She Died Once

Chapter 5 Hot List

Sang Jiyue's post quickly spread among her fans, climbing to the third position on the trending list in just half an hour.

The internet has no memory, they said! The victims who were still lying in the hospital, suffering due to Lin Yiying’s matter, now see Sang Jiyue painted as the most innocent person.

"Sang Shuo Night deserves to die! She deserves to rot in hell! How can she refuse to acknowledge her crimes, still pretending to be pure? She’ll never escape the truth!"

[Medical professionals are desperately fighting to save lives, while she peddles fake medicine and manipulates public sympathy. Sang Shuo Night has no humanity at all! I’m showing my cards here, I will always hate her!]

Wen Han sat in front of his computer, watching the real-time replies flood in. A smile, tinged with disdain, curled at the corner of his lips.

He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

"Mr. Jiang, it’s me," Wen Han spoke softly, as if trying not to disturb something important. "As you expected, Sang Jiyue has started moving. She’s rehashing the issue of the Little Chief Sang's original research institute, and public opinion is now swaying in her favor."

"Very good," a clear voice replied from the other end. "Send out the prepared video when the discussion is at its peak."

After hanging up the phone, Wen Han signaled to the spokesperson of the public relations department. The spokesperson gave a quick fist pump, then immediately set to work editing the video and preparing the release.

The video, once clicked, revealed the most authoritative hospital in Magic City. The camera shifted to a simple ward in the respiratory department, where a frail and emaciated figure lay on the hospital bed, clutching a large stack of cash—something most people would never see in their lifetime.

Opposite him sat a beautiful woman, Sang Jiyue, the adopted daughter of the Sang family, who was now a rising star in the entertainment world.

"You did well," Sang Jiyue spoke with careless ease, looking at the man in front of her, her expression filled with contempt. "This money is your reward. But remember, no matter what happens, you must stick to the story. Say that you got sick from taking medicine from Sang Shuo Night's research institute, and that she threatened you into silence."

The man nodded eagerly, his hands feverishly counting the red bills, greed dancing in his eyes.

Sang Jiyue’s cold snort of dissatisfaction made him flinch. "Don't take my words lightly. This money can set you up for the rest of your life, but remember—it's also enough to buy this cheap life of yours."

She was always ruthless, and the man trembled as he hurriedly raised his hand, swearing, "Don’t worry, Miss! I’ll do exactly as you say, I won’t tell a soul!"

"Good," Sang Jiyue nodded in satisfaction. "Now, tell me, how did you end up like this? How did your illness progress to this point?"

"I wasn’t always this ill. I heard about Sang Shuo Night's research institute, which was praised by many for treating respiratory diseases like mine. I thought I’d give it a try. But after buying several doses of their special-effect medicine, I noticed not only did it not work, but it had severe side effects. I went to confront Sang Shuo Night, but she threatened me, saying that if I told anyone, she would ruin my family. I was so scared that I had no choice but to listen to her. She wouldn't let me go to any other hospitals for treatment, and that's how I ended up like this. I hate Sang Shuo Night for destroying my hope!"

This confession was recorded by Sang Jiyue's photographer and later released as part of her post.

Sang Jiyue’s fan base was massive, and soon, the topic "Sang Shuo Night's heartless research institute exploiting people's misery" climbed to the top of the trending list.

With human and material evidence, and Sang Jiyue backed by the Sang family, Sang Shuo Night had no room to fight back.

The institute was forced to shut down, and Sang Shuo Night was detained by the public security organs on suspicion of criminal offenses. Thankfully, the case did not involve any loss of life, and she was released after a 20-day detention.

Her reputation was in tatters, and the industry nearly crucified her in public opinion.

The video, though short—only about five minutes—stirred the entire internet. Yet, after it had been up for an hour, there wasn’t a single comment. A heavy silence hung over the discussion.

[“I don’t know what to say… I just don’t understand why Sang Shuo Night is being treated this way. Why is she the one being punished? Why?!”]

[“Sang Jiyue is a true villain! I remember after Sang Siuhyeon’s accident, she pretended to post a message expressing her sorrow, claiming she wanted to prevent more people from being hurt. She even hoped her sister would return to the right path. But what right did she have to hope for that?!”]

[“I remember this man too. He went to Sang Shuo Night after the incident, crying about how he had an elderly parent and young children and couldn’t afford the special medicine. Sang Shuo Night even arranged for free treatment for him. At the time, everyone praised her for being a kind-hearted businesswoman. But now, to think he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”]

[“That’s right! He even called Sang Shuo Night his ‘second parent!’ What a betrayal!”]

The winds of public opinion shifted quickly. Sang Jiyue was propelled to the center of attention, and even her fans swarmed her social media, urging her to respond directly.

However, at that moment, Sang Jiyue was facing her own interrogation by the Sang family’s parents.

"Sang Jiyue, your father only has one question: did you set up Sang Shuo Night?" Sang Yu, his left arm wrapped around his wife, who was weeping with her head down, looked at Sang Jiyue with a complex expression that was almost heartbreaking.

Sang Jiyue dared not admit anything. She resorted to her usual tactics, crying pitifully. "Dad… You don’t believe me? I know what I’ve done wrong. I’ll never be able to earn all of your trust, will I?"

She didn’t dare speak the truth. Sang Yu, who had been in power for so long, could easily see through her facade.

"Sang Jiyue, I watched you grow up. All the schemes you’ve learned, your father taught you. Do you think you can fool me?" Sang Yu sighed, a note of unwillingness in his voice, as he slowly closed his eyes, refusing to look at her any longer.

A chill ran through Sang Jiyue's heart. After years of smooth sailing, she now felt the fear and panic she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

"Dad… I didn’t mean it…" She looked at the indifferent Sang Yu, her teeth clenched. Then, she turned to Wang Miao, who had been crying silently, her eyes devoid of the usual tenderness. "Mom, you have to believe me! These things aren’t what you think… I never meant it! Please, you have to believe me!"

Sang Jiyue knew that Wang Miao loved her most of all. No matter how big the issue, as long as she cried, her mother would always side with her.

But this time, Wang Miao lifted her eyes and looked at her with a coldness that was devoid of love.

"You’ve forgotten one thing, haven’t you? Late Night… is my daughter." Wang Miao’s sigh was filled with infinite regret. "Jiyue, the one you pushed to the edge of destruction… is my own daughter."