After the Fake Heiress Died, She Was Filled with Regret - Chapter 119

Chapter 119: Just Found Out You Cheated?

The dinner party was held at X Mansion. Xia Shinan arrived just as the first segment of the evening—the charity auction—was about to begin.

Xia Shinan found an empty seat in the back row. The surrounding lights dimmed, and a projection screen slowly opened in the front, displaying the results of recent years’ charitable projects.

Although Xia Shinan knew that these charity galas, held under the pretense of aid, were fundamentally about commercial exchange and economic dealings, her heart still ached thinking of the children she had spent the whole day with.

On the way over, she had asked Tao Yi to transfer 100,000 yuan as a loving donation to the welfare center from her private account.

Looking at the pure and simple smiles on the screen, Xia Shinan suddenly thought of Tang Yin again.

If Tang Yin hadn’t been lucky enough to be picked up by Grandmother Tang, would she also have ended up adopted by a welfare center, just like these children?

What would the current Tang Yin be like then? Where would she live?

Would she still rely on her own efforts to become the sought-after and respected commercial rising star she is today? Or would she be an ordinary girl leading a simple and steady life?

Or perhaps… like Tang Yin’s childhood playmate, she would have married early, busy with family and children.

Different scenarios flashed through her mind, and Xia Shinan felt a heavy pressure in her chest.

But if Tang Yin’s luck was good, how could she have been swapped?

The introduction ended, and the surrounding lights came back on. Xia Shinan squinted, feeling the light stab her eyes. As she lightly shielded her face with the back of her hand, a woman suddenly sat down next to her, bringing with her a strong, pungent perfume.

Xia Shinan frowned, instinctively feeling repulsed. She looked up, and sure enough… it was Jiang Xiaoxiao, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Xia Shinan? You’re here for the charity gala too?” Jiang Xiaoxiao’s expression seemed surprised. She then looked around, a mocking sneer appearing at the corner of her mouth. “Where’s that… CEO Tang? Why didn’t she accompany you?”

Xia Shinan glanced at her, too lazy to engage, and focused on the host in front, who was explaining the upcoming auction segment.

Jiang Xiaoxiao hadn’t expected the other person to completely ignore her. She snorted coldly. “I lost several jobs because of you last time! I wondered if you really had that much power. Later, I found out that your sugar mommy is no ordinary person.”

“It looks like CEO Tang treats you quite well. You got the female lead in Seven Days, and an accident was enough to get me blacklisted. I heard that in your company, the best resources are always offered to you first. Xia Shinan, you really have skill, latching onto CEO Tang so firmly just because you’re a little pretty!” Jiang Xiaoxiao’s eyes were filled with jealousy and envy as she spoke.

Xia Shinan didn’t look at her, but hearing outsiders talk about her relationship with Tang Yin again didn’t feel as repulsive as before. She smiled faintly and said softly, “Thank you for the compliment, Miss Jiang. But there are a few things I need to reiterate.”

“First, I got the female lead in Seven Days on my own merit. I’m sorry my acting was better than yours.”

“Second, I was unaware of you being blacklisted, but you were indeed at fault. The person you burned at the time was Tang Yin, not me. She was the one who sent the lawyer’s letter. Any issues you have should be taken up with her.”

“Third, Miss Jiang should be responsible for spreading rumors that the best resources are offered to me first.”

“I… I heard it from others!” Jiang Xiaoxiao glared at her angrily. “Then why did you thank me!”

Xia Shinan blinked. “Didn’t you compliment me on being pretty and capable?”

“Pfft!”

A muffled laugh came from behind, interrupting the furious Jiang Xiaoxiao. Xia Shinan looked back and was momentarily stunned: it was Emma from the welfare center earlier in the day.

“You…”

“Who are you? Eavesdropping is very rude!” Jiang Xiaoxiao snapped angrily. She glanced at the woman’s clothing and handbag. She didn’t look like a rich person and had no male or female companion, so Jiang Xiaoxiao’s tone was less than courteous.

Emma sighed, her smile bright and her tone cheerful. “Miss, I wasn’t eavesdropping on you. You were speaking so loudly. I was wondering if you were worried no one could hear you. How about I borrow a microphone from the host for you?”

Jiang Xiaoxiao’s face turned beet red. The whispers around her made her worry that people were gossiping about her. This couldn’t happen. She had been twiddling her thumbs at home for months, and only with a friend’s help did she get this chance to attend tonight’s event to pave the way for her future career.

She couldn’t mess this up.

Jiang Xiaoxiao snorted and abruptly left her seat, walking to the other side.

The seat beside Xia Shinan became vacant, and Emma immediately sat down.

“Finally gone. If she kept nagging like that, I would have called security to escort her out!”

Xia Shinan smiled. “Thank you, Emma. But what are you doing here? I thought…”

“Thought I was just a teacher at the welfare center?” Emma winked at her. “It’s quite normal for everyone to have many different identities, isn’t it?”

“Of course,” Xia Shinan replied.

The auction officially began, and the host started introducing the first item. Xia Shinan’s gaze was fixed forward, but she felt a subtle strangeness about Emma’s words.

“Everyone has many different identities…”

Was she being overly sensitive? She just felt like Emma was hinting at something.

The entire auction progressed smoothly. Xia Shinan, as an observer, found it fascinating. Wasn’t life derived from art? Maybe learning more about it would be useful for acting one day?

“Not participating?” Emma asked with a smile.

Xia Shinan shook her head. “Firstly, I don’t have the money. Secondly… the commissions and the flow of funds after the auction are not necessarily 100% transparent. I’d rather donate the money directly to the welfare center.”

Emma listened to her and smiled profoundly. “If only you had said that sooner.”

What does she mean?

Xia Shinan looked at her curiously, but only saw Emma’s profile, which made her feel a little distracted.

The next second, the host introduced the final auction item.

“Co-created by a well-known young American painter and the children from the welfare center. This young painter is also with us tonight. Please welcome her to the stage…”

Xia Shinan froze. She saw Emma slowly stand up and walk onto the stage. She wore a champagne gold shirt and light blue flared jeans, which didn’t quite match the gala’s style, but for a young painter, everything seemed perfectly reasonable.

“I’ve been spending time with the children at the welfare center recently. The deeper I delve into their inner world, the more I feel I should do something for the vulnerable.”

“This painting was jointly completed today with the children and a very amiable and kind woman. She said…” As she spoke, her gaze swept across the audience.

Xia Shinan was startled and quickly shook her head, hoping the other person wouldn’t mention her.

“She said she hopes there will be less suffering and more happiness in the world. Surely, this is the wish of everyone here tonight?”

Applause erupted all around. Xia Shinan clapped, relieved that her name hadn’t been mentioned. She genuinely hadn’t expected the afternoon’s painting to become one of the auction items.

The auction concluded, leading to the final dinner segment. Waiters began serving various exquisite desserts and small dishes. Xia Shinan finally had a moment to breathe and took out her phone.

Sure enough, Tang Yin had sent many messages, even though Xia Shinan had told her before leaving that she might not have time to reply.

“Ming Jing sent me a video. Xiao Ying has gained so much weight in just over a month at her place. Later, she and I argued over Xiao Ying’s custody.”

“I watched the short film we shot together again today. I miss university a bit.”

“So bored.”

“Pay attention to me quickly.”

Xia Shinan couldn’t help but smile, easily imagining Tang Yin’s appearance when she sent those messages. So, she replied to them one by one.

“To be honest, Xiao Ying seems better off living with Qian Yu and Ming Jing, especially since her owner is often away from home. If you two argue over custody again, I’ll probably side with them.”

“Then when we have time, should we go back to A University together?”

“If you’re bored, walk around the living room. The doctor said you shouldn’t just lie down or sit. Moving around will help you recover better.”

“I am paying attention…”

Before she could finish typing, Tang Yin replied with a message: a photo taken during the auction of her talking with Emma, and a few words.

“Just found out you cheated?”

Cheated… Xia Shinan frowned. Who sent this message? Could it be Jiang Xiaoxiao? Did she send a message to Tang Yin because she couldn’t win the argument? But how would she have Tang Yin’s contact information?

Xia Shinan’s mood turned sour. Just as she was about to explain, Emma walked over, holding a wine glass.

“Shinan, a toast to you.”

“Thank you,” Xia Shinan returned the toast, taking a sip of red wine.

Emma: “I’m not very comfortable with the atmosphere here. It’s nice that you’re around. I don’t know why, but it makes me feel much more at ease.”

Xia Shinan smiled. “We only met today, so I’m honored to receive such a high compliment… I just didn’t expect you to really be an outstanding painter. That’s amazing! No wonder you said everyone has different identities.”

Emma’s eyes sparkled, and she raised an eyebrow. “That’s right. I’m a volunteer at the welfare center, and I’m also someone who loves to paint. Hmm… I hope I can also be your good friend soon!”

Good friend? Xia Shinan smiled faintly, saying nothing, just clinking glasses with Emma again.

Emma was about to say something else when Xia Shinan’s phone buzzed. She saw it was a call from Tang Yin, pointed to the phone for Emma, and excused herself to step out of the venue to answer.

“Hello.”

“Where are you?” The woman on the other end sounded somewhat icy. Xia Shinan remembered the explanation she hadn’t managed to send and gently tried to soothe her angry girlfriend. “I’m at the mansion. Dinner should be finishing up soon. Can you wait for me at home?”

“At the mansion? Then who is the woman I see now, standing by the flower bed and talking to the flowers and plants?”

Xia Shinan froze. She looked around, then spotted a familiar face faintly visible among the flowers. She quickly walked around the flower bed.

Tang Yin, dressed in casual clothes, was standing there, watching her with a slight smile.

“Why are you here!” Xia Shinan looked at her in surprise. “Didn’t you say you’d wait for me at home?”

Tang Yin reached out to pinch her chin, her tone sour. “Yes, but a certain someone didn’t reply to my messages, so I came. I wanted to see what your alleged cheating partner looks like.”

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