Qin Shuyi was taken aback. “I’ve heard of her.”
She was just surprised to suddenly hear that name from Tang Wei.
Tang Wei asked, “What do you think of her?”
Qin Shuyi thought for a moment. “She must be a very likable person.”
Tao Wangxi was in poor health, rarely went out, and didn’t socialize often. Even so, from Xu Chen to Zhong Mingzhou tonight, they were all infatuated with her, and there were countless admirers like them.
At the very least, she must have something captivating about her.
Tang Wei curled her lips slightly. “She is indeed someone who easily evokes pity and makes others let down their guard.”
Before Qin Shuyi could respond, Tang Wei looked at her again, speaking with caution. “But if Miss Qin ever has to deal with her in the future, remember—never believe her.”
Qin Shuyi’s eyes widened in surprise.
Tang Wei pressed her lips into a thin line. “She… isn’t what she appears to be.”
When Tang Wei was still by Ling Jue’s side, she had met this delicate beauty a few times.
She seemed approachable, like a beautiful yet fragile glass lamp. Even toward someone of Tang Wei’s status, she was gentle and amiable. It was hard for anyone meeting her for the first time to dislike her.
Back then, Tang Wei didn’t know that Tao Wangxi was in love with Ling Jue.
She simply thought of her as one of the more pleasant young ladies from the upper-class circle.
But not long after, the incident happened where Ling Jue’s ex returned to pester Jue Ye and ended up causing Tao Wangxi to fall ill.
The drugged drink that Tao Wangxi consumed—Tang Wei saw with her own eyes that Tao Wangxi had actively reached for it.
Moreover, she knew.
She knew that drink was tampered with.
Not only did the other woman later confess to Tang Wei that she had been framed, but also because when Tao Wangxi picked up the glass, she happened to lock eyes with Tang Wei, who was standing not far away.
She stared straight into Tang Wei’s eyes and drank the wine with a gentle smile.
That smile, and the condescending look she gave Tang Wei—who had been left behind—from afar as she was escorted away by Ling Jue’s men down the dimly lit corridor after her episode, left such a stark contrast that Tang Wei remembered it vividly to this day.
Tao Wangxi’s fragile body couldn’t withstand the effects of the drug.
Tang Wei didn’t know how she eventually detoxified.
Perhaps Jue Ye helped her.
In any case, Tao Wangxi left the country the next day, and that very night, the other woman was punished. Even Tang Wei was inexplicably dragged into the mess.
Because the other woman abandoned her claim of being framed and instead accused Tang Wei of taking advantage of being Jue Ye’s new favorite, acting arrogantly, snatching many of her resources, and driving her to desperate measures in an attempt to win Jue Ye back.
Feeling utterly wronged, Tang Wei was soon dismissed as well.
No matter the truth, anyone who became trouble would be dealt with.
If Ling Jue hadn’t blamed Tang Wei indiscriminately and simply treated it as a peaceful separation,
and if not for the widespread rumors of Jue Ye splurging on Tang Wei at the auction for “Fanyue,” which made others wary, Tang Wei—suddenly ousted—might not have even been able to stay in the film crew she was part of at the time.
After that incident, the women around Ling Jue became much more subdued.
It was only later that Tang Wei realized Tao Wangxi wasn’t indifferent to the women around Ling Jue—in fact, she hated every single one of them.
But she wouldn’t recklessly drive them away without proper standing or justification. If she acted, she would ensure the best possible outcome.
Her appearance was highly deceptive, but Tang Wei believed this woman was absolutely ruthless.
She kept a respectful distance from anyone who dared to risk their own life.
Recently, rumors had been circulating that the Tao Family's heiress was returning to the country to settle down permanently. If that were true, Qin Shuyi's unique existence would undoubtedly become a thorn in her side.
Tang Wei had actually received threats from Tao Wangxi in the past, warning her to keep her mouth shut.
But since Qin Shuyi had saved her life, she could only offer vague reminders.
Having a sense of caution was better than falling into a trap completely unaware.
"Thank you," Qin Shuyi understood her goodwill.
Tang Wei waved her hand dismissively and was about to say something more when a slightly urgent voice rang out.
"Shuyi!"
Ling Jue strode out of the night, his presence heavy with a chilling aura.
His gaze fell on the blood staining Qin Shuyi's hands, and his brows furrowed tightly.
"Are you hurt?"
He carefully helped the crouching Qin Shuyi to her feet.
Qin Shuyi shook her head, "No, it's his blood."
She pointed at Zhong Mingzhou lying on the ground.
Recognizing that face, Ling Jue's narrow eyes darkened with hostility.
After Ling Jue left with a grim expression, Xie Muchen and Ji Xiuheng, who had followed in confusion without knowing the full story, had yet to approach when they saw a round, dark object rolling toward them.
Ji Xiuheng reacted swiftly, pulling Xie Muchen beside him out of the way.
Upon closer inspection, they realized the so-called "dark object" was actually a person.
"Holy shit! Is he dead?!"
Well, Zhong Mingzhou had already been half-dead after being kicked flying, and Ling Jue's final kick had been delivered with full force. He didn't look too good at the moment.
Xie Muchen adjusted his glasses and asked calmly, "So, are we accomplices now? What's next—burying the body?"
Cowering in a corner beside the young couple, Tang Wei, who had gone completely unnoticed, stared in horror: Wait, aren't you all a bit too comfortable playing outlaws?! And also, I think that piece of trash might still be salvageable!
Ignoring their wild speculations, Ling Jue walked past them carrying Qin Shuyi, his expression icy.
"Call a doctor."
"Tang Wei…"
"Someone will take care of her," Ling Jue replied stiffly, his voice laced with anger.
Fine.
Qin Shuyi fell silent.
Only after the two had left did Xie Muchen turn to the uneasy Tang Wei, dropping his earlier joking tone.
"Explain. What happened?"
Given Ling Jue's attitude today, the Zhong Family was in for serious trouble.
However, since this mess had occurred on the Xie Family's turf, he needed to get to the bottom of it.
…
This coastal cultural tourism project included a private villa complex. Xie Muchen had reserved a separate villa each for Ling Jue and Ji Xiuheng.
At that moment, the atmosphere in the master bathroom on the second floor of Ling Jue's villa was tense.
Standing before the sink, Ling Jue held Qin Shuyi from behind, helping her wash her hands.
As the blood-tinged water swirled down the drain, he asked her, "How do you want Zhong Mingzhou handled?"
Qin Shuyi replied, "The maximum punishment within legal limits, plus sufficient compensation for the victim. After this, the Zhong Family must not cause trouble for Tang Wei."
"Agreed." After tomorrow, the Zhong Family wouldn't have the energy to cause trouble anyway.
He chuckled softly, meticulously cleaning each of her blood-stained fingers, his tone ambiguous. "You certainly care about Tang Wei."
Qin Shuyi shrugged indifferently. "Of course. After all, she was innocently dragged into this, wasn't she?"
She lifted her head, meeting the man's gaze in the mirror.
The air hung still for a brief moment.
The lifted corners of his eyes lowered, and his thin lips flattened. "Zhong Mingzhou brought this on himself with his own foolishness. We've already taught him a lesson thoroughly enough—there's no need to drag anyone else into this."
He had no reason to question the Tao Family.
Qin Shuyi lowered her gaze. "I know."
"But you're unhappy," he stated with certainty, turning her around to face him.