Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Qi Yanyu glanced at Gu Jinglan again, stunned that he would speak up for him so much.

He caught a glimpse of Lan Xiaoxiao, speechless and unable to clap back, before shifting his gaze to his roommate—the same one who had pinned him down multiple times that night. What the hell was up with his roommate tonight?

Just as he began suspecting Gu Jinglan had taken the wrong medicine, Lan Xiaoxiao attempted to push back: "What’s the matter? You keep insisting it’s AI—are you just afraid to admit what you did?"

Qi Yanyu genuinely couldn’t remember. Even if it had happened in the novel, it had nothing to do with him, the transmigrator.

He was just a sickly man. A sickly man who valued his reputation. Even if smashed to smithereens, he’d leave his innocence intact in this world—like an unstained vessel.

"I’ve made myself clear enough. Either we settle this in court, or..."

Qi Yanyu wanted to say "the morgue"—implying "it’s either your death or mine," a threat of mutually assured destruction.

He was just trying to rattle them.

But even from that incomplete sentence, both Gu Jinglan and Song Yuanting could tell how much he cared.

Gu Jinglan quickly deflected the ominous tone: "Or we might cross paths again someday." Meaning, leave some face for later—there’s always another day.

As Gu Jinglan rephrased it for him, Qi Yanyu instinctively glanced at his roommate again. So strange... his roommate... Had Gu Jinglan swallowed some debate steroids tonight, arguing relentlessly on his behalf?

Song Yuanting deflected by shifting blame: "Yuan, why don’t you elaborate on what happened that day? Were you too drunk for anything to happen, or..."

He was guiding Zhou Yuan to disclose the details between him and Qi Yanyu, trying to put Qi Yanyu on blast.

Qi Yanyu dug his nails into his palm, his breath catching slightly.

Gu Jinglan cut in: "No need to force him to 'recall.' A full-grown man who claims he was 'unconscious and unaware'—what exactly do you expect him to say?" Shifting the focus back onto Zhou Yuan.

Now Zhou Yuan was backed into a corner.

Gu Jinglan pressed on: "Delete all those photos. Act like nothing happened."

Lan Xiaoxiao snapped: "Act like nothing happened? How can it be nothing?" Her anger flaring up again.

"Doctoring photos like these and planning to spread them—do you really think you’re just helping a friend vent without bearing any responsibility?" Gu Jinglan’s voice turned frosty.

Responsibility wasn’t just legal—it extended to social fallout. But considering Qi Yanyu had long severed ties with his family, Lan Xiaoxiao hesitated:

"What responsibility do I have? I wasn’t the one who did the things in those photos."

He knew Lan Xiaoxiao was just running in circles.

Gu Jinglan turned to Zhou Yuan, his eyes turning sharp: "Delete the photos. Understand?"

Zhou Yuan stayed silent. Gu Jinglan continued: "You’re a victim too. Do you really want these photos circulating? Who are you trying to punish? Do you know what the consequences will be?"

"His photos get spread everywhere, but you—the other victim—aren’t even in them. Instead, you’re the one releasing them. Did you take these photos? Or did you generate them with AI? What’s your goal? To ruin the person you hate? To get a quick high? Or just to vent? Or is this some sort of loyalty test?" Gu Jinglan sneered coldly.

Especially the word "loyalty test"—Song Yuanting understood. It was Zhou Yuan’s "test" for the Lan siblings. He grinned. Since when did Qi Yanyu start making friends with brains?

"Ruining someone is impossible. If you’re after a quick high, sure, you’ll get it—but can you bear the endless consequences afterward?"

Zhou Yuan had originally planned to hide behind Lan Xiaoxiao and get even, but Gu Jinglan yanked him front and center.

"Obviously I didn’t take those photos," Zhou Yuan denied first.

"Then a setup?" Gu Jinglan pressed further.

"Of course not a blackmail scheme," Zhou Yuan shot back.

"If you didn't take them, such close-up photos wouldn't be out there," Gu Jinglan scoffed.

Zhou Yuan struggled to defend himself. Song Yuanting interjected, "Perhaps it wasn't just this one time," dropping a hint.

Gu Jinglan gave a thin smile, "Oh? So you hadn't decided whether it was once or multiple times from the start?"

Clearly pointing out Zhou Yuan's inconsistent statements and flawed logic.

"The photos are proof positive, things that truly happened," Zhou Yuan said coldly. "What good are words now?"

"Then I'd like to know, who took them?" Gu Jinglan pounced on the opening.

Zhou Yuan hesitated briefly before asserting firmly, "Some... third person. Maybe they even were in on this... 'game' against me with others."

The more Gu Jinglan probed, the more logical gaps Zhou Yuan exposed.

Zhou Yuan's mind went blank for a second, unable to provide a coherent answer. He could only say, "They were sent anonymously."

"By text, email, or physical film in the mail?"

The next step would likely be tracing the source to uncover the "mastermind."

Under Gu Jinglan's relentless questioning, Zhou Yuan's lies were unraveling. It wouldn't be long before he might confess without further pressure.

Song Yuanting's lips curled in a cold smile as he patted Zhou Yuan's shoulder, "Yuan, have some water. Speak slowly, no need to be so tense."

Zhou Yuan drank half a glass of wine, liquid courage kicking in to reorganize his words: "When he put me in the hospital, you already knew what kind of person he was."

Receiving this information, Gu Jinglan's first thought wasn't to rush into judgment but rather puzzlement—was Qi Yanyu really into... that kind of thing?

Qi Yanyu's personality—rebellious, aloof, arrogant, and spoiled—contrasted sharply with his innocent face.

Qi Yanyu blinked quietly, didn't lift a finger to defend himself.

As if any accusation against him was justified.

Only he knew how much he despised this bullshit story internally.

"You went along with it?"

Zhou Yuan was stunned that Gu Jinglan would voice such a crass way to put it.

Even Gu Jinglan himself was surprised he'd used that phrase to defend Qi Yanyu.

Perhaps Qi Yanyu truly was the bastard they said he was. But tonight... he'd brought this on himself.

Seeing him white as a sheet and shaking on the lawn earlier, Gu Jinglan had wanted to humble him further, inadvertently setting the stage for tonight's confrontation.

That offhand remark immediately drew Zhou Yuan's rebuttal: "Of course not."

Steering clear of the he-said-she-said mess, Gu Jinglan kept hammering, "Do you know where these photos really came from?"

Lan Xiaoxiao, exasperated by this mouthpiece for Qi Yanyu, snapped, "No. Qi Yanyu, speak for yourself. Quit making others fight your battles."

Qi Yanyu rarely lifted his aristocratic yet detached gaze, his dark pupils round and deep, radiating an arrogant naivety. "When did you take my photo? Is this even me?"

Zhou Yuan admitting he took the photo would make it hard for him to maintain his position in their circle without the support of the Lan siblings.

If he denied taking it, how could he explain the photo's origin? Who sent it? Or was it just AI-generated?

Cornered, Zhou Yuan dodged the question: "You forgot?"

Qi Yanyu was done with games. "Either we settle this tonight, or..." He wondered if he could take someone down with him...

Gu Jinglan noticed his impatience, his face ashen and drained. It was clear he could barely hold on, his brows faintly furrowed with mental and physical exhaustion.

"If it's not resolved tonight, then it already is," Gu Jinglan said with a faint smile.

As they hesitated, he continued, "Your 'friend' Zhou Yuan has already stated someone else sent it. File a police report, track down that person. If they took the photo, distributing such images is a crime. If they generated it—file another charge. A stint in jail, let the officers properly educate them."

The "education" would be anything but gentle—undoubtedly a "lesson" arranged by Qi Yanyu.

Zhou Yuan feared he couldn’t endure even a short stint of harsh interrogation, though it might only last half a month. He was terrified—unless Lan Xiaoxiao protected him.

Just as Lan Xiaoxiao was about to argue, Gu Jinglan suddenly raised his voice sternly: "Delete it now. Stop wasting everyone’s time."

Some of the privileged crowd present still thought this was some serious scandal, unaware it was all a farce meant to humiliate Qi Yanyu.

Zhou Yuan hesitated, and Gu Jinglan raised an eyebrow. "Either tell everyone who sent it or who generated it—or just delete it."

Lan Xiaoxiao couldn't counter.

Zhou Yuan, who was completely outmaneuvered in the argument, watched as his hands shook reluctantly while he opened his phone's photo album, hesitating to delete the pictures.

Just then, a mocking voice interrupted as a group of people entered the private booth—

"What's all the fuss about?" The words were dripping with sarcasm. The VIP section was spacious, but most had been quietly observing the drama.

When Zhou Yuan recognized the newcomer, his face brightened with visible relief—this was someone here to back him up. He immediately flashed a faint, deferential smile at the "President Lan" before him.

The moment Lan An stepped in, his gaze, snake-like, coiled around Qi Yanyu.

Qi Yanyu knew the original story well—under the vengeance of the Lan siblings, his fate had been brutal.

He averted his eyes from Lan An’s stare.

If not for Gu Jinglan standing beside him, Lan An might have reached out to touch Qi Yanyu’s face.

Pale, pampered, with a trace of aloof defiance, yet still shying away from him.

"Young Master Qi, don’t recognize me? I held you when you were little." Lan An looked about the same age as Qi Muyao, though actually three or four years younger.

Gu Jinglan glanced at the man, who remained mostly silent, his expression defeated.

Then, in a near-whisper, he said to Gu Jinglan, "Let’s go."

Lan An, ignored, turned to Lan Xiaoxiao. "Xiaoxiao, what’s going on? Pour your Brother Qi some tea. After all, our families are old friends."

*Old friends?*

*Who the hell considered their families connected?* Qi Yanyu bit back a scoff.

Lan Xiaoxiao had a proud temper, but in front of Lan An, she actually went to pour tea. But there was no tea, only liquor, so she poured a glass of that instead.

A glass of tequila reeking of strong alcohol was placed before Qi Yanyu.

Lan Xiaoxiao was doing this deliberately.

Qi Yanyu held back his response and did not take the drink.

"What's wrong? Who pissed off your Qi-ge, Xiaoxiao?" Lan An asked curiously.

Lan Xiaoxiao almost scoffed—her brother was here to back her up. So she shot a haughty look, and Zhou Yuan immediately understood her meaning. "Just a little misunderstanding, no big deal," he said with a smile.

A thin, placating smile for someone above him.

Song Yuanting hatched another idea: "Actually, why not let President Lan check if it’s a deepfake?"

Qi Yanyu's expression completely changed.

Gu Jinglan said, "Blast it out. Spam the group now."

Lan An had definitely noticed the strikingly handsome man beside Qi Yanyu.

"Send what to everyone?"

Gu Jinglan replied, "Blast it out. Let's go."

He was dead set on dragging Qi Yanyu out.

"Go where?" Lan An's bodyguards blocked the exit, and Lan An put on an act, bristling, firing off two questions in succession. "What's going on?"

Lan Xiaoxiao, still acting domineering, sneered, "Oh, just some slutty pics leaking, no biggie."

The moment the words left her mouth, a stinging slap cracked across her face.

No one expected it—Lan An had backhanded Lan Xiaoxiao.

The slap was so loud it echoed throughout the private room. The other rich brats in the room all fell silent in shock. Lan Xiaoxiao's left cheek immediately swelled, and she nearly stumbled, saved only by Zhou Yuan's quick support. She stood there, humiliated and in shock.

"A misunderstanding, right?" Lan An smiled.

Qi Yanyu remained silent.

Gu Jinglan glanced at Qi Yanyu, noticing his fearful demeanor, and answered, "Of course, it's a misunderstanding." Better to play nice than start shit.

Lan An chuckled. "We’ve scared our Young Master Qi so badly. Get him his damn drink," he ordered, pointing at Lan Xiaoxiao.

Lan Xiaoxiao's lip was split and swollen, her stylish side-swept hair now mussed up. Holding the glass, she approached Qi Yanyu, eyes red-rimmed, tears refusing to fall as she glared at him.

She wanted Qi Yanyu to drink.

The message was crystal clear.

He knew he was about to be humiliated.

This was the shit he had to swallow after transmigrating.

Face gone pale, he reached for the glass when Gu Jinglan cut in with a smirk: "He's allergic to alcohol."

"Yeah?" Lan An scoffed.

"Of course."

"Who are you?"

"Who do you think I am to Qi Yanyu?" Clearly, Gu Jinglan was implying he was Qi Yanyu’s boyfriend. This way, defending Qi Yanyu would pack more punch.

Lan An laughed. "Young Master Qi’s tastes vary each time. Last time, it was someone as refined and pretty as Yu’an..."

Was he mocking Qi Yanyu or needling Gu Jinglan?

Gu Jinglan remained unfazed.

"Hmm?"

So, picking up the thread, Lan An asked with amusement, "Where do you rank in Qi Yanyu’s lineup?"

Gu Jinglan replied coolly, "We might be done by tonight."

"Why?" Lan An asked.

"I discovered his secret."

"What secret?"

Even Qi Yanyu didn’t know what Gu Jinglan meant by this.

"Turns out he’s got so many ‘friends.’"

Lan An laughed. He was about to say that the word "male" was missing before "friends."

No one else laughed—just Lan An. Every playboy there knew Lan An’s reputation was toxic.

"All of them putting on airs, dressed to impress, spouting nonsense—how original." Gu Jinglan gave a faint smirk.

Lan An kept laughing, but his eyes turned cold.

"Did someone mess with Young Master Qi? Who bullied the great Young Master Qi?"

"Control your people," Gu Jinglan said, glancing at Lan Xiaoxiao, who bore some resemblance to Lan An, and smiling slightly. "Extortion or scams—is this a family tradition? Passed down, or just natural talent?"

Lan An’s expression flickered.

He truly didn’t recognize the young man before him. Before taking action, he would definitely investigate his background.

His clothes screamed money—Lan An knew designer when he saw it. And this man wasn’t intimidated, unlike someone raised among common folk.

"What’s your name?" Lan An’s tone turned sharp, dropping the pretense.

Planning to look into his background? Gu Jinglan thought.

Lan An pressed further, "Who are you to Qi Yanyu, butting in like this? His family disowned him—who made you his spokesperson?"

"Right or not, I’m stepping in." Gu Jinglan smiled faintly. "Others might turn a blind eye, but I won’t." The phrasing was deliberately ambiguous.

It made people wonder: Were they in some political marriage arrangement?

After all, wealthy families often sent their pretty sons as ‘companions’ to officials—hardly rare.

Most in their circle stuck to business, though some dabbled in politics—unlike these brazen trust-fund heirs.

Gu Jinglan was strikingly handsome, making Qi Yanyu appear delicate and quiet by comparison.

God knows Qi Yanyu was never the quiet type. In private, he was wild—his temper was legendary.

Since when did he turn so reserved and polite?

Was it because his boyfriend had connections?

"Boyfriend? Where did you meet him, Xiao Yu?" The nosy questions started. Lan An asked Qi Yanyu, fake sweetness dripping from his voice.

Qi Yanyu ignored him.

Lan An didn’t like that.

"Wipe their phones clean," Gu Jinglan ordered.

Lan An smiled faintly and turned away. "What exactly did you take?" he asked Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan, blindsided by how fast trouble hit him, stammered, "I’ll delete them now," he said, scrambling to comply.

"I asked what you took," Lan An barked, his tone icy, his stare could cut glass.

"J-Just... regular stuff, Mr. Lan..." Zhou Yuan trembled, his words stumbling.

"Oh, just regular photos?" Lan An turned back, all fake sweetness as he asked Qi Yanyu, "Do regular photos need to go too?"

He was itching to hear Qi Yanyu talk tonight. Since his arrival, Qi Yanyu hadn’t uttered a word. The Qi Yanyu he knew was a brat—what happened to that fire?

But Qi Yanyu only gave a slight nod.

His look was soft but icy, tinged with weariness.

Maybe spoiled rotten, his skin was ghostly pale. His dark hair held only a faint sheen of ebony.

Lan An had only heard stories about Qi Yanyu’s attitude but had never seen him so detached and withdrawn. It made people look twice.

Seeing Qi Yanyu’s nod, Zhou Yuan pulled out his phone but hesitated, glancing at the unpredictable Lan An for confirmation.

Lan An barked, "Move it. Delete."

Even the other spoiled heirs in the room, though they might have saved the photos, wouldn’t dare share them recklessly.

Especially Lan Xiaoxiao. Her slapped cheek still burned, trembling slightly, the pain making her eyes burn.

"And you," Lan An lifted his gaze, his eyes darkening as they settled on Lan Xiaoxiao.

Lan Xiaoxiao yanked out her phone, tears welling as she angrily swiped to delete.

"Relax. They’re gone, okay?" Lan An stepped closer, reaching out as if to touch Qi Yanyu’s face. Normally, this wasn’t his type, but tonight, seeing the grown-up Qi Yanyu, he found him different from the child he once knew.

When Lan An was just eleven or twelve, he had held Qi Yanyu, then barely a year or a few months old.

Back then, Qi Yanyu had been sweet, with big, innocent eyes. Who knew he’d turn out so cold and cut off from everyone?

Older now, his eyes held a quiet sadness. But his cheeks were probably still baby-soft—just begging to be pinched.

Gu Jinglan 'happened' to block him, his look soft but icy. "Then thank you..." His eyes flicked to Qi Yanyu behind him.

Qi Yanyu got it. Playing along, he said, "Mr. Lan," giving Gu Jinglan an out to slip away.

"A thank you?"

Qi Yanyu hadn't said a single word of thanks from start to finish, nor had he shown any sign of gratitude.

Lan An raised an eyebrow, watching him with composed amusement.

Gu Jinglan positioned himself between Qi Yanyu and Lan An, smiling faintly. "I'll take him home." He carried himself like a proper boyfriend, exuding the poise of someone raised in a high-ranking family.

"Home to where?" Lan An knew Qi Yanyu had severed ties with the Qi family—where could he possibly go? "Let me take you, Xiao Yu. Where are you headed?"

Qi Yanyu's expression was barely holding together. The private room's chaotic mix of perfumes, cigarette smoke, alcohol, and pills made it hard for him to breathe, his fingers curling as his nails dug into his palms.

Inside the car with the license plate "5-1-1."

Lan An sat in the passenger seat, while in the back were Gu Jinglan and Qi Yanyu, who seemed half-asleep.

Lan An kept glancing at the rearview mirror, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he observed the drowsy figure in the backseat. "Tired, Xiao Yu? Not used to late nights, huh?"