After a while, she finally recovered. Unable to resist clenching her teeth, she spoke slowly, each word enunciated, “Look at what you’re saying! The Sheng and Shi families are doing well, and yet, Xia Xia, you’re still harboring ill feelings.”

“Oh, really?” Sheng Xia dismissed it, “Aunt Lin, you say whatever you want, as long as it makes you happy.”

“…The Sheng family is really, really, fine.”

“Ah, right, right, right. Turning a deaf ear, I understand.”

Lin Yuezhen: “…”

She felt a sweet taste in her throat, but thinking of Sheng Xia’s confident attitude, she couldn’t help feeling a bit suspicious.

Clearly, the issue with the collaboration between the Sheng and Shi families was currently kept secret. So, how did Sheng Xia get this information? Or was she just bluffing?

After Sheng’s father was kicked out by the Feng family, he, unable to gain any benefits from them, turned around and sought cooperation with Shi Yulin.

Out of consideration for being his father-in-law, Shi Yulin reluctantly gave Sheng Lanqiu some face and agreed to let the Sheng family join.

At that time, Sheng’s father felt quite proud, praising Shi Yulin whenever he met someone, in stark contrast to Fei Yan’s cold and heartless attitude. Who would have thought that the cooperation project would encounter problems, and the invested money would be a complete loss.

Recently, Sheng’s father always wore a gloomy face, frequently cursing the Shi family at home. Even if Lin Yuezhen didn’t care about his business affairs, she could sense that something was wrong. So when she heard Sheng Xia’s words, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Taking a deep breath several times, she forcibly restrained the impulse to curse, trying to steer the conversation back, “Actually, I called to ask if you’ve seen the online reviews lately, Xia Xia.”

Sheng Xia lazily raised the pitch of her voice, feigning innocence, “Huh, what did they say online? How should I know?”

“The program has been airing for so long, and you don’t care about how people are evaluating you online?”

“As far as I know, I know nothing.”

“…Xia Xia, I’m serious. As a junior, you should at least show some basic respect for your elders, right?”

“Is my tone not respectful enough, Aunt Lin? Your standards are really high.”

Sheng Xia suddenly spoke with a somewhat aggrieved tone, “Do I have to read reviews just because the program is airing? What if everyone is criticizing me? What if I get so upset that I faint? I’m cherishing my life, and yet Aunt Lin is so eager to deliver me to that fate. Do you really hate me that much?”

“…Of course not.”

Lin Yuezhen felt her vision darken, knowing she couldn’t argue with her. She took a deep breath, deciding to directly state her purpose, “Since appearing on the show, there have been continuous online criticisms against Lan Lan. Xia Xia, you know that, especially after the last episode, even your sister’s husband joined in the criticism.”

“That’s your sister! Clearly, she did nothing wrong, just wholeheartedly doing it for Yue Yue’s good. Yet, she was blackened by a group of ignorant people. It’s truly blinding. Xia Xia, you’re also a stepmother; you must know how difficult it is. Shouldn’t you help clarify things?”

Sheng Xia shrugged indifferently, her voice still lazy, “I don’t know what they’re saying online, and I don’t care. I can’t control what other people think or say.”

Lin Yuezhen couldn’t help but grit her teeth, suppressing the anger rising in her heart. She had to get her to take it seriously, “Xia Xia, you have to pay attention to your image. If this continues, it won’t be good for you or the Sheng family. You should at least think about Yue Yue’s feelings.”

Sheng Xia’s tone turned slightly colder, “I don’t need you to teach me how to be a mother. I know what I’m doing, and I’ll handle it my way.”

Lin Yuezhen felt her patience wearing thin, but she tried to remain calm, “I’m just reminding you. It’s not just about you; it’s also about the Sheng family’s reputation. You don’t want to bring trouble to Yue Yue, right?”

Sheng Xia finally showed some seriousness, “Aunt Lin, you don’t need to worry about me or the Sheng family. I know what I’m doing, and I won’t let anyone harm Yue Yue. If there’s nothing else, I have to go.”

Lin Yuezhen wanted to say more, but Sheng Xia ended the call before she could. Lin Yuezhen sighed deeply, feeling a sense of powerlessness. She knew it wouldn’t be easy to persuade Sheng Xia, especially when it came to the online criticism. The situation seemed more complicated than she thought.

“Lin Aunt, setting aside the content, I still agree with what you said.” Sheng Xia pondered for a moment, then replied earnestly, “Looking at her manager buying online supporters, they seem to be working diligently to whitewash her image. Lin Aunt, even if you disregard what’s being said, shouldn’t you check your eyesight if you think they are blind?”

Lin Yuezhen’s eyelid twitched, nearly biting through her teeth.

“Xia Xia, regardless of our past, you and Lan Lan are still sisters. And between me and your father, we are ultimately the closest people in your world. This relationship is irremovable.”

She seemed to speak with deep concern but carried a hint of threat, “Now, it’s possible that for some reason, Feng Yan is acting very close to you on camera. But can you guarantee he will always treat you well in the future?”

“In times when you need support from the family, if we aren’t good, what benefits can you get from us?”

Sheng Xia, seemingly touched, softly responded, “Yes.”

Lin Yuezhen: ?

“As long as you aren’t good, I’ll feel very happy.” After giving a firm response, Sheng Xia cleared her throat and spoke sincerely, “So, Lin Aunt, are you willing to fulfill my wish?”

She spoke as if giving a speech under the national flag, with fluctuating tones and heartfelt emotions, “Don’t be so selfish. As long as you are willing to sacrifice a little and contribute to my small wish, turning small love into great love—”

Lin Yuezhen’s forehead veins pulsated. She disconnected the call without showing any expression.

When she realized what she had done, her expression froze. She looked down at the message from her daughter seeking help, feeling somewhat lost.

Why did she make this call in the first place?

Wasn’t it to ask Sheng Xia for help, to salvage the reputation of their marriage, and see if they could use Sheng Xia to convince Feng Yan to meet with the Shi family?

Lin Yuezhen: …

Thinking about how she was infuriated, didn’t even reveal her true intention, and let Sheng Xia take advantage of the situation to make sarcastic remarks, she suddenly felt a pang in her chest, and her vision darkened.

— Sheng Xia is really poisonous!