Chapter 72: Don’t Act Like a Nagging Old Woman

At the same time, Shen Qingli was attending a banquet. Apart from her, the room was filled with men—each of them a renowned director.

“Miss Shen, as you know, in the past, we only gave you the time of day out of respect for President Xie. And now, it’s still only out of respect for him that we’re here. If you’ve nothing important, don’t waste our time, all right?” Director Zhang, who had always disliked Shen Qingli, looked at her with obvious disdain, firmly believing she owed her status to men.

After all, what woman could possibly run a company?

Shen Qingli let out a soft laugh, her cool gaze sweeping over the room, silencing the crowd with an invisible pressure.

“Director Zhang, isn’t it true that your so-called achievements are thanks to your wife’s support behind the scenes?”

At these words, Director Zhang’s face flushed a deep red. He slammed the table and shot to his feet. “That’s nonsense!”

Shen Qingli smiled faintly, raising her glass of red wine to her lips, her eyes mocking this man who so loved to deride women.

“There’s nothing shameful about relying on your wife. The shameful part is having a flower at home and countless more outside. If your wife knew, would you still be enjoying your current good fortune?”

Humiliated and furious, Director Zhang sank back into his seat, speechless. Shen Qingli’s words had struck home.

“Miss Shen, isn’t it a bit immoral to expose people’s dirty laundry like this?” Director Liu, who had always sided with Zhang, tried to smooth things over.

“Director Liu, do you really think you’re any better? With all those videos you secretly filmed of naïve young girls, how many years in prison do you think you’d get?”

Director Liu’s expression changed instantly, and he glared at Shen Qingli, his tone threatening. “Now that you’ve lost President Xie’s support, do you really think you can threaten us just because you have some dirt on us?”

“I’ll tell you this—there’s only you left in the Shen family now. If you were to die under mysterious circumstances, who would ever know your secrets?”

It was a blatant threat: if she died, her secrets would die with her.

Yet Shen Qingli only leaned back leisurely, her eyes full of contempt. “Do you really think I’d come here unprepared?”

Her gaze swept over the assembled directors, each harboring their own vile secrets. “You all know you have a notorious reputation in the industry, don’t you?”

“Do you know why I insisted on inviting all of you here tonight?”

At her words, the men grew uneasy. “What exactly are you planning?”

“If it’s money you want, we’ll pay you right away!”

“Shen Qingli, don’t go too far. You’re just a woman—don’t forget we have enough connections to ruin your company and drive you out of the capital for good!”

As their threats and bribes filled the air, Shen Qingli’s lips curled into a cold smile.

“You all heard that, didn’t you?” She clapped her hands. Suddenly, the curtains were drawn back, revealing a crowd of journalists and police officers.

“Sorry, but you are the very beginning of my plan to cleanse this industry.”

The woman rose gracefully to her feet. Amid the chaos and panic, she stood out, calm and resolute.

Clad in a black suit with her hair swept up, she was the very picture of efficiency and strength.

Just this morning, she’d been the target of ridicule, yet now she stunned the entire internet. These men were the rotten core of the entertainment world; yet most people had always been too afraid to challenge them, wary of retaliation against their families.

But Shen Qingli dared.

And this was only her first step. So what if she disrupted their interests? She was determined to become someone admired by all!

The incident exploded across the web. Countless victims came forward to share their stories. Of the ten directors exposed, even the one with the lightest crimes faced at least twenty years in prison.

Meanwhile, Shen Qingli was busy directing her team as they moved into their new offices.

“Mingguang Entertainment and Media is officially established tonight.”

News of Mingguang Entertainment’s founding reached Rong Qiaoyi immediately.

“She really is reckless—like an egg thrown at a rock, completely ignorant of her own limits!” Rong Qiaoyi sneered. Beside her, Ye Qingqing sat quietly, her head tilted in confusion. “Sister Qiaoyi, is Shen Qingli openly declaring war on us now?”

“Clearly. But her company has just been founded—she’s no threat.” With a haughty tilt of her chin, she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’ll make her see that without Xie Jinchuan, Shen Qingli is nothing at all!”

News releases about Shen Qingli’s new company soon flooded the web, most of them paid for by Rong Qiaoyi, all emphasizing the connection between Shen Qingli and Xie Jinchuan.

The internet was already abuzz with ridicule—Shen Qingli, dumped by Xie Jinchuan, was nothing but a cast-off. Now, a fresh storm erupted online.

Green Cilantro watched as Shen Qingli, arms crossed, directed her staff, and couldn’t help but worry. [Aren’t you angry at what Rong Qiaoyi is doing right now?]

“Yes, put that over there,” Shen Qingli instructed, then chuckled dismissively. [Why should I be angry? She’s just trying to provoke me into reacting, to escalate the public pressure. I’m not stupid—I won’t give her what she wants!]

Green Cilantro felt uneasy. Ever since her separation from Xie Jinchuan, the host seemed like a different person, almost unrecognizable.

And Green Cilantro’s sudden question reminded Shen Qingli of its connection to Xie Jinchuan. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she strode into her unfinished office. [I know you can communicate with Xie Jinchuan. Whatever he can give you, I can too. You’d best remember whose side you’re on. If I ever catch you betraying me…]

The warning hung in the air, unspoken.

Green Cilantro, who’d been planning to report back to Xie Jinchuan, instantly wilted. [I haven’t contacted him, I swear, don’t be mad.]

[Hmph.]

As soon as the office door closed, an assistant rushed in, looking anxious. “President Shen, someone’s here to see you. They say they’re from Qiaoyi Media.”

So the challenge had come sooner than expected.

Shen Qingli nodded gently. “Well, what are you waiting for? Show our distinguished guest to the reception room.”

The assistant, startled by the look in her eyes, hurried out, a chill running down her spine. Why did President Shen’s gaze seem so intimidating now?

In the reception room, Rong Qiaoyi and Ye Qingqing entered, Rong Qiaoyi’s face wrinkled in distaste. “Shouldn’t you tidy up your reception area first? How can you let guests wait in a place like this?”

The staff, uncertain whether she’d come to pick a fight, could only smile apologetically. After all, they were used to the quirks of these celebrities behind closed doors.