Gu Ru still refused to let him inside.

After knocking on the door for a while and getting nowhere, Gu Zhan left dejectedly.

The next day, he spent the daytime in the motel remotely handling important company matters with several vice presidents. In the evening, he went back to wait outside the school again.

While waiting for Gu Ru to get off work, he checked Slungshot’s stock price on his phone.

As expected, there had been some fluctuations.

Fu Corporation’s stock had dipped slightly as well, though both remained within anticipated limits.

Holding the phone tightly, Gu Zhan hesitated before finally opening Weibo.

Trending topics such as #FuCorporationHeirCheating, #SlungshotCEOBlacklistsInternetCelebrity, and #GiveHardworkingYoungPeopleAChance were still near the top of the hot-search rankings.

Yao Jing had skillfully exploited the public’s sympathy for the underdog.

He portrayed himself as an ordinary young man struggling to survive while being crushed by powerful capital interests.

For most average people, it was easy to empathize with that narrative.

Public opinion was overwhelmingly one-sided.

People called Fu Yan a scumbag, trash, and worse.

Others condemned the ugliness of wealth and power.

Some even declared they would never shop at either company again.

To make matters worse, one of Fu Yan’s former boyfriends—a minor celebrity barely known outside niche circles—had somehow jumped into the discussion.

He claimed that while dating him, Fu Yan had frequently flirted with other people.

According to him, Fu Yan relied on his wealth and status to manipulate others, using both incentives and psychological pressure. He said that whenever Fu Yan set his sights on someone, he always got what he wanted.

The actor even claimed he had developed severe depression because of the relationship and had spent a long time receiving treatment.

Gu Zhan didn’t know the actor.

After a quick search, he discovered the man had a questionable reputation and had already been involved in multiple scandals.

Most likely he was simply chasing attention.

Or, if Fu Yan’s suspicions about someone backing Yao Jing were correct, the actor might have been paid to join the attack.

Several influential bloggers also began stirring the waters, claiming to possess insider information.

They argued that Gu Zhan was with Fu Yan purely for the money and influence of the Fu family.

Their reasoning sounded surprisingly convincing.

Otherwise, how could Slungshot have secured exclusive domestic rights for such a major Australian brand?

Fu Yan had even shut down two of his company’s own production lines to support his “beloved wife’s” business.

Wake up, they wrote.

Real-life CEO romances aren’t fairy tales. They’re strategic alliances and exchanges of mutual interests.

Reading that, Gu Zhan couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

People with troubled minds see dirt in everything.

Of course, there were also plenty of attacks directed at their sexuality:

╰┈➤ What a disgusting thing to see first thing in the morning.

╰┈➤ Holy crap, that’s gross

╰┈➤ The city people really know how to play people.

╰┈➤ I was just about to buy a skincare set from Slungshot. Can I still buy it now?

╰┈➤ Wait, this is the kind of thing that trends?

Gu Zhan closed the app.

Then he called Richard.

“What’s the situation now? Those trending topics still haven’t come down?”

“President Gu, every time we try moderating comments, people just shout even louder. We can’t suppress it.”

“President Fu has already obtained the surveillance footage from the bar, but he’s still investigating the people behind all this.”

“We’re worried the other side may have backup plans, so we’re gathering more evidence first and trying to understand their objectives before striking back.”

“Fine. Keep me updated immediately if anything changes.”

“Of course.”

“How’s the company doing?”

Gu Zhan carefully chose his words.

“Has anyone been reacting... differently?”

Richard knew exactly what he meant.

Gu Zhan was worried that his sexuality might affect employee morale.

He was worried people might object to having a gay CEO.

“For the most part, everyone is fine. Most employees have followed you since the early days. They respect your abilities and trust your character. The department managers have spoken with their teams, and morale remains stable. Two board members came looking for you today, though. I told them you had family matters back home and weren’t available.”

“Good.”

Gu Zhan nodded.

“No need to waste time arguing with them.

“In a few days, once this storm passes and I make them money again, they’ll naturally shut up. I’ll stay home a few more days for now. Let’s switch to remote work. Pull me into meetings whenever necessary.”

“Understood.”

“What about David?”

“He hasn’t said much yet. But because of yesterday’s incident, the factory that was supposed to begin production today hasn’t started operations.”

“Contact the factory directly and find out why. Push the work forward. Don’t let outside factors interfere.”

“Got it.”

“Richard, thank you for your hard work recently. You too, and the department heads.

“Once this is over, I’ll treat everyone to dinner and reward you properly.”

“Helping you is our job, President Gu.”

Gu Zhan ended the call.

Just then, he spotted Gu Ru leaving the school gates and hurried after her.

“Mom, you got food from the cafeteria again?”

He reached for the lunchbox she was carrying.

She coldly moved it away and continued walking toward the bus stop.

Walking beside her, he spoke gently.

“Mom, how about we go out to eat together? The private restaurant you liked last time?”

Gu Ru looked around, noticed nobody was nearby, and fixed him with a stern glare.

“Cut ties with those messy people.”

“Otherwise, don’t appear in front of me.”

“Mom, there aren’t any messy people. The things online are all lies. Fu Yan comes from a good family, has an excellent education, treats people sincerely, and treats me especially well—”

Frowning, Gu Ru boarded the bus.

She clearly didn’t want to hear any more.

Gu Zhan sat beside her and continued softly.

“Mom, if you’re angry, tell me. Don’t just stay silent like this. I’m worried about you.”

Gu Ru turned and looked at her handsome, accomplished son.

The longer she looked, the more heartbroken she became.

“When did this start?”

Her voice trembled.

“When you were little, you were so obedient and sensible.

“I always trusted you.

“How did you become like this?”

She covered her mouth, desperately trying not to cry on the bus.

Gu Zhan didn’t know what to say.

In her eyes, he had already changed.

He was no longer the obedient child she remembered.

So he simply lowered his head and sat quietly beside her, gently patting her shoulder like a child who had done something wrong.

By the time they got off the bus, she no longer rejected his offer to carry her bag.

She even exchanged a few words with him.

But every conversation inevitably returned to the same point:

She wanted him to break up with Fu Yan.

She hoped he would return to the life of a “normal man.”

Their quiet argument continued all the way upstairs.

At the entrance to the apartment building, Fu Yan was waiting.

He looked travel-worn, and several gift boxes of health supplements sat at his feet.

The moment he saw them, a gentle smile appeared on his face.

Bending slightly, he greeted her.

“Auntie, I’m—”

Before he could finish, Gu Ru rushed forward and shoved him away.

Then she pushed him several more times.

“Who told you to come here?!”

“Our family doesn’t welcome you!”

“Leave! Get out!”

“Auntie, I came because I wanted to explain what happened online. I don’t mean any harm—”

“Shut up!”

The sight of the man who had “led her son astray” immediately agitated her.

She didn’t want to hear a single word.

“You still have the nerve to come to my door?”

“Get out!”

She pushed him into the hallway, picked up the gift boxes from the floor, and threw them at him.

“Take your things with you!”

“You’re not welcome here!”

Seeing her furiously hurling boxes at Fu Yan, Gu Zhan quickly wrapped an arm around her.

“Mom, Mom—please calm down.”

Her eyes were red.

If Gu Zhan hadn’t been holding her back, she might have struck Fu Yan herself.

“How could you do this to my son?!”

“How could you?!”

She broke down sobbing.

“It was you who forced him, wasn’t it?"

“Wasn’t it?!”

“Mom, calm down.”

Gu Zhan held his trembling mother tightly.

Feeling her shake with anger, all he could do was repeat the same words over and over.

“It’s okay. It’s okay.”

The commotion attracted neighbors.

Doors opened one after another.

People peeked out and whispered among themselves, watching the spectacle unfold.

“Auntie, I’m sorry, but I really—”

Fu Yan tried once more to explain.

“Get out!”

Gu Ru screamed.

“Get out!!”

Holding his mother while simultaneously signaling Fu Yan with his eyes to leave, Gu Zhan tried to manage the situation.

With no other choice, Fu Yan clenched his fists and finally went downstairs.

Covering her face, Gu Ru wept uncontrollably.

“A-Zhan… I’m a teacher. I’m supposed to be an example to others. But my son is now some kind of monster people point fingers at behind his back. How am I supposed to stand in front of my students after this? I’m only a few years away from retirement.”

“Do you want me to lose my reputation at the very end of my life?”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry...”

Other than apologizing, Gu Zhan didn’t know what else he could say.

Even though he knew he wasn’t a monster.

Even though he knew there was nothing wrong with who he was.

How could he make his mother understand that?

How could he make everyone around her understand?

After spending a long time comforting her and making sure she ate a bowl of porridge and went to sleep, he finally left.

At the worn-down stairwell entrance, Fu Yan was still waiting.

He had been there for over an hour.

The heir to a wealthy family had received elite upbringing from childhood.

No matter where he stood or how long he waited, he never looked disheveled.

His latest designer coat perfectly emphasized his tall frame.

Against the faded walls plastered with old advertisements, he looked completely out of place.

Someone like him...

Didn’t belong in a place like this.

“What are you doing here?”

Gu Zhan walked past him coldly.

Fu Yan immediately followed.

“I was worried about you. These past two days, you—”

“Have you found out who’s behind Yao Jing?”

“Why hasn’t the factory started production?”

“Have David and the Australian brand been reassured?”

The questions came rapid-fire.

Not one of them addressed the reason Fu Yan had traveled all the way here.

“You really have nothing else you want to ask me?”

Fu Yan stopped him beneath a dim pathway near the apartment complex.

Night was settling in.

The stars had yet to appear.

The world was gray and colorless.

Gu Zhan looked at him without warmth.

He didn’t want to discuss his mother’s breakdown.

He didn’t want to discuss how much she hated Fu Yan now.

He didn’t want to discuss the truth or falsehood of the online rumors.

Because he wasn’t sure he could stay calm if they did.

He didn’t want to fight.

He only wanted to solve this mess as quickly as possible.

Fu Yan reached out and gently rubbed the center of his brow.

His voice was low.

“These past two days, I haven’t dared face you.”

“I was afraid you’d blame me.”

“Afraid of seeing disappointment in your eyes.”

“Meeting Yao Jing privately and allowing things to develop this far was my fault.”

“And that actor who suddenly appeared this morning…”

“He’s always loved attention.”

“When we dated, he was constantly asking me for movie roles and resources.”

“We were together less than two months before breaking up.”

“I haven’t contacted him since.”

“Fu Yan.”

Gu Zhan closed his eyes briefly.

“I’m not in the mood to hear about your messy relationship history.”

He took a deep breath.

“Your number-one priority right now is making the public believe you.”

“Explain things clearly to them.”

“That’s the best explanation you can give me.”

A cold gust of wind swept through.

Fu Yan shivered slightly.

Slowly, he withdrew the hand resting on Gu Zhan’s shoulder.

“Gu Zhan…”

“Is work really that much more important to you than I am?”

“Than what we have together?”

“More important than Slungshot?”

“Of course.”

The answer escaped before Gu Zhan even thought about it.

Then he immediately tried to explain.

“Fu Yan, we’re long past the age of surviving on sweet words and romance alone.”

“Can love exist without material foundations?”

“Without my work?”

“Without Slungshot?”

“Would I still be the Gu Zhan you love?”

“If I weren’t ‘President Gu,’ would a high-and-mighty heir like you even care who I was?”

“Fine.”

Fu Yan’s voice turned cold.

His dark eyes were unreadable in the fading dusk.

“One last question.”

“I stopped caring about this a long time ago.”

“But it concerns the hard work someone else put in.”

Ever since the night Youfan announced that Slungshot had won the bid, Fu Yan had wanted to ask this question.

That night, while waiting for Gu Zhan to come home, he had opened the study computer.

He wanted to check the timestamp on a technical proposal file.

Maybe there was evidence that could clear Gu Zhan’s name.

Instead, he discovered the proposal had vanished.

He knew he hadn’t deleted it.

And besides Gu Zhan, who else could have accessed that computer?

The answer was obvious.

As much as he hated admitting it, he could no longer avoid the possibility.

At first he had wanted to confront Gu Zhan directly.

But when he saw Gu Zhan working late into the night, struggling tirelessly for their future, how could he bring himself to accuse him?

To accuse someone he loved so deeply?

Back then, he had abandoned his usual restraint in love.

He had hoped that by giving more freely, he would receive equally sincere love in return.

He was willing to forgive and tolerate everything.

And he genuinely believed every sacrifice he made for Gu Zhan was worthwhile.

But now...

The accumulation of events had forced him to see Gu Zhan more clearly.

Perhaps Gu Zhan didn’t value their relationship as much as he had imagined.

Perhaps it was Fu Yan himself who had romanticized everything.

Perhaps Gu Zhan’s relationship with him had never been separable from the Fu family and its resources.

If that was true...

Should he really continue throwing himself into it without reservation?

His dark eyes seemed dimmer than before.

His voice became distant.

“The last time I used your study computer, I left the technical proposal Chu Yin wrote on it.”

He paused.

“Did you—”

“What exactly are you implying?”

Gu Zhan’s gaze sharpened instantly.

“You think I would do something like that?”

“You think I’d steal someone else’s work?”

His voice rose.

“I may not be as noble and upright as you, Young Master Fu.”

“But I have my own principles.”

“Everything I’ve achieved today came through my own effort.”

“Fu Yan—Even you doubt me?”

“I’m not trying to hold anyone accountable.”

Fu Yan replied quietly.

“I just want confirmation.”

“This doesn’t only concern the two of us.”

“I owe Chuyin the truth.”

At that moment, his phone rang.

“Dad?”

“What?”

“Okay. I’ll come back immediately.”

He ended the call.

Then looked at Gu Zhan.

“Something’s happened at the company.”

“I need to go back.”

Gu Zhan lowered his head.

His expression remained cold.

He didn’t look at him.

Fu Yan clenched his hand tightly.

He stared at Gu Zhan deeply—as though trying to engrave the sight of him somewhere permanent.

But in the end...

He turned around and walked away.