Chapter Sixteen: Seeking the Merchant Owner for Revenge

“What are you laughing at?” Li Xin felt a chill run down her spine. The green-haired woman beside her, who had remained silent until now, nudged her shoulder and whispered, “Sister Xin, what if her background is even bigger than yours?”

Li Xin sneered, utterly disbelieving. How could a tiny makeup room possibly give rise to a golden phoenix? “Zhao Ruolan, don’t get too cocky. Tomorrow next year will be your death anniversary!”

A flicker of coldness flashed in Su Mian’s eyes. It was endless, wasn’t it? If Li Xin wasn’t intimidated, Sister Ruolan would surely be ostracized in the music hall from then on.

Shang Biehan was undoubtedly the most legitimate choice, but... Su Mian felt a wave of helplessness.

His reputation was too bad. If anyone actually got involved with Zhao Ruolan, others would misunderstand Sister Ruolan’s private life as chaotic. Being known as one of Shang Biehan’s so-called “seven-day girlfriends” wouldn’t even earn the respect of bad people.

So...

Su Mian curved her lips slightly and walked over to the dressing table, where bottles and jars were scattered. Her slender knuckles brushed across the surface, then she looked down at the foundation and eyeshadow sticky on her hand.

“You can tell your uncle that the person who hit you today was arrogant and utterly reckless.”

Today was supposed to be just a casual shopping trip. Su Mian wore a simple light-colored sweater with a pure white short coat trimmed with fur. Her jeans had front slits at the calves, paired with white ankle boots.

She had acted too quickly earlier and hadn’t taken off her coat yet. Now, she wasn’t thinking about the chill. Her warm and fresh outfit, combined with her casual demeanor, gave her a roguish air, like a delinquent unaware of their own audacity.

Her hands hung loosely by her side, a deeper smile sparkling in her eyes. The pale, slender fingers and the ill-applied makeup were strikingly incongruous.

“If you want revenge, look for Shang Jiuxu.”

Her fingers lightly stroked Li Xin’s left cheek, the makeup perfectly covering the finger marks left by the blows—yellowish-white bruises.

Like a mischievous sprite wreaking havoc on the world, Su Mian tilted her head slightly and smiled: “The Shang family of Beijing—Shang Jiuxu. Finding him won’t be difficult. Just have someone curse his Global International on the street—exploitation, harassment, tax evasion... make up whatever accusation you like. His people will surely come after you.”

“Then you can explain to his men that it’s because Shang Qing hit you, and you’re out for revenge.” Su Mian said this casually, then cruelly patted Li Xin’s face. Her breath was like a ghost orchid blooming in the dark night—only this one blossomed in a pool of blood.

Li Xin was completely stunned. If she had no concept of power and influence before, Su Mian’s merciless tone now utterly terrified her.

The Shang family of Beijing was already fearsome enough. Even in Gang City, their influence was undeniable. Those three towering skyscrapers in Tsim Sha Tsui—she and her group of girlfriends would always marvel at the young and successful head of the Shang family whenever they shopped there. They fawned over the corporate figurehead’s ID photo, knowing he was a distant, unattainable deity.

Yet this young woman casually uttered the family head’s name with such familiarity, naturalness, and unquestioning certainty—there was no need for verification, nor could there be. No one would dare bet against her connection with the Shang family. The moment she spoke, the outcome was sealed.

Shang Qing... her surname was Shang...?!

Su Mian paid no heed to their stunned reactions. She pulled out two tissues and wiped her fingers clean. Her well-tailored coat did not restrict her movements in the slightest. “Zhao Ruolan is under my protection. If anything happens to her in the Gang City Music Association, it won’t just be a simple beating for you.”

The implication was clear: not only must Li Xin and her gang stop bullying Zhao Ruolan, but they would also have to rely on connections to shield her from then on.

Li Xin slumped dejectedly to the ground. Her cronies, who had joined in the bullying, stared dumbfounded as Su Mian took Zhao Ruolan’s wrist and led her away.

They tried in vain to persuade her to go to the hospital. Su Mian didn’t want to force it and instead found a nearby pharmacy, where the clerk helped disinfect and bandage Zhao Ruolan’s wounds.

Looking at the fine scratches on her thigh, Su Mian clenched her fists, regretting that she hadn’t hit harder earlier.

The laws in Gang City were strict. Before leaving, she wanted to report the incident to the police, confident it would land those bullies in jail for at least two years of correction. But Zhao Ruolan gently pressed her hand and shook her head, stopping her.

She had always preferred to keep the peace, unlike Su Mian, who wouldn’t hesitate to fight barehanded until someone was bloodied. That was why she had suffered many losses over the past two years.

Zhao Ruolan was blameless in this matter, but since she didn’t want to involve the authorities, Su Mian planned to quietly coordinate later with the police.

If these people weren’t punished, they would continue to poison the atmosphere and eventually harm more innocent people.

As the clerk bandaged Zhao Ruolan’s wounds, Su Mian’s empathy made her wince in pain just watching. Zhao Ruolan noticed Su Mian’s clenched fists and couldn’t help but smile slightly. “It only looks scary, it doesn’t hurt.”

She deliberately shifted Su Mian’s attention. “How’s that ambiguous guy you had in high school?”

The topic change was abrupt, but Su Mian was willing to indulge her.

The ambiguous high school boy was certainly not Shang Jiuxu; otherwise, Zhao Ruolan wouldn’t have asked so casually.

Back then, when Zhao Ruolan was hospitalized during high school for her pregnancy, Su Mian took care of her. To cheer her up, she talked about school gossip, eventually touching on herself.

Since falling for Shang Jiuxu at sixteen, Su Mian had been single-mindedly devoted to him, never liking anyone else. But that boy persistently showed kindness toward her.

Right before the college entrance exams, their relationship with Shang Jiuxu became intensely complicated.

That classmate was always around, and after his confession was rejected, he gloriously became the catalyst between Su Mian and Shang Jiuxu—the so-called “ambiguous boyfriend.”

“He got admitted to the Beijing Film Academy and is now a highly sought-after rising star. Things are going really well for him.

A year ago, some bored entertainment reporter dug up our high school interactions, and since then, the fans shipping us together have been going wild.” Su Mian still stared at Zhao Ruolan’s wound. “Actually, we’ve never worked on a drama or variety show together.”

That boy was the school heartthrob in high school. Somehow, he managed to be Su Mian’s deskmate—tall, fair-skinned, excellent at basketball and academics, with a dazzling smile and perfectly aligned teeth, radiating a sunny charm.

A true leading man from a youthful idol drama—and now, indeed, he was one.

“What’s his name?”

“Yin Xiaochuan. Sister Ruolan, if you’re interested, our ship name is ‘Little Cotton,’ and you can find us on Weibo.”

After Zhao Ruolan’s wounds were treated, Su Mian paid for the medicine and secretly tipped the clerk using a special account.

The clerk, emboldened, asked for a photo, then enthusiastically sent them off, swearing to keep Su Mian’s whereabouts confidential.

It wouldn’t matter if it got out—there was nothing worth gossiping about.

If she revealed that Su Mian had personally dismantled the ship, the “Little Cotton” fans could easily cyberbully her into depression, so it was better not to invite trouble.

“I know a nearby tea restaurant that’s pretty good. Shall we go for something light?” Su Mian remembered Zhao Ruolan disliked greasy food and figured she wouldn’t be in the mood for a big meal.

Zhao Ruolan nodded, tilting her head towards Su Mian, who had now returned to her calm and cheerful self, as if the arrogant, reckless one from before was someone else entirely.

Unable to resist, she asked, “That state you scared Li Xin and the others with just now...”

“That was acting.” Su Mian blinked, belatedly feeling a little embarrassed. She smiled and said, “I grew up around the Shang family, soaked in it since childhood. I can put on that kind of act—after all, I am an actress.”

Zhao Ruolan understood and smiled faintly. “I know. You just won the Golden Moon Award for Best Actress recently. Congratulations.” Su Mian’s eyes curved as she listened. “If I didn’t know what kind of person you are, I almost would have been fooled by you just now.”