Chapter 30: Interview Turmoil, Shattering Perfection, Secret Sharing

Chapter 30: The Interview Incident Shatters the Perfectly Shared Secret

Qi Heyin returned to the activity room.

By the time she came back, Jiang Yunxin's origami class was nearly finished. The table was filled with colorful paper airplanes folded by the children.

"What took you so long?" Jiang Yunxin glanced at Qi Heyin, puzzled.

Qi Heyin replied casually, "I walked down the hallway and saw a donation ceremony downstairs. There were a lot of media interviews, so I stopped to watch for a while."

"A donation ceremony?" Jiang Yunxin raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"The welfare home rarely makes such a production... It seems someone really important came today," she mused. "I wonder who it was."

"It's President Zhu's family," Qi Heyin said.

"...President Zhu Xuan?" Jiang Yunxin blinked, then smiled in realization. "Oh, that explains it."

"Today must be their annual Charity Family Day again," she added after a moment. "I think they do this every year—making donations to Shengxin as a family."

"You know about this?" Qi Heyin asked curiously.

"Well, the Zhu family is famous in the capital as a model family. Their parenting approach is often widely covered by the media," Jiang Yunxin said slowly, continuing to fold paper.

"Things like 'setting a fixed Charity Family Day each year to nurture kindness and empathy in their child,' or 'not revealing their true family circumstances to their son before he turned twelve,' or even 'teaching financial independence to improve planning skills'... I heard President Zhu's father even published a book on parenting that sold millions of copies!"

Qi Heyin was surprised. "That many people bought it?"

"Of course. Plenty of parents want to raise a child like President Zhu," Jiang Yunxin said thoughtfully. "My father once told me that Zhu Xuan is practically the perfect heir template in the eyes of the capital's elite families. Top grades, impeccable character, exceptional in both intelligence and emotional intelligence—nearly perfect, really."

Qi Heyin nodded in understanding.

Based just on Zhu Xuan's public image, he was indeed an outstanding person. Even she couldn’t deny that.

"So, when the Zhu family came to donate before, did they also invite this many media and hold such a formal ceremony?" Qi Heyin asked offhandedly.

"Hmm... not really, I think," Jiang Yunxin hesitated. "The caregivers said they’re usually very low-key—they’d donate without even taking photos and leave right after. The pictures that circulate every year are mostly taken secretly by following reporters."

"Now that you mention it, this does seem a bit unusual... Maybe today’s a special occasion? Like a 20th-anniversary donation or something?"

Qi Heyin thought that might be the case.

Not wanting to think more about the Zhu family, she quickly shifted her focus and began a new game with the children nearby.

About half an hour later, there was a sudden knock at the door.

A caregiver from the welfare home entered, followed by a young man in a suit.

"Teacher Jiang," the caregiver addressed Jiang Yunxin. "Our distinguished donors and the media are here. We need a few children to come down for interviews."

Jiang Yunxin, accustomed to such requests, turned and naturally called over two little girls.

"Go with them for the interview," she said, patting the girls’ shoulders with a smile. "Just like last time—you'll get a reward afterward."

Many of the children in the welfare home were shy and sensitive, hesitant even when speaking to familiar volunteers in the activity room, let alone facing the flashing lights and cameras of the media.

Jiang Yunxin had picked the ones who usually represented the others—the same ones who typically spoke for the group during interviews.

The caregiver nodded slightly at the selected children and moved to lead them out.

The young man in a suit standing next to the caregiver frowned slightly.

"These two children won't do," he suddenly spoke, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Get others."

The room fell silent.

The caregiver, holding the little girl's hand, paused briefly. Qi Heyin looked puzzled, while Jiang Yunxin asked directly, "Why?"

"What do you mean, why?" The man showed a hint of displeasure, crossing his arms. "These two girls have appeared in the media too many times... What if the public thinks they're paid actors we hired just for interviews?"

Qi Heyin: "..." They *are* paid actors, though.

Jiang Yunxin raised a brow but didn't comment. She lifted her gaze expressionlessly to the young man, whose demeanor carried a faint arrogance. "And you are?"

"This is the Zhu family's family secretary," the caregiver quickly explained.

She seemed eager to avoid conflict, offering the man a polite smile before turning to Ms. Jiang with an awkward tone. "Ms. Jiang, since the Zhu family representative insists, let's just pick different children."

Ms. Jiang pressed her lips together, visibly unhappy, but not wanting to make things difficult for the caregiver, she turned and called over two other fairly energetic children.

"These two won't do either," the man said impatiently. "The kids you're picking look too normal, too healthy—they don't look like they're from an orphanage. Today's ceremony is meant for widespread media coverage on *CONT*."

Qi Heyin had never heard such nonsense. Since when was it a problem for orphanage children to be properly cared for? Did they have to appear pitiful just to garner sympathy online?

Unconsciously, she furrowed her brows. "Who said—"

"Enough, none of you understand." The man interrupted Qi Heyin, his tone rigid. "Let me choose."

With that, his gaze swept imperiously across the room before landing on two timid little girls sitting quietly in a corner. "These two, come with me."

Ms. Jiang followed his pointing finger and immediately objected, "Those two won't do!"

Even the normally accommodating caregiver frowned, her expression disapproving.

She spoke softly, her tone tactful. "Sir, these two children have congenital disabilities and struggle with self-esteem and anxiety issues. They're prone to panic attacks—they really shouldn't be put in front of the media..."

"I don’t want to hear your orphanage’s excuses," the man said coldly. "Since your director already promised full cooperation to ensure the ideal publicity for the Zhu family’s donation ceremony, you shouldn’t be refusing my requests."

"But you don’t represent the Zhu family," Qi Heyin said flatly.

"Of course I do. I’m the Zhu family’s personal assistant." He gave her a dismissive glance. "This donation ceremony was my proposal, and I personally invited all the media. Mr. and Mrs. Zhu attach great importance to this event."

With that, he insisted on taking the two girls he had chosen. As everyone blocked his way, the situation quickly turned into a standoff. Tension rose, nearly escalating into an argument.

"So *he* was the one who proposed this ceremony. No wonder the Zhu family suddenly dropped their usual low profile..." Ms. Jiang whispered to Qi Heyin. "But he must be new—does he even realize how badly this could damage the Zhu family’s reputation if it gets out?"

Qi Heyin glanced at her.

Who knew Yunxin had such a favorable impression of President Zhu...

Qi Heyin: "...Right."

Ms. Jiang straightened up. "I'm not letting this go. If it comes down to it, we’ll call President Zhu over... I bet he has no idea this guy is acting on his own. He’d never allow it. Right, He Yin?"

Qi Heyin: "...Right."

"No way! You’re not taking advantage of these kids!" Ms. Jiang glared. "Don’t try to hide behind the Zhu name. He Yin was right—you don’t represent them. You’re clearly acting on your own. President Zhu would never be this unreasonable!"

Pausing, she added, "For your information, we’re students at *Faroe Academy*—President Zhu’s classmates. If you keep insisting on taking these two, we’ll call Zhu Xuan over right now to deal with you directly!" "Are you done yet? The interview downstairs is about to start. If you keep holding things up, I’ll go to your director about this," the man threatened irritably.

Upon hearing the words "Farrow Academy" and "President Zhu Xuan," the man's expression flickered slightly, visibly daunted.

"You're students from Farrow Academy?" He lowered his head, sizing them up with suspicion as he looked at Qi Heyin and Jiang Yunxin, seemingly trying to judge their backgrounds.

After all, students from Farrow were either rich or well-connected. He was merely an assistant in the Zhu family, acting all high and mighty without the rank, and not someone who could afford to offend just anyone.

Yet, after giving them the once-over, he found nothing particularly remarkable about their attire—no designer labels, no bespoke pieces, just ordinary outfits indistinguishable from those of students at any average high school.

Would noble young ladies dress like this? ...Could they be charity cases from the projects?

A sneer flashed across his face. Just as he was about to mock them, he recalled that aside from mentioning Farrow, they had also name-dropped Young Master Zhu Xuan.

Though he was a recently hired household aide, he had been serving the master and mistress for some time now. Drawing from his past experience catering to employers, he had their number.

Upon realizing that they secretly disapproved of their overly low-key charitable acts—only complying in the past due to the Zhu family elders' directives—he saw his chance to propose a flashy charity gala under the guise of "20 Years of Love and Charity," which quickly won the enthusiastic support of the master and mistress.

When it came to pleasing the master and mistress, the man could do no wrong.

But when it came to the family's Young Master Zhu... he simply couldn't figure him out.

Though always warm and smiling, giving the impression of a gentle breeze, the man's years of experience told him that this person was a real enigma.

Otherwise, the Zhu family's all-powerful family head wouldn't have bypassed his own son to directly designate his grandson, Young Master Zhu Xuan, as his sole future heir.

In the Zhu household, driven by this gut-level unease, the man always subconsciously avoided facing Young Master Zhu Xuan. It was as if his usual flattery might work on ordinary people and fools, but in Zhu Xuan's eyes, he would surely see right through him.

"Well? Are you still taking them? If you insist, I’ll go downstairs right now and fetch President Zhu to settle this!" Seeing the man hesitate, Jiang Yunxin pushed harder, closing in.

Watching this assistant throw his weight around using the Zhu name, Yunxin countered by invoking President Zhu Xuan's authority to bluff. Qi Heyin found the whole scene amusing.

It was at this moment that a voice laced with quiet amusement drifted in from outside the door, growing steadily closer.

"What exactly needs settling?"

Zhu Xuan stood smiling at the doorway.

The activity room's door had been left ajar. The man with refined features stood at the entrance, taking his sweet time looking over the room's occupants.

Noticing Qi Heyin, his gaze hesitated just a beat, lingering on her face for a fleeting moment before shifting away.

Then, Zhu Xuan turned to the slightly flustered man nearby, the corner of his lips quirking as a hint of playful mockery flashed in his eyes. He walked over unhurriedly.

"What's going on, Assistant Liu?" he asked calmly. "The media interview downstairs is about to start. I noticed you'd been upstairs for quite some time, so I came to check."

Zhu Xuan was tall and upright, standing nearly a head above Assistant Liu. Even with his mild tone, the height difference lent an air of quiet authority.

"Young... Young Master..." The sight of the person he feared most left Assistant Liu backpedaling on instinct, stammering before he could even speak.

Zhu Xuan gave him a cool glance before turning to the side, his tone softening noticeably. "Ah, you're the head of the school's charity club, Jiang... Yunxin, right?"

His gaze shifted slightly to the right, pausing briefly before continuing, "And He Yin."

"What a coincidence to see you both here at the children's home today." Zhu Xuan smiled politely. "Are you two here volunteering?"

Jiang Yunxin nodded. "Yes, President Zhu."

"I see. That's very admirable of you. Farrow must be proud." Zhu Xuan smiled warmly, dishing out compliments like second nature.

When Jiang Yunxin grew flustered from his praise, her face red as she waved her hands in protest, he paused, then changed tack and asked, "Was there some trouble between you two and our family assistant?"

"Well..." Jiang Yunxin, who'd been so bold as to declare she would "ask President Zhu to judge the matter," now fell silent, at a loss how to explain to Zhu Xuan—whether to be blunt or tactful, and whether to spare the Zhu family's dignity.

Qi Heyin gave her a somewhat helpless glance before turning to Zhu Xuan and laying out the whole matter calmly.

After listening, Zhu Xuan glanced at Assistant Liu, now clearly panicked, and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Assistant Liu, the Zhu family has no need for such tactics to gain public support online."

He said in a tone brooking no argument, "I considered it absurd enough for you to take action without authorization, secretly arranging this donation ceremony with the welfare home without consulting me or Grandfather. But to double down on it?"

Realizing the gravity of Zhu Xuan’s words, Assistant Liu shook his head like a bobblehead and stammered, "It wasn't my intention to hide it from you—it was the elder master and mistress—"

Zhu Xuan shot him a fleeting glance.

Assistant Liu's face flashed with panic as he realized his slip, backpedaling furiously, "Yes, this is entirely my fault. I overreached trying to impress the elder master and mistress..."

"Apologies, Young Master Zhu, I—"

Zhu Xuan smiled and cut him off. "This conversation isn't over, Assistant Liu."

Ignoring Assistant Liu’s suddenly pale expression, he said firmly, "Go downstairs and inform all the media that today’s interviews are canceled. The children have no stories to share."

"Let them listen to my father’s impassioned speech and then leave promptly."

Assistant Liu broke out in a sweat, nodded nervously, and slunk away like a whipped dog.

Though the children didn’t understand what had just happened, they were delighted to see that unpleasant little man leave, quickly livening up the activity room again.

The anxious caregiver who'd been hovering nearby finally let out a sigh of relief.

However, while one troublesome Assistant Liu had left, someone even more untouchable stood before them.

The caregiver managed a strained smile at Zhu Xuan, greeted Qi Heyin and Jiang Yunxin, and hurriedly left the activity room.

"President Zhu, thank you for your understanding," Jiang Yunxin expressed her gratitude.

"No need for thanks. The fault lies with my poor oversight, allowing someone lacking professionalism into the household staff," Zhu Xuan chuckled lightly.

"I'm afraid this disruption has interfered with your time with the children," he said with a hint of apology in his eyes. "Is there any way I can make it up to you?"

Hearing this, Jiang Yunxin blurted out a confused "Huh?"

Qi Heyin also looked up, equally baffled.

Then, the man asked politely, "May I join you and help take care of the children?"

Qi Heyin: "......?"

And so, Zhu Xuan stayed in the activity room.

Now, seated across from Qi Heyin at a square table, he calmly helped the children make paper cuttings.

With his kind looks and easy manner, the children clustered around him and Qi Heyin, calling them "big brother" and "big sister" repeatedly.

"Alright, children, please return to your seats. Don’t rush—big brother will make paper cuttings for each of you one by one," Zhu Xuan said, drawing on his experience as president to patiently guide the children back to their seats.

Jiang Yunxin said she was going to the equipment room on the third floor to get some craft supplies.

After she left, only Qi Heyin and Zhu Xuan remained at the square table, sitting across from each other.

An awkward silence hung between them.

Qi Heyin bit her lip lightly and lowered her head, focusing on her doodles.

Zhu Xuan paused briefly in his paper-cutting, giving her a considering look.

The girl before him was dressed in a light blue casual outfit today. It was unusual to see her in anything other than her school uniform.

Her glossy black hair was tied into a soft, fluffy high ponytail, adorned with several cartoon-shaped hair clips—likely gifts from her friends. Paired with the lively light blue attire, she somehow seemed... cuter than usual.

Just moments ago, she had been smiling gently at the children, her lips curled in a small smile. But now, facing him, her smile vanished.

It was the first time Zhu Xuan had experienced such an obvious cold shoulder.

He watched Qi Heyin with amusement for a moment before saying breezily, "You look thrilled to see me."

At his words, Qi Heyin’s hand hesitated mid-stroke.

She lifted her gaze and replied calmly, "Not at all. I appreciate President Zhu’s help in taking care of the children with us."

"...Really?" After a brief pause, Zhu Xuan looked at her seriously. "But I get the feeling you’re always avoiding me."

He said airily, "He Yin, you have a bias against me."

Qi Heyin fell silent, about to respond, when she noticed the man frown slightly, as if troubled.

"Have I done something to upset you?" He paused, then added, "Or... do you still remember that incident from before and think I’d hold it against you?"

Qi Heyin looked up at him helplessly. "I don’t think that way, President Zhu."

"I just believe maintaining a safe distance between us is better—it helps me keep your secret."

"Is that so?" Zhu Xuan pretended to understand, his tone casual. "But I don’t need you to keep my secret anymore, He Yin."

Qi Heyin: "?"

Seeing the pieces click together in Qi Heyin’s mind, Zhu Xuan smiled brightly and added breezily, "After all, as you’ve seen, my parents are fools."

"Today, you witnessed it yourself. Without me and Grandfather, they’d eventually fail to cover up their mess and end up with their reputations in ruins."

"Grandfather and I used to maintain their fragile public image, but now, I don’t want to anymore." A glint of mischief flashed in his gentle eyes. "I want them to divorce and get out of this house."

"But Grandfather would never agree... So, He Yin, what do you think I should do?" He gazed at her meaningfully.

At his words, a realization struck Qi Heyin. Her eyes widened slightly as she stared at Zhu Xuan in surprise. "This was all you?!"

"You deliberately let them make mistakes to tarnish the Zhu family’s reputation. When we were talking to that assistant earlier, were your people recording outside?"

"That’s your theory. I never said that."

Qi Heyin glared at him expressionlessly.

"Fine, I promise I’ll cut your voices from the recording," Zhu Xuan said with a smile. "...But this is just a small part. There are plenty more that are probably blowing up online by now."

"You..." Qi Heyin couldn’t put her emotions into words. She sucked in a breath and asked quietly, "Why are you—"

"Why would you do this? Don't you even care about your own—"

"'Don't you even care about your own reputation?' Is that what you wanted to say, Heyin?"

Zhu Xuan lowered his eyelids, his gaze indifferent and cold: "I don't care."

Qi Heyin was slightly taken abreak: "What?"

"Perfection." The man said calmly, "What a disgusting label. I've wanted to shatter it for ages."

Qi Heyin: "..."

"To be honest, Zhu," Qi Heyin massaged her temples with a sigh, "Could you stop casually revealing everything to me like this?"

Zhu Xuan smiled faintly: "Oh?"

She hesitated: "Though gossip is human nature, being burdened with this level of gossip is really..."

... *I’m afraid I’ll be silenced by your family one day,* she thought to herself.

"It's because you overheard something you shouldn't have that day, Heyin."

Zhu Xuan no longer looked at her, lowering his head to continue cutting paper calmly.

"I won’t do anything to you, but now that I have such an important plan in motion, it’s unbearable not to share it with anyone." With a slight smile, he added: "So... for now, I’ll have to put up with the only person who knows my secret—you, Heyin."