The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits-Chapter 1289 - 1302: Queen of Showbiz (13)

"Thud" The finger suspended in mid-air finally landed squarely, producing a loud knocking sound that made Sister Xia’s heart tighten momentarily.

Su Li withdrew her hand, smoothed her forehead, and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Then she asked casually, "Sister Xia, have you been facing some difficulties recently?"

Sister Xia stiffened all over, responding unnaturally, "No, nothing’s happened...."

After their initial phone call, the two hadn’t met again.

But on that call, Sister Xia’s anger and frustration at the original owner’s predicament were genuine.

Su Li was not clueless enough to overlook that.

Moreover, from the original owner’s memory, it was clear that her relationship with her agent, Sister Xia, was harmonious, like that of real sisters.

The original owner genuinely referred to her as "sister".

When Sister Xia got emotional and choked up over her own inadequacy during the call, that was genuine too.

So now... what was going on with this woman who spouted "it’s all for your good" yet disregarded the other’s feelings?

Su Li could only sigh and note how easily people’s hearts could change.

She had always hated those who wielded the banner of "it’s all for your good" to force others into uncomfortable or unwilling actions.

Su Li: "Sister Xia, we have a good relationship. If you have any difficulties, just tell me, and we’ll figure it out together. I genuinely consider you my sister."

An instant of guilt and insecurity flashed across Sister Xia’s face, but the emotion was quickly restrained as she smiled and said, "There were some issues at home a while ago."

"But it’s all resolved now, so don’t worry."

After hesitating for a moment, Sister Xia added, "You know I’ve been divorced from my husband for a long time, and the child lives with him. Given my work, it’s difficult to also take care of a child...."

"I always thought we split because of personality clashes, and he has no character issues, so I’ve never worried about leaving the kid with him."

As she spoke, a look of combined sadness and anger crossed Sister Xia’s face, and she clutched her clothes tightly in her hands, gritting her teeth, "But I forgot that when there’s a stepmom, there’s also a stepdad."

"I didn’t expect my ex-husband, the child’s biological father, to allow our son to be bullied by his new wife."

"That malicious woman nearly killed my son. If the neighbor hadn’t found something amiss, I’m afraid...."

Sister Xia shivered at the thought, a wave of fear overtaking her.

"Fortunately, it’s all over now. The child received excellent treatment at the hospital, and psychological care is ongoing. And those cruel spouses faced the legal consequences they deserved."

As she spoke of her son, Sister Xia smiled tenderly.

Su Li: "Why didn’t you ever tell me about such a big thing?"

If Su Li remembered correctly, the original owner’s agent seemed glamorous on the outside but actually had little in savings, which was why she left the child with her ex-husband.

With that kind of money, she could have hired a 24-hour premium nanny and not worried about taking care of a young child.

But seeing her earlier relaxed expression, and the things she inadvertently revealed....

"Your financial situation is even worse than mine..." Sister Xia blurted out, but quickly amended, "You’ve got enough troubles yourself lately, why make you worry and get angry with mine too... that’s why I didn’t say anything...."

Hearing this, Su Li casually asked, "Did you borrow money from someone else?"

"I’ve earned some recently, if you need it, I can transfer it to you...."

Before Su Li could say anything, Sister Xia quickly interrupted, "No, no need, it’s all been resolved."

Her expression was awkward, vaguely saying, "Met someone kind-hearted...."

"Was it Luo Jian, or Xu Jinzhi?"

"Xu Jinzhi."

Caught off guard by Su Li’s calm question, Sister Xia instinctively blurted it out.

Just now, she had been carried away talking to Su Li without any defense, never imagining the other had already guessed.

Sister Xia’s face turned a deep red from shame, stammering as she struggled to explain.

She was like an ant on a hot pan, anxious, "Listen to me...he might have thought he went too far with you and wanted to compensate, but feared you’re still angry, so he helped me through a hard time, hoping I’d persuade you...."

"Do you believe that?"

Of course...not at all.

Even Sister Xia found her own explanation utterly nonsensical.

But she had no other choice.... Her son was still in the ICU, and the costs were like burning money every day. Without accepting help, what else could she do....

Sister Xia lowered her head, still quietly struggling to explain, "The show, I’ve investigated it, no traps, no unspoken rules....Aside from Xu Jinzhi recommending you, everything else is really good. Besides, Director Yu is famously upright and aloof in the industry, he wouldn’t allow any trouble on his show either."

Sister Xia raised her voice slightly, seeming more confident, "So this truly is your best option right now."

One thing, however, Sister Xia chose to keep hidden: Xu Jinzhi would personally make an appearance as the show’s final mysterious guest.

Wherever she was, there was no chance for anyone else to shine, and not being overshadowed like a clown was already good enough.

Those seasoned veterans and seniors who were long established wouldn’t be much affected, their age and status were respected, at most they would lightly remark, "The Yangtze River waves push forward...."

But Su Li was different....of course, Sister Xia didn’t plan to say this outright.

Had Xu Jinzhi not told her personally, even she wouldn’t have known, and currently no one else knew about Xu Jinzhi’s participation.

Sister Xia, feeling guilty and insecure, dared not meet Su Li’s eyes. Earlier, she nearly convinced herself that she was truly doing this for Su Li’s sake.

With that thought, her previously raised voice quickly lowered.

"What if I don’t participate?" Su Li said indifferently, "After all, my contract with the company has ended, you’re no longer my agent, so the contract you signed on my behalf...."

Su Li raised a mocking smile, saying, "What’s that got to do with me."

Sister Xia was taken aback, having not considered such an outcome. She still saw herself as Su Li’s agent.

If Su Li refused to perform the contract, then the signing on her behalf....

Sister Xia looked at Su Li, smiling awkwardly, stammering, "You’re... you’re joking, right...."

Pitiful people must have hateful sides, but....how was that related to her.

She wasn’t Guanyin Bodhisattva, rescuing the suffering, so why empathize with others’ struggles.