CHAPTER 73 — The Shi Family Fractures
The Shi household had always been a fortress—a symbol of wealth, power, authority, and old-money pride. But today, the walls themselves felt like they were trembling. Servants whispered in corners, the security guards refused to open the gate to reporters, and the atmosphere was thick enough to choke on.
Word of Qin Yuhan's scandal had already spread worldwide by the time morning ended. Every major outlet carried the headline. Every financial analyst was predicting the Qin Corporation's downfall. And the Shi family—once basking in the reflected glow of their alliance with the Qin family—was now drowning in the same mud.
Yet inside the grand living room, the true storm was only beginning.
Roulan sat curled on the sofa, hair disheveled, makeup ruined, her phone abandoned beside her as it vibrated nonstop with accusations, curses, and threats. She looked like a fallen goddess—one everyone once worshipped but now spat on.
Across from her, Shi Zhenghong spoke to lawyers on speakerphone, voice cold and clipped, each sentence more disastrous than the last.
"We can't suppress it?" he asked tightly.
The lawyer on the other end sighed.
"Sir, the evidence is too extensive. Multiple news agencies have already verified the documents. Attempting to suppress it may be seen as obstruction—"
"Obstruction?!" Zhenghong snapped. "We have connections in the media. Use them!"
"Not this time," the lawyer said grimly. "This case involves bribery, corruption, and manipulation of the legal system twelve years ago. It's already being reviewed by government agencies."
Zhenghong's face paled.
"And our stocks?"
"Down another fourteen percent since opening."
The room seemed to tilt. Old Master Shi gripped his cane so tightly his knuckles whitened.
"Pull the family funds," the old man demanded. "Move the assets. Liquidate everything if you have to."
The lawyer hesitated.
"That may not be possible. Several of your accounts have been temporarily frozen pending review."
"What?" Zhenghong barked. "Frozen? Without warning?!"
"It appears the investigation began days ago, sir."
Old Master Shi's fist slammed against the table.
"You're saying the government has been watching us—BEFORE the scandal leaked?!"
The lawyer didn't answer.
And that silence said everything.
The call ended abruptly.
For several long minutes, no one spoke.
Then Roulan finally lifted her head.
Her voice was quiet. Weak.
But filled with something sharp underneath.
"You're both acting like victims."
Her father and grandfather turned to her sharply.
"You're the ones who dragged me into this," she whispered.
Zhenghong's nostrils flared.
"Watch your mouth."
"Why?" she whispered, then laughed—a hollow, broken sound.
"Because the reporters say I'm shameless? Because the whole country thinks I'm disgusting? Because the brands that begged to work with me last week now treat me like a plague?"
She looked up, empty-eyed.
"You told me acting was a battlefield. You told me everyone lies. Everyone schemes. Everyone sleeps their way to the top."
Old Master Shi's jaw clenched.
Roulan's laugh cracked.
"And now you blame me because someone exposed it?"
Her father's voice rose dangerously.
"We did not tell you to be reckless!"
"No," she snapped, sitting upright, eyes blazing. "You told me to win. At any cost."
Silence fell again.
Old Master Shi finally spoke, voice low and ominous.
"Young lady… be careful. If you destroy the last bit of loyalty in this family, you will have no one left."
Roulan stood slowly.
"Do I have anyone left now?"
Her voice trembled.
Her hands did too.
"My fans left me. My endorsements left me. My friends unfollowed me. The directors who once begged me for favors now pretend they don't know me."
She lifted her chin with a broken kind of pride.
"And the man I sacrificed everything for—Qin Yuhan—hasn't called once."
Shi Zhenghong and Old Master Shi exchanged glances.
The truth was ugly.
And they knew it.
Roulan's lips curled into a bitter smile.
"And the only person who benefits from all of this…"
Her eyes hardened.
"…is Shi Yunxi."
Old Master Shi scowled.
"That girl is a curse."
Zhenghong nodded.
"She brought shame to our family three years ago. And now she seeks revenge."
Roulan shook her head slowly.
"You still don't understand."
Her voice lowered to a whisper—broken, dangerous, and trembling with fear.
"This isn't revenge anymore. She's destroying us piece by piece."
Old Master Shi slammed his cane again.
"Then we destroy her first!"
Roulan stared at him, breathing shakily.
Her grandfather's eyes were cold, ancient, and filled with the same ruthlessness that built an empire.
"Call Yuhan," he ordered.
Her body tensed.
"What… why?"
"We need him on our side," Old Master Shi said sharply. "If he falls alone, the Qin family will cut us off. But if we stand together—"
Roulan shook her head violently.
"They won't."
Zhenghong frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Roulan swallowed hard.
Her hands clenched into fists.
"Yuhan isn't accepting calls. He isn't responding to messages. His assistant said he's been taken in for questioning."
Both men froze.
"Questioning?" Zhenghong whispered.
Roulan nodded weakly.
"They're reopening the twelve-year-old case."
Old Master Shi's cane slipped from his hand.
"This is… this is the end," he whispered.
For the first time in his life, he looked frightened.
Terrified.
Roulan backed against the wall, sliding down slowly until she was sitting on the floor. Tears streamed silently down her face.
"This… this is all because of that woman."
Old Master Shi inhaled sharply.
"Shi Yunxi—"
"She won't stop," Roulan whispered. "She won't rest until we lose everything."
Zhenghong's voice was a growl.
"Then we can't rest either."
Old Master Shi nodded, his expression dark and deadly.
"If the Shi family is to survive… then Yunxi must fall."
"And soon."
They were quiet for a long moment.
Then Roulan lifted her head.
Her eyes were red.
Her voice barely audible.
"But what if we lose?"
Old Master Shi gave a cold, humorless smile.
"Then we drag her down with us."