Chapter 34: Using a Sanctimonious Facade as Bragging Rights

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Using a Sanctimonious Facade as Bragging Rights

Zhen Zhen glanced at the ignored Shu Yao, a hint of triumph hidden in her eyes, though her face was a mask of resentment.

"A couple of days ago, a mother and son from the Lower Star District came to our Xiangxiang’s restaurant. They ordered a whole table of food but probably couldn’t afford it. Halfway through the meal, the mother taught her child to fake a stomachache and then tried to blame it on our food..."

Yudola sounded indignant. "That’s outrageous!"

"Exactly!" Zhen Zhen continued, her eyes red as she feigned pleading her daughter’s case, when in reality she was just slandering her. "But that’s not even the end of it. They dined and dashed, assuming that because we didn’t make them pay, we were easy targets. Then, somehow, they managed to get a doctor’s note from a hospital certifying that the child got sick from the food and demanded we pay their medical bills. We’re talking nearly twenty thousand Star Coins!"

Yudola was incredulous. "This is just extortion!"

Zhen Zhen said, "Exactly!"

Lin Yaodong glared sullenly at Shu Yao, who sat opposite him looking completely unfazed.

He picked up where Zhen Zhen left off:

"Our Xiangxiang is kind-hearted. She pitied the mother and son and was going to let the whole thing go just to keep the peace. But that woman from the Lower Star District went and started a livestream without anyone’s consent!

I don’t know what kind of smoke and mirrors she used to put on a show for the viewers online, but she insisted on framing our Lin Family’s restaurant for having serious food safety problems! The nerve of her!"

The more Lin Yaodong spoke, the angrier he became. When he finished, he shot Shu Yao a vicious, hateful glare.

Zhen Zhen’s voice cracked as if she were about to cry. "Xiangxiang has been so upset by all the misunderstanding online. The moment she got home, she locked herself in her room, refusing to eat or drink. She’s lost so much weight!"

’Listening to them twist the truth, calling black white and forcing this "beautiful and kind-hearted" persona onto their daughter, Shu Yao could only laugh coldly to herself.’

Lin Yaodong continued, "My Lin Family has operated in the Upper Star District for many years, and we’ve never had anything like this happen! The Empress is one of Xiangxiang’s fans, so you should know that Xiangxiang has always been a law-abiding citizen!

Other influencers are always looking for ways to evade taxes, but Xiangxiang has never even considered exploiting such loopholes! The taxes she pays in a single year are more than what some third-rate influencer makes in decades!"

’If you don’t think it, you don’t say it. If he’d truly never considered exploiting loopholes, he wouldn’t be bringing it up now.’

Yet Lin Yaodong treated this self-righteous act as a point of pride to show off.

’How ridiculous!’

Yudola said gently, "Xiangxiang’s father and mother, please calm down. I invited you here today because I hope we can all sit down and calmly discuss how to resolve this matter peacefully."

Lin Yaodong was taken aback for a moment, his expression quickly turning to one of resentment.

’His whole reason for coming here was to use the Imperial Family’s power to send Shu Yao packing back to the Lower Star District! He hoped he would never have to see that trashy woman again!’

But the Empress had already made her position clear.

She was personally stepping in to mediate. If the Lin Family continued to press the issue, they would be seen as ungrateful and unreasonable.

Seeing that Lin Yaodong’s attitude had not softened, a chill crept into Yudola’s smile.

"Mr. Lin, what do you think?"

Sensing the Empress’s displeasure, Zhen Zhen quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile. "Of course, we must show the Empress respect!"

She repeatedly shot pointed looks at Lin Yaodong.

’Only a lunatic would go against the Imperial Family!’

Lin Yaodong played along with his wife, forcing a smile for the Empress. But when his gaze shifted back to the person across from him, his face instantly darkened again.

"Xiangxiang hasn’t streamed for three whole days!" Lin Yaodong declared, his tone severe and resolute. "If you want the Lin Family to forgive this woman from the Lower Star District, that’s fine. But first, she must make a public apology to our Xiangxiang! She also has to compensate Xiangxiang for her emotional distress, as well as all the financial losses our Lin Family has incurred over these past three days!"