The Ji family had been in high spirits, but because of this news, everyone's expressions darkened.
Ji Zhouye took Old Master Ji's phone. "It's getting late. Go back to your room and rest. Duoduo, go in and keep an eye on him."
Old Master Ji smiled bitterly. "I'm at the center of this media storm. I need to clarify things."
"The more you try to explain, the messier it gets," Ji Zhiyuan interjected. "Old Master, just go rest. I'll handle this."
Once the old man had retreated to his room, Ji Zhiyuan immediately called the Ji Group's legal department.
Five minutes later, the official account of the Ji Group issued a legal notice, vowing to hold the rumor-mongers accountable.
Netizens in the comments section found it amusing.
"How many celebrities have issued legal notices only to have it backfire? Is the Ji Group subtly confirming that this is true?"
"The news about Old Master Ji keeping Rong Yu as his mistress is 100% real. Otherwise, how could she have skyrocketed to first place in the talent show? She's obviously the producers' favorite."
"Let's be real—she traded her body for resources. It's common in the entertainment industry. Small-time celebrities are just prey for the big players. Nothing new."
"This is so unfair to the other contestants who actually worked hard on their singing and dancing..."
"Talking about fairness in showbiz? That's hilarious..."
Su Tian, Li Ying'er, and others close to Rong Yu quickly reached out to ask what was going on. Upon hearing it was a misunderstanding, they immediately posted clarifications on social media.
However, their influence was too limited to make any real impact.
Meanwhile, the Rong family of four sat around the dining table.
Rong Ruoyao's phone kept lighting up with notifications from a group chat for the talent show contestants, discussing the trending scandal—shockingly, it involved Rong Yu.
At first, she thought Rong Yu had landed another endorsement deal. But after reading the details, her face twisted in disbelief.
Ever since she first noticed Rong Yu wearing designer clothes, she had suspected a wealthy patron. Through careful observation, she had concluded it was Ji Zhouye.
But their classmates insisted the two weren't dating.
She had also noticed how Ji Zhouye acted subserviently around Rong Yu, more like a lackey than a boyfriend. Still, she couldn't fathom what other relationship they could have.
Now, it all made sense.
Rong Yu had actually latched onto Ji Zhouye's grandfather—someone of Old Master Ji's generation. No wonder Ji Zhouye had to tiptoe around her.
She had imagined Rong Yu might have some shady secrets, but never something this disgraceful...
Shen Lin turned to her. "What's wrong?"
Rong Ruoyao handed her phone over.
Rong Wangtian leaned in to read alongside Shen Lin.
At first, he remained calm upon seeing the headline. But as he scrolled down to the photos, he exploded. "Old Master Ji's alleged mistress is Rong Yu? Impossible! This is slander! The reporters made this up!"
Though Rong Yu was rebellious, defiant, and rarely showed him respect as her father, he could sense her integrity. She would never stoop to such behavior.
Besides, Rong Yu's mother had been a woman of unyielding pride. Back then, just because he had gotten too close to women at a business dinner, she had filed for divorce.
Rong Yu had inherited that pride—she would never do something so morally bankrupt.
Shen Lin finished reading the article calmly. "This seems like fake news planted by the Ji Group's competitors. If Rong Yu gets dragged into this, it might affect the Rong Group..."
"Dad, why won't you believe it?" Rong Ruoyao looked up. "When Rong Yu moved out two months ago, did you really think she was staying at school?"
Rong Wangtian set down his chopsticks. "What are you implying, Ruoyao?"
"She never spent a single night at school," Rong Ruoyao bit her lip. "I wanted to tell you earlier, but I didn’t want her to think I was a snitch. Now that this scandal has blown up, netizens will eventually expose her as part of the Rong family. The company’s reputation will suffer, and you’ll become a laughingstock..."
Rong Wangtian's face darkened.
Had he been too trusting of Rong Yu? He had never doubted her before...
Rong Ruoyao glanced at him.
In the past, he would have believed anything she said. But now, just because Rong Yu had won a physics award, he wouldn’t even take her word for it...
Just then, Hai's Group and Si's Group posted a joint photo on their official accounts—a snapshot of Old Master Hai, Old Master Si, Old Master Ji, and Rong Yu fishing together that afternoon.
Old Master Hai wrote: "This afternoon, Rong Yu spent time fishing with us old folks."
Old Master Si added: "Rong Yu is a young woman we all admire. Stop spinning wild tales, gossipmongers."
Public opinion flipped instantly.
"So it wasn’t a private date—there were others present."
"But why would Rong Yu be fishing with these tycoons in the first place?"
"Obviously, Old Master Ji introduced her to his circle. Look how happy he looks—he must really dote on his little mistress. Who knows, he might even marry her someday. Tsk tsk."
"Check out the new photos the tabloids posted—Rong Yu was taken to the Ji family’s Lotus Manor!"
"Lotus Manor is the Ji family’s ancestral estate. Only those they truly accept can step foot inside."
"If she’s entered the Ji household, she’s practically one of them now..."
"..."
"You keyboard warriors crack me up. Since when does entering the Ji family’s home mean becoming part of the family?"
"Ji Zhouye is our classmate. Our entire class of fifty has been to Lotus Manor. Were we all kept by Old Master Ji too?"
Students at Haicheng High’s evening self-study session couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity online.
They pulled out their phones, hidden under textbooks, and began clapping back at the netizens.
"Rong Yu and Ji Zhouye are desk mates. She tutors him every day—of course she’d visit his house!"
"My parents keep inviting Rong Yu over for dinner, but she’s always busy. Maybe we should stop, or else people will say my dad’s keeping her too."
Neutral observers also chimed in.
"Rong Yu is a genius. The Fourth Aerospace Institute invited her, and she won the national physics competition. It’s no surprise these big shots admire her."
"Gossip accounts just grabbed random photos and spun a story. They’re about to face the Ji Group’s wrath."
"The more you haters trash her, the more I like her. Maybe I share the same taste as these tycoons—guess I’m destined for riches too."
"..."
As the backlash grew, the Ji Group strategically stepped in again, tagging the original rumor-spreading accounts. Gradually, the negative chatter died down, and the company’s stock stabilized.
Rong Ruoyao watched as the scandal spread like wildfire—only to fizzle out just as quickly.
She met Rong Wangtian's inexplicable gaze, her tongue feeling slightly dry and hoarse. After a long pause, she finally spoke, "No matter what, it's true that sister hasn't been staying at school. Doesn’t Dad wonder where she’s been living these past two months?"
