Xiao Qi, having just finished a photoshoot, was browsing the internet during his free time. To his surprise, he found the entire network discussing screenwriter Nine and the "Floating Life" crew, and he himself had even trended on hot searches.
Xiao Qi clicked to see what it was about. The main points of discussion were: Nine's alleged casting couch with Xing Di, and Liu Wenwen's pre-marital pregnancy. What was most shocking was that the harshest criticisms were coming from his own fans.
Xiao Qi thought of Nine's eyes, which were even more dazzling than the stars, and felt immense guilt. He quickly called Nine.
At that moment, Quan Jiu had just obtained the transaction records of the person behind the hired trolls. When her phone rang, it was Xiao Qi, and she answered with some surprise.
"Hello... Teacher Jiujiu, it's Xiao Qi."
"What's wrong?" Quan Jiu asked with concern, "Did my news affect you..."
"No, no," Xiao Qi quickly replied. "I wanted to apologize to you. I saw the hot searches, and it was all my fans causing trouble. My agency marketed me with a boyfriend persona, so my fans got a bit... crazy. I'm sorry, Teacher Jiujiu. It's all my fault. If I had clarified things earlier, my fans wouldn't have stirred up trouble."
Quan Jiu smiled slightly. "It's okay, it's not your problem. I'm the one being targeted, and it has nothing to do with you."
However, this only made Xiao Qi feel even more ashamed. He didn't know what else to say, so he apologized again and hung up. Immediately after, he posted a live broadcast preview on Weibo.
His Weibo fans were already unusually active due to the recent casting decisions. As soon as he posted the live broadcast preview, millions of people liked it and waited eagerly. When his assistant set up the live stream and announced it, fans flocked into the room as if a dam had broken.
Xiao Qi waited until the number of viewers reached ten million before speaking.
"First, I swear on my character and guarantee that screenwriter Nine is a teacher who deserves immense respect. Although I've only met her once, I was deeply impressed by her professional ability and approachability.
Secondly, the rumors online about the casting couch are all false. I am the person involved and I know everything that happened. Nine never even had direct contact with Xing Di. Therefore, my fans, I implore you, please do not spread rumors.
Finally, and most importantly, after this casting incident, I have also realized my own shortcomings. I hope my fans can calmly consider all issues related to me, not to blindly rush into things, nor to act impulsively. Let us collectively build a harmonious and rational fan community."
Xiao Qi had over fifteen million fans, and after the rumors spread, it was almost entirely his fans who were following and amplifying the narrative. Thus, when his live broadcast aired, the impulsive actions of many fans were put on pause, and for a while, the negative comments online even eased up a bit.
Quan Jiu, of course, was not paying attention to this. She was looking at the information Tudu had given her, feeling perplexed.
"This Angel Charity, which previously invested thirty million, why would they suddenly target the crew and me?"
Tudu had already found the call records of the company's legal representative, Tian Gang. She sent the records and corresponding names to Quan Jiu, "Mom, keep this too, it might be useful."
Quan Jiu glanced at it a few times, then suddenly paused, her gaze falling on a name: Zhang Sui.
So that's how it is. Quan Jiu took a deep breath and found the reason.
...
In the suburbs of Changshui Road in City A, at the Xing family villa, the old master finished reading the stock market and opened Weibo again, intending to check on his beloved grandson's recent activities.
As soon as he opened it, he was drawn to a trending topic title: #Xing Di is being kept by Nine#.
Old Master Xing adjusted his reading glasses and looked closely. Suddenly, he chuckled, his face creasing with wrinkles, and he fumbled to call his grandson.
Xing Di was playing a game when his agent, Liao Wei, approached him with the phone as if it were a plague. "Your old man is calling. He's definitely asking about today's hot search."
Xing Di didn't stop playing. "Put it on speaker."
Liao Wei quickly placed the phone on the sofa, answered, and put it on speaker before scurrying away.
Just as Old Master Xing was about to speak, he heard the noisy sounds of fighting and killing from the other end of the phone. He sighed with disappointment, then said with a smile, "Good grandson, if you need money, tell Grandpa. Why are you letting a girl keep you?
Who is that girl? What does she look like? Is she of good character? Oh, her character is probably alright if she's willing to keep you, a pretty boy. She's probably a bit foolish. Bring her to Grandpa. If she's good, you two can just get married."
Xing Di's hand trembled, and he was instantly defeated in the game.
Chu Rong habitually furrowed his brow. "You don't need to send them anymore."
Mimi acted as if she hadn't heard him. "Uncle must eat it all." Then she tugged at Tudu's ear and returned to the opposite apartment.
Tudu cried out in pain, "Ouch, ouch, sister, I was wrong, I was wrong. Be magnanimous and spare me this once."
Once inside the house, Mimi admonished him, "You can't be so disrespectful to him in the future."
Tudu, holding his aching ear, nodded like a garlic pounder.