MTLNOVEL Chapter 64:
Chapter 64:
Zhao Media’s ban on Xu Hongjiao not only blocked her works but also maliciously slandered her. Since Xu Hongjiao had always maintained a clean reputation and never had contact with anyone of the opposite sex, Zhao Media had limited options for defaming her.
But still, they spread rumors that Xu Hongjiao’s lack of popularity in college was due to poor academic performance and cheating. They also claimed that her success in the entertainment industry was solely because of her father, Xu Hao.
Furthermore, they accused her of being arrogant, claiming she looked down on others and discriminated against people. They even suggested that her appearance was the result of plastic surgery.
Interestingly, Zhao Media didn’t criticize Xu Hongjiao’s piano skills. Her more than 10 million fans had followed her because of her piano talent. However, because her fame was relatively recent, she didn’t have many die-hard supporters. So when Zhao Media began to smear and ban her, few people came to her defense. But when Zhao Media tried to discredit her piano skills, others took notice. It must be said that Zhao Media was quite skilled at this, having done it many times before.
When Xu Hongjiao saw these slanderous reports, she couldn’t help but laugh angrily.
Although she was furious, she also felt deeply moved. When Zhao Media attacked her, Xu Hao immediately stood up to support her, even buying numerous trending searches on social media.
[Zhao Media’s CEO fails to woo Xu Hongjiao and threatens to blacklist her…]
[Photos of Xu Hongjiao from childhood to adulthood debunk online rumors…]
Of course, Xu Hao didn’t have any of his daughter’s childhood photos—he had gotten them all from Su Wanqiu. The photos showed that she had always been beautiful.
[I, as the chairman of Xu Group, guarantee that Xu Hongjiao has earned her place in the entertainment industry through her own hard work.]
There was nothing wrong with this statement. He didn’t claim that her current success had anything to do with him. As for Xu Hongjiao’s rise to fame, it truly had nothing to do with him. The two conflicting narratives only heightened the tension.
Xu Hao had no qualms about offending someone as powerful as Zhao Media’s CEO. Xu Hao never intended for his net worth to stop at just tens of billions.
With his system, hundreds of billions—or even trillions—were within reach. He aspired to build one of the world’s top families, a legacy that would stand alone. After winning over his third daughter, he could collect emotional points from her every day. So, what if he made enemies along the way?
Xu Hao’s unwavering support deeply moved Xu Hongjiao. He was willing to become an enemy of Zhao Media for her sake. She finally understood the sense of protection her two sisters had mentioned—it felt wonderful. If it weren’t for her loyalty to her sisterhood, Xu Hongjiao might have already called him “Dad.” But that was something she hadn’t done yet.
Xu Hao wasn’t in any hurry.
He wanted to let the situation play out a bit longer. Zhao Media was a giant in the entertainment industry. If they were determined to blacklist someone, that person would have little hope of succeeding. Even with Xu Hao’s support, his influence wasn’t from the same industry, so it wasn’t entirely convincing. Although Xu Hongjiao would ultimately be fine, her dream of becoming a star might be shattered.
Xu Hao planned to wait until she was on the brink of despair before stepping in to save the day. The emotional impact of his intervention would be much greater then. And if, by that time, Xu Hongjiao still hadn’t called him “Dad,” it would only prove that she had no conscience. That was fine too.
Later that afternoon, instead of heading to the study to practice piano as usual, Xu Hongjiao waited outside the villa, frequently checking the time on her wrist and looking around.
She was waiting for her best friend, Xiao Wanling, to arrive.
When Xiao Wanling learned about the ban, she immediately promised to come over and comfort her best friend.
Before long, a silver BMW drove up, and Xiao Wanling stepped out. Seeing that her best friend didn’t look too cheerful, she rushed over to hug her.
“Hongjiao, you have to stay strong. I’m here for you, and I’ll always support you.” Xiao Wanling said, her voice full of warmth.
Xu Hongjiao felt a surge of warmth. A true friend shows up in times of need. Back when she was with Zhao Media, many people tried to ingratiate themselves with her. Now, seeing her banned, most wanted to distance themselves. Xu Hao’s support and her best friend’s loyalty stood in stark contrast to those fair-weather acquaintances.
Although Xu Hongjiao was upset about being banned, she didn’t let it show. She gently pushed her best friend away and rolled her eyes playfully.
“Do you think I’m that fragile? Don’t worry about me; I’m doing fine.” She assured her.
“You’re really okay?” Xiao Wanling asked, looking skeptical.
Then she seemed to remember something and her expression brightened. “That’s right. You have a great dad who’ll spare no effort to help you. You’ll definitely come out on top.”
As she spoke about Xu Hao, Xiao Wanling’s eyes were filled with curiosity. She found it strange that Uncle Xu was so kind, not at all like the stern figure Xu Hongjiao had described. Xu Hongjiao’s face softened with a hint of warmth.
“Let’s go inside.” She said, leading Xiao Wanling into the villa.
The Xu family villa was grand, with pavilions, rock gardens, ponds, and a garden. Xiao Wanling felt like a child in a candy store, constantly looking around and taking in the sights.
Seeing her best friend’s amazement, Xu Hongjiao decided to give her a tour of the villa.
Although it was Xiao Wanling’s second visit, she still felt a bit awkward. In her eyes, Xu Hao, who was only 30 years old, wasn’t much older than her. It felt odd to call him “Uncle.” She thought calling him “Brother” might be more appropriate, and the idea made her eyes light up. If she called him “Brother,” she would be just one generation ahead of her best friend—an amusing thought.
However, Xu Hongjiao yawned, wondering who might be scheming against her.
“Wanling, you’re here. Hongjiao’s been in a bad mood lately. Please spend some time with her.” Xu Hao said, greeting them with a friendly smile.
Perfect timing. He had been thinking about how to get closer to this new “leek,” and now the opportunity had come to him.
“Of course, Uncle Xu. I’ll make sure Hongjiao is as happy as a child.” Xiao Wanling replied enthusiastically.
Behind her back, Xu Hongjiao gave her a small pinch, silently urging her to watch her words.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m doing just fine. At worst, I’ll quit the entertainment industry,” Xu Hongjiao said lightly, though only she knew how much the situation truly affected her.
She had dreamed of being a star since she was a child, hoping to stand on a grand stage where all eyes were on her. She had worked hard and put in a lot of effort to achieve that dream.
However, Xu Hao heard the underlying message and waved it off.
“Alright, alright. My Hongjiao is the strongest,” Xu Hao said, reaching out her hand to gently pat her head.
Xu Hongjiao didn’t resist. She didn’t mind Xu Hao’s affectionate gestures—after all, they had shared even more intimate moments. Yet, hearing him say “my Hongjiao” still stirred something in her heart.
“Hongjiao, don’t worry. If Zhao Media dares to ban you, I’ll make sure you get justice. No one can bully my Hongjiao.” Xu Hao declared. His words were a mix of genuine concern and calculated charm.
He didn’t mind saying things that would win favor without costing him anything, but this time, Xu Hao truly meant it. He hadn’t even had the chance to tease his daughter properly yet. His daughter was his to protect—and to tease. If anyone else tried to harm her, they were asking for trouble.
Zhao Media already had a plan for taking them down.
[Ding! Xu Hongjiao was deeply moved, +638 emotional points]
Xu Hongjiao lowered her head, responding softly. Xiao Wanling, watching this interaction, couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.
What a powerful declaration, she thought. To have someone promise that if anyone bullies you, they will seek justice—how warm and safe that must feel.
‘I love it, I really do,’ she mused, feeling a bit downcast as she thought of her own parents, who had died in a car accident. How wonderful it would be if she had a father like Xu Hao, someone who cared for her so deeply.
After another walk around the villa, Xu Hongjiao finally led her best friend to the study room.
“Hongjiao, did your father give this to you?” Xiao Wanling asked, staring in shock at the brand-new piano in front of her. It was worth more than 9 million yuan, and he had given it to his daughter without hesitation.
Having such a doting father was almost too much to bear.
Xiao Wanling couldn’t help but reflect on Xu Hongjiao’s recent interaction with Xu Hao.
With a slight frown, she said, “Hongjiao, your father is so kind to you. Why didn’t I hear you call him ‘dad’?”
Xu Hongjiao felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her.
How could she explain this?
Should she tell her best friend that she and her sisters had formed an alliance against Xu Hao, vowing never to acknowledge him as their father?
If she dared to call him ‘dad,’ her sisters would surely ridicule her mercilessly. It wasn’t that Xu Hongjiao didn’t want to call him that; it was the pact with her sisters that kept her from doing so.
In addition to their main group, the “Seven Fairies with Beautiful Faces and Moon Appearances,” the sisters had another, smaller group consisting of just five of them—excluding the two youngest sisters. This smaller group was united by their shared resolve to resist Xu Hao.
Xiao Wanling noticed Xu Hongjiao’s discomfort and decided it was time to give her some advice. “Hongjiao, you’re in the wrong here,” she said seriously. “Where else could you find a father who’s so handsome, has such a good personality, and takes such good care of you? If you don’t want him, you can give him to me.”
She remembered the harsh things Xu Hongjiao had said about her father—how cold, indifferent, and moody he was, and how he didn’t treat them like his daughters.
Xiao Wanling had been angry hearing those things before. Could such an irresponsible father really exist? But after seeing Xu Hao today, she couldn’t believe he was anything like what Xu Hongjiao had described.
“Alright, alright, you won’t believe me no matter what I say,” Xu Hongjiao replied, recognizing the disbelief in her best friend’s eyes. “Do you still want to listen to me play the piano?”
Despite the drastic change in Xu Hao, Xu Hongjiao knew her friend wouldn’t understand the situation. She made an excuse to change the subject, and Xiao Wanling, sensing the shift, decided to drop it.
“You’re the victim here, so you have the final say,” Xiao Wanling said, falling silent. “Let’s do whatever you want.”
Xu Hongjiao smiled at her friend’s attempt to be supportive. “Of course you have to listen. Hearing the youngest pianist play alone is a privilege most people can only dream of.”
Ignoring Xiao Wanling’s playful remark, Xu Hongjiao began to play, her slender fingers dancing gracefully over the keys.
When the song ended, Xiao Wanling remained entranced, the music’s lingering echoes still playing in her mind. When she finally snapped out of it, she looked at her friend in astonishment. “Hongjiao, how has your piano playing improved so much?”
Xiao Wanling had been present at Xu Hongjiao’s performance at the Shanghai Music Hall. She had intended to ask about it afterward but was forced to leave before she had the chance. As close friends, they often shared their music, so she was very familiar with Xu Hongjiao’s piano skills. But this… this was on a whole new level, comparable to Edward’s.
“He taught me.” Xu Hongjiao admitted openly, seeing no reason to hide it from her best friend.
“Who?” Xiao Wanling asked, stunned, trying to piece together who could have taught her friend such skills.
“…” Xu Hongjiao hesitated, unsure how to explain.
On the day of Edward’s concert, Xiao Wanling had discovered that the divine song everyone raved about was played by Xu Hao. It was no wonder Xu Hongjiao’s skills had soared under his guidance. As she pondered this, Xu Hongjiao continued practicing the piano while chatting with her friend. Time passed quietly.
A sudden knock on the study door broke their focus. Xu Hao entered, right on time for his usual piano practice session with his daughter. He asked Xu Hongjiao to play a piece, then offered his critique and suggestions for improvement.
Xiao Wanling watched, completely stunned, as Xu Hao began teaching his daughter, step by step. Everything about it seemed so natural. But Xiao Wanling couldn’t understand—Xu Hongjiao was just as reserved as she was, maybe even more so. She had never spoken to a boy in school, let alone had close contact with one. And hadn’t she said she didn’t even want to call Xu Hao ‘dad’? Why, then, would she allow him to embrace her so easily?
And then it dawned on her. When Xu Hao played the piano alongside Xu Hongjiao, hand in hand, Xiao Wanling realized that the divine music was once again being performed. Not only the Symphony of Destiny, but every piece Xu Hao played was breathtaking, as if the music itself was alive.
[Ding! Xu Hongjiao’s heartbeat quickened, +666 emotional points]
[Ding! Xiao Wanling’s admiration deepened, +888 emotional points]
Despite her outward composure, Xu Hongjiao was far from calm. She was accustomed to playing the piano with Xu Hao in the privacy of the study room, but now, with her best friend watching, she felt a wave of embarrassment.
Xiao Wanling was utterly captivated by the music, her ears twitching slightly as the study door creaked open. She turned to see Xu Hao’s two younger daughters, both as poetic and picturesque as their older sister, returning from school.
“Dad, it’s our turn today. You’ve been spending all your time teaching Third Sister and neglecting us!” Xu Huayi exclaimed, rushing forward to take Xu Hao’s arm, pulling him toward the door.
Xu Hao gently released his hold on Xu Hongjiao and smiled. “Alright, alright. I promised to teach you today. Do you really think I’d forget?”
“Of course not, Dad. I’m just worried that some people might monopolize your time…” Xu Huayi said, casting a pointed glance at Xu Hongjiao.
Blushing slightly, Xu Hongjiao knew her sister was right. In her eagerness to improve her piano skills, she had often monopolized her father’s time, even when it was supposed to be her younger sisters’ turn.
“Let’s go, let’s go! Dad belongs to us today, so don’t even think about taking him away,” Xu Huayi said, leading Xu Hao out of the room, with Xu Shiqing following closely behind.
As she walked, Xu Shiqing couldn’t help but wonder if something was troubling her third sister. But that thought quickly vanished as she remembered that her father was about to teach her how to paint. Any feelings of guilt she might have had were instantly forgotten, replaced with excitement.
“What just happened?” Xiao Wanling asked, still trying to process the scene she had just witnessed. She turned to Xu Hongjiao with a look of confusion.
Xu Hongjiao explained how Xu Hao had been teaching their younger sisters both painting and calligraphy.
“What?” Xiao Wanling gasped in surprise. “Not only does Xu Hao play the piano so well, but he’s also skilled in calligraphy and painting? Are all 50-year-old men this talented nowadays?”
The fact that the two younger sisters were eager to learn from him was proof enough of Xu Hao’s abilities. Intrigued, Xiao Wanling stood up. “Let’s go see how Dad teaches.”