Li Xiuying would never understand her struggles in life given that she was born with a golden spoon. Someone like her, who was born from a poor family, who was denied all opportunities in her life, wouldn't want to go back to the h.e.l.l hole she came from. 

"You do know it will be hard for you to get rid of her," Director Yao stated the obvious. It would be impossible for Lin Meirong to fight Li Xiuying head to head. The difference between them was like heaven and earth. 

With the Li family backing Li Xiuying, how would Lin Meirong compete with her? 

"Then what should I do?" Lin Meirong muttered to herself, biting her lower lip in frustration.

She was lacking in resources compared to what Mu Jianyu's wife had and as long as Li Xiuying was there, her secrets wouldn't be safe, always breathing against her neck. 

What was more upsetting was Mu Jianyu's absence when she needed his a.s.surance the most.

Yao Qigang looked at Lin Meirong and smiled mischievously. 

"I know someone who can help you but it comes with a huge price," he offered. 

Lin Meirong flinched on his words and glared on his way. 

Money again? Did this leech plan to suck her dry? It was already hard for her to sustain her living conditions. The credit card that Mu Jianyu lent her had suddenly been suspended. 

She had no idea that it was Li Xiuying who cut the funds, and that the money used to buy the apartment she was living in was purchased using t Mu Jianyu and Li Xiuying's joint account. So in the end who's sucking who? 

Previously, she was never concerned about how much she spent since the card Mu Jianyu gave her was enough to pay for her purchases and lavish lifestyle. However, things were suddenly different. There was no guarantee that she would continue receiving the money from her lover in the future and she had to prevent Director Yao and Li Xiuying from ruining her life no matter the cost. 

Lin Meirong was entangled with complicated feelings right then. She couldn't possibly part with Mu Jianyu that easily. Not when he's capable of giving her whatever she wanted. That man… that man was the most generous and wealthiest lover she had attained ever since she arrived at the capital.

The only flaw was that he was married. Not just a simple married man but married to one of the most influential families within the capital. Having an affair with him gave her excitement and thrill but she was now tired of being a kept woman. 

However, she was currently overwhelmed with the fear of having her past revealed, therefore exposing her façade. It was already hard enough for her to keep the despicable Yao Qigang at a safe distance and now Li Xiuying had become another obstacle for her. 

Just when she was about to elevate her status as Lin Meirong, an actress and the future Madam Mu, her real ident.i.ty as Gu Changge, the countryside married woman, was resurfacing. 

Lin Meirong's hand reached for the pendant on her neck and fidgeted on her seat, as she tried to settle down her racing heart. Every day pa.s.sed that she hadn't heard from Mu Jianyu fed her anxiety and fear. 

No… this couldn't be. She must destroy Li Xiuying first and find a way to dispose of Director Yao later. It was a mistake letting Yao Qigang gain a hold on her. 

"Is it even possible? She's a Li. What if they come after me?" 

After all, she cannot afford to go head to head in a battle against the Li family. 

"You worry too much. As I said, I know the perfect person for the job. They wouldn't be able to trace it back to you." 

Director Yao had an ominous smile on his face as Lin Meirong struggled to keep on her composure. She was really anxious. 

What if they failed? Surely, the Li family wouldn go after every single person involved if Li Xiuying survived. 

Although his offer was extremely tempting, it does come with a hefty price. But then, if it could rid her of all her problems for good then maybe it would be worth the trouble after all. 

"Why are you helping me?" She blurted out. She wasn't as stupid as to not know that he was up to something. 

"I was the one who brought you here. The one who opened opportunities for you. Do you think I would let Lady Li ruin my plans that easily? Whether your secret will be revealed or not is up to me, not her." 

"So you're not doing this to protect me but to protect your own interest!" She accused him. 

An cunning smile spread on Yao Qigang's face. Why else would he help this stupid uncouth b.i.t.c.h? She was his cash cow after all. To him, he has a right to a portion of everything she gained from Mu Jianyu. 

"Why else would I help you? Gu Changge, even if you dress and act like a lady, it wouldn't be enough to shake off your past. You aren't like Li Xiuying. If you lose Mu Jianyu's favor now and be crushed by his wife. Do you know where you'll end up?" 

He just smiled at her but Lin Meirong felt a s.h.i.+ver running down her spine. She didn't want to know what he was thinking. 

"You don't need to worry about Lady Li from now on and focus on ensnaring Mu Jianyu. You tell me if someone discovers your past and I'll make them shut up but in return, you must help me financially and once you become Madam Mu, you would have to help me regain my influence in the industry." 

He just lost his job because of Li Xiuying but that didn't mean he would never get any opportunities in the future and Lin Meirong will open up those doors for him. 

Those words would have enticed Lin Meirong if only it was spoken by another person and not this shameless leech. It was clear that he was only offering to help her in order to continue leeching on her

Her face remained confused and Yao Qigang chuckled. 

"When you say, you'll shut her up, what do you mean?"

"Do you really want to know, Gu Changge?" 

Lin Meirong's lips pressed tightly. Yes, it was better for her not to know what he was up to as long as he wouldn't implicate her. The unspoken words… they both knew how it would end if they failed.

"I don't care, I was simply curious. You better make sure my name wouldn't be dragged in it. As long as that person could do the job properly, money wouldn't be an issue," 

She had no choice but to bite the bullet with her teeth. She'd have to suck it up until she can find a way to get rid of him.