The statistics were all in Lihua's favor. She had crossed the comic sales that one could only dream of achieving. In one shot, she brought out Jiang Fai's talent in front of the whole world and promoted the hotel in the best possible way. To achieve this feat in her first task was a huge achievement.

Her trajectory went upwards and upwards until Ruomei felt as if she was stuck on the ground buried deep in a hole. The situation turned from praises and cheers to ridicule and mockery.

I...lost? I lost to Lixue?

She came crashing down so hard that it hit straight at her ego. She had never lost to anybody be it in beauty, wealth or intellect. But now she lost to Lihua who she loathed the most.

First, she lost Wei and her position as the Jiang family's daughter-in-law. Now, she lost this challenge which she thought of as nothing but a waste of time.

Shi Zhen glared at her. "Ruomei. What is happening!? You were supposed to win this!"

Shi Cuifen quickly said, "I-It's okay. Ruomei tried her best. There is no shame in losing-"

He angrily whispered. "Shut up, Cuifen! If you cannot say anything meaningful, then shut your mouth! She lost and you say that it's not shameful?"

Shi Cuifen trembled and bit her lip. "I just…"

The Old Madam's face was deadly grave as her cold and deadpan gaze landed on her. Ruomei felt the accusing stare that felt as if it stabbed her hard.

"O-Old Madam…"

"You disappoint me, Shi Ruomei."

She froze.

"You couldn't even win such a simple challenge. You, who are supposed to be far more capable than that witch in business, should have won! You crumbled my pride into the dust! This challenge was a means to show how suitable you are for Wei. But you lost? To Lixue?"

Her face turned ashen and her heart was filled with hatred. Everything was going just fine until Lihua destroyed everything. She could feel the Old Madam's favor dwindling in her as her sharp voice pricked her.

"Then what did you come here to live for!?"

She jolted and trembled. Shi Zhen's anger knew no bounds too. "Pathetic…" he murmured that clearly reached her ears, making her feel worthless.

Lihua walked up to her and offered her hand for a handshake. "That was a good competition. Thank you!"

Ruomei was so mad that she would have jumped on her and scratched her face with her nails if they had been alone. Her words only poured oil into the blazing fire.

She maintained her smile and shook her hand. "O-of course Lixue…"

Jiang Weizhe tilted his head at their interaction and signaled Fu Shen. Fu Shen glanced a sharp stare at Ruomei and said, "Won't you congratulate Madam?"

Ruomei stiffened.

Congratulate her?

But to point out like that was even more insulting. She quickly plastered her fake smile. "Congratulations, Lixue. You did well."

Lihua beamed. "Don't congratulate me! Fai Fai deserves it the most, especially when he was always criticized for his talent."

The Old Madam and Ruomei choked.

To blatantly put it like that…

Ruomei glanced at Jiang Fai. "Congratulations, Fai. You exceeded our expectations."

Jiang Fai simply nodded. He didn't care about her wishes since it was fake anyway. Fu Renshu walked up to him and smiled. "Congratulations. You know what? Lots of people are already asking for the mysterious artist intending to hire him. I am getting continuous messages to hold a press conference and introduce you."

He widened his eyes. "H-Hire me? Press conference?" He felt as if he was floating in the air.

"Yes. For their promotional campaign."

The other business associates also chipped in. "Yes. Actually, I was going to ask the same. You have got such great talent. Will you like to work with us?"

Another CEO also didn't let go of this chance. "We will be glad to have you aboard. You are amazing at just seventeen."

A third one narrowed his eyes. "Jiang Fai. How about my company? I will accept all your terms and conditions without any argument!"

These were the same businessmen who had mocked Jiang Fai before for his childish talent and were now here coming to lick his boots.

The media reporters captured everything in their cameras. This was explosive news after all.

Seeing this sudden shift in attention to Jiang Fai with nothing but compliments, Kang Hongqi and Kang Meifen felt as if they were tightly slapped on their faces. Just a few minutes ago, they were ridiculing him. But the tide had now taken a one-eighty degree turn. Kang Yuming was also extremely furious to see everyone praising Jiang Xiurang for having such a capable son.

Li Tingzhe stood rooted on the ground the whole time as if lightning struck him. The son that he always thought of as useless and troublemaker turned out to be the star of the night. He looked as if somebody poked a balloon, deflating all its air.

Lihua proudly grinned at Jiang Fai before she shot a stare at the Old Madam. "So. What do you say, Old Madam? You thought that Fai Fai was nothing but a burden, but only because of him, the hotel got so widely acclaimed even overseas. If not for him, we wouldn't have gotten this far."

The Old Madam's blood boiled in anger to be proved wrong like that.

"And I think you can order the maids to take Aunt Xiurang's bags back to her room now."

"Lixue…" she ground her teeth in fury.

Lihua smiled. "And it's time for the lawyer to make his entrance! Come, come Aunt! Time to get your freedom back!"

Li Tingzhe froze. He remembered the condition if Jiang Fai would win.

Divorce with Jiang Xiurang.

He stared at the beautiful woman who he dumped for Kang Yuming. He felt his chest burn in uneasiness.

Divorce?

Lihua held her hand and brought her forward. The lawyer said, "Madam, these are the papers."

"En," she smiled and handed her a pen. "Come on, Aunt. Go ahead and sign it. With this, you will be finally free."

Panicked, Li Tingzhe exclaimed. "No, wait!"

****

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