Chapter 18: Cancellation of Engagement

Regarding the pathology report posted online, Xu Qingqing first denied it, claiming it was fake and made to ruin her reputation. She also expressed her grief over losing her child. She found it shocking that someone would attack her during such a difficult time, calling it a vile act.

Less than ten minutes after her statement, the person who leaked the report shared more photos. These included pictures of Xu Qingqing and Gu Chengze entering the hospital together, her visiting the gynecologist, and Gu Chengze’s assistant picking up medication for her. One of the medicine boxes had visible text, which netizens quickly identified as treatment for uterine fibroids. The most recent photo showed Xu Qingqing holding the medicine box while talking to Gu Chengze.

Since Gu Chengze and his assistant are both men, it’s clear they wouldn’t need such medication.

With so much evidence, Xu Qingqing couldn’t defend herself anymore.

She then posted another message, admitting she was pregnant but suffered a miscarriage due to uterine fibroids. She shared medical records and criticized the hospital for leaking her private information, stating she had hired a lawyer to take legal action.

However, netizens weren’t convinced. They argued that her miscarriage was due to her own health issues and accused her of manipulating the situation to blame her fiancé and the public.

Netizen 1: “Looking at the dates, she got pregnant while on medication but didn’t take precautions. She’s irresponsible and still plays the victim.”

Netizen 2: “Cheaters and mistresses are always in the wrong. Using this for sympathy is shameless. Even if the child was born, it would’ve been illegitimate and faced a lifetime of shame.”

Netizen 3: “The child is innocent. Maybe the miscarriage was caused by the backlash. This is karma. Let’s stop criticizing her.”

Netizen 4: “Stop defending her. She got pregnant while on medication. They probably planned to abort it anyway. Don’t blame netizens for the miscarriage.”

Netizen 5: “Does anyone else doubt Gu Chengze’s love? His partner was sick and on medication, yet he couldn’t wait.”

Netizen 6: “This just proves true love, right? (laughs)”

Netizen 7: “Maybe Xu is just really good at it.”

Netizen 8: “Let’s not lose focus. The real issue is Gu Zhazha. If he truly loved Xu, he shouldn’t have gotten engaged to Wen. He wants to marry Wen for status while keeping Xu as his lover. Does he think this is ancient times with multiple wives?”

Netizen 9: “Many men have mistresses, but few are as shameless as him.”

Netizen 10: “Support President Wen in dumping this scumbag.”

The situation escalated. Even with Gu Chengze hiring internet trolls, it didn’t help. Wen Ya’s side had stronger evidence and more supporters, making it hard for Gu Chengze and Xu Qingqing to clear their names.

Meanwhile, Gu Chengze was at the Gu family’s old house. The old man looked at him with disappointment.

“Do you know how much Gu’s shares dropped today because of you? Hundreds of millions lost in one day.” Old Master Gu took a deep breath. “Lin Lin still isn’t answering your calls?”

“No.” Gu Chengze shook his head, his face dark. “Grandpa, this isn’t simple. At first, I thought it was Wen Ya’s doing, but after investigating, it’s not her.”

“Not her? Do you know who it is?” Mr. Gu gripped his cane, deep in thought. It seemed unlikely for someone like Wen Ya to gather so much evidence. Who could it be? “Are you sure Wen Qihua is still in a vegetative state?”

Gu Chengze looked at Mr. Gu sharply. Was he suspecting Wen Qihua?

He quickly shook his head. “No, I visited Wen Qihua and had him checked. He’s definitely in a vegetative state.”

Mr. Gu thought for a moment, deciding it wasn’t the time to assign blame. The priority was to restore their reputation.

“Let that woman take the blame, then apologize to Wen Ya. It’s best if she forgives you.” Old Master Gu knew it would be hard to win Wen Ya over. “If she’s willing to marry you, Gu’s will offer her 5% of the shares as a betrothal gift. If she insists on canceling the engagement, agree to it, but only after this matter is resolved. We can negotiate terms. Right now, we need to end this and save Gu’s reputation.”

“Grandpa, Qingqing really had a miscarriage. I can’t blame her entirely.” Gu Chengze truly loved Xu Qingqing. Asking her to shoulder all the responsibility in her condition would be like pushing her to her death, so he immediately rejected the idea.

Old Master Gu glared at him, “Think carefully. If she doesn’t take responsibility, you will have to. Do you understand the consequences?”

“I do. I’ll announce my resignation as Gu Corporation’s general manager later,” Gu Chengze said firmly.

He had reflected a lot during this time. He had already wronged Qingqing by getting engaged to Wen Ya to secure his position. She had been compromising all these years, and he couldn’t let her down again.

“Nonsense!” Gu’s father, who had been standing nearby, shouted, “You’re putting a woman above the family’s interests.”

Gu Chengze remained silent. Since childhood, he had been taught that as the eldest son and grandson, he must bear the Gu family’s responsibilities. While others played, he studied. While others dated, he worked in the company. While others enjoyed life, he managed a listed firm. No one ever asked what he wanted, not even in marriage. Xu Qingqing was the only person he had ever wanted. He wouldn’t let her go or let anyone hurt her.

Wen Ya didn’t know Gu Chengze’s thoughts, nor did she care.

At the moment, she was monitoring the internet to see what moves Gu Chengze and Xu Qingqing would make.

Every time they made a move, she countered it. Every time they tried again, she struck back, until they could no longer fight.

It was almost time to leave work, and there was no new activity online. Had they finally given up?

Just before dusk, the scandal that started with Wen Ya and Ji Ming shifted to whether Gu Chengze, the cheating scoundrel, and Xu Qingqing, the scheming woman, were a perfect match.

Most netizens agreed they were—a scoundrel and a green tea girl, a match made in heaven.

Some even created memes of Gu Chengze and Xu Qingqing, which amused Wen Ya.

Grabbing her bag and phone, Wen Ya headed to the hospital to have dinner with her mother and give her a heads-up.

Her phone rang again. Wen Ya glanced at the screen and answered.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Why ask when you already know? You’re off work now. Let’s have dinner together,” Gu Chengze’s voice was low and tense.

“No need. It’s better if we don’t meet alone for now.” What if he staged photos and claimed she forgave him? It would be hard to explain and downright disgusting.

Gu Chengze narrowed his eyes, “It’s about our engagement. Don’t you want to end it peacefully? Dragging it out won’t help anyone.”

“So, you’re willing to cancel it?” Wen Ya asked sarcastically.

Just that morning, they had argued over this. Now, with the situation unfavorable to Gu Chengze, she doubted he’d agree.

“Ending an engagement isn’t simple. We need to talk,” Gu Chengze said. He had reached a deal with his grandfather: he’d temporarily resign as general manager, and Grandpa Gu wouldn’t smear Qingqing. He also needed to settle the engagement with Wen Ya.

“Gu Chengze, what’s there to discuss? My demand is simple—cancel the engagement. As for you and Xu Qingqing, I won’t pursue it further. If you want to keep fighting, go ahead.” Wen Ya saw no point in talking. What could they negotiate? Did he expect her to clear his name? No way.

“I agree to cancel the engagement,” Gu Chengze rubbed his temples, looking disheveled. “But doing it now would harm the Gu family. I hope to delay it.”

“Gu Chengze, I don’t need your consent. I can announce it myself. What leverage do you have?” Wen Ya hung up. She was done with Gu Chengze.

After calming down, Wen Ya went to the hospital and asked about her parents’ condition. Her father remained unchanged, but her mother was much better. She wouldn’t fall ill unless severely stressed. Relieved, Wen Ya felt lighter.

“Mom, what are you writing?” Wen Ya asked as she entered the ward.

“Just some memories of your father and me. I’m jotting them down to read to him,” Mother Wen said, blushing as she recalled their sweet past.

“Let me read it. Dad will love it,” Wen Ya reached for the notebook, but her mother snatched it back.

Mother Wen glared, “Have you settled the company’s issues?”

“Yes. Mom, I need to talk to you about something,” Wen Ya hesitated.

“Go on,” Mother Wen closed the notebook, looking at her lovingly.

“What do you think about me canceling my engagement with Gu Chengze?” Wen Ya asked after a pause.

“Didn’t I say before? If you don’t love each other, end it. You hesitated so long just for this?” Mother Wen sighed, “Your father and I built the business together. I’ve faced challenges too. If I were fragile, I’d have been gone long ago.”

“Don’t say such things! Bad luck!” Wen Ya scolded, wide-eyed.

“You’re already over fifty, but you still talk like a child,” Mother Wen said with a soft smile. She knew her daughter was trying to shield her from the truth, so she had pretended not to notice. But seeing Wen Ya grow more and more burdened, she realized this wasn’t the right approach. A young woman shouldn’t carry so much worry, so she decided to come clean today.

“You worry too much. I’ve been through a lot. The last time I fell ill, it was because your father’s accident hit me hard. Why are you tiptoeing around me?” Mother Wen took a sip of water. “What do you want to tell me today? Is it about you buying out most of the shareholders’ shares and having the police arrest the senior executives? Or is it about Gu Chengze having another woman?”

“Mom, you knew all along?” Wen Ya stared at her in shock.

“Sweetheart, do you think just because I don’t watch TV or read newspapers about the Wen Group, I’m completely in the dark? Those people in the company have been with your father for decades. They’re seasoned veterans. How could you have caught them so easily?” Mother Wen gave her a pointed look.

Wen Ya’s eyes widened in realization. “Did you help the detective agency gather that information?”

No wonder she had managed to find leverage against the shareholders and executives so quickly. Her mother had been quietly supporting her all along.