Hot Search Alert! The Princess Goes Viral Worldwide-Chapter 111
The Zhao family quickly understood the meaning behind Gu Nanyan's words—"The weather turns cold, and the Zhaos fall."
First, the suppliers for the Zhao family's supermarkets stopped delivering goods. Then, the manager of their bathhouse business took all the employees and jumped ship. A property across from their restaurant was purchased and renovated, preparing to open a competing establishment of the same caliber.
Overnight, every business under the Zhao family faced crises, leaving Zhao's father utterly overwhelmed.
He began begging for help, swallowing his pride to plead with people he once looked down on—but no one paid him any attention.
The once-wealthiest man in the county seemed to have all his vigor drained in an instant.
Before, he could swagger through the county, with everyone addressing him respectfully as "Boss Zhao."
He had grown arrogant, believing himself second only to the heavens.
Even the local government relied on his tax contributions and treated him with deference.
But now, he had become a public enemy, scorned by all.
Zhao's father refused to accept this. He wanted to strike back.
Gu Nanyan was in the entertainment industry, right? Celebrities feared scandals the most. He would dig up dirt on her, expose her for monopolizing the market—ruin her reputation and drive her out of the industry!
Not well-versed in such matters, Zhao's father turned to an old classmate he trusted.
This classmate had some connections in the entertainment world and understood its inner workings.
Zhao's father went straight to him, declaring his intent to destroy Gu Nanyan's reputation and force her out of showbiz.
Pfft—
His old friend, mid-sip, spat out his drink in shock.
Coughing violently, he reached out to feel Zhao's father’s forehead. "Are you delirious from a fever? Why are you spouting nonsense?"
Zhao's father brushed his hand away. "I'm dead serious."
He then recounted everything—how his businesses were being squeezed out, how he was being cornered.
As the story unfolded, his friend’s expression grew increasingly grave, his face hardening completely.
Seeing his reaction, Zhao's father grew nervous. He clasped his friend’s hands, pleading, "You’re the only one who can help me. Please, I’ve spent half my life building this fortune—it’s my lifeblood!"
Tears welled in his eyes.
His friend pulled his hands away and said flatly, "You have no idea about the influence of the 'Smoke Empress.'"
Zhao's father’s face darkened. "No matter how powerful she is, she has to be reasonable!"
His friend scoffed, thinking to himself: This old fool talks about reason—yet he bullied an underage girl without a shred of it. Now he demands fairness from her?
But he kept those words to himself. At this point, berating Zhao's father would only make things worse.
Though reluctant to get involved, decades of friendship softened his resolve.
He asked, "How exactly do you plan to take her down? Smear her online? Have you considered that she could just as easily expose your dirty laundry?
Do you really want to humiliate yourself in front of the entire nation? Gu Nanyan has money, connections—everything you don’t. You can’t compete."
Zhao's father bristled. "She’s bullying me! She’s engaging in malicious competition—opening a restaurant right across from mine! Can’t I just expose that?"
His friend sighed. "Are you sure? Do you really think the public would condemn her for it? Or would they flock to her restaurant out of curiosity?
If you don’t mention it’s hers, some might still eat at your place. But the moment you reveal it’s the Smoke Empress’s business? Everyone will abandon you.
Hell, I’d want to go!"
Zhao's father stammered, "Then what about her stealing my suppliers?"
"That’s fair competition."
"And poaching my employees?"
"You can’t stop them from switching jobs."
After a long silence, his friend delivered the final verdict: "Old Zhao, you should be grateful Gu Nanyan has principles. She could’ve crushed you in countless underhanded ways, but she chose the fairest method.
My advice? Sell your businesses, take your son to apologize, then retire to the countryside."
It was the best outcome possible.
The friend genuinely cared for Zhao's father—after their talk, he even admired Gu Nanyan’s integrity.
If he had her power, he’d have hired thugs to cripple the Zhao family or arranged an "accident" to wipe them out.
They wouldn’t even have a chance to sue.
But Zhao's father refused to listen.
He couldn’t accept losing everything he’d worked for—nor could he bear the shame of going from "Boss Zhao" to "Old Zhao the country bumpkin."
In desperation, Zhao's father and mother sought out Liu Dong.
Liu Dong, unaware of the chaos in the county, was at home cursing Huo Sanchun.
That shameless wretch, acting all high and mighty, ordering people around!
If not for Huo Junya’s sake, Liu Dong wouldn’t have given her the time of day!
At the thought of Huo Junya, Liu Dong’s sharp features twisted into a smug grin.
Heh. Thank goodness for my quick thinking back then—swapping those two babies.
No matter how capable Huo Sanchun was or how much money she earned, it was all in vain—eventually, everything would belong to her.
Back then, the two of them had given birth around the same time, yet their treatment couldn’t have been more different.
Liu Dong was despised by her in-laws for having a daughter. During her postpartum month, they didn’t even bother stewing a chicken for her—just forced her to drink millet porridge until she nearly vomited.
The moment her confinement ended, they pushed her back into labor.
Meanwhile, Huo Sanchun went through several nannies during her own postpartum period, finding fault with each one, distrustful of everyone, and making endless demands.
In the end, her mother—Liu Dong’s aunt—came to Liu Dong, begging her to help take care of the baby in exchange for monthly pay.
At the time, Liu Dong was seething with resentment.
They were cousins who had grown up together—what made Huo Sanchun so much better than her?
And now she was expected to serve her?
Not a chance!
When Liu Dong refused, her in-laws pressured her, calling her a fool for turning down easy money, and eventually forced her to go.
With no choice left, Liu Dong packed her things and went to tend to Huo Sanchun.
Back then, though unwilling, she hadn’t thought much of it—how hard could taking care of a baby be? Just keep it fed and happy, right?
But Huo Sanchun treated her like dirt!
The rules were endless: formula couldn’t be mixed with boiling water, only warm water; the baby’s clothes had to be washed separately, preferably by hand; diapers had to be changed constantly, and the child had to be kept spotless—it was maddening.
The demands were bad enough, but Huo Sanchun wouldn’t even let her eat properly or wear decent clothes.
Liu Dong couldn’t understand—they were family, and she was the one doing the work! What was the harm in borrowing a few outfits or using some of Huo Sanchun’s lipstick?
Such pettiness.
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Then came the worst insult: Huo Sanchun accused her of stealing!
How was it stealing? She’d only worn Huo Sanchun’s gold necklace to show off back home—it wasn’t like she’d sold it! Just borrowed it for a bit.
The resentment festered until, while Huo Sanchun was away on a business trip, Liu Dong snatched the baby and took it back to her hometown—swapping the two children.
