“Don’t worry,” Lin Xiaoman curved her mouth, looking confident. “My learning ability is very strong.”
Ji Zhixian’s icy expression softened slightly, and his tone became a bit gentler: “You still have a long way to go.”
Chapter 16: Rumors
Because of the intense training these past few days, Lin Xiaoman went to bed very early.
When she woke up the next day, she first started browsing her phone. As soon as she opened Weibo, she saw the top trending topic was “‘Create an Idol’ First Place Undeserving, Sparking Controversy”.
Clicking on it, she saw a big V account called “Zhao Bei Masses” posting a Weibo questioning whether there was a backstage deal in “Create an Idol”, claiming the first place contestant’s singing and dancing were quite ordinary, and believing Wei Qinghuan should have been first.
The Weibo comments were full of supportive remarks:
— Right, our Huan Huan was clearly in the C position during the dance, but was later robbed of the position. Isn’t Fake Fei too shameless?
— A slacker like this can actually get first place? The backstage manipulation is too obvious!
— Voting at the last minute is just disgusting.
— Lin Xiaoman can debut? I’ll chip in for her funeral.
— Finally someone dares to speak up. I’ve always felt something was wrong.
…
Lin Xiaoman scrolled further back and found some posts defending her, mentioning she had performed while injured, but these comments were pushed to the back pages and hardly noticed.
Lin Xiaoman browsed through the big V’s Weibo and discovered all his posts were criticisms of various entertainment industry events.
Whenever there was any wind or grass movement in the entertainment circle, he would find an angle to attack, gaining popularity and increasing his followers. Most of those he attacked were small celebrities, though these celebrities’ fan bases were larger than his, bringing him some follower growth.
His fans said he was frank and outspoken, a clear stream in the entertainment industry.
But to Lin Xiaoman, he was just a mad dog.
Just as she was thinking about how to handle this situation, she saw the Weibo trending topics suddenly change, with one reading “Wei Qinghuan Responds”.
She clicked in and saw Wei Qinghuan had reposted “Zhao Bei Masses'” Weibo, explaining: “Our team’s first place is thanks to Xiaoman’s efforts. My perfect performance is also due to Xiaoman’s guidance. Her getting first place is well-deserved. As for everyone saying her dancing is average, it’s because she was injured during the competition, and the program had no backstage manipulation. Rumors stop with the wise. Please do not spread false information.”
Lin Xiaoman realized she had overlooked Wei Qinghuan, this sincere variable.
Her statement gave everyone more to discuss, essentially increasing “Zhao Bei Masses'” popularity.
Compared to sisterly affection, people prefer darker things. While most of their fans might believe her words, more passersby would only remember the alleged program manipulation.
Moreover, this wasn’t good for Wei Qinghuan. Among her fans were both die-hard supporters and potential anti-fans who would be unhappy with her statement.
As expected, Lin Xiaoman saw a group of comments starting to argue under Wei Qinghuan’s Weibo:
— She’s definitely been brainwashed. Lin Xiaoman is too scary.
— Huan Huan, Lin Xiaoman is so calculating. You’re being sold and helping count the money.
— Didn’t expect you to be like this. Abandoned, abandoned, no longer loved.
Lin Xiaoman was about to call Wei Qinghuan to tell her to stop getting involved when she saw another Weibo post: “One, I have the freedom to make friends, please don’t point fingers; two, unfollowing requires no announcement; three, use your brain before commenting. Take note, thanks.”
No wonder managers often confiscate celebrities’ phones. There’s a reason for that.
The Weibo post indeed caused a bloody storm. Lin Xiaoman didn’t dare delay and quickly dialed Wei Qinghuan’s number, but only heard a busy tone. Seems the manager had reacted.
She still felt uneasy and sent a WeChat message: “Don’t worry about this anymore. I have a plan. And, thank you.”
Lin Xiaoman put down her phone, tossing it on the sofa, her gaze falling on the computer beside her.
Ji Zhiyan was in a meeting, unaware of the online situation. After the meeting, he received a text from Lin Xiaoman: “Come home. There’s a surprise.”
Ji Zhiyan had afternoon plans and didn’t pay attention to the message. But a few minutes later, he picked up his phone again. Besides the previous message, Lin Xiaoman hadn’t sent any other messages. He thought for a moment and told his assistant, “Cancel the afternoon schedule.”
Lin Xiaoman’s mentioned “surprise” had piqued his interest, so he went straight home.
Entering the house, Ji Zhiyan saw Lin Xiaoman looking surprised: “You… why are you home?”
Ji Zhiyan calmly looked at her: “What are you up to?”
“Don’t be afraid,” Lin Xiaoman suddenly moved closer to him, her wide eyes showing a hint of panic and timidity. If looked at carefully, a hidden love could also be detected.
“I won’t harm you.”
Familiar lines. Ji Zhiyan realized.
“Pei Lang…” Lin Xiaoman hugs him tightly, “I’ve missed you so much.”
Lin Xiaoman’s voice seems to have traveled through thousands of mountains and waters, finally arriving like a wind, carrying deep longing and heartache.
Even Ji Zhixian is momentarily dazed, feeling as if he has entered the scene, experiencing both sadness and joy. He slowly raises his hand, preparing to hold the woman in his arms tightly.
But Lin Xiaoman suddenly pushes him away.
“How was my practice?” she says with a proud smile.
Ji Zhixian is stunned. In that moment when she hugged him, he thought she was Tang Feifei. Their tone and feeling were exactly the same!
He never imagined there could be someone so similar!
Ji Zhixian looks at the charming girl before him, his deep eyes carrying complex emotions.
Lin Xiaoman thinks he is fully immersed in the act and nods satisfactorily: “Seems not bad.”
“You…” Ji Zhixian adjusts his emotions, his eyes returning to clarity, “Who did you learn this from?”
Lin Xiaoman has no acting experience and is not a professional actor, yet she firmly grasped the scene’s emotions. Ji Zhixian knows he couldn’t have done this when he first started acting and suspects someone has coached her.
“Didn’t you have me watch my cousin’s videos?” she replies.
“Just by watching videos?” Ji Zhixian’s expression slightly changes, staring intently at Lin Xiaoman.
But Lin Xiaoman remains steady, looking directly at him: “I told you, my learning ability is very strong.”
“
Ji Zhixian remains silent, his gaze sharp, as if trying to see through her.
“Considering how hard I’ve worked, Director Ji should give me some reward, right?”
“What do you want?”
“Post the training videos of me and my teammates before the final competition online. And… help me hire a lawyer.”
“What do you need a lawyer for?”
“To deal with someone spreading rumors. Preferably a lawyer skilled in handling online defamation cases.”
When Lin Xiaoman’s dance videos from before her foot injury were posted online, followed immediately by a lawyer’s statement threatening legal action against rumor-mongers, public opinion quickly shifted.
She was lost in thought when the car door opened, and Ji Zhixian gentlemanly extended his hand to her: “Let’s go.”
Lin Xiaoman smiled slightly and held his hand, getting out of the car.
Entering the hall, Lin Xiaoman noticed many familiar faces, including actors she had previously collaborated with and some directors. However, they did not recognize the current owner of her body, so Ji Zhixian introduced her one by one. Although everyone was polite for Ji Zhixian’s sake, Lin Xiaoman could see that they were not particularly interested in her.
“
