Chapter 40 p2
…
Tonight’s ID: Holy shit, this is epic. First time I’ve seen someone take down North City’s crazy bitch… Ren Xiaoqi is done.
This last comment was quickly buried under a flood of other replies.
Of course, Ren Xiaoqi couldn’t see any of this.
She, like most of the people who had attacked Shen Shu and Xu Jinnan, was stunned.
“Xu Jinnan?!”
Han Hui, who had been embracing Ren Xiaoqi, abruptly let go of her and snatched her phone, his eyes widening as he read the post. “Don’t tell me that ‘Xu’ woman is her.”
Ren Xiaoqi, startled by his reaction, hesitantly nodded, a sense of unease washing over her.
“Young Master Han, what’s… what’s wrong?”
“Holy shit… you’re toxic!”
He looked closer at the photos and realized the newcomer Ren Xiaoqi had been talking about was Shen Shu!
He regretted not asking for her name earlier.
And he hadn’t connected the gossip about Shen Shu to this newcomer.
As he grabbed his pants and stormed out of the room, Ren Xiaoqi, realizing she was naked, couldn’t follow him.
“I’m powerful? You’re the powerful one!” he yelled. If Xu Jinnan found out he was behind this, she would think he was deliberately provoking her.
Han Wenling had already warned him to stay out of this, explaining the potential consequences… If his sisters and his father found out, they would skin him alive.
Ren Xiaoqi watched in horror as the door slammed shut, her mind reeling. How had things gone so wrong, so quickly?
She shakily refreshed Weibo.
You’re a liar! Eight years a fan, and I’m done.
I’m so disappointed. I trusted you, and this is how you repay me? Ren Xiaoqi, you’re heartless. What did that newcomer ever do to you? What did we, your fans, do to deserve this? After all these years, have you ever even tried to improve your acting? Good riddance.
Even her fan club president is denouncing her. There’s no saving her. This trash should be banned from the entertainment industry. @ShenShu Sue her! Stand up for yourself!
Her acting is worse than ten years ago. Is this what she uses her talent for? Spreading rumors and dragging others down? Disgusting. I’m never watching anything with her in it again.
Holy shit, I’m disgusted. So you were the one who got dumped? Paying to have the script changed, lying through your teeth, and you thought you could get away with it? You treated us like fools! I’m going to be sick. Just disappear already, you idiot.
Ren Xiaoqi threw her phone against the wall, the shattering sound echoing through the bathroom.
“Aaaaah!!!” she screamed.
Half an hour later, Xia Chun also posted on Weibo.
Xia Chun: Shen Shu is a talented actress. I believe she has a bright future.
After Xia Chun’s post, public opinion shifted even more decisively in Shen Shu’s favor, including Xia Chun’s fans.
I’m sorry! I was wrong! Hater turned fan! As long as you don’t disappoint us, I’ll be your biggest fan!
So beautiful! Please act in more dramas!
Even Chun Chun supports her! I believe Chun Chun, so I believe Shen Shu! I’ll always support you!
#XiaChunWeibo
#ShenShu
The hashtags started trending, and the negative comments on Shen Shu’s Weibo gradually disappeared, replaced by messages of support. Any remaining hate comments were quickly drowned out by angry rebuttals.
Most of Shen Shu’s new supporters were people who had been deceived by Ren Xiaoqi, including her former fans.
“Shu Shu, you’re well-connected! Xia Chun’s support is huge. You’re set!” Tong Jia said excitedly in their group chat. “I contacted the production team, and they agreed to release your audition tape. But there’s enough buzz for today. We’ll release it tomorrow.”
“Mm, okay,” Shen Shu replied.
Her voice lacked energy, but there was a hint of joy, not because she had defeated Ren Xiaoqi, but because of the opportunities that awaited her.
Xu Jinnan looked at her. “Are you feeling unwell?”
Shen Shu hesitated, then nodded. “A little dizzy.”
She had started feeling it in the car, probably from being drenched and then exposed to the wind.
“Get some rest. We’ll talk tomorrow,” Tong Jia said. “It’ll be a sunny day tomorrow. Shen Shu, be prepared. Things are about to get very busy for you.”
From now on, Shen Shu wouldn’t be just another unknown newcomer.
Her acting career was about to truly begin.
It was past 10 p.m.
After hanging up with Tong Jia, Shen Shu went to take a shower.
Xu Jinnan’s phone vibrated. She saw Lu Yun’s name on the caller ID.
She had been expecting a call from the Xu family, but it was earlier than she had anticipated. Perhaps someone had informed Lu Yun about the online drama, as she rarely paid attention to social media.
She went to the guest room to answer the call. As she had guessed, Lu Yun had heard about the news online from Xu Li.
“Did you know about the marriage certificate? Shen Shu dragged you into this! I won’t allow it!”
“I know. I told her to post it,” Xu Jinnan replied calmly.
Shen Shu had been hesitant, but they had agreed it was the most direct approach.
Seeing their photos side by side on the marriage certificate had been a strange feeling. It was a sham marriage, after all, one that would eventually end.
Lu Yun was incredulous. “What did you say? Nannan, you…”
Xu Jinnan, remembering Lu Yun’s previous attitude towards Shen Shu, and worried she might do something drastic, said, “It’s not as bad as you think. I have my reasons.” She briefly explained the benefits.
“This won’t harm the Xu family’s reputation. In fact, it’s beneficial. It’s for the family’s own good. Please respect my decision and don’t interfere, okay?”
Because she needed to appease Lu Yun for now, her voice wasn’t as cold as before, and perhaps because of this, Lu Yun’s tone softened. She even said Xu Jinnan didn’t need to worry about Xu Tao.
But if this didn’t work, she would intervene.
She subtly reminded Xu Jinnan not to be blinded by her infatuation with Shen Shu, that only Lu Yun, her mother, truly cared about her.
Xu Jinnan didn’t reply, not wanting to dwell on it.
While she had been relatively unaffected initially, after these recent incidents, the memories of the original Xu Jinnan’s suffering were becoming more visceral, more painful.
When she emerged from the guest room, she saw Shen Shu, freshly showered, without her bathrobe.
Her back was turned, her dark hair tied up, the straps of her beige camisole revealing her smooth shoulders and a sliver of her back.
She was on the phone, her voice strained, and Xu Jinnan guessed it was someone from the Shen family.
The voice on the other end was loud enough to be heard in the quiet living room, and after hearing a particularly nasty comment, Xu Jinnan walked over and gestured for Shen Shu to give her the phone.
She put it on speakerphone.
“Shen Shu, did Xu Jinnan know about this online mess? This doesn’t just concern you; it concerns the Shen family’s future, understand?” It was Wei Wuqing.
Another voice, more distant, could be heard in the background, along with the sounds of a video game.
“This is so annoying! Can’t you just stay home now that you’re married? I’m so embarrassed! Do you know what my friends are saying? They’re asking how much you charge per night…”
“This is Xu Jinnan.”
Wei Wuqing: “…Oh, Nannan… Shu Shu, why didn’t you say she was there? Your brother is just joking. It’s a misunderstanding.” She recovered quickly. “Shen Jun, apologize!”
Shen Jun: “…Mr., uh, CEO Xu.” He seemed to be struggling for the right honorific.
Xu Jinnan’s voice was icy. “12 p.m. tomorrow. Bring your friends and apologize in person.” She hung up.
Shen Shu’s face was grim. Xu Jinnan told her to go to bed. As Shen Shu lowered her gaze, her eyes fell on Xu Jinnan’s arm, then quickly away. “I’ll make you some cold medicine. Go to bed,” she said.
A few minutes later, Xu Jinnan entered the bedroom with a steaming mug. She sat on the edge of the bed, gently blowing on the liquid.
“It’s a little hot.”
Shen Shu lay in bed, her eyes tired and sore. She closed them for a moment, then opened them, Xu Jinnan’s face coming into focus.
“Xu Jinnan,” she said, her voice hoarse, “thank you.” For everything you did for me today.
Xu Jinnan paused, her serious expression softening into a faint smile. “What for?”
Shen Shu hesitated. “For making me cold medicine,” she replied softly.
Xu Jinnan: “…You’re welcome?”
They looked at each other for a moment, then both started laughing.
Shen Shu still had a slight fever. Xu Jinnan watched her fall asleep, then went to get a blanket from the guest room and laid it out on the floor beside the bed.
In the middle of the night, Shen Shu woke up, drenched in sweat. She turned on the bedside lamp and saw Xu Jinnan on the floor, the blanket kicked aside, her black T-shirt rumpled, her legs partially exposed.
Shen Shu got out of bed and bent down to cover her with the blanket. Perhaps disturbed by her movement, Xu Jinnan turned over, and Shen Shu lost her balance, falling onto her.
Xu Jinnan opened her eyes, Shen Shu’s face inches from hers, the intoxicating scent of her pheromones filling the air. A slight movement would bring their lips together…
Xu Jinnan’s eyelashes fluttered, her voice husky with sleep. “Mm?”
