Chapter 19: Follow-up

After the Wen family’s press conference, the Gu family also held one soon after.

Mr. Gu and Gu Chengze attended the press conference together. Gu Chengze listened to the reporters’ rapid questions with a serious expression and a sincere attitude.

He held the microphone with both hands, his lips pressed together. “I deeply apologize for troubling everyone with my personal matters,” Gu Chengze said, bowing deeply at a 90-degree angle. He continued, “Regarding Wen Ya’s announcement of ending our engagement, I have no excuses. From start to finish, I was in the wrong. I am ready to face the consequences. After this press conference, I will personally apologize to Wen Ya and seek her forgiveness. As for Xu Qingqing, I am truly sorry for what happened. Regardless of the cause, the fact remains that she suffered a miscarriage. This is no one’s fault but mine. I beg everyone not to disturb her further. There is one more reason for this press conference today. Due to various circumstances, I will temporarily step down as the general manager of Gu Corporation.” 

After failing to win Wen Ya’s forgiveness the previous night, Mr. Gu and Gu Chengze spent the night discussing their next steps. Since Gu Chengze refused to blame Xu Qingqing, he decided to take full responsibility himself. He admitted his mistakes sincerely and aimed to restore the Gu family’s reputation.

Surprisingly, after stepping down as general manager, Gu Chengze felt a sense of relief.

Old Master Gu observed his grandson, who had always led a smooth life. He believed this experience would teach Gu Chengze responsibility, preparing him to lead the Gu family in the future. He asked Gu Chengze to step aside and approached Wen Ya himself. With a cane in hand, he apologized for not raising Gu Chengze properly and praised Wen Ya as a remarkable young woman. He expressed confidence that she would find a suitable partner in the future.

As expected, their sincere apology and refusal to shift blame won over many netizens. Gu Chengze, in particular, gained respect for taking full responsibility instead of blaming Xu Qingqing.

Netizen A: “I didn’t expect Gu Chengze to handle this so well. If he had cried or avoided responsibility, he’d be criticized forever.”

Netizen B: “Business marriages often lack real feelings. Cheating is wrong, but elders should respect the younger generation’s choices. Equal status isn’t always necessary.”

Netizen C: “Business marriages are tough. Most end in mutual respect at best. Ordinary people have it better—free and happy.”

Netizen D: “Rich people live in luxury but pay the price for it.”

Netizen E: “Being well-matched matters. If backgrounds are too different, it’s hard to find common ground.”

Netizen F: “Shared values are key. Without them, relationships struggle.”

Public opinion shifted gradually. While some still criticized Gu Chengze and Xu Qingqing, most began debating the importance of social status in marriage. It seemed someone was steering the conversation to divert attention from the scandal.

“Mr. Wen, should we hire online supporters? Letting them off so easily feels unfair,” Assistant Wang suggested, displeased.

Wen Ya shook her head. “No. We’ve lost the upper hand. Hiring trolls would make us look unreasonable. As long as they don’t cause more trouble, I’m fine.”

The Wen family was in turmoil. Her parents were hospitalized, and she had just removed several shareholders and executives. Losing the Gu family as an ally made the situation worse. Many competitors were watching closely. It wasn’t the right time to make enemies, especially with the Gu family on guard.

Wen Ya focused on understanding Wen’s Corporation. As chairman, she needed to know every detail. Her art background offered no help in managing a company, so she started learning from scratch.

As she prepared to leave work, Ji Ming called.

“Mr. Ji, is something wrong?” she asked, wondering if it was about the online news.

“The weather’s nice today.”

Wen Ya glanced outside. It was cloudy, with rain expected. How was that nice?

“You owe me five meals.”

Wen Ya was confused. When did she agree to that?

Ji Ming continued, “The first time we met, you said you’d treat me next time. You repeated it during our second dinner, at the press conference, on the phone, and in Chengbei. That’s five meals. Have you forgotten?” His tone was serious.

Wen Ya: Weren’t those just polite remarks?

“Are you really going to break your promise?” Ji Ming’s voice softened, sounding almost hurt.

Wen Ya chuckled nervously. “Of course not. I’m just thinking of where to take you.”

“How about the villa? You liked the fish there,” Ji Ming suggested.

Remembering the delicious fish, Wen Ya agreed. “Okay, but I’m not familiar with the place. You’ll need to arrange it.”

“Sure.”

Given their recent scandal, if they were to dine openly in the hall without a care, they would undoubtedly make headlines again the next day.

When Wen Ya returned to the private room, she couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotions. The first time she had come here, she had been determined to burn her bridges. Now, she was the chairman of Wen’s Group. In such a short time, the same place and the same people brought two entirely different moods and situations.

“Not only is the food here excellent, but the scenery is also beautiful. After dinner, you can enjoy the night view from the mountain,” Ji Ming said as he poured Wen Ya a cup of tea.

“Mr. Ji, haven’t you seen the news?” Wen Ya asked. If the two of them were seen enjoying the night view together, tomorrow’s headlines would surely claim they had a secret late-night rendezvous.

“Now that you’ve broken off your engagement, you’re free to date anyone. Don’t worry,” Ji Ming said seriously. “Congratulations.”

Wen Ya was taken aback. What was he congratulating her for? Breaking off her engagement?

She couldn’t help but laugh. “This isn’t about being afraid. Aren’t you worried about causing a scandal with me and upsetting your girlfriend?”

“No.”

“Hmm?” Wen Ya looked at him, confused.

“I don’t have a girlfriend, so there’s no need to worry about misunderstandings. Does Miss Wen have a boyfriend?” Ji Ming’s dark eyes fixed on her.

Wen Ya coughed lightly. “No.” The atmosphere felt strange, so she quickly changed the subject. “Mr. Ji, do you think someone manipulated the revelations online yesterday?”

“Didn’t you fight back?” Ji Ming countered.

Wen Ya’s eyes flickered. Could it have been him?

If not him, then who had helped her?

“It really wasn’t me. Seems there’s a real-life Lei Feng out there,” Wen Ya said with a slight smile.

Just then, the dishes arrived, and the conversation ended. The chef’s skills were as impressive as ever, though it was a pity he rarely cooked anymore. They didn’t know when they’d get to enjoy his food again.

“If you like it, we can come back. I still have some influence with the chef,” Ji Ming said, a faint smile on his lips.

“Thank you, Mr. Ji,” Wen Ya replied with a smile. Ji Ming seemed different today.

“We’ve known each other for a while now. We’re friends, so there’s no need to be so formal. Just call me Ji Ming,” he said suddenly.

“Ah! Then… you can call me Xiao Ya. That’s what my classmates and friends call me,” Wen Ya said, tilting her head with a smile.

Ji Ming suddenly felt his mouth go dry and took a few sips of water. “There’s a hot spring at the back of this villa, but it’s only for regular guests. Would you like to try it?”

“There’s a hot spring?” Wen Ya was tempted but ultimately declined.

With her current status, finding a hot spring was easy. She didn’t need to owe Ji Ming a favor for something so trivial.

When Wen Ya went to pay the bill after the meal, she was told that Ji Ming had an account there, and the charge had already been settled when she made the reservation by phone.

“I agreed to treat you,” Wen Ya said, frowning.

“Sorry, I forgot. Next time,” Ji Ming replied.

Wen Ya blinked. Did this meal count as one of the five she owed him?

Since Ji Ming had paid, she couldn’t bring it up. But the question lingered in her mind: Had she treated him or not?

In the end, she decided it didn’t matter. Treating him to one or two more meals was fine. She had the means to afford it.