Chapter 57: Struck Hard Across the Face

Nanyao pulled Sijing aside, feigning surprise. “Sijing, do you really have a way to get Nanzhi out of the TV station?”

Since she was close to Nanyao, Sijing saw no need to hide her intentions. She recounted her back-up plan in detail.

Nanyao’s eyes darted with calculation before she clapped her hands in delight. “Sijing, you’re brilliant! If this works, Nanzhi will be left with an irreparable stain on her record. No TV station will dare hire her again!”

A cold, confident smile played at Sijing’s lips; victory seemed well within her grasp. Nanzhi had cost her the class president position and made both her and Nanyao look like fools in front of Alvis. She would make sure Nanzhi suffered for it.

“Let’s drop this for now—Nanzhi’s coming out.”

Both women turned to watch as Nanzhi emerged from the media room, draped in a flowing lilac-pink gown paired with matching heels and earrings. Her skin was fair as snow, her youthful allure enhanced rather than overwhelmed by the color of her dress. There was an elegance and delicate charm about her—a little womanly grace beneath her pure innocence.

Growing up in a life of privilege, Nanzhi seemed born for Alvis’s designs. The gown fit her like it was made for her alone, exuding both nobility and refinement.

Nanyao and Sijing seethed with jealousy. Only recently, they had been smug about owning a single Alvis piece—yet now, Alvis himself had come to the station to personally gift Nanzhi a gown identical to the princess’s.

They had lost all face, inside and out.

“Just wait and see, Yao!” Sijing’s spirits lifted as she thought of what was about to unfold. Her anger and humiliation softened by anticipation.

…

After the second-round interviews, those who’d been accepted were to tour the station before starting their internships the following Monday.

Feeling thirsty, Nanzhi went to the lounge and poured herself some water in a disposable cup. Just as she finished, she turned—and a sudden, fierce gust of cold air struck her. In the next instant, a stinging slap landed hard on her right cheek.

A sharp, burning pain flared instantly, her vision darkening for several seconds.

The crisp sound of the slap drew everyone’s attention, including the judges just stepping out of the media room.

Among the four selected interns, Han Mo had favored Nanzhi most. Seeing Lin Wanyue’s furious assault, she strode over, confused and concerned. “Wanyue, why are you hitting her?”

Lin Wanyue’s heavily made-up face was twisted with rage. Pointing at Nanzhi, she shouted without care for decorum, “Director Han, your judgment is seriously in doubt. How can you protect someone with such questionable character? What now, any pretty face can get a job at this TV station?”

Han Mo’s brow furrowed, displeased with Lin Wanyue’s tone. “Wanyue, are you questioning my hiring standards? You’d better explain yourself. Exactly what character flaw are you accusing Nanzhi of?”

Nanzhi’s skin was as delicate as tofu, and the heavy slap left five scarlet finger marks blooming across her cheek—red and swollen, her lip split and bleeding.

Dabbing the blood from her mouth, Nanzhi showed no fury, no panic. Her gaze was calm and razor-sharp as she looked at Lin Wanyue, her words slow, detached, and ice-cold. “Miss Lin, what exactly have I done to deserve such a slap from you?”

Her composure was unyielding and cool, far from flustered or aggressive. Standing against Lin Wanyue’s arrogance, Nanzhi showed not a hint of weakness. Instead, her tranquil indifference seemed to diminish Lin Wanyue’s bluster, leaving her appearing diminished by comparison.