Volume One, Chapter 13: The Aristocratic Orthopedics

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Shen Qingqing lifted her gaze toward Xiao Meimei’s phone, the screen playing a clip of Xu Mingxuan and Xu Minyu kissing.

This video had made headlines on Bancheng’s main news site the day after the cable car accident, trending under the hashtag #BelievingInLoveAgain#. Later, Xu Mingxuan managed to suppress it.

Now, it had once again topped the headlines—this time as the leading news in the capital city.

The topic: #FakeFamilyDramaInTheEliteCircle#.

Comments beneath the video were wildly varied.

Moral outrage: “The sister-in-law turned into a rival—explosive! I want the Shen family’s heiress!”

Financial concerns: “The Xu family is about to break ties with the Shen family; their stock will surely plummet!”

Romantic enthusiasts shipping the couple: “Don’t you find love that breaks through family shackles utterly romantic?”

Shen Qingqing handed the phone back to Xiao Meimei, giving a self-deprecating smile. “Looks like Shen Minyu is quite recognizable after all.”

“Although Xu Minyu’s face isn’t very clear in the video, her exposure in the capital’s social circles far exceeds yours. Anyone who’s met her would recognize her instantly,” Xiao Meimei said, watching Shen Qingqing closely. “Why do you look so unhappy? The public opinion is finally standing up for you!”

Shen Qingqing picked up her constantly vibrating phone from the bedside, looking back at Xiao Meimei. “Public opinion is always a double-edged sword. At most, it’s just the spark. What comes next... is the real battle.”

With that, Shen Qingqing answered the call.

Xiao Meimei saw the caller ID: Xu Mingxuan.

“Shen Qingqing, did you upload that video online?” Xu Mingxuan demanded over the phone.

“So what if I did? And what if I didn’t?” Shen Qingqing’s tone was calm.

Xu Mingxuan hesitated, surprised by her reaction.

“Regardless, you need to call my parents immediately,” Xu Mingxuan ordered, no longer pressing blame but insisting on cooperation to resolve the issue. “Tell them that the woman in the video is you!”

Faced with this bizarre demand, Shen Qingqing laughed bitterly. “Do you think they’re fools? They’ve raised their daughter for ten years; they’d recognize her anywhere.”

There was a long pause. Xu Mingxuan’s voice turned dark. “Shen Qingqing, I’m warning you—if my father kicks Minyu out of the family, I’ll make sure you’re left with nowhere to call home!”

Shen Qingqing’s heart clenched sharply.

Xu Mingxuan knew her deepest desire was a warm home—and her greatest fear was homelessness.

“You’re such a bastard, Xu Mingxuan!” Shen Qingqing slammed down the phone.

At that moment, someone knocked violently on the door—

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“Shen Qingqing, come out quickly. Xu Minyu has tried to slit her wrist!”

Xiao Meimei sprang up from the bed, cursing under her breath, “Damn it!”

Shen Qingqing’s hand gripping the phone trembled slightly.

It was a constant game of one-upmanship!

As soon as Xiao Meimei opened the door, Wang Ying rushed in. “Shen Qingqing, Xu Minyu wants to see you. If you don’t go, she won’t open the door, not even the paramedics can get in.”

“In such a critical moment, shouldn’t you break the door down?” Shen Qingqing looked coldly at Wang Ying.

No way was she going to be morally blackmailed.

If Xu Minyu really wanted to slit her wrist, would she give advance notice?

Wang Ying was stunned, frowning as she swore, “Shen Qingqing, how can you be so cold-hearted? And Xu Minyu said you were the kindest person...”

“I won’t show kindness to an enemy,” Shen Qingqing said, silencing her ever-vibrating phone.

Soon a crowd gathered in the hallway, whispering and speculating.

“At the evening meeting, Xu Minyu just revealed her identity as the Xu family heiress. Less than three hours later, she’s been slapped in the face! Turns out she’s just a fake heiress using her looks to climb up...”

“Given the situation now, if Xu Minyu can’t catch Xu Shao, she has no future in the capital’s social circle...”

“Poor Shen Qingqing, nominally the fiancée but forced to watch her fiancé fool around with his sister every day, unable to say a word, and constantly schemed against by her sister-in-law!”

“Elite family alliances are all about interests. There’s no true emotion. Whoever takes it seriously will just get hurt...”

“Hmmph!” Zhou Cong hurried over, pushing through the crowd to stand at the door.

Upon seeing him, the crowd quickly dispersed.

Zhou Cong glanced at the three women inside the room, finally fixing his gaze on Wang Ying. “Xu Minyu has been sent to the hospital. If you truly care about her, you can go visit.”

Wang Ying turned awkwardly and hurried away.

“I really don’t understand how she thinks, letting herself be used as a pawn again and again,” Xiao Meimei couldn’t help but complain.

Shen Qingqing looked up at Zhou Cong, a grateful smile softening her face. “Thank you for coming all this way. And also, thank you for the video from today’s meeting...”

“You’re welcome,” Zhou Cong scratched the back of his head, avoiding her gaze.

Suddenly, he understood why the boss was so captivated after spending just one night with her; why Xiao Meimei had only known her two days but was already fiercely protective.

Because Shen Qingqing had a pair of beautiful, innocent eyes.

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Those eyes were captivating—he could never meet them head-on!

If it hadn’t been for discovering just now that Shen Qingqing had forwarded the video, he might have thought she was purely a victim.

Clearing his throat, Zhou Cong deliberately wore a cold expression. “I’m here to inform you that Assistant Zhou and the HR manager want you to come to the office.”

Before Shen Qingqing could reply, Xiao Meimei stepped in front of her, eyes wide and glaring at Zhou Cong.

“It’s so late—why make her go now?”

Zhou Cong frowned slightly, patiently explaining to Xiao Meimei, “Xu Minyu insists that Shen Qingqing was the one who uploaded the video. This matter has escalated, and it’s reasonable for the leaders to want to clarify the situation...”

“No way!” Xiao Meimei interrupted. “Even if Qingqing forwarded the video, so what? Sharing a video isn’t illegal or unethical. Why should she be questioned?”

Zhou Cong sighed quietly, thinking that Xiao Meimei’s heart was completely won over by Shen Qingqing.

Seeing Zhou Cong’s predicament, Shen Qingqing gently held Xiao Meimei’s arm and reassured her softly, “It’s okay. I’ll go and be right back.”

“I’m coming with you,” Xiao Meimei grabbed Shen Qingqing’s hand and threw a warning glance at Zhou Cong.

A warm current spread through Shen Qingqing’s heart. She slowly squeezed Xiao Meimei’s hand in return. “Thank you, Meimei...”

These past few days, Xiao Meimei had given her so much trust and warmth.

So she was even more determined not to disappoint her.

She was no longer the gentle, kind-hearted Shen Qingqing.

“But it’s better if I handle this myself,” Shen Qingqing said, gently pushing Xiao Meimei aside with a polite smile.

Xiao Meimei was momentarily stunned as Shen Qingqing turned and left the room.

Shen Qingqing crossed the corridor, heading toward the hotel lobby.

Suddenly, a shadow flickered before her eyes—a heavy slap landed hard on her left cheek.

“What are you doing!” Sun Mei exclaimed, catching the staggering Shen Qingqing.

The slap was sudden and heavy, making Shen Qingqing’s head ring.

She looked up slightly and saw Shen Dahai’s furious face.

His palm rose again, as if to strike her a second time.