I Married My Heartless Ex-Wife’s Black Lotus Sister - Chapter 20

This time, it was Zheng Yili’s turn to be stunned.

She eyed Song Qi’an suspiciously, wondering if the woman had taken the wrong medicine today. But when she noticed Lin Xiaoxiao’s barely concealed resentment, she suddenly broke into a cheerful smile.

Seeing her smile only made Lin Xiaoxiao’s expression grow even uglier.

After meticulously scheming for so long only to end up empty-handed, anyone would be in a foul mood.

Zheng Yili didn’t stop Song Qi’an and Lin Xiaoxiao from leaving. She coldly watched their retreating figures until the ambulance drove away before finally looking back. Meng Sulan, unable to hold back her indignation, asked, “President Zheng, why didn’t you stop President Song?”

“You’re clearly her girlfriend! Are you just going to let Lin Xiaoxiao snatch her away like this?”

“That’s over now,” Zheng Yili turned to her with a serious expression. “Meng Sulan, there’s no longer any relationship between me and Song Qi’an. And—have you already forgotten what I just told you?”

Meng Sulan fell silent, opening her mouth but ultimately saying nothing.

Seeing her aggrieved look, Zheng Yili softened her tone. “Alright, don’t worry about me. Right now, you should focus on dealing with your own situation.”

Thanks to Lin Xiaoxiao’s instigation, the incident had already blown up. The show’s official Weibo comments section was completely overrun within a short time, flooded with demands from Lin Xiaoxiao’s fans and mindless onlookers for the truth to be revealed.

Since they wanted it so badly, Zheng Yili would oblige them. She would make Lin Xiaoxiao understand the meaning of “playing with fire and getting burned.”

After dispatching a few crew members to follow the ambulance and document the hospital visit, Zheng Yili stayed behind. While waiting for the police to arrive, she asked the director, “Did you capture everything that just happened?”

“We got it all,” the director replied.

Zheng Yili nodded. “Good. Keep filming. I’ll be editing this into the show later.”

The director hesitated, prompting a faintly mocking smile from Zheng Yili. “What? Are my words no longer worth listening to here?”

Zheng Yili had always maintained a gentle and delicate image, coupled with her easygoing nature, making her seem approachable. Even though everyone knew she was the show’s biggest investor, they couldn’t help but underestimate her presence.

But now, as she narrowed her eyes, the dangerous glint in them made the director straighten his back, not daring to breathe too loudly. “N-No, of course not. I’ll arrange it right away.”

Satisfied by the fear on the director’s face, Zheng Yili smiled again. “You’re already a renowned director in the industry. Don’t disappoint me.”

The director nodded repeatedly before scurrying off.

Strange—Zheng Yili’s anger was somehow even more terrifying than Song Qi’an’s.

Meng Sulan had never witnessed Zheng Yili truly angry before, but based on her observations over the past while, she decided it was best not to recklessly cross that line.

“President Zheng, what should I do now?” she asked, nervously twisting her fingers. She had thought she’d be able to wrap up filming and go home to rest this afternoon, but Lin Xiaoxiao had to pull this stunt.

Not only was her time wasted, but her reputation had taken another hit.

The scandal about her meddling in her former boss’s marriage still hadn’t been cleared up, and now she was being accused of scheming against a fellow actress out of professional jealousy. Meng Sulan had truly become the most scandal-ridden and disliked celebrity in the entertainment industry.

At a complete loss, Meng Sulan stared pleadingly at Zheng Yili.

“Continue filming as normal,” Zheng Yili said, meeting her gaze. “You didn’t push Lin Xiaoxiao, so why should you be afraid and hold back?”

“But the online backlash…” Meng Sulan hesitated. “What about the public opinion? Everyone’s saying I pushed Lin Xiaoxiao and demanding I leave the entertainment industry.”

For once, Zheng Yili’s expression turned serious. “Sulan, don’t fall into the self-justification trap.”

“That’s the police’s job. As for you—you just need to live openly and with a clear conscience.” Zheng Yili reached out and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Meng Sulan’s ear. “Besides, you still have me.”

“I’ll stand up for you.”

Moved to tears by her words, Meng Sulan couldn’t help but throw herself into Zheng Yili’s arms. “Boss Zheng, you’re so good to me. I don’t know how to repay you, except—”

“Lili!” A strong, authoritative female voice cut her off. Meng Sulan looked up to see a woman in a police uniform striding toward them.

Song Lin froze momentarily at the sight of Meng Sulan in Zheng Yili’s arms. As she approached, she subtly but firmly nudged Meng Sulan aside and scrutinized Zheng Yili with concern. “Lili, are you alright?”

Zheng Yili shook her head and asked, “Why are you here?”

Song Lin didn’t miss a beat. “Why wouldn’t I be here?” She widened her eyes in exaggerated disbelief. “Don’t tell me you’re not happy to see me?”

“Not at all,” Zheng Yili said, her lips twitching slightly. “Did your cousin send you?”

Instead of answering directly, Song Lin turned to Meng Sulan, who was eyeing her curiously. “You’ll need to come with us first.”

At the mention of being taken away, Meng Sulan paled and immediately looked to Zheng Yili for reassurance.

Zheng Yili gave her a nod. “Go ahead. It’s fine—just a routine statement.” She then motioned for Song Lin to step aside and whispered a few instructions.

Song Lin’s eyes brightened as she listened, and she finally sighed in admiration. “As expected of you, Lili! You even anticipated this.”

“Don’t worry, leave this to me!” She thumped her ample chest confidently and grinned. “I’ll make sure that woman who’s trying to steal Qi’an from you gets what she deserves.”

Zheng Yili considered explaining her current relationship with Song Qi’an but decided it wasn’t necessary.

Once she found the time to sit down with Madam Ji and Song Qi’an’s mother for a proper discussion, everyone would understand the situation without her having to explain.

So, after thanking Song Lin briefly, Zheng Yili let her take Meng Sulan away.

She didn’t accompany them to the police station. Instead, after handling the remaining arrangements, she headed straight to the hospital. Lin Xiaoxiao’s endless underhanded tactics were starting to wear on her.

Song Qi’an had been sticking close to Lin Xiaoxiao, personally accompanying her through every medical examination.

Liang Xin wasn’t around, leaving just the two of them alone in the hospital room.

Seeing Zheng Yili, Lin Xiaoxiao immediately shrank back in fear, her face still bearing traces of terror. Song Qi’an frowned as she looked over, but her expression softened slightly upon recognizing Zheng Yili. “You’re here.”

“How’s the examination going?” Zheng Yili entered the ward and stood at the foot of the bed. Though her question was directed at Song Qi’an, her gaze remained fixed on Lin Xiaoxiao, not wavering even when the latter clenched her fingers nervously.

Song Qi’an, oblivious to the tension between them, replied, “The situation isn’t very optimistic.”

“There are fractures in both her arms and legs, and she suffered a significant head injury. The doctor said she needs to remain hospitalized for observation to prevent potential internal bleeding or bl00d clot complications.”

Zheng Yili finally glanced at Song Qi’an. “How terribly careless.”

“But tell me, Miss Lin, what were you doing in such a remote place with Meng Sulan in the first place?” Zheng Yili crossed her arms. “Weren’t you supposed to be filming at that time?”

“Miss Meng said she had something to discuss with me and specifically asked to meet in a blind spot without cameras,” Lin Xiaoxiao said weakly. “I didn’t think much of it and followed her, but I never expected…”

Her eyes dimmed. “I never expected Miss Meng to hate me so much.”

Lin Xiaoxiao’s words carried clear provocation, and Song Qi’an’s gaze immediately turned skeptical. Zheng Yili scoffed, staring directly at her. “Do you also think I instructed Meng Sulan to target her?”

“President Zheng, that’s not what I meant,” Lin Xiaoxiao quickly interjected. “Miss Meng is Miss Meng, and you are you. I didn’t mean to involve you in this matter—”

Song Qi’an suddenly spoke up. “Perhaps you should better manage the artists under your company.”

After a moment of internal conflict, she ultimately chose to stand up for Lin Xiaoxiao. Lin Xiaoxiao was someone she had personally signed, so she knew the girl’s circumstances inside out—an alcoholic father, a gambling-addicted mother, a lazy older brother, and a fragile, broken girl like her. Song Qi’an couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Lin Xiaoxiao.

And no matter what, in today’s incident, Lin Xiaoxiao was the only one who ended up hurt.

Zheng Yili wasn’t surprised by Song Qi’an’s choice. She smiled at her. “The one who needs to manage their company’s artists isn’t me—it’s you.”

Song Qi’an frowned. “Yili, there’s no need to take out your grievances with me on Xiaoxiao.”

“If you’re unhappy with me, you can talk to me directly.”