Just as the judge was about to announce the final verdict in the Li Family’s husband murder case.

Outside the courtroom, a group of reporters waited anxiously for news of the ruling.

Wu Qianman and Xi Langyue, having rushed over to film the finale of "Long Immortal Road," arrived late and were stopped by staff at the side door of the courtroom, unable to get inside.

She, a bit anxious, texted Zuzi in the courtroom: "Zuzi, how are things inside? We promised Aunt Gu we’d be there to support Granny Yang, but Brother Lang Yue and I can’t get in no matter how much we plead. What should we do..."

Before she could send the message, sharp-eyed reporters at the main entrance had already sensed an Eight Diagram-worthy gossip, spotting her and immediately turned their attention towards her—

"Nuwa?"

"Ah, it’s Wu Qianman, isn’t it! What brings you to court?"

"Is it true, as the rumors say, that you once stabbed a classmate to death with a compass when you were at Qingcheng High School?"

"Are you turning yourself in? As a female celebrity, what do you feel about the crimes you’ve committed?"

"Do you think you’re still fit to play Nuwa? Hey, don’t walk away or avoid us, please give us a direct answer!"

The reporters, like tigers who smelled blood, wouldn’t relent in their pursuit.

Seeing the situation going awry, Xi Langyue took off his hat to cover her face, pulled off his jacket to shield Wu Qianman, and tried to squeeze her out, whispering, "Let’s go quickly, we can’t afford to care about the case right now, I’ll explain to my mom later."

"But we promised Auntie to be there, we can’t break our word..." Wu Qianman still hesitated somewhat.

But the reporters had already quickly found their next big target and pointed the microphones at Xi Langyue:

"Are you aware that your partner is a murderer?"

"Someone tipped that you fancy both men and women, how do you explain this?"

"Are you jealous of Mr. Wu for playing Chang Er, causing fans of Mr. Wu to unanimously boycott you?"

"Are you accompanying Wu Qianman to turn herself in just to stir up a scandal intentionally?"

These reporters’ questions were really cunning and nasty.

Any word from Xi Langyue would plunge him into endless repercussions.

If he said "yes," it would validate all the negative gossip.

But if he said "no," the reporters would still manage to spin an interview headline like:

"Pity, Xi Langyue still unaware he’s partnered with a murderer!"

"Shocking, Xi Langyue adamantly denies being jealous of Mr. Wu."

"Tragic, pathetic: Xi Langyue not genuinely accompanying Wu Qianman to surrender but using it as a publicity stunt!"

Familiar with these reporters’ tactics, Xi Langyue bit his lip and said nothing, glaring angrily, but apart from shielding Wu Qianman under his coat as best as he could, he was at a loss.

Scandals are like flesh tossed into a pack of beasts; the biting won’t stop until it’s devoured completely clean.

==

Inside the courtroom.

The situation was overwhelmingly one-sided, favoring Shuo Wanwan’s side.

On Granny Yang’s side, it was an absolute defeat.

Xi Rubao clasped her hands together, anxiously and nervously mumbling, "Please judge, please reconsider, will you... sob... Why aren’t Qianman and Second Brother here yet? Sis, if there were two more people praying, would word spirit hear our plea and grant us a miracle sob..."

Upon hearing this, Zuzi glanced down at her watch.

Her red lips lifted slightly: "They won’t come. They won’t come."

"Huh? Sis, did you get a message from them? Is it a traffic jam? Huh, there’s clearly no message..." Xi Rubao saw the empty screen, feeling full of loss.

Then she heard Zuzi slowly curling her lips, calmly saying, "Though they don’t come, someone more important will arrive, oh."

As soon as she finished speaking, there was a "bang" as the courtroom doors flew open, and a male voice came in—