After Slacking Off, I Became Popular Online (GL) - Chapter 2

“Alright, if you insist on getting involved in this industry, don’t even think about getting support from our family. If anything happens, the Tang family will never acknowledge you.”

“Get lost, get lost, you jinx.”

“If it weren’t for you, how could your mother have accidentally fallen down the stairs, and ended up dying along with the unborn child? You’re the culprit who killed your mother and your unborn brother.”

“Sister, Dad, Mom, and I are the only family. You shouldn’t come back.”

••••

“Yes, she’s still not awake. It’s probably impossible to clarify things now. Hmm, as for those troublemakers, I think we need to ask Shuxia first.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Xie Jinzhi hung up the phone, pushed open the door, and turned around to see Tang Shuxia staring blankly at the hospital ceiling with wide, clear eyes, her gaze so hollow it was unsettling. Her many earnest words eventually turned into a sigh. She pulled up a chair and sat by the bed, staring absently at the gauze on Tang Shuxia’s forehead.

When she brought Tang Shuxia to the hospital, she was so scared she almost lost control of the steering wheel. She had managed many artists, most of whom were unremarkable, never making any waves in the industry, even their scandals were minor. But Tang Shuxia, who became infamous overnight, even publicly attacked in a public place… it was truly a first for her.

It wasn’t that there were no artists labeled as “homewreckers,” but no one had ever been as miserable as Tang Shuxia. It was as if all the bad luck in the world had fallen on her. If she hadn’t arrived at the shopping center in time today, she couldn’t imagine what terrifying things might have happened.

Xie Jinzhi clenched her fists. “I’ve discussed it with the company. For your future, and for the company’s long-term development, we must issue a clarification on this matter. Otherwise, Mu Yingying’s fans’ constant spitting could drown you, and incidents like today might happen again. Speaking of which, have you thought about how to deal with the people who attacked you today?”

Xie Jinzhi analyzed the pros and cons for her, talking until her throat was dry. She looked up and saw that the person in bed hadn’t even moved an inch, perhaps not even blinked.

“???”

It felt like she was talking to thin air.

Xie Jinzhi pulled the chair closer. “Shuxia, are you listening?”

Tang Shuxia finally moved. She suddenly extended her left arm. Xie Jinzhi thought she needed something, stood up, and went to the other side of the bed, only to see the arm slowly pillow itself behind her head, which was wrapped like a dumpling. Tang Shuxia even glanced at her strangely. “Yes.”

Xie Jinzhi felt that the person who was just now “lifeless” suddenly came alive. Not only did her hollow eyes light up, but a slight smile even appeared at the corner of her mouth. Although no matter how she looked at it, she felt that the smile on the other person’s face held a deep, meaningful quality.

“Do you have any objections to what I just said?”

“What?”

Tang Shuxia’s expression was blank. She had just been busy processing the recent memories of this body. Without a doubt, she would probably have to continue living using this body. Moreover, this world was no longer her original world. This place advocated peace, with everything valuing harmony. There was no killing, no private revenge.

Her past identity, if placed in the present, would probably earn her a spot “in a cell.”

In her previous life, she didn’t initially aim to be the leader of the demon sect. But because she sought revenge, she became an “demonic enchantress” whom everyone wanted to kill. So she simply fulfilled everyone’s wishes and became an demonic enchantress.

But now, the owner of this body… is a pitiful victim.

Tang Shuxia felt as if she was seeing her past self.

Xie Jinzhi had an “as expected” look, then rambled on, repeating what she had just said almost verbatim. “The company feels that your recent online activities are too high-profile. The news of you being hospitalized also trended today. Now, online comments are polarized, both good and bad… The company sees this as an opportunity. You can play the ‘pitiable victim’ card, so they suggest you keep a low profile, letting big matters become small, and small matters disappear.”

Tang Shuxia took some time to sort out what had happened to the body’s owner. “Too weak.”

Xie Jinzhi: “???”

She suspected she heard wrong or misheard. “What did you say was weak? What’s weak?”

Tang Shuxia did a carp sit-up, crossing her legs. She never imagined that people in this era could be killed by being hit by objects. It was such an unjust death. If it were her, she would never let those good-for-nothings get close. She asked nonchalantly, “Letting big matters become small, and small matters disappear, does that mean the previous incidents can be written off?”

Xie Jinzhi: “…”

This, ah, this.

Xie Jinzhi suspected that those people had damaged Tang Shuxia’s brain. These were completely different matters; how could they be written off? Netizens would definitely not agree. She was about to call the doctor when she heard a sneer from the room. “Then why should big matters become small, and small matters disappear? I’ve always been one to not offend unless offended. But if someone offends me, I will definitely return it a thousandfold.”

Xie Jinzhi stared blankly at the person sitting cross-legged on the bed. The person was still the same seemingly gentle and weak woman as usual, but for some reason, she felt that the Tang Shuxia in front of her was emanating an aura of malevolence, so unfamiliar it made her want to stay away. She was silent for a long while, then asked weakly, “Then how do you plan to return it a thousandfold?”

Tang Shuxia slapped the bedding beneath her. “Simple. Don’t people here go to ‘jail’ for laying hands on others? Then send them to jail. How about letting them stay in jail for life?”

Xie Jinzhi gasped. This was clearly going to be a death match with those few people, and given Tang Shuxia’s current injuries, it was probably wishful thinking to get a life sentence. “Are you sure?”

Tang Shuxia: “Of course. Any problem?”

Xie Jinzhi shook her head. Her original intention was to agree to Tang Shuxia standing up for her rights. An unwarranted label of “homewrecker” was slapped on her, and now she had been beaten, cursed, and cyberbullied. If it were her, she would probably become depressed on the spot. Moreover, those few people went too far, saying that a homewrecker deserved to be beaten and scorned, acting like embodiments of justice. Thinking about it, Xie Jinzhi was still very angry.

Tang Shuxia saw her hesitate. “Something else?”

Xie Jinzhi hesitated. “The fact that you were beaten and sent to the hospital is known by netizens. Now, online opinions about you are polarized. I have no objection to you asserting your rights. But before that, we can’t let the ‘homewrecker’ label stick. I asked you to release your chat history with Cheng Zeyu before, but you refused.” She carefully observed the other’s expression and found Tang Shuxia looking carelessly out the window, as if there was something more attractive out there than dealing with her troublesome affairs. She wasn’t listening seriously. Xie Jinzhi sighed, “Shuxia, tell me honestly, did you really interfere in the relationship between Cheng Zeyu and Mu Yingying?”

The question was asked very subtly.

Tang Shuxia looked up at the person who was blocking her light. Yes, this was her manager, a woman who toiled for a living. How strange, women in this era could actually live independently, something unimaginable in her past. For some reason, Tang Shuxia rather liked this place. “Don’t worry, I have no interest in being someone’s second ‘auntie’.”

Xie Jinzhi: “???”

Second… second what?

Tang Shuxia was still digesting the myriad memories of this body. The memories were like strong liquor, coming fiercely and intensely, needing careful savoring. If Xie Jinzhi hadn’t repeatedly mentioned Cheng Zeyu and Mu Yingying in her ear, Tang Shuxia wouldn’t have bothered to dig out information about them from the corners of her mind. The owner of this body met Cheng Zeyu in a theater. Cheng Zeyu’s position was equivalent to an externally hired musician, while the original owner’s role in the theater was a tragic musical genius. Through their interactions, the two exchanged contact information to better communicate and analyze the characters in the play.

However, there was a slight deviation from Cheng Zeyu’s narrative. It was Cheng Zeyu who always initiated meetings. He, relying on his “mentor” status, would give her pointers, but in reality, he was harassing her in various ways. This even caused the original owner a lot of distress. In her era, it would be like a married musician fancying the original owner, relying on his status to harass her shamelessly, making all sorts of empty promises, and then the musician’s “vicious wife” discovers his intentions and instead comes to trouble the original owner, blaming her for being too seductive and alluring.

In the end, women still make things difficult for women, as for the scumbag… he always manages to get away unscathed.

Tang Shuxia, after putting herself in the shoes of the entire incident’s cause and effect, couldn’t help but chuckle as she rubbed her forehead.

Xie Jinzhi: “???”

Oh no, this is a prelude to madness.

Xie Jinzhi secretly made up her mind that she would find a doctor soon, yes, let the doctor thoroughly examine Tang Shuxia’s brain, lest she really suffered some damage.

Tang Shuxia was unaware that her manager was already planning to schedule a psychiatric appointment for her. “What a clever trick, the thief crying ‘stop thief.’ This was clearly premeditated.”

Xie Jinzhi: “Huh?”

Tang Shuxia still had another thought: “Since he’s so good at harassing others, why not just castrate him?” but she automatically swallowed it back after meeting Xie Jinzhi’s worried gaze. She quickly dismissed this dangerous thought that could very well land her in “jail.” She couldn’t help but click her tongue lightly. “Consider him lucky.”

This world was good, but it invisibly added a chain of restraint to her.

Tang Shuxia felt a sense of frustration at not being able to fully act. She was never one to sit idly by. If one path was blocked, she would take another. In the past, when she could use her hands, she would never use her mouth. But now… it seemed like using her hands was not an option. She propped up her chin with a bitter, resentful expression and sighed.

Xie Jinzhi saw that she was finally no longer “talking nonsense” and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She tiptoed towards the door, as if carefully afraid of disturbing the person lost in her own world.

Tang Shuxia squinted at her. “Stop.”

Xie Jinzhi’s foot, which had just stepped out, hung in mid-air. “What’s wrong?”

Tang Shuxia didn’t pay attention to her redundant movement, but continued to prop up her head and mutter, “Since there’s no retreat, arrange a challenge for me.”

Xie Jinzhi: “What?! Ar-arrange a challenge?”

Tang Shuxia smiled slightly. “I misspoke. Arrange a meeting with the ‘vicious wife’ for me.”

Xie Jinzhi: “………………”