It was the night of the surprise party for Xu Jia Li and the crews were busy arranging the conference hall of the resort. Some of them were murmuring about the scene between Tang Xie and Xu Jia Li. As it passed down from one person to the next, there had been omission and addition to what really transpired.
Since they were very fickle, they were easily swayed by what they heard. They found Xu Jia Li insufferable because to them, she wore different masks to manipulate others.
Shen Linqin heard all these and her face reddened. She approached the crews who were busy gossiping malicious things about Xu Jia Li.
"Shut your mouth! You don't know, Li-jie! How dare you say such rubbish?!"
"What do you care? Isn't it true? Look at the internet, there are so many people hating her!" one of the women bellowed.
"Those are not true!" Shen Linqin's breathing became heavier. She gritted her teeth as she glared at the women.
"We don't have time arguing with you, Linqin. If I were you, just find another artist to assist since it will be no time that Xu Jia Li will be ousted in the industry. And where would that leave you? In the dumpster with plenty of rats just like you!"
****
Eight o'clock in the evening
Xu Jia Li received a call from Director Han that she must go to the conference hall immediately. She didn't know the reason why but she proceeded to the conference room.
On her way, she saw Jian Ran lurking on the corner. She looked like she was expecting for a good show. Xu Jia Li chuckled, "How predictable!"
****
Xu Jia Li was suddenly stopped by a loud scream from the opposite part of the corridor. She furrowed her brows in confusion when she saw the crews running towards the scream. One of them even bumped on her in a hurry. Her curiosity was piqued as she walked to where they were going.
More crews ran towards it which made Xu Jia Li's heart pounded fast. She didn't like the ambiance at all. Somehow, a part of her was telling her that something bad would happen.
"H-helppp!!!! Miss Lulu is poisoned!!!! Call the ambulance!!!"
"Oh my gosh! Is it true? Is Miss Meng poisoned?"
"Who would do such an evil deed? Poor Miss Meng!"
Xu Jia Li heard everyone's voices as they wondered what happened. Everyone's gazes fell on Xu Jia Li as they steered clear of the way. No one uttered a word but the look on their faces was enough to know that they were accusing her of what happened. She didn't know but her heart began to pound even faster when she saw Meng Lulu lying on the floor, unconscious.
"Have anyone call an ambulance?" Xu Jia Li asked as she looked at the pale Meng Lulu, her mouth releasing yellowish foam.
No one answered her. The look they gave her was enough to condemn her of the crime. She disregarded them as she moved her gaze. She looked for Shen Linqin on the pool of crews around her. She heaved a sigh of relief when she saw her running towards her. Since no one wanted to listen to her, she told Shen Linqin to call an ambulance. She stood near the door, disregarding nasty gazes thrown her way.
"She j-just c-came back, t-then…" Tang Xie's face was full of worries as the tears flowed on her face, she spoke in between sob, "Then… she said she's hungry… and…"
Suddenly, Tang Xie's eyes focused on Xu Jia Li, her eyes red and bulging as she pointed her finger at her, "It's you! You gave her the pumpkin cake!"
Everyone present felt their heart sunk when they heard Tang Xie's words. Indeed, it was Xu Jia Li who gave Meng Lulu the pumpkin cake earlier. They could attest to that.
"It was the cake given by CEO Si. I even ate one of the cakes during lunch. How could it be poisoned?"
"Don't lie! Y-you poisoned her because you hate her!" Tang Xie's accusation ignited everyone's fury.
Jian Ran's heart leaped with excitement as she witnessed the scene. She didn't take her eyes off of them, afraid to miss a single incident. It was as if fate was playing with Xu Jia Li, Jay Chou and Mr. Lawrence arrived with Director Han. Someone informed them of what happened since they were already in the conference hall.
"What happened?" Director Han asked as he stepped forward.
"M-miss Meng… she's p-poisoned by Miss Xu!" Tang Xie bellowed as she kneeled in front of Meng Lulu.
"Preposterous!" Jay Chou shouted as he glared at Tang Xie, "Stop with your absurdity! Miss Xu will never do that!"
"Yes. How do you know?! Where you here when it happened? Stop accusing Miss Xu," Mr. Lawrence answered while throwing a disgusted look at Tang Xie.
"That's right, Tang Xie. Stop accusing Miss Xu when you have no direct evidence." Director Han scolded Tang Xie as he checked Meng Lulu's pulse.
"N-no, Director Han. I'm not just accusing Miss Xu. It's really her who gave the pumpkin cake to Lulu. Ask her!"
Everyone focused their gazes at Xu Jia Li, waiting for her to deny the accusation. However, even before she could answer, one of the crews shouted, "Miss Xu, don't ever lie. I have here the video that will prove that it's you who gave that pumpkin cake to Miss Meng!"
The other onlookers nodded before another one spoke, "Earlier, you even bullied Tang Xie! We witnessed it and we have the video, too!"
More crews spoke one after the other, proving how guilty she was. She only stared blankly at them, calculating the actions she needed to take. She stood there quietly as the film crews defamed her.
Mr. Lawrence walked out of the scene, disappointment written on his face. Jay Chou didn't know what to do as he looked apologetically at Xu Jia Li.
Tang Xie kept wailing as the ambulance where nowhere to be seen. Shen Linqin had already come back but the ambulance still did not arrive.
"The more time they wasted would harm Meng Lulu even more." Jian Ran rejoiced as she took her phone, capturing everything.
Xu Jia Li took her phone and dialed Si Weimin's number, "Please get an ambulance here in the resort quickly."
****
The news about Meng Lulu leaked in all social media platforms. Even the video clips where Tang Xie was crying when she was confronted by Xu Jia Li were uploaded.
It escalated like wildfire as it fueled the still fresh news about Xu Jia Li suppressing Meng Lulu.
The location of the hot spring resort was also leaked. It was the reason why Qi Xenjin's fans immediately came to the resort faster than the ambulance. They couldn't wait releasing their anger at Xu Jia Li.