The onlookers were all stunned by this juicy revelation. After all, Meng Zhiyuan commanded considerable respect in the Meng family, and Shen Yun's uneasy expression made it seem as though something really was going on.
"An uncle and his nephew? Shen Yun really gets around."
The man who had clashed with Meng Zimu earlier was delighted by this turn of events. Nothing would satisfy him more than seeing Meng Zimu thoroughly cuckolded.
Seeing that everyone around them was starting to believe it, Shen Yun grew anxious and put on another aggrieved expression.
"Jiang Ze, I know you like Zimu, and you're jealous because I'm the only one in his heart, but you can't slander me like this! Who saw what you're claiming? Who can testify to it? Zimu is the only one I love. Uncle Zhiyuan is an elder I respect. How could I ever think of him that way?"
Shen Yun knew he hadn't shown his face at all last night. With no witnesses to prove anything, he felt much calmer and stared straight at Jiang Ze.
"But you, Jiang Ze-you told everyone at Zimu's birthday party that Uncle Zhiyuan was the one you'd always liked, and you only saw Zimu as his substitute!"
Everyone inwardly exclaimed at his words. This gossip was far too juicy. For the moment, they forgot all about Shen Yun and turned their attention to Jiang Ze.
Jiang Ze smiled. His radiant smile, paired with that stunning face, left them momentarily dazed.
"What? Is liking Meng Zhiyuan a crime? I don't have a boyfriend or a girlfriend. Am I not allowed to pursue someone? I like Meng Zhiyuan. So what?"
Jiang Ze curled his lip. Catching sight of Old Master Meng and Meng Zhixing nearby out of the corner of his eye, he changed tack.
"Also, Ziqing isn't mute. His vocal cords were damaged because he went so long without speaking. He'll definitely recover with treatment. Meng Ziyao, Meng Zixing, you're both old enough to know better, yet you're bullying a little kid. Have you no shame?"
Jiang Ze had no idea how much Old Master Meng and Meng Zhixing had heard, but they caught that last sentence very clearly.
Meng Zhixing's face filled with fury. Seeing Meng Ziqing huddled pitifully behind Jiang Ze only made him angrier and more heartbroken.
"Who dares bully my son? You must be itching for a punishment with all that free time on your hands! Meng Ziyao, Meng Zixing, I think you've forgotten your own surname. I'm going to speak to my eldest brother. Clearly, nothing less than grounding you for a month will do!"
Under Meng Zhixing's scolding, the younger generation all lowered their heads like frightened quails. Old Master Meng added a few timely reprimands before letting them disperse.
"Ziqing really can make sounds?"
Jiang Ze nodded and stroked Ziqing's head beside him.
"It should just be damage to his vocal cords. Have a specialist examine him, and you'll know!"
Meng Zhixing nodded too. The joy of finding his son had gone to his head so completely that he had forgotten something this important.
After saying a few more words, he hurried off with his son to get him examined, leaving Jiang Ze and Old Master Meng staring at each other.
Jiang Ze was about to say goodbye and leave, but the old man stopped him.
"My young friend, you've done our family such a great favor, and we haven't even had a chance to thank you. If there's anything you need, just ask. As long as it's within our power and doesn't harm anyone or violate our conscience, we'll grant it!"
Jiang Ze knew how much weight the Meng family patriarch's words carried. This old man could make all of B City tremble with a stamp of his foot. His influence was not to be underestimated.
Jiang Ze thought for a moment before speaking.
"You don't need to be so polite. Uncle Zhiyuan has helped me a lot. This was just a coincidence. There's really no need to reward me."
Then he looked a little embarrassed.
"Besides, something happened with my family, and Uncle Zhiyuan has been kind enough to let me stay at his place. I can't thank him enough as it is!"
Hearing that Jiang Ze was staying at Meng Zhiyuan's home, Meng Qingshan was a little taken aback. It only confirmed his suspicions.
"Since you're staying with my second son, make yourself comfortable. Stay as long as you like, and tell him if you need anything."
Why does it suddenly feel like something secret has become official?
As soon as Meng Zhiyuan entered, he saw the two of them talking. Hearing Jiang Ze's thoughts, he curled his lips.
"Father, what are you talking about?"
Seeing that he had finished his business, Meng Qingshan looked between the two of them, seemingly resigned.
"Since Jiang Ze is staying with you, make sure he's comfortable. He is our family's benefactor, after all. Do your best to meet his needs, and rein in that cold, rigid temper of yours."
Meng Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow, unsure what his father had misunderstood. Seeing Jiang Ze's bewildered expression, he couldn't be bothered to explain and simply agreed.
They said goodbye to the old man. Meng Zhiyuan drove Jiang Ze back to the villa, then left again.
Just after returning to the villa, Jiang Ze received a phone call. Surprisingly, it was about the variety show Meng Zhiyuan had mentioned before.
The caller was a member of the show's staff. Since they would be filming on Barren Mountain, they wanted the guests to arrive early to familiarize themselves with the surroundings.
Jiang Ze agreed. Thinking it over, he recalled that this variety show was also an important turning point in the plot, laying much of the groundwork for Shen Yun's later rise.
Even without Meng Zhiyuan's invitation, he would have found a way to take part.
They had only given him two days to prepare, which was rather rushed.
He had heard Mu Shaoxuan say it was a hiking show. Judging by the filming location, mountain climbing would probably be unavoidable.
Jiang Ze first bought several sets of hiking clothes and a few pairs of comfortable athletic shoes, then picked up some basic Wild Mountain Survival gear.
After all, Shen Yun was currently this world's chosen one. Something unexpected was bound to happen during the show.
"System, are you still there?"
Apart from handing out points, the system had barely appeared over the past few days. Jiang Ze had almost forgotten about this special advantage of his.
"Ding! I'm here, host~"
"Since you have an exchange function, do you have some kind of storage space like in novels?"
Most of his supplies would probably be confiscated once he reached the production crew. He had no intention of going into battle unprepared.
"Yes, host. The Exchange Interface has storage slots. You can exchange the required points for storage space. Each slot costs 10,000 points~"
Jiang Ze thought 10,000 points sounded fairly inexpensive, but his delight was premature. The system immediately continued.
"Each slot only holds one cubic meter, though~"
He should have known there wouldn't be such a good deal. Resigned, Jiang Ze still had no choice but to spend 100,000 points on ten storage slots.
Roughly ten square meters of storage space was barely enough for his needs.
"Can this space hold living things?"
"No, host. Storage slots that can hold living things are more expensive and smaller~"
Great. That was just this system's style.
"But time flows differently in this space than it does outside, host~"
At first, Jiang Ze didn't understand what it meant.
After putting away everything he had bought, he still had almost half the space left.
He bought some food as well, and only then did he understand what the system meant.
The food he had bought that morning and placed in storage was still perfectly fresh that evening. Time flowed more slowly inside the space than outside, slowing the rate at which food spoiled.
When Meng Zhiyuan returned, Jiang Ze briefly mentioned that the production crew wanted them to arrive early to prepare.
He had assumed the man wouldn't concern himself with such things. To his surprise, the next day, he found that Meng Zhiyuan had arranged for someone to prepare some essential daily supplies for him.
Although he already had everything ready and had only packed a small suitcase as a cover, he was still deeply touched.
He might look cold and unapproachable, but he really knows how to take care of people.
On the day of departure, Meng Zhiyuan specifically stayed away from the office and drove Jiang Ze to the airport himself.
"I'll be going to C City on business in a couple of days too. Call me directly if anything comes up."
Jiang Ze obediently nodded. He hadn't expected the future unhinged villain to have such a fussy side, but it made him feel rather happy.
Don't worry. The supplies in my storage space could keep me alive deep in the mountains for two months. Even if I got lost out there, I'd be fine.
Hearing his thoughts eased some of Meng Zhiyuan's unease. He knew the young man had abilities of his own.
For some reason, as he watched Jiang Ze board the plane, he felt reluctant to part with him.
Without the young man's endlessly noisy thoughts, he actually felt a little out of sorts.
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