Gossip about various celebrities flooded the internet, yet Song Nuan's label as a mistress remained etched in the netizens' minds.
Gu Corporation—
Gu Qichen sat before a tablet, browsing a short video platform and watching advertisements for Gu Corporation's products.
He scrolled down, and a live stream popped up.
Just as he was about to swipe away, his finger froze upon seeing the face on the stream.
Qin He, facing the camera as if looking at him, smiled brilliantly, demonstrating makeup techniques.
Gu Qichen frowned slightly. When Qin He was at home, she always appeared without makeup.
She was naturally beautiful, radiant even without cosmetics, but somehow lacking a certain spark.
However, in the video, even through the lens, her eyes sparkled with life and clarity.
Gu Qichen didn't click to enter the live stream, remaining on the interface.
Suddenly, a male voice echoed from the video: "Sister, it's time to end the stream."
Qin He responded.
Gu Qichen's dark eyes narrowed, exuding a chilling aura.
That male voice was not Qin Yun's.
His hand instinctively clicked into the live stream.
Inside the live stream, bullet comments scrolled by.
—Xiao He, Xiao He, let us see the male assistant!
—His voice sounds good, I've been eyeing your male assistant for ages, hahaha.
Various comments pleaded for the male assistant to appear on camera.
Qin He laughed from her end and turned to someone in the distance, "Yilin, do you mind appearing on screen?"
There was no immediate reply from the other side, but then a tall, slender young man appeared on camera.
He possessed a handsome, refined appearance, his demeanor elegant with a hint of youthful vigor.
Both cute and wild!
The bullet comments scrolled by, a flurry of excited squeals from female viewers.
Gu Qichen's face darkened instantly upon seeing the young man's face.
It was that male model!
His ex-wife truly continued to surprise him, time and time again.
Hiring a male model as an assistant?
Gu Qichen let out a cold laugh.
Over there, Qin He looked at Shen Yilin and smiled at the camera, "My assistant is a bit shy."
A viewer commented: "Does the little assistant have a girlfriend? How about me!"
Shen Yilin blushed upon reading the words on the screen and glanced at Qin He beside him.
Qin He didn't notice, as a notification suddenly flashed across the screen.
—Gu gifted hardworking Xiao He a Starship.
The platform had a gift system, but she wasn't lacking in income. People who came to learn makeup would often spend a hundred or so.
This gift, however, was the largest available on the entire platform, valued at ten thousand.
Gu? Gu who? Gu Qichen? The ex-husband?
Most people, however, dismissed it as a joke, not believing the gift sender was the actual "National Husband."
Qin He stared at the character "Gu" and fell into thought. Gu Qichen wouldn't be so bored as to come and send her gifts, would he?
...
At Gu Corporation, Gu Qichen's brows were tightly furrowed, a chill radiating from his deep-set eyes.
Seeing the male model appear, he felt an urge to let Qin He know he had seen her with him.
Caught in the act?
Qin He was no longer related to him.
Gu Qichen massaged his temples.
Perhaps it was due to this woman's frequent appearances lately, each one exceeding his prior perceptions of her.
A knock sounded at the door. Gu Qichen looked up to see Yu Jing entering with Song Nuan.
Yu Jing looked helpless. "President Gu, Miss Song wishes to see you."
Gu Qichen's expression was indifferent. "I see. You may leave."
After Yu Jing departed, Song Nuan, her eyes red-rimmed, stepped forward, her voice tinged with grievance. "Qichen, I just contacted Director Li again. The crew is already confirming new roles."
Gu Qichen's gaze was cool. "I know."
"But, everyone online is laughing at me, saying I only got replaced by Director Li because I interfered in your marriage. If I really don't get this role, won't that just confirm their words?"
Song Nuan took a few steps closer, her voice soft and delicate. "Qichen, can you—"
Gu Qichen looked at her pitiable expression, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity for the first time.
At some point, Song Nuan had changed.
He spoke calmly. "I will arrange other resources for you. This drama has been fully entrusted to Li Feng'an. He is a professional, and he believes you are not suitable for the leading role."
Song Nuan grew anxious. "But Director Li said I was very suitable! It was Jiang Huai Lin, the author of 'Jiang Yue Xing,' who strongly demanded the role change; Director Li was very regretful, saying he was also forced to change the cast—"
Song Nuan was certain Gu Qichen wouldn't question Li Feng'an. He always trusted her.
"Jiang Huai Lin?" Gu Qichen frowned slightly. Gu Corporation had invested heavily in this drama.
"Jiang Yue Xing" was a classic IP, its popularity unwavering for years. If adapted into a TV series, it could become a masterpiece.
Li Feng'an was a renowned director in the industry, consistently delivering high-quality productions with a keen eye.
If Li Feng'an deemed Song Nuan suitable for the lead, it should be accurate.
Gu Qichen pondered for a moment. "I will handle this matter. You should go back now."
Song Nuan's eyes flickered. Jiang Huai Lin was merely a middle-aged man who wrote martial arts novels. With pressure from Gu Corporation, the lead role in "Jiang Yue Xing" would surely return to her!
Having received his promise, she promptly changed the subject, her voice small and timid. "Qichen, have you been very busy lately?"
Recently, they had rarely seen each other.
This trend was not right.
Gu Qichen had previously said that after divorcing Qin He, he would prepare for their marriage.
But after the Gu family's dinner party, there had been no further developments.
Her heart was filled with unease.
Gu Qichen's gaze was cool. "Not particularly busy."
"Then why—" Song Nuan bit her lower lip, nervously clenching his sleeve. "Why haven't you come to see me? Are you still angry about what I did to Sister Qin before?"
As she spoke, tears began to fall.
"Qichen, it's just that I care about you too much. You know I have no one but you now, and I'm so afraid of losing you, of you falling for someone else—"
Song Nuan spoke, and seeing Gu Qichen's expression unchanged, she played her trump card. "Qichen, you know, I would even give my life for you."
Memories of years past flooded back. Gu Qichen's voice softened slightly.
"I know."
The Song Nuan of that time had been brave and fearless, pulling him back from the brink of death.
However, he was not a fool.
On the birthday banquet night, Qin He had revealed a sliver of Song Nuan's true nature. After that, the incident was like a pinprick in a windowpane, the hole growing larger.
When Qin He had asked for his help in investigating the trending searches and hiring internet trolls, Yu Jing had slowly pieced things together and found Mu Zi.
He hadn't expected that person to be Song Nuan's assistant.
Gu Qichen realized he might never have truly known the real Song Nuan.
Just as he had never truly understood Qin He. With Yu Jing's formidable hacking skills, progress had stalled after uncovering Mu Zi.
Yet, Qin He had managed to have Mu Zi's true identity uncovered in such a short period.
The eldest daughter of the Qin family, Qin Yun's precious treasure.
What was Qin He's intention in marrying him while living under a false name?
Gu Qichen's brows were tightly knitted, his aura chilling.
Seeing him lost in thought, Song Nuan's heart leaped. "Qichen—"
Why did it seem like he was looking past her, at someone else?
In the blink of an eye, Gu Qichen's expression returned to normal.
He called Yu Jing in. "Take her back."