SFBF CH103.2

Objectively speaking, evaluated purely on appearance, President Gu’s newlywed spouse was much more delicate, striking, and eye-catching than Film Emperor Xiao, boasting an even superior temperament.

After all, Shen Qing had recently staged a dramatic comeback relying on period dramas and martial arts action roles, having continuously trained his body and posture. Seeing him in the flesh now, people realized he was even taller, slimmer, and more imposing than his on-screen persona of the Immortal Master, perfectly matching contemporary public aesthetic standards.

By comparison, while Film Emperor Xiao was well-maintained, he lacked that youthful vigor entirely, nor did he possess Shen Qing’s stunning visual impact.

That striking aura had nothing to do with age.

If a comparison had to be made, President Gu’s wife simply had brighter, more captivating, and better-looking eyes.

Film Emperor Xiao, being a major film emperor, was aloof and tended to put on airs, making him considerably less endearing.

Having listened to Young Master Shen’s exposé, Shen Qing deduced the exact same conclusion that the surrounding gossiping crowd had arrived at.

—It seemed Film Emperor Xiao had once been involved with the fifth young master, but Gu Huaiying had a crush on Xiao Hangying.

Afterward, the accident happened: the fifth young master became a vegetative state, and Gu Huaiying was paralyzed, prompting Film Emperor Xiao to flee overseas to take care of the vegetative fifth young master.

As a result, a little over a year later, Film Emperor Xiao regretted it—he regretted attaching himself to the fifth young master, yet he didn’t want to return to seek out the sixth young master either, who madly adored him, because the sixth young master was also a dying man confined to a wheelchair.

Finally, with upper-class circles recently buzzing with rumors that Gu Huaiying had recovered his health, followed by a string of terrifying moves that terrified everyone, Xiao Hangying rushed back, united with the Gu family, and confronted him—the wife of President Gu…

Consequently, Shen Qing asked, “Then why didn’t you go directly to President Gu to talk?”

—This was his most direct reaction and question after processing the whole affair.

Before anyone opposite him could speak, Li Hong blurted out, “Madam, you must be joking. Who on earth can just casually see President Gu these days? President Gu isn’t someone anyone can just walk up to!”

Li Hong’s voice was booming, causing the surrounding onlookers to nod in agreement.

Indeed, President Gu had refused guests for years.

Furthermore, as business elites themselves, everyone knew that recently it had gotten even more absurd: even top executives under President Gu’s command couldn’t easily secure an audience with him.

Of course, it was normal for outsiders like them not to see President Gu.

Word had it that even members of the Gu family couldn’t easily see him either.

But Film Emperor Xiao… wasn’t he President Gu’s white moonlight?

“Since you’re the white moonlight, don’t you have some special contact method to reach President Gu?”

Someone in the crowd asked, half-questioning, half-mocking, purely looking to watch the drama unfold without fearing big trouble.

“As everyone knows, President Gu doesn’t even use a cell phone and keeps no private contact numbers,” another person objectively stated facts.

Still, others felt that was no excuse: “If President Gu wanted to see him, Film Emperor Xiao could just send an email and get a meeting… Or maybe he just didn’t want to see him at all.”

“This appetite-whetting behavior is getting a bit ugly.”

A woman with a booming voice expressed her disgust openly: “What white moonlight? Forget unrequited crushes; even if they had dated in the past, the man has already moved on to a new relationship and gotten married, yet you still come to talk to his wife? Isn’t this textbook homewrecker behavior?!”

While nouveau riche aristocrats and entertainment top-tiers grasped the full picture, outsiders didn’t know who President Gu’s husband actually was, but the people right here certainly did.

Yet nobody dared to gossip about President Gu.

Even though Gu Huaiying had been on the verge of death previously, wasn’t he still alive?

No matter how sick President Gu had been before, as long as he was breathing, nobody was stupid enough to court death.

“Mr. Shen, I think there’s a misunderstanding.”

Though his expression remained grim, Xiao Hangying maintained his composure amidst the pointing fingers of the crowd, explaining, “Hangying and Huaiying were indeed acquainted in the past, but rest assured, I have no intention of interfering in your lives. Coming here today, I simply wanted to take the opportunity of my return to the country to check in on you. After all, having known Huaiying back then, I consider myself somewhat of an older brother to him.”

His calm, open-minded attitude made the gossiping crowd hesitate: “So… maybe it really is just an ‘older brother’?”

“Yeah, homewreckers don’t usually act this brazen and self-righteous, right?”

Standing in the crowd, Xiao Hangying straightened his spine even further.

Some people were claiming he wanted to act as a home-wrecker?

…

Those people really didn’t understand Xiao Hangying at all.

At this moment, he wanted to blatantly tell everyone that he, Xiao Hangying, disdained lowering himself to be someone’s homewrecker.

Gu Huaiyu might be rich and powerful, but he was ultimately just a cripple in a wheelchair. There were plenty of people who liked Xiao Hangying; there were many unmarried wealthy men in this world.

As long as he could shake off that vegetable, Gu Huaiyu…

Xiao Hangying suddenly approached Shen Qing and asked, “Also, the main reason I came back this time was to see how Huaiyu is doing now, if his health has improved at all… Oh, Mr. Shen is attending such an important occasion, didn’t Huaiyu come with you? Well, it makes sense. He’s in a wheelchair, so it must be very inconvenient.”

To show that he didn’t care for Gu Huaiyu at all and to directly slap the faces of those who said he wanted to be the “other man,” Film Emperor Xiao’s tone—aside from achieving his goal for this trip and expressing pity for Shen Qing—also revealed a hint of disdain for Gu Huaiyu.

Hearing this, Shen Qing slightly raised his eyebrows, suddenly feeling that this Film Emperor Xiao was quite manipulative. How could a person comment on someone else’s affairs with such a condescending tone while pretending to be so familiar with them?

Xiao Hangying spoke as if President Gu were merely one of his accessories—one he looked down upon but knew extremely well.

Shen Qing gave him a fake smile and said, “I think you remembered incorrectly? Even for important occasions, President Gu never attended them, even when he didn’t use a wheelchair.”

Xiao Hangying didn’t expect Shen Qing to be so sharp-tongued. He paused slightly before saying, “…Huaiyu’s personality is a bit cold, and he’s never liked attending such occasions. Sigh, my memory is bad, I completely forgot about that.”

The people around them were still gossiping about the homewrecker topic. As a hardcore fan of Film Emperor Xiao, Gu Huaiying couldn’t hold back anymore after seeing her idol’s stance. She suddenly spoke up: “Don’t talk nonsense! When my sixth brother was perfectly healthy, Brother Hangying didn’t choose him. Now my sixth brother is a crip… How could Brother Hangying possibly eat old grass [go back to an old flame]!”

As soon as Gu Huaiying finished speaking, an uproar broke out around them. Gu Huaixiang quickly pulled her back, her eyes filled with both a warning threat and disgust.

Gu Huaiying was only in her early twenties, younger than Shen Qing. Therefore, her judgment was still somewhat flawed. For example, in her statement, wasn’t the “old grass” referring to Gu Huaiyu?

Setting aside whether President Gu was actually that “grass,” the mere fact that she, as a member of the Gu family, publicly stated her sixth brother was the discarded old flame was enough to show that the Gu family was internally divided.

At the very least, the relationship between Gu Huaiyu and them was not harmonious.

…But right now, several of the Gu family’s projects were being forcefully kept afloat by relying on Gu Huaiyu’s reputation. Gu Huaixiang wasn’t sure if Gu Huaiying broadcasting this news of family discord would negatively affect their projects and stocks.

Knowing she had misspoken, Gu Huaiying didn’t dare make another sound.

Although in her heart, her sixth brother was just a dying cripple who had harmed her fifth brother and forced her favorite Film Emperor Xiao to live like a widow. It was truly a heinous crime…

“What homewrecker and original spouse? Our sixth brother’s marriage to the Shen family is merely an arrangement; there are no feelings involved,” Gu Huaixiang suddenly spoke up, trying to steer the topic back.

She was used to being domineering and egocentric; topics of conversation were often started or ended at her discretion.

Gu Huaixiang, with exquisitely painted eye makeup, looked at Shen Qing with an expression full of contempt: “Mr. Shen doesn’t actually think that just because you’ve taken good care of the kids and have now supposedly become popular again, you’re worthy of Huaiyu, right? A minor celebrity like you…”

“Oh? I’m not worthy?” Shen Qing blinked upon hearing this. “So you think Film Emperor Xiao is worthy. Then what exactly is the relationship between Film Emperor Xiao and the Fifth Young Master?”

“Whatever their relationship is, it’s none of your business.”

Gu Huaiyao snatched the conversation, “The one Gu Huaiyu has always liked is Xiao Hangying. As an outsider, you can’t be blamed for not knowing, but now you do.”

Bystanders immediately began whispering among themselves, “What does that mean? Did the Gu family just confirm that he likes Film Emperor Xiao?”

“But looking closely, Mr. Shen is quite delicate, and his side profile does look somewhat similar to Film Emperor Xiao’s…”

Gu Huaiying then chimed in, “Brother Shen, I heard you’ve taken great care of my sixth brother, and we are all very grateful to you. But you know how it is, my sixth brother is quite cold by nature, and he’s only ever liked Brother Hangying. So don’t blame him, after all, you…”

“After all, I don’t plan on blaming him for the time being,” Shen Qing directly interjected.

He hadn’t spoken earlier because he didn’t know the situation or what their motives were. But that didn’t mean he was going to stand there forever listening to these people tag-team their little act.

Shen Qing’s voice was clear and resonant, his words forceful: “If you have something to say, go talk to Gu Huaiyu first… Oh, whether you can find him is your problem. As for matters between me and Gu Huaiyu, that’s for him to tell me personally.”

The implication was: Who do you think you are? You’re not worthy of talking to me.

Originally, Shen Qing was almost the youngest person here. Trying to convey this meaning while using polite language was actually quite difficult. But Shen Qing spoke neither subserviently nor arrogantly, at a steady pace, exuding the demeanor of a household head. He actually managed to forcefully convey the “you’re not worthy” message, completely crushing the people opposite him with his aura alone.

This left both the Gu family and Xiao Hangying stunned.

…Gu Huaixiang, who had dealt with Shen Qing a few times before, felt that the young man’s vibe had completely changed.

Although the Shen Qing from a few months ago would dare to talk back to her, the young man back then lacked this authoritative posture and such a powerful aura.

Meanwhile, Xiao Hangying, who was interacting with Shen Qing for the first time, found it strange. He had heard that Shen Qing was timid, cowardly, and mercenary. He had originally thought such a person would be easy to talk to and bribe.

But looking at it now, things didn’t seem as simple as he had thought…

After stating his position, Shen Qing prepared to leave.

Xiao Hangying also wanted to leave things at that for now. After all, there were many people around, and he didn’t want to overcomplicate things and affect his reputation.

However, right at that moment, someone suddenly called Shen Qing’s name again.

“Shen Qing.”

The voice was low, not loud, yet it inexplicably reached everyone’s ears.

Everyone turned their heads.

A ridiculously tall man with long legs, dressed in a suit, appeared amidst the crowd.

Perhaps due to a lack of sunlight, his complexion was somewhat pale, but his features were deep, distinct, and handsomely striking. He exuded an aura of supreme nobility. His steps seemed slow and unhurried, yet he walked with a commanding presence.

And the man’s gaze, from start to finish, fell solely on Shen Qing.

He walked straight in Shen Qing’s direction.

Seeing clearly who it was, everyone subconsciously parted ways wherever he passed.

The Gu family members opposite Shen Qing, including Xiao Hangying, all froze simultaneously. That was…

How could it be him?!

“President… President Gu…”

Someone in the crowd muttered first.

Gu Huaiyu strode forward, looking straight ahead, until he stopped in front of the young man named Shen Qing.

“Wife,” Gu Huaiyu called out.

The surroundings fell utterly silent.

The three Gu siblings’ eyes almost popped out of their heads. Looking at the tall Gu Huaiyu who had walked over step by step on his own, parting the crowd and looking reasonably healthy, Gu Huaixiang’s lips moved as she muttered to herself, “How is this possible…”

She had long ago bribed the medical team around Gu Huaiyu and confirmed that this man would never stand up again and didn’t have long to live.

So everyone in their family from top to bottom always thought it was just a matter of when Gu Huaiyu would die…

But this Gu Huaiyu with a steady gait—was he really the same dying man?!

The Gu family was too shocked to react.

Film Emperor Xiao stared at the tall figure, completely dumbfounded.

After a moment of silence, the people around them began to whisper. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to discuss it loudly; they really wanted to gossip, but they didn’t dare speak up—that was Gu Huaiyu!

No matter how you looked at it, this healthy-looking Gu Huaiyu had absolutely nothing in common with a sickly, crippled, and dying man!

Even Shen Yuan, who had been subconsciously protecting Shen Qing all along, was stunned. He looked at Shen Qing: What’s going on? Didn’t President Gu show up after all?

Shen Qing: …

Alright, Gu Huaiyu did indeed attend this grand banquet today. It’s just that earlier, when Young Master Shen asked why President Gu didn’t accompany him, before Shen Qing could answer, Young Master Shen tried to save him from embarrassment and answered his own question, saying, “Oh right, President Gu doesn’t usually attend these events,” yada yada.

…Since the other party had already said that, it wasn’t convenient for Shen Qing to insist that his husband had actually come.

After all, according to their original plan, President Gu wasn’t going to show his face.

Besides, Shen Qing hadn’t lied; President Gu was indeed watching the kids.

—Huacheng Night didn’t just invite adults; it also invited child stars, and the threshold was relatively low. Because some of the high-society elites attending the ceremony would also bring their little ones to play. And as the little child star recently pampered by Director Xia, Aozai was also invited.

It’s just that the kids didn’t have to walk the red carpet, while Shen Qing had red carpet duties and couldn’t move around with them. So Aozai was temporarily looked after by Lin Wenjue.

At first, Shen Qing was a bit worried and wanted to watch the kid himself. But President Gu said he would go too and watch the kid. He could also pick up his wife from work along the way.

…

And then President Gu’s people drove their car directly into the venue. After arriving secretly, it was said that President Gu could find a hidden place to rest without alerting anyone else.

Shen Qing didn’t know much about the rest of the schedule. If he hadn’t bumped into Young Master Shen, he probably would have already gone to meet up with President Gu and the others when the time was right.

As for why the Gu family and Film Emperor Xiao came looking for trouble later, Shen Qing still hadn’t mentioned that President Gu was here. Mainly because Gu Huaiyu’s body hadn’t fully recovered, so they still needed to keep a low profile. It was one thing for him to attend secretly, but now outsiders were inquiring about President Gu’s physical condition. Shen Qing didn’t want to leak any information, nor did he actually want the Gu family or Film Emperor Xiao to go see Gu Huaiyu.

Furthermore, regarding the information the Gu family spat out about some “white moonlight” [first love], Shen Qing completely reserved judgment and didn’t believe a word of it.

No matter how arrogant the Gu family across from him was, ultimately, those who talk too much err too often. From the information spilling from their mouths, Shen Qing knew they didn’t really understand Gu Huaiyu. In fact, they didn’t understand him at all; they didn’t even know the boss’s ongoing physical condition.

So how stupid would Shen Qing have to be to take the words of such people seriously?

From the moment the people opposite him started chiming in one by one to introduce Xiao Hangying, Shen Qing had treated it entirely as watching a play.

Before verifying the truth himself, he wouldn’t take a single word to heart.

He was just that immune to internal emotional friction.

…But speaking of which, when President Gu arrived, he was still in a wheelchair. How was he walking over on his own right now? And those steps of his were incredibly crisp and smooth.

If he hadn’t spent day and night with him, watching President Gu practice continuously bit by bit until he could gradually walk independently, Shen Qing would have thought the current Gu Huaiyu was a perfectly healthy person…

But thinking back to just now, Film Emperor Xiao and the Gu family were calling President Gu “old grass” simply because he was paralyzed. Shen Qing equally didn’t want to mention President Gu being in a wheelchair at this moment.

He was just that smart and protective of his own.

So he merely asked Gu Huaiyu, “Why did you come over?”

“To give you something.”

Gu Huaiyu’s voice was cold and detached. As he spoke, he slowly raised the box in his hand and offered it to Shen Qing.

“This is…”

Shen Qing subconsciously opened the box.

A dazzling, brilliant light flashed from inside the box.

Someone nearby suddenly gasped, “…Isn’t this Elder Song’s priceless jewelry pendant?!”

The one who exclaimed was Shen Yuan.

Young Master Shen had just been discussing this jewelry pendant with Shen Qing. Young Master Shen Yuan, who had always loved these kinds of things, had once seen a picture of it in a book.

A century-old jewel, natural diamond, absolutely priceless. He was just lamenting earlier that he wouldn’t be able to meet Elder Song or see this pendant.

But now…

“What is going on here?!”

Upon hearing it was Elder Song’s jewelry, coupled with Young Master Shen’s exaggerated reaction, even those around who didn’t recognize the pendant instantly realized what it was.

“Elder Song’s pendant? The century-old pendant named ‘Jewel in the Palm’??”

Shen Qing: “…”

His habit of casually opening boxes really hadn’t changed one bit.

At this moment, Shen Qing somewhat regretted opening the box so hastily, because this jewelry pendant was truly dazzling, beautiful, and noble.

And it was very expensive! So expensive that it didn’t seem like something that should be opened in public…

However, just as he was thinking this, Gu Huaiyu’s long, slender fingers reached over, picked up the pendant, and directly put it on Shen Qing.

…

His movements were smooth and continuous.

Shen Qing immediately felt the added weight on his neck.

…

Ahhhhh!

Shen Qing looked down at the brilliant pendant hanging against his chest, and this time, he too was stunned.

“…Where did you get this?”

Raising his hand to straighten the pendant on his wife’s chest, Gu Huaiyu carefully adjusted it for him while saying, “Elder Song parted with it.”

His voice was still nonchalant, as if giving his wife such a gift was entirely ordinary.

“…”

The people around them froze in unison, their breath hitching!

Shen Qing, however, had an offbeat thought: So those legendary bigwigs who are incredibly hard to meet were all hiding in hidden corners too… Was President Gu hiding with them? Did you guys casually have tea together too??

Shen Qing really wanted to ask.

But the next second, having finished adjusting his collar, Gu Huaiyu suddenly turned his head.

Looking quite ruthless and aloof from the side, he cast a cold sidelong glance and unexpectedly said, “When have I ever been infatuated with anyone else, let alone pined for someone I couldn’t have?”

The direction of his gaze was fixed on the Gu family, as well as Xiao Hangying.

Gu Huaiyu declared loudly, “The person I love has always been only Teacher Shen Qing.”