Chapter 376: Chapter 376 - 370: Mentioning Shi Su and Seven Years Ago

Chu Jiu sent several messages and screenshots in succession, all content posted by some relatively unknown marketing accounts on Weibo.

The unified stance was to remind Shi Su to pay attention to her identity, as a married woman with children in the entertainment industry flaunting herself to make money. She should be clear about her position, not try to obtain everything, and was even warned that if she continued to approach people she shouldn’t, she might end up with her reputation ruined.

These were unfounded insinuations, lacking any evidence or photos, but were uniformly posted by these marketing accounts attempting to suggest Shi Su was indiscreet.

It was really a side reminder for Shi Su not to approach people she shouldn’t.

Since they were just some small marketing accounts with little fame and few followers, along with just some indirect taunts, only Shi Su’s fans argued a bit under the posts. Others didn’t see much and it didn’t become a topic of discussion. Before long, these posts disappeared into obscurity.

However, these were spotted by the staff who usually monitor real-time news for the studio. They sent the information to Chu Jiu and Miss Chen, which eventually reached Shi Su.

Chu Jiu asked her: [Shi Su, does this mean someone paid the marketing accounts to indirectly warn you?]

Shi Su: [Hmm.]

She only replied with one word, not saying much more, as these small marketing accounts that could post a tweet for a few hundred bucks didn’t have much impact, at most just being seen.

But even having seen it, she roughly knew by now who was behind the warning.

Can’t deny that Jing Sixue, this two-faced little white flower, although her means aren’t commendable, is at least effective.

Firstly, on the surface, she always appears passive, pushed by Mrs. Jing, and the initiative and responsibility for everything seem to lie in Mrs. Jing’s hands. Jing Sixue just follows her mother’s words, so no matter to what extent things escalate, she has a perfect reason to hide under Mrs. Jing’s wing.

Secondly, Jing Sixue is still one of the Jing Family, regardless of blood ties, she has a voice. Sometimes hinting here and there about Shi Su being married with children, consolidating this image over and over in the minds of Jing Family members, whether within the Jing Family or outside, Shi Su’s image is deeply rooted in everyone’s minds.

Seemingly indifferent yet it inevitably has some effect.

At the very least, the topic of whether Shi Su is indeed married or who the father of her child is has once again been brought up by fans. Detailed discussions unfolded on Weibo and various forums, but ultimately, no conclusions were drawn.

Due to the heavy rain in Hong Kong, Jing Jihan was unable to fly back to Jiang City immediately and remained in Hong Kong for the time being.

Lu Zhao called, looking to confirm the planned itinerary for the next few days in Hong Kong with him.

"Today is the centennial birthday of the old lady from Yu Tai Jewelry, who’s hosting the banquet. The invitation was sent to you several days ago, and the event is scheduled for 7:30 tonight, with the banquet hall located on the first floor of the Zijin Flower Hotel."

"Also, Mr. Zhou from Hong Kong, upon learning of your stay, is planning to personally meet with you."

"Based on the current weather conditions and the forecast for the next few days, the earliest time to fly back to Jiang City is two days later. About the project mentioned by the deputy director of Jiang City’s Construction Bureau last time regarding reviewing the photo case..."

On the phone, Lu Zhao’s voice was precise and clear, while the meeting message app on the tablet continuously flickered with message numbers, which kept increasing.

The phone was on speaker mode, placed on the table. As Jing Jihan emerged from the bathroom, he was drying his dripping wet hair with one hand and opened the app to check messages on the tablet with the other.

Until Lu Zhao hung up, the phone returned to silence on the table.

Half an hour later, Lu Zhao suddenly called again.

"Mr. Jing, the appeal for reduced sentencing of Chu Shangdong was rejected back then, and now he has exceeded his normal prison term. Although his son Chu Chao was given a heavy sentence and can’t cause trouble anymore, Chu Shangdong’s original sentencing regulations were clear. Although the appeal for a reduced sentence was denied, according to his sentencing terms, the Ministry of Justice and the Prison Administration currently have no reasonable and appropriate grounds to continue his imprisonment, especially since Chu Shangdong has been performing exceptionally well in prison, showing sincere reformative behavior. He is actively seeking a smooth release. All his handwritten applications have now been scanned and sent to me, expressing sincere intentions. Although the former minister of justice gave you face by not releasing him, he mentioned that at this rate, he probably won’t be held much longer."

Jing Jihan set down the tablet, reached back and picked up his phone: "What applications?"

"When Chu Shangdong was first sentenced, he had already confessed to molesting minors and students. He’s been writing applications almost daily to the Ministry of Justice, claiming he has exceeded his sentence, especially since he knows the law, his wordings are reasonable and logical. Recently, his applications sincerely detail his past offenses and mental journey, including subsequent repentances, which, while not sufficient for an extended sentence, demonstrate his cunning intelligence in manipulating the psychology of judicial administrators. If this person were truly released, it might lead to unending troubles."

"Furthermore, his application includes newly added details about the crime process and memories, mentioning Shi Su by name." After a one-second pause, Lu Zhao directly said, "I have sent the scanned originals to your email."

The call ended, and two minutes later, the tablet beeped with a new email notification.

Jing Jihan stood still with the phone in hand for a moment, picked up the tablet again, and opened the email.

Amidst many convoluted wordings and pretentious narratives of emotional repentance, with a series of unrelated digressions, Chu Shangdong mentioned Shi Su, referring to events seven years ago.

Suddenly seeing the key narration in that section about Shi Su, Jing Jihan’s hand holding the tablet paused for a moment.

The Zijin Flower Hotel is some distance from Victoria Harbour and occupies a large area. It features a British-style architecture.

Additionally, the hotel operates on a membership basis, so ordinary people cannot usually dine there. Only high-society elites or prominent politicians frequent it. It is considered the prime location for banquets in Hong Kong.

Shi Su initially came for a dinner gathering but unexpectedly found the first floor of the hotel also hosting a birthday banquet for a wealthy merchant from Hong Kong’s jewelry origin—a centenary celebration for an old lady.

Upon Shi Su’s group entering the hotel’s banquet hall, it was already bustling with guests.

She only accompanied the film crew, and since none were familiar with the attendees there, and given the significant differences between Hong Kong’s business circles and the mainland’s, not to mention the differences between Hong Kong and mainland entertainment stars’ interaction habits, Shi Su and the film crew headed directly upstairs after arriving.