Chapter 81 Companion.
Jun Xiangbei looked into his bright eyes, and the corners of his icy lips curved upwards almost imperceptibly.
The arc was extremely shallow and fleeting, yet it resembled a snow lotus suddenly blooming on an icy plain, carrying a gentleness unique to Gu Yunqing.
Gu Yunqing caught that fleeting smile, and the subtle unease in her heart caused by her scheming strangely subsided.
He knew he had chosen the right path.
What Jun Xiangbei wanted was never a subservient vassal, but an ally, or rather a partner, who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him and even make him feel "interested".
The counterattack against the Gu family proceeded efficiently with the tacit cooperation of the two, but Gu Yunqing was not satisfied with this.
He knew that to completely reverse his fate as cannon fodder, it was not enough to just strike at his opponents; he also needed to reshape his image in the public eye.
The opportunity will come soon.
The gala dinner, a top-tier charity auction in Haicheng, was attended by celebrities and attracted media attention.
When Gu Yunqing and Jun Xiangbei entered together, they instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Gu Yunqing wore a royal blue velvet suit, which made his fair skin stand out and gave him a noble yet energetic air.
He didn't try to be low-key or show any timidity as he usually did. Instead, he walked calmly beside Jun Xiangbei, a perfectly timed smile on his lips, his gaze peacefully meeting all eyes.
Jun Xiangbei, on the other hand, was still wearing a perfectly tailored black suit, his aloof demeanor unchanged.
But he did not maintain a distant relationship with people as he had in the past. His arm was always gently placed on Gu Yunqing's lower back in a natural and possessive manner, forming a silent protective circle.
During the auction, when someone tried to strike up a conversation with Jun Xiangbei while their gaze kept drifting ambiguously towards Gu Yunqing, Jun Xiangbei would subtly pull Gu Yunqing closer to him, using body language to clearly define the boundaries.
When Gu Yunqing showed interest in a charity auction item and glanced at it a couple of times, Jun Xiangbei would immediately raise his paddle and bid for it at a price far exceeding the item's actual value. Then, he would turn his head and ask in a low voice, only the two of them could hear, "Do you like it?"
Gu Yunqing would respond with a smile that was both somewhat helpless and sweet, nod gently, and whisper, "Brother Bei, this is too much trouble."
The way he looked at Jun Xiangbei was full of dependence and complete trust; it wasn't acting, or at least not entirely acting.
In this atmosphere of being fully protected and cherished, he himself almost began to believe that they were a deeply affectionate couple.
Their interactions—every glance, every whisper, every subtle physical contact—were keenly captured by the media present.
The next day, their news dominated the gossip sections of major entertainment and financial magazines.
[Young Master Jun attended the charity gala with his partner, showing great care and affection throughout!]
[The "Heading North" couple is locked in; Gu Yunqing's path to success wasn't solely based on ability?]
[Leaving behind the shadow of being a 'fake young master,' Gu Yunqing makes a dazzling debut as 'the other half of the Jun family.']
In the report, Gu Yunqing's past "dark history" was intentionally or unintentionally downplayed, and instead his personal charm, his ability and contributions to the Jun's project, and the "strong alliance" and "domineering CEO and his adorable wife who has made a comeback" relationship between him and Jun Xiangbei were emphasized.
The viewers in Gu Yunqing's live stream were shocked by how quickly public opinion had reversed.
Wow, the public opinion has shifted so quickly.
[It's probably because of the instance requirements; after all, there's only one month left.]
[Now that Yun Qing is out there, who would dare say he relies on the Gu family? He clearly relies on Brother Bei (doge)]
The OOC index in the corner of the field of vision has steadily dropped to 32%.
As Gu Yunqing looked at these reports, a satisfied smile appeared on her lips.
However, he was not blinded by his current success.
He knew that the attitude of another key figure was crucial—Lin Bufan, the "original protagonist" of this world.
To his surprise, Lin Bufan contacted him and asked him to meet at a high-end club that valued privacy.
When Gu Yunqing saw Lin Bufan again, she noticed that he had become thinner, and there was a hint of sickly fatigue between his brows, but his eyes were much clearer and more peaceful than before.
"Brother." Lin Bufan still used this form of address, but his tone was no longer complicated, carrying a sense of relief and calmness. "I saw the news."
Gu Yunqing stirred the lemon water in her glass without saying a word, waiting for what would happen next.
Lin Bufan looked at him and said seriously, "You've changed a lot, you're completely different from before. I saw the project you were working on at Jun's, it was very impressive."
He paused, his tone tinged with apology and sincerity, "In the past, I may have... held prejudices against you because of my status."
Gu Yunqing looked up in surprise.
He didn't expect Lin Bufan to admit it so directly.
As the "original protagonist," this act of lowering his stance and showing hostility is of great significance.
"It's all in the past." Gu Yunqing smiled slightly, her tone calm. "People always have to look forward."
Lin Bufan nodded, hesitated for a moment, and continued, "You know about my illness. I'm very sorry for what Mom and Dad did."
When he mentioned Gu's parents, his brows furrowed slightly, clearly indicating that he did not approve of their behavior.
“I have made it clear to them that I will not accept any treatment that would harm you. As for a kidney, I will wait for a legitimate source.”
These words completely changed Gu Yunqing's impression of Lin Bufan.
This "protagonist" has his own principles and kindness.
"Thank you." Gu Yunqing's gratitude this time carried a hint of sincerity.
Lin Bufan waved his hand, then suddenly changed the subject, speaking in a somewhat consultative tone: "Actually, there's something else I wanted to discuss with you today. Our Lin family... the Gu family used to have an overseas channel, but it's been a bit turbulent lately. I've heard that the Jun family has a lot of resources in this area, and I wonder if there's any possibility... of cooperation?"
The way he looked at Gu Yunqing was no longer that of a "fake brother" he needed to be wary of or a competitor, but rather that of a trustworthy potential collaborator with strength and resources.
Gu Yunqing's heart stirred.
This is an olive branch extended by the "original protagonist," a form of recognition, and even more so, a tilt of "luck" in a certain sense.
He did not agree immediately, but cautiously indicated that he needed to understand the specific situation before discussing it with Jun Xiangbei.
Lin Bufan expressed his understanding.
The meeting ended in an unprecedentedly peaceful atmosphere.
As Gu Yunqing left the club, he felt a sense of relief, as if the invisible constraints that had been weighing on him, originating from the "world's will," had loosened considerably!
Gaining the "original protagonist's" recognition and actively seeking cooperation is undoubtedly a significant milestone on the road to identity transformation.
The viewers in Gu Yunqing's live stream began to rejoice:
Has Lin Bufan been turned to the enemy? (Just kidding)
[Even the original protagonist has given his approval, so Yun Qing is in a winning streak!]
[OOC has dropped to 30%! A new all-time low!]
It seems that turning enemies into friends is better than defeating the protagonist!
The OOC index in the corner of the field of vision dropped sharply, settling steadily at the 30% green safety line.
Gu Yunqing got into the car and looked at the street scene rushing past the window. She felt indifferent, neither happy nor annoyed.
Although he started as a "vicious male supporting character" who was in danger of being wiped out by the rules at any time, he gradually built his career, with the help of Jun Xiangbei, and by taking advantage of the loopholes in the rules, he successfully reversed public opinion, gained the approval of key figures, and even subtly changed the course of this "story".
However, he knew that there was still one last step, or rather, only one suitable opportunity, to completely transform him from "cannon fodder to protagonist" before he could truly be crowned with this "new identity".
This opportunity soon arrived at a technology summit led by Junshi, which brought together top global partners.
The summit was of extremely high caliber, and Jun Xiangbei, as the host and key figure, was exceptionally busy.
Gu Yunqing accompanied the delegation in her dual capacity as a core member of the project and Jun Xiangbei's partner, responsible for receiving several important foreign guests and participating in key forum discussions.
At one of the forums on artificial intelligence and the development of future cities, a top expert from abroad raised a rather pointed question, directly addressing the ethical dilemmas and potential risks of certain technological applications. The question was professional and tricky, leaving even the moderator speechless for a moment.
All eyes in the room instinctively focused on Jun Xiangbei.
Jun Xiangbei's expression remained unchanged, and he was about to speak.
Just then, Gu Yunqing, who was sitting next to him, gently pressed the back of his hand and gave him a look that said, "I'll do it."
Jun Xiangbei paused slightly, then nodded almost imperceptibly, choosing to trust him.
Gu Yunqing calmly picked up the microphone in front of her and stood up.
He first repeated the question in fluent and precise foreign language to show respect, and then, with a smile, began to explain his point of view in a calm and unhurried manner.
Instead of avoiding the issue, he conducted a thorough analysis from multiple dimensions, including technical principles, existing international regulations, and Junshi's own review mechanism regarding technical ethics.
He cited numerous sources, presented detailed data, and demonstrated rigorous logic, not only clearly responding to the other party's questions but also subtly showcasing Junshi's efforts and vision in fulfilling its corporate social responsibility and promoting technology for good.
His speech was clear and logical, confident and composed, and he exuded a professional charm and aura from the inside out. Compared with the seasoned business giants and academic luminaries at the forum, he was in no way inferior.
The entire room was silent, except for his clear voice echoing through the hall.
When he finished speaking and gracefully took his seat, the hall was silent for a moment before erupting into enthusiastic applause.
The foreign expert who asked the question gave him a thumbs up and nodded repeatedly.
Jun turned his head to look at him from the north, his cold eyes filled with unreserved admiration and pride.
He even gently grasped Gu Yunqing's hand under the table and squeezed it tightly.
At that moment, all the cameras were pointed at them.
The next day, almost all the news headlines were dominated by Gu Yunqing's amazing performance at the summit.
[Gu Yunqing stuns at the technology summit, possessing both talent and beauty!]
Jun Xiangbei has a keen eye! A capable partner and a reliable worker – truly deserving of the title.
The "fake young master" label has been completely shattered; Gu Yunqing has earned respect through her abilities.
After this battle, no one dared to look down on him because of his background.
His name is closely associated with "ability," "talent," and "Jun Xiangbei's virtuous wife and business partner."
Looking at the almost unanimous praise online, and at the OOC index in the corner of his vision, which had fallen below 30% and stabilized at 28%, Gu Yunqing knew that he had succeeded.
He turned his head and looked at Jun Xiangbei, who was reviewing documents beside him.
Gu Yunqing leaned closer and rested her head on his shoulder.
Jun Xiangbei paused, put down the documents, and reached out to pull him into his arms.
"Tired?" he asked softly, his voice unique, gentle only towards Gu Yunqing.
"Mmm." Gu Yunqing closed her eyes, inhaling his fresh and pleasant scent, feeling a sense of peace and contentment in her heart.
The scheming remained, and the ambition was undiminished, but the sincerity mixed in seemed to be far greater than he had anticipated.
Inside the instance, they are partners; outside the instance, their identities remain the same.
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