Heartthrob, Your Image is Crumbling!

Chapter 451: King Against King

The small three-story villa came with a bonus little attic, boasting a total of thirteen rooms. The large living room featured a high ceiling that connected directly to the second floor, all completed with modern decor.Yang Lijuan fell in love with the place the moment she walked in. She could not resist taking out her phone to start recording. A prestigious accomplishment like this definitely had to be shared in the extended family group chat. As she recorded, she laughed and narrated, "This is the house my son bought in Jinling. Look, everyone, here is the kitchen, and over here is the restroom."

Fortunately, Zhou Yuwen's family group chat was quite harmonious. After Yang Lijuan sent the video, many relatives replied with thumbs-up emojis. Someone even sent a surprised face and asked, "Did Third Uncle and Third Aunt go to Jinling?"

"Stay and have fun in Jinling for a few more days, Third Aunt!"

"Yuwen is so successful now. Third Uncle and Third Aunt will be Jinling locals from now on! (Thumbs up)"

Seeing everyone's likes made Yang Lijuan incredibly happy. She quickly sat on the sofa and started chatting with the relatives, bragging about how Yuwen's newly bought villa was right next to his university, had so many rooms, and inviting everyone to come over and visit sometime.

Yang Lijuan was just an ordinary woman from a small town with a slight touch of vanity. Although Zhou Guobin's status in their small town was not considered low, he had to be extremely cautious to maintain his position. Because of that, Yang Lijuan had lived half her life quite frugally.

She used to complain to Zhou Guobin frequently, whining about how someone else with a lower position than him was already sending their wife on vacation to the Maldives.

"And then look at me!" she would say.

Now, because she had raised such a wonderful son, Yang Lijuan felt she had finally made it and stood out above the rest.

Zhou Guobin also looked around, observing the villa's layout. He was genuinely surprised that his son had bought such a house. Overall, however, he was not nearly as elated as Yang Lijuan. Instead, he actually felt a hint of loss.

He did not know where this feeling was coming from.

He gazed out the French window. By the pond outside was a decorative Japanese maple. Its blood-red leaves were small, looking like miniature versions of red maples, hanging low over the pond's surface.

This was clearly not the first time the four girls had been here, as they each busied themselves with their own things. For instance, Zheng Yanyan and Su Qing were keeping Yang Lijuan company. Zheng Yanyan sweetly offered, "Auntie, let me help you take some photos."

Yang Lijuan had definitely put some effort into dressing up before heading out, though her attire still felt somewhat out of place in this grand villa. However, unable to decline the girls' warm hospitality, she soon found herself posing as Zheng Yanyan snapped several pictures of her.

Zheng Yanyan showed the photos to Yang Lijuan, smiling sweetly as she asked how they turned out.

Yang Lijuan's eyes lit up. "Oh my, how does it look so good? Is this really me?"

Zheng Yanyan covered her mouth and giggled. "Auntie, this is called a beauty filter. It is a new feature on the phone. Do you think it looks super pretty?"

"It really does!"

"There are even special effects here! Linlin, come over and help Auntie and me take a picture together."

Lu Lin had been standing off to the side without saying a word. After Zheng Yanyan called her over to help take a picture with Yang Lijuan, Yang Lijuan warmly invited Su Qing to join in as well.

This left Su Qing feeling quite flattered.

And so, Yang Lijuan struck a pose, sitting right in the center. Zheng Yanyan and Su Qing sat on either side of her while Yang Lijuan held onto each of them with a bright smile on her face.

Meanwhile, Tao Tian was over by an open tea bar in the living room, brewing tea.

She brought the first cup over to Zhou Guobin. He was still staring blankly at the scenery outside when Tao Tian approached with the tea. "Uncle."

"Hmm?"

Only then did Zhou Guobin notice Tao Tian. He saw her give a soft smile as she said, "Uncle, you must be exhausted from your long journey. Would you like a cup of fresh tea?"

Zhou Guobin quickly murmured an acknowledgment and hurriedly took the cup.

"Old Zhou, come look at this! Yanyan gave me a great recommendation for something fun!" Yang Lijuan was thoroughly captivated by the beauty camera Zheng Yanyan had shown her. Mostly, it was because the camera made her feel so much younger, and she wanted her husband to see it properly.

Zhou Guobin had absolutely no interest in such things. Even as Yang Lijuan brought Zheng Yanyan's phone over to him, he merely threw it a passing glance and said flatly, "It is all deceptive nonsense. Look at this, how does it look anything like you?"

As soon as he said that, Yang Lijuan's expression darkened.

Fortunately, Yang Lijuan's phone rang right at that moment. She picked it up and saw it was an incoming call from Zhou Yuwen. Too bothered to argue with her husband, she simply connected the call.

"Hey, Mom, where are you guys?" Zhou Yuwen asked over the phone.

"Your father and I are inside your villa right now, you brat! Buying a villa is such a massive deal, yet you did not even tell us. What? Are you afraid your poor relatives might come knocking on your door?" Although Yang Lijuan sounded like she was scolding him, it was obvious she was thrilled on the inside.

Hearing this, Zhou Yuwen felt completely speechless and muttered about what kind of nonsense she was spouting.

"Haven't I just been too busy lately? I am already at the door. I am coming in now."

"Ah? You are at the door?" Yang Lijuan blurted out, her excitement getting the better of her.

The moment she said that, the people around her all raised their heads to look. Still talking on the phone, Yang Lijuan walked out the front door, with the others quickly following behind her.

When they reached the entrance, they found a white Toyota Alphard quietly parked outside the courtyard gates.

The car door slowly slid open.

Holding his phone, Zhou Yuwen stepped out of the vehicle.

Overjoyed to see her son, Yang Lijuan immediately rushed over to greet him. "Son!"

She pulled Zhou Yuwen into a tight hug. After hugging his mother, Zhou Yuwen could not help but laugh as he said, "Mom, seriously, you and Dad came to Jinling without even giving me a heads-up. I haven't prepared anything at all."

"You brat, what kind of preparation do we need just to see our own son?" Yang Lijuan replied.

After greeting his mother, Zhou Yuwen looked toward his father. The relationship between father and son had always been a bit delicate; they did not express their emotions as openly as he did with his mother, merely sharing brief eye contact.

Zhou Guobin's gaze held a trace of gratification as he gave a slight nod. "Are you done with work?"

"Yeah, just finished."

After exchanging those two brief sentences, they suddenly ran out of things to say. Zhou Guobin then looked at the white Alphard parked behind Zhou Yuwen and asked, "You changed cars again?"

As if suddenly remembering something, Zhou Yuwen let out an "Oh" and explained, "This is not my car. I haven't introduced you yet."

Just as he spoke, Jiang Xinyi stepped out from the other door and walked over. To leave a good impression on Zhou Yuwen's parents, she had even gone out of her way to change from shorts into long pants.

Dressed in an all-white outfit paired with a small white suit jacket, she carried a large Hermès handbag. Before Zhou Yuwen could introduce her, she took the initiative to step forward and greet them.

"This is Jiang Xinyi, she is..." Zhou Yuwen had intended to introduce her properly, but when he saw the four pairs of eyes behind his parents perfectly synchronized to stare at him, he felt a wave of genuine awkwardness, suddenly unsure of what to say.

Zheng Yanyan looked pitifully at him, her expression screaming, 'Are you really going to introduce her like this?'

Su Qing's face was full of deep resentment, seemingly daring him, 'Zhou Yuwen, do you dare?'

As for Tao Tian and Lu Lin, the two of them silently turned their gazes away in perfect unison, their attitudes implying, 'Introduce her however you want, don't mind us.'

But even so, Zhou Yuwen still felt incredibly awkward! While he stood there smiling, unsure of how to proceed with the introduction, Jiang Xinyi naturally took in every detail of Su Qing and Zheng Yanyan's expressions. In truth, she had been quite surprised to see so many girls approaching earlier. Wasn't Su Qing supposed to be the only girl here?

Why was it that not only had the ex-ex-girlfriend showed up, but his ex-girlfriend was here too?

And what was with those looks on their faces?

Most importantly, how dared Zhou Yuwen hesitate at a time like this?

Jiang Xinyi, however, did not hesitate for a single second. She took charge and introduced herself right away, "Hello, Uncle and Auntie! I am Zhou Yuwen's girlfriend, Jiang Xinyi. I am a Jinling local, and this car belongs to my family. My mother was so happy to hear that you were visiting, so she specifically had our family driver come and pick you up. Originally, my mother wanted to treat you to dinner tonight, but since she already had prior arrangements and your arrival was so sudden, she suggested that Yuwen and I host you first."

"?"

Upon hearing Jiang Xinyi boldly claim to be Zhou Yuwen's girlfriend, both Zhou Guobin and Yang Lijuan froze. They quickly exchanged glances before helplessly shifting their eyes toward Su Qing.

Of course, as sensible parents, they looked at Su Qing to gauge her reaction. Wasn't Su Qing their son's girlfriend? Since when did it become someone else?

Right then, Su Qing was staring furiously at Jiang Xinyi. She already disliked Jiang Xinyi, and now this woman had the audacity to declare war right to her face. With Zhou Yuwen's parents now looking to her for answers, she had to act.

Su Qing definitely was not about to back down. She spoke up clearly, "It is like this. They are just pretending to be a couple for publicity. It is strictly a business necessity."

"A business necessity?" Yang Lijuan echoed, utterly confused.

Su Qing explained, "Miss Jiang is the ex-girlfriend of Zhou Yuwen's university counselor, and she is also an investor in our company. Both Miss Jiang and her family hold a lot of prestige and status in Jinling, so we are hoping to use this publicity stunt to increase our company's market value."

"Oh, so that is how it is," Yang Lijuan muttered, only half-understanding.

Su Qing nodded with immense confidence and shot Jiang Xinyi a slightly provocative look as she added, "Yes, that is exactly right."

The three girls behind Su Qing each had their own thoughts running wild. Zheng Yanyan was truly in awe of Su Qing now. This girl was insane! She actually dared to spout complete nonsense right in front of Zhou Yuwen's parents. If it were her, she definitely would not have had the guts.

Well, this was perfect. It would be best if these two women fought it out right in front of Zhou Yuwen's parents. While they fought, wouldn't she be the third party who reaps the benefits?

Zheng Yanyan wasn't the only one thinking this way; Lu Lin and Tao Tian could not help but exchange knowing glances with each other as well.

Zhou Guobin, however, pondered the situation for a long while before finally remarking, "Isn't that just fraud?"

"Uh," Zhou Yuwen stammered, caught completely off guard by the question.

"It is not a publicity stunt, we are a real couple," Jiang Xinyi corrected, absolutely refusing to indulge Su Qing's lies.

Since Su Qing dared to glare at her with such provocation, she would meet her gaze head-on and reply with total composure.

A real couple?

"Huh? Didn't Little Su say you were Yuwen's counselor's..." Yang Lijuan trailed off, completely baffled.

Jiang Xinyi naturally reached out and linked her arm around Zhou Yuwen's. She told Yang Lijuan, "That is right, Auntie. I was indeed in a relationship before, but right now, I am dating Yuwen. My mother has already met Yuwen, and she does not object to our relationship."

Dating?

Zhou Guobin and Yang Lijuan could not shake off the strange feeling. When Su Qing mentioned Jiang Xinyi's past relationship with Zhou Yuwen's counselor earlier, they had both noticed that this girl did indeed look a bit older.

How many years older than their son was she?

"You and Zhou Yuwen's counselor were university classmates. You are six years older than Zhou Yuwen. Do you really think it is appropriate for the two of you to be together?" Su Qing went straight for the jugular, exposing Jiang Xinyi's background without mercy.

So what if you have money?

You and Zhou Yuwen are from completely different worlds!

"Age is not an issue. When we got together, Yuwen told me that Xiaolongnü was twelve years older than Yang Guo, and they still ended up together, didn't they? Isn't that right, Yuwen?" Even now, Jiang Xinyi was attempting to rope Zhou Yuwen into backing her up.

Zhou Yuwen forced a laugh, thinking to himself, 'Did I ever say that?'

"Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü are fictional characters. Have you ever seen anyone look for a wife who is six years older than them? What, is he trying to find a new bestie for his mom?" Su Qing sneered, her words mercilessly sharp.

Hearing that, Yang Lijuan's face instantly soured.

Although those words made Yang Lijuan feel a surge of displeasure toward Su Qing, they were equally effective at throwing dirt on Jiang Xinyi's name.

Jiang Xinyi choked on her anger. She glared at the girl standing before her, someone six years her junior but acting like she had absolutely nothing to lose. Frowning, Jiang Xinyi questioned, "If my memory serves me right, you should be Zhou Yuwen's ex-ex-girlfriend, yes? Things between you and Zhou Yuwen ended a long time ago. Might I ask what business you have being here?"

"There are others!?" Yang Lijuan could not hold back and blurted out in shock.

Zheng Yanyan immediately looked bashful. With flushed cheeks, she seized the opportunity to speak up, "Auntie, I am sorry. I shouldn't have hidden the fact that Yuwen and I are together from you."

"Since when were you and Zhou Yuwen together?"

In Yang Lijuan's memory, Zhou Yuwen had only been away from home for two months. How had he managed to break up with Su Qing and get together with Zheng Yanyan in just two months?

Zheng Yanyan continued to blush deeply, looking as though she wanted to say something but was holding back.

"What on earth is going on with you!?"

At that moment, Zhou Guobin shouted at Zhou Yuwen, his voice booming with absolute authority.

The loud reprimand made the surrounding girls jump in fright.

Zhou Guobin furrowed his brows, his expression filled with intense dissatisfaction as he commanded, "Come inside with me. You better explain everything clearly!"

Every word carried an unquestionable finality. He outright demanded that Zhou Yuwen find a room inside the villa so they could speak alone.

Zhou Guobin's stern expression was quite intimidating, and the girls around them instantly fell silent.

Seeing Zhou Guobin act like this, Jiang Xinyi worried that he was going to beat Zhou Yuwen. She quickly grabbed hold of Zhou Yuwen and could not help but say, "Uncle! Even though you are Yuwen's father, Yuwen is an adult now."

"Yuwen is very excellent. It is completely normal for a few self-righteous women to pester him, but there is no need to blow things out of proportion, right?"

Dubious?

Zheng Yanyan frowned.

Lu Lin frowned.

Even Tao Tian arched her brows slightly.