Chapter 13: A Video That Slaps Them in the Face

“It’s because I trusted you too much that I didn't realize you only know how to wrong yourself.” Old Madam Ying’s eyes were cloudy, yet her gaze was incredibly sharp. “I wonder who it was—knowing full well that the room was booked by her own young uncle, yet still taking a bath inside...”

“Shameless!”

Zhong Manhua’s expression shifted once again.

No matter how one looked at it, the fact that Ying Zijin had seduced Jiang Moyuan was a reality.

It happened over a month ago, on January 17th, not long after Qingzhi High School had just broken for the holidays.

As the Lunar New Year approached, Ying Zhenting was busy managing the company, while Zhong Manhua was preparing to send the eldest young lady of the Ying family to Europe for a half-year exchange program.

This was a hard-won opportunity that absolutely could not allow for any mistakes.

There was no need to even consider whether the eldest or second young lady was more important.

However, since she was her own biological daughter after all, Zhong Manhua could not completely set her mind at ease.

Fortunately, Ying Luwei offered to help look after her, allowing Zhong Manhua to stay in Europe for a few extra days with peace of mind. As it turned out, before she could even return, news arrived that the Ying family's adopted daughter had shamelessly seduced her own young uncle.

She immediately changed her flight and flew back to Shanghai, only then learning what had actually happened.

Jiang Moyuan had always been accustomed to working in the Queen Central Hotel; this was something everyone in Shanghai knew. The presidential suite on the 18th floor of the Queen Central Hotel was his personal room.

But her own biological daughter actually dared to take a bath in there!

If it wasn't specifically to seduce Jiang Moyuan, what else could it be?

Fortunately, Jiang Moyuan had spared Ying Luwei's face and hadn't made a public scene, but he had also shown no mercy by coming directly to the Ying family's door, naming names and demanding they discipline her properly.

Thus, even though the matter had been suppressed, rumors had still leaked out.

During those days, whenever Zhong Manhua encountered members of other wealthy families on the road, she was mocked both subtly and overtly.

She had truly had enough!

Zhong Manhua suppressed her rage: "Don't just stand there, come over and apologize!"

"Sister-in-law..." Seeing that she couldn't persuade her, Ying Luwei turned to the girl. "Xiaojin, I know this isn't your fault. Come over and coax your sister-in-law; anger is bad for your health."

Ying Zijin stood leaning against the door with her long legs slightly bent. Hearing this, she lifted her eyelids: "Was I the one who was blind?"

"Xiaojin, how could you be blind? You are perfectly fine..." Before she could finish, Ying Luwei suddenly reacted, her expression one of shock. "Xiaojin, how can you say that? If it weren't for Moyuan, we wouldn't have been able to find you."

She frowned, clearly displeased.

Jiang Moyuan was the man every socialite in Shanghai dreamed of marrying; how could she be "blind"?

Wasn't she insulting her in the process?

Ying Luwei pursed her lips and lowered her head, looking very distressed.

Old Madam Ying could not bear to see her daughter being bullied. She laughed in fury: "As expected of someone from a small county town—you can say any nonsense imaginable!"

The commotion was so large that the servants naturally heard it.

They looked over curiously, their gazes toward the girl filled with disdain.

Zhong Manhua's fingers were trembling; she had never felt so humiliated in her life.

And this humiliation was brought upon her by her own biological daughter.

Had she given birth to this child specifically to bring her bad luck?

At this thought, the blood in Zhong Manhua's body rushed upward, and her head felt as if it were about to explode.

Finally unable to endure it any longer, she stepped forward quickly, intending to grab the girl—

In the silent living room, a woman's soft voice suddenly rang out.

"Xiaojin, go to Room 1801 at the Queen Hotel and wait for me. I've prepared bathing supplies and new clothes for you in there. After you've bathed, come to the Bund with me, okay?"

"..."

Zhong Manhua froze, somewhat stunned: "Luwei?"

Old Madam Ying was also quite surprised.

Ying Luwei snapped her head up, looking at the girl in disbelief.

It was just an ordinary phone call; how had it been recorded?

Ying Zijin tossed her phone idly and turned off the recording: "Anything else?"

The new technology of the 21st century was indeed convenient; she didn't even have to exert much effort.

This phone was quite good; it recorded calls automatically.

Old Madam Ying suddenly felt awkward.

Her old face froze, turning from green to red, feeling restless.

Recalling the words she had just spoken and hearing this recording, she wished she could find a hole to crawl into and hide.

Ying Luwei quickly recovered. She lowered her eyes and said softly, "Mom, Sister-in-law, it's all my fault. I forgot about this matter. I was the one who asked Xiaojin to go there, but I had to step out for a moment and asked Xiaojin to wait for me. I didn't expect Moyuan to return early. Actually, nothing happened; I don't know how it turned into this."

She then gave an apologetic smile: "I explained it to Moyuan later. Mom, Sister-in-law, it really isn't Xiaojin's fault. Didn't I say so?"

Her emotions seemed incredibly sincere.

Zhong Manhua gave the girl a complex look and sat back down on the sofa, remaining silent this time.

Old Madam Ying was extremely embarrassed and only wanted to move past this matter quickly.

She tapped her cane against the floor again, her gaze stern but lacking its previous arrogance: "Fine. Since it wasn't for the position of the Jiang family matriarch, then why did you push Wei'er?"

This single sentence caused the anger that Zhong Manhua had just suppressed to flare up again: "You knew perfectly well your aunt has hemophilia, yet you still did this?"

"Mom, Sister-in-law, no..." Ying Luwei's eyes widened, looking very anxious as she spoke up first, "What are you talking about? Didn't I say, it had nothing to do with Xiaojin? She was actually trying to support me at the time."

"Luwei, you don't need to explain for her. She is used to lying; she was always like this. Are you still indulging her?" Zhong Manhua was incensed. She slammed the table hard, her chest aching painfully. "Do you know what people on Weibo are saying about you?!"

Ungrateful!

What a heavy accusation that was.

Just then, the butler, who was checking Weibo on the side, suddenly spoke up: "Madam, Old Madam, this is bad. Someone has released a video recording from the banquet."

"A recording?" Zhong Manhua was also startled. "Bring it here."

That was a private New Year's banquet; how could there be a recording?

If there was a recording, wouldn't there be no room left to cover it up?

"It's good that there is a recording," Old Madam Ying sneered. "With the facts laid bare, the lies will be exposed."

The butler hurriedly handed the phone over, placing it in front of Zhong Manhua and Old Madam Ying.

As if sensing something, Ying Luwei's expression shifted slightly, and she moved to stop them.

But the video played automatically; by the time she wanted to turn it off, it was too late.

In the footage, a woman walked elegantly down the stairs. Halfway down, her right foot slipped back, she stepped on her skirt, and she began to fall. One of her hands suddenly grabbed the girl behind her.

The girl was clearly stunned, but she managed to grab the handrail in time to avoid falling down with her.

This video, less than twenty seconds long, was directly placed at the top of the trending list for seventeen different hot searches.

(End of Chapter)