After returning to Phoenix Manor, Zhao Yanan didn't get out of the car and instead made an excuse to go back to the office. She didn't know what Chu Yuxuan had found in the car at the food stall and didn't want to know. Ultimately, it was a matter between that pair of troublesome father and son, and as an "outsider," she had no place in it.
Moreover, she was worried that tonight's events might spark negative public opinion online. After all, there were quite a few onlookers at the scene. So, she decided to return to the office early. If there were any online disturbances, she could personally oversee the PR department and handle them in a timely manner.
However, just after leaving Phoenix Manor, her assistant Xiaowei called: "Zhao… Zhao General Manager, it's not good. The internet is now full of rumors about you and… and Chu General Manager! Some people are even saying Chu General Manager's real identity…"
"I know!" Zhao Yanan hung up before Xiaowei could finish. She then pulled over to the side of the road and went online to check.
At the top of the trending topics, the first was Chu Yuxuan's real identity, followed by the video of Chu Yuxuan beating up Gao Ning, and third was an article about Xia Zhu and Gao Ning. Scrolling down, the seventh item was an article about her and Chu Yuxuan's alleged secret marriage.
Such public opinion could not be ignored by Chu Men's PR team. But they seemed to be neglecting it, letting Chu Yuxuan's news top the charts. Clearly, this was Chu Zhiqing's way of putting his son in the spotlight. But why wasn't there any urgent PR action on the video of Chu Yuxuan beating Gao Ning? Zhao Yanan was puzzled.
After a brief thought, the cool-headed beauty decided to act decisively. She called Xiaowei: "Contact the PR department and make sure to push the reports about Chu General Manager's real identity back up. Also, buy some media and internet trolls to write articles and comments, preferably with a mix of praise and criticism to incite debate among netizens. As for Xia Zhu, have her manager negotiate with the PR department to distance her from the Gao family. And for the rumors about me and Chu General Manager… suppress them at all costs."
Xiaowei hesitantly replied, "Zhao General Manager, are you planning to shift all the blame onto Chu General Manager, making him the scapegoat?"
"Xiaowei, I'll be at the office in half an hour."
Hearing Zhao Yanan's cold tone, Xiaowei quickly agreed, "Got it, Zhao General Manager, I'll get on it right away!"
After hanging up, Zhao Yanan took a deep breath. Her marriage to Chu Men was meant to seek protection, and ideally, the more people who knew, the better. But on the wedding day, Chu Zhiqing had already informed the real big shots. She wasn't too concerned about the minor figures, so there was no need to make it widely known.
As for that dog of a man, being criticized by netizens for a few days was to be expected. After all, he was shameless and wouldn't lose a piece of flesh over it.
Meanwhile, Xiaoqing was absentmindedly fiddling with a few potted plants in the living room when she heard hurried footsteps and saw Chu Zhiqing rushing in with a panicked look, as if chased by a dog.
Before she could react, Chu Yuxuan followed in, cursing: "Old man, if you don't explain yourself today, next week will be your seven days' memorial!"
"Son, I'm doing this for your own good!" Chu Zhiqing paced around the sofa, speaking earnestly. "I'm really doing this for your benefit!"
"You didn't investigate what you should, but you investigated me instead? Do you find it amusing to guard against me as if I'm a thief? If you don't trust me, why did you call me back to Chu Men?! Stand there!"
The chubby bodyguard, panting, came in and, unsure whether to help, hesitated for a moment. After thinking it over, he moved to Xiaoqing's side. The two of them stood on the balcony, looking at each other, not daring to say a word.
"Son, listen to me! I… I installed the tracker because I was afraid you were in danger!"
"Stop lying! How do you explain the recording function? What exactly do you want to know?"
Chu Zhiqing, being older and worn out by his indulgent lifestyle, was soon drenched in sweat. Holding his heart with one hand, he motioned for his son to stop and, gasping for breath, said, "I'll tell you, I'll tell you."
Chu Yuxuan paused, not even breathing heavily, and slightly lifted his chin: "Speak!"
"What… what did you experience during those years abroad?"
Chu Zhiqing got straight to the point, pausing briefly before adding, "I sent many people to inquire about you but found nothing. Son, I just want to know… want to know about your experiences."
Chu Yuxuan stared intently at his father's eyes, unable to detect any deceit. After a long silence, he smiled slightly: "It's better not to inquire too much about matters in society."
Chu Zhiqing: …
"I can only tell you that I didn't suffer much during those seven years, so you don't need to feel guilty." Chu Yuxuan said, "But I warn you, if you investigate me again, I will not let it go!"
"Alright, alright… I won't meddle in your affairs anymore. Is that okay?" Chu Zhiqing sighed in relief and sat on the sofa. "I'm curious, how did you discover that I installed a tracker on you? Don't tell me it was discovered by accident during the car crash."
Chu Yuxuan smirked: "Guess?"
Chu Zhiqing's lips twitched. It seemed he had underestimated his son's vigilance. After catching his breath, he asked, "Yuxuan, don't you trust me? I'm still your father. Why the mistrust?"
Chu Yuxuan pulled out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and replied indifferently, "What's a b*st*rd's father worth?"
"Hey…" Chu Zhiqing sighed, "Son, I assure you that this matter has nothing to do with me. Also, asking you to return to Chu Men was truly to plan for your future, not to争家产, understood?"
"I didn't suspect you. Don't admit to things you didn't do." Chu Yuxuan said calmly.
"Didn't suspect me?" Chu Zhiqing smirked, his eyes gleaming with cunning, and suddenly shouted, "Third Brother!"
The chubby bodyguard, tense and alert, instinctively responded, "Yes!"
Chu Yuxuan: …
Realizing his exposure, the chubby bodyguard's face turned stiff, and his intelligent eyes widened in surprise. After a moment of confusion, he suddenly started humming an old song, "Hey! Kubaiyo, Amu, Kaoshang Aji, Malayo." (Theme song from "Reply 1988," "Don't Worry")
Xiaoqing thought: What sad memory did he recall?
The father and son of Chu Men were rendered speechless by the chubby bodyguard's antics.
"Enough of the wailing…" Chu Zhiqing glared at him and turned to Chu Yuxuan, smiling. "Son, why don't you explain yourself? Hehe… Your brother here is fine in many ways, but his brain isn't very sharp. Within half a month, I figured out his flaws. A quick investigation revealed he's the third among your brothers. Honestly, I'm quite pleased. It shows you trust me enough to send such a big fool to keep an eye on me, right?"
Chu Yuxuan smirked and looked at the awkward Third Brother, saying, "Is this your idea of ensuring there's no trace?"
Third Brother lowered his head, muttering, "It's not my fault. Chairman… you're too smart."
"Smart my foot!" Chu Yuxuan said. "Throw away your phone. I'll buy you a new one tomorrow."
He guessed that Chu Zhiqing must have hacked Third Brother's phone. Otherwise, how could he know he was the third among the brothers?
"Not bad, my son is truly smart!" Chu Zhiqing laughed. "Why don't you tell me about the other ones? The foreign guy with you today, which number is he among your brothers? And are there any of your people around Chu Men?"
Chu Yuxuan extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray and said, "I've said, don't inquire about societal matters. In short, you focus on your family business, and I'll focus on my own matters. If we can help each other out, let's do it. Deal?"
"Alright!" Chu Zhiqing gladly agreed. "But one way or another, my pursuit of the family business is truly for you."
Chu Yuxuan, uninterested in arguing, said, "Don't involve the Gao family," and motioned to Third Brother to follow him. "Your undercover identity is exposed. You still dare to stay here? Aren't you afraid he'll eat you up? Come with me. I've bought a villa. I won't be living here anymore."
The chubby bodyguard hurriedly followed, passing by the sofa and saying to Chu Zhiqing, "Chairman, I'm… I'm leaving now! Uh… what about my salary for this month and the year-end bonus? You… you won't cut them, right? Hehe!"
Chu Yuxuan: …
Chu Zhiqing, smiling wryly, said, "How about I give you some medical expenses as well?"
The chubby bodyguard shook his head repeatedly and quickly joined Chu Yuxuan.
Xiaoqing stood on the balcony, watching Chu Yuxuan as he reached the entrance, feeling a tinge of disappointment in her eyes. She clearly heard that the young master would no longer be living at the manor, and a sense of abandonment welled up inside her, making her lower her head silently.
At that moment, she suddenly heard Chu Yuxuan calling her name: "Xiaoqing!"
"Hm?" The shy girl looked up nervously.
"Why are you dazed? Let's go!" Chu Yuxuan tilted his head.
Xiaoqing's mood shot up from the depths to the skies, and she nodded excitedly, "Okay, young master! I'll go pack my things!"
"Don't bother. Tomorrow, I'll take you shopping. If you need anything, we'll buy it directly!"