Chapter 81 - 80: Sovereign and Subject Team Up to Destroy Scumbags
Chapter 81: Chapter 80: Sovereign and Subject Team Up to Destroy Scumbags
Bai Shuyi frowned. Qingyuan’s reaction was clearly beyond her expectations; she was far too calm and collected.
True, what actor who had reached this level hadn’t weathered a few storms? Industry insiders often said that Lu Qingyuan’s rise read like a historical epic. It was hard to imagine how she had managed to claw her way to the top without any background or backing.
While she possessed stunning looks, she was far from the only beautiful woman around. Therefore, Bai Shuyi didn’t believe that anyone could truly remain untainted in the toxic melting pot of the entertainment industry. Everything Lu Qingyuan had achieved was merely built upon the platform and resources provided by Gu Lingyuan. Now that she was the one Gu Lingyuan had ordered Xingyi to heavily promote, her achievements would naturally outshine Lu Qingyuan’s.
Sister Xu also just remembered that their PR had already released the most crucial piece of evidence. She immediately put on a smile. "Come, come, Miss Bai. Have a seat, drink a cup of hot tea, and check the news for a bit. You’re right. We’re from the same company, so what can’t we just sit down and talk out, right?"
The two bodyguards flanking Bai Shuyi were equally astonished, unable to comprehend why Lu Qingyuan’s side had suddenly changed their tune. Still, they remained vigilant. "Miss Bai, don’t go in."
Bai Shuyi stood at the door, unmoving.
"Miss Bai, it’s not like I’m going to eat you. Are you that scared?" Qingyuan casually ran a hand through her hair, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Or is it that you have a guilty conscience? You don’t even have the time to sit down and share a cup of tea with me?"
She had a naturally affectionate face, exuding an innate charm, yet there was not a trace of fawning in her demeanor. It made it impossible for anyone to truly write her off as a mindless, pretty vase.
Bai Shuyi ultimately walked in and sat down opposite Qingyuan. She originally hadn’t intended to look at her phone—wouldn’t that just be doing exactly what Lu Qingyuan suggested? But with just a casual glance, Bai Shuyi’s eyes became glued to the screen.
The number one trending topic in entertainment was still "Lu Qingyuan frames Bai Shuyi’s fan for attempted murder." However, the following two tags were "Ask and you shall receive: Bai Shuyi’s top fan attempts murder" and "Lu Qingyuan’s team releases security footage."
Both of these new tags had a "New" icon next to them, indicating their popularity had just surged. But with these three trending topics placed together, Bai Shuyi had become a complete and utter joke.
[Isn’t this Bai Shuyi’s top fan, Nan Ziyue? Why is she working as a prop manager on the Dragon Flying Phoenix set? I remember she’s still a student. Even if she’s interning, there’s no way she’d be allowed to handle the wirework directly!]
[Oh my god, I’ve got goosebumps. We see celebrity fans fighting online every day, but bickering is one thing. Bai Shuyi’s top fan is literally trying to kill her rival!]
[What rival? Bai Shuyi debuted just two years ago and got a little famous, and now she’s calling herself Sister Yuanyuan’s rival? When Sister Yuanyuan won Best Actress, who knows where Bai Shuyi even was!]
[Hiss... this is terrifying when you think about it. If they didn’t have this security footage, and if Sister Yuanyuan hadn’t been rescued in time, wouldn’t Xingyi Entertainment just brazenly hand all her resources over to Bai Shuyi?]
[Xingyi Entertainment is a murderous company! Boycott Xingyi! Boycott Bai Shuyi!]
Qingyuan’s fan base was massive. After being suppressed by negative trending topics all day, they were now venting all their pent-up resentment—a backlash that Xingyi Entertainment and Bai Shuyi simply couldn’t withstand. In an instant, the official social media accounts for both the company and the actress were bombarded with furious comments.
Qingyuan admired Bai Shuyi’s facial expression and smiled faintly. "Miss Bai, it seems you’re the one in a more miserable state right now. How about I put in a good word with the company and plead for mercy on your behalf?"
Bai Shuyi’s fingers were trembling. Her face was deathly pale, and her lips quivered violently. "The footage... wasn’t the footage already destroyed? Ling Yuan clearly hired someone to..."
"That’s why I invited Miss Bai for tea today—to teach you a lesson." Qingyuan offered a half-smile. "This man you thought you could rely on? He’s truly unreliable."
The mocking gazes from Sister Xu and the assistant felt like thorns in Bai Shuyi’s back. Her entire body burned with agitation, and her face stung with humiliation. She abruptly stood up and virtually fled the room.
SLAM!
Sister Xu shut the door and let out a cold snort. "She really did just come to laugh at you. She made it sound so nice, claiming she tried to persuade Mr. Gu, but in reality, she just wanted to show off."
Qingyuan slowly stretched, a smile lingering on her lips. "I warned her earlier. Relying on a man like Gu Lingyuan is worse than relying on yourself."
The only truly reliable one was Her Majesty.
"A Yuan, I’ve already reported this to the police. With the evidence in hand, their refusal to repent and continued attempts to smear your name will only add to their crimes," Sister Xu said. "Rest up for another couple of days, and then we’ll head back to the set to film."
Qingyuan nodded.
RING RING RING!
The phone vibrated urgently as one call after another came pouring in. There were calls from Xingyi, and others from Gu Lingyuan.
Sister Xu opened her mouth. "A Yuan, it’s a call from Mr. Gu."
Qingyuan didn’t even lift her head. "Block him."
Sister Xu cowed. "I don’t dare..."
Sighing, Qingyuan took the phone from her hand. She rejected the call and added the number to the blacklist in one smooth, uninterrupted motion. Then she said, "I’m only going to demonstrate this for you once. From now on, this is what you do."
Sister Xu was speechless. "...Then you’d better lend me some guts first."
"I’ll lend them all to you. Don’t be shy." Qingyuan walked over to the other side of the room to make a call. "Hello, Sister Ying. Everything has been completely handled."
Shi Changying raised an eyebrow. "Good. However, your current boss might have some problems with his brain."
Qingyuan shrugged. "Sister Ying, you can remove the ’might.’"
She had always felt that Gu Lingyuan was utterly brainless.
At this moment, Nan Ziyue had just returned to her dorm room from the cafeteria. She had barely walked through the door when her three roommates immediately backed away from her, as if they had just seen something filthy.
Nan Ziyue frowned. "What’s wrong? Did I do something to offend you?"
"What’s wrong? Nan Ziyue, you’re asking when you already know!" one of the roommates sneered. "If you’re capable of doing something like cutting a wire in an attempted murder, what happens if you decide you don’t like us one day and poison the dorm?"
Nan Ziyue’s eyes flickered, but she feigned nonchalance. "When did I ever attempt murder? Lu Qingyuan fell into the lake on her own. What does that have to do with me? Xingyi hasn’t even released a statement refuting it. Do you guys not read the news?"
"We don’t read the news? More like you haven’t read it!" Another roommate seemed to suddenly realize something. "Nan Ziyue, do you honestly think Sister Yuanyuan can’t produce evidence, and that’s why you’re acting so carefree?"
Tilting her head, Nan Ziyue smiled sweetly. "That’s right. If you have the guts, go call the police and have them arrest me."
Humming a little tune, she opened her lunchbox.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
The sudden rapping at the door plunged the entire dorm room into dead silence. An icy voice rang out from outside—not loud, but incredibly penetrating.
"Police. Open the door."