Chapter 11: Exposure

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The photo sent by Liang Lei felt like a branding iron, scorching Fu Shuhua’s nerves. In the picture, Jiang Tian’s signature and Gu Yan’s name appeared side by side on a contract, glaring like two sharp daggers piercing his heart. Just a few hours ago, Jiang Tian had sworn to him that there was nothing between her and Gu Yan. But now, even the kept-woman contract had been exposed. Fu Shuhua’s face turned ashen. No wonder Jiang Tian was so determined to leave him—it was because she had found a new benefactor. The image of Jiang Tian’s enchanting smile flashed through his mind, each glance and smile laced with seductive charm. He had once thought this woman was gentle and obedient, but he never expected... “Jiang—Tian!” Fu Shuhua gritted his teeth and growled, abruptly closing his eyes as uncontrollable rage surged within his chest.

With a sharp thud, the phone slammed onto the table, the screen shattering into a spiderweb of cracks, frozen on the contract page. “Well done, Jiang Tian. I really underestimated you!” Fu Shuhua snarled with a bitter laugh, his eyes blazing with fury. He clenched his fists tightly, knuckles whitening, veins bulging on the back of his hand.

At that moment, the broken phone buzzed. Fu Shuhua’s expression darkened as he bent down to pick up the shattered device. He pressed the answer button, and a distorted male voice came through. “Mr. Fu, the person you asked us to investigate has been thoroughly checked. The detailed report has been compiled and sent to your email.” “Understood.” Fu Shuhua ended the call.

The timid assistant standing nearby didn’t dare move but quickly took the phone, removed the SIM card, inserted it into a backup phone of the same model, and handed it back to Fu Shuhua. His sharply defined fingers tapped on the screen again and again, exuding a suffocating sense of pressure. The detailed information about Gu Yan slowly unfolded on the phone—an unusually comprehensive dossier covering his upbringing, education, even private hobbies and social connections. At first, it listed basic details such as birthdate, height, and weight. When it came to the education section, Fu Shuhua’s scrolling paused. Jiang City University—it sounded somewhat familiar. Fu Shuhua continued flipping through the file and saw that the university section detailed how Gu Yan had thrown birthday parties and campus events to pursue a girl. Information about Gu Yan’s years abroad dwindled, but each mention somehow tied back to this girl he had chased.

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Fu Shuhua narrowed his eyes, his expression shadowed and unreadable. His fingertips tapped the screen rhythmically, as if beating out a code. He repeatedly studied Gu Yan’s profile, his gaze sharp as a hawk’s. Finally, he reached the conclusion section. “Gu Yan harbored a secret crush on a girl during university and still can’t forget her.” The statement was printed boldly on paper. Fu Shuhua’s eyes deepened, and a meaningful smile curved his lips. “Someone he once liked and pursued?” Fu Shuhua sneered coldly. “That Gu Yan...” When a man has no desires or attachments, he is nearly invincible. But once he holds on to someone, he reveals a vulnerability that can be exploited.

“Hello.” Fu Shuhua redialed the paparazzo’s number. “Keep investigating. I want every detail about Gu Yan’s so-called ‘white moonlight.’ Find this person and bring her to me.” After hanging up, Fu Shuhua lit a cigarette. The smoke rings drifted slowly into the air, the nicotine scent blurring his features. The confident smile on his face grew wider. Gu Yan... white moonlight? Hmph, that’s nothing. He believed Jiang Tian would soon return to his side.

—

Though only a few hours had passed, I had endured Fu Shuhua and Gu Yan’s confrontation as well as Liang Lei’s threats. Finally back at the hotel, my heart remained unsettled. Fu Shuhua’s persistence was beyond what I imagined, and Liang Lei was nothing short of a lunatic... I showered and collapsed onto the hotel’s large bed, intending to relax by scrolling through my phone. At that moment, a trending topic suddenly popped up before me:

[Popular Actress Caught in a Love Triangle with Two Men on Set; Insiders Suggest She Rose Through Bodily Means.]

Stories of climbing the entertainment ladder by unsavory means were nothing new. I usually had little interest in such gossip. Yet as I scrolled, my finger accidentally tapped the link. The next second, a familiar scene unfolded on my screen. The filming location was exactly where my crew was. Two male leads appeared—one in a suit, the other handsome and debonair. They faced away from the camera, with several side profiles blurred out.

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Throughout the entire video, the only clear figure was the female lead, dressed in a long gown, clutching roses in her arms. Who else could it be but me?! Comments flooded the screen, speculating about my relationships with Gu Yan and Fu Shuhua. Many claimed to have known me for years, exposing shameless rumors that I had slept my way through the entire crew. The comment section was filled with vile insults and humiliations; some even launched personal attacks, cursing my parents. My fingers trembled violently as I opened the chatbox, intending to reach out to Ji Ge. Just then, my phone rang. “Jiang Tian, ignore the online rumors. I’m coordinating with PR and the media to get the heat down. Don’t be afraid—it’s just about money. These media people have little professional ethics.” “Okay...” Ji Ge comforted me a bit more before hanging up.

I gripped my phone, consumed by fear. As an artist, reputation and prestige directly affect my career trajectory. Though I’m currently a minor figure, I don’t want my career to be ruined. Ji Ge, my agent, aside from his secret ties with Fu Shuhua, was quite professional. I knew he must be scrambling to control the public opinion and salvage my image. I dared not speak recklessly online, so I logged out and kept refreshing my feed. After the initial surge, the topic was ranked fifth on the trending list, but Ji Ge’s efforts were clearly paying off. Within just half an hour, the message visibly dropped from fifth to seventeenth, then disappeared from the trends entirely.

Just as I sighed in relief and prepared to call Ji Ge, a sharp notification sounded. Another explosive headline began circulating across social media:

— [Fallen Actress Caught Using Her Body to Climb the Ladder! Keeping Contract Fully Exposed!]

I stared numbly as I opened it. The contract was shockingly leaked online. Gu Yan’s name was pixelated, but mine was clearly visible and even magnified at the center of the screen.