Gu Xinglan's mood had not recovered. Since she learned of Zhang Feng's betrayal, everything had become unsettled. She sat at her desk in the CEO office, her gaze deep and seemingly able to pierce through everything in front of her, looking toward every inch of space in the future. The sun shone brightly outside, but her heart was still shrouded in dark clouds. She knew clearly that this was not just about a man's betrayal—it was about more complex relationships and interests lying behind it.
Zhang Feng's betrayal was a clear fact, but the people behind him were the true enemies she had to face. She stood up and walked toward the window, overlooking the bustling city below. This had once been her domain, but now, she had to be even more cautious in guarding every inch of her territory.
The phone rang, breaking her thoughts. She picked it up, her voice calm but tinged with a trace of exhaustion: "Hello, Su Yao. What's the matter?"
Su Yao's anxious voice came through the phone: "President Gu, I've just received news. Zhang Feng's mother is pressuring the media, trying to use the engagement crisis to attack you publicly. Her tactics are quite sophisticated; she's already gotten some media outlets to spread rumors, seemingly attempting to force you to break off the engagement."
Gu Xinglan furrowed her brow slightly. She had known Zhang Feng's mother wouldn't back down easily, but she didn't expect her to act so quickly. This was something she hadn't anticipated. After a moment of contemplation, she responded coldly: "Su Yao, immediately arrange for the lawyers to contact the media and find their weaknesses. I won't let them succeed."
After hanging up the phone, Gu Xinglan returned to her desk and opened her computer to browse the latest news reports. As expected, the media had already begun to report on the crisis surrounding her engagement with Zhang Feng, and the headlines were provocative: "Rich Family Engagement in Crisis: Can Gu Xinglan Turn the Tide?" She clicked on one of the reports and, after reading it, sneered. The media's coverage appeared neutral on the surface, but it was filled with insinuations, intentionally making the public believe that her engagement was fragile, even implying that her career was being affected.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly put down her phone. The best way to deal with such tactics was to counterattack, not retreat.
"I can't let them destroy my marriage, and I won't let them impact my career," she murmured to herself, a determined glint flashing in her eyes.
Gu Xinglan didn't allow herself to fall into the emotional whirlpool. Instead, she quickly began to deal with the crisis. She arranged an urgent meeting with Lawyer Chen to strategize for the public relations battle. At the same time, she contacted several friendly media outlets to prepare for a counterattack against the unfavorable reports.
Under Gu Xinglan's direction, Su Yao and Lawyer Chen immediately set the plan into motion. Su Yao visited several media companies to clarify the false reports, while Lawyer Chen prepared a statement, ready to release at the right moment. Everything was happening at a fast pace, and Gu Xinglan remained highly vigilant about any changes in the external environment.
A few days later, the media's tone subtly shifted. The negative reports that had initially targeted Gu Xinglan began to turn around. Her engagement crisis was reframed as part of a "rich family romance," now packaged as a "twist" in a modern love story. Zhang Feng and his mother's public relations efforts didn't achieve the desired effect. Instead, it generated sympathy and interest from the public.
However, the engagement crisis didn't subside. Zhang Feng's mother was still unwilling to back down. She secretly contacted some business figures and media outlets, hoping to use various tactics to force Gu Xinglan to break off the engagement. Her aim was not only to make Gu Xinglan back out of the marriage but also to use this opportunity to damage her reputation in the business world, ruining all her efforts.
Gu Xinglan knew that this battle was only just beginning. She couldn't stop now. She not only had to contend with Zhang Feng's mother but also had to watch out for those who might stab her in the back.
During this time, the arrival of Yan Yichen brought her a brief sense of relief. Since learning of her troubles, he had been keeping an eye on her, occasionally sending messages or arranging private meetings. He cared about her emotions and always encouraged her, telling her to hold on no matter what challenges she faced.
"President Gu, Young Master Yan is here," Su Yao's voice came from outside the door, interrupting Gu Xinglan's thoughts.
Gu Xinglan nodded and stood up, ready to greet Yan Yichen. She wasn't fond of people getting too involved in her personal matters, but Yan Yichen was different. He always seemed able to bring her a sense of calm in the most stressful moments with his gentle yet powerful presence.
When Yan Yichen walked into the office, he wore a warm smile. As always, he appeared relaxed and at ease, as though he could bring peace to her turbulent world at any moment. "I heard you're in trouble. I came to check on you."
Gu Xinglan managed a faint smile. "It's no big deal. I've already dealt with it."
Yan Yichen raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by her words. "You're as stubborn as ever. I know you can handle it, but don't forget, you're human, not a superhero."
Gu Xinglan didn't respond but lowered her head to look at the documents on her desk. She knew Yan Yichen cared about her, but at that moment, her heart was filled with complicated emotions. She both appreciated him and feared that he might get involved, especially in such a dangerous situation. She didn't want anyone to be dragged into this mess because of her.
"Yan Yichen, thank you for always caring about me," Gu Xinglan finally spoke, her voice a little hushed. "But I have to solve this crisis myself."
Yan Yichen sighed softly, walking up to her and gently patting her shoulder. "I know you don't need help, but I just want to remind you: no matter what happens, you're not fighting alone."
His words warmed Gu Xinglan's heart, as if the ice that had sealed it for so long had melted a little. She looked up and saw the sincerity in Yan Yichen's expression, which made her smile faintly. "Alright, thank you."
In the following days, Gu Xinglan, with her wisdom and decisiveness, gradually suppressed Zhang Feng's mother's media campaign. Furthermore, through negotiations with some business giants, she skillfully diverted Zhang Feng's mother's attention, preventing her from continuing to apply pressure.
Although the engagement crisis had temporarily subsided, Gu Xinglan knew her path ahead remained uncertain. She had already begun to realize that she would have to face even more pressure from her family, career, and emotions. This process would not be easy.
But no matter what, Gu Xinglan was ready and would not give up easily. She knew that her future was in her own hands, and the only way to protect everything she held dear was to keep moving forward.