Chapter 47: Breaking the Taboo

After posting her Weibo, Lin Tong genuinely praised her: “That sentence you posted is so sharp, it makes me want to hit you.”

It was sarcasm, said in a way that no one could find fault with it.

The editor of Pragmatic News, upon seeing the tag, was left stunned, unwilling and unable to believe that Lu Hui had posted it herself. The spiteful words felt like a slap to their faces, humiliating them without even trying.

Not only had Lu Hui offended them, but the bystanders also mocked the media for being useless.

The editor refused to back down, and the media, having a deep grudge with Lu Hui’s company, was now in full battle mode, refusing to stop until one side was destroyed.

A minute later, the editor reposted Lu Hui’s message, making a bold statement, “In the 21st century, does anyone still not know that celebrities’ Weibo accounts are managed by their agencies?”

This adamant denial began to make the onlookers doubt, thinking that Pragmatic News, with over 20 million followers, probably wouldn’t spread rumors.

Lu Hui read the post but didn’t feel the need to reply. Instead, she was more curious about what kind of grudge her company had with this media outlet that had escalated to this level.

Lin Tong explained over the phone, telling her that two years ago, Pragmatic News had invited the hottest actor at the time for an interview, but the editor was half an hour late, and the actor’s team left for the next event without waiting, which started the feud.

Lu Hui frowned, “Wasn’t that their fault? Why hold a grudge instead of apologizing?”

Lin Tong sighed, “Exactly, some media editors think they’re great at creating news, looking down on this and that. They have no writing skills but a huge ego. They think they can ruin someone’s reputation without consequence.”

Lu Hui agreed, “You’re right. Don’t worry, I’ll deal with them. I’ll beat them at their own game. As long as I’m worse than them, they won’t be able to do anything.”

Lin Tong was reassured by her words. “I’ve got to say, you’re really good at making people angry.”

Especially after the last competition show, Lu Hui had become more direct, and while she hadn’t learned many skills, she had definitely picked up a sharp tongue from Qin Mohuai.

After chatting for about ten minutes, Lu Hui had made up her mind.

Qin Mohuai, it seemed, had seen the news online. With an indifferent expression, he lazily leaned back in his chair. “Did someone set you up?”

“How do you mean?”

“Even a dog’s nose isn’t that sharp. First, the police check, then they’re already spilling the beans.” Qin Mohuai fiddled with his phone, nonchalantly swaying it in the air, clearly not worried it would fall. “It’s probably the media notified by Yu Mandong.”

Lu Hui said she wasn’t sure.

Qin Mohuai stopped moving, his finger tapping the table. “This media company owns more than half of his shares.”

Lu Hui took a deep breath. “What’s his point in doing this?”

Qin Mohuai, realizing Lu Hui was naive, could only guess. “Last night, he almost ran us over with his car just to stop us from going upstairs. From that, you can see how ruthless and stubborn Yu Mandong is. If he can’t get it, he’ll destroy it.”

Qin Mohuai continued his analysis, “This might be his attempt to ruin your career, to force you to beg him for mercy or offer something in exchange for his favor.”

Lu Hui’s heart sank, and the explanation made sense. She absently replied, “I understand. I’m leaving now.”

“Where are you going?”

“To the police station.”

Qin Mohuai raised an eyebrow. “Why are you going to the police station?”

Lu Hui put on her shoes. “I’m going to beg them to clear my name.”

Qin Mohuai didn’t understand why she was going through all this effort. “Why not just do a live broadcast and clear your name? Why make it so complicated?”

Lu Hui refused. “If I don’t slap them in the face today, I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

Qin Mohuai suddenly understood. That aggressive, persistent media had been incredibly annoying, and it definitely wasn’t enough to just let it go without a few harsh slaps.

“Want me to drive you?” he offered.

Lu Hui smirked. “Don’t you remember? Your car was totaled by Yu Mandong last night.”

Qin Mohuai scoffed and casually said, “Don’t look down on me. I have over ten other cars in my garage.”

Lu Hui raised an eyebrow. “What’s the point of buying all those cars if you never drive them?”

Qin Mohuai pulled his hands from his pockets, chin up, displaying an arrogant attitude. “I bought them to play with, as decoration, and to show off. Understand?”

Lu Hui didn’t have his kind of money, so she obviously didn’t get his vulgar amusement.

“Alright, I’ll just take a taxi downstairs.”

“Take care, no need to see me off.”

After Lu Hui left, Cen Yueze gathered the blanket that had been bunched up on the sofa and took it back to the master bedroom. He frowned as he stared at it, seemingly deep in thought. He lowered his head and sniffed, but it didn’t smell like anything. He decided it wasn’t dirty and didn’t need to go into the laundry for now.

The cleaning lady came by at noon and was about to remove the duvet cover from the master bedroom when Cen Yueze unusually told her not to.

The cleaning lady was a bit surprised. “Aren’t you going to wash it?”

Cen Yueze coughed. “The weather forecast says it’ll rain this afternoon, so it won’t dry properly. It’s better not to wash it.”

She didn’t think much of it. “Alright.”

Cen Yueze closed the door, threw himself onto the bed, and the down duvet felt light and soft. It even smelled faintly pleasant. When he closed his eyes, he could still see the image of Lu Hui holding his blanket and sleeping the night before, a thought he couldn’t shake off.

He became agitated, kicked off his slippers, and even rubbed his socks on the floor. Rolling up the blanket, he pulled it to the middle of the bed, closed his eyes, and tried to get some sleep.

Cen Yueze originally thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep, but the soft fragrance in the air gradually lulled him into a deep sleep.

Lu Hui didn’t have lunch and went straight to the police station. She took a photo at the entrance just as she arrived. Before she could even start her counterattack, the police station had already issued a statement due to the overwhelming number of calls they had received. The gist was that they did indeed receive a report and dispatched officers, but after investigation, no illegal behavior was found. They urged the public not to believe or spread rumors.

The blue-and-white text was very convincing.

Lu Hui was relieved and headed home, noticing that the incident had become a big deal, even people like Sheng Lian, who weren’t interested in entertainment news, had heard about it.

Xu Qin was furious, pointing at her so forcefully it looked like her finger would poke out her eye. “What is all this about!”

Lu Hui shrugged, shameless to an extreme degree. “A bad person tried to frame me, but ended up getting slapped in the face instead.”

Xu Qin gritted her teeth to maintain her aristocratic composure. “How many times have I told you not to stay in such a filthy place like the entertainment industry? Why can’t you just live a good life? Instead, you always find trouble for yourself. Now everyone knows what my daughter has done.”

Because of Yu Mandong’s mention of the marriage alliance, Xu Qin had finally been able to hold her head high in front of other wealthy women. She had always refused to talk about her son from her previous marriage, but recently she kept bragging about Lu Hui, blowing her up to the skies.

With this incident, whether true or false, her reputation was tarnished.

Lu Hui poured her a glass of warm water. “I also wanted to do good things quietly. If others want to help publicize it, that’s not my fault, right?”

“What’s going on in your head? You don’t seriously think you can support yourself, do you? Why not just marry a good husband?”

“Are you talking about Yu Mandong?”

“A rich and devoted man. What else do you want?”

“He tried to run me over yesterday. If I marry him, I’d have money to make but none to spend.”

Xu Qin dismissed it as nonsense.

Lu Hui didn’t want to argue anymore and grew impatient. “I’ve told you before, if you’re so satisfied with him, then don’t give him away to anyone else.”

Xu Qin clutched her chest and frantically searched for medicine. After taking two quick-acting heart pills, she regained her composure. “I can’t control you anymore.”

Lu Hui looked at her coldly. “When have you ever controlled me?”

She had never attended any parent meetings at school, never cared about her academic performance, and never paid attention to whether she was doing well. She didn’t even know what major she was in at university or when she graduated.

Xu Qin was left speechless by the sharp retort.

In the past, Lu Hui had always been careful, afraid of offending others and making them unhappy. But now she didn’t care. Seeing her mother’s angry face, she had to hold back a laugh.

She didn’t stay home long and had something scheduled almost every day—interviews, promotions, and after the TV series promo work, it was time to film the second season of “Little Devils.”

The guest list didn’t change, and Lu Hui’s mood wasn’t affected by the incident online. She walked through the airport looking fashionable. On the plane, Ning Jiao and the director both came over to comfort her.

The director said, “Fame brings trouble. Stupid media just know how to harm people.”

Ning Jiao had a different perspective, “Did you enjoy it?”

“I really didn’t.”

“By the way, did you sleep with Yan Zhao?”

Lu Hui asked, “Why do you want to know?”

Ning Jiao licked her alluring red lips. “I’ve been dying to sleep with Yan Zhao. If I could have one night with him…”

Her long legs, slim waist, toned arms, and a glance at his well-endowed…

She was just too greedy.

“Didn’t you say you were going to get him drunk and force him?”

“Failed.” Ning Jiao pouted. “I almost pressed my chest against him, but he still remained unmoved. His cold, indifferent eyes pushed me away. My heart is shattered.”

After a fake display of sadness, Ning Jiao returned to her original question: “So, did you and him ever have deep interactions?”

Even when Ning Jiao spoke seriously, her words had an unmistakable suggestive tone.

Lu Hui propped her chin, sighed, and thought carefully. This was a question she couldn’t answer.

It seemed like there was something, yet it also felt like there wasn’t.

She had forgotten the details.

The night before her wedding, she had drunk herself senseless, her body burning, her breath hot. She had randomly found a room and slept. Her memory was blurry, but she remembered someone carrying her to the room.

At that time, Yan Zhao probably didn’t like her. His breaking of vows had other motives.

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