The worries of Han Yutong had come to pass. The two had visited a temple together, and photos were taken and posted on social media. These were then screenshotted by busybodies and uploaded online, instantly attracting considerable attention.
Su Lin’s massive fan base easily identified him. Han Yutong, along with him, was scrutinized from head to toe.
“Why is it this Han Yutong again? Could they actually be together?”
“Don’t spread rumors! It’s just a coincidence!”
“Once or twice might be a coincidence, but haven’t they been photographed together more than once?”
“Some people have no shame, just to chase after attention!”
“My idol has never admitted anything, thank you!”
“Appearing together means dating? You’re thinking too much!”
“Maybe they’re collaborating again? Let’s not guess wildly, wait for the official announcement!”
Suddenly, all sorts of comments flooded in, both positive and negative. Of course, most were against the two being together. Some radical fans even left messages on Han Yutong’s account, telling her not to fantasize.
Although Han Yutong didn’t have many fans, they had always disliked so-called “traffic” celebrities.
“Who exactly is chasing whose clout? Can some washed-up stars stop buying trending topics?”
“Our Yutong has actual works and was even nominated for a newcomer award. And that person, do they really think they’re a superstar just because they sing a few catchy tunes?”
“As far as I know, Yutong is from Hangcheng, so her being there is normal. It’s those who hard-sell their presence and then accuse us of chasing clout. Have they no shame?”
Han Yutong’s fans, with their formidable fighting spirit, delivered sharp, well-reasoned arguments that left no room for doubt.
Those fans who secretly shipped the couple, however, were like celebrating a festival.
They of course hoped it was true!
The two looked so compatible in terms of visuals!
“Wuwuwu, am I the only one who finds this sweet? A combination of handsome man and beautiful woman, so pleasing to the eye!”
“Even though the two didn’t have any intimate gestures, it just gets to me!”
“Su Lin traveled all the way to Hangcheng just to see Yutong. It feels so romantic! Waiting for the official announcement!”
“When the MV was released, I already sensed something, but I didn’t dare to say anything, fearing being hunted by both fanbases…”
The various voices mingled, their combined force not to be underestimated. Initially, the news only circulated within fan circles, but after a blogger posted a GIF of the two holding hands late at night in a mall, #SuLinHanYutongDating quickly climbed to the top of the trending list.
What followed was bound to be a storm of controversy.
Compared to the vague speculations before, this was solid, conclusive evidence.
Han Yutong was in the prime of her career, and such a scandal would be detrimental to her.
Xu Jing, receiving a call late at night, couldn’t help but sigh.
“What exactly is going on?” After reviewing the news, she contacted the head of the public relations department while calling the person involved.
Han Yutong felt very apologetic. “I’m sorry, Sister Jing, it was my oversight…”
“I’m asking about your relationship with Su Lin, what exactly is it?” Xu Jing rubbed her aching temples.
“We don’t have a relationship, we’re just… ordinary friends.” Han Yutong felt inexplicably guilty.
“Would ordinary friends date late at night and be photographed holding hands?”
“That was an accident… We were hiding in the fitting room to avoid fans…”
“You were alone together in a fitting room?” Xu Jing’s voice involuntarily rose upon hearing this.
This news was too shocking!
Just a picture of them holding hands had already led to so much fan backlash; what would happen if they were photographed going into a fitting room together!
Xu Jing’s scalp tingled.
She quickly called Lan Xi and asked her to try and contact the mall management to check the surveillance footage, hoping to suppress the matter before those behind it leaked more inside information.
As Su He’s assistant, Lan Xi had access to considerable resources.
She vaguely recalled that the owner of that mall seemed to have the surname Lan, and was somewhat related to her.
Lan Xi accepted the call and agreed. Before long, she had copied the video. Fortunately, the fitting room was a blind spot for the cameras, only capturing the two leaving hand-in-hand, but not entering.
After watching the video, Xu Jing finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Whoever got the video must be an employee of the mall. Please help me investigate, Manager Lan.”
“Of course,” Lan Xi replied calmly. This involved the Lan family’s enterprise, so she couldn’t afford to be careless. If it wasn't handled properly, it would have significant negative repercussions for the Lan family's business.
After a brief exchange, Xu Jing plunged back into emergency public relations.
“Are you sure there’s nothing between you?” she confirmed again.
Han Yutong thought for a moment and said, “At most, we’re like an idol and a fan… We rarely contact each other in private.”
As they were talking, Su Lin’s message came through.
【How about we go public?】
Han Yutong stared at these words for a long time, so shocked she couldn’t speak.
【Idol, has your account been hacked?】
Su Lin’s reply was swift. 【I mean, pretend to be a couple.】
Han Yutong bit her lower lip. 【Why?】
Su Lin: 【My family is rushing me to get married.】
Han Yutong: ……
She thought it over and over, never expecting this to be the reason.
He was only twenty-five, with a bright future ahead of him. For a top star like him to go public with a relationship would be an act of career suicide. A considerable portion of his fans were “girlfriend fans,” who liked him not only for his talent but also for his single status. If he were to announce a relationship, it would provoke their resentment, leading to a mass exodus of fans.
His career was at its peak; did he no longer care about his future?
【Your actions will have serious consequences…】 Han Yutong carefully typed, trying to persuade him to abandon the idea. She was solely considering his well-being, forgetting that she herself was also in the industry and had only recently debuted. If they were to officially announce their relationship, she would be the one most affected. She might even have to quit the industry entirely.
However, she didn’t really care.
She had entered the industry precisely to follow in his footsteps and be closer to him. Although she had gradually come to enjoy acting, her ambition wasn't that strong; whether she could continue in the industry didn't matter much.
She had done what she loved and put in the effort; that was enough.
Su Lin didn’t respond for a while. Just as Han Yutong thought he had taken her words to heart, Xu Jing’s call came in. Upon answering, the first sentence was, “I’ve communicated with Su Lin’s side, and we think it’s better to go public.”
Han Yutong was completely stunned.
Why was everything the opposite of what she expected?
Were they all crazy?
“Sister Jing?”
“Listen to me first.” Xu Jing patiently explained. “Firstly, your new drama is about to air, and this would be a great publicity stunt. Secondly, Su Lin has caused trouble before, and his fan base is strong enough to handle this. Moreover, he’s also transitioning, not wanting to be just a ‘traffic’ idol forever; he wants to make music, not just be an entertainer. Thirdly… you’ve been photographed together several times. Even if you deny it, not many people will believe you, so why not just admit it and gain the title of being ‘crazy in love’!”
“Times have changed, and it’s not a big deal for artists to date. Once the hype dies down, find a suitable opportunity to break up; this kind of strategy is very common in the entertainment industry.”
“There might be some negative comments at first, but the overall impact won’t be significant…”
Han Yutong remained silent throughout.
Her mind was occupied by a single thought: When had she become Su Lin’s girlfriend?