Chapter 6: What Goes Around Comes Around.

“Didn’t we agree to stay out of each other’s way from now on?”

“I changed my mind. So what?”

Shen Qingchi, a popular and sought-after young actor in the entertainment industry, was currently cornered in a room by a woman.

This woman was clearly up to no good.

It was obvious.

He was afraid of her.

A man nearly six feet tall, in his own territory, would be afraid of a woman with a significant difference in height and strength.

This was even more unusual.

A normal man would fear a woman only if she possessed superior wealth, material possessions, reputation, and status.

If none of those were true…

Then she must hold some compromising information over him.

From his constantly evasive gaze and slightly humble tone, it was clear that this compromising information was deadly, his Achilles’ heel.

“Let’s talk this over calmly. Let’s sit down and chat, okay?”

Ruan Xiaotang, her palms braced against the walls on either side, looked down at him from above, her eyes like she was staring at a disgusting pile of garbage, immediately becoming impatient.

“Do you think I’m stupid enough to give you a chance to call your bodyguards or your agent? Or have I always been a fool in your eyes?”

Shen Qingchi’s eyes widened in surprise, his head shaking like a large rattle. He looked very much like a fool.

Ruan Xiaotang chuckled.

She laughed, but it was a numb, bitter laugh.

Her laughter was filled with sarcasm, regret, and resentment.

Why should her four years of humble devotion be in vain?

Why should her sincerity be betrayed?

Why should she be treated like a fool, played for a fool time and again by this garbage?

Why did his statement, “I only see you as a sister,” negate everything she had done for him?

Why?

Why?

Unpleasant memories from the past surged like a raging tide, crashing against her already wounded heart.

The gnawing pain caused Ruan Xiaotang to close her eyes weakly.

After a moment.

She suddenly opened her eyes.

Coldness mixed with disgust, as if she had become a completely different person in the blink of an eye.

Shen Qingchi had planned to rely on their past relationship to persuade Ruan Xiaotang to stop bothering him.

But the moment he met her gaze, he knew his plan was doomed to fail.

The last shred of decency between them crumbled instantly.

She wasn’t here to bother him; she was here to settle the score.

A deep unease surged within him.

His panicked heart forced him to find something to support himself, as he couldn’t fathom what Ruan Xiaotang was up to, leaving him in a state of high tension.

His body, like softened mud, slumped against the wall, sliding to the floor in the corner.

He looked weak.

But in Ruan Xiaotang’s eyes, it was utterly ridiculous.

She mocked her past self for being so blind.

His fear of her now didn’t mean he was truly afraid of her.

He feared the damaging information she held, information that could ruin his promising career.

Don’t worry.

You’ll get your wish.

“Use your Weibo account to publicly announce that you were in a relationship with a girlfriend outside the industry, and that you’ve peacefully broken up due to distance…”

“Are you crazy? I’m the company’s most popular star; my persona is that of a single idol…”

Slap!

A loud slap echoed through the room.

Shen Qingchi’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Ruan Xiaotang.

His eyes silently questioned her.

“I’m a top star. How dare you hit me? This, this precious face.”

That slap was incredibly satisfying for Ruan Xiaotang.

She had wanted to do this for a long time.

As a show of defiance, she slowly retracted her hand, shaking it in the air.

She looked down at Shen Qingchi on the floor, a smirk playing on her lips.

Her arrogant demeanor was infuriating.

This meaningful smile deeply stung the humble Shen Qingchi.

Shen Qingchi was a big star with acting skills and popularity. Wherever he went, fans would flock to him, surrounding and protecting him, shouting his name.

Ruan Xiaotang was just a small stand-in actress.

Could an ant defeat an elephant?

Ridiculous.

One phone call from him could make her disappear from this industry completely.

Eat shit!

Just as Shen Qingchi was about to stand up, a strong gust of air whistled towards his cheek again.

Slap!

Slap!

Slap!

“Leave me some face; I depend on my face for a living.”

After three crisp slaps, Ruan Xiaotang let out a heavy breath.

She clutched her chest, glancing at him sideways, and said calmly, “Shen Jiawang, your position in the entertainment industry is partly thanks to me. You must remember that it was I, Ruan Xiaotang, who had the foresight to invest heavily and hire a professional team to create that incredibly popular short video that you’re so proud of. That video, with over 100 million views, got you noticed by top entertainment companies, leading to your current fame and fortune. And what did you do? You burned your bridges, you were unfaithful, you abandoned your lover. You ungrateful bastard, you told everyone I was your cousin, I’ll be damned if…”

Even though they had broken up a year ago, the anger she had been holding onto still made it hard for her to speak calmly.

“I compensated you financially, and you signed a non-disclosure agreement. Why are you still…”

“Did I sign it willingly? Your old hag of a manager surrounded me with four bodyguards, forcing me to sign until I did…”

She was furious.

Today, she would get her revenge and settle the score.

In the quiet villa garden, screams, sometimes clear, sometimes muffled, could be heard from time to time.

Under the shade of a tree, a lazy tabby cat was taking a nap.

Suddenly.

It pricked up its ears, its limbs crouched low to the ground, surveying its surroundings.

Danger!

Run!

With its tail puffed up, it ran away.

“Ruan Xiaotang, you’re going to die a horrible death!”

“Oh, big stars swear too, huh? Do your fans know about this?”

“You’re my biggest hater!”

“I spit on you. Even if all the stars in the world died, I wouldn’t be your fan. Haters are still fans, but you don’t deserve the title!”

“Waaaah… I have a fan meeting in two days. How, how am I going to face them…”

Shen Qingchi, his face bruised and swollen, lay on the floor, crying loudly.

“Oh, you’re short on cash, so you’re back to making that dirty money.”

“I won’t let you go, don’t leave…”

“Shen Jiawang, if you have the guts, come to Siba tonight at 8. If you don’t come, you’re my grandson.”

Sister, tonight at 8, I’ll say goodbye to this world!

If you still have a conscience and some lingering affection, I’ll ensure your star shines brightly and you achieve fame and fortune.

If you’re heartless,

Don’t blame me for going all out and cutting the grass to the roots.

The choice is yours.

You’ll bear the consequences!