Wen Yan settled Shao Ning into the wheelchair and then fetched a thin blanket to cover her frail legs.
Looking at Shao Ning's flushed cheeks and gently fluttering eyelashes, Wen Yan couldn't help but pat her head. "Don't be afraid. Sister Yan has your back."
Shao Ning nodded shyly.
...
The signing ceremony between Wen Yiheng and Shao Xue was held at the entrance of a five-star hotel in Yecheng.
Once the signing was complete, Shao Xue's father, Shao Weiliang, would also sign a long-term cooperation contract with the Wen Group.
The Wen family's status among Yecheng's elite was about to rise a notch.
They might even manage to break into the ranks of the prestigious families in the capital.
All the Wens were in high spirits.
Except for Wen Yiheng.
He had made a complete fool of himself yesterday. Although he had kept his head down when he soiled himself, and the passersby filming hadn't gotten a clear shot of his face, many media outlets had still guessed it was him.
Not that it mattered, as long as he stubbornly denied it.
But to make matters worse, as he left home this morning, he had been inexplicably ambushed with a sack over his head and beaten severely.
He was now bruised and swollen, even missing a molar from the beating.
It had to be that good-for-nothing Wen Yan who hired thugs to do it.
Once he finished signing the contract, he'd settle the score with her!
Since neither the Wen nor the Si family liked her anyway, if she didn't kneel and apologize to him, he'd drive her out of Yecheng and send her packing back to the countryside!
The bruises on Wen Yiheng's face couldn't be concealed even with a layer of powder, so he had no choice but to wear sunglasses and a mask.
Wen Yue approached with some ointment for his bruises, her eyes filled with heartache. "Second Brother, it's all my fault. If I hadn't wanted to wear that dress yesterday, Sister wouldn't have sought revenge so vindictively and made you..."
Before she could finish, delicate tears streamed down Wen Yue's face.
Wen Yiheng's heart ached terribly for her.
He reached out and stroked Wen Yue's head. "It's not your fault. Wen Yan was jealous that I stood up for you, so she resorted to those dirty tricks. She should take a look at herself—what gives her the right to compare to you, Yueyue?"
"Don't worry. After Second Brother signs this long-term contract with Shao Xue, I'll make you the most popular star in the entertainment industry."
A smile curled at the corner of Wen Yue's lips. "Second Brother, you're so good to me."
"Silly girl, you're the lucky star of our Wen family. If it weren't for you, Elder Brother wouldn't have saved Shao Weiliang, and I wouldn't have this chance to collaborate with Shao Xue."
"Once our Wen family becomes part of the capital's elite, we'll all move our operations there. Then we can finally be rid of that vicious, useless Wen Yan."
At this point, Wen Yiheng didn't even want to acknowledge Wen Yan as his biological sister. After what happened yesterday, he would hate her for life!
Father Wen and Mother Wen were dressed in their finest for the occasion.
Seeing the injuries on Wen Yiheng's face, Mother Wen was both heartbroken and furious with Wen Yan. "I said from the start we shouldn't have acknowledged her. She's utterly vulgar, ill-mannered, and lacks all upbringing, even harming her own second brother!"
She completely overlooked the fact that Wen Yiheng had harmed Wen Yan first.
"After the old man passes, we'll strike her name from the Wen family registry and cut all ties with her." The entire family shared this dislike whenever Wen Yan was mentioned.
Wen Yue lowered her long lashes, a smug, gloating smile playing on her lips.
She was the female lead, not only the darling of the Wen family but also destined to be adored by many male supporting characters in the future.
Wen Yue thought of the young master from a major European family who, after losing his memory, would soon be wandering the streets of Yecheng as a beggar. A meaningful glint flashed in her eyes.
When the time came, she would save him, become his salvation, and turn him into her devoted follower.
Once he regained his memories and returned to that ancient and powerful family, he would become another asset for her and Gu Beichen's endeavors.
As the officially announced female lead for "Guilty," Wen Yue, dressed in an exquisite gown, arrived at the signing venue with the Wen family.
Shao Weiliang, accompanied by his female secretary, along with Mrs. Shao and Shao Xue, had already arrived at the venue ahead of time.
Media reporters were live-streaming the grand signing event.
[Shao Xue is amazing! She could easily rely on her looks, but she chooses to rely on her talent instead.]
[First time seeing a live stream of a genius female writer! Ahhh, the beautiful writer is setting hearts on fire! I'm falling for her!]
[Mr. Shao and Mrs. Shao are so elegant too.]
[Did you guys notice the female secretary behind Mr. Shao? Such impressive assets, such a hot figure!]
Before long, the Wen family made their entrance.
[Director Wen Yiheng is wearing sunglasses and a mask? Could he really be the one who had that... accident on the subway yesterday?]
[You're sick! How could Director Wen do something like that? He's always been cool and stylish, very unique. If it was him, I'll eat shit standing on my head.]
[The one following Wen Yiheng must be Wen Yue, the new female lead for "Guilty." She looks so pure, probably the next-generation sweetheart if she gets popular!]
After the host announced the start of the signing ceremony, Shao Xue sat before the microphone and announced to the public her intention to enter into a long-term collaboration with Wen Yiheng.
Just as the two shook hands and were about to sign, a black business car suddenly pulled up.
"Shao Xue, how dare you sign a contract for work you stole from me?"
A voice, cold as frost and thick with hatred, rang out.
Hearing this voice abruptly, Shao Xue's grip on the pen tightened instantly.
This was unbelievable.
Wasn't Shao Ning supposed to be dead?
How could she be hearing her voice?
While Shao Xue was still bewildered, the crowd of reporters tightly packed around the signing platform parted to create a pathway.
Wen Yan pushed Shao Ning, seated in her wheelchair, forward. Following behind them was Si Jingyi, dressed in black, wearing sunglasses, handsome and devilishly charming.
The live chat exploded at the sight of the newcomers.
[Whoa, is Si Jingyi here to snatch the rights to "Guilty"?]
[I heard Si Jingyi spent over half a year trying to connect with Shao Xue, but apparently, his character is lacking. He's temperamental and impatient. Shao Xue chose Wen Yiheng, who has a much better personality.]
[Seems Si Jingyi really has no class. Can't get the rights, so he comes to crash the event. I'm boycotting any shows he directs from now on.]
[Boycott +10086.]
[Am I the only one who noticed the sister pushing the wheelchair? She's so enchanting, beautiful, and fierce! More beautiful than any other woman here.]
[Pfft, men always go for vixens. We women prefer someone like Wen Yue—she clearly has the elegance and depth of a well-bred lady.]
Seeing Shao Ning, the entire Shao family's expressions changed.
Shao Weiliang had heard from the maid at the suburban villa some time ago that Shao Ning had run off with a man while the maid was out grocery shopping.
Shao Weiliang never liked Shao Ning to begin with. He found her elopement disgraceful and hadn't bothered to look for her.
His face darkened. He walked up to Shao Ning and hissed in a low voice, "What are you doing here? Aren't you ashamed? You can barely read a few characters, what writing could you possibly do? Get out of here now!"
Shao Weiliang had always been prejudiced against Shao Ning. When his face was stern and cold like this, Shao Ning could hardly meet his eyes.
Her body trembled uncontrollably.
Her heart ached unbearably.
"Dad, all the works Shao Xue has published were written by me—"
Before Shao Ning could finish, Shao Weiliang glared at her, furious. "I'm telling you one more time, get out of here now. Don't embarrass yourself here!"
As Shao Weiliang's words fell, a sudden, mocking, and cold snort rang out. "How ridiculous! You spew venom at your own biological daughter, yet shield that illegitimate brat with such fervor. Mr. Shao truly lives up to his titles as the 'Cuckold King' and the 'Male Bodhisattva'!"
Shao Weiliang's eyelid gave an involuntary twitch.
What did she mean by that?
Si Jingyi had already pricked up his ears.
Here it comes, here it comes! The most explosive gossip of the Shao family is about to drop!
