Chapter 14: Intimate Photos as the Headline

Fang Zhengdong stepped forward and announced, "This press conference is concluded. You may leave."

One reporter boldly asked, "President Gu, could you and your wife pose for an intimate photograph?"

This was an unusual request. Mr. Gu, known for his aloofness, was unlikely to comply. Unexpectedly, he calmly replied, "Alright. As you wish."

He turned, gently cupped Xia Yangyang's surprised face, and kissed her.

A collective gasp filled the room. Even Secretary Fang was startled. President Gu, usually cool and distant, hated close contact. Yet, he'd kissed his wife in public. The reporters had only requested a mildly intimate pose, perhaps with arms around each other's shoulders. President Gu's actions seemed to take advantage of her, but as she was his wife, it was a moot point.

Stunned, the reporters quickly photographed the scene. Xia Yangyang remained in shock, hearing only the camera shutters and seeing only Gu Qi Chen's face.

After a moment, Gu Qi Chen released her, affectionately stroking her hair. "Silly girl," he murmured.

Those at the entrance were speechless. Shen Manbing's fans, who had come to denounce Xia Yangyang as a mistress, were silenced when she was revealed to be the legitimate wife. The secretary department staff were bewildered. Xia Yangyang, the President's wife? Impossible! They recalled her recent internship, during which she was frequently scolded by the president. She would emerge with tear-filled eyes and trembling legs. Now, it all made horrifyingly clear sense.

The scandal was almost too shocking to contemplate. No one had imagined President Gu to be thisimpulsive.

Lin Yuanyuan's eyes reddened with anger. She and Xia Yangyang had interned together, but Gu Qi Chen had never shown her any attention. She had secretly envied Xia Yangyang's scoldings, mistakenly believing them to be a sign of favor. Now, the truth was devastating. "Xia Yangyang, you're shameless!" she cried, storming out in tears.

The reporters quickly left. Fang Zhengdong approached the still-gawking secretaries. "Have you finished your work?" he asked coldly. His authority, second only to the president's, instilled immediate obedience. They dispersed, and he closed the conference room door.

Silence fell. Xia Yangyang remained dazed, but Gu Qi Chen's expression turned cold. "Xia Yangyang, are you stupid?" he asked. Snapping back to reality, Xia Yangyang asked, "Gu Qi Chen, why did you reveal it publicly?"