Director Qian groveled obsequiously, nodding and bowing. "Yes, yes, yes, I'll get out of here right now, right now."
The room was left with just the two of them. Gu Chao took off his jacket and draped it over the woman, watching her unconscious form. He had no idea what to do with her—he couldn't just leave her here, could he?
Director Qian slunk out of the room, disgraced. He had coveted Song Weiwei for ages, and finally planned to make his move tonight, only for Gu Chao to show up out of nowhere!
Song Weiwei hadn't had a single scandal in recent years. When did she become his woman?
Was she being kept by Gu Chao?
Director Qian simmered with rage. If they dared to make him miserable, the two in that room wouldn't have a good time either!
A flash of inspiration struck, and he made a call...
Gu Chao stared at the unconscious woman on the bed, his dark eyes growing heavy.
He must have been bewitched. After that accident sent her to the hospital, he'd been disheartened to find she wasn't Mu Yan. Who knew that since she secretly took his photo that day, sparking a series of dramas, his mind had been filled with nothing but her image?
Especially when she stared at the cinnabar mole on his chest, saying a close friend of hers had one just like it.
He'd thought it over and over, unsure why he cared. When Secretary Feng mentioned their gathering today, he inexplicably showed up.
He hadn't known what to expect, but he'd stumbled into something.
"Knock, knock!"
The sudden knock interrupted Gu Chao's thoughts.
Frowning slightly, he walked over and pulled open the door. Before he could see what was happening, a swarm of paparazzi burst in, snapping photos of his face.
The flashes blinded him, and he raised a hand to shield his eyes. "Get out!"
"President Gu, we heard you're keeping Song Weiwei. Is that true?"
Gu Chao was stunned. When had he ever said he was keeping Song Weiwei?
"President Gu, what was the real intention behind Lan Zhen's two collaborations with Song Weiwei? Did the designated lead actress get the role by sleeping with you?"
"President Gu, you're staying in the same hotel with Song Weiwei in the dead of night. Is this to take your relationship further, or are you seeking thrills?"
Gu Chao's face hardened as he pulled out his phone and dialed Secretary Feng. "Three seconds. Get in front of me!"
By the time Secretary Feng arrived with his team, the paparazzi were still peppering the man with explosive questions. A wave of security guards finally drove them off.
But even so, the next day, news of his and Song Weiwei's hotel rendezvous spread across the entire city of Shencheng. The paparazzi fabricated wild guesses, slandering Gu Chao for keeping Song Weiwei for over a decade.
Gu Chao wanted to laugh and rage at the same time when he saw the news. Keeping her for over a decade? Had Song Weiwei been with him since she was underage?
These people's brains were useless!
Once the scandal broke, major platforms dug into their pasts.
Though the two had almost no connection, someone deliberately pushed the dirt, leading to Song Weiwei being scolded by Qiao Yu and confined at home, forbidden from running around at this critical moment.
The most furious person seeing this news was Zhou Mingyue. Blazing with anger, she stormed straight to Lan Zhen Group to confront Gu Chao.
Gu Chao was already overwhelmed with his own mess and had no patience for her. He said a few harsh words, and she stormed out of the Lan Zhen building in a huff.
Zhou Mingyue went home and vented her fury. When Zhou Haikong learned of it, he was enraged and canceled their business orders with Lan Zhen Group!
...
At the Zhou family villa.
A black sports car slid to a smooth stop in the front yard.
Servants saw the man get out of the car and bowed in greeting. "Big少爷."
Zhou Wang tossed his car keys to the butler, hands in his pockets, and strode straight into the living room.
Zhou Mingyue was curled up on the sofa watching TV. The secret romance of superstar Song Weiwei was exposed, and every channel was flooded with her and Gu Chao's scandal. She switched channels, only to land on another of Song Weiwei's film works.
She threw the remote in anger. Wasn't it enough that this woman was stealing her man in real life? Did she have to keep showing up on TV too? What was she trying to flaunt!?
How annoying!
Zhou Wang stepped into the living room to see this scene. He raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, President Gu's romance is exposed. How pitiful for someone who has to secretly cry over the TV."
Hearing his voice, Zhou Mingyue froze for a moment, then erupted in fury at his mocking tone.
"Who are you calling pitiful?"
"You," Zhou Wang said lazily as he walked over. "Is there anyone else who loves that pretty boy and can't have him?"
"..."
"How embarrassing. Throwing yourself at him with no restraint, and he doesn't even appreciate it."
Zhou Mingyue glared at him hatefully. "Shut up!"
Zhou Wang saw the glint of tears in her eyes, his own gaze darkening as he awkwardly tried to soothe her. "Alright, it's just a man. You're not really going to cry over not getting him, are you?"
"Who's crying?" Zhou Mingyue had been bickering with him since childhood and would never shed tears in front of him. "Why are you suddenly back?"
"Why wouldn't I be back?" Zhou Wang picked up a fruit platter handed by a servant, crossed his legs, and lounged casually. "This is my home. Are you saying you don't welcome your brother back?"
Remembering the stupid things he'd done outside, Zhou Mingyue couldn't help sneering. "Weren't you always unwilling to come back to this home? You might as well die out there."
Zhou Wang threw a pillow at her. "You little brat, such a venomous mouth. Wishing me dead?"
"You don't care about this family anyway, or about me and Dad. I'll just pretend I don't have a brother."
"And I don't want a sister like you, shamelessly throwing yourself at someone. A simp who ends up with nothing. Hey, if you go out, don't ever say you're my sister. It's really embarrassing."
"You..." Zhou Mingyue gritted her teeth in rage, then shot back, "You have the nerve to talk about me? You almost got your legs broken over a woman, wasting your days like a thug. I'd be embarrassed to claim you. Good thing you're rarely home. I always tell people I'm an only child—I don't have a brother!"
Zhou Wang pointed a finger at her in anger, then suddenly walked over and pinched her cheeks. "You little brat, watch your mouth, or I'll beat you, believe it or not!?"
"Just got back and already looking for a fight?"
A booming male voice came from the staircase.
Zhou Wang let her go, and Zhou Mingyue quickly ran over to tattle. "Dad, Zhou Wang is bullying me again."
Zhou Haikong doted on his daughter the most. Ever since they were kids, whenever the siblings fought, he always sided with Zhou Mingyue.
"You little rascal, gone for years without coming home, and the first thing you do is bully your sister."
Zhou Wang's expression was indifferent, the playful demeanor he had with Zhou Mingyue gone. He lounged on the sofa, legs crossed. "You've always thought I was an embarrassment, unworthy of being your son. I come home less, so people in Shencheng don't see me and don't know you fathered a waste."
Years ago, Zhou Haikong would have grabbed a stick at those words. But not now. He was getting old, and he just wanted his wandering son to come home more often, even if it meant bickering—it felt like happiness.
Besides, who knew his own son better?
Zhou Wang's achievements in Ninghai over the years had made a name for himself, spreading to Shencheng. Everyone praised him for having a young, ambitious son. He couldn't be prouder.
"Still as stubborn as a rock," Zhou Haikong said, sitting on the opposite sofa.
Zhou Wang paused mid-bite of fruit, his face darkening as he tossed the platter onto the table.
Why bring up a rock out of nowhere?
"How long are you planning to stay this time?"
"Not staying. I'll leave after dinner."
[New CP unlocked: Wang Jiang. This fairy's favorite pair~]