Chapter 24: Giving Money
"I don't think there's anything wrong with me. With so many oddballs around me, why do I only hit him and not others? It's he who should reflect on himself, not the victim like me."
Su Mi's expression grew more serious. "When harassed, if I choose to be timid due to fear of others' opinions, that would be the sad state of society. It would also embolden those scoundrels. So, by standing up for myself now, I'm contributing to social progress. Why do you call it a mental illness?"
"And why is it that when men resort to violence, they're simply hot-tempered, but when women defend themselves, they're labeled mentally ill? What kind of twisted phenomenon is this? How can a doctor like you hold such thoughts? Isn't this a tragedy of society?"
Upon hearing this, the doctor fell silent. He had encountered many patients with psychological issues. Many of them had unconventional thinking, but often got stuck in a deadlock. However, Su Mi's thoughts were broad and open; he hadn't detected any abnormal patterns yet.
But according to Mr. Su's account, Su Mi would frequently flip tables and attack, indicating an unstable condition. Yet, Mrs. Su and Chairman Su described her differently. The contradictory accounts were a common indication of problems within the family.
Indeed, Su Mi's test scores exceeded the normal range, but these were only auxiliary diagnostic criteria. Unless he witnessed an episode firsthand, it was hard to determine if she had bipolar disorder.
"Apologies, Miss Su. I was narrow-minded. You're right to defend yourself. I advised against using force because accidents can easily occur. If you lose control even slightly, the consequences could be unforeseeable. Hence, I still suggest you use other means to protect your rights in the future."
The doctor quickly added, "Of course, if you face illegal aggression, it's justified to defend yourself physically. But in other disputes, it's better to resolve conflicts in a more civil manner."
As he spoke, the doctor broke into a cold sweat. He couldn't encourage patients to resort to violence. If Su Mi were to harm Mr. Su, his career might come to an end.
In Miss Su's mindset, anyone who had wronged her, even her grandfather, would not be spared. "I'm already being very civil," Su Mi shrugged helplessly. If she were uncivilized, she would have long smeared a pile of feces into that idiot's mouth, sparing the world from their blabbering pollution. "Then please rest. You can contact me at any time if you have any issues. Additionally, how is your sleep quality?" the doctor asked as they tidied up the desk. Su Mi pondered seriously, "Very sweet." Ever since she started working out, not only did her limbs become more agile, but her appetite and sleep quality also improved significantly. Her skin even became better than before. Hence, it was true that life lay in movement. "Alright, I understand," the doctor nodded without saying anything else. Su Mi watched as the doctor left, then began whispering with Aunt Zhou outside about something. However, it didn't matter. Even if the doctor told others that she wasn't mentally ill, no one would believe them anyway. After some thought, she picked up the tablet and pulled up the assessment form, secretly redoing the test questions. Seeing her normal score, she heaved a sigh of relief.
Others might label her as eccentric, but she couldn't actually be ill.
After taking her clothes to the bathroom for a refreshing shower and rest, she slept until eight o'clock the next morning. The recording was still ongoing, and it wouldn't be terminated just because of a small incident. Besides, she wasn't that unprofessional.
However, Sister Zhou had clearly not left and had even brought two people with her.
"I'm sorry, Miss Su. It's my fault for not informing Du Yu beforehand. He tends to speak nonsense. If you're still upset, feel free to hit him a few more times. As for what happened yesterday... perhaps we should just let it go? Of course, any compensation you desire can be negotiated!"
The lady in a beige chiffon shirt spoke earnestly, while beside her stood Du Yu, his nose and face swollen. Gone was his flirtatious demeanor from the previous day; his left eye was now swollen to twice its size, yet he dared not make a sound, bowing his head obediently.
Su Mi leaned on the sofa, savoring her rice noodles. Hearing this, she glanced at Sister Zhou indifferently.
Sister Zhou's brows twitched, then she turned to the woman with a stern expression. "One's character is the foundation of their life. If it were someone else, would Du Yu's verbal harassment be acceptable? A person's conduct determines how far they can go. Clearly, he's not suited for this path."
Upon hearing this, the woman's face revealed a hint of dilemma. Du Yu was someone she had painstakingly nurtured, and he was also the cash cow of the company. If she gave up on him now, wouldn't all the previous investments be in vain?
But if they didn't give up on Du Yu and offended the Su Corporation, their company would likely suffer as well. What could she do? She had already warned the production team about their connection with influential figures and asked them to be cautious. Who knew that Du Yu would insist on courting disaster?
It was one thing for him to have a loose tongue normally, but now, he had provoked someone he shouldn't have. He truly brought trouble upon himself!
"It's all my fault! I spoke out of turn! I was just joking with Miss Su, and I swear I'll reform and never utter nonsense again!" Du Yu suddenly knelt down, frantically slapping himself.
Even the densest person knew he had provoked someone powerful. If he couldn't diffuse the situation, his career might be over.
He had worked hard to get where he was today; he couldn't afford to lose it all in one fell swoop!
"Enough noise," Su Mi frowned impatiently.
Auntie Zhou turned to the woman, "Your company still has a reputation to maintain, don't let a small issue escalate."
Realizing it was hopeless, the woman promptly pulled Du Yu away to prevent him from implicating the entire company with more foolishness. However, Du Yu refused to budge, kneeling there as he tried to grab Su Mi's legs. She swiftly kicked him away, and the bodyguards then dragged the wailing man out.
The other participants' rooms were right next door. Hearing the commotion, they cautiously poked their heads out. Seeing Du Yu being dragged away like a dead dog by the bodyguards, they all broke out in cold sweat.
He Meimei, who was planning to anonymously post about the incident, hastily deleted the photos she had taken the previous day. She had underestimated Su Mi's influence and hadn't expected her connection to the Su Corporation. It was well-known in the industry that the Su Corporation only had one daughter, Su Ruanruan. So, Su Mi must be an illegitimate child of the Su family. No wonder she was so arrogant and could casually buy a five million dollar perfume.
The show must go on, so Su Mi wouldn't let a fool disrupt the filming, which would also stall the progress of the entire production team. Yesterday was an exception, though.
Perhaps due to other commitments, Sister Zhou had booked the earliest flight and arranged for everyone to gather in the hotel lobby at nine. Surprisingly, even He Meimei, who was notorious for being late, arrived punctually.
"Has Sister Mi Mi had breakfast? I just bought these steamed buns and soy milk outside," Zhang Yue approached enthusiastically, casually looping her arm through hers with a friendly smile.
Su Mi glanced sideways and replied, "Scram."
Zhang Yue's face froze, then she stepped back silently. However, she didn't dare to adopt a pitiful demeanor. Instead, she seemed much more composed.
The staff members were sweating profusely. This young lady's behavior was perfectly in line with her character, but it was a bit too much. How were they supposed to edit this? Although it would undoubtedly spark discussion if aired, it was essentially sacrificing the other party for attention. The consequences could be imagined.
"Where are we going today?" she asked, looking at He Meimei.
He Meimei, with a sincere expression, consulted her notebook. "Today... Today we're going on a yacht trip?"
She had deliberately booked a yacht, which cost thousands of dollars for a day. Most importantly, it wouldn't be tiring.
"Let's go then." Su Mi put on her sunglasses and walked straight out of the hotel.
The others followed suit, one after another, not daring to say anything more.
Arriving at the yacht rental spot, He Meimei suddenly noticed that the yacht was rather dilapidated. True to her image of being astute and capable, she bargained with the owner for quite some time and eventually managed to shave off a few hundred dollars from the price.
Once on board, it was Zhang Yue and Yang Yizhou who entered their 'couple mode.' Seated alone on the deck under the sea breeze, they whispered intimately, creating an atmosphere of subtle romance.
Unable to resist, He Meimei rolled her eyes a few times before changing into her swimsuit to pose, making sure to accentuate her enviable figure at every moment.
Su Mi, on the other hand, sat by herself enjoying some grilled skewers, undisturbed. As she scrolled through her phone, she stumbled upon a trending topic. She had to admit that Sister Zhou's efficiency was impressive, no wonder she held the position of vice president.
A paparazzi had suddenly released a video showing Du Yu passionately kissing two models on the street, followed by him entering a hotel with them. They didn't emerge until the following morning with the two women in tow.
As the leader of the younger generation's rock music scene, Du Yu enjoyed considerable popularity. Consequently, the hashtag #DuYuKissesTwoWomenLateAtNightOnStreet# instantly skyrocketed to the top of the trending list.
V5_Lalala: Alright, another one bites the dust. Who's next? [Smiling emoji]
Hehehehe: Isn't this his usual behavior? It just got exposed today. [Eating watermelon emoji]
Xigexiegao: Without knowing the full story, I'll reserve my judgment. [Smiling emoji]
WhyAreStrawberriesSoSweet: Hahaha, they even captured every pore on his face. How can you say we don't know the full story? [Crying-laughing emoji]
Twisted Logic: For two people, they can still wash away the dirt of a relationship, but a ménage à trois... I'm curious to see how the fans will justify this [Eating Melon].
Unknown Voice: The girl in that video just exposed him for not paying. Isn't this considered prostitution? The authorities should step in now [Eating Melon].
Thoughtful Reflection: In just the time it took me to go to work, how did everything collapse like this [Sniffing]?
Scent of Osmanthus: It's only due to the thick fan filters. This person has plenty of scandals, and not paying for such services is truly disgusting [Vomiting].
Sob Sob Sob: No way, didn't his fans say he was just a guest on a travel show?
Rola Rola Lala: Hahaha, we all know fans are like washing machines [Crying from Laughter].
Within half an hour, the video had ignited a firestorm across the internet. Online spectators were eagerly following the drama, and Su Mi joined in on the fun. It turned out that the scandalous figure frequently traveled abroad without paying, but since the controversy didn't gain much traction overseas, it hadn't blown up until now.
So, it wasn't surprising that Sister Zhou could quickly obtain the dirt on him; it didn't require much effort. As for the girl in the video exposing him, it was simple – offer her some benefit, and someone would be willing to come forward.
Soon enough, the show's production team issued a statement to distance themselves.
Our Leisurely Moments V: Throughout the recording of our program, there were only six fixed guests, with no mysterious guest appearances. We will take stern action against any false rumors.
Self-Insight: Ah? Didn't his fans post a recording schedule earlier? Did it really collapse?
Dawdling One: The show's clarification speed... Faster than me eating melon seeds [crying with laughter]
Pink Sky: Just now, two more brands terminated their contracts with Du Yu unilaterally. I hope the Chinese entertainment industry treats all those morally corrupt and law-breaking artists like this [clapping]
Here Comes: By the way, can you release some clips of Zhou Zhou for us to see [drooling]
Silent Oh: Scared me there. If this causes my brother's show not to air, I'll become Du Yu's biggest hater [smiling face]
Wow Wow: Hahahaha, the show's emergency damage control is brilliant
Pondering Pondering: Fans are still in denial without knowing the full story [crying with laughter]
In the face of solid evidence, only a minority of fans were struggling to defend him. As Su Mi was enjoying her gossip, she suddenly received a call from her mother, probably using the private number of the show's team that she got from Sister Zhou. The caller must have felt wronged and needed comfort from someone close.
Sure enough, after answering the call, a series of concerned inquiries followed. However, her mother was sharp and didn't mention Du Yu's situation. Instead, she observed Su Mi's emotional state through other matters. After confirming that Su Mi was stable, she hung up the phone.
Other parents often liked to inquire about daily life to express their concern, but since learning about Su Mi's psychological issues, her mother never nagged in front of her. Only her father had never called her.
It was said that when people were on their deathbed, they would think of their loved ones. Yet, the old man only had the female lead on his mind until the end, which was why the original owner had such emotional baggage. Any person would feel frustrated in her position.
That's why the original owner had done so much, just to prove that someone truly cared for her.
Actually, one didn't need to seek validation from others, for everyone was capable of loving themselves inherently.
But next time she encountered the villain, she had to figure out a way to trigger the mission. It would be a disservice to herself if she didn't teach that immoral and greasy man a lesson after all the disgust he had caused.
After a few hours at sea, He Meimei refused to step out in the afternoon. Clearly, the others had no intention of going out either, given how scorching the sun was; it was like being roasted alive.
In the evening, they strolled around the nearby night market and indulged in another seafood feast. Even He Meimei and Yang Yizhou, who were trying to control their diet, couldn't resist devouring several lobsters.
The consequence was that by the third day, they ran out of money. The six of them could only afford steamed buns and plain congee for lunch. He Meimei seemed particularly dissatisfied with this, repeatedly explaining to the camera that she had overspent to ensure the others could enjoy the seafood feast.
As for how the production team would edit it in the end, that remained unknown.
Their final activity was hiking up a scenic and historic mountain site. Due to the crowds during the day, they were scheduled to climb at night. This time, their budget was the sum of what they had left from previous tasks.
In total, it amounted to over ten thousand, though they couldn't afford high-quality mountaineering gear. However, they could still purchase a set of basic equipment for each person.
After only half an hour of climbing, He Meimei sat down and refused to move, insisting on waiting for them right there and requesting not to be filmed when they reached the summit.
The crew, of course, didn't indulge her and had to persuade her persistently before she finally agreed to continue. Meanwhile, Zhang Yue was dragged up the mountain by Yang Yizhou, with the two of them constantly displaying their affection, leaving no room for gaps.
At that moment, Su Mi once again appreciated the benefits of exercise. After two hours of climbing, she still felt as light as a feather, while the others were already far behind. She had no intention of waiting for them.
"Are you often into hiking?" the staff member asked in disbelief, looking at the person ahead.
Out of kindness, Su Mi took over the camera for a while. "It's my first time."
As a working stiff, where would she find the time to hike? Even on her days off, she'd be asked to work overtime. No wonder her stress levels were high – it was all due to those extra hours.
The original owner of this body didn't have time for work, let alone hiking.
Breathless, the staff member asked, "If you could stand at the peak with anyone, who would it be?"
Su Mi aimed the camera at the misty clouds atop the mountain. "Why with someone else? I can appreciate the panoramic view just as well on my own."
Eating alone was eating, eating with someone else was also eating; the taste of food wasn't improved by the presence of another person. Similarly, her future wouldn't become better just because someone else was added to the mix; it might even turn into chaos. So, she preferred to be alone.
"Yet, having someone more means having an extra support. After all, being alone can be lonely, and we'll need someone to take care of us in our old age," the staff member said earnestly.
"One more person doesn't necessarily mean support; they could become a burden instead. In old age, it's not guaranteed that he'll take care of me; more likely, I'll be taking care of him. And with money, I can hire many people to look after me."
Su Mi replied without flinching, "An empty-hearted person will still feel emptiness and loneliness, even with a crowd around them. But a fulfilled person, even when alone, can lead a rich and colorful life."
If she felt empty, she could buy happiness with money. Men might betray her, but money wouldn't.
Hearing her words, the staff members were momentarily stunned. The young lady's logic was impeccable, and they couldn't refute it. They all agreed that relying on others was unreliable; the only dependable thing was oneself.
In truth, they also wished to live as vibrantly as this young lady, but the problem was their lack of money...
When they reached the summit, the sun was just rising, casting the first hues of dawn across the sky. Su Mi took many more photos, knowing that the production team would eventually give her their phones anyway, so it didn't matter which device she used.
About half an hour later, Li Chuan arrived, drenched in sweat. He sat down to rest for a while before Song Hua, Yang Yizhou, and Zhang Yue gradually climbed up.
By then, the sun had risen halfway, its golden rays piercing through the clouds to illuminate the earth, like a beacon of hope enveloping the world. Su Mi took a deep breath, feeling a moment of tranquility.
But in the next instant, her anger flared up again.
As He Meimei was still halfway up the mountain and would take at least three more hours to reach the summit, they all had to wait for her to capture a group panoramic shot before descending together.
It was their last day, and Su Mi still adhered to the rules, sitting alone and enjoying instant noodles with biscuits. Some recognized Yang Yizhou, but most of the exhausted climbers were too tired to engage in fanfare; they contented themselves with sneaking in a few photos.
He Meimei finally reached the peak around noon, and the rest, having grown impatient, hastily took a six-person group photo before starting their descent.
The saying "ascending is easy, descending is hard" rang true, and Su Mi felt a slight ache in her legs, though it was tolerable.
Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, she immediately boarded a car back to the hotel for some rest. There was no need to wait for the others; who knew how many hours that could take?
The photographer couldn't help asking, "Don't you worry about being seen as unsociable since you always go about alone?"
Leaning against the car, Su Mi lifted her gaze slightly. "Mighty individuals walk solo; only the weak seek crowds."
"..."
The photographer seemed accustomed to such responses from this young lady, who fearlessly spoke her mind without concern for how they might be edited. Yet, her words held a certain truth, given that she had climbed such a high mountain effortlessly and showed no signs of fatigue – it was simply incredible.
But even more astonishing was how she could kick Du Yu so far away – it was utterly inconceivable.
After returning to the hotel, Su Mi took a shower and immediately lay down to rest. There was no need for a gathering; perhaps by the time she woke up, those people still hadn't come down from the mountain.
Sure enough, she slept until ten o'clock at night. After getting up, she quickly ate something and was about to head to the gym when she saw the others limping out of the elevator with crutches.
Seeing her attire that suggested she was going to the gym, the others frowned, their faces filled with disbelief.
Of course, training couldn't be interrupted; otherwise, how would she complete her tasks in the future? If she wasn't strong, she could only watch as her enemies grew stronger. Besides, with their financial resources, they could hire bodyguards with higher combat abilities, making it increasingly difficult for her to go crazy.
After another two hours of training, Su Mi returned to her room to rest. She was tired, but it was still bearable. The more exhausted her body was during training, the more it stimulated her hidden potential.
The next morning, the production team gathered them together, returning each person's personal belongings. They also conducted a candid confession test where the contestants had to answer questions on a whiteboard, with the content visible only through the camera lens.
The first question was about their overall experience during this trip.
Su Mi wrote quickly, while the others seemed to have a grudge against the whiteboard, scribbling with extra force.
The second question was: If there was another chance to travel together, who among the five would they most like to travel with?
This was also easy to answer, as Song Hua's invisible persona was perfectly suited for the situation. She couldn't bring herself to fill in something dishonest like the others.
Although Li Chuan was not intrusive, the other party's strong intentions and slick nature made her uncomfortable, so she didn't particularly enjoy interacting with such individuals.
The third question was about the most enjoyable trip she had ever taken.
She wrote down the second trip, as the extreme rafting adventure was truly unforgettable. She definitely wouldn't be participating in that again.
After answering several questions, the production team finally announced the official end of the journey.
Sister Zhou had already arrived at the hotel to pick her up. Su Mi declined further filming and didn't say goodbye to the others before getting straight into the car to head to the airport.
Overall, apart from encountering that idiot, the trip was still within her tolerance level. After all, people came in all sorts, and she could endure regular fools, but excessively greasy personalities were unbearable.
"Sis, I'll keep a close eye on the post-production editing. I won't let them include anything negative," Sister Zhou said suddenly, holding a tablet. "By the way, Madam has arranged for a couture designer to visit you tomorrow to discuss your preferences and style concepts."
"Oh," Su Mi replied, leaning back in the seat to rest her eyes.
Why would she need a couture dress? Of course, it was for Old Master Qi's upcoming birthday celebration next week. As relatives, they were expected to attend. Last time, she hadn't worn the dress her mother had picked out, so her mom assumed she didn't like it. Hence, this time, her mother had specially arranged for someone to inquire about her preferences in advance – truly thoughtful.
Indeed, the dress was impeding her movements.
As if struck by an idea, she glanced at Sister Zhou's ladylike suit, which exuded elegance and professionalism. It would be perfect if there were some subtle details on the inner lining.
Most importantly, high heels could inflict more pain when used for kicking.
"I... Do I have something on me?" Sister Zhou glanced at herself awkwardly, wondering if she had offended this young lady in any way.
"Nothing. I just think your skin looks great," Su Mi replied, turning back to close her eyes and rest.
Tomorrow, she would ask the designer to create a graceful and gentle ladies' suit. That way, it would be formal without hindering her performance.
Only Sister Zhou gave a strange smile. This young lady sure knew how to joke around. Perhaps she should learn from her; who knew, exercise might genuinely improve skin condition.
The plane landed at the airport in the afternoon, and the butler was already waiting outside. However, before getting into the car, Su Mi received a call from Zhao Yun. It turned out that Liu Zhenyi's group had come to demand payment.
Moreover, they had received a court summons, so they were now approaching aggressively. That was why Zhao Yun had followed her instructions and called her.
Excellent, they weren't just swallowing their anger silently this time. This was already considerable progress.
"Head to Longcheng Estate." She suddenly instructed the butler.
The butler hesitated for a moment but didn't question her. He swiftly turned the car around and drove in a different direction.
Although the Chairman had specifically waited at home to have dinner with the young lady, he would surely respect and understand her decision if she had her own plans.
However, when the young lady instructed him to purchase several boxes of ghost money, he realized that this visit might not be as simple as it seemed.
Thirty minutes later, the car stopped outside the estate. Su Mi asked the bodyguards to carry the boxes upstairs. As soon as they exited the elevator, she could hear the heated argument from across the corridor. Other neighbors were also standing outside, watching the commotion.
"What are you closing the door for? You dared to sue us, so why are you afraid of being embarrassed now?!"
"I'm telling you, if you don't make that wretched girl withdraw the lawsuit today, I'll make sure everyone knows what kind of people the two of you really are!"
"You talk about being a family, but now that you're rich, you want to kick us poor relatives out. Your imagination is quite something! Back when you were broke, you were honest and well-behaved. Look at you now, all high and mighty with your newfound wealth. Disgusting!"
Liu Hua's wife was the one doing the scolding. The others were likely still inside the house, while the neighbors were whispering and pointing, seemingly only hearing the part about the lawsuit and being puzzled as to why such an honest couple like Liu Zhiyun would sue someone.
"Relatives? So relatives should give you money? When Auntie was wealthy, why didn't she think of helping my family?" Su Mi walked straight over.
Upon seeing the visitor, Zhao Yun stood there, her face contorted with anger. In the past, she would have handled the situation herself, but her daughter had repeatedly asked her to let someone else take care of it this time. So, she could only follow her daughter's request and call for assistance.
"You're saying what? When have I not bought fruits when I come here? Even if you're not part of our Liu family anymore, we've raised you since you were young. Yet, now you're suing us? Have you lost your conscience to a dog?" Yu Zhen pointed at her, yelling fiercely.
Su Mi maintained her smile. "Yes, that's why I specifically came today to give Auntie the money. Not too much, not too little – exactly three hundred million. That should be enough for you all to live comfortably for the rest of your lives."
"Three hundred million?!" The neighbors gasped in unison.
As they watched the bodyguards carry in a box, Yu Zhen's eyes lit up. People inside the house also emerged, surprised that Su Mi had actually brought the money. For a moment, they were all at a loss, overwhelmed by excitement.
Three hundred million! How much was that?
As expected, this brat needed a lesson to behave.
Liu He rushed over eagerly to open the box. However, his expression changed abruptly when he saw rows of ghost money inside. Clenching his fists, he glared at Su Mi. "Damn it, you tricked us, you brat!"
Upon realizing it was ghost money, Liu Zhenyi and the others' faces darkened. They hadn't expected her to bring such an ominous item. Wasn't she deliberately provoking them?
"You wanted money, right? Isn't this amount enough?" As Su Mi spoke, she suddenly kicked him to the ground. She then grabbed his short hair, her expression grim. "What, do you want me to burn some more for you?"