Chapter 54: I Want to Be the Most Beautiful and Shine Bright!

Public opinion was still fermenting.

Gu Man had become an online scapegoat, with people taking pleasure in cursing her whenever they had free time.

Meanwhile, Gu Corporation’s stock kept soaring, and with every share she sold, her mood improved.

Since they all wanted to feast on her misfortune, she might as well be the one to benefit from it.

As she counted her earnings, a call came in.

The number was encrypted, making it impossible to see the digits.

She answered.

A deep yet cool voice came from the other end.

“Miss Gu, do you need my help to handle the situation online?”

Oh, this voice—it was Commissioner Song.

“No need, I can handle such a small matter myself.”

Gu Man refused without hesitation.

If Commissioner Song was to step in, it had to be for something truly significant. These minor issues were within her grasp—why trouble him?

“Since Commissioner Song is calling, I assume the controlled nuclear technology I submitted has passed testing?”

There was a slight pause on the other end, followed by a soft chuckle.

“Miss Gu, you truly are sharp.”

“This technology, once widely applied, will be a historic contribution on your part, benefiting future generations.”

Gu Man responded seriously,

“You’re too kind, Commissioner Song. This advanced technology isn’t my personal achievement… but I do hope the country can make the most of it.”

Only then would it be worthy of the future generations.

Once nuclear energy was fully utilized, almost all existing resources could be conserved.

That way, life in the post-apocalyptic world might be a little easier for those who came after.

With a tone of respect, Commissioner Song assured her,

“It will be done.”

After he hung up, Mu Baixuan sent her a message, asking if she wanted to buy trending searches to suppress negative opinions.

She refused and instead instructed Mu Baixuan to boost the exposure of slanderous videos against her.

Mu Baixuan, quick-witted as ever, immediately understood she had a counterattack planned. Excitedly, he added more fuel to the fire, ensuring the scandal remained firmly at the top of the trending list.

With the growing backlash, Gu Corporation’s stock surged again.

Gu Mingren and his associates noticed the unusual activity and wanted to halt trading, but it was impossible.

Nervous, they searched the internet for any damaging evidence against her.

Instead, they found videos of Gu Man in a dazzling gemstone-encrusted gown, flamboyantly and brazenly buying up supplies.

The netizens’ outrage intensified.

Some, however, wavered in their stance.

【Ahhhhh! What kind of dreamlike dress is this? If I had one, I’d be just as bold!】

【Jewels and luxury—this is the true definition of opulence! If I could wear this once, I’d die happy!】

【Miss Gu, I urge you not to be selfish! Tell us how much this dress costs immediately!】

【Mom, come look at our goddess! She’s so dazzling!】

【She’s 1.7 meters tall but has the presence of someone 2.8 meters!】

Yet, the criticisms grew fiercer.

【What the hell? Is being rich everything? Her pets bite people!】

【Exactly! She clearly has no intention of admitting her mistakes. The internet calling her cold-blooded was spot on!】

【Are you kidding? She’s flaunting wealth while her grandmother still lives in the slums. So unfilial!】

【She should be jailed immediately! I don’t want her setting a bad example for my kids!】

The debate raged on, pushing the video of her extravagant shopping spree to the top of the trending list.

Gu Man arrived at the warehouse.

Grandpa Sun, rarely one to speak much, offered a few words of advice.

“Girl, you can steal for a thousand days, but you can’t guard against thieves forever. You’re being too high-profile—it’ll draw attention.”

Gu Man had done it intentionally.

Still, she appreciated his concern.

“Some people don’t want to see me doing well, but I won’t let them have their way.”

“Don’t worry, I’m prepared.”

Grandpa Sun said no more, hopping onto his little electric scooter and riding off.

Ring, ring.

An unfamiliar number called.

Her lips curled into a cold smile.

Can’t hold back anymore, huh?

She started recording.

Then answered.

“Manman.”

Lin Muyu’s voice was deliberately affectionate.

“I know things are tough for you right now. Just say the word, and I’ll be by your side immediately.”

Gu Man sneered.

“Oh? Young Master Lin, haven’t you already gotten engaged to my dear sister, Gu Xiaoya? Isn’t this inappropriate? Aren’t you afraid she’ll be heartbroken?”

Lin Muyu sounded anxious, eager to explain.

“Manman, I was confused before. Xiaoya… she used the baby in her belly to threaten me. I had no choice but to call off our engagement…”

Gu Man mocked,

“But before calling off the engagement, didn’t you and my dear sister already sleep together? One was my fiancé, the other my sister.”

His voice grew pained.

“Manman, I was drunk that night! You know a man has no self-control when he drinks.”

“I never truly loved her. The one I love has always been you!”

Gu Man spoke flatly,

“Money that falls into a pile of shit is dirty. I wouldn’t even pick it up. And you’re not even money.”

Lin Muyu, unwilling to give up, desperately pleaded,

“Manman, you’re still mad at me, right? I was wrong, I really was! Give me a chance to make it up to you.”

“You’re being hounded online—I’m worried someone will harm you. Come hide at my place for a while. No matter what, let me protect you.”

Gu Man burst into laughter.

“Protect your grandmother’s leg! I don’t need it!”

She hung up and blocked him.

Then, she sent a copy of the recorded call to Gu Xiaoya.

Let them tear each other apart.

With that done, she returned to the real task at hand—transporting supplies.

---

“City Lord, today’s weather patterns seem off. There’s a high possibility of further temperature drops… City Lord? City Lord?”

Shu Weng reported multiple times.

But the usually diligent City Lord was, for once, distracted.

No, not just distracted.

He hadn’t even noticed Shu Weng enter or heard his report.

His eyes were locked on his phone screen, lips slightly curled in a smile, ears and face flushed red…

Was he sick?

Reaching this conclusion, Shu Weng hurried over and reached out to check Song Lüfeng’s forehead.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the screen.

A dazzling, gemstone-studded dress on an absolutely stunning figure…

Holy crap! Who was this extravagant?!

Even in the apocalypse, where exotic beast cores were abundant, they were still precious resources, usually exchanged for military merit.

Using them to make a dress?!

Who was this outrageously wealthy person?

Well, not entirely unheard of…

The City Lord himself was pretty extravagant. Could it be…

Did he make this dress?

And for whom?

Before he could get another look, Song Lüfeng put his phone away and dodged his hand.

“Something to report?”

Shu Weng hesitated.

“City Lord, about that gemstone dress—”

“You saw wrong!”

Under Song Lüfeng’s overwhelming gaze, Shu Weng wisely changed the topic.

“City Lord, the temperature outside has dropped another 10 degrees. We detect a continued decline!”

If it kept falling, survival would become impossible.

The strongest ability users might manage, but the base still had many weaker ones, along with children yet to awaken their powers.