Chapter 45: A Magnificent Show

“Shen Daiying, Shen Daiying.”
“Xiaoying, I love you!”
The fans shouted wildly. Zhou Jiajia curled her lips and scoffed, “She still knows how to act.”
Zhang Xiaofan replied, “This might be the last time she puts on a show.”
As they spoke, Zhou Jiajia led Zhang Xiaofan backstage.

Smiling, Shen Daiying announced, “This time, I’ve invited my best friend, Zhou Jiajia, to the event. Ever since Jiajia was disfigured in a car accident a year ago, she has tried to end her life several times. But I refused to give up on her. I kept telling her to be strong. Now, she’s finally willing to stand before society. We must encourage her. Though her face was ruined, her heart remains with us.”

One had to admit, she positioned herself so loftily, as if Zhou Jiajia’s rebirth was entirely her doing. Instantly, the fans worshipped Shen Daiying even more.

Beside her, Jiang Jianhao smiled and said, “Now, let’s welcome Zhou Jiajia!”

With that, Jiang Jianhao hurried backstage and said to Zhou Jiajia, “Good, you finally came. Don’t worry, you’ll get your money once this is done. This is all you’re worth now, heh.”

Zhou Jiajia’s gaze was icy; she said nothing and followed Jiang Jianhao onto the stage. Zhang Xiaofan didn’t go up; this had nothing to do with him. He was just here to watch the drama unfold.

When the journalists saw Zhou Jiajia take the stage wearing a veil, they became feverish, snapping photos frantically. The spotlight immediately focused on her.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s been more than a year since Zhou Jiajia was disfigured in a car accident. How is she now? Rumor has it that eighty-eight percent of her body was burned. With encouragement from the rising diva Shen Daiying, is she truly ready to make a comeback?”

The host spoke with stirring enthusiasm.

As Zhou Jiajia approached, Shen Daiying put on a friendly smile, feigning warmth. “Jiajia, you finally left that hospital room. I’m so happy for you.”

Zhou Jiajia didn’t spare her a glance. At that moment, she lifted her veil. Her breathtaking beauty was exposed under the spotlight. The entire venue was stunned, the world watching. Even the host was speechless.

For five whole seconds, the crowd was silent, until finally, a reporter shouted, “My God, the rumor about Zhou Jiajia’s disfigurement was false—she’s perfectly fine!”

“Jiajia, I love you!”
“Jiajia, you’re the most beautiful in the world! I want to have children with you…”

That man was escorted out by security. Such people nowadays, alas!

The journalists’ eyes shined as they madly snapped photos of Zhou Jiajia. “Miss Zhou, where did you have your cosmetic surgery?”
“Miss Zhou, why is there no sign of surgery? Is the story about your disfigurement untrue?”

Zhou Jiajia didn’t answer. She looked at Shen Daiying.

Shen Daiying’s face paled, embarrassed, but she forced a smile and said, “Jiajia, your surgery finally succeeded. That’s wonderful news.”

Zhou Jiajia sneered, snatching the microphone from the host. She said angrily, “Shen Daiying, who helped you when you started your career?”

“It was… you,” Shen Daiying replied awkwardly. This was common knowledge in the news and couldn’t be hidden.

“Fine. You admit I helped you, but why did you hurt me, Shen Daiying?” Zhou Jiajia’s eyes burned.

Shen Daiying’s gaze flickered, but she quickly regained composure, speaking sweetly, “Jiajia, so many people are watching. Are you joking? Honestly, when you had your accident, I wished I could suffer in your place.”

As she spoke, she gently wiped away tears, looking pitiful and aggrieved.

Zhou Jiajia laughed. “If that’s so, then look at this!”

Suddenly, the giant screen behind them flickered. The previous display vanished, replaced by a chat log between Shen Daiying and Huang Xiaohong, followed by a video confession of Huang Xiaohong in the detention center, detailing the crime.

This confession video had been arranged by Zhou Jiajia yesterday, all for the sake of causing a sensation.

Instantly, the crowd exploded.

The reporters, like cats smelling fish, frantically snapped photos of Shen Daiying.

“Miss Shen, we never expected the car accident was a trap you set. Is it true?”
“With conclusive evidence, what are your heartfelt thoughts?”
“How will you face your prison sentence?”
“Miss Shen, do you feel no guilt for harming others?”

Shen Daiying’s face was ashen. Suddenly, she screamed, “No, no, it wasn’t me! It was Jiang Jianhao!”

She suddenly turned to Jiang Jianhao, viciously accusing, “It was your idea!”

Jiang Jianhao pointed at Shen Daiying and cursed, “Are you crazy? What nonsense are you talking about?”

Shen Daiying snapped, “Don’t think I don’t know your secrets. If anything happens to me, you won’t get away either.”

At that moment, several police officers came backstage, holding an arrest warrant. One said to Shen Daiying, “Miss Shen, we suspect you are connected to a car accident involving Miss Zhou Jiajia. Witnesses claim you ordered a hitman to crash into Miss Zhou’s car, causing the incident. Please come with us.”

“No, no, it wasn’t me—it was Jiang Jianhao!” Shen Daiying cried, looking at Jiang Jianhao. “You have to get me out of this, or else…”

Jiang Jianhao was already trying to leave, unwilling to help her. He muttered, “I never expected you to be this sort of person, framing me at a time like this.”

“Jiang Jianhao, may you die a miserable death, a miserable death…” Shen Daiying was handcuffed.

But at that moment, Zhang Xiaofan felt a cold, sinister presence. Suddenly, Shen Daiying fell from the stage, her head striking the floor violently. She died instantly.

Zhang Xiaofan’s brows furrowed. Something was wrong—there was a dark energy!

“Xiaofan, Shen Daiying was pushed by a ghost,” Liu Yu said.

Zhang Xiaofan wiped his right eye and focused, seeing a spirit in casual clothes shrouded in black mist, staring coldly at the dead Shen Daiying. Then it rushed toward Jiang Jianhao. Jiang Jianhao, without thinking, pulled out a small box, and the ghost slipped right inside.

Watching this, Zhang Xiaofan cursed inwardly, “Damn, Jiang Jianhao’s got a ghost on him.”

Liu Yu said, “I can sense it—that ghost is level three.”

“Level three?” Zhang Xiaofan thought. His mission was to capture three level-three evil spirits. Since that was the case, he needed to deal with Jiang Jianhao.

Now that Shen Daiying was dead, Jiang Jianhao sighed in relief. While everyone scrambled to call an ambulance, his eyes flashed, and he cursed under his breath, “Zhou Jiajia, tonight, you’ll go to the grave with Shen Daiying!” Then, with a vicious look, he slipped away.

Watching Jiang Jianhao’s retreating figure, Zhang Xiaofan quietly followed. Unexpectedly, Jiang Jianhao headed to a secluded spot. Soon, he stopped by a small river, turned, and sneered, “I wondered why a young guy like you was hanging around Zhou Jiajia. Now you’re trying to follow me—quite the loyal dog, aren’t you?”