CHAPTER 195
Qin Yinong: [Do you have a house in City W?]
Lin Ruohan, upon receiving this message, gradually lost her smile.
Is it a trend these days to lure dogs in and then kill them?
Standing behind Lin Ruohan, holding a brush in her hand, the makeup artist who was waiting to do her makeup hesitantly spoke, "Miss Lin?"
Lin Ruohan composed her expression and said, "It's nothing, continue."
She lifted her little finger and lightly typed two words on the keyboard: [Yes, I do.]
If Qin Yinong needed her help, what else could she do? Spoil her.
Qin Yinong: [What's the address?]
Real estate tycoon Lin Ruohan: [Wait, let me ask.]
Qin Yinong: [Hmm, no rush.]
After a few minutes, Lin Ruohan sent the address.
Qin Yinong opened a navigation map app and entered the filming location and Lin Ruohan's house address as the starting point and destination, respectively. Looking at the long route, Qin Yinong fell into contemplation.
Lin Ruohan: [The password is XXXXXX. How long are you planning to stay? Or if there's a day you won't stay, let me know in advance so I can keep it a secret, in case I accidentally interrupt you two.]
Qin Yinong: [No need, thanks.]
Lin Ruohan: [???]
Qin Yinong: [It's too far from the filming location, sorry.]
Lin Ruohan: [Do you know what I'm thinking?]
Qin Yinong: [Are you thinking of cutting ties with me? But I know you won't, hahaha.]
Lin Ruohan slammed her palm heavily on the dressing table in front of her, startling the trembling makeup artist, who took three steps back. Lin Ruohan gritted her teeth as she looked at her reflection in the mirror and said, "Continue."
The trembling makeup artist approached cautiously.
Humming to herself, Lin Ruohan scrolled through her WeChat contacts and found a name: [Where are you?]
Ren Xingyue replied instantly: [Rehearsing, concert tomorrow night.]
Lin Ruohan: [Get over here.]
During the rehearsal for the world tour concert.
The sound system in the stadium, capable of accommodating tens of thousands of people, was deafening. The singing abruptly stopped, and all the staff looked in surprise as Ren Xingyue, who had been supporting herself with one hand on the stage, leaped down. Ren Xingyue casually threw the custom-made microphone worth millions to the assistant who rushed over and spoke rapidly, "Get me a car, I need to go..."
She lowered her head and typed: [Where are you?]
Lin Ruohan immediately felt intimidated.
[System message: Lin Ruohan retracted a message]
A faint smile appeared on Ren Xingyue's lips as she turned to her assistant, who carefully placed the microphone in a protective case, and said, "Check and look up what engagements Lin Ruohan have right now."
The assistant carefully collected the microphone and before she could even take a breath, she gripped her heart and said, "Okay."
She quickly began looking into it.
Lin Ruohan anxiously stared at her phone, feeling like she was holding a hot potato. Suddenly, she woke up from her daze and threw it onto the dressing table.
The makeup artist felt exhausted.
"From what I can see, I feel that there's a gap between your performance and Ren Xingyue's. If you continue like this, sooner or later you'll willingly return to her embrace. Regardless of whether you accept her or not, you have to take back control. What's the point of always letting people lead you by the nose?"
Qin Yinong's words echoed unexpectedly in her ears. Lin Ruohan closed her eyes and calmed herself.
Yes, she couldn't always be so passive. Every little thing Ren Xingyue did made her panic.
Lin Ruohan picked up her phone again and sent a message: [Go back.]
Ren Xingyue, who was already in the car, responded, "???"
Her assistant glanced at her and saw her expression darken, remaining silent.
The driver, without waiting for anyone's instructions, turned around and asked, "Where to?"
Ren Xingyue pursed her lips and still reported the address of Lin Ruohan's event venue.
Let's play it by ear.
If Lin Ruohan doesn't welcome her, she will leave.
.......
Qin Yinong lightly tapped the table with her fingertips, squinting her eyes slightly. She turned her head and sent a message to Guan Han.
Guan Han immediately carried out the instructions.
Qin Yinong estimated that it would take a few more days to complete, which meant that she would see Tang Ruoyao a few days later. She couldn't help but sigh with a tinge of melancholy.
But it might not be without benefits. With the desire to meet as the driving force, she had moved several months or even years' worth of work to these few days. Longing is hard to resolve, so she simply filled her time with busyness.
She was being arrogant, but the ones suffering were the colleagues in the PR department of her studio. They had been working overtime for several days, each with their own folding bed, eating, dressing, and living in the company. Qin Yinong had just gone to console them in the morning, giving each person a red envelope, and there would be additional bonuses after the matter was over.
What was the point of working so hard? As long as the money was enough, they wouldn't mind working 996 or even 007. Besides, it was just busy for a while. Were PR professionals afraid of working late?
Other departments knew what they were doing, and those who were free came over to cheer on the PR department as if bidding farewell to heroes. As a result, the members of the PR team were all spirited and fought with ease online.
Qin Yinong wanted to clarify that she didn't want to let her opponent successfully "whitewash" her reputation and thus began a long tug-of-war.
And a tug-of-war meant a long time, which meant Qin Yinong would have to stay in the hot search all the time.
Perhaps due to the influence of traditional culture, the Chinese people liked and appreciated a low-key and humble style, and individuals were the same. It wasn't a good thing for one person to have too much exposure. The so-called "the more extreme, the more backlash" was the reason behind it.
Accompanied by various news, Qin Yinong's name frequently appeared in the hot search, whether she opened her eyes or closed them, it was always her. Netizens were finally fed up.
And the opponent's goal was also achieved.
[I know she donates a lot, is kind-hearted, responsible, and loves charity, but can she calm down for a while? Constantly promoting herself really lowers her likability.]
[I won't criticize her since she has built so many Hope Schools, but she should know when to stop.]
[From before the new year to now, it's been several months already. Charity is charity, but if it were any other celebrity, they would have been heavily criticized for such aggressive marketing.]
[Charity isn't a get-out-of-jail-free card. Refusing to use charity to whitewash one's image!]
[Does she think doing charity can erase everyone's memories? It's clear that she's putting a lot of effort into creating a new public image, but it's nauseating.]
......
As positive news increased, negative news surfaced as well.
Part of it was due to behind-the-scenes manipulation, bringing up old "scandals" one after another, with netizens eagerly discussing and amplifying the controversies.
People can't stand things that are too dazzling and perfect.
If someone is stuck in the mud, and there's someone standing on the shore, their thoughts aren't about helping the person ashore but rather about pulling the other person down impatiently. They want to cover the bright pearl with indelible mud, preventing it from shining again.
Jealousy, discontent, and malice spread freely through the internet.
Rumors that had been debunked before needed to be clarified again, and those that hadn't been clarified yet had to be addressed this time. Easier said than done.
The more you confront mainstream netizens, the less they believe your explanations. They only believe what they want to believe and only care about the pleasure of feeling superior and dictating the world while others are intoxicated. They want to turn clarifications into a means of whitewashing.
Qin Yinong's comments on Weibo were unbearable to read. A simple "good morning" to her fans received tens of thousands of abusive comments, listing her "crimes" over the years: scandals, entertainment, drinking, sleeping around, explicit photos, and insults.
The imperial consorts were so angry that they engaged in heated arguments with the "commoners" overnight.
An Ling woke up on the office couch, with a handful of hair falling out as she combed it.
The PR team worked tirelessly, day and night.
Lin Ruohan directly posted on Weibo to criticize the keyboard warriors.
Lin Ruohan V: [A pack of crazy dogs, running after the scent of a bone, shamelessly venting their own stench behind the safety of the internet.]
If it weren't for her public image, she would have referred to them as "shit."
Everyone knew that Lin Ruohan was Qin Yinong's close best friend, so when Lin Ruohan posted that Weibo, she immediately became the target, attracting a wave of attacks.
Lin Ruohan came from a prominent family and was a legitimate third-generation celebrity. Since her debut, no media dared to spread rumors about her unless they wanted to be blacklisted. Her only "flaw" was her sexual orientation, but the moral guardians' insults lacked any logical basis. Lin Ruohan wasn't afraid of being criticized, but she couldn't stand people acting foolishly, especially when there were countless blind things buzzing around her incessantly. This left Lin Ruohan exasperated, venting her frustrations in a private group on her social media.
Qin Yinong thought, why bother? But deep down, she was moved that Lin Ruohan spoke up at this time. She sent Lin Ruohan a message thanking her and asking when she was free to meet for a meal.
Lin Ruohan replied with a cold expression: [Holding a grudge.jpg]
Qin Yinong couldn't hold back anymore and burst out laughing.
Qin Yinong and Lin Ruohan have been fighting in the entertainment industry together for so many years. In addition to their individual fans, they also have a lot of fans who ship them as a couple. These fans not only ship them romantically but also appreciate their friendship. It's time for them to step up and defend their friendship!
Charge! In order to protect their friendship!
Following Lin Ruohan, Wen Shuxian also faced criticism. She chose slightly more elegant wording, thanks to her manager's intervention, which helped smooth things out. But upon careful consideration, her words were even harsher than Lin Ruohan's.
The "bystanders" turned their attention towards attacking Wen Shuxian, who also had her fair share of "scandals."
Wen Shuxian's fans saw the situation and thought, "Oh no! Our idol is causing trouble again!"
As loyal fans, they rolled up their sleeves and entered the battlefield skillfully, injecting fresh and massive energy into the fight.
These young celebrities fighting on the frontlines had formidable power. They had experienced battles in blood and fire, with organization and discipline. They quickly turned the tide of the battle into a precarious stalemate.
The "bystanders" realized they couldn't provoke Wen Shuxian's camp, so even if they were criticized by her fans, they had to swallow their pride and calm the situation. Wen Shuxian's fans focused on their own camp, withdrawing from the battlefield and engaging in a full-on war with the opposing fans who took the chance to attack.
Just as the "bystanders" thought they had the upper hand, an unexpected guest arrived.
Ren Xingyue V:
[Whoever criticizes Lin Ruohan, you can criticize me too. Send me screenshots of the fight and DM my studio's Weibo account @Xingyue Studio for a chance to have a meal together.]
Netizens were astonished: "What on earth is happening? Is this person crazy?"
Whether Ren Xingyue was crazy or not, they didn't have a chance to find out. But Ren Xingyue's fans were indeed going crazy.
Ren Xingyue, with her mysterious sexual orientation, had attracted a large following of female fans. Even now, she still held a significant proportion of her fanbase. However, her main appeal wasn't her appearance or her unconventional orientation, but her talent.
With a powerful presence, a multitude of devoted fans, and catchy songs that were not only loved by her fans but also widely circulated, she was undoubtedly a shining star in the declining contemporary Chinese music scene.
Unlike typical idols, she had unilaterally confessed her feelings to Lin Ruohan previously, and instead of losing fans, she gained a new wave of supporters, many of whom were from the LGBTQ community. They were miles apart, one being a star and the other an ordinary person, and they might never meet in this lifetime. However, they found courage and inspiration in Ren Xingyue.
That's the power of an idol.
A chance to have a meal together!!!
Except for a small portion of fans who believed that Ren Xingyue's actions would only further incite public anger and cause more harm than good, and a smaller fraction of extreme fans who directly withdrew their support, the majority of fans recognized the reality early on. Their beloved "sister" (Ren Xinyue) was being bullied, so they charged forward to avenge her!
After advising the small portion of fans, some of them covertly created alternate accounts to join the fight.
The chance to have a meal together! They could even eat together!
Well, she's your "sister" now, let her have her day.
Lin Ruohan: "..."
She gritted her teeth and reluctantly sent a message to Ren Xingyue: [Are you out of your mind?]
Ren Xingyue: [Yes, lovesickness.]
Lin Ruohan: [You're insane.]
Ren Xingyue: [I love you.]
Lin Ruohan buried her face in her pillow, pulling the blanket over her head.
Ahhhhhh!
She could hardly hold on any longer!
.......
Ren Xingyue personally joined the chaos and stirred up the situation even more, increasing the intensity. Some acquaintances who knew Qin Yinong couldn't stand idly by and also criticized the situation on Weibo, although their wording wasn't as severe as Lin Ruohan and Wen Shuxian's. These acquaintances were not A-list celebrities but more like seasoned actors. They didn't have many fans, but they had a significant number of casual fans, whose influence was comparable to that of A-list stars. Some rational individuals were driven by them and started expressing their opinions.
Other lower-tier celebrities smelled an opportunity and quickly posted to ride the wave of attention, showing their support for Qin Yinong. The first and second celebrities who posted managed to trend, but the third and fourth ones didn't even get a piece of the pie.
This is the era of popularity, so what does it matter if they get criticized? The harsher the criticism, the more popularity they gain. It's exactly what they want.
The resulting situation was something no one expected. The whole internet became a battlefield, with stars attacking each other, online violence, keyboard warriors, and the catalyst, Qin Yinong, being sidelined. Of course, it didn't mean she was safe. Instead, she became a tool for the battle.
Who could have predicted that Wen Shuxian would become the target because of a playful "love idol" remark? Before last year, she didn't even have this "love idol" label. Lin Ruohan's statement was expected, but no one could have foreseen that Ren Xingyue would "betray" herself, not caring about her image and directly letting her fans join in the verbal attacks. It was pure recklessness!
Those who were eager for attention were not just the unknown N-listers but also marketing accounts that changed their tone to gain popularity.
Once more people got involved, the situation became uncontrollable.
But for An Ling, the shift in focus was advantageous. Qin Yinong couldn't afford to stay at the center of the storm anymore. It would be best for her to calm down for a while.
In her office, An Ling looked at the dark circles under her eyes in the mirror and thought she could finally get a good night's sleep.
Qin Yinong pushed the door open and entered.
An Ling stood up from the chair she had been sitting in for a long time and stretched lazily. She asked, "What's wrong?"
Qin Yinong frowned. "What's happening online?"
An Ling chuckled and said, "Isn't this good? Do you still want to continue being criticized?"
Qin Yinong looked at her.
An Ling said, "..."
An Ling reached out to touch Qin Yinong's forehead, and it felt normal. She scrutinized Qin Yinong for a moment, then her breath hitched, and she cautiously asked, "You're not a psycho, are you? Are you a masochist?"
Who would willingly seek to be criticized?
Qin Yinong said, "I'm not a psycho, but..." she asked, "What does 'masochist' mean?" She wasn't foolish enough to believe that being masochist was associated with being cute. Did Tang Ruoyao deceive her?
An Ling couldn't explain and looked it up on her phone to show her.
Word by word: Masochist refers to the person who enjoys being subjected to pain or humiliation in sexual relationships.
Qin Yinong: "..."
That little rascal.
She gritted her teeth, silently taking note of this account and returned the phone to An Ling. Crossing her long legs elegantly, she sat on the off-white leather sofa and said, "Can you think of a way to bring the focus back to me?"
An Ling blurted out, "Are you crazy?" She quickly apologized, "Sorry."
Qin Yinong smiled gently, indicating that it was okay.
She gestured for An Ling to take a seat.
An Ling walked over and sat opposite her.Qin Yinong calmly explained her plan to her.
An Ling widened her eyes and almost couldn't speak, "You..."
Qin Yinong looked directly into her eyes, and to An Ling's surprise, she smiled faintly and said, "Isn't this the fastest and most effective way?"
An Ling suppressed her astonishment and after a while, slowly said, "But..."
She had kept this hidden strategy for so long and had never used it. Well, she did use it once before, on Tang Ruoyao. But this time was different from the last, and she truly wanted to ask Qin Yinong one question: Is it worth it?
However, looking at Qin Yinong's satisfied smile, she thought to herself that she didn't need to ask anymore.
She loved Tang Ruoyao, loved her to the point of giving everything. To weigh whether it was worth it or not was too shallow; it would be a desecration of her feelings.
After a long time, An Ling answered her initial question, "Yes, I can bring the focus back to you."
Qin Yinong looked at her earnestly and said, "Thank you."
An Ling waved her hand.
Letting out a long sigh, An Ling jokingly complained, "I have to work overtime again." She stretched her arms and legs, saying, "My bones are stiff, and they make cracking sounds whenever I move..."
Qin Yinong had sharp eyesight and quickly got up to come over, giving her a shoulder massage.
An Ling closed her eyes comfortably.
"A bit to the left, yes, right there."
......
After two or three days of chaos, both sides on the internet were exhausted from the constant arguments and had had enough. Even in the gossip groups, when they saw the name Qin Yinong, they would avoid it and say, "Let it be, whatever happens, happens."
But the reason why Qin Yinong's ongoing drama was still attracting attention was that even when you were tired and didn't want to continue following it, if you saw a spoiler on the homepage, you couldn't help but click and stay up all night to watch it.
Didn't they say that Qin Yinong had a mysterious husband? Do you know who it is? You don't know? I know, it's that maple-red Shi Xiao.
Netizens: "!!!"
Netizen 1: [It's impossible, Xiao is just her subordinate, and he never said they were husband and wife.]
Netizen 2: [But Xiao never said they weren't husband and wife either.]
Netizen 3: [Xiao wears a wedding ring on his ring finger.]
Netizen 4: [That only proves he's married, it doesn't prove his wife is Qin Yinong.]
Netizen 5: [Why can't you all use your brains to think? Isn't it a coincidence that all these things have been happening recently? Since last year, Qin Yinong was exposed as married, and this year there were revelations about Maple Red and Hope Elementary School. Shi Xiao has always been dedicated to charity, and it's clear to see.]
Netizen 6: [I think I understand now. It's not Qin Yinong who loves charity, it's her husband Shi Xiao. And Shi Xiao has been her secret lover for many years. He wanted to go public, so Qin Yinong went public too, and she also revealed Shi Xiao's years of work achievements, taking credit for everything. When she found Shi Xiao in 2014, wasn't she using Maple Red as bait to lure him? Then they smoothly entered into marriage. When you think about it, it all makes sense.]
Netizens: [Wow, that's a terrifying thought!]
Netizen 7: [It sounds like a real story, but isn't it just speculation? First of all, what makes Shi Xiao so special that Qin Yinong noticed and liked him? He's just average-looking, not even handsome. Secondly, even if her intentions weren't pure, the money she donated is real, and the schools she built are real. Have you not heard the saying: judge by actions, not intentions? No one is perfect, so why do we have such high moral expectations for others? Have the people making these claims donated money? Let them donate billions before speaking.]
Netizen 8: [It seems like Shi Xiao is more scheming. Isn't he just a gold digger?]
Scheming boy Shi Xiao was dragged into the mess, but unlike before, he didn't immediately deny it.
Shi Xiao himself was trembling. He knew he wasn't Qin Yinong's mysterious husband, but he knew she did have someone in her life. When he saw himself and Qin Yinong trending together, he felt a wave of darkness and immediately messaged Qin Yinong to declare that he had nothing to do with this.
Qin Yinong replied, [Okay.]
Shi Xiao asked if he should deny it publicly, and Qin Yinong told him to wait a bit longer. So Shi Xiao performed a "network disconnection" act right where he was, remaining silent like a chicken.
Shi Xiao's silence fueled speculation online. Neither of the parties involved denied it, which allowed the marketing accounts to confirm the rumors. The whole internet went crazy analyzing the situation with long articles, as if it were all true.
Qin Yinong received a call from An Ling, who said, "It's almost done."
Qin Yinong sent out a message and received a reply, [OK.]
After nearly a week of tangled TV drama, it ended with a jaw-dropping twist for everyone.
Qin Yinong's Weibo post:
[[Shi Xiao and I] only have a superior-subordinate relationship, and there has never been a romantic relationship. Please do not spread rumors. Thank you all.]
It was a clarification post, similar to the previous one, with just a changed name. Nothing major.
Some netizens were even waiting for this clarification because the rumors online had become too outrageous. Even a novel wouldn't dare to write such things.
Has everything settled down? Not yet.
Under Qin Yinong's Weibo post, a verified user named "Ji Yunyao" commented, [What's wrong with the netizens these days? They're just talking nonsense. Is my little auntie really that easy to handle?]
Qin Yinong reposted this comment and added four words:
[Hahahaha.]
The netizens were confused. Ji Yunyao? Who's that? Why haven't we heard of them? Judging by the familiar tone, it seems like they're related to Qin Yinong. Could they be Qin Yinong's niece?
Meanwhile, those in the entertainment industry who were paying attention to this matter felt a chill in their hearts. They were all experienced individuals who had been in the entertainment circle for a long time. Haven't they heard of the name Huanyu Film and Television? The successor designated by the Ji family, the prince of Huanyu Film and Television. What was her name again?
A newcomer who had recently entered the industry curiously asked their own manager, "What's her name?"
The manager's expression was difficult to discern, and they slowly replied, "Her name is Ji Yunyao."
The newcomer asked, "Qin Yinong is a member of the Ji family? Why haven't I seen that in the information?"
The manager glanced at them deeply and said, "I only found out today as well."
Being someone who was already at the pinnacle and also a blood relative of the Ji family, having such a close relationship with the next family head, it was likely that no one in the industry would dare to offend her in the future.
As the newcomer noticed the manager's increasingly serious expression, their heart sank. They cautiously asked, "Xiao Ge, will...this affect us?"
The manager suddenly burst into laughter, putting their finger on their forehead and laughing uncontrollably.
Newcomer: "???"
The manager laughed while saying, "You reminded me, this has nothing to do with us small fry. We're just worrying about nothing here, haha."
They were insignificant little fish and shrimps, unable to catch Qin Yinong's attention. If there was any impact, it would be on those big stars who were against Qin Yinong. The tense situation in these past few days clearly showed that Qin Yinong had someone manipulating things behind the scenes and was determined not to let her wash away her reputation. Are they all scared out of their wits now?
"Bang!"
Haomei Hua lifted her hand and forcefully smashed the coffee cup on the tea table, shattering it into pieces on the carpet.
Her manager had just contacted the internet water army company and halted all the operations that smeared Qin Yinong's image. They were trying to persuade her, saying, "Meihua, let it go."
Haomei Hua's expression twisted with uncontrollable anger. "Why should I?!"
She had been throwing a fit for half an hour already, her temper escalating. The manager also became a little annoyed and said, "Why? You were never a match for her to begin with. If she says she'll cut off your resources, she'll cut them off. She used to be too lazy to bother with you. Don't you know Ji Yunyao? Do you not know her temper? If you provoke her, do you think you have enough lives for her to play with?"
Haomei Hua, despite her ability to cause trouble, had to admit that her manager was right.
Haomei Hua fell silent, her expression extremely unpleasant.
The manager softened their tone and patted her shoulder.
.......
The curious netizens have finally discovered Ji Yunyao's true identity. While she is famous within the entertainment industry, it is her grandfather and father's names that are well-known to the general public.
Ji Zhang, from the Ji Group, has consistently topped the Forbes China Rich List, never falling below the top two in previous years. The Ji family has numerous heirs, involved not only in business but also in politics, although the online community is unaware of their political connections.
Ji Yunyao, born with a silver spoon in her mouth, is a top-tier second-generation wealthy individual, unquestionably so.
What leaves netizens contemplating is how Qin Yinong suddenly became connected to the Ji family? They haven't heard about it before. Wasn't her family background ordinary? She only made it to where she is today by relying on unspoken rules. If her background is so powerful, why does she still need to rely on sleeping with men to gain resources?
Isn't there a contradiction here? It doesn't make sense.
A sudden light flashes, overturning all the established understanding of netizens over the years.
Wait, didn't Qin Yinong clarify during an interview behind the scenes of the Golden Magnolia Awards: all the scandals are rumors?
That was her first clarification after years of silence, yet netizens questioned it as a publicity stunt because they firmly believed in the "facts." But what if... Qin Yinong wasn't lying? What if she really didn't rely on men to climb up but rather she is a member of the Ji family, making it easier for her to access resources?
Suddenly, all the evidence of the scandals collapses. Those so-called irrefutable proofs become a joke in the face of the mighty Ji family.
The entertainment industry is shaken, and the netizens who once fervently accused Qin Yinong find themselves in unprecedented confusion.
So, all this time, could it be that they have been... wrong all along?
At the same time, Qin Yinong boards a flight to W City to meet her beloved.
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