Chapter 102: Tearing Off Zhou Yao's Mask

On the large screen appeared posts insulting Xi Luo Zhang, including photos of her drowning her sorrows at a bar, performing provocative dances, and pictures with Yi Ming Lin, Chen Ouyang, and Jianhao Su together… The accompanying text was a litany of accusations against her, detailing everything she had done as the scandalous girlfriend of Mingye Li. It also outlined her threats and intimidation of Yao Zhou, as well as the harm inflicted on Yao’s father.

Xi Luo Zhang’s body stiffened, and she glanced back. The screen was already filled with content about her—too late to stop it now.

The guests murmured with sympathy and gossip. Standing to the left of the screen, Xi Luo Zhang endured their strange, judging gazes and the pointed fingers.

Among the crowd, Yao Zhou wore a delicate blue cocktail dress, like a blooming blue flower. A pure smile graced her face as she quietly admired the masterpiece she had created.

Xi Luo Zhang caught sight of Yao Zhou, who raised an eyebrow in challenge, maintaining her innocent and adorable smile, as if none of this concerned her at all.

The whispers grew louder, and several elders could no longer sit still—especially Xi Luo Zhang’s parents, who rose in anger, eager to take her away.

“Everyone, please remain calm and don’t be angry. This is a program we arranged to help our good friend prove her innocence, and to reveal the true nature of a certain person. Please be patient,” Xue Ting Jiang said before prompting Yi Ming Lin to play recordings of Tiantian Lu and some voice chats between Yao Zhou and her.

Tiantian Lu identified Yao Zhou as the mastermind behind using Xi Luo Zhang’s scandal to sabotage the wedding of Xue Ting Jiang and Chengyi Zhao. All the exposures were orchestrated by Yao Zhou, aimed at destroying Xi Luo Zhang’s reputation.

Yao Zhou’s face instantly changed; she stood up and walked onstage. “That’s not true! She’s lying. Tiantian Lu is my classmate—we had a fight.”

The sudden turn of events overwhelmed Yao Zhou, making her fragile and unsteady. She clutched her head and moved to Li Mingye’s side, grabbing his sleeve.

“Mr. Li, please help me.”

Mingye Li’s brows furrowed deeply, his sharp eyes narrowing, a cold aura emanating from him, as if ice shards had settled in his brow.

“Mr. Li, I don’t know why she’s framing me. I didn’t do any of this.”

Seeing Xi Luo Zhang, Yao Zhou released Li’s sleeve and staggered toward her.

Li Mingye followed behind, anxious she might fall.

With a look of innocence, Yao Zhou bowed before Xi Luo Zhang. “I’m sorry, sister. I didn’t expect netizens to be so angry. I only wanted to raise medical funds for my father. I don’t want Mr. Li to keep spending money on me.”

“I don’t know why Tiantian said those things. I hope you’ll believe me—I never intended to harm you.”

Xi Luo Zhang looked at Yao Zhou and couldn’t help but sneer. She was wasting her talent by not acting; with that expression, she looked more wronged than Dou E, as if snow would fall in June.

Mingye Li whispered harshly to Xi Luo Zhang, “What are you doing? At a moment like this, you want to cause a scene?”

“Ha,” Xi Luo Zhang looked at him, her heart suddenly aching. Whenever she was bullied, he always stood by like a spectator—regardless of place or time, never defending her.

But when it came to Yao Zhou, he grew anxious.

How had she loved such a man—cold and heartless toward her, wishing she were dead?

Recalling everything, her eyes reddened; she had spent two lifetimes watching this man, only to suffer endless wounds.

The wounds never healed; they were torn open again, raw and bloody.

Xi Luo Zhang wanted to laugh but couldn’t. She met Mingye Li’s gaze, resolute and deeply disappointed. “Mingye Li, am I the one causing a scene? Your love-struck brain must have eaten your intelligence. I prepared all this—I’m the one trying to ruin my best friend’s wedding!”

Li Mingye’s heart skipped a beat. His frown deepened as he locked eyes with Xi Luo Zhang, sensing her resentment, hatred, and perhaps a permanent farewell.

“You didn’t do it. You’re innocent. Isn’t Luo Luo wronged?” Xue Ting Jiang rushed to Yao Zhou’s side, ready to reprimand her on Xi Luo Zhang’s behalf.

Xi Luo Zhang gratefully glanced at her, took the microphone, and faced Mingye Li directly.

“Mingye Li, let’s see how you protect her today.” She wasn’t seeking revenge—just a clean break with them.

She revealed Yao Zhou’s methods, ensuring she could no longer wreak havoc, at least not against her.

Mingye Li’s gaze turned cold. Before he could speak, Xi Luo Zhang fixed her eyes on Yao Zhou, her stare murderous enough to unsettle the girl.

“Yao Zhou, wasn’t this all your carefully laid plan? You wanted to ruin my best friend’s wedding and make me the laughingstock of high society. It’s fine if you don’t admit it.”

“You refuse to accept what Tiantian Lu said, and you deny your voice chats with her. What about your conversation with me?” Xi Luo Zhang finished, and the speakers played Yao Zhou’s voice.

“I wish you would die!”

“If it weren’t for that greedy fool Si Hai Gao, you wouldn’t have a chance to live…”

“Your child shouldn’t be alive…”

“Yao Yao is a kind girl. I’m willing to give her everything, including my life…”

“Dad, thank you. When I become Mrs. Li, I’ll open a casino for you…”

“You’re a villain online now. If I add fuel to the fire, you’ll die miserably!”

Yao Zhou panicked completely. She stood up, trying to snatch the microphone from Xi Luo Zhang. Failing that, she tried to push her down.

“No, I didn’t say those things. You’re framing me! You’re slandering me! Mr. Li, believe me!”

Li Mingye moved swiftly, shielding Xi Luo Zhang in his arms. Yao Zhou missed her target and fell to the ground.

“Why are you slandering me? Those words were synthesized—yes, synthesized.” Yao Zhou was desperate, grabbing Li Mingye’s pant leg.

“Mr. Li, please help me.”

“Did you kill my child? Tell me—is it you?” Li Mingye’s cold eyes burned with fury, as if to set her aflame.

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