Several viral videos have surfaced online, showing a handsome young man kissing a rat.
He personally bathed, fed, and changed the dressing for the rat. Every day, he would babble a stream of words to the rat and even let it sleep on his bed.
What was even more shocking was that this man was the current CEO of the Gu Corporation.
"What the heck, a rat fetish? His girlfriend previously went mad and slandered others. It looks like he's truly moved on, but to a rat, hahaha."
"Your thoughts are truly disgusting. He's just raising a pet. I often kiss my cat too."
"It's not like that. Look at his eyes, they're not right. And I can understand kissing a cat, but what kind of perversion is kissing a big rat? Hamsters are cute, but rats... um..."
"Everyone has different preferences. Respect other people's hobbies."
"Having studied lip-reading, I understand too much..."
"The person upstairs, please elaborate..."
"In the video, CEO Gu said 'I love you' to the rat... um..."
"So many ellipses, are you afraid of receiving a lawyer's letter?"
"I've also learned a bit, and I can confirm that the person above isn't lying."
"My worldview has completely collapsed. Love across species?"
"Little friend, do you have many questions?"
"That rat is truly terrifying, all dark and patchy, and upon closer inspection, it seems to have no ears or eyes."
"Oh my god, it really doesn't! I've checked several times. Could CEO Gu have a rat abuse fetish? He doesn't look like a normal person."
Gu's mother, while browsing the internet, immediately discovered the video. With a startled cry, she rushed to call her husband over.
"What is it? Why are you shouting?"
"Quickly look at your son... your son."
"What happened to our son?"
Seeing his wife struggling to breathe, Gu's father rushed over to support her and helped her catch her breath.
Upon seeing the video, his jaw nearly dropped.
"Old woman, this might actually be true. The day I visited, that rat was on his bed. Heaven forbid, how could it have been beaten like this?"
Gu's mother rolled her eyes and almost fainted. Gu's father quickly pinched her philtrum.
"Hey, don't scare me like that!"
After regaining her composure, Gu's mother punched Gu's father in the chest.
"Is this the time to worry about that rat? The company's reputation is ruined! Get the car ready quickly. I'm going to see that ungrateful boy."
"Don't be so aggressive. It's just playing with a rat. Don't listen to those people online. Don't you know your son? He likes women and has a girlfriend. Don't worry about these useless things, he'll resolve his own issues."
"Resolve what? Neither father nor son is ever worry-free."
Gu's mother huffed and stormed out, with Gu's father chasing after her, holding his coat.
"Hey, don't walk so fast. It's cool in the evening, wear an extra layer of clothing. You might catch a cold."
Gu's father was rather dim-witted. Gu's grandfather, seeing his incompetence, had specifically chosen a shrewd and capable wife for him.
The corporation prospered under his daughter-in-law's guidance, and their eldest grandson was intelligent and wise, allowing Gu's grandfather to pass away peacefully.
In Gu Junyi's study.
"Explain this to me clearly. What exactly is going on?"
"I don't know why those videos were filmed. I will clarify the situation publicly and it won't affect the company's reputation."
"You say that lightly. Netizens nowadays only believe what they see and understand. No matter how you explain it, it's useless."
Gu's father: "Your mother is asking you. Do you have any relationship with that rat? Explain it to her clearly, so she can offer a reasonable solution."
Gu's mother was angered again, and she let out a muffled roar, "Get out!"
"See, you've angered your mother. She told you to get out, so hurry up and leave, don't be an eyesore here."
"She's talking about you."
Gu's father pointed at himself with his finger and then, looking wronged, walked out of the study.
Gu Junyi looked at his mother's sharp eyes and dared not say a word.
"I know your temper. You wouldn't raise it out of pity for a small animal. You're also not a person who talks excessively. Regardless of why you've suddenly changed, you need to follow my instructions from now on."
Gu Junyi shot up from his seat, "Mom, I won't allow you to hurt her."
Gu's mother looked up, her eyes filled with a strange look as she gazed at him.
"I'm not trying to hurt anyone, but no one can harm the company that I've painstakingly built, and you are no exception."
"The company belongs to Gu, not Xu. I decide what happens now."
"Fine, very fine indeed. You've grown up, become capable, haven't you?"
"I just want to do what I want to do. As long as you don't touch the person I care about, you'll still be my mother."
"I think you're suffering from paranoia. I haven't even thought of doing anything to that rat, and you're acting like this towards your mother, who gave birth to you, all for a stupid rat?"
Gu's mother was clearly enraged. She would never have uttered such vulgar words before.
Gu Junyi's emotions were also unstable. He even yelled directly at Gu's mother, "She's not a rat. She's my beloved."
Gu's father, who had been eavesdropping outside the door, kicked it open and rushed in. He shielded Gu's mother and, standing on his tiptoes, looked down at Gu Junyi.
"You little brat, how dare you shout at your mother?"
Gu Junyi felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, and he slumped back onto the sofa.
"I'm sorry! I don't know why I acted like that just now. I've been unable to control my temper lately."
"Did your mother upset you? You're not even calling her 'Mom' anymore. Who are you apologizing to? Let me tell you, you have to get past me to bully your mother. Wife, continue with your strategy."
He turned to Gu's mother and smiled foolishly. Gu's mother's anger subsided by more than half.
"You must publicly clarify your relationship with your so-called beloved. She can only be your pet. Also, get engaged to Manjia immediately and let everyone know you are normal."
"I can't do that. I will never marry a woman like that."
"Gu Junyi, I never expected you to turn into this pathetic state. You've been dating Manjia for so many years, how can you have no sense of responsibility? I thought you were joking with me before, but it seems you've truly fallen for a rat. Although it's hard to believe, you're on your own now. I'm washing my hands of this."
Saying that, she started to walk out. Gu's father turned to Gu Junyi and said fiercely, "Look at how you've angered your mother. From now on, even if you like an ant, it's none of our business."
After Gu Junyi issued his clarification, the online discussions continued unabated. Some even dug up that Zhao Jinsi was a male rat.
Gu's mother chose to ignore it, and Gu Junyi once again became a viral sensation. Many people created memes using Gu Junyi and Zhao Jinsi, with various captions and pictures.
"Hey, where did Zhao Manjia go? She slandered our sister before, and the court summons were issued. She wasn't present at yesterday's hearing."
"She's such a sensitive person. Without understanding the truth, she insisted on pinning it on Mumu. Now that there's video evidence, why isn't she showing up?"
"Could it be the power of capital..."
"Don't overthink it. What you're implying is illegal. Besides, they weren't married, so they could just break up. There's no need for that."
"What if Zhao Manjia insists on pursuing Gu Junyi? A man who loves a rat must have some mental issues, right?"
"Zhao Manjia has no relatives, and no one has reported her missing. Is she really missing, or is she just hiding at home feeling heartbroken?"
"You're right. After the court couldn't contact her, they should be looking for her."
"What the person upstairs said makes sense. Everyone, please don't speculate wildly."