The Gu family held considerable influence in the capital, but Gu Shi Entertainment's sway was not to be underestimated either.
At this point, the news that the Gu family had abandoned Mr. Gu and severed ties with him struck many netizens as rather laughable. After all, Gu Shi Entertainment's rising value and Mr. Gu's personal capabilities and wealth were undeniable.
Why would the Gu family want to sever ties with Mr. Gu? Were they bored with too much money? Who would ever find their descendants capable or their own wealth excessive? It was simply illogical.
The hired trolls had no substantial evidence to support their claims, and after much bluster, they could only vaguely suggest that the Gu family, being a traditional clan, disdained the entertainment industry. The closest they came was hinting at a succession struggle within the Gu family, which merely provided the public with an opportunity to mock Gu Yaoqing online. It was widely known that Gu Yaoqing had an affair, and his wife was still imprisoned. Although the Gu family possessed enough influence to suppress such matters, secrets rarely remained entirely hidden.
This maneuver by Song Junhan had not only failed to drag Gu Yaoyang down but had also infuriated Gu Yaoqing. Staring at the insulting words on the webpage before him, Gu Yaoqing felt an overwhelming urge to smash the entire room. He had been in the capital during this period, hoping to let these vexing matters subside. After much persistent effort, he had finally secured a project from the Gu family patriarch. With the preliminary work nearing completion and the project set to launch next month, having his affairs brought up again at this juncture could jeopardize the impending venture.
Gu Yaoqing trembled with anger. "Gu Yaoyang... I will never forgive you!" In Gu Yaoqing's eyes, no one would idly drag his affairs into the public domain without a motive. If they did, it must be the work of someone with ulterior motives. Someone like that scoundrel, Gu Yaoyang! He must be unable to bear seeing him succeed and still harbor aspirations of contesting the position of family patriarch! Gu Yaoqing was well aware that despite everything that had happened, the Gu family patriarch had not abandoned him, still valuing his status as the legitimate eldest grandson. However, if Gu Yaoyang continued to cause such a commotion, his scheme might actually succeed.
With this thought, Gu Yaoqing took a few deep breaths, adjusted his appearance, splashed some water on his face, and then left his bedroom. He knocked on the Gu family patriarch's door. "Grandfather, are you asleep?"
Upon hearing the voice outside, the Gu family patriarch immediately slid a photograph he was holding into a nearby drawer. "Come in, what is it?"
Gu Yaoqing pushed the door open and entered, saying, "Grandfather, have you seen the news online?"
"No," the Gu family patriarch replied, his mood evidently not good today. He looked at Gu Yaoqing and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Yaoyang seems to be in trouble in City Z. Do you think we should help him resolve it in the name of the Gu family?" Gu Yaoqing secretly wished Gu Yaoyang would perish. However, he knew that even if he wished to grind Gu Yaoyang to dust, he had to feign magnanimity and benevolence before the Gu family patriarch. As the future patriarch of the Gu family, he had to be able to tolerate every member of the family, even Gu Yaoyang. Now, he needed to guide the patriarch to understand all the foolish things this grandson Gu Yaoyang had done. This fellow would resort to any means to climb up, even if it meant disgracing his own kin. Gu Yaoqing wanted the Gu family patriarch to be completely disillusioned with Gu Yaoyang.
Hearing Gu Yaoqing's words, the Gu family patriarch recalled what Gu Yaoyang had told him the last time they met, and his gaze shifted slightly. Gu Yaoyang clearly no longer needed the Gu family; he would never return.
"There's no need. He can handle it himself," the Gu family patriarch said indifferently, confident that no matter what happened, Gu Yaoyang would resolve it brilliantly. That child had always been so outstanding since he was young.
Upon hearing the Gu family patriarch's absolute trust in Gu Yaoyang, Gu Yaoqing felt even more resentful.
"How is the project going?" the Gu family patriarch asked Gu Yaoqing, a slight frown on his brow. "Take care of your own affairs, and don't cause trouble where you shouldn't."
Gu Yaoqing clenched his fists at his sides, his eyes filled with unwillingness. He, Gu Yaoqing, had endured so much in the Gu family, feigning obedience and diligently proving himself, only to be awarded such a small project, and the Gu family patriarch still questioned his capabilities! This was a disgrace! A true disgrace! Could the Gu family patriarch be any more biased?
"Grandfather, I understand," Gu Yaoqing suppressed all his dissatisfaction and replied with his head down, merely bidding goodnight before leaving the Gu family patriarch's bedroom. As he reached the stairs, Gu Yaoqing slammed his fist into the wall, his eyes brimming with hatred. Did everyone think Gu Yaoqing was inferior to Gu Yaoyang? He was determined to prove himself! He, Gu Yaoqing, was the legitimate eldest grandson of the Gu family. He had been groomed as the future successor of the Gu family since childhood. He was never inferior to Gu Yaoyang, nor to anyone else in the Gu family. The Gu family was his, and no one would snatch it away!
"Gu Yaoyang, you just wait!" Gu Yaoqing gritted his teeth in hatred.
Meanwhile, Gu Yaoyang, having just showered, was drying his hair while reviewing work feedback from Assistant Lin on his computer. "I will personally handle those projects. They will be sorted out this weekend," Gu Yaoyang sent Assistant Lin a voice message, "You handle Junlin Entertainment this weekend. After Monday, I don't want this company to exist in City Z."
Soon, Assistant Lin replied with a simple "Okay." Assistant Lin's actions were indeed swift, and the various departments of Gu Shi Entertainment also demonstrated the coordination expected of a professional company. They exerted pressure on the television station broadcasting "I Am the Great City Lord" while simultaneously pressuring the copyright holders of the work.
As Song Junhan, still unwilling to give up, sought to stir up more trouble, planning to drag all his enemies into hell with him, the television station and the entire entertainment industry issued Song Junhan a shining red card. The television station announced through major media outlets that it would cease the broadcast of "I Am the Great City Lord," apologized for the negligence in selecting the program, and sincerely apologized for the deaths of Qin Shuangshuang's parents.
With the television station taking the lead, "I Am the Great City Lord's" sponsors and Junlin Entertainment's partners also issued statements to distance themselves. They even declared their intention to pursue legal action against Junlin Entertainment for breach of contract. Song Junhan was completely dumbfounded. He hastily turned on his phone, which had been off, and seeing the incessant pop-ups of missed calls, he quickly dialed the numbers of several influential figures, including some who had called him earlier but whom he had deliberately ignored. Now, when he tried to call them back, he found that he, too, was being ignored. Even Su Wan and President Su were no longer answering Song Junhan's calls.