After I died, they cried in the live studio

Chapter 163 Looking for trouble
Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, each second an agonizing ordeal. Jiang Cimu's mind kept replaying Sang Shuwan's worried expression as she left, and a strong sense of responsibility welled up within him. He silently repeated to himself, "I can't let Wanwan worry, absolutely not." This belief sustained him through this endless suffering.

Suddenly, the ward door was gently pushed open, and a young nurse walked in carrying a medicine tray. When the nurse saw Jiang Cimu's face was as pale as paper, with large beads of sweat rolling down his face, his eyes tightly closed, and his whole body trembling, she was startled and almost dropped the medicine tray in her hands.

"Mr. Jiang, what's wrong?" The nurse hurriedly put down the medicine tray and rushed to the bedside, asking with concern. Jiang Cimu endured the pain, opened his eyes with difficulty, forced a smile, and said weakly, "I...I'm fine, I probably just moved a little too much."

The nurse clearly didn't believe him. She frowned and said with a hint of reproach, "You absolutely mustn't move around. You have three broken ribs and internal organ contusions. You must rest absolutely. If the wounds reopen, the consequences will be unimaginable." As she spoke, the nurse quickly examined Jiang Cimu's wounds. Fortunately, the gauze wasn't bleeding and the wounds showed no signs of worsening.

The nurse took painkillers from the medicine tray, poured a glass of warm water, helped Jiang Cimu sit up, and let him take them. Under the nurse's attentive care, Jiang Cimu felt the pain ease slightly, and his tense body gradually relaxed.

However, before long, the painkillers had fully taken effect, and a new wave of pain struck again. This time, the pain seemed even more intense than before. Jiang Cimu felt his vision blur, his head buzzing, and the whole world spinning. He gripped the sheets tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, crumpling the sheets as if he were about to tear them apart.

Just as Jiang Cimu was about to succumb to the pain, the ward door opened again. This time, it was the attending physician who entered. Seeing Jiang Cimu's pained expression, the doctor immediately went to the bedside and conducted a thorough examination. After the examination, the doctor determined that inflammation at the wound site was causing the intense pain. The doctor quickly adjusted the treatment plan and administered a strong painkiller to Jiang Cimu.

As the medication was slowly injected into his body, Jiang Cimu felt the pain recede like the tide, and his tense nerves finally relaxed. He wearily closed his eyes, falling into a semi-conscious state. In his hazy state, he seemed to see Sang Shuwan walking towards him with a smile, gently stroking his face, softly comforting him…

After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Cimu slowly awoke to a soft rustling sound. He opened his eyes and saw Sang Shuwan sitting by the bed, looking at him with concern. It turned out that Sang Shuwan had returned to the hospital after retrieving her necessities, and upon learning that Jiang Cimu had just experienced severe pain, she was extremely anxious and rushed back immediately.

"Ci Mu, how are you? Does it still hurt?" Sang Shuwan's voice was choked with tears, her eyes filled with heartache. Jiang Ci Mu looked at Sang Shuwan's swollen eyes and felt a pang of pain in his heart. He forced himself to sit up, reached out and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said with a smile, "I'm fine now, Wanwan, I'm sorry to have worried you."

Sang Shuwan held Jiang Cimu's hand tightly, as if she were holding the whole world in her hands: "Don't hide anything from me anymore. No matter what happens, we have to face it together." Jiang Cimu nodded gently, embraced Sang Shuwan, felt her warm body temperature, and secretly vowed to recover as soon as possible and give her a stable and happy future.

At the VIP lounge of Beijing International Airport, pedestrians hurried by. Sang Jiyue, wearing limited-edition sunglasses that covered most of her face, had her long, wavy hair casually draped over her exquisitely tailored Chanel haute couture suit, swaying slightly with her steps. She was surrounded by burly bodyguards who formed a tight circle, protecting her completely. In an instant, flashbulbs went off like a tidal wave, and reporters, microphones in hand, swarmed forward like a pack of sharks smelling blood.

"Jiyue, your new film has broken box office records. What are your next plans?"

How are the negotiations with international brands for endorsements progressing?

Sang Jiyue smiled subtly, her lips moving with perfect grace, and her sweet yet confident voice rang out: "I will settle down and strive to bring more high-quality works to live up to everyone's expectations." In reality, in her heart, the fierce competition with Sang Shuwan in the entertainment industry had only just begun.

At the same time, on the other side of the world in Los Angeles, the sun shone brightly into the recording studio, bathing Sang Shuwan in a golden glow. She was completely absorbed in the final mixing of her new album, the melodies flowing through her headphones like a lively stream of musical notes. Suddenly, her manager's phone call shattered the tranquility. The manager's anxious voice came through the receiver: "Sang Jiyue is making a lot of moves in China, endorsements, variety shows, and movies are all blossoming. We need to speed things up."

Sang Shuwan took off her headphones, her gaze passing through the glass window to the palm trees swaying in the wind outside. Her eyes were firm: "Tell the team to proceed according to the original plan. The quality of the work is the foundation."

Three months flew by. At the most influential music festival in China, the lights shone brightly, and the cheers and screams of the audience blended together. Sang Jiyue, as the opening guest, took to the stage in a gorgeous feather gown adorned with Swarovski crystals. As the music began, her dance steps were both graceful and powerful, every movement precise and controlled. The stage effects, synchronized with the rhythm, created a dreamlike atmosphere. The audience's enthusiasm was instantly ignited, and the atmosphere was as passionate as a burning flame.

As the performance ended, the host's voice trembled slightly with excitement: "Sang Jiyue has won the Most Popular Female Singer of the Year award for her album 'Dawn'!" The audience erupted in applause. Sang Jiyue gracefully walked onto the stage to accept the trophy. Her gaze swept across the entire audience, her eyes filled with confidence and pride, as if declaring her regal status to everyone.

Meanwhile, Sang Shuwan was at Madison Square Garden in New York, busily preparing for her first overseas concert. The venue was decorated with distinctly Eastern characteristics, with large red lanterns hanging high and exquisite screens arranged in a staggered pattern, complementing the modern stage equipment and creating a unique ambiance. When domestic viewers saw Sang Shuwan shining brightly on stage through the live stream, the screen was instantly flooded with comments: "Shuwan's international flair is amazing!"

Upon seeing the online comments, Sang Jiyue's meticulously drawn willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed tightly, forming a "川" (river) shape. She realized that Sang Shuwan had already established herself on the international stage, and if she wanted to gain the upper hand in this contest, she had to adopt a more aggressive strategy.

Shortly after, renowned Hollywood director David Copperfield began preparing for his new film, *Oriental Legend*, a large-scale, globally anticipated production that was casting for a leading lady worldwide. Sang Jiyue and Sang Shuwan both received audition invitations.

To land the role, Sang Jiyue turned down all other work and secluded herself for a month. She hired a professional English speaking teacher for comprehensive, immersive training, covering pronunciation, intonation, and body language. She also apprenticed under a martial arts master, diligently practicing various martial arts techniques daily, striving to perfectly showcase the grace and resilience of Eastern women in the audition. On the day of the audition, she wore a modified cheongsam, perfectly embodying the charm of Eastern women. During her performance, her gaze was firm, and her movements were fluid and graceful. Director David praised her performance highly.

Sang Shuwan was not to be outdone. She invited an Oscar-winning styling team to design her audition outfits, meticulously crafting every detail from style to material to stand out visually. She also hired a professional coach to conduct an in-depth analysis of the character, studying everything from personality and background to every subtle emotional shift. During the audition, she delivered a nuanced performance in fluent English, captivating the judges and winning them over with her nuanced portrayal. Ultimately, director David faced a difficult choice.

To enhance her image and influence, Sang Jiyue launched a large-scale charity auction. The auction venue was luxuriously and solemnly decorated, with crystal chandeliers casting a soft glow. Bidders, dressed in their finest attire, chatted quietly, creating a lively yet orderly atmosphere. Sang Jiyue donated her treasured art collection, including a priceless oil painting and several antiques. Inspired by her, numerous celebrities and business tycoons generously donated, and the auction ultimately raised over ten million yuan. The media widely reported on the event, and Sang Jiyue's social reputation reached new heights.

Upon learning of this, Sang Shuwan decided to hold a charity concert at the United Nations headquarters to call for global attention to children's education. The concert was streamed live online worldwide, attracting hundreds of millions of viewers. Sang Shuwan conveyed love and hope through her moving voice and heartfelt words. UN officials highly praised Sang Shuwan's act of kindness, and numerous international media outlets reported on her story. This concert not only enhanced Sang Shuwan's international influence but also drew greater attention to the global issue of children's education.

In the competitive and challenging world of entertainment, the rivalry between Sang Jiyue and Sang Shuwan continues. They each write their own legends, bringing more excellent works to the audience and spreading positive energy to the world.

At five in the morning, as the sky was just beginning to lighten and the city was still asleep, Sang Jiyue's van was already parked steadily at the entrance of the film set. Her assistant was waiting by the car, and the moment the door was opened, a gust of cold wind, carrying the unique noise of the film set, rushed into the vehicle. Sang Jiyue was wearing loose sportswear and a baseball cap; her bare face could not hide her fatigue, yet it exuded a resilient spirit.

Stepping into the dressing room, the lights instantly enveloped her. The makeup artist skillfully opened her makeup case, various bottles and jars dancing rapidly in her hands. Sang Jiyue closed her eyes to rest, letting the makeup artist apply the products to her face, her mind repeatedly processing today's scenes. Suddenly, her phone vibrated; it was her agent calling to inform her that there was a problem with the originally planned costume, and a last-minute change was needed.

A moment later, Sang Jiyue, accompanied by her assistant, went to the fitting room. A heavy velvet curtain blocked out the outside noise, and a faint scent of perfume filled the room. The moment she reached out to touch the curtain, the conversation drifting from inside pierced her ears like a sharp needle.

It's obvious that the supporting actors who acted alongside her are in the movie. Now it's her turn to act, and those supporting actors are talking badly about her.

"Sang Jiyue's success today is all thanks to her surgically enhanced face; she has no real talent. If we were willing to have surgery on our faces, we might even be more famous than her!" The speaker was Zhang Yue, a third-tier actress, whose high-pitched voice was filled with intense jealousy.

Another voice chimed in, "That's right! Last time I was on set, I saw her with my own eyes that she couldn't even remember her lines and had to rely entirely on the teleprompter." Li Xuan said, gesturing exaggeratedly as she spoke.

Sang Jiyue's hands, gripping the curtain tightly, were bulging with veins, her nails almost digging into her palms. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, her mind flashing back to all the hardships she had endured since entering the industry: countless days and nights practicing expressions and lines in front of the mirror, repeatedly slapping herself to perfect a single action, and gritting her teeth and persevering in filming even with a fever of 39 degrees Celsius.

"Do you think you can become famous by gossiping about others?" Sang Jiyue suddenly pushed open the fitting room door, her exquisitely made-up face exuding a cold aura. Her high heels clicked crisply on the floor. "Instead of wasting your energy on slandering others, you should focus on improving yourselves."

Zhang Yue and Li Xuan turned pale from the sudden questioning. Zhang Yue stammered, "Sister Jiyue, we...we were just joking."

“A joke?” Sang Jiyue took a few steps closer, her eyes as sharp as ice blades. “Do you know how much I’ve sacrificed for today? While you were resting, I was practicing my lines; while you were enjoying life, I was working my butt off on set.”

Li Xuan swallowed hard and forced a rebuttal: "But that's what everyone says online, we just heard it from them."

Sang Jiyue sneered, "You believe what you read online? It seems you're not only bad actors, but also not very bright." She took out her phone from her bag and pulled up her hospital medical report. "This is my annual medical report, which clearly states that I have no record of facial plastic surgery. As for my abilities, I don't mind competing with you during the audition."

Zhang Yue and Li Xuan exchanged a glance, their faces flushing and paling by turns, unsure how to respond. Just then, a staff member's voice came from outside the fitting room: "Ms. Sang, the director wants to see you; filming is about to begin."

Sang Jiyue tidied her hair, turned and left, leaving behind the words: "Instead of gossiping behind people's backs, you should spend more time improving your acting skills. That's the only way to establish yourself in this industry in the long run."

Zhang Yue and Li Xuan watched Sang Jiyue's departing figure, their hearts filled with mixed emotions. Li Xuan muttered softly, "Perhaps her fame isn't just due to her looks." Zhang Yue sighed, "It seems we need to reflect on this." Sang Jiyue strode towards the film set, the morning light shining on her, outlining a resolute silhouette. New challenges awaited her.

The filming location deep in the desert was scorched by the blazing sun, the heat waves distorting the distant sand dunes, making everything appear unreal under the bright sunlight. In the fitting room, Zhang Yue and Li Xuan's sharp whispers pierced Sang Jiyue's ears like poisonous needles.

"Sang Jiyue's success today is all thanks to her surgically enhanced face; she has no real talent. If we were willing to have surgery on our faces, we might even be more popular than her!" Zhang Yue's shrill voice was filled with intense jealousy.

“That’s right! Last time I was on set, I saw her with my own eyes that she couldn’t even remember her lines and had to rely entirely on the teleprompter.” Li Xuan gestured exaggeratedly, her face contorted in a ridiculous way.

Sang Jiyue's hands, gripping the curtain tightly, were bulging with veins, her nails almost digging into her palms. The hardships she had endured since entering the industry surged into her mind like a tidal wave: countless days and nights practicing expressions and lines in front of the mirror, repeatedly slapping herself for a single action, gritting her teeth and persevering in filming even with a fever of 39 degrees Celsius... and these two had trampled on all of this so ruthlessly.

Sang Jiyue took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, a thought flashing through her mind. Holding her breath, like a hunting cat, she tiptoed back two steps, her eyes fixed on the fitting room door, her hands slowly reaching for the lock. The moment her fingertips touched the metal latch, she paused, catching the continuous insults emanating from the two people inside the fitting room. Then, she gritted her teeth, pressed down hard, and with a soft "click," the lock closed.

Sang Jiyue dared not linger and turned to leave quickly. Her high heels left a series of hurried footprints on the scorching sand, which were quickly buried by the raging sandstorm.

On set, the director paced anxiously, glancing at his watch every now and then, muttering, "Why isn't Sang Jiyue here yet? The lighting will be bad if we delay any longer." Just then, Sang Jiyue appeared in sight. Her makeup was exquisite, and her long dress fluttered in the wind, exuding elegance with every gesture.

"Director, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Sang Jiyue's voice was neither humble nor arrogant.

The director looked her up and down, frowned, and said, "Don't be late next time. Get ready to film."

With the director's command, filming officially began. Sang Jiyue quickly immersed herself in the role, perfectly conveying the character's emotions with every gesture, earning unanimous praise from the director and crew. Meanwhile, Zhang Yue and Li Xuan in the dressing room remained completely unaware, still complaining.

"Strange, why can't I open this door?" Zhang Yue finally realized something was wrong and started banging on the door.

"The door must be broken! Quick, call someone for help!" Li Xuan shouted at the top of her lungs. However, their shouts were drowned out by the noise of the filming location, and no one responded.

Under the blazing sun, the temperature inside the fitting room rose sharply, becoming as stuffy and hot as a sauna. Zhang Yue and Li Xuan were drenched in sweat, their clothes clinging tightly to their bodies, and their voices were hoarse from shouting.

"I should have known better than to talk about her. What am I going to do now?" Zhang Yue slumped to the ground, her face full of regret.

"It's all your fault! If we've delayed the shoot, we're all doomed!" Li Xuan's eyes reddened with anxiety, and the two blamed each other, their voices growing weaker and weaker. The filming proceeded smoothly until, during a break, the crew suddenly realized that Zhang Yue and Li Xuan were missing. Everyone searched everywhere, and after a long time, someone finally remembered to check the fitting room.

When the staff opened the fitting room door, a sweltering heat rushed out. Zhang Yue and Li Xuan had disheveled hair and looked exhausted, as if their bones had been removed.

"How did you get trapped inside?" the staff member asked in surprise. The two looked at each other, stammering and unable to speak.

The news quickly reached the director's ears. The director was furious and summoned Zhang Yue and Li Xuan to his presence.

"Do you even know how much the filming schedule has been delayed because of you? I'm deducting your salaries for this month! If this happens again, you're out of the crew!" The director's voice echoed in the empty space.

As the last rays of the setting sun faded from the desert filming location, Zhang Yue and Li Xuan, feeling resentful at being penalized with a deduction from their paychecks, stormed off to the security room, determined to review the security footage and find the culprit who had locked them in the fitting room.

Pushing open the door to the security room, Zhang Yue arrogantly shouted, "Quick, pull up the surveillance footage from near the fitting room today! We need to check something!" The security guard on duty, Lao Wang, glanced at them, then lowered his head again to continue fiddling with the newspaper in his hand, coldly replying, "I'm busy right now, no time." Li Xuan, upon hearing this, instantly flew into a rage, hands on her hips, and shrieked, "Do you know who we are? If you delay our work, can you take responsibility?" Lao Wang frowned, recalling how these two usually bossed around security personnel and looked at them with disdain, and a wave of disgust washed over him. He calmly said, "The base's surveillance system is malfunctioning and under repair; we can't access it." In reality, the surveillance system was functioning normally; Lao Wang simply didn't want to help these two arrogant and rude people.

Zhang Yue and Li Xuan, though suspicious, were at a loss and could only leave the security room in a huff. Feeling increasingly aggrieved, they decided to fabricate dirt on Sang Jiyue to get revenge. Zhang Yue's eyes darted around, and she said viciously, "Since we can't find evidence of her locking the door, let's ruin her reputation!" Li Xuan chimed in, "Yes, let's spread rumors online, saying she acted like a diva on set and bullied newcomers."

That evening, Zhang Yue and Li Xuan, using anonymous accounts, posted an article titled "A Top Actress's On-Set Misconduct Exposed!" on various social media platforms and entertainment forums. The post embellished the story, describing how Sang Jiyue harassed newcomers and verbally abused staff on set, and included several maliciously edited images. Immediately, public opinion was in uproar. Unaware of the facts, netizens flocked to condemn her, and the topic of "Sang Jiyue acting like a diva" quickly became a trending topic, with negative comments flooding in.

The next day, Sang Jiyue's agent rushed to her, handing her his phone: "Jiyue, something's happened! These negative rumors have suddenly surfaced online, and they're having a huge impact on us." Sang Jiyue stared at the phone screen, her brows furrowed, both angry and annoyed: "These are all fabricated! It must be Zhang Yue and Li Xuan's doing." The agent sighed and said, "I know you're innocent, but public opinion is overwhelmingly against you right now. We need to figure out a way to deal with this quickly."

After calming down and thinking for a moment, Sang Jiyue said, "The innocent will clear themselves. We can't just sit here and wait to be killed. On the one hand, we should contact lawyers, collect evidence, and prepare to sue the rumor-mongers; on the other hand, we should issue a statement to respond to these rumors directly, and release videos of me working diligently on set in the past so that everyone can see the truth." The agent nodded in agreement and immediately began to make arrangements.

However, things didn't go as smoothly as Sang Jiyue had hoped. Seeing Sang Jiyue begin to fight back, Zhang Yue and Li Xuan bribed some marketing accounts to continue spreading negative rumors, and even bribed some film crew members to give false testimony. The negative rumors spread wider and wider, severely damaging Sang Jiyue's reputation, and some brands began to waver, considering whether to terminate their cooperation with her.

Faced with these numerous difficulties, Sang Jiyue did not back down. She instructed her team to conduct an in-depth investigation, which finally uncovered the connections between Zhang Yue and Li Xuan and the marketing accounts and perpetrators of fabricated evidence. Lawyers quickly gathered evidence and filed a lawsuit in court. Simultaneously, Sang Jiyue proactively contacted the media and held a press conference.

At the press conference, Sang Jiyue remained calm and resolute. She refuted the accusations one by one, presented substantial evidence, and recounted her acting career and the realities of filming. Finally, she solemnly stated, "I have always upheld the responsibilities of an actor, striving to bring good works to the audience. I will never tolerate these malicious rumors. The law will give me justice."

As the court investigation deepened, Zhang Yue and Li Xuan's conspiracy was gradually exposed. The court found them guilty of defamation, ordering them to issue a public apology and bear corresponding legal responsibility. Major media outlets reported on the matter, public opinion quickly shifted, and netizens began to express sympathy and support for Sang Jiyue, who successfully salvaged her reputation.

After this incident, Sang Jiyue gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of the entertainment industry and the treacherous nature of people. She knew that only by constantly improving herself and staying true to her original aspirations could she go further and more steadily in this industry full of temptations and challenges. Zhang Yue and Li Xuan, on the other hand, were scorned by industry professionals for their actions, and their acting careers plummeted. The desert remained, and the filming base returned to its usual bustling activity; however, everyone's mindset had been subtly altered by this incident.

Sunlight streamed through the office blinds, casting golden streaks of light on the floor. Sang Jiyue, having won her defamation lawsuit and successfully restored her reputation, was in high spirits. Humming a little tune, she walked briskly to Ceci's office. Ceci was sitting at her desk, intently reviewing documents; the only sound in the office was the rustling of papers turning. Hearing the door open, Ceci looked up, her eyes behind her gold-rimmed glasses filled with a gentle smile.

"Cessie, we won the case! Those rumors have been completely debunked." Sang Jiyue said in a clear voice, unable to hide her excitement, her eyes sparkling.

Cecily put down the documents in her hand, stood up, walked quickly to Sang Jiyue's side, patted her on the shoulder, and praised her, "I knew you could do it! Faced with these malicious slanders, you not only did not back down, but also fought back beautifully. Well done!"

The two chatted for a while longer before Sang Jiyue left, satisfied. However, she didn't expect that a new storm was quietly approaching.

A few days later, as dusk settled over Sang Jiyue's evening gown shop, the soft lighting created a dreamlike atmosphere. Large posters on the walls featured Sang Jiyue wearing an evening gown of her own design, exuding elegance and charm. The shop displayed evening gowns of various styles, each one resembling a meticulously crafted work of art.

Just then, the store door was flung open, and Zhang Yue and Li Xuan barged in like a gust of wind. As soon as they entered, they strolled among the clothes racks as if no one else was there, their eyes full of defiance. Seeing this, the shop assistants, with professional smiles on their faces, eagerly approached to inquire about their needs: "Hello, how can I help you? These are some new arrivals in our store..." Before they could finish speaking, they were impatiently waved away.

Zhang Yue picked up an evening gown adorned with Swarovski crystals, held it up in front of the mirror, and deliberately raised her voice, saying, "This style is too old-fashioned, no way. Why does your store only have these outdated designs? It's such a waste of my time." Li Xuan casually tossed an expensive dress onto the sofa, pouting, "This material is terrible, it feels prickly to the touch, it's not worthy of my status at all."

And so, the two tried on dress after dress, leaving the store in a complete mess, with hangers askew and packaging bags scattered everywhere. The sales staff, though angry, dared not say a word and could only helplessly follow behind to clean up.

Sang Jiyue was handling some business in her office when she heard the commotion and arguing outside. She frowned and decided to go out and see what was going on. When she saw Zhang Yue and Li Xuan, she instantly understood their intentions.

"What exactly do you want? You've tried on so many clothes, but you haven't bought a single one, and you've made a mess of the store." Sang Jiyue stepped forward and questioned her coldly, her eyes filled with anger.

Zhang Yue turned around and said sarcastically, "What, does trying on clothes mean you have to buy them? This store isn't yours to control, you're being too nosy!" As she spoke, she deliberately swung the dress in her hand back and forth.

Li Xuan chimed in, "That's right, we consumers have the right to choose. What right do you have to tell us what to do? Don't think you're something special just because you won the lawsuit. There might be some shady dealings behind the scenes."

Just as the two sides were at an impasse, Ceci, carrying a cup of coffee, headed towards the lounge. Passing through the store lobby, she saw this scene and stopped. Ceci's brow furrowed, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes, and the coffee cup in her hand wobbled slightly.

"This is a business premises, not a place for you to cause trouble. If you don't want to buy, please leave and don't disturb other customers," Ceci said coldly, putting down her coffee cup. Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an air of authority.

Zhang Yue and Li Xuan exchanged a glance, but instead of backing down, they became even more aggressive. Zhang Yue slammed the dress she was holding onto the ground and yelled, "It's just a run-down shop, what's the big deal! We're not leaving today, let's see what you can do to us!" Li Xuan chimed in, "Yeah, you can't just kick us out!"

Seeing this, Cecily no longer hesitated and decisively picked up the walkie-talkie, saying to the security guard, "There are people here deliberately causing trouble and affecting the normal operation of the shop. Remove them immediately."

Soon, two burly security guards arrived at the scene. They walked to Zhang Yue and Li Xuan, one on each side, and said politely but firmly, "Please leave. Don't make things difficult for us."

Seeing the situation was turning against them, Zhang Yue and Li Xuan dared not resist. They could only glare angrily at Sang Jiyue and Cecily before slinking away from the shop. Before leaving, Zhang Yue didn't forget to throw out a harsh threat: "You just wait, this isn't over!"

Zhang Yue and Li Xuan's wild laughter cut through the chilly air of the shop like sharp shards of ice. Sang Jiyue trembled with rage, her face flushing and paling beneath her delicate makeup. Just then, Cecily descended the spiral staircase, carrying a freshly brewed cup of Blue Mountain coffee. Her short, sleek hair and Hermès haute couture suit exuded the powerful aura of a sophisticated businesswoman.

Zhang Yue noticed Cecily approaching and gave Li Xuan a knowing look; the two understood each other perfectly. Suddenly, Zhang Yue extended her foot, like a hidden tripwire, catching Cecily off guard and sending her stumbling forward. With a "crash," the coffee cup flew out, the dark brown coffee spilling like a raging tide onto the priceless evening gown. This gown was specially commissioned by Sang Jiyue for an upcoming charity gala; it was designed by a renowned French designer, taking three months to complete, using top-quality taffeta fabric and hand-set with tens of thousands of Swarovski crystals.

"Ceci!" Sang Jiyue exclaimed, rushing over to steady the unsteady Ceci. She turned around, her eyes burning with fury that seemed to consume Zhang Yue and Li Xuan: "You've gone too far! You demand an explanation today!"

After regaining her footing, Cecily lightly brushed the coffee stains off her clothes. Her expression shifted from initial surprise to anger, then quickly transformed into a cold, disdainful look. She adjusted her Bulgari glasses, her voice low yet undeniably authoritative: "This store is equipped with high-definition surveillance cameras in every corner. Your every move has been recorded clearly. Now, you only have two choices: either pay for the dress at its original price, or wait for the police to come and face legal consequences!"

Zhang Yue and Li Xuan's faces instantly turned deathly pale, large beads of sweat rolling down their foreheads. Li Xuan tried to remain calm, her neck stiff, but her voice trembled involuntarily: "Fine, we'll pay! It's just a piece of clothing! How much can it be worth!"

When the shop assistant carefully handed them the price tags, the two women felt a buzzing in their heads, as if they had been hit hard by a hammer. "This...this is impossible! How can a piece of clothing be so expensive!" Zhang Yue's eyes widened, her voice sharp like a rooster being strangled.

"Where would we get that much money!" Li Xuan panicked completely. Her previous arrogance vanished without a trace. Her eyes reddened, and she pleaded in a tearful voice, "Ji Yue, we were wrong, really wrong. Please forgive us this time. We were out of our minds, we really can't afford to pay back!" As she spoke, she reached out to tug at Sang Ji Yue's clothes.

Zhang Yue quickly echoed, her face plastered with a fawning smile, her tone almost obsequious: "Sister Jiyue, please be magnanimous and forgive us this time. We promise we'll never do it again!"

Looking at their disgraceful behavior, Sang Jiyue felt a surge of disgust. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and said in an icy voice, "This matter will not be left like this. You not only damaged my property, but also hurt Ceci. You must give us a reasonable explanation!"

Dusk, like a thick gray cloth, slowly enveloped Sang Jiyue's evening gown shop. Warm yellow lights shone through the shop windows onto the street, illuminating the evening gowns inside, each one a work of art. Yet, the atmosphere inside was as oppressive as the calm before a storm.

Zhang Yue and Li Xuan stood in the center of the store, their expressions flustered and their eyes darting around. Before them, a large coffee stain glared glaringly on a priceless evening gown. This gown was custom-made by Sang Jiyue for an important client; it was made of top-grade silk, with exquisite hand-embroidered patterns, every stitch reflecting the designer's dedication and embodying Sang Jiyue's hopes for the store's reputation.

Sang Jiyue crossed her arms, her eyes as cold as ice beneath her exquisite makeup, her voice as frosty as ice: "What exactly do you want? Wasn't the lesson last time profound enough? Deliberately soiling this dress, do you know what that means to me and to this store?"

Zhang Yue's lips trembled as she stammered, "Sister Jiyue, we...we didn't mean to. We just accidentally knocked over the coffee cup." Li Xuan chimed in, her eyes reddening, "Yes, Sister Jiyue, please give us another chance. We really didn't mean to."

Sang Jiyue snorted coldly and said without any mercy, "Time and time again, I've given you chances. But what have you done? Not only have you failed to cherish them, but you've become even more demanding. Now, leave my store immediately and pay for this dress at its original price!"

The two women's faces turned deathly pale instantly. Zhang Yue said in a tearful voice, "Sister Jiyue, we really have no money. We've maxed out our credit cards..." Li Xuan also collapsed to the ground and said desperately, "Please spare us. We can't afford to pay you back."

Sang Jiyue remained unmoved and turned to the shop assistant, saying, "Contact a lawyer and go through legal proceedings. Every penny of compensation must be paid." The shop assistant obeyed and hurriedly left.

Sang Jiyue stared at the evening gown smeared beyond recognition by coffee stains, her temples throbbing, and she trembled with rage. This haute couture gown, a testament to the designer's painstaking efforts, made of the finest silk fabric and adorned with exquisite hand embroidery, was once the store's prized possession, but now it was unrecognizable.

"Sister Jiyue, we really didn't mean to!" Zhang Yue's voice trembled with tears, her eyes reddening and large tears welling up. Li Xuan's legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground, her face ashen, muttering repeatedly, "It's all over, everything's over..."

Sang Jiyue took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, her cold gaze sweeping back and forth between the two of them: "Tell me, how do you plan to compensate? This dress is worth 200 million, even if you max out your credit cards, you still can't afford to pay for it!"

Zhang Yue and Li Xuan exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with despair and helplessness. After a moment, Zhang Yue gritted her teeth, took out an old jewelry box from her bag, and opened it with trembling hands. Inside was a pearl necklace: "Sister Jiyue, this was left to me by my grandmother. Although it's not anything valuable, it should be worth some money. Use it to offset part of the compensation."

Li Xuan also quickly stood up, took off a watch from her wrist, and handed it to Sang Jiyue, her voice pleading: "This watch was a coming-of-age gift from my father. I've always been reluctant to sell it, but now... now I'll just consider it compensation to the shop."