Chapter 32

The scandal involving Feng Zian and Qiao Hong not only swept through the entertainment industry but also affected the business world.

As Glory Real Estate’s market value plummeted by hundreds of billions in an instant, Jian’an Real Estate quickly seized the market with covert support from Gu’s Group. Other keen-sensed capital players also joined in to devour Glory Real Estate. In just three days, the industry leader found itself on the brink of bankruptcy.

During this time, Qiao Hong exhausted all his connections but couldn’t find a bank or venture capital firm willing to lend to him. Qiao Hong felt trapped, but events had unfolded too quickly, leaving him with no chance to react.

Soon, Qiao Hong had no choice but to file for bankruptcy protection, and the real estate industry underwent a significant transformation.

Mu Xingyu experienced the terror of the financial market for the first time. Like Lan Ying, he also had profound admiration for Gu Yunzhou, who could manipulate the entire situation.

He quickly received a call from an unknown number. After answering, he asked, “Hello, may I ask who’s calling?”

“Mu Xingyu, this is Zhang Heng.”

“Director Zhang!” Mu Xingyu exclaimed in surprise.

“I’m calling mainly to invite you to continue playing Shen Qian,” Director Zhang said somewhat awkwardly. He cleared his throat and continued, “Before, it was the investor’s request to replace you, and I had no choice. But now, with new investors injecting funds, I’d like to invite you back to the ‘The Journey’ series.”

“Director Zhang, is this your decision or the investor’s?” Mu Xingyu already knew that the new investor was Gu’s Group, but Zhang Heng was unaware of his relationship with Gu’s Group. So, he was curious about who wanted him back in the role of Shen Qian.

“It’s my decision. I’ve believed you were the best fit for Shen Qian since your audition, but I wasn’t firm enough earlier, and I had to compromise with the investors. Now, things have changed, and the new investors won’t interfere with my filming. So, I had the audacity to call you,” Zhang Heng explained.

After Glory Real Estate withdrew its investments, Zhang Heng initially thought his TV series would be stranded. But unexpectedly, at this critical moment, he received investment from Gu’s Group. Although Gu’s Group had diverse primary businesses and this was their first venture into the entertainment industry.. Zhang Heng was worried that they might make excessive demands, but Gu’s Group’s representative had reassured him that they wouldn’t interfere with the production.

In order not to disappoint the investors and fulfill his long-cherished dream, Zhang Heng immediately gave up on Feng Zian, who was tainted by the scandal,

, and personally called Mu Xingyu to invite him to rejoin the “The Journey” series.

“Thank you for your trust, Director Zhang. I’m delighted to rejoin ‘The Journey’ series,” Mu Xingyu said with a smile.

“Great. Come to my studio tomorrow, and we’ll get the contract signed,” Zhang Heng said to express his sincerity.

“All right.” After hanging up the phone, Mu Xingyu couldn’t help but reveal a satisfied smile.

The next day, he and Lan Ying arrived at Zhang Heng’s studio. After reviewing the contract and finding no issues, Mu Xingyu signed his name on the contract.

“Going round and round, things have finally settled,” Lan Ying sighed on their way back.

“Yes,” Mu Xingyu also couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. In both lifetimes, he had never expected that once Feng Zian lost Andre’s support, he would immediately seek a deal with Qiao Hong. Feng Zian’s jealousy was truly overwhelming, which was why he had ended up in his current state, with his reputation ruined.

Lan Ying nodded, “Fortunately, the outcome is satisfactory.”

At that moment, their phones chimed with a notification. Lan Ying picked up her phone and was surprised to receive a news update.

“Quick, Feng Zian is facing retribution,” Lan Ying said as she opened the news article and handed her phone to Mu Xingyu.

The news reported that Feng Zian had been pushed down a staircase and was currently receiving urgent medical attention.

After the revelation of Feng Zian’s scandal, it had caused an uproar on the internet. He was a popular idol and maintained a pure image. Now that it had been exposed that he had an inappropriate relationship with the married Qiao Hong, fans were unfollowing him, and netizens were expressing their outrage.

While society had become more open-minded and accepting of same-sex marriage, basic moral values remained unchanged. Feng Zian, who had built a false image, was now seen as someone who had destroyed a marriage. His reputation was utterly tarnished.

The most immediate impact was that TV series starring him were being taken off the air, and his endorsement deals were being canceled.

Fenghe Entertainment, afraid of being dragged into the controversy, swiftly disassociated from Feng Zian, claiming they had no knowledge of his relationship with Qiao Hong.

Feng Zian was hiding in his home, too afraid to go outside or even browse the internet. His phone, however, was constantly ringing with messages from companies wanting to cancel their endorsements and media outlets trying to interview him. Unable to bear it any longer, he had to set his phone on silent.

When he attempted to call Qiao Hong, the latter simply didn’t pick up. To salvage the company’s reputation, Qiao Hong claimed that Feng Zian had actively seduced him.

While Mu Xingyu was busy signing his contract, a group of people violently stormed into Feng Zian’s apartment, led by Qiao Hong’s wife.

Before the scandal was exposed, Qiao Hong’s wife had worked hard to maintain her identity as a high-society lady, even though she and her husband were cordial but distant. She had hoped for the best since there were no illegitimate children involved. However, after the scandal was exposed, she found out that her husband preferred men, and it became evident that he had initially married her for her family’s influence.

Proud Qiao Hong’s wife couldn’t accept it, so she came to find trouble for Feng Zian.

“You seduced my husband, didn’t you?”

“Madam Qiao, please don’t misunderstand. There really wasn’t much between Mr. Qiao and me. Let me explain…”

“Explain? We have the video; what else is there to explain?” Madam Qiao shouted angrily. She didn’t dare to do anything to Mr. Qiao, but she had no reservations about confronting the young star who had seduced her husband. “Hit him!” Madam Qiao ordered her bodyguards.

Feng Zian was soon beaten black and blue, but Madam Qiao felt it wasn’t enough. She directly pushed Feng Zian down the stairs.

After Madam Qiao left with her people, the security guards of the apartment dared to enter. They found Feng Zian lying motionless on the ground, unconscious.

Journalists who had heard the commotion began reporting extensively, making the situation between Feng Zian and Madam Qiao sound like a dramatic soap opera.

They even camped outside the hospital, hoping to interview Feng Zian as soon as he became conscious. However, doctors informed them that Feng Zian had suffered a broken neck in the fall and would be bedridden for the rest of his life.

Injuring someone can be settled with money, but when a person is crippled, money is insufficient to resolve the issue.

Soon after, Madam Qiao was arrested for intentional injury, and she would face strict legal consequences.

Mu’s mother, after receiving the news, excitedly called Mu Xingyu, “Have you seen the news? Madam Qiao has been sent to jail; it’s truly heaven’s justice.”

“Mom, she brought this upon herself, and there’s no need to pay attention to her news,” Mu Xingyu responded. He was focused on dealing with Qiao Hong and Feng Zian, and Madam Qiao’s irrational actions had consequences that she deserved.

Mu’s mother nodded in agreement and changed the subject, “Did you know? In a couple of days, your father and I are coming to visit the Gu family.”

“You’re coming to visit?”

“Yes, well, this time, Yunzhou helped us so much. We have to thank Yunzhou.”

“Mom, I also contributed,” Mu Xingyu couldn’t help but mention.

“Yes, I know. Both you and Yunzhou are amazing,” Mu’s mother said with a smile.

Mu Xingyu realized that his mother had completely turned her favor toward Gu Yunzhou.

Two days later, Mu’s parents visited the Gu family, and the Gu family warmly welcomed them.

Mu’s mother clearly felt the change in the relationship between Mu Xingyu and Gu Yunzhou. After dinner, she took Mu Xingyu to the garden and asked, “What’s the situation between you and President Gu? He seems to treat you very well.”

Mu Xingyu noticed that his mother’s gossip tendencies had been thoroughly unleashed since he entered the entertainment industry. “Mom, Gu Yunzhou and I are officially dating now. Don’t worry about it.”

“You say you’re dating, what’s going on? Weren’t you already married?”

“But we haven’t registered the marriage yet.”

Mu’s mother immediately realized, “You’re right! You haven’t registered yet. Xingyu, you should hurry and get married with Yunzhou.”

Mu Xingyu felt that he couldn’t discuss this topic any further and quickly said, “Mom, please don’t worry about me and Yunzhou. We’re doing well.”

…

A week later, after the scandals involving Feng Zian and Qiao Hong gradually subsided, the official cast of “The Journey” was announced.

As previously leaked, the male lead was the film actor Jiang Zhidong, the female lead was the rising star Zhou Ruxuan. However, the male second lead was not Feng Zian as leaked earlier, but the newcomer Mu Xingyu.

With Feng Zian tainted in the scandal and bedridden, he couldn’t possibly return to acting. Although there was some dispute due to the earlier leaks, many people were now looking forward to Mu Xingyu’s portrayal of Shen Qian.

However, some of Feng Zian’s stubborn fans firmly believed that Mu Xingyu had framed Feng Zian.

Although this was a minority opinion, director Zhang Heng issued a statement on social media: “I’ve been working on ‘The Journey for five years, investing a lot of effort. I personally chose all the actors. Please consider the official announcement.”

Lan Ying had always been aware of the conflict between Feng Zian and Mu Xingyu, but it was mostly petty squabbles that she didn’t take seriously. However, “The Journey” was of utmost importance, and she didn’t want Feng Zian’s die-hard fans to continuously target Mu Xingyu. She couldn’t directly say that the role was originally meant for Mu Xingyu, and Feng Zian willingly accepted it to replace him under Qiao Hong’s influence.

Finally, she had the technical team investigate the original Weibo account that had leaked the information, and they made a significant discovery.

Feng Zian and Qiao Hong kept their transaction a secret from Feng Zian’s own agent. They entrusted the task of leaking information to Qin Jie.

After Qiao Hong and Feng Zian faced their troubles, Feng Zian had Qin Jie frozen out directly by Fenghe. To make matters worse, the young star whom she had manipulated to seduce a wealthy individual had filed a lawsuit against her.However, this information was tightly sealed by Fenghe, so it had not been disclosed yet.

Lan Ying immediately located the young star and financially supported him in the legal battle. At the same time, she had him reveal online that it was Qin Jie who conspired with Feng Zian and intentionally spread false information.

So just as the storm was beginning to calm down, the scandal involving agents engaging in unethical activities resurfaced.

Translator’s Note-Guys don’t forget to support and comment your views(^-^).