"Brother Lin, something terrible has happened! Something terrible..."
"What's going on?"
"Quick, look at the hot search!"
Lin Xian was a bit puzzled. He had just got home when he received a call from the company. Could there be anything worse happening today?
As for the hot search, it should be about today's show of his. It was his first catwalk show, and it was an EL show. Given his status in the industry, it was indeed uncertain that he would be the finale model. Even if it was hyped up on the hot search, it was quite normal.
The other side hung up the phone. Lin Xian slowly logged onto Weibo to check.
The top - ranked post was "The rumored relationship between Shen Manmei and Lin Xian".
What... what was going on? Could it be that those marketing accounts were spreading rumors again? But it shouldn't be. His fans had always been rational and didn't believe such things.
He quickly clicked in. It was a post from a well - known marketing account.
"The popular actress Shen Manmei is suspected to have an unusual relationship with the movie king Lin Xian. Lin Xian posted a Weibo post half a month ago that seemed to be a confession. On the same day, Shen Manmei posted a set of photo - shoots taken at an amusement park. The two were also very intimate on the set.
As we all know, Lin Xian once said not long after his debut that he would go public if he was in a relationship. Are these little clues the real deal? Mom, I've found a real CP!"
The pictures below were screenshots of their respective Weibo posts and their interactions on the set.
"Damn it! Why are these things being exposed at this critical moment?"
Lin Xian was really angry. It wasn't because of these baseless rumors, but because he had just confessed his feelings to Ye Erlan today, and then this scandal was exposed. Ye Erlan would surely mind, and all his efforts during this period would be in vain.
Before Lin Xian could react further, another hot - search item popped up, which was about today's EL show.
"Lin Xian's first national - style show for EL"
He originally thought there would be a lot of positive comments about EL, but unexpectedly, the comment section was still dominated by CP fans.
This was because the drama he had filmed some time ago was a highly - anticipated national - style drama on a major TV channel. During some special interviews, he was asked about his feelings towards this drama. To create enough hype, he said that this drama was very sincere, and the main reasons for taking this drama were not only the excellent production team but also that national - style culture should be promoted.
And that actress, Shen Manmei, had always said that she liked national - style things very much. She even wore Hanfu in her private life.
When asked about her feeling of acting with Lin Xian, she also said that it was a perfect match, like a match made in heaven.
After the previous scandal, this information was exposed. Instead of diverting the netizens' attention to EL, more people were speculating that Lin Xian took this show for Shen Manmei's sake. After all, this was EL's first national - style show, and the finale outfit was the most beautiful and representative of national - style culture.
"Ahhh, mom, I'm so into them. They're such a perfect match!"
"I knew that brother's Weibo post last time was special. Sure enough... Could that photo have been taken by this actress Shen?"
"Please don't drag my brother into this. Lin Xian is great on his own. This so - called actress is just a no - name trying to gain popularity!"
"Are you a high - level hater above? What's wrong with our Manmei? Although she's a new actress, she has talent. Please don't maliciously slander her."
"A handsome guy and a beautiful girl are a perfect match. Bless them."
"It's clearly just a publicity stunt. After all, someone's new drama has just wrapped up."
"Brother hasn't made a statement yet. Don't believe those marketing accounts. Anyone can go to the amusement park, right? And EL has dressed brother before. Isn't it normal for them to invite him to walk in this show?"
...
Lin Xian was a bit relieved looking at these comments. After all, there were still some rational fans who weren't easily deceived by the marketing accounts.
He originally planned to come out and clarify, but unexpectedly, Shen Manmei was one step ahead and posted a Weibo.
"I've always admired Teacher Lin. On the set, Teacher Lin took good care of me and taught me details bit by bit. Please pay more attention to our new drama. I'd rather not disclose details about my private life."
Lin Xian was stunned.
The netizens were also stunned.
This statement seemed to be asking people to focus on the work, but it also implied that Shen Manmei had feelings for Lin Xian, and their time on the set was sweet, with Lin Xian taking good care of her.
Most importantly, she didn't explicitly deny the scandal.
"Damn it! What's wrong with this woman?!"
Lin Xian couldn't clarify now. If he did, netizens would think he was irresponsible. Was this woman really willing to do anything for popularity?
He quickly called her. "Hello."
"Brother Lin, I'm sorry for the inconvenience."
"Xiao Shen, I hope you can post another Weibo. This one can't clarify our relationship at all."
"But I didn't say we're in a relationship. I'm clarifying. Those netizens are just too into the CP. I can't help it.
Come on, Brother Lin, don't be like this. We're both single. And I'm a girl. If there's a scandal, I'm the one who suffers, right?
Besides, our new drama does need some hype. I'm sure Brother Lin won't do anything stupid.
Okay, that's it. I'm tired. Bye, Brother Lin."
Before Lin Xian could say anything, she hung up the phone. Lin Xian felt as if he had eaten something disgusting.
This woman would stop at nothing to get ahead. Even if he clarified now, it wouldn't change the situation, and it would also harm the new drama. He would be in a difficult situation.
Moreover, just as she said, she didn't actually admit anything.
"I'm starting to think it might be real. Shen Manmei is actually not bad. She and brother are a good match."
"Ahhhhh, I'm so happy. I see love."
"Pfft, it's obvious that this woman is trying to lead the public opinion. Can't you see? You claim to be Lin Xian's die - hard fans."
"Can you talk nicely? Our Manmei is a popular actress with both looks and acting skills. Look at how old Lin Xian is. Who's unworthy of whom is still debatable."
"Ugh, your fans are just toxic. It's so disgusting. Take a look at Shen Manmei's face. Who knows how many prosthetics she has."
"What's there to argue about? Aren't we on the same side now?"
"Ahhhhh, as long as there's sugar, I'm fine with it. I'm so looking forward to their new drama. There must be a lot of perfect interactions."
...
Lin Xian felt a splitting headache looking at these comments. All he wanted to do now was call Ye Erlan and explain everything.
*
Ye Erlan stopped working after breaking his pen. He leaned back on the sofa. Soon, Ning Qian came over. Seeing that Ye Erlan was okay, she started browsing her phone.
It was okay not to browse, but once she did, she got a big scoop.
It was about the scandal between Lin Xian and Shen Manmei.
Ye Erlan didn't show any reaction after hearing this, but he felt a strange sense of unease in his heart. This guy had just confessed his love to him, and then he got involved in a scandal with another woman.
"However, Brother Ye, I don't think this Shen Manmei is a good person. Based on my years of experience in following stars, this woman is clearly trying to ride on Brother Lin's popularity. Look at her innocent - looking statement. It's so confusing. What a perfect white - lotus!"
Ye Erlan turned to look at her and smiled. He knew very well that no one could be more aware of that so - called "show of love at the amusement park" than him. He was the one who was with Lin Xian that day. He took that photo, and that Weibo post was actually about him.
Even today's catwalk show was related to him.
"Ning Xiaoqian, I want to ask you something."
"Go ahead. As long as it's not about my balance or weight, I'll tell you."
Ye Erlan was speechless for a few minutes but still decided to continue. "If someone you liked rejected you many years ago, but later he realized he still liked you and came to confess his love and did a lot of things for you, what would you do?"
"You have to see if I still like him. If I do, it's a happy ending. If not, well, it's time for him to pay for his past mistakes."
"What if I still like that person?"
"I've already said that if two people like each other, being together is the best outcome."
Ye Erlan knew these things very well. But he and Lin Xian were different. They were both boys, and their relationship was not like an ordinary one.
"What if there's a lot of pressure from the outside world? What if the world doesn't accept it?"
"Brother Ye, you're acting so strange. Why are you suddenly talking about these things?"
Ye Erlan coughed lightly. "Cough, cough, cough. I just heard a story recently and want to know your opinion."
Ning Qian tilted her head and thought for a second, then slowly said, "If two people are in love, they can overcome all difficulties. As long as that person treats me sincerely, I'll accompany him through anything, as long as he truly loves me."
"Don't you mind that he rejected you before? Hurt you deeply?"
"Of course I mind. But I'm more willing to believe in sweet love now. I hope everyone can find their true love and no one will be let down."
Hearing Ning Qian's words, Ye Erlan suddenly realized that he had been too weak. He had been afraid to face all this.
He didn't continue the conversation. He was about to uncover Ning Qian's scars, and he had already found the answer in his heart. It was enough to stop at the right time.
"You should go home early. It's dark at night and there's a lot of traffic."
Ning Qian didn't stay after hearing Ye Erlan's words. She told him to go home early too and then left.
As soon as she left, Ye Erlan's phone rang. It was Lin Xian.
"Yezi, please listen to my explanation. None of the things on the Internet are true. Where are you? I'll come to you..."
"Boom!"