Volume One, Chapter 20: The Truth Behind the Champagne Tower

The next day.

When Fu Beichen opened his eyes, the glaring sunlight was already streaming through the porthole.

It was past nine in the morning.

He rubbed his head, the last image frozen in his mind being Gu Xingnian’s beautiful little face, her crying and refusal.

She actually dared to drug him unconscious and run away?

Hmph.

Fu Beichen tugged at the corner of his mouth, a low, cold hum escaping his throat.

Interesting.

He got up, walked into the bathroom for a shower, and changed into a perfectly tailored custom suit. Then he opened the cabin door.

Lin Qi was already waiting respectfully outside.

“Good morning, President Fu.”

Lin Qi bowed slightly and handed over a phone.

“Your phone, sir. Since last night, there have been seventy-three missed calls—all from Miss Jiang.”

Fu Beichen took the phone, scanning the dense list of missed calls on the screen, his brow slightly furrowing.

“What happened?” His voice was hoarse from just waking up, yet still icy.

Lin Qi did not dare delay and immediately handed over a tablet.

On the screen were explosive news about Jiang Kexin.

[#Jiang Kexin and Gu Shaoheng#]

[#Sheng Weiwei slaps Jiang Kexin#]

[#Jiang Kexin’s image collapses#]

Each headline was shocking.

“The news broke out at midnight. The discussion volume has already exceeded one hundred million,” Lin Qi reported quickly. “The related videos and photos are very clear. Currently, at least ten brands have announced unilateral termination of contracts with Miss Jiang. Her studio’s phone lines have been flooded.”

For a female celebrity whose career hinged on her looks and image, this was undoubtedly a catastrophe.

Jiang Kexin’s career was about to suffer an unprecedented downfall.

Fu Beichen’s gaze swept over those unbearable headlines and photos, his brows knitting tighter.

That Sheng Weiwei really went all out—daring to even touch his people. Wasn’t this a public slap in his face?

His eyes slid downward. At the bottom of the screen, there was a trending topic with considerable heat.

[#Mysterious beauty astonishes the crowd with blindfolded piano performance at Fu family anniversary#]

The accompanying photo was a side profile, the light soft and hazy, outlining the woman’s exquisite jawline and her serene expression as she played the piano with her eyes closed.

It was unmistakably Gu Xingnian.

Fu Beichen’s gaze lingered on that photo for two extra seconds.

Then he looked away, returning the tablet to Lin Qi, his tone indifferent as he ordered,

“Take down all the trending topics immediately!”

“Yes, sir.” Lin Qi responded promptly but felt a bit uneasy inside. It seemed the boss still had a soft spot.

As long as the Fu family intervened, Jiang Kexin could still be revived.

Ding!

Lin Qi suddenly remembered something and quickly reported, “Last night, I received this video.”

He handed the tablet over again.

The video clearly showed Jiang Kexin “accidentally” bumping into a table, causing a champagne tower to topple and nearly injure Gu Xingnian. The footage was high definition.

The latter part of the video clearly captured Fu Beichen and Lu Lie rushing to save Gu Xingnian. Fu Beichen anxiously stretched out his hand to shield her face from flying glass shards.

Otherwise, the consequences would have been disastrous!

Then Lu Lie arrived and pulled her into his arms...

Fu Beichen’s eyes suddenly turned cold, as if frozen with ice.

Jiang Kexin was growing more brazen—how dare she act so blatantly?

If this video went public, she would never have a chance to recover.

If he hadn’t acted quickly, Gu Xingnian would have been disfigured.

Although he did not love Gu Xingnian, he could not allow Jiang Kexin to act with impunity.

The thought sent a chill down his spine.

It seemed he needed to teach her a lesson.

The car drove smoothly back toward the city, the atmosphere inside growing heavier.

Lin Qi’s phone rang again—it was a call from the old mansion.

After answering briefly, he hung up with a serious expression and turned to Fu Beichen, relaying every word carefully.

“President Fu, the old man called. He instructed that you are not to interfere with Miss Jiang’s matter this time.”

Fu Beichen leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest, not even lifting his eyelids at the command.

Lin Qi paused but then continued, “Also, the old man said you and... your wife are to return to the old mansion for dinner tonight.”

He enunciated the word “wife” particularly clearly.

Fu Beichen finally opened his eyes, his gaze deep and unreadable.

He did not respond to the old man’s orders.

At that moment, Fu Beichen’s personal phone rang.

The screen flashed the name “Jiang Kexin.”

He stared at the screen for a few seconds, his fingers twitching before he finally swiped to answer.

“Brother Beichen! You finally picked up!”

Jiang Kexin’s hysterical, tearful voice came through immediately.

“Did you see the news? Sheng Weiwei and Gu Xingnian are framing me! Please help me, Brother Beichen, only you can save me now, or my career is ruined.”

Her voice was sharp and urgent, filled with fear and dependence.

Fu Beichen listened to her rambling cries without expression, his voice colder than ice.

“I will handle this.”

His tone was calm and resolute, leaving no room for argument.

“Lay low for now; don’t go out these few days.”

Before Jiang Kexin could respond, he hung up.

Seconds later, the phone rang crazily again—it was still Jiang Kexin.

Fu Beichen didn’t even look, silenced it, and tossed the phone aside.

In the past, he would have acted immediately; those he protected were not to be touched.

But after seeing the video of her harming Gu Xingnian, he hesitated.

When Fu Beichen arrived downstairs at the Fu Corporation building, his phone received a photo and a message.

The photo showed Jiang Kexin soaked through, eyes tightly shut, with a tragic beauty.

“Young Master Fu, please save my Xin’er. She attempted suicide by drowning. She’s now on the third floor of Central Hospital, undergoing emergency treatment.”

Fu Beichen was stunned for two seconds before slamming the car door hard.

The loud bang startled the driver and Lin Qi.

“Drive to Central Hospital.”

“Yes, sir.”

He closed his eyes tightly, fists clenched. Why had he hesitated? He should have helped her immediately.

If not for her, four years ago, he would have perished at sea...

A deep wave of guilt washed over him, restoring his resolve instantly.

He had promised to protect her for life; he must not break his word.

Ten minutes later, the distinguished Rolls-Royce pulled up to the entrance of Central Hospital. Fu Beichen strode briskly inside.

At the ward, he heard muffled sobs.

Wang Huilan was clutching her chest, crying loudly, calling Jiang Kexin’s name.

“My poor daughter, how could you do such a foolish thing? If anything happened to you, what would become of your mother? What about the Jiang family? Is anything more important than life?”

“Four years ago, you jumped into the sea to save someone, and I almost lost you. How could you do it again?”

“Do you want to take my old life from me? Xin’er, Xin’er! I won’t force you to do things you dislike anymore. I was wrong!”

???

Fu Beichen’s heart tightened. Had he come too late?