CHAPTER 124: CHAPTER 124: TURNING DEFEAT INTO VICTORY

"A popular actress, finding herself ignored, resorts to blocking streets to grab headlines. This conspicuous act, disrupting public travel—is it a sign of moral decay or an ethical lapse?"

This piece of entertainment news appeared and was frantically forwarded by countless people.

Netizens online roared with laughter.

Jiang Qimeng had just arrived at the New Media Building to prepare for an interview.

A few staff members rushed in, whispered among themselves, then stared at her with strange looks, sighed, and left.

"Hey, you guys haven’t done my makeup yet! What is the meaning of this!"

Hardly had she finished speaking when a New Media Building manager came in, looking somewhat displeased. "You may leave."

"Me, leave? Are you kidding me?"

Jiang Qimeng laughed out of anger.

It wasn’t easy, using my own body for those drug trials to bring Sernosen back to the country with me. And Si Yuhuan, out of gratitude, spent fifty million to promote me on ’Stars of Tomorrow’s Future,’ the hottest variety show right now.

The manager raised an eyebrow. "What’s with the aggression? There are plenty of female stars who want to promote ’Stars of Tomorrow’s Future.’ Do you really think you’re the only one? Look at what you’ve done! You’ve truly disgraced yourself!"

As he spoke, several security guards came in to drag her away.

Jiang Qimeng was furious. "We invested fifty million in you!"

Just as she finished speaking, Yan Qing called her.

After the call connected, he said with considerable regret, "Miss Jiang, the investment has been returned. I will send someone to pick you up shortly. I’m very sorry, but for the time being, it would be inappropriate for you to appear before the audience."

Yan Qing, utterly exasperated, hung up immediately, showing Jiang Qimeng no courtesy whatsoever.

What was supposed to be a perfectly amicable promotional event, she had to turn into a street-blocking fiasco! Not only did she ruin herself, but she also dragged her own boss into this vortex of public opinion. She’s really something else.

Assistant Xiaozhang rushed in. "Ms. Jiang, this is bad. Look at this news."

Jiang Qimeng read it and stamped her foot in anger. "ARGH!"

She couldn’t help but roar.

"It must be Jian Xi!"

News this sensational couldn’t be the work of just one person. What strings did Jian Xi pull to get international media to blow this up? Even the authorities are publicly criticizing me for being ostentatious and unethical, using such harsh words with no leeway. How am I supposed to survive in the entertainment industry after this!

"You and I cannot coexist!" Jiang Qimeng felt a bit dizzy, her body swaying.

Xiaozhang hurriedly stepped forward to support her. "Ms. Jiang, you have to hold on."

I really thought that by aligning with a powerful figure like Si Yuhuan, Ms. Jiang would become a top-tier star with his backing. And I, her assistant, would rise with her. I never imagined...

When Jian Xi arrived at the waiting room, she saw the media clamoring to report on Jiang Qimeng’s diva-like behavior.

The public lapped it up, and the rumors grew increasingly vicious.

Her past negative press, now embellished and sensationalized, had even spread internationally.

People around her gossiped, "’It’s true what they say: good news rarely travels, but bad news spreads like wildfire. This minor internet celebrity wasn’t even that well-known, and now she’s infamous.’"

"’Exactly! Everyone’s lining up to criticize her. Just because she has a bit of money, who does she think she is, putting on such airs!’" Most people at this hospital were either from the entertainment industry or were prominent figures. They particularly despised women like Jiang Qimeng, who acted arrogantly, relying on wealthy patrons for their advancement.

"’Hey, have you heard? She supposedly stole someone’s musical score, claimed it as her own, and then got called out at a banquet? They initially said it was a false rumor, but if you ask me, it’s definitely true! With her kind of character, what wouldn’t she do!’"

Jian Xi couldn’t help but smirk.

All the negative stories Si Yuhuan had painstakingly suppressed were now erupting.

"They say she stole the musical score from Director Si’s wife, Miss Jian Xi."

"Jian Xi? You mean the woman who was fiercely criticizing her employees the other day, exposing the ugly side of capitalism?"

"Yes, that’s her! If you ask me, a woman who can compose such pure music can’t be all that bad. I bet someone deliberately took her words out of context to ruin her reputation, probably holding a grudge because she outshone them at that banquet." The woman gossiped animatedly, her analysis met with nods of agreement from those nearby.

Jian Xi glanced at her phone; indeed, public opinion was overwhelmingly one-sided.

Jiang Qimeng’s dream of making it in the entertainment industry was now thoroughly crushed.

"Fabric Simple!" Suddenly, an announcement echoed from the intercom. The doctor inside called for the next patient.

People looked up, puzzled. "Who has a name like that? Fabric Simple? HA HA HA!"

Jian Xi, bundled up to avoid recognition, slipped into the consultation room.

Seeing her, the doctor’s eyebrows shot up.

So this is the woman at the center of the media storm!

Jian Xi smiled. "The notice by the door clearly states that doctors don’t disclose patient information, correct?"

"That’s correct. Please rest assured, Miss Jian." After a momentary lapse in composure, the doctor quickly regained her professionalism. "Please lie down."

The check-up was lengthy, taking a full three hours for Jian Xi to complete all the prenatal tests.

After reviewing all the reports, the doctor frowned slightly. "You’ve been a bit overworked."

Ah... Jian Xi thought wryly.

"Try to stay relaxed," the doctor continued. "The fetuses are developing normally and are healthy. Mind your nutrition."

She glanced at Jian Xi. "You’re a bit thin. You need to eat more, especially since you’re carrying twins."

Jian Xi didn’t dare neglect anything. After leaving, she immediately contacted a domestic service agency. "I need to hire two domestic helpers who are efficient and excellent cooks, thank you."

I can neglect myself, but not my babies. Thinking back to the meals I skipped while negotiating with Si Yuhuan, I feel so guilty now.

Jian Xi drove off, unaware that Jian’s Father & Mother had just arrived at the hospital entrance behind her.

"Father Jian," Jian’s Mother fretted, "why would Xixi be at the hospital if nothing’s wrong?"

Could she be sick? Jian’s Mother’s mind conjured a dreadful image, and she became terribly anxious.

"Don’t scare yourself. Let’s just ask Xixi directly," Father Jian reassured her.

Jian’s Mother couldn’t help but get angry. "You’re being dense! If our daughter were willing to tell us, would she be sneaking into a private hospital like this?"

"No," Jian’s Mother resolved, "I have to go in and see."

Jian Xi planned to go home and catch up on sleep.

Just as she arrived at the Jian Family Old House, she saw Si Yuhuan’s black sedan blocking the villa’s entrance.

Si Yuhuan’s tall, imposing figure, as elegant as jade, leaned against the car. His noble and dignified presence exuded a seamless grace from head to toe.

Fortunately, it was just outside my home. Otherwise, with a face handsome enough to topple kingdoms, who knows how many women he’d leave utterly spellbound.

"What are you doing here?" Jian Xi asked knowingly.

Si Yuhuan domineeringly pulled her wrist, drawing her in front of him. "Are you incapable of going a single day without causing me trouble?"

"I could ask you the same thing! Do you feel out of sorts if you don’t seek out Jiang Qimeng every day?"

Jian Xi raised her chin, looked directly into his eyes, and spoke slowly, "You promised me you wouldn’t see her in private, but you left with her right in front of me. Si Yuhuan, you were the one who broke your promise first."