Chapter Thirty-Eight: Making Amends

Ruining someone’s happiness brings down the wrath of heaven.

Rong Qing leafed through the latest entertainment weekly, her mood buoyant. Wen Rui’s twisted face, contorted by jealousy, was blown up large on the cover, making headlines. The news of Wen Rui throwing her weight around on set, pushing the leading lady of Ding Sheng Entertainment, Rong Qing, and causing her injury, was spreading like wildfire. Every entertainment outlet immediately turned their guns on the reigning queen of domestic showbiz, Wen Rui.

Rong Qing was in excellent spirits. Except for the somewhat abstract photo of her bloodied forehead, everything else unfolded exactly as she had planned. As expected, this media storm not only promoted her new drama, “Splendid Times,” but also firmly placed her in the role of victim. It was high time someone else replaced Wen Rui at the top.

Due to her injury, Director Wang Zhang granted her three or four days off. While Rong Qing enjoyed a leisurely respite, Wen Rui was utterly engulfed in the scandal—the so-called “Pushgate.” The superstar, always packaged with a positive image, was now mired in negative press. From morning onwards, reporters and paparazzi besieged her apartment, making it impossible for her to take a single step outside.

“Director Zhang, didn’t we agree to suppress yesterday’s news? Why did it turn out like this?” Wen Rui dialed in desperation. News about her diva antics and jealousy towards the newcomer was overwhelming, destroying the image she’d cultivated for years.

“Alas, Wen Rui, there’s nothing I can do. Orders from above forbid suppression and demand aggressive coverage. You’ve hit a wall this time. Take care of yourself.” The veteran editor of an entertainment magazine spoke with regret. He dared not maintain contact with those who had offended that powerful figure—his magazine’s survival was at stake. “That’s it, I have other matters…”

Beeps sounded as the call abruptly ended.

“Hello… Director Zhang, Director Zhang…” Wen Rui stared at the terminated call, a strong sense of foreboding filling her with dread. She knew this world too well—a marketplace of fame and fortune. One wrong move, offend the wrong person, and… No, she couldn’t let herself be ruined like this. She had finally ascended to the throne of queen in the circle; she couldn’t accept her fate. With trembling hands, she dialed another number stored in her phone.

“Hello… Elder Wang, yes… this is Wen Rui…”

The call was cut off instantly.

Unwilling to give up, she dialed her most important sponsor’s number.

“Director Xie, this is Wen Rui. Are you free tonight? I miss you…” Wen Rui steadied her voice. Xie Dongsheng was a renowned tycoon in Beijing, infamous for his lechery, old and ugly, with several unsavory habits. Wen Rui had met him at a party of questionable repute; if not for her predicament, she would never subject herself to pleasing that bloated pig.

“Oh, so Wen the superstar only remembers me when she’s in trouble.” Xie Dongsheng mocked her, his repulsive tone palpable even through the receiver.

The more Wen Rui listened, the more anxious she became. She asked cautiously, “In trouble? Director Xie, what… do you mean by that?”

“Don’t play dumb with me. You’re blacklisted now. All high society knows. Who the hell would dare take on your mess?” Xie Dongsheng took a drag of his cigar. He was surprised Wen Rui had managed to offend that young master; her reign as queen was surely over.

With a trembling hand, Wen Rui accidentally smashed the glass on the table. Her face turned pale, lips quivering. “Blacklisted?”

“I’ll be honest. You’ve offended a certain hidden family recently. The family head has issued a warning: anyone who supports you will be their enemy.” Xie Dongsheng said. “There’s nothing I can do.”

The cold, monotonous beeps filled her ear. Wen Rui felt dizzy, collapsing to the floor. “Impossible…” she murmured.

Wen Rui was not the only one in dire straits. Once the hottest rising star in the circle, Wang Chenhao, heir to the Wang family, was facing calamity. The Wang family’s real estate business was on the verge of bankruptcy. Every project in X City developed by the Wang family was plagued by quality issues at the same time. Even the coveted coastal land development rights they had fought so hard to secure were delayed due to debt problems. A series of blows threatened to topple their real estate empire. Days of visits to X City’s top officials by the chairman of the Wang family yielded only closed doors.

Jinlan Paradise, a renowned royal club, operated on a strict membership system. Without the club’s approval or a VIP card, no matter how wealthy, customers could not spend money here. Wang Lianfeng, accompanied by his son Wang Chenhao, booked a large private room at this luxurious establishment. The table was laden with exquisite, extravagant dishes.

Across from them sat Li Mingze, president of a global five-star restaurant chain. Even the seasoned Chairman Wang seemed uneasy in his presence. Li Mingze’s handsome, imposing face was expressionless, unimpressed by the lavish ‘apology’ spread before him.

Finally, Wang Lianfeng couldn’t hold back. He rose respectfully, half-bowed, his sincerity evident.

“Director Li, my son was reckless and offended you. I beg you to show mercy and give Wang Enterprises a way out. I’ll drink first to show my respect!” Wang Lianfeng downed his overflowing glass in one gulp.

“Chairman Wang, your son is young and successful, surrounded by admirers. How could he ever offend me?” Li Mingze sipped his tea, deliberately ignoring the apology wine.

“Director Li, my son unintentionally offended you. Please be forgiving. Chenhao, apologize to Director Li.” Wang Lianfeng was anxious, worried his efforts would be rejected.

“Don’t, I can’t accept Wang’s courtesy.” Li Mingze replied coolly. “Wang Chenhao, when you pursued my wife, were you not afraid of offending someone?”

Wang Lianfeng’s heart skipped a beat. Li Mingze was a man of note in X City, and his wife…? It seemed disaster was unavoidable for the Wang family.

Wang Chenhao, who had never suffered such humiliation, was furious. People usually bowed and scraped before him, or at the very least, treated him with utmost respect. He slammed the table and stood, anger boiling over. “Don’t act so high and mighty. Aren’t you just a corporate president? When did I ever pursue your wife? I don’t even know who she is!” He pulled his father toward the door. “Dad, we don’t need him! I refuse to believe he can block the sky with one hand.”

Wang Lianfeng sighed deeply, as if aged ten years in an instant. Stunned, he let Chenhao drag him away.

After the Wang father and son left, a dangerous gleam flickered in Li Mingze’s eyes, his lips curling into a bloodthirsty, icy smile. He dialed a number—a brief string of digits.

“It’s time to act.”

——End of chapter——

Collect, collect, collect, collect, collect, collect, collect!