Chapter 184
It wasn't until she returned home that Xiao Jinmeng finally caught her breath.
On the way back, Xiao Yuanning had received more than a few side-eyes from his parents. Whether he retired from the entertainment industry or not didn't matter, but making his sister cry was definitely his fault.
Xiao Jinmeng sat on the sofa, looking sternly at Xiao Yuanning.
"Are you serious? No regrets?"
Regrets? Xiao Yuanning wondered, perhaps there were regrets.
Xiao Jinmeng sighed, "Little brother, this incident was just an unexpected situation. Quitting the entertainment industry would indeed avoid a lot of trouble, but isn't a person's life all about encountering problems and solving them?
This time, it was due to inadequate security measures that allowed Jian Hongmei to slip through, so it's a lesson for us. We'll just increase our vigilance from now on, and everything will be fine."
"I hope you'll think it over carefully and not make a decision you'll regret. Of course, no matter what choice you make in the end, I'll support you."
Xiao Yuanning hung his head, lost in thought, gazing at the constant stream of messages popping up on his phone, seemingly hesitant.
"But sister, I've already made the announcement. It's too late for regrets now. What will my fans think of me? They'll definitely feel like I'm just playing with them."
Xiao Jinmeng's eyes lit up, it seemed her brother was really regretting his decision.
"Even though you made the announcement, you didn't sign or seal it, and the company hasn't confirmed your retirement from the entertainment industry either, so of course you can regret it!"
With a sly smile, she took out the new phone that Shi Shuning had bought for her and started typing something.
Shortly after, she looked up at Xiao Yuanning and gestured for him to check Weibo.
Perplexed, Xiao Yuanning opened Weibo and saw the words "Xiao Yuanning's agency responds" on the hot search list.
He clicked on it to find a Weibo post that the company had just released.
"Dear netizens and fans who love Ning-bao, we sincerely apologize. During this malicious incident at the concert, due to his sister's injury and the near danger to the lives of fans and staff, Ning-bao was under immense psychological pressure. Fearing that he might cause trouble for his family and fans, he impulsively announced his retirement from the entertainment industry.
After communicating with the company and his family, Ning-bao realized that he should not have impulsively posted about retiring. The child is currently reflecting on his actions, and we hope all netizens will give him another chance.
Additionally, ticket refunds for the concert are proceeding as normal. Please fans, submit your refund information within seven days.
For the sake of Ning-bao's mental health, all commercial activities are suspended for now. When he returns, he will still be the best Ning-bao."
It wasn't a solemn declaration, but it put fans at ease.
"I just knew my baby was affected by this incident. If it were me, I'd be scared too."
"That's right, even though our baby is a veteran in the entertainment industry, he's only sixteen this year. When I was sixteen, I was afraid of being punished by the teacher, let alone such a malicious incident."
"I hope Ning-bao doesn't have too much psychological pressure. It's not your fault. Come back soon!"
Seeing the support from his fans, Xiao Yuanning couldn't help but tear up. He thought there would be many people criticizing him, but now it seemed he had underestimated them.
"Sister, thank you."
"Don't thank me, thank your fans and manager instead!"
At that moment, in one of Xiao Jinmeng's WeChat groups, the manager and a few fans were frantically mentioning her.
Manager: "Sister, the Weibo post is up. How did your brother react?"
Xiao Jinmeng: "Moved to tears."
Fan: "Awww, don't cry brother! But sister, can you share some photos of your brother crying?"
Xiao Jinmeng: "No way, only I can see my brother cry!"
...
Xiao Yuanning got up and headed upstairs.
"Where are you going?" Xiao Jinmeng asked, puzzled.
Xiao Yuanning pursed his lips, embarrassed, "I'm going to my room to reflect on my actions."
With that, he lowered his head and scurried off.
A few minutes later, Xiao Yuanning's retirement Weibo was deleted, and he updated a new Weibo post.
"I was wrong."
Attached was a photo of a plain white wall.
Comments below:
"Hahaha, he's really reflecting by facing the wall!"
"Baby, good, listen well, face that wall properly. Don't look at your phone!"
"Ning-bao, knowing your mistake and correcting it makes you a good child. Put down your phone and face that wall seriously!"
"Sob sob, the two above are so mean! Baby, don't be afraid, mommy's got your back. Face that wall properly!"
...
Jian Hongmei and Liu Lian were taken back to the police station from the hospital.
After a series of interrogations and investigations, in addition to the crimes of planting bombs and kidnapping, the two also confessed to murdering Liu Lian's wife in the residential building. At the same time, a gang involved in manufacturing and selling explosives was also uncovered.
In prison, Xiao Wenyao never expected his daughter-in-law to end up there too. If it weren't for the defense lawyer Jian Hongmei hired coming to see him, he wouldn't even know about this.
Xiao Wenyao hung his head. He had told Liu Lian to take good care of his daughter-in-law for the rest of her life, but he never imagined she would end up being taken care of in prison. At least now, Jian Hongmei wouldn't have to worry about food, clothing, housing, and transportation...
Resentful, he angrily revealed how Liu Lian had used his legal knowledge to cover up various crimes, fully implicating Liu Lian while also adding to his own crimes.
The police, looking at all the evidence and testimonies in their hands, were somewhat bewildered. If only all criminals could be so forthcoming, it would save them a lot of trouble.
Two years later.
These two years went by smoothly. Xiao Yuanning's retirement controversy didn't affect him; instead, he became even more popular.
Shi Shuning's AI company had also become a benchmark in the tech industry, making him the youngest billionaire on the rich list.
Xiao Jinmeng was about to graduate, lying in the dorm hugging Ye Wanwan, finding it hard to part.
"Wanwan, I'll be leaving school next month. I can't bear to leave you! You'll soon be sharing a room with other girls..."
Ye Wanwan: "...You've gone too far, the way you're talking makes it sound like we'll never see each other again."
When in fact she would snuggle up in Ye Wanwan's bed every few days.
Xiao Jinmeng nuzzled Ye Wanwan's face and whined, "It's not the same! From now on, you won't see me at school anymore, and I'll be going to work. I can't come play with you every day. I'm so sad!"
"Alright, alright, you're the company boss now, you can't be so clingy. If it's really that bad, I'll come to your company to play with you later, okay?"
Xiao Yongze and Ye Junli started an independent clothing brand company for Xiao Jinmeng during the summer after her junior year in college. Now it has become an emerging new brand.
Xiao Jinmeng said happily, "Okay, but now that you have a new roommate, you can't snuggle or hug her."
Ye Wanwan flicked her forehead, "Alright, I got it, don't worry. Besides, there are fewer classes in senior year. If you're worried, I can move back home, it's all the same."
Xiao Jinmeng grinned, "No need for that, it's quite a hassle to commute back and forth."