What?
Fu Hanjiang was about to explode!
Did she think he was meddling? No one had ever dared speak to him this way; people only came to him for help.
"Sheng Xiangsi, you..."
"Get out!"
Sheng Xiangsi didn't want to say anything more to him. He had thrown away her ring, and she needed to find it immediately!
She turned and ran in the direction where he had thrown the ring, bending down and searching under the dim streetlights.
But the lighting on West Twelfth Street was insufficient.
Anxiously, Sheng Xiangsi took out her phone and turned on the flashlight. That tiny ring—could she even find it?
She silently prayed, muttering, "Please, please..."
She had to find it.
What would happen if Zhao Lianghan found out she had lost the ring he gave her so quickly?
Fu Hanjiang saw this and felt a dark, blue flame surge in his chest, spreading uncontrollably.
She cared that much about the ring from that old man?!
"Sheng Xiangsi!"
Fu Hanjiang stepped forward and gripped her shoulder, his tone commanding, "Stop looking! Do you hear me?"
"Let go!"
Sheng Xiangsi looked up abruptly, her eyes red. "Fu Hanjiang, don't push me... I'll hate you even more!"
Hate.
She used that word!
Fu Hanjiang was stunned. "You hate me?"
"Yes!"
Sheng Xiangsi's lips trembled. "When I was young and clung to you, it was my mistake! I've already paid the price for my ignorance and impulsiveness! I beg you, let me go, okay?"
"Hah!"
The man's dark eyes fixed on her, finding it utterly absurd.
"Sheng Xiangsi, you're utterly... incomprehensible! Fine, as you wish!"
Abruptly, he released Sheng Xiangsi and turned to leave, his handsome face carrying an intense and cutting sharpness.
If she was so determined to be some old man's mistress, so be it!
If he cared about her anymore, he'd be a fool!
At the corner of the alley, Fu Hanjiang glanced back, seeing Sheng Xiangsi still bent over, searching for the ring.
He reached into his pocket and took out the diamond ring.
His lips curled into a cold smile. "Tch."
Go ahead and search, you'll never find it!
Clenching his fist, the small diamond ring dug painfully into his palm.
Turning away, Fu Hanjiang pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Second Master." It was Rong Zheng on the other end.
"Mm." Fu Hanjiang ordered, "Inform Zhao Lianghan's family about his affairs."
"Yes."
As far as he knew, Zhao Lianghan was divorced but had two children, a son and a daughter, both adults.
...
That night, Sheng Xiangsi couldn't find the ring.
She was very uneasy, unsure how to face Zhao Lianghan when she saw him next.
Fortunately, Zhao Lianghan was busy for the next few days. He didn't come to Mi Se, nor did he arrange to meet her. They only communicated by phone.
However, eventually, they would have to meet.
Unexpectedly, Fu Hanjiang appeared at Mi Se again that evening.
As soon as he arrived, Manager Wu received the news.
He immediately came over to attend to him. "Second Master Fu, it's been a while since you last visited. What brings you here tonight?"
Fu Hanjiang smiled, but there was no warmth in his eyes. "Why, do I need to explain my visits to you?"
Manager Wu was taken aback, awkwardly smiling. "Of course not, I'm just glad to see you."
"Mm."
Fu Hanjiang nodded slightly, then asked casually, "Is she performing tonight?"
Upon hearing this, Manager Wu's heart sank. Second Master Fu was still thinking about Xiangsi... bad news! Xiangsi was already spoken for now.
"Yes, she is."
Manager Wu nodded nervously, afraid that the next request would be to see Xiangsi... what should he do then?
But Fu Hanjiang merely waved his hand. "Alright, carry on."
"Alright."
Manager Wu turned away, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. What did this guy mean? Just one question and then nothing?
Unable to decipher Fu Hanjiang's intentions towards Sheng Xiangsi, he shook his head and left.
He turned and went to the dressing room to inform Sheng Xiangsi. "Second Master Fu is here, in his usual spot."
"?"
Sheng Xiangsi was startled and frowned.
He came again? What did he want this time?
Manager Wu sighed. "I don't know what Second Master Fu intends. Be careful."
"Mm, I know."
Sheng Xiangsi nodded, stood up, and it was time for her performance.
Everything seemed normal.
Sheng Xiangsi performed as usual, and after finishing, she returned to the dressing room to remove her makeup without incident.
She thought that Fu Hanjiang was probably there for socializing.
Hadn't he often come here before?
After removing her makeup, she went to the changing room to change clothes. Outside, she heard a commotion, as if someone was arguing.
Could it be Fu Hanjiang?
No, it seemed like a shrill woman's voice.
Sheng Xiangsi finished changing and opened the door to step out.
"Move! I'm going to tear that vixen apart today!" It was a woman.
Her voice was sharp, piercing enough to break eardrums.
"Hey! You can't go in there!"
"Quick! Stop her!"
"Get out of my way!"
The dressing room door was suddenly kicked open!
Sheng Xiangsi had just steadied herself when she saw a young woman, around her age, charging in.
"You!"
The girl pointed at her arrogantly and disdainfully.
"It's you, isn't it?"
"What?" Sheng Xiangsi was confused, not understanding what was happening.
"Hmph!"
The girl took two steps forward, looking at her and raising her eyebrows. "Sheng Xiangsi?"
"Uh?" Sheng Xiangsi was stunned, then nodded. "I am..."
'Slap!'
Before she could finish, the girl raised her arm and slapped Sheng Xiangsi hard!
Sheng Xiangsi couldn't react in time and took the slap fully, clutching her face with a frown.
She glared at the girl.
"You dare glare at me?"
The girl raised her chin, sneering. "What? A shameless woman like you doesn't deserve to be slapped?"
Sheng Xiangsi was at a loss.
"Xiangsi..." Manager Wu came in, standing behind the girl and silently mouthing two words.
Director Zhao?
She could vaguely recognize the words he mouthed.
Sheng Xiangsi was puzzled. Director Zhao? But wasn't Director Zhao divorced and single? Moreover, this girl was too young to be Director Zhao's wife.
"Sheng Xiangsi!"
The girl solved her confusion.
Pointing her nose at her, speaking in a domineering tone.
"I warn you, stay away from my father! A woman like you, a mere plaything for men, pretending to be pure, coveting my father's wealth and power. My dad might be fooled, but I won't!"
So, she was Zhao Lianghan's daughter.
Sheng Xiangsi laughed, rubbing her still sore cheek.
"Miss Zhao, may I ask, does your father know you're here today?"
"..."
The girl was taken aback, her face stiffening. "My father is bewitched by you! He doesn't need to know! I will reveal your true nature to him! I warn you, stay away from my father! Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude!"
Her glare at Sheng Xiangsi was as if she wanted to eat her alive!