Chapter 36: The Gu Family is Over

Old Master Gu had always been healthy. His fainting was due to sheer anger. He woke up shortly after being hospitalized and ordered everyone to keep his condition secret. If word got out now, it would only worsen the situation. If Wen Ya exposed everything in anger, the Gu family would be finished.

“Suppress all negative comments about Wen Ya online. And Chengze, be prepared. Ji Ming has evidence against us but hasn’t released it yet. He’s waiting to see how we handle this. If we don’t satisfy him, and he releases everything, the Gu family is done,” Old Master Gu said, closing his eyes.

What they had fabricated now had to be undone by themselves. They had to clear Wen Ya’s name at their own expense. Old Master Gu felt a bitter taste in his mouth, struggling to breathe.

Gu Chengze lowered his head. He understood his grandfather’s meaning. His past was already known, and his reputation was ruined. It was better for him to step forward and clarify than to have the whole family exposed.

As the Gu family heir, he had been taught to prioritize the family’s interests. He knew what had to be done, but it still hurt.

“I understand. I’ll clarify and apologize to Ji Ming and Wen Ya.”

But someone was faster. Wang Chenxi posted an apology letter first.

“I’m sorry. Having just returned to China, I didn’t know much and misunderstood Wen Ya based on a friend’s words. I also made inappropriate remarks online. I sincerely apologize to Wen Ya and hope for your forgiveness.”

The post tagged Wen Ya. As onlookers were still confused, the influencers who had accused Wen Ya earlier also deleted their posts and issued apologies.

What’s happening? We haven’t even begun to grasp the situation, and suddenly it’s flipped completely.

Some people started to wonder if Ji Ming and Wen Ya had used their influence to force these apologies. If true, it would be deeply troubling.

Minutes after these speculations surfaced, Gu Chengze, one of the key figures, posted on Weibo, and the crowd quickly shifted their stance.

Gu Chengze: I’m sorry for only now addressing the online rumors. First, I must clarify that the fault for canceling the engagement lies entirely with me. I did stay with Qingqing after the engagement. The mistake has been made, and I don’t want to repeat it.

After Wen Ya returned to China, she discovered my affair with Qingqing. She proposed canceling the engagement, and I agreed. At the time, Uncle Wen had an accident, and Aunt Wen was unwell, so we kept it from our families. We had already separated privately. Wen Ya’s actions afterward were none of my concern, so there’s no question of her cheating.

Wen Ya never spoke about the last incident. I… admire her generosity and am deeply grateful. Additionally, I’ve never publicly apologized to Wen Ya. Today, Wen Ya, I’m sorry. After our engagement, I failed to sort out my feelings, causing you so much pain. I’m truly sorry. I’m happy to see you with Ji Ming and believe you’ll find happiness together.

The reversal was so swift that many hadn’t even finished digesting the initial drama before it was resolved.

Netizen 1: I told you not to jump on Wen Ya’s case too soon. Look at this twist. Regretting it now?

Netizen 2: I feel embarrassed. I even criticized Wen Ya. I suspected Ji Ming and Wen Ya pressured people into apologizing. But now Gu Chengze has come forward. Though he’s a scumbag, his courage is commendable.

Netizen 3: How do we know Gu Chengze wasn’t forced? (dog head)

Netizen 4: Where are those who bashed Wen Ya earlier? If you’re so brave, come out now. The truth is out.

Netizen 5: Brother Three is stirring the pot! If Gu Chengze was forced, Wen Ya must have solid evidence. Otherwise, why would he expose himself?

Netizen 6: Someone was clearly stirring trouble from the start. Many accused Wen Ya of cheating, but now they’re all deleting posts and apologizing. Even if big Vs can be bribed, can the Gu family? This was Gu Chengze’s chance to clear his name.

Netizen 7: Stop chatting, Ji Ming just posted on Weibo.

Everyone rushed to Ji Ming’s Weibo.

Ji Ming: On March 5th, we talked on the phone for the first time. On March 6th, we met. On April 20th, I confessed my love. On May 9th, we became a couple.

A simple timeline of their relationship.

They met on March 6th. According to Gu Chengze, Wen Ya had already broken up with him by then. Even if we ignore Gu Chengze’s timeline, Ji Ming’s first confession came after the engagement ended. So, he pursued Wen Ya after the breakup, and they officially got together last week?

Before anyone could process this, Wen Ya also posted on Weibo: “Break up, it’s none of your business. Love, it’s none of your business.”

Her commanding tone left netizens in awe.

Netizen 1: Oh my god! What a queen!

Netizen 2: Queen, I swear I’ll never believe rumors again. Even if you say shit smells good, I’ll believe it.

Netizen 3: Please leave. My goddess would never be so crude. But, Queen, you’re so domineering.

Wen Ya glanced at the comments, snorted, and replied to Wang Chenxi: “Who are you?” She then responded to Gu Chengze: “I told you last time I’d let it go. But you and the Gu family keep pushing. Do you think I’m an easy target?”

After seeing Wen Ya’s reply to Wang Chenxi, netizens mocked her for being too sentimental. But Wen Ya’s response to Gu Chengze was loaded. What did she mean by “letting him off”? People began to suspect Gu Chengze was behind both scandals. If not for the reversal, Wen Ya’s reputation would have been ruined far worse than Gu Chengze’s.

If Gu Chengze hadn’t clarified, even Ji Ming and Wen Ya’s explanations would have been less credible. Was this all orchestrated by Gu Chengze or the Gu family? Did they mess up and get caught, forcing them to clarify?

The thought was chilling. Netizens demanded the truth, urging Wen Ya to reveal more.

Initially, Wen Ya didn’t want to engage further with the Gu family. But they kept provoking her. If they wanted to play dirty, she’d fight back openly.

Responding to netizens’ requests, Wen Ya posted a series of explicit photos of Gu Chengze and Xu Qingqing. Many were intimate, with key parts blurred, sparking complaints.

As soon as the photos went up, Gu Chengze called.

“I’ve clarified and apologized. What more do you want?” Gu Chengze’s voice was low and hoarse. He didn’t care about himself, but what about Qingqing?

“What do I want? Shouldn’t I be asking you that? You spread rumors about me and Ji Ming. Since you wanted to ruin me, isn’t it fair for me to retaliate? I told you clearly: I’d let it go if you and the Gu family stayed out of my way. How quickly you forgot. Gu Chengze, who do you think you are? Do you think an online apology is enough? I’m just returning the favor. Enjoy the consequences.”

Ji Ming gently patted her back to help her calm down, then instructed Xiao He to start revealing the Gu family’s hidden secrets.

Since they had already crossed the line, there was no turning back. They might as well go all the way and ensure the Gu family had no chance of recovery.

Soon, netizens noticed a flood of negative news about the Gu family. The revelations came so fast and relentlessly that even the onlookers felt overwhelmed.

The final blow came when it was exposed that the Gu family’s restaurant had been using gutter oil. Overnight, the Gu family became a social outcast. Their downfall was complete.

“Bastards, bastards!” Old Master Gu’s face turned pale. He had thought expelling Gu Chengze would end the matter. He never expected the Wen family girl to be so ruthless, aiming to destroy the Gu family entirely.

“Dad, what do we do now? Director Wang from the Ministry of Health just called. They’re already on their way to the restaurant,” Father Gu said anxiously.

Old Master Gu glanced at his eldest son, who looked lost, and his younger son, who seemed devastated. His grandsons were busy, but their efforts were likely futile. He closed his eyes, realizing the Gu family was probably finished.

…

Meanwhile, Wang Chenxi, hiding at her grandmother’s house, had been following the updates online. Suddenly, she noticed her Weibo had been updated. Frowning, she assumed someone had hacked her account. As she tried to delete the post, she found she couldn’t log in—her password had been changed.

“What are you doing here? Xiao Xi will stay with me for a while. You go back!” Grandma’s voice echoed from the living room.

“Mom, Xiao Xi has caused a huge mess this time. It might affect the Wang family. The old man asked me to bring her back. Please don’t make this harder,” Mother Wang pleaded.

Wang Chenxi bit her lip and cracked the door open slightly to eavesdrop.

“Xiao Xi is a good child. How could she make such mistakes? Don’t blame her. She’s just a young girl sent abroad too early. She’s finally back. Don’t hurt her again,” Grandma defended her granddaughter.

Mother Wang sat on the sofa, hesitating. Finally, seeing Grandma’s resistance, she marched to Wang Chenxi’s room. Noticing the door slightly ajar, she knew her daughter had been eavesdropping. She took a deep breath.

“Wang Chenxi, the old man said if you return to the old house willingly, there’s still a chance to fix this. If you don’t go back today, he’ll publicly disown you in the newspaper,” Mother Wang said, ashamed of her daughter’s actions. Though she and Father Wang had their own affairs, they had never been so blatant.

“Did you post on my Weibo?” Wang Chenxi finally opened the door, fearing expulsion from the family.

“Now you’re worried about that? Wang Chenxi, you’re truly embarrassing,” Mother Wang said, recalling her earlier pride in front of Zhang Sheng.

“I’m embarrassing? What about you and Dad? How many lovers do you both have? I learned from you,” Wang Chenxi snapped, her fear making her reckless.

Mother Wang slapped her hard, causing Wang Chenxi’s lip to bleed.

“Aiya! What are you doing? Even if she made a mistake, you shouldn’t hit her! Besides, Xiao Xi did nothing wrong. If the parents set a bad example, how can the child be blamed?” Grandma pulled Xiao Xi behind her. “Xiao Xi, don’t be afraid. Grandma’s here. What’s so great about the Wang family? If they don’t want you, I do. Move your household registration to me tomorrow.”

“Mom…” Mother Wang sighed, “Do you know what she’s done? She’s offended the Zhang, Wen, and Ji families.”

Grandma looked at Wang Chenxi. “How did you offend them?”

This granddaughter resembled her the most, and she loved her dearly. How could she have caused such trouble?

“Mom, you can’t protect her blindly. If we don’t fix this, the Zhang family alone will ruin both our families. Let her go back to apologize to Zhang Sheng, then to the Wen and Ji families. Otherwise, we’re finished.”

Realizing the severity, Grandma reluctantly agreed but insisted on accompanying them.