* * *
“What do you mean by ‘making amends’?” Cheng Susu’s ears perked up.
After stepping into the office and relaxing her tense nerves, Cheng Susu sank onto the sofa.
Zhong Ce followed closely behind, raising an eyebrow.
“That glass of drugged red wine—Xiao Gao couldn’t retrieve it before that little vixen destroyed the evidence.”
He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
“Tch, it could’ve been solid proof to lock her up for good.”
There were no cameras in the private room; the glass of red wine was crucial evidence.
“But it doesn’t matter. If I can’t put her in jail, I’ve got a thousand ways to ruin her.”
Cheng Susu: “…”
She had never realized how ruthless the second young master of the Zhong family could be.
From the floor-to-ceiling window, she could take in a sweeping view of half of Beijing. Leaning against the sofa backrest, Cheng Susu turned her face slightly to gaze out the window. After a long silence, she finally asked in a faint voice, “You said Zhu Linyun was introduced to you by my mother?”
“Mm-hmm.” Zhong Ce toyed with a strand of hair hanging over his chest. “The little vixen wanted to jump ship to Orange Entertainment, so your mother approached me. Oh, and she mentioned that the little vixen is your sister.”
“I only agreed to have a meal with her and her crew out of respect for you. Who’d have thought she’d be so ambitious—trying to have a one-night stand with me?”
“…”
Disgusting.
Cheng Susu’s expression remained calm. “I’m an only child.”
The incident of the Cheng family’s switched children being returned to their rightful places had been public knowledge for four or five years. Most people in Beijing’s social circles still remembered it. But the potential dirty dealings that might have happened behind the scenes? Only the Cheng family knew.
Zhong Ce was sharp as a tack. Just from Cheng Susu’s expression, he deduced the truth. “So, the little vixen was your family’s fake heiress?”
He stroked his chin, feigning thought. “And your parents still favor her?”
“No wonder you couldn’t wait to marry me.”
Bullseye.
Cheng Susu: “…”
Zhong Ce regarded her with an expression that defied description before finally concluding, “Poor thing. You’re practically Cinderella in real life.”
Cheng Susu: “…”
This conversation was going nowhere.
If he kept talking, she might lose her temper and strangle him.
She was feeling especially strong these days.
Closing her eyes, she exhaled deeply, then abruptly turned her head as if remembering something. “You have a private bathroom here, right?”
There was no way she’d use the men’s restroom!
For once, Zhong Ce was at a loss for words. After a pause, he nodded. “Yes.”
After a quiet moment, he seemed to grow uneasy, frowning as he warned her repeatedly, “No matter where you are, it’s best to avoid public restrooms.”
Unlike women’s restrooms, men’s restrooms often lacked stalls.
Zhong Ce added, “Otherwise, you might see something you shouldn’t.”
Cheng Susu: “???”
Cheng Susu: “Oh.”
The efficiency of reporters was truly astounding.
It hadn’t been long, but the top trending topic—#NewStarletZhuLinyunRelationshipRevealed#—was quickly overtaken by #NewStarletExposed# and #ZhongSecondYoungMasterMarried#.
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but Zhong Ce publicly appearing with his wife to refute the rumors and threaten legal action was even more compelling.
In fact, it was a direct slap in the face.
Zhu Linyun’s fans and casual netizens had been leaving blessings under her heart-shaped post on Weibo. Now, with this sudden reversal, they were left awkward and embarrassed.
Those sweet blessings now seemed laughable. But a few dedicated fans quickly changed their tune, steering the narrative by claiming that Zhu Linyun’s heart emoji meant nothing. They argued she was simply expressing her good mood and turned their ire toward the gossip accounts spreading false narratives.
The gossip accounts felt wronged.
Hadn’t their inside sources assured them the story was rock solid? Damn it, solid my foot!
While fans clung to excuses for their idol, netizens and detractors weren’t buying it.
Anyone with half a brain could piece together the truth: Zhu Linyun had tried to use Zhong Ce for clout, only to have him ruthlessly expose her.
What a scandal. Truly juicy.
Zhu Linyun was furious when she found out. Her face turned green.
On set, everyone avoided her, whispering behind her back.
Even the director and producer, who had dined with her the night before, were now giving her strange looks.
Only now did she realize how foolish her actions had been.
That Weibo post should never have been made.
But she had been too eager to disgust Cheng Susu.
After all, everything should’ve been hers. She was the real daughter of the Cheng family.
At 10 a.m., Orange Entertainment’s official account issued a statement about the trending topic.
Echoing Zhong Ce’s interview, they announced they would pursue legal action against those responsible.
Defamation might be low-cost, but don’t get cocky.
Justice may be slow, but it will come.
Everyone will pay the price eventually.
After scrolling through Weibo, Cheng Susu stretched lazily, smiling. “Satisfied.”
“That’s all it takes to satisfy you?” Zhong Ce, seated at his desk, glanced up lazily, seemingly displeased by her low standards.
After a pause, he smirked and asked casually, “What do you think would happen if that little vixen’s company found out she wanted to jump ship to Orange Entertainment…?”
Raising an eyebrow, he drawled, “How do you think they’d handle her?”
Cheng Susu: “…”
* * *
