With tears glistening on her face, Bai Jia'an sat by Ji Ziyu's feet. "I-I don't know either, Brother Ziyu... Think about it, would I be the one to give something like this to Bai Nuanxi?"
"I despise her so much—why would I ever give her something she could use against me?"
"Brother Ziyu, please believe me!"
Seeing Bai Jia'an weeping so sorrowfully, Ji Ziyu's heart softened. Reflecting on her words, he realized they made sense; it was clear this footage had been deliberately taken.
Clenching his teeth, Ji Ziyu said, "This must have been secretly filmed by a private investigator hired by Bai Nuanxi! That bitch, she really has some nerve!"
He helped Bai Jia'an up and waved her over. "Jia'an, come here. Tomorrow..."
Bai Jia'an, not understanding, leaned in closer...
------
The next day, Bai Nuanxi's Weibo account gained over 200,000 followers! Most of these new fans were drawn to her straightforward and resilient personality after watching the video.
She's the type who just quietly gets things done!
When a dog barks incessantly at your door, ignoring it and cooking a pot of bone broth will have the dog nodding and wagging its tail at you!
This misunderstanding with Bai Nuanxi just proved that point perfectly!
When she was wronged, Bai Nuanxi said nothing, not even a response, maintaining a composure that was truly admirable.
Her calm and collected demeanor was something people could really learn from.
Bai Nuanxi lay sprawled on the sofa, mindlessly scrolling through Weibo. The insults aimed at her were gradually decreasing, while the criticism directed at Bai Jia'an was increasing. Many had gone to Bai Jia'an's Weibo to berate her, but at this point, Bai Jia'an was hiding like a turtle in its shell!
'Hmph.' Bai Nuanxi felt nothing but contempt for Bai Jia'an's behavior.
Isn't she just trying to mimic me?
If she has the guts, she should come out and respond openly!
She was bold enough to buy followers and incite them to insult me—what now?
Ha, pathetic.
At that moment, the butler approached. Bai Nuanxi looked at the line of servants standing in front of her and blinked. "What's this?"
"Madam, these are the latest 'Queen' series gowns from QS. Please choose one."
"Gowns?" Bai Nuanxi raised an eyebrow. "Do I have any events coming up? Why would I need a gown?"
The butler, who seemed to have anticipated Bai Nuanxi forgetting about this, calmly explained, "It's Old Master Huo's 80th birthday banquet. Many prominent figures in the industry are expected to attend."
Bai Nuanxi picked up a grape, popped it into her mouth, and nodded thoughtfully.
Her mind wasn't on the dresses at all. She pointed casually, "That one will do."
"Very well, Madam." At a gesture from the butler, all but the servant holding the chosen gown filed out of the living room.
"Just put it in my room. I'll try it on later," Bai Nuanxi mumbled, chewing on a grape.
"Yes, Madam."
Bai Nuanxi took a deep breath; she had almost lost control of her emotions just now.
No wonder she had no memory of Old Master Huo's birthday banquet. In her previous life, she had eagerly dressed in an elegant gown, hoping to meet her dream lover, Ji Ziyu.
But she had been tricked into drinking spiked juice. The next thing she remembered was being found in bed with a stranger.
Bai Jia'an's gasp, Old Master Huo's disgust, the guests' stares, and... Huo Muchen's cold indifference.
Lying on the bed, Bai Nuanxi was overwhelmed with shame, but under the influence of the drug, she couldn't stop herself. In the end, a furious Huo Muchen dragged her to the seaside, tied her hands with a rope, and had a speedboat drag her across the sea!
Even now, thinking of that situation made Bai Nuanxi break out in a cold sweat.
In her past life, she had been too naïve, going through so many things that could ruin her reputation yet still placing all her trust in Ji Ziyu. In hindsight, it was truly pathetic!
She had invested her whole heart and soul, and what did she get in return? Ha... her child, cut out of her belly and killed right in front of her!
That feeling of utter hopelessness, of screaming to the heavens and receiving no answer, was truly despairing.
In this life, she was determined to make those two feel every bit of the despair she once felt!
The next day, Bai Nuanxi postponed her scenes with the crew and arrived early at the banquet venue.
The Huo family had built their fortune over generations, with a profound foundation. Anyone who could forge a connection wanted to take this opportunity to do so, and they would never let the chance of Old Master Huo's birthday pass by. However, getting an invitation to the banquet was still very difficult; some were even selling for a million on the black market! Just for a simple invitation!
After all, it was a gamble to turn a bike into a motorcycle—this ticket could determine the future of one's business!
The doorman, expressionless, said to Bai Nuanxi, "Invitation, please!"
Bai Nuanxi raised an eyebrow, "I don't have an invitation."
"Then please leave," the doorman stated bluntly.
"I'm here to attend Old Master Huo's banquet," Bai Nuanxi replied.
The doorman glanced at Bai Nuanxi, seemingly surprised by her attempt to make small talk. "Everyone here is here for the banquet, who isn't?"
"Tsk." Bai Nuanxi rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. What now?
In her previous life, she had arrived with Huo Muchen, but this time she had come early. Without Huo Muchen as her living ticket, getting in was indeed a bit tricky.
"Everyone wants to get in. Don't you know that getting an invitation to Old Master Huo's banquet is almost impossible? Just because you're wearing a dress, you think you can get in? How ridiculous." A disdainful voice came from behind her. Bai Nuanxi didn't even want to turn around. The people here were so snobbish!
"What, do you think Old Master Huo's place is some sort of buffet?"
Standing in her elegant attire at the entrance, Bai Nuanxi slowly turned around, gazing down at the man who had spoken, her expression one of detached superiority. "As if your invitation was personally given to you by Old Master Huo. You probably bought it with a few dirty dollars on the black market, thinking you can rise to the top just like that."
"You... Well, at least I've seen an invitation, which is more than you can say!"
Out of the corner of her eye, Bai Nuanxi saw someone and a smile curved her lips. She provocatively looked at the man, "I can get in without an invitation. Want to bet?"
"Tch, don't even think about climbing over the wall. Security is patrolling non-stop!" The man sneered. "Why don't you go stand somewhere else and stop blocking the way!"
Bai Nuanxi turned and walked towards a man dressed in eye-catching attire.
It was just a plain white suit, but on him, it looked exceptionally stunning, as if his looks could carry anything.
"Hey, handsome, I don't have an invitation. Can you take me in?" Old Master Huo's invitation allowed for guests to bring family members.
The man looked at Bai Nuanxi in surprise, opening his mouth to speak, but Bai Nuanxi gently covered it with her hand.
"Shh..."