Chapter 11: The Finals Begin — An Unexpected Incident

With public opinion overwhelmingly against them, the Jiang family still couldn’t produce any solid evidence. Their stock price began to fluctuate, and the Jiang Group started dodging the issue.

Jiang Group’s official account: “The formula is a development secret; no comment.”

Wen Lingyue personally stepped forward: “Or perhaps you just haven’t developed it yet.”

“Oh, I’ve already developed it.”

“It’s already in production.”

There’s no denying it—Wen Lingyue had a knack for being infuriating.

At this point, netizens suddenly realized—

What Jiang’s “true heiress, fake heiress”? Wen Lingyue herself is the real heiress!

She possessed top-tier beauty and talent, and controlled two lucrative “cash cows”: the Lullaby and Serenity Incense.

If anyone was going to acknowledge parentage, it would be the Jiang family begging Wen Lingyue!

As a result, the Jiang family was mercilessly roasted online—

“You Jiang family really got lucky, riding Wen Lingyue’s popularity.”
“Creep father, stay far away. There’s nothing noble about the Jiang family.”

All these comments enraged Jiang Su: “Our Jiang family is a prestigious household!”

Wen Lingyue should be grateful for being recognized by the Jiang family!

“If we had known this, we shouldn’t have even mentioned it online.”

Lin Wanyi was exhausted, and the strange glances from other wealthy wives made her even more uncomfortable.

Jiang Yurou’s eyes were swollen like walnuts: “It’s my sister being too aggressive, not caring at all about the Jiang family’s reputation.”

She had even forced the Jiang family to admit she was an adopted daughter!

Jiang Yurou was filled with hatred.

“Father, what did the dance competition organizers say?”

Jiang Su, irritated, replied: “Wen Lingyue will compete as normal.”

…

The online storm gradually subsided with the Jiang Group’s silence. Soon, the national youth dance competition finals arrived.

Beijing, Zhongyi Center Arena.

The grand arena was packed with people. All the major official media had set up equipment, ready for the event.

Wen Lingyue arrived early and noticed the patrolling security. She commented, “The security measures for the finals are quite strict.”

Jiang Kun was nervously chewing on a popsicle, mumbling incoherently: “I heard someone important is coming.”

“Really?”

Wen Lingyue wasn’t interested and turned to enter backstage, only to bump into Lin Wanyi and Jiang Yurou.

Jiang Yurou froze, about to speak, but Wen Lingyue walked past her straight toward the dressing room.

She lowered her head, hiding the hatred in her eyes.

At the arena entrance, a top-tier modified luxury car slowly came to a stop.

Fu Yuanzhang stepped out, dressed in a cool gray suit, his luxury watch shining, exuding an air of indifference. Simply standing there, he radiated an overwhelming presence.

The competition organizer, Liu Li, hurried over and personally escorted him: “President Fu, this way please.”

Fu Yuanzhang entered the venue and took a seat in the audience.

The finals officially began.

Music flowed, and the contestants displayed their skills as the rounds progressed.

In the audience, Liu Li glanced at Fu Yuanzhang, uneasy—

The competition was already past the halfway mark. With his expressionless face, was he satisfied or dissatisfied?

“…This contestant finally scores 8.5!”

A male contestant in a deep blue costume bowed to the audience and hurried offstage, his face beaming with an unusually excited smile.

Fu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes, expressionless.

Backstage.

Jiang Kun had finished checking Wen Lingyue’s dance costume, circling her twice: “Everything’s fine. You’re about to go on stage. Just perform normally, don’t be nervous.”

Wen Lingyue nodded, suddenly sensing something strange behind her.

She turned and saw a male dancer smiling at her: “Wen Lingyue, I’m your fan.”

He stepped closer, his smile bright: “I just finished competing. Can I have a hug?”

Everyone else backstage was busy, paying no attention to this corner.

The unease in Wen Lingyue’s heart grew, and she quietly stepped back.

Without warning, the man lunged forward, grabbing her wrist. A cold blade slashed toward her face—

In that instant, Wen Lingyue’s breath nearly stopped.

“Ah—”

The man cried out in pain, curling up on the floor.

“You’re not hurt, right?”

Her long lashes fluttered. Wen Lingyue looked up and met a pair of deep, inky eyes.

She froze.

Fu Yuanzhang’s gaze wandered before settling on her cheek.

There, a fine scratch had appeared.

Wen Lingyue belatedly touched her face, feeling the faint sting, and hissed softly.

“Don’t move.”

The indifferent voice carried an icy chill.

Her fingers froze.

“Lingyue!”

Jiang Kun snapped out of his panic, rushing over: “Are you hurt?”

Wen Lingyue shook her head, placing her right hand over the wrist that had been grabbed.

Fu Yuanzhang’s gaze followed, silent yet intimidating.

Wen Lingyue quietly rolled up her sleeve.

Five red, swollen finger marks were visible on her delicate, fair wrist.

Fu Yuanzhang reached out, his long, graceful fingers pressing the swollen wrist, sending a chill through her.

Wen Lingyue stiffened.

After a moment, he released her: “No fracture.”

She felt slightly awkward, moving her wrist: “Hmm, it won’t affect the competition.”

Jiang Kun, still shaken, glared at the male dancer now restrained by security and kicked him hard: “You’re insane!”

He almost ruined Wen Lingyue!

The male dancer’s right hand hung unnaturally—

Fu Yuanzhang had just crushed his wrist.

His face twisted in pain, yet he sneered wildly: “Yes, I’m crazy, I’m mentally ill.”

Harming others is excusable, apparently.

Wen Lingyue stepped forward: “I don’t know you. Why did you want to hurt me?”

“I’m sick. I got provoked. What’s wrong with that?”

The man’s voice was vicious, malice dripping: “Too bad I didn’t slash your face.”

“But it’s okay, I’ll find another chance.”

Everyone’s hearts went cold.

Fu Yuanzhang looked down from above: “You won’t get a chance.”

The man’s smile faltered: “What do you mean?”

“Since you’re sick, you’ll stay in a mental hospital for life.”

Fu Yuanzhang finished speaking and told the butler Yang Yihong: “Get the medicine.”

“Yes, sir.”

Liu Li wiped his forehead, looking at the man on the floor: “President Fu, he…”

“Call the police.”

Fu Yuanzhang added: “Keep it low-profile. Don’t affect the competition.”

Even in dealing with chaos, he was considerate.

Liu Li nearly cried, then turned apologetically to Wen Lingyue.

She didn’t mind.

She had a premonition that the organizers were inadvertently caught up because of her.

The attack happened so suddenly that others backstage hadn’t reacted yet. The perpetrator was already captured, and now the mood was calm, though everyone couldn’t help stealing glances at Wen Lingyue and Fu Yuanzhang.

Holding the ointment, Wen Lingyue suddenly remembered: “President Fu, why are you here?”

“To watch the competition.”

She looked up, her eyes revealing something ambiguous—he came backstage just to watch the competition.

Fu Yuanzhang remained indifferent: “That man was unstable.”

So that’s why he came.

Wen Lingyue stared at Fu Yuanzhang’s cold features, suddenly lost in thought.

In both her past life and this one, others saw Fu Yuanzhang as unfeeling and distant. But she knew—at his core, he was extremely gentle.

He had saved her more than once.

Thinking of this, she smiled slightly, like a magnolia blooming on a branch.

Seeing this, Fu Yuanzhang’s eyes flickered.