Chapter 26: The Burning Sensation-A coadjuvante descartável desperta, e o príncipe do círculo de Pequim se ajoelha chorando de arrependimento.(dez mil grãos)

"How can you think that way? I am truly worried about your future, sister." Song Yanyan gently shook her head, her expression one of utter heartbreak.

At that moment, the salon manager hurried over, smiling apologetically. "Ladies, please, let’s calm down. This is a hair salon; let’s keep things peaceful."

Song Yanyan shot the manager a glare, though she maintained her mask of "gentleness."

"Manager, don't worry about it. My sister and I are just having a heart-to-heart. Sister, if you run into any difficulties at the Dake Group, just tell me. I know quite a few people; perhaps I can help you."

Song Xixi sneered, "I’ll pass on your good intentions, sister."

"Sigh, my sister is just too headstrong," Song Yanyan said, letting out a soft, dramatic sigh.

Ye Chunxi couldn't help but interject, "Song Yanyan, stop pretending to be a saint here. Everyone knows what you’re really thinking. Xixi doesn't need your fake concern."

Song Yanyan’s eyes reddened, and she said with a pitiful, fragile look, "Ms. Ye, I know you and Xixi are close, but as her sister, I simply can't help but offer a few words of warning when I see her taking the wrong path."

Just then, Song Yanyan’s phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID, looking momentarily flustered, before regaining her composure.

She glared fiercely at Song Xixi, then said softly into the phone, "Hello? I’m out right now, I’ll be there immediately."

Hanging up, Song Yanyan donned her "gentle" mask once more. "Sister, I have matters to attend to, so I’ll be going. Take care of yourself at the Dake Group."

With that, she swayed her hips and left.

Song Xixi watched her retreating figure, filled with disgust.

Ye Chunxi patted her shoulder. "Xixi, don't pay her any mind. She’s just jealous of you."

Song Xixi nodded. "Don't worry, I won't be affected by her."

Knowing what kind of person she was, there was nothing to fear. It was all just the same old tropes from the plot. However, with her own influence, the plot had long since veered off course. So, what her next move would be remained a mystery.

Ye Chunxi grabbed her arm. "Xixi, stop thinking about it! Come on, let's go get some hair treatments and properly relax."

As she spoke, she dragged her toward the hair care area. The stylist greeted them enthusiastically. Ye Chunxi expertly reeled off a list of treatments.

"Xixi, let’s do this package. I guarantee your hair will look like silk afterward—smooth and shiny enough to make thousands of boys swoon."

Song Xixi laughed. "I don't want to make anyone swoon. As long as it’s soft and easy to manage, that’s enough."

As for men, it was better to keep them at a distance. She simply didn't have the heart for it.

***

Song Yanyan climbed into her white BMW and sped off, arriving at a remote café on the edge of the city.

The place was usually deserted, with dim lighting and old, worn furniture. Wearing a mask and glasses, she chose a corner seat, her eyes darting toward the door every few moments.

Before long, a tall, thin man walked in. This was the social media influencer she had arranged to meet, known online as "The Exposure Pioneer." He made a living by exposing sensational scoops to grab attention and had a massive following.

Song Yanyan waved him over.

The man sat down, his eyes filled with suspicion. "What do you want with me?"

Song Yanyan looked left and right, then lowered her voice. "I want you to break a story that’s guaranteed to make you go viral. Report that Song Xixi, the fourth daughter of the Song family, is pursuing Shen Anzhi and using a fake pregnancy to force him into marriage. Report that Shen Anzhi refused and instead dumped her into the Dake Group as a project director."

The man’s expression shifted, his brow furrowing. "Ma'am, this is no small matter! What kind of place is the Dake Group, and who is President Shen? If I break this news and something goes wrong, I can't bear the consequences! Is what you’re telling me actually true?"

Song Yanyan patted her chest, vowing solemnly, "Of course it’s true. Why would I lie to you? I know all about her affairs."

The man remained hesitant, his fingers tapping the table. "That may be, but this is too big. The Dake Group certainly won't take this lying down."

Seeing his indecision, Song Yanyan grew impatient. She reached into her bag and pulled out a bag, dumping 500,000 in cash onto the table.

"Once you break this story, I’ll give you another 500,000 when it’s all over. That’s enough money to keep you set for a while, isn't it?"

The man’s eyes locked onto the cash, and he licked his lips, though he still looked worried. "Are you sure nothing will go wrong? If this is proven to be fake, I’ll lose my livelihood."

"What are you afraid of? Once you put it out there, the public opinion will snowball, and the Dake Group won't be able to suppress it. By then, Song Xixi will be ruined; she won't have the time or energy to come after you."

The man pondered for a moment, then finally gritted his teeth and shoved the money into his bag.

"Fine, I’ll trust you this once. But you have to guarantee that this is true."

Song Yanyan’s lips curved upward. "Don't you worry. Do as I say, and I guarantee you'll be rolling in money."

The man nodded, discussed a few more details with her, and then stood up to leave. Once the deal was struck, the smile on Song Yanyan’s face turned chilling.

"Song Xixi, let’s see how you recover from this!"

***

Qin Ze returned home in a foul mood, threw his coat onto the sofa, and collapsed into a seat.

Just then, his phone screen lit up. Seeing it was a video call from his mother, he gave a self-mocking smile. Adjusting his emotions, he answered.

On the other end, his mother, with her exquisite makeup, got straight to the point: "Ze, are you still entangled with that Song Xixi? I’m warning you, a woman like that is just for fun. Don't you dare entertain the thought of marrying her; that is absolutely out of the question!"

A bitter smile played on Qin Ze's lips, and an inexplicable wave of agitation washed over him. He chuckled sardonically, offering no response.

His mother, seemingly oblivious to his mood, continued, "Look at her background—how could she ever be worthy of the Qin family?"

Qin Ze finally reached his limit and interrupted her. "Mom, stop. I understand."

Without waiting for a reply, he hung up the call.

He sat on the sofa, staring blankly into the distance. After a moment of silence, he stood up, opened the cabinet, and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. He slammed a glass onto the counter with a "thud," poured a generous amount, and downed it in one gulp without even tasting it.

The spicy liquid burned its way down his throat, the searing sensation helping him regain a sliver of clarity. He poured another, then another, drinking cup after cup.

Alcohol began to take effect. Everything before his eyes grew blurry—

Six years ago, when he first arrived in Haicheng.

On a day when the rain was pouring down, Qin Ze was driving through the city streets. As his car passed a university, his gaze was drawn to a petite figure.