After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows-Chapter 32 She Doesn’t Have the Brains

Just as the siblings were diligently engaged in their respective tasks—one seriously preparing a spreadsheet and the other, pinching their nose in a bid to endure a dense tome—in the depths of a distant mountain, thousands of miles away from the Imperial City.

Shen Yunqing had just secured the latest charity donation with the local village chief. Upon returning to the home where they were staying, they found Assistant He wandering around the yard with a cellphone in hand.

"Still no signal?"

"It's intermittent and quite weak." Assistant He admitted, punching himself in the chest. "This is all my fault for losing the only signal booster."

They had entered through a single mountainous road. The road was rugged, with a sheer cliff on one side and a steep precipice on the other. The car had to traverse it with utmost caution.

It was just at the moment when the bag containing the signal booster was being retrieved that the car jolted, and, in a panic, he failed to hold on, resulting in the bag flying out through the open car window.

If it were any other road, one could easily stop and retrieve it.

But given that this spot was adjacent to a steep precipice, it was not worth risking one's life to retrieve a signal booster from down below.

"Nothing should go wrong at the company..."

Before the word "problem" could be finished, Assistant He's phone rang abruptly.

"Boss, it's the company PR department calling."

Shen Yunqing wandered over to an old table and chairs set in the yard. Picking up a chipped teacup, he nonchalantly took a sip of water. "Answer it."

But before Assistant He could celebrate the hard-earned connection, his expression darkened visibly after listening to the company's public relations department head report.

"Does a matter like this really need a department head to seek the boss's instruction? At the first sign of such news, it should have been immediately deleted!"

The voice on the other end sounded a bit torn, "Assistant He, many people in the comments are speculating that this news was released by Jiang Xiyu's rival, who most likely could be the madam. Didn't you previously instruct me that anything involving the madam must be reported first without taking initiative?"

He also understood that it would have been better to suppress the news immediately. But although he had reached the position of department head, he was, after all, still an employee. Making a mistake could lead to being fired, so it was better to be cautious.

Assistant He was at a loss for words.

Since visiting the hospital with his boss to see the madam, he had quietly suspected that the boss was not entirely indifferent towards her.

Any sign of movement from above required his constant attention as the personal assistant.

Since then, he paid extra attention to matters involving the madam, emphasizing some points to certain individuals before leaving, including the public relations department head.

But he never expected that this person would be so overly cautious.

Wasn't he being set up?

"I, I tried calling several times earlier to report this matter, but I couldn't reach you, Assistant He."

Assistant He: "..."

He almost couldn't stop himself from giving himself a slap!

One business trip and two issues arose, both caused by him.

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"What's going on?"

Assistant He looked up at his boss, who was watching him while holding a chipped teacup, almost ready to kneel down and shout, "Boss, I'm sorry!"

"Boss, Minister Han from the PR department said a news article about you suddenly surfaced online last night, with the other main character being Miss Jiang Xiyu. It claims Miss Jiang had a late-night hotel meeting with a mysterious man, including a picture of your back." Feeling the pressure rise, Assistant He forced himself to stand straight and continue, "And... many of the comments speculate the news was released by Jiang Xiyu's rival, with the most mentioned person being the madam."

After saying the last three words, Assistant He felt completely drained.

"It can't be her."

Even upon hearing that he had inexplicably become the subject of entertainment news, Shen Yunqing's hand holding the teacup didn't falter, his tone as steady as his grip.

Assistant He was startled: "Ah! Ah?"

The first "Ah" was an instinctive response, and the second expressed his confusion over his boss's confidence.

Shen Yunqing glanced towards the endless mountain ranges in the distance. A figure far different from the person he awaited flashed through his mind as he objectively stated, "She doesn't have the brains for that."

Assistant He: "..."

Boss, do you know you'll be kneeling on a washboard for speaking about your wife like that?

"So, for this matter, please give us your instructions."

"Don't waste unnecessary money; just trace back the video source."

Assistant He composed himself, thinking this was typical of his boss's style.

Despite being the owner of an immense fortune, his boss could sometimes be so generous that it would inspire awe, and other times so frugal that it left one speechless.

"Yes, sir. I recall your only interaction with Miss Jiang Xiyu was..."

"Six months ago, at a business dinner held in a hotel."

The reminder prompted a vivid recollection for Assistant He.

That was indeed the first time he witnessed his boss lose composure purely over a profile.

Although his boss returned calm in less than ten minutes, the impression was profound.

"I'll contact Chi Yu's side at once."

To understand who initially leaked the news, the number of intermediaries involved, and who secretly took that photo six months ago, would help them form a response.

Letting professionals handle professional matters, Assistant He immediately dialed out while there was still some signal left on his phone.

Shen Yunqing finished the last sip in his cup, and as he placed it down, a small, thin black hand appeared, ready to take it for a refill.

He held onto the cup, meeting the timid gaze of the child below, and shook his head, his voice gentler. "Thank you, but there's no need."

"You're welcome."

Shen Yunqing ruffled the child's hair, glanced at Assistant He still fervently calling, and turned to enter the low, humble house.

The name Jiang Xiyu—if not mentioned again—would have slipped his mind entirely.

It's truly unworthy of concern!

*

In a luxurious residential area within the Imperial City.

The interior was air-conditioned, colder than outside by several degrees.

Jiang Xiyu reclined on a beige sofa in the living room, wrapped in a handmade woven blanket, with red wine faintly swaying in her glass.

Contrary to her current leisurely demeanor was Jiang Yuting, her manager, and biological cousin, seated across from her.

Despite the adequate indoor cooling, a fine layer of sweat beaded on Jiang Yuting's forehead as she looked at her superstar cousin, baffled. "What are you thinking, just letting this news spread? Do you realize this baseless rumor is already tearing down your innocent image, and hardcore fans are threatening to quit if no explanation is given!"

"You still have the mood to drink wine while I'm nearly in a panic!"

"Aren't you afraid Jiang Lingxi will use this news to step over you?"

Upon hearing 'Jiang Lingxi,' Jiang Xiyu's expression changed slightly, and her swirling wine cup steadied. "Cousin, I'm waiting."

"Waiting? Waiting for that man with just his back showing to clarify? It's been almost 24 hours, and the internet hasn't unearthed his identity. I think you should give it up."

Jiang Xiyu set down her glass, elegantly stretching before speaking mysteriously, "Cousin, do you know whose back that is?"

"Whose?" Jiang Yuting met her cousin's look in disbelief. "You've known all along and kept it from me this whole time!"

"It's just that you've been pushing and pushing. I haven't had a quiet moment all day."

"Who is it finally?"

"His name is Shen Yunqing."

"Never heard of him."

"Why don't you search online? If the supposed truth in that news holds, what's an innocent image? I could leave showbiz on the spot."

She never dreamed that after half a year, someone would connect her with that person, even posting it online.

With his capabilities, if he didn't want the news to exist, not a single trace should have been available by now.

But the fact remains that the news continued to ferment online, allowing her to fantasize about another possibility.

Moreover, if the leak was indeed from Jiang Lingxi's team, she might actually have to thank them.

While she dreamt of future possibilities, Jiang Yuting was left with her mouth agape, clutching her phone.

"My god, how do you even know this person?"

Jiang Xiyu did not appreciate that comment, "Why shouldn't I?"

Jiang Yuting looked up and couldn't help but blurt out a truth, "You two live in completely different worlds!"