Chapter 176 Breaking a Promise

However, it was understandable why Sang Yijia and Lu Wenchuan were unwilling to switch. The director had already laid down the rules beforehand, and if they swapped quietly like that with the entire internet watching...

Yan Ningxi thought that her previous remark about skipping breakfast must have been recorded, and she had no idea how many people would be talking about it behind her back.

Since her manager didn't know what had happened yet, she would probably get a severe scolding once the episode aired.

At this thought, Yan Ningxi shuddered all over. She didn't dare to ask another question, muttered a word to Sang Yijia, and turned back to find Bian He.

Sang Yijia looked at the task card, pondered for a moment, and then looked up at Lu Wenchuan. "Why didn't you switch just now?"

"Did you want to switch?" Lu Wenchuan thought Sang Yijia didn't want to swap and looked at him so that he would be the one to reject Yan Ningxi.

Sang Yijia shook her head. "No, I just wanted to ask your opinion."

"Then let's set off now." Lu Wenchuan had just checked; the zoo tickets were not expensive, only ten yuan per person. It was just that the location was rather remote and quite far away.

Taking a taxi there and back would definitely not be enough with just two hundred yuan.

"We'll have to squeeze into the subway later. Do you mind?" Actually, at this hour, it wasn't during the morning or evening rush hour, nor was it a holiday, so the subway wouldn't be that crowded. On the contrary, it would be quite empty.

But Lu Wenchuan knew nothing of this.

Sang Yijia lowered her head to search for the route. "If we take the subway, we'll still need to take a bus and then get off at the final stop."

"Calculating it this way, it's not expensive at all." Two hundred yuan would be more than enough, but once at the zoo, they would inevitably have to spend money on animal feed; they had to buy something to feed the animals.

Sang Yijia made up her mind and whispered to Lu Wenchuan, "Anyway, they didn't confiscate our phones. I have money in my card."

"Let's buy some fruit on the way later." If those animals hadn't been captured, they would probably be living happily in the wild right now. Looking at them, every single one was skin and bones, and the zoo tickets were only ten yuan per person, which clearly showed it was running at a loss.

Animals like that couldn't possibly receive very good care. Yet if they were returned to the mountains and forests, they would have lost their wild instincts and could no longer survive on their own.

Sang Yijia lowered her gaze, her mood sinking. She wanted to do something to help these animals.

——

On the other side, Lan Qing glanced at Sang Yijia, her eyes narrowing slightly. When she turned her head, she saw Shen Jin staring right at her. Catching his gaze, Lan Qing immediately glared back. "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing." Shen Jin spread his hands. "I just wanted to remind you that the foundation on your neck has rubbed off."

"The red mark is about to show." Shen Jin curved the corners of his lips and pointed with his fingertip in the air.

Panic instantly gripped Lan Qing. She immediately took out her phone, opened the camera as a mirror, and took a look. The concealer and foundation had indeed been rubbed off, probably when she was eating breakfast earlier.

"I'm going to the restroom." Lan Qing took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and said, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it." Shen Jin shrugged. "I'll wait for you outside."

"Okay." Seeing Lan Qing take two steps away, Shen Jin suddenly remembered something and grabbed her wrist. "We're going to the water park later."

"Remember to use waterproof makeup."

Lan Qing's expression changed. Only then did she remember, and a sudden wave of panic washed over her.

——

The scandal had completely lost its heat, but Sang Qiwu had still managed to negotiate with the victim's family and decided to hold a live stream tonight to explain everything clearly.

However, before night fell, a sudden twist occurred.

After Sang Yijia and Lu Wenchuan returned from their trip to the zoo, they were immediately surrounded by a group of reporters the moment they arrived at the hotel.

Lu Wenchuan had no idea what was going on, but he instinctively shielded Sang Yijia behind him.

"Sang Yijia, now that the victim's family has stepped forward to testify that what happened back then is true, what do you have to say?"

"Sang Yijia, you drove a classmate to her death back in high school. Don't you feel any remorse in your heart?"

............

Every single question was aimed squarely at the scandal. Sang Yijia frowned, caught Lu Wenchuan's hand, and motioned for him not to get agitated.

"This matter is false." Sang Yijia looked calmly and fearlessly into the camera. "Furthermore, I have already called the police and hired a lawyer."

"But Sang Yijia, the victim's family has now stepped forward to accuse you. What do you have to say to that?"

"Absurd nonsense," Sang Yijia replied coldly.

"Sang Yijia, this is a live broadcast right now. Are you certain you're truly innocent?"

"Do you dare guarantee it in front of viewers across the entire internet?"

Sensing Lu Wenchuan's movement, Sang Yijia squeezed his hand tighter and looked back at the camera. "Is your company hosting this live stream?"

The reporter who had been called out answered with an "uh-huh," adding, "It's our company."

"Please make way and let him come to the front." Sang Yijia looked into the lens. "Since that's the case, I'll take advantage of today's opportunity to explain."

The reporter and the cameraman pushed their way to the front.

Hearing that Sang Yijia was going to give an explanation, all the cameras were shoved forward, and every microphone was thrusting toward her.

"The bullying incident you keep talking about—that female student was from the class next door," Sang Yijia began faintly. "Before that, I didn't have a deep impression of her."

"Because we only ran into each other a few times, and perhaps back then, neither of us even knew the other's name." Sang Yijia paused. "Or perhaps, she happened to know mine."

Sang Yijia's phone vibrated, followed by a pleasant ringtone, but she ignored it.

"Now the victim's family has produced the victim's diary from back then, which has your name written in it and claims that you caused all of this. How do you explain that?"

Sang Yijia paused. "It has nothing to do with me."

"The matter has already been reported to the police, and the police are currently following up. I have also retained a lawyer."

"If the rumors continue to spread, I will pursue legal avenues without hesitation to protect my rights and interests."

"This time, I will not choose a settlement." Sang Yijia looked into the camera once more. "Even if you stop right now and cease splashing dirty water, this matter will not end here."

"I will pursue this to the very end."

"Thank you, that is all I have to say."

The reporter still wanted to ask another question, but Lu Wenchuan stepped forward with a glacial expression in his eyes. Those reporters didn't dare to move and could only watch as Lu Wenchuan protected Sang Yijia and walked into the hotel.

"Little sister, that was that female classmate's father. He took money and is determined to ruin you!" Sang Qiwu had no idea what was going on; clearly everything had been negotiated, but in the end, they suddenly switched people to stir up trouble.

As soon as she stepped through the hotel doors, Sang Yijia answered her phone. Hearing Sang Qiwu's reply, she shook her head. "If I remember correctly, they are already divorced."

"This matter..." Sang Yijia was about to say something when her palm was squeezed tightly. Startled, she looked up at Lu Wenchuan, a trace of confusion in her eyes.

"Leave it to me," Lu Wenchuan told her silently.