Chapter 40: Digging Up Her Black Material

Sheng Tang briefly recounted today’s events, ending with a sarcastic remark: “This Jiang Limeng is getting more and more arrogant. She’ll fall flat on her face one day.”

Sheng Yu remained silent for a moment before nodding in agreement: “She is quite arrogant.”

Daring to bully Qiao Qiao, she deserved to be… punished.

“By the way, brother, are you going to Old Madam Ji’s 80th birthday tomorrow night?”

Sheng Yu nodded: “Yes.”

“That’s rare. I thought you’d let me go alone like every year.”

Sheng Yu said impassively: “Didn’t you say it’s her 80th birthday? It’s appropriate to go.”

Actually, there was another reason – his Qiao Qiao would be there.

“If that’s the case, then you prepare the gift. I’ll just go empty-handed this time.”

“Alright.”

After dinner, Sheng Yu went to his study.

He opened his computer and typed “Jiang Limeng.” Countless pages popped up.

Sheng Yu randomly clicked on a few websites and glanced at them.

Sheng Tang wasn’t wrong: things are good now, and this kind of person is actually a popular actress.

After some thought, he closed the pages, took out his phone, and dialed a number.

The call was quickly answered, and a cheerful male voice came through: “Sheng Ge, what’s up?”

“Jiang Limeng, you know her?”

“Yeah, she’s the actress who’s been hot lately. She’s pretty too.”

“Xingchuan, you have a wide network in the entertainment industry. Help me dig up some dirt on her.”

“Huh? What’s wrong? Did she offend you?”

“She didn’t offend me personally.” Sheng Yu smiled casually: “But she offended someone I like, which is the same as offending me.”

“Whoa! Your little sister-in-law? Jiang Limeng is so blind!”

“After you succeed, you can ask for anything you want.”

“If you put it that way, I’m motivated! Don’t worry, I’ll strip her bare!”

Sheng Yu: “…”

Why did it feel so unreliable?

…

The next day.

Old Madam Ji’s 80th birthday was held at the Shengshi Mingting Hotel.

This was one of Shengshi Group’s properties, the most luxurious and magnificent hotel in Jing City.

The entire hotel covered nearly 3,000 acres. It was more like a resort estate that integrated shopping, leisure, entertainment, dining, and accommodation than a hotel.

After the Ji family decided to hold Old Madam Ji’s 80th birthday here, they prepared for the event in advance. Tonight, besides the Ji family and guests, only hotel staff and a few media personnel were present.

In the evening, Qiao Shuyi and her mother, Tang Jingwan, arrived at the luxurious hotel by car.

As soon as they entered the hotel, the warmth of the heating dispelled the chill. Qiao Shuyi took off her coat and handed it to the attendant, then took her mother’s arm and walked inside.

Along the way, Qiao Shuyi met many familiar faces, and her face almost froze from smiling.

Soon, they found Madam Ji, Mu Nianqing, who was chatting with a group of noble ladies on the sofa.

“Nianqing.”

“Jingwan is here, come, come, sit down. Oh, Shuyi is here too.”

“Aunt Mu.” Qiao Shuyi curved her lips, smiling politely and sweetly.

“Shuyi is getting prettier and prettier. Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Not yet.” Qiao Shuyi smiled, not hiding it: “But it’s coming soon.”

“It seems someone is chasing our Shuyi.”

Tang Jingwan smiled and patted Qiao Shuyi’s hand: “Go play with your friends, Mom will chat with Aunt Mu.”

“Okay.”

As soon as Qiao Shuyi left, Mu Nianqing asked Tang Jingwan: “Which family’s son is it?”

Tang Jingwan shook her head, indicating that she didn’t know: “It’s not even a sure thing yet, so we didn’t ask much.”

“How can that be? What if she brings home a man who’s not a good match for you?”

Tang Jingwan laughed: “It doesn’t matter, as long as she likes him.”

“You, you…”

…

Qiao Shuyi weaved through the crowd, trying to find Sheng Tang.

As she searched, she suddenly saw two familiar faces coming towards her.

Upon seeing them, a flash of surprise crossed Qiao Shuyi’s eyes, and her pace slowed down.

It was the mother and son from the Gu family, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

The Gu family’s current situation wasn’t good. The company was on the verge of bankruptcy, and they barely managed to save it by selling Wenxi Garden.

Although the Gu family was saved, the scale was far smaller than before, no different from an ordinary company.

Actually, this was enough for the three of them to live on.

But it’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, and hard to go from luxury to frugality. How could the three of them, accustomed to a life of wealth and luxury, get used to a plain and ordinary life?

Gu Ming Cheng was constantly looking for opportunities to make a comeback, and Gu Linchuan was also trying to find opportunities and help.

Even Qin Shuang，who was used to being a wealthy wife, began to lower her standards and make friends with people she used to look down upon.

But things didn’t go smoothly. Gu Ming Cheng failed to make a comeback, Gu Linchuan was repeatedly rejected, and Qin Shuang，not only didn’t make any useful connections, but was also ostracized by many.

After all, when they were rich, they didn’t hesitate to look down on others.

Now, Qin Shuang and Gu Linchuan were no longer as radiant as they used to be. Their eyes revealed a faint weariness and exhaustion.

Especially Qin Shuang，she had lost a lot of weight. She used to love beauty and paid great attention to her appearance, going to the beauty salon several times a week.

Now, her skin was dull and lifeless, and even makeup couldn’t cover it. There were many fine lines around her eyes, making her look several years older.

Qiao Shuyi was suddenly curious. With the Gu family’s connections and current situation, how did they get an invitation to Old Madam Ji’s 80th birthday and appear at this banquet?

When he saw Qiao Shuyi walking towards him, a hint of surprise flashed across Gu Linchuan’s eyes.

Today, Qiao Shuyi was wearing the dress she bought with Sheng Tang yesterday.

The black off-the-shoulder dress revealed her white and delicate collarbone, and a pink diamond necklace made her neck look even more slender and graceful.

Her long black hair was gently tied up in a low ponytail at the back of her head, revealing long pink earrings that swayed gently as she walked, making her look even more gentle and beautiful.

Gu Linchuan suddenly had a thought: why hadn’t he noticed before how beautiful Qiao Shuyi was?

It was a different kind of beauty from other wealthy young ladies.

She had a gentle and graceful aura, like a jasmine quietly blooming in a rose garden, making it hard not to look at her twice.