Chapter 2: I'll Twist Your Head Right Off!

“Li…Little Deer?” Seeing her remain silent, Shen Xinluo waved a hand before her eyes. “Little Deer, don’t scare your sister. Say something, please.”

Bai Lu gazed back at Shen Xinluo, and the warmth in her eyes faded away inch by inch, turning to ice.

It was this delicate, gentle, and defenseless face that had deceived her.

After being adopted by the Shen family at the age of six, she, an orphan, had been pushed into child stardom by her adoptive father, who worked at a television station. He treated her like a money tree, relentlessly accepting job offers for her, squeezing every ounce from her childhood.

From the very first meeting, she had seen the greed and ambition burning in Mr. and Mrs. Shen's eyes. Yet, she had failed to see through Shen Xinluo’s true nature. She had trusted her unreservedly, giving Shen Xinluo the perfect opportunity to frame her.

She had only herself to blame for trusting the wrong person. So she made no effort to explain, instead staging an act of madness, feigning insanity to have herself committed to a mental institution—a form of self-imposed exile, a punishment for her own naïveté.

By the time she learned that Shen Xinluo had stolen her identity and her father, she was already broken, unfit to reclaim her place.

Lu Yiting, for over twenty years since his debut, had maintained a spotless reputation—no scandals, no negative reviews. He was devoted to charity, an outstanding actor with impeccable character, a top figure in the entertainment world.

She could not become the sole stain on his impeccable life.

Lu Yiting was willing to take the blame for his daughter, but a man of such integrity could not endure such disgrace. In the end, death was his only escape.

It was Shen Xinluo who drove her father to his death. Shen Xinluo must pay the price.

With this thought, a crazed and vengeful expression twisted Bai Lu’s pale face.

Shen Xinluo was frightened by her appearance, her voice trembling as she called, “Little Deer?”

Bai Lu stared at her, and then, suddenly, she burst into wild, unrestrained laughter. “Hahahahahaha—”

Her laughter rang out, reckless and mad.

At eighteen, she had not been disgraced or ruined; no scandal clung to her. She was still the nation’s beloved daughter, cherished by all. Shen Xinluo had not succeeded in her scheme to replace her as Lu Yiting’s daughter, the heiress of the Lu family.

Everything was just beginning. Everything could still be set right.

Shen Xinluo, shaken by her laughter, shrieked and ran out. “Ahhh—Bai Lu’s hit her head! Doctor! Doctor! Bai Lu’s gone mad!”

Amid her wild laughter, Bai Lu fell silent.

Soon, the hurried footsteps in the corridor reached the door. The door swung open, and a dozen people in white coats filed in, pressing Shen Xinluo and her parents to the back.

Bai Lu’s sharp gaze caught a furtive figure lurking near the door.

Even with a hat and mask, she recognized him instantly.

Zhuo Wei—the number one unscrupulous paparazzo in the entertainment world. For the sake of headlines and traffic, there was no line he wouldn’t cross—not morals, not the law.

Bai Lu’s eyes flickered.

Right now, she had reasons she could not afford to openly confront the Shen family. She couldn’t expose Shen Xinluo or her adoptive parents just yet.

But that didn’t matter. There was time ahead. She would play this game with Shen Xinluo—slowly and thoroughly.

For today, a little appetizer would suffice.

Bai Lu pulled the blanket up over her mouth and nose, leaving only her timid, dewy eyes exposed.

In her previous life, countless distinguished directors had praised these eyes, claiming they spoke volumes—so lively and full of spirit.

“With such expressive eyes, Little Deer isn’t just blessed by fate—she’s got fortune itself chasing after her, spoon-feeding her success!”

Great acting comes from great eyes.

Little Deer debuted at seven in an ice cream commercial, and by eighteen, she was already the nation’s darling. Not everyone could earn the title of “national treasure.”

The lead doctor, his hair white as snow, felt his heart shatter at the sight of those reddened, innocent eyes.

This was his beloved granddaughter!

He hurried to her side, bending over and speaking gently, “Where does it hurt, Little Deer? Tell Grandpa Doctor.”

Bai Lu blinked, innocent as a newborn, gazing at him with wide, curious eyes. Her voice was soft and childlike. “Little Deer?”

The old doctor’s heart sank. She must have fallen and lost her memory. He waved Shen Xinluo and her parents over.

“Do you recognize them?” he asked softly.

Bai Lu fixed her gaze on Shen Xinluo, furrowing her brows and wrinkling her nose as though struggling to recall something.

After a few seconds, her expression changed abruptly. She shrank back under the covers, trembling, her moist eyes filling with terror and distress—tears welled up at once.

All eyes in the room turned suspiciously to Shen Xinluo.

Panic seized Shen Xinluo. “No, I didn’t—I didn’t mean to. It was an accident, I only bumped into her—”

“Bai Lu hasn’t said a word, and you’re already explaining yourself. Shen Xinluo, the guilt is written all over your face.” A doctor stepped out from the medical staff, back turned to the bed.

Bai Lu was stunned. Who was this? Where had this scene-stealer come from?

“You and Bai Lu are sisters, both child stars. Bai Lu’s already the nation’s darling, starring in lead roles, while you’re still playing bit parts. Even this role you owe to Bai Lu’s connections. Can you truly say you’re not jealous of her?”

Every word struck Shen Xinluo to the core.

At eighteen, Shen Xinluo was still green, far from the cunning she would later develop. The panic on her face nearly betrayed her.

But Shen’s mother, Wu Liping, was seasoned and stepped forward, shielding her daughter. “Doctor, please, don’t make baseless accusations. The production team called the police immediately after the incident. The authorities have already investigated everything. If you have doubts, take it up with them. As a mother, I may be biased toward my daughter, but the police are not. Falsely accusing a young girl without cause is truly disgraceful.”

Shen Xinluo started sobbing beside her, as if suffering the world’s greatest injustice.

Wu Liping was notorious in the entertainment industry for her sharp tongue and caustic wit. She gave the doctor no chance to reply, her words firing off like a machine gun.

“These past weeks, we’re grateful for your care, Doctor. I can see you’re a fan of Bai Lu, and it’s normal if you dislike or even resent Xinluo for that. But to distort the truth, to slander and defame my daughter—well, I have every right to hold you legally accountable. And I must ask, Doctor, do you honor the white coat you wear?”

Bai Lu’s gaze turned icy as she stared at Wu Liping.

Slander, distortion, twisting the truth—who, exactly, was guilty of those crimes?

And bullying my fans?

Did you borrow courage from Liang Jingru?

I’ll twist your head off!