Gu Xi, eyeing the shaking hand, suggested tentatively, “Maybe we skip the eyeliner?”

“Great idea!”