The President Made Me Trend

Upon hearing the reporters’ doubts, Huo-Jie realized her performance had been a bit over the top, almost exposing their plan. She quickly feigned anxiety and responded, “You’re quite the joker. Qinghuan is not just important to me, but she’s the lifeline of the entire company. How could I not be concerned? I’m just eager to clear things up so Qinghuan doesn’t suffer any more grievances. I need to speak with the attending doctor.”

With that, Huo-Jie hurried into the hospital, leaving the bewildered reporters behind.

When Mo Qinghuan returned to the Lu family home, Lu Yucheng had indeed come home early and was waiting in the living room. Perhaps due to an unsuccessful board meeting that afternoon, Lu Yucheng’s expression seemed rather grim.

This made Mo Qinghuan hesitate, fearing he might also believe the rumors about her and Liang Yi. Despite their long-standing love as husband and wife, did Lu Yucheng not have even this bit of trust in her? The thought pained her heart, and without a word, she went straight upstairs.

Watching her retreat, Lu Yucheng sighed, assuming she was upset due to the online harassment and had gone upstairs to rest. He felt guilty for not being by her side immediately, so he quietly went to the kitchen to prepare a bowl of soup for her, just as she had once made abalone porridge for him when he was exhausted. Food could provide energy and perhaps lift her spirits.

Using the available ingredients, he started making chicken soup, placing the seasonings and the whole chicken into the pot. Suddenly, his phone rang-it was Mother Lu. She seemed concerned about their situation, whispering over the phone, “Yucheng, what’s going on with Qinghuan’s news? Your father is furious after seeing it and demands you come back to explain. What should we do?”

“I expected this, Mom. Don’t worry, it’s just an unfounded rumor. Qinghuan is a public figure and inevitably faces online attacks. She’s resting upstairs now; I’ll head over to explain to Father soon.”

Glancing at the second floor, Lu Yucheng was relieved that Mo Qinghuan hadn’t overheard the call. Father Lu was already displeased with her, and while Mo Qinghuan tried to act indifferent, she couldn’t help but feel secretly hurt. After hanging up, he placed the cooked soup on the table and drove off.

Arriving at the Lu family estate, Father Lu was indeed sitting angrily on the living room sofa. Seeing Lu Yucheng enter, he jabbed the floor with his cane and angrily demanded, “Yucheng, Yucheng, what kind of woman have you married? It’s only been a few days since the wedding, and our family is already shamed. The reporters’ comments on TV all point to the Lu family, to you. What’s going on? Is the rumor true? Is that Liang Yi Qinghuan’s affair partner?”

“Old man, don’t jump to conclusions. Qinghuan is a good kid. You know how those reporters are, always spinning tales that can’t be taken seriously,” Mother Lu said, fearing Father Lu might vent his anger on Lu Yucheng. Ever since Lu Yucheng married Mo Qinghuan and Lu Xuan unexpectedly appeared, the father-son relationship had become strained, and she couldn’t let this situation continue.

However, Father Lu was not willing to accept Mother Lu’s kind advice. He scoffed, looking at Mother Lu who was still defending Lu Yucheng, and mocked, “Can’t be taken seriously? The internet and news have blown this matter out of proportion. Even if I don’t believe it, do you think others won’t? The Lu family’s reputation is ruined because of this woman, do you understand?”

“I…” Mother Lu was so startled by Father Lu that she couldn’t speak, feeling her heart was uncomfortably heavy. Seeing Father Lu berate Mother Lu like this, Lu Yucheng, as her son, couldn’t stand it.

He shielded Mother Lu behind him and faced Father Lu’s accusations, speaking up for Mo Qinghuan, “Father, this is just a senseless case of online harassment. Qinghuan is not only innocent but also the most pitiful victim. Now she is my wife, our family member. As an elder, it’s one thing not to care for her, but please don’t believe the online rumors and add to Qinghuan’s burden, alright?”

“Who is adding burden to whom now? Flies don’t swarm around seamless eggs. If Mo Qinghuan were truly so pure and innocent, why would online harassment target her? It’s you who has been bewitched by her and thinks she’s perfect everywhere,” Father Lu scoffed. He had never approved of Mo Qinghuan marrying into the Lu family, and now he felt his judgment was correct.

But Lu Yucheng couldn’t understand why Father Lu was so against Mo Qinghuan. Was it simply because she was a public figure?

Unable to comprehend it all, Lu Yucheng continued to defend Mo Qinghuan, “Father, please don’t slander Qinghuan like this, okay? She is my wife, and I won’t allow anyone to speak ill of her, not even you!”

“You, you fool, you’re driving me mad!” Father Lu never expected Lu Yucheng would still stand by Mo Qinghuan. He reached out, trembling, pointing at Lu Yucheng, and continued, “At this point, you’re still opposing me? Fine, even if you say this matter is false, so many people believe it, causing damage to the Lu company’s reputation. How do you plan to account for that? Tell me!”

“When Father handed those major projects to Lu Xuan’s company, I thought the Lu company was no longer Father’s priority. Now that this has happened, I didn’t expect Father would still care about the company’s business. If that were the case, why hand the business to Lu Xuan in the first place?”

During the afternoon board meeting, Lu Yucheng had already heard a dozen directors speak ill of Mo Qinghuan. Now, in front of Father Lu, he had to endure it further, and his protective instincts for his wife had reached their limit.

“You dare speak to your father like that? You’ve turned against me!” Father Lu, furious, picked up his cane and struck Lu Yucheng several times. Out of filial piety, Lu Yucheng didn’t dodge, but seeing this, Mother Lu felt heartbroken. She quickly pleaded for Lu Yucheng, saying:

“Old man, stop hitting him. It pains a mother to see her child hurt. If you’re truly angry, hit me instead, but don’t hit my son!”

“Mom, don’t stop him. Let Father hit me as much as he wants. Now that Lu Xuan is back, Father no longer has a place for me in his heart; it’s all about his precious eldest son. Otherwise, why would he say I should apologize to Lu Xuan and that the Lu company’s business will continue to be handed over to Lu Xuan?”

Having had several major projects handed over by Father Lu, Lu Yucheng was already filled with resentment. Now was the perfect time to let it all out, regardless of whether Father Lu would be angry.