ASPWL Ch88: The Unlucky Fellow

Wei Qing’s kick was vicious, and almost as soon as it landed, Gu Yu fell to his knees, clutching his crotch and wailing in agony.

His scream was especially piercing, and within seconds, yet another group of guests gathered around to watch.

The newcomers weren’t sure what had happened at first, but seeing Gu Yu holding his crotch and Han Wei standing nearby adjusting her clothes, their expressions turned subtle with realization.

“This… surely isn’t what I’m thinking?”

Someone replied, “It’s exactly what you’re thinking.”

“Gu Yu and this lady…”

“Han Wei, Gu Song’s third wife.”

So Gu Yu was fooling around with his stepmother—

A collective gasp arose at the scene. Gu Yu continued to cry out in pain on the floor, and the guests looked between him and Gu Song, who was still lying unconscious nearby. Many couldn’t help but laugh.

Someone couldn’t hold back a chuckle, and soon laughter spread through the crowd along with openly whispered comments:

“With a kick like that… will the Gu family even have an heir?”

“Hiss—hard to say!”

Gu Rou had been worried about Gu Song lying on the ground, but hearing this, she instantly lost her composure. She got up and stormed over to Wei Qing, fuming, “Are you out of your mind?! How dare you… I’ll fight you for this—”

Wei Qing sidestepped her, his eyes suddenly red with emotion. “How is this my fault? If Gu Yu hadn’t cheated, I wouldn’t have…”

His voice trailed off, looking deeply upset.

“Of course it’s your fault! Look at what you’ve done!” Gu Rou shouted as she glanced at Gu Yu, writhing in pain on the ground, and then at Gu Song, who was still unconscious a short distance away. Tears started streaming down her face in panic. “What do we do now? What should we do…”

Gu Rou turned and saw Qin Yao, and her eyes suddenly lit up.

At that moment, Ye Leyao stepped out from behind Qin Yao, blocking his path.

Qin Yao looked at him, puzzled. “Leyao?”

“Don’t say anything!” Ye Leyao whispered firmly.

[If Gu Rou tries to guilt-trip President Qin with her morals now, I won’t let her off!]

Qin Yao was startled.

The entire Huo family turned their eyes toward them.

The three Huo brothers each felt a surge of complex emotions.

They had only just started dating, and already he was so protective!

Only Papa and Mama Huo exchanged a smile, clearly very pleased.

Gu Rou, however, wasn’t paying attention to any of this. She quickly approached, ready to speak to Qin Yao, but just then, Gu Song let out a faint groan from the ground.

Gu Rou paused, then quickly turned back to him. “Gu Song, are you alright?”

Gu Song’s face was flushed as he struggled to breathe, clearly in bad shape, but at least he’d opened his eyes.

Just then, the butler arrived with the private doctors, waiting on Qin Yao’s permission. “Young Master.”

Qin Yao nodded slightly.

One doctor went forward to check on Gu Song’s condition, while the other began examining Gu Yu.

The crowd finally began to disperse a little.

At that moment, Ye Leyao spotted the reporter who had just spoken with Wei Qing. He didn’t know when the reporter had slipped into the crowd, but now he was holding a phone in each hand—one taking pictures continuously, the other recording a video.

Ye Leyao’s lips curved into a slight smile.

[With this video, the evidence is ironclad. Gu Yu’s acting career is probably over.]

Feeling particularly pleased, Ye Leyao turned to observe Gu Song, who was currently undergoing an examination.

Given the awkward location of Gu Yu’s injury, the doctor couldn’t examine him in public, so he simply said, “If the pain is still intense, it would be best to go to the hospital for a full examination…”

Gu Yu’s face was streaked with tears of pain, and he nodded repeatedly. “I’ll… I’ll go to the… hospital for a checkup…”

He glared angrily at Wei Qing. “Just you wait… If I… I won’t let you off!”

Wei Qing’s expression was calm as he stared at Gu Yu without showing any particular emotion.

Gu Yu could no longer be bothered with him and hobbled toward the exit with the doctor’s support.

On the other side, the doctor had also completed a brief examination of Gu Song and quickly reported, “It’s nothing serious, most likely an emotional shock. If there’s any lingering discomfort, it’s best to get an X-ray at the hospital.”

Gu Rou was frantic. “Then hurry, let’s go to the hospital with Xiao Yu…”

But Gu Song, who had finally come to his senses, shook his head.

Gu Rou froze.

Just as Gu Yu was being helped past him by the doctor, Gu Song suddenly reached out and grabbed Gu Yu’s pant leg, his eyes red and voice trembling: “When… did this start…”

Gu Yu, sweating profusely from pain, winced and initially looked away. But hearing Gu Song’s question, he glanced down at him, his face shifting momentarily before avoiding his gaze.

Gu Song clung to his pant leg, his whole body shaking.

Gu Yu’s lips twitched, his eyes dodging. After a long silence, he didn’t say a word.

The guests who had initially planned to leave, thinking both Gu Yu and Gu Song would be heading to the hospital, stopped in their tracks upon hearing Gu Song’s question.

In an instant, the crowd stayed put, waiting eagerly to see what would unfold next.

But when no answer came from Gu Yu, many in the crowd grew impatient.

Come on. Say something.

Why aren’t you saying anything?

The only ones aware of when it had all started were Ye Leyao and his companions, who once again wore faintly amused smiles.

Just as Ye Leyao was about to speak, a soft, elegant female voice rang out: “Are you asking when he and I got together?”

Everyone froze at the voice, then turned in unison toward its source.

The speaker was Han Wei.

A flicker of surprise crossed everyone’s face, including Ye Leyao’s.

[Why would Han Wei speak up now?]

After being caught in an affair with her stepson, Han Wei should’ve been trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, right? Why would she speak out at a time like this?

A sudden thought struck Ye Leyao, and he slipped back behind Qin Yao, quickly pulling out his phone to look up Han Wei’s name.

A second later, the Huo family and Qin Yao heard Ye Leyao’s excited voice:

[Found it!]

Ye Leyao read through the information, his expression twisting briefly in shock.

[Wait a minute… So, the reason Han Wei agreed to marry Gu Song in the first place was because she’d already set her sights on Gu Yu?]

At this revelation, Qin Yao and the Huo family looked equally taken aback.

What?

Han Wei had her eye on Gu Yu from the start?

So why didn’t she pursue him directly instead of taking such a roundabout route by marrying Gu Song?

What did Han Wei stand to gain from marrying Gu Song—

Wait.

Hold on a second.

Come to think of it, Han Wei really did stand to gain quite a lot!

Han Wei’s marriage to Gu Song was legitimate and officially registered, which meant that after marriage, half of all his earnings would go to her.

So she was attracted to Gu Song’s wealth and Gu Yu’s youth?

Ye Leyao’s next words confirmed everyone’s suspicions.

[Even before Gu Song and Han Wei got married, Han Wei had already met Gu Yu. But back then, Gu Yu was surrounded by girls left and right and didn’t even glance her way.]

[While Han Wei was indeed interested in Gu Yu, money was her main priority, so she came up with the idea of approaching Gu Song first—]

At this point, Ye Leyao was practically floored by the story’s twists.

[Well, I’ll be! It was actually a smart plan. After marrying Gu Song, it only took two months for Gu Yu to end up in bed with her. Not only did she turn into a wealthy lady, but she also got the man she wanted… but… well… I mean…]

[It’s hard to judge. Let’s just say, bad people have their own bad people to deal with!]

Qin Yao and the Huo family nodded in agreement.

It really was hard to judge!

By now, Gu Song had also come back to his senses. Staring at Han Wei, who had neatly fixed her appearance, his eyes blazed with rage, and he burst out, “You shameless woman! How dare you speak to me?!”

Han Wei only laughed, looking down at him from above. “Why wouldn’t I dare to talk to you here? You’re allowed to have your flings outside, but I’m not allowed a little something at home?”

Gu Song’s face turned pale. “You—”

“And anyway, I’m not as fickle as you, flitting between five, six, seven, or eight different people at once. Unlike me—I only ever fooled around with your son from the start, didn’t I?” She said, stepping forward and lightly placing a hand on Gu Yu’s shoulder.

Gu Yu’s face turned ashen as he glared at her. “Are you insane?”

Han Wei lightly snorted and looked at Gu Song on the ground again: “Since you just asked, I’ll tell you. Two months, okay?”

Gu Song was stunned: “What?”

Han Wei smiled sweetly: “Of course, it starts two months after we get married!”

Gu Song’s pupils widened.

The onlookers were even more astonished.

So thrilling?

They would get together in just two months?

The curious gazes of the crowd quickly shifted back and forth among the three of them.

Gu Song’s chest heaved in anger again.

But what was even more surprising was Han Wei’s next sentence—

“However, you can’t blame me; after all, your son is indeed better than you.”

As she spoke, Han Wei suddenly looked back at the still-dazed Gu Yu and regretfully said, “But now, it might not be the case.”

[Pfft—]

[Two sentences, destroying the dignity of two men!]

Ye Leyao could no longer hold back and laughed, shaking his shoulders.

[Wait, is this really something we get to hear without paying?]

[Hahahahaha—]

Not only Ye Leyao, but after Han Wei finished her two sentences, most of the people present started laughing.

Although everyone tried to suppress their voices, countless muffled laughs together formed a wave of sound.

Gu Song sat on the ground, breathing heavily, looking as if he was about to faint again!

The nearby doctor acted quickly and directly pinched his pressure point.

Gu Song came back to himself.

However, Gu Yu was still frozen in place, looking at Han Wei in shock, nearly asking her directly if she was insane.

Han Wei had initially planned to leave, but upon noticing Gu Yu’s gaze, she smiled at him: “Aren’t you going to the hospital? Are you really planning to end your lineage?”

Gu Yu’s expression changed dramatically. The sweat on his face hadn’t dried yet, and he trembled as he raised his arm: “You… Han Wei! You’re just a crazy woman!”

After throwing this sentence, Gu Yu shook off Gu Song’s hand and was nearly crawling away with the doctor’s help.

At this moment, Gu Song also regained his composure and angrily turned to Han Wei: “Han Wei, you—”

“I will divorce you, but remember to give me half of the family assets~” After saying this, Han Wei didn’t even look back at Gu Song and left.

At this point, Wei Qing also turned and exited the room, likely planning to leave as well.

Seeing both of them leaving in succession, Gu Song could no longer contain himself and hurriedly stood up: “You stop! Who allowed you to leave?!”

But he had just taken a step forward when everything went dark before his eyes.

Gu Rou quickly stepped forward to support Gu Song: “Are you okay? Gu Song? Should we go to the hospital…”

Before Gu Rou could finish her sentence, a series of “click” sounds suddenly erupted.

Ye Leyao looked up and saw Gu Yu, who had rushed out hastily, covering his face as he ran back awkwardly.

Ye Leyao was quite shocked:

[Where did all these reporters come from?]

[Hey, they’re getting up close for the shots! Great job, great job!]

Ye Leyao watched in excitement.

Just then, Qin Yao appeared out of nowhere with a hat and placed it directly on Ye Leyao’s head.

Ye Leyao hurriedly looked up at Qin Yao.

Qin Yao whispered, “There are too many reporters; wearing it would be better.”

Ye Leyao nodded with a smile and then asked, “What about you?”

Qin Yao reassuringly squeezed Ye Leyao’s hand and said softly, “Don’t worry about me; these reporters should all be brought by my father.”

Sure enough, as soon as Qin Yao finished speaking, Ye Leyao saw a familiar figure walking toward them.

The crowd of onlookers completely retreated outside, leaving only a few members of the Gu family inside.

Ye Leyao and Qin Yao stood at the door, with Huo Yan, Huo Ze, and Huo Jing behind them, along with their dad.

Looking inside, Gu Song was still sitting on the floor, Gu Rou squatting beside him, while Gu Yu had turned away, facing away from everyone.

As they noticed more and more cameras pointing at them, Gu Song and Gu Rou finally realized what was happening.

Gu Song thought for a moment and asked, “Brother-in-law, what are you planning to do…”

Gu Rou was equally confused: “Why are there so many reporters, Xiao Yu…”

Realizing something, Gu Rou’s pupils widened, and she stood up to ask Qin Hongxi: “Did a reporter just capture…”

Her voice trembled, and she didn’t finish her sentence, but everyone present had already reacted.

Ye Leyao smiled.

[Of course, they got it; how could they not have? It’s just unclear what Wei Qing intends to do with those photos and videos.]

Among them, Gu Yu was the most flustered: “No, it’s impossible!”

As soon as he said this, Gu Yu trembled all over.

How could it be impossible?

When Gu Song and Gu Rou came in just now, a group of people had followed them.

Who could guarantee that there weren’t any reporters among that group, and who could ensure that no meddlesome person snapped photos and uploaded them online?

If that were the case…

Gu Yu’s already pale face turned even more devoid of color, and he hurriedly turned to Gu Song: “Dad! I… I was wrong before, but my career can’t be ruined!”

Although Gu Yu indeed lacked ambition, he didn’t want everyone discussing his affair with his stepmother. Moreover, if this incident continued to escalate, how could he survive in the entertainment industry in the future?

Gu Song’s expression was similarly grim.

What Gu Yu did today was something even an animal wouldn’t do, but this unworthy creature was indeed his son.

And more importantly, their company’s annual revenue had been declining year after year; if this scandal broke out now, it would further impact the company’s stocks.

So, Gu Song gritted his teeth and quickly signaled to Gu Rou: “Sister, you should think of a way too!”

Gu Rou’s face was full of panic.

What could she do? What could she possibly think of?

At this moment, Ye Leyao had already taken out his phone, opened the trending topics, and didn’t see any entries related to Gu Yu; instead, he only found a vague trending topic—

#A two-character named male star suspected of cheating caught in the act#

As soon as the topic came out, countless onlookers flooded in.

—“???”

—“A two-character named male star?”

—“Who is it?”

—“Can’t you marketing accounts stop playing riddles?”

Ye Leyao glanced at the comments, his brow furrowed.

[Hmm? No, wait, didn’t that reporter take photos and videos just now? Why hasn’t there been a disclosure until now?]

[Could it be that Wei Qing really intends to use those photos and videos to trade something from the Gu family?]

Upon hearing Ye Leyao’s words, the other members of the Huo family also took out their phones to check.

Sure enough, it seemed like this was indeed Wei Qing’s deliberate action.

At this moment, Gu Rou finally remembered that Qin Hongxi was nearby. Although she knew he might not help, she couldn’t help but ask: “Hongxi, can you… think of a way?”

Gu Yu’s future absolutely couldn’t be ruined.

Qin Hongxi, upon hearing Gu Rou’s question, didn’t show any extra emotion on his face; he simply asked, “What kind of way?”

Gu Rou gritted her teeth: “At the very least… make them stop filming!”

Qin Hongxi stood still and didn’t say anything further.

Gu Rou felt embarrassed, just as she was about to speak again, Gu Yu suddenly exclaimed loudly, “Not yet! My matters haven’t been exposed yet…”

Ye Leyao’s eyelids twitched upon hearing this; for some reason, he suddenly felt something was off, and a sharp pain surged through his head, as if it was rising from the depths of his soul, causing his body to tremble slightly.

Qin Yao immediately noticed Ye Leyao’s abnormality and hurriedly supported him, anxiously asking, “Yaoyao, what’s wrong?”

The Huo family members and Qin Hongxi instantly turned to look.

Ye Leyao looked up and met Qin Yao’s concerned gaze.

The piercing pain seemed to ease a bit at that moment, and Ye Leyao took a few deep breaths before the pain completely vanished.

Ye Leyao let out a long breath. He didn’t know what had just happened, but he didn’t want to worry Qin Yao and the others, so he comfortingly said, “It’s nothing, just…”

“Hmm?” Qin Yao frowned, still somewhat worried.

In the next second, Ye Leyao gently pushed his hand away, stood firm in front of him, and, without hesitation, opened his Weibo account and started a live stream.

The Huo family and Qin Hongxi all saw Ye Leyao’s action, but they didn’t understand why he suddenly decided to go live and pointed the camera at the Gu family trio inside the room.

Gu Rou was entirely focused on Gu Yu; upon hearing his words, she forgot to speak with Qin Hongxi and quickly walked over to Gu Yu’s side: “What happened? Is there still a chance for recovery?”

Gu Yu excitedly handed his phone to Gu Rou: “Yes! Aunt, look, this entry only says ‘two-character named male star,’ it doesn’t specify whose name it is. This means that as long as we casually push someone out to take the blame, we can get through this!”

Ye Leyao’s grip on his phone tightened suddenly.

He glanced down at his phone screen, which was still flooded with viewers.

As soon as the fans entered, they heard Gu Yu’s words, and the screen was filled with question marks.

—“What’s this?”

—“Hey, could it be the hot gossip trending right now?”

—“No way, my Melon King, are you on-site again?!”

—“Ahhh, so that two-character named male star is Gu Yu?”

Completely oblivious to the fact that Ye Leyao’s camera was aimed at him, Gu Yu continued excitedly conversing with Gu Rou, who clearly let out a sigh of relief: “Right, as long as we can casually push someone out now, it’ll be fine, but who can we push?”

Gu Rou, who rarely handled company affairs, knew very little about stars in the entertainment industry.

Watching the two of them loudly conspire in front of so many people, Ye Leyao could only sneer coldly.

It was his fault for not realizing sooner.

In the original text, the unfortunate scapegoat that Gu Rou, Gu Yu, and Gu Song had colluded to push out—

Meanwhile, Gu Yu’s mind was racing. Just as he was about to suggest randomly pushing someone out, he suddenly heard Gu Rou exclaim with delight: “Right, your cousin!”

Gu Rou’s voice was very loud as she continued, “Your cousin Qin Yao’s name is two characters; we can—”

Ye Leyao tightened his grip on Qin Yao’s hand without realizing it.

Just then, there was a loud “smack,” and Gu Rou’s face turned to the side.

Ye Leyao looked down, realizing his hand had acted before his brain and blocked the camera; he let out a sigh of relief.

Qin Hongxi’s voice was frosty: “Gu Rou, I’ve never laid a hand on you, nor have I ever thought of doing so.”

Gu Rou covered her stinging face, a bit dazed.

Qin Hongxi’s face was filled with anger: “But you really are inhuman! For the sake of an outsider, you’re actually willing to push your own son into a dead end. Do you deserve to be a mother?!”

Gu Rou looked up at Qin Hongxi, startled by the anger in his eyes. She panicked and lowered her head, instinctively trying to explain: “I… hasn’t Qin Yao already decided to withdraw from the entertainment industry? Aren’t you being a bit too extreme? Since he’s not planning to stay in the industry anymore, letting him go out to take the blame for Gu Yu…”

“Shut up!” Ye Leyao could no longer hold back, not caring that his phone was still live-streaming, and said angrily, “You may not like Qin Yao, but I like him, and his fans like him! Why should he suffer for your baseless calamity?”

“Whoever cheats and gets exposed should bear the blame; Qin Yao doesn’t owe him anything!”

As Ye Leyao spoke, he was on the verge of cursing.

Qin Yao quickly wrapped Ye Leyao in his arms, gently saying, “Yaoyao, enough, don’t say anymore.”

Ye Leyao’s face was filled with anger: “I’m mad!”

[Damn it!]

Hearing his furious voice, Qin Yao couldn’t help but chuckle.

Upon hearing his laughter, Ye Leyao became even angrier: “What are you laughing at?”

Qin Yao honestly replied, “I’m laughing that you care about me, I’m laughing that you’re concerned for me.”

Once he said that, Ye Leyao felt a bit embarrassed.

The flame of anger in his heart was extinguished by Qin Yao’s gentle words.

Ye Leyao blinked.

Qin Yao continued, “I’m very happy, Yaoyao, I’m really very happy…”

Ye Leyao let out a small hum: “What are you happy about? Your life and career almost got ruined just now…”

“They can’t ruin it,” Qin Yao reassured Ye Leyao.

Ye Leyao pressed his lips together. The two were very close, with their chests touching, and he could feel Qin Yao’s heart beating violently.

He wanted to refute Qin Yao, but after racking his brains for a long time, he couldn’t find the words to argue back, so he gave up.

Seeing that Ye Leyao seemed to have calmed down, Qin Yao hugged him even tighter.

Neither Ye Leyao nor Qin Yao spoke anymore, and only then did Qin Hongxi withdraw his gaze from the two of them and turn to look at Gu Rou coldly.

After being entangled with this person for so many years, he now had enough evidence in hand to deliver a final blow to the Gu family, and he could naturally put an end to things with Gu Rou.

Qin Hongxi glanced at the assistant outside the door, who quickly came forward to hand him the documents.

Qin Hongxi presented the divorce agreement in front of Gu Rou: “Sign it.”

Gu Rou was taken aback. Upon seeing the words “divorce agreement,” her emotions suddenly became agitated: “Divorce again! Qin Hongxi, is there no other way for you to threaten me besides divorce? Are you really planning to ruin Qin Yao…”

Perhaps because it was the first time Gu Rou had tasted a sweet deal, over the years, whenever Qin Hongxi proposed divorce, she would always say this.

Unfortunately, Qin Yao had already grown up.

He was no longer that child who feared the snowy nights.

And Qin Hongxi himself was also ready to step out of the snowy nights he had walked through for more than ten years.

“Weren’t you just about to ruin him?” Qin Hongxi said coldly.

The man usually held a dominant position, but he seldom showed this domineering demeanor. At this moment, he looked down at Gu Rou, his gaze as if he were looking at an ant.

Gu Rou trembled all over under his gaze.

No…

How could Qin Hongxi look at her with such eyes?

Previously, whenever she spoke these words, Qin Hongxi would always retreat; why was it different this time?

Gu Rou suddenly felt an unprecedented panic.

Qin Hongxi couldn’t possibly not fall for her tricks anymore, right?

It shouldn’t be; Qin Hongxi liked her so much, and he adored his son. How could he not compromise?

Gu Rou comforted herself not to panic and said, “I won’t divorce you, and for today’s matter, you must find a way…”

Qin Hongxi suddenly chuckled lightly.

Gu Rou was taken aback.

She saw Qin Hongxi raise his hand, and the reporters behind him stopped taking photos. Bodyguards filed in: “It’s fine if you don’t sign. Anyway, as long as the Gu family falls, you and your good brother will be done for, and it will be out of your control.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Rou’s heart instantly sank: “Qin Hongxi, you—”

“Gu Rou, don’t think that I haven’t grasped evidence of your illegal transfer of assets, and don’t think that the little tricks your Gu family has been pulling haven’t been caught by me!” Qin Hongxi coldly reminded.

With these words, it wasn’t just Gu Rou who panicked.

Gu Song struggled to get up: “Sister, Brother-in-law… I…”

Unfortunately, the bodyguards did not give the two a chance to speak.

Several bodyguards restrained the three, ignoring their fierce resistance, and unceremoniously threw them onto the floor outside the Qin family villa.

The summer heat made the ground painfully hot.

It wasn’t until their hands got burned and they heard Gu Yu and Gu Song’s screams that Gu Rou finally realized.

It was over.

This time, Qin Hongxi was genuinely going to divorce her.

Everything was ruined.