In the shelter, Ye Ning sat barefoot on the cloud-shaped sofa, holding a remote control in her hand, while Xiao Jingchen sat next to her, peeling an apple for her with a fruit knife.
On the television screen on the wall in front of them, Li Churan's press conference was being broadcast.
Lin Mengru wore a white dress, had no makeup on, and had tears in her eyes, looking like a pure and innocent little flower.
"Chu Ran and I met in junior high school and were each other's first love. We broke up because of a misunderstanding. I'm really not a homewrecker. I only started seeing Chu Ran after her divorce."
Li Churan, unlike his usual business elite self, was dressed in a blue-gray casual outfit, looking more approachable. He held Lin Mengru's hand and wiped away her tears from time to time, appearing every bit the good husband.
"Ye Ning and I actually divorced a long time ago."
"The reason we didn't announce it to the public is firstly because we didn't want to take up public resources, and secondly because this is our private matter. Ye Ning is not in the entertainment industry, and I don't want her to be criticized by too many people because of this. We broke up because of personality differences, and Meng Ru is really not a homewrecker."
Li Churan's serious demeanor made it hard not to believe him.
One of the main reasons Li Churan dared to hold this press conference was that Ye Ning had signed a confidentiality agreement when she divorced him, and he was certain that Ye Ning wouldn't dare to publicly embarrass him.
"During this period, many people have criticized my past work."
"But in reality, I'm just chatting with everyone online. I hope everyone won't view the profession of live streamer with prejudice."
Lin Mengru is indeed very good at acting in front of the camera. She spoke a few words with sincerity, and coupled with her delicate and charming appearance, she was truly lovable.
She should have been an actress; instead, she chose to marry a rich man and get rich without working.
As expected, many ignorant netizens believed their words after the press conference.
With the deliberate guidance of Li Churan's PR team, Lin Mengru's rise from mistress to wife was transformed into a melodramatic story of "bravely pursuing love after ten years of separation, stumbling and bumping along the way, but ultimately it's still you."
Li Churan was portrayed as the most considerate ex-boyfriend and a warrior of pure love, winning the hearts of countless innocent girls and pure-hearted young women.
This action not only prevented Mengran Group's stock price from falling, but actually caused it to rise by several percentage points.
The old men on the board were overjoyed, their aggressive stance turning into a barrage of flattery and compliments.
"Chu Ran is truly capable!"
"That's right! Chu Ran, I knew I would be right to trust you."
After seeing off the old men from the board of directors, Li Churan's expression immediately turned cold. He then called several of his trusted confidants.
"President Li, you wanted to see us!" Upon receiving Li Churan's message, the group quickly arrived.
"You've all seen the recent news, right?" Li Churan asked.
The group exchanged awkward glances; of course they had seen such explosive news.
However, this was, after all, the boss's private matter, and they dared not discuss it in front of him.
"I saw it!" Wasn't this matter already resolved?
"Help me cash out some of my shares," Li Churan said.
Li Churan currently holds 51% of the shares, making him the largest shareholder. He plans to cash out 10% of the shares first.
"What? President Li, then you have fewer shares. Aren't you afraid that President Li and the others will seize power?" Several old men on the board of directors have always wanted to take over Mengran's actual control.
"Once this storm passes, I will find a way to take it back. You must handle this in secret and not let the word get out."
Li Churan always felt that someone was behind this, and he was certain that the other party would not let it go so easily.
The reason he was able to make a name for himself in the business world at such a young age is because of his keen insight and daring.
"By the way, Mr. Li, I recently received some inside information, it seems the weather..." one of his trusted confidants reported.
"Put these things aside for now, and make sure you handle the matters I assigned you!" Li Churan will soon find out just how much information he missed.
After everyone left, Li Churan took out his phone and looked at the familiar number on the screen. He hesitated for a long time, but in the end, he did not press the call button.
Ye Ning, did you do this? Do you really hate me that much? So much that you want to destroy everything I have?
Li Churan's guess was absolutely right. The day after the press conference, new revelations immediately followed.
This news is even more explosive.
It not only revealed the timeline of Li Churan and Ye Ning's divorce.
It also revealed Lin Mengru's fascinating past.
It even summarized Li Churan's rise to wealth, how he relied on his father-in-law's resources to acquire his first pot of gold, and how he became ungrateful after his father-in-law's death, seducing a mistress and abandoning his original wife.
This news immediately dominated the headlines of major news outlets and sparked widespread discussion across the country.
Netizens are discussing it extensively.
"I knew there would be a twist in this story."
"That Lin Mengru is obviously a green tea bitch, she's definitely not a good person."
"Li Churan looks so respectable, I never expected him to be this kind of person."
"Capitalists are all the same. No wonder Li Churan made it onto the wealth list at such a young age. He's a 'phoenix man' (a man from a poor background who achieves success)!"
Li Churan and Lin Mengru have become like rats crossing the street, never to be able to turn their lives around.
Meanwhile, Mengran Group's stock price continued to fall, almost to the point of being delisted.
Mengran Group launched an emergency public relations campaign, and under pressure from the board of directors, Li Churan resigned as CEO, effectively becoming sidelined.
"Like rats crossing the street, that's the fate that despicable couple deserves," Ye Ning clapped her hands, commenting with great satisfaction.
Inside Li Churan's room at the Li family villa.
Although it was broad daylight, all the curtains were drawn. Li Churan sat slumped in the corner, surrounded by empty whiskey bottles scattered around her.
He brought out Ye Ning's old wedding photos again.
Ye Ning, is this your revenge on me? Only after leaving you did I realize that you've always been in my heart.
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