A murder occurred in Jiangcheng. The victim was the father of a popular actress, formerly known as the fake heiress in the "real versus fake wealthy family" saga. The news could not be contained, and media outlets quickly caught wind of it, swarming Xia Wei Liang's apartment complex until it was impassable.
Fortunately, Xia Wei Liang had good relationships with her neighbors, showing them no airs despite her celebrity status, and they were all quite protective of her.
No matter how much the media pressed for details, she feigned ignorance.
"Wei Wei Jie, Huan Jie said she's already looking for a new place and told us to be ready to move at any time."
Xia Wei Liang, while teaching Little Jin Zi to play Plants vs. Zombies, replied without looking away from the TV, "Tell Huan Jie not to worry about it; it's not a big deal. I can handle it."
"No!"
Nuomi lunged forward, her expression so earnest it was almost tearful, "Huan Jie is afraid of this exact thing. She strictly warned me, 'Wei Wei Jie, keep quiet, keep quiet!' Everything will be handled after the case progresses. The company will hold a press conference for you then!"
Little Jin Zi was a quick learner. Seeing that she was playing well on her own, Xia Wei Liang put down the game controller and narrowed her eyes, "Who would kill Liu Wan Quan?"
"Didn't he commit suicide?"
Although the police hadn't released an official statement, based on the current information, that was everyone's assumption.
Xia Wei Liang shook her head, "A man that selfish, who would even smother his wife to protect himself, how could he possibly commit suicide?"
"Uh, I heard he owed gambling debts. Could it be the debt collectors?"
Xia Wei Liang shook her head again, "Liu Wan Quan was already a wanted man. Wouldn't they avoid causing trouble like this?"
"Then it's an enemy?"
"Logically speaking, my father should be my biggest enemy."
The police also came to question her as a matter of course. Xia Wei Liang recounted everything that had happened recently to the police. Strictly speaking, she was the ultimate victim.
Nuomi couldn't figure it out either, so she decided to stop thinking about it.
"Oh, right, Wei Wei Jie, your fans are very worried about you. Could you post something online when you have time, just to put everyone's minds at ease?"
"Okay."
Xia Wei Liang opened Weibo. The news related to her was indeed being updated in real-time.
From Bao Fang's jump off the building to Liu Wan Quan's death in the river, each report had to mention her.
She thought for a moment, then raised her phone and took a selfie. Without even bothering to adjust the colors, she posted it on Weibo with the caption: "I'm sorry for making everyone worry these past few days. My fault."
As soon as the Weibo post went live, the comments and likes started pouring in.
Her fans, the Liang Fen, were ecstatic!
"Ah! Sister is finally back to work!"
"Niang Niang, are you okay? We're so worried about you. The Liu family is so strange! Niang Niang, you must stay far away from them!"
In addition to her fans, there were also words of concern from passersby. Anyone with a bit of sense wouldn't blame Xia Wei Liang for this incident. She had done nothing wrong, yet she had been worn out by this couple. She owed them nothing!
The anti-fans were also active, and after several days of fermentation, their numbers grew, and they lined up, swaying towards her.
"Amazing! To drive your own parents to their death is unique in the entertainment industry!"
"Filial piety is the foremost of all virtues. Aren't you afraid of retribution?"
"The Liu couple were simply tragic figures! If they weren't driven to desperation, who would risk their own lives! It just shows how ruthless Xia Wei Liang is!"
"The entertainment industry needs positive energy. Artists with such bad reputations should be kicked out of the industry!"
Seeing this group of angry black fans clamoring for Xia Wei Liang to be kicked out of the entertainment industry, people became agitated.
If you can't speak properly, we'll beat you until you can!
The Liang Fen took the lead, firing back immediately. They felt it would be a waste of their talent if they didn't fight back until the anti-fans were defeated!
Soon, several groups that had previously fought alongside the Liang Fen joined the fray with full force. You wouldn't be able to retreat even if you wanted to!
Afterward, a netizen named "Tian Liang Hao Ge Qiu" emerged as if from nowhere. They tracked the IP addresses of over a dozen of the most active anti-fans to their origins. Without exception, they were professional trolls, and all of them were exposed and shamed.
"Tian Liang Hao Ge Qiu" even issued a statement, promising to expose the mastermind behind it all within a day!
This drew widespread admiration in the comments, with many calling them a master.
—
Xia Xiao Qiu sat in the living room with her laptop, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
Xia Yi Ran returned from outside, her face etched with exhaustion.
She glanced at Xia Xiao Qiu from the corner of her eye. Xia Xiao Qiu returned her gaze to the computer, "Is it that easy to snatch other people's things?"
Xia Yi Ran stopped abruptly, her pupils widening, her voice taut, "What do you mean? What did I snatch from you?"
"It's not me. Don't you know whose it is?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Heh."
Xia Xiao Qiu stopped talking and her fingers moved even faster.
Xia Yi Ran stared at her with a complex expression, then turned and quickly went upstairs.
With her father's death, all her plans were disrupted. She needed to make arrangements as soon as possible!
Back in her room, her phone rang.
Seeing the caller ID display "Han Jian Yue," Xia Yi Ran's face turned pale, and her fingers trembled.
After a few rings, she finally answered, her voice sweet and charming, "Hello, Young Master Han~"
The man on the other end of the line spoke lazily, exuding a sense of arrogance, "Miss Xia, after I helped you with such a big favor, you're avoiding me?"
"No, how could that be~ Young Master Han, you misunderstand me!"
"So that's how it is. Good. I thought Miss Xia was scared and wanted to report me. Don't forget, you were the one who called me for help. Now that the person is dead, you can't just wash your hands of it!"
"Young Master Han, you say that, and it makes me sad~ I'm very grateful to you for this matter."
"Heh, since that's the case, why don't you come over for a few drinks tonight?"
"Yes! No problem!"
After hanging up the phone, Xia Yi Ran slumped onto the floor. Thinking about the events of that night, her body couldn't stop trembling.
Late at night, Xia Yi Ran arrived as scheduled.
The "Cicada" club, while not as extravagantly luxurious as the Emperor's Court, was still a place that ordinary people couldn't enter.
Xia Yi Ran was led into a private room. As soon as she appeared, the men inside started to jeer, "Oh, a big star!"
"Isn't that Xia Cheng Ye's cheap daughter!"
"She's so pure! Not bad, not bad, she's my type! Let me tell you all, don't fight me for her!"
Although Xia Yi Ran had anticipated what would happen next, her palms were still sweating, and her heart was pounding.
Han Jian Yue sat in the center of the sofa, a scornful smirk on his lips. His eyes were half-closed as he looked at her, "Why are you still standing there? Aren't you going to come and offer a toast?"
Xia Yi Ran forced a smile and walked over hesitantly. Before she could get close, a man roughly grabbed her waist and kissed her face, "Brother doesn't want you to drink, but you should drink something else~"
The others burst into unrestrained laughter, "Old Gao, don't scare the female star."
Old Gao, with the unsmiling Xia Yi Ran in his embrace, scoffed mercilessly, "What female star? Isn't she just selling herself for money?"
Xia Yi Ran's face flushed with embarrassment. She looked at Han Jian Yue with a wronged expression, but he was already embracing another beauty, not even glancing at her.
Xia Yi Ran bit her lip tightly, her eyes reddening. She desperately told herself that she would never forget the humiliation of this moment in her entire life!