Xu Qichen opened it with a frown.
He found that everyone was rapidly reposting a couple of photos. One was of him walking into the private clubhouse, the other was of Sheng Huafeng entering the same clubhouse.
The texts emphasised on Sheng Huafeng being the largest investor of Nan Ke.
All the captions were similar to ‘Popular traffic Ji Mengze’s night date with investor’.
The opinions were once again fermenting.
Ji Mengze, who had just escaped the storm of ‘cutting off Sun Cheng’, had once again fallen into the pit of ‘being a sugar baby’.
Xu Qichen felt a headache coming on. He’d tried to avoid this, but in the end he was still plotted against.
[Bright people don’t speak darkly]: jmz is clearly just a boy group idol, why are his resources better than a lot of traffic Xiaoshengs? Now I understand.
[Kite-flyer]: Just seeing jmz’s appearance you can make an inference, but the paparazzi are amazing, even managed to catch them at such a secret location, 666.
[Tell me why]: poor sc, if you don’t know how to climb into beds you can only be cut off~
…
It was obvious that certain accounts were driving the rhythm, but now that the post was on hot search, it had high traffic, many passersby who thought they knew the truth also began to discuss it in the comments.
What to do.
Xu Qichen ran his fingers through his hair. These photos were indeed taken at the dinner he attended, but he and Sheng Huafeng weren’t the only ones at the dinner. If Chen Anping and Qu Qing could step out to speak…
No, they don’t have any group photos to offer as evidence. If they speak without proof at this juncture, the netizens would only conclude that they’re blindly trying to protect him. Haters would continue to drive the rhythm and nobody would believe them.
The clubhouse must have security cameras ba…
At this moment, his phone rang. He knew it was Li Yun without thinking. “Hello, Yun-jie.”
Li Yun: “You saw Weibo right?”
Xu Qichen: “En.”
Li Yun: “I knew it. Don’t worry, I know it’s the work of Sun Cheng’s team. Of course, those involved aren’t just his team. Since he insists on doing this, I’ll dig out the dirt on him. Let’s see who has more hammers!”
Xu Qichen sighed, “I think now is not the time.”
Li Yun was silent for a while. “I know you don’t want to do this, but if they didn’t attack us, I wouldn’t attack them. Plus, I just received a call from President Sheng’s side, they’ve already communicated with some marketing accounts…”
Xu Qichen: “This method can only temporarily suppress the news, because netizens will shoot back. We should start from that night’s dinner. As long as we can prove that the photos in circulation are selective evidence…”
Li Yun: “The private clubhouse should have security cameras, I’ll contact them.”
Xu Qichen replied with an ‘en’, but he suddenly realised, if it were so easy to get the footage, President Sheng would already have it. Since there’s no news from him, they must have encountered some problem.
This move by Sun Cheng’s team is very risky. It would definitely collapse once the security footage came out. Since they dared to use this ploy, the footage must have been completely suppressed.
Xu Qichen immediately recalled the strength of Sun Cheng’s backer. It seems like this investor really likes him. He clearly invested in this film himself, but he was still willing to help Sun Cheng stir this pool of muddy water.
Time passed slowly, and the matter of ‘sugar baby’ gathered more and more heat. Some marketing accounts have deleted the photos they posted previously, but, just as Xu Qichen had expected, the netizen’s interest in this matter only increased.
This method only gives off a feeling of ‘there aren’t 300 taels of silver buried here’, and Li Yun also hadn’t contacted him again.
Forget it. At this juncture, thinking too much wouldn’t help.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Xu Qichen went into the bathroom and took a shower.
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Pa’r ragjcuf, rbwfalwfr sbe pera lcfzqilmjyis offi ilxf fjalcu rbwfatlcu.
He rummaged through the tidbit box beside his bed and found a packet of White Rabbit Creamy Candies. Tearing it open, he stuffed one into his mouth. It was good, but it tasted different from the candy Lin Ran had given him. This felt a little like scratching an itch through the boots.
Before sleeping, people tend to involuntarily slide open their locked mobile phones, telling themselves, just five minutes, and then systematically open Weibo.
Even Xu Qichen, who was currently residing in the eye of Weibo’s storm, was no exception.
Weird.
The hot search ranking had changed again.
[Ji Mengze Lin Ran] was once again No. 1.
Did Lin Ran post another Weibo? Xu Qichen couldn’t suppress his curiosity, so he tapped on it.
Many entertainment accounts had posted a photo. It was once again the same private clubhouse as before, but the person entering it this time was Lin Ran. The photo was taken from a different angle. It captured Lin Ran’s face much more clearly .
And in the caption, there was such a line: [Ji Mengze, Lin Ran, consecutively show up to Nan Ke’s management dinner.]
In the comments below were the netizens who had been suspicious of the recent ‘sugar relationship’ incident.
[I’m not Li Hua]: So as I said before, if it’s really a sugar relationship, would they so openly allow their photos to be taken by the paparazzi? Really, just find a random photo, and make up your own story.
[Dawn wind, waning moon]: I believe in Lin Ran’s character. This should be a regular dinner before they started filming ba. Some paparazzi are really too disgusting!
[CaFeZnSeVitamin]: emm… it’s really twist after twist ah…
…
However, many netizens still expressed their doubt. It’s just a photo of Lin Ran entering the same clubhouse. What if Lin Ran didn’t go there that day but was just used as a shield?
The suspicion and discussions became more heated.
Meanwhile, Xu Qichen’s point of concern was the timing of this photo’s appearance. It’s so coincidental that it seems as if the person who took the photo had already anticipated the entire ‘sugar relationship’ incident.
Their opponents were holding on tightly to the theory that Lin Ran was being used as a shield. Lin Ran’s fans were beginning to step in to defend him, and their methods included venting on Ji Mengze’s Weibo.
Just when this incident reached the peak of confusion.
An entertainment account posted a video which became the force that turned the tide of this public discussion.
In the video, though it’s night time, one could still clearly see Lin Ran, Ji Mengze, and Screenwriter Qu Qing walking out of the clubhouse together. Behind them were two drunk men who needed help walking. Netizens who enlarged the video could clearly tell that those two were Sheng Huafeng and Director Chen Anping.
Xu Qichen thought it was strange. This video was taken from the same angle as the previous photo. It’s obvious that someone had camped there to shoot them.
The moment this video came out, it basically proved that the dinner at the private clubhouse was for the main crew and investors of Nan Ke.
Chen Anping also sent a chicken soup post at 2am.
[Director Chen Anping]: Life is like cultivation. The most difficult thing to do is to maintain a silent and intellectual heart, to discover the true nature beyond the vain illusion.
This was obviously mocking the farce of public outrage. Many melon-eating netizens also checked in in the comments below Director Chen’s Weibo.
Not long after, Lin Ran and Qu Qing liked Director Chen’s post. Qu Qing even directly reposted the video without any extraneous commentary.
At the same time, another melon-eating gossip blog also dug out that on the day of the dinner, Lin Ran was indeed absent from his company’s anniversary ceremony. He was even seen leaving the company in the same outfit as in the video.
At this point, the situation was clear to all.
[Watermelon Ice Head]: There shouldn’t be any more twists… The crew has stood out, solid hammers have also been taken out, feels like jmz has been pitted this time.
[green bean soup in my hand]: jmz really has an innate bloody rain constitution ah, with this constitution he will never be out of the limelight.
[Dawn wind, waning moon]: Until now, Ji Mengze didn’t make a single sound. For someone to be scolded for so long, I suddenly feel quite bad for him…
[KingKONG]: Recapping todays melon: In the beginning, there were rumours online that SC will be casted in Nan Ke (now it’s evident that it was mostly self-frying), then the ‘cutting off’ pot was thrown onto JMZ, but we were face-slapped by Lin Ran, then there was suddenly a sugar relationship theory, but now there are solid hammers proving someone was carrying the rhythm. What a great show. JMZ probably didn’t expect that going for a meal would lead to so much bloody rain. Originally thought a certain person was the kind who took acting seriously, didn’t expect he turned out to be so rude, turning into an anti.
…
When the situation began to turn around, some more news, that was claimed to be from the crew members, appeared on the Internet.
[The reality that ran away]: I’m from the NK crew, have been reading the drama online, I really can’t stand it anymore. It’s not really suitable to say some of this, but I really have to speak up for JMZ. I used to be prejudiced against him, but since he entered the crew, my opinion has completely turned around. One of my sisters really likes him, so I sneaked a few shots for her, from a distance of about 5 or 6 m away. I was discovered, but he simply waved at the camera, smiling especially sweetly.
Plus, I found out he really likes to eat sweet food. Once, I found him eating ice cream in the lounge and teased him, and he asked me very seriously: “Jiejie, do you want one? I have more in the cooler.” On particularly hot days, he buys cold drinks and fruits for every crew member. Actually, JMZ really has a very gentle and quiet personality, and he takes acting very seriously, not even minding when he gets sunburnt. Frankly, sometimes you have to remove your coloured lenses to see the truth.
In case someone accuses me of making things up, I’ll even take out a few photos I intended to keep for my private collection.
Attached to this Weibo were four photos. The first was the sneak shot; Xu Qichen was standing under the hot sun, listening to the director speak while holding up his bicycle. The second was the moment she was discovered; he had a confused expression on his face. In the third, he was facing the camera, posing with a scissors hand, his eyes curving from smiling. The fourth was a photo of the cooler box, with a piece of paper with the words [Ji Mengze’s Ice Box] pasted on it.
Xu Qichen thought it sounded familiar and quickly recalled that staff member. His heart felt quite warm.
This Weibo was posted at 3.30AM in France, which was about 10.30AM in China. It immediately attracted a lot of netizens’ and large V accounts’ reposting.
@the king told me to patrol this mountain: Am I the only person whose focus is on how nicely the words are written? ‘Ice Box’ etc. is really too meng ba, I’m a fan now! //@this is a very funny ID: JMZ’s face is really, solid admiration… his skin is so fair it’s sparkling, please tell me what skincare products you use! //@old driver bring me along: Fuck, that smile… Mom, I’m in love! //@car speed 28k: Blog owner’s writing really gives a sense of imagery! Imagining the scene of JMZ eating ice cream… I also want to work with cute boys ah! //…
In the comments, a portion of netizens were expressing that they were hit once again by Ji Mengze’s beauty, another portion was focussed on the meng points buried in the text, while Ji Mengze’s fans’ put all their attention on his sunburnt forearms, thanking the girl for speaking up for Ji Mengze while leaving ‘heartache’ comments.
This post was quickly sent onto the hot Weibo ranking, while other self-proclaimed staff also began to mention some other things that had happened on the set in the post’s comments, mostly related to Ji Mengze’s daily life or the interactions between Lin Ran and Ji Mengze.
The number of comments kept increasing.
Later, some artists even drew comics and mini-dramas of him hiding the ice cream and posted them on Weibo.
Xu Qichen didn’t understand. Is it that funny to keep ice cream in a cooler box?
When he was a student he also liked to keep shaved ice in his thermos flask so that it would not melt too soon…
It was originally a pot of completely dirty water, but it has somehow developed into a mass fan-recruitment scene.
Social media is really a very mysterious thing.
However, what Xu Qichen couldn’t figure out the most was, how did the photo of Lin Ran going for the dinner and the video of them leaving appear at the right time? He originally thought it was thanks to Li Yun, but when he called to ask, she denied it.
“I didn’t expect anyone to make a fuss about the dinner, but I also found it strange. Afterwards, I asked someone to check the marketing accounts of these clarification videos.” Li Yun paused, “Guess what I found?”
“What was it?”
Li Yun continued: “There was nothing special about the marketing accounts, most companies have a few, but the first one who posted the video was the side account of a paparazzi team. I asked my reporter friends and found out that this paparazzi team often worked with Hongyu Shidai.”
“Hongyu Shidai?” Xu Qichen thought this sounded familiar.
Li Yun’s tone was very sure. “Lin Ran’s studio is under Hongyu Shidai.”
Xu Qichen was shocked awake. He opened his WeChat and flipped through his chat with Lin Ran.
At that dinner, he had sent him these two messages:
[You should thank me.]
[In a few days you’ll know, I’ll be waiting for you to thank me.]
Xu Qichen stared at those two lines for a long time. His palms began to sweat. He recalled Lin Ran’s conversation with President Sheng and Director Chen at the dinner. He should have been at Hongyu Shidai’s ceremony, but he ran over to attend a dinner that wouldn’t have affected his career at all, and even brought his own paparazzi. Was this just taking precautions?
Exactly what kind of person was this Lin Ran.
This gave Xu Qichen a new sense of insecurity.
Even if, with the goal of completing his task, he had hoped to be with this person from the moment he entered this world, the other party’s power and meticulousness completely exceeded his expectations.
He’s clearly a character created by Xu Qichen, but he seemed even more like a plug-in holding the script.
Will such a person really fall in love with him?
Xu Qichen was a born skeptic.
Full of doubt and a little bit of warmth from being helped, he typed two words slowly.
[Thank you.]
Tapped ‘send’.
Not even five minutes later, the notification sounded.
[You’re welcome, little kid.]
A strange feeling started in his heart and started to spread out, like the effervescent bubbles in a carbonated drink that had been shaken.
Xu Qichen fell back on the bed.
The notification sounded again.
[By the way, I’m not exactly willing to film kiss scenes with a pair of darkly circled eyes.]
[Don’t take things lightly just because you’re good looking ah.]
Ping!
The bottle of carbonated drink exploded suddenly.
0901: “Emm… Lin Ran’s method of saying good night is really unique.”
Xu Qichen: “… Is artificial intelligence so advanced now?”
Wait a moment, it feels like he… missed an important piece of information.
They’re filming a kiss scene tomorrow?!!
0901: “So the Buddha-class youth also experiences mental breakdowns sometimes ah.”
The author has something to say:
0901: It’s time for the chrysanthemum class lah~ Today, our specially invited guest is the famous flirting master Lin Ran. Master Lin Ran, can you share the technique you use to speak romantic words?
Lin Ran: Very simple, when you want to raise it, lower it first.[cool]
Xu Qichen: [shakes head] Be honest, actually everyone only likes his face.
thanks for the chapter! ≧♡≦
Lin Rn is seriously a old driver!~
Thanks for the chapter<3
I dont remember the synopsis xD, but I wonder if Lin Ran is also transmigrated? There’s no way that he would be so prepared otherwise.
thanks for the chapter <3
Wow Lin Ran ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄-⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄
Thank you for the chapter 💛💛💛
Thanks for the chapter!!
Thanks for the chapter! ^^)❤
I look forward to it eheheh(｡ﾉω＼｡)
Thank you for the chapter!! ❤️❤️
Oho I’m excited how they’ll do the K-I-S-S 😘
Thank you for your beautiful translation!
Thank you very much( ◜‿◝ )♡♡♡♡
Thanks for the chapter <3
Thank you so much for translating! <3
Lin Ran…you really…are such a flirt….>////< This girl cannot take it~
Thanks for the chapter~
Yes yes.only like lin ran handsome face.😏first thing to notice is his face
💜💜💜
I feel bad for the og owner that he didnt have this kind of support. Iirc he and the host have a somewhat similar personality? His only fault is that he was bad at acting and he accepted back doors.
I feel like XQ is very similar to JM, i really do feel like he is just acting like himself, both are awkward and silent.