Chapter 344: Talk of the devil and she appears
Many of Blue Entertainment’s executives adored Hua Ling. She wasn’t as talented as Hua Jing had been, but she was cunning, calculating, and had crafted her public image carefully. She had many fans who worshiped her. To them, she was perfect — pure and sweet.
Hua Jing, on the other hand, had vanished for over a year. Her sudden appearance at the Blue Awards had shocked everyone, yes, but no one knew how long that shock would last. Her fame could fade again as quickly as it had reignited.
For Mao Li, Hua Ling was the safer bet.
And that was why Hua Jing smiled faintly to herself as she turned to leave. She knew exactly how this would end.
But just as she reached the door, her hand brushing against the handle, it suddenly burst open — slammed from the other side with such force that it startled even her.
The next thing she saw was Hua Ling, her face twisted with fury, storming into the room like a tempest.
"Hua Jing!" she shouted, her voice echoing sharply across the quiet space. "You are asking for too much!"
Her high heels struck the marble floor in angry rhythm as she stormed closer, her perfectly painted lips trembling with rage. Even Mao Li looked momentarily alarmed by the sudden intrusion, his eyes darting between the two women like a man caught between fire and ice.
But Hua Jing didn’t even flinch.
She turned slowly, calm and composed, her posture elegant, her expression unreadable. Her gaze drifted lazily over Hua Ling’s furious face before settling on her with a faint, mocking smile.
"Too much?" she echoed, her voice soft yet cutting. "Why wouldn’t I? Everything you have... is mine, after all."
The words hung in the air like poison.
Hua Ling’s eyes widened — then narrowed sharply. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her composure cracking with every second that passed. That cold indifference in Hua Jing’s voice — it was the same tone she had used years ago when she had been untouchable, when every stage, every light, every headline belonged to her.
"How dare you!" Hua Ling spat, her voice shaking. "You think you’re still that shining star everyone adored? Look at yourself, Hua Jing! You’re a ghost of what you once were! Do you think the industry is just waiting for you to come back? You’ve been gone for a year! A full year! People move on!"
Hua Jing tilted her head slightly, her calm gaze unwavering. "And yet," she said slowly, "you still can’t stand the sight of me, can you?"
Hua Ling’s breath hitched.
Hua Jing took a step forward, her eyes gleaming dangerously. "You’ve had everything you ever wanted for a whole year. The endorsements, the spotlight, the interviews — all of it. You got everything you stole from me, Hua Ling. So tell me..." Her voice dropped to a whisper, almost cruel. "Why are you still so scared?"
That single question struck harder than a slap.
Hua Ling froze for a moment, her painted nails digging into her palms. Her expression faltered, but only for an instant before twisting into something darker.
"I’m not scared of you!" she hissed. "I worked for everything I have. Don’t think your little comeback will change anything. Blue Entertainment is mine now. Every deal, every stage — it all belongs to me!"
Hua Jing’s laugh was low and cold, the kind that didn’t reach her eyes. "Yours?" she repeated softly. "You think signing a contract written in my blood makes it yours?"
Mao Li finally rose from his chair, his face pale. "Enough, both of you—"
"Stay out of this, President Mao," Hua Jing interrupted sharply, her eyes never leaving Hua Ling’s face. "You’ve made your choice already. Don’t pretend otherwise."
Mao Li faltered, his mouth half open, but no words came out. The tension between the two women was electric — decades of envy, betrayal, and bitterness condensed into one suffocating room.
Hua Ling took another step closer, glaring. "You think you can come back and just erase me? After everything I’ve done for this company, after how hard I’ve worked—"
"Worked?" Hua Jing cut her off, voice suddenly icy. "You mean lying, scheming, and destroying everyone who dares to outshine you? That’s your definition of work?"
Hua Ling’s hands trembled. "You—"
"What’s wrong?" Hua Jing asked, her tone almost amused. "Cat got your tongue? Or are you worried President Mao might finally see through your little act?"
That did it. Hua Ling snapped.
"You were always like this!" she screamed, her voice cracking. "Always looking down on me, always acting like you were better! You think you’re some untouchable goddess, but you’re nothing without Blue Entertainment! Without this company, you’re nothing!"
The words hung heavy, venomous — but Hua Jing only smiled wider.
"Without Blu Entertainment I am nothing?", "Then why did President Mao ask me here?"
Hua Jing tainted.
She especially liked the way Hua Ling’s face was getting even more twisted by the second.
"Why does he specially want me to come back and even get to choose the kind of works I want to work in?"
Even a fool knew the reason so how could Hua Ling not?
Hua Jing’s tone was calm, almost coldly polite.
Her eyes flicked toward Mao Li, just for a second — and he immediately lowered his gaze.
Then, without another word, Hua Jing picked up her handbag, straightened her coat, and turned toward the door. The faint click of her heels was the only sound that echoed through the suffocating silence that followed.
Just before leaving, she paused, hand on the doorframe, and said without looking back,
"Tell her, President Mao... when you finally choose between what’s right and what’s convenient, you know where to find me."
Hua Ling remained rooted on the spot. She was seething in anger and her whole body was shaking.
She had suddenly shown up after her manager whom she had sent to bring some food from this hotel had suddenly seen bot Mao Li and Hua Jing getting in at different times.
Whatever they were going to discuss, how could Hua Ling not know?
Whatever it was, Hua Jing would never return to Blue Entertainment, over her dead body!
