After Spectating Gossip, the Entertainment Industry Thinks I’m a Big Shot – CH71

Chapter 71

System: [Back then, the grandmother abandoned her husband and daughter to elope with someone else. Years later, when she found out her daughter had married into a wealthy family, she came back to find her. The ‘fake heiress’ is actually her child from that affair. So, she took her real granddaughter and left her own younger daughter to be raised by her eldest.]

Gu Xingshi: [So the real heiress’s parents didn’t know? They never suspected anything?]

System: [Come on, who would imagine something that bizarre?]

[Besides, by then, the grandmother was in her forties, nearly fifty. Who would have guessed she was still fooling around, let alone having a child? She didn’t want to raise the kid, and her lover didn’t either, so they targeted her eldest daughter, who had married rich. It wasn’t out of love for her youngest; she just thought having another rich daughter would secure her future.]

Gu Xingshi: [So let’s clarify, System—this fake heiress is the younger half-sister of the real heiress’s mom, which actually makes her the real heiress’s aunt?]

System: [Exactly.]

Gu Xingshi: [But wasn’t it suspicious that, right after the real heiress went missing, her mom just happened to adopt a girl? Wouldn’t that raise some questions?]

System: [The grandmother claimed she was worried about her daughter’s grief and convinced her to take in another girl to ease the pain. She lied, saying the fake heiress was a relative’s child from the countryside. The real heiress’s mom thought her mother was just being thoughtful and was too moved to question it. As for the father, he saw his daughter as a tool for alliance-building, and since the fake heiress was obedient and beautiful, he didn’t mind the switch.]

Gu Xingshi: [The real heiress had it rough…]

System: [Absolutely. What’s worse, the fake heiress has known her true identity all along. When the real heiress was found and brought back, she feared losing her position and wealth, so she did everything she could to undermine her secretly. She played the innocent, helpless role in front of the family, making them resent the real heiress. They even withheld the truth from the public, so everyone assumed the real heiress was just an adopted child!]

Gu Xingshi frowned slightly, casting a thoughtful glance at Ruan Wenrou.

Ruan Wenrou suddenly felt a chill. “Mr. Gu, is there something on my face?”

Gu Xingshi blinked. “Oh, I just noticed you look a lot like your mom. Definitely her own child.”

Knowing the truth about her origins, Ruan Wenrou’s face paled slightly.

Meanwhile, Ruan Yi’s expression shifted, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind.

Since his biological daughter was born, his wife Xiang Li had been busy caring for her, and their marital intimacy had become rare. He was often away for work, only coming home to sleep, so he hadn’t kept track of what Xiang Li was up to. After their daughter went missing, Xiang Li had initially been distraught, but before long, she brought home Ruan Wenrou.

If he did the math, Ruan Wenrou was only about a year and a half younger than Ruan Xiyin. Could she be… Xiang Li’s illegitimate child?

Ruan Yi’s face darkened.

Though it seemed unlikely, once the seed of doubt was planted, it became hard to ignore.

With his mind spinning, he led Ruan Wenrou away.

Seeing their troubled expressions, Xiang Li was puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

Ruan Yi shot her a cold look.

He hadn’t thought much of it before, but the more he looked, the more he noticed the similarities in facial features between Xiang Li and Ruan Wenrou, especially around the eyes—they were almost identical, even more so than with their biological daughter, Ruan Xiyin.

Suspicion gnawed at him, and the thought that he might have been raising another man’s child for years enraged him.

Still, they were in public, and Ruan Yi managed to retain some composure, suppressing his anger. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, “We’ll talk about this at home…”

With that, he stormed off.

Confused, Xiang Li had no choice but to follow, pulling Ruan Wenrou along.

Watching them leave, Gu Xingshi couldn’t help but smile in amusement.

But in Wen Yue’s eyes, this was the first time he’d seen Gu Xingshi show such interest in a woman.

A pang of jealousy twisted in his chest, and he couldn’t resist grasping Gu Xingshi’s wrist, asking in a low voice, “Do you think she’s beautiful?”

Gu Xingshi, not thinking much of it, replied, “She’s all right.”

The answer did little to calm Wen Yue. His grip tightened slightly, drawing Gu Xingshi’s attention to him. “Then why were you staring at her?”

Only then did Gu Xingshi realize something was off. He turned and found Wen Yue’s gaze fixed intently on him.

Wen Yue’s light-colored eyes were like the calm surface of the sea, hiding a deadly undertow beneath.

His palm was warm against Gu Xingshi’s wrist, the skin there almost burning from the contact.

In that moment, Gu Xingshi once again felt the intense possessiveness radiating from Wen Yue—a force as fierce as a territorial beast protecting its domain.

And yet, strangely, beneath that possessiveness, he detected a faint hint of jealousy.

Realizing this, he looked up slightly, a calm smile playing on his lips. “I think you’re more attractive.”

The sweet scent of oranges lingered softly between them.

Gu Xingshi’s unexpected reversal caught Wen Yue off guard, his initial twinge of bitterness washed away by a sudden surge of sweetness, stirring emotions he could barely contain.

But a second later, Gu Xingshi smoothly withdrew his wrist, his tone turning brisk. “I’ll go look for some potential partners now.”

Wen Yue: “…”

*

Back at home, Ruan Yi grew angrier the more he thought about it.

As soon as he stepped out of the car, he stormed ahead without waiting for Xiang Li or Ruan Wenrou, his mind churning.

Trailing behind, Xiang Li lifted her dress, clutching Ruan Wenrou’s arm as they hurried to catch up.

“Honey, wait for me! What on earth happened?”

They entered the house one after the other, only to run into Ruan Xiyin, who had just returned herself.

Dressed simply in a T-shirt and jeans with a large bag slung over her shoulder, Ruan Xiyin froze when she saw them. She had assumed they would be out late at the banquet, so she’d let down her usual guard.

Her head lowered in frustration as she prepared for the scolding she knew was coming.

But to her surprise, Ruan Yi merely gave her a glance before moving forward in silence.

Ruan Xiyin was stunned.

Ever since she had come to live with the Ruans, Ruan Yi had never shown her any kindness. Each time he saw her in her “unbefitting” attire, he would scold her severely and tell her to learn from her younger sister, Ruan Wenrou.

Right behind him, Ruan Wenrou helped Xiang Li up the steps. They both ignored Ruan Xiyin completely, passing her without a glance as they hurried to catch up with Ruan Yi.

As Ruan Xiyin watched them rush by, makeup smeared from sweat and breathless from exertion, she was taken aback.

In her memory, Xiang Li was the epitome of a refined socialite—always with flawless makeup, her steps measured and graceful. Ruan Wenrou had perfected her mother’s poised demeanor even more so, never once appearing so disheveled.

Ruan Xiyin didn’t know what had happened, nor did she particularly care.

When she’d first returned to the Ruan family, she’d held some hope for familial love. But after two years, that hope had long been extinguished.

Suppressing the pain in her stomach, she glanced into the kitchen.

It was spotless. No one had thought to leave her any food, as usual.

With a bitter smile, Ruan Xiyin accepted this cold indifference and resignedly went to the kitchen to prepare something for herself.

Meanwhile, Xiang Li and Ruan Wenrou finally caught up to Ruan Yi.

Xiang Li, having never been in such a state, gasped for breath as she anxiously asked, “What’s wrong with you today, dear?”

Ruan Yi kept his face dark, saying nothing.

The whole way home, he’d been replaying the situation in his mind.

He wanted to investigate, but if word got out, the Ruan family’s reputation would suffer a huge blow.

Yet, if he didn’t investigate, he’d be stewing in resentment.

Xiang Li asked him repeatedly, but Ruan Yi remained silent.

Finally, she shot Ruan Wenrou a look, signaling her to try.

Ruan Wenrou, guessing at the source of Ruan Yi’s anger, felt a pang of anxiety.

But she also knew that her silence would only deepen suspicion.

Steeling herself, she spoke gently, “Dad, Mom is just worried about you…”

Ruan Yi, already agitated, snapped, “Shut up!”

Ruan Wenrou’s eyes filled with tears, and she lowered her head in hurt silence.

Xiang Li immediately stepped in to defend her. “What’s gotten into you today? Why are you taking it out on our daughter?”

Ruan Yi’s suspicions had been wavering, but seeing Xiang Li so fiercely protective of Ruan Wenrou only fueled them.

Clenching his teeth, he said, “You know very well what’s wrong with me!”

Xiang Li frowned. “What do I know? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Ruan Yi let out a cold scoff and was about to storm off to his room when he caught sight of Ruan Xiyin working in the kitchen. “Xiyin, come here.”

Ruan Xiyin froze.

The pain in her stomach was worsening.

But she knew that if she ignored Ruan Yi, the consequences would be even worse.

Suppressing the pain, she walked over to him and, following her etiquette lessons, greeted him respectfully. “What is it, Father?”

Ruan Yi frowned at her and reprimanded, “That timid, cowering attitude of yours is infuriating. You carry yourself like a peasant. Where’s your dignity as a Ruan family daughter? Straighten your back.”

Ruan Xiyin bit her lip but forced herself to stand up straight as instructed.

Ruan Yi examined her closely.

With Ruan Wenrou around, he’d never really looked at this daughter of his. Now, seeing her without distractions, he realized that while Ruan Xiyin wasn’t as delicate and compliant as Ruan Wenrou, she was still fairly attractive and had even earned her place at a prestigious university on her own merit. If she could be properly groomed, she might make a good candidate for an arranged marriage—better, at least, than letting an outsider of questionable origins like Ruan Wenrou benefit.

Meanwhile, Ruan Xiyin, sweating from the pain in her stomach, hardly noticed his scrutiny. All she wanted was for this to end quickly.

Finally, after a long silence, Ruan Yi spoke. “The Lan family is hosting a ball in a few days. Xiyin, you’ll attend with me. You’ve been back with us long enough; it’s time for you to be introduced to society.”

Ruan Wenrou’s head shot up in disbelief.

Xiang Li paused, startled. “Why would you take Xiyin? Hasn’t Wenrou always gone with you?”

Balls like these were basically matchmaking events. Ruan Wenrou was always the center of attention at such gatherings, effortlessly charming the crowd, while Ruan Xiyin was reserved and awkward—hardly a good match for this kind of occasion.

They’d been counting on Ruan Wenrou to dazzle and secure a wealthy husband. Such events had always been Ruan Wenrou’s domain, so why the sudden change?

Ruan Yi replied coldly, “Wenrou is only an adopted daughter. Xiyin is our biological child. You’d do well not to prioritize an outsider over your own family.”

Xiang Li caught a hint of warning in his tone and softened immediately. “That’s not what I meant. But you know Xiyin has never excelled in etiquette and manners. Her dancing is also just passable. Remember how she embarrassed us at the ball two years ago? Wenrou, on the other hand, is exceptional in every way. She makes us look good. I was only thinking of the Ruan family’s reputation…”

Ruan Yi’s expression wavered, looking conflicted.

Meanwhile, cold sweat trickled down Ruan Xiyin’s face, and she pressed her lips together tightly.

She’d heard this same refrain a hundred times, but it hurt no less each time.

Two years ago, she hadn’t done anything wrong at that ball; it was Ruan Wenrou’s friends who had humiliated her. But Ruan Yi and Xiang Li hadn’t believed her and even forbade her from discussing it, for fear of “damaging the Ruan family’s reputation.”

Afterward, they’d banned her from attending such events altogether.

Ruan Xiyin hadn’t minded—she’d been relieved to avoid those gatherings. But she couldn’t understand what had prompted Ruan Yi’s sudden decision to bring her along this time.

She gritted her teeth. “Wait a minute—”

But Xiang Li had already convinced Ruan Yi, who waved her off dismissively. “That’s settled. Make sure to prepare them both properly, especially Xiyin. Get rid of her small-town mannerisms…”

Xiang Li smiled sweetly. “Of course. It’ll be good for the sisters to look out for each other at the ball.”

Ruan Xiyin opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, Ruan Wenrou sidled up to her, grabbing her arm tightly and cooing, “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you, dear sister.”