Transmigrated as a Scum Alpha Cannon Fodder, Sweetly Pampering the Heroine - Chapter 40

“What did you say?” Ren Xiaoqi exclaimed in shock.

 

Xu Jinman rose and turned her head, looking down at the woman beside her with disdain. “Poor character and poor hearing too?”

 

Ren Xiaoqi seemed to realize something, her expression dawning with understanding. No wonder their relationship didn’t feel like friendship at the restaurant last time—it was so strange.

 

“Then I wasn’t wrong. She’s shameless, yet she pretends to be pure and noble. It’s disgusting,” Ren Xiaoqi said, crossing her arms and tilting her head back to meet Xu Jinman’s gaze, refusing to back down.

 

Xu Jinman chuckled softly. “That slap earlier didn’t hurt enough, did it?”

 

Ren Xiaoqi stared at Xu Jinman. At the restaurant, she had asked Shen Shu for her contact information because Xu Jinman looked attractive, dressed elegantly, and carried herself with an air of wealth.

 

Shen Shu had made an excuse to avoid giving it. A few days ago, Ren Xiaoqi remembered and specifically inquired among her upper-class connections. She learned that Beicheng’s most prominent second-generation heirs were the two daughters of the Xu Corporation.

 

The remaining Xu family members were either second-rate or insignificant.

 

Ren Xiaoqi had been certain this woman was merely second-rate. Now that Xu Jinman had confirmed it, Ren Xiaoqi’s lingering apprehension about Shen Shu’s “sugar daddy” vanished completely.

 

No matter how powerful she is, she can’t compare to the people backing me.

 

Ren Xiaoqi: “What? Still want to hit me? You think changing a few details in the script with some money makes you a hero saving the damsel in distress? Shen Shu has been notorious since her debut. Be careful you don’t get tainted by her stench!”

 

Xu Jinman chuckled, rubbing her fingertips together. Her casual demeanor hid a chilling undercurrent.

 

“Say that again, and I’ll really hit you. Believe me?”

 

Ren Xiaoqi glanced sideways at Shen Shu, who was celebrating the wrap of filming with her idol, Xia Chun, by her side. She completely dismissed Xu Jinman’s threat. “Miss Xu, just look at Shen Shu—she’s nothing but a seductive vixen. A KTV hostess through and through, with all the tricks of the trade… Ah!”

 

Xu Jinman slapped her across the face.

 

“Feeling better now?” Xu Jinman rubbed her hand. “Still can’t understand simple instructions, huh?”

 

Since it was late and most people were still in the studio, few noticed the commotion.

 

Ren Xiaoqi was still reeling from the shock. “You… you hit me?”

 

Her reddened eyes widened with fury and disbelief. Before she could speak, her words were cut off in her throat.

 

“What is President Xu doing here?” Ren Xiaoqi thought as she saw Tong Jia approaching. She recognized Tong Jia as the owner of Sacred Heart Pictures.

 

Just two months ago, Sacred Heart Pictures had been a struggling, near-bankrupt film and television company that had tried to sign Ren Xiaoqi, only to be rejected. Now, in a twist of fate, they were one of the production investors for this very drama.

 

Ren Xiaoqi’s face burned with humiliation. Noticing the approaching figure—a producer, no less—and the onlookers gathering nearby, she instantly transformed her expression. Tears welled in her eyes as she whimpered, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

 

Wiping away her tears, she paused slightly, instinctively sensing the cameras filming her. Yet beneath her lowered eyelids, a glint of malice flickered. Just wait and see, she thought. This isn’t over.

 

After Ren Xiaoqi turned and left, Tong Jia approached Xu Jinman. “Starting a fight on set? Aren’t you afraid of trending?”

 

“Afraid?” Xu Jinman scoffed. “Shen Shu might tolerate this, but I don’t have her patience.”

 

Xu Jinman glanced back and saw Shen Shu approaching. “Is Ren Xiaoqi being backed by someone powerful?”

 

“You noticed?” Tong Jia replied.

 

Such arrogance could only stem from either sheer stupidity or powerful backing.

 

“Who?”

 

Tong Jia shook her head. “I only found out today that the first draft of the slap scene was altered by someone behind Ren Xiaoqi, who paid to have it changed.”

 

“The Director was already annoyed,” Tong Jia continued. “I barely had to say a word before he agreed. He insisted the slap was necessary.” She chuckled. “Alright, President Xu, take your wife home. She doesn’t look too well.”

 

Xu Jinman snapped out of her daze and walked over to Shen Shu, noticing her flushed cheeks.

 

Shen Shu’s throat began to feel scratchy as soon as they got in the car. Xu Jinman drove quickly, covering the usual 40-minute route in just half an hour.

 

At 9 PM, just as Xu Jinman parked the car, Tong Jia sent several voice messages.

 

“Are you home yet? It’s been a wild night! Someone posted a long article on Zhihu defending Shen Shu and tearing Ren Xiaoqi apart. Screenshots of it went viral on Weibo, and now several major entertainment accounts are sharing it.”

 

“It’s a full-blown online war! But thanks to all the drama, Shen Shu’s Weibo followers have already jumped by 20,000. I just posted Sacred Heart’s official announcement about signing Shen Shu, and it’s already trending. Once you’re settled, let’s discuss our next steps.”

 

Tong Jia’s voice carried a hint of pride, as if she had discovered a hidden gem.

 

Xu Jinman clicked on the trending topic. The accompanying image described several instances where Ren Xiaoqi had deliberately pushed Shen Shu into the water, along with a photograph.

 

The faces of onlookers were blurred out. Shen Shu knelt by the pool, her head bowed slightly, her exquisite features appearing even more vulnerable and pitiful. Ren Xiaoqi’s disdainful and gloating expression had also been captured in the shot.

 

The comments section erupted into a chaotic debate, with various factions arguing their points:

 

“Shen Shu isn’t innocent either. Ren Xiaoqi’s actions were a bit… hmm. Neither of them are saints.”

 

“I’m siding with Ren Xiaoqi on this one. If it were me, I’d have drowned her outright. People who steal roles by sleeping with sponsors are disgusting. Vomiting emoji“

 

“Am I the only one who thinks Shen Shu looks absolutely stunning in that photo? Wet and… so alluring! Aaaah, I wish I were her sugar daddy!!!”

 

“Are you all insane? No evidence whatsoever, just keyboard warriors spewing nonsense! Where’s the proof?! Where’s the proof?!”

 

The two women went upstairs and settled onto the sofa.

 

Tong Jia initiated a group voice call. “Check Ren Xiaoqi’s Weibo,” she said. “President Xu, you and your wife really pushed her over the edge with those slaps. She’s completely lost it.”

 

Shen Shu tilted her head, looking at Xu Jinman with a questioning gaze.

 

Xu Jinman smiled and opened Weibo. “Let’s see what she’s saying first.”

 

Ren Xiaoqi Qi Ya: You all say I’m bullying people? Who’s the real bully here? Open your eyes! I admit I lacked experience during the water scene, but it wasn’t intentional. Yet Shen Shu and her sugar daddy slapped me! Because of that incident, Shen Shu made her sugar daddy rewrite the script! I was slapped multiple times by Shen Shu’s character, Nightingale, during filming. Afterward, Shen Shu’s sugar daddy actually came to slap me in person! I don’t know if justice exists in this world, but just because she has connections, does that mean I have to endure humiliation and abuse? What right does she have?! [Image] [Image]

 

The post included two selfies showing half of Ren Xiaoqi’s face swollen and red, her eyes tear-streaked and pitiful, clearly from recent crying.

 

“I told you she’d try to spin this,” Xu Jinman said. “Let’s issue a statement first to draw some attention.”

 

“Don’t panic, Shu Shu,” Xu Jinman said. “You post this Weibo.”

 

Shen Shu met her gaze and quickly understood.

 

Shen Shu: @Ren Xiaoqi Qi Ya I don’t want to explain anything. The crew knows exactly what happened during the “slap” scene. As for your other claims, provide evidence!

 

At first glance, this statement seemed strong, but upon closer inspection, it was actually quite weak.

 

Netizens were naturally unconvinced, accusing Shen Shu of being guilty and even tacitly admitting to having a sugar daddy. The public’s sympathy began to shift toward Ren Xiaoqi.

 

“I think it’s about time we strike back,” Tong Jia said. “If we let this drag on any longer, we’ll look like we’re deliberately stirring up drama for attention.”

 

Xu Jinman crossed her legs, tapping her fingers on her thigh without speaking. Shen Shu murmured, “I don’t mind. What worse could they say than what they’ve already said? Let’s wait a bit longer. Even if Ren Xiaoqi is impulsive, she wouldn’t try to take me down with just two selfies.”

 

Xu Jinman noticed the slight rasp in Shen Shu’s voice and her gaze fell on Shen Shu’s hands, which were holding a cup of hot water. She then looked up at Shen Shu’s face, noting the flushed cheeks and lips that were even rosier than usual from the warm drink.

 

It was hard to tell if she had a fever.

 

The next moment, Xu Jinman reached out and touched Shen Shu’s forehead.

 

No fever.

 

Seeing Shen Shu’s startled expression, Xu Jinman paused, withdrew her hand, and said, “Shu Shu’s right. Ren Xiaoqi’s probably been waiting for Shen Shu’s Weibo post. There’s definitely more to come.”

 

Xu Jinman’s prediction proved accurate.

 

Ten minutes after Shen Shu posted her Weibo update, Ren Xiaoqi tagged her.

 

Ren Xiaoqi Qi Ya: @Shen Shu If you apologize now, I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.

 

Meanwhile, Ren Xiaoqi was soaking in a hotel bathtub, sipping red wine. She pressed her tongue against her injured lip, knowing Shen Shu would never apologize.

 

And she certainly wouldn’t believe Ren Xiaoqi had more evidence.

 

Suddenly, a notification popped up on her phone: Tan Jie liked your Weibo post.

 

Ren Xiaoqi smirked. Though she and Tan Jie weren’t close, they had chatted twice since both had clashed with Shen Shu. Riding the wave of attention pretty quickly, she thought derisively.

 

No matter. Just a little longer, and Shen Shu will be completely out of the entertainment industry. I’ll ride this wave to fame and finally escape this lukewarm state. Then… I won’t have to rely on my backers for everything.

 

It was 9:20 PM, peak engagement time on Weibo.

 

After Shen Shu posted her defiant “The innocent need no defense,” two trending comments appeared beneath Ren Xiaoqi’s Weibo post:

 

“So many recent accusations are vague and unsubstantiated. I’m tired of this. Show us the evidence!”

 

“Expose Shen Shu and her sugar daddy! Let’s see what kind of trash they really are.”

 

Within minutes, Ren Xiaoqi posted again:

 

Ren Xiaoqi Qi Ya: @Shen Shu I said I’d let it go if you apologized, but you clearly think you can bully me. This video was sent to me by crew members who couldn’t stand by after seeing what happened. The woman hitting me in the video is Shen Shu’s sugar daddy. I don’t know her full name, only that her surname is Xu. Even the CEO of Sacred Heart Pictures treats her with utmost respect. [Video]

 

The video was blurry, but it was barely discernible that the person being struck was Ren Xiaoqi. The assailant, wearing a long dress, had a slender yet tall figure and an imposing aura. Afterward, another woman appeared, and Ren Xiaoqi left in tears.

 

Anyone who saw the video would assume Ren Xiaoqi was the victim.

 

Tan Jie followed up with a Weibo post: “This industry is so tough. So many dedicated actors, but only a few make it to the top. It’s so unfair… Sigh, late-night musings. Time to memorize my lines.”

 

She attached a photo of her script for her new drama, marked with colorful highlights.

 

Though she claimed to be lamenting the hardships of her job, everyone knew the true meaning behind her words: a veiled accusation that Shen Shu had climbed the ladder through connections with wealthy patrons, enduring unfair treatment while flaunting her own hard work.

 

#QipaoBeautySlaps

 

#RenXiaoqiWasBeaten

 

#TanJiePosts

 

These two keywords instantly went viral, exploding into a full-blown scandal.

 

Shen Shu’s Weibo account was completely overrun.

 

Tan Jie’s fans, Ren Xiaoqi’s fans, and random netizens flooded Shen Shu’s account and Sacred Heart Pictures’ official page with comments:

 

“From today onward, I’ll boycott ‘Into the Dream’ until Shen Shu is kicked out of the entertainment industry!”

 

“Has anyone dug up her sugar daddy yet? I bet he’s regretting everything right now!”

 

“This is disgusting! Utterly disgusting! I can’t even find the words beyond ‘disgusting’! Get out! Get out! Get out!”

 

“Let’s expose her sugar daddy! I want to see what kind of woman he’d pair with her!”

 

Some even reposted old photos of Shen Shu shopping at a jewelry store.

 

In the living room…

 

Xu Jinman poured Shen Shu a fresh cup of hot water, glanced at her wristwatch, and said, “It’s almost time.”

 

Hearing the door close from the bathroom, Ren Xiaoqi immediately set down her phone and glass of red wine. She emerged naked from the water, wrapped herself in a bathrobe, and stood at the bathroom door, whining, “Young Master Han, why did you take so long to get here?”

 

“My sister kept me busy with family matters until now,” the man replied, looking slightly younger than his age. He entered, his eyes immediately drawn to her snow-white skin. After removing his shirt, he approached her. “What happened to your face?”

 

Ren Xiaoqi leaned in, her eyes reddening. “Don’t you know? Didn’t you see Weibo? I was bullied—by that new actress from the drama I told you about last time…”

 

As Ren Xiaoqi ranted, the man remained indifferent. “A sugar daddy? Is he richer than me?”

 

“Of course not! Young Master Han of the HP Group is beyond comparison!” Ren Xiaoqi flattered him.

 

Meeting Han Hui had been a stroke of luck for her. Originally, another newcomer was supposed to be his drinking companion, but Han Hui had insisted on pulling her back into the room after calling for her repeatedly.

 

Han Hui patted her rear approvingly, then suddenly paused. “You didn’t leak my name, did you?”

 

Ren Xiaoqi froze. “Of course not! You told me never to mention you outside.”

 

Han Hui nodded. “That’s more like it.”

 

For a minor celebrity like Ren Xiaoqi, it was all about the novelty. Her past scandals hadn’t mattered much, but lately she needed to be more discreet.

 

The three Han siblings were known for their wild behavior, especially Han Hui. After the Xu Jinman incident at the recent banquet, his family had issued a strict ultimatum: any further trouble or dalliances with women would result in his credit cards being cut off.

 

That’s why he had warned Ren Xiaoqi early on not to mention his name publicly.

 

Ren Xiaoqi seemed obedient enough. Noticing the five-finger mark on her face, Han Hui frowned. “The actress is easy to deal with. Give me her name, and I’ll make sure she can’t get work in this industry. As for the sugar daddy… what’s his name?”

 

Ren Xiaoqi had been waiting for this question.

 

Sniffling, she replied, “I don’t know his full name, just that his surname is Xu.”

 

Han Hui paused, his senses on high alert. “Xu? Like the one you asked about before?”

 

“He pretends to be so refined and polite,” Ren Xiaoqi continued, “but behind my back, he actually hit me! You can’t imagine how terrified I was. If only Young Master Han had been there—she wouldn’t have dared to say a word in your presence.”

 

Oh.

 

Hearing “refined” and “polite” immediately dispelled his doubts.

 

It couldn’t possibly be Xu Jinman.

 

As long as it wasn’t Xu Jinman, he didn’t care.

 

His phone buzzed in the bathroom. As Ren Xiaoqi moved to answer it, Han Hui yanked off her bathrobe from behind and pulled her into a tight embrace, his hands growing increasingly bold.

 

Ren Xiaoqi laughed, dodging Han Hui’s advances as she answered her manager’s call.

 

“Why didn’t you consult me before posting that Weibo?!” her manager snapped. “I can’t be your manager anymore! Clean up this mess yourself!”

 

Ren Xiaoqi frowned. What a clueless idiot, she thought. Just from tonight’s trending topics, my follower count has already increased by 50,000. And after releasing the recording, public opinion has completely shifted in my favor.

 

Shen Shu would never show her face in the industry again. With Han Hui as her patron, she had nothing to fear from that Xu guy either.

 

She had taken a risk to regain her fame, but it had paid off, hadn’t it?

 

From now on, smooth sailing lay ahead. Plenty of people would be lining up to be her manager!

 

“Stop looking at your phone and take care of me first…” Han Hui reached for her, causing Ren Xiaoqi to flinch. She protested coyly, “I just posted a Weibo. Let me check it!”

 

But when she opened Weibo, the smile froze on her face.

 

In just a few minutes, the comments had taken a sharp turn.

 

Self-directed and self-acted? LOL. Was that pathetic attempt to dodge a slap due to bad acting or guilt?

 

OMG, this is so cringe… Did she even know they were wives?

 

Regardless, hitting someone is still wrong, right?

 

So many holier-than-thou types in this thread?! Get lost! If anyone hurt my wife, I’d slap them too. They deserved it!

 

Ren Xiaoqi returned with a pale face. Below the trending topics, the following hashtags had already surfaced:

 

#Shen Shu Clarifies#

 

#Ren Xiaoqi’s Self-Directed Stunt Backfires#

 

She clicked on Shen Shu’s Weibo account.

 

Shen Shu: She’s not my sugar daddy; she’s my wife. My wife is not in the entertainment industry, so I’ve always avoided involving her. But now, forced by circumstances… Here’s our marriage certificate.

 

@Ren Xiaoqi Qi Ya, we apologize for the physical altercation, and you can even demand compensation. However, you also need to apologize to me for your vile words towards her and me, your slander, and your repeated attacks against me. If necessary, I can provide further evidence.

 

[Image][Image]

 

P1: A marriage certificate showing both our faces and names.

 

P2: The script for the second and third versions of the “face-slapping” scene.

 

But that wasn’t all. Below, several interconnected Weibo posts had appeared, including comments from ordinary users and verified accounts, some even screenshots of comments.

 

Little Mic: #Ren Xiaoqi’s Self-Directed Stunt Backfires# Ren Xiaoqi is a seasoned drama queen. She’s been stirring up drama and riding trends since her last project, and she’s incredibly manipulative. She even sent flirtatious texts to my friend (who’s super rich).

 

Huhu: #Ren Xiaoqi’s Self-Directed Stunt Backfires# I want to say… actually, she was the one who rewrote the script… Don’t ask me how I know. Just look at the second version and figure it out yourself.

 

First-Hand Gossip: #RenXiaoqi’sSelf-DirectedDramaBackfires# Did Tan Jie also fail? The director of Into the Dream personally posted: “There was no behind-the-scenes manipulation. Shen Shu was simply a better fit for the role than Tan Jie.”

 

 

Tonight’s ID: Holy sh1t, awesome! First time seeing someone call out Beicheng’s crazy b1tch… Ren Xiaoqi is done for.

 

This comment was quickly buried by others.

 

Of course, Ren Xiaoqi couldn’t see any of this at the time.

 

Like most people who had been cursing Shen Shu and her wife, she was completely dumbfounded.

 

“Xu Jinman?!”

 

The hands holding Ren Xiaoqi suddenly withdrew, snatching the phone from her. After reading the message, Han Hui stared at Ren Xiaoqi, his eyes wide. “Don’t tell me the Xu you were talking about… is her?”

 

Ren Xiaoqi was slightly startled by his reaction. She hesitated before nodding, a strange tension gripping her heart.

 

“Young Master Han, is… is something wrong?”

 

Han Hui: “Holy sh1t… you’re toxic!”

 

Only now did he realize that the “newcomer” Ren Xiaoqi had been talking about all along was actually Shen Shu!

 

He regretted not asking for the newcomer’s name earlier.

 

And he certainly hadn’t connected the rumors about Shen Shu to this newcomer.

 

Ren Xiaoqi watched Han Hui pull up his pants and leave. She chased him to the door, only to realize she was still naked and didn’t dare go outside.

 

Han Hui threw back one last remark: “You think I’m impressive? You’re a fucking legend!”

 

If Xu Jinman knew he was behind Ren Xiaoqi’s actions, she might think he was deliberately trying to sabotage her.

 

Han Wenling had warned him last time not to meddle in this affair, explaining the complex web of interests involved. If his two older sisters and the Old Master found out, they’d skin him alive.

 

Ren Xiaoqi stared at the violently slammed door, collapsing to the floor in terror. How could everything have spiraled out of control in just a few minutes?

 

After a tense two-second pause, she refreshed her Weibo feed with trembling hands.

 

“Is there any truth left in your words? Eight-year fan, goodbye.”

 

“Truly disappointed. I trusted you so much, and you just played me like this? Ren Xiaoqi, you have no heart. What harm did that newcomer do to you? What did we fans do wrong? After all these years, have you ever genuinely tried to improve your acting, or just ride the coattails of trends? Good luck with that.”

 

“Even the fan leader is turning against her. There’s no defending this. This trash shouldn’t be allowed to cash in anymore. I suggest a complete ban. @Shen Shu, sue her! Protect your rights!”

 

“Your acting is worse than it was ten years ago. Did you use all your talent on Weibo posts? Using smear campaigns to climb the ladder is truly disgusting. One thing’s for sure: I’ll never watch another drama you’re in.”

 

“Holy sh1t, I’m gonna puke! So you’re the one who got blacklisted, huh? Bribing sponsors to rewrite scripts, spewing lies left and right—you never thought you’d hit a brick wall, did you? Treating netizens like monkeys? You absolute moron! The more I think about it, the more I want to vomit. Get lost, you pathetic excuse for a human being!”

 

The phone was hurled across the room, smashing against the tiled wall with a sharp crack.

 

Ren Xiaoqi let out a piercing scream: “Aaaah!!!”

 

Half an hour later, besides the audition director, Xia Chun also posted a Weibo update:

 

Shen Shu is a talented actress. I believe she will only get better in the future.

 

After Xia Chun’s post, the tide of comments, which had already begun to shift, surged overwhelmingly in Shen Shu’s favor, including support from Xia Chun’s own fans.

 

“I’m sorry! I insulted you! From hater to fan! As long as you don’t mess up, I’ll be a die-hard supporter!”

 

“Aaaah, hug the beautiful girl! Please act more in the future!”

 

“Wow, even Chun Chun posted! If Chun Chun believes in Shen Shu, then I do too! I’ll support her from now on~”

 

#XiaChunWeibo#

 

#ShenShu#

 

The two hashtags slowly climbed the trending list. Beneath the Weibo posts on the hot search, negative comments about Shen Shu had virtually disappeared. Any that remained were quickly drowned out by angry netizens.

 

Those defending Shen Shu were primarily netizens who had been manipulated by Ren Xiaoqi, including some of Ren Xiaoqi’s own fans.

 

 

“Shu Shu, your connections are amazing! Xia Chun’s popularity is no joke—this basically seals the deal!” Tong Jia said excitedly over the phone. “I contacted the production team, and they agreed to give us your audition video. But the buzz is already high enough for today, so we’ll release it tomorrow.”

 

“Okay,” Shen Shu replied.

 

Her voice lacked energy, but a hint of joy still lingered. It wasn’t about defeating Ren Xiaoqi, but about the realization that more opportunities lay ahead.

 

Xu Jinman noticed her demeanor. “Feeling unwell?”

 

Shen Shu paused before nodding. “A bit dizzy.”

 

She’d felt it coming on in the car, likely from the wind.

 

Hearing this, Tong Jia urged them to rest early, promising to discuss everything in the morning. “Tomorrow will be a beautiful day, Shen Shu. Prepare yourself—starting tomorrow, you’re going to be very busy.”

 

From now on, Shen Shu would no longer be just an unknown newcomer.

 

Her acting career was about to truly begin.

 

Around ten o’clock.

 

After hanging up with Tong Jia, Shen Shu went to the bathroom to shower.

 

Xu Jinman’s phone vibrated. Glancing at the caller ID, she saw it was Lu Yun.

 

She’d anticipated a call from the Xu Family, though this came sooner than expected. Perhaps Lu Yun, who rarely followed online news, had been informed by someone else.

 

She walked to the guest room to answer the call. As she’d suspected, Lu Yun was calling because Xu Li had told her about the news online.

 

“Do you know about the marriage certificate?” Lu Yun demanded. “Shen Shu has dragged you into this, and I absolutely won’t allow it!”

 

“I know,” Xu Jinman replied calmly. “I asked her to post it.”

 

Shen Shu had been more hesitant, but after discussing it, they agreed this approach was the most direct.

 

Still, seeing the marriage certificate with their names side-by-side felt surreal. It was just a contractual marriage, after all, and eventually… they would divorce.

 

Lu Yun was incredulous. “What did you say? Manman, you…”

 

Remembering Lu Yun’s past hostility toward Shen Shu, Xu Jinman worried she might do something drastic. “It’s not as serious as you think,” she said. “I have my reasons.”

 

She briefly explained the benefits of the situation to Lu Yun.

 

“So, this won’t harm the Xu Family—it will actually benefit us. It’s for the family’s good. I hope you’ll respect my decision and not interfere. Can you do that?”

 

To temporarily appease Lu Yun, Xu Jinman’s tone wasn’t as cold as usual. Perhaps because of this, Lu Yun’s attitude wasn’t overly aggressive. She even assured Xu Jinman that Xu Tao wouldn’t be a problem.

 

But if things couldn’t be resolved peacefully, Lu Yun would still take action.

 

Her words carried a veiled warning: Don’t let Shen Shu cloud your judgment. Only your mother truly cares for you.

 

Xu Jinman said nothing, barely willing to even think about it.

 

When she first transmigrated, it had been manageable. But after these repeated experiences, the mere thought of the original body’s past traumas now felt viscerally… deeply unsettling.

 

Stepping out of the guest room, she found Shen Shu had already emerged from the bathroom. Perhaps she’d forgotten, or perhaps she’d been distracted by the phone call, but she hadn’t put on her robe.

 

Shen Shu stood with her back to Xu Jinman, her smooth black hair tied up, revealing her porcelain shoulders and a sliver of her back beneath the beige camisole.

 

Judging by her strained tone, Xu Jinman guessed it was someone from the Shen Family.

 

The voice on the other end was loud enough to faintly carry through the quiet living room. When Xu Jinman heard a particularly harsh word, she walked over and gestured for Shen Shu to hand her the phone.

 

She immediately put it on speaker.

 

“Shen Shu, does Xu Jinman really know about what’s happening online? You need to understand, this isn’t just about you. It concerns the entire future of the Shen Family, do you hear me?” Wei Wuqing’s voice boomed.

 

The voice on the other end sounded distant, with faint background noise suggesting a game.

 

“Ugh, you’re so annoying! You’re married now, why can’t you just stay home? I’m losing face every day! Do you know what my friends are saying? They’re asking how much you charge per night…”

 

“I’m Xu Jinman.”

 

Wei Wuqing: “…Ah, Manman… Shu Shu, why didn’t you tell me Manman was here? Letting your brother make such a joke almost caused a misunderstanding.”

 

Wei Wuqing reacted swiftly. “Shen Jun, call her by her title!”

 

Shen Jun: “…President Xu.” He seemed to struggle for the right term before settling on this.

 

Xu Jinman’s voice was icy. “Tomorrow at noon, bring your friends to my office and explain yourselves.”

 

She hung up immediately.

 

Shen Shu’s expression darkened. Xu Jinman told her to go to bed. As she lowered her gaze, her eyes briefly fell on Shen Shu’s tattoo before quickly looking away. “I’ll make you some cold medicine. Go lie down first.”

 

A few minutes later, Xu Jinman entered the room carrying a cup of coffee-colored liquid. She sat on the edge of the bed, gently fanning the cup.

 

“It’s a bit hot.”

 

Shen Shu lay in bed, her eyes stinging with fatigue. She squinted for a moment, then opened them again, finding the person beside her now clearer.

 

“Xu Jinman,” Shen Shu said, her voice hoarse with illness. “Thank you.”

 

For everything you’ve done for me today.

 

Xu Jinman froze, her serious expression softening. She slowly curled her lips into a smile. “Thank me for what?”

 

Shen Shu paused for two seconds before quietly replying, “For making me cold medicine.”

 

Xu Jinman: “…You’re welcome?”

 

The two women exchanged a look, then burst into inexplicable laughter.

 

Shen Shu still had a slight fever. Xu Jinman watched her fall asleep, then, after a moment’s thought, spread the spare blanket from the next room on the floor beneath the bed.

 

In the middle of the night, Shen Shu woke up drenched in sweat. She switched on the bedside lamp and noticed the figure on the floor.

 

Xu Jinman lay on her side, the blanket tossed aside. Clad in a long black T-shirt, she was curled up, one leg half-exposed.

 

Shen Shu climbed out of bed and bent down, reaching to pull the blanket over Xu Jinman. Perhaps the movement disturbed her, for Xu Jinman suddenly shifted, her leg tangling with Shen Shu’s foot.

 

Losing her balance, Shen Shu stumbled forward, falling heavily.

 

Xu Jinman’s eyes snapped open, her gaze locking onto Shen Shu’s face, now inches away. The Omega’s alluring scent filled the air, and a mere inch separated their lips…

 

Xu Jinman blinked, her lashes fluttering slightly. Her voice, still husky with sleep, murmured, “Hmm?”