115. Severing Ties

“I…” Ji Shengxue was caught off guard by Ji Fanxing’s sudden question. Her eyes flickered nervously, and she stammered for a long time without managing to say a complete sentence.

Seeing this, Ruan Lin became even more convinced that Ji Fanxing was bullying Ji Shengxue. Burning with anger, she pointed toward the door and shouted harshly, “Ji Fanxing! Get out of here right now!”

“Mother, don’t be so hasty. Of course, I plan to leave, but I want to leave clearly and with understanding,” Ji Fanxing replied without any fear, her speech calm and precise.

“I have already confirmed that the video of me and Ning Ze from that day was fabricated. Moreover, the costume you were wearing when you fell that day has no footprints at all. In other words, I never stepped on your skirt, and your leg injury has nothing to do with me.”

Ji Shengxue’s face instantly turned pale; she hadn’t expected Ji Fanxing to investigate so thoroughly.

Trying to keep calm, she said, “There were so many people that day; maybe you’re mistaken?”

“I might be, but the camera isn’t,” Ji Fanxing retorted. “Although I was standing in a blind spot, the camera shows that the closest part of your skirt to me was this embroidered white peony patch in the upper right—and there’s not a speck of dust on it.”

As she spoke, Ji Fanxing pulled up a screenshot from the video where Ji Shengxue was being carried on a stretcher by Xu Mo, comparing it to the allegedly stepped-on part of the skirt. There was nothing.

Ji Fanxing’s gaze was sharp as she looked straight into Ji Shengxue’s eyes. “Your leg was clearly injured before filming even began, wasn’t it?”

Ji Shengxue avoided her gaze guiltily. She had practiced tirelessly before shooting to ensure a perfect performance, which overstrained her muscles and caused her injury during a spinning move. She dared not reveal the truth because admitting it meant acknowledging that the filming delay of “Dancing Wings” was her fault. Such a confession would shatter the flawless image she had painstakingly built.

“Fanxing, please stop…” Ji Shengxue’s eyes reddened, tears threatening to fall, “It was so chaotic on set, I don’t even know what happened. If admitting this makes you feel better, I’m willing to accept it…”

“Enough!” Ruan Lin snapped, unable to stand it any longer, cutting Ji Fanxing off sternly. “It’s all in the past. Why do you keep picking at it? Do you only feel satisfied by making Shengxue embarrassed?”

While Ji Fanxing confronted Ji Shengxue, the furious Ji Changming beside them gradually calmed down. Suddenly, a thought struck him—his youngest daughter’s studio was just a fledgling operation, essentially dependent on a major company for growth.

And Fengxing Entertainment was the best choice.

No wonder Ji Fanxing’s behavior had become so outrageous; she must have felt wronged. If that was the case, there was room for negotiation.

Seeing a potential turn in matters, Ji Changming’s tone softened, laced with a hint of coaxing.

“Fanxing, let’s just say Shengxue’s incident was a misunderstanding. Your studio is new, and many things are difficult to manage. Why not register it under Fengxing Entertainment? That way, you’ll have some support.”

Ji Fanxing gave him a cold look. “Just say?”

Ji Changming didn’t catch the icy tone in her voice.

“Let Shengxue’s injury go. Apologize to her and return the invitation to the National Music Exchange Conference. I’ll talk to Fengxing Entertainment and secure the best resources for you. Whatever project you want to pursue, the Ji family will back you.”

Ji Fanxing laughed bitterly, not even bothering to call him “Father.”

“Ji Changming, I earned that invitation through my own merit in the finals,” she said slowly, her tone icy. “Even if I don’t go, I won’t hand it over.”

Ji Changming’s expression darkened immediately. He slammed his hand on the table and roared,

“Ji Fanxing! Don’t forget who gave you everything you have now! Without the Ji family, you are nothing! If you keep acting so willfully, get out of this house! Never use my name in the entertainment industry again!”

“That suits me perfectly,” Ji Fanxing sneered. Without hesitation, she turned and left.

“The Ji family’s help? I’ve never needed it.” She didn’t look back, but her voice carried clearly to everyone present.

Ji Changming watched his daughter’s resolute figure, burning with anger, yet strangely, he did not stop her.

“Let her leave! Let’s see what waves she can make!” His chest heaved violently. “Leave her be until she regrets it—and then she’ll come crawling back on her knees!”

Having written a few pop songs, she already thought she had wings? Did she not realize that without the Ji family, she wouldn’t even have made it onto “The All-round Singer”? Even the invitation was the result of the family’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

In Ji Changming’s mind, Ji Fanxing was just a proud prodigy who had lost her way, but deep down, she was still the same unremarkable girl. He was certain her threat to cut ties was just hot air.

If it weren’t for President Zhao’s favor and a critical moment for his film investment, he would have gladly sent this unfilial daughter abroad, out of sight, out of mind.

“Your sister is just too impulsive. Father only wants what’s best for her,” Ji Shengxue said quietly, as if forgetting the earlier confrontation with Ji Fanxing. Concern was evident on her face.

But anyone paying close attention would notice a victorious gleam in her eyes that contradicted her worried expression.

Ji Shengxue knew she had won. From now on, no matter how talented Ji Fanxing was, she would never receive their father’s support again.

Online, the popularity of “The New Drunken Concubine” soared, quickly dominating the charts on all major music platforms.

For three consecutive days, new songs kept coming, delighting netizens. Discussions about Ji Fanxing never ceased.

“Starting a studio so recklessly is typical for Ji Shen; it makes sense with her background. Hope she keeps producing!”

“Ji Fanxing is from a prestigious entertainment family. She’s got plenty of confidence. Her father, the great director Ji Changming, must be helping her a lot.”

“Of course. Without that support, how would she get such resources? Even finding a release platform would be tough.”

“Ji Shen single-handedly made Bubble Music popular. Platform issues? Not a problem.”

“LOL, Bubble Music only has four songs. That’s just a hobby. If she’s not on the top four music platforms, it doesn’t count.”

“You don’t get her charm. Besides her music, it’s her rebellious personality—she refuses to play by the rules. Rejecting an invitation to the National Music Exchange Conference publicly? I can’t imagine what else she even cares about in the industry.”

“Hmph, if I had Ji Fanxing’s background, I wouldn’t care about anything either.”

“Right? Father’s a famous director, mother’s an actress, and her sister was a minor internet celebrity. That’s way ahead of most people. Now she even opens a studio with family connections… so jealous.”

“We’re all just NPCs; Ji Fanxing’s the real player. So envious.”

“Rumor has it that Ji Changming has always wanted to go solo. Maybe this studio is actually his doing, using his daughter’s name.”

Amid all the speculation, Ji Fanxing’s studio’s official account released explosive news:

“Effective immediately, Ms. Ji Fanxing is officially severed from the Ji family. All affairs hereafter will be independently managed by the studio.”

This announcement instantly ignited the entire internet.