"Are they still buying trending topics? Does the internet have no memory? Didn't the proof just surface yesterday that this woman seduced her fiancé's own brother and forced her sister to clean up the mess?"
"Exactly! The video basically shows them doing it right there on the spot. How can anyone still think this is just a rumor?"
"We all know this woman's character. Whenever the company’s artists get caught in a scandal, she’s out with a statement within a second, suing the critics overnight. She treats her artists like that, let alone herself. It’s been a whole day and there’s still no reaction—it only goes to show she’s feeling guilty herself."
"Out of everyone she could have chosen, she went for a degenerate like Shang Che. Truly, a slut and trash are a perfect match. Thank goodness President Shang got away fast. Li Xiang should really cherish her luck; although she’s an adopted daughter, her talent and character are miles ahead of this trashy sister."
"Exactly, Li Xiang is the principal dancer for the National Ballet of China and has performed on the Spring Festival Gala—a dancer with a clean reputation and roots. What is Li Li? I suggest we check who the real daughter of the family actually is."
At JL Entertainment, the operations department fell into a heavy silence as they stared at the screen full of vitriol.
The operations director looked at the public relations head. "Did President Li not say to take down the trending topic?"
The PR head, wearing a face mask, looked perfectly at ease. "No rush. Let the bullets fly for a while longer."
"Still flying?" The operations director was at his wit's end. "The bullets have already shot through our front door! JL's artists are being dragged into this and getting attacked, and our partners' phones are ringing off the hook."
If they let it fly any longer, they’d hit an iceberg and trigger the apocalypse.
The PR head remained calm. "What’s there to worry about?"
"Our boss has seen worse storms than this. Relax, just relax."
The operations director: "..."
A bunch of living ancestors. Just let the world burn.
Li Li, however, remained deaf to the chaos on the internet. She walked with a leisurely pace toward Old Madam Li’s hospital room.
As she entered, she saw an unexpected guest standing by the window.
Shang Che was dressed in a black windbreaker, leaning casually against the window frame with his long legs crossed. His silhouette was drawn long and sharp by the light.
The setting sun caught a few stray hairs on his forehead. Sensing her gaze, the man’s deep, smiling eyes fixed on her.
His thin lips curled into a wanton smirk, and as he raised a brow, he looked wild and rebellious.
Their eyes met, and the smile on Li Li's face vanished.
From the side, Old Madam Li’s calm voice drifted over: "Come in."
Li Li walked inside, pretending Shang Che didn't exist.
Before she could even sit down, she heard Old Madam Li’s unwavering voice: "I’ve told Shen Xiao to go fetch the household registration book. You and Young Master Shang are going to go get your marriage license later."
"Get a marriage license?" Li Li looked up sharply, stunned. "Shang Yang already held an engagement ceremony with Li Xiang. You don't know that?"
Old Madam Li glared at her. "I’m talking about Shang Che."
Li Li turned her head. Beside her, Shang Che raised an eyebrow. "Miss Li, you have to take responsibility after cleaning me out."
He said, with a straight face, "You insulted me with money, so I had no choice but to ask your grandmother to uphold justice for me."
"I am not marrying him." Li Li felt a surge of irritation just looking at Shang Che’s face.
She wasn't even sure if he was an enemy or an ally, and marriage was completely out of the question.
Besides, Shang Che was Shang Yang's own brother; she wanted no further entanglement with the Shang Family.
"That's not up to you." Old Madam Li was more serious than ever. "Your business has blown up all over the internet, and you yourself admitted that you slept with him."
"This marriage must happen."
Li Li gritted her teeth. "I can get married, but not to Shang Che."
"Why not?" Old Madam Li looked displeased. "Did I send him to your bed?"
Li Li had no way to refute that. In truth, she had been the one to single Shang Che out from the crowd at first sight.
There was no other reason; among a group of people, he was the only one who looked roguish, handsome in a way that screamed "trouble."
Li Li hadn't even thought about who he was at the time. Her only thought was to follow her impulses—he looked like he could get the job done.
Once she realized who he was in bed, she felt even more relieved. Shang Che was notoriously scandalous, a known playboy with lovers everywhere.
Sleeping with him meant no psychological burden.
"That still won't do." Li Li felt justified, if a bit stubborn. "At worst, I'll pay him more money."
"Is that how I raised you?"
Old Madam Li was determined that Li Li should marry Shang Che; she didn't intend to give her any room to refuse.
"I said, anyone but him," Li Li frowned, unable to understand what Shang Che had told the old lady.
She couldn't see through him, and she was even more worried that he was on Li Xiang’s side. Gritting her teeth, she retorted, "From Shang Yang to Shang Che—such a steep drop. If it were you, would you be happy?"
"If you want me to get married, at least find me someone with a better reputation."
Hearing Li Li compare him to Shang Yang—and lose—Shang Che’s handsome face fell instantly.
Old Madam Li huffed. "What drop? Aren't they both young masters of the Shang Family?"
Li Li turned away, not saying a word. She didn't even want to discuss it.
Shang Che, who had been silent, walked up to Li Li and suddenly chimed in: "Shang Yang can’t give you happiness."
Li Li was already annoyed, and the sight of his face fueled her temper. She shot him a harsh look. "Oh, you know that for a fact?"
Shang Che said with a deadpan expression, "He’s impotent."
Li Li: "?"
Old Madam Li: "..."
*You might as well pretend I don't exist.*
"You seem very well-informed. Were you hiding under their bed in the middle of the night?"
Li Li finally realized why everyone called Shang Che a scoundrel. His mouth was full of nonsense; who knew what was true and what was a lie?
Shang Che continued, unhurriedly, "Your demands are high. Nobody can satisfy you but me."
He said it with such conviction that Old Madam Li couldn't help but glance at her granddaughter.
Shang Che continued to promote himself: "You just verified my capabilities, didn't you?"
Li Li wouldn't fall for his trap. "What, is he the only man on earth?"
"If one isn't enough, I can just find a few more."
Seeing the stubborn, proud look on her face, as if she really could do what she said, Shang Che’s face darkened instantly.
"Li Li, you only get to choose me."
He stepped forward, his cold, deep eyes exuding an oppressive force, crowding the air around Li Li until it was filled only with his scent.
Li Li’s gaze landed on the hickey on his throat, and her throat went dry.
It was a primal memory and craving rising from deep within her body.
Li Li quickly turned away, silently cursing that the effects of the drug were far too long-lasting.
Old Madam Li observed their interaction and hammered it home: "Tomorrow morning, I’ll have someone come by to handle the paperwork for you two."
"No!" Li Li countered without a second thought.
"Whether you like it or not, it's happening!" Old Madam Li was firmer than she had ever been. "Shang Yang has already married Li Xiang; you can only marry Shang Che."
"I will go speak to your father. After the wedding, I will hand over full management of the company to you."
"Grandma..." Li Li couldn't understand why her usually indulgent grandmother had become so firm. She tried to act like a spoiled child.
But the old lady’s expression remained heavy. "Lili, Grandma doesn't have much time left."