Chapter 113: The Trending Headline

For a time, countless rumors and speculations about the “romance” between the prodigious Xi Dacai and Miss Nangong San flooded the media. Sun Ge was bombarded daily by calls from major entertainment outlets, driving him nearly mad. Meanwhile, the instigator wore a sullen expression. Weren’t those paparazzi usually quite capable? How could a solid piece of news be twisted this way?

It was obvious someone was stirring the pot.

The “culprit” was none other than Xiao Zhiying.

After the entertainment headline broke, Xiao Zhiying called Nangong Xin, intending to sow discord between her and Xian Yuqing. But when Nangong Xin visited Xian Yuqing the day before, he had already told her that Xi Junle had come by. So Nangong Xin didn’t blame Xian Yuqing—instead, she scolded the gossiping paparazzi.

Xiao Zhiying suggested Nangong Xin seize the opportunity to shift the focus of the news onto herself.

Thus, the so-called exposés and secret revelations began.

However, within days, the situation took a turn. Someone posted photos online showing Xi Junle visiting the hospital. In the pictures, he wasn’t wearing a mask and smiled gently at the “beauty” in the hospital room. Although only her profile was visible, her facial structure was clearly very different from Nangong Xin’s.

Shortly after, a commenter pointed out that the woman was not Miss Nangong San but a distant relative of the Nangong family.

The matter spiraled out of control. Eventually, the news reached Madam Nangong’s ears.

“Madam, take a look at the recent entertainment news. Xin’er and Qingqing are both trending on the headlines!” Jiang Xue called.

Madam Nangong, who never cared for entertainment gossip, ordered Butler Xue to turn on the computer and search for the latest updates upon hearing it involved Xian Yuqing.

She studied the reports carefully, sensing there was more beneath the surface.

Immediately, she summoned Butler Xue, instructing, “Call Old Luo and have him help me buy a trending topic.”

That very night, a news story about Nangong Ao living together with his young girlfriend shot to the top of the trending charts.

It included several candid photos of Nangong Ao and Xian Yuqing—dining together, entering and leaving the mansion, and Nangong Ao bedridden with Xian Yuqing by his side.

These images appeared to be screenshots from surveillance footage but were remarkably clear. Many speculated the surveillance system at Young Master Ao’s residence had been hacked.

Regardless of the hacking, this news was undeniable proof. Unlike before, the Nangong family did not issue a denial this time.

Back when rumors spread about Young Master Ao and Miss Xiao Er, Madam Nangong had publicly declared that Nangong Ao was still single.

But now?

Soon after, another report followed, revealing Madam Nangong visiting Angel Hospital to see a distant relative of the Nangong family—the young lady who was Young Master Ao’s girlfriend.

This made everything clear: Madam Nangong’s actions signified her acknowledgment of Nangong Ao’s relationship.

The person involved, Nangong Ao, only learned of this from a company executive who quietly asked Cui Hao, who then tipped him off.

Nangong Ao immediately knew it was his grandmother’s doing.

After Xian Yuqing’s accident, Madam Nangong had warned him, “You can no longer delay things with Qingqing. If you hesitate again, I won’t mind stepping in once more.”

For the first time, Nangong Ao pleaded, “Grandmother, please spare Yun’er. She really can’t handle any more stress right now.”

Madam Nangong wasn’t soft-hearted toward Xiao Zhiyun but didn’t want to pressure Nangong Ao too much. She agreed not to take action against Xiao Zhiyun but never said she would truly stay out of it.

Nangong Ao was powerless to stop his grandmother’s moves and could only instruct those caring for Xiao Zhiyun not to let her see the rumors circulating outside.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xue urgently called Nangong Lv back.

“I always suspected the old madam’s intentions toward that girl weren’t pure, but I never imagined she wanted that girl to become the matriarch of the family!” Jiang Xue exclaimed in surprise.

They didn’t covet the position of family head, but that didn’t mean they weren’t concerned.

The ability of the family head affected the entire clan’s future. And the matriarch’s role was just as crucial.

As a member of the Nangong family, Jiang Xue naturally hoped the matriarch would be competent. But why was it the girl with such tenuous blood ties—Xian Yuqing?

“A Lv, you interact with that girl more often. Have you noticed anything special about her?” Jiang Xue asked Nangong Lv.

Feeling guilty over having lost Xian Yuqing before, Nangong Lv replied, “She’s just an ordinary girl. Nothing special.”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Xue raised an eyebrow.

Impatient, Nangong Lv said, “I mean, she’s like any normal girl. Nothing worth investigating.”

A normal girl? Which Nangong-born person was normal? Calling her normal was, in itself, abnormal!

“Are you saying that girl is normal?”

Nangong Lv froze at Jiang Xue’s question and realized what felt off.

Within the Nangong family, the stronger one’s abilities, the lower their body temperature. Nangong Ao’s temperature could drop as low as 30 degrees Celsius, with Nangong Xin’s slightly higher.

During several encounters, he recalled that although Xian Yuqing’s temperature was somewhat cool, it was noticeably different from theirs.

Of course, temperature alone couldn’t confirm if she was normal. There was only one way to find out for sure.

Nangong Lv and Jiang Xue exchanged a glance, understanding each other without words.

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While the scandal raged outside, Xian Yuqing quietly recuperated in the hospital, ignoring the world beyond the window.

What moved her deeply was that the members of the “Mixed Stew Group” cared only about her injuries, never mentioning gossip.

That afternoon, Yuan Man finally brought good news: Jiang Mohe’s vital signs had stabilized, and he was about to awaken.

Xian Yuqing, who had been gloomy, finally smiled faintly. “Doctor Yuan, when can I see him?”

Yuan Man, recording medical notes as usual, replied, “No rush. He’s still under observation in the research lab. You wouldn’t be able to see him yet.”

Upon hearing this, Xian Yuqing’s face fell again. “Oh.”

Yuan Man put down the medical chart, smiling teasingly, “Just a few days apart, and you miss him this much?”

Xian Yuqing’s cheeks flushed slightly. “I’m worried about his injuries…”

Yuan Man chuckled, “Sweetheart, no need to explain. Explaining only hides the truth. If you miss him, then just admit it—no one’s judging you!”

“...” But aren’t you the one laughing?

“Don’t worry. The moment he wakes up, I’ll tell you right away,” Yuan Man said, rising to return to the research department.

As she opened the ward door, Nangong Lv, who was about to knock, froze for a moment before exclaiming, “What are you doing here?!”

Yuan Man looked at him with amusement. “Why can’t I be here?”