Chapter Twelve: Denunciation

“Don’t think you can bully us just because we’re less famous. Even a cornered rabbit will bite,” Fang Yingying snapped angrily as she threw down the remark.

“Teacher Lin, it’s your turn now,” the crew member interrupted the tense conversation among the three, breaking the awkward stalemate.

“Coming,” Lin Qingyue heard the cue and immediately fled the scene.

Seeing Fang Yingying try to rush after Lin Qingyue to stop her, Jiang Chiyu quickly pulled her back. “Forget it, don’t hold a grudge. Let’s finish the show happily, take the money, and avoid running into her in the future.”

Only then did Fang Yingying relent.

[Production Team: Today, we want to send greetings to Teacher Lin on behalf of the entire online community. Everyone was very worried about you after the last incident. How have you been feeling lately?]

Lin Qingyue: Thank you all for your concern. I’ve been lying in the hospital these past few days due to an allergic reaction to crayfish. I didn’t expect it to be so severe.

It was my own carelessness, and I apologize for the negative impact it caused everyone.

[Production Team: Teacher Lin, please don’t be so modest. Your health is the most important thing. Regarding this episode’s theme—the guest who makes your heart race—do you still stand by your original choice? By the way, Teacher Lin, you’ve known Actor Yan for so long, yet no one knew you were allergic to crayfish?]

Lin Qingyue: Chuan Zhou has always been my steadfast choice. As for the allergy, I did intentionally keep it a secret because I knew how much he loved eating crayfish.

By openly declaring her deep affection for Yan Chuan Zhou, she showed that she treasured his preferences and was willing to endure hardships for him, wholeheartedly devoted.

[Qingyue’s love for Actor Yan is true and self-sacrificing—no one else can compare.]

[Jiang Chiyu is actually the victim of the allergy incident. Lin Qingyue never once mentioned Jiang Chiyu, not even in a clarifying statement. Is this a deliberate slight?]

[No apology to Jiang Chiyu? Not a hint of sincerity. Is she afraid Jiang Chiyu is starting to rise and might surpass her? The scheming behind the scenes is too obvious! Lin Qingyue, apologize to Jiang Chiyu immediately!]

The flimsy justifications were quickly seen through by netizens.

In an instant, the tide turned. Lin Qingyue was besieged by criticism from countless online viewers, and she promptly trended at number one.

“Lin Qingyue apologizes”

“Lin Qingyue, the scheming woman”

“Lin Qingyue allergy incident”

Her public goodwill was thoroughly destroyed.

The barrage of outrage filled the live stream chat. Seeing this, the production team had no choice but to cut Lin Qingyue’s segment short.

The fourth guest was Yan Chuan Zhou. As the show’s biggest investor, the crew dared not utter anything disrespectful to him, limiting themselves to light, inconsequential questions.

As soon as Lin Qingyue’s broadcast ended, her manager forced her to deactivate her social media account and avoid checking any online updates, also confiscating her phone to prevent any impulsive reactions.

But out of sight did not mean out of mind.

The flood of negative comments replayed relentlessly in Lin Qingyue’s mind as she hid away in her room.

For safety’s sake, the cameras in her room were temporarily turned off, and she did not participate in the live broadcast.

Growing more furious, Lin Qingyue clenched her fists and swept the small table before her clean, her eyes blazing with anger as she ground her teeth and whispered, “Jiang Chiyu!”

Meanwhile, Jiang Chiyu was happily gaming with Fang Yingying. The two had opened a game room and Fang Yingying’s skills had improved significantly.

Wei Feng sat in the living room, handling his own tasks, occasionally glancing at Jiang Chiyu with a gentle smile as she and Fang Yingying shouted excitedly during the game.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, someone tapped Jiang Chiyu on the shoulder. She turned to see her manager, Wen Jiu.

“Ayu, come with me for a moment. There’s something I need to talk to you about,” Wen Jiu said softly.

Wei Feng glanced at the clock in the living room. “I’ll go start dinner now. You can come down when you’re ready, so you can eat right away.”

“I still want that lotus root sandwich from last time, with some spice,” Jiang Chiyu said promptly as she watched him head to the kitchen, her movements practiced and natural.

Wen Jiu’s suspicious gaze flicked between the two, her brow slightly furrowing as she followed Jiang Chiyu into the room and quietly closed the door behind them.

The familiar scene unfolded again. Jiang Chiyu looked innocently at Wen Jiu, reviewing everything she’d done recently in her mind before finally speaking.

“Sister Wen, I haven’t done anything out of line recently.”

Since Jiang Chiyu had taken on the whole internet alone last time, Wen Jiu had confiscated her phone for a day, which had kept her relatively restrained. Since then, she’d learned to behave.

“This time it’s not your fault—just an unfortunate accident. But you need to keep your distance from Lin Qingyue. Every time you get involved with her, something bad happens,” Wen Jiu advised carefully.

Jiang Chiyu nodded firmly. Seeing Wen Jiu hesitate, she asked, “Is there something else?”

Wen Jiu glanced at the corner camera, which obediently swiveled to another angle. Only then did she lean close to Jiang Chiyu’s ear and whisper, “Between you and Wei Feng... is there any chance things might progress further?”

“Why would I need to progress with him?” Jiang Chiyu, a once-renowned general, had seen countless intrigues among wives and concubines, but when it came to her own love life, she was utterly clueless, her eyes brimming with innocence.

Recalling the photo of the sponsor last time, Wen Jiu laid it out plainly. “If you and Wei Feng do start dating, you have to tell me in advance. Don’t catch me off guard—I need to be prepared.”

Jiang Chiyu was puzzled by her assumption and smiled. “Sister Wen, why would you think that? I have no such feelings for Wei Feng.”

“Honestly, it wouldn’t be a problem. Your pairing is popular, and it could bring you lots of benefits. Besides, Wei Feng seems like a pretty decent guy—gentle and attentive. You two look good together,” Wen Jiu said, still caught up in the shipping mindset, trying to cheer her on.

Jiang Chiyu, however, looked slightly surprised and spoke bluntly, “I really don’t feel that way about him. Love can’t compare to a career. My loyalty lies with my work.”

Hearing Jiang Chiyu’s resolute tone, it was clear she was a career-driven woman raised under the banner of dedication.

Wen Jiu’s ship radar died down instantly but she still wasn’t ready to give up. “If you ever do develop feelings later, it’s not too late. Just make sure you tell me right away.”

At the peak of her career, Jiang Chiyu wouldn’t sacrifice her bread for love!

After thoroughly briefing her, Wen Jiu left.

Jiang Chiyu saw her out, then returned to the enticing aroma of food in the air. She rushed to the dining table, where the lotus root sandwiches she’d been craving were laid out. Ignoring all decorum, she reached out, about to grab a piece.

“Hey,” Wei Feng said, striding over to the table just in time to catch Jiang Chiyu’s “dangerous hand,” his tone tinged with gentle reproach. “Wash your hands first, then eat.”

Failing to get what she wanted, Jiang Chiyu looked dejected but obediently followed Wei Feng to the bathroom.