My Fortune-Blessed Leading Lady
Chapter 503: The Truth That Gradually Emerges

Chapter 503: Chapter 503: The Truth That Gradually Emerges

That evening, the "City of Temptation" film crew held an internal meeting.

"Miss Rose" originally planned to compete with them, so they had carefully calculated their filming schedule and release date; catching them by surprise wasn’t a matter of fear.

Rather, it was about ensuring their work could reach and be evaluated by more people on a fair basis—it wasn’t up to just one party to determine good or bad.

Moreover, this gamble had been a long time in the making for Xi Nian, so he never considered he might lose to Xi Gu, nor would he allow himself to.

Now, with Xi Gu stretched thin, it was the perfect time to take him on, and Xi Nian didn’t want to give Xi Gu any chance to turn the tables.

Trapping him in the mire was the simplest method, and perhaps the one he had longed to do for a while.

Yuran had no objections to this. To be honest, she did not like Ou Jinchu, and by extension, none of her works; be it transferred anger or whatever, disliking meant disliking.

Without a hint of suspense.

Gui Yu, remembering the displeasure of the past two years while dealing with Xi Gu’s camp, naturally had no comments, "I think it’s feasible. However, about misleading Xi Gu, what should be the investment and how should we handle it?"

Xi Nian, "We don’t need to mislead him, just proceed as normal. He’s probably too preoccupied to pay attention to us right now."

Isn’t that the case? Just dealing with Ou Jinchu’s provocations alone was enough to keep him busy, and with Ou Jinchu unilaterally tearing apart their relations, this mess wasn’t easy to clean up. Depending on the person, it might not be seen the same way.

Xi Gu didn’t possess such capabilities.

The Xi family was rocked by the scandal solely brought about by Xi Gu, affecting their stock market and evaporating billions overnight. Xi Zhen, furious all the way in London, made a pursuing call directly to Xi Gu and gave him a thorough scolding.

Xi Zhen’s emotionless words were cutting: If you are not capable, better to abdicate early and let someone competent take over. To hold the center of power yet have no brains, if you can’t recover the losses for the Xi Family, voluntarily resign, don’t make me show no respect for you.

Xi Zhen, an old man devoid of emotion, regarded both his sons and grandsons as nothing more than pieces to solidify the Xi Family’s power. Once a piece lost its usefulness, it was meaningless to him, and he wouldn’t spare it a second glance.

The video conference that followed the next day did not afford Xi Gu any face; in the presence of many shareholders, he was warned that if he couldn’t salvage the image and losses, then he should get lost, leaving no room for negotiation.

Xi Gu’s face sank to the extreme, pale and sickly, with flames of intense, gloomy venom burning in his eyes.

This was a private matter of the Xi family. Even though the senior management of Huanya had heard of such a disgraceful issue, they dared not comment in the slightest, preferring to stay far away and deciding not to get involved with the Xi family’s private affairs.

Xi Gu and Xi Nian were the last to leave the conference room. As Xi Nian organized the folders in his hand, he passed by Xi Gu and heard Xi Gu gritting his teeth with a fierce vengeance, "Xi Nian, you’re feeling pretty pleased with yourself, aren’t you? Do you think I’m like a homeless dog now, no match for you at all?"

Xi Nian backed away, glancing sideways at Xi Gu, who had lost all reason in his madness, flicked off the non-existent dust from his shoulder, and looked down with slight contempt, "I wouldn’t say I’m delighted. That you resemble a homeless dog is not just my opinion. Shareholders just don’t want to speak harshly. Don’t you think your current state looks like that of a homeless dog in their eyes?

As for whether you are my opponent, I have been here at Huanya for many years now. Compared to me, your achievements and work capacity, I think you should know where you stand. If I have to spell it out for you, wouldn’t you feel incompetent yourself?"

"Xi Nian." The voice that came from Xi Gu was almost squeezed out through clenched teeth, filled with deep-seated hatred.

Xi Nian turned his head to look at him, his eyes a shade darker than before, "Xi Gu, there are some things for which I haven’t had the time to settle accounts with you. But that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want."

Xi Gu was taken aback, quickly regaining his composure, but with a hint of trepidation deep down, "I don’t know what you are talking about."

"No, you know."

Xi Nian didn’t seem to have any intention of playing Tai Chi with him as before. Clearly, Xi Nian appeared to know something, and under such scrutiny, Xi Gu subconsciously wanted to look away. As Xi Nian walked out, his voice carried over.

"Xi Gu, the enmity between us from before, we’ll settle it slowly, in due time, there’s still plenty to account for."

Xi Gu: "..."

...

Xi Gu knew that his mother was involved in the disappearance of Xi Bei and Xi Bao all those years ago, but he didn’t know how much Xi Nian had discovered over these years. Xi Nian, having kept a low profile for many years, now seemed to know everything after gaining power suddenly.

This made him very anxious.

A phone call was made to his mother in the United States.

The moment Xi Gu’s mother received the call from her son, she was undoubtedly pleased, but as she listened to Xi Gu’s questions, her mood began to spiral out of control, bit by bit.

"Xi Gu..."

A sudden shout interrupted Xi Gu’s incessant chatter.

Xi Gu was startled; all his words lodged in his throat, with no outlet for release.

Xi Gu’s mother continued, "Xi Gu, are you questioning my actions back then? You better think carefully before you answer. Are you scornful of me as your mother?"

Xi Gu was taken aback, "Mother, that’s not what I meant, I just..."

"You’re just worried about not finding a scapegoat after the facts have come to light. Let me tell you why I did it. If I hadn’t done so, do you think you, Xi Gu, could have had what you have today? You must be out of your mind if you think your abilities could secure you any position in the Xi Family. You know this deep inside.

All these years, I’ve been hiding in the shadows, fighting for so much for you. Even if you don’t remember, you shouldn’t accuse your own mother like this."

Xi Gu was speechless.

Without digression, his mother went on, "Do you think that the things I did back then didn’t have the indirect consent of your grandfather, Xi Zhen? Even if the disappearance of Xi Bao and Xi Bei was related to me, it was with your grandfather’s tacit approval.

You can’t blame me for this, Xi Gu. Let me tell you, you’re the last person who has any right to stand on a moral high ground to accuse me, because everything I’ve done was for you."

The call was abruptly disconnected, leaving Xi Gu with nothing but a busy tone.

Xi Gu stared at the phone with a sullen expression, lifted his hand, and smashed it, shattering the phone into pieces.

Once his emotions stabilized, Xi Gu contacted his mother’s butler and asked with suspicion, "Let’s not talk about Xi Bao and Xi Bei for the moment, but why did my mother suddenly lash out at Yuran? Has she lost her mind? Is the Bo Family something we can just reach out and touch?"

The butler didn’t know how to explain, so he highlighted the main points, "Young Master Gu, ever since Madam arrived here, she’s been suffering from severe depression and mild paranoia. She always feels that Yuran is Fu Yuran and that she can’t rest until she’s dealt with her."

Xi Gu snorted coldly, "Such nonsense."