CHAPTER 48

"When will you bring the pretty sister to our house to play?" Ningning asked.

Qin Yinong's face stiffened for a moment, then she put on a gentle expression and asked, "Why do you want to bring the pretty sister to our house to play?"

At most, Ningning had seen Tang Ruoyao's videos at home, and occasionally, when Qin Yinong was in a good mood and Ningning didn't have homework, they would sit together and watch for a few minutes.

Just a few times, and now Ningning had developed a fondness for Tang Ruoyao? She even wanted to see her?

"Because she's your colleague." Ningning kicked her little legs a couple of times and said, "I have never met any of your colleagues."

"Why do you want to meet my colleagues?" Qin Yinong was puzzled. If she didn't explain, it would be fine, but once she explained, it became even more confusing for Qin Yinong.

Ningning turned her face and looked at Qin Yinong seriously for a while, then suddenly sighed with an old-fashioned air, "You work alone outside, and I worry about you."

Qin Yinong: "..."

Did her daughter pick up the wrong script?

Or is she indirectly influenced and also wants to follow the path of being a mother?

Qin Yinong looked at Ningning's big smiling face and realized that she had been played by the little girl. She laughed along and leaned over to kiss her cheek, agreeing with her, "Thank you, Ningning, for your concern for Mom."

Ningning blushed and turned back after a while, picking a leaf from a vine and playing with it in her hand. She whispered, "Actually... it's because she's someone Mom likes, that's why I wanted to get to know her."

Qin Yinong's life at home was monotonous. Most of the time, she accompanied Ningning, occasionally cooked meals, and went upstairs to her room to sleep at a certain time. As the child grew day by day, her understanding of the world gradually required a comprehensive and clear picture, and the same went for parents. Ningning was no longer satisfied with simple companionship; she would actively ask about Qin Yinong's work and her life outside of home, wanting to understand Qin Yinong beyond their home.

However, Qin Yinong had not yet realized Ningning's needs in this regard. Most of the time, she just brushed it off. When she mentioned her profession as an actress, even the two words "actress" were challenging for Qin Jianing to understand through the various means available to her. These were things that Qin Yinong didn't know.

And Qin Yinong's special attention to Tang Ruoyao also planted a seed of curiosity in Ningning's young mind. Tang Ruoyao was the only person connected to Qin Yinong's other world.

Faced with Qin Jianing's question, Qin Yinong instinctively chose to evade and softly said, "The pretty sister is very busy, I'm afraid she doesn't have time to come to our house and play."

"Is she busier than Mom?"

"More or less."

The light in Ningning's eyes dimmed, her face drooped, and she let out a disappointed sound.

"Do you like her?" Qin Yinong blurted out the question, as if possessed by a ghost.

"I like whoever Mom likes." Ningning perked up again, with a smile on her face.

"Well..." Qin Yinong hesitated, "If there's a chance, mommy will take you to meet her, okay?"

"Okay!" Ningning exclaimed joyfully, nodding vigorously.

Qin Yinong smiled and ruffled Ningning's head.

She had mentioned the opportunity to introduce Ningning to Tang Ruoyao, not necessarily bringing Tang Ruoyao to their home. There was a fundamental difference between the two.

However, at that moment, Qin Yinong had not considered the impact it would have if her semi-grown daughter, who resembled her, suddenly appeared in front of Tang Ruoyao.

Qin Yinong accompanied Ningning to sit in the garden for a while, and Guan Han came to call them for dinner. The two of them held hands and returned to the house.

Behind them, the golden and purple evening sky filled half of the horizon.

.....

On the set of the drama "Under the Southern Mountain," the filming schedule was nearing its halfway point.

Lin Guoan followed Qin Yinong's instructions and paid more attention to Tang Ruoyao. Most of the time, he kept Tang Ruoyao by his side to prevent You Mingxuan from bothering her. Although You Mingxuan had a background, he wouldn't dare to act recklessly in front of the director. As a result, Tang Ruoyao had a relatively peaceful time.

Tang Ruoyao was sensitive and noticed the difference in how Lin Guoan treated her before and after. She had some idea in her heart. But she couldn't help but let her mind wander and speculate. How did Qin Yinong explain their relationship to Lin Guoan? Did she say they were lovers? Did Lin Guoan ever take care of someone else for her before?

Especially in the quiet of the night, the more she imagined, the more the air was filled with a sense of jealousy. However, she was good at adjusting herself and didn't let her emotions run wild. She saw it as a seasoning for a peaceful life. Although the seasoning was sour, it could provide stimulation. Life was full of various flavors and experiences. Only by embracing them could she express herself richly in the movies.

In mid-September, after You Mingxuan finished filming and left the set, Tang Ruoyao still hadn't completely let go of the stone hanging in her heart when she received a call from Mu Qingwu.

"Sister Mu, what's wrong?" Tang Ruoyao came out of the bathroom, wearing a loose snow-white bathrobe with the belt loosely draped around her waist. Water droplets hung on her fair neck, and she didn't bother to dry herself. They followed the graceful curves and flowed into the hollow between her collarbones.

She had been peacefully filming on the set without any major incidents, and Mu Qingwu usually messaged her instead of calling directly.

"I've arranged an interview for you, and I've talked to your director about it." Mu Qingwu said.

"Why would I need an interview out of the blue?" Tang Ruoyao was confused.

"You've been implicated." Mu Qingwu got straight to the point.

"I've been implicated?"

"It's You Mingxuan." Mu Qingwu asked, "Do you remember him?"

"I remember." How could she forget right after finishing filming? But what did it mean to be implicated?

Mu Qingwu didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "You Mingxuan's team wants to create a fake relationship between you two for publicity."

"..." Tang Ruoyao was so shocked that she couldn't speak.

She and Mu Qingwu were no strangers to each other. After a moment of silence, she immediately exclaimed, "Is he crazy? Or does he think we're fools?"

Mu Qingwu sneered, "Of course, they're trying to use you as a scapegoat."

Creating a fake relationship for publicity, commonly known as "CP marketing," is one of the commonly used marketing methods in the entertainment industry. It usually happens when a film or TV series is released, and the production team or actors try to generate buzz and attention by promoting a fictional romantic relationship between the actors. In most cases, both teams involved in the CP marketing strategy coordinate and collaborate for a peaceful marketing campaign and clarification. However, if one party engages in CP marketing without the consent of the other party, it is considered malicious binding. Malicious binding is more common in the industry and often occurs when there is a significant difference in popularity between the parties involved. The less popular side tries to boost their own popularity by binding themselves with a more popular figure.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't understand how You Mingxuan's team could have the audacity or lack of common sense to suggest such a thing to Mu Qingwu. Not to mention that You Mingxuan was only a rising star relying on selling his image without any notable works, while Tang Ruoyao had already won an acting award. Their paths were fundamentally different. Even in the context of CP marketing, where the female star is usually at a disadvantage due to the large number of fans who are fans of the male star, You Mingxuan being a well-known "little fresh meat" celebrity, once the marketing campaign started, Tang Ruoyao was afraid she would be torn apart by You Mingxuan's die-hard fans. Verbal abuse would be the least of her worries, as extreme actions could also come into play.

This publicity stunt would bring nothing but harm to Tang Ruoyao without any benefits.

The team on You Mingxuan's side had their own reasoning. They argued that while Tang Ruoyao had received awards, her popularity was still lacking, and her exposure was limited. They believed that sincere cooperation between the two would be a win-win choice.

Mu Qingwu was infuriated but couldn't help but laugh. She said to Tang Ruoyao, "They have the audacity to talk about a win-win situation? I almost asked his manager if You Mingxuan was worthy of carrying your shoes. They should take a good look at themselves before judging others. He's not even deserving of being your shoe carrier!"

Tang Ruoyao couldn't help but hold back her laughter and modestly said, "Sister Mu, you're exaggerating."

"I don't care. I just can't stand their arrogant attitude." Mu Qingwu changed the subject and asked, 

"Did he cause any trouble for you on the set?"

Tang Ruoyao nodded, "Yes."

Mu Qingwu scoffed and sneered, "I knew it. This little brat is persistent indeed. He relies on his uncle's connections in the industry and thinks he can do whatever he wants. I'll show him why flowers bloom so brightly."

Tang Ruoyao pursed her lips and suddenly remembered the disdainful look that Qin Yinong had given You Mingxuan and his group on the set that day.

In Tang Ruoyao's eyes, these people are not worth mentioning, right?

Afterwards, Mu Qingwu said a few more words, assuring her that everything would be fine and reminding her to finish work early tomorrow afternoon, as she would come to pick her up for a program interview.

Tang Ruoyao obediently agreed.

The next afternoon, Tang Ruoyao only filmed half of her scenes and quickly bid farewell to Lin Guo'an before hastily leaving the set.

Inside the car, Tang Ruoyao changed into the clothes prepared for her. Mu Qingwu explained the public relations strategy to her and then patted her shoulder, comforting her, "I've temporarily delayed You Mingxuan's side, so we still have time. Don't be afraid."

Tang Ruoyao chuckled, "I'm not afraid."

The worst-case scenario would be malicious binding and facing a barrage of insults from faceless individuals behind computer screens. She had a strong immunity to that.

Mu Qingwu pretended to believe her forced smile, not exposing the truth, and maintained her "self-esteem."

At the recording set.

Mu Qingwu walked up and embraced a mature woman dressed in formal attire, who seemed to be in charge of the program. She expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you for arranging this last-minute."

"It's no trouble at all." the woman smiled and looked at Tang Ruoyao, who stood behind Mu Qingwu with a cool demeanor. "We have been wanting to invite Ruoyao for a while now. This time, it's thanks to you."

The two exchanged pleasantries, and Tang Ruoyao quickly skimmed through the program outline. Before she could finish the last page, Mu Qingwu pushed her onto the stage.

The lights in the studio lit up, and Tang Ruoyao took her seat facing the host. It wasn't her first time appearing on this type of program, so she was familiar with the similar procedures and answered the questions with ease.

Glancing at the script, the host smiled and asked, "If I may ask, what is Ruoyao's relationship status?"

An image of Qin Yinong involuntarily flashed through Tang Ruoyao's mind. She skillfully concealed the fleeting hesitation, lifted her lips, and responded with a gentle smile, "I'm single."

.....

After the recording ended, Tang Ruoyao stepped down from the stage, and Mu Qingwu personally handed her a bottle of mineral water. "You worked hard."

"Not at all, Sister Mu. You're the one who worked hard."

"I take my cut for solving your problems and relieving your worries. It's only natural." Mu Qingwu said cheerfully as she sent Tang Ruoyao into the car. She stayed behind while saying, "I'll treat the program director, Li Zong, to a late-night snack." Li Zong was the woman whom Mu Qingwu had embraced earlier. Asking for help meant there were things that needed to be taken care of.

Tang Ruoyao's grateful gaze revealed her intention to say something, but Mu Qingwu waved her hand before she could speak and quickly closed the car door.

The car drove into the dark night, and Mu Qingwu raised her finger to touch her nose.

Too cheesy, it didn't suit her.

A week after Tang Ruoyao returned to the set, Mu Qingwu rejected You Mingxuan's request for publicity stunts. As expected, You Mingxuan unilaterally started the binding process.

On a weekday evening at 8 o'clock, during the peak traffic period, a topic titled "You Mingxuan and Tang Ruoyao Develop Real Feelings on Set" suddenly appeared on the hot search list. It reached the top within half an hour, followed by a conspicuous "Explosive" tag.

One was the highly popular and sought-after influencer, while the other was the unrivaled young actress. The discussion and interest skyrocketed, and everyone was eager to witness the drama unfold.

During their one and a half months of working together on the set, no matter how careful Tang Ruoyao was, it was impossible to completely avoid contact with You Mingxuan. Especially during on-site media interviews, You Mingxuan insisted on approaching her, and she could only pretend to be oblivious and undergo the interviews together with him.

Clicking into the hot search, the marketing account claimed that recently, You Mingxuan and Tang Ruoyao were filming together on the set of "Under the Southern Mountain." They were described as a talented and beautiful couple, deeply connected, and engaged in a real romantic relationship. The marketing account then released a bunch of high-definition "intimate" photos of the two on set, providing "proof" of their relationship.

Fans and onlookers engaged in heated debates in the comments section.

[Starting with one picture, the whole process is fabricated [Eating popcorn].]

[Nonsensical rhythm, just colleagues, focus on their work, stay away from celebrities, looking forward to #YouMingxuan# #PeacockKing premiering on 8/18# #XXX global spokesperson You Mingxuan#]

[Focus on filming, don't disturb Tang Ruoyao, the Golden Laurel Award-winning actress]

Based on the photos posted by the marketing account, it was evident that You Mingxuan had prepared in advance. Many of the photos were taken without Tang Ruoyao's knowledge, capturing her on-set expressions and blending them with You Mingxuan himself, creating the illusion of "deeply gazing" at each other.

After the initial comments from devoted fans, the opinions of a large number of onlookers gradually surfaced, with discussions popping up on gossip forums and in various groups.

[Why do fans think it's fake? I actually think it's quite genuine. Tang Ruoyao has been in the industry for so long, has there ever been any rumors about her and anyone else? None at all. Why is it specifically You Mingxuan?]

[Tang Ruoyao must be blind. Her bright future is likely to be ruined by a man, and he's just a pretty face. She's young, can't she focus on her career instead of love? What's the point of being in a relationship? [Frustratedly pounding the wall.gif]]

[Falling in love after just one drama? Love-addled brain, huh?]

[I don't like You Mingxuan, a talentless influencer. Being tied to You Mingxuan is tarnishing Tang Ruoyao's image.]

Tang Ruoyao's popularity among onlookers and her prospects were far better than You Mingxuan's. Her dedicated fans fought on the front lines of criticism, consistently maintaining that it was all fabricated by the marketing account. However, behind closed doors, there were whispers of despair and misery within their small community.

As to whether Tang Ruoyao and You Mingxuan were really in a relationship, many fans had already reached a positive conclusion in their hearts.

The long-standing protection of Qin Yinong has finally exposed its drawbacks. Being well aware of the harm that tabloid news can cause to female artists, she has always been cautious in this regard. Those who dare to spread rumors about Tang Ruoyao being difficult to work with now have the audacity to do so, and those who dare to spread rumors about her love life must be prepared to face the consequences within the industry.

You Mingxuan was the first to be exposed, and so far the only one, which was enough to shake Tang Ruoyao's fan circle to its core. The administrators had to defend against external accusations while also soothing internal tensions, leaving them overwhelmed.

You Mingxuan sat with his legs crossed on the sofa in his home, holding the straw of a cold drink handed to him by his female assistant. Taking a sip, he relaxed and raised his chin proudly, saying, "Pass me the tablet."The assistant handed it to him, and You Mingxuan scrolled through the hot search page. Whistling in a cheerful mood, he said, "It's even easier than I imagined. Li Xia (You Mingxuan's manager) advised me not to hype this kind of news, warning about the risks. I guess she's been in the industry for too long, even less daring than a mouse."

"Yes," the assistant nodded in agreement, lowering her head.

You Mingxuan continued browsing Weibo for a while, unable to resist calling his manager with a smug tone, "Sister Xia, this hot search has been trending for two hours already. Did anyone call to warn you?"

The manager replied in a deep voice, "Stop messing around."

You Mingxuan switched hands and held his phone, provocatively curling his lips. "How am I messing around? She disrespected me, so I taught her a lesson. Besides, how am I exploiting her? Is she feeling aggrieved?"

The manager felt a vein pulsing on her forehead, seeing him like a jumping grasshopper, recklessly self-destructing. But she couldn't ignore him, as he was the vice president's nephew. She took a deep breath and softened her tone, saying, "You've vented your anger now. Can we stop here?"

"No." You Mingxuan said, "Is this as far as we go? I want to establish myself as her rumored boyfriend. Who knows, I might gain some advantages from it."

He had encountered so many women, but none were like Tang Ruoyao—so ethereal, alluring when she suppressed her emotions and restrained her breath. You Mingxuan licked his lips, his face turning red with excitement from his own imagination.

"You..." the manager gritted her teeth, "You're on your own then."

If he insisted on courting his own doom, he couldn't blame her for not advising him!

.....

Qin Yinong was still awake when she received An Ling's phone call.

"Someone is targeting your Yao Yao." An Ling got straight to the point.

"Hasn't there always been someone targeting her?" Qin Yinong remained calm and composed, sitting at the bar in her room. She poured herself a drink into a glass with one hand.

Ever since she instructed An Ling to no longer pay attention to the negative trending topics about Tang Ruoyao, Tang Ruoyao had become the center of attacks, constantly being criticized and targeted. They accused her of being difficult to work with, having plastic surgery, and being manipulative in acquiring resources, among other things. An Ling had specifically kept an eye on the PR tactics of Tang Ruoyao's new manager, Mu Qingwu, and she handled them promptly every time, preventing those baseless rumors from escalating into major issues. This reassured Qin Yinong.

"But this time it's different." An Ling's tone carried a hint of schadenfreude. [pleasure derived by someone from another person's.]

Qin Yinong's hand holding the glass paused, and she asked, "How is it different?"

An Ling teased her by keeping her in suspense. "Check the hot search yourself. She's currently in the top spot."

Qin Yinong put the phone on speaker and opened the Weibo hot search page. The furrow between her eyebrows deepened, and finally, she put down the glass on the table with a loud thud.

Qin Yinong said, "What the hell is going on with this person? Does he not know that even his uncle must bow and scrape before me, offering tea and pouring water?"

"Who are you talking about?" An Ling chuckled knowingly. She figured that Qin Yinong must have been so shocked that her brain couldn't even function properly, as she rarely used foul language.

"That surname You." Qin Yinong replied.

"Ah, go on," An Ling urged.

"What was I saying?" Qin Yinong took a sip of her drink and grumbled, "I don't even have time to send him a sarcastic message now?"

"Hahaha!" An Ling burst into laughter on the other end.

She knew that Qin Yinong's reaction to this news would be amusing, so she couldn't help but call to share the joy. But she didn't expect it to be this entertaining.

Whenever it came to Tang Ruoyao, Qin Yinong transformed into a completely different person, brimming with vibrant energy.

"Are you jealous when you see this?" An Ling couldn't help but gossip, her mind curious.

"Not really." Qin Yinong clicked her tongue. "I've already taught that ignorant brat a lesson on set."

"Are you really not jealous?"

"No, I'm not." Qin Yinong's tone carried a hint of impatience. "Are you calling me just to gossip?"

An Ling pouted, feeling somewhat unsatisfied, and stopped pushing further. "Do you think I have nothing better to do? I called to consult with you, should we take action on our end?"

"Let's see how the situation unfolds." Qin Yinong swirled the liquid in her glass, the amber-colored drink rippling in response. She lowered her long lashes mysteriously and lazily said with a nasal voice, "Let's see how Mu Qingwu handles it. If it doesn't work out, then you can take action."

"What if she handles it well?" An Ling asked.

Qin Yinong replied with an obvious tone, "Then you can follow up after her and take action, consider it a warning to others."

An Ling was about to say something, but Qin Yinong hung up the call.

She reopened the hot search page and tapped her finger in the center of the screen, torturing herself as she forced herself to scrutinize every detail in the photos. Was it even appropriate for someone like You Mingxuan, who was so unreliable, to stand next to Tang Ruoyao?

A cold laugh escaped Qin Yinong's nose.

She wasn't jealous.

After all, it was all fake.

But if一

A voice inside her mind asked:

What if one day it's real?

Qin Yinong forcefully shook her head, dismissing the voice from her mind.

.....

The next day at noon, after a night of speculation, the hype surrounding Tang Ruoyao and You Mingxuan's rumored romance had slightly subsided. A new hot search topic took the top spot: Tang Ruoyao's response to her relationship status.

Tang Ruoyao currently didn't have a personal studio, her company's official Weibo account had fewer followers, and it wasn't suitable for anything other than serious statements. So the clarification had to come directly from Tang Ruoyao herself.

Tang Ruoyao retweeted a post from a certain talk show program.

Since she went into seclusion to filming, her Weibo had been inactive, with hardly any updates in a month. Yesterday's incident had caused a huge commotion, and neither party had responded, so Tang Ruoyao's sudden update raised eyebrows for many.

Opening the interview clip, it was only a brief 30 seconds, a compilation of a few questions.

In the video, the host said, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but what's your relationship status, Ruoyao?" 

Tang Ruoyao smiled lightly, composed and calm, and confidently replied, "I'm single."

The clapback came too swiftly, like a tornado.

[What a powerful clapback! Sister is so awesomeeeee!]

[I knew our Tang Tang isn't someone who revolves around love. Focus on your career, girl!]

[Just retweet the Weibo post, no need for words, not even a punctuation mark. She's slaying!]

[Only those without talent would stir up rumors. Tang Tang walks the righteous path and remains dignified. But with her popularity, trouble finds her. She gets even rumors thrown at her while filming. My heart aches for Tang Tang.]

[ Let me imagine what happened. Last night, sister was filming night scenes and went back to the hotel early to sleep. It wasn't until the next morning that she found out about this news through the company. Sister Tang smirked and coldly laughed, huh, where did these nobodies come from trying to ride on my popularity? I remember doing an interview last time, alright, it's all on you. Just retweet the Weibo post, done, don't bother me anymore.]

[The person above, let me imagine it ten thousand times, ahhh! I can!!!]

Mu Qingwu's marketing account spread screenshots of Tang Ruoyao's Weibo post, debunking the rumors of a romance sparked by the filming. Netizens then started speculating with wild imagination: Did You Mingxuan want to create a stir by riding on this? The result backfired on him.

Upon closer thought, it made sense. Tang Ruoyao was still secluded on the set, and a fake relationship wouldn't benefit her in any way. On the other hand, You Mingxuan had just finished filming and had a new drama airing, so he could ride the wave of Tang Ruoyao's popularity. Tang Ruoyao had always been well-liked by the public, and maybe he even wanted to use her to wash away the label of being "talentless" and having "terrible acting skills." Cunning!

However, such speculations did not gain much traction on a large scale. The power of netizens was limited and scattered. Any major commotion usually had someone behind the scenes orchestrating it, and netizens were being used as pawns.

Mu Qingwu didn't want to escalate things with You Mingxuan, so she was just being proactive by having Tang Ruoyao record the interview in advance to clarify things at the appropriate time.

If You Mingxuan's team had any sense, they should follow suit and clarify things, shifting the blame to the marketing account. It would be beneficial for both of them. They were all part of the entertainment industry, and it wasn't a big deal worth tearing their faces apart.

.....

"I'll arrange an interview for you. Respond directly to the rumors and say it's all fabricated by the marketing account," You Mingxuan's manager proposed, aligning with Mu Qingwu's thoughts. They wanted to settle things before it escalated further.

"She dares to play dirty tricks on me?" You Mingxuan's expression turned ominous as he slammed his palm on the coffee table. "Was that interview she did recently specifically to counter my move? Deliberately delaying her response, secretly preparing to slap me in the face, is that it?!"

His manager avoided the question and continued, "The interview is scheduled for the afternoon. Is that okay?" It was better to resolve this matter quickly. Otherwise, he would always feel a tense string in his heart, unable to sleep well.

"Okay my ass!" You Mingxuan abruptly stood up, grinding his teeth and said, "If I can swallow this humiliation, then my last name isn't You!"

The manager stared at his angry and storming figure, grinding her teeth in frustration, and suddenly kicked the back of the sofa heavily.

How could she bring such an unreasonable person with her!

Tang Ruoyao quickly provided clarification, and the entertainment media naturally shifted their attention to the other party involved in the incident, You Mingxuan. You Mingxuan's manager couldn't predict what he would do, so she could only give vague answers. You Mingxuan himself remained behind closed doors, his phone switched off, not even answering his manager's calls.

Three days later, the elusive You Mingxuan made a public appearance at an event. The usually fresh and sunny handsome man had scruffy facial hair, and even skillful makeup couldn't hide his tired expression.

The media's eyes lit up in unison!

After the event, journalists surrounded You Mingxuan, bombarding him with sharp questions. "Recently, there has been a lot of buzz about your rumored relationship with Tang Ruoyao. She has already clarified that she is currently single. What do you have to say about this, You Mingxuan?"

You Mingxuan's eyes welled up slightly, his throat choked, but he couldn't utter a word.

That evening, major media platforms and numerous marketing accounts released consistent breaking news: [You Mingxuan, heartbroken, sheds tears on the spot.]

Implicitly and explicitly, they pointed directly at Tang Ruoyao as the one who abandoned You Mingxuan!

Author's Note:

If this young heartthrob's acting skills were used in legitimate projects, he might have already won an Oscar ╰(*°▽°*)╯

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