I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

Sure enough, there was a whole set of brand-new toiletries from her usual brand in the bathroom, and even the types and textures of the skincare products were tailored to her current skin needs.

Gu Yan had already prepared her change of clothes. She changed and went downstairs, where the aroma of food wafted from the dining room.

A kind-looking woman wearing an apron was setting the table. Seeing her come down, she immediately greeted her with a smile.

"Good morning, Miss Shu. Mr. Gu instructed us to prepare a light breakfast. I wonder if it suits your taste?"

The table was set with shrimp dumplings, congee, and several side dishes, all Chinese breakfast items that looked very appetizing.

"Thank you, Auntie, it's a very nice meal." Shuzi sat down at the table.

"You're too kind. Mr. Gu specifically instructed that you should eat something warm to soothe your stomach and calm your nerves, since you were frightened."

The aunt smiled and served her porridge, saying, "Miss Shu, please eat slowly. I'll make more if you're not full."

Shu Zi took the bowl of porridge, steaming hot, and lowered her eyes to drink it in small sips.

She was eating when she heard the sound of the combination lock opening at the door.

Gu Yan walked in. He had changed into his outdoor clothes, with his suit jacket draped over his arm. His expression was as indifferent as ever, but when he saw Shu Zi at the dining table, his eyes softened.

"Good morning." He walked over and sat down opposite him.

"Good morning," Shu Zi replied, continuing to bury her head in her porridge, pretending not to notice the aunt's particularly pleased smile.

"The trending topics have been mostly suppressed. Lawyer's letters have been sent to several accounts that were spreading rumors. There has been new progress with the police. The details of that person's crime and the chain of evidence are very complete. He should be in jail for several years."

Gu Yan succinctly reported the progress, his tone calm.

Shu Zi nodded, feeling a great sense of relief: "Mm."

"The property management will be responsible for thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting your original apartment. Do you want all your personal belongings sealed up or sent somewhere else?" Gu Yan asked.

Shu Zi put down her spoon and said almost without hesitation, "I don't want any of it. Please dispose of it for me."

She didn't want to touch those things anymore.

"Okay." Gu Yan nodded, his voice very soft. "You can stay here with me for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Shu Zi paused in her porridge-drinking motion. Without looking up, she stirred the porridge in her bowl with her spoon, and after a long while, she mumbled an "Mmm."

The "hmm" was very soft, but in the quiet restaurant, both of them could hear it clearly.

A fleeting smile flashed in Gu Yan's eyes. He didn't say anything more and quietly finished breakfast with her.

The aunt was tidying up in the kitchen, the sound of water running softly.

After finishing her meal, Shu Zi pushed her bowl away and stood up. "I'm leaving. Sister Wen told me to be at the company at ten o'clock."

"I'll see you off." Gu Yan also stood up.

"No need, I'll take a taxi," Shu Zi immediately refused.

"You can't get a taxi here," Gu Yan stated calmly.

Shu Zi: "..."

I almost forgot, this is Yunqi Platinum Yue.

In the end, she got into Gu Yan's car.

The car stopped one intersection away from the company.

Shu Zi opened the car door and waved her hand without turning her head: "Alright, that's enough. There are too many people and too much attention ahead."

Gu Yan hummed in agreement, watching her retreating figure quickly blend into the morning rush hour crowd before signaling the driver to follow slowly for a while. Only after seeing her safely enter the office building did he turn around and leave.

Shu Zi lowered the brim of her baseball cap, swiped her card, and went upstairs.

She encountered several artists or staff members from the same company in the elevator. They all looked at her with sympathy, curiosity, and even inquiry, but no one dared to approach her and speak to her.

The trending topic about sasaeng fans sneaking into someone's home is still up, and everyone knows it's true.

She walked straight to Lan Manwen's office, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door.

Lan Manwen was already sitting behind the huge desk, with a tablet and a laptop in front of him, and a cup of strong Americano that tasted like Chinese medicine.

When she saw Shu Zi come in, she didn't say anything, but simply nodded with her chin at the chair opposite her.

Shu Zi sat down, took off her hat, and spoke first: "Sister Wen~ I'm here."

Lan Manwen didn't speak immediately. Instead, he looked her up and down carefully several times, his brows furrowed.

"Why do you look so pale? Did you not sleep at all last night?"

Lan Manwen's tone was filled with undisguised worry, tinged with lingering anger and fear, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere? Did that bastard touch you?"

Shu Zi felt a warmth in her heart. Waaah, Sister Lan still loves her.

She shook her head: "It's really nothing, Sister Wen. I just didn't sleep well and got a fright. He didn't touch me. Gu Yan was right next to me at the time."

Upon hearing Gu Yan's name, Lan Manwen's eyes sharpened, but she held back for the moment.

She leaned forward, her tone serious: "What about psychologically? This kind of thing can be a big deal or a small deal, and it can easily leave a lasting shadow. Do you need me to find you a reliable psychologist? Don't try to tough it out."

"Really, you don't need to," Shu Zi smiled. "I'm very brave. I feel much better after a good night's sleep, but thinking about it now makes me feel a little nauseous."

Lan Manwen stared at her for a few more seconds, making sure that apart from fatigue and a little lingering fear, her mental state was relatively stable. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief and lean back in her chair.

"Okay, your health is the most important thing."

She picked up her coffee and took a big gulp, as if to calm herself down, before sitting up straight again, crossing her hands on the table, her eyes blazing, and entering "interrogation" mode.

"Okay, now let's talk about the second question."

Lan Manwen's voice calmed down, but it was still incredibly authoritative. "What exactly is your relationship with Gu Yan? Don't try to fool me!"

"I watched the live stream. The way you two were behaving, you might fool the audience, but you can fool me? You've known each other since childhood, and you're so close that he'd suddenly appear on your show, invest in you, and be your hero when you're in trouble, even taking you straight to his home..."

Lan Manwen paused for a moment, "To Yunqi Platinum Residence?"

Shu Zi licked her dry lips, knowing that she was in for a tough time today, so she decided to just go for it and said, "It's like... the kind of acquaintance that we've known each other since we were in the womb."

Lan Manwen raised an eyebrow: "Tell me more? How did you get to know each other?"

Shuzi: "My mom and his mom are best friends. Our two families used to live across from each other and grew up together. He's a few months older than me."

"Oh, childhood sweethearts, innocent and carefree."

Lan Manwen nodded, her tone devoid of emotion. "Then, the third question, Shu Zi, how much more do you still not know about me?"

She stared into Shu Zi's eyes: "Don't try to fool me!"

Shu Zi knew she couldn't avoid it today, so she steeled herself and whispered, "Shu Baizhou is my father."

"...Who's Dad? No, who's your dad?"

"The Shu Group...that one."

Lan Manwen's expression froze.

She blinked, as if she hadn't heard clearly: "Which Shu Group?"

Shu Zi's voice became even softer:

"The one... that does import and export, real estate, and technology investment, the one that's on par with the Gu Group... the Shu Group."