Chapter 35: Malicious Slander

Xia Yu was ultimately diagnosed with a drug allergy. When combined with alcohol, this medication acts rapidly, triggering severe swelling and an uncontrollable, intense itch. In extreme cases, victims have been known to scratch themselves until they are permanently disfigured. Fortunately, Xia Yu was taken to the hospital in time, preventing such a tragedy.

When Xia Rusheng reached the door of the hospital room, she saw Xia Yu lying on the bed with her head swathed in bandages. Her appearance was comparable to the state Xia Rusheng had been in when she was disfigured. Xia Yu knew how unsightly she looked, so she had barred everyone from entering, allowing only her two best friends to stay with her.

These "best friends" were familiar to Xia Rusheng: Shen Rou and Zhang Biting.

Shen Rou was the daughter of a minor wealthy family in City A, with businesses spanning real estate, entertainment, hotels, and catering. She and Xia Yu had been friends since childhood.

Zhang Biting, by comparison, was a tier below; her father was a developer whose success had been entirely bankrolled by Fengcheng Investment. Consequently, she was little more than a sycophant trailing in Xia Yu’s wake.

"Xiaoyu, what on earth happened? You were crying so hard on the phone, you terrified me." Shen Rou, still a minor, had not attended today’s banquet and was completely unaware of the situation.

Xia Yu opened her mouth, swallowed the vitriol she had originally intended to spout, and feigned misery. "I don’t even know what happened. Ever since I fell down the stairs today, it’s been one disaster after another. Rou, I’m so sad, and I feel so terrible."

"You fell down the stairs? How could you be so careless?" Shen Rou couldn't bring herself to touch her, so she could only offer this startled comfort.

Xia Yu wore an expression of hesitation, secretly signaling to Zhang Biting. Having already heard the tearful account, Zhang Biting knew the sequence of events and exactly what Xia Yu wanted. She spoke with feigned indignation: "Xiaoyu didn't just fall; she was pushed down the stairs by her sister! I saw it with my own eyes!"

Shen Rou’s eyes widened in disbelief. "That sister of yours who spent all those years running wild out there? How could she do something like that? That’s so vicious!"

"There’s nothing she wouldn't do. Not only did she push Xiaoyu down the stairs, but she also poisoned her. Xiaoyu’s face ended up like this all because of her!" Zhang Biting spoke with such conviction that one might have believed she had truly witnessed it.

"She really is unraised and ill-bred. How could anyone be so heartless? Isn't your father going to stand up for you?" Shen Rou was now seething with anger, as if she were the one who had been bullied and disfigured.

Xia Yu endured her pain; the doctor had warned her not to let tears soak the bandages, but hearing this, she couldn't help but feel aggrieved. She sobbed, "Don't say any more. Today is her coming-of-age ceremony and her engagement party. For the sake of the Lin family, my father can't do anything to her. I have no choice but to swallow this bitterness."

"That’s too much! Just because she’s marrying into the Lin family, does she think she’s something special? Xiaoyu, I will definitely help you get revenge!"

This was exactly what Xia Yu had been waiting for. A calculating glimmer appeared in her tear-filled eyes. She knew Shen Rou was the type to love playing the hero, which was why she had acted so pathetic. She sighed softly, "If even my father can't do anything about her, what can you do? She’s spent so many years mixing with all sorts of unsavory characters, and her schemes are so deep—you’re no match for her."

Prompted by this, Shen Rou smiled immediately. "Like you said, she’s spent years hanging around street trash; she’s probably far from innocent. Even if she were, I can make sure everyone knows she isn't. Just wait and watch the show, Xiaoyu."

Zhang Biting knew what tactics she planned to use. As long as she spread the rumors through her social circle, it wouldn't be long before gossip about Xia Xia’s "indiscretions" swept through the entire upper class.

However, Zhang Biting felt a twinge of worry. "Will this... will this provoke the Lin family?"

"Why are you such a coward? Even if the Lin family finds out, so what? I’m not saying anything that isn't true."

Shen Rou was correct; the matter was impossible to verify. Xia Xia had studied away from home for years, had a poor relationship with her family, and was known for her rebellious nature. This was an inherent vulnerability. Shen Rou dared to spread these rumors precisely because she knew it could neither be proven nor refuted.

"Don't worry, Xiaoyu. Your coming-of-age ceremony is in a few months. The most important thing for you now is to recover well and overshadow her performance today!"

A flash of gloom crossed Xia Yu's eyes at the mention of this. Seeing her expression, Zhang Biting asked anxiously, "What’s wrong, Xiaoyu? Didn't Rou say she’d help you? Pull yourself together; don't let that brat think you’re easy to bully."

"I want to, but..."

"But what?" Shen Rou sat down, taking Xia Yu’s hand, asking with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"There’s something you haven't considered. I... I’m only three months younger than her. Do you know what that means?"

Zhang Biting hadn't thought it through, but Shen Rou’s expression shifted, and she even loosened her grip on Xia Yu’s hand.

It could only mean one thing: Xia Yu’s mother was a mistress.

While mistresses and illegitimate children were not uncommon in wealthy circles, every legitimate wife loathed them. The Shen family was no exception. What successful man didn't have a woman or two on the side? Her own family had such issues, which was why she particularly despised that type of person.

Sensing Shen Rou’s sudden withdrawal, Xia Yu quickly grabbed her hand back. "My mother isn't a mistress! There are things you don't know. Her mother was the mistress! My mother and father were in love, but when my father’s company faced financial trouble, her mother used money to threaten him into marrying her. My grandmother, under pressure from the company, had no choice but to force them apart. Her mother was the most despicable mistress of all!"

Shen Rou asked, half-convinced, "Is what you’re saying true?"

"Of course it’s true! Why else would my father marry my mother the moment her mother died? He never loved her! It was that vicious mistress who almost cost me my father, and she gave birth to a daughter just as wicked as she is." The more Xia Yu spoke, the more agitated she became, gripping Shen Rou’s hand so hard it hurt.

Her intense reaction made Shen Rou believe her. With Zhang Biting chiming in on the side, Shen Rou was thoroughly brainwashed by Xia Yu.

"Don't worry, Xiaoyu. I will make sure everyone knows the true face of that mistress and her daughter. How could a woman like that be lucky enough to marry into the Lin family? Just wait and see her reputation ruined." Shen Rou huffed coldly, repeatedly assuring Xia Yu that as her best friend, she would never sit idly by and would do everything in her power to help.

Outside the hospital room, hearing their childish slander, Xia Rusheng curled her lips into a smile.

Reputation ruined?

It wasn't yet certain who would be the one to lose everything in the end.