After I Gave Up/Let Things Slide, I Became Famous Across The Entire Internet - Chapter 2

“Fine, if you insist on hanging around in this circle, don’t even think about getting support from home. If anything happens, the Tang family will absolutely not acknowledge you.”

“Get out, get out, you bringer of bad luck.”

“If it weren’t for you, how would your mother have accidentally fallen down the stairs, resulting in one corpse and two lives lost? You are the primary culprit who caused the death of your mother and your unborn younger brother.”

“Sister, Dad, Mom, and I are the real family. You shouldn’t have come back.”

“Yes, she hasn’t woken up yet, so it’s probably impossible to clarify right now. As for the group of people causing trouble, I think we need to consult Shuxia first.”

“Uh-huh.”

Xie Jinzhi finished the call, pushed the door open, and as she turned back, she saw Tang Shuxia staring blankly at the hospital ceiling with a pair of big, clear black and white eyes, her gaze so empty it was unsettling. The heartfelt words she was about to speak all turned into a sigh. She pulled over a chair and sat by the bedside, staring blankly at the gauze on the other’s forehead.

When she rushed Tang Shuxia to the hospital, she was so frightened her hands almost lost grip on the steering wheel. She had managed quite a few artists, most of whom were ordinary and caused no ripple in the industry, not even their scandals amounting to much. For someone like Tang Shuxia to become instantly infamous even publicly assaulted… it was a first for her.

There have been artists labeled as ‘the other woman’ before, but never anyone as miserable as Tang Shuxia, as if all the misfortune in the world had crashed down on her. If she hadn’t rushed to the mall in time today, she truly didn’t dare imagine what terrible things might have happened next.

Xie Jinzhi clenched her fists. “I’ve discussed this with the company. For your future and for the company’s long-term development, we must issue a clarification. Otherwise, Mu Yingying’s fans can drown you with their spitting; incidents like today are likely to happen again. Speaking of which, how do you plan to deal with the people who attacked you today?”

Xie Jinzhi analyzed the pros and cons for her until her throat was dry. When she looked up, the person on the bed hadn’t moved a muscle; she wasn’t even sure if the other’s eyeballs had blinked.

“???”

She felt like she was talking to thin air.

Xie Jinzhi pulled the chair closer again. “Shuxia, are you listening?”

Tang Shuxia finally moved. She suddenly lifted her left arm. Xie Jinzhi thought she needed something, so she got up and walked around to the other side of the bed. Only then did she see that arm slowly resting behind her head, which was bandaged like a zongzi (rice dumpling). Tang Shuxia even gave her a strange glance, “I am.”

Xie Jinzhi felt like the person who was just lifeless moments ago had instantly come alive. Not only were there light in those empty eyes, but there was also a slight smile on the corner of her lips, although no matter how she looked at it, the smile seemed to carry a deeply meaningful flavor.

“Do you have any objections to what I just said?”

“What?”

Tang Shuxia’s expression was bewildered. She had just been busy processing the recent memories of this body. As expected, she would probably have to continue living in this person’s body. Moreover, this world was no longer the one she was originally from. This place advocates peace, everything is valued by harmony, and there is no such thing as fighting or personal revenge.

Her past identity, placed in the present, would probably secure her a spot among the ‘Oranges’ [A metaphorical group, likely referring to the entertainment industry or a specific status].

In her past life, she didn’t initially aim to be the leader of a demonic cult. It was only because she sought revenge that she became a widely reviled ‘evil woman,’ so she simply became what everyone wanted what did it matter if she was an evil woman?

But now, the owner of this body… was a pitiful victim.

Tang Shuxia seemed to see her past self.

Xie Jinzhi had that ‘as expected’ look, then rambled on, repeating what she had just said almost verbatim. “The company thinks your recent online activities have been too high profile. Your hospitalization today also hit the trending searches. Currently, public comments are polarized, some good, some bad… The company feels this is an opportunity; you can adopt a pitiful persona, so they suggest you maintain a low profile, let the big things become small, and the small things disappear.”

Tang Shuxia took some time to sort out the experiences of this body’s owner. “Too weak.”

Xie Jinzhi, “???”

She suspected she misheard or misunderstood. “What did you just say was weak? Weak what?”

Tang Shuxia sat up in one fluid motion, crossed her legs. She really hadn’t expected that people nowadays could be killed by being hit by something; dying so unjustly. If it were her, she would absolutely not let those useless people get close. She asked casually, “Let the big things become small, and the small things disappear can the preceding events be completely written off?”

Xie Jinzhi, “…”

This, well, this.

Xie Jinzhi suspected those people had damaged Tang Shuxia’s brain. These were two completely different matters; how could they be written off? The netizens would certainly not agree. She was about to call the doctor when she heard a sneer from the room, “Then why should the big things become small and the small things disappear? I’ve always been: I won’t provoke others if they don’t provoke me, but if someone offends me, I will definitely return it a thousandfold.”

Xie Jinzhi stared blankly at the person sitting cross-legged on the bed. She was still the same woman who looked soft and weak usually, but for some reason, Xie Jinzhi felt a kind of wickedness emanating from the Tang Shuxia before her, a strangeness that made people want to stay away. After a long silence, she asked weakly, “Then how do you plan to return it a thousand fold?”

Tang Shuxia slammed the bedding beneath her. “Simple. Aren’t the people here who laid hands on you going to jail? Then send them to jail, let them stay in jail for the rest of their lives, how about that?”

Xie Jinzhi gasped. This clearly meant she was going to fight those few people to the death, and given Tang Shuxia’s current injuries, seeking a life sentence would be wishful thinking. “Have you thought it through?”

Tang Shuxia, “Of course. Any problem?”

Xie Jinzhi shook her head. Her original intention was to agree with Tang Shuxia standing up for her rights. Having the baseless label of ‘the other woman’ slapped on her, now being beaten, cursed, and cyberbullied if it were her, she would probably be depressed on the spot too. Moreover, those few people’s actions were too excessive, saying that an ‘other woman’ deserved to be beaten and scorned, acting as if they were the embodiment of justice. Thinking about it made Xie Jinzhi angry too.

Tang Shuxia saw her hesitation. “Anything else?”

Xie Jinzhi hesitated. “The public knows you were attacked and sent to the hospital. Right now, public opinion on you is polarized. I have no objection to you defending your rights. But before that, we can’t let the label of ‘the other woman’ stick. Earlier, I asked you to publicly release the chat logs between you and Cheng Zeyu, but you refused.” She cautiously observed the other’s expression and found Tang Shuxia was casually looking out the window, as if something outside was more captivating than dealing with her bothersome matters. This meant she wasn’t really listening. Xie Jinzhi sighed, “Shuxia, be honest with me. Are you really getting involved in the marriage between Cheng Zeyu and Mu Yingying?”

The question was phrased quite tactfully.

Tang Shuxia looked up at the person blocking her light. Yes, this was her manager, a woman toiling away for a living. How strange, a woman in this era could live independently in her past life, that was something she wouldn’t even dare to think about. For some reason, Tang Shuxia felt a little fond of this place. “Don’t worry. I have no interest in being someone’s second mistress.”

Xie Jinzhi, “???”

Second… second what mistress?

Tang Shuxia was still digesting the memories of this body, big and small. The memories were like strong liquor, coming on fiercely and intensely, requiring careful savoring. If it weren’t for Xie Jinzhi repeatedly mentioning Cheng Zeyu and Mu Yingying in her ear, Tang Shuxia wouldn’t have been in a hurry to dig up information about the two from the corners of her mind. The original owner of this body met Cheng Zeyu at a theater. Cheng Zeyu’s position was equivalent to an outside musician, while the original owner played the role of a pitiful musical prodigy in the play. With this back and forth, the two exchanged contact information for better communication and interpretation of their roles.

However, there was one aspect that was slightly different from what Cheng Zeyu said: every meeting was initiated by Cheng Zeyu. He used the pretense of being a ‘mentor’ to guide her, but in reality, he was harassing her in various ways. This matter even caused great distress to the original owner. In her era, it was probably a married musician who took a liking to the original owner, used his status to harass her wantonly, and made all sorts of sweet promises. But the musician’s shrewish wife, upon discovering the musician’s ulterior motives, came to cause trouble for the original owner instead, blaming her for being too enchanting, too tempting.

In the end, it was women making things difficult for women, while the wretched man… always managed to stay clear of trouble.

Tang Shuxia integrated the entire sequence of events and couldn’t help but lightly chuckle while holding her forehead.

Xie Jinzhi, “???”

It’s over, this is a sign of madness.

Xie Jinzhi secretly resolved that she would call a doctor right away. Yes, she would have a doctor check Tang Shuxia’s head carefully; she absolutely couldn’t have a real problem from the blow.

Tang Shuxia, unaware that her manager was preparing to schedule her for psychiatry, muttered, “What a fine case of the pot calling the kettle black; this was clearly premeditated.”

Xie Jinzhi, “Huh?”

Tang Shuxia had another sentence in her mind. Since he’s so good at harassing others, why not just castrate him but upon meeting Xie Jinzhi’s worried gaze, she swallowed it back automatically. She quickly dismissed the dangerous thought that might land her in jail. She couldn’t help but click her tongue lightly, “Consider yourself lucky.”

This world was good, but it unintentionally added a chain of restraint on her.

Tang Shuxia was experiencing the frustration of not being able to act freely. She was never one to sit back and wait for death. If this path was blocked, she would switch to another. In the past, when she could use force, she never used words. But now… using force seemed difficult. She rested her chin with a look of deep grievance and sighed.

Xie Jinzhi saw that she had finally stopped ‘talking nonsense’ and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She tiptoed toward the door, as if afraid of disturbing the person lost in her own world.

Tang Shuxia glanced sideways at her. “Stay.”

Xie Jinzhi, with one foot already halfway out the door, froze mid-air. “What is it?”

Tang Shuxia paid no attention to her unnecessary movement but continued to prop her head and mutter, “Since there is no retreat, arrange a challenge for me.”

Xie Jinzhi, “What! Ar-arrange a challenge?”

Tang Shuxia smiled faintly. “I misspoke. Arrange a meeting with the shrew for me.”

Xie Jinzhi, “…………..”