The private room was enveloped in silence.
Shen Que watched Lin Shu, silently admiring her performance. Brilliant, he thought. Her words were nothing short of masterful—she had completely absolved herself while crafting the image of a tragic goddess, one who had fought bravely for love but ultimately lost.
Even if she lost tonight, the story that would spread would paint her as dignified and graceful in defeat, losing only to Gu Chengyu’s callousness and fickleness. And even if Chengyu had initially wanted to blacklist her, faced with such a heartfelt confession, he likely wouldn’t resort to extreme measures.
Shen Que knew all too well the darker instincts of men.
Qin Yu lounged on the sofa, his gaze flickering between Lin Shu’s tear-streaked face and Gu Chengyu. A thought simmered in his mind.
Lin Shu’s tactics are truly impressive.
Her emotional confession, paired with those tears, struck right at the heart of male vanity—what man wouldn’t feel a rush of pride knowing a beauty like her had held him in such high regard? Add to that her stunning looks and alluring figure, now humbled in tearful supplication—what man could resist?
If not for Gu Chengyu’s new flame, that ethereal little fairy Su Qianqian…
Qin Yu could almost picture it: Lin Shu’s calculated play of playing hard-to-get and love-struck devotion was practically tailor-made for someone like Gu Chengyu, the arrogant young master.
If her ploy succeeded? A happy ending.
If it backfired? No matter—she could pivot to a repentant, lovesick act. Even if Gu Chengyu eventually married some high-society heiress, Lin Shu would forever occupy a special place in his heart. She’d likely be immortalized as the young master’s unattainable white moonlight, her career flourishing under his protection while she discreetly entertained a few young admirers on the side—something Gu Chengyu would probably turn a blind eye to.
A flawless script for a life of victory.
And truth be told, Qin Yu wasn’t wrong—this was exactly how the original story had played out.
But alas. His gaze slid to the figure nestled in Gu Chengyu’s arms.
Su Qianqian had buried half her delicate face against Chengyu’s chest, revealing only her glistening almond-shaped eyes. Her slender fingers clutched at his shirt, while one of Gu Chengyu’s arms encircled her tiny waist, the other gently patting her back in a display of tenderness never shown to Lin Shu or any other woman.
When you compare the goods, one has to be discarded. And when you compare the people… Lin Shu never stood a chance.
Qin Yu’s brief flicker of sympathy was quickly overtaken by the thrill of witnessing the drama. He nudged Shen Que beside him, his voice low and teasing.
"Hey, Shen Que, if not for this little fairy, do you think Chengyu would’ve fallen for Lin Shu’s ‘undying love’ act?"
Shen Que, already irritated by the couple’s intimacy, shot a glance at Lin Shu before his eyes settled on the soft, delicate girl in Gu Chengyu’s embrace. A cold snort escaped him.
"Fallen for it? In the past, Chengyu would’ve pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the spot! She’s always relied on the fact that men eat this kind of act up."
His tone was biting, laced with an acidity he didn’t even realize was there.
Once, he’d thought Lin Shu was captivating—a woman who knew how to play a man’s heart.
But now, compared to Su Qianqian’s pure sincerity, Lin Shu’s scheming demeanor just left a bitter taste.
Lin Shu stood at the center of the room, her nails digging into her palms.
Shen Que’s mocking laugh was a stark reminder.
Yes. Without Su Qianqian, my plan would’ve worked.
No matter how arrogant Gu Chengyu was, he wouldn’t have been able to resist a beauty offering her heart on a platter!
She would’ve been the indelible mark on his soul—not the laughingstock about to be thrown out.
A tidal wave of hatred and resentment churned inside her, threatening to drown her.
The spectators on either side held their breaths.
All eyes were fixed on the man seated at the center of the sofa.
Curiosity. Speculation.
What would he choose?
Would he spare Lin Shu for old times’ sake?
Or would he tear off the facade entirely to shield the fragile new love in his arms?
Under the weight of their stares, Gu Chengyu remained silent for a long moment.
What he cared about most was the girl in his arms.
Lin Shu’s strategic retreat—her heartfelt confession, her positioning as the wronged party—had indeed softened some of the icy fury he’d felt upon learning she’d manipulated Su Qianqian into coming here.
But he never took words at face value.
His grip on Su Qianqian’s waist tightened slightly as he looked down at her.
"Is what she said true?"
Su Qianqian lifted her gaze to Lin Shu. I underestimated her, she thought. She’s the white moonlight from the original storyline for a reason.
This woman could be ruthless when she wanted to be—but her mind worked frighteningly fast.
A memory of the original owner’s tragic death flashed through her mind. Revenge is always sweeter when taken with your own hands.
She nodded softly. "Mm. She didn’t do anything to me."
The moment the words left her lips, she tilted her face up at him, her eyes shimmering with the faintest trace of hurt and unease—emotions stirred by Lin Shu’s performance.
Like everyone else in the room, she was waiting for his verdict.
Who would he choose?
The sight of her pleading expression melted his heart completely.
He didn’t need to think. He didn’t care about Lin Shu’s so-called devotion.
He only wanted her.
Gu Chengyu raised his free hand—the one not wrapped around Su Qianqian—and gently ruffled her soft hair.
The touch was feather-light, soothing, as if he were petting a kitten.
That simple gesture spoke louder than any words.
The answer was clear.
Lin Shu’s body swayed as she watched his hand rest on Su Qianqian’s head. The color drained from her face entirely.
Finally, Gu Chengyu lifted his eyes to her.
His gaze was no longer indifferent or annoyed—just cool, detached amusement, as if examining something beneath him.
His lips parted, his voice quiet but razor-sharp, carrying the innate arrogance that ran in his bones.
"Fair competition?"
A derisive laugh escaped him, his mockery undisguised.
"Lin Shu, are you misunderstanding something?"
His eyes swept over her ashen face, his tone matter-of-fact, as if stating the obvious.
"There was never any ‘fair competition.’"
"You and her—you were never on the same level."
"Out of respect for the time we spent together, and because you didn’t actually harm her, I’ll let bygones be bygones."
"From today onward, you and I have no further connection."
His voice was ironclad, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Don’t appear in front of me again. And don’t you dare disturb her. You—are nothing. Understood?"
Lin Shu’s body trembled violently. She knew Gu Chengyu wouldn’t blacklist her—she’d succeeded in that much.
Now, she just had to play out this final act.
Or maybe she didn’t even need to act. The humiliation and fury were real, shaking her to the core.
She wanted to scream. To lunge at Su Qianqian and claw that innocent face to shreds. To demand of Gu Chengyu—how dare you?!
But her throat felt strangled, her voice stolen.
The weight of disgrace crushed her, her vision blurring at the edges.
This Su Qianqian—she’s just a nobody! An assistant!
And I’m a top-tier celebrity!
She had bared her heart in front of everyone, and yet he’d trampled on her feelings to elevate that little bitch?
The room was deathly silent.
Shen Que studied Lin Shu’s shattered expression, his gaze darkening.
Chengyu’s words… ruthless. Absolute.
To sever ties so cleanly—he’d left no room for mercy.
Qin Yu opened her mouth, only to silently mouth a "holy shit" in the end, completely convinced.
This wasn't just lifting one by putting another down—this was outright dragging Lin Shu from the clouds into the mud and then stomping on her a few times for good measure.
Meanwhile, the celebrities and their companions on both sides couldn't hide the sheer envy in their eyes as they glanced at the girl nestled in Gu Chengyu's arms.
To have the young master Gu go to such lengths, publicly humiliating his ex just to shield her—just what kind of incredible luck did Su Qianqian have?
