Chapter 110: Be Gentle

Mo Niannian spent a fortune to temporarily suppress the scandalous rumors surrounding Jiang Hu.

Her eyes grew sharp as her fingers danced across the keyboard, quickly tracing the source of the leaks. Star-Hua Entertainment, Superstar Film and Television, Huayu Media—they were all major industry players. Jiang Hu’s rise to fame had indeed blocked the paths of too many people, leading so many of them to gang up on him at once.

"Very well, I have remembered every single one of them."

She had been complacent for too long, which was why these people dared to bully her. And then there was Huang Xiuwen. He was the true culprit behind the Jiang Hu incident; he was the one who had released everything. Mo Niannian truly hadn't expected him to turn out this way. However, Jiang Hu’s retaliation had been quite ruthless—one could only say he deserved it.

Mo Niannian felt a headache coming on, frustrated by Jiang Hu, and began to contemplate how to resolve this mess. The situation had spiraled too far for simple suppression, so she had to divert public attention. She paid a high price to bribe a model couple in the industry who had actually been divorced for some time. Because the sum she offered was so substantial, the two agreed to announce their divorce. Once the news broke, the entire internet erupted, drawing away much of the attention that had been focused on Jiang Hu.

The best strategy was actually to manipulate the narrative and steer the public discourse where they wanted it to go. But the "dog of a male lead" had already suffered enough in his childhood; using those traumas to win sympathy now would be like twisting a knife in his heart. Jiang Hu had always been tight-lipped about his past, which suggested he remained deeply wounded by it. Mo Niannian decided to let it go. The guy had it hard enough as it was.

After working for most of the day, she finally managed to suppress some of the scandalous coverage. She stretched her neck and began searching for Jiang Hu. Where had he gone?

"Jiang Hu?" she called out, but received no reply. She got up to look for him. "Jiang Hu, where are you?"

She knocked on his door. "Jiang Hu, are you in there?"

Jiang Hu opened the door silently and forced a smile. "Niannian, what's wrong?"

His expression was calm, as if nothing had happened. Mo Niannian stared at him for a long moment before asking hesitantly, "Are you in a bad mood?"

Jiang Hu was slightly taken aback, then shook his head with a smile. "How could I be?"

Mo Niannian studied him again; he was clearly in a bad mood. It was mostly likely due to the online chaos. Mo Niannian was not at all skilled at comforting people. She scratched her head and asked, "Did you see the news online?"

Jiang Hu’s dark eyes locked onto hers. "Does it bother you, Niannian?"

Does it bother you, my dirty and wretched past? He had never wanted her to know; he was terrified that she would grow to despise him or distance herself. Now, he wanted to gamble. In essence, he was no different from that man—they were both reckless gamblers.

"You couldn't choose your origin, and you've already done very well," Mo Niannian said, looking at him sincerely. "Jiang Hu, the people who hurt you are not your family."

Parents were the only role one could take without an assessment; there were many capable parents, but just as many incompetent ones. Jiang Hu had done the best he could. If Mo Niannian were in his position, she couldn't guarantee she would have done any better.

"Niannian," Jiang Hu embraced her tightly, his hold restrained yet searing. "Niannian, thank you."

"As for the online rumors, don't take them to heart. Just stay relaxed; I will handle it."

Jiang Hu buried his head in her shoulder and let out a soft murmur. Why was Niannian so good? So good that he grew greedier and more desperate to keep her all to himself. He hid the sick, obsessive greed in his eyes as he pressed his face against her neck.

No sooner had the scandals started to subside than a larger wave hit. This time, it was the "kept man" contract between him and Mo Niannian. Once the news broke, the "shipping" fans went insane. They didn't want to believe it, but the contract clearly bore both their signatures. The fans were intimately familiar with Jiang Hu’s handwriting. After this reveal, the fans exploded; the sweetness of the "sugar" they had consumed before now turned into pure disgust. They had never imagined it was all fake—that Jiang Hu had been deceiving them.

They felt as revolted as if they had eaten excrement. The fans who had stood firmly behind Jiang Hu and Mo Niannian turned against them. The adoration they once felt had transformed into deep loathing.

[A kept gigolo, truly disgusting. Get out of the entertainment industry.]
[I liked them so much, but it turns out it was all a lie. I’m going to throw up.]
[No wonder Nian looked lukewarm toward Jiang Hu; it turns out he was the one clinging to her. Of course he had to do his best to serve his sugar mommy.]

The internet was flooded with abuse directed at Jiang Hu. Overnight, he became a target of universal hatred. But what gave Mo Niannian an even worse headache was her parents. They had never been this serious before. As she sat across from them, their faces were grim.

"Niannian," her mother began, "we know we’ve been too busy and lacked oversight, but we never imagined you would do something like this. You have disappointed us deeply."

"How could you do such a thing?" her father added. "It’s shameful to even speak of."

"Now that it has come to this, tell us, what do you plan to do?"

They spoke one after another, leaving Mo Niannian no room to respond. Why had she been so foolish as to sign that contract in the first place?

"Your mother and I have thought of a solution," her father said. "You and Jiang Hu will announce your engagement. We’ll pass off that contract as a little game between young lovers."

"Yes, that is what I think too. Otherwise, how will you and Jiang Hu ever face people again?"

Her mother had read the contents of the contract; she had to admit she was getting old and couldn't keep up with the youth. But now that things were in such a state, no one’s reputation looked good.

"Engagement?" *Oh, am I going to have to marry Jiang Hu? Spare me.*

"Yes, an engagement. And we should put marriage on the schedule as soon as possible."

"Mom, Dad, you—"

Before she could finish, Jiang Hu walked out with his suitcase. He bowed to her parents. "I am very sorry for the trouble I have caused you."

"What are you doing, child? Get up, get up. This isn't your fault," her mother said, helping him up and shooting an angry glare at Mo Niannian.

"No, I forced Niannian to sign that contract. Everything was my doing."

Her mother felt even more pity for him. Look at this boy—even now, he was still speaking up for Niannian. "Don't worry, we will see that justice is served for you."

"Niannian, come here and tell us what you're going to do."

Mo Niannian felt nothing but reluctance at the thought of marrying Jiang Hu. The guy was already all over her constantly without being married; what would happen if they actually wed?

"It’s unnecessary, ma'am. The mistake was mine to begin with. I am sorry to have dragged Niannian into this." Jiang Hu glanced around, a look of nostalgia on his face. "I will move out."

"Move out? Where will you go?" her mother asked.

"The money I’ve earned is enough to buy a place. Don't worry, ma'am." He looked at Mo Niannian once more. "Niannian... take care of yourself."

He seemed to have a thousand things to say, but swallowed them all. "These past few months have been the happiest time of my life."

He didn't say goodbye because he believed he and Niannian would not be separated. He turned with a smile and walked out, dragging his suitcase.

Mo Niannian watched his retreating back, stunned. He was just leaving? Just like that? She stood there for a long time, unable to process it. Jiang Hu had lingered by her side for so long that she had forgotten she once told him no one was indispensable.

Her parents sighed, praising Jiang Hu’s character one sentence after another, but Mo Niannian’s mind was blank; she heard nothing. Her phone rang repeatedly. She glanced at it, the light in her eyes dimming.

"Hello? What is it?"

"Boss, you have to stop Jiang Hu! He’s going to issue a public apology on Weibo, saying it’s all his fault and that he coerced you into signing it!" The manager was frantic. "If he posts that, it’s all over!"

Jiang Hu’s actions were always so absolute, leaving himself no room for retreat. Mo Niannian gritted her teeth. "Stop him."

She called Jiang Hu, but the line was busy—probably with his manager. Mo Niannian rushed out; he hadn't been gone long, so she should be able to find him. Looking out from the villa, there was no one in sight. She didn't know where he would go. She remembered he had a residence in the East District and figured he might have gone there.

She hurried over, only for the property management to tell her the house had been sold long ago. The new owners were out, and the place was empty. If he wasn't there, where else could he go?

After searching a wide area, she finally thought of the System. *Help me find Jiang Hu.*

The System was sulking and gave a muffled response. It felt the host was too cold toward the male lead—he had done so much for her, yet she remained unmoved. The male lead was truly too pitiful.

[The male lead is at the entrance of the basement level of the Imperial Capital Mall.]

Mo Niannian asked, [Why did he run all the way there?]

The System shot her a resentful look. [The male lead held his first concert at that mall. That is where you two first met.]

[...Fine then.]

Mo Niannian rushed over. Following the System's directions, she found Jiang Hu squatting in a dark corner like a homeless child. Mo Niannian was both angry and heartbroken. She stood before him. "You’re something else. Sitting here waiting for someone to find you and beat you up?"

Jiang Hu slowly looked up, his dark eyes erupting with a brilliant light the moment they landed on her. "Niannian, you found me?"

"You came to look for me?"

The surprise and joy overflowing in his eyes seeped into Mo Niannian’s heart. This male lead really left her speechless. She reached out. "Let’s go, we’re going home."

Jiang Hu slowly placed his hand in hers and gripped it tight. He held on with all his might.

"Take it easy, my hand isn't made of iron."

Jiang Hu softened his grip, bringing her hand to his lips and blowing on it gently, as if cherishing the most precious treasure.

"...That’s not necessary."

Jiang Hu pressed a light kiss to the back of her hand. "Niannian, I’m truly happy." Every cell in his body was boiling with excitement.

Mo Niannian awkwardly pulled her hand back. "Alright, let's go back."

"You said you were going to buy a house. Where is it?"

"I ran out of money."

"Where did the money go?"

"I spent it all on the mountains."

Mo Niannian thought of the gift he had given her and didn't know what to say. He had almost ended up on the streets again. Jiang Hu was really something.

"Niannian, will I be a bother if I come home?" Jiang Hu’s eyes were bright, his voice lowered, sounding sweet and soft.

"I came all this way to find you, what do you think?"

Jiang Hu was overjoyed, clinging to her and refusing to let go, much like a pampered cat.

"What about the stuff online?" Jiang Hu probed her attitude.

Mo Niannian glanced at him. "Do as my parents said. Don't interfere."

"Niannian is the best."

Jiang Hu rubbed against her, and Mo Niannian swatted at him. "Alright, let’s go back first, and we’ll discuss how to resolve this."

Jiang Hu seized the opportunity. "Then, Niannian, when are we getting married?"

"The matter isn't even settled yet, and you're already thinking about marriage?"

Mo Niannian didn't deny it immediately, and Jiang Hu caught a glimmer of hope. "If it's settled, will you marry me?"

"You wish."

"I think about you every single day. I want to be with you forever." His eyes were impossibly bright.

"Stop with the smooth talk. I’ll settle the score with you when we get back."

Jiang Hu blinked. "What score?"

Mo Niannian offered a faint, icy smile. "What do you think? Do you really think Huang Xiuwen could have gotten his hands on those things?"

If it had just been Jiang Hu’s personal information, Huang Xiuwen might have dug it up, but that included the contract she and Jiang Hu had signed. Mo Niannian had been too furious at first to think clearly, but once she calmed down, how could she not see it?

This "dog" had set a trap himself and waited for her to jump in. He was too extreme, too obsessive. He had gambled everything, and what else could Mo Niannian do? She could only jump into the pit he had dug for her.