Zhang Guo'er reluctantly allowed Lu Sisi to drag her to a bar.
"Why did you bring me here?" Zhang Guo'er asked with irritation.
Although Lu Sisi had lent her money, she was now hanging out with Tang Xiaomin, and their allegiances were diametrically opposed.
"What's the rush? Let's sit down and talk," Lu Sisi said.
They found an inconspicuous booth and ordered several bottles of good wine.
Lu Sisi took the initiative to pour two glasses, picked one up, and drank it in one gulp.
"Ah! So strong!"
The pungent, spicy taste of the liquor contorted Lu Sisi's face.
It was clear she couldn't hold her liquor.
Zhang Guo'er rolled her eyes at her.
"If you can't drink, don't pretend."
As Zhang Guo'er spoke, she also downed a glass of wine.
The liquor was spicier than she expected, but that was all. She didn't display the same lack of control over her facial expressions as the rookie Lu Sisi.
"This is my first time drinking. They say you can drown your sorrows in alcohol, so I want to see today if it's true or not."
Lu Sisi said, and then forced herself to drink another glass.
This time, the spiciness made her cough repeatedly, tears welling up in her eyes.
Zhang Guo'er looked at Lu Sisi curiously. She clearly couldn't drink, yet she insisted on forcing herself.
"I didn't realize you had worries too. Aren't you hanging out with Tang Xiaomin and her crowd lately? With the resources of their little circle, what else could you possibly be worried about?"
Speaking of that little circle, a bitter expression crossed Zhang Guo'er's face.
"They are all rich young ladies, what am I in comparison? Even if I force my way in, I won't get any respect."
"The only reason they allow me to hang out with them is to have someone they can step on anytime, thereby elevating their own status as young ladies."
"Even Young Master Yun, his eyes are only on Tang Xiaomin, he never even glances at me, ha..."
Lu Sisi dejectedly downed another cup of wine.
Upon hearing Lu Sisi mention Ye Lingyun, Zhang Guo'er was first surprised, then a cold smile played on her lips.
"What is Ye Lingyun's status? He is in the heavens, and you are in the dirt. How dare you pine for him? You truly have no self-awareness."
Lu Sisi knew her feelings would be mocked if discovered.
Mockery or not, it wouldn't last long anyway.
"Do you know why I secretly lent you money?"
"Why?"
"Because we have the same predicament, we both live in Tang Xiaomin's shadow."
"As long as Tang Xiaomin exists, Young Master Yun will never notice me."
"Do you remember Tang Yiyi? Everyone only knows Tang Yiyi dropped out of school, but in reality, she was driven out of the Tang sect by Tang Xiaomin. As far as I know, Tang Yiyi is already dead, killed by Tang Xiaomin."
Hearing this, Zhang Guo'er's heart skipped a beat, and her expression became grave.
"Tang Yiyi is the adopted daughter of the Tang family, how could Tang Xiaomin dare to kill her?"
"Why wouldn't she dare?" Lu Sisi said seriously.
"Do you remember last year at Zhang Meiyu's birthday party, when Aunt Xue attempted to attack? At the time, in full view of everyone, Tang Xiaomin, wearing high heels, stomped a hole in Aunt Xue's hand."
"There were so many people there, and she dared to do that. What is there she wouldn't do?"
"Tang Yiyi treated Tang Xiaomin that way and ended up losing her life. Now you are following in Tang Yiyi's footsteps. I am truly worried you will end up like her. I brought you out of the hotel just now for your own good."
Recalling everything that had happened, Zhang Guo'er's face turned pale, devoid of all color.
The fear in her heart sent jolts through her nerves.
"I just owe her a little money, Tang Xiaomin shouldn't dare do anything to me."
"Is that so? Tang Yiyi also only pushed Tang Xiaomin a bit too far back then, and the deceased Tang Yiyi never imagined Tang Xiaomin would kill her over such a minor matter."
"Love may fade, but hatred can last forever. Zhang Guo'er, do not underestimate the darkness within people. There are so many perverts who kill over trivial matters, prisons are almost full."
Zhang Guo'er swallowed, fear surging through her like a tide.
To mask her panic, she kept drinking.
Zhang Guo'er also raised her wine glass.
"We are in the same boat, let's toast."
This time, Zhang Guo'er didn't refuse. She clinked glasses, and then downed the wine in one go.
The liquor was a strong one that Lu Sisi had specifically ordered. After a few glasses, with the wine flowing freely, Zhang Guo'er's face flushed, and she became tipsy.
"Tang Xiaomin, you are truly so cruel. How long will you continue to torment me like this?"
"My father doesn't want me, and my mother is dead. Now I'm all alone, why won't you let me go?"
Wuwu...
Thinking of her own plight, Zhang Guo'er broke down and cried.
Lu Sisi suddenly threw down her wine glass and stood up.
Her usual fragility vanished, replaced by sharp eyes.
"What good is crying? It only makes loved ones grieve and enemies rejoice."
"We should stand up and fight back fiercely, take back everything we've lost!"
"Zhang Guo'er, we can't just do nothing and continue to be tormented by Tang Xiaomin. We must teach her a harsh lesson, so she never dares to bully us again!"
Zhang Guo'er was still crying, so Lu Sisi took out a tissue and wiped her tears.
"Zhang Guo'er, stop crying, it won't change anything."
The drunken Zhang Guo'er was inspired by Lu Sisi. After wiping her tears fiercely, she also stood up.
"Sisi, you're right. We need to fight back, give Tang Xiaomin a taste of her own medicine!"
Seeing this, Lu Sisi's heart was filled with joy.
"Yes, that's the spirit! This is the Zhang Guo'er I know, the one who never gives up!"
Lu Sisi continued to ply Zhang Guo'er with alcohol and encouragement.
Before long, Zhang Guo'er was completely brainwashed by Lu Sisi.
Smash!
Zhang Guo'er violently slammed her wine glass onto the floor.
"Tang Xiaomin, I won't let you off!"
"This time, it's either you die, or I die!"
Zhang Guo'er stumbled out of the bar, her heart ablaze with fury, with only one target: Tang Xiaomin.
Lu Sisi stealthily followed behind Zhang Guo'er.
She watched as Zhang Guo'er dragged the driver out of a car parked by the roadside and drove off in it.
Finally, she let out a long sigh, a sinister cold smile curling her lips.
"Anyone who stands in my way shall be killed without mercy. Tang Xiaomin, since you are obstructing me, I can only apologize."
"Hahaha... Hahaha..."
Meanwhile, an anonymous, lavish gift was delivered to a banquet.
It was a statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, carved from the finest jade.
Ksitigarbha vowed to save all sentient beings suffering from sin and distress, especially those in hell.
Tang Xiaomin held great respect for the venerable senior of the underworld.
She indeed liked this statue very much.