The atmosphere in the makeup room was tense.
Xia Wei Liang looked up at the man who claimed to be her father. "Even if you gave birth to me, I am a living, breathing individual! Not your possession!"
"Nonsense! Without me, who would you be? Don't think you're so great just because you're a big star! From now on, all the money you earn must be handed over to me and your mother to manage!"
Xia Wei Liang frowned, her innocent eyes blinking as she asked, "My remuneration is the income from my labor, distributed by my agency. I can support my parents and fulfill my filial duties, but I cannot hand it over to you."
Upon hearing that no money would be given, Liu Wan Quan became agitated, and Bao Fang's expression also turned unpleasant.
"Fine, you'd rather give it to outsiders than us? I think you're doing this on purpose. Don't forget, without our superior genes, where would you get the chance to become a big star and make money? Hah, don't tell me you're not rich. Everyone knows how easy it is for you stars to make money! Just taking on an endorsement or shooting a commercial can bring in tens of millions, especially for young and beautiful ones. A few dinners and dances with some big bosses or directors, and plenty of cash flows into your pockets!"
Xia Wei Liang trembled, staring at him blankly. "Is this how you see me?" She then looked at them, word by word, "Being a star is a profession too, not as base as you think!"
Bao Fang pursed her lips, remaining silent. Liu Wan Quan, impatient, waved his hand. "Enough of that! From now on, give me... give me a million in living expenses every month, not a penny less! Otherwise, don't blame me for going on shows and interviews to curse you, you unfilial daughter!!"
Bao Fang quickly tugged at him, whispering, "That's too much... it doesn't need to be that much, ten, just ten thousand is fine..."
"What do you know! Get aside, don't speak!"
Scolded by her husband like this, Bao Fang dared not say anything more.
"A million a month..."
Xia Wei Liang sneered inwardly.
As expected, it was all about money.
She suddenly felt a pang of guilt towards her adoptive parents. Compared to her biological parents, at least they hadn't gone on television to disparage her, nor had they made such an exorbitant demand for a million dollars right off the bat.
Seeing Xia Wei Liang's attitude soften, with seemingly room for negotiation, Liu Wan Quan's demeanor immediately became more accommodating. He cleared his throat and said, "A million is nothing to you. If you were a bit more resourceful, attending more banquets..."
The door was kicked open.
Assistant Director Lin rushed in and grabbed him. "Oh, Mr. Liu, you're here! I've been looking for you for ages!"
He winked and gestured for them to leave quickly.
But Liu Wan Quan was not willing to go!
Seeing that he had intimidated his daughter, he wanted to press his advantage! With that million a month, why would he need to appear on shows and bow to these minor directors?
Xia Wei Liang slowly stood up. "Listen to me. Forget a million, I won't give you a single cent."
"You—"
"In your eyes, so-called family affection is worth a million a month. But to me, it's not worth a penny!"
"You unfilial—"
"The mistakes you made back then, you're now making me pay for them. If parents can be like you, then I'd rather not have any!"
Her words completely enraged Liu Wan Quan, and even Bao Fang became emotional. "Xia Wei Liang, you can't do this! You're so rich, what's wrong with giving us a little? Your brother is still waiting for this money..."
Assistant Director Lin, anxious, tried to stop her from speaking further. But Liu Wan Quan, craning his neck, shouted, "If you don't give the money, you're unfilial!"
Xia Wei Liang nodded. "Fine, I admit it."
"You, you—you're disloyal and unfilial, I'll break your legs!"
Enraged, Liu Wan Quan shoved Assistant Director Lin aside and lunged forward, raising his hand towards Xia Wei Liang—
Xia Wei Liang gritted her teeth, steeled her heart, closed her eyes, and leaned her face forward...
Come on, let the slap be even more forceful! Preferably enough to swell it for ten days and half a month, the kind that would make headlines immediately!
However, one second, two seconds, three seconds passed, but the expected slap never landed.
Time seemed to stand still.
Xia Wei Liang waited for a long time, then squinted suspiciously—
Before her stood a tall, dark figure, backlit, surrounded by a cold aura, blocking her path like an impregnable fortress...