After the red carpet ceremony, Sheng Congzhi returned to the makeup room and found Ye Jiaorui still crying.
It made sense.
Since being retrieved by the Ye family, Ye Jiaorui had cultivated an image of innocence and purity, known on variety shows for her sweet demeanor. Yet, she had just suffered a wardrobe malfunction in front of everyone and had been seen by so many...
Sheng Wanrou was comforting her, "Jiaojiao, don't worry, I've taken care of everything. No media will release the photos..."
Ye Wanmei was puzzled, "How could such a well-made dress, especially a high-end one from 'J' brand, tear so easily?"
Sheng Wanrou, as if reminded, suddenly realized something.
She looked up just in time to see Sheng Congzhi applying makeup.
This wretched girl!
She quickly stood up, strode over, and raised her hand to slap her...
But someone intercepted her hand mid-air.
"Mrs. Ye."
It was Zhao Yang, the owner of Yihua.
He was rarely dressed in a formal suit today, his gaze sharp as he warned, "This isn't the Ye residence. Please mind your behavior!"
Struggling with anger, Sheng Wanrou accused, "Sheng Congzhi, did you do this on purpose?"
Sheng Congzhi looked up at her with a cold expression, "I warned you, this gown was tailored to my measurements. Ye Jiaorui's waist and hips are too wide; it's easy for the fabric to tear..."
"You still talk!" Sheng Wanrou could not contain her anger, "My Jiaojiao has such a great figure, and it was fine before, how could it suddenly tear... It's you! You must be jealous of Jiaojiao; you must have sabotaged it to embarrass her in public..."
"Mrs. Ye!" Zhao Yang emphasized, "You can eat indiscriminately but you can't talk recklessly, that's malicious slander!"
Chang Wan couldn't help but interject, "We arrived at the scene even later than you; where would Sister Zhi find the time to meddle?"
Surrounding staff echoed:
"Exactly!"
"When we arrived, the gown hadn't even been delivered."
"And Sister Zhi had already mentioned that the size was not suitable, but you insisted on wearing it."
"Thankfully, Shengyao brought Sister Zhi a new gown later..."
"You—you all..." Sheng Wanrou's face flushed hot as if she had been fiercely slapped.
What was more humiliating for her was yet to come...
All of a sudden, Sheng Congzhi said, "Pay up."
Sheng Wanrou hadn't recovered yet, "What?"
"Tsk." Sheng Congzhi frowned, "Originally, as a senior, I don't mind lending my things to artists in the company, but now..."
She looked at Ye Jiaorui, who was still crying, and spoke with emphasis, "This gown is torn now, you'll have to compensate."
Ye Jiaorui suddenly raised her head, tearfully protesting, "Sheng Congzhi, you're too much!"
Sheng Wanrou couldn't believe it, "This gown is so poorly made, and you still expect me to pay for it? You wish!"
"Just now, you said clearly you wanted to buy this gown, I believe everyone here heard it," Sheng Congzhi said calmly. "Besides, this gown was sponsored by a brand for promotion, meant to be returned after wearing. Now, ruined like this, it's failed to promote and, instead, has been criticized for its poor quality... Or, Mrs. Ye, would you prefer to receive a legal notice from 'J' brand? What if they ask how the dress got damaged..."
"You wretched girl, if you dare speak nonsense, I won't let you off!" Sheng Wanrou fiercely interrupted.
Sheng Congzhi gave a knowing look.
Chang Wan picked up on it and handed over a business card, "Mrs. Ye, I have already checked with the brand. The price of this gown is 2.38 million; would you like to pay by card or..."
Gritting her teeth, but faced with so many onlookers, Sheng Wanrou had no choice but to save face, "By card!"
After she had paid, resolving the matter, Zhao Yang raised his arm, "The reporters are still waiting to interview you, let's go, Zhizhi."
Sheng Congzhi nodded agreeably.
A group of people left like that.
"Mom, why did you actually give her money?" Ye Jiaorui yelled, "She did it on purpose, first asking you for over a million for that painting, and now more than two million..."
Ye Wanmei's expression changed, "What painting?"
Wanrou's blood pressure soared, her tone impatient, "It's none of your business."
Ye Wanmei wanted to ask further, "Sister-in-law, is Sheng Congzhi still painting?"
"She doesn't have time to paint. Why are you asking about that?"
"…Never mind."
Ye Wanmei was relieved.
As long as Sheng Congzhi stopped painting, she would never know the truth about what had happened four years ago!
"Sister-in-law, Jiaojiao really got humiliated today, you have to tell my brother to teach that brat a lesson! Also, mom will be back soon, you have to let her know how vicious Sheng Congzhi is, so she won't be deceived again…"
"Do you think I need you to tell me?" Wanrou interrupted, "She bullied Jiaojiao, I won't let her off easily!"
On the other side.
While Sheng Congzhi was there for an interview.
In the corner, Chang Wan couldn't help but complain, "President Zhao, isn't Mrs. Ye going too far? Who is she to shout at Sister Zhi like that? And Sister Zhi, too, she was too patient today, even giving her dress to Ye Jiaorui…"
"Zhizhi is the Ye Family's adopted daughter."
Zhao Yang's casual remark completely stunned Chang Wan, "Adopted daughter?"
"Impossible!" She quickly denied, "Sister Zhi is so beautiful and elegant, and even has a great talent for acting, how could she be related to a nouveau riche family like the Ye Family?"
Zhao Yang laughed, "I was kidding."
Chang Wan: "…"
After laughing, Zhao Yang took out his phone and sent a WeChat message: "Can Li Chao still handle it? It's been three years and he hasn't found a single clue?"
Li Chao replied instantly: "Sister Zhi isn't even anxious, why are you, the eunuch, dying of impatience?"
Zhao Yang: "F***!"
**
At Yunjing Hospital.
Due to adhesion problems, the surgery took an extra half hour.
After it was over, Fu Yan finished the sterilization work, while the long-awaiting nurse hurriedly handed him the record sheet.
The man, dressed in a dark green surgical gown, had an elastic band at his waist which shaped his robust figure, his sleeve-cuffed arms showing distinct muscles along with prominent veins.
The hand holding the pen was even more fair and slender, almost like a piece of artwork...
The young nurse, her face flushing and heart beating fast, mustered the courage to ask him, "Dr. Fu, do you have time after work today?"
Fu Yan didn't even look up, "I'm not free."
Encouraged by those around her, the young nurse spoke up again, "What about tomorrow? Tomorrow is the weekend..."
"I'm also not free."
Fu Yan signed the form, put down the pen and paper, and turned to leave.
His tall and straight back radiated a sense of aloofness that seemed to deter others from a thousand miles away.
"Dr. Fu is too straightforward, rejecting you before you even finish speaking..."
"Forget it, I was prepared." The young nurse looked forlorn, "Maybe I'm not his type..."
Another nurse comforted her, "Don't lose heart. I've been at Yunjing for a while, and I've never seen a woman beside Dr. Fu. As long as he doesn't have a girlfriend, you still have a chance. Keep going!"