C9 The Cheated Xiaobai Expressed His Support

Glancing up at the disdainful and mocking looks from those around him, Su Li had a sudden moment of clarity.

This was not the time to be stubborn!

He had only just joined the Su family and was still finding his footing. If this incident jeopardized his future prospects, wouldn't he be losing face and weakening his position?

Regardless of any tampering with the surveillance footage, it now served as irrefutable evidence. Having lost the upper hand, he needed to act quickly to mitigate the damage.

Otherwise, how could he ever hope to outmaneuver Su Ziqing and secure a tight grip on the Su's Group?

"Sorry, Dad, Sister, I was wrong," Su Li said, his head bowed in contrition, "It was me... I had too much to drink.

My apologies, Young Master Chu. I spoke out of turn because I was inebriated. Please, let's put this behind us."

He spoke with genuine remorse and bowed deeply.

He then gestured for Du Xinyu to also offer her apologies to Chu Jiangchen.

"I'm sorry, Xiner... It's all my fault. If Young Master Chu seeks retribution, let it be with me. This has nothing to do with Young Master Su!" Du Xinyu, tears streaming down her face, pleaded through her sobs.

The onlookers couldn't suppress their laughter.

Even now, Du Xinyu failed to grasp the gravity of the situation.

A simple apology and stepping aside would suffice; who would bother with her otherwise?

Using such lowly tactics here would only invite ridicule!

"Heh..." Su Ziqing let out a cold laugh, casting a dismissive glance her way, "You give yourself too much credit. What status does Young Master Chu hold? And you, what are you in comparison?

Does he even need to bother with revenge on you?

Su Li, in the future, keep your distance from such mindless individuals. Stupidity is contagious.

If you're going to adopt these kinds of tactics, better steer clear of the family business.

I'd hate to be the subject of ridicule out in public!"

Su Li shot Du Xinyu a stern look, took a deep breath, and stepped back, putting space between them.

Du Xinyu's face flushed with embarrassment, wishing she could disappear into thin air.

"Since Young Master Su was drunk, we'll consider the matter of his slander closed," Chu Jiangchen said with a warm smile, addressing Su Minghe, "I'm not one to hold a grudge over a few careless words."

Uncle Su, Ms. Ziqing, I can understand why Young Master Su might have issues with me. Our acquaintance was initially due to Du Xinyu, but the accusations against me are completely unfounded, and I feel deeply wronged.

Now that we're all gathered here, let me clarify the situation.

I encountered Du Xinyu in the remote mountains of Mount Dami during a hiking trip.

She confided in me that her family valued sons over daughters, subjecting her to daily abuse and neglect.

Moved by her plight, I visited her home and found it in a state of utter destitution, lacking even basic furnishings. After a heated argument with her family, she implored me to give them twenty thousand yuan to save her from her dire circumstances.

Considering her options—remaining in that environment meant risking death by violence or starvation, or being married off to someone even poorer—I felt compelled to act. A few tens of thousands of yuan could drastically alter her fate, and it was a small price to pay for potentially saving a life.

So, I gave her family the money to improve their living conditions and brought her to Silk City, where she was registered under a new name.

Having rescued her from the mountains, I couldn't abandon her, especially since she lacked education and survival skills.

I decided to see my good deed through to the end. I took Du Xinyu in and provided her with comprehensive education to help her adjust to urban life and eventually become self-sufficient.

After all, every girl harbors the dream of a fairytale life.

Unfortunately, my good intentions may have led to a misunderstanding. Du Xinyu might have thought my actions were driven by an infatuation with her beauty, which led to her rapid change in fortune. I also acknowledge my failure to correct this impression sooner, which has unfortunately led to my reputation being tarnished by those who've labeled me a mindless sycophant.

So, I'd like to take this opportunity to set the record straight: Chu Jiangchen has no romantic involvement with Du Xinyu. My only intention was to help someone in need, nothing more.

I hope Young Master Su will no longer view me with animosity. We are not adversaries."

"Xiaoming has spoken well!" Su Minghe chimed in with a chuckle, attempting to defuse the tension: "Su Li, you should take a page out of his book and show some generosity! You're peers and should be friends, not letting misunderstandings escalate into major conflicts."

I admit I haven't been strict enough with Su Li, but rest assured, I'll be stepping up my efforts to discipline him from now on. I'd greatly appreciate it if the elders could offer him some guidance, and if his peers could spend more time with him. A broader range of experiences should help him shed some of that naivety."

"Absolutely!"

"You're attending Silk City University, aren't you, Young Master Su? I'm just a year ahead of you. I'll have to swing by and hang out more often!"

"Every young person has their wild moments, don't they?"

"The Chu family's kids are really decent—straightforward and generous."

"It's a shame they ran into an ingrate!"

The guests were gracious, injecting life into the party and filling the banquet hall with renewed energy. The music picked up once again, setting a joyful tone. Servants weaved through the crowd, offering up exquisite wines and dishes. Meanwhile, small groups formed here and there, engaging in casual conversation. Seizing the moment, Su Ziqing led Su Li and Du Xinyu out of the hall. Su Minghe, with a dark expression, gave an order to the Old Housekeeper before departing himself. Chiang Chen lounged on a corner sofa, half in shadow, observing the lively scene unfold before him.

"Host, what was the deal with that surveillance video?" Xiaobai, who had been petrified with anxiety, ventured to ask.

"I utilized the one-time C-grade item I received as a reward from the last mission," Chiang Chen replied with a light laugh. "You've been so preoccupied with gaming and sweets that you missed the memo on the rewards, didn't you?"

Xiaobai hung its head in embarrassment. It had indeed been indulging in a carefree lifestyle, relying on the Host's ability to keep the system worry-free.

"That item allows for the alteration of video content at the source, to a degree. The catch is it only works for ten minutes and can't involve any serious illegal activities."

"So, you're not worried at all, Host!" Xiaobai had an epiphany, but then confusion set in again. "But... something seems off. As the best male supporting role, shouldn't you be aiding the protagonists according to the script? Yet, it seems like their situation is only getting worse. And the surveillance video... it really made them lose face. Aren't you going a bit too far?"

Chiang Chen shifted to a more comfortable position and countered, "Du Xinyu was the one who asked me to meet at the lake, right?"

"Yes!"

"But what did they just accuse me of? They said I asked her out and tried to get all touchy-feely, didn't they?"

"Yes!"

"My mission was to give them some alone time, to dissolve the tension in their hearts, all for their sake, right?"

"Absolutely!"

"The mission's complete, and their emotional barriers are gone, correct?"

"Spot on, all correct!"

Chiang Chen let a slight smile grace his lips. "I put in all that effort on the mission to smooth the path for them, but instead of being grateful, the leads turned on me.

I never harassed her or tried to get too close; I was just a bit forceful in my approach to help them overcome their issues.

I used props only to avoid being falsely accused.

Did I do anything wrong?"

Xiaobai was bewildered for a good while, scratching his big ears with his tiny paws as he thought it over. Then, with conviction, he responded: "Not at all! Good people shouldn't be maligned like that. It's downright dishonorable for the leads to set traps and smear others. You have my full support!"