Tang Xiaomin watched in dumbfounded silence, then showered the live stream with ten rockets and a comment: "Great acting, keep it up!"
Her actions immediately drew a barrage of criticism from netizens in the live stream. She didn't argue with them, knowing that even with ten hands on the keyboard, she couldn't match their onslaught. With her characteristic generosity, she sent ten more rockets and left another message: "More exposé tonight."
...
At the hospital, Lu Zelei seized an opportunity when Nan Gong Shanshan wasn't paying attention and rushed to embrace her. With the help of firefighters, Nan Gong Shanshan was successfully rescued. The farce finally came to an end. It had to be said that Nan Gong Shanshan's combat prowess was formidable, her outlandish moves coming one after another, catching everyone off guard.
Tang Xiaomin received a call from Zhong Li. "Miss Tang, Gao Qiang has been apprehended."
"Excellent. I'll be there soon."
Tang Xiaomin arrived at a spacious, pristine room. Yan Jue sat smoking, his expression cold. Zhong Li, holding a whip, was relentlessly lashing Gao Qiang. "Speak! Who ordered you to harm Tang Xiaomin? If you tell us, we'll spare your life!"
Gao Qiang was already covered in blood, barely clinging to life. However, Zhong Li's blows were aimed to kill, and he didn't stop until Gao Qiang was knocked unconscious.
"Splash some water on him and interrogate him properly," Tang Xiaomin instructed.
"Yes, ma'am."
Tang Xiaomin opened her phone and began recording. A basin of water was doused over Gao Qiang. The dazed Gao Qiang slowly opened his eyes. When he saw Tang Xiaomin in the room, holding her phone, he was shocked.
*Smack!*
Zhong Li delivered a slap to Gao Qiang's face. "What are you looking at!"
"Confess clearly. Who bribed you to cut the safety rope at the sports meet and replace the "rock" prop with a fake one to cause an accident?"
"I... I don't know what you're talking about."
Tang Xiaomin frowned at his words. Even in this state, Gao Qiang remained defiant. Zhong Li moved to strike again, but Tang Xiaomin stopped him in time. This wouldn't yield the desired results for her recording.
She put away her phone and walked up to Gao Qiang with a smirk. "Your mouth is quite stubborn."
"Tang Xiaomin! You kidnapped and beat me, this is illegal! I'm calling the police!"
*Slap, slap!*
Tang Xiaomin slapped Gao Qiang across the face twice. "I've already broken the law, do you think I'd give you the chance to call the police?"
"Don't think this is over just because you harmed me. If you don't tell me who's pulling the strings today, you won't leave here alive."
"You... you're forcing a confession! I never harmed you!"
*Slap!*
Tang Xiaomin delivered another slap. Dealing with someone so stubbornly unyielding required a firm hand. She wouldn't let him think he could easily fool them.
Tang Xiaomin said coldly, "Ye Lingyun has already investigated and found out you took Nan Gong Shanshan's money. You also paid a cleaner a thousand yuan to cut the rope. He couldn't take the beating and confessed. Here's the video, watch it yourself."
Tang Xiaomin pulled up a video and played it for Gao Qiang. Despair filled his face.
"Just tell me everything that happened, and I'll let you go. Otherwise, I'll send the evidence and you to the prosecutor's office right now. I'll sue you for intentional homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life imprisonment. Think about it."
Facing a lifetime in prison, Gao Qiang, in his despair, could only comply. "I... I... I'll talk. Please, don't report me. I know I was wrong. I was just blinded by greed! Please, be magnanimous and let me go!"
Tang Xiaomin displayed a harmless smile. "As long as you explain clearly. As for revenge, I'll only go after the mastermind. After all, we're classmates."
Tang Xiaomin's words gave Gao Qiang great hope. "Okay, I'll talk. After I speak, you must keep your promise."
"Once you explain everything, I'll give you some money as thanks. I'm not short on cash."
Hearing that there was money involved, Gao Qiang's doubts vanished. Tang Xiaomin took out her phone, adjusted the lighting, and then shouted, "Begin."
Zhong Li, standing by, watched in astonishment as Tang Xiaomin had Gao Qiang cornered with just a few words. He had refused to cooperate even after being beaten unconscious, and now he was willing. He muttered softly, "A woman's tongue is a deceiving devil. It's too terrifying."
Yan Jue said proudly, "She's much more capable than you. Learn from her."
Zhong Li shook his head. "Mr. Yan, aren't you afraid Miss Tang might deceive you? Even if she did, you probably wouldn't be able to tell, would you?"
"If she deceives me, I'd be willing."
...
Zhong Li was speechless.
Before long, Tang Xiaomin finished recording. "Done."
Gao Qiang said with anticipation, "I've done as you said. You must fulfill your promise, let me go, and give me the money."
Tang Xiaomin pocketed her phone, her smile gradually turning sinister. "A prisoner, and you dare to negotiate terms with me? Truly, strong limbs and a simple mind."
Hahaha...
Zhong Li couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh, though his laughter looked uglier than crying. Realizing he had been tricked, Gao Qiang's face turned ashen, and he started shouting in agitation. "You lied to me! How could you break your promise, you cheat!"
Yan Jue stood up, placed a hand on Tang Xiaomin's shoulder, and said dotingly, "There are too many fools, not enough scammers."
"Zhong Li, handle him."
Tang Xiaomin shook her head. "No, this kind of person should face legal justice. Let him spend his life doing hard labor in prison. Furthermore, I need the prosecutor's office to provide official confirmation."
"Zhong Li, take him to the prosecutor's office."
"Yes."
With things reaching this stage, it was time to wrap things up. After gathering sufficient evidence, Tang Xiaomin, to satisfy the curiosity of netizens, made a public exposé online.
#NanGongShanshanHiredAnAssassin#
She first released the video of Gao Qiang's confession, admitting that Nan Gong Shanshan had hired him to harm her. A mob of trolls immediately flooded the comments, accusing Tang Xiaomin of smearing Nan Gong Shanshan and trying to divert attention. Some even challenged her to report it if she dared.
Tang Xiaomin retorted without backing down: "Already reported. Please consult @ShanghaiHighProsecutor'sOffice for details."
Under the insistent inquiries of numerous netizens, the Shanghai High Prosecutor's Office responded within half a day: "The matter is confirmed and is being processed according to procedure. Case progress will be continuously updated."
The official response carried the most weight, and consequently, Nan Gong Shanshan's reputation began to shift.
"Nan Gong Shanshan harmed Tang Xiaomin first, so it's no wonder Tang Xiaomin hit her child. It's just reaping what she sowed."
"But you can't take it out on the child. Children are innocent."
"Wasn't Tang Xiaomin innocent when Nan Gong Shanshan hired someone to kill her?"
"Don't be so hypocritical. What goes around comes around. You sow, you reap. Your own actions led to your child's suffering; this is retribution."