High-Altitude Worker, Unfortunately a Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Role - Chapter 32

Caught cheating?

Fang Jingqiu acted decisively, her brow furrowing. “I’ll call her.”

Even late at night, night owls were still watching the live stream.

No way, she’s running away during the competition?

I bet her agent is about to lose it.

I get it. As a fellow worker, it’s hard to stay calm when your subordinates are uncooperative and suddenly disappear. Having to work overtime in the middle of the night? I’d be furious!

As expected, Liang Xiaoxiao didn’t answer her phone.

Seeing this, the production team woke up several of Liang Xiaoxiao’s teammates and trainees who were close to her on the show, but none of them could provide any useful leads.

Fang Jingqiu paced frantically around the room.

Zhao Ke thought for a moment, then grabbed her arm. “Do you have Brother Sha’s contact information?”

Fang Jingqiu blinked, reflexively answering, “Yes, why?”

Zhao Ke nodded, and Sha Kaiyun’s WeChat call began ringing. After about thirty seconds, he answered.

Zhao Ke cut straight to the point, her voice calm and betraying no emotion. “Brother Sha, Liang Xiaoxiao has gone missing. The first elimination announcement is tomorrow morning. Do you know where she is?”

Zhao Ke’s words hung in the air for several seconds before a rustling sound came from the other end of the line. Then Sha Kaiyun’s weary voice spoke, “You’re saying Liang Xiaoxiao isn’t in her dorm?”

“That’s right,” Zhao Ke confirmed.

The Production Team had already searched the entire building. The last surveillance footage showed Liang Xiaoxiao’s retreating figure walking out.

Sha Kaiyun remained silent for a few breaths before suddenly cursing, “Fvck.”

“Wait there,” he snapped before hanging up abruptly.

Ah, even top managers can’t escape the fate of being woken up by phone calls.

I’m so done with this. What’s the point of being on the show with such a half-assed attitude? Just a few hours ago, I was genuinely impressed by her dance practice and voted for her.

Keke spent so much time practicing with her, and she just throws it all away like this?

A few minutes later, Sha Kaiyun called back. “Go to this address and bring her back.”

He sent the address of a hotel.

Zhao Ke frowned silently.

How could Sha Kaiyun be so certain she was there?

With no time for further deliberation, Zhao Ke and her companions had no choice but to set off immediately.

The night streets were deserted. Zhao Ke floored the accelerator, sending the pickup truck hurtling forward.

The glaring headlights sliced through the darkness, casting a stark white glow across their faces.

Sha Kaiyun had apparently alerted the hotel reception in advance, allowing Zhao Ke and her team to bypass any obstacles and proceed smoothly to the upper floors.

Correct time, correct place… why does this feel like catching someone in the act?

Don’t say it, you’re actually right!

Seriously, a trainee sneaking into a hotel late at night? Use your brain—what else could she be up to?

So brazen! Not even bothering to pretend anymore.

Standing before the intricately carved door, Zhao Ke took a deep breath and gently knocked.

After a few seconds with no response, she knocked again, this time with more force.

Still no answer.

“I’ll try calling her again,” Fang Jingqiu said, swiping through her phone.

Suddenly, the door swung open.

A middle-aged man in a disheveled bathrobe stood barefoot in the doorway, his face contorted with anger. “What do you people want?” he barked.

Zhao Ke’s sharp eyes had already peered past the man’s shoulder, catching a glimpse of a petite figure lying half-exposed on the large bed behind him.

Her gaze shifted back to the irate man before her. “Hello, I’m Liang Xiaoxiao’s agent. I’m here to take her home.”

Instead of the expected panic or embarrassment, the man shot Zhao Ke a sidelong glance, his eyes filled with contempt. “You’re an agent?”

“Yes,” Zhao Ke replied, unsure what he was questioning. Half an agent is still an agent, right?

The man’s face darkened further, his narrowed eyes brimming with malice. “Perfect. You’re not leaving today. You’ll stay right here and wait for the police to arrive.”

He turned back to the bedside table, grabbed his phone, and made as if to call the authorities.

The commotion woke Liang Xiaoxiao, who scrambled off the bed and threw herself at the man. “Brother Cheng, Brother Cheng, wait!”

“Wait for what?” Sun Xincheng snapped, furious, and wrenched his arm free from her grasp.

He pointed at Zhao Ke. “Today, I’ll make her pay for threatening people with nude photos. She’s finished!”

Zhao Ke: Oho.

Turns out he’s on our side.

What? Did I hear that right? What photos?

Damn, the entertainment industry is even murkier than I thought.

Who had their nude photos taken? That trainee?

Ugh, this is such a mess!

Zhao Ke’s pupils constricted momentarily before returning to normal, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curving her lips.

Perfect, Sha Kaiyun. I was just wondering how to expose you.

Fang Jingqiu froze for a moment, then rushed forward. “Sir, you must be mistaken. I’m Liang Xiaoxiao’s agent, and there’s absolutely no truth to these claims about nude photos.”

Sun Xincheng ignored her, still on the phone with the police. “Hey, assistant, come to Chenyu Hotel right away. Oh, and while you’re at it, look up someone for me.”

“What’s her name?” Sun Xincheng asked Liang Xiaoxiao, pointing at Zhao Ke.

Liang Xiaoxiao was on the verge of tears. “Brother Cheng, it’s really not her.”

Liang Xiaoxiao had never imagined Zhao Ke would be the one to arrive.

Sun Xincheng ran a hand through his hair in frustration and slammed his phone onto the bed. “Who was begging me to help you get revenge on your agent before? Now you’re turning on me? Have you no shame?”

Liang Xiaoxiao stammered, unable to speak.

Zhao Ke crossed her arms and watched the drama unfold. “Go ahead and call the police. The agent who took the nude photos is named Sha Kaiyun.”

“Sha… Sha who?!” Sun Xincheng’s pupils constricted as his phone, which he had tossed onto the bed, suddenly lit up and vibrated. The name “Sha Kaiyun” was clearly displayed on the screen.

He answered the call in disbelief. “Sha… Brother Sha?”

After Sha Kaiyun said something on the other end, Sun Xincheng’s demeanor softened slightly. He glanced uncertainly at Zhao Ke and chuckled awkwardly. “So, Xiaoxiao works for you, huh? Hahaha.”

Zhao Ke raised an eyebrow, her tone indifferent. “This… sir, Sha Kaiyun gave us the address to this hotel.”

She waved the live stream stick in her hand. “Brother Sha knows I’m doing a variety show. He specifically arranged this for the entertainment value.”

Sun Xincheng stared at the camera in Zhao Ke’s hand, then froze. He erupted in curses. “Sha Kaiyun! You fucking bastard! I treated you like a brother, and you pull this sh1t on me in the middle of the night?!”

“Go to hell! I’ve already called the police! Just wait for them to come arrest you!”

What’s going on? I can’t understand what they’re saying!

It’s the middle of the night! My brain’s about to explode!

Ahhh, I looked it up! Brother Cheng is Sun Xincheng from the Sun Family, the real estate tycoon! A freaking billionaire!

Wait, isn’t that the Sun Family Qiao Qinglu was rumored to have slept with?

Facing the police, Liang Xiaoxiao confessed the whole truth.

Over a year ago, she had signed with Star Yue Media, full of dreams.

But her good fortune didn’t last. After inexplicably collapsing in the dance studio, her agent delivered the devastating news: while she was unconscious, the company had taken nude photos of her and was using them to blackmail her into attending various dinners and other events with her agent.

As time passed, Liang Xiaoxiao lost all interest in training to debut. She realized that even if she became a top star, the company would still control her.

The reason she hadn’t exposed them sooner was Sha Kaiyun’s threat: if she dared breathe a word, her close-knit companions would suffer the consequences.

Later, Liang Xiaoxiao unexpectedly witnessed Qiao Qinglu, desperate and humiliated, groveling before Sun Xincheng, the head of the Sun Family. In that moment, she realized that her reputation was already ruined. Why not choose a powerful ally and become his sharpest weapon?

Thus, Liang Xiaoxiao began deliberately approaching Sun Xincheng. With her youthful beauty and empathetic nature, she successfully replaced Qiao Qinglu in his affections. After months of cultivating his special regard, she finally tearfully confided her plight during a tender moment between them.

Fortunately, Sun Xincheng was completely smitten with her. He pounded his chest and vowed to help Liang Xiaoxiao resolve the matter.

However, Liang Xiaoxiao discovered that her agent, Sha Kaiyun, and Sun Xincheng were close friends. Uncertain of where Sun Xincheng’s loyalties lay, she racked her brains and resorted to a desperate plan: deliberately leaving during the show’s filming to escalate the situation. This way, even if Sha Kaiyun uncovered her scheme, he wouldn’t be able to escape unscathed.

The only variable was Zhao Ke. Liang Xiaoxiao never anticipated Zhao Ke would personally confront her, armed with a live stream room as powerful as an atomic bomb.

But this was for the best. Sha Kaiyun’s dirty secrets would be exposed for all to see, leaving him no chance of redemption.

Poor girl, my heart aches for her.

Damn, this completely shatters the illusion of the entertainment industry. It’s full of man-eating demons.

Looking at it this way, Sun Xincheng actually seems like a decent guy.

Decent guy my ass! He has a wife and kids! He’s a serial cheater, and his interest in Liang Xiaoxiao is purely lust.

Sitting in the police station, Sun Xincheng’s anger subsided, and the truth gradually dawned on him. He glared at Liang Xiaoxiao, “You set me up!”

Liang Xiaoxiao’s eyes were red from crying, but her gaze remained steady and unwavering as she met Sun Xincheng’s glare. “It was just a small favor, President Sun.”

Sha Kaiyun was summoned by the police. He rushed to the station, barging in without acknowledging anyone and lunging at the officers. “I’m innocent! I don’t know anything!”

The officer shook off his hand. “Innocent? Explain yourself.”

Sha Kaiyun squeezed out tears. “I had no idea Liang Xiaoxiao and Brother Cheng were together. I thought she was just… she was just…”

“You thought she was just… with anyone?!”

Sun Xincheng now saw Sha Kaiyun as utterly repulsive. The image of his former drinking buddy had shattered completely.

Zhao Ke seized the moment to add fuel to the fire. “Brother Sha knew I was live-streaming, yet he still made me come.”

This sent Sun Xincheng into a rage. He slammed his fist on the table and roared at Sha Kaiyun, “You fucking bastard! A goddamn agent threatening a young girl with nude photos! What kind of scum are you?!”

Can I just say, President Sun’s love runs deep.

Tch, it’s just hormones talking. Besides, Sha Kaiyun deserved the scolding. If it were me, I’d have said far worse.

Wait, wait, so Liang Xiaoxiao was playing both sides? She was fooling President Sun here while hiding things from her agent over there?

That’s right. After Liang Xiaoxiao made it clear she was giving up, Sha Kaiyun had already considered abandoning this trainee.

When he learned she had secretly left the Production Team’s control in the middle of the night, Sha Kaiyun acted decisively. He ordered Zhao Ke to accompany the two agents to find her, capture evidence of Liang Xiaoxiao’s scandal, sacrifice her as a pawn, and then buy articles to aggressively promote the remaining four members’ hard work. He planned to exaggerate Liang Xiaoxiao’s bullying and dragging down her teammates, manipulate fans to solidify their loyalty, and maximize the company’s profits.

Sha Kaiyun had calculated everything perfectly, but he failed to account for one crucial detail: the man Liang Xiaoxiao was with tonight wasn’t just any wealthy businessman, but Sun Xincheng of the Sun Family, completely infatuated with her and utterly lost in his infatuation.

Liang Xiaoxiao pressed her lips tightly together, watching the two men argue loudly. In the chaos, her eyes met Zhao Ke’s.

Zhao Ke… was smiling?

Liang Xiaoxiao thought she must be seeing things, but when she focused, Zhao Ke was standing in a corner with her arms crossed, a faint smile playing on her lips, her brow relaxed, and an expression of amused appreciation on her face. The red light on her camera continued to blink rhythmically.

Noticing Liang Xiaoxiao’s gaze, Zhao Ke’s smile widened. She withdrew her hand from her arm and subtly gave Liang Xiaoxiao a thumbs-up.

Liang Xiaoxiao’s heart felt like it had been struck by a heavy blow. Her frozen bl00d began to boil, surging joyfully through her veins.

A mist seemed to rise before her eyes, and she thought she saw Zhao Ke mouth a word to her.

“Clever.”