The sea breeze continued to blow softly over everyone.
Yet the atmosphere at the scene seemed frozen under a layer of ice.
The director hesitated, words caught in his throat, before finally lowering his head in silent tears.
Was this kind of high-society scandal really something to be revealed in a livestream with millions of viewers?
Thankfully, he had cut the broadcast in time!
To prevent accidents, he had set a thirty-second delay—
and who knew it would actually come in handy?
He could’ve been a child model—though he was already an adult, he lived like a coward.
Gu Jingzhou’s words had left everyone stunned.
All eyes turned to Xie Guanyan.
Everyone in Beijing’s upper class knew Xie Guanyan had come from a slum orphanage.
No one had ever heard whispers of him being a love child.
Whose family’s secret was this?
Gu Song’s brow twitched at Gu Jingzhou’s words.
At first, he hadn’t publicly acknowledged Xie Guanyan as his son out of shame.
For the wealthy, having an illegitimate child wasn’t unusual—
but if the mother was from the slums? That was humiliating.
Later, Xie Guanyan rose to fame and success.
He warned Gu Song never to reveal their relationship.
Gu Song knew it was revenge.
So he kept quiet, only reaching out privately, hoping Xie Guanyan would eventually acknowledge him.
After all, he’d paid for his high school education.
Never did he expect his younger son to blurt it out!
But perhaps this was a blessing in disguise.
Since it wasn’t him who said it, Xie Guanyan couldn’t blame him.
Once Beijing’s elite knew he was Xie Guanyan’s father, he’d be welcomed everywhere!
With that thought, he feigned fury and strode forward.
He yanked Gu Jingzhou aside. "Who gave you the right to say such things?"
Then, with an apologetic smile at Xie Guanyan, "I’m sorry, Guanyan. It’s my—my fault for not keeping him in line."
The crowd’s eyes widened like copper bells.
Now they knew whose family secret this was.
Gu Jingchuan’s face paled, then flushed.
But no one was paying him any attention.
He quickly composed himself—even felt a flicker of satisfaction.
Lin Mo would surely look down on Xie Guanyan now that his illegitimate status was exposed!
Once they broke up, he could swoop in and take his chance.
Zhang Meixia stood frozen.
She hadn’t expected Gu Jingzhou to know Lin Mo too—
or that he’d sound just as infatuated.
Her legs nearly gave out.
What was so special about Lin Mo? Sure, she was pretty, studious, cheerful…
But no matter what, Gu Jingzhou was her only hope!
Gu Song shot her a glare. "Drag him away already!"
Zhang Meixia dug her nails into her palms.
All Gu Song cared about now was his illegitimate son!
Gu Jingzhou, young and hot-headed, scoffed. "I’m just telling the truth! Xie Guanyan’s mother was some lowlife from the slums who wrecked our family. What good could he possibly be?"
His mother had drilled this into him since childhood—he loathed Xie Guanyan.
The entire room gasped as if inhaling a mouthful of cold noodles.
How could he say such a thing? Did the Gu family still want a future in Beijing?
Gu Jingzhou wasn’t stupid. He just wanted to force Xie Guanyan’s true nature into the open for Lin Mo to see.
Beneath that gentle facade, he was violent, cruel—
Sure enough, Xie Guanyan’s gaze locked onto him with terrifying intensity.
Gu Jingzhou’s back prickled as if a predator had him in its sights.
Just as he braced for a blow—
Xie Guanyan’s eyes shifted to Lin Mo.
His hand twitched, reaching for hers before hesitating, as if afraid she’d recoil from him now.
Gu Jingzhou: "…"
Gu Jingchuan frowned deeply.
Damn it! Xie Guanyan was playing the wounded card!
At least Lin Mo had her brothers—they’d never accept him now!
Shen Yihan, Shen Sizhan, and Shen Ji’an stood rooted in place, momentarily stunned.
So this was the truth?
What would their sister think?
Shen Yihan rotated the Buddhist beads on his wrist and spoke first. "None of us choose how we’re born. Xie Guanyan is innocent in this."
Shen Ji’an stepped forward. "Xie Guanyan is a good man! His charity funds in the slums have put countless kids through school."
Shen Sizhan had been itching to throw Gu Jingzhou out.
Now he raked a hand through his silver hair, tone defiant. "Everyone knows Xie Guanyan’s entertainment company treats its people better than any other. I’d say he’s decent."
He hated defending Xie Guanyan, but facts were facts.
Their words made Xie Guanyan’s eyes widen behind his glasses.
He’d expected Lin Mo’s brothers—especially Shen Sizhan—to urge her to leave him after this revelation.
Yet here they were, speaking up for him.
Gu Jingchuan nearly fumed smoke from his head.
What kind of spell had Xie Guanyan cast on Lin Mo’s brothers?!
This was Lin Mo’s first time hearing about Xie Guanyan’s past.
She’d always wanted to ask but never did.
Now she regretted it.
If she’d asked sooner, she wouldn’t have reacted with shock in front of everyone—
making Xie Guanyan feel even worse.
Raised in an orphanage, his mother must have passed.
The crowd’s astonishment proved no one knew.
That meant Xie Guanyan had clawed his way up entirely alone, without a shred of help from the Gu family.
No family. No roots.
Facing every hardship with no one to turn to.
Her heart ached for him.
Lin Mo reached out, her jade-white fingers closing firmly around Xie Guanyan’s hand.
She met Gu Jingzhou’s gaze, voice steady. "I don’t care what others say about Xie Guanyan. I only trust what I’ve seen and felt for myself."
Then she tilted her chin up at the striking man beside her. "Xie Guanyan, from today onward, you’re not alone. If anyone dares bully you, I’ll always stand with you."
In one swift motion, she turned—
and slapped Gu Jingzhou hard across the face.
"That," she said coldly, "was incredibly rude."
