Cang Ming

Chapter 228 The Canary

Lou Yuming stared into her eyes, clear and clean, without a hint of deception.

His expression suddenly turned grim, the chill radiating from him intensifying. "Who sent the roses on the coffee table?"

"It's none of your business."

Lou Yuming's patience finally ran out.

He pinned her down, his face dark.

The slightest movement from her elicited a heavier pressure from him.

She was like meat on a chopping block, pinned down by his powerful grip, unable to move.

"Who do you think you're talking to? Do you think becoming a star and getting away from Zhang Qi means you can do whatever you want? I'm telling you, Song Xi, with just one word from me, I can send you back to where you came from. So you'd better behave! Put away those spoiled tantrums. A little bit of attitude is charming, but if you cross the line, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Rage burned in his eyes, his face livid, like a maddened beast.

When his cold fingertips touched her face, Song Xi shivered in fear.

He raised her hands above her head, tightening his grip fiercely. "Did you hear me!"

Song Xi's eyes immediately welled up.

Her voice choked, her body trembling uncontrollably. "I... I heard you."

Lou Yuming was finally satisfied with her answer.

She never yielded, and only when he was angry could he hear what he wanted.

He withdrew, a cold glint in his eyes. "Get out. You're sleeping on the sofa tonight!"

Song Xi's legs felt weak as she got out of bed. As she reached the door, he suddenly threw the quilt from the bed at her. "If you catch a cold, no one will take care of you." Then he slammed the bedroom door shut.

Song Xi shivered, hugging the quilt as she moved to the sofa.

She couldn't shake the feeling that Lou Yuming was acting unusually today, as if something had provoked him. But he had always been like this, unpredictable.

Perhaps he had never changed, and she had simply forgotten.

Looking at the roses on the coffee table, Song Xi finally took them out of the vase and threw them into the trash can.

That night, Song Xi slept terribly.

She dreamt that Lou Yuming was like a rabid lion, tearing at her all over.

She felt so much pain she wanted to scream, but not a sound came out.

The pain was too real, as if it were happening.

Then she woke with a start, her eyes wide open, feeling as if she had narrowly escaped.

She had indeed slept on the sofa all night, and Lou Yuming had left long ago, she didn't know when.

Recalling everything that had happened last night, Song Xi shuddered inwardly.

She had indeed been a bit reckless lately, forgetting that there had never been any equality between her and Lou Yuming.

He was the sugar daddy, and she was merely a canary in a cage, confined by him.

Thanks to last night, she had finally woken up.

She had to escape all of this!

Song Xi proactively called Dai Ze, inquiring about the variety show.

Dai Ze's tone was heavy. "Come to the company in a while, I'll explain it to you in detail."

Arriving at the company, Song Xi got straight to the point. "What's wrong, Brother Dai? Is something not going smoothly?"

Dai Ze said, "Didn't you say you didn't want to take this show before? Why are you so eager now?"

Song Xi gave a sheepish smile and said jokingly, "I'm so poor lately, I have to earn what I can."

Dai Ze shook his head, sounding quite regretful. "It was already confirmed, but the sponsor went crazy for some reason. As soon as they heard you were coming, they flat-out refused."

"?" Song Xi was bewildered. "Why?"

"I want to know too, my dear. Have you offended anyone recently?"

"No," Song Xi replied with a sincere expression.

Dai Ze frowned, glanced at the time, and said, "How about this, there's still time. I heard they have a meeting at 1 PM this afternoon. Shall we go and try to get it?"

"Let's go!"

The two rushed to the television station building, only to unexpectedly encounter someone there.

The two women stared at each other from a distance. Song Xi's voice sounded muffled under her mask. She said to Dai Ze, "I know why the sponsor refused."

Dai Ze: "What?"

Anna walked forward with a triumphant smile on her face. "Looks like you're late."

Song Xi said coldly, "You did this, didn't you?"

Anna readily admitted, "So what? I'm just telling the truth. A disgraced artist like you will only bring trouble to everyone. And what a coincidence, the sponsor this time is an uncle I know. I just casually mentioned it, and I didn't expect him to believe it."

She leaned closer and whispered, a voice only they could hear, "Song Xi, without Lou Yuming, you are nothing!"

Song Xi sneered and retorted, "At least I have him, and he's by my side right now."

Anna's expression darkened, and she clenched her fist. Then, as if remembering something, she said mockingly, "You really know how to flatter yourself. When she comes back, everything you have now will be taken away. Cherish the time you have left."

"She?"

Song Xi watched her retreating back, her heart filled with questions.

Dai Ze urged, "Let's go."