Chapter 4: The Truth

Shocking news! Du Xingyuan, CEO of Star Entertainment, cheats with a notorious female celebrity, betraying his girlfriend with her best friend!

Annual scandal! Star Entertainment's CEO caught soliciting prostitutes—his partner is revealed to be the infamous actress's best friend...

The drama escalates! Star Entertainment's CEO denies involvement in prostitution but admits his new girlfriend is the rising star Ning Lan.

Several explosive reports soared to the top of Weibo’s trending list, each with tens of millions of shares and comments.

Opening the trending posts, the accompanying image showed the “sweet little flower” caught by the police, disheveled in the infamous man's villa. Ning Lan’s clothes were relatively intact, her influencer face full of panic and unease. Du Xingyuan, on the other hand, was half-dressed, with large bruises across his body, unmistakably the aftermath of the event.

Yun Fu curled her lips; clearly those men hadn't gone easy on Du Xingyuan.

The comment section was ablaze.

Heavens, I’ve eaten so much gossip today my stomach’s full. To sum up: my least favorite actress was cheated on by her boyfriend, and the other woman is her best friend? I never liked any of these three, and now it’s just one word: perfect.

Look at those marks on Du Xingyuan! Who would have thought someone so prim and proper is into such kinky stuff? Is he a masochist?

Never thought he had a submissive streak—how wild must his private life be...

I really dislike Yun Fu, but cheating is definitely Du Xingyuan’s fault. He betrayed Yun Fu with her best friend—never underestimate the saying: beware of your best friend.

So, did Du Xingyuan use his power over Ning Lan, or are they in league together?

None of these three are decent; I’m so disgusted I could vomit!

Birds of a feather. If Yun Fu ended up with trash like Du Xingyuan, her taste must be terrible.

Yun Fu scrolled through the top comments, noticing the clear polarization of public opinion. It was obvious Du Xingyuan was blatantly cheating, but Yun Fu’s reputation online was so poor that many mindless netizens insulted all three together.

Of course, there were voices sympathizing with Yun Fu, defending her predicament.

This ‘victim-blaming’ narrative is just absurd. Yun Fu is simply a mediocre actress with little public favor, but how is being cheated on her fault? Clearly, she’s the most innocent!

Yun Fu smiled, about to close the comment section when her phone pushed another news alert.

Hot, hot, hot! Star Entertainment’s CEO Du Xingyuan faces the press to clarify!

She opened her phone to see the scumbag and his mistress surrounded by reporters as they left the police station. When faced with sharp questions, he replied:

“I’m sorry for using public resources. Originally, I wanted to wait for a suitable opportunity to explain, but things have escalated unexpectedly.

I don’t know who maliciously reported us, but I want everyone to know... Ning Lan and I are boyfriend and girlfriend, it’s neither prostitution nor cheating. In fact, I broke up with Yun Fu a year ago.”

“What? If you broke up, why didn’t you announce it?”

“Exactly, why did you keep attending events together? Do you think we’re children who’ll believe such lies, Mr. Du?”

Du Xingyuan’s expression didn’t falter as he responded:

“The reason I didn’t make it public was to protect Yun Fu.”

“What?”

“To protect her?”

Yun Fu watched the video and burst out laughing. The scumbag truly had a silver tongue—he could turn black into white.

“Yes, we broke up a year ago. Ning Lan and I are in a legitimate relationship. You’ve seen Yun Fu’s condition; she actually developed depression six months ago. We had to suppress our feelings, afraid of upsetting her, so we never told her, worried it would affect her. I never expected things would turn out like this. Now, I want to say to Yun Fu: I’m sorry.”

On screen, Du Xingyuan’s face was full of remorse.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have fallen in love with your best friend Ning Lan. But feelings are beyond my control... I’m sorry, I wanted to protect you but still hurt you... Forgive me.”

Du Xingyuan truly deserved the title of king of scumbags. With a few twisted words and the company’s PR spinning the narrative, he successfully washed himself clean.

Even the comment section started speaking up for him.

Yun Fu lost interest. She scoffed softly, switched to her own social media page, and posted a new tweet.

Some people simply aren’t worth it.

If I really had depression, I should have jumped to my death right now.

Thank you, Mr. Du, for your interpretation.

Wishing you both well: a whore and a dog, may you last forever.

The accompanying image was the meme of a subway grandpa staring at his phone.

After posting, she closed her phone, took a shower, and applied a face mask.

Yun Fu had no idea: after her tweet, Du Xingyuan’s clarifications were instantly overturned, and public opinion reversed yet again—this time, even more fiercely.

Twenty minutes later, Yun Fu saw over twenty missed calls on her phone.

All from Du Xingyuan.

He still had the nerve to call her?

Yun Fu sneered, poured herself a glass of red wine, took an elegant sip, and leisurely answered the call.

“Yun Fu! Are you insane?! You’re still under contract with the company—what do you think you’re doing, posting on Weibo without permission?! I know you’re angry, but I’ve fallen for Ning Lan. No matter how much you fight, nothing will change. I’m giving you a chance: if you know what’s good for you, admit on Weibo you have depression, say you’re mentally unstable. If not, don’t blame me for blacklisting you.”

Even across the phone, Yun Fu could hear the man’s explosive fury, practically spitting with rage.

“Mr. Du, let’s terminate the contract.”

“Terminate?” He laughed contemptuously. “Yun Fu, the penalty is five million! You heard me—it’s a legal document! If you breach the contract and can’t pay, you’ll go to jail!”

“Well, you’ll be disappointed then.”

The angrier he became, the brighter Yun Fu’s smile.

“The money is already transferred. Open your dog eyes and check—now get lost.”

That little sum—she’d make him cough up dozens of times more sooner or later!

After hanging up, Yun Fu swirled her wine in the glass and took a gentle sip.

Just then, a strange number called.

She answered, and a cold, emotionless male voice came through.

“Miss Yun, the old lady’s condition has worsened.”

Worsened?

“That’s impossible.” Yun Fu set down her wine. “Did you use my prescription?”

“Lian Bingqing replaced the medicine without authorization, causing the old lady’s condition to deteriorate. Things are very grim—please come at once.”

“...All right.”

Yun Fu hung up and stood.

That Lian family heiress was truly a handful.