Chapter 28 Is there an end?

Winter in Jiangcheng is white.

With frequent snow showers, a month passes in the blink of an eye. As the Spring Festival approaches, the entire city turns festive. The white world is adorned in Chinese red, with every household decorating with lanterns and couplets. Streets and alleys are crowded with vendors selling New Year's goods, creating a rich and lively atmosphere.

At noon, in Qingya Media.

Xiao Wei knocked on the door of the CEO's office, frowning as she said, "President Zhao, one of our male artists has just been confirmed to have cheated on his girlfriend. It's already starting to ferment online."

Zhao Yanan took a deep breath and said, "Just let the PR department handle it. Do you really need to tell me about this?"

Xiao Wei hesitated, "The PR department manager said… I should ask you if we should handle this the same way as last time, using President Chu's... President Chu's scandals to shield this matter?"

Since the Gao family apologized previously, Chu Yuxuan had not returned to the company, and even missed the annual meeting. As a result, this nominal couple had not seen each other for a whole month. For Zhao Yanan, this was undoubtedly a good thing—out of sight, out of mind, and life had returned to normal, focusing solely on work. However, that annoying man never seemed to be idle. After his true identity was exposed, not only did the company's female artists scramble to get close to him, but even some small-time celebrities and socialites were vying for the chance to climb the social ladder.

Chu Yuxuan was not picky and accepted everyone who came his way. In just a month, his name had become well-known, and he was no different from his old self.

Zhao Yanan thought for a moment and said to Xiao Wei, "Does the PR department have any recent gossip about President Chu? Preferably from these past few days."

"Yes!" Xiao Wei nodded, "Last night, one of our company's lesser-known actresses was with President Chu... at the Empire Hotel. She posted a photo on her personal account but deleted it almost immediately. Since she's not well-known and has few followers, it didn't attract much attention… The PR department manager has already obtained the photo from her."

Zhao Yanan smiled faintly, "So the PR department is fully prepared? Why ask me then?"

"Well... I'm afraid President Chu might blame us," Xiao Wei said with an awkward smile.

"It's fine. In the future, don't ask me about this. Just use him to deflect. If he blames us, I'll take the heat."

"Okay, understood…"

Seeing Xiao Wei hesitate, Zhao Yanan asked, "Is there something else?"

"I... I'm not sure if I should ask…"

"You've been with me for over a year; you should know I hate beating around the bush. Just ask."

"Oh... I... I'm just curious, are you and President Chu... really... secretly married?"

In her view, someone like Chu Yuxuan, no matter how good-natured, wouldn't allow his subordinates to use him as a shield repeatedly. This was already the fourth time Zhao Yanan had used him this month!

Unless, as rumored online, the two were secretly married... Zhao Yanan probably couldn't control this womanizer, Xiao Wei thought.

Zhao Yanan rolled her eyes and said calmly, "Do you believe those online rumors too? Xiao Wei, are you too idle?"

"No, no, no…" Xiao Wei quickly shook her head and hurriedly left the office.

Half an hour later, news about Chu Yuxuan and the actress appeared among the top three hot topics.

After a busy morning, Zhao Yanan stretched her back and, while getting a drink of water, received a WeChat message from Chu Yuxuan: "Is it over yet?"

Zhao Yanan replied calmly, "News should be based on facts."

Chu Yuxuan: "You're making me shield a scumbag who cheated?"

Zhao Yanan: "A scumbag is barely a person; you don't count."

Chu Yuxuan: "Jealous?"

Zhao Yanan: "Go away, beast!"

Chu Yuxuan: "I'm a live beast, and you're the live beast's wife."

In the afternoon, the weather that had been gloomy for days finally cleared up.

At Fenghuang Villa, Chu Zhiqing was lounging on a chair on the balcony, sipping tea and watching the staff in the courtyard busy hanging lanterns and putting up couplets, feeling comfortable and lazy.

Behind him stood a beautiful woman of exceptional figure and looks, gently massaging his shoulders. Her fiery red lips moved, and her tone was sultry: "Sir, young master has been linked with another female star in rumors."

"That rascal…" Chu Zhiqing smiled, "How many is that now?"

"Um…" The woman fluttered her eyelids, estimating, and said, "Seven rumors have surfaced, and there are at least a dozen more that haven't come out yet. Some people online say he's like a groom every night, hahaha."

"Hmm…" Chu Zhiqing knew his son's nature. These scandals were clearly intentional by Chu Yuxuan. He murmured, "I wonder if there's any truth behind these... Such waste is shameful!"

The woman continued, "There are also several influencers who basically surround young master every day. A few days ago… young master even beat up a paparazzo for one influencer and smashed the camera."

"Hmm... A typical behavior…"

The woman helplessly pouted, "Aren't you going to do anything? At least suppressing the rumors would be good."

Chu Zhiqing turned his hand to grip the woman's, then pulled her into his embrace and said with a smile, "At nearly thirty, why should I care? I'm only interested in managing you... Come, let me check your body."

The woman snuggled up to Chu Zhiqing's chest and coquettishly said, "Sir, you're so naughty… Your mouth, I wonder how many girls you've deceived with it, hum…"

Chu Zhiqing playfully said, "I want your body, you want my money. Where in the world is a fairer trade than this? It's not deceitful at all."

The woman didn't feel ashamed and lightly tapped Chu Zhiqing, "Disgusting… Sir, I'm quite curious, have you ever truly loved anyone in your life?"

Chu Zhiqing's eyes narrowed, and the smile on his face subtly faded, "Yes."

After a pause, he added, "Just one person."

The woman tilted her face up, somewhat surprised, "I really can't imagine what kind of woman could make you fall for her?"

"She wasn't beautiful, her figure was average, and she was stubborn and fierce. She would slap me without hesitation. Haha... She seemed to have no advantages, but I liked her, deeply."

When Chu Zhiqing said this, his expression had a bittersweet quality.

The woman asked with interest, "Then… why didn't you marry her? Could it be that she didn't look down on you?"

Chu Zhiqing's gaze was suddenly filled with memories, and his smile turned bitter.

"I had two marriages, both were business unions, without any real feelings involved. Later, I met her and promised to end the second marriage quickly to marry her. But I was still young then, many things were beyond my control... By the time I could finally make my own decisions, she was already gone. Haha, the beauty of life is so fleeting!"

The woman's eyes showed a hint of sympathy as she murmured, "Truly... fate plays tricks on people."