Chapter 37
"Who?!" Zhao Mingxuan turned around in shock, meeting a pair of deep, cold eyes like an icy pool. It was Lu Xiao!
Before he could even struggle or cry for help, he was slammed hard against the cold fireproof door by an immense force! His back hit the hard metal with a dull thud, making his internal organs feel like they were displaced, and he saw stars before his eyes.
"Ugh!" Zhao Mingxuan cried out in pain, his shiny hair hanging down in disarray, looking utterly disheveled.
Lu Xiao's arm was like cast iron, firmly pinning him to the door. The two were extremely close, with Lu Xiao looking down at him. That usually gentle and handsome face, enough to make countless fans scream, now had lines as sharp as a knife, and his eyes were churning with an uncontrollable storm of anger.
“Deputy Director Zhao,” Lu Xiao’s voice was extremely low, each word like it was pulled from an ice cellar and slammed into Zhao Mingxuan’s face, “'Resource-backed'? 'Get out of the entertainment industry'? 'Sleeping around in bed'? 'Self-directed and self-acted'?”
With each word he uttered, the pressure on Zhao Mingxuan's shoulder increased, his knuckles digging deep into the other's flesh, causing Zhao Mingxuan to grimace in pain.
"What...what do you want to do?! Let me go! This is the company!"
Zhao Mingxuan growled weakly, trying to struggle, but found that Lu Xiao's arm was completely immobile, like an iron clamp. He was then shocked to realize that this seemingly tall and handsome newcomer actually possessed terrifying strength!
"What do I want to do?" Lu Xiao's lips curled into a cold smile, devoid of any genuine mirth. "I'll show you what true 'resource suppression' really means."
He leaned closer, his chilling breath almost touching Zhao Mingxuan's pale face. "The Lin Group's life-saving grace, the favors from the Lin family father and son, the top-tier resources that Director Su has allocated... aren't these enough to crush a mere deputy director like you?"
Zhao Mingxuan's pupils contracted sharply, a chill running from the soles of his feet to the top of his head! The Lin Group! Su Qing! These names struck his heart like a heavy hammer.
He had always thought it was just a rumor, a smokescreen released by Su Qing to promote a newcomer! But Lu Xiao's eyes and tone at this moment were cold, resolute, and carried an absolute confidence that allowed him to control life and death, making it impossible for him not to believe it!
"You...you're talking nonsense! There's no evidence! I didn't send those anonymous messages!" Zhao Mingxuan was still making his last attempt to deny it, but his voice was trembling uncontrollably.
"Evidence?" Lu Xiao seemed to have heard something utterly ridiculous, his contempt as sharp as icy needles. "Do you need it?"
He released his grip on Zhao Mingxuan's shoulder. The movement seemed casual, but it made Zhao Mingxuan feel as if his shoulder blade was about to shatter.
Lu Xiao slowly took out his phone, unlocked the screen, and brought up an interface that was none other than the chat history of the anonymous "tea room megaphone" group! Several of the most vicious and named messages were highlighted with red circles.
What terrified Zhao Mingxuan even more was that next to the chat history, a gray marker, indicating that only administrators with backend privileges could see it, was clearly displayed—【Anonymous User A: Real-name Authentication - Zhao Mingxuan】!
"The company's IT security department recently responded to the group's call and upgraded the 'traceability' of the anonymity system."
Lu Xiao's voice was calm and even, yet every word was piercing. "Unfortunately, Director Su personally approved the first test sample of the upgrade report. Imagine if I were to send this, along with materials detailing your years of abusing your power to suppress newcomers, accepting kickbacks, and falsifying accounts, to Chairman Lin's desk..." He paused, savoring Zhao Mingxuan's instantly pale expression, before slowly uttering the last two words: "What would happen?"
Zhao Mingxuan's body went completely limp, only managing to stay upright thanks to the fireproof door. Cold sweat poured down his forehead and temples like a waterfall, instantly soaking his meticulously styled slicked-back hair.
He stared at the glaring real-name authentication mark on Lu Xiao's phone screen, at the chat screenshots that were enough to send him to hell. All his arrogance and wishful thinking were crushed in the face of absolute power and evidence.
"I...I'm sorry! Lu Xiao! Brother Lu! I was a bastard! I had a foul mouth! It was my jealousy that got the better of me!"
Zhao Mingxuan's voice was choked with sobs, and he spoke incoherently, "I apologize! I'll apologize publicly in the group right now! I'll delete the post! I... I'll write a self-criticism! Please... please have mercy on me! Let me go! I can't lose my job! I still have a mortgage and car loan..."
He was in tears, his ugly behavior completely exposed, and there was not a trace of the arrogance of the deputy director left.
Lu Xiao stared at him coldly, his eyes devoid of any emotion. He neither said he forgave nor refused, but simply put his phone back in his pocket, as if disposing of a trivial piece of trash.
He glanced one last time at Zhao Mingxuan's face, contorted with fear, then turned and left the dimly lit corridor without looking back. His tall, straight back stretched long in the dim green security light, carrying a cold, resolute air of someone who had accomplished their task and was now leaving.
Zhao Mingxuan slid down the door panel and sat on the cold ground, trembling all over, completely overwhelmed by immense fear and lingering dread.
The exclusive lounge on the top floor boasts floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city's dazzling lights, resembling an inverted galaxy. Inside, only a single soft floor lamp illuminates the space, casting a warm, yellow glow that envelops the small area.
Zhuohua sat cross-legged on the soft carpet, with a white jade fruit plate in front of her. The plate contained several strange fruits, shaped like pears but not quite, with crystal-clear skin, as if wrapped in flowing starlight, emitting a pure and tranquil fragrance that soothed the mind.
She was using a small, seemingly ordinary jade knife, the edge of which gleamed with a barely perceptible cold light, to carefully slice a fruit into evenly sized, paper-thin slices.
The door was gently pushed open, and Lu Xiao walked in. The cold, menacing aura that had permeated the corridor had dissipated, but a trace of lingering anger remained between his brows, and his eyes held a hint of weariness.
Zhuohua didn't even look up. She deftly twirled the jade knife between her fingers, perfectly slicing off the last piece of fruit. She put down the knife, picked up a warm, damp towel, and beckoned to Lu Xiao. Her voice was as cool as ever, but with a hint of gentleness that was almost imperceptible: "Come here."
Lu Xiao did as she asked, walked over, sat down in front of her, and naturally extended his hand.
Zhuohua carefully wiped the fingers of his right hand with a warm towel. His long, strong fingers still bore obvious red marks from excessive force at the knuckles, and some areas were even slightly bluish-purple. The warmth of the towel soaked into his skin, gradually soothing the lingering anger in his heart.
“Lu Xiao,” Zhuo Hua said, her eyes lowered as she focused on wiping, her long eyelashes casting a small fan-shaped shadow beneath her eyes. Her voice carried a lazy, casual tone, as if discussing the weather, “Why tear someone apart yourself? It gets your hands dirty and leaves marks.”
She raised her eyes, her clear, glass-like eyes looking at Lu Xiao, reflecting his current appearance clearly, with a faint, almost indulgent smile, as if looking at a little wolf cub that was bristling in protectiveness.
Lu Xiao felt a warmth in his heart and took her slightly cool fingers in his hand: "If I don't teach that kind of scoundrel a lesson myself, I'm afraid he won't remember the pain."
Zhuohua let him hold her hand, but with her other free hand, her fingertips traced a very subtle line in the air. A ripple of divine thought, imperceptible to mortals and without form or substance, spread out silently like a pebble thrown into a lake, instantly piercing through the distance of space.
At the same time, inside and outside the Xingyao Media building, all those who had participated in the anonymous group insults or spread rumors in private—whether artists, agents, assistants, or employees from other departments—had their mobile phones, tablets, and laptops placed on their desks, bedside tables, or backpacks automatically turn on at the same time!
The screen displayed no user interface, only a pure black background. The next second, a cold, emotionless, synthesized electronic voice began playing at maximum volume, unexpectedly blasting through the quiet office, the late-night bedroom, and the crowded subway:
"Confession: I, Zhao Mingxuan, out of jealousy, stupidity, and malice, made baseless slanders, defamations, and personal attacks against Ms. Zhuohua and Mr. Lu Xiao in the anonymous internal group 'Tea Room Loudspeaker' of Xingyao Media and in private settings. I deeply realize the despicable and malicious nature of my words, which have caused great harm to the reputation and mental well-being of Ms. Zhuohua and Mr. Lu Xiao. Hereby, I solemnly apologize to Ms. Zhuohua and Mr. Lu Xiao! I promise to immediately delete all inappropriate remarks and never repeat them! If I do repeat them, I am willing to bear all legal responsibilities and karmic retribution! Confessor: (Zhao Mingxuan)."
This cold, emotionless voice of repentance played on a loop, volume at maximum, impossible to turn off, impossible to shut down, impossible to unplug! Unless... the device ran out of power.
In an instant, screams, curses, and frantic attempts to mute the sounds echoed throughout every corner of Xingyao Media! Panic spread like wildfire.
Some tried to throw their phones into a glass of water, but the cold, clear voice of repentance stubbornly pierced through! Others covered their computers with blankets, but the voice seemed to resonate directly in their minds!
Su Qing's phone naturally received this strange voice message as well. Her cold and beautiful face carried a hint of mockery, "You still want to compete with me? You're not worthy!"
Thinking of Zhuohua's superpowers, Su Qing was extremely grateful for her early discerning eye. It's good to have a powerful backer, and this one is not just a powerful backer, but a golden, radiant spiritual tree!
The rooftop lounge was quiet and peaceful.
Zhuohua seemed to have done nothing and heard nothing. She gently pulled her hand away from Lu Xiao's, picked up the sliced starfruit from the jade plate, took a piece, and naturally offered it to Lu Xiao's lips. The fruit was translucent, radiating a pure starlight that reflected on her fair fingertips.
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