Chapter 124 – Satisfying the Mouth, Shouldering the Blame

Chapter 124 - Satisfying the Mouth, Shouldering the Blame

"Tang Fei! What benefit do I bring you by going to jail? I haven't harmed you in any way; we have no grudges.

"As long as you help me this once, I'll hand over all the information I have. Not only did I take photos of those people, but I have more. Isn't Time Culture short on artists?

"I have pictures of A-list celebrities. I can give them all to you. You can use these photos to control them.

"From then on, they'll obediently sign with Time Culture and work like oxen and horses to earn money for you. They won't dare to complain at all."

Tang Fei, think about it, in the company, even the top stars have to yield to you. Isn't that enough?" Huang Hanmin brushed aside his hair covering his eyes, his posture both hopeful and submissive.

"I'm sorry, Time Culture doesn't lack artists." Zhou Weichuan looked at Tang Fei and held the door open for her. He said to her, "Go in first, I'll handle things outside."

Tang Fei took a few steps but couldn't hold back her words. Huang Hanmin's behavior and words were igniting her anger, more so than Yao Hui's tactics.

She could guess what kind of compromising photos could be used to threaten someone, and she had heard of smaller companies forcing artists into certain situations, then using evidence to control them.

In this industry, both light and darkness ran deep. Compared to Yao Hui's suppression and freezing out, Huang Hanmin's actions crossed a line.

She turned back and said, "If you possess any more private information about others, I advise you to surrender yourself promptly. Show a positive attitude, admit your mistakes actively, and you might receive leniency."

Abandon your devious schemes, for we are not as despicable as you.

"My wife is already leaving me. If I go to jail, my family will be torn apart! I'll have nothing left! Can't there be leniency to avoid prison? It's easy for you to say that, you're not the one in my shoes! Do you even understand? Why would they end up in my footage if they hadn't done anything wrong? They deserve it!" Huang Hanmin's voice rose, his teeth clenched. "If you refuse to help, I have records of you and Zhou Weichuan entering and exiting the hotel together. That's not slander. It won't benefit anyone if we both end up ruined."

With a hand on his waist, Huang Hanmin panted nervously. "Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, and when a person is at their wits' end, there's nothing they won't do."

"You can't help but fall back on your old tricks. You still haven't given up on using threats after seeing the benefits it brings," Tang Fei said, as Zhou Weichuan held onto her. She refused to enter and instead engaged Huang Hanmin in a verbal exchange at the door. "Now you realize the horror of being imprisoned? Why weren't you afraid when you were committing crimes before? Did you think you were invincible, that you could escape punishment because you're so unique?"

"If the privacy you've exposed is deserved, why should you fear going to jail? I believe the judge will tell you who truly deserves it."

"Being separated from your family is indeed pitiful," Tang Fei looked at Huang Hanmin, watching his hope flicker as he thought he had finally gained her sympathy through his family. Then, she curled her lips in sarcasm, "But it's not you who is pitiful, it's your wife and children.

You brought this upon yourself. You're the one who tore your family apart, you're the one who wronged your spouse and kids, not anyone else."

Huang Hanmin trembled with anger at Tang Fei's words.

"If you intend to expose my relationship with Mr. Zhou," Tang Fei paused, allowing Huang Hanmin a glimmer of hope before crushing it, "If you still have any conscience, please choose some flattering photos of us for the public, so we look compatible. Thank you."

"Are you really going to be that ruthless? Is there no room for negotiation?" Huang Hanmin's hand trembled slightly on his waist.

"Tang Fei fired back without pause, "You can only talk if you seek the victim's forgiveness. Discuss your harm to others with me." She finally prepared to enter the room and said, "You might have lost your mind. If you persist, I'll call the police and report harassment!"

Huang Hanmin panted, his eyes reddened. He drew a dagger from his waist and charged at Tang Fei, slouching forward. "If there's no negotiation, then let's not negotiate at all!"

In a split second, Zhou Weichuan instinctively stepped forward to intercept, but Tang Fei grabbed his hand first.

Tang Fei pulled Zhou Weichuan backward, and he was dragged into the room by an unseen force. Using Zhou Weichuan's momentum, she executed a swift series of spinning side kicks.

With one move, Tang and Zhou swapped positions, one in front, the other behind.

Tang Fei's legs moved in rapid succession, her left leg sending Huang Hanmin's knife flying while her right heel struck his ribcage, launching him into the air. He crashed onto the opposite side of the corridor with a thunderous thud, echoing through the hallway.

He slammed into the hotel room door across from him and struggled to get up for a long while.

The dagger slipped out of his grasp and skidded several meters away. Huang Hanmin clutched his chest, attempting to push himself up but failing to muster any strength.

Panting in pain, he let out a mournful cry, lying on the ground like a puddle of mud.

His ribs must be fractured; a searing pain engulfed his chest, and his injured arm was completely immobile. Even the slightest breath caused unbearable agony.

"I'll also press charges for assault with a deadly weapon," Tang Fei said, promptly dialing the police while still tightly gripping Zhou Weichuan's hand, oblivious to letting go.

Zhou Weichuan managed to free himself, leaving Tang Fei with an empty feeling in her palm. She glanced at her boss, a vague sense of grievance surfacing.

In the midst of the tense and rapid situation, Zhou Weichuan hadn't been aware of his actions. His sole focus had been on securing the dagger to prevent any further danger.

Raising his head, Zhou Weichuan looked at the security camera in the corridor and called the hotel management, demanding immediate attention to the security threat.

...

After completing their statements, Zhou and Tang exited the police station. Only now did Tang Fei's legs begin to tremble, her gait unsteady. The grace and composure she displayed earlier, when she kicked the attacker away and during her time at the station, were gone.

"Ouch."

"What's wrong? Did you hurt your leg?" Zhou Weichuan halted, looking at the foot Tang Fei was favoring.

"My heel seems swollen, it really hurts. His bones were too hard," Tang Fei replied, tiptoeing, unable to set her heel down.

"Boss, can you help me keep this from my parents? I've only just managed to convince them not to persuade me to quit the industry, and now this incident might make them worry all over again."

"Being cornered at your doorstep, yet still talking back – why didn't you call the police right away when you got in? I couldn't hold you back; you do have quite the strength. Today it was a knife – what if next time it's something else? You can't rely on your strength to handle every weapon out there." Zhou Weichuan looked at Tang Fei with a serious expression, hinting at the need for a reckoning after the dust had settled.

"I just couldn't stand his twisted version of the truth."

"Your mouth may have had its fill, but your feet paid the price, didn't they? If anything were to happen, not only would your uncle and aunt want you to quit, but so would I. This isn't the first time you've acted impulsively. What did you say last time? How long has it been since then? I'm nurturing an actress, a star, not a female superhero!"

"But wouldn't that mean the money you invested in me is wasted! Next time, I'll directly hide inside. Don't ask me to quit or tell my parents, I promise there won't be a next time – safety comes first!" Tang Fei jumped up anxiously on her tiptoes.

"Money isn't as important as your well-being. Do you need help?" Seeing Tang Fei's worried face, Zhou Weichuan hesitated to be stern before finally softening, his tone filled with helplessness.

"Yes," Tang Fei nodded.

"You need to learn how to avoid danger." Zhou Weichuan offered Tang Fei his support.

"Okay," Tang Fei replied with a slight upward curve of her lips.

Assisted by both men, Tang Fei was gently helped into the car, with Zhou Weichuan supporting her.

Zheng Haisheng started the car, and from the backseat, Zhou Weichuan instructed, "Rest your eyes for now. I'll take a look at your leg. We'll apply some ice first. If it's difficult for you to film tomorrow, we'll bring in a doctor."

"Alright," Tang Fei replied, closing her eyes. With the subtle hint of a smile on her lips concealed, she appeared obedient and well-behaved.