Last night, after hearing that seven or eight wealthy and powerful second-generation kids were out to grab her, Bai Xuechao hid and began making phone calls, seeking help to mediate the situation.
However, whether it was the seniors who had sworn to stand by her or the benefactors who had received many favors in ordinary days, they all shunned her without exception.
The ones who still had some shame made excuses, while the shameless ones bluntly told her to get lost and not drag them down.
It wasn't until a trusted brother took the initiative to call, saying he had already explained the situation to one of the second-generation kids, and all she needed to do was to go and give an apology.
Although she felt wronged, it was, after all, a wild model from her company who had caused the trouble. The other party was too powerful, and she could not afford to offend them, so she had no choice but to comply.
With nearly a million in gifts prepared, she followed the trusted brother to a luxury villa complex in the suburbs. But before she could utter a word after entering, she was overpowered by people.
Then to her sorrow, she saw that her confidant brother willingly took a stack of money from the other party's hands, nodding and bowing as he left.
Betrayed!
With raging fury in her heart but powerless to act, Bai Xuechao could only desperately explain that she knew nothing about last night's incident and pleaded for forgiveness.
The person who had captured Bai Xuechao was naturally Shen Siyi and his posse of dandy brothers.
After hearing her plea, Shen Siyi gave a cold laugh, walked up to Bai Xuechao, and blew smoke in her face.
"Bai, right? I heard you are quite influential, pretty impressive for a woman.
Originally, us brothers don't have the habit of bullying women, but you brought trouble onto us, and that's where you messed up.
If you're smart, admit it quickly—who told you to do this?
If you tell the truth, there's no problem. Otherwise, we'll not treat you as a woman anymore."
Tears streaming down her face, Bai Xuechao really wanted to put on a brave front, but she felt too wronged and had to explain again, "I really don't know anything.
Mengmeng signed with us just half a month ago; last night was her first time out after training, God knows why she did what she did.
All of you are from illustrious families with noble statuses, all my businesses are in Longyin, there's absolutely no reason for me to risk offending you!"
"Hey, tough talk from the loudmouth," Shen Siyi said with a curled lip, signaling his bodyguards with a wave of his hand, "You're lucky. Yesterday, some 'God' warned Daddy not to take it too far, so we'll spare you the physical pain, let's play with something fresh."
As he spoke, two bodyguards carried over a large wire cage.
Bai Xuechao fixed her gaze on it, and immediately felt a tightness in her soul, as every hair on her body stood on end.
Inside the cage were dozens of white mice scurrying around and squeaking chaotically.
"These little guys were specially purchased from the medical school, all very gentle and cute, and they've just been fed, so rest assured, they're unlikely to bite.
If you can stay in this cage for one hour, we'll believe what you said and let you go."
The other ruffians got excited, complimenting Shen Siyi on his unique cruelty and capability while setting up betting pools on the spot, wagering how many minutes Bai Xuechao could last without crying.
Having joined society in her teens, Bai Xuechao had been in countless fights—she had cut others and been cut herself and believed average tortures wouldn't make her blink an eye.
But this "torture" certainly did not include mice!
The thought of dozens of mice crawling all over her body, face, and clothes was enough to make her want to faint from fear.
As Shen Siyi's bodyguards grabbed her arms, in her despair, she suddenly remembered the guy from last night who was full of big talk, and in a last-ditch effort, she blurted out, "I know Xiao Ming!"
"Damn damn damn..."
Shen Siyi shuddered, dropping his cigarette on himself and quickly patted it off before asking, "Who did you say?"
Could it be that man wasn't bluffing?
Hope ignited in Bai Xuechao's heart, she enunciated clearly, "Xiao Ming! 'Ming' as in 'a thunderous reputation'!"
Shen Siyi scrutinized her carefully, then asked, "What's your relationship with him?"
Seeing the odd look in his eyes, Bai Xuechao had a moment of inspiration and replied, "I, I am his woman."
"You're lying! Ming already has a wife."
"That's why I said 'woman,' not wife."
Shen Siyi did not want to believe it, but he dared not disbelieve it either.
Xiao Ming's official wife was named Jiang Xue, and this one was Bai Xuechao, both with a 'Xue' character in their names—it could be some unique preference!
No, he must clarify this matter quickly.
With a look, he signaled his bodyguards to hold back and hurried out the door to make a phone call.
When Xiao Ming arrived at the villa, Shen Siyi led his friends to greet him at the door.
"Ming, this is such a mess, truly sorry. I'll set up a lunch at Yunding Restaurant to apologize to you and your wife at noon," Shen Siyi said with a chuckle, then turned back and scolded, "What are you standing there for? This is the 'God' I told you guys about, Ming, aren't you going to greet him?"
The ruffians had never met Xiao Ming and were naturally reluctant, but out of respect for Shen Siyi, they called out half-heartedly.
Shen Siyi was about to lose his temper when Xiao Ming stopped him and asked directly, "Where's Bai Xuechao?"
"Your wife is having breakfast inside. I had it sent over from the best tea restaurant in the city," Shen Siyi said as he ushered Xiao Ming inside. Inside, Bai Xuechao stood awkwardly in front of the dining table, not knowing what to do with herself.
Xiao Ming glanced at the table full of Cantonese dishes and sneered, "Enjoying it, my woman?"