Online, the top ten trending topics were all about Yan Ting.
#YanTingIsTheOtherWoman
#YanTingGirlfriend
#YanTingAgentQiuSang
#YanTingGotBeatenUp
#YanTingScandal
Rumors were flying everywhere.
Ji Yanting, his face bruised and battered, picked up his phone, logged into Weibo, and started typing. The reclusive film emperor, who rarely posted, suddenly uploaded three updates in a row—
"Not the other woman. Expect a lawyer’s letter, rumor-mongers."
"Currently single. Please stop digging into my agent’s private information."
"Also, not beaten up. It was a mutual fight."
The moment these posts went live, Weibo exploded. The site crashed, leaving many unable to access it. The three comment sections instantly surpassed a million replies.
"Hahaha, my idol cares about his pride—mutual fight, not beaten up. Everyone take notes!"
"I knew it! My Yan Ting would never be someone’s side piece. He’s too handsome, too talented—why would he ever mess with a married woman?"
"Did you hear that? Yan Ting is SINGLE, ladies. Time to make your move!"
"Honestly, Yan Ting’s agent is pretty. Would you guys really mind if she became his girlfriend?"
"Are you insane? The agent’s already thirty! Three years older is fine—'woman brings gold' and all that—but five? That’s practically a generation gap!"
"My idol’s only 25 or 26. Why rush into marriage? I don’t approve!"
"..."
Reading these comments, Ji Yanting’s expression darkened.
He didn’t see a five-year gap as a problem.
But it seemed everyone else did—including Qiu Sang…
His fingers paused. He looked up. "By the way, Grandma, where’s Qiu Sang?"
Rong Yu finished applying a bandage to his face, then picked up his hand to disinfect it. "Sister Qiu went to talk to that man."
Old Master Ji frowned. "Yanting, your physique’s lacking. Train with your grandma later. I’ve been practicing Tai Chi every morning—feels much better now."
Ji Yanting: "..."
It wasn’t that he was weak. The other guy was just built like a tank!
About half an hour later, Qiu Sang returned, visibly exhausted. The red marks on her face had started to swell.
She forced a smile. "He really did mistake me for his wife. But it’s cleared up now. He apologized and left, promised not to spread anything online."
Ji Yanting wasn’t concerned about that.
He stood and pressed Qiu Sang into a seat. "Let me treat your injuries."
The moment his fingers brushed her face, she dodged, turning to Rong Yu. "Could I trouble Miss Rong instead?"
Rong Yu caught the fleeting disappointment in Ji Yanting’s eyes.
Her lips curved slightly.
This fool… probably had feelings for Qiu Sang.
Too bad Qiu Sang didn’t seem the least bit interested.
A true workaholic.
Rong Yu carefully applied medicine. "Minor injuries. Nothing serious."
"Thank you, Miss Rong." Qiu Sang looked apologetic. "There are a lot of damaging photos and videos of Yan Ting circulating online. I need to handle this urgently at the company. I’ll have to excuse myself for now. Please forgive me, Old Master Ji, Miss Rong."
"Don’t worry, work comes first," Old Master Ji said. "Yanting, go back with Qiu Sang. We don’t need company here."
Ji Yanting wrapped himself up even more tightly.
Qiu Sang also put on a mask.
Once in the car, Qiu Sang pulled out her phone and searched for news about yesterday’s event—where she’d clashed with Zhou Yachen.
Her photo had been exposed because of it.
She’d been too careless.
With a bitter smile, she said, "Yan Ting, I have an awkward request…"
Ji Yanting cut her off. "We’ve worked together for years. Just say it."
"I’d like to advance this year’s bonus." Qiu Sang lowered her head. "I know it’s inappropriate, but I promise I’ll—"
"Done." Ji Yanting paused. "Why the sudden need for money? Did something happen?"
Qiu Sang shook her head. "I mentioned before—I want to buy a house. Just a bit short on funds."
Rong Yu and Old Master Ji didn’t linger in Beijing either. They chartered a private jet back to Haicheng, with the little dog Songguo accompanying them.
"Old Master, Miss Rong, welcome home." Steward Yu greeted them at the door with the staff. "Old Master, the fourth young master returned this morning."
Old Master Ji froze. "Liuguang’s back?"
That kid had left for studies abroad before finishing high school. Four years overseas, and not once had he returned.
They’d occasionally video-called.
Meaning, the old man hadn’t seen this grandson in four years.
Old Master Ji hurried inside.
A twenty-year-old young man was sprawled on the sofa, one arm in a cast slung around his neck.
Seeing the old man enter, Ji Liuguang burst into dramatic sobs. "Grandpa! I got beaten up abroad! No one helped me… I’m so miserable!"
Old Master Ji noted how much taller and sturdier he’d grown—but the crying ruined the image. He smacked the back of Liuguang’s head. "Speak properly. None of this whining."
"Old Master, let me explain." A woman in her forties stepped forward from behind Ji Liuguang.
She was Nanny Zhang, assigned by the Ji family to accompany Liuguang abroad. Naturally, she knew his situation best.
Bowing slightly, she said, "The fourth young master’s school was extremely discriminatory. Some of the Western students constantly bullied him. These years, he’s hardly had a peaceful day. Recently, at a banquet, he spoke a few words to a woman, and her people took offense. They beat him badly, then bribed the school to expel him. He wasn’t even allowed back on campus—had no choice but to return…"
"What?!" Old Master Ji was stunned. "Expelled with just half a year left?!"
Ji Liuguang wailed, "I didn’t want to get kicked out! But those people were awful! They kept targeting me just because I’m Chinese! They broke my arm—it hurts so much…"
"Alright, enough crying." Old Master Ji patted his back. "Rest at home these days. I’ll send someone to deal with the school."
"No, no need." Ji Liuguang sniffled. "Who cares about a degree? I can just join the Ji Group, right? How important is education anyway?"
Just then, a small dog’s bark cut through the air.
