Hidden identities of the AI Heiress-Chapter 997: Kneeling on Durians as Punishment when Returning Home
Jiang Jing admitted that she might never catch up to Qiao Yun in her lifetime, but that didn’t mean she could just swallow this anger.
Especially now, when she’d lost her freedom, her reputation, and her future—all under immense pressure.
She saw this post, and a malicious thought bloomed in her mind.
Wasn’t Qiao Yun’s reputation great?
Well, she was going to utterly ruin it.
Jiang Jing gripped her phone, her eyes growing cold. With the online uproar reaching this level, no matter how much Qiao Yun tried to clarify things, her reputation would still be in shambles.
At this thought, Jiang Jing let out a short laugh.
Xu Qiao had no idea that Jiang Jing was behind the online campaign inciting netizens to cyberbully Qiao Yun. She was too busy fretting. "Jingjing, why hasn’t he let us out yet? Should we just call the cops?"
Jiang Jing shook her head. "Mom, it’s useless. Don’t worry; they can’t keep us locked up forever. I’ve already told them everything I know. Once things are resolved, we’ll be out of here."
She hadn’t done anything illegal—how long could Pei Ya possibly detain her?
Hearing this, Xu Qiao relaxed a little. "That’s true. And besides, we’re technically his benefactors. If not for your connection, how else would he find out that Fu Yun is the one who killed his parents? Let’s wait a few days, and if they still don’t release us, I’ll figure something out."
Jiang Jing absentmindedly nodded.
Xu Qiao sighed, "Who would’ve thought Fu Yun was that kind of person? Sigh, who knows how much this will affect you..."
It was clear Pei Ya wouldn’t let Fu Yun off the hook.
And with Jiang Jing being Fu Yun’s goddaughter—a relationship that had been heavily publicized—she was bound to be implicated.
Xu Qiao deeply regretted everything.
Of all people to accept as a godmother, they had to pick Fu Yun.
Jiang Jing had zero interest in hearing more about Fu Yun. She simply pulled out her phone.
Once unlocked, her notification box flooded with hundreds of messages on her social media.
Jiang Jing skimmed through them briefly and selected one reply to respond to.
[Seriously? Qiao Yun has a boyfriend and still cheats?]
Jiang Jing replied: [Anyone who participated in the Tianqi Research Institute’s evaluation knows that Qiao Yun was one of the examiners. From what I’ve heard, Chairman Pei strongly recommended her.]
[Wow, playing both sides! She really can’t function without a man, huh.]
Reading the reply, a faint smile tugged at Jiang Jing’s lips.
...
"Outrageous! Utter nonsense!!"
Pei Ya gripped his phone so tightly it looked like his eyes were about to pop out of their sockets. Furious, he made a phone call. "Didn’t I tell you to monitor the online discussions? How are there still so many idiots spreading this crap?"
"Mr. Pei, we’ve been keeping an eye on it, but the buzz is overwhelming."
"Don’t give me excuses. Delete what needs deleting." Pei Ya spat this out, then hung up decisively. Turning to Li Hanzhou beside him, he grouched, "You troublemaker, this is all your fault. My adored Professor Qiao is now being accused of relying on men!"
Li Hanzhou raised an eyebrow. "Maybe you should reflect on why you’re so close to her in the first place?"
Hah.
Don’t think he hadn’t seen those comments debating whether he or Pei Ya was Qiao Yun’s real partner.
Pei Ya cursed under his breath. "My relationship with Professor Qiao is as pure as can be! I refuse to believe this whole mess isn’t orchestrated by someone."
Li Hanzhou frowned. "Find out who’s behind it."
"You think I need you to tell me that?" Pei Ya’s expression darkened. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
Things wouldn’t have blown up this much on their own.
Someone was deliberately steering public opinion to smear Professor Qiao’s name.
Don’t think hiding behind a screen would protect them—he’d track them down.
The internet wasn’t some lawless playground.
Pei Ya shot a look at Li Hanzhou. "I just knew that you being with Professor Qiao would attract all sorts of trouble."
In the public’s eyes, Qiao Yun’s standing didn’t match up to Li Hanzhou’s.
The person perceived as weaker was always the one to weather the storm.
Even Li Hanzhou’s face turned grim.
Qiao Yun, who hadn’t spoken all this time, tilted her head toward Pei Ya. "No fighting. The innocent will prevail."
Pei Ya retorted, "Boss, you don’t get it. People don’t care whether you’re innocent or not—they’ll just keep jumping up and down, causing chaos."
Qiao Yun frowned slightly.
Li Hanzhou took her hand, his smile lazy but warm. "They’ve got it all wrong. It’s not you relying on me—it’s me who can’t do without you."
He pulled out his phone, moving his fingers purposefully, and soon set it down again.
"All done."
Pei Ya asked, "What’s done?"
Li Hanzhou replied languidly, "See for yourself."
Pei Ya, puzzled, opened his phone and checked online.
There it was, trending...
#LiHanzhouAdmitsHeMightHaveToKneelOnDurianShells#
Pei Ya: ??? What the hell?
He clicked into it.
The top post was a Weibo update from Li Hanzhou himself.
[Trust me, I need her more than she needs me. If you all keep spouting nonsense, I’ll be kneeling on durian shells when I get home.]
Following this were official statements from the Li family identifying the accounts spreading false rumors and confirming they would be served with legal action.
Though Li Hanzhou had a social media account as a young person, he rarely, if ever, posted on it.
This was his first personal statement—and it was a starkly self-effacing one, blatantly highlighting how Qiao Yun was the dominant partner in their relationship.
Li Hanzhou leaned closer to Qiao Yun’s ear, his voice tinged with laughter. "Little one, will you really make me kneel on durian shells?"
Qiao Yun touched her ear, knowing he was teasing her.
She softly huffed, "Depends on your behavior. If you deserve punishment, you’ll get it."
Li Hanzhou asked, "So how’d I do this time—good or bad?"
Before Qiao Yun could respond, Pei Ya deliberately interrupted, "You caught on quick."
By now, the entire internet knew that the great Li family heir was basically a husband who lived under his wife’s thumb.
For Qiao Yun, Li Hanzhou had practically tossed his pride out the window.
By then, the car arrived at their destination.
Today, Li Hanzhou and Pei Ya were accompanying Qiao Yun to her university orientation.
Qiao Yun had ultimately chosen to enroll at Qing University to experience campus life.
Originally, she was supposed to come with Lu Shiran and their families.
But after subtle manipulations by Li Hanzhou...
The Lu family cheerfully handed Qiao Yun over to Li Hanzhou to take her to orientation.
When Pei Ya found out, he protested indignantly!
He hadn’t been there to send Qiao Yun off to high school.
This time, he insisted on being there for her university sendoff—and became an unwelcome third wheel in the process.
Li Hanzhou opened the car door and tightened his grip on Qiao Yun’s hand. "Let’s get you settled in. I’ll handle the online mess."
Qiao Yun nodded thoughtfully. "Alright."
Then Li Hanzhou turned to Pei Ya, "You stay in the car."
Pei Ya: "??? Why?"
Li Hanzhou smirked, "Because of those rumors linking you and Qiaoqiao romantically."
Pei Ya: "..."
He had no comeback.
But thinking it over, he realized it made sense.
As the alleged "mistress," if he walked with Qiao Yun and her actual partner Li Hanzhou, who knew what scandalous takes the internet would come up with next?
So, he resigned himself, staying behind with a pout as he watched them leave.
Meanwhile, online discussions exploded into yet another frenzy over Li Hanzhou’s public statement.
