After I Gave Up/Let Things Slide, I Became Famous Across The Entire Internet - Chapter 25

Yu Huimei arrived at the destination reported by Mrs. Sun: a dilapidated and filthy old tenement building, with garbage scattered everywhere. She covered her nose with her sleeve in slight disgust, “What kind of godforsaken place is this? It stinks.”

After she got back, she definitely needed a full body spa to relax. She hadn’t slept peacefully for days because of Tang Shuxia’s things. Every time she lay down, she worried that if the person sleeping next to her discovered what she had done, a beating and scolding would be minor; a fractured relationship between husband and wife would be a true, unbearable loss.

And in the end, Tang Shuxia would be the one to benefit.

Thinking of this, Yu Huimei often wished Tang Shuxia would just disappear. How wonderful it would be if she vanished.

“It’s you? The one who wants a fake made?”

A loud voice boomed from behind, startling Yu Huimei so much her hair almost stood on end. She quickly raised a finger to her lips, “Shh, keep your voice down.”

Who makes fakes and talks so loudly? It’s as if the whole fake thing is an honorable deed.

The man was less than $1.7$ meters tall, wearing a vest and shorts, with faded, unidentifiable flip-flops. He was carrying a small plastic bag with an empty white wine bottle, and an lit cigarette was between the fingers of his other hand. Yu Huimei thought with revulsion, Is this the counterfeiting expert Mrs. Sun spoke of?

She managed to keep her suspicion off her face, “I have a business deal that requires your expertise.”

The man scrutinized Yu Huimei, “Let’s talk inside.”

Yu Huimei took out the photos she had taken and spread them on the filthy, black table. “A friend recommended you. I trust your skill. You can use the best materials. I only have one requirement: you need to make the items look identical to the photos, even more authentic than the ones in the photos.”

Tang Mingcheng knew nothing about jewelry and didn’t usually pay attention to it, otherwise he wouldn’t have handed over so many precious jewels left by his late wife for her to manage. As for Tang Shuxia, that country bumpkin, despite having resources that would make the world envious, she wasn’t very interested in jewelry. So, even if she substituted a fake, those two, father and daughter, probably wouldn’t notice.

The man casually flipped through the photos and quoted a number to Yu Huimei.

Yu Huimei exclaimed, “That much!”

The man tossed the photos down. “Regular customers know my price is non-negotiable. If you can’t afford it…” He looked at the limited-edition bag in Yu Huimei’s hand and the bangle she was wearing with a sneer, “Then go back.”

Yu Huimei absolutely hated these snobs. When she married into the Tang family, everyone, whether they knew her or not, gossiped behind her back, calling her a gold digger who leaped into high society, blessed with good fortune. After years of hard effort, she finally stopped hearing such talk. She never expected that in this run down little place, she would still encounter someone with such poor judgment. “Money is not an issue, but I need to see your finished product to be reassured.”

The man wouldn’t budge, “Cash on delivery.”

Yu Huimei really wanted to pick up her bag and leave, but as she reached the door, she thought of Mrs. Sun. She had done several deals with Mrs. Sun. Mrs. Sun was reliable in business and comforting in after-sales service a trustworthy friend. Since she strongly recommended this person…

Forget it.

Yu Huimei was too lazy to look for someone else. She paid the money readily. “How long until I can get the finished products?”

The man took a puff of his cigarette. “You have so many things, over twenty pieces. It’ll take at least half a year.”

Yu Huimei gasped, “Half a year!”

Given Tang Shuxia’s current attitude, she probably couldn’t even afford to delay for one or two months, let alone half a year. Last night before bed, Tang Mingcheng had reminded her that she should take out the jewelry from the safe. “No, that’s too long. You must finish these things within ten days.”

The man inhaled deeply on his cigarette, flashed a grin that revealed yellow teeth, “Ten days? Are you kidding me? You won’t find anyone in the whole city who would dare promise you to rush this batch in ten days.”

Yu Huimei knew she was asking for too much. She had asked around before and got a rough idea of the market rate, but now she was truly racing against time. “I’ll pay extra.”

The man hesitated.

Yu Huimei gritted her teeth, “Triple the price, ten days.”

The man said, “Deal.”

Yu Huimei winced painfully as she watched the money transfer out of her account. She confirmed again, “Ten days, I need to see the finished products within ten days.”

While Yu Huimei was frantic these past few days, Tang Shuxia was eating, drinking, and having fun, living a life as happy as a pig. She was currently lying on the sofa, leisurely watching a variety show the program her company had secured for her, centered on completing specific tasks. There had been an earlier season. Whether the production team was terrible or the shooting was genuinely bad, the filming process was chaotic, and the online reception after it aired was abysmal.

Now, with the second season about to begin, the previously confirmed regular guests all dropped out, citing scheduling conflicts. High-profile artists looked down on this type of show. The production team searched everywhere but couldn’t find people.

To boost ratings, they had to turn their attention to ‘hot topic’ artists. Coincidentally, Tang Shuxia was involved in the bizarre incident with Mu Yingying and Cheng Zeyu, which gave her ‘inherent buzz.’ At the time, the name ‘Tang Shuxia’ was everywhere, and that’s how the production team selected her.

Meanwhile, the company Tang Shuxia belonged to wanted to cultivate a new generation of compliant artists. So, leveraging Tang Shuxia’s popularity, they planned to use this show as a springboard to let other artists bask in her glory. Both parties quickly agreed, just waiting for the filming to begin and the show to air.

Xie Jinzhi, to ensure Tang Shuxia wouldn’t mess up during filming, specifically found her the first season, calling it ‘remedial lessons.’

Tang Shuxia watched for ten minutes. Despite the guests’ laughter coming from the phone, she felt sleepy, her eyelids starting to droop.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Tang Shuxia saw Xu Yujing holding a small, exquisite box on the built-in screen. She pressed the remote control. The door slowly opened. Xu Yujing, who was waiting outside, paused for a second before pushing her wheelchair inside. This was the first time she had ever set foot in Tang Shuxia’s house. Although they lived less than ten meters apart, they rarely ran into each other on a daily basis.

Since that visit to the Tang house, for the past week, Xu Yujing had been learning about Tang Shuxia’s recent activities through Zhang Zeyang what she had set up, and what she had secretly done. But it was only secondhand information.

For the first time, a hint of jealousy arose in her heart.

The smell brought by Xu Yujing immediately jolted Tang Shuxia awake. With a graceful leap, she turned from the sofa to face Xu Yujing, not even stopping to put on slippers. Her ten cute, pink toes were bare before Xu Yujing. She twitched her nose, looking exactly like a hungry little kitten digging at a can, just like the ones Xu Yujing saw in the neighborhood. Xu Yujing handed her the box, “A small gift.”

Tang Shuxia said, “Huh?”

Xu Yujing looked at the overly minimalist living room, “We’ve been neighbors for so long. This is my first visit, just a small token. See if you like it.”

Tang Shuxia knew what was inside just by the stinky smell. She happily opened the box. Inside were eight neatly arranged, oily, glistening pieces of stinky tofu. “I know, this is Cai Ji Stinky Tofu. They only sell a hundred portions a day.” She looked at Xu Yujing, “The line must be very long.”

She had mentioned wanting to eat this before, but Xie Jinzhi said she could never get it, either because something came up mid-way, or she arrived too late and it was sold out. So Tang Shuxia remembered that this stuff was hard to buy.

Xu Yujing replied, “The owner is a friend of mine.”

Tang Shuxia immediately sat cross legged by the coffee table with the box and invited her, “Let’s eat together.”

Seeing that she truly liked it, Xu Yujing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Soon, she noticed muffled laughter coming from the sofa. Tang Shuxia’s phone screen was still on. “What are you watching?”

Tang Shuxia, sitting cross legged, skewered a piece of stinky tofu and took a big bite. The outer layer of the stinky tofu was crispy, and the inside was tender, cooked to perfection. Tang Shuxia muttered between bites, “A boring show.” This cook really had skill. Seeing that Xu Yujing hadn’t touched it, she immediately skewered a piece and offered it, “Ah.”

Meeting Tang Shuxia’s expectant little eyes, Xu Yujing leaned in and took a small bite.

A corner was missing from the square piece of tofu.

Her way of eating was completely different from Tang Shuxia’s. Tang Shuxia ate the whole piece in one bite, while Xu Yujing only nibbled a tiny edge, like a hamster holding its nut, chewing slowly and very reservedly.

Just then, the doorbell rang again.

As soon as Tang Shuxia saw it was Sheng Gaoyang, she pressed the open button.

Sheng Gaoyang hadn’t received a call from Tang Shuxia after waiting a week. He couldn’t sit still any longer. He found out that Tang Shuxia had been living in this villa since the incident, so he immediately drove over. As soon as he walked in, a smell that was both stinky and fragrant hit him. “Xiaxia, what is that stuff that smells so”

He looked up and saw Tang Shuxia leaning on her hand by the coffee table in the living room, feeding Xu Yujing.

Sheng Gaoyang: “……………………”

Xu Yujing quietly chewed the last bit on the toothpick. The three of them looked at each other, and finally, Sheng Gaoyang broke the awkward silence, “Xiaxia, you have a guest.”

Tang Shuxia looked at the last piece of stinky tofu in the box, “Do you want some?”

It had been a long time since Sheng Gaoyang enjoyed such treatment, but stinky tofu… Finally, the three of them sat around the coffee table. Sheng Gaoyang, with a difficult, even hostile expression, forced the last piece of stinky tofu into his mouth. All the questions he had meant to ask were temporarily put aside. “This is”

Xu Yujing was about to introduce herself as a neighbor.

Tang Shuxia blurted out, “My little girlfriend.”

The stinky tofu Sheng Gaoyang had just swallowed was instantly spat out. He covered his mouth with his hand, “Cough, cough, cough, I’m sorry, I, cough, cough.” He quickly rushed into the bathroom. The sound of rushing water came from inside.

Tang Shuxia, “?”

The corner of Xu Yujing’s mouth curled up uncontrollably, “Who is he?”

Tang Shuxia thought for a moment and then uttered two difficult words, “Uncle (Jiu-jiu).”

Xu Yujing instinctively sat up straight, the curve of her mouth tightly flattened into a straight line.

Tang Shuxia, “???”

Sheng Gaoyang stayed in the bathroom for a full half hour before coming out, his damp forehead hair showing how much he had struggled internally during that time. But before he could speak, Tang Shuxia took a phone call, and then informed them, “The person who attacked me last time said he wants to see me. I need to take a trip to the station.”

Xu Yujing and Sheng Gaoyang said in unison, “I’ll go with you.”

The three of them eventually got into Sheng Gaoyang’s car.

Sheng Gaoyang watched with wide eyes as Tang Shuxia picked up her very elegant little girlfriend and carried her into the car, and then took responsibility for folding the wheelchair. The intimacy was truly… However, his attention was quickly diverted from that. Recalling the video he had seen earlier, his forehead veins throbbed with anger. “What does that woman want to do seeing you again? Uncle will hire you the best lawyer. I want her to reflect and repent for the rest of her life inside.”

Tang Shuxia glanced at him unexpectedly twice. He’s already this angry? If he finds out about other things later, he might explode on the spot.

Thinking of Tang Mingcheng’s tendency to almost faint from anger, she glanced at Sheng Gaoyang’s build again, hesitating whether to contact a doctor or two in advance.

Xu Yujing watched Tang Shuxia take out her phone and send a message to a familiar profile picture.

[Action.]

Zhang Zeyang was sitting in a tea house near the old tenement building, sipping tea. Through the window, he could see the sparse pedestrians on the street, the most conspicuous of whom was Yu Huimei. She was dressed in the latest fashion, carrying a limited edition designer bag, her hair pinned up, radiating luxury. She was completely out of place among the original residents here. In the photo, Yu Huimei looked very young, but the woman in front of him was in her forties and her figure was beginning to sag. “You’ll probably be stuck in that place in the future. Enjoy this last bit of freedom.”

Yu Huimei suddenly received a call, telling her to come to inspect the results.

The original ten days had been shortened to seven.

Yu Huimei felt that God was helping her. Tang Mingcheng had asked about the jewelry several times recently, perhaps growing suspicious. Now, she could completely stop worrying.

So, before going out, she dressed up beautifully. Once she had all the finished products in hand, she would take them out to show Tang Mingcheng.

“Where are the items?”