Chapter 70
Shu Ci’s unhurried words carried a certain persuasive power. He hid the sarcastic expression on his face, his sharp gaze sweeping across each camera lens in front of him.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he defended Lu Wanqing and then picked one of the questions to answer.
“I did indeed speak with the victim on the cruise ship. At that time, I suspected she was like me—a plaything in the palm of an Alpha, a companion enduring unbearable suffering while trying to survive.”
The image of Jin Li holding up her long skirt, her slender swan-like neck held high as she left with gentle detachment, flashed through Shu Ci’s mind.
He suddenly remembered something.
When he first went to the service center to process his identification, he encountered a couple in the lobby who were there to get a divorce. The lady was wearing a bucket hat and sunglasses, her head lowered, the curve of her spine perfectly poised.
The same spine line, the same swan neck. That fleeting glimpse back then became a belated flash of insight, overlapping in his memory at this moment.
“If I had known she harbored a death wish that day, I would have forced her to stay no matter what, to stand here with me and strip away the Gu family’s filthy skin until nothing was left.”
Shu Ci’s tone turned into a sharp blade, landing heavily on the unseen rotting tumors of this world.
The reporters froze for a full few seconds. It wasn’t until his voice fell and silence filled the gap that they suddenly realized what he had just said!
This group of people, accustomed to manipulating hearts and public opinion, saw a trace of fear in each other’s eyes at almost the same moment.
They were used to the incoherent speech of interviewees, familiar with their fragility and helplessness under loud voices, and even more delighted to see the parties involved become hysterical after events unfolded as they expected.
Whether for their own reputation or to avoid attention, Omegas afraid to reveal the truth were the easiest to control.
How could there be someone like Shu Ci?!
He actually had no sense of shame, standing in full view of the public, bluntly recounting filthy secrets that others would consider worthy of being buried for a lifetime?!
Moreover, his accusations were so direct, putting Gu Lanzhu and the Gu Corporation squarely in the eye of the storm with just a few words!
“Is it still live? Quick, cut it!”
“Cut the signal, watch out for a call from the Councilor’s office!”
The media, disguising themselves with an impartial stance, hadn’t forgotten whose food they ate and whose wages they received.
Realizing the shocking words Shu Ci had spoken, their faces darkened as they cut off the live streams one after another, keeping only the recordings.
However, Shu Ci, who had long anticipated this move, shot a glance at Shen Ti.
Shen Ti nodded slightly in response.
Before they had even communicated with Shen Lin, back when he had sought legal advice for days to no avail, Shu Ci had discussed with Shen Ti the feasibility of identifying the perpetrator on social media and using public opinion to crush Gu Lanzhu.
As a famous Omega from a prestigious family, Shen Ti was clearer about the intricate relationships among various media outlets than Shu Ci. Their conclusion at the time was that he alone could not shake Gu Lanzhu’s foundation.
A public opinion war was hard to fight; timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony were all indispensable.
So this plan was temporarily shelved by the two.
But the statement, modified by professional lawyers to have no legal loopholes, along with the chain of evidence in images and text, had long been in place.
His agreement to board the ship and get to know Jin Li for Shen Lin was also out of consideration for this. Before boarding, Shu Ci consulted with Shen Ti on a backup plan. They planned to jump in and add fuel to the fire after Jin Li spoke up.
Unexpectedly, Jin Li didn’t wait for his persuasion before burning herself out completely.
Shen Lin’s public live broadcast had piled up the firewood; now, this fire could only be lit by him personally.
Seeing the last cameraman close his lens, Shu Ci shook his head helplessly and turned to his own live stream camera.
“I have some heartfelt words I want to say to Councilor Gu, if he has the chance to see this. You once asked me if I would be willing to stand on your side if you offered conditions that moved me.”
“Councilor Shen never offered me conditions. His policy, his stance, the policies he strives to implement so that every citizen—whether Alpha, Beta, or Omega—can live their own lives with their heads held high, those are his conditions.”
“How much of what you kept promising Omegas have you achieved so far? If not yet, here’s a suggestion—”
“Why not start by letting people thoroughly investigate this matter?”
After speaking calmly, he actually laughed.
Gu Yan, would he really dare?
Ten, a hundred, a thousand…
Under Shen Ti’s instructions to the platform, the live stream room was pushed to the hot list and trending searches. Algorithmic recommendations caused the number of followers on Shu Ci’s account to grow exponentially.
That long image text was reposted by marketing accounts across various platforms. On platforms beyond their control, the content was blocked countless times, yet reposted by users again and again.
These hands that had filmed countless tear-jerking movies could also write statements that were emotionally restrained yet powerful enough to shake people’s hearts.
Through repeated reposts and interpretations, Shu Ci’s experience gradually ceased to be his alone. People began to empathize through narrating their own encounters.
Through being blocked and reposted again and again, Shu Ci’s humiliation became a collective humiliation.
They couldn’t protect a single image text in front of the behemoth behind the platform, couldn’t protect the outpouring of a person’s heart, just as Shu Ci couldn’t protect his gland from Gu Lanzhu’s forceful attack in public.
Shu Ci took out the fire of resentment from his chest and threw it into the silent pile of dry wood.
The sparks transformed into electronic signals, scattering across the internet and burning fiercely.
The first to speak up was an Omega from a Duke’s family.
Their family was old friends with the Cui family and stood distinctly on the opposite side of Councilor Gu. It was said that this eldest young lady was also a loyal fan of Jin Li.
So for a moment, people couldn’t distinguish whether this statement was authorized by the family or simply speaking up for an idol.
The young lady posted a screenshot of the content widely circulated in the social circles of noble families at the time: “Gu Lanzhu kicked into the hospital by a vase Omega.”
Even more explosive was that she attached surveillance video from other angles at the time.
Then, she directly tagged @Gu Lanzhu on her account with hundreds of thousands of followers, mocking him coldly—
“Open your eyes and see what kind of scum your dream Alpha is. Suppressing news is something your Gu Corporation is good at, but you didn’t expect this, did you? The shop opposite belongs to me. Did you really think no one would know just because you bribed the shop owner to delete the surveillance?”
In the surveillance footage, Shu Ci braced himself against the table, his back trembling as he resisted Gu Lanzhu’s illegal violation that ignored the surroundings, making all Omegas sweat nervously.
They felt both heartache and admiration.
How could someone remain upright under the violent torture of a top-tier Alpha, never yielding, and even kick him so forcefully?
They had always thought that being unable to control their body’s reaction was the fate of an Omega.
Shu Ci let them see a sliver of possibility.
A possibility of completely following one’s own will, standing upright in front of an Alpha, manipulated and uncontrolled.
Then, a real-name account released their experience of being deceived into participating in the Omega selection with conclusive evidence.
After that, more and more victims, either anonymously or with real names, expressed their experiences in the comments section of Shu Ci’s long image text.
No need for Shen Lin to argue, no need for Shu Ci to explain; one real, verifiable person after another corroborated the absurd selection and the disgusting “transactions.”
Public opinion was clamorous, and the calls for a thorough investigation were so strong that the police could not ignore them.
Braving the pressure from the Gu and Chen families, they began to visit the victims who left evidence in Shu Ci’s comments section one by one.
At this time, Shen Lin publicly displayed an attitude of “I won’t interfere,” handing over all the evidence he possessed to the police.
“This matter requires you to give everyone an explanation.”
Trust and fatigue showed in his golden eyes. The police held a press conference in fear and trepidation, regularly announcing the progress of the investigation.
It was said that the Public Security General Hall of the Central District dug out dozens of stacks of files against the evidence organized by Shen Lin, tearfully reviewing those old cases that had been glossed over.
In the process of searching through old cases, they caught a considerable number of colleagues hiding within, covering up crimes for the powerful.
But these are stories for later.
While Shu Ci was live streaming, Lu Wanqing, who had quickly rushed back to the base, was having a secret talk with He Lian.
The silver-white mutated creatures were more difficult to deal with, and the research institute entered a new round of dissection and research overnight.
Shen and Gu had torn off all pretense, and the election entered its final stage.
The stability of the situation and the safety of the people were issues their Golden Shield had to think about even during sleepless nights.
After receiving the report, He Lian looked up at Lu Wanqing and projected the live stream onto the wall.
Shu Ci’s handsome figure appeared on the wall. Lu Wanqing’s fingertips curled, his eyes falling on his bright red lips.
His clear voice echoed in the conference room with only the two of them.
“I told you that you could let Cui You coordinate for you and leave you some time to accompany your wife, but you, good for you, rushed straight back.”
He Lian glanced at him sideways.
“Look, so many media outlets facing him alone, all by himself, without you by his side. Can you bear it? Look, he’s even speaking up for you.”
Lu Wanqing lowered his eyes and called He Lian’s little assistant: “Help me update the spouse column of my personal profile on the official website. Write his name clearly.”
He wasn’t like Cui You, who openly changed his status to engaged after the engagement, wishing he could write Shen Ti’s name on his face.
He had only dared to write the word “Married.”
Initially, it was because he knew that “Shu Ci” would sooner or later follow his destined trajectory, and he didn’t want to influence him too much.
Later, it was because he didn’t know when Shu Ci would propose a divorce.
If he wrote it, it would be erased one day anyway, so it was better not to write it.
However, hearing him say “my husband” in front of the camera just now, earnestly defending his reputation, deepened the vortex in Lu Wanqing’s heart.
He wanted to respond to his passionate defense.
He wanted to write his name beside his own.
Even if, even if it was just such a nondescript, brief possession, it was better than suffering alone in endless time.
“Ahem.” He Lian listened to his instructions expressionlessly and cleared his throat. “Have you thought about what I told you just now?”
Lu Wanqing lowered his eyes and nodded slightly.
Shu Ci, who had caused a great stir, returned from the port and paid close attention to the progress of the case.
Shen Ti became Shen Lin’s capable confidant, busy running around every day, with no time to chat with him, and even dumped the jewelry company’s work on him.
Shu Ci, who originally only wanted to contribute money but not effort, holed up in the study. While listening to reports with a massive headache, he contacted his island’s operating company, asking if they had services to assist in operating a company.
The operating company politely declined his somewhat unreasonable request and wholeheartedly planned his itinerary for inspecting the work progress on the island.
Shu Ci picked a date at random. Before he could get a reply from the other side, he received a call from his cousin Shu Cui.
“Shu Ci, the police… the police came to the house.”
These days, Shu Cui had been working as a jewelry designer in the partnership company of Shen Ti and Shu Ci, immersed in the display of his talent, completely forgetting that he was once one of the main culprits who caused Shu Ci to fall into danger.
He hurriedly called Shu Ci to plead for mercy.
His cousin was so gentle, tolerating his willfulness without holding grudges. Considering that he had once helped him get back the family property and was now making money for them together, he would help him, right?
Who knew Shu Ci just responded lazily: “I know. People have to take responsibility for what they have done. Cooperate well with the investigation.”
“I… but what about my designs? You don’t want them anymore?”
“When I asked Shen Ti to use you, I thought of this day. Your design fees are saved for you. In case you have to go in for a while, I can bring you some.”
The calmer Shu Ci was, the more uneasy Shu Cui felt.
The closer he got to Shu Ci, the farther he was from the family. Now he was almost abandoned by the family, and Shu Ci was his last straw.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry Shu Ci!”
“…I was wrong, please don’t let me go to jail.”
Shu Ci’s fingertips swiped across the photo album, looking at those photos belonging to the original owner with desperate and hollow expressions.
The person who deserved the apology the most was long gone.
“Wrong. But did you think of this day when you framed and hurt people?”
He hung up Shu Cui’s call directly, leaning his head back on the chair.
Shu Cui could no longer stir any waves in his heart. Perhaps even Gu Lanzhu being arrested by the police wouldn’t work.
It had been ten days since that night of embracing and kissing on the cruise ship.
He hadn’t seen Lu Wanqing for ten days.
He opened his eyes, looking silently at the letter signed by Lu Wanqing sitting on the corner of the desk.
On the table, his phone vibrated.
He scanned the news alert, and his pupils constricted.
“Marshal of the Far-flung Seventh District suspended for investigation.”
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