Rapid Collapse (GL) - Chapter 14

She became more and more emotional as she spoke, feeling bitter and wronged. Her face turned slightly red.

Shen Xi froze for a few seconds, surprised that Han Ning was sulking over her attitude toward Xu Lier. After thinking for a moment, she asked, “Are you still upset about what happened over a month ago?”

That question was like a wake-up call. Han Ning carefully recalled the past month. Their relationship had improved significantly thanks to her efforts; otherwise, Shen Xi wouldn’t have let her stay overnight at her house.

Shen Xi had also expressed her gratitude multiple times. Whenever she had free time, she never refused Han Ning’s invitations.

It seemed that Shen Xi had also taken the initiative…

This relationship wasn’t one-sided…

Han Ning lowered her head, her eyes darting back and forth. Thinking about yesterday, she realized her reaction might have been too extreme. Could it be that her period was coming soon?

Shen Xi saw everything, squinted slightly, and smiled. She reached out, pressing Han Ning’s forehead with her index finger on purpose. “I thought you were just childish, but I didn’t expect you to be so petty too…”

Han Ning had just applied foundation, and it hadn’t set yet. Worried that Shen Xi’s finger would leave a mark on her forehead, she slapped Shen Xi’s hand away and protested, “You’re the childish one! You’re the petty one!”

At that moment, they heard a loud scream from a woman. Han Ning immediately recognized the voice.

“What the hell is Nie Lan screaming about?” Han Ning frowned and complained as she reached up to touch up her foundation.

“Are you out of your mind?!” Nie Lan shouted angrily, looking down at her shoes, which had just been stepped on and dirtied. She turned furiously to look at Keke, who was holding clothes and cowering to the side. Remembering that Keke was Han Ning’s assistant, Nie Lan’s anger flared up even more than the time the Supreme Lord Lao Zi’s furnace burned Sun Wukong.

She was always stirring up trouble, showing no respect to anyone, practically ruling over the film studio. A few days ago, she had challenged someone alone and lost miserably. Then Han Ning and others ganged up on her, and the whole incident was witnessed by many. Now, she had become the laughingstock of the entire film studio, and her reputation was ruined.

On top of that, she had just lost her chance to sing a theme song. The reason was simple—her voice wasn’t pleasant. The music platform’s CEO strongly insisted on replacing her, fearing no one would listen to or pay for the single if she sang it. So, the company hired a professional new singer, Yin Qian, instead. She was already in a bad mood, complaining all the way, scolding everyone from her manager to her assistants. And now, Han Ning’s assistant had stepped on her beloved shoes.

Keke was completely stunned and quickly apologized.

If it had been anyone else, Nie Lan would’ve just rolled her eyes and let it go. But Keke was Han Ning’s assistant…

Without thinking, Nie Lan raised her hand and slapped Keke hard across the face. “What’s the use of an apology?!”

The slap was so hard that Nie Lan’s own hand stung. Keke’s face burned painfully. Hearing the commotion, Han Ning put down her makeup sponge.

“I think I just heard Keke’s voice…” Han Ning’s expression darkened.

Shen Xi stood up. “Let’s go check it out.”

When they stepped outside, they saw Keke standing against the wall, covering her face while holding onto the clothes. Han Ning quickly walked over. The moment Keke saw her, she couldn’t hold back her tears and sobbed, “Sister Ning…”

Seeing the red slap mark on Keke’s face, Han Ning’s heart ached for the girl. She pulled Keke behind her and questioned Nie Lan in a trembling voice, “What right do you have to hit her?”

Nie Lan sneered and glanced at her. “I hit her because I wanted to. What are you going to do, call the police again?” She then turned and started walking away.

Han Ning was so furious she let out a cold laugh, muttering under her breath, “So arrogant…”

Before she finished speaking, she reached out with both hands and yanked Nie Lan’s hair, pulling her down onto the ground. Shen Xi realized things were getting out of hand. She and Keke struggled to pull Han Ning away with great effort.

Han Ning was like a madwoman, being dragged away while still shouting, “Nie Lan, you piece of trash! All you do is bully weak little girls! If I see you again, I’ll beat you again!

Your mother must regret giving birth to you! You’re nothing but a disgrace! You’ll end up with a disease, you filthy old hen!”

Nie Lan struggled to get up from the ground. Her carefully styled hair was now a mess. She stood there, trembling with rage, staring at Han Ning and the others. But she was bad at arguing and could only scream in frustration, wishing Han Ning would just drop dead.

“Han Ning, you’ll never have a good ending! Never!” Nie Lan’s eyes were wide with rage, her pupils nearly popping out. Her hoarse, furious screams made the surrounding people too scared to speak.

The incident once again caused a stir in the film studio. When Liang Xun heard about it, he rushed over, stared at Han Ning and the others for a long moment, then left without saying a word, clearly too angry to speak.

Seeing this, Keke tugged on Han Ning’s sleeve worriedly. “Sister Ning, are you going to get scolded?”

Han Ning laughed. “Ask around the film studio—who can scold me?”

Shen Xi sighed, shaking her head. Watching Liang Xun’s retreating figure, she said, “He looked really angry, like he couldn’t even speak. His face was twitching.”

“Let him cool down first…” Han Ning felt a bit uneasy despite acting relaxed.

Keke, teary-eyed, looked at Han Ning with gratitude. When Han Ning had shown up earlier, it felt like seeing her real sister.

Looking at Keke’s swollen face, Han Ning felt guilty. “Why are you thanking me? Of course, I’d stand up for you. Actually… if you weren’t my assistant, you probably wouldn’t have been slapped. Look at your face… swollen like a piglet…”

Hearing this, Keke pouted and burst into tears again. Han Ning panicked, trying to comfort her. “No, no, don’t cry! I was just joking. Can’t you take a joke?”

Keke sobbed loudly, sounding utterly heartbroken. Helpless, Han Ning sighed, “Alright, I’ll give you a week off.”

The crying stopped instantly. With tears still on her cheeks, Keke blinked and asked, “Really?”

“Yep.” Han Ning nodded and even transferred money to Keke. “When your face heals, go shopping and buy yourself something nice.”

Keke’s phone chimed. Seeing the amount transferred, she gasped, covered her mouth in shock, then pounced on Han Ning excitedly, hugging her. “Sister Ning, I love you!”

Shen Xi silently pulled Keke off Han Ning and said, “Your vacation starts now. Pack up and go home to rest.”

Keke turned to Han Ning as if asking for permission. Han Ning waved her hand. “Go on, go on. When you get home, use ice to reduce the swelling.”

“Got it!” Keke cheered, then rushed off to pack her things at lightning speed.

Watching her leave, Han Ning chuckled. “That girl… she loves pouncing on people when she’s happy.”