CHAPTER 151: CHAPTER 132: WON’T TAKE THE GIVEN FACE? A SERIOUS CHU TIAN

After getting home, Yiyi couldn’t wait to run to the bathroom to take a shower and change her clothes.

Xu Qingqiu changed her clothes as well, but the smell seemed to cling stubbornly to her, lingering around her nose like an incurable malady.

After sending the new assistant and the makeup artist to rest in the newly rented apartment opposite, Xu Qingqiu sat alone on the sofa, her expression chilly.

She hadn’t yet had the chance to tell Sister Hua about today’s events. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to; it was simply that saying anything would be pointless.

Sister Hua was under even greater pressure than she was. Xu Qingqiu knew this wasn’t a situation Sister Hua could resolve because they weren’t just dealing with Qin Xiao.

She had initially thought that with her current fame, the other party might show some restraint, or at least be wary of damaging their own interests if they targeted her.

But to her surprise, they didn’t care at all. Although today’s show wasn’t a major, well-known program, the fact that they could manipulate it to this extent proved their formidable strength. At the very least, in the realm of connections, an insurmountable gap existed between her and them.

Frankly, my power just isn’t enough, Xu Qingqiu thought. Despite making waves online with her album, she hadn’t yet secured the status she deserved in the industry.

Never mind anything else; at the very least, I haven’t landed a single top-tier opportunity, be it endorsements, magazine features, or award ceremonies...

She was lost in thought for who knows how long. Only when the sky turned dusky and the sunset painted the clouds with twilight hues did Xu Qingqiu realize how much time had passed.

Just as she was about to get up and take a shower, she noticed the bathroom door was still closed.

Could Yiyi still be in there? Xu Qingqiu wondered.

Xu Qingqiu walked towards the bathroom, puzzled. Just as she reached the door, she heard faint sobbing from inside.

She raised her hand to knock and call Yiyi out, but it suddenly dropped halfway.

That’s right, she thought. Yiyi is just a young woman, barely over twenty. She’s young, she loves beauty, and she cares about her image. Though she always seems so carefree and cheerful, the life of the party, everyone’s source of joy... how could anyone endure being doused in stinky tofu and act as if nothing happened? She’s still just a girl. To stand there in front of so many people, reeking and smeared with that filthy, dark stinky tofu... it was incredibly brave of her not to cry on the spot.

Thinking of this, Xu Qingqiu leaned against the wall outside the bathroom door, tears silently tracing paths down her cheeks.

That container of stinky tofu was clearly aimed at me, she knew. It was a warning, or rather, just meant to disgust me. All those cameras nearby made it clear. They wanted to see me humiliated, to ensure I couldn’t hold my head high in front of everyone. This time it was stinky tofu. Next time, it could be some other, even more revolting scheme. Who said corporate warfare had to be sophisticated? In the real world, there’s nothing someone wouldn’t stoop to. There are no depths they won’t plumb. They’re tireless in using even more despicable and nauseating tactics. Compared to the arduous effort of actual business competition, what could be quicker or more effective than slinging mud? If Yiyi hadn’t bravely stepped forward to take that hit for me, they might have actually succeeded today.

The memory of the disappointed looks on those people’s faces as she left made Xu Qingqiu clench her fists, a surge of anger making her want to lash out.

But I can’t,

she thought. Neither my status nor my current situation allows it. And everything Yiyi suffered... it was just to shield me from misfortune. It all happened because of me, yet she was the one who suffered. This can’t just end like this. I might not resort to such dirty tricks, but I will not surrender. So they want to tarnish my reputation? They want to defeat me? Who do they think I am? I am Xu Qingqiu! As long as they don’t kill me, I will keep standing here, and I will climb even higher! I will let everyone know that as long as I’m alive, I will never give in!

Xu Qingqiu’s eyes gradually hardened with resolve. She turned, still leaning against the wall, and diligently wiped away her tears until she was sure she looked composed.

Taking several deep breaths to calm her emotions, she composed her voice until it sounded normal, then knocked lightly on the door.

"Yiyi, aren’t you done yet? Come on out. Showering for too long isn’t good; you might catch a cold."

Hearing the knock, Yiyi hastily wiped her tears, struggling to control her emotions as she replied, "Mm... hmm, I know. I’ll be right out."

Despite Yiyi’s best efforts, Xu Qingqiu could still hear the tremor in her voice and the raw sense of injustice.

Xu Qingqiu barely managed to hold back her own tears and quickly moved away from the door.

Not long after, Yiyi emerged from the bathroom. Not seeing Xu Qingqiu, she quickly retreated to her own room, closing the door silently behind her.

Xu Qingqiu lay on her own bed, listening for any sounds, fighting to control her tears, but they flowed nonetheless.

I’ve always treated Yiyi like a younger sister, Xu Qingqiu lamented internally. I thought I could take good care of her. But in the end, I’m the one who needed her protection. The more I think about it, the more wronged and guilty I feel. I hate my own powerlessness! I hate those people who enjoy bullying me! I never sought conflict or competed with anyone; I just want to sing. Why are there always people who can’t tolerate me?

「About half an hour later」

Yiyi opened her door again. Not seeing Xu Qingqiu in the living room, she couldn’t help but worry.

She hurried to Xu Qingqiu’s bedroom door and knocked gently. "Sister Qiu, are you in there?" she asked.

"Ah? I’m here. Are you alright now?"

"I’m fine now. Do you want to take a shower? The water’s already hot."