Chapter 72 Retribution

At this moment, Lin Xi finally received Zhou Xin’s approval and posted a few sentences on Weibo.

Lin Xi V: “I can’t change everyone’s mind, but I can change myself—stay rational, keep a peaceful heart. Thank you, my Little Sunshines, for your unconditional support. Love you all~ [heart gesture]”

Her Little Sunshines responded with warmth:

@Vivien: Xi Xi, as your fans, we’ve always been proud of you. We heard your words—thank you. We’ll never leave you, no matter what. Love can withstand the long years ahead. Keep going.

@Xi Xi’s Little Treasure: You’re much stronger than we ever imagined. From now on, each day will only get better!

@HotpotLover: I admire your incredible resilience. I simply like you, but from you I’ve learned to face hardship without retreat or surrender. No matter how rough the road, I’ll keep going. Lin Xi, in my heart you’re the best—ignore those haters.

All the fans were harmonious and united, the atmosphere warm.

Meanwhile, under Lu Yuxiu’s studio Weibo, fans queued up in droves:

—Where’s our God Xiu!! Don’t tell me you’re scared off by Xi Xi’s background! Come out, come out! Our Little Xi is being bullied, come stand up for her!

—God Xiu, don’t be a coward. Work harder and win Xi Xi back home! We’re all waiting for our ship to set sail! I could stay single for ten thousand years, but my OTP must be together!

After endless calls, Lu Yuxiu finally updated his Weibo.

Lu Yuxiu V: [photo][photo][photo]

Caption: The netizens above have spread false rumors online—your lawyer’s letters are on the way. [Pinned]

The three photos showed a dense list of online IDs who had spread rumors about Lin Xi—all identified, including several major Weibo accounts.

He then left a comment: As for those manipulating things behind the scenes, prepare for the consequences.

With this move, Weibo once again crashed. The fans were dazzled—this was open and blatant support!

—Ahhh, this is so satisfying! God Xiu, bold and protective, slapped all the trolls right in the face! What a legend!

—President Ai You, renowned director Lu Jin, top singer Gu Yao, and film king God Xiu all speaking up for Lin Xi—this is a once-in-a-century event in the entertainment world! I’m so envious! Our Little Xi is truly the darling of them all!

—I’m so excited, so excited, so excited! Official “sugar” is the sweetest! God Xiu is so close to winning the beauty’s heart!

—Sigh, as a Lin Xi solo fan, since the great God is working so hard, maybe Xi Xi should give him a chance too. God Xiu is actually quite charming. @Lin Xi

When Lin Xi saw Lu Yuxiu’s post, her eyebrows jumped. She had just notified headquarters to have Casey (the internationally renowned hacker) take down the trolls’ accounts for her. She hadn’t expected him to be a step ahead—they really were in sync.

But this also made Lin Xi more certain that his identity was far from simple—at the very least, he had a top-level hacker by his side, and he knew the “Ghost Doctor” Zhen Shuai.

She didn’t mind that he kept secrets from her, as she too had things she hadn’t told him. They were even, and she only hoped that one day, they could be completely honest with one another.

While there was joy and excitement on Weibo, the mood at Yangan Entertainment was nothing but gloomy.

Since Lin Xi’s background was exposed, chaos had reigned. The president had ordered a wave of anti-Lin Xi press releases yesterday—everyone knew it was Jiang Ziqi’s instigation. Her being “kept” by Mr. Qiao was an open secret in the industry.

No one expected to hit such a wall this time. Jiang Ziqi had gone too far, and now the whole company was suffering for it. They barely had time to catch their breath.

Qiao Zongmin was completely dumbfounded when he saw the news online that morning. He never could have imagined that a rookie actress would turn out to be the heiress of the Lin family.

Before the online furor had even died down, Ai You and Starshine were already working in tacit agreement to move against Yangan.

Yangan was being bled dry—its business resources, endorsement deals, and major IP projects were poached at high prices, and even several top artists were willing to pay hefty penalties to jump ship.

A group of tall, elegant secretaries hurriedly entered the office.

“President Qiao, the company is facing a financial crisis and massive resource loss. Should we activate the reserve funds?” The first secretary, holding a folder, asked gravely.

“President Qiao, the PR department is facing mass resignations and strikes. How should we handle this?” The second secretary’s tone was cold and urgent.

“President Qiao, there are already negative comments about Miss Jiang online. Soon they’ll target the company. Should we prepare for a public relations crisis? Or maybe—” The third secretary looked utterly hopeless.

Just as Qiao Zongmin saw Lu Yuxiu’s online ultimatum, he now heard his once-pleasant secretaries deliver one piece of disastrous news after another. He slumped into his chair, utterly drained. It was over—completely over.

Starshine and Ai You clearly had no intention of leaving him any path to survival.

“President Qiao, should we—” The three secretaries exchanged helpless looks.

But Qiao Zongmin suddenly stood, grabbed his suit jacket, and stormed out.

“President Qiao!” the secretaries called after him.

At that moment, Jiang Ziqi sat numbly on a lounge chair at the film set, utterly panicked and at a loss. She couldn’t believe Lin Xi’s background and dreaded the retaliation that her powerful family could unleash—a single word from Lin Xi could blacklist her from the industry.

What she feared even more was Qiao Zongmin’s fury. The company would definitely be suppressed by Lin Xi’s brother. How could she placate Qiao Zongmin’s rage? How could she ever stand in the entertainment industry again? She dared not even imagine her fate.

“Ziqi…” Qian Ling watched her warily, seeing her expression shift from terror to despair. There was nothing more to be done—she could only await President Qiao’s judgment.

A car screeched to a halt at the entrance to Hengdian.

“Ziqi, we have to speed up filming today. No issues on your end, right?” The director approached her, treating her like a fragile treasure, oblivious to the online storm and her involvement in it.

But Jiang Ziqi was still in shock, sitting there dazed.

Suddenly, an enraged shout echoed across the set.

“Jiang Ziqi!”

Qiao Zongmin strode over, face twisted with rage, his dark eyes blazing with anger.

“Mr. Qiao!” Qian Ling’s face changed dramatically when she saw him. She rushed to shield Jiang Ziqi.

Jiang Ziqi was so startled by the yell that her face went deathly pale.

Qiao Zongmin brushed Qian Ling aside and yanked Jiang Ziqi to her feet by the arm.

“You dare deceive me and get me to go after Lin Xi for you!” he roared, veins bulging in his neck.

Jiang Ziqi had never been treated like this before. She thought he might snap her neck in the next moment—she trembled all over, her expression frozen with terror.

“No…it’s not like that, listen to me, I didn’t know Lin Xi…” Jiang Ziqi stammered, pleading in panic.

“Shut up! You’re coming with me to apologize to Lin Xi!” Qiao Zongmin grabbed her by the collar, indifferent to her feelings, and began dragging her outside.

“No, no! I don’t want to! I won’t go!” Jiang Ziqi’s legs shook uncontrollably; she couldn’t stand at all.

Qian Ling couldn’t bear to watch and went to support her.

“Mr. Qiao, what’s going on?” The director looked on in bewilderment.

“Director, you’ll need to recast the female lead. Start looking for someone new.” Qiao Zongmin’s face was grim, his words icy.

“What!” Jiang Ziqi nearly fainted on hearing this, barely staying upright with Qian Ling’s help.

“No! This can’t be! You can’t do this to me!” Her face was filled with unspeakable despair as she screamed in breakdown.

Qian Ling finally understood—Mr. Qiao was abandoning Ziqi for good. Their good days were over, and regret filled her heart.

“Move!” Qiao Zongmin yanked Jiang Ziqi forward. He had to deliver Jiang Ziqi to Lin Xi to appease her and salvage the company.

To him, a woman was nothing compared to the company.

-------------------------------------

Reception, Ai You Group headquarters.

Qiao Zongmin gripped Jiang Ziqi’s arm as he approached the reception desk.

The receptionist looked briefly surprised, then put on a professional smile. “Hello, sir. How can I assist you?”

She noticed the man’s iron grip on the woman’s shoulder, as if afraid she’d run, while the woman was bundled in black, her face tightly covered—certainly odd.

“Hello, I’d like to see your president,” Qiao Zongmin said, forcing a smile.

“Of course. Do you have an appointment?” the receptionist asked.

“No… Could you please let him know that Mr. Qiao from Yangan is here to visit?”

At that, the receptionist immediately understood. Her smile faded as she gave him a scrutinizing look before picking up the phone.

These days, nothing stays secret for long. Qiao Zongmin’s actions were an open secret in the industry, and with inside sources talking, the internet was buzzing with claims that Yangan had set up Lin Xi.

There were even rumors—half-true, half-false—about Jiang Ziqi being kept by Qiao Zongmin. But insiders all knew it was true; Lin Xi just hadn’t retaliated ruthlessly yet.

The receptionist knew the inside story. Their beloved Miss Lin had been slandered, and the president had immediately moved against Yangan. And now this Mr. Qiao had the nerve to show up.

Qiao Zongmin felt utterly embarrassed. He had never been so humiliated in his life, and he shot a vicious glare at Jiang Ziqi, whose head hung low.

“Please come with me,” the receptionist said, putting down the phone and leading them to the elevator.

They were taken to the 99th floor and shown into a reception room.

The receptionist, expressionless, said, “Please wait here. The president is in a meeting but should be finished soon.”

“Thank you, thank you,” Qiao Zongmin replied awkwardly.

Once the receptionist left, Qiao Zongmin dropped the pretense. He narrowed his eyes at Jiang Ziqi, yanked off the black garment covering her head, and sneered, “What are you hiding for?”

Jiang Ziqi trembled violently at his sudden move, her face showing a pleading, frightened expression.

But Qiao Zongmin was unmoved by her pitiful look. His lips curled into a cold, indifferent smile. “You know what to say when the time comes.”

Jiang Ziqi’s mind went blank; it felt as if a heavy stone was crushing her heart. Her lips quivered uncontrollably. She still couldn’t believe he could be so ruthless.