Chapter 19: For Example… a Public Display of Affection

Though Chai Xiyang did feel a bit sorry for Lin Xinyue, the fact that she wasn't fired was already a decent outcome. Since things hadn't ended too badly for her, he chose not to dwell on it further.

After all, he was here for another reason—to discuss countermeasures with Ethan Yu.

And truthfully, he had already thought of a solution.

Chai Xiyang curled his lips into a smile, his charming peach-blossom eyes glinting with mischief. "I think the best way to handle this situation… is for you and your wife to clear up the misunderstanding together."

He paused, then added with a teasing lilt, "You know—maybe put on a little show of affection?"

That morning, Hailey Tang awoke to find out that news of her pending divorce with Ethan Yu had somehow been leaked to the public.

She was stunned. Who could have leaked it?

It definitely wasn't Ethan. He'd never wanted the divorce in the first place—there was no way he'd be the one to let it slip.

Could it have been Lin Xinyue?

After all, she had been present when Hailey handed the divorce papers to Ethan yesterday. Maybe she'd caught a glimpse of the documents? But Hailey had no proof. It was just a suspicion.

Still, now that everyone knew about her intention to divorce, leaving him wouldn't be so easy anymore.

Sure enough, her phone rang not long after—Grandpa was calling.

"Xiaotang, what's this I hear about you and A-Yu getting a divorce?" Grandpa Hai's voice was stern, clearly displeased.

Hailey didn't dare tell him the truth. "Grandpa, I have no idea either. I just found out this morning."

She was ready for a scolding and some drawn-out questioning. But to her surprise, Grandpa Hai's tone suddenly shifted.

"This has to be some kind of rumor. Someone must be spreading lies to damage A-Yu's company," he declared confidently.

Hailey blinked. "Right… yes, it's probably just a rumor."

"Haha! They clearly don't know my granddaughter. There's no way you'd ever divorce A-Yu. The moment I saw the news, I knew it couldn't be true!"

Hailey: "…"

But the news was true.

"Those idiots didn't even bother to do their homework," Grandpa Hai continued proudly. "Anyone who knows you two wouldn't believe for a second that you'd actually leave him."

"Yeah… exactly," Hailey mumbled awkwardly.

He went on for a while, then tried to reassure her. "Don't worry about A-Yu's company. That kid's sharp. He'll take care of it just fine."

As if she was worried about him…

"I know, Grandpa."

"But even if he can handle it, you should help him out where you can. And don't cause him any trouble, alright?"

"Mm, got it."

"I said help him, not cause more headaches."

"Yes, yes, I heard you."

"Alright then, I'm hanging up."

"Okay."

Right after she hung up, more calls came in. Friends, acquaintances, even distant relatives—all asking the same question: Is it true you're getting divorced from Ethan Yu?

To each one, Hailey responded with the same question in return: "Do you really believe that?"

And every single time, they answered no. Not one person believed it.

Hailey couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry. If no one believed it, why did they even bother calling?

She was starting to suspect that even if she went out right now and publicly announced the divorce, people would still think she was joking.

That's how obsessed she'd been with Ethan in the past—so much so that no one could fathom her being the one to leave him.

The day their divorce actually went through, the whole world would probably be in shock.

The leak didn't bother her much. She wasn't worried about Ethan's company, not really. A little gossip like this wasn't enough to bring him down. And besides, with no one actually believing it, what was there to be concerned about?

Since Ethan hadn't called her to yell about the situation, she didn't bother contacting him either.

She assumed he'd take care of it on his own.