Chapter 41.2

Upon arriving at the company, Wen Tang noticed that the once gloomy atmosphere had completely vanished. Everyone’s faces were now brimming with undisguised joy, and they greeted her with bright smiles.

Even Liu Meifen, knowing Wen Tang would arrive soon, waited by the elevator in advance.

“Tang Tang, this time you really turned things around!” Liu Meifen eagerly said as soon as she saw Wen Tang, her face creased with more smiles than usual.

“I have no idea which miracle worker found this video!”

Hadn’t their company looked for it? They did search on the day of the incident, but not with the hope of finding any strong evidence. They were more concerned that someone else might get hold of it first and post it online, further fanning the flames.

However, the bar had refused to cooperate, claiming the room’s surveillance was broken and that there was no footage.

No one at the company expected this video to contain such crucial information. Otherwise, they would have done everything in their power to obtain it rather than simply accepting the bar’s claim that it didn’t exist.

“Oh, you guys don’t know who found it either?” Wen Tang was surprised.

She had assumed the company was behind it.

Liu Meifen replied, “It’s from a new marketing account with barely any followers. Both Mr.Qi and I have asked around, but no one knows who’s behind it or how they suddenly surfaced.”

Just when everyone thought the situation couldn’t get any worse, an unexpected ally appeared, releasing this video at the perfect moment—neither too early nor too late, achieving the best possible effect. Now, the whole nation is sympathizing with Wen Tang. Her reputation, which seemed to have hit rock bottom, has dramatically reversed from being labeled as a cruel woman condoning her family’s misdeeds to being seen as a pitiful victim deserving of everyone’s sympathy.

“I think we should seize this wave of momentum and recover all the losses we’ve incurred!” Liu Meifen enthusiastically suggested this in Qi Xiuyuan’s office.

The scandal had caused Wen Tang to lose several endorsement deals, along with various other opportunities, resulting in losses exceeding hundreds of millions. Initially, they thought her reputation had plummeted to the point where it would take time to rebuild. Who would have expected that a single video could reverse everything? Now that she had regained public favor and her reputation was restored, it was obvious how many people would soon come knocking with offers.

What could be more gratifying than that?

Qi Xiuyuan, however, remained noncommittal about Liu Meifen’s suggestions. Instead, he turned his attention to Wen Tang.

“What do you think about this?” he asked her.

Wen Tang was lounging on the sofa in Qi Xiuyuan’s office, her long legs crossed, and arms folded. In public, she always exuded an air of arrogance, appearing aloof even in front of her boss. This was why there were so many rumors about her being difficult to work with, as she gave off an impression of being hard to get along with.

Wen Tang chuckled and replied with a question, “What should I say?”

She glanced at Liu Meifen, her lips curving into a mocking smile.

The look didn’t sit well with Liu Meifen, who frowned.

“Wen Tang, if you have something to say, just say it straight. Don’t be sarcastic!”

Wen Tang remained silent because she knew that whatever she said next, Liu Meifen would likely oppose it. But what could she do? She was no longer the obedient daughter she used to be.

She couldn’t keep worrying about Liu Meifen’s feelings.

Raising her chin slightly, Wen Tang ignored Liu Meifen and said, “You really want me to say it? Then I will.”

Qi Xiuyuan nodded, “Go ahead.”

Wen Tang stated, “I think we should take this opportunity to completely sever ties with Wen Haifeng and his son.”

As soon as she finished, Liu Meifen’s voice of dissent followed.

“Completely sever ties? How could you possibly do that? No matter what, he’s still your father, and blood ties can’t be broken!”

She found Wen Tang’s idea absurd, almost laughable.

As the boss, Qi Xiuyuan had heard about their family’s disputes before. Recently, he had delved even deeper to fully understand the situation in order to handle the crisis.

Liu Meifen had been in this industry for years, so how could her thinking be so outdated? Who said that just because there’s a blood relationship, one must remain under its influence?

This time, Qi Xiuyuan sided with Wen Tang.

He raised his hand slightly, signaling Liu Meifen to calm down.

These two, mother and daughter, were prone to arguments, and just the other day, they had a fierce one in his office.

“Don’t rush. Let’s hear what Wen Tang has to say first,” Qi Xiuyuan said.

Wen Tang glanced at Liu Meifen from under her lashes. Although Liu Meifen was her mother, she couldn’t understand why she was so stubbornly concerned with maintaining a reputation that had already been trampled underfoot. Why couldn’t she let go?

Did Wen Haifeng cast some kind of spell on her when they got married?

“I want to post on Weibo to make a public statement, declaring that I am completely severing my father-daughter relationship with Wen Haifeng,” Wen Tang said, casually flicking her fingers as if it were no big deal.

Liu Meifen immediately exploded upon hearing this.

“No way!”

Did she not want to do this herself?

Of course, she did!

But when she thought about the potential backlash and public scrutiny that would follow such a move, Liu Meifen didn’t dare act rashly.

Wen Tang’s reputation had only just been salvaged, and she didn’t want to risk it for anything!

Wen Tang had anticipated Liu Meifen’s opposition, so she responded with a sarcastic laugh.

“Why not? If you don’t sever ties now, what are you waiting for? Are you going to let Wen Haifeng continue leeching off me until I’m drained dry?”

“Liu Meifen, Ms. Liu, open your eyes and look around. Listen to what people are saying online. People nowadays aren’t as old-fashioned as your generation. Are blood ties really that important? I don’t think so!”

Perhaps she had been holding it in for too long. After saying this, Wen Tang exhaled deeply, feeling an inexplicable sense of relief.

The current situation was that public opinion was entirely in her favor. If she didn’t take action now, then when?

Qi Xiuyuan nodded in agreement when he heard this.

He then turned to Liu Meifen and said, “I think Wen Tang is right, Sister Fen. This time, maybe you should listen more to others.”

“You should check out Weibo more,” he suggested.

From an objective perspective, Qi Xiuyuan also agreed with Wen Tang’s viewpoint. They couldn’t let Wen Haifeng’s family continue to leech off Wen Tang. Most importantly, only by breaking free from these shackles could she soar even higher.

Liu Meifen, as Wen Tang’s mother and also her manager, was usually very astute. However, she was particularly blind when it came to this matter. She placed too much emphasis on Wen Tang’s future and was unwilling to take any risks, no matter how small. But without taking risks, how could great things be achieved?

You must first break down to build anew.

Two to one.

Liu Meifen furrowed her brow deeply. Her raised eyebrows and tightly pressed lips made her usually gentle appearance seem very unapproachable and particularly fierce at this moment.

The conversation had reached this point, but Liu Meifen still didn’t relent.

They remained silent for about one or two minutes.

Wen Tang was the first to lose her patience.

She stood up from the sofa.

Her abrupt movement caught Qi Xiuyuan and Liu Meifen’s attention.

“This is pointless. I’m leaving,” Wen Tang said, a hint of sarcasm tugging at her lips. Without waiting for the others’ approval, she straightened her long legs and headed for the door.

“Wen Tang, stop right there!” Liu Meifen, unable to contain her anger, called out. Wen Tang was being too disrespectful, both to her and to Qi Xiuyuan! Her every move constantly challenged Liu Meifen’s limits, making her feel deeply offended.

“Where do you think you’re going without even saying a word? Get back here!” she scolded.

But Wen Tang was never one to listen.

If she were obedient, she wouldn’t be Wen Tang.

She kept walking until she reached the door. Only then did Wen Tang stop, turn around, and say in a calm tone, “Liu Meifen, you’re really tiresome.”

Facing Liu Meifen, Wen Tang rarely spoke so calmly, especially in a situation like this, after saying something as intense as wanting to sever her father-daughter relationship with Wen Haifeng.

Yet, she suddenly appeared so calm.

This calmness felt like the calm before a storm, leaving everyone with a sense of unease, discomfort, and an impending sense of crisis with no place to hide.

Liu Meifen clenched her fists, and veins bulged on her forehead, but Wen Tang’s next words made her body tremble. All the strength she had built up dissipated like a flood, leaving behind a feeling of utter exhaustion and powerlessness.

Wen Tang laughed at herself and said softly, “Sometimes, I don’t even know if I’m your biological child. You make my life so painful.”

Looking at Liu Meifen, Wen Tang asked, confused yet genuinely sincere, “Liu Meifen, do you have some kind of grudge against me?”

Liu Meifen was shaken to her core.

Wen Tang asked so seriously, her familiar eyes now looking so unfamiliar.

It was as if she were not someone close to her but merely a stranger.

But she wasn’t just anyone; she was her mother!

What kind of mother wouldn’t love her own child or wish for her child’s well-being?

But here she was, saying that she made her life so painful.

She even asked if she had some kind of grudge against her.

At that moment, Liu Meifen’s world collapsed.

She had done so much for Wen Tang!

So much!!!

And what did she get in return?

After speaking, Wen Tang left.

After she left, Liu Meifen stood there for a long time, silent, without uttering a single word.

She stared at the closed door and suddenly began to laugh. But as she laughed, tears started to fall.

All along, in everyone’s eyes, Liu Meifen had always been the image of a strong woman—assertive, shrewd, and clear-headed, capable of handling everything with precision.

As long as it didn’t involve Wen Tang.

Qi Xiuyuan saw her like this and sighed quietly in his heart.

One cannot see the true shape of the mountain when standing within it.

“Mr. Qi, I… I’ll think about it some more.”

After a long while, Liu Meifen turned to Qi Xiuyuan and said with difficulty.

Qi Xiuyuan sighed again and reached out to gently pat Liu Meifen’s shoulder in a comforting gesture, saying, “This is a serious matter, Sister Fen. Take your time to think it over.”

“But don’t take too long. You know, opportunities are fleeting. We need to act before the momentum dies down.”

Liu Meifen nodded silently.