Chapter 44: So This Is Your Hypocrisy

In her previous life, as another Yun Fu, she had also had dealings with this KD. At that time, it was merely for the sake of a mission—one that left an indelible mark on her memory. It was not a pleasant recollection; Yun Fu frowned as she continued to scan the information on her screen.

She saw that the Du family had reestablished partnerships with other companies, and Du Xingyuan had reclaimed his position as president of Xingchen Entertainment. A barely perceptible hint of mockery flickered in her eyes.

Effortlessly, she tapped across the screen, swiftly opening another page—again, crimson text on a black background, giving off an eerie vibe.

A glimmer danced in Yun Fu’s eyes. Resting her hands on her knees, she slipped back into her usual languid posture, tapping away at her laptop at a leisurely pace.

Before long, a trending topic exploded online, catching everyone off guard with its suddenness.

“The leading actress of ‘Stunning Swan’ cheats on Du Xingyuan, seen getting intimately close with another CEO!!!”

The headline was attached to a blurry video: a man and a woman engaged in indecent acts on a stairwell. The footage was indistinct, with faces only faintly discernible, yet it did look an awful lot like Ning Lan.

The poster had added three exclamation marks, stoking the curiosity of viewers and drawing them in.

With the abrupt rise of this trending topic, online onlookers flocked to gossip, the parties involved were thrown into chaos, and Du Xingyuan—who hadn’t spoken to Ning Lan in some time—found suspicion taking root in his heart.

“What’s this? Didn’t they just flaunt their love and get engaged not long ago? And that blinding diamond ring—this industry is a mess!”

“Her fans are already making excuses again. I don’t know why they’re so convinced of her pure and innocent image. Well, let me repeat the old saying: there’s no smoke without fire; flies don’t bite unbroken eggs.”

“I really don’t get it. There’s drama every day, and ‘Stunning Swan’ has had enough hype, yet here we go again.”

“But that CEO looks rather old. Would Ning Lan really be so foolish as to give up the young and wealthy Du Xingyuan? Wasn’t she at war with Yun Fu over him before?”

“Please, don’t drag our little Fu into this. She’s had nothing to do with those two for ages—she’s focused on her career now.”

Meanwhile, Ning Lan stared at the news online. She hurriedly dialed a number. Though furious, she forced herself to keep her voice in check.

“President Liu, about the news online—”

“You’ve got some nerve!” Before Ning Lan could finish, Liu Jue exploded on the other end. “What did I tell you before? This must never see the light of day! No one knew about us but you. Tell me, was it you who leaked it?”

Ning Lan was beside herself with rage, but she had to swallow her anger—for Liu Jue was far more formidable than Du Xingyuan.

“President Liu, I’m not stupid. Why would I out myself? Clearly, someone’s out to get us.”

There were no cameras on that stairwell; she had no idea where the footage came from or who could have pulled it off.

They both brooded for a long while, unable to figure out whom they had provoked—someone with truly terrifying reach.

Du Xingyuan, meanwhile, was nearly driven mad. No sooner had he stabilized the company than this scandal broke out. Though he was no longer in his prime, to be cuckolded so publicly—no man could tolerate that.

Worst of all, the moment he saw the story, he tried calling Ning Lan, but her line was busy.

With a crash, Du Xingyuan hurled his phone across the room.

At that moment, Zheng Yueru walked in. She glanced at Du Xingyuan, then at the shattered remains of his phone, her face growing grim.

“The company’s only just regained stability. Either that woman is targeting you specifically, or there’s another group coming after you,” Zheng Yueru said, sending a chill down Du Xingyuan’s spine.

He knew he had crossed the Lian family, but Lian Hanqi and Gu Zhishu had already made their moves against the Du family, and they weren’t the type to employ such tactics.

As for other enemies?

Aside from Yun Fu, there was no one else.

But Yun Fu’s biggest backing was Lian Hanqi. Without him, Yun Fu would never have this sort of power.

Which left only one possibility—Ning Lan.

Du Xingyuan’s expression shifted, his face turning unsightly.

Just then, his computer chimed—an incoming email.

He hurried over, and his face changed dramatically at what he saw. Forgetting his manners entirely, he dashed out of the room, oblivious to Zheng Yueru’s presence.

At the same time, Liu Jue and Ning Lan each received an identical message, arriving in their inboxes: a single sentence, an address—If you want the truth, come here.

Everyone in the production crew was aware of Ning Lan’s predicament, and she had taken the day off.

Bai Yu lit a cigarette, quickly revived, and dragged Yun Fu off for another joyful, seamless take.

Elsewhere, in a secluded room, Liu Jue and Ning Lan found themselves seated in close proximity. They had both arrived early; upon seeing each other, panic flashed across their faces.

“What are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here?”

They spoke in unison. Both had come to unmask the person pulling strings behind the scenes, yet were shocked to discover each other.

At that moment, the door opened again.

Their faces changed. Before they could react, Du Xingyuan entered. The three of them stared at one another in silence.

Du Xingyuan glanced at Liu Jue, then at Ning Lan, catching the panic she could not conceal. He understood everything.

Rather than anger, he let out a cold, ironic laugh—unusually composed.

“So that’s how it is,” Du Xingyuan sneered. “I suppose the Du family’s troubles are thanks to you as well.”

The Liu family also worked in media; the two families were sworn enemies. For Ning Lan to be entangled with Liu Jue at this time could only arouse suspicion.

Du Xingyuan felt like a fool, utterly manipulated by Ning Lan. Unable to restrain himself, he strode over and slapped her hard across the face.

“Wretch!” Du Xingyuan roared, seething with rage. “I worked myself to the bone to give you resources, did everything for you, and this is how you repay me!”

Whatever guilt Ning Lan had left vanished with that blow. She glared at Du Xingyuan, her own fury matching his.

“And now you think you’re some kind of martyr? That you did it all for me? You know perfectly well who you really did it for—for that little tramp you keep!”

“What are you talking about?”

“You know exactly what I mean. Since you betrayed me first, don’t blame me for what I’ve done.”

That was the final spark that set Du Xingyuan ablaze. Pointing at Liu Jue and Ning Lan, he could barely keep himself from strangling them both.

“So, the Liu family’s power is what matters to you, is it? I never imagined you were such a hypocrite, Ning Lan!”