Chapter 33
Wen Yue knew that Feng Tingyun was a tough nut to crack, and he’d begun making preparations several years prior.
Back then, Yinan Films had just undergone a leadership change. The new CEO, Deng Haiyue, had recently returned from studying abroad, filled with ambition and eager to make a name for himself in the domestic market.
Wen Yue had encountered young Deng at a banquet, where he was enthusiastically promoting Hollywood’s producer-centric model.
Wen could tell right away that Deng’s ambition was far greater than his actual ability, and that he harbored resentment over Yinan’s long standing association with Feng Tingyun.
As the saying goes, a fortress is easiest to breach from within.
Especially one already showing cracks.
Wen discreetly positioned people around Deng, feeding his ego and subtly disparaging Feng.
With his prickly, uncompromising nature, Feng treated Deng as he did everyone else on set—with no regard for rank, showing him no deference whatsoever.
Deng grew increasingly bitter toward him. Adding fuel to the fire, Feng’s last film, affected by his friend’s betrayal, hadn’t done as well as expected, deepening Deng’s dissatisfaction.
Wen had known for some time that Deng had been meeting with other investors who also held grudges against Feng, likely up to no good. He’d planned to use this as leverage to approach Feng.
But, unexpectedly, before Wen could act, Feng had approached him first, expressing willingness to collaborate.
It was entirely unforeseen.
Wen clearly remembered Feng’s attitude at the [Boy Group Training Camp] celebration banquet; he’d made it obvious that he wasn’t interested in a partnership. Wen had prepared himself for a prolonged battle of attrition.
Yet it hadn’t been long at all, and Feng, usually so stubborn, had suddenly changed his stance.
What had swayed him?
Or rather, who had swayed him?
Wen Yue wasn’t one to be swept away by unexpected gains. Keeping his composure, he instructed Tang Ling to investigate.
It didn’t take long for Tang Ling to uncover the truth.
As Tang reported his findings, an image of the young man surfaced in Wen’s mind.
The youth’s smile was as clear as spring water, with a carefree ease that could dissolve anyone’s wariness.
Gu Xingshi…
The name lingered on Wen’s lips for a moment, carrying a faint hint of orange blossom.
Tang Ling paused, unsure whether to continue.
Wen Yue raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”
Tang Ling continued, “I heard that when President Gu advised Director Feng, he mentioned you. He said that, while you’re ambitious and have a strong need for control, you tend to focus on the bigger picture and respect professionals’ expertise. And… he also said that although people often describe you as ruthless and merciless, you’re actually principled and would never resort to petty tricks like betrayal or sabotage. He said that many who end up in trouble aren’t brought down by you but rather by their own greed…”
A slight reaction flickered in Wen’s expression.
He was well aware of the public perception of him but had never given it much thought.
He knew exactly who he was, and what others said was little more than background noise—like flies buzzing—hardly capable of affecting him.
But he hadn’t expected that, amidst so much slander, someone would see him so clearly.
For a moment, he felt as if he’d drunk a bowl of cool water on a hot summer day, a refreshing chill spreading through him from head to toe.
After a pause, he said, “President Gu has done me a great service. Although it’s best not to publicize this, he deserves a reward. Look into it quietly, make it thoughtful, and be sure not to alert him.”
“Yes, sir,” Tang Ling replied.
However, as he walked out of Wen Yue’s office, he frowned.
Wen Yue was never one to owe favors, so Tang Ling understood why he wanted to repay this one. But what did he mean by “make it thoughtful”?
Wen Yue had never given such vague instructions before.
And on top of that, there was another strict requirement—not to alert Gu Xingshi.
For the first time, the ever-capable Special Assistant Tang felt at a loss.
After pondering it for a while, he finally thought of someone: Sun Hongfei.
Tang Ling recalled that Sun often interacted with Gu Xingshi, and they seemed to get along well. He should know Gu’s preferences better than most. Plus, Sun Hongfei was known for being tight-lipped.
Tang remembered an incident in Dunhai City when Shen Yu had faced a private fan issue at a Wen Group hotel. Sun had likely known the details, yet after Tang warned him, there hadn’t been a single leak of information.
Satisfied that Sun could keep this discreet, Tang Ling immediately gave him a call.
Sun Hongfei was startled by the unexpected call, but after Tang Ling explained his purpose, he relaxed right away.
I knew it!
For all that Wen Yue and Gu Xingshi pretended to be distant in public, they were always thinking about each other behind the scenes.
Sun thumped his chest confidently, “Special Assistant Tang, you can count on me. I, Old Sun, know President Gu like the back of my hand!”
Tang Ling was slightly taken aback by his confidence and asked hesitantly, “You’re sure you can handle this?”
Sun Hongfei replied, “Absolutely! If I mess this up, you can take my head!”
Tang Ling: “…”
Tang Ling: “No need for that. Just remember, President Wen also requested that you don’t alert President Gu. You understand?”
“Understood!” Sun Hongfei nodded eagerly. “No one understands better than me!!”
Ah, it’s just a classic case of a couple quarreling! They clearly care about each other but are too proud to admit it!
He couldn’t believe that beneath Wen Yue’s cool exterior lay such an awkwardly reserved side.
Though Tang Ling felt that Sun was a bit too excited, he figured that working directly for President Wen was a rare privilege. Many people would jump at the chance, so maybe a bit of enthusiasm was only natural.
Tang had heard people describe Sun Hongfei as something of a slacker who avoided responsibility, but now it seemed he was passionate and reliable.
After reiterating his instructions one last time, Tang Ling finally hung up, feeling reassured.
Sun Hongfei rubbed his hands together in excitement.
At last, he had a chance to shine. He was going to make sure President Gu ‘felt’ President Wen’s love!
*
“Achoo!” Gu Xingshi sneezed.
Meng Yuansheng immediately looked over. “President Gu, are you alright? Did you catch a cold?”
“Probably not.” Gu Xingshi rubbed his nose, muttering, “Feels more like someone’s talking about me behind my back.”
Cheng Xin chimed in, “I think so, too. Otherwise, how’d you end up here with us?”
Gu Xingshi sighed, “A Xin, the polite thing to do right now would be to keep quiet.”
Cheng Xin raised an eyebrow.
Meng Yuansheng quickly made a zipping motion across Cheng Xin’s mouth. “Alright, now go find our teammates and double-check tomorrow’s schedule.”
With a reluctant “Oh,” Cheng Xin left the room.
The group was in the small northern city of Baishan, shooting a music video for their new album.
Since this was a group activity, Gu Xingshi technically didn’t need to be there, but after receiving special attention from Wen Yue and Feng Tingyun at the previous event, numerous people had started trying to approach those two through him.
Fed up with the attention, Gu Xingshi decided to tag along with Meng Yuansheng and the team.
Since the shoot would take two or three days, Gu Xingshi found himself bored at the hotel and decided to explore the city.
Now that he had a little money, he wasn’t stingy about it and hired a local tour guide.
The guide, named Lin, was bright and talkative, and he hadn’t stopped chatting since he met Gu Xingshi.
Although Baishan wasn’t a large city, its scenery was beautiful, and it had some charming cultural sites. Gu listened contentedly to the guide’s detailed explanations.
As they strolled, they passed a particularly grand building.
Compared to the rustic charm of the surroundings, this building was overly extravagant, standing out like a sore thumb.
Gu Xingshi asked curiously, “Guide Lin, what’s this place?”
Guide Lin frowned slightly, then curled his lip dismissively. “That’s Tongfu Electronics, our city’s main industry.”
As someone well-versed in spotting gossip, Gu Xingshi instantly sensed there was a story here from the guide’s expression. He perked up and asked, “If it’s the backbone of the city, why do you seem so unhappy about it?”
Guide Lin sighed. “Tongfu was originally founded by three brothers from the Lin family. It was a source of pride for our city back in the day, creating a lot of jobs. My aunt even worked there. But then something happened, and Tongfu ended up in the hands of the youngest brother. Now, he’s completely under his wife’s thumb, and she’s stuffed the company with her own relatives, turning the place into a total mess.”
“About a year ago, something awful happened. This youngest brother’s brother-in-law took a liking to one of the interns—a young girl—and assaulted her, driving her to commit suicide. When the case went public, that scumbag denied everything, saying the girl seduced him because she was after his money. What a shameless pig.”
“I heard the girl had it rough. Her parents passed away early, and she only had her brother, who worked far away to support her through college. Who would’ve expected… After she died, the Lin family didn’t just refuse to apologize—they held onto her body, forcing her brother to sign a waiver giving up any compensation before they’d release her remains. Honestly, people like that don’t fear karma, but they should.”
Gu Xingshi felt a pang of empathy for the girl’s brother. “And after that?”
“The brother signed the agreement, buried his sister, and then disappeared. No one knows where he is now.” Guide Lin’s expression turned somber as he finished.
Feeling a heavy sadness himself, Gu Xingshi ended the tour early that day and returned to the hotel.
To his surprise, when he got back, he found Meng Yuansheng sitting by the window, lost in thought.
“What’s up? Did something go wrong with the shoot today?”
Gu Xingshi’s voice snapped Meng Yuansheng out of his thoughts, and he shook his head. “No, everything went fine.”
“Then…?”
Meng Yuansheng took out his phone and showed Gu a message.
Gu Xingshi understood instantly.
Ever since finding out that Jiang Mo wasn’t his real savior, Meng had been determined to find the person who had actually saved his life.
So, right after the finale, he’d hired someone to investigate.
He remembered the hospital from back then, as well as the date of the incident, and this helped him quickly identify the name the boy had registered under.
The boy was named Qin Wen, and he had been only eleven years old when he saved Meng. Although the address on record was vague, the investigators had managed to track down some information. However, Qin Wen’s family had long since moved away.
According to some old residents in the area, Qin Wen’s family had come from another town. His parents ran a small food stall, and he had a younger sister named Qin Yue.
The two siblings were well-known for their good looks. Qin Yue was gentle and introverted, while Qin Wen was tough and quiet. He had a reputation for being strong, practically the leader among the local kids.
Later, however, Qin Wen’s grandparents had an accident, and his parents closed their stall to return to their hometown.
Due to the time that had passed, no one could remember where exactly their hometown was, only that it was somewhere in the northern region.
The message Meng Yuansheng received was from the investigator he’d hired.
But in a country as vast as China, with no specific address, trying to locate one person in a sea of people was incredibly difficult.
The investigator had tactfully suggested to Meng Yuansheng that finding Qin Wen would likely take an enormous amount of time and effort, and it might be best to let it go.
Frustrated and unwilling to give up, Meng had retreated to process his disappointment alone—until Gu Xingshi happened to notice.
Just as Gu was about to console him, the system suddenly chimed in, [Hey! I’ve got some gossip here, and it’s from someone named Qin Wen!]
Gu Xingshi perked up immediately. [What gossip? Tell me!]
System: [Remember what that guide told you today about Tongfu Electronics?]
Gu Xingshi, already connecting the dots, felt a growing sense of unease. [The young girl whose parents passed away, who relied on her brother, and who lived in the north… don’t tell me her brother’s name was Qin Wen?]
System: [Bingo! Qin Wen’s grandparents both suffered strokes, so his parents sold their home and business to bring the family back to Baishan City. Initially, they were doing alright, and his parents had plans to reopen their shop. But then, tragedy struck. The shop caught fire, and Qin Wen’s parents died in the blaze. His grandparents couldn’t bear the shock and passed away shortly after.]
[Qin Wen was in his last year of high school at the time, and he’d been doing well academically. But to support his family, he gave up his studies and started working to provide for his younger sister. He was talented and hardworking, managing to put his sister through college and even taking out a loan to buy a small apartment. His plan was to have her live with him after she graduated.]
[Qin Yue was considerate, too. Her internship was supposed to be with a company in another province, but that would’ve cost a few thousand extra for travel and living expenses. Not wanting to burden her brother, she chose a closer option at Tongfu Electronics. Who could’ve imagined that would be her final decision…]
Gu Xingshi’s brow furrowed deeply, and a heavy feeling settled over him.
He couldn’t help but recall an old saying: Misfortune always strikes the already unfortunate.
Unable to contain his concern, he asked, [And what about Qin Wen?]
System: [Qin Wen? Oh, now this is where it gets intense.]
[After arranging his sister’s funeral, Qin Wen sold their apartment and set out to avenge her. He was just an ordinary guy going up against a powerful family, so he came up with a plan. He’d disguise himself and infiltrate their lives, gathering evidence of their crimes. He even created an elaborate strategy, learning skills for various roles and professions to pull it off.]
[A few months ago, he returned to Baishan City under multiple fake identities, each one bringing him closer to those who wronged his sister. In just a few months, he’s been playing them like a fiddle—they follow his every word…]
Gu Xingshi was stunned. [They must’ve seen him before, right? How could they not recognize him?]
System: [Someone has indeed seen him, but when Qin Wen came back to attend the funeral, he was disheveled, and he didn’t eat or sleep well in those few days, so he looked very thin. When he appeared again, he was bright and handsome, and his temperament was completely different. In addition, he not only pretended to be a man, but also a woman. Who could have imagined this?]
Gu Xingshi: [……]
System: [In short, Qin Wen not only deceived them, but also successfully obtained evidence of their crimes. He originally planned to send the evidence to the provincial government, but he made a mistake and was discovered. While escaping, he was caught. Fortunately, he was well prepared and hid the evidence.]
[The Tongfu people had been doing business here for many years and had a stronger relationship than Qin Wen, so they turned the tables and put Qin Wen in a detention center on charges of fraud, hoping to get back the evidence of the crime, but Qin Wen never gave in.]
Gu Xingshi immediately stood up angrily.
This is really terrible!
Regardless of whether Qin Wen is Meng Yuansheng’s benefactor or not, he will take care of this matter! !
*
That night, many people noticed that the account “Gossip System #10086” had posted yet another update on Weibo.
This mysterious figure’s previous posts had sparked major waves in the entertainment world. Netizens both eagerly awaited and dreaded new revelations.
But when they clicked on the latest post, they found that Gossip System #10086 wasn’t dishing out celebrity gossip this time—it was a piece of social news.
*
Netizen:
[OMG! This gossip is from my hometown! But yeah, Tongfu is a mess. I went to work there after graduation, but I couldn’t stand it and left after two weeks!]
[Assault, defamation, and even holding onto a victim’s body—an electronics factory has the audacity to do all this? Where are the police? What’s the government doing?]
[Ugh, as much as I hate to admit it, a lot of small towns are like this…]
[That poor girl. Suicide only hurts her loved ones and benefits her enemies. She was so young, and it’s understandable that she couldn’t see a way out. But at the end of the day, this is entirely the scumbag’s fault!]
[Can we boycott this company? I’ll start a petition—I don’t want to use products made by these monsters!]
[+1]
[@Lunan Provincial Police Department @Lunan Provincial Government @Related Government Agencies…is no one going to take care of this?]
*
The issue quickly reached the attention of people in Baishan City and those involved with Tongfu Electronics.
They were stunned. They hadn’t expected this scandal from a year ago to be dug up again.
Zhang Ming, the brother-in-law of Tongfu’s manager, Lin Laosan, frowned. “Could this be Qin Wen’s doing?”
“He’s sitting in a detention cell—how could he pull this off?” scoffed Zhang Li, Zhang Ming’s sister and Lin Laosan’s wife. “It’s probably some gossip someone picked up and posted online for attention. I heard that account belongs to some celebrity fan. Isn’t there a boy band in town filming something right now? This might be connected to them!”
Lin Laosan grumbled, “What business do these celebrities have meddling in this? I’ve heard their fans are intense. What if they actually find something?”
“Let them,” Zhang Li replied dismissively. “Qin Yue killed herself; as for any assault claims, it’s been a year already—what evidence could there possibly be?”
Lin Laosan sighed. “It’s not that I’m worried about. I’m worried about Qin Wen! He really does have evidence!”
Hearing this, Zhang Li grew serious. “That kid’s tough as nails; he hasn’t given in this whole time. Why don’t you get Lin Zi’an to apply some pressure?”
Lin Zi’an, Lin Laosan’s nephew, worked in the Baishan City Public Security Bureau and was handling Qin Wen’s case.
Lin Laosan stayed silent.
*
Tongfu Electronics had originally been founded by the three Lin brothers. However, Lin Laosan had used scheming tactics to seize shares from his two older brothers.
The eldest brother, devastated, passed away shortly after, leaving behind only Lin Zi’an and his mother, who struggled to make ends meet in the village.
Despite this, Lin Zi’an excelled academically, eventually becoming a police officer in Baishan City.
He appeared to hold no resentment toward Lin Laosan. Whenever they met, he warmly called him “Third Uncle,” which made Lin Laosan uneasy, as he felt guilty toward his nephew.
Not wanting to continue the conversation, Lin Laosan said, “I’ll take care of Qin Wen. As for the online noise, it’s just words with no evidence, stirring up emotions. Let it be—it’s just a bunch of keyboard warriors. They won’t have any real impact.”
Zhang Ming, frustrated by the online criticism, protested, “How can we let it go? Am I just supposed to sit here and take the abuse? Sis, hire some trolls to hit back!”
Zhang Li, always indulgent toward her brother, immediately agreed.
Soon, a new wave of comments appeared online.
*
[There’s no evidence of any assault, right? With so many things flipping nowadays, let’s not jump to conclusions.]
[I was classmates with that girl, Qin Yue. She was just trying to latch onto a rich guy. When he refused to marry her, she used suicide to threaten him but accidentally went through with it.]
[When I first saw that post from #10086, I thought there were a lot of holes in the story. But everyone just blindly sided with it. Now someone’s finally setting the record straight. No wonder #10086 is famous—they’re a master at twisting words and stirring emotions.]
[As someone who knows, I’d advise you all not to sympathize with these siblings. The sister tried to trap a rich guy, and the brother resorted to fraud when extortion failed. That’s why he’s been arrested!]
*
These comments indeed swayed some of the more uncertain netizens, sparking yet another round of arguments.
Gu Xingshi read the comments with a calm expression, unaffected.
He could tell the trolls had been hired, which was exactly what he’d expected—and part of his plan.
After all, with no hard evidence on hand, he needed something to keep the attention going. He just hadn’t expected them to play right into his hands so readily.
Satisfied that the story had gained enough traction, he had Meng Yuansheng post a Weibo update, revealing that Qin Wen was the very same “Big Brother” who had saved him as a child.
When Jiang Mo had falsely claimed to be Meng Yuansheng’s savior, it had caused a major scandal.
Everyone knew that the real hero—the boy who had saved Meng—had acted bravely and selflessly, asking for nothing in return.
How could such a person possibly be a fraud?
In this back-and-forth, the case quickly gained nationwide attention.
At this point, Meng Yuansheng’s teammates had already left Baishan City.
But after learning Qin Wen’s identity, Meng Yuansheng decided to stay.
However, the tour schedule was tight, so he could only stay for three days.
Meng Yuansheng looked at Gu Xingshi with trust, “What should we do next?”
Gu Xingshi, recalling the juicy information he’d just gotten from the system, smiled, “Find a lawyer and go see Qin Wen.”
Please give me more Melon
Its not enough