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Song Zhi woke up at 6:30, roused by her alarm.
Her phone had over a dozen unread messages, all from Tang Xiaoyan.
[Tang Xiaoyan: Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap, holy crap???]
[Tang Xiaoyan: That guy in the photo is He Hanyang, right? His jacket looks like the team uniform.]
[Tang Xiaoyan: You better tell me honestly how you two ended up together.]
[Tang Xiaoyan: Wah wah wah wah, I knew there was something weird about him suddenly playing dress-up games in his live stream.]
[Tang Xiaoyan: At this moment, I’ve transformed from a human into a lemon.]
[Tang Xiaoyan: Although I firmly oppose He Hanyang dating, if it’s you, I can accept it.]
[Tang Xiaoyan: How the hell did you sleep so early today? I’m dying to know how you two ended up together.]
Song Zhi squinted in confusion; what the heck was she talking about? She couldn’t make sense of any of it.
[Song Zhi: What are you even saying?]
Tang Xiaoyan’s messages were sent at 3 a.m., probably still asleep now.
Young people these days, how could they stay up so late without worrying about dark circles under their eyes?
Song Zhi got dressed and went to wash up. In the living room, Xia Wanyue was staring intently at the computer screen with wide-open eyes.
Yawning, Song Zhi approached: “What are you looking at so seriously?”
Xia Wanyue was almost in tears: “Wah wah wah, Song Zhi, I’m so sorry.”
Hearing that, Song Zhi’s drowsiness vanished instantly: “You didn’t sign me up for some idiotic variety show again, did you?”
Xia Wanyue shook her head: “No.”
Song Zhi sighed in relief: “You almost scared me to death.”
After a brief silence, Xia Wanyue added: “It’s worse than that.”
Song Zhi: “...”
This rollercoaster of emotions was quite thrilling.
Too lazy to ask further, Song Zhi walked around to glance at the computer.
Damn, she hadn’t realized until now—the headline read “Battle for Three Days and Nights.”
“These media really dare to write anything. Even Jiang Yan Zhou and I never lasted that long.”
Despite the current dire situation, Xia Wanyue, like a dog sniffing out gossip, couldn’t resist asking: “So what’s your longest record?”
“About six...”
Just as Song Zhi was about to say the number,
she suddenly stopped. “Why should I tell you this?”
Xia Wanyue sighed, feeling deflated.
She was busy contacting PR, thinking of getting the trending topic removed first. After asking for the price, she was shocked and immediately went offline.
Too damn expensive. Their stingy little workshop company would never agree to pay that much.
The higher-ups even planned to let things be and have Song Zhi go the black-and-red route.
Xia Wanyue was stressed out. Song Zhi had just started to clear her name, and the negative reviews online were gradually being overwhelmed by positive ones. If this matter continued to develop, she might get roasted again.
The driver was already waiting downstairs. Xia Wanyue told Song Zhi to head to the set first while she figured out a solution.
Song Zhi was already used to this.
Previously, she faced large-scale cyberbullying. Compared to that, this level was nothing.
“I’ll head out then.”
As soon as she went down, she saw the nanny van parked downstairs and Xiao Xu waiting outside.
He obviously saw today’s trending Weibo post, his emotions complex: “Sister Song Zhi, have you seen the trending Weibo post?”
She shrugged it off: “Yeah, I saw it.”
Bending down to get in the car.
This kind of news was a fatal blow for female artists, especially those transitioning from idols.
Most of her fans were otaku males. If the romance was confirmed, it would be troublesome.
Song Zhi put on an eye mask, not caring about anything.
“Even if the world ends, it won’t stop me from catching up on my sleep.” She instructed Xiao Xu, “Don’t wake me up halfway. Don’t call me even if the sky falls.”
Xiao Xu: “...Okay.”
Sighing, he thought earlier that someone like Song Zhi wouldn’t care about this.
Since it was still early, the roads were empty, and there was no traffic. They reached the set quickly.
Zhang Fanfan was yawning while reading the script. Seeing Song Zhi, she immediately perked up: “After battling for so long yesterday, you came straight to the set today. Can your body handle it?”
Song Zhi smiled sweetly: “Seems like Sister has no experience in this area. Just find a man to try it out someday.”
Her innocent smile left Zhang Fanfan speechless.
She could only sit there and stew in her frustration.
The crew members obviously saw the trending topic too. Occasionally, a few glances were cast her way, accompanied by whispers.
Clearly, after such a long drought of gossip, everyone was excited about this new scandal.
“Never expected Song Zhi, who looks so pure, to be so spicy.”
“Battling for three days and
nights, that’s pretty strong.”
“But who’s that guy? Is he from the industry?”
“The face isn’t visible in the photo, but the clothes were identified. It’s said to be AOI’s team uniform. The only connection between AOI and Song Zhi is He Hanyang.”
“Isn’t He Hanyang the one who just exposed Xia Chulan’s harassment recently? How did he suddenly hook up with Song Zhi?”
“Who knows, maybe she offered a higher price.”
After saying that, the two exchanged a knowing smile.
Xiao Xu happened to pass by to pour hot water for coffee and heard their conversation. Enraged, his face almost contorted: “Can you insult people based on just two photos?”
The two extras naturally didn’t dare to offend the lead actress. They quickly apologized and walked away.
Afraid of getting burned.
After all, given the recent events, who knows how angry Song Zhi might be.
The Song Zhi they imagined to be furious was actually sleeping soundly.
The makeup artist was applying the final touches.
Song Zhi, like a timer, opened her sleepy eyes after the powder puff finished: “Done?”
Her voice was soft and sleepy, tempting and lazy, making people itch with desire.
The makeup artist packed up her things: “Yes, all done.”
Song Zhi thanked her and took the script out of the makeup room.
No matter how big the online commotion, her main job still needed to be done well.
________________________________________
Although it was nearly summer, the mornings in Beicheng still carried a chill.
The white roses on the marble dining table were freshly air-freighted from New York this morning.
Grandfather’s birthday was next week, but he called them early this morning to come over for breakfast.
Jiang Yue, as the eldest son of the Jiang family, had a younger brother and two younger sisters.
Though related by blood, they rarely contacted each other in daily life.
Grandfather specially asked the maid to fetch several bottles of red wine from his cellar.
“Romanée-Conti, I’ve been keeping it for a long time. Let’s taste it.”
The maid, holding the corkscrew, was about to pierce the cork.
Grandfather raised his hand to signal her to stop: “Wait until Yan Zhou arrives to open it.”
His words caused a stir among the silent crowd.
Liu Yuemeng was Jiang Chun’s daughter, twenty-one years old, spoiled by the elders, straightforward and direct.
Unable to hold back, she complained: “Second Cousin is the one who’s late, yet we’re sitting here wasting time waiting for him.”
Jiang Chun lightly pinched her arm, signaling her to stop.
Rubbing her pinched arm, Liu Yuemeng said resentfully:
“It’s true though. And Second Cousin’s girlfriend keeps causing trouble for him every day. Who knows what he’s thinking, rejecting the good socialite daughters and choosing an actress instead.”
Grandfather’s expression visibly darkened upon hearing the latter part of her sentence. He slightly lifted his chin: “What do you mean?”
Jiang Chun attempted to divert the topic, smiling: “Children speak without thinking. Ignore her.”
Liu Yuemeng said: “I’m not lying. Last night, Second Cousin’s girlfriend was photographed cohabiting with another man. The photos are still online.”
Jiang Chun frowned, about to speak.
Beside her, Grandfather raised his hand: “Let her talk.”
With his backing, Liu Yuemeng spoke more confidently: “Second Cousin’s girlfriend was photographed spending three days and nights with another man. When that man left, he took a cat with him, indicating their relationship is intimate enough to raise cats together. Seems like Second Cousin has been wearing this green hat for quite a while.”
After listening to her, Grandfather didn’t say anything, lost in thought.
Without Jiang Yan Zhou present and Grandfather silent, no one dared to touch their chopsticks.
They sat stiffly.
Until movement was heard at the entrance, the maid went to open the door, then stepped aside respectfully: “Second Young Master.”
He merely grunted softly.
Seeing him, Grandfather’s grave expression eased slightly: “You’re here.”
Jiang Yan Zhou nodded: “There was some traffic.”
The maid pulled out a chair, waiting for him to sit.
Only then did Grandfather nod: “Serve the food.”
Today’s meal was Western-style. The maids brought the dishes to the table in an orderly manner.
At the long marble dining table, Grandfather sat at the head, looking at Jiang Yan Zhou on his right.
After a long silence, he finally spoke: “Yan Zhou.”
The latter raised his eyes to look at him.
Grandfather carefully chose his words, considering how to phrase it gently: “I quite like that girl Song Zhi. Dating her is fine, but marriage might not be suitable. Xun Jia’s girl is only a year or two younger than you. Her father visited a few days ago, and we had a pleasant chat. If you agree, I’ll find someone to pick a good day soon, and you can settle the marriage first.”
Knowing this approach would surely be rejected, Grandfather added: “Get married first, and then you can play however you want.”
His finger lightly touched the cool silverware.
Jiang Yan Zhou glanced at Liu Yuemeng sitting diagonally across from him, knowing she must have said something.
She immediately shifted her gaze, afraid to meet his eyes.
Jiang Yan Zhou put down his knife and fork, calmly speaking: “I don’t want to consider this aspect for now.”
Grandfather nodded, letting him have his way: “That girl Song Zhi, you should break it off with her first.”
Jiang Yan Zhou slightly raised his brow, his voice unchanged: “I have my limits.”
Grandfather was unusually stunned, not expecting Jiang Yan Zhou to defy him for a young girl.
Since childhood, he had been independent-minded, more mature and reserved than his peers, and smart.
As the heir, he was the most suitable choice.
Unfortunately, in some aspects, he was completely different from the Jiang family.
The promiscuous grandfather naturally sired promiscuous sons. In high society, women were never lacking.
Red flags at home, colorful flags flying outside.
But Jiang Yan Zhou seemed uninterested in this. Over the years, the only woman he’d been with was Song Zhi.
Liu Yuemeng knew Grandfather’s temperament—authoritarian—and no one in the family dared to defy him.
Frightened, she tugged on Jiang Chun’s sleeve beside her, worried that if he got angry and started throwing plates, she might get hurt.
However, Grandfather only pondered for a moment: “Did you see those photos of her?”
Jiang Yan Zhou murmured: “I saw them.”
“Aren’t you angry?”
Jiang Yan Zhou remained silent.
Whether using silence as an answer or simply ignoring the question, it wasn’t clear.
Seeing Grandfather’s calm reaction, Liu Yuemeng was puzzled, but Jiang Chun understood.
Grandfather was getting old and had to step down.
Looking around, the most suitable person for this position in the entire family was Jiang Yan Zhou.
Moreover, his self-established Shenhuan Group had long surpassed Jiang Enterprises, becoming the industry leader.
Grandfather had a scale in his heart, weighing interests against familial bonds.
Regarding Jiang Yan Zhou’s silence, he understood: “I shouldn’t meddle too much in your private affairs, but I must remind you: men who fall for women are the most pitiful.”
Thus ended the conversation. This meal was extremely quiet, as the Jiang family had strict discipline, and no one spoke at the table.
After finishing the meal, Jiang Yan Zhou called his assistant: “Contact Xinhe Mingzhong.”
Xinhe Mingzhong was the company Song Zhi belonged to—a poor little workshop.
They wouldn’t even spend money to remove trending topics for their artists.
________________________________________
By the time filming ended, it was already 8 p.m. There was a scene where she had to jump into the sea, which had been NG’d several times due to various reasons.
Song Zhi had to wait for her clothes to dry before jumping again, then get up, dry them again, and jump again.
After repeating this several times, she successfully caught a fever.
Once in the car, Xiao Xu handed her a fever patch: “Take a fever pill when you get back, take a hot shower, sweat it out, and you’ll be fine.”
Song Zhi wrapped herself in her little blanket, curled up on the seat, and nodded.
Xiao Xu glanced at his phone, habitually wanting to open Weibo, but suddenly remembered something and stopped.
He was afraid that once he opened it, it would be full of insults directed at Song Zhi.
After mentally preparing himself for a long time, he finally mustered the courage to open Weibo.
Xia Wanyue’s call came in.
As soon as he pressed to answer, Xia Wanyue rapidly asked: “Where’s Song Zhi? Why can’t I reach her by phone?”
Xiao Xu said: “Sister Song Zhi forgot her phone during filming today. It got wet and won’t turn on.”
Xia Wanyue paused briefly, doubting Song Zhi’s IQ, then said: “Give her the phone.”
Xiao Xu nodded, leaned back, and handed the phone to Song Zhi in the backseat: “Sister Song Zhi, Sister Wanyue is calling.”
Song Zhi, weak from her cold, laboriously raised her arm to take the phone.
Her nasal tone was heavy due to the cold: “Hello.”
Xia Wanyue detected something wrong with her voice: “Are you sick?”
“A bit,” Song Zhi asked, “Did you call me for something?”
Reminded by her, Xia Wanyue remembered the main issue: “Did you pay to remove the trending topic?”
Song Zhi: “How could I? I don’t have that kind of spare cash.”
Buying clothes and bags isn’t fun?
Xia Wanyue was puzzled: “Then who could it be?”
Just an hour ago, not only was the trending Weibo topic removed, but the surveillance video from the neighborhood was also released. From the video, it was clear that there were more people at home besides Song Zhi and He Hanyang. Moreover, He Hanyang hadn’t stayed there for three days and nights—he left after half an hour, carrying a cat.
Screenshots of Song Zhi’s WeChat Moments were also posted.
Combined with the video, it seemed there was no ambiguity—it was just adopting a cat from a friend’s house.
Some netizens lacked independent thinking skills and were easily swayed by marketing accounts.
Those who were fiercely criticizing Song Zhi in the morning were now starting to praise her cuteness.
[So the previous rumors about Song Zhi and He Hanyang were false. Their relationship seems more like sisters.]
[Our sniper god, a steel-straight man, okay?]
[To be fair, this sister is incredibly beautiful. Even in the surveillance video, she looks stunningly divine.]
[Maybe my focus is a bit off, but do big stars live in neighborhoods like this? I live in such a neighborhood too, which means I’m practically a big star.]
[I always thought Song Zhi was distant and aloof, but now I see she’s just like us—an ordinary girl who loves cats. I have好感 for her now.]
[No matter how many times I see it, I have to exclaim—she’s too amazing, absolutely stunning.]
Indeed, too amazing.
Not to mention this impressive PR capability, handling it swiftly and accurately, leaving no room for the matter to ferment.
Removing the trending topic cost three times the price of buying it. Plus, Song Zhi’s trending topic had been up for so long, and there were several related ones.
Suddenly, there was no trace of it, showing how much money was thrown in.
Xia Wanyue couldn’t figure out who did this.
The car stopped at the entrance of the neighborhood. Song Zhi peeled off the fever patch, said goodnight to Xiao Xu and the others, and got out of the car.
The streetlights at the entrance were bright, but inside, it gradually darkened.
This was an old neighborhood with poor property management. Usually, when streetlights had issues, it took forever for someone to fix them.
Unable to see the road clearly, Song Zhi was about to take out her phone to use as a flashlight.
Ahead, there seemed to be a person standing, their silhouette somewhat blurry.
He walked towards Song Zhi. As he got closer, his familiar features became clear.
It was Jiang Yan Zhou.
Although she didn’t know why he was here, Song Zhi didn’t feel like wasting words with him.
She tried to walk past him, but he lightly grabbed the hem of her sweater.
He must have been drinking; his body reeked of alcohol.
Despite his poor tolerance, he still drank.
Song Zhi frowned, coldly saying: “Let go.”
He held onto the hem of her sweater, lowering his eyes, his long lashes hiding his emotions.
Without saying anything else, he repeatedly called her name, “Zhizhi.”
The night was silent, with only a slight breeze in the background, adding a desolate touch to the old neighborhood.
Jiang Yan Zhou’s voice grew softer. He said: “I can change. Everything you dislike about me, I can change.”
Fearing Song Zhi would leave, he tightened his grip but only dared to clutch the hem of her sweater.
His eyes questioned tentatively. He must have drunk a lot, heavily intoxicated.
This was the first time Song Zhi saw Jiang Yan Zhou like this.
Sad, upset, at a loss.
Like a child.
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