Chapter 24 — You and Your Daughter Look So Much Alike

After Jiang Ning finished picking up the scattered clothes from the floor, she stood up slowly and politely declined the woman’s offer. “Lanlan, I’d like to live on my own. I’ve already troubled you enough. I’ll repay the penalty fee I owe you as soon as possible.”

“Jiang Ning, you’re my friend and my only artist. There’s no need to be so formal with me! You—”

The chime of Jiang Ning’s phone interrupted her.

“Hello, who is this?” she answered.

“Sister Ning, it’s me, Qi Jun. You left in such a hurry, I didn’t even get your number. Good thing I was clever and got it from Director Guan Gao.”

Hearing Qi Jun’s cheerful voice on the other end, Jiang Ning’s lips curved into a smile. “Is something wrong?”

“It’s a big deal! Sister Ning, thanks to you, I backed out of that variety show that was supposed to film in two months. You were right, the only female guest is Gao Tiantian. By the way, your bank card is linked to this number, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Jiang Ning replied, her smile deepening.

Beside her, An Lan watched Jiang Ning’s delight with curiosity, wondering who she was talking to on the phone.

“Alright, the transfer’s done! Sister Ning, thank you for saving me,” Qi Jun said.

Hearing the man speak so earnestly for once, Jiang Ning added, “Stay away from Gao Tiantian. She’ll only bring misfortune into your life.”

“Got it, Sister Ning.”

After hanging up, Jiang Ning excitedly grabbed An Lan’s hand. “Lanlan, help me find a place to live! I finally have money for rent!”

“I’ll pay you the penalty fee right now.”

An Lan’s mouth twitched. “Were you really so broke you couldn’t even afford rent? Don’t worry about the penalty now. Just keep it for yourself. Pay me back when you’re rich—I’m not short a few million right now.”

“I know you’re loaded, but all my money went to top up my beauty salon membership. Platinum level, all built on cash,” Jiang Ning said, rubbing her forehead with regret, inwardly cursing her past ignorance.

“Xiao Ning, I just contacted a friend. He happens to have a vacant villa. The rent is at a friends-only rate, and it’s very close to my place. Why don’t you stay there?”

Jiang Ning threw her arms around An Lan, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Lanlan, you’re amazing! Let’s move in right now!”

“Xiao Ning, I have some things to take care of, so I can’t go with you. But I’ve already arranged everything. Someone will bring you the keys at six this evening.”

“Alright, send me the address. I’ll go by myself. My luggage is still in your car, and I want to go to the beauty salon for a treatment.”

An Lan was speechless.

“What’s with that face? I was stranded on that island for two days with nothing but a bit of serum. My skin is parched. I’m still a somewhat popular actress, so I have to take care of myself,” Jiang Ning said, patiently explaining as she noticed An Lan’s bemused expression.

Focused on driving, An Lan shot her a glance and snorted. “Your beauty salon is too low-end. There’s a Super VIP card for Saint May Beauty Salon in the drawer in front of you. Take it.”

“Lanlan, do you have room for another accessory on your thigh?” Jiang Ning joked, accepting the card and pushing her luck. “Then take me to Saint May now.”

Once again, Jiang Ning’s phone rang.

She answered, only to be greeted by Feng Tianchi’s furious tirade. “Jiang Ning, are you out of your mind? What did you do to Tiange?”

“What did I do? Didn’t you watch the livestream?” Jiang Ning retorted coldly.

“Jiang Ning! You should remember your place before you act! Gao Tiange is your senior, and she’s furious right now. Come to the company and apologize to her in person!”

Through the phone, Jiang Ning could clearly hear Gao Tiange screaming in the background, threatening to destroy her.

“Impossible. She’s not worthy,” Jiang Ning replied, her voice icy. On the other end, Feng Tianchi involuntarily shivered. Something about Jiang Ning had changed; she was no longer so easily manipulated.

After a moment’s silence, Feng Tianchi’s tone softened considerably. “Jiang Ning, even though you’ve terminated your contract, I was still your manager. I advise you to apologize to Gao Tiange. Otherwise, she’ll go after you on Weibo. You know how powerful she is. Don’t throw yourself against a stone.”

“Hmph, we’ll see who brings down whom,” Jiang Ning said, hanging up.

“Your former manager really isn’t much, is he?” An Lan muttered, unable to fathom how Jiang Ning had endured these past two years.

Jiang Ning closed her eyes in thought. About five minutes later, she opened them, picked up her phone, and tapped open Weibo.

“What is it? Trending again?” An Lan glanced at Jiang Ning’s dark expression.

“Don’t worry, Xiao Ning. I have ways to handle everything. Just be yourself,” An Lan reassured her.

Jiang Ning offered her a calm, faint smile. “Let me take care of these vile people myself.”

“Xiao Ning, read me the trending topics,” An Lan prompted.

“#JiangNingViolentWoman# #JiangNingAbusingHerSeniority# #JiangNingSlapsBaiZehanHitsGaoTiange!” Jiang Ning’s voice was cold, her lips curling into a mocking smirk. Clearly, Bai Zehan and Gao Tiange had teamed up to twist the truth against her.

On Weibo, Bai Zehan had posted a photo of his bruised knee with the caption: “Recently joined a variety show and somehow annoyed a female guest. I thought being kicked was nothing, but when I got home, I realized it was more serious.”

Pinned in the comments was a photo posted by Gao Tiange, showing a bruise on her wrist.

Within minutes, Weibo crashed. The name Jiang Ning shot to the top of the trending list, and even a video clip emerged of Jiang Ning slapping Bai Zehan twice.

“So the livestream wasn’t actually turned off. Gao Minglang, that old fox!” Jiang Ning gripped her phone tightly.

Sensing the shift in Jiang Ning’s aura, An Lan tried to comfort her. “Don’t let it get to you. Those two have huge fanbases and are award-winning actors. The public will naturally side with them.”

Jiang Ning scrolled through the comments and private messages; almost all of them were insults.

“Heh. Lanlan, do you think I’m going viral now?”

“Don’t read the comments. Just go get your treatment and leave this to me,” An Lan advised.

Jiang Ning said nothing.

The next moment, she posted on Weibo: “The innocent need no defense. Only fools believe the one-sided stories of scoundrels.”

The post exploded, shooting to the top of the trending list.

But then a new hashtag appeared, ranked second: #ChengBeiguSpeaksForJiangNing.

Jiang Ning clicked it and saw that Cheng Beigu, verified on Weibo, had uploaded a twenty-minute video showing the entire incident of Jiang Ning and himself dealing with Bai Zehan.

The comments under the post had already reached hundreds of thousands:

“I didn’t see this part during the livestream!”

“Me neither. The only footage was Jiang Ning slapping Bai Zehan!”

“Definitely the production team’s doing!”

“Yeah, they never showed us the real story!”

“Jiang Ning did nothing wrong!”

“That’s right, Bai Zehan was pestering Jiang Ning!”

“Bai Zehan’s jaw was dislocated; she only slapped him twice!”

“Gao Tiange and Bai Zehan are disgusting!”

“How is it?” An Lan asked, worried by Jiang Ning’s silence.

“It’s nothing. We’re here,” Jiang Ning replied as they arrived at Saint May. She was told it was very busy and she’d have to wait for a VIP treatment.

Checking the time, Jiang Ning saw she had plenty to spare and sat down to wait.

Half an hour later, a staff member came to escort her in.

“Is there really no room left? Everything’s booked?” A poised, elegant middle-aged woman at the front desk sounded surprised.

“Yes, Madam Qin. There are many clients today. There’s a major banquet tonight, and all the ladies have come for treatments,” the receptionist replied, looking apologetic.

Madam Qin sighed in disappointment. “Alright then.”

Jiang Ning glanced over at the regal, well-dressed lady, noting her crestfallen expression. Checking her own watch, she turned to the staff member. “Let her go first. I’m not in a rush. She seems to be in a hurry.”

“Thank you. I’ll let Madam Qin know,” the staff member said, grateful—after all, Madam Qin was quite the distinguished guest.

Surprised to hear someone had given up their room for her, Madam Qin hurried over to Jiang Ning. “Thank you, miss. I am really pressed for time. If you’re in a hurry too, please don’t give up your spot for me.”

Jiang Ning offered a gentle, serene smile and shook her head at the elegant lady before her. “No rush. You go ahead.”

Madam Qin followed the staff member in but soon returned, speaking kindly to Jiang Ning. “If you don’t mind, we could share. There are two beds in this room.”

Jiang Ning accepted the offer.

“You two look so much alike!” Madam Qin’s beautician exclaimed with a laugh.

Madam Qin froze, then smiled awkwardly. “We’re not mother and daughter.”

The beautician looked surprised. “Sorry, Madam Qin. I thought you looked similar, so I assumed…”

A deep sorrow flashed in Madam Qin’s eyes as she glanced at Jiang Ning. If her own daughter were still alive, she’d be about the same age as Miss Jiang.

“Miss Jiang, you have such grace. Do you have a boyfriend?” Madam Qin asked.

Jiang Ning opened her eyes, surprised by the question, but didn’t mind. “No.”

“Are you free tonight? I’m hosting a gathering and would love to invite you,” Madam Qin said. Seeing Jiang Ning hesitate, she added with a smile, “I’m very grateful you let me take your place, so I’d like to invite you to the party.”

“I’m free,” Jiang Ning replied softly.

“That’s wonderful. You’re so beautiful. There will be many outstanding young men tonight—I hope you’ll meet someone who truly cherishes you.”

Jiang Ning smiled. “Thank you.”

There was something about Madam Qin that reminded Jiang Ning of a mother’s warmth—gentle and comforting.