Huo Sanchun revealed her plan.
She intended to frame Susu as a scheming, innocent-looking manipulator, pinning all the blame on her.
According to Huo Sanchun’s design, Susu, in her bid to win Gu Nanyan’s favor, deliberately badmouthed Gu Nanyan in front of Huo Junya, tricking her into believing the lies.
Then, Susu allegedly lured Huo Junya into making certain remarks in the hallway, ensuring Gu Nanyan overheard them.
Upon hearing Huo Sanchun’s scheme, Director Rong’s expression darkened, and he flatly refused, "No way! This is just bullying a kid!"
Huo Sanchun argued, "I know it’s unfair to Susu, but don’t worry—I’ll compensate her. I’ve heard her family is struggling: her father is seriously ill, and she has a younger brother. A good reputation means nothing to her; cold hard cash is what she needs."
Director Rong still disagreed.
Growing impatient, Huo Sanchun crossed her arms and spoke condescendingly, "Director Rong, you’re being too idealistic. A good reputation is worthless for someone like Susu, born into such a family. Her background is her original sin!
Mark my words—if I approach her parents right now, they’d gladly sell her out."
Director Rong fell silent before finally saying with difficulty, "Gu Nanyan admires Susu, and she’s gained a lot of popularity. The money she’s earning now could support her through college. She has the potential to change her fate."
Huo Sanchun scoffed. "Director Rong, you’re too naive. Once Susu gets a taste of the glitz and fast money in the entertainment industry, do you really think she’ll have the patience to keep studying? Could she ever return to an ordinary life?
She’s nothing like my Huo Junya.
My daughter has me as her backbone—she can do whatever she wants. She’ll attend film school, enter the industry, and I’ll pave the way for her.
But Susu? Even if she gets into film school, so what?
The entertainment world is packed with stunning, talented people who have connections.
What does Susu have?
Instead of struggling later for scraps, why not cash out now?
Don’t worry, Director Rong—I’ll make sure the number satisfies her."
With that, she strode off in her high heels.
Director Rong remained frowning, but the Assistant Director, more pragmatic, advised him, "Director Rong, don’t overthink it. This is between the guests—it’s not our business.
I know you feel bad for Susu, but what if her parents agree? They’re her legal guardians. There’s only so much we can do."
Director Rong sighed.
He wasn’t worried that Susu would be dazzled by fame. The girl was clever, spirited, and resilient—a real talent. He believed she could go far if given the chance.
But…
Though Huo Sanchun’s arrogance was off-putting, she wasn’t entirely wrong: one’s origins could be a curse.
Susu’s family situation was dire.
Director Rong had met her mother—a woman whose face was etched with bitterness, blatantly favoring her son over her daughter. If not for Susu’s exceptional academic performance, which earned her scholarships and waived tuition, her mother would never have let her stay in school.
When Susu was selected for the show, her mother had resisted, claiming girls shouldn’t seek attention or appear in public. Only after the production team offered extra money did she reluctantly agree.
Among the student guests, some came from modest backgrounds too.
But while other parents bought their children new clothes and shoes for the show, Susu’s mother refused to spend a single cent, forcing her to wear her old school uniform.
With such a mother holding her back, Director Rong couldn’t help but worry.
Huo Sanchun acted swiftly, immediately sending someone to investigate Susu’s family and obtain her parents’ contact details.
While she had a general idea of Susu’s circumstances, she needed specifics to gauge their personalities.
Soon, Huo Sanchun received the details—and discovered, to her shock, that Susu’s mother was none other than her own cousin, Liu Dong.
Back when Huo Sanchun gave birth to Huo Junya, Liu Dong had worked as her nanny for a short time.
But Liu Dong was careless with the baby and had sticky fingers, so Huo Sanchun had fired her.
The realization that Susu was Liu Dong’s daughter only deepened Huo Sanchun’s disdain.
Any lingering guilt she felt toward Susu evaporated.
Now, she saw Susu as nothing but a scheming hypocrite—"like mother, like daughter." If Liu Dong was rotten, surely the girl was too.
With that, Huo Sanchun’s last shred of sympathy vanished.
Liu Dong was greedy and envious, always causing trouble for Huo Sanchun since childhood. Expecting resistance, Huo Sanchun braced herself for a costly negotiation.
But when she called Liu Dong to explain the plan, the woman agreed instantly—without hesitation.
"Sanchun, you’re the golden phoenix from our village, and your daughter is destined to be one too. That stupid girl Susu is just a country bumpkin—she’s not fit to even carry Huo Junya’s shoes.
Tell me what to do, and I’ll cooperate fully."
Liu Dong was shockingly compliant.
Huo Sanchun was taken aback, even suspicious.
But then she reasoned that their past conflicts were just youthful squabbles. Now older, Liu Dong had probably moved on—and given her son-preference, she’d jump at the chance to profit from her daughter.
Reassured, Huo Sanchun said, "I’ll transfer a deposit first. Follow my instructions, and once Susu leaves the show, you’ll get the rest."
"Oh, I trust you, of course I do!" Liu Dong gushed. "Don’t hold back—smear Susu all you want. Say she lies, steals, even got an abortion. Whatever you need!"
What kind of mother was this?
Huo Sanchun frowned.
Even she, who was actively scheming against Susu, found Liu Dong’s eagerness appalling.
Falsely accusing an underage girl—her own daughter—of such things? Heartless.
With Liu Dong’s consent secured, Huo Sanchun had an exposé published online, painting Susu as a deceitful, two-faced troublemaker.
The article claimed Susu was a pathological liar who loved tattling.
A "former classmate" came forward, alleging that Susu had once cried about being bullied by a top student. The classmate, outraged, confronted the student, leading to a fight that left the latter injured—and unable to take the final exam.
Susu then conveniently rose to first place.
Later, the classmate supposedly realized it was all a ruse—Susu had orchestrated the conflict to eliminate her competition.
More "insiders" piled on, calling Susu a master manipulator who played the victim while scheming behind the scenes.
They speculated that she envied Huo Junya’s popularity and deliberately sabotaged her relationship with Gu Nanyan.
Among the student guests, someone stood up and claimed with conviction that Susu had returned to the dorm at night and complained about Gu Nanyan bullying her.
They took it at face value and began to believe that the "Smoke Empress" was a villain.
Huo Junya had been deceived by Susu all along!
