Chapter 140: Framed (1)

Hospital.

Nan Yao gazed at Fu Shaoxiu, who lay on the hospital bed with his face still bruised and swollen, a deep sense of hatred and irritation churning within her. She had never imagined that the person celebrating a birthday in the Imperial Suite 1 that night was Nan Zhi. Even more unexpected was the fact that Nan Zhi had found a man who was both wealthier and more handsome than Fu Shaoxiu.

Nan Yao had attempted to have someone investigate the man’s identity, but they had turned up nothing. He was incredibly mysterious. He was good-looking and had a fine physique—perhaps he was a kept man supported by some wealthy woman. If her memory served her right, the owner of the Imperial was a woman. With this thought, Nan Yao felt slightly more at ease.

Nan Zhi would never live a better life than her. Her mother had mentioned that Nan Zhi even had an illegitimate child; it was truly shameless and a disgrace to the Nan family reputation.

"Yao Yao?" Fu Shaoxiu looked at Nan Yao, who had been caring for him day and night for the past few days, a flash of guilt crossing his dark brown eyes.

"Brother Shaoxiu." A hint of tears colored Nan Yao’s soft voice, and a thin veil of mist welled up in her eyes as she looked at him.

Fu Shaoxiu lifted his aching hand to stroke her petite face. "What’s wrong, Yao Yao?"

"Brother Shaoxiu, if you still have feelings for Zhi Zhi, I am willing to step aside..."

***

Thinking of Nan Zhi, Fu Shaoxiu felt both hatred and agitation. "Do not mention that slut in front of me." The thought that she had arranged for him to sleep with another woman made him want to tear her apart. Yet, because she held the video in her hands, he could not act rashly.

"Yao Yao, once I am discharged, we will hold our wedding." Through this incident, Fu Shaoxiu believed that Nan Yao was his true love; he could no longer fail such a good girl. Furthermore, Nan Yao was carrying their child. "I will increase the sponsorship for your program this time."

Nan Yao leaned into Fu Shaoxiu’s chest, a soft, triumphant smile curling the corners of her lips. "Brother Shaoxiu, I love you."

After leaving the hospital, Nan Yao received a call from Bai Weiwei, who asked to meet at a tea restaurant. As soon as Nan Yao arrived, Bai Weiwei began to weep. "Yao Yao, Old Tan dumped me. He found a lover younger and prettier than me, and now he refuses to sponsor my program anymore."

Upon hearing this, Nan Yao felt a surge of joy. Bai Weiwei’s benefactor was the largest sponsor of "Gourmet Wins the World." If she lost her funding, the show would likely be relegated to the late-night slot. How would Nan Zhi compare to her then?

Nan Yao offered a few hypocritical words of comfort. Bai Weiwei wiped her tears and probed cautiously, "Yao Yao, I looked at Nan Zhi’s proposal during the meeting; it is very compelling. If a sponsor takes a liking to it at the investment conference, she might actually succeed." Despite her dislike for Nan Zhi, Bai Weiwei still admired her talent.

Nan Yao saw through Bai Weiwei’s intentions immediately and said with a smile, "Wei Wei, my father said that as long as I win, I’ll be promoted. When that happens, I’ll be able to give you a hand..."

***

Nan Yao handed Bai Weiwei a small pouch. "Put what is inside this into Nan Zhi’s cup on the day of the investment conference. She won’t be able to get on stage, naturally."

Bai Weiwei asked skeptically, "Yao Yao, what is inside this?"

"You’ll know when the time comes."

...

In the blink of an eye, it was Friday. Nan Zhi was set to accompany Zhang Yijun to the investment conference, so she left the estate early in the morning for the television station.

She had just arrived at the office when Zhang Yijun, Xia Xi, and Bai Weiwei arrived as well. The four of them held a morning meeting. Once finished, and just before they were set to depart, Nan Zhi felt thirsty and reached for her cup out of habit.

Bai Weiwei stood in the corner of the office, pretending to organize documents, while her gaze remained fixed on Nan Zhi. Seeing Nan Zhi lift the water cup to her lips, her heart raced, filled with both nervousness and a guilty conscience.