"Is this Liang Sheng?"
"Yes, who is this?!"
"This is from the Capital Court. We've just received a lawsuit against you and 16 of your company's accounts for malicious defamation of Mr. Shang Yunyan, the Chairman of United Fit Investment Ltd. When will you come in?"
"...What's going on? I'm being sued? What have I defamed?"
"The Chairman of United Fit Investment Ltd., Mr. Shang Yunyan, has reported the case to the police. His lawyer has brought several pieces of evidence to file a lawsuit against you. You must come in before Friday this week!"
Without saying anything else, the person from the court hung up.
At the same time, Yan Yongqing also just hung up the phone. The two of them had received the same news.
"Yan Yongqing, you told me that person took advantage of you and claimed that he emptied all your money and company shares, and that's why I helped you post the news! But now, why am I getting a court summons?" Liang Sheng asked, his voice filled with anger.
"I... I don't know! I really don't know! This must be fake!" Yan Yongqing exclaimed, panic evident in her voice.
"Is that so? Come here! Look at my phone number, and check if it matches the one from Baidu!" Liang Sheng shouted, showing her his phone.
Yan Yongqing was completely stunned. She had never expected that after staying silent for a few days, Shang Yunyan would gather all the evidence and file a lawsuit against both her and Liang Sheng. If the court proved that Yan Yongqing's words were false, even if Shang Yunyan decided to let them go, Liang Sheng would never forgive them!
"Darling, I really... don't know!" Yan Yongqing sobbed.
"Go to hell, you bitch! You've ruined me!" Liang Sheng shouted, his rage uncontrollable. He kicked Yan Yongqing off the bed.
"Ahhh!" Yan Yongqing cried out in pain, begging for mercy, but Liang Sheng showed no mercy, slapping her face several times in quick succession.
The room was filled with the sound of her screams. Meanwhile, Liang Sheng still had no idea who he had actually offended, as he blindly trusted Yan Yongqing's words.
On the other side, after Shang Yunyan's lawyer filed the lawsuit, they spent money online to publish corrections about the defamatory messages. They also released information about the lawsuit against the two of them and the platforms that spread these defamatory statements. Shang Yunyan's goal wasn't just to clear his name, but more importantly, he wanted to prevent people in the business world and those in the village from spreading false rumors that could negatively affect his family. He always considered his parents' feelings.
In Villa No. 11 of Tianhua Yipin:
"Sweetheart, I have a business partner of mine, Uncle Jiang. His son is not young anymore, and since you're back, I've invited them to dinner tonight. You two should meet," her father said to Xu Yiru.
Xu Yiru sighed. She had always been born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but when it came to the big matters of life, she could never follow her own heart.
"Dad, I'm still young, and I've just started my internship at Xu Group. I haven't even sorted out my work yet, and you're already rushing to marry me off?" Xu Yiru protested.
"Oh, silly girl, it's not about rushing you to get married. Your dad is just trying to help you find a good match! The Xu family is one of the six great families in the capital. Your brothers and cousins are all elite businessmen. I've met the young man from the Jiang family—he's a good person, honest, and from a good family. The Jiang family is also one of the six great families, so he's a perfect match for you!" her father explained.
"Dad! Then why don't you arrange a blind date for my brothers?" Xu Yiru asked, frustrated.
"You think I haven't arranged it for them? Your brothers are all too proud, and they do have company matters to deal with. Plus, there aren't many girls from the six families! There's just no suitable match!" her mother interjected.
Xu Yiru felt a mix of helplessness and sadness. It seemed like she was nothing more than a commodity to her parents, being used for business deals, with no freedom of her own. It was suffocating.
Ignoring her mother, Xu Yiru went for a walk in the garden, hoping to get some air.
Watching his daughter's retreating figure, her father didn't know what to say. After all, she was his only daughter, and he loved her dearly. However, when it came to the future of the Xu family's business empire, he might sacrifice her happiness for the greater good.
Somehow, Xu Yiru wandered to the entrance of Shang Yunyan's villa. Just as she was there, Xue'er happened to be returning.
"Miss Xu! Are you out for a walk?" Xue'er asked.
"Ah! You're Mr. Shang's…" Xu Yiru started, realizing who Xue'er was.
"I'm the Young Master's secretary and the general manager of his investment company. This is Shang Jiancheng, also one of the Young Master's secretaries. Miss Xu, is something bothering you?" Xue'er asked kindly.
"Ah! No, haha! You should go inside! I'll be leaving now!" Xu Yiru smiled faintly, not willing to share her personal matters with anyone.
As Xu Yiru walked away, Shang Jiancheng remarked, "This young lady clearly has something on her mind."
"Yes, it seems that the Young Master really likes her," Xue'er replied.
"Really?" Shang Jiancheng asked, intrigued.
"Yes," Xue'er confirmed, smiling knowingly.
4o mini