Chapter 85 One's Own Wife, One's Own Responsibility

Gu Yin called Shu as soon as she saw the news online, "Shu, there's been a huge uproar online, what's going on?"

Gu Yushu leaned back in his chair, looking languid. "It's just someone stirring things up. What does Grandpa think?"

Gu Yin chuckled dryly, "Hehe, your grandfather told me to tell you to handle this quickly so as not to affect Gu's stock price."

Gu Yushu narrowed his eyes, tapped the table lightly, and replied casually, "Okay! Thank you for your support, Grandpa."

Gu Yin stared at the disconnected phone, slightly taken aback. Who was supporting her? Her grandfather? The old man had said not to affect the stock price, so how was that supporting her? Had she misrepresented something?

A short while later, Gu's official Weibo account quietly posted a message: "My wife and I are each other's first love. Do not disturb us. Further rumors will result in a lawyer's letter."

Gu Yin's eyes went black when she saw the Weibo post. "I told you to resolve this quickly, not to explain it like this! First you announced your girlfriend, now you're announcing your wife! Are you trying to infuriate the old man to death?!"

After thinking for a moment, Gu Yushu sent Zhong Li two screenshots from Gu's official Weibo account: one announcing his girlfriend and the other announcing his wife.

"Ah Li, you should take care of your own wife. Whether you take care of Jiang Yu or not is up to you."

Zhong Li: "..."

Zhong Li stared speechlessly at her phone. She had already had someone investigate Zhao Jingjing today, and this time she was determined to shut that woman up completely! She knew how much Xiao Yu'er loved dancing and how much she valued this competition; she couldn't stand anyone slandering her. The internet wasn't above the law; people should consider who they were spreading rumors about!

"Ah Li, are you inside?" Mother Zhong's voice rang out from outside the study.

Zhong Li snapped out of her daze. "Mom, I'm here. What's wrong?"

As soon as Zhong's mother opened the door, she saw her usually carefree and flamboyant daughter with half of her body hidden in the shadows, and felt inexplicably lonely. "Ali, I heard there was a problem with the competition sponsored by the Gu family yesterday? You've been in charge of this before, let me ask around."

Zhong Li lowered her head slightly and replied in a soft voice, "Don't worry, these are just rumors made up by some people online. The Gu family has already started to deal with them." Her tone was calm, but her clenched palms were slightly sweaty. For some reason, she was afraid that her mother would have a bad opinion of Xiao Yu'er.

After hearing this, Mrs. Zhong sighed heavily, a hint of pity appearing on her well-maintained face. "I saw the statement released by the Gu family. I never imagined that Yu Shu would actually fall in love with a girl..."

Zhong Li felt her throat tighten and become terribly dry. It took her a while to find her voice and she replied in a low voice, "Yes, and they are quite happy now."

Zhong's mother stepped forward, gently embraced Zhong Li, and patted her shoulder to comfort her, saying, "Li, I won't interfere with your friendships, but if you get too close to them, be careful not to be influenced. I don't care about other people's children; I just hope that you and that Xu family boy can get together smoothly."

Zhong Li lowered her head silently, her long eyelashes obscuring her eyes, making it impossible to discern her emotions. Only a hint of melancholy shone through her delicate face. "Mom... but what if I told you that I'm not happy with him?"

Zhong's mother was stunned. After a long while, she gently patted Zhong Li's shoulder and said in a tender tone, "Li, if you really don't like it, don't force yourself. Your mother and father only have you as their daughter, and our greatest wish is for you to be happy."

Zhong Li held her mother's hand tightly, her eyes gradually welling up with tears that welled up uncontrollably. Her beautiful, upturned eyes were red and her expression was pained. She asked in a trembling voice, "Mom, do I really have the right to pursue happiness?"

Seeing her daughter so distraught and lost, Zhong's mother felt heartbroken. She hugged Zhong Li tightly and comforted her, "Yes, our A Li certainly has the right to pursue happiness!"

Zhong Li closed her eyes in pain. Did she have it?

Zhong's mother coaxed softly, "Ali, if you like someone, bring him to meet your parents. We're not short of money. As long as he's of good character, your father and I will support you."

Zhong Li's body trembled slightly, her expression filled with pain. Could she still regain her happiness? Would her parents really agree?

...

That day, a group of parents gathered outside Jiang Yu's dance studio.

"We need Teacher Jiang to come out and give us an explanation!"

"Does Teacher Jiang actually like girls? Will this affect our children?"

"I can't accept that my child's teacher is gay! I'm afraid he'll corrupt our child!"

"Teacher Jiang is disgusting!"

"Give us our money back! We don't want to stay here anymore!"

The parents were chattering away. They had seen the news online, and some of them couldn't accept it, so they all gathered around.

Upon receiving the news, Jiang Yu immediately went to the studio. Looking at the aggressive parents, a sense of exhaustion washed over her. Just because of her sexual orientation, did she deserve so much malice? She asked herself if she had truly been dedicated to every student and had wronged anyone.

The autumn wind was really strong, making Jiang Yu's eyes sting. She stood there all alone in front of everyone, surrounded by a noisy commotion. She didn't know which parent had started it, but Jiang Yu was pushed and stumbled backward.

Jiang Yu gasped, her eyes closed, her hands instinctively reaching out to grab something.

The imagined pain did not come; instead, my body fell into a warm embrace.

Zhong Li appeared behind Jiang Yu without her noticing, putting one arm around her waist, his face showing concern.

After Jiang Yu recognized who it was, she awkwardly pushed Zhong Li away and whispered, "It's none of your business."

Zhong Li put his hands in his pockets, stepped back to the side, and quietly watched Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu stood before the parents with composure and sincerity, saying, "Parents, please don't get agitated. I like girls, and I've never hidden that from you. I don't ask you to understand me; I just want to say one thing: this isn't an illness, and it won't infect anyone."

Jiang Yu paused and continued, "Also, parents, you sent your children here to learn dance, right? Go back and ask your children if they like it here, and if their dance foundation is solid. I believe I have done right by every student. If you want to continue learning, I will still do my best to teach you. If you don't want to, I will process a refund for you."

Jiang Yu is that kind of person. She doesn't like to force things. She likes things clearly. If she likes something, she likes it. If she doesn't like something, she doesn't have to force it.

Afterwards, Jiang Yu led everyone into the dance studio, showing them photos of the children dancing together, as well as award certificates and trophies. She let the parents make their own decisions. Her liking for someone and her love for dance are not mutually exclusive; she will not sacrifice either for anyone.

She is a greedy person; she wants to have everything.