The Legend of Cinderella's Counterattack

The light from the phone screen shone on my face, leaving it pale. Every word of those comments was like a sharp knife, stabbing my heart.

"Oh, so this is what you call talent? You're nothing but a copycat!"

"Poor Mr. Lu was kept in the dark and thought he had found true love. How ridiculous!"

Even worse, they dug up some of my old photos, maliciously photoshopped them, and fabricated all sorts of rumors. Seeing all that obscenity, my stomach churned, and I nearly vomited. Tears streamed uncontrollably, and I hurriedly closed the webpage, but I couldn't erase those images. Those vicious words, like a nightmare, clung to me.

"Lolo, what's wrong with you?" Yuxuan came to my side at some point. He put down the documents in his hand and asked with concern.

I hurriedly wiped away my tears and forced a smile, "Nothing, just a little tired."

He didn't suspect anything and gently embraced me, saying, "Don't worry, it will all pass." His embrace was warm and strong, and the faint scent of his cologne brought me a sense of comfort. However, those vicious comments were like maggots, lingering and gnawing at my heart. I began to doubt myself, my work, my love, and even the meaning of my existence.

I leaned weakly on his shoulder and asked in a trembling voice: "Yuxuan, can I really do this? Do I really have the ability to finish the game? Am I really worthy of your love?"

He held my face in his hands, his eyes firm yet gentle, "Of course! You are very talented, I believe in you! You deserve all the good things in this world, including my love!"

His words warmed me, but the dark cloud lingered. I knew I had to overcome this hostility and regain my confidence to move on. But how could I withstand this relentless onslaught? I became withdrawn, unwilling to touch anything design-related, and even began avoiding Yuxuan's gaze. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't control myself.

All of this was observed by the attentive Yuxuan. He looked at me with eyes full of worry, but said nothing... Chenxi seemed to notice that something was wrong with me. She put down the design draft in her hand and looked at me worriedly, "Lolo, what's wrong with you recently? Is the competition putting too much pressure on you?"

I forced a smile, "It's okay, I just need a little time to adjust."

"Don't hold on any longer. We're all worried about you." My best friend came over and held my hand. "Tell me what's wrong. We'll find a solution together."

Their concern warmed my heart, and I couldn't help but tell them about the comments and photos.

After hearing this, Chenxi angrily slammed the table and said, "These people are simply too much! They don't understand you at all, why do they treat you like this?!"

"That's right, don't take their words to heart." My best friend also comforted me, "You are our most powerful Luo Luo, don't let these rumors bring you down!"

Their words flowed like a warm current into my heart. I knew they truly cared about me and hoped I could cheer up.

At this time, the doorbell rang, and the housekeeper came in and said respectfully: "Miss Lin, a gentleman wants to see you."

I was a little confused. Who would come to see me at this time?

The butler continued, "He said he was visiting you on behalf of his family."

I was shocked. Could it be...

I took a deep breath, stood up, and walked into the living room. A vigorous old man in a Tang suit sat on the sofa, sipping his tea.

"You are..." I asked tentatively.

The old man put down his teacup and looked at me kindly, "Child, I am the representative of the Lu family. You can call me Uncle Li."

I understood in my heart, it seemed that Yuxuan had already told the family about my affairs.

Uncle Li motioned me to sit down, then slowly said, "I heard you've been in some trouble recently, so I came to see you."

I said a little embarrassedly: "I'm sorry to have worried you, I'm fine."

Uncle Li smiled faintly. "Son, I know you're upset, but you have to remember that we in the Lu family will never be defeated by difficulties! Throughout our family's history, there have been many moments of doubt and challenges, but our ancestors always held on to their beliefs and ultimately overcame difficulties and achieved success."

He paused, then continued, "I believe you have the courage and ability to do so."

Uncle Li's words were like a bright light, illuminating the haze in my heart. Yes, I can't just give up like this! I still have dreams, a lover, and friends and family who support me. I can't let them down!

With everyone's care and encouragement, my mood gradually stabilized, but the self-doubt deep in my heart was not completely eliminated, but was temporarily suppressed. I told myself to cheer up and not be swallowed by these dark clouds.

After Uncle Li left, I sat alone in the empty living room, unable to calm down for a long time. His words, like a warm current, warmed my cold heart, but also like a sharp knife, ruthlessly exposing the scars I had deliberately concealed.

I stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the busy streets, my mind racing. Yes, I can't be defeated like this. I still have dreams, I still have loved ones, and I still have friends and family who support me. I can't let them down, and I can't let myself down.

"What are you thinking about?" A familiar voice sounded behind me, with a hint of worry and doting.

I turned around and saw Lawrence Lu standing at the door. Facing the backlight, I couldn’t see his expression, but I could sense the concern in his tone.

"Nothing, just thinking about something." I forced a smile, not wanting him to worry about me.

He came over and gently held me in his arms, "Don't worry, everything will be fine."

His embrace was as warm and powerful as ever, making me feel incredibly safe. I buried my head in his chest, reveling in this moment of peace.

"Am I useless?" After a long silence, I asked in a low voice, with a hint of sob in my voice.

"Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about?" He stroked my hair gently, his tone gentle but firm, "You are the bravest and most talented girl I have ever met. Don't deny yourself just because of someone else's unreasonable behavior."

“But…” I wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Lawrence Lu.

"I know what you're worried about," he said, holding my face in his hands, his gaze deep and serious. "Those rumors are just nonsense spread by some clowns. Don't pay any attention to them. Just remember that I'm always by your side and will always support you."

His words, like a reassurance, gradually calmed my flustered heart. Yes, I still have him, and so many people who love me. I shouldn't be defeated by these meaningless rumors.

“I have an idea,” Lawrence Lu said suddenly, with a cunning glint in his eyes, “There is a small fashion competition recently, and I would like to invite you to participate as my partner, how about it?”

I looked at him in surprise, "Me?"

"Yes, it's you," he nodded affirmatively, "I believe in your ability, and I hope you can regain your confidence through this competition."

His proposal tempted me, but I was also hesitant. I was afraid I would fail again and disappoint his expectations.

As if seeing my concerns, Lawrence Lu smiled and said, "Don't worry, this competition is just a small friendly match. The important thing is to participate. Just think of it as a chance to relax and unwind."

He said that, what else could I say? I took a deep breath and nodded, "Okay, I promise you."

"That's right!" Lu Yuxuan showed a relieved smile on his face, "I believe you can do it."

I looked at him, my heart filled with gratitude and moved. I knew that he wanted to help me get out of the haze and regain my confidence in this way.

I must give my all in this competition and live up to his efforts!

Standing backstage, my palms were soaked with sweat. The lights, the stage, the judges—everything made me nervous, as if I were transported back to a time in the past I couldn't bear to look back on.

"Lolo, don't be nervous, just treat it as a normal practice, I believe in you!" Chenxi held my hand and cheered me up.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm my pounding heart. Lawrence Lu stood beside me, his eyes full of encouragement and support, which made me feel a little more at ease.

The competition went much smoother than I expected. I poured all my hard work and creativity into my design, striving for perfection in every detail. When I finished my presentation, the audience applauded enthusiastically, and the judges gave it high praise.

"Ms. Lin, your designs are very creative and inspiring. I can tell you have a unique understanding and appreciation of fashion."

“I admire the passion and power contained in your work. It makes me feel the determination and courage deep in your heart.”

Listening to the judges' words, I felt immensely gratified and proud, and the weight that weighed on my heart seemed to lift a little. Yes, I can't deny myself just because someone else is being malicious. I still have dreams, I still have a loved one, and I still have friends and family who support me. I can't let them down, and I can't let myself down either.

However, just as we were about to leave the competition venue, a figure quietly appeared in front of me. He was wearing a peaked cap with the brim pulled down low, so I couldn't see his face clearly, but he exuded a cold aura that made me shudder.

He handed me a piece of paper and quickly disappeared into the crowd. I unfolded the paper and saw only one sentence written on it:

"Do you think you can get rid of the past like this?"

That short sentence, like a sharp blade, pierced my heart. I felt dizzy, and the confidence I had just built up collapsed in an instant. The images I had deliberately forgotten resurfaced in my mind, drowning me like a tide.

“Lolo, what’s wrong with you?” Lawrence Lu noticed something was wrong with me and asked with concern.

I shook my head helplessly, clutching the note tightly in my palm, my fingertips nearly piercing the paper. I couldn't answer his question, because I didn't know what was wrong with me. I only knew that the shadow of those malice had never truly left me.

After returning home, I locked myself in my room and let the tears flow freely. I asked myself over and over again, what had I done wrong? Why did those people treat me like this? Could it be that I could never break free from the shadow of the past and start a new life?

After returning home, I locked myself in my room and let the tears blur my eyes. The handwriting on the note seemed to have a magical power, constantly echoing in my mind, like an invisible sharp blade, cutting into pieces the confidence I had worked so hard to build.

Lawrence Lu knocked on the door worriedly, “Lolo, are you okay? What happened?”

I hurriedly wiped away my tears, took a deep breath, and tried to make my voice sound calmer. "I'm fine, just a little tired. I want to be alone for a while."

"Are you really okay? You don't look well." His tone was full of worry.

"It's really okay, you don't have to worry about me, I just need to rest for a while." I suppressed the bitterness in my heart and said it casually.

After hearing my answer, Lawrence Lu was silent for a while, but eventually he left. As I listened to his footsteps fade away, I could no longer control my emotions and let my tears burst forth.

I curled up in the corner of the room, and those unbearable scenes from the past kept flashing through my mind: the ridicule, the sarcasm, the malicious slander, like an indelible nightmare, tightly wrapped around me and making it difficult for me to breathe.

"Do you think you can get rid of the past like this?" Those words were like a spell, constantly echoing in my ears, dragging me into an endless abyss.

I covered my ears in agony, trying to block out the voices, but they seemed to be ingrained in my mind, unable to be shaken off. I began to doubt myself, wondering if I truly had the ability to change my fate, if I could truly escape the shadows of the past and start anew.

"No, I won't give in!" I shouted in my heart, but my voice sounded so weak and pale.

Outside the window, the night was deep, like a huge net that trapped me, leaving me with nowhere to escape. I closed my eyes in pain, letting despair and helplessness swallow me up.

Am I really going to live my whole life in the shadow of the past? Do I really want to let those malicious people succeed? No, I won't! My life should be controlled by me, not by those malicious people! But how can I completely break free from these shadows and rediscover my strong and confident self?

I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. The occasional car horn outside the window only added to the silence and my loneliness. I don't know how long I lay like this, until the sky gradually turned pale, signaling the arrival of a new day. Only then did I wearily close my eyes and drift off into a deep sleep.