After I Gave Up/Let Things Slide, I Became Famous Across The Entire Internet - Chapter 32.1

Isn’t it just relying on being the Tang Corporation’s daughter? Now that the Tang Corporation is gone, what can she still rely on?

Tang Shuxia, pay your debts.

The person above me, you should see a doctor immediately if you’re sick. Treat your brain well.

The person above me, could you be a Tang Shuxia fan getting defensive? Your idol abandoned you, you’re really pathetic. Didn’t Tang Shuxia tell you not to like her? You insist on clinging to her and offering your warm attention to her cold indifference. Are you stupid? She’s just stringing you along.

Xie Jinzhi took several deep breaths to calm her anger. However, after engaging in the fight for a while, she noticed that these people seemed to be collectively targeting her Shuxia, and a sense of familiarity washed over her, just like the last time her Shuxia was inexplicably dragged into a “homewrecker” scandal because of a photo.

WTF, could it be?

She was about to contact the company’s new boss, but the call didn’t go through. When she opened the trending topics again, she found that the topic had miraculously disappeared!!???

When Tang Shuxia sensed someone standing by her bed, she acted almost instinctively.

You Yixuan’s throat was grasped, and her eyes widened in terror. She quickly tried to forcefully slap the hand that looked incredibly slender. “It’s, cough it’s me! Quick, let go!”

And then the hand that almost strangled her truly released its grip. Tang Shuxia’s eyes were as cold as ice, looking at people with a chilling intensity. You Yixuan suspected that for a fleeting moment, the person in front of her genuinely wanted to strangle her. Clutching her neck, she couldn’t help but yell, “Tang Shuxia, are you crazy? Why did you choke me? Cough, cough, cough.”

Tang Shuxia said, “If it’s not important, don’t come near me.”

She had an unusual dream after falling asleep just now, actually dreaming of the people from her past.

After speaking, she turned and got out of bed, not even glancing at You Yixuan.

You Yixuan stared in disbelief at the person who had just walked away without even an apology. She couldn’t help but stomp her foot in frustration. She shouldn’t have come up to call her; she should have just let Tang Shuxia starve to death. She touched her slightly sore throat and checked it in the mirror, finding her neck was red, with even two distinct finger marks.

“How can she be so strong?”

For a moment just now, she felt like her neck was about to break.

Thinking about it now, a wave of lingering fear washed over her.

You Yixuan grudgingly went downstairs. The table was already set with good food and wine. The good wine was a bottle of red wine Zhai Xuefeng had scrounged from the director. He poured a little into everyone’s glass, and there was little left. “It’s rare for all of us to gather here. Let’s raise a toast to the director.”

The director quickly stood up and bowed with his hands pressed together.

Tang Shuxia also took a sip. The red grape wine was sweet and sour, and surprisingly good.

“I think eating is too dull. How about everyone showcases a talent to celebrate our imminent escape from the director’s clutches?”

“Showcase talent? That must be Brother Ji first.”

The proposer, Su Fan, immediately found himself in a headlock by Ji Xingyu. You Yixuan’s neck tightened as she watched, and she instinctively retracted her head. “It’s just dinner; what’s with all the physical tussling? I think only a few of us here haven’t performed a talent yet. How about, Teacher Tang goes first.”

Tang Shuxia was focused on eating and was suddenly called out. She gave You Yixuan a faint glance.

You Yixuan stubbornly glared back. “Surely not, does our Teacher Tang not have any talent at all?”

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense and confrontational. Yu Xuebo, who had suggested the talent show, immediately regretted it upon seeing this. I shouldn’t have opened my mouth. Zhai Xuefeng cleared his throat, intending to ease the tension between the two, but before he could speak, Tang Shuxia had already agreed, “I can.”

Everyone: “!!!”

They looked at each other, all very curious about what she would perform.

After all, in the past two days, they hadn’t seen Tang Shuxia perform anything, except for rescuing the children today. But, does swimming count as a talent?

Tang Shuxia asked the staff to prepare five bowls, each with a different amount of water: half a bowl, a full bowl, one-third… After they were arranged, she used a chopstick to tap on each bowl. After several attempts, she began tapping and striking the bowls with both hands.

Everyone became intrigued, especially Luo Tong and Ji Xingyu, who understood music. They involuntarily stood up and gathered around, listening intently. Their eyes were glued to the chopsticks in Tang Shuxia’s hands. The rhythm was sometimes high, sometimes low, and an overwhelming sense of grandeur and passion emerged. The cameraman was even more professional. He was eating cup ramen but immediately threw it aside halfway and carried his camera forward, filming Tang Shuxia from 360 degrees.

In the past, when they were bored, they would play drinking games, throw dice, or even have martial arts duels. The games were varied, but the happiness was genuine.

A hint of nostalgia flashed in Tang Shuxia’s eyes. The final heavy strike, like a soaring drumbeat, emitted a scream a general leading his loyal soldiers and generals charging forward without hesitation… She dropped the chopsticks, her fierce killing intent still lingering in her eyes. “Is that alright?”

You Yixuan was so frightened by her gaze that she took two steps back.

Everyone applauded. Ji Xingyu clapped his hands until they were red with excitement. “Teacher Tang, I didn’t expect you to have such a great sense of rhythm and pitch! What is that song called? I’ve never heard it before.”

Luo Tong, “Me neither. Did Teacher Tang compose the piece herself?”

Tang Shuxia shook her head, restraining her outward emotions. She quickly returned to her previous detached demeanor. “A friend wrote it. Call it Rekindle.”

Everyone praised her highly, and then immediately shifted their attention to Jiang Yunyun and Yu Xuebo. The two didn’t decline. Jiang Yunyun chose a guzheng (Chinese zither), which the production team conveniently had, showing their thoughtful preparation. As for Yu Xuebo, he performed an energetic street dance.

Tang Shuxia shifted her gaze, watched for a while, and then focused back on her meal.

“Sh*t, Tang Tang is cheating! While we’re watching the show, she’s secretly stuffing her face! That’s unacceptable!” Su Fan shouted dramatically and immediately joined the meal-stuffing army.

“Quick, quick! Why is my dish already empty? I haven’t even had a bite.”

“My dish is good too.”

Everyone inexplicably began to compete over whose dish was cleared first. The meal was full of fighting spirit. Tang Shuxia, upholding the principle of ‘first come, first served,’ was the first to eat her fill and put down her utensils.

Perhaps because there were plenty of ingredients, after lunch, everyone adopted the state of retired senior officials, crossing their legs, sipping tea, and engaging in lighthearted chatter about life. Tang Shuxia found the topic too boring, so she simply headed out for a stroll in the village, enduring the not too harsh sunlight.

The summer afternoon was filled with a lazy atmosphere. Most people would choose to stay home, turn on the air conditioning, and take a nap. Occasionally, one could see elderly people cooling off under a large tree, constantly fanning themselves with a large palm fan. Tang Shuxia walked straight to an old house. The entrance to the old house was enclosed by a fence, planted with vegetables and many small red fruits hanging on the branches. Luffa gourds hung down, some with flowers blooming at the top. The entire courtyard presented a thriving scene.

Tang Shuxia crouched down by the house’s doorway, looking down at a small green plant in the corner. The plant’s leaf was heart shaped, with a hollow middle, looking like it had been bitten by an insect. Unfortunately, the owner, perhaps unaware of its value, had severed its stem with a sharp object. It was now lying there half-dead. In two days at most, it would wither and lose all its medicinal properties, especially its stickiness.

“Haha, I finally caught you.”

“Huh.”

The owner of the house was rushing over with a large palm fan. When he saw Tang Shuxia’s face, he said, “Girl, it’s you! You came at a great time. Let’s continue to discuss that move of yours this morning. The more I think about it, the more I feel it’s wrong. How about we spar a bit?”

Tang Shuxia pointed to the plant on the ground that had died prematurely. “This, do you have any more?”

The old man looked down. “This thing? Isn’t it just a blade of grass?”

Tang Shuxia, “…”

She turned to leave, but the old man immediately grabbed her hand, preventing her departure. “Girl, it’s so hot outside. Come into my house, have a cup of water, and rest.”

The cameraman almost burst out laughing when he saw Tang Shuxia being shamelessly dragged into the house by the old man.

Tang Shuxia was initially listless, but upon entering and seeing the exceptionally well-maintained flowers and plants on the floor and tables in the old man’s house, she finally took him seriously. “Old man, if you can find another live specimen of the green plant outside, one with its roots, I’ll spar with you.”

The old man’s eyes lit up. “Really? You little girl can’t lie to an old man like me.”

Tang Shuxia, “Of course. I need it alive.”

The old man immediately held out his palm. “Come on, let’s high-five. I’m afraid you’ll go back on your word.”

Tang Shuxia, “???”

She extended her hand and high-fived the old man. “Done.”

The old man was very satisfied and even prepared a pot of chrysanthemum tea for them. The cameraman also received a cup. He was pleasantly surprised, tasted it, and found the water temperature perfect—not too hot, not too cold and it relieved heat and dryness. The chrysanthemum fragrance was strong. “Thank you, Elder.”

The old man waved his hand dismissively, his attention entirely on Tang Shuxia, staring eagerly. “Little girl, aren’t you going to try it? I grew these chrysanthemums myself.”

Tang Shuxia took a sip, giving a very perfunctory response. “Mm, I’ve tasted it.”

The old man pouted. “You little girl are no fun at all. You can always have two more sips after tasting it. How about we spar a couple of rounds first?”

Tang Shuxia, “No.”

The old man, “…”

Tang Shuxia completely ignored his huffing and puffing. “No sparring until I have the item.”

By the time Tang Shuxia returned, it was almost evening, time to prepare dinner for everyone. The cameraman reminded her, and she arrived almost precisely on time. When she returned, she found everyone gathered in the kitchen. Some were prepping vegetables, others were cooking rice, and the atmosphere looked particularly warm.

She went upstairs to change into comfortable clothes and then came down to check the kitchen. She wanted to take the chicken, but Cheng Ziqiong had already taken it to chop. “This is my specialty dish, Teacher Tang, don’t compete with me.”

Beggars’ Chicken was out.

She looked around again, intending to take the fish, but the fish was taken by Pang Tingrong. “Chopped Chili Fish Head is my signature dish, Teacher Tang, you absolutely must not compete with me.”

After looking around, she hadn’t managed to claim anything, so she simply went out and brewed a pot of chrysanthemum tea for everyone.

Everyone enjoyed the ‘farewell’ meal immensely. Afterward, the director invited each guest to give a summary, and it came to Tang Shuxia.

Staff member, “Teacher Tang, did you enjoy the past two days?”

Tang Shuxia, “It was alright.”

Staff member, “Teacher Tang, did you like the food cooked by the others over the past two days?”

Tang Shuxia, “It was alright.”

Staff member, “Teacher Tang, what were your takeaways from the past two days?”

Tang Shuxia gave a slight smile, “It was alright.”

The director pulled his hair out watching Tang Shuxia’s footage. Why was everything “it was alright”?

That night, there was a violent storm. The sound of the wind and rain made the house’s glass windows rattle loudly.

The next day, the recording for this episode ended. Everyone packed their luggage in the morning and went their separate ways. They got into their cars, enduring the ongoing heavy rain, and left Zhaojia Village. Su Fan, Ji Xingyu, and others had left the previous night to catch flights for other activities, thus avoiding the rain. Tang Shuxia planned to stay an extra day. She unhurriedly made herself a bowl of instant noodles and leisurely watched the others leave one after another.

As noisy as it was when they arrived, it now felt just as desolate.

“Teacher Tang, I’m leaving.”

“Have a safe trip.”

Tang Shuxia saw off Luo Tong, the last to leave. The entire house was left with just her, Zhang Zeyang, and the assistant.

Zhang Zeyang looked at the incessant heavy rain. “This rain is too heavy. I hope it stops by the time we leave.”

Tang Shuxia flipped through the ancient medical book. On the folded page was a black and white image of a plant: a large leaf with a heart-shaped hole in the center, connected to a thick stem. Below it was the annotation:

*Half Heart Vine*, also known as *Intimate Vine*. It is in a symbiotic relationship with another heart shaped vine. The vine has strong stickiness.

When Xu Yujing received Zhang Zeyang’s report, she felt depressed. She looked at the bright sunshine outside her floor to ceiling window and, imagining the torrential rain on Tang Shuxia’s side, suddenly had an urge to see the heavy rain herself. However, she quickly suppressed the thought.

Tang Shuxia waited for two days. The heavy rain continued non-stop. The only river in Zhaojia Village was close to overflowing its banks.

That day, the sky was dark and overcast, but the rain had lessened somewhat. The old man, wearing a raincoat, knocked on the door. “Seeing how anxious you are, this old man will accompany you. Keep up.”

Zhang Zeyang looked at the threatening, ominous sky. “Teacher Tang, how about we wait two more days until the sky clears before going up the mountain?”

The old man sighed, “I’m afraid that thing will be completely washed away by this downpour.”

This was why the old man, having waited for two days, couldn’t wait any longer. That thing looked so fragile and prone to destruction. He didn’t know what it was for, but it was worth this young girl patiently playing Tai Chi with him.

Tang Shuxia immediately decided, “Let’s go.”

Zhang Zeyang originally wanted to follow, but was dismissed by the old and the young. He had no choice but to wait at home. The assistant couldn’t help but make him a cup of chrysanthemum water. “Brother Zhang, you can trust Sister Xia. Sister Xia is quick in everything she does she’ll be back down the mountain very soon.”

However, Zhang Zeyang waited from morning until evening. Just as he was growing restless and anxious, he heard a distant rumble, a huge crash, as something was swallowed by the storm.

He rushed outside and heard villagers saying there had been a landslide.

The assistant was stunned and then belatedly realized the gravity of the situation. He frantically pulled out his phone to call Tang Shuxia, but the phone beeped several times, and no one answered. “Brother Zhang, what should we do? What should we do? Sister Xia and that old man seem to still be on the mountain!”

Zhang Zeyang was also panicking. He quickly rushed back inside, grabbed his phone, and called Xu Yujing.

“Miss, something has happened here in Zhaojia Village.”

“What is it?”

Zhang Zeyang swallowed the words several times. He gripped his phone tightly and took a deep breath. “Landslide. Miss Tang is on the mountain.”