Chapter Fifty: Sowing Discord

Soon after, a powerful force intervened, wiping out every trace of negative news about Rong Qing overnight. In their place, headlines were dominated by updates on the filming progress of "Splendid Years." A stunning, scholarly still from the set graced the front pages, where Rong Qing's elegant figure and the bearing of a favored daughter of fortune once again won the audience’s enthusiastic approval. The media, with its subtle mechanisms of influence, only fanned the flames—the hotter the topic, the more fervently it was discussed. In the ensuing frenzy, the public quickly forgot the scandalous photo that had once lingered in a dark corner of memory.

Even before "Splendid Years" had aired, audience anticipation soared, and trending searches on Baidu were filled with "Splendid Years," "Wang Zhang’s new drama," and, at the center of the storm, Rong Qing herself. Riding this unexpected wave, those who had tried to smear Rong Qing found their efforts not only thwarted but had instead propelled the young actress to overnight stardom.

Yet, while the excitement around the new drama had not yet faded, the gossip weeklies dropped another bombshell: the patriarch of a wealthy family was about to celebrate his eightieth birthday. The new elites of City X, along with members of prominent families, would gather at a grand ancestral estate for the occasion. The entire upper class was thrown into a stir, and even the tabloids could not uncover which mysterious family was hosting such a sensational event.

At this time, Rong Qing received a phone call, inviting her to meet at an exclusive private club. Upon arriving at the appointed location, she found the other party already seated and waiting for her.

Across the table sat a woman clad in an elegant Chanel suit, her makeup understated, her manners refined and pleasing to the eye. She stirred the coffee before her with slow, deliberate movements, her demeanor gentle and poised. As she glanced up at Rong Qing, a flicker of disdain flashed in her dark eyes, though her fine upbringing kept it well concealed.

“We met at the family banquet. I’m Wu Yuxin, Huo Lingtian’s childhood friend,” the woman began, her tone betraying an intimate familiarity at the mention of Huo Lingtian’s name.

“Oh, Miss Wu,” Rong Qing greeted her with calm composure, then quickly fell silent. As for these spoiled heiresses, so self-important and accustomed to the world catering to them, the best strategy was to give them the cold shoulder and take the wind out of their sails. Rong Qing ordered herself a coffee and a few exquisite pastries, feeling a subtle satisfaction in indulging herself at such an upscale place after a tiring, hungry day.

Wu Yuxin had imagined Rong Qing countless times in her mind: perhaps a coquettish vixen who had Huo Lingtian wrapped around her finger, or maybe sweet and submissive, endlessly accommodating to men—or, failing all else, skilled in the arts of the bedroom, though such triumphs would surely be fleeting. Yet, she had never expected that the woman she’d worked so hard to track down would turn out to be so—so shameless, so cunning, so thick-skinned!

Watching Rong Qing spending her money and enjoying the food with such obvious pleasure completely upended Wu Yuxin’s worldview. All her genteel upbringing and noble etiquette seemed utterly wasted. How could Huo Lingtian bear such a vulgar woman?

Yet the very Huo Lingtian she had idealized, so noble and perfect in her mind, was precisely infatuated with this sly, cheeky woman who played innocent after gaining the upper hand; he favored this little rascal, and was even more captivated by her inescapable charms in bed. Of course, to the well-bred Miss Wu, it was clear that her beloved Lingtian had been thoroughly deceived by a scheming impostor, and she was determined to expose Rong Qing’s true colors—and drive this lowly woman away from Huo Lingtian for good.

“Miss Rong, being an actress must be hard work. I suppose you don’t come to high-end places like this very often,” Wu Yuxin said, her voice laden with disdain.

“That’s right. Earning my own money is tough, so I don’t have the luxury to come waste it on expensive, tasteless food,” Rong Qing replied, eyeing the lavish decor with no hint of envy—only a kind of pity, as if Wu Yuxin were a gullible mark ripe for the fleecing.

Wu Yuxin was instantly provoked by Rong Qing’s response; she had underestimated her. Was she implying that Wu Yuxin herself never earned her own money and just spent the family’s? The smile vanished from Wu Yuxin’s face, replaced by malice as she said, “Oh, the Huo patriarch’s birthday is coming up soon. I imagine Lingtian will bring you along, won’t he? Oh, how forgetful of me—Miss Rong is an actress, after all. Hardly fit for such distinguished company.”

She desperately wanted to see panic or embarrassment shatter Rong Qing’s calm exterior, but there was nothing—just the same composed, unruffled expression, so steady it was intimidating.

“My, I almost forgot. Your three-month arrangement with Lingtian is almost up, isn’t it? You’re not planning to cling to his villa after it ends, are you?” Wu Yuxin pressed on, all pretense of family decorum cast aside as she jabbed at old wounds with biting sarcasm.

“My affairs with Lingtian are none of your concern, Miss Wu. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going,” Rong Qing replied coldly, exuding a chilling aura as she picked up her bag and turned to leave.

Wu Yuxin leaned back on the sofa, her expression once again lofty and proud. So, she wasn’t as indifferent as she appeared. Heh… Clearly, it was time to act. The Huo patriarch had made it clear that she was not to be allowed through the door, and had forbidden Huo Lingtian from bringing her to the banquet. As long as Rong Qing harbored doubts about Huo Lingtian, this was the perfect opportunity…

The phone on the table buzzed. Wu Yuxin glanced at the number, her face darkening. With a slender thumb, she accepted the call. On the other end, a clamor of panic and distress erupted.

“Miss Wu, this morning Ding Sheng Entertainment served our paper with a court summons. The Huo Corporation is coming down hard, buying up the company. The board is in turmoil, loans are overdue, stocks are falling—we’re on the verge of bankruptcy! And… and my eldest son—he was beaten severely at school! Miss Wu, please, send the money quickly—I don’t dare stay here any longer! I fear I’ll be left with nothing but my bones!” The voice, trembling and wretched, made Wu Yuxin’s heart grow heavier.

“Remember—don’t mention my name. I’ll transfer the money shortly,” Wu Yuxin replied curtly, then hung up. She slumped against the back of the sofa, letting out a long breath. She hadn’t expected Huo Lingtian to go to such lengths for that woman, even wielding the power of the Huo family itself.