Chapter 118: Simultaneously Offending Three Bigshots – Part Five

After Yu Liuxue belatedly noticed Yun Ning’s presence, she immediately hid the melodramatic script in her hands. Worried that she hadn’t concealed it well enough, Yu Liuxue furtively covered it with another script. Only after ensuring Yun Ning wouldn’t discover it did she look up. “Ning Ning, did you need something from me?”

Yun Ning lowered her eyes and replied indifferently, “No.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Watching Yun Ning’s decisive and fluid movements, Yu Liuxue was filled with questions. Could Yun Ning have come over just to take a closer look because she suddenly forgot what her enemy looked like? After being interrupted by Yun Ning, Yu Liuxue lost interest in reading further. She stretched lazily, only to see Meng Xi approaching with a cold expression. “Aunt Xiao, because of you, most platforms have refused to cooperate with us.”

“Even if we finish filming the drama, it won’t have a chance to air,” Meng Xi said, clearly irritated.

Previously, Xiao Yuetong’s drastic alterations to the original work had upset many fans, so some platforms were reluctant to get involved in the mess. Meng Xi, being rather selective, had approached only top-tier TV stations, demanding prime time slots and unreasonable profit shares. It was no surprise they refused to cooperate.

Yu Liuxue blinked and feigned panic as she looked at her. “What should we do? If even someone as capable as you, Xiao Xi, can’t solve this, then I really don’t know what to do!”

Meng Xi was taken aback. Yu Liuxue’s helpless demeanor inexplicably instilled a sense of responsibility in her, making her feel it was her duty to resolve the issue. If she couldn’t fulfill Xiao Yuetong’s expectations and caused her disappointment, it would be her fault, betraying her trust and hopes.

Under Yu Liuxue’s gentle and anxious gaze, Meng Xi pursed her lips slowly. “Alright, I’ll think of something.”

Yu Liuxue immediately breathed a sigh of relief, her face relaxing into a bright smile. “Xiao Xi, I knew I could count on you. Auntie never doubted you!”

Encouraged by Yu Liuxue, Meng Xi walked away in a daze. After making a few phone calls, she finally realized something was off. Wasn’t she supposed to confront Xiao Yuetong? How did she end up taking on this troublesome issue instead of blaming her?

Gripping her phone tightly, Meng Xi thought to herself that everyone was right. Over the years, Xiao Yuetong must have used her charms to secure so many resources. Meng Xi snorted in displeasure, confident that she had fallen for Xiao Yuetong’s tricks due to being unprepared. But now that she had seen through her methods, she was determined not to be swayed again or foolishly work hard for her!

After leaving, Yun Ning wandered aimlessly down the street until she spotted a second-hand bookstore at the corner.

Driven by an inexplicable impulse, Yun Ning stepped inside. The owner, seeing her innocent face, greeted her warmly, “Feel free to browse, young lady.”

Yun Ning stood at the entrance, observing for a long time. “Do you have…?”

The owner, noticing her hesitation and fearing he might lose a potential customer, quickly nodded. “Of course! I’ve been running this store for twenty years. I’m not boasting, but if it’s been on the market, whether it’s about domineering CEOs or heart-wrenching romances, you can find it here.”

After a moment of silence, Yun Ning said, “Then give me a copy of ‘Priceless Bride: The Substitute Lover of the Cold CEO’.”

Three minutes later, not only did the owner produce the book she requested, but he also brought out a dozen others with similarly colorful covers. “Are you renting or buying? If you’re renting, it’s two yuan per book per week, plus a twenty yuan deposit. But since it’s your first visit, I’ll give you a fifty percent discount…”

“No need.” Yun Ning handed over a hundred yuan, not waiting for change, and quickly left with the stack of books.

She thought, to defeat an enemy, one must start with their interests. As the saying goes, know your enemy and yourself, and you will be invincible. Only by grasping her enemy’s weaknesses could she swiftly defeat her.

A hundred yuan was a small price to pay if it meant she could exact her revenge.

However, after returning home and casually picking up a book, Yun Ning found it increasingly strange. Seven times a night? Forced romance? A wealthy heir falling for an adopted daughter and breaking up the heroine’s relationship?

Yun Ning frowned slightly. Could Xiao Yuetong really like this stuff?

Thanks to the efforts of Meng Xi’s parents, the issue was finally resolved, albeit in a rather unconventional way that changed the nature of the drama. Although a good solution was found, Meng Xi felt uneasy. She wasn’t sure if Xiao Yuetong would approve of her approach, especially since it wouldn’t be as profitable as a traditional TV drama.

When Meng Xi appeared before Yu Liuxue again, her face was cold, not out of anger but due to her anxiety. She didn’t want to show her vulnerable side to Yu Liuxue, so she pretended to be a difficult wild rose.

Unconsciously gripping her jeans, she lifted her chin high. “Aunt Xiao, I’ve thought of a solution. We’ll abandon the TV drama plan, skipping both registration and traditional TV or web series routes.”

At this point, Meng Xi’s heart raced, fearing she would be interrupted and harshly reprimanded. After all, she was just a newcomer without connections or experience, and being looked down upon was normal. If Xiao Yuetong rejected her, she wouldn’t have any grounds to argue.

However, when she glanced at Yu Liuxue, she found her listening intently, her face lit by the bright sunlight, her tea-colored eyes resembling gems with a captivating allure.

Meng Xi was momentarily entranced.

When Yu Liuxue didn’t hear the next part, she looked up. “Xiao Xi, I think this plan is feasible.”

Just as Meng Xi regained her composure and was about to speak, a barrage of praise hit her like a storm. Yu Liuxue nodded, “According to your plan, we could become pioneers in breaking traditional norms! We can film and broadcast simultaneously, allowing the audience to interact in real time and participate in the script’s development, enhancing their engagement. This way, our drama will evoke stronger empathy.”

“And without needing approval, we can film whatever content we want, conveying the values we wish to express!” Yu Liuxue clapped her hands, eyes shining. “Xiao Xi, Auntie was right about you! How are you so brilliant?!”

“Auntie never knew you had such innovative ideas. You’re a genius!”

Meng Xi awkwardly tugged at her lips, smiling along with Yu Liuxue. Although she felt Yu Liuxue had misunderstood her, seeing her so happy, she decided not to clarify. She couldn’t help but think, could she and Xiao Yuetong be so in sync? Even with such a challenging issue, they had reached the same conclusion.

However…

She blinked. What good was being in sync with Xiao Yuetong? It’s not like they were dating.

Upon thinking about it, Meng Xi suddenly remembered Xiao Kewei, who had been out of sight for quite some time. She wasn’t bothered by Xiao Kewei trending online, but she absolutely couldn’t accept so many shameless women calling her boyfriend “husband” on the internet!

Meng Xi immediately wanted to call Xiao Kewei, but suddenly, Xie Zhenxue rushed over. “Aunt Xiao, there’s something here I don’t quite understand. Could you explain it to me?”

Meng Xi couldn’t help but widen her eyes at Xie Zhenxue. Xie Zhenxue looked sincere, and when those clear doe eyes gazed eagerly at Yu Liuxue, it gave the impression that even if she were to be shattered into pieces, Xie Zhenxue wouldn’t complain. Meng Xi frowned. How had Xie Zhenxue become like this?

Where was her dignity?

After Yu Liuxue and Xie Zhenxue moved aside to discuss the details, a light bulb went off in Meng Xi’s head. Ah! This woman, Xie Zhenxue, was truly scheming! Xiao Yuetong was Xiao Kewei’s biological mother. As long as she pleased Xiao Yuetong, would she even worry about not winning over Xiao Kewei? Would she still fret over marrying Xiao Kewei? Once the mother approved, what could possibly stop them from being together?

They might as well get married on the spot and announce the good news online.

Meng Xi gritted her teeth. So this was Xie Zhenxue’s plan! And here she was, thinking about breaking up. Xiao Kewei was clearly deceiving her. He must have known she would check his phone, so he had deleted everything cleanly in advance. Who knows, he might have memorized Xie Zhenxue’s number by heart, so even if he blocked her, he could still call her anytime, whispering sweet nothings.

Meng Xi made up her mind. Once Xiao Kewei came out of the distillery, she would rush over and kick him where it hurt.

The heroine’s enthusiasm gradually overwhelmed Yu Liuxue, but since the person was earnest and eager to learn, Yu Liuxue was too embarrassed to send her away. After finally explaining everything to Xie Zhenxue, Yu Liuxue couldn’t help but tear up. “System, how much longer do I have to endure such tough days?”

Surrounded by three women a full cycle younger than her, she dared not move.

The System, devoid of emotion, stated, “Host, once you complete the task, you can do as you please.”

Yu Liuxue tried to imagine the process of completing the task. “…” She couldn’t even begin to imagine.

The situation with the TV drama had changed. Although Yu Liuxue hadn’t officially announced anything, rumors were already spreading online. Yu Liuxue adjusted her glasses. “System, I strongly suspect someone is sabotaging me.”

The System asked, “Host, are you suspecting Yun Ning?”

Yu Liuxue would never admit it. As the rumors spread wider, more people became aware, and someone immediately commented, “I knew Xiao Yuetong couldn’t write a good script. She’s getting on in years; she should just find an honest man to marry and live a stable life.”

A troll suddenly interjected, “Why should she marry just because she can’t write a good script? Are you discriminating against honest people? Is that all women are worth in your eyes? What’s wrong with being older? You orphan without a mother.”

The person suddenly targeted: “…”

Everyone else: “…”

Xiao Yuetong’s die-hard fans were indeed formidable! Amidst the chaos caused by trolls, the rumors grew more and more outrageous. Stories circulated about a big shot taking a liking to Xiao Yuetong, but she refused, so she was blacklisted. Others claimed her script was so terrible it couldn’t pass review, or that she suddenly decided to quit and have children. The rumors were endless, more dramatic than any scriptwriter would dare to write.

As discussions raged online, Meng Xi finally brought some good news: a small platform decided to collaborate with them, buying the exclusive broadcasting rights to the TV drama in a profit-sharing deal, which Meng Xi agreed to. She explained, “Q Station is young, but its owner is a friend of my father’s, an uncle who has been very kind to me since I was little.”

Yu Liuxue wasn’t surprised at all and immediately praised, “Xiao Xi! You’re so outstanding, I don’t even know how to praise you! No matter how difficult the task, you handle it perfectly. How can you be so amazing?!”

Though Meng Xi felt Yu Liuxue was speaking as if to a kindergarten child, she couldn’t deny her good mood. A smile appeared on her face, but she pretended to be haughty, snorting lightly, “Don’t get any ideas. I’m not doing this for Xiao Kewei; I’m doing it for myself. I don’t want the TV drama I personally supervised to get one-star reviews.”

Yes, you’re right about everything. Whatever Yu Liuxue said, Meng Xi nodded in agreement, but she suddenly found it dull and couldn’t help thinking that Xiao Yuetong must have gotten to her current position by flattering others.

The filming of the TV drama proceeded smoothly. Although the director was just a newly graduated male student, the assistant director was one of the five renowned directors in the industry, ensuring high-quality production. Moreover, the lead actress, Xie Zhenxue, was especially diligent, practicing every detail and expression in front of the mirror the night before until she was satisfied before going to bed.

With such effort, Xie Zhenxue’s acting skills improved rapidly, like a rocket. However… Yu Liuxue sighed, “It’s really a shame for her to play the lead in my little script.”

It’s fortunate that Xie Zhenxue hadn’t yet become the powerful Movie Queen commanding millions per project. Otherwise, if her fans knew she was starring in such a drama… just one spit from each of Xie Zhenxue’s fans could drown her. The day’s work was done, and Yu Liuxue returned to the hotel after packing up. She hadn’t even warmed the sofa when the doorbell rang.

Yu Liuxue looked and found the lead actress looking nervous.

She opened the door but didn’t step aside. “It’s late. What do you need?”

Xie Zhenxue froze, then quickly waved her hands in a panic to explain, “Aunt Xiao, don’t misunderstand. I didn’t mean anything else.” Her face turned bright red with anxiety, and she looked so delicate and soft that Yu Liuxue almost succumbed to temptation, but fortunately, her will was strong.

Xie Zhenxue clenched her hands, feeling very uneasy. “Today, it seemed like you shook your head during my crying scene, so I wanted to ask if there’s something I didn’t do well enough. Was it not satisfactory to you? Is it that I…”

Yu Liuxue hurriedly interrupted, confused, and asked the System, “Is the person in front of me really the lead actress?”

The System confirmed it, and Yu Liuxue looked despondent. How did the lead actress become so paranoid and sensitive? She had only shaken her head because a small bug had landed on her nose. Could such a small gesture be misunderstood by the lead actress as dissatisfaction with her performance?

Yu Liuxue leaned casually against the doorframe, folding her arms. She suddenly leaned closer to Xie Zhenxue, narrowing her eyes. “Before I answer your question, I have one for you. Why are you so concerned about my every move?”

Xie Zhenxue was startled, instinctively taking two small steps back. Her face flushed bright red, and she stammered for a long time, unable to explain. The more anxious she became, the redder her face grew, and the more embarrassed she felt, wishing she could find a hole to hide in. Xie Zhenxue bit her lip helplessly for a while, then suddenly, her eyes welled up, and she turned and fled.

Yu Liuxue: “?”

“System, does the female lead have feelings for me?” Yu Liuxue widened her eyes, staring at the figure swiftly escaping into the elevator. She scratched her brow, unable to suppress a smile. “When did this happen? How come I didn’t notice at all before?!”

The female lead’s behavior had been noticeably odd lately. She acted normal in front of others, but whenever she was around Yu Liuxue, she seemed anxious, worried that she wasn’t doing well enough. It was as if she desperately wanted to dive into Yu Liuxue’s heart and pry open her mind to see what she was thinking. Such yandere behavior made it hard for Yu Liuxue to believe that the female lead’s feelings for her were purely platonic.

Yu Liuxue calculated with her fingers, and suddenly her eyes lit up. “If the female lead likes me, doesn’t that mean I’ve completed a third of my task?!”

The System was immediately confused: “…?” Where did this one-third come from?

Yu Liuxue calculated again and suddenly had a bold idea. “If the supporting female and the villain also feel the same way as the female lead, wouldn’t my task be perfectly complete?!”

The System metaphorically died on the spot, but after a moment, it resurrected from its coffin and said, “Host, are you sure you can conquer Yun Ning and Meng Xi?”

“How will I know if I don’t try?”

“But Yun Ning and Meng Xi haven’t broken up with your son yet,” the System reminded her despairingly.

Yu Liuxue: “…” Oh, right.

Xiao Kewei finally escaped from the distillery. When his uncle apologetically offered to treat him to drinks and a meal, he refused without a second thought. He hadn’t seen his girlfriends for two whole months, and he was desperate to know how they were doing.

He had tried calling them, but neither Meng Xi nor Yun Ning answered his calls. They even found him annoying enough to blacklist him.

He felt wronged, but he didn’t dare say anything.

As soon as he left the distillery, he rushed home. Yun Ning was sitting on the swing in the courtyard, engrossed in a colorful book. Xiao Kewei couldn’t help but approach her, and as he got closer, he realized she was reading a book titled “Genius Baby: The Bloodthirsty Mommy is Not to be Messed With.”

He took a closer look and saw the text:

[He, the world’s richest tycoon, ruthless and bloodthirsty, invincible. Yet, he never expected his heart to be mercilessly trampled by an ordinary woman.]

[Young Master Leng, how cruel you are, using my kidney to save that woman. Don’t you know it was me who was with you that night? I’m pregnant with your child!]

Xiao Kewei: subway old man looking at phone.jpg

What kind of melodramatic nonsense is this? How did his girlfriend become like this after not seeing her for a while?

And it wasn’t over. Yun Ning turned a page, and as Xiao Kewei glanced at it, he was about to call Yun Ning when he caught sight of:

[In a room filled with disinfectant, Young Master Leng was pushed onto the bed by the culprit responsible for his beloved woman being in the ICU. The woman, with a crazed look, said, “You wanted to save your first time for Annie? Man, I won’t let you! I’ll take your first time and make you wish you were dead!”]

Then followed a description that would surely get the website to lock it up in a dark corner.

Wait a minute…

Xiao Kewei’s eyes widened. What kind of nonsense is this?! How could a big, strong man be so easily overpowered by a weak woman? And she actually succeeded in overpowering the male lead???

Is this the kind of trope we’re using now?

Suddenly, Yun Ning’s voice drifted over, “The female lead is a professional weightlifter.”

Xiao Kewei was enlightened. Ah, that makes sense…

But wait, that still doesn’t make sense. If the female lead is already pregnant with the powerful Young Master Leng’s child, how is he still a virgin?!

At this moment, Yun Ning spoke again, “The female lead lost her parents at a young age and dropped out of school in the first grade, so she can’t count.”

Xiao Kewei: “???” Dropped out in first grade? What kind of kindergarten author writes such ridiculous and melodramatic plots?

Then Yun Ning added, “The author Sweet Little Seashell just started second grade this year.”

Xiao Kewei: “…”

“Ning Ning, are you mad at me? Is that why you’d rather read this nonsense than answer my calls? I’m sorry, Ning Ning, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me this once. I won’t dare do it again.” Although Xiao Kewei couldn’t grasp the situation, he knew it was wise to apologize first to avoid trouble.

Yun Ning finally looked up, closing her book, her eyes calm. “Xiao Kewei, you’ve been with Meng Xi for almost two years now, right?”

Xiao Kewei was startled and instinctively denied it, “Who said that? I don’t even know who Meng Xi is. How could I be with her?”

Yun Ning chuckled softly and glanced at Meng Xi, who was shaking with anger beside her, raising her eyebrows slightly. “Then why is she so upset?”

Xiao Kewei turned around instantly, and when he saw Meng Xi’s furious face, he instinctively bolted. “Xiao Xi, let me explain! It’s not like that!”

Yu Liuxue leaned against the door, gloating. “System, I’m just too kind and beautiful. I can’t bear to see these two lovely girls being kept in the dark by my son, hurt and disheartened. So I must save them from this mess.”

System: I think you just want to see your son crash and burn.

Xiao Kewei ran so fast he disappeared in the blink of an eye. Unable to catch up, Meng Xi stormed back, her eyes red with anger. She glared at Yu Liuxue, feeling more wronged the more she thought about it, and started to sob uncontrollably. Xie Zhenxue, carrying a plate of freshly cut fruit, watched for a moment before slowly approaching. She smiled inappropriately, looking satisfied, and said, “Aunt Xiao, I knew you still cared about me. Thank you for thinking of me first.”

Meng Xi, tears in her eyes, glared at Yu Liuxue. “Did she break up with Xiao Kewei because she knew about this in advance?!”

“So I’m the only one who didn’t know?! The only one kept in the dark?!”

Yu Liuxue: “…” It’s not like that, let me explain!

Just then, Yun Ning approached with her book, smiling as she added fuel to the fire, “Aunt Xiao, thank you for telling me the truth two months ago.”

Meng Xi’s eyes widened in disbelief. Even Yun Ning knew?! She was so furious she trembled all over. Yu Liuxue instinctively took a step back, fearing Meng Xi might suddenly pounce on her, but as soon as she lifted her foot, Yun Ning kindly supported her waist, understandingly saying, “Aunt Xiao, be careful.”

Yu Liuxue almost choked, damn it!