Shen Yuan’s actions elicited mixed reactions from the public—some supportive, some disdainful. There are so many people in the world; he hadn’t expected that taking this step would eliminate the critics. Those who disliked him would continue to do so no matter what he did—but that didn’t mean he shouldn’t act.
At the very least, by taking this step, he could show those people that he wasn’t afraid of them and that he controlled the narrative.
Decades ago, such a thing might not have been possible. But times had changed. Transgender individuals, LGBT people, and other minority groups were now focal points of international and societal attention. Even if some people still didn’t fully understand, there were many who approached them with acceptance. Shen Yuan’s action was deliberate—he was tying a larger moral purpose to his own platform.
After the program aired, Shen Yuan posted the clip online.
The video spread widely both domestically and internationally, proving even more effective than his earlier statement. It was like a bombshell. The topic was novel—this was the first time someone like Shen Yuan had dared to speak out so openly. People realized there was nothing to fear.
Human beings are naturally afraid of the unknown; once they know, the fear dissipates.
People began discussing and paying attention to this community. Shen Yuan didn’t need to spend money; marketing accounts and bloggers followed the trend, writing articles or producing feature videos. Eventually, the focus shifted from Shen Yuan alone to the entire community.
Of course, every mention referenced Shen Yuan, so even without further action, he continued to maintain a constant wave of attention, with his every move scrutinized and analyzed.
Curiosity about the source of the leak ran high. Such a private secret could only be known by someone close. Some speculated whether there was a former “bad boyfriend” of Shen Yuan, jealous of his current happiness and seeking revenge.
Then classmates came forward, confirming that three years ago, there had indeed been such an incident: Shen Yuan had been publicly pursued by a male heir, known to those who knew him as Wang Ziqin. Given Wang Shao’s previous character, it wasn’t surprising he might have done such a thing.
Wang Ziqin’s Weibo was dug up. Shen Yuan’s fans bombarded him with messages, dubbing him “Shen Yuan’s former bad boyfriend.”
Reading a comment, Wang Ziqin felt like crying: “It’s not that Shen Yuan wasn’t hurt—he’s strong and brave. But if he were weak, fragile, he could have been driven to death by this cyberbullying.”
He was flabbergasted. He had already suffered enough!
Wang Ziqin had hoped that after returning, he could rely on his youth, looks, diligence, and his five-year friendship with Shen Yuan to compete with Qiao Hailou. Instead, he found out Shen Yuan and Qiao Hailou had been married for over two years and even had a one-year-old child! Wang Ziqin couldn’t sleep properly for several days.
Seeing Shen Yuan mocked online also made him uncomfortable. Suddenly, things clicked: no wonder Shen Yuan always dressed so conservatively. Wang Ziqin had laughed at him for years, yet Shen Yuan had endured all of it.
Wang Ziqin was already suffering, and now he was being accused of being a scoundrel, with many reinforcing the claim due to past grievances—he had made enemies that couldn’t even be counted on two hands.
If he had truly been Shen Yuan’s ex, he might have felt some consolation. But he wasn’t—and there was no hope for him. The online mob was still targeting him!
Because the lawsuit was public, the court’s website revealed that two people had been sued by Shen Yuan for invasion of privacy—one, a marketing account operator, the other, undoubtedly Ye Qingsheng, the leaker.
Wang Ziqin exposed Ye Qingsheng to clear his name. Soon, Ye Qingsheng’s information was uncovered—he was Shen Yuan’s cousin. As family, it was unsurprising he knew Shen Yuan’s secret.
Shen Yuan’s uncle had even begged him:
“…Your brother acted out of ignorance. He knows he was wrong and didn’t expect things to blow up. Please, don’t sue him. He’s lost his job, his wife—he’s suffering enough. I’ve already beaten him; you can see for yourself. Please, calm down.”
“You… I’ve returned your money. If you come personally and take it out on him, don’t sue. A criminal record could ruin his life forever.”
Shen Yuan remained silent for a long time before replying in a low, hurt voice: “He almost ruined my entire life.”
The uncle said dryly, “I… I know… your brother wronged you, but nothing serious happened. Xiao Yuan, you’re capable; your brother is incompetent. I beg you, please forgive him.”
Shen Yuan laughed bitterly: “If I hadn’t handled it properly, I might have been ruined. I’m stronger than him because I had no parents or elders to protect me—I had to rely on myself. Being strong means I don’t have to forgive him. As a child, I wasn’t stronger than him, yet I had to endure his bullying. Why should I forgive him now?”
The uncle, silenced, hesitated, guilt-ridden: “You’re still holding onto the past… Let’s apologize, okay? If you want revenge, direct it at me, not your brother.”
Shen Yuan’s emotions were complex: “You were simply biased—favoring your biological son is natural. You did nothing wrong. I won’t blame you. The person I hold accountable is Ye Qingsheng. I’ll only teach him a lesson.”
The uncle asked anxiously: “When will you let him go?”
Shen Yuan replied: “Uncle, you once said I was tough—anyone who got involved with me wouldn’t end well. I think you were right. From now on, let’s live separately. He must bear the consequences himself. You can’t protect him forever.”
Shen Yuan brooded over this for several days.
Qiao Hailou joked: “Great, we’re not only the ‘unfilial sons’ duo, but now the ‘renouncing kin’ duo as well. Perfect match.”
Shen Yuan laughed at that.
Qiao Hailou asked: “Did you want to reconcile with your uncle? Didn’t you say he was bad to you?”
Shen Yuan shook his head, depressed: “I’ve always been petty, holding grudges against him. But… he’s my only remaining relative besides my father. Maybe I was still too weak.”
Qiao Hailou: “So you didn’t agree to his plea?”
Shen Yuan vented everything in front of Qiao Hailou: “If I have to compromise for relatives I didn’t wrong, I’d rather not. I’ve been fair. I never counted his bullying in the past. I even lent him money when he got married, without asking for repayment! Yet he still bullied me! He started it!”
“If I hadn’t met you, I’d probably still be stuck, lacking the confidence to face the spotlight. Back then, I feared this being revealed. I thought I might as well end my life.”
Qiao Hailou scowled: “Are you crazy? You can’t say things like that! Take it back!”
Shen Yuan shut up, stunned.
Qiao Hailou held his hand: “Don’t talk about death. You’ll be fine. Your Qiao uncle will always protect you. Ignore those who wronged you. You can be as willful as you like. I’ll fight for you. You did nothing wrong—you did great.”
“I even think you’re too soft-hearted. He only got two months’ detention; he could’ve served more to meet your father and learn the consequences of crossing you.”
“We’re not doing good deeds—we’re villains. Big villains. A pair of villainous husbands.”
Shen Yuan laughed, his eyes reddened but smiling: “Being villains feels so justified, doesn’t it?”
Qiao Hailou: “Being villains is fine.”
Shen Yuan’s eyes lit up: “Good!”
Qiao Hailou hugged him; Shen Yuan hugged back. Qiao Hailou kissed him, and Shen Yuan blushed: “Little Peanut is still here.”
Qiao Hailou kissed his ear: “John has already taken him. Tonight John will let him sleep. Let’s be close…”
The next morning, Little Peanut woke early. John carried him to the kitchen, making a mess with breakfast. When his dad came downstairs, blushing, he looked at Shen Yuan and Qiao Hailou with wide, curious eyes, as if asking what they had done last night.
Shen Yuan’s face turned bright red under his child’s innocent gaze.
Qiao Hailou, shameless, acted like nothing had happened, provoking Shen Yuan: “How can you be so shameless?”
Qiao Hailou, denying it: “What’s wrong with being affectionate? How is that shameless?”
Shen Yuan, awkward: “I’m a dad now… shouldn’t I be more mature?”
At just over twenty, a father, he felt he should shift his role and stop being coquettish with Qiao Hailou.
Qiao Hailou held his hand, kissed his cheek, and whispered: “No need for maturity. You can always be spoiled with your Qiao uncle.”
The shameless couple continued their intimacy in the garden villa, unconcerned with the outside world.
Recently, Shen Yuan had been in the spotlight, accepting several interview programs, domestic and international, and even from aid organizations. Since revealing his secret, others with similar experiences reached out, sharing their suffering and expressing that his speech had given them courage.
At first, Shen Yuan personally contacted these people. He joked that he had learned from Qiao Hailou—he tricked some of them into working with him. Those who could work did; those who couldn’t served as call operators. Only those who had experienced suffering could comfort others going through it.
Shen Yuan wasn’t neglectful after taking the lead, but he was busy. He mostly funded projects and helped domestic compatriots. He organized gatherings every few months, personally overseeing introductions and exchanges.
Humans are fragile yet brave. Witnessing courage in others facing similar experiences gives strength.
Shen Yuan remained busy with both his advocacy and the preparation of his studio, which was nearly ready. He had coordinated with brand PR teams and was preparing to register the studio officially.
Everything had been going smoothly—until an unexpected setback struck.