Chapter 26: Saving the PUA’d Supporting Female Lead (26)

After returning home, Luo Xue went to handle the negotiations for Tang Qi’s new endorsement. Tang Qi locked herself in the study, sitting on the chaise lounge with her eyes fixed on a book, but her mind was replaying Zhou Ling’s words.

“Where did Yang Yirui get the song?” she suddenly asked the System.

“The specifics are unclear. I only overheard her once. It seems many years ago, her father bought it from a wandering singer.”

Tang Qi fell silent. The pieces she hadn’t understood before suddenly clicked into place. Why had Zhou Ling appeared two years earlier than in the original storyline? It wasn’t a spontaneous change in the world line; it was because Yang Yirui had been pulling the strings all along.

Whether in the original world line or now, Yang Yirui had always secretly targeted Luo Xue. That song had been in Yang Yirui’s hands the entire time.

In the original storyline, Yang Yirui guided Li Chengyu to buy the song, allowing him to drain the last bit of money from Luo Xue. Then, she introduced Zhou Ling to Li Chengyu, and Li Chengyu naturally kicked the now-useless Luo Xue to the curb.

Now, things had changed. Luo Xue broke up with him early. Seeing she had jumped out of Li Chengyu’s fiery pit, Yang Yirui arranged for Zhou Ling and Li Chengyu to meet ahead of schedule. The inexperienced Zhou Ling, as expected, fell in love with Li Chengyu.

With Zhou Ling’s protection, Li Chengyu could do his utmost to suppress Luo Xue. Later, seeing the Zhou family’s opposition, Yang Yirui incited Mother Luo to arrange for Luo Xue to marry Li Chengyu.

The only thing Tang Qi couldn’t figure out was—Luo Xue had never even appeared before Yang Yirui’s eyes. The money Mother Luo gave her was merely a few months’ allowance for Yang Yirui. Why was she doing this?

Luo Xue entered the study to find Tang Qi lying on the chaise lounge, eyes closed. The book in her hand dangled precariously off the edge, threatening to fall at any second. Her chest rose and fell evenly; she seemed to be fast asleep.

Luo Xue walked over and put the book away. Noticing Tang Qi’s eyelashes fluttering slightly, she smiled. “If you’re tired, go sleep in the bedroom.”

Tang Qi didn’t open her eyes. Instead, she reached out and pulled Luo Xue into her arms, mumbling, “A bit tired, don’t want to move.”

Luo Xue obediently lay against Tang Qi’s body, gazing at her delicate and beautiful features. She suddenly remembered the first time she confessed her feelings, looking at Tang Qi just like this.

Now, this person is mine… A surge of joy filled Luo Xue’s heart, and she couldn’t resist stealing a soft kiss.

“If you want to kiss me, do it openly. What’s with the sneaky kiss?” Tang Qi still didn’t open her eyes.

“The person is mine. I’ll kiss however I want, wherever I want. You control me?” Luo Xue pulled over her hand and squeezed it. “Tired today?”

“You mean you want to ask if my hand is sore?” Tang Qi opened her eyes, a faint, teasing smile in her gaze. “That depends on what I’m doing… If it’s that… no matter how many times, it won’t be sore.”

Luo Xue’s face flushed bright red. She really was just concerned about Tang Qi, nothing more. Before she could explain, Tang Qi suddenly flipped them over, pinning Luo Xue beneath her. “Why don’t you test it? See if I’m tired, see if my hand gets sore?”

…

Amidst great public attention, Li Chengyu’s case went to trial. His assault on Zhou Ling, causing multiple fractures, had a complete chain of evidence. At the same time, the evidence submitted by Tang Qi and Luo Xue was also clear and effective.

Li Chengyu was sentenced to ten years in prison for intentional assault. He was also ordered to return the money Luo Xue had previously lent him, publicly apologize to Tang Qi, and compensate Tang Qi for the economic losses caused by the damage to her reputation.

Li Chengyu’s parents wept themselves into a mess in the courtroom. Hearing his ten-year sentence, Li Chengyu slumped to the ground, his legs giving out. Seeing Zhou Ling in a wheelchair nearby, he suddenly struggled and lunged toward her: “Xiao Ling, I was wrong, I shouldn’t have hit you! Talk to your parents, tell them to get me out! Once I’m out, we’ll get married. I’ll treat you well! I was just in a terrible mood that day. I didn’t mean to hurt you, you have to believe me!”

Zhou Ling looked at Li Chengyu coldly. Father Zhou and Mother Zhou shielded Zhou Ling, and Father Zhou shoved Li Chengyu. “Get lost!”

Li Chengyu stumbled. He immediately turned his head to look at Luo Xue: “Little Xue, I was wrong. Little Xue, I’ve always loved you. Save me! I wasn’t deliberately targeting you! It was all Zhou Ling! Zhou Ling made me do it!”

The people in the courtroom were truly witnessing a spectacle. Li Chengyu was really… utterly shameless.

Seeing the two women unmoved, Li Chengyu switched to a tirade of abuse. Every vile and nasty word spewed from his mouth. His disturbance of the court was quickly subdued as he was dragged away.

Watching Li Chengyu being hauled out like a dead dog, Luo Xue felt an immense sense of relief.

She was finally, completely, free of this person.

As the trial concluded, Luo Xue was about to leave with Tang Qi when Zhou Ling called out to her: “Luo Xue, thank you for visiting me so often during this time.”

Over the past month, Luo Xue had visited Zhou Ling a few times and found they got along surprisingly well. There was still some awkwardness because of Li Chengyu, though. Now, Zhou Ling was the first to extend an olive branch. “I’m out of the hospital. I wanted to invite you both out to celebrate this afternoon.”

Mother Zhou also joined in, “Ling Ling has been talking about you constantly these last few days. I’ve already reserved a spot. Shall we head over together in a bit?”

Luo Xue liked Zhou Ling a lot. After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. “Sure!”

They chatted happily amongst themselves, with Tang Qi trailing alone behind them. The System started its mockery mode: “Pitiful, a Host without her girlfriend by her side! So, are you jealous? Isn’t it maddening?”

The System was overjoyed.

Tang Qi’s gaze fell upon the laughing Luo Xue ahead. A gentle smile, one she didn’t even notice herself, tugged at her lips. “Not jealous.”

“After you die, your whole body will be soft, except your mouth—it’ll still be hard as steel,” the System declared, disbelieving.

“Ling Ling! I knew I’d find you here!”

Luo Xue’s smile faded the moment she heard the voice.

Yang Yirui had appeared from seemingly nowhere, shouldering Luo Xue aside to stand next to Zhou Ling. With an expression mixed with complaint and worry, she asked, “I went to the hospital several times, but your mother stopped me every time. Are your injuries okay? That bastard Li Chengyu really went too far.”

Zhou Ling narrowed her eyes. Seeing Yang Yirui made her wounds ache faintly again. “Wonderful. Never been better.”

Yang Yirui sensed the sarcastic undertone in her voice. Something was off. “What’s wrong with you?” As she spoke, she glanced at the expressionless Luo Xue and said pitifully, “Did… did Sister say something to you?”

“No, I figured it out on my own.” Before, she had truly considered Yang Yirui her best friend. “After a brush with death, you realize a lot of things… Oh right, how are things going between you and that Young Master Li?”

At first, she had only thought Yang Yirui was simply targeting Luo Xue. Only after hearing her own mother’s words did she understand.

Luo Xue was just one reason. Yang Yirui also had her sights set on a young master from the Li family—she wanted the position of Young Mistress Li for herself. And, perhaps, seeing Zhou Ling sink into a mire with a scumbag brought her even more joy!

“But if I remember correctly, Young Master Li is already in a relationship and about to get engaged.” Zhou Ling giggled. “Failed, didn’t you?”

Yang Yirui’s face went pale. The worry from the past few days had become reality. “Ling Ling, what are you saying?”

“Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know. Little Xue, let’s go!” Zhou Ling said. As Luo Xue pushed her wheelchair away, Zhou Ling turned back. “One last thing for you: Our family will not let this go!”

Zhou Ling was true to her word. The Yang family, already on the verge of collapse, had no power to fight back under the Zhou family’s assault, not to mention Tang Qi was also secretly doing her part.

Mother Luo pleaded at the Zhou family’s gate several times, only to be driven away each time.

Zhou Ling frequently sought out Luo Xue to hang out and would occasionally bring these matters up in conversation. First, Yang Yirui and Mother Luo’s various jewelry and bags were mortgaged, then their cars, and finally, the villa they lived in.

But no measure could save the Yang family business.

Yang Yirui, a rich young lady raised in the lap of luxury, suddenly found herself saddled with crushing debt. Father Yang sold the last of their sellable assets and fled with his son, leaving Mother Luo and Yang Yirui to deal with the mess.

After the bankruptcy, Mother Luo could no longer put on a loving mother’s facade for Yang Yirui. She was a selfish person by nature and came to loathe the day she gave birth to Yang Yirui. Day and night, she cursed and beat her.

One night, Yang Yirui took the last few valuable items in the house and abandoned Mother Luo.

In the end, having no other choice, Mother Luo swallowed her pride and sought out Luo Xue. When Luo Xue refused to see her, she staked out the company entrance. Every time she saw someone, she would wail about how she couldn’t afford food and had no place to live.

Left with no option, Luo Xue received the woman in her office.

Gone was Mother Luo’s previous arrogance. She seemed to have aged over a decade in an instant. A fake smile was plastered on her wrinkled face, and she kept wringing her hands. “Xue Xue, Mama came to see you.”

“What do you want?” Luo Xue didn’t even ask her assistant to pour water.

Mother Luo studied Luo Xue’s expression, wiped her eyes, and let out a few dry sobs. “Xue Xue, Mama is really in a difficult spot. No money, no house, no place… Little Xue, I’m your mother. You can’t just watch me starve, right?”

Luo Xue was cold. “We signed a Parental Severance Agreement.”

“I asked a lawyer. That has no legal effect,” Mother Luo retorted.

Luo Xue had long known she wouldn’t come quietly. “You came prepared.” She hadn’t counted on that agreement being useful anyway.

Mother Luo’s loving-mother smile was already crumbling. The forced tears had long since dried. Not wanting to waste words, Luo Xue said, “When I was a child, you gave me a hundred thousand a year. Tang Qi already returned that money to you. But… I’m not a heartless person. I’ll offer the same price now. One hundred thousand per year.”

The news that Tang Qi had gifted Luo Xue her assets had spread throughout the circle. Some even said Luo Xue’s net worth was inestimable. Mother Luo had assumed Luo Xue would give more. Hearing it was only one hundred thousand, she was instantly displeased. “You have so much money, yet you’re this stingy to your own mother?”

“Then sue me!” Luo Xue wasn’t the least bit afraid. She crossed her legs and took a sip of the coffee in front of her. “Let’s see how much the court awards. I recall it’s linked to the average cost of living. I doubt it’ll be as much as one hundred thousand.”

Mother Luo haggled, “Then you can at least prepare a place for me to live.”

“Fine. I have a small apartment under my name. You can live there.” Luo Xue agreed readily. No matter what, the woman was her mother and had indeed raised her when she was a child. To not care at all would damage Tang Qi’s reputation.

Seeing room for negotiation, Mother Luo brazenly said, “Little Xue, actually, Mama has always missed you very much. You should come visit Mama when you’re free. After all, we are family.”

Hearing this, Luo Xue couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Madam Yang, I suggest you don’t entertain any ideas. I have money, but none of it will go to you.” She stood up. “There’s no need for us to act out this drama of deep mother-daughter affection. You say you miss me and love me now. Do you really think I’d believe it?”

Mother Luo fell silent. Luo Xue, in the end, couldn’t hold back. “I just want to ask you one thing. Why did you have such hostility towards me in the past? You even wanted to harm me?”

A long while passed. Just as Luo Xue thought she wouldn’t get an answer and turned to leave, she heard Mother Luo say in a low voice, “It wasn’t that I hated you… it’s just that my husband didn’t like me being connected to my past family, so…”

The closing of the office door was her only answer. A moment later, someone came in. “Madam Yang, I am President Luo’s assistant. I’ll take you to the apartment.”

Mother Luo stood up numbly. As she left the company building, she turned her head to look at the towering structure. For a fleeting moment, she had a premonition that this was the last time she would ever see Luo Xue.