Chapter 46

Over on Lin Que’s side, things unfolded exactly as Ye Chengxing had predicted: he’d dropped his guard on the matter.

Seeing that Ye Chengxing hadn’t made any moves at all convinced him he’d gotten her firmly in hand.

Though Lin Que presented himself merely as an agent on the surface, he was in fact the true mastermind running Starflash Entertainment.

The Beta sat in his office, cradling a cup as he gazed out the window, a smug look on his face.

No matter how earnestly Ye Chengxing had spoken before, hadn’t she still been outplayed by them? A person had to know their limitations.

Naive. Far too naive.

Lin Que swirled the cup in his hand, shaking his head with a tsk-tsk.

But at that very moment, the office door flew open with a bang. Lin Que looked up irritably at the clumsy employee, his scolding words already on the tip of his tongue but unspoken—only for the other to rush forward, thrusting a phone screen in his face in a panic. “President Lin, this is bad. Something’s happened.”

Lin Que’s eyes flicked to the screen. His pupils shrank violently, and the cup in his hand crashed to the floor in an instant. The elegant glass shattered into glittering shards that scattered everywhere.

Right then, Star Net had erupted into utter chaos.

Over the past few days, the scandal’s skyrocketing popularity and massive reach meant everyone—from rabid entertainment fans to those who ignored the industry entirely—had gotten wind of the dirt between Li Jia and Starflash Entertainment. Keywords like “private life photos” and “contract termination” had hooked the public’s attention tight.

No one, however, could’ve predicted that with the drama seemingly winding down after just a few more days… it would twist again!

This bombshell came with pictures, videos, and audio recordings.

But not about Li Jia—about Starflash Entertainment itself.

The flood of exposed misdeeds ignited an immediate firestorm.

Particularly the final recording, where Lin Que smugly issued threats—it set listeners’ blood boiling.

【Scum! Absolute scum!】

【I’m gonna hurl—disgusting, vile, terrifying. How can anyone be this rotten?】

【Damn, I was trashing Li Jia a couple days ago. Guilty as charged.】

【Same. Starflash Entertainment, get lost. How dare you play victim on Star Net? Shameless.】

【Lies from start to finish. They claimed they treated Li Jia well, dropping hints everywhere—when she’s the real victim. Scum bitches.】

【Yeah, Li Jia got it rough. She did nothing wrong TT. Makes my blood boil, these animals.】

So the viciousness with which people had piled on Li Jia days earlier now flipped into equally deep guilt—and seething rage and revulsion toward Starflash Entertainment.

The instant Lin Que got wind of it, he threw money at suppressing the story. But the hot search terms wouldn’t budge. The evidence was ironclad, beyond any defense, and the hired trolls who jumped in got swarmed—【How’s that human blood bun taste?】【Still whitewashing now? Save the cash for your coffin.】

In the hours that followed, a parade of former celebrities came forward with their own accusations against Lin Que. Scattered incidents wove together into a damning tapestry, dragging long-buried truths into the light. Turns out, all those stars who’d mysteriously vanished or abruptly quit the industry hadn’t chosen to—far from it.

The deeper the digging, the more horrifying the picture.

The reversal-fueled outrage exploded fiercer than ever. Countless netizens flooded the Interstellar General Supervisory Bureau with demands for justice.

Ye Chengxing had prepared a hefty batch of food for sale today, but even so, it flew off the shelves in no time.

She tidied up the customer details for the next round of pre-orders, then pulled out her phone to check messages.

Her assistant’s report confirmed: the deed was done.

The scandal’s sheer ugliness had seized everyone’s attention for real this time. As patrons flowed in and out of the shop, snippets of conversation drifted over about the Star Net frenzy surrounding Starflash Entertainment.

“Unbelievable. Too wicked—they’ll get punished, right? If they walk free, it’s against the heavens.”

“Not so sure. They have power and connections. Might bury it, end up with nothing done…”

The first speaker sighed at that. She set her chosen gourmet treats on the counter and, while waiting for checkout and packaging, turned to Ye Chengxing. “Hey, boss, think this’ll get swept under the rug?”

Ye Chengxing paused mid-motion.

The Alpha looked up, her reply utterly earnest. “No, it won’t fizzle out. They’ll face punishment.”

Her resolute tone swayed the questioner, who nodded firmly. “Right. They definitely will.”

With the last customers seen off, the stock was wiped clean.

Ye Chengxing glanced at the time.

Li Jia should be home studying by now.

The past few days, amid the orchestrated backlash, Star Net had brimmed with toxic sludge. But things had changed.

Ye Chengxing locked up Risheng Gourmet Shop and headed home.

The burden weighing on her heart was finally easing—impossible not to feel lighter. Still, she stuck to her time-tested precautions on the way back.

Only in a deserted alley did she deactivate the Disguise Potion.

Real talk: Risheng Gourmet Shop’s fame had exploded. Yet from day one, no weird customers or freak incidents.

That didn’t add up.

Not just the haughty Gourmet Chefs, but all those merchants raking in monopoly profits—how could they stomach some mystery shop bursting onto the scene and poaching their turf?

Truth be told… it almost felt like someone was shielding her from the shadows.

Ye Chengxing’s brow creased. Then realization hit, and she nearly chuckled.

Shielding her? Even more far-fetched.

She shook her head, climbed into the car, and set off for home.

She’d always stayed vigilant anyway—ready to handle any trouble. Far more pressing: getting home to share the good news with Li Jia.

At the thought of Li Jia, Ye Chengxing’s lips curved up on their own.

She turned to the AI driver in the pilot’s seat. “Switch to flight mode.” She wanted to hurry back.

Instruction received. Moments later, the vehicle ascended into the sky.

Some time passed in flight, home now looming close. Ye Chengxing opened her phone as usual and messaged Li Jia: 【Almost home.】

The Omega replied at once: 【Okay! I’m doing worksheets on the first floor—you’ll see me right as you walk in, sis~】

Ye Chengxing smiled at the message.

Flight mode shaved serious time off the trip. The villa lay just ahead now; the AI driver prepped for landing.

Ye Chengxing tapped out another message: 【Oh, Xiao Li—check Star Net quick.】

Minutes earlier, the Interstellar General Supervisory Bureau had posted on Star Net: a live court hearing was coming. It now topped the front page.

Message sent, car parked. Ye Chengxing pocketed her phone, stepped out, and pushed open the door.

Sure enough, Li Jia waited on the first floor.

The Omega stared at the screen—the Bureau’s announcement. She seemed dazed, registering the footsteps only belatedly as she raised her eyes.

Ye Chengxing met Li Jia’s gaze. With the door still ajar behind her, she stood haloed in light. From this angle, even her hair gleamed with a soft, hazy golden edge.

Their eyes locked, gazes tangling in the space between.

Li Jia became aware of her heart hammering wildly.

Thump by insistent thump.

Silence wrapped the room, broken only by the roar of her pulse.

Their shared look seemed to conjure something intangible, rippling outward through the air in an instant.

Ye Chengxing melted at Li Jia’s stunned expression, eyes crinkling in a grin she couldn’t hold back.

“Xiao Li.”

The Alpha’s voice was feather-light, brighter and warmer than the sunlight spilling in from outside—

“Surprise.”