CHAPTER 194
Qin Yinong, the founder of Maple Red, had her identity revealed, which led to more doubts than understanding. Nowadays, many celebrities engage in charity work after gaining fame, but they are afraid of doing charity. One reason is that people may accuse them of deliberate publicity, and another reason is the fear of being suspected of embezzlement.
Moreover, Qin Yinong's tarnished reputation amplified the skepticism.
Furthermore, there were opportunists taking advantage of the situation, steering the narrative in an unfavorable direction. Qin Yinong had long stopped paying attention to private messages, but now the Weibo comments section, which she had managed to keep clean for a few years, was once again filled with malicious words.
This was what An Ling had warned her about, to be mentally prepared in advance, and this was just the beginning.
If clarifying the situation were that easy, An Ling wouldn't have needed so much time for buffering and laying groundwork. She hoped to minimize the damage caused by public opinion, even if those hurtful words had minimal impact on Qin Yinong, who was already at the pinnacle, because she had grown accustomed to it.
But Qin Yinong herself didn't mind, there were people who cared for her.
Unlike last time when she turned off her phone, this time her phone kept ringing from morning till night. The familiar voices always started with an uncertain question: "Is what's spreading online true?"
Qin Yinong admitted, "Yes."
Her friend sighed and comforted her, "Don't go online to read comments for a while. It'll calm down eventually."
They all belonged to the same circle, and who didn't know the twists and turns within? Moreover, how easily the netizens could be influenced these days.
Qin Yinong smiled and said, "I know."
Her friend paused for a moment and sincerely advised her, "Yinong, why don't you shut down your foundation or transfer it completely to someone else? If you want to do charity, you can still donate money privately. Don't engage in something that brings you so much trouble and little appreciation."
The higher a person's achievements, the stronger their sense of social responsibility, and the more contributions they can make to society. Although it's not an absolute rule, Qin Yinong's friends, for instance, were always the most active when it came to making donations for natural disasters, and they also occasionally engaged in charitable activities privately. Not to mention the famous annual charity auction within the industry.
Even popular stars like Wen Shuxian had fans who would unite to support charitable projects, and they were far better than some netizens who only knew how to create discord by typing on their keyboards.
But doing things privately is one thing, it's a matter of good intentions. When it's brought into the public eye, it provides an opportunity for people to attack you openly, even without any incriminating evidence. The simplest accusation is embezzlement, and rumors can easily be fabricated. The debunking process is much harder. If things go wrong, it can lead to personal and professional ruin.
Who would dare to do it? At least they wouldn't.
Qin Yinong said, "I'm not at ease. With you donating so much every year, can you guarantee that the money will truly reach those in need?"
Her friend fell silent for a moment and said, "That's the responsibility of the organization, it's not our concern. We're just actors, we can't wield such power."
Qin Yinong responded, "But I don't just want peace of mind."
Her friend fell completely silent.
After a whole minute, her friend sighed and said, "It turns out I only understood you today."
Qin Yinong smiled and said, "Then you can start getting to know me again from today. Don't be too surprised."
Her friend hummed and said, "I'll wait and see." Then sincerely said, "If you need anything, just let me know. For example, I can post a Weibo to support you. It's a small effort, but if you need it, just let me know."
Qin Yinong replied, "I know, thank you."
Lin Ruohan's temper was a bit explosive. When she answered the phone, she immediately started scolding, "Those bastards, watch me destroy them!"
Qin Yinong sat by the table in the room, poured half a glass of water into a glass, using water in place of alcohol, took a sip, and smiled calmly, "How do you plan to kill them?"
An Ling said, "We can sue them for spreading rumors and defamation. We've done it before."
Qin Yinong said, "It costs too much money. It's better if you donate it to Maple Red instead."
An Ling asked, "...Are you even human?"
Qin Yinong smiled softly, "No, I'm a fairy."
An Ling suddenly had an indescribable feeling and clicked her tongue, "You've been acting really..."
Qin Yinong said, "You mean I've been completely enchanted by love recently? Are you jealous?" She giggled.
An Ling was speechless.
She couldn't help but think that Lin Ruohan had suffered serious internal injuries from dealing with her ex.
But since Qin Yinong was so relaxed and at ease, she wouldn't worry about her anymore. They had both weathered storms before, but Lin Rouhan seemed to be showing herself as if she couldn't hold her composure.
The calmest one was Tang Ruoyao, or at least she appeared that way.
She learned about Qin Yinong's exposure of Maple Red on set, thanks to Xin Qian informing her.
During lunch break, Tang Ruoyao called Qin Yinong, "Why did you choose this timing?"
Qin Yinong's words contained a smile, "Why not seize the opportunity? It's a lucky start to the year." Then she naturally changed the topic, "Is the set still cold? Do you have a heater?"
Tang Ruoyao replied, "Now that the snow has melted, it's even colder. Baby, I need a hug."
Qin Yinong said, "Hug."
After hanging up the phone, Qin Yinong flipped through her long contact list and dialed a number.
"Mrs. Lin, it's me, Xiao Qin. I have something to ask you..."
The next day, Tang Ruoyao received a small and exquisite hand warmer, well, the same one Jiang Lao used.
A hand warmer, also known as a "sleeve warmer" or "palm warmer," is a heating tool that has been passed down from ancient times to the present. It has a long history and became a valuable item after it was introduced into the palace during the Qing Dynasty. The craftsmanship is complex and elegant. Nowadays, its collection value is generally higher than its practical value.
Jiang Lao is old-fashioned and uses an improved version. The inside contains charcoal fire, and no matter how strong the fire burns, it doesn't feel hot to the touch. It surpasses the popular hand warmers in terms of heat retention and heating effect.
This thing was too eye-catching and looked ridiculously expensive. Tang Ruoyao didn't dare to use it. Fortunately, the sleeves of the costumes on set were slightly larger, so she instructed Xin Qian to hide it properly. When she finished filming, she quickly tucked it into her sleeve, sneaking around like a thief.
But no matter how cautious she was, there would be a day when she would reveal her secret.
The atmosphere on the set was good, and the actors naturally got along well. One actress caught Tang Ruoyao off guard and sat on the chair in front of her. She was about to start a conversation when she keenly noticed something hidden in Tang Ruoyao's sleeve.
"Oh? What's this?" She widened her eyes.
Tang Ruoyao tried to cover it up, "It's nothing."
"Let me see. Don't be so shy."
Tang Ruoyao sighed in her heart and slowly took out the object from her sleeve.
The actress gasped.
Five minutes later, Tang Ruoyao was surrounded by people. The other main actors, including the director Fan Hong, had gathered around, staring at the hand stove she placed on the table, studying it intently.
Women naturally have no resistance to beautiful things.
The actress who had discovered the hand warmer earlier had stars in her eyes and repeatedly asked, "Where did you buy it? I can't wait to have the same one."
Fan Hong's eyes also sparkled, and she sighed, "These things are rare now. They are mostly found in auctions. In 2005, a late Ming Dynasty hand stove was auctioned by Christie's for 3 million Hong Kong dollars."
A male actor picked it up and carefully examined it, murmuring to himself, "Simple and heavy, with exquisite and plain patterns... This seems to be made in the Ming Dynasty." He had some knowledge of antique collecting.
Everyone: "!!!"
Another person said, "Isn this one also worth 3 million?"
The speaker shook his head and said, "Not sure, but judging from the craftsmanship, it's worth at least 1.8 million." He didn't fully express his thoughts and smiled as he added, "I'm not an expert, just casually saying it. Let's forget about it."
After speaking, he carefully put it down, afraid of knocking or touching it. His actions confirmed his words.
The colleague who had asked where it was bought didn't speak anymore. The gazes of everyone in the crowd directed towards Tang Ruoyao were filled with the message: It's too extravagant!
Tang Ruoyao: "..."
Fan Hong actually liked this hand warmer, but she didn't want to steal the limelight, so she asked, "Xiao Tang, do you have any reliable connection to recommend to me? I also want to buy one."
Tang Ruoyao stuttered, "I..."
Fan Hong gently said, "Not convenient? It's okay."
Tang Ruoyao's ears turned slightly red. She suppressed her embarrassment and whispered, "No, it was a gift from my partner, so I also... don't know." Her voice became quieter as she spoke the last sentence. If it weren't for her usual composure, she would have lowered her head in shyness.
Fan Hong smiled and joked, "Okay, I understand."
The onlookers immediately started making noise, "Ohhhh!"
Tang Ruoyao blushed, wishing she could disappear into the ground.
Fan Hong clapped her hands and said, "Alright, everyone disperse, don't gather around and make a fuss. Isn't everyone in a relationship? Take five minutes to send a message or make a call to your partner. If you're single, continue reading the script."
A handheld camera was recording the scene.
The crowd dispersed, but the actress who had initially been chatting with Tang Ruoyao was still there. She sat opposite Tang Ruoyao and a question popped into her mind. She blurted out, "Tang Tang, isn't your partner just the little puppy you're supporting? How can he be so wealthy?"
Tang Ruoyao raised her gaze and looked at her calmly.
The colleague realized she had offended her and forced a dry smile, muttering to herself, "Or maybe he's a second-generation heir?"
"Not him." The icy voice sounded cold and clear in her ears.
The colleague was confused, "Not what?"
"Not from a wealthy family." Tang Ruoyao lowered her gaze and turned the script page, not wanting to discuss it further. She said calmly, "Let's focus on the scene."
Her colleague was taken aback and said, "Okay."
Not from a wealthy family and so young, then where did the money come from?
.......
The online debate continued.
On the afternoon when Qin Yinong retweeted Shi Xiao's Weibo post, resourceful netizens dug up an old news article.
In the second half of the previous year, Qin Yinong was caught on camera at an airport in an intimate moment with a tall man wearing a mask and sunglasses. At that time, marketing accounts labeled him as her new lover and even fabricated a new identity for him as a male model.
Now, someone with a keen eye went back and found that the man in question was none other than Shi Xiao.
If they appeared together at the airport back then, what did it mean?
Opinions were divided.
[It means they had an improper relationship a long time ago, right?] This was the speculation of the haters.
[It means Qin Yinong was telling the truth. Maple Red was indeed established by her, solid evidence like a mountain.] This was the belief of fans and some neutral observers.
[I remember the rumors at the time said he was Emperor Qin's little lover and even claimed he was a model. Have these people come out to apologize? 😊]This was the opinion of fans and the high-level water army hired by An Ling.
Then came the chaos.
[Unscrupulous media, did you enjoy spreading rumors? Come out and apologize!]
[When she was diligently donating money and doing good deeds, what were these entertainment reporters and self-media doing?]
[Isn't anyone curious why they appeared together at the airport? Did their reporting work require them to be so close? And they say there's no improper relationship?]
Shi Xiao personally came forward to answer this question.
In the past two days, Shi Xiao gained hundreds of thousands of followers due to curious netizens.
Shi Xiao's Weibo post:
[Whenever anyone is tired and unable to walk, I will support them, let alone when she is my superior and important partner.]
This vague statement sparked even greater curiosity among the public.
Many people flocked to Shi Xiao's Weibo comments, hoping he would clarify further.
[What does that mean? Are you saying Emperor Qin was sick at that time? Why was she sick?] (4,313 likes)
[If you have insider information, can you just spill it all at once, ah ah ah, I'm dying of impatience!] (13,242 likes)
[Damn! This is the first time I'm so excited for a 'whitewashing' reveal. Hurry up, hurry up!] (9,849 likes)
Shi Xiao replied, [It's been a long time since that incident. Let me organize my thoughts.]
Actually, everything was within An Ling's expectations. Shi Xiao personally wrote the meticulously polished script, which had been prepared in advance, waiting for the perfect moment to be released and stir up everyone's curiosity.
This is also a battlefield, a battlefield without gunpowder, where strategy and tactics matter, using a single move to defeat the enemy.
Four hours later, Shi Xiao finally finished "organizing his thoughts" and published a lengthy article titled "The Story Behind the Photos."
[That day, we had just finished three days of work and were returning from X County in G Province. Those who are somewhat knowledgeable might know that this is a famous impoverished mountainous area in our country. Qin Yinong had donated to build a Hope Primary School in that area, which had been completed two years ago and was already in use. However, the construction company contracted for the school had cut corners, resulting in collapsed buildings after an earthquake (see the photos at the end). Fortunately, it happened after school hours, and only a few students who were studying and a teacher who rushed in to save people were injured. The principal reported the situation to me, and Qin Yinong and I immediately bought plane tickets and rushed to X County to handle the aftermath, comfort the families, provide financial compensation. We worked tirelessly for three days before returning to Beijing together.
Miss Qin was exhausted, and as soon as she got off the plane, she couldn't even walk. I and her assistant helped her out. If you don't believe it, you can carefully look at that photo. Doesn't she look pale and extremely weak?]
......
[I know that some media friends must be eager to get this exclusive news. So, I'll say it here. Jianing Hope Primary School is located in X Township, X County, X City, G Province. Cars cannot directly reach the school, so you'll have to rent a donkey cart or walk. The principal and the villagers can testify to this. First come, first served.]
At the end of the article, in addition to the collapsed building photos, there were also pictures of the reconstructed primary school. The teaching building was brand new, and the students stood on the playground, their red scarves fluttering, shining brightly in the sunlight.
If there were still doubts about Maple Red, the Hope Primary School incident was a solid fact that couldn't be refuted.
Because reality is the most powerful evidence.
[I checked it, and a 5.4 magnitude earthquake did indeed occur in G Province a few days before the scandalous report came out. The epicenter was near X County.]
[Everyone, I finally found the most detailed scandal. Look at this video of the airport at that time. Qin Yinong was walking unsteadily, and it was basically her assistant and Shi Xiao supporting her. [web link]]
[If everything is true, I apologize for my previous remarks.]
[I have a question. If the construction company cut corners, why did Qin Yinong handle the aftermath? Shouldn't they hold the construction company accountable?]
[Maybe she felt more responsible.]
[What does Jianing mean?]
Netizens analyzed Shi Xiao's article over and over again, scrutinizing it with a magnifying glass, trying to find any loopholes.
Not to mention that the article was meticulously crafted in its wording, but Shi Xiao was also not one to shy away. He personally addressed the questions that could be answered, such as holding the construction company accountable.
Shi Xiao's reply: [In theory, that's how it should be, but it would be too slow. The injured children and teachers are waiting for medical treatment and compensation. We intervened faster. President Qin is not only donating the primary school, but she also takes full responsibility for the follow-up matters. Moreover, the construction company fled after the incident, and we couldn't find anyone at that time.]
Netizen's question: [Did you find them later?]
Shi Xiao's response: [Yes, we found them and filed a lawsuit according to the law!]
Netizens: [Well done!!!]
Over the past few years, Qin Yinong has donated nearly a hundred Hope Primary Schools, including the teaching building. The internet has made the world small, and people have been posting on the internet real-life photos of the Hope Primary Schools, all starting with the words "Jianing."
They finally understood that Shi Xiao was telling the truth. While the entertainment media spread rumors about her being replaced by a newcomer, the person being targeted was quietly persevering in the remote and desolate mountains, upholding her kindness and justice, until she collapsed from exhaustion at the airport.
Who should be blamed in the end? Who should be praised?
This world has its right and wrong, and the truth will eventually come to light.
The storms on the internet temporarily subsided, and no matter how significant the issues of personal morality were, they couldn't overshadow the radiance of humanity that shone from Qin Yinong.
Her fans were also caught off guard, moved to tears, and spontaneously started expressing their love.
#The Best Qin Yinong in the World#
The positive comments took the lead, and netizens—those with a shred of conscience or guilt—began to follow the trend, apologizing, expressing their admiration, shifting from criticism to support, and transforming from fans to die-hard fans.
Some netizens even imitated a certain "man who can only criticize the sun" and gave her a title: "The Woman Who Can Only Be Criticized by the Sun."
Qin Yinong's temple twitched: "..."
Lin Ruohan burst into laughter on the phone.
Qin Yinong tugged at the corner of her lips, too lazy to argue with her.
Lin Ruohan said, "You've already whitewashed yourself, right? Isn't it clarified?"
Qin Yinong sighed, "It's just the beginning."
It was only a momentary victory, and the explosion of public opinion was yet to come.
Lin Ruohan knew it clearly in her heart but tentatively suggested, "How about coming here first?"
Qin Yinong firmly replied, "No."
Lin Ruohan swallowed her words and said, "If you need help, I can speak up for you, both online and offline."
Qin Yinong murmured in agreement, and with a thought, she said, "Maybe I really need your help."
Lin Ruohan exclaimed in surprise, "Really?"
Qin Yinong smiled and said, "Yes, wait for my call."
Lin Ruohan rubbed her hands with excitement, "Alright!"
***
City W, set of "Xiao Hong" film.
Qin Yinong's affairs are like a TV drama series. One wave subsides, and another rises. The staff members have already gone crazy, and when the actors have free time, they gossip a bit. Even the director, Fan Hong, is involved.
Fan Hong and Qin Yinong know each other, but their relationship isn't deep. When they meet, they nod in acknowledgment. It all started when Qin Yinong acted in a comedy film directed by a Hong Kong director early in her career. They had a brief encounter at a dining table. Later, they met two more times on different occasions. Fan Hong had always wanted Qin Yinong to be the lead actress in her film, but Qin Yinong was too busy and couldn't wait for her schedule.
Overall, Fan Hong had a good impression of Qin Yinong. She had an unbeatable filter for actors who performed well on screen. As for their personal lives, what does that have to do with filming? Fan Hong didn't hesitate to praise Qin Yinong's acting skills and admired her recent activities. She spoke like a devoted fan, with stars in her eyes.
For male actors, Qin Yinong was universally recognized as a goddess. She had great acting skills, a stunning appearance, and a charming temperament. So the praise continued, one after another.
The gossip scene turned into an offline fan gathering for Qin Yinong.
Fan Hong: "I really like the scene she performed in 'Hazy'..."
An excited male actor interrupted, "Is it the one where she sits on the edge of the bed smoking?!"
Fan Hong clapped her hands, "Yes, that's the one! The desolation of wind and dust, aloofness, and the experience of sailing through a thousand sails—all expressed in a single gaze. It's hard to believe she was only twenty years old at that time."
"She's an extraordinary genius. We ordinary people can't compare."
"Hahaha, that's true."
Tang Ruoyao's expression seemed a bit strange to outsiders.
While others were discussing with great enthusiasm, she pursed her lips and remained silent. If you looked closely, her lips would occasionally curve up before tightening again, giving her a half-smiling, half-not expression.
The female actress next to her glanced at her with a nervous and frightened look, then tugged on the arm of another female actress, Xiao C.
Xiao C asked, "What's wrong?"
The actress whispered to her, and they exchanged a few words.
Xiao C suddenly realized.
What else could it be? Tang Ruoyao and Qin Yinong had a bad relationship. They had worked together on a film but had no interaction with each other, no interactions on Weibo. During the last interview at the Golden Maple Awards, when the reporter mentioned Qin Yinong, Tang Ruoyao had a displeased expression on her face and walked away without saying a word.
That was something from the past, but recently, on the day when Lin Ruohan publicly confessed his love for Qin Yinong on Weibo, Qin Yinong clarified that all three of her roommates had reposted the Weibo, but Tang Ruoyao was the only one who didn't. What kind of grudge was that?
If they knew that Tang Ruoyao's strange expression was only because she heard them praise Qin Yinong to the skies and she was trying to hold back her happiness from bursting into laughter, what would they think?
The actress and Xiao C exchanged a glance, each taking hold of one of Tang Ruoyao's arms, and said in unison, "Tang Tang, let's go over there and take a look."
Tang Ruoyao: "Huh?"
She hadn't heard enough yet!
Without a word, the two of them dragged Tang Ruoyao away.
Tang Ruoyao: "..."
.......
Qin Yinong attended a brand commercial event and, as expected, was surrounded by reporters at the venue.
After the recent online public welfare incident, major media studios in Huaxia spared no effort to secure headlines featuring Qin Yinong.
Despite the security forming a human wall at the scene, it proved futile.
The intertwining flashes of cameras were so frequent that they rang in people's ears.
Qin Yinong, with her face the size of a palm, wore sunglasses and had vibrant red lips. Slowly, she moved her feet under the guidance of her bodyguards.
"Miss Qin, as the founder of Maple Red, what is your purpose in establishing it?"
"Is it to have the satisfaction of defying everyone today? Or is it still about whitewashing your image?"
"There have been voices online questioning the misappropriation of funds by Maple Red. As the initiator of Maple Red, can you give a positive response?"
"Is it true that you built the elementary school? Do you have any corresponding donation certificates?"
"Do you have any photos? A picture with the principals, as merely mentioning the name of an elementary school is not enough to prove your words, right?"
"Since you've been doing all this quietly for so many years, why choose to expose it now? Shouldn't charity work be low-key? Are you using charity for self-promotion?"
"May I ask..."
One sharp and malicious question after another was thrown at her.
Qin Yinong's lips beneath the sunglasses remained unmoved, her expression calm and undisturbed.
Guan Han, with one hand, waved away the microphone that kept coming close to Qin Yinong's lips, while the other hand circled around Qin Yinong's shoulder, pushing forward. Her face slightly darkened, and she repeated in a cold voice, "We're not accepting interviews at the moment, thank you."
Qin Yinong, surrounded by the crowd, seemed like a flat boat drifting on a dark sea, rising and falling with the waves, as if she could be swallowed by the storm in front of her at any moment.
"No interviews, make way!"
"Move aside!" Guan Han adeptly pushed away a heavy camera, her voice now filled with anger.
The situation reached a stalemate, with no progress possible.
Finally, the organizers' security arrived to support and kept the aggressive media at bay.
"Please answer!" Outside the human wall, a reporter shouted at the top of their lungs, their face turning red.
Under the escort of the security personnel, Qin Yinong's figure became smaller and smaller, disappearing from the camera's view.
After Tang Ruoyao finished watching the video on the set until the very last second, she finally let out a breath she had been holding and messaged Qin Yinong, asking, [Are you okay?]
After confirming that it was convenient for her, Qin Yinong made a phone call.
"I'm fine," Qin Yinong said, then disdainfully curled her lips and sneered, "Just a few entertainment reporters."
Tang Ruoyao knew she was really fine and smiled, saying, "So arrogant."
Qin Yinong arrogantly said, "Being just a little arrogant is nothing. I can be even more arrogant. Just wait and see."
Tang Ruoyao teased, "Oh."
Qin Yinong replied, "Oh, cut the cr*p."
Tang Ruoyao said, "Let's have a set of scallion pancakes."
Hahaha, what a bunch of weirdos.
After laughing, Qin Yinong stared at the glass of water on the counter. She turned the screen of her laptop, opened WeChat, and sent a message to Lin Ruohan:
[Do you have a house in City W?]
Author's Note:
Ding dong—System prompt: Miss Tang Ruoyao's avatar is about to go online.
Leave a comment and receive: One cute Qin Dudu Q version doll that can be hung anywhere.
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