Chapter 22: To Let Go or Not to Let Go

Upon hearing the word "camera," a flicker of panic instantly flashed in Gu Wenran’s eyes.

She had heard from the servants that Tang Xi was very particular about her privacy, so no cameras had been installed in the house.

She never expected Tang Xi to suddenly place a camera in the studio.

If she really accessed the footage from last night...

Gu Wenran hurriedly ran up to Gu Yu and shook his arm vigorously, her voice trembling with anxiety, “Brother, we can’t let her check the footage, or Xiaofeng’s life will be ruined forever.”

Gu Yu looked at Gu Wenran in shock. At this moment, what could he still fail to understand?

Under Gu Wenran’s direction, Xiaofeng immediately stepped forward and clung to Gu Yu’s leg, his red-rimmed eyes looking up at him pitifully.

The scales in Gu Yu’s heart began to sway—on one side was the wife he deeply loved, on the other, his son...

Tang Xi was holding her phone, ready to retrieve the surveillance footage, when suddenly a figure lunged from behind and collided heavily with her.

As her body pitched forward, the figure snatched the phone from her hand, then forcefully smashed it to the ground and stomped on it twice.

A wave of uproar swept through the room.

Tang Xi was already unwell; this collision made her feel even worse, nearly causing her to fall off the stage.

“Xixi.” Gu Yu anxiously tried to rush forward, but Tang Jili and Tang Qiushuang reached her first and steadied her.

Seeing her father and aunt, Tang Xi’s eyes reddened, and a tide of grievance welled up in her heart.

“What are you doing?” Tang Jili looked at Xiaofeng, who was still furiously stomping on the phone. “Is your family so ashamed that they’d send a child to do the dirty work?”

The phone was shattered to pieces, and Xiaofeng was proudly admiring his handiwork.

“You’re so rude,” Tang Jili scolded angrily.

“Is your daughter any better brought up? A well-mannered person wouldn’t send such a filthy gift to their father-in-law, bringing disgrace to the entire Gu family,” He Guilan snapped, rushing over to defend her nephew after hearing Tang Jili’s insult.

“Are you blind or deaf? Can’t you see Xi Xi has been framed?” Tang Qiushuang, who had never liked He Guilan, sneered. She despised He Guilan’s reliance on physicality for status, lacking any true noble grace.

As the situation spiraled further out of control, Gu Yu instructed that the guests be asked to move to the living room.

Only members of the Gu and Tang families remained.

“Wife,” Gu Yu approached with concern, “are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”

Tang Xi lifted her head to look at him. The man’s face was full of worry, but all she felt was his complete distrust.

“Wife, let’s just drop this matter,” Gu Yu said.

“Drop it?” Tang Xi thought she had misheard. Her already weak body felt even worse. “You know the surveillance can prove my innocence, yet you allow him to snatch my phone, afraid that I’ll expose what they mother and son have done, don’t you?”

Gu Yu took a deep breath. “Wife, Xiaofeng is still young. Some things, if they get out, will affect him for life.”

“So his reputation is important, but mine can be sacrificed?” Tang Xi was utterly disappointed. She had never imagined the man she loved would say such things at this moment.

Each word was like a dull blade cutting her heart—not drawing much blood, but the persistent pain made her dizzy.

“I’ll make it up to you, alright? Today is Dad’s birthday banquet; let’s not make things too difficult for everyone.”

Tang Xi sneered coldly. “Gu Yu, I’m giving you a chance now. Log into my account—on the app, you can still access the footage. Show it to all the guests so they know who’s been pulling the strings behind the scenes.”

“Wife, why make such a big scene?” Gu Yu frowned.

“A scene? So in your eyes, I’m still making a scene,” Tang Xi laughed bitterly, tears streaming down her face. “I’m only asking you—will you show it or not?”