Chapter 84: The Expected Conclusion

"So, you want to make sure the money they've amassed can't breed more money. And after that?" Chu Luoxi cared little for the process; her interest lay in the outcome.

Although it had been Wang Yanan who first concocted this scheme, it was that young man surnamed Tang who had carried it out. If he hadn't harbored such intentions, what opportunity would Wang Yanan have had to stir up trouble? Recalling Zhu Xueshuang's tragic fate in her past life, Chu Luoxi felt nothing but deep aversion for that Tang fellow. Some people, once they have money, think they can play around as they please. But that's just a game for those who consent to the rules; if someone enjoys that, let them seek out willing partners.

She never denied that many girls would do anything for money, but to plot against respectable women for one's own selfish gain—what was that, if not the behavior of a depraved scoundrel, lower than a beast?

From the start, her suggestion to target the Tang family stemmed from a desire to see that man fall from paradise into the abyss—he and Wang Yanan were equally abhorrent, a perfect pair in their villainy.

"And then?" Zhu Xueshuang smiled slyly, her serene features radiating a brilliant, classical grace. "Then that family will be penniless, still owing the bank two hundred million. By now, they're probably being hounded by creditors!"

Some businessmen believe the bigger the capital, the bigger the business, and the larger the bank loans. But if things go south, even their underwear might be seized. High-stakes gambling—many entrepreneurs play this way. The Tang family’s luck had run out. They had just secured a hundred million for a grand project, only to find themselves beset by attacks from the Zhu and Liu families. Not only was the project snatched away, but their funds were frozen. The bank manager responsible for the loan must be weeping by now.

Lending depends on collateral, and with some connections, loans can be easily approved. Who could have predicted that Tang would squander everything so quickly?

"They're broke?" Chu Luoxi scoffed, then sighed. "Good. Maybe now they'll realize money can't buy them the right to swagger about. If they can’t even repay their loans, how could he possibly keep supporting Wang Yanan?"

According to what Ye Shen had dug up, Tang's father had a legitimate wife—a woman who lived quite comfortably. Wang Yanan’s so-called true love, her so-called genuine feelings, were nothing but a clandestine, illicit affair.

Previously, none of their dorm mates had paid much attention, but in hindsight, it was clear Wang Yanan’s spending had grown extravagant since the end of their freshman spring semester—entirely unlike when she first arrived. At first, they even joked about it, wondering if Wang Yanan had found some lucrative work, since she often brought back expensive snacks for the dorm or shared them with classmates next door.

No one should mistake Wang Yanan for a generous soul—she was merely showing off. Still, since there was something to eat and no real loss, everyone just let her have her fun.

Now that Tang had fallen, how could he possibly indulge Wang Yanan’s extravagance any longer?

"Pft, that family can't even support themselves now—how could they support her?" Liu Yujia sneered. "Wasn't Wang Yanan rarely ever in the dorm? Her patron bought her a chic two-bedroom apartment, which is worth a fortune in the capital. Now that Tang has had to sell his own villa, that place is not likely to be spared. Wang Yanan's already been back in the dorm for quite a while."

"Exactly. Last time the two of us went back for our things, she nearly suffocated us with her bitterness," Zhu Xueshuang added, curling her lip. "She acted as if nothing had happened, pretending to be oblivious, but her attitude was off. And now she knows it was you, Xiaoxi, who got us the roles in 'Crystal Love.' She was so jealous she could've drowned herself in vinegar..."

"Oh!" Chu Luoxi suddenly understood. So that's why Liu Yujia had warned her to be careful about being pestered. Now she really would have to watch out.

With Wang Yanan now at a dead end, forced to go from luxury to frugality—a change far harder than the reverse—who knew what she might do, given her twisted way of thinking?

Chu Luoxi shivered. She was grateful she hadn't gone back to the dorm, but had come straight here instead. Who knows what might have happened otherwise?

"I was going to call you about it, but you showed up early, so I didn’t get the chance," Zhu Xueshuang said offhandedly, peeling an apple with practiced ease.

Since childhood, both she and Liu Yujia had witnessed the ruthless intrigues of business and the sorrow of human nature. Their families had never sheltered them from such lessons, so they understood this matter from start to finish. As for Wang Yanan, her fate was only just beginning—Zhu Xueshuang was curious to see which path she would eventually choose.

Though Chu Luoxi’s family was merely middle-class and she hadn’t experienced anything too severe, she had spent two decades in the entertainment industry in her past life—what hadn’t she seen? She understood Wang Yanan’s predicament only too well.

Truth be told, the fact that Wang Yanan could still sleep peacefully in the dorm was already thanks to Zhu Xueshuang’s lingering sense of old friendship; the Zhu and Liu families, after all, hadn’t gone for total annihilation.

As for the road ahead, that was Wang Yanan’s choice alone. Whether she rose or fell, no one would lend her another push—it would all be up to her.

Zhu Xueshuang had at least granted her the opportunity to choose, but none of the three believed Wang Yanan would ever learn restraint or self-reflection. They were certain her final act would leave them all sighing in pity; otherwise, this whole affair would never have occurred in the first place.

"Heh, Xiaoxue, you’ve gone soft," Chu Luoxi observed. She understood—if Wang Yanan could truly come to her senses and choose a better path, Zhu Xueshuang would not stand in her way. But from then on, their lives would be separate, never to cross again.

"Do you call this softness? I simply see clearly that she’ll never change for the better. I just think, from now on, we probably won’t need to lift a finger," Zhu Xueshuang smiled faintly, making no attempt to hide her thoughts.

"Whether she changes or not is none of our business. But you did give her a chance; if she won’t take it, she can blame no one but herself," Chu Luoxi replied, her smile understanding. If it were her, she might have done the same.

To watch coldly as an enemy teeters between heaven and hell—that is their own struggle. What has it to do with them?

Knowing Wang Yanan was back in the dorm, Chu Luoxi had no intention of returning. She and Wang Yanan had never gotten along—why would she walk into the lion’s den? What would she be, a fool?

So, Chu Luoxi, who had originally planned to stay just a couple of days, decided to settle in for the long haul. After all, her dorm belongings were of little importance; she had already taken anything valuable with her to the set of "Rivers and Mountains." The remaining daily necessities and clothes were hardly worth mentioning.

With her mind made up, Chu Luoxi joined Zhu and Liu the following day to visit the set of "Crystal Love" under the pretext of paying a friendly visit.