Ju Honglan was the vice chairman of the Hongou Foundation and the second madam of the Shen family. Before holding a press conference, Song Qinian was merely a low-level employee of the foundation in the eyes of outsiders.
Although the video of Song Qinian abusing cats caused a public outcry for the foundation, the impact was not significant.
However, once Ju Honglan's video was released, the situation changed entirely.
This was akin to a police officer breaking the law they were meant to uphold, resulting in a severe negative impact.
Now, not only the foundation but also the Shen family was thrust into the spotlight.
The old lady, unable to breathe, fainted from anger.
Everyone rushed her to the hospital in a flurry.
Upon hearing the news of the old lady's hospitalization, Shen Chiyan, who had just left Xiangrui Mountain, immediately ordered the public opinion to be controlled and rushed to the hospital at the fastest speed.
Outside the operating room.
Song Qinian's face was as pale as paper. Her eyes were fixed on the words "Operating Room," her mind in utter chaos.
What was going on?
Why had that video appeared online?
She immediately found Shen Qimiao's phone number and sent him a WeChat message.
"Was it you who posted Ju Honglan's video online?"
Shen Qimiao admitted it readily, "It was me."
"Why?"
"Heh... I was afraid you'd be soft-hearted and hesitate, so I helped you fight fire with fire. You're welcome."
Song Qinian clenched her phone, gritting her teeth in anger. She knew Shen Qimiao wouldn't be so kind.
She hadn't expected him to disregard the Shen family's reputation so completely.
"Song Qinian!!!"
Ju Honglan snatched Song Qinian's arm and cursed her without any decorum.
"It's all your fault, you jinx. You weren't satisfied with trying to kill me, and now you want to kill Mom. If anything happens to Mom, our whole family will never forgive you."
The more Ju Honglan looked at Song Qinian, the angrier she became. She hadn't expected to be tricked.
Now the entire internet was cursing her. Many wealthy wives called, ostensibly to express concern, but in reality, they were just gloating.
How could she ever navigate the high society circles of affluent wives again!
"The person who sent you the information about your fear of cats, that was you, wasn't it? You knew I couldn't stand you and colluded with Wang Yajie to set me up. You damned bitch, go to hell!"
Ju Honglan reached out to slap Song Qinian hard, but before her hand could touch Song Qinian's cheek, it was caught by another hand and forcefully pushed away.
Ju Honglan, caught off guard, almost fell to the ground. She turned around angrily and her heart lurched when she saw Shen Chiyan. She then burst into tears, crying towards him.
"Chiyan, you're finally here. Your mute wife is trying to turn our Shen family upside down and bring us no peace. Your grandmother was so angered by her that she fainted and is currently being rescued."
Shen Chiyan looked at Ju Honglan, his dark, ink-like eyes filled with biting coldness. "Second Aunt, you should worry about yourself more."
"What do you mean? Are you going to protect Song Qinian?"
"Protect? Are you talking about Song Qinian abusing cats? Heh... Wang Yajie should have already spoken to Grandmother. Who is the real culprit, don't you have any idea?"
Ju Honglan still held a sliver of hope, thinking that if the old lady never woke up, and Song Qinian couldn't explain herself, she could push all the blame onto Song Qinian.
She hadn't expected Shen Chiyan to know about Wang Yajie's involvement.
"You... how do you know?"
"What do you think?"
Ju Honglan seemed to realize something, her legs went weak, and she almost collapsed to the ground.
"You'd better pray that Grandmother is alright, or even Second Uncle won't be able to protect you!"
Saying this, Shen Chiyan grabbed Song Qinian and said coldly, "Come with me!"
Shen Chiyan pulled Song Qinian into a corner. He pushed her against the wall and said, "Where did you get Ju Honglan's video from?"
Shen Chiyan's expression was terrifying. Song Qinian's heart jumped into her throat. She immediately gestured with her hands, "Shen Qimiao gave it to me?"
Upon hearing it was Shen Qimiao, Shen Chiyan's expression worsened.
"When did you meet him? Why would he give you the video? And how did he get it?"
The series of three questions indicated that Shen Chiyan's anger was rising sharply.
"This morning. He said he detested Ju Honglan and wanted to help me when he saw I was being framed by her."
This morning?
Heh... so it was shortly after he left the hotel that she met Shen Qimiao!
Very good. No wonder she slept so well last night. It turned out she already had a plan.
Does that mean the pain and humiliation she experienced yesterday afternoon were deliberately staged to make him pity her?
Very good... truly excellent!
"Hmph, is that so? How come I didn't know you two had become so chummy that you'd work together?"
Before Song Qinian could gesture, Shen Chiyan coldly continued, "Or, as Ju Honglan said, you colluded with someone to set her up, and that person wasn't Wang Yajie, but Shen Qimiao?"
Song Qinian shook her head, but Shen Chiyan grabbed her chin and said, "Ju Honglan dislikes you, and framing you was true. So, you played along, making Ju Honglan think she had won, and then this morning you produced the video to prove your innocence. In the end, Grandmother will definitely strip Ju Honglan of her vice chairman position, and you will become the sole vice chairman of the Hongou Foundation."
No... that's not it!
Song Qinian wanted to explain, but Shen Chiyan didn't give her the chance. "I really underestimated you. You're not a pushover at all, but a scheming and calculating tough nut."
Song Qinian could tolerate others' suspicion, but she couldn't bear Shen Chiyan's distrust and interrogation.
It felt like a knife stabbing her chest.
But what could she do?
She had been tricked by Shen Qimiao. Forget that she was mute; even with a hundred mouths, she couldn't explain.
But she didn't want Shen Chiyan to misunderstand. She gestured sadly, "Whether you believe it or not, Ju Honglan's video wasn't posted by me. I never intended to harm anyone in the Shen family."
Shen Chiyan coldly let go of Song Qinian, his dark, deep eyes devoid of any warmth. "Whether you posted it or Shen Qimiao posted it, does it make a difference? In any case, your objective has been achieved."
Song Qinian's chest suddenly felt tight. Just as she was about to gesture again, Gao Kunlun suddenly ran over, "Fifth Master, the old lady is awake."
Shen Chiyan didn't look at Song Qinian again and went directly to the ward.
Song Qinian was also worried about the old lady and immediately ran towards the ward.
Many other members of the Shen family had also arrived and were in the old lady's ward. She didn't know how to face the old lady and the others, so she didn't dare to go in.
Fortunately, the old lady had only suffered from temporary anger, her blood pressure rising, causing her to faint. Her body was otherwise unharmed.
Seeing that Song Qinian was not in the ward, the old lady looked at Shen Keqin and said, "Qianqian, go call Niannian in. I have something to tell her."
"Okay..."
Upon hearing that the old lady wanted to see her, Song Qinian immediately composed herself and entered the ward.
When Shen Huanling saw Song Qinian, she was about to rush forward, but the old lady suddenly spoke, "Niannian, stay. Everyone else, please leave."
Shen Huanling wanted to say something more, but Shen Zixuan pulled her out.
As Shen Chiyan left, he gave Song Qinian a deep look.
As soon as everyone left, the old lady beckoned to Song Qinian, "Niannian, come to Grandma."
Hearing this, Song Qinian could no longer hold back her tears. They streamed down her face. She rushed over and hugged the old lady tightly.