Next morning
The internet exploded overnight.
Hashtags trended for hours:
*#LengXuanmoDefendsJingyan*
*#MoTianyiColdAndSavage*
*#GalaQueenLuJingyan*
*#WhiteLotusButMakeItPowerful*
Clips of the confrontation played in every corner of the net—from TikTok fan edits to viral Weibo threads.
# "Leng Xuanmo didn't just show up, he claimed his woman like a scene out of a drama!"#
# "Mo Tianyi? I didn't know cold-blooded could be this satisfying."#
# "Jingyan played the white lotus so perfectly, I clapped. That little 'I've already forgiven them' line? ICONIC."#
#"She didn't have to lift a finger. That's what you call QUEEN ENERGY."#
# "Plot twist: Leng Xuanmo and Mo Tianyi are the male leads in the ultimate redemption arc."$
Under Jingyan's official page, comments flooded in:
#@StarlightPearl*: "She really turned public opinion around without saying a mean word. I stan forever."#
#@HeirWatcher88*: "If my man doesn't show up mid-gala to publicly defend me, I don't want him."#
#@TeaOnTheGo*: "Those two witches got silenced *real quick*. Mo Tianyi's smirk should be studied."#
#@SilverQueenJingyan*: "The silver dress, the calm face, and the line: 'I really don't want to cause any trouble.' *Oscar-worthy*."#
Even *fan art* began popping up—illustrations of Lu Jingyan in silver with two dark-suited figures flanking her, one sharp-eyed and brooding, the other smirking like a silent threat.
***
Hua Shu's Private Office – Later That Day
Hua Shu scrolled through the trending posts, legs crossed, sipping tea with a satisfied hum. Mei Xiaotong sat across from her, grinning like a cat with cream.
Mo Tianyi walked in just then, jacket slung over his shoulder.
"You're famous now," Hua Shu said, not even looking up. "Congratulations, Mr. Ice Prince."
Mo Tianyi sighed. "It was nothing."
Mei Xiaotong snorted. "Please. That smirk alone was enough to make the internet combust."
A moment later, Leng Xuanmo appeared at the door. Calm, collected, as always.
"Ah, and the knight in black himself," Hua Shu teased. "What a performance."
"I didn't do it for performance," he said simply. "I did it for her."
Hua Shu raised a brow, a genuine smile playing on her lips. "Then allow me, as her boss—and her big sister in spirit—to say thank you."
She stood, walking toward the two men with her hands behind her back.
"You both made a statement last night—not just for Jingyan, but for all the silent eyes watching. You showed the industry she's not alone. That her name, her worth, and her legacy won't be dragged without consequence."
Mo Tianyi chuckled. "You're giving a speech now?"
"I'm serious," Hua Shu said. "The industry needed to see that. The public needed to see that. You reminded them that Lu Jingyan isn't some tragic tale—she's the phoenix."
She turned to Leng Xuanmo. "And you—well, it's about time you acted like you deserve her."
Leng Xuanmo lowered his gaze slightly. "I'll prove it. Every day, from now on."
Hua Shu patted his shoulder. "Good. Because the world is watching now. And this time, you don't get to mess it up."