Divorce Is An Absolute Must! - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Jealousy

◎Tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk.◎

The wooden house was old-fashioned, with a design that has been widely criticized in the history of human architecture: because there was not enough space, the stairs were designed to be high and narrow. Every time you went from the bedroom to the living room, you had to be careful and walk on your tiptoes.

Zhu Qing had just grabbed the railing and was about to put her foot down when a great force came from behind her, causing her to miss her step.

“Thud!”

Everyone downstairs who was waiting for filming to start heard a dull thud.

Li Lan frowned and walked over.

“Xiao Qing?”

Zhu Qing was hanging on the stairs in a very contorted position. Her two legs were kneeling on different steps, one hand was firmly gripping the railing, and the other hand was on the bottom step, desperately trying to hold herself up.

Li Lan’s heart pounded when she saw her. She rushed over and carefully helped her up. “What happened? Are you okay? Can you get up?”

The dull thud was the sound of Zhu Qing’s knees hitting the ground. It was loud. When the others came over, they just saw Li Lan helping Zhu Qing up.

“What happened? Are you okay?” Liu Yini said, her face wincing. “Did you fall or miss a step?”

Li Lan helped Zhu Qing stand up. Her gaze fell on Qi Yao, who was a few steps above them. Qi Yao was looking at them with a cold expression, not moving at all.

Li Lan said in a low voice, “How did she fall?”

Qi Yao sneered and said nothing.

Li Lan’s mind replayed the image of Zhu Qing falling. She didn’t look like she had missed a step. If a person missed a step, their whole body would fall forward, but Zhu Qing’s legs were in a sliding position. She was clearly trying to grab the railing to stop herself from sliding down. Someone had pushed her.

Li Lan stared at Qi Yao, her gaze as cold as steel.

The summer heat was getting more intense, and Zhu Qing was wearing thin clothes. Several of her joints hit the ground, making her feel dizzy and in pain. After being helped up, she was unable to speak for a while. Now she finally found some strength and grabbed Li Lan’s hand.

Li Lan felt Zhu Qing’s movement and said anxiously, “Come on, sit down quickly. Tell me where you got hurt.”

The director trotted over, wiping his sweat. “Teacher Li, what’s going on…”

Li Lan didn’t even look at him. “Go get the footage. There’s a camera fixed in the hallway.”

After Zhu Qing was helped to sit down, she squeezed Li Lan’s palm and said weakly, “It’s okay. Don’t let the production crew look for it.”

Li Lan asked, “Did you fall on your own?”

Zhu Qing shook her head. “That’s a blind spot for the camera. It can’t film there.”

Just as Zhu Qing had said, there was only a one-meter drop between the first-floor bedroom and the living room. Because the ceiling was very low, it was inconvenient to set up a camera, so there was a blind spot for filming. The video only showed Qi Yao’s back and a corner of Zhu Qing’s clothes.

“Here, when Zhu Qing fell, Qi Yao also moved,” Li Lan said, standing in front of the screen and staring at every movement on it. “How does he explain that?”

The director said with a troubled expression, “He said that Zhu Qing fell, and he was about to go help her.”

Li Lan sneered. “A coward who can’t own up to what he did.”

The director continued to wipe his sweat, pretending not to hear her. In fact, based on the behavior of the two, it was obvious that Qi Yao had pushed Zhu Qing. The trending searches from yesterday also gave Qi Yao a good reason to do so—he was unhappy. He already had a bad temper, and now he was probably lashing out at everyone he saw. He just happened to run into Zhu Qing.

The director took out a cigarette and was about to light it when he remembered that Li Lan was still there. He quietly put the cigarette back and didn’t say a word. This was how they were. When faced with conflicts between guests, they didn’t want to take sides or be the judge.

Li Lan rewatched the video several times and even recorded a clip with her phone.

“What’s the meaning of this? Is he still going to continue filming?” Li Lan said, forcing the director to speak.

The director was stunned for a moment and said in a low voice, “That’s what Qi Yao wants. He’s not admitting that he pushed her, and we can’t find direct evidence in the video.”

“Okay, it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t admit it,” Li Lan nodded, leaning against the door frame and lifting her chin. “Then we’re not filming anymore.”

The director was shocked and said softly, “That’s not going to work, Teacher Li…”

“Of course, it’s not our fault,” Li Lan said, spreading her hands. “He’s not admitting it, and you’re also going along with his story, so let’s call the police. Let the police come and examine the footage. Your equipment has good audio. After a professional analysis, we can definitely find some clues, whether the sound of Zhu Qing falling came first or the sound of his arm moving came first.”

The director stood up and said anxiously, “There’s no need to go this far. Why are you calling the police?”

“Whether there’s a need or not doesn’t matter to me,” Li Lan said, taking a quiet breath. “Do you think I would call the police if I weren’t bound by a confidentiality agreement that prevents me from releasing the footage? I would let the whole fanbase know your true colors.”

The director stared at Li Lan for a few seconds, then turned and walked out. He was obviously going to discuss it with the rest of the production crew.

The production crew didn’t expect Li Lan to be so stubborn. They had a doctor with them who had examined Zhu Qing and said she only had some abrasions. She seemed to have a lot of experience with falling, as she grabbed the railing immediately. The momentum didn’t pull her down completely, only bruising her knees and a wrist. She would be fine after some rest.

Who doesn’t get hurt while filming? To make such a big deal out of a small injury and call the police made many of the higher-ups uneasy.

“Don’t come to me and talk about how you’re going to weigh the pros and cons.” No matter who came to find Li Lan, she had the same expression. She told Zhu Qing to go back to the room to rest and stood in front of the door, saying to everyone who came, “He dared to push someone today, and it was just on these few steps. Zhu Qing is fine because she reacted quickly. Next time, we’re going into the mountains. Is he going to send us away from this world?”

Nothing worked. Li Lan’s emotions were not intense, but she was unyielding. The police were already at the entrance of the wooden house. Because the show generated revenue for the local area, the police who came were not from the local precinct but from the county police station.

“If you file a report, we have to send officers. Her condition, whether it’s serious or not, requires a medical report,” the police officer said to a member of the production crew. “It’s not up to you to say she’s okay. And if you could have handled it privately, why would someone file a police report?”

Li Lan took Zhu Qing to the county hospital for a full checkup and they actually found a problem. She didn’t even realize it, but when she grabbed the railing, her head hit the wall, and she got a mild concussion on top of a previous bruise.

“No wonder I felt a little dizzy,” Zhu Qing said, shaking her head. “But it’s not a big deal. Let’s go back and film.”

Li Lan pulled her hand away and said with a cold face, “Your words don’t matter either.”

“Then let Qi Yao leave,” Zhu Qing said quickly. “Let him go. We’ll continue filming and get the six million.”

Li Lan glared at her, disappointed. “The six million is for breach of contract, not compensation.”

“Oh, that’s what I meant. Why are you making things so difficult with the production crew? It’s not their fault,” Zhu Qing said. Her ears were tired of listening to the production crew members trying to persuade Li Lan to let things go. “You’ll easily offend people this way.”

“That’s not offending. That’s an unavoidable conflict of interest. I can’t give in. They have to find a way to protect their interests,” Li Lan said calmly, with a hint of mockery. “I’m offending them? Didn’t they offend me? I’m keeping a record of what they did.”

Zhu Qing had never seen Li Lan so sullen for so long. She rarely got angry and never lost her temper with Zhu Qing. This Li Lan was a little unfamiliar to Zhu Qing… but also reassuring.

Yang Huayi’s call came late, but it came. Li Lan had her phone on silent, so she didn’t pick up until it had vibrated for a while.

“I’ll give you the endorsement for X luxury brand in the second half of the year,” Yang Huayi said, getting straight to the point. “It’s compensation from Meiyu Media.”

Li Lan stared at the scorching ground outside, her nostrils filled with the smell of disinfectant from the hospital. She didn’t say anything.

Yang Huayi said, “Qi Yao can’t leave. After all the negative trending searches, if he leaves now, the audience will only remember his negative image, and Meiyu Media’s investment in him will be a complete loss.”

Li Lan still didn’t say anything.

Yang Huayi’s tone turned cold. “If you don’t want to talk, give the phone to Zhu Qing. I’ll talk to her.”

“She’s dizzy and doesn’t want to talk,” Li Lan’s voice was sharp. “If he doesn’t leave, I will. That’s it.”

Li Lan was about to hang up when Yang Huayi said, “Li Lan, can’t you be more mature? You’re leaving? You’re going to make my investment go to waste? Do you think I’ll agree?”

Li Lan’s voice was sarcastic and calm. “Do whatever you want.”

“You…” Yang Huayi probably had never seen Li Lan so unyielding. “I want to talk to Zhu Qing!”

Zhu Qing was listening very carefully. She pulled on Li Lan’s hand, wanting to take the phone. Li Lan frowned and avoided Zhu Qing’s hand. “I said she’s dizzy. Miss Yang, I’m telling you very seriously, I don’t know why Meiyu Media is promoting a person like Qi Yao. He has a bad attitude at work and likes to act like a big shot in private. You guys don’t care, and when he got on the show, he was bullying Yu Ling every day. You used an endorsement to silence Yu Ling, and you don’t care, but now he even dared to lay a hand on Zhu Qing. Is Meiyu Media going to clean up his mess again, and you’re going to continue not caring? I understand your indifference very well, and I can also empathize, but that’s your mindset. I can’t be indifferent. I only have one partner, and I don’t accept her continuing to film with Qi Yao.”

Yang Huayi didn’t say anything for a long time. Li Lan looked at the screen and was about to hang up.

“Heh,” Yang Huayi suddenly let out a laugh, and then another one, as if she couldn’t hold it in. It was a little helpless. “Can you solve the problem by leaving with your tail between your legs? He’ll continue filming, continue to dominate the trending searches, and then have a character reversal to win over a wave of good favor. And you’ll get nothing by leaving midway, and your future resources will plummet. Is that your revenge?”

Li Lan held her phone, and her breathing became heavy.

Yang Huayi said, “Keep filming. I have a plan. Qi Yao… I have a plan for him.”

Li Lan was about to ask what her plan was when the doctor came over to check on Zhu Qing. She had to hang up.

“The patient’s brain bruise shows signs of absorption,” Li Lan had Qian Chu send over Zhu Qing’s previous medical records immediately. After looking at all the indicators, the doctor said, “The concussion is also very mild. It’s nothing serious. She’ll be fine after some rest. Just make sure she eats more nutritious food.”

Li Lan saw the doctor out. As soon as she turned around, Zhu Qing was right in front of her.

“Aw, Teacher Li, don’t be angry anymore,” Zhu Qing said, hugging her waist and swaying from side to side. “Let’s just wait and see what Miss Yang says. I think there will be a better solution. Miss Yang is right. If we stop filming, we’re just letting Qi Yao win. That’s what hurts our loved ones and makes our enemies happy. That’s the most infuriating thing.”

Of course, Li Lan didn’t want to let him get away with it either, but she didn’t expect Zhu Qing to be in this state.

“Don’t you feel disgusted? Don’t you feel disgusted?” Li Lan’s voice was low. “The production crew doesn’t care who’s wrong or who’s been wronged. They just want to make peace. Qi Yao’s company also doesn’t care about controlling his words and actions and just wants to use money to silence people. They don’t care about right and wrong. They only care about profit.”

Zhu Qing’s voice was muffled. “Of course, I don’t like it, but I have you. You’ll protect me, so I’m not wronged.”

“…You really want to continue filming?”

Zhu Qing nodded gently. Her hair bounced up and down. It was very soft. “I really hate it, but I also really want to film.”

Li Lan touched her head and fell into a dilemma.

But she didn’t have to be conflicted for long.

A group of assistants from He Guangtong and Meiyu Media arrived and stayed with them the entire time. As soon as Qi Yao was off camera, assistants would surround him, ostensibly to help him manage his image, but in reality, to supervise him. Qi Yao was no longer able to be alone with anyone. The luxury endorsement for Li Lan was also signed with an agreement, and Zhu Qing also received a generous “sympathy fund.”

Most importantly, Li Lan vaguely heard from Yang Huayi that she had a backup plan to deal with Qi Yao. Li Lan had no doubt about Yang Huayi’s actions. She would get to the root of the problem and deliver a fatal blow. If she said she was going to deal with him, she would definitely leave him no way out. Since that was the case, she could wait and see.

…

The entire incident lasted for a day and a night, and it finally came to an end.

In the wooden house, Yu Ling was helping Qi Yao pack his things. Qi Yao appeared at the door with a tired expression. Over the past day, he had received countless calls and had endured a lot of insults and pressure. He looked to be in a very bad state.

“All your things are here,” Yu Ling’s voice was gentle and her attitude towards him hadn’t changed at all. “You can check them again.”

Qi Yao walked over and took the clothes. “Okay.” His attitude towards Yu Ling was not as bad as Yu Ling had said. In fact, it was much better than his attitude towards others.

“Don’t worry. It was just a moment of anxiety for President Qi. Just learn from this lesson and don’t be so impulsive next time,” Yu Ling said gently.

Qi Yao gave a cold smile. “What did I do wrong? If you hadn’t reminded me, I wouldn’t have known that Li Lan would hire an online mob. We were supposed to be a couple that went from being hated to being loved. Why would Li Lan take the opportunity to step on me? She said I had a bad attitude towards her. Who does she think she is? Is she even worthy? Even if she’s a big star, what is Zhu Qing? A nobody, and she’s even trying to get ahead by marketing her good facial expressions to step on me. I’ll f*ck her shameless mother—”

Yu Ling turned around to pack her own things and said softly, “Don’t say these things in front of others anymore. They won’t approve of you, and it will affect me.”

Qi Yao’s breathing finally returned to normal after he had finished cursing. He nodded. “I know.”

Yu Ling smiled at him. “Go on now. It’s better to rest in the guesthouse tonight. The environment is much better than here.”

Qi Yao looked away uncomfortably. “What’s so good about it? It’s only for one day. We’re going to Africa the day after tomorrow.”

Yu Ling smiled. “Go on.”

After Qi Yao’s figure disappeared, all the expressions on Yu Ling’s face vanished. She vigorously shook her hands and rushed to the bathroom to wash the hands that had touched Qi Yao’s things. Her face was filled with cold disgust.

Until her phone rang. It was a song she had sung herself, and she had set it as the ringtone for a specific person. Yu Ling was stunned for a moment. She quickly rushed out and picked up her phone.

“Did Qi Yao say anything to you before he left?” Yang Huayi’s voice was as deep and elegant as ever, with no clear emotions.

Yu Ling said obediently, “Hello, Miss Yang. He didn’t say anything. He just looked a little unwell.”

“He didn’t say anything?” There was a hint of subtle suspicion in Yang Huayi’s tone, but it disappeared quickly, and she didn’t press for more. “It’s good that he’s being honest.”

Yu Ling’s voice became softer, and she sounded a little relieved. “Yes. He’s finally gone…”

Yang Huayi paused and said, “I know you’ve been wronged, too. This time, things went your way. From now on, the filming will go as planned. Don’t worry, your couple fans will all be yours in the end.”

Yu Ling said, “Okay,” and then said sweetly, “Thank you for looking out for me, Miss Yang.”

Yang Huayi hung up the phone.

Yu Ling looked at the screen of the phone where the call had ended. The smile on her lips gradually faded, turning into a look of jealousy and resentment.

She had asked many times to stay away from Qi Yao, but she was never successful. She thought it was a complicated matter, but in reality, it wasn’t that difficult. It was just that Yang Huayi was unwilling to make a big deal out of it for her. Her pleas and tears were useless. She still had to be on the show and cooperate with the couple promotion. But someone else, who made a big deal out of a small matter and called the police, could get Yang Huayi to clear the obstacles for her just because she was a little unhappy… It was so effective, and it was so… infuriating.