"Lin Qian, how do you respond to the rumors that your husband, Gu Chenxi, is having an affair with one of the streamers from his company?"
As the Gulfstream G650 private jet touched down and Lin Qian stepped out with her luggage, she was instantly swarmed by a wall of cameras and microphones.
Flashbulbs popped in a relentless barrage. The people who had traveled with her scrambled back into the cabin in a panic.
Having stepped away from the spotlight for three years, she was unused to such spectacles. Before her bodyguards could reach her, Lin Qian straightened her attire and turned to take the microphone.
"Thank you for your concern. I am not yet aware of the specifics, but I have faith in him. There must be some misunderstanding."
"Is it truly a misunderstanding, or are you just burying your head in the sand like a coward, Mrs. Gu?"
It was a face she recognized: the notorious Reporter Fang from *News Weekly*. The few public relations crises Lin Qian had faced before her hiatus were all thanks to him.
Lin Qian frowned. "I do not go by the name Gu. I have a name of my own."
"Two days ago, you left Jinggang City, and your husband, Gu Chenxi, couldn't wait to check into a hotel with Su Yurou. They spent the entire night together and were seen holding hands when they left the following noon."
Reporter Fang shook his camera, a malicious smirk on his face. "What does Mrs. Gu have to say about that?"
Lin Qian remembered that evening. It was rare for Gu Chenxi to proactively report his schedule, but he had told her he was attending a business gala. How could he have been at a hotel with Su Yurou?
Yet, in front of the media, she had to defend their home.
"Su Yurou is my best friend. I was the one who recommended her for the company. She is not only close with my husband, but she and I have also traveled abroad together alone. Does that mean she’s having an affair with me, too?"
Reporter Fang scoffed. "Mrs. Gu is truly the model of a virtuous wife. You walked away from the peak of your career just to bear Gu Chenxi’s children, and now you’re even cleaning up after his affairs. Aren't you tired of the act?"
She hadn't had time to put on her coat when she deplaned, and as the wind picked up, Lin Qian began to shiver.
"Thank you for your concern. I am fine, and our family is fine. My family is still in the cabin, so I kindly ask you all to step aside and give the elderly and the children some space."
"You were a famous actress, yet you’re willing to slave away for your in-laws and even raise the child of your late brother-in-law. Are you really content with being discarded like this?"
The reporters surged forward, pushing Lin Qian back several steps.
She steadied herself and spread her arms. "Please do not film inside the cabin. If you have any questions, ask me directly."
Reporter Fang grinned, clicking his tongue loudly. "Mrs. Gu, if you find yourself crying while watching the broadcast tonight, feel free to call me. Our tip-off line is open 24/7."
The bodyguards finally arrived and cleared a path, and the family got into their car.
Deep Space Matrix, founded by her husband Gu Chenxi, was the country's top livestreaming and e-commerce company. As its CEO, he was handsome, young, wealthy, and extravagant; scandals and trending topics were a regular occurrence for him.
However, previous reports had always been mere speculation. This was the first time there had been such specific details regarding time, place, and the people involved.
Lin Qian settled the two children in the backseat who were fighting over a toy and pulled out her phone to ask about the situation. Instead, a call came through from one of the parties involved: Su Yurou.
"Qianqian, don’t listen to what the media is saying. It’s all just hype to build anticipation for the upcoming Double Eleven livestream."
"Since when did we change our business strategy? I remember Chenxi hates these kinds of things."
"He just has so many creative ideas in his head. Last month, he said he wanted to reward me with a 'toy.' I thought it was a bag or some clothes, but guess what?"
Her voice went up at the end, brimming with obvious boastfulness.
"...Tell me."
"He actually bought me a plane!"
A burst of light, airy laughter came through the receiver.
"I don't even know how to fly it, and the maintenance fees alone are hundreds of thousands a month, but Chenxi told me not to worry about it. He said I could just keep it as a private vehicle or even just for show."
Su Yurou had been her close friend since university; Lin Qian didn't want to speculate on why she was telling her these things.
"Yurou, marketing strategies that carry negative connotations can cause a backlash. Your channel's metrics are already excellent; I don't think this is necessary."
"That’s easy for you to say. You’ve been living a life of leisure at home raising kids; how would you know the hardship of earning money?"
Lin Qian gripped her phone. "The scandal is already number one on the trending list. Both sets of parents, as well as my daughter Sisi, will see this."
"You housewives are truly such nags. I told you, it’s just a successful little stunt. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"
"I have a lot to attend to here. See you at your birthday next week; I’ve prepared a big gift for you."
Before Lin Qian could respond, the line went dead.
"If you don't give me the toy, I'm going to tell Grandma and make her deal with you!"
The little boy in the back seat burst into tears after failing to snatch the toy. The nanny was unable to calm him down and had to turn to Lin Qian for help.
Watching her daughter, Sisi, holding the rabbit with one ear torn off, her eyes brimming with tears, Lin Qian felt a sharp pang of pain.
But she couldn't bring herself to scold the boy, who had already lost his father, so she chose to pull both children into her arms.
"This rabbit is Sisi’s toy. If you want one, I’ll take you to the mall later and buy you one, okay?"
"No! I want this one! Grandma told me you’re a wicked person."
The boy pushed Lin Qian away, trying to grab the toy from her daughter again. Lin Qian blocked him.
"Xiaoxi, you are the older brother, a big boy. You shouldn't treat your sister like this."
As the car arrived at their destination, the boy jumped out and ran to complain to his grandmother, Sun Meijuan, who was in the car behind them.
"Sisi, give the toy to your brother," Sun Meijuan beckoned to Sisi.
"...No, I don't want to..." Sisi quickly hid behind her mother.
"Mom, this toy is Sisi's favorite. If Xiaoxi wants one, I'll buy him another."
"Then just give him this one and buy Sisi a new one later," Sun Meijuan said, reaching out to grab it.
Lin Qian stood in front of her daughter. "Doing that will only make Sisi feel insecure."
"What insecurity? What would a child know? It’s exactly because you can't even raise a child properly that Chenxi is never home. Look at yourself—are you even fit to be our Gu family's daughter-in-law?"
Lin Qian frowned. "Mom, some things shouldn't be said in front of the children."
"Oh, look at you, getting big-headed and trying to lecture me? I see the media was right—that Su Yurou has a much sweeter tongue than you."
Sun Meijuan struggled several times before finally managing to pick up Xiaoxi. "Let's go, darling. Your aunt is too stuck up. The Gu family has no room for her."
Every day was filled with these trifles, and Lin Qian felt suddenly, bone-deep tired.
A small, soft hand suddenly gripped her finger, followed by a tearful, babyish voice.
"Mommy... hold me."
Lin Qian turned around. "Baby?"
Sisi wiped her tears vigorously. "Daddy isn't here, but Baby is here. Baby will stay with you. Mommy is a grown-up, Mommy shouldn't cry."
In the bleak autumn day, a wave of warmth washed over her. Lin Qian held Sisi tight.
Indeed, it was time for her to have a serious talk with Gu Chenxi.