NOVEL NEXT Chapter 37 - Scumbag at the Crematorium (10)
He Dongchen felt uncertain before opening his email, but upon clicking it, he calmly read several beautifully crafted articles that intertwined seamlessly.
On the other end of the phone, Gu Huan sounded concerned. “How do you plan to handle this? You can stop it once, but not forever.”
He Dongchen replied nonchalantly, “Let it be. After all, the one who loses face isn’t me.”
His younger brother and ex-wife getting together; If he, as the person involved, wasn’t bothered, others would soon lose interest.
In the original story, this scandal had exploded at a time when He Guanyun was a nationwide music prince and Xiao Tang had achieved great success investing in several dramas. It caused a national uproar, with continuous debates; die-hard fans staunchly supported their true love, while bystanders condemned it as a moral disgrace and called for boycotts.
Originally unwilling to see his younger brother and beloved woman attacked by public opinion, the original owner had stepped forward to fabricate a story. He claimed that their mother was on her deathbed, a renowned master insisted on a hasty wedding due to auspicious astrology, and Xiao Tang’s fate aligned perfectly with his own. Thus, they had obtained a marriage certificate in name only, without any real marital relationship.
After their mother’s death, they immediately divorced.
People in high positions always had supporters who echoed their statements and whitewashed their actions. What was seen as feudal superstition and utter nonsense for ordinary people was deemed acceptable for the wealthy.
The original owner clarified the situation openly and honestly, gradually gaining public acceptance, and the controversy soon subsided.
He Guanyun and Xiao Tang got married and had a child openly, receiving the blessings of the world.
Now, He Dongchen had no intention of cleaning up their mess for them.
He had no qualms about airing the family’s dirty laundry.
However, He Dongchen asked Gu Huan, “Do you mind about this? If you do, I’ll handle it.”
Gu Huan looked out at the azure sky outside and smiled faintly, “I’ve already accepted that you’re an older man with a second marriage. What else would I mind?”
He Dongchen chuckled, “Alright then, I won’t bother about it.”
After all, they held high positions, and no one dared to gossip in front of them.
***
He Guanyun realized he had slept with Xiao Tang after drinking too much, feeling shattered and regretful, locking himself at home in self-reproach.
During that time, Si Manman called to reconcile, but He Guanyun, feeling guilty, was evasive and hung up hastily after a few vague words.
A few days later, He Guanyun adjusted his mindset and invited Xiao Tang out, explaining the situation clearly, “I’m sorry for that night when I was drunk and mistook you for Man Man. This is a token of apology; please accept it.”
Xiao Tang looked at the check with an amount in the eight digits, internally mocking; Ten million for one night, the He family sure is wealthy.
She pushed the check back, pretending nothing had happened, her expression baffled, “What night? I just remember getting drunk and sleeping it off, nothing else happened.”
He Guanyun understood her attitude and felt relieved. He casually took back the check and decided to compensate her in another way.
At that moment, they thought only they knew about it.
The paparazzi who had taken the photos realized his information had been bought off. He received a hefty sum as hush money, feeling smug. He bragged to his friends after getting drunk, complaining about how chaotic the entertainment industry was, accidentally letting slip some details.
The situation escalated unexpectedly and intensified.
***
Si Manman, filming on set, suddenly noticed that everyone was looking at her differently when she woke up from a nap.
She hesitantly touched her face and asked her assistant beside her, “Is there something on my face?”
The assistant’s expression was subtle; she hesitated briefly before silently raising her phone to show it to Si Manman.
Upon seeing it, Si Manman discovered that her boyfriend had cheated on her with none other than his ex-sister-in-law, Xiao Tang!
“What a joke!” Si Manman found it absurd. She quickly scrolled through the screen with two fingers, looking at the well-documented articles with photos, feeling thunderstruck, frozen in place.
After what felt like an eternity, the phone rang, snapping her out of her stupor.
An anxious voice of He Guanyun came through, “Man Man, please help me post a statement saying we were together on the 10th.”
Si Manman couldn’t contain her anger, “He Guanyun! Don’t you need to explain yourself to me first!?”
Cheating on me and then asking me to help cover it up! What about my dignity!
He Guanyun’s phone was ringing off the hook today. Now, in a panic, he pleaded, “Man Man, I’m begging you.”
Si Manman took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and said, “Fine, I’ll help you. But from now on, the studio is mine alone. Let’s part ways.”
“Okay!” He Guanyun agreed immediately.
10 minutes later, Si Manman posted a clarification on Weibo, stating that gossip reporters would do anything for attention.
He Guanyun promptly hired a large number of internet water army, redirecting the blame onto the reporters.
(T/N: water army = internet accounts paid to hype up or divert attention to a certain subject.)
The paparazzi, knowing he had been paid off and spoken out of turn, remained silent throughout, bearing the blame.
Netizens, following the trend, criticized the paparazzi’s absurdity for a while, and the matter soon passed, overshadowed by news of a certain actress’s divorce.
***
He Dongchen, upon learning of that, was still somewhat surprised.
Similarly whitewashed, the original plot’s intention was to be open about their relationship, but now it had turned into covering up the truth.
It seemed He Guanyun had no intention of making things official with Xiao Tang.
The system analyzed beside him with a knowing tone, [Relationships between men and women are extremely delicate. Sometimes a slight misstep can change everything.]
[In the original story, He Guanyun and Xiao Tang went through a lot together, their feelings naturally developed. But this time, Boss, you were straightforward from the beginning, which made He Guanyun feel awkward towards Xiao Tang. He hurriedly started a relationship with Si Manman, and now with his indiscretion exposed and everyone’s disdain, isn’t it normal for him to distance himself?]
He Dongchen raised an eyebrow, “Does a system really understand human emotions?”
The system proudly declared, [Of course! I’m the most advanced simulation system!]
“So you simulate the personality that pleases me the most, acting cute and innocent all day long?”
The system paused for a moment as a glowing orb before cheerfully continuing, [Boss, am I not cute enough~]
He Dongchen chuckled and waved away the glowing orb.
Returning to the topic, He Guanyun had actively distanced himself from Xiao Tang. It was for the best, so as not to drag He Dongchen and Gu Huan into more gossip.
***
A few days later, He Dongchen received a call from He Guanyun.
“Big Brother, I’m going abroad.” After this incident, He Guanyun was deeply apprehensive. Although they had managed to bluff their way through online, people in the circle knew he had slept with his own sister-in-law.
During that period, countless calls came in, filled with open or veiled scorn and pity, which greatly annoyed He Guanyun.
Now, he really dared not have too much contact with Xiao Tang.
The most fatal blow came when Si Manman later sent him a video. That night at Cloud Club, while Xiao Tang did leave with the group, halfway through, she left on her own and staged the whole scene.
He Guanyun was played like a fool by Xiao Tang, not only losing his girlfriend but also almost ruining his reputation. It left a deep psychological shadow, something he might never forget in his lifetime.
“Big brother, I should have listened to you long ago. I shouldn’t have gotten involved with that woman,” He Guanyun now deeply regrets, realizing he might never interfere again.
He Dongchen smiled disdainfully, his gaze mocking. People only appreciate what they’ve lost after they’ve fallen. In the original story, He Guanyun and Xiao Tang were deeply in love for a lifetime, without any reservation for the original owner.
Both remained silent.
He Guanyun waited in vain for his older brother to say it was alright. He couldn’t express the discomfort he felt inside.
Finally, He Dongchen reminded him, “You better be careful. Don’t end up with a child. It will be impossible to whitewash that.”
He Guanyun was shocked!
Without further thought, he hung up and immediately arranged for someone to watch Xiao Tang closely. At the first sign of pregnancy, it would be terminated! He now strongly suspected that Xiao Tang had deliberately set him up!
***
An hour later, Xiao Tang watched in anger as several black-clad men suddenly burst into her home, helpless once again.
Half a month later, confirming she wasn’t pregnant, Xiao Tang regained her freedom, only to be kicked out. She stood alone on the street holding her luggage, feeling lost. How did it come to this? I had a winning hand in my grasp.
If only she had caused a scene like the original owner when she filed for divorce, or if she had taken the 10 million compensation from He Guanyun and left immediately, instead of leaving with nothing now, a complete disaster.
Unable to cope with the psychological gap, Xiao Tang drifted through life aimlessly.
Several years later, she suddenly woke up and, while still young and beautiful, married a decent man. Their marriage was lukewarm, surrounded by trivial matters for the rest of her life.
Occasionally, there were news updates about He Dongchen.
He Dongchen married Gu Huan in a century-wedding, gathering a large number of celebrities and stars on the day, creating a grand spectacle that was talked about for a long time.
The He Group constructed some luxury properties on the sea, listed among the top ten architectural wonders, enjoying endless admiration.
He Dongchen and Gu Huan had a beautiful daughter who would inherit the combined trillion-dollar assets of both conglomerates.
Xiao Tang stared at the big screen with the excited host spouting superlatives, her expression distant.
Trillions!
Two young people passing by were discussing the princess born in Rome who seemed to have everything going for her.
Xiao Tang’s breathing quickened as she grabbed them and exclaimed, “I’m He Dongchen’s ex-wife!”
She had once been so close to these people!
The young people looked at the middle-aged woman with a basket over her shoulder, her face flushed with embarrassment. “Crazy! Must be dreaming or something.”
“Let’s go, let’s go. What if she goes crazy and stabs you?”
They hurried away, leaving Xiao Tang muttering to herself, “I really am He Dongchen’s ex-wife.”
***
He Dongchen had his first child at the age of 35, a lovely little princess, charming and adorable.
Gu Huan, being career-oriented, quickly resumed work after childbirth, continuing to shine in the business world. He Dongchen took on the responsibility of raising their child, gradually delegating his authority and transitioning to a behind-the-scenes role.
By the time they were in their sixties, Gu Huan had achieved her career aspirations and grew weary of the hustle and bustle. They both announced retirement, passing the baton to their daughter and traveling the world together, enjoying life.
The day Gu Huan closed her eyes.
The system watched as He Dongchen transferred a thick bundle of merit into Gu Huan’s soon-to-be reincarnated soul, wincing inwardly; Those were all accumulated points!
Seeing the unusually silent and handsome old man He Dongchen, the system wisely kept quiet and instead offered tenderly, [Boss, do you need emotional cleansing services?]
He Dongchen placed Gu Huan’s hand on her belly, tidied her appearance, then laid down on the bed himself, calmly staring at the ceiling with an unreadable expression. He mused, “Do you know why spiritual energy is immune to all evils, indestructible and eternal?”
[Why is that?]
“Because it’s constantly purified by the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, forever pristine and immaculate.”
Yet it can never retain anything forever.
With that said, He Dongchen closed his eyes, separated from his body, and departed from the small world.
In an instant, the spiritual essence of heaven and earth surged forth, continuously cleansing and purifying, erasing all traces of this lifetime’s tranquility from existence.