Chapter 190: The Salty Fish

Jiang Xiaobai watched the online discussions for a while, and her heart couldn’t help but stir.

When Ding Haoran had mentioned having a trump card, and shortly after, Xu Anliu had stepped forward to speak on his behalf, Jiang Xiaobai had already begun to suspect the nature of their relationship.

One was a semi-retired, older-generation film queen, while the other was a second-tier pop singer… These two individuals, who seemed to have no connection whatsoever, had suddenly revealed their association in such a manner. This alone was suspicious.

If their relationship wasn’t close, why would Xu Anliu break her silence after so long just to support Ding Haoran?

However, Jiang Xiaobai wasn’t entirely certain. As the netizens had pointed out, Xu Anliu’s age was one issue, but more importantly, she was already married. In recent years, she had rarely appeared in public, and the news mostly focused on how happy she was with Feng Anda—how they had sweetly visited each other on set or held hands while strolling, just like any ordinary couple in love.

Ding Haoran was handsome, but Feng Anda was also exceptionally good-looking, with an added layer of maturity that younger men lacked. It was hard to say who was more attractive when comparing the two.

Not to mention, Feng Anda was a wealthy businessman, while Ding Haoran was merely an illegitimate child.

Now that the netizens had collectively confirmed the speculation, Jiang Xiaobai couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy.

“Miss Jiang, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”

Ji Wen approached, holding her phone. “I’ve already contacted several brands. They’ll bring their latest seasonal collections for you to choose from this afternoon. As for accessories, you already have a brand endorsement, so we can just select some pieces from there to match.”

“Alright.”

Jiang Xiaobai nodded.

Ji Wen had previously shared her background with Jiang Xiaobai. She had once worked as a personal stylist for a wealthy lady from a prominent family. That lady was quite remarkable—her maiden family was already a well-known elite family, and the family she married into was no less prestigious.

She was a top-tier socialite with a sharp eye for fashion and a knack for versatile styling. The fact that Ji Wen had been chosen by her and served as her personal stylist for nearly a decade spoke volumes about her skills.

However, recently, the lady’s daughter was preparing to study abroad, and the lady, unable to bear being apart, decided to move overseas for a few years. She wanted to take Ji Wen with her.

But Ji Wen’s family and children were all here, and leaving would mean she wouldn’t know when she’d be able to return. After some consideration, she declined the offer and resigned, staying in the country instead.

Jiang Xiaobai’s mother knew the lady and had learned about this through her social circle. She then invited Ji Wen to become Jiang Xiaobai’s personal stylist, offering a generous salary.

Having previously worked in elite circles, Ji Wen had connections with many high-end brand representatives, so arranging for them to come for private consultations was no trouble at all.

At that moment, Qi Linglong walked out of the room.

Jiang Xiaobai’s domestic social media accounts were managed by Dong Ran and Ming Zhu. Linglong, who was fluent in foreign languages, had suggested creating international social media accounts for Jiang Xiaobai and taking charge of their daily operations.

Truthfully, this seemed a bit premature. Jiang Xiaobai was still struggling to gain traction domestically, let alone on a global scale. Even if the accounts were created, she’d likely remain obscure internationally.

But Jiang Xiaobai thought about it and agreed.

It was better to create them now. As for the future, who could say?

It wasn’t much effort—just posting occasional updates to maintain visibility. Without fans, there wasn’t even a need for daily interactions.

So, Linglong had been working on this recently, creating the accounts and planning to post regular updates, such as selfies.

Linglong believed Jiang Xiaobai’s face could hold its own even on the international stage. With distinct Eastern features that also aligned with Western beauty standards, her flawless features might just attract a following abroad.

“It’s almost lunchtime. I’ll start preparing the meal.”

Linglong headed to the fridge to gather ingredients.

As soon as Linglong entered the kitchen, Ming Zhu followed.

Ming Zhu had been busy these past few days with organizing a fan giveaway on Weibo and sending out the prizes. She had been in the middle of sending messages when she heard Linglong’s words and immediately got up to follow her.

“Linglong, you don’t have to…”

Linglong frowned, about to speak, but Ming Zhu interrupted with a smile, “Linglong, let me help you. I know my cooking skills are rough, but I’m willing to learn. I don’t want to feel useless by Miss Jiang’s side.”

Linglong was momentarily stunned, her frown easing as she looked at Ming Zhu as if seeing her for the first time.

The girl was small and thin, with a plain face, her hair tied in the simplest of ponytails. Aside from the beaded bracelet on her wrist, she wore no other accessories, and her clothes were utterly devoid of style.

She was the kind of person Linglong would have overlooked at first glance, someone who seemed to fade into the background.

When Qi Linglong first learned that Jiang Xiaobai had only one assistant, Ming Zhu, she couldn’t help but look down on Ming Zhu and even questioned Jiang Xiaobai’s taste. Linglong felt a sense of superiority about her own arrival.

In her eyes, as soon as she joined, Ming Zhu would inevitably lose her job.

Ming Zhu herself was clearly aware of this, as Linglong had noticed her distraction and melancholy the day before.

However, last night, Linglong saw Ming Zhu being called into Jiang Xiaobai’s bedroom. When Ming Zhu emerged after a while, she seemed to have undergone a change, as if she had regained her courage.

Now, when Ming Zhu spoke to Linglong, her eyes were firm, and her demeanor was confident, with no trace of timidity or fear…

Linglong suddenly smiled and nodded, “Alright, let’s prepare the meals together from now on. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can take over entirely. I’ve been quite busy lately and don’t have much time.”

Ming Zhu nodded repeatedly, both grateful and excited.

Jiang Xiaobai, sitting in the living room, noticed that Ming Zhu had been in the kitchen for quite some time and couldn’t help but smile.

In the afternoon, before the brand representatives arrived, Linglong tried out several makeup styles on Jiang Xiaobai for the first time.

She experimented with different looks, carefully examining each one, sometimes nodding thoughtfully, other times shaking her head and making adjustments.

Ji Wen was also watching and occasionally offered Linglong suggestions—

“The eyebrow shape should be adjusted; the tail should be flatter.”

“The previous lip color looked better.”

“This one won’t work. The makeup is too bold. It’s more striking, but the aggressiveness might turn off the audience and have the opposite effect. It could work for magazine shoots, though.”

Ming Zhu stood to the side, taking photos of each completed look for reference.

After this trial session, Ji Wen nodded and said, “I’ve figured out the style that suits you best. I’ll help you pick the outfits later.”

Jiang Xiaobai nodded casually.

The original owner’s natural beauty was so exceptional that even wearing a bedsheet would look like a retro fashion statement. Since Ji Wen had real talent, Jiang Xiaobai decided to let her do her thing—it couldn’t go too wrong.

All Jiang Xiaobai wanted was to be a motionless, carefree salted fish.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 191: Exposed

 

After Jiang Xiaobai finished selecting clothes with the brand representatives, it was already evening.

After dinner, Dong Ran arrived. Her purpose was simple—

Now that there was a new team, everyone needed to meet formally, get to know each other, and clarify responsibilities. By the time they finished, it was already 9 PM.

Meanwhile, the topic of “Xu Anliu” had exploded overnight, and even though Xu Anliu herself had yet to make an appearance, the public had already passed judgment on the matter.

Although Xu Anliu hadn’t responded, her husband, Feng Anda, couldn’t stand the criticism and jumped into the fray—

[Feng Anda: After she married into our Feng family, we treated her with utmost care and never mistreated her in any way. Now that she has done something so disgraceful, our family can no longer tolerate her. She has been removed from the family registry. From now on, she’s on her own.]

Below this post, he pinned a comment, “How can an actress with such a controversyous private life and questionable morals be a role model for the public?”

“This is too harsh. It’s like he’s trying to completely destroy her and drive her out of the industry,” Dong Ran remarked in surprise after seeing the news.

The Feng family was already a major investor in the entertainment industry, and it would be easy for them to suppress an actress. But Feng Anda’s words made it clear that he not only intended to suppress Xu Anliu himself but also influence public opinion. He wanted her to be permanently sidelined!

Just imagine how the already outraged netizens would react after seeing his statement.

“This matter… it’s hard for us outsiders to judge. Xu Anliu is certainly in the wrong, but whether Feng Anda is entirely innocent is another question,” Jiang Xiaobai said after some thought.

She actually had a good impression of Xu Anliu, mainly because the woman’s aura was so unique—like an orchid in a secluded valley, unlike the aggressive beauty of other celebrities in the industry.

It was precisely because of this that Xu Anliu had a large number of loyal fans, both male and female, who continued to support her even though she rarely appeared in public.

Of course, after the events of the past two days, that was no longer the case.

It was true that Xu Anliu was married and had committed adultery—there was no denying that. But Jiang Xiaobai wasn’t sure if Feng Anda was purely a victim.

Perhaps it was because the words on Xu Anliu’s alternate account were so full of despair.

Among the related topics, Feng Anda’s statement was trending, followed by descriptions of Xu Anliu’s recent whereabouts.

A netizen from S City claimed to have seen Xu Anliu checking into a hotel and even posted a photo of her at the front desk. The woman in the photo was wearing the same outfit as in the pictures with Dad of Gossip, confirming it was indeed Xu Anliu.

Whether out of anger or simply to stir up drama, some local netizens even went to the hotel to confront her. One netizen posted on Weibo, saying that some emotionally charged fans, feeling betrayed by their idol, stood in the hotel lobby shouting insults like “shameless” and “immoral,” demanding that Xu Anliu come out and explain herself.

Jiang Xiaobai even wondered if these netizens were hired by Feng Anda.

“By the way, have you noticed that a few celebrities have been unlucky lately?” Dong Ran asked just as she was about to leave, suddenly remembering something and mentioning a few names to Jiang Xiaobai.

Jiang Xiaobai was momentarily stunned.

“Huh? Did something happen to them?” Ming Zhu walked over. “Aren’t they the ones who stood up for Ding Haoran and criticized Sister Xiaobai?”

Before Xu Anliu’s controversy, a few “minor celebrities” had spoken up for Ding Haoran, openly taking a jab at Jiang Xiaobai. After the truth came out, they had all gone silent, not even offering an apology.

One of them, Liu Feng, had been in a minor car accident, but Ming Zhu wasn’t aware of what had happened to the others.

“That’s them. The news about Xu Anliu has been so explosive that these minor celebrities’ misfortunes went unnoticed, but I caught it,” Dong Ran said with a smile.

“What happened to them?” Ming Zhu’s eyes lit up.

“One got stuck in an elevator for two hours due to a malfunction, another was hit on the head by a flowerpot while walking in their neighborhood, and the third was bitten by a dog.”

Dong Ran couldn’t help but chuckle as she spoke.

Ming Zhu’s eyes widened.

“This… the retribution came so quickly, haha!” Ming Zhu laughed after processing the information.

Jiang Xiaobai stood silently, her eyelashes fluttering slightly as she lowered her gaze.

“These people deserved their bad luck—none of them escaped unscathed. Even Xu Anliu… wait.” Dong Ran suddenly stopped mid-sentence, her expression turning strange as she looked at Jiang Xiaobai.

“Sister Ran, what’s wrong?” Ming Zhu poked Dong Ran’s arm.

“Zhu Zhu, didn’t Xiaobai once say something to Ding Haoran…” Dong Ran swallowed hard, her eyes wide, “Whoever helps you will be unlucky?”

“She did.” Ming Zhu nodded without hesitation, but then she froze, too.

Jiang Xiaobai’s body stiffened as she stood there. She forced a dry laugh, “I did say that, but… it has nothing to do with me. They were just unlucky.”

“Just unlucky? What about Hai Cen?”

Dong Ran hadn’t thought about it before, but now she felt a cold sweat break out on her back. “Didn’t you also say something might happen to him, and then shortly after, he fell off the stage?”

As soon as she finished speaking, an eerie silence fell over the room.

Dong Ran and Ming Zhu stared at Jiang Xiaobai, looking her up and down as if they were seeing her for the first time.

Jiang Xiaobai’s smile froze—

What should I do? I’ve been exposed. Will something happen?

Will they think I’m a monster and try to capture me?

“Sister Xiaobai, you’re amazing! Your mouth must be blessed!”

Ming Zhu was the first to react, but her reaction wasn’t what Jiang Xiaobai had expected.

“Huh?” Jiang Xiaobai looked at her.

“Yeah, this is too incredible. Everything you say comes true!” Dong Ran was also a little excited. “And it’s not the first time, right? Didn’t Zhao Shan also get hit by your predictions?”

Jiang Xiaobai, “…Haha.”

“Your mouth is truly magical. Keep it up. If anyone dares to offend you, just curse them. It’s much simpler than taking revenge yourself.” Dong Ran seemed quite amused.

Could Jiang Xiaobai really curse people?

That’s impossible. This is real life, not a TV drama. There’s no such thing as supernatural powers!

It’s just that Jiang Xiaobai’s luck is unbeatable. Her words coincidentally align with what happens, as if she has the ability to predict the future!

Ming Zhu wasn’t scared either. She just found it thrilling, thinking that Sister Xiaobai could dominate the entertainment industry with this trick. Who would dare to offend her now?

Just thinking about it makes me feel great!

Jiang Xiaobai looked at the two of them, so excited, and for a moment, she doubted her own existence.

This… isn’t right. Your reactions are too strange!

Shouldn’t you be afraid of me?

 

 

 

Chapter 192: The Wounds

As the group of women chatted, Ji Wen and Ling Long, who were standing nearby, listened in astonishment.

“Blessed by a monk?”

“Every word she says comes true?”

“A curse?”

Gradually, expressions of doubt appeared on their faces, and they couldn’t help but find the situation a bit amusing.

“How could that be? It’s probably just a coincidence,” they thought.

They didn’t pay much attention and went back to their own tasks after hearing the conversation.

The aftermath of Xu Anliu’s incident erupted two days later.

Xu Anliu had stayed at the hotel for two days and was about to check out when she was confronted by a crowd of netizens waiting outside. As soon as she stepped out, they surrounded her.

The netizens angrily accused her of her wrongdoings, hurling harsh words at her. Yet, Xu Anliu remained expressionless, seemingly indifferent to everything around her.

Her reaction was not what the netizens had expected. In their eyes, this “immoral woman” should have been ashamed and embarrassed after being scolded, not so unresponsive.

The situation soon spiraled out of control. A male netizen in the crowd was the first to act, pushing Xu Anliu to the ground. She was caught off guard and fell hard.

Xu Anliu was wearing a silk dress that reached her calves. When she fell, the smooth fabric rolled up, revealing the skin above her left knee.

At that moment, everyone froze, including the male netizen who had pushed her and was about to continue his assault.

There were wounds.

Long, bruised marks, resembling whip lashes.

More injuries were hidden beneath the dress, but even these few visible ones were enough to shock everyone.

Xu Anliu was momentarily stunned after the fall. She felt the pain but only frowned slightly, showing no other reaction. However, when she realized her injuries were exposed, she panicked.

She looked up and saw people taking photos or recording videos. Others, though not using their phones, were staring at her in a way she had never experienced before. Some were even pointing and whispering.

“Ah—”

Suddenly, she let out a piercing scream, her voice filled with anguish and a hint of hoarseness.

The video of the incident was soon shared online, along with clear close-up photos of her injuries. The hashtag ‘Xu Anliu’s Injuries Raise Concerns’ quickly trended, leading to widespread discussion among netizens.

“Even though she did something wrong, she didn’t deserve to be beaten like this. If her thighs are this bad, what about the rest of her body? It’s heartbreaking to see.”

“Those who commit domestic abuse should face significant consequences.”

“Hmph, if women don’t behave, they deserve to be beaten. If it were me, I’d hit her even harder. She brought this on herself!”

“To the person above: Your mother has passed away.”

“Wait, are you blind? The bruises aren’t fresh; they’re dark and purple. That means these injuries are old, not from the past few days!”

“Even though I think she was wrong, seeing her like this… I can’t help but feel sorry for her.”

“Her eyes are empty, and her reaction after being pushed isn’t normal. I’m starting to suspect Feng Anda has been abusing her during their marriage.”

“My goddess has changed so much. She’s lost weight and her eyes have lost their sparkle…”

It’s undeniable that when one party in a marriage cheats, the public often sides with the other.

Xu Anliu, despite her popularity and status as a Film Empress, had undeniably cheated. While a small group of people with questionable morals still supported her, most netizens sympathized with Feng Anda. Some even made comments like, “Husband, marry me instead. I won’t cheat.”

But now, with Xu Anliu’s injuries exposed, netizens began to question the true nature of their marriage.

The news about Xu Anliu and Feng Anda had already started to fade, but the revelation of her injuries reignited the discussion, making it even more intense than before.

Some went to Feng Anda’s Weibo to demand answers, but he remained silent, pretending to be mute.

As for Xu Anliu, after being pushed down, she returned to her hotel room. The crowd couldn’t barge into her room—after all, the security guards weren’t there for nothing.

A day passed, but neither party responded to the incident, clearly intending to remain silent.

The netizens grew impatient but had no way to force a response.

Then, Ding Haoran updated his Weibo:

[Ding Haoran v: This matter has weighed heavily on my heart for two years. I wanted to stay silent, but I can’t let my loved one suffer in silence. Four years ago, Feng Anda pursued Anliu, showering her with care and attention. She was moved and agreed to marry him after just three months of dating. We thought they would live happily ever after, but it turned into a nightmare. Do you know how a man’s physical illness can twist his mind? Anliu forgave him for deceiving her into marriage, but she couldn’t tolerate his cruelty. By the second month of their marriage, she was already covered in wounds. She wanted a divorce, even willing to leave with nothing, but that man wouldn’t allow it…]

Ding Haoran’s long post was filled with sorrow and anger, tinged with heartbreak. Even those who disliked him couldn’t help but feel moved after reading it.

The post laid out the entire story, making it clear who was at fault.

Xu Anliu came from an ordinary family but worked hard in her career, earning a considerable amount of money over the years. She and Feng Anda were deeply in love, and after three months of dating, she agreed to marry him. Shortly after the wedding, Feng Anda asked for money to invest, and Xu Anliu gave him all her savings without hesitation.

But just one month into the marriage, Feng Anda’s true nature emerged. His physical disability had warped his mind, and he began taking out his frustrations on Xu Anliu through violence.

The more beautiful and famous she was, the more he resented her, wanting to destroy her perfection.

Her injuries multiplied, covering her body except for her face, neck, arms, and calves. She could no longer act and was forced to withdraw from the industry.

The abuse damaged their relationship, leaving Xu Anliu struggling to make ends meet, even lacking basic living expenses.

Fortunately, she had made some small investments earlier in her career, and the dividends from those were her only source of income in recent years.

 

 

Chapter 193: Probably Not Possible

Xu Anliu had thought her life would continue in this hopeless manner forever. However, two years ago, a friend from the industry invited her to play a minor but significant role in a drama. Ding Haoran also made a guest appearance in the same drama, and that’s how the two of them met.

Sometimes, emotions arise in the most inexplicable ways. Xu Anliu’s heart, already riddled with scars, was touched by Ding Haoran. Over the past two years, they had secretly kept in touch, and Ding Haoran became her only source of warmth.

In the end, Ding Haoran wrote this:

“I know our relationship is unacceptable to the world, but I’m the one who pursued her. She’s just a pitiful woman whose life was ruined by love. Please, let her go. Direct all your anger at me instead.”

Less than ten minutes after Ding Haoran posted his Weibo update, Xu Anliu, who had remained silent until then, also made a move—

[Xu Anliu v: Escaped the abyss, left with nothing, I have no regrets. For the rest of my life, I’ll have you.]

Their interaction was bittersweet, a mix of sweetness and pain, and surprisingly, many netizens were moved by their story.

“Feng Anda misled her into marriage despite his physical limitations, then mistreated her and wouldn’t allow her to divorce. What kind of person does that? I feel for Sister Anliu. Now that she’s free, I hope she can find a better life.”

“Even though Ding Haoran was shameless in the Jiang Xiaobai incident, he’s probably Xu Anliu’s only salvation. I don’t even know what to say anymore.”

“I really hope Xu Anliu and Ding Haoran can be happy together. She deserves a better life.”

“She’s right—she’s truly left with nothing. Her reputation is ruined, her body bears scars, and that Feng guy might continue to suppress her. It’ll be hard for her to get acting roles in the future. If Ding Haoran can stay by her side through it all, I’ll respect him as a real man!”

“Wait, didn’t Tangming sue Ding Haoran? What’s going to happen to him? What if he gets sentenced to a few years in prison?”

“It’s just defamation, not a big deal. He probably won’t get sentenced. I think it’ll just be a lot of noise with no real consequences—maybe a fine and an apology.”

“Ignorance of the law is terrifying. Don’t you know that serious cases of defamation can result in up to three years in prison?”

“Three years? What will happen to Xu Anliu then… For once, I actually hope Jiang Xiaobai drops the lawsuit.”

“The person above is an idiot. Case closed.”

Jiang Xiaobai silently watched the events unfold and, after a long while, let out a soft sigh.

So that’s how it was.

No wonder Ding Haoran’s attitude had been so strange when he was “pursuing” her. On one hand, he tried to be attentive, but on the other, his gaze was filled with annoyance and disdain.

It turned out he already had a woman he deeply loved, so he couldn’t even bring himself to pretend to pursue Jiang Xiaobai properly. Instead, he skipped the formalities and resorted to a “forced hug and photo” tactic to pressure her into agreeing.

There was no denying that Xu Anliu’s story was deeply moving. She had cheated, yes, but she was also a victim. Her relationship with Ding Haoran was hard to judge as right or wrong, but it was undeniably touching, reminiscent of the kind of tragic, convoluted love stories often seen in dramas.

If Jiang Xiaobai were a complete outsider, she might have even said, “I hope they can be happy together.” But as one of the victims in this incident, she chose not to comment.

She had managed to escape Ding Haoran’s scheme, so she could now watch the news unfold like a spectator. But what if it had been another young girl who fell into Ding Haoran’s trap and became his nominal girlfriend? How would she feel facing all this?

Having a reason doesn’t mean you deserve forgiveness.

According to Article 246 of the Criminal Law:

“Whoever, by violence or other methods, publicly insults another person or fabricates facts to defame another person, if the circumstances are serious, shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years, criminal detention, or deprivation of political rights.”

As a popular celebrity, Ding Haoran had fabricated rumors to defame Jiang Xiaobai, claiming she had “seduced and forced herself on him.” His Weibo post had an astonishing number of views and shares, even topping the trending list. This level of impact undoubtedly fell under “serious circumstances” and couldn’t be brushed off lightly.

With Tangming backing their artist, Ding Haoran’s father’s ex-wife pushing from behind the scenes, and the two lawyers her father had sent, Jiang Xiaobai guessed that when the trial finally took place, Ding Haoran would likely receive the maximum sentence of three years in prison.

As for the netizens trying to use moral pressure and emotional appeals to get her to drop the lawsuit and let the two of them be together?

Probably not possible.

Jiang Xiaobai shook her head and was about to put down her phone when she noticed a somewhat familiar term on the trending list—

“Former EG Team Member Ni Liu Loses Bet, Will Oink Like a Pig on Live Stream Tonight.”

Ni Liu?

Jiang Zhiyi?!

Jiang Xiaobai was stunned. She stared at the screen for a while, confirming that it was indeed Ni Liu.

She clicked on the news and read that Ni Liu had made a bet with a teammate from EG about a match. He lost, and the bet was that the loser had to go live and oink like a pig in front of the camera. So—

Tonight, Ni Liu would fulfill his promise.

League of Glory was undoubtedly the most popular game of the moment, and EG was a star team that had won numerous championships. Ni Liu, who had been the team’s core player, chose to retire at the peak of his career, leaving many fans with regrets. As a result, any news about him always garnered significant attention.

Jiang Xiaobai looked at the words “oink like a pig” and couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of anticipation.

She wanted to watch it!

She checked the time. The live stream was scheduled for 8 PM, which was still four hours away.

Without hesitation, she set an alarm, afraid she might forget about it while practicing her dance and miss her brother’s “spectacular performance.”

“Xiaobai!”

Ming Zhu ran over excitedly. “Can you make another weight-loss spirit bead bracelet?”

“Huh? Did someone place an order?” Jiang Xiaobai asked, surprised.

Last time, Ming Zhu had sold a calming talisman bead. The buyer had paid promptly without haggling, and after receiving the item, they didn’t raise any issues. They confirmed the receipt soon after and left a five-star review.

The only downside was that the buyer didn’t leave any written feedback…

For Ming Zhu, as the shop owner, this was heartbreaking. In the early stages of running a store, written reviews were crucial for attracting customers. Without them, potential buyers might assume the sales were just fake numbers from bots.

After selling the talisman bead, Ming Zhu had also sold two ordinary bracelets, but since then, the online store had been quiet.

“Yes! It’s the same customer from last time. She saw that I’d added new products and placed an order right away!” Ming Zhu was thrilled.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 194: Oink Oink Oink

 

After Jiang Xiaobai created the new Slimming Talisman Bead, Ming Zhu, on a whim, decided to list it as a new product in her online store. She didn’t expect it to sell within just one day of being listed!

These Spirit Bead Bracelets were limited in quantity. Last month, she sold one, and now she’s sold another, so the monthly quota of two has been reached. After the sale, Ming Zhu immediately took the product off the shelves.

“Sure, I’ll give it to you once it’s done.”

Jiang Xiaobai agreed without delay. She finished carving the talisman bead and handed it to Ming Zhu, then went back to practicing her dance.

When the alarm went off, Jiang Xiaobai stopped and sat down in front of her computer to open the live-streaming platform.

The time had come, and Ni Liu’s live stream had already started. Jiang Zhiyi’s handsome face appeared on the screen, though at the moment, he was frowning.

The chat was flooded with messages like “Oink like a pig now!” Jiang Zhiyi clearly saw them and rolled his eyes in exasperation.

“You guys are ruthless. Can’t you just pretend I never said it? Fine, fine, I’ll do it. But give me two minutes to prepare.”

After saying this, Jiang Zhiyi took a sip of water and began psyching himself up.

At the start of the stream, the number of viewers was relatively low. Some hadn’t heard about the event, while others had forgotten and arrived late.

Jiang Xiaobai checked the viewer count and decided she should do something.

She moved her mouse and clicked—

[Whitey Whitey has sent a Deep Sea Bomb in Ni Liu’s live stream! Come and collect the gifts!]

[Whitey Whitey has sent a Deep Sea Bomb2 in Ni Liu’s live stream! Come and collect the gifts!]

[Whitey Whitey has sent a Deep Sea Bomb3 in Ni Liu’s live stream! Come and collect the gifts!]

One after another, banners floated across the middle of the screen, instantly grabbing the attention of the entire platform’s audience. Whether they were interested in gaming or not, viewers flocked to the stream to collect the treasure chests. As a result, the number of viewers skyrocketed, and the chat was filled with “666” and “Respect the big spender!”

Jiang Zhiyi almost spat blood when he saw this.

“Bro, you’re killing me!” he wailed.

The more people there were, the more would witness him oinking like a pig!

This was beyond embarrassing!

Would his dad skin him alive if he found out he was not only live-streaming games but also oinking like a pig in public?

Jiang Xiaobai’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, and she typed two words—

“Do it.”

Jiang Zhiyi felt a wave of despair when he saw her message.

But what could he do?

He had to go through with it.

The sooner he did it, the better. If he waited any longer, even more people would show up!

After he oinked three times, his face turned as red as a monkey’s butt. The viewers found it hilarious, and some who had come just for the treasure chests found him so entertaining that they even subscribed to his channel.

However, Jiang Zhiyi noticed something odd.

Wait, the ID “Whitey Whitey” sounded familiar…

Holy crap, wasn’t that the girl who had generously tipped him last time?

It was her, it was definitely her!

Jiang Zhiyi suddenly felt a surge of pride—

Look at my charm!

Only the top-tier gift like the Deep Sea Bomb was worthy of me. This girl must really adore me.

“Whitey Whitey, want to play a few rounds with me? I’ll be logging off soon, so I can carry you for a bit,” he said, even winking at the camera. He looked quite dashing.

Play together?

Last time, Jiang Zhiyi had asked the same question, but Jiang Xiaobai had declined. This time, since she had nothing else to do, why not give it a try?

So, she typed, “Sure.”

They logged into the game and played a few rounds. In the final round, Jiang Xiaobai finally turned on her microphone. When Jiang Zhiyi heard her voice, he nearly fell off his chair!

After the live stream ended, Jiang Zhiyi immediately called her.

“Xiaobai, how… You actually watched my live stream?!”

Jiang Zhiyi’s voice was filled with disbelief. He was still wondering if the person he’d been talking to was really his sister or just someone with a similar voice.

“Yeah,” Jiang Xiaobai replied calmly. After a moment’s thought, she added, “You did a pretty good impression.”

Jiang Zhiyi: ???

He felt his image as a dignified older brother crumble into dust.

After a long silence, Jiang Zhiyi finally recovered.

“By the way, didn’t you hate gaming? You even said I was…” wasting my life.

Jiang Zhiyi slowly brought up this issue that had always bothered him, but his voice trailed off at the end, the words barely audible.

Jiang Xiaobai understood.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized, saying what the original host had regretted but never had the chance or courage to express. “I was too narrow-minded back then. There’s nothing wrong with gaming itself—it’s the attitude toward it that matters. I’ve realized that now. Can you forgive me, Big Brother?”

Could he forgive the original host? Even if she could no longer hear the answer, Jiang Xiaobai wondered.

What’s the difference between blaming games for ruining lives and blaming beauties for ruining nations?

Is gaming inherently wrong?

Its original purpose was to relieve stress and enrich lives, but some people with poor self-control became obsessed, neglecting their studies, work, and even their health, to the point of dying from overplaying.

Is beauty inherently wrong?

Beauty is a gift from heaven, a precious blessing one is born with. But human greed assigns it a different meaning, turning it into a prize for power struggles and pushing the beautiful into a whirlpool they can’t escape.

Yes, Jiang Zhiyi was a “gamer,” but he was also a talented player. This was his profession, and he could create value. Many in the industry envied his talent.

Yet, due to his family’s opposition, he had left the scene early, settling into a spacious office to learn business management, dressing in suits to become a “promising young man” praised by everyone. But only he knew what dream he had given up.

Jiang Xiaobai knew that the dream might never be reclaimed, but it at least deserved understanding from his family, not the constant looks of disdain.

After she finished speaking, Jiang Zhiyi fell silent for a long time, though Jiang Xiaobai thought she heard him sniffle.

“Alright, it’s no big deal among family. Why apologize so formally?” Jiang Zhiyi finally said, trying to sound casual. “You’re my sister. How could I stay mad at you? It’s all in the past.”

Jiang Xiaobai asked, “You’re really not mad?”

“Of course not. Do you think I’m joking?” Jiang Zhiyi laughed. “I’m your big brother. I have to act like one!”

“Oh, by the way, I recorded your stream,” Jiang Xiaobai suddenly added.

Jiang Zhiyi: ???

 

 

 

Chapter 194: Sibling Duo

Jiang Xiaobai agreed to play the game, and Jiang Zhiyi immediately sent her an account and password via private message.

The game was divided into servers, and players from different servers couldn’t team up. To save time, Jiang Zhiyi skipped the usual questions and directly sent her the account details.

As soon as Jiang Xiaobai logged in, Jiang Zhiyi invited her to his team, and they started matchmaking.

Teammates could communicate via voice chat, but Jiang Xiaobai didn’t turn on her microphone. After saying a few words and receiving no response, Jiang Zhiyi realized she might not be able to speak and didn’t press further.

“Hey, what role are you good at?” Jiang Zhiyi asked during the hero selection phase.

Jiang Xiaobai didn’t speak but typed in the game chat:

“Aina.”

Jiang Zhiyi chuckled. “Alright, play your best hero. I’ll carry you!”

Jiang Xiaobai locked in Aina, while Jiang Zhiyi chose a jungle assassin.

During his professional gaming days, Jiang Zhiyi mainly played mid-lane mages, but now that he was streaming for fun, he wanted to switch things up and show off his skills.

As they entered the game, the chat in Jiang Zhiyi’s stream was buzzing:

“Why isn’t the girl talking? Is she actually a dude?”

“Maybe it’s a guy. His profile says male.”

“He picked Aina? That’s a joke! No one in higher ranks plays her—only low-tier players use her.”

“Confirmed, this guy’s a noob!”

Aina was practically synonymous with beginner heroes. She lacked mobility, had no escape skills, and her ultimate, while powerful, was easy to miss. She was especially vulnerable to assassins and dive heroes.

Of course, Aina had her strengths. If her team protected her well and she had good positioning, her sustained damage was formidable. But in solo queue, relying on teammates was a gamble—most players would prioritize their own survival over helping others.

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at the chat and casually asked, “By the way, what’s your rank?”

Jiang Xiaobai paused, then typed, “What’s a rank?”

Jiang Zhiyi nearly choked on his own saliva, his eyes filled with confusion and existential dread.

“What’s a rank…?” That question… was something else.

The chat exploded with laughter.

“Hahaha, this guy’s definitely a noob!”

“Rest in peace; you’ll have to manage a heavy burden.”

“This is gonna be a 4v5—or maybe a 4v6!”

“A pro carrying a noob? I’m here for it!”

The viewers were thrilled. They loved unpredictable matches—ones where the outcome wasn’t a foregone conclusion.

“Are you kidding me?”

“This game’s over.”

Jiang Xiaobai’s teammates could also see her messages, and they were losing it.

“Who’s this noob playing on someone else’s account?”

Jiang Zhiyi felt a pang of anxiety. He sat up straighter, determined to carry the game.

 

Jiang Zhiyi headed to the jungle, while Jiang Xiaobai and the support went to the bottom lane. However, their playstyles clashed.

The support was aggressive, diving in with crowd control skills, while Jiang Xiaobai played it safe, staying at a distance. This led to the support taking heavy damage while Jiang Xiaobai remained unscathed.

The support wasn’t happy.

“Why didn’t you follow up? I almost died!”

Jiang Xiaobai replied, “Wait for my ultimate. It’s not the right time to fight.”

The support shot back, “Do you even know how to play?”

Jiang Xiaobai didn’t respond.

She wasn’t a frequent player, but she was familiar with the common heroes. She knew the enemy duo’s skills and realized they couldn’t win a 2v2 fight at that moment.

Jiang Zhiyi noticed the support’s health was low and sighed.

“Hang in there, Xiaobai. Be careful of ganks. We’ll team fight later.”

Jiang Xiaobai typed, “Okay.”

Jiang Zhiyi was doing well, securing kills in other lanes and building a lead. His score was 3 kills, 0 deaths, and 1 assist.

The enemy top laner, frustrated after dying twice, typed.

“Are you my dad? Why are you camping me?”

Jiang Zhiyi chuckled but didn’t reply.

Meanwhile, the support continued to ignore Jiang Xiaobai’s advice, diving in recklessly.

Jiang Xiaobai followed up this time but stayed at a safe distance, keeping an eye on the river.

Sure enough, the enemy jungler appeared.

Jiang Xiaobai leveled up and unlocked her ultimate, firing it at the jungler instead of the enemy duo.

The jungler, about to engage, was rooted in place. By the time he regained movement, Jiang Xiaobai and the support had retreated to their tower.

The jungler left, realizing the kill was out of reach.

The support, still alive but furious, typed, “Why didn’t you use your ultimate on their ADC? He was low—you could’ve killed him!”

Jiang Xiaobai replied, “Even with my ultimate ability, we couldn’t defeat him. You would have been in danger.”

The support scoffed, “Trash. I’m done with you.”

He abandoned Jiang Xiaobai and went to help other lanes.

Jiang Xiaobai stayed in the bottom lane, farming minions and staying under her tower.

Jiang Zhiyi felt bad.

This was his fan and benefactor—he couldn’t just leave her alone.

He decided to risk his life to help her.

As Jiang Zhiyi arrived, Jiang Xiaobai timed her ultimate perfectly, freezing the enemy ADC in place.

The enemy duo, overconfident from their earlier advantage, had positioned themselves aggressively. Now, they were caught off guard.

Jiang Zhiyi unleashed his combo, killing the ADC, and together, they took down the support.

Jiang Zhiyi laughed, “Nice timing! That ultimate hit perfectly. Lucky shot!”

Jiang Xiaobai smiled but didn’t type.

The chat, however, noticed her skill.

“This girl’s not bad. Her timing and aim are on point.”

“She’s a bit cautious, but she’s doing well.”

“Her playstyle does seem like a girl’s.”

The game went smoothly. Jiang Zhiyi dominated as the assassin, striking fear into the enemy team with his stealth and burst damage.

Near the end of the game, Jiang Zhiyi caught the enemy ADC alone in the jungle. Instead of killing him, he typed:

“Call me ‘Dad,’ and I’ll spare you.”

The ADC responded with an expletive.

Jiang Xiaobai, watching the exchange, asked, “Why do you all call yourselves ‘Dad’?”

The chat erupted with laughter:

“This girl’s too cute!”

“Confirmed, she’s definitely a girl!”

Jiang Zhiyi awkwardly explained, “Uh, ‘Dad’ is a term for the strongest player in the game.”

Jiang Xiaobai nodded, “I see.”

 

 

The second game didn’t go as well. Jiang Zhiyi was ambushed early, losing control of the jungle. His teammates were uncoordinated, and the enemy jungler snowballed out of control.

Jiang Xiaobai tried to help, but Aina’s weaknesses were glaring in a losing game. She was too fragile and lacked escape tools, making her an easy target.

By the 18th minute, the enemy jungler secured a quadra kill, leaving only Jiang Xiaobai alive.

The enemy jungler typed, “Aina, give me the penta kill!”

Jiang Xiaobai hesitated.

A penta kill was a rare achievement, even for skilled players. Since the game was lost, she decided to grant the request.

She typed, “Okay, but call me ‘Dad.’”

The enemy jungler immediately replied:

“Dad!”

Jiang Xiaobai smiled, feeling like a true powerhouse. She walked out of her tower and stood still, letting the enemy jungler kill her.

“Penta Kill!”

The game ended in defeat, but the stream chat was entertained.

“Jiang Zhiyi, you’ve corrupted her!”

“Now she’s gonna be saying ‘call me Dad’ all the time!”

Jiang Zhiyi laughed awkwardly, “Hey, don’t blame me for this!”

 

 

For the last game, Jiang Zhiyi returned to his mid-lane roots, picking a high-damage mage.

He dominated from the start, securing a solo kill at level 2. The game became a showcase of his skills, and by the 15th minute, his score was 12 kills, 1 death.

As victory seemed certain, Jiang Zhiyi relaxed and joked:

“Hey, Whitey Whitey, is your ‘Dad’ awesome or what?”

There was no response.

Suddenly, a familiar female voice came through his headset:

“What did you just call yourself?”

Jiang Zhiyi froze.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 195: The Jinx Mouth of the Entertainment Industry

Two days had passed, and the internet gradually returned to calm. The discussions about Xu Anliu and Ding Haoran had quieted down.

The public is passionate but also fickle. Their emotions can be stirred temporarily, but once the hype fades, they return to their usual selves, and their sympathy or disdain dissipates.

People no longer cared about how Xu Anliu would move forward with her life. Although Ding Haoran had been sued, the trial was still some time away. With no new drama to follow, the public lost interest in their affairs.

However, a post quietly gained traction online.

“Jiang Xiaobai—The Jinx Mouth of the Entertainment Industry!”

The blogger first introduced Jiang Xiaobai. Since her previous works were unremarkable, the blogger mainly used images from A Family in the Town. After a brief introduction, the blogger began listing examples.

The first example was her chasing Lao Bie San in the town. At the time, Lao Bie San was running fast, but Jiang Xiaobai uttered, “Fall warning,” and he inexplicably tripped over nothing, allowing her to catch him.

The subsequent examples were more recent.

During the Ding Haoran incident, Jiang Xiaobai had released two recordings. In the first, she said, “Your concert won’t happen.”

Sure enough, Ding Haoran’s reputation was ruined, public outrage ensued, and his concert was canceled.

In the second recording, Ding Haoran claimed he would seek help and play his trump card to make her regret it. Jiang Xiaobai responded, “Go ahead. Whoever you find will be unlucky.”

Five celebrities came forward to support Ding Haoran. Xu Anliu was the most famous and also the most tragic—her acting career was over, her reputation in tatters, and she would forever bear the label of “adulterer.”

But what about the other four?

Only Liu Feng’s minor car accident made headlines. The other three’s misfortunes occurred during the Xu Anliu controversy. Since they were lesser-known stars, their incidents were overshadowed, and the public remained unaware.

However, the blogger revealed their fates.

One was trapped in an elevator for two hours due to a malfunction.

Another was hit on the head by a flowerpot while walking in their neighborhood and hospitalized.

The third was bitten by a pet dog while walking.

In total, seven people had fallen victim to Jiang Xiaobai’s “jinx mouth”!

The blogger’s post was well-organized, with a clear timeline and verifiable evidence.

A Family in the Town had footage of Lao Bie San’s fall, and the two recordings were still on Jiang Xiaobai’s Weibo for anyone to listen to.

The blogger concluded, “Years ago, there was the ‘Lucky Koi’ of the entertainment industry, bringing good fortune to those around them. Then came the ‘Unlucky Star,’ whose presence brought misfortune. Now, we have the ‘Jinx Mouth,’ who curses at the drop of a hat. Are you scared of such a blessed mouth?”

The blogger referenced three figures.

The “Lucky Koi” was Li Dabao, a star from over a decade ago. He wasn’t particularly remarkable but had an uncanny knack for good luck—both for himself and those around him. A “worship the koi” trend had even emerged, though he had since retired.

The second figure was the “Unlucky Star”—Bo Xing. His legend in the entertainment industry was one of misfortune, with tales of his bad luck still circulating.

Recently, however, rumors suggested Bo Xing’s bad luck had been controlled, and he no longer brought misfortune to others.

The third figure was, of course, the post’s protagonist—Jiang Xiaobai.

If the Lucky Koi made people want to get close, and the Unlucky Star made people avoid him, the Jinx Mouth was something else entirely—she inspired fear!

Offending the Lucky Koi might mean missing out on good fortune, but offending the Jinx Mouth? A single curse from her could ruin you!

The post quickly gained attention. Readers marveled at the strangeness of it all, while skeptics dismissed it as exaggeration and set out to debunk it.

But after watching the show’s footage and listening to the recordings, even the skeptics began to doubt themselves—

It seemed her mouth really was a bit cursed.

“When I watched A Family in the Town, I noticed Lao Bie San’s fall. I even checked his legs carefully to see if he tripped over something, but he just fell for no reason! I thought it was a coincidence, but now…”

“Seven people in a row! This is terrifying when you think about it!”

“The first two are one thing, but the last one—‘whoever you find will be unlucky’—is what really gets me. That one sentence doomed five people! Jiang Xiaobai is truly fearsome!”

“She’s a force to be reckoned with. Who would dare cross her now?”

“Haha, I wonder how her peers will treat her. Will they avoid her like the plague?”

“Peers: Can’t mess with her, better run.”

The online discussion grew increasingly heated, and the post inexplicably climbed to the top ten trending topics.

When Dong Ran informed Jiang Xiaobai about it, she was a bit nervous.

The company hadn’t intervened or bought any trending topics. This top ten ranking was entirely organic!

She feared the public might suspect her of something, but after reading the post and the comments, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Most comments were lighthearted and humorous, treating it as a fun anecdote rather than something sinister.

Moreover, the post also mentioned Li Dabao and Bo Xing, whose legends had been around for much longer. Compared to them, Jiang Xiaobai’s “jinx mouth” wasn’t enough to shock or scare the public.

“This is actually good,” Ji Wen and the others said after seeing the post. They found it amusing and laughed throughout. “Having this reputation isn’t bad. No one in the industry will dare to cross you now, and most importantly, this label is unique to you.”

 

 

Chapter 196: Sweet Week

“That’s right. As long as this ‘persona’ is maintained well, people will never forget you. Just like Li Dabao—it’s been so many years, but his legendary stories are still brought up from time to time,” Linglong nodded in agreement.

Yes, being a “jinx mouth” could also be considered a persona, albeit a unique and irreplicable one.

Li Dabao was just an ordinary actor, but his “Lucky Koi” persona kept him in the spotlight for nearly a decade. Bo Xing, though unfortunate to be labeled the “Unlucky Star,” also benefited from it—his name was practically known by everyone.

Now, Jiang Xiaobai was being compared to those two. While the title was a bit unusual, as long as the public accepted this persona, her fame would undoubtedly soar.

Jiang Xiaobai, however, wasn’t keen on being “high-profile.” Her situation was slightly different from the other two. Their traits were random—no one could predict when or on whom they would take effect. But hers was “never miss”—as long as the pattern was understood, it almost never failed.

Would people eventually see her as a monster?

Shaking her head, Jiang Xiaobai stopped dwelling on it and resumed her dance practice.

In a few days, she would meet with Director Lin for costume fittings and a dance performance as part of the assessment. She couldn’t afford to mess this up.

She couldn’t let herself down, nor could she disappoint Teacher Sun Cong.

At 8 PM that evening, while Jiang Xiaobai was reviewing her script, Linglong turned on the TV and tuned into Starlight Unlimited.

It was the show’s airing time. Starlight Unlimited was a long-running variety show. While it lacked the innovation of newer programs, its charm lay in its nostalgia. The familiar opening music and the unchanged faces of the three hosts easily evoked a sense of nostalgia.

“Isn’t this the show Hai Cen was supposed to appear on? It’s a shame he got into trouble before recording and missed out,” Linglong said while eating a mango.

Her tone carried a hint of regret, suggesting she had a favorable impression of Hai Cen.

Jiang Xiaobai and Ming Zhu knew the truth about Hai Cen but didn’t correct her.

It no longer mattered.

“This episode has quite a few guests. The main cast of The Plum Blossom will be there… Oh, and the Rainbow Sisters will perform their new song from the album Rainbow Candy. It’s really good,” Linglong added.

Jiang Xiaobai’s heart stirred slightly.

She remembered seeing the Rainbow Sisters in the video of Hai Cen falling off the stage, but she hadn’t realized their episode was airing tonight.

The Plum Blossom was a popular war drama. After the main cast’s interview and games, the show was halfway through.

Once The Plum Blossom cast left, the Rainbow Sisters took the stage.

Two young women, impeccably made up and radiating youthful charm, walked onto the stage with bright smiles, waving to the audience, which erupted in cheers.

There was no denying that Shengyang Entertainment had spared no effort in promoting them. Despite Cai Cai’s controversies during A Family in the Town, which had drawn criticism, the release of their album Rainbow Candy and subsequent promotions had won over many fans. While the criticisms remained, they couldn’t overshadow the majority’s affection.

After a brief interview, the hosts steered the conversation to their new album and gently asked if they would perform a song.

“Of course! We’ve prepared Sweet Week for everyone. We hope you’ll like it,” Cai Cai said sweetly, tilting her head and winking playfully.

Her natural looks weren’t as striking as Xiao Qi’s, but with her flawless makeup, she exuded charm. The gesture was both cute and endearing, eliciting cheers and waves of glow sticks from the audience.

Xiao Qi stood quietly beside her, smiling without a hint of jealousy.

The music began, and the two stepped onto the stage, bathed in warm, dreamy lighting.

“Every day’s surprise begins with meeting you, sweet and delightful, like the burst of joy from biting into candy…”

Xiao Qi sang the first line.

Jiang Xiaobai, who had been focused on her script, looked up at the screen, curious to hear the song that had been trending. But she was puzzled by Cai Cai’s expression.

“What’s wrong with Cai Cai? She looks a bit dazed,” Ming Zhu noticed the same thing.

It seemed that as soon as Xiao Qi started singing, Cai Cai’s expression became off, as if she hadn’t expected it. She was staring at Xiao Qi in confusion.

Xiao Qi, however, remained composed, finishing her part and then smiling at Cai Cai, subtly signaling her to take over.

Cai Cai’s face briefly darkened, but she quickly forced a smile and began singing.

However, whether due to her mood or her state, her performance wasn’t as smooth as Xiao Qi’s. Her breathing was uneven, and her voice wavered at times.

Still, it was passable.

“What’s going on? This is a live performance. She should be focused,” Ji Wen, who had been browsing luxury brand websites to keep up with trends, frowned as she turned her attention to the TV.

No one could answer her.

After the opening verses, the song reached its climax.

Ming Zhu was excited. “This song is really hard to sing. The high notes are extremely high. After it went viral, many people tried to cover it, but it turned into a disaster. Those videos became popular memes—it’s hilarious.”

Short video platforms were quick to follow trends. Whenever a song became popular, many would attempt covers to gain attention.

But Sweet Week was different. It was so challenging that unless you were a professional or exceptionally talented, singing it felt like “this song is suffocating me.”

Not only did the singers struggle, but the listeners also felt the strain.

It had unintentionally become a comedy staple.

Now that the original singers were performing it on the show, Ming Zhu was eager to hear it.

After Xiao Qi finished the pre-chorus, she paused, and Cai Cai picked up the microphone. She looked nervous, and as the beat dropped, she began—

“Every week is sweet with you, missing you even when we’re apart. You’re the donut I can’t quit…”

Ji Wen, who had just taken a sip of her coffee, choked on it upon hearing Cai Cai’s line.

She hurriedly set the cup down, but her coughing caused her to fumble, and the cup fell to the floor with a loud crash.