Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Early the next morning, Zhang Kejiu and Cui Yun, the first round of guest stars, wrapped up their filming and left the remote island. The regular cast members and the remaining four guest stars from Tomato continued recording the show.

Both Ren Shi and Qin Muyun had low-key and amiable personalities. The remaining four members of Tomato also weren't the type to stir up trouble, and they now regarded Ning Yichu with a kind of fearful awe. So, the recording for the next three days went by without incident.

However, while the live stream of the show was calm, the real world and the internet outside the remote island remained quite eventful during those three days.

The three members of Alien who had pulled out early on the second morning of the program—Ji Tianfeng, true to his word, reported Han Wushuang to the police on his way back for fraud involving a "corpse oil" lipstick scam.

After Han Wushuang was arrested, the police, following his chat and payment records, discovered that he had actually scammed more than just Ji Tianfeng.

According to Han Wushuang, he initially just wanted to prank and get back at Ji Tianfeng. But after realizing Ji Tianfeng genuinely believed him, he got greedy, thinking that even if Ji Tianfeng found out the truth, he wouldn't make a big deal out of something that was also damaging to his own reputation. In fact, if it hadn't been exposed on a live-streamed show, Ji Tianfeng probably wouldn't have gone so far as to report it to the police.

Han Wushuang initially only intended to scam Ji Tianfeng and didn't plan to expand this "business." However, he couldn't resist when Ji Tianfeng started introducing him to other clients, claiming they were all discreet. So, Han Wushuang ended up scamming more and more people.

After taking his statement, and due to the high public attention on the case, the police subsequently issued an announcement. They also stated that the other "victims" of the fraud had been contacted, but they all refused to testify or pursue charges.

Then there was Shen Zhou from Alien. Although he had confessed to engaging in prostitution during the live-streamed show, when called in by the police, he flatly denied it. Since the police currently had no direct evidence of him being caught in the act, they could only let him off with a warning. They would likely keep an eye on him for a while.

Moreover, Shen Zhou's scandal had blown up. His clients valued their discretion, so even without police surveillance or anti-vice operations, it was highly unlikely they would seek him out again.

After netizens were done guessing the clientele, they became curious: with this source of income gone, how would Shen Zhou handle the remaining high-interest loans he owed to loan sharks?

Surprisingly, Shen Zhou also reported to the police. He claimed loan sharks had lent him money at usurious rates and he wanted to negotiate. He argued that the amount he had already repaid far exceeded the principal, and he would no longer pay the remaining illegal, exorbitant interest. He explained that he had been repaying the loans diligently before to keep his career alive. Now that his career was over anyway, Shen Zhou was past caring.

Besides Shen Zhou, Zheng Gu was also summoned by the police for a lecture. Matters of the heart were difficult for the police to intervene in, but Zheng Gu selling his sister's ashes for money to arrange a ghost marriage violated public order and good customs.

As for the relationship disputes the police couldn't actively handle, although Tao Jin didn't make a public appearance, he issued a statement. First, he announced his retirement from the industry. Second, he stated his love for Zheng Gu had turned to hatred. Third, he claimed the money he spent on Zheng Gu during their "relationship" far exceeded normal dating expenses.

Tao Jin stated that if Zheng Gu had been unaware, he would have let it go. But since Zheng Gu had known all along and had been acting to deceive him, he wanted that money back. He didn't need the money, but he wanted to vent his anger. If Zheng Gu didn't return it, they would go to court. After all, Tao Jin no longer cared about losing face.

Thus, Alien effectively disintegrated in disgrace. Their agency, to make its position clear, quickly issued an announcement, essentially declaring the death sentence for the boy band Alien. As for the members, even if they didn't go to jail, no other agency would dare to sign them.

Paparazzi, wanting to milk the last bit of drama from them, followed Zheng Gu to a hospital. They discovered he went for a medical check-up and then made a phone call in a state of utter collapse upon receiving the results.

The paparazzi recorded a video where Zheng Gu was heard saying to the person on the phone: "It's all your fault for passing on this diseased gene to me! Ning Yichu was actually right. I have a hereditary disease too! It's incurable! I'm going to die young like my sister! Are you happy now? See what you'll do when you're old!"

Another connection to Ning Yichu! The paparazzi immediately posted the video they had captured.

Netizens lamented the poetic justice while discussing the topic of hereditary diseases. They remained intensely curious about how Ning Yichu had guessed this. Other things were one thing, but how could he have known about an illness that even the person themselves wouldn't know without specialized medical tests?

"If this keeps up, I'm going to start suspecting he's a reincarnator!"

"Seriously though, even if he were reborn, he couldn't possibly know this much, right?"

"Hahahaha, are we seriously discussing this? I bet Ning Yichu just said that to scare Zheng Gu because he didn't like him. Zheng Gu took it to heart, got checked, and it turned out to be true, making Ning Yichu seem like his words have power."

"Umm... can I say it? Honestly, I think Zheng Gu is the most disgusting person in their group. Knowing he has an incurable hereditary disease actually makes me feel a bit satisfied. Otherwise, if he found out early and got it treated, I'd feel his sister's fate was too tragic, and Zheng Gu would be too lucky."

...

Apart from the Alien scandal, there was also Tomato's leader, Fang Shanyou, who was arrested for drug use and possession.

Fang Shanyou wasn't involved in drug trafficking, so after his drugs were confiscated and he received a warning, he was sent to a compulsory rehabilitation center.

The drug trafficking ring involved would, of course, face sentencing. Additionally, there were Ning Shaoli and Gu Zhangke, who were publicly known to be involved in this case.

Gu Zhangke was convicted with solid evidence for providing a venue for drug use. Ning Shaoli, on the other hand, had intended to join the trafficking ring but was apprehended by the police before he could actually sell any drugs. Therefore, Ning Shaoli's final situation might be slightly better than Gu Zhangke's. This news, once discovered, further displeased the Gu family.

Although Gu Zhangke was just an unambitious playboy within the Gu family, he was still family, and they couldn't help but worry when he got into trouble. The Gu family was also known for being protective and unreasonable. Consequently, they directly targeted the Ning family, especially Gu Zhangke's former fiancée, Ning Anxia.

The Gu family publicly severed ties with the Ning family and targeted Ning Anxia's Xiazhi Entertainment. Within just a few days, they had leaked damaging information about several artists under Xiazhi Entertainment.

Xiazhi Entertainment was already struggling, kept afloat only by the Ning family's wealth. It didn't have many artists to begin with, and only a handful were notable. Most of them were implicated in these few days.

Ning Anxia was furious. Considering the Gu family's own less-than-stellar reputation, she retaliated by leaking information about the Gu family to cause them trouble.

While the Gu family and Ning Anxia were locked in a targeted feud, the other members of the Ning family were too busy to intervene. They were all occupied covering up past misdeeds.

None of them were paragons of virtue. The Ning family was a collection of "talented" individuals, most of whom had engaged in scandals beyond ordinary faults. Now, truly believing in Ning Yichu's unrestrained behavior and fearing his mouth, they wanted to clean up the loose ends they had previously neglected before Ning Yichu could expose them publicly.

What if Ning Yichu didn't even know about these things?

The Ning family members dared not gamble on that possibility now.

Within the entire Ning family, only the brothers Ning Zeqi and Ning Zeshu had some leisure these past few days, watching coldly as their family members ran around in a frenzy.

Until that afternoon, even they began to feel uneasy—because the He family, after staying on the sidelines, took advantage of the situation to snatch Kangning board shares from the Gu and Xu families.

The Ning family's desire for marriages with the Gu and Xu families was originally aimed at their shares. Although the amounts weren't huge, every bit counted. Moreover, as board members, they collectively controlled an additional five percent of Kangning shares nominally belonging to the Ning family.

Now, He Weian first approached the Xu family, wanting to buy their Kangning shares.

The eldest Xu couple believed they were implicated by the Ning family's Ning Anchun and Wang Mian couple, which led to Ning Yichu exposing their own scandal of having sought out Shen Zhou's services while retaliating against the Ning family.

They even felt their son Tao Jin's scandal was dragged in as collateral damage. In short, they blamed the Ning family for offending Ning Yichu for their current humiliation. Therefore, the Xu family also publicly severed ties with the Ning family.

However, despite being at odds with the Ning family, the eldest Xu couple initially had no intention of agreeing to He Weian's offer.

Firstly, they still held Kangning shares and could cause some trouble for the Ning family. Secondly, Ning Yichu was now married to He Shixia and was considered part of the He family. Although the Xu family didn't plan to directly retaliate against Ning Yichu, the whistleblower, they also didn't want to please the He family, who seemed quite fond of Ning Yichu.

It was their son, Tao Jin, who persuaded his parents. While the son's scandal was embarrassing, the parents' scandal was no less so. This created a bizarre harmony within the family, with no one blaming the other. The eldest Xu couple held significant power within the Xu family, and other members didn't dare mock them to their faces.

So, comparatively, although involved in the same scandal, the eldest Xu couple was currently in a slightly more comfortable position than Ning Anchun and her husband.

Tao Jin argued that since holding onto those few Ning family shares wouldn't achieve much, and the He family clearly didn't intend to let the Ning family off easily, they might as well let the He family buy the shares. The Xu family should then cut all ties with the Ning family and simply watch the drama unfold from the sidelines.

After He Weian successfully purchased the Kangning shares from the Xu family, she approached the Gu family. Upon learning the Xu family had agreed to the deal, the Gu family weighed their options. After confirming with He Weian that she didn't consider the Ning family in-laws and was merely taking advantage of the situation, they agreed to sell, adopting a spectator's mindset.

Thus, He Weian's holdings in Kangning became substantial, especially since the board also collectively controlled an additional five percent of shares nominally belonging to the Ning family.

Worried about their family's influence on the board, Ning Shaoren and Han Wenhua went to see He Weian again. Realizing she had no intention of being constrained by the leverage they held regarding Tang Qingshan nor of considering past family ties, they left in anger.

At this point, the He and Ning families had also effectively torn off the pretense of cordiality. The Ning family could be described as finding themselves "friendless" within their social circle.

While the entertainment industry, business world, and wealthy circles were in turmoil, Ning Yichu and the others on the show smoothly reached the evening of the sixth day. This was the last night for the Tomato guest stars on the program. New guests would arrive tomorrow morning.

The day's game arranged by the program crew extended into dinner time, and one of the penalties involved drinking alcohol.

When Ning Yichu lost, He Shixia initially wanted to drink for him, but Ning Yichu shot him a light, dismissive glare: "No need. It makes it seem like I can't handle losing."

He Shixia almost raised his hands in surrender: "I'm innocent, A Ning. That's not what I meant at all."

Among all the guests, Ning Yichu didn't lose many rounds. By the end of the evening, he had only consumed a total of five glasses.

The program crew had prepared fruit wine with very low alcohol content. However, by the end, Ning Yichu was clearly feeling the effects. He leaned back lazily in his chair, his gaze becoming increasingly unfocused as he watched people.

He Shixia noticed. Coincidentally, the game had just ended, so he wanted to take Ning Yichu back to their accommodation.

Just then, Cao Ye, one of the guest stars, approached with a sheepish but burning curiosity. He didn't pick up on the fact that Ning Yichu was drunk because Ning Yichu’s eyes were still open. Seeing him come over, Ning Yichu asked, “Yes?”

Cao Ye gave an awkward chuckle. “There’s some gossip I’m dying to know about. It might be a bit out of line, but I don’t think it’s too offensive... Teacher Ning might be willing to share it...”

Cao Ye could now tell that Ning Yichu was growing impatient, but having already brought it up, not asking would seem like he was just jerking him around. So Cao Ye blurted out, “It’s just that from the grapevine, I heard Teacher Ning and Teacher He mention that both the He and Ning families have descendants who were kicked out. I really can’t resist this kind of high-society scandal. I really want to know why they were driven out. I’m leaving tomorrow, so I couldn’t help asking tonight… Can I ask, Teacher Ning?”

This piece of gossip was also something the live-stream audience had been wanting to know for a long time—

“Ask, ask! I’m curious too!”

“For the He family, it’s that Third He who deliberately screwed over A Ning and made him miss his chance to change his college application, and Second He who leaked the news of A Ning and Film Emperor He’s marriage and tried to shift the blame onto A Ning, right?”

“Sorry, but these nicknames like Third He and Second He crack me up every time I see them.”

“But they’re so to-the-point, haha!”

“For the Ning family, it’s Ning Shaoli, who was into drugs and even tried dealing, right? But the Ning family definitely didn’t kick him out because they wanted to purge the family over that. I’m curious about the real reason!”

“By the way, does Ning Yichu seem a bit drunk?”

Ning Yichu’s reactions were a bit slow at the moment, so it took several seconds before he suddenly laughed, as if he had heard something amusing.

His face was almost too pretty, and his lazy, sudden smile made Cao Ye do a double-take. Then Cao Ye was blocked aside as He Shixia stepped in front of him.

“My grandfather married into the family. After my grandmother gave birth to her eldest son, she was in poor health. While she was unconscious, my grandfather deliberately delayed treatment for the congenitally frail eldest son. After the eldest son passed away, he brought back his newborn illegitimate child and passed him off as the legitimate heir.” He Shixia spoke unhurriedly, as if this wasn’t some earth-shattering, dog-blooded drama.

Cao Ye, who had asked about the gossip, the other listeners around, and the live-stream audience all had their jaws drop.

He Shixia continued, “This matter was exposed by A Ning not long ago, so my grandfather, his illegitimate child, and that child’s own children were all driven out of the He family.”

“As for the Ning family, it’s also a paternity scandal. Elder Ning was married four times. Ning Shaoli was the illegitimate child born from Elder Ning’s affair with his third wife while he was still in his second marriage. But actually, Ning Shaoli’s biological father is Elder Ning’s eldest son—Ning Zeshu’s father.”

“Ning Shaoli’s real father was also kindly revealed to the Ning family by A Ning. Elder Ning couldn’t accept his son becoming his grandson, so he drove both Ning Shaoli and his mother out. Originally, even though he had divorced his third wife, she still lived in the Ning household.”

Having covered the key points concisely without any fuss, He Shixia said, “That’s the story of both families. A Ning is a bit drunk, so I’ll take him back first.”

Then He Shixia looked at Ning Yichu and asked gently, “A Ning, want me to carry you back?”

Ning Yichu was still smiling lazily. Hearing this, his reaction remained slow. After a few seconds, he reached out his hands. “Okay, I’m too lazy to walk anyway… You failed to snatch my wine, so now you’re snatching my words. I hate you.”

He Shixia’s expression softened, and he smiled. “Mm, I’m sorry.”

He picked Ning Yichu up in a princess carry and walked out.

Only then did the others present snap out of it, looking at each other.

Cao Ye said awkwardly, “I didn’t expect the truth to be so soap opera. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked if I’d known…”

Yang Jingxian hesitated. “It should… be fine? Teacher He shared it quite calmly…”

“Burp~~ That was some satisfying tea.”

“Holy crap, that’s intense.”

“By the way, when Film Emperor He blocked Cao Ye just now, was it because he didn't want Ning Yichu to smile at someone else? Even though that smile wasn't flirtatious at all...”

“He also cut in to answer. It might be because he saw Ning Yichu was drunk and didn't want him to tire himself out, but at the same time, he didn't want Ning Yichu talking to others either. Not contradictory, hehe.”

*So cute, A Ning, “I hate you”~~~*

“He just carried him away in a princess carry, wow.”

“Wealthy families have lots of illegitimate children, but I never expected it to be this dog-blooded!”

“He Shixia, as a member of the He family, just aired his own family’s dirty laundry... this counts as a scandal, right? He just said it!”

“Well, if he didn't say it, A Ning would have anyway, hahaha. No one asked before, but obviously if someone asked, A Ning would tell.”

“The key point is that both families’ scandals were exposed by Ning Yichu! Impressive, my Ning.”

“I need to digest this. The information overload is huge; I haven’t fully processed it yet.”

The night outside was deep. He Shixia carried Ning Yichu, walking slowly back toward their red-brick house.

Although Ning Yichu was drunk and somewhat languid, he wasn’t sleepy. Leaning against He Shixia’s chest, he looked up at the night sky and suddenly said, “Go pick the moon for me.”

He Shixia was taken aback, then apologized. “I’m sorry, I can’t do that for now.”

Ning Yichu amiably compromised. “Then pick a star instead.”

He Shixia coughed lightly. “Sorry, A Ning…”

“You said you could do anything for me, but you can’t do anything. So useless.” Ning Yichu commented, then continued staring at the night sky without another word.

He Shixia couldn’t help but chuckle.

The following crew member struggled not to laugh.

“Hahaha, Film Emperor He, you’re also driven crazy by how cute A Ning is, right?”

“If you can’t give the moon, a star is fine too. So understanding!”

“I can testify, this time it’s Film Emperor He’s fault, hahahaha.”

When they returned to their red-brick house, the crew stopped following. The live-stream feed switched to the indoor camera, and the audience watched as Ning Yichu was carried by He Shixia into the bedroom.

Just as He Shixia was about to place Ning Yichu on the bed, Ning Yichu suddenly seemed to remember something. “Put me down, I still have important business…”

He Shixia had no choice but to set Ning Yichu down right where they were. Before he could even ask, he saw Ning Yichu pull out his phone from his own pocket and walk into the bathroom—admittedly, even though drunk, his steps were steady.

Ning Yichu had done this the past few nights too: coming back, taking his phone, and hiding in the bathroom for a while. But previously, he would close the door. He Shixia couldn’t find out who he was contacting, so he didn’t pry further.

But tonight, Ning Yichu forgot to close the door behind him. He Shixia was also worried he might have an accident alone inside. After a moment’s thought, he followed him in.

“Don’t go, what will we watch now, wuwuwu.”

“The show’s biggest flaw is not installing a camera in the bathroom (agreed!).”

The surrounding walls were rough. Ning Yichu was leaning against the only smooth surface, the bathroom counter, typing. He didn’t pay attention when He Shixia walked in.

Seeing this, He Shixia thought for a moment and asked again, “A Ning, really can’t you tell me who you’re contacting?”

Ning Yichu still ignored him, continuing to tap on the keyboard. Then he sent a message, and it seemed the other party replied, so Ning Yichu continued responding.

Although he could have peeked to see, He Shixia didn’t look at Ning Yichu’s phone screen. However, he watched Ning Yichu’s finger movements and realized Ning Yichu seemed to be chatting with more than one person simultaneously.

The more He Shixia watched, the weirder he felt, as if he were a parent worried about their child being scammed in online chats…

About fifteen minutes later, Ning Yichu finally put away his phone, looking tired. He tilted his head and seemed a bit surprised to see He Shixia still there.

At that, he smiled and tilted his head. "You really want to know that badly?"

Hearing his tone, He Shixia sensed he might get somewhere and softened his voice. "Can I?"

Ning Yichu leaned against the washbasin, staring at the red brick wall ahead, his voice somewhat faint and distant. "I know the Ning family has done a ton of dirty deeds... but I never had proof before. Things like the illegitimate son—even without evidence, as long as the Nings themselves, who have a stake in it, found out, it would stir up trouble."

"But other matters, like Ning Anchun and Wang Mian forcing someone into prostitution, Ning Shaoyi causing a fatal accident at a branch project that was covered up as a work-related death, issues with Ning Anqiu's charity fund accounts... all those despicable, underhanded deeds of the Ning family—I had no evidence for those. I needed an opportunity to gather proof."

"Now that I've scared them, they're panicking and scrambling to cover up their past misdeeds, which actually gives me a chance to collect evidence. Before coming on the show, I had people keeping an eye on them... Come to think of it, the money you gave me helped a lot too."

He Shixia was somewhat surprised. "You prepared so much without me knowing... I really have been neglecting you. No wonder you've been so busy since returning, and I didn't even notice."

Ning Yichu tilted his head to look at him again. "I didn't want you to know. I didn't want to trust you."

He Shixia paused, then said gently, "You didn't want to trust me before, but what about now? This version of me, who can help keep the Ning family in check while you're unwell and fully clarify the wrongs done to you—can you trust him, even just for now? A Ning, from now on, if there's anything, just tell me to do it, okay? I want to do something for you."

Ning Yichu didn't answer. He fell silent for a moment, then said abruptly, without warning, "It would be better if you died."

He Shixia was taken aback, then said, "I'm sorry..."

"I'm not saying that out of anger or to curse you." Ning Yichu looked at him, his eyes blinking lightly, lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. "I mean it, He Shixia... You're the first person I've met who likes me this much, so I think it would be better if you died. If you died, your feelings for me would become a specimen in my heart. The longer time passes, the more beautiful my memories would become. I quite like 'beautiful' things."

He Shixia wasn't sure how to react. He asked softly, "Isn't a living person better than a specimen?"

Hearing this, He Shixia fell silent for a moment, then chuckled lightly. "Alright. Since you're dealing with the Ning and He families, save me for last, okay? Let me see you find peace. When the time comes, you won't have to lift a finger—I'll make sure you get your wish, A Ning."

Ning Yichu's languid eyes brightened. "Don't lie to me!"

Seeing him like this, He Shixia felt a bit happy too. "Mm, I won't lie. I promised to make this life satisfying for you."

The corners of Ning Yichu's lips lifted. His mood suddenly turned exceptionally good, and he remembered something.

"What about that 'model'? Go get it for me." Ning Yichu raised his chin, giving the order.