Jiang Li had been confined to a small dog cage for the past month, subsisting on dog food. His former luxurious life now felt like torture in his memories.
He felt utterly broken, as if he had truly transformed into a dog, subjected to the contempt and bullying of others, no longer the high and mighty Young Master Jiang. Fortunately, there was a foolish woman who remained devoted and cared for him meticulously.
News of the Jiang family heir's month-long coma had not been kept entirely secret. The Jiang family's stock market had already begun to show signs of instability.
Upon learning of this, Father Yin, doting on his daughter, considered directly proposing the annulment of the engagement to the Jiang family and offering additional compensation. However, Jun Jiuli vetoed this.
Father Yin mistakenly believed his daughter was deeply in love with that scoundrel. Jun Jiuli, however, clarified that she did not harbor strong feelings for Jiang Li and that the engagement was being maintained only for the sake of the Yin family's reputation.
Jun Jiuli then presented evidence of the kidnapping incident, revealing it to be a scheme orchestrated by Jiang Li's father. After examining the transfer records, audio recordings, and the ultimate fate of the kidnappers, Father Yin understood everything.
"Yuebai, how did you find all of this?" Father Yin looked at Jun Jiuli with curiosity.
Jun Jiuli met his gaze directly, without flinching. "I just felt something was amiss, so I investigated. At the time, the Jiang family was only moderately wealthy. If the kidnappers had already captured me, there would be no need to capture Jiang Li again. Furthermore, how could Jiang Li's father have found us before my father did?"
"Alas, I was too careless. I never imagined they possessed such deep schemes. To plot against our Yin family, they were even willing to sacrifice their own son."
"Father was just overly worried."
"Then, what do you intend to do?"
"Father, withdraw all investments from the ongoing collaborations and sell all of the Yin family's shares in the Jiang Corporation to Mr. Chen, the second-in-command of the Jiang clan. I believe he will be very pleased to purchase them at a high price. As for the engagement between our families, I have my own plans."
"You clever girl. You focus on your studies. Business matters are for your elder brother and me."
"Yes, I understand. Thank you, Dad." With that, she happily went upstairs.
The Yin family's actions caught the Jiang family completely off guard. When Father Jiang came to inquire, Father Yin simply stated that the company had launched another major project and lacked sufficient liquid funds to invest further in the Jiang Corporation.
Father Jiang gnashed his teeth in frustration, but he could do nothing to the Yin family. Currently, the internet was abuzz with praise for the Yin family's loyalty and righteousness.
The Jiang family heir had been in a coma for so long, yet the Yin family's daughter had not called off the engagement. The entire internet was showering Jun Jiuli with accolades.
Just then, the academic year began at A University. Alumni discovered that the car picking up Miss Yin to and from school was identical to that of the affluent family in the Performing Arts department.
Consequently, the gossipmongers began to dig deeper, uncovering Su Yunmo's true identity.
"Heh, so she's a nanny's daughter pretending to be a wealthy young lady."
"Exactly. She acts so pretentious every day. I thought she was truly a pampered young lady."
"Disgusting. I've been trying so hard to win her favor for so long."
"Hahaha, I sincerely sympathize with the commenter above."
The remarks on the forum were filled with malice. Su Yunmo felt like smashing her phone, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Even Han Xiaoxiao, who was usually close to her, subjected her to sarcastic remarks daily. She felt everyone looking at her strangely and gossiping behind her back.
She immediately posted a clarifying thread on the forum, but it was quickly overwhelmed by comments from her peers.
"So hypocritical. Why didn't you clarify from the beginning?"
"Oh, I didn't realize everyone was misunderstanding. What a truly green tea-like behavior."
"Haha, think about it carefully. The little nanny's daughter wears and uses things that are far from cheap."
"The commenter above is making me think deeply."
From that point on, the discussion devolved into topics that even premium services wouldn't dare to broadcast.
Su Yunmo trembled with anger as she read the insulting comments, burying her face in the covers and sobbing uncontrollably.
The two sisters reading in the dorm room felt helpless and quietly withdrew, heading to the library to study, leaving her with the space to vent her emotions.
After crying for a while, Su Yunmo noticed no one stepping forward to comfort her. She threw off the covers, wiped her tears, tidied herself up, took a leave of absence from her counselor, and hailed a taxi to Beishan Villa.
Her mind was in turmoil, and she didn't know what to do. However, she felt that returning to the villa would somehow provide a solution.
Upon entering the villa complex, her mood improved considerably. As she walked, she found herself at the place where the dogs resided.
She hugged Da Huang, crying, and recounted what had happened. "Da Huang, they are so hateful. How could they say such things about me? I never claimed to be a rich young lady. Does a nanny's daughter not deserve to wear nice clothes? Wuwuwu~"
Seeing her cry so heartbrokenly, Jiang Li felt immense distress. He gently nuzzled her cheek with his paw, wishing he could tell her she was wonderful and that those people were simply jealous. He longed to offer her some comfort but was unable to.
This was the first time Jiang Li felt so powerless. Those large tears falling onto him pained him deeply. He felt a sudden wave of dizziness, and the next moment he was conscious, he was back in his own body.
Shui Wa: "Host, your talismans ultimately couldn't overcome the combined aura of the male and female leads."
"It's fine, I have the enhanced version."
Upon waking, Jiang Li immediately went to comfort Su Yunmo, who was inconsolable.
"Silly girl, I won't allow you to cry. I will resolve everything for you."
"Wuwuwu, really? Brother Jiang Li, you're really willing to help me?"
"Silly girl, if I don't help you, who will?"
"Then what about Miss Yin?"
"I only see her as a sister. The one I love is you. One day, I will annul the engagement with her."
"Wuwu, it's so good to have met you."
"Little crybaby, meeting you is my greatest fortune." He then pulled out a tissue, wiped away Su Yunmo's tears, and embraced her tightly.
Da Huang: "Hmph, she was hugging me just a moment ago. And now..."
Shui Wa: "Peh, how sickeningly sweet and disgusting in broad daylight."
Jun Jiuli: "Still watching the show? Hurry and take pictures. Young Master Jiang Embraces Yin Family's Young Lady, Declares Dislove for Fiancée, Yet Doesn't Annul Engagement Directly. Is this a distortion of humanity or the downfall of morality?"
Jiang Li drove his luxury car directly to A University, making a grand declaration that Su Yunmo was under his protection. Offending Su Yunmo meant offending both the Jiang and Yin families. Many students quietly deleted their comments.
Yin Family: "****** Who are you? Representing our family here?"
The post was made by a male student who had previously showered Su Yunmo with attention. He stated that he had merely acted out of anger upon learning the truth, his momentary impulse leading him to make a mistake.
Jiang Li disregarded his reasons and proceeded to beat him up. He insultingly threw some money at him and then, taking Su Yunmo's wrist, departed.
At this time, Father Jiang, who was handling official business at the company, had no idea that his son had caused such a mess.
Instantly, the news of Jiang Li and Su Yunmo's embrace, and his first action upon waking being to defend his lover at A University instead of seeing his parents or his fiancée, became a trending topic.
With videos and eyewitness accounts from A University students, netizens eagerly consumed the gossip. They speculated how the Yin family would handle the situation.
The official Weibo account of the Yin Corporation responded immediately. The Yin family announced the voluntary annulment of their engagement with the Jiang family, wishing Mr. Jiang and Miss Su a happy union. Upon hearing this news, the Jiang family's stock market plummeted.
The top trending topic on Weibo instantly became "Sympathy for Yin Yuebai," and "Jiang Li, the Scumbag." After all, everyone had clearly heard Jiang Li's statements in the video.
Many netizens also posted comparisons of Yin Yuebai's photos with Su Yunmo's, with many mocking Jiang Li for being blind. Su Yunmo was also placed on the pillar of shame as a mistress.
Before Father Jiang could react to all of this, he was arrested by the police for tax evasion, selling inferior products as superior ones, and malicious competition, and was taken in for questioning and investigation.
The properties built by Jiang family enterprises began to show problems such as cracking walls and tilting buildings within two years of their acceptance.
He had also dispatched commercial spies to infiltrate the Yin Corporation to steal secrets. All evidence was conclusive. Father Jiang was sentenced to eight years in prison and fined.
The Jiang family's enterprises and properties were all sold off to pay the fine for tax evasion, compensate the public and the Yin family, leaving over one million yuan. If Jiang Li and his mother had managed this money wisely, they could have lived comfortably.
The Jiang Corporation was completely transferred to the Chen Corporation, and all the moles embedded within the Yin family were removed.
Jiang Li felt as if the world was spinning. One moment, he was being attacked by the entire internet for a minor romantic entanglement. In less than half a day, his family's business had gone bankrupt, and he had gone from a wealthy young master to an ordinary person.
He directly abandoned Su Yunmo at a hotel and drove to Beishan Villa. Upon returning home, he saw people coming and going, carrying his family's belongings out. He stood outside, feeling like an outsider.
At that moment, a well-maintained woman suddenly rushed over and hit his chest several times.
"Why would you do something so thoughtless? How is that Su woman any less outstanding than the Yin family's daughter? It's one thing to fool around secretly, but to make such a big scene. How could I have given birth to such a wicked child like you?!"
"Mom, speak slowly. What exactly happened?"
"Your father has been arrested, with conclusive evidence. The Yin family will not help us make a comeback. Our family's company has now completely fallen into the hands of that Chen fellow. Wuwuwu..."
Mother Jiang wiped away her tears, trying her best to calm herself before speaking again. "Son, why don't you go beg Yin Yuebai? See if the Yin family can help us. You grew up together. She still likes you so much. Can't you just endure it for a bit?"
Seeing Jiang Li's continued reluctance, Mother Jiang said angrily, "Jiang Li, now is not the time for your stubborn pride. Your father is in prison, and we mother and son have no other way." She then attempted to push Jiang Li forward.
"Mom, please don't be like this. I'll go, alright?"
"Good, good, that's my good boy. Speak nicely later. Girls are all susceptible to coaxing, understand?"
"Mom, I understand."