Chapter 96: Ruthless Crushing
After that oppressive "chance encounter" at the gallery, Su Wanqing's wariness and unease toward Gu Shiyan reached a peak. This man, seemingly gentle and elegant, was actually like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, precisely exploring her weaknesses and past, concealing elusive deeper agendas beneath seemingly harmless academic exchanges and admiration. After she recounted all this to Huo Tingxiao, she could clearly sense the sudden surge of cold hostility from him.
Huo Tingxiao's reaction was swift and decisive. He immediately ordered a top-level, covert investigation into Gu Shiyan and the "Universal Future" think tank behind him. He also raised Su Wanqing's security level to wartime standards, increasing her covert and overt guards several times over. Her travel routes were kept strictly confidential and randomly changed, virtually eliminating any chance encounter.
Su Wanqing also cooperated extremely well, staying at home and rarely leaving the house. She delegated all external communications to Assistant Chen, transitioning all studio projects to online communication, completely cutting off all possible avenues for Gu Shiyan to contact her. She trusted Huo Tingxiao's judgment and ability, pouring all her energy into her work, and striving to suppress her uneasiness.
However, Gu Shiyan was clearly not someone to be trifled with. After direct contact was cut off, he resorted to a more roundabout and uncomfortable approach.
First, several international design media that have cooperative relationships with "Universal Future" almost simultaneously published in-depth reports on Su Wanqing's design concepts, using highly complimentary words to praise her, calling her "the perfect combination of oriental aesthetics and humanistic care", "a design genius who transcends the boundaries between military and humanities", and even vaguely mentioned her "extraordinary life experience" and "legendary marriage with a certain military official", praising her to an excessively high, almost unreal level.
Soon after, the public mailbox of Su Wanqing's studio began to receive a large number of "fan letters" and "cooperation invitations" with similar content from unknown addresses. The words were enthusiastic, but they always inadvertently inquired about some sensitive information related to her personal life or the nature of Huo Tingxiao's work.
The most annoying thing was that one day Xia Xiaoran came to her angrily and told her that some "inside information" about Su Wanqing had begun to circulate in the circle, saying that the reason she was able to obtain national honors and international attention was all due to her husband's power operation, and even hinted that she had an ambiguous relationship with some institutions with "deep international background" (implying Gu Shiyan's think tank), and its design concept was actually a cultural infiltration tool serving certain foreign forces!
These rumors are vicious and hidden, like sewage in the gutter, difficult to trace the source, but enough to tarnish reputation and sow discord.
"How abominable! This must be the work of that guy named Gu! He's playing dirty!" Xia Xiaoran stomped her feet in anger.
Su Wanqing's face remained calm after hearing this, but a layer of ice formed in her eyes. She wasn't frightened or angered by these despicable tactics, but rather became calmer. Gu Shiyan's actions revealed his anxiety and true goal—he wasn't just trying to get close to her, he was also trying to damage Huo Tingxiao's reputation through smear campaigns and alienation! This had gone beyond personal entanglement and crossed the line!
She immediately informed Huo Tingxiao of the situation.
Huo Tingxiao's reaction was even colder and... more terrifying than she had expected.
He listened to her story without any expression on his face, only a chilling chill swirling in his eyes. He didn't explode in anger or rebuke her. Instead, he calmly gave Assistant Chen his instructions, his voice as cold as a blade tempered with ice:
"Notify the cybersecurity department. Within three hours, all related false information will be completely removed from the entire internet. Trace the source and hold all publication and dissemination nodes accountable."
"Contact the Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the heads of mainstream media to promote Comrade Su Wanqing's design achievements and award-winning process in an appropriate and positive manner, emphasizing their independence and positive significance. The standards should be high and the coverage should be wide."
"Send letters to the Beijing offices of those overseas cultural organizations that are dancing the most enthusiastically, using more 'polite' wording to remind them to abide by Chinese laws and regulations and pay attention to the boundaries of commercial behavior."
"As for Universal Future and Gu Shiyan himself..." He paused, his lips curled up in an icy arc. "Some 'interesting' financial records of the remnants of Vulture and foreign intelligence agencies were 'accidentally' leaked to two other competing international think tanks. Remember, make it look like the result of an internal struggle."
Assistant Chen's heart trembled, and he immediately accepted the order: "Yes! Chief!"
Huo Tingxiao's orders were like the activation of the most sophisticated war machine, running efficiently and ruthlessly.
The effect was immediate and devastating.
Within hours, all the negative reports and rumors about Su Wanqing evaporated like snow in the sun, leaving no trace. Instead, several of the most authoritative official media outlets and leading industry publications simultaneously published weighty articles praising Su Wanqing's design philosophy and social value, detailing the rigorous process and independent contributions that led to her winning the award. These articles, written with solemn language and backed by solid evidence, completely dispelled all false rumors.
Even more shocking, a few days later, shocking news broke within the international design and strategic research communities: the "Global Future" think tank was exposed for its covert ties to certain foreign funds with a "tainted record," suspected of laundering academic knowledge and infiltrating intelligence for certain factions! Competitors seized the opportunity to further exploit its misfortune, leaking numerous internal documents. Instantly, "Global Future"'s reputation was tarnished, and several important collaborative projects were forced to be suspended, plunging the organization into an unprecedented crisis.
The "source" of all this was cleverly pointed to the internal management chaos and factional struggles, which had nothing to do with Huo Tingxiao.
Gu Shiyan tried to hurt others with the soft knife of public opinion and stigmatization, but Huo Tingxiao directly mobilized the state machinery and higher-level intelligence warfare methods to uproot him with thunderous force! This crushing counterattack is completely on the same level!
However, this is just the beginning.
Just when "The Future of the World" was in a state of despair, a more fatal blow came quietly.
Over the weekend, a high-profile dinner for cultural exchange between China and foreign countries was held at the State Guesthouse. Su Wanqing, representing the honored designers, attended alongside Huo Tingxiao. This was the first time the two had appeared together at a major public event since the rumors.
The banquet hall was ablaze with lights, and a gathering of celebrities gathered. Huo Tingxiao, dressed in military uniform, stood tall and straight, exuding a powerful aura. Su Wanqing, in an elegant gown, exuded calm confidence, the medals on her chest gleaming. The moment they appeared, they captured the entire room's attention, and all the previous gloom seemed to have vanished.
However, just as the banquet was about to begin, a discordant figure appeared—Gu Shiyan unexpectedly showed up at the banquet! Although his think tank was mired in trouble, he seemed unaffected. He was still dressed appropriately, smiling, and chatting with several foreign envoys. However, there was a hint of sinister intent hidden deep in his eyes.
When he saw Huo Tingxiao and Su Wanqing, his eyes flickered, and he actually walked straight over with a wine glass in hand!
The entire place fell silent for a moment, all eyes focused on him, eager to see how the show would unfold. Everyone knew about the recent turmoil and wanted to know how this face-to-face confrontation would unfold.
Gu Shiyan approached, his impeccable social smile plastered on his face. He spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of forced familiarity: "Commander Huo, Ms. Su, good evening. I didn't expect to meet you both here."
Huo Tingxiao didn't even raise his eyelids, as if there was only air before him, and continued to slowly wipe his fingers with his napkin. Su Wanqing nodded slightly, her expression calm, and didn't respond.
Gu Shiyan's smile froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered. Turning his gaze to Su Wanqing, his tone became even more sincere. "Ms. Su, I've also heard some false rumors about your studio recently, and I'm deeply sorry. I hope I haven't caused you any trouble. Our think tank has always admired your talent, and the previous invitation to cooperate still stands. Perhaps we can find a time to clear up the misunderstanding and have a deeper chat..."
His words seemed appropriate, but they were actually cunning. He tried to clear himself, but also hinted that the rumors were related to Su Wanqing herself, and he wanted to continue to pester her.
Su Wanqing frowned slightly and was about to speak when Huo Tingxiao suddenly moved.
He put down his napkin and slowly raised his head. His eyes were like two cold swords, piercing Gu Shiyan! There was no emotion in his eyes, only a condescending indifference, as if looking down at an ant, and... undisguised contempt.
The temperature in the entire banquet hall seemed to drop to freezing point in an instant!
Gu Shiyan's breath was taken away by this look, the forced smile on his face completely froze, and a chill inexplicably rose on his back.
Huo Tingxiao ignored him and turned to a senior official who happened to be passing by. He spoke calmly, in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, but loud enough for everyone around to hear, as if discussing a mundane official matter:
"Minister Li, regarding the recent illegal intelligence gathering and infiltration activities conducted by certain overseas organizations under the guise of cultural exchange, I've had Assistant Chen compile the materials from the National Security Department's briefing and have them delivered to your office tomorrow. The specific chain of evidence involving the 'Global Future' think tank and its senior researcher, Gu Shiyan, using their academic credentials to repeatedly contact and bribe our personnel in an attempt to obtain confidential intelligence is particularly typical, and I recommend focusing on this investigation."
His voice was not loud, but every word was weighty, exploding like thunder in the silent banquet hall!
“Wow!”
A burst of suppressed exclamations and gasps rang out all around! Everyone looked in shock at Gu Shiyan, whose face had instantly turned as pale as paper!
Using academic status to extract intelligence?! Is there irrefutable evidence?! This is no longer a simple rumor or dispute; it's a serious accusation that has risen to the level of national security!
Gu Shiyan froze, sweat breaking out on his forehead, his lips trembling. He tried to defend himself, but found himself unable to utter a single word under Huo Tingxiao's cold and authoritative gaze! He felt as if he had been stripped naked and thrown under the spotlight. All his pretenses and calculations were shattered by the sheer force and evidence.
Huo Tingxiao didn't even spare Shi Yan a second glance, as if he were just an insignificant figure in the background. He turned to Su Wanqing, held out his hand, and his tone softened instantly. "Wanqing, are the dim sum here not to your liking? Let's go home and I'll make you a midnight snack."
Su Wanqing looked at the dramatic scene in front of her, looked at Gu Shiyan who was so elegant just now but now looked like a lost dog, and then looked at the man beside her who crushed all conspiracies with ease and protected her tightly. Her heart was filled with great shock and... an indescribable sense of security and pride.
She placed her hand in his palm and smiled slightly: "Okay."
Huo Tingxiao took her by the hand, turned around and walked straight out of the banquet hall as if no one was around. Wherever he passed, the crowd automatically parted ways, and the looks they cast at them were filled with awe and complexity.
From beginning to end, Huo Tingxiao didn't say a single harsh word to Gu Shiyan, and didn't show any emotional fluctuations. Instead, he used the most direct and cruel way to completely trample him into the mud, leaving him with no chance of recovery!
Crush!
Merciless, thorough, and absolute crushing in all dimensions!
As they walked out of the banquet hall, the night breeze was slightly cool. Huo Tingxiao put his coat on her and held her hand tightly.
"It's solved." He looked down at her, his voice low and calm.
"Yeah." Su Wanqing leaned against him, feeling peaceful in her heart.
All the demons and monsters are nothing but clowns in front of his absolute power.
Her man is her kingdom, the most indestructible barrier.
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