CHAPTER 133: CHAPTER 133: NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL

As the car neared the Rong residence, Fu Bing’s unease grew heavier.

The gates to the Rong residence were now within arm’s reach.

Yet Wu Shi hit the brakes, his eyes harboring murderous intent that not even colored contacts could hide!

On both sides of the Rong family’s gateway hung white lanterns and white banners.

It was pouring rain at the time, the light from the street lamps partially obstructed by the rainwater, making the scene before them all the more eerie and terrifying.

In front of the gate stood row upon row of people clad in black, holding black umbrellas.

They looked coldly at Fu Bing’s car, like an invisible wall standing between her and the Rong family.

Leading them was the Dean of Jiangcheng Drama Academy, Zeng Shouli.

He leaned on his cane, looking disdainfully at the car.

From their viewpoint, they could not see Fu Bing sitting in the back seat.

Zeng Shouli tapped his cane. "Rong Lao was the honorary dean of Jiangcheng Drama Academy, a woman of integrity who lived a life unsullied by graft and never bent the rules for personal gain. You brought shame upon her in her final year and refused to lend a helping hand to save her. Now, do you still have the audacity to show up at her funeral?"

Zeng Shouli, befitting his position as dean of a drama academy, had a booming voice.

His words were heard loud and clear by everyone present.

He was deliberately trying to make Fu Bing out to be the villain.

Rong Shizhi meant a great deal to Jiangcheng Drama Academy; she was one of the founding veterans and could be said to have students everywhere under the heavens.

She could claim half of the entertainment world as her students.

If the Rong family were to cut ties with Jiangcheng Academy upon Rong Shizhi’s passing, outsiders wouldn’t perceive it as the Rong family’s choice. Instead, they would blame him, the current dean.

By then, he would surely be labeled as intolerant!

As long as Fu Bing did not attend Rong Shizhi’s funeral, he could use public opinion to crush her when the time came.

Those standing behind Zeng Shouli were also leaders from Jiangcheng Drama Academy or influential figures in the entertainment industry who had graduated from there.

Xiaomei clenched her little fists angrily. "These people are too shameless! The host family invited you; what right do they have to carry on like this?"

"There are too many shameless people; there’s no need to get angry over this," Fu Bing said indifferently. "Wu Shi, come down with me."

Without hesitation, Wu Shi braved the rain and retrieved a black umbrella from the trunk.

After opening it, he walked to Fu Bing’s side and opened the car door for her.

Fu Bing, dressed in a black dress, had her shoulder-length hair swept up into a simple bun today.

The hairstyle was neat, fully showcasing her unobstructed features.

Without any makeup, she was dazzling.

Fu Bing stepped out from the shadow of the car and trees, stopping two meters away from Zeng Shouli.

"Dean Zeng, I believe there’s a misunderstanding. I did everything in my power to save my teacher. By the time I rushed back to Jiangcheng, several critical condition notices had already been issued for her. Dr. Li and his team are highly professional and exceptionally skilled; the critical condition notices they issued should not be doubted. My own medical career is very short. Compared to Dr. Li and his team, my experience is like that of a child versus an adult. Despite this, Dr. Li and his team still gave me this vital opportunity, allowing me to cling to the last sliver of hope and try to save my teacher. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, I was unable to revive her."

"I don’t think I did anything wrong in this matter, nor do I believe I should bear the primary responsibility for my teacher’s death."

"You and the people behind you seem very opposed to my attending my teacher’s funeral. May I presume to ask, do you and your people have the authority to speak for the Rong family?"

Fu Bing’s voice was clear and distinct. Even as heavy rain poured, drumming loudly and chaotically against the umbrellas, everyone present could still clearly hear her words.

Zeng Shouli realized he knew nothing about Fu Bing.

Other young people would have gone weak at the knees at tonight’s standoff, not daring to respond.

Not only could Fu Bing respond to him, she could even set a trap for him.

As soon as Rong He told him that the Rong family was leaning towards Fu Bing, he had immediately gathered influential figures from their circle to come and give Fu Bing a proverbial slap in the face right at the Rong family’s doorstep.

He hadn’t expected Fu Bing to actually possess such capability.

This, indeed, made him look at her in a new light.

At the same time, a wave of anger at having lost face surged in his heart.

"It seems you truly have no respect for your teacher or the principles she upheld!" Zeng Shouli berated. "Must you cause trouble at your teacher’s funeral, preventing her from resting in peace?"

"My teacher’s son personally called me to attend and see her off on her final journey. My presence is the greatest respect I can show my teacher and her family. Moreover, I believe I haven’t caused any trouble. Haven’t we been having a friendly exchange? Besides, I’m convinced there must be some misunderstanding between us. Once we clear it up, everything will be fine and dandy, don’t you agree?"

Fu Bing lightly tossed the question back again.

Her demeanor remained calm throughout, without a hint of personal emotion.

She truly didn’t want her teacher’s funeral to be disrupted by any scandal, allowing her to depart this world without any burdens or worries.

But these people clearly did not think so.

Zeng Shouli retorted, "You are rather articulate! You delude yourself into thinking that by attending her funeral, you can network with a bunch of big shots in the entertainment industry, thereby paving the way for your own future. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come despite such unfavorable public opinion. The Rong family upholds a pure and honorable tradition. You, with your penchant for underhanded methods, will not corrupt them! We will not allow it! I swear on my life to protect the Rong family’s integrity for Madame Rong!"

"Dean Zeng, I believe you’re letting your imagination run away with you. The current issue is very simple; we don’t need to complicate it. My teacher is to be buried. As her last apprentice, it is only right and proper for me to attend her funeral and see her off on her final journey. This is unquestionable in terms of emotion, rationale, and law. What intrigues me is why you and the others—who are also invited guests, just like me—feel so entitled to block another guest from entering? Or have you already appointed yourselves as the hosts? Which member of the Rong family granted you this privilege?"

Seeing Zeng Shouli being steadily pushed into a corner, Liang Huiyao couldn’t help but back him up.

"Miss Fu, why must you be so aggressive? Every one of us here is your senior by age and also a predecessor in your field. Given this dual status, you shouldn’t publicly disrespect Dean Zeng like this."

Fu Bing detected the threat hidden in his words.

She smiled slightly and said, "Teacher Liang, I don’t believe my attitude or words, from the moment I stepped out of the car until now, could be considered aggressive. I am merely having a friendly discussion with Dean Zeng. If one must speak of aggression, you all standing opposite me fit the description better. So many of you against just my sister and my bodyguard, and still I’m the aggressive one? Could it be that you all are just too weak?"

A smile deepened in Wu Shi’s eyes.

Her articulation had always been excellent, typically becoming stronger when faced with stronger opponents.

But when she was with people she was close to, she often responded subconsciously without much thought.

Fu Bing appeared breezy and composed on the surface.

Inside, however, she was anxious.

Because the time for her teacher’s funeral procession was drawing nearer.

If my teacher saw me arguing with someone at her own funeral, how heartbroken would she be?

She had just had this thought when the Rong family’s gates suddenly let out a thunderous boom.

The heavy doors swung open to each side.