Chapter 56 p2
That afternoon, Shen Shu and Tong Jia were talking at the studio.
Xinxin entered, placing her phone on the table in front of them. “This lady is amazing! She’s doing our job for us,” she said with a laugh.
Shen Shu looked down at the photo of a legal notice.
The Weibo user’s ID was ICan’tBeTamed.
The post read: I apologize for my impulsive behavior. I was provoked and said some things I shouldn’t have, accusing Ms. Shen Shu of having plastic surgery. I don’t have any friends who work at plastic surgery clinics, and I’ve never heard such rumors.
I apologize to @RichSisterWithStamina for my inappropriate words.
I also apologize to Ms. @ShenShu. I’m sorry.
“Another trending topic! The one from this morning hasn’t even died down yet,” Xinxin said excitedly, sitting down beside them. Then, she paused. “Is this too much publicity, though?”
“It’s fine. We chose this path. We have the resources to handle it. And besides, this publicity will help us secure better opportunities,” Tong Jia reassured her.
Xinxin nodded, picking up her phone and opening RichSisterWithStamina’s Weibo profile. “This lady is amazing! A true fan! Sending a legal notice right away! That’ll teach them a lesson!” And no one could accuse them of being overly sensitive. They could even step in and mediate, further improving their public image.
“These trolls think they can say whatever they want online. Well, they messed with the wrong person. Jia-jie, you have excellent taste in fans!”
Tong Jia, her ears burning at the indirect compliment, thought, Subtle PDA is the deadliest.
“Of course. I personally chose her,” she said, her tone changing slightly.
Shen Shu, staring at RichSisterWithStamina’s profile, a subtle softness in her eyes, said, “Contact her and thank her for me. And thank all my fans for their support.”
“Will do!”
—
It was past 7 p.m., and Xu Jinnan was working late, having received a message from Professor Qin, who would be returning tomorrow. She didn’t have time in the morning, so she had to catch up tonight.
Viola entered with a container of porridge. “CEO Xu, I brought you some porridge. Eat when you have time,” she said.
“Thank you,” Xu Jinnan replied, looking up.
She put down her pen. “Can you get me some antacids?”
“You barely touched your lunch. Your stomach must be upset,” Viola said. “I’ll go get some right away.”
Xu Jinnan rubbed her stomach, her lips slightly pale. Sometimes, when she skipped meals, she lost her appetite altogether.
By the time she remembered to eat, it was already time for the next meal.
After taking the antacids, she felt slightly better and was about to return to her work when she received a message from Shen Shu.
Shen Shu: [Busy?]
Xu Jinnan: [Not really. You? Done with work?]
Shen Shu: [I just got home.]
Xu Jinnan: [Get some rest then. I’ll be late.]
Shen Shu: [How late?]
Xu Jinnan paused, checking the time. She wasn’t sure.
Shen Shu: [Be careful driving.]
Xu Jinnan: [Okay.]
After a few minutes, she sent another message. [Is there something you want to talk about?]
Shen Shu: [Can’t I just ask?]
Xu Jinnan, finding typing too slow, sent a voice message.
“Of course you can.”
—
When Xu Jinnan arrived home at 10 p.m., the living room lights were on, and Shen Shu was sitting on the sofa, watching a variety show on TV, her phone in her hand.
Seeing her, Shen Shu turned off the TV and stood up. “I bought some new bread. Have some if you’re hungry. I’m going to bed,” she said.
Xu Jinnan nodded, watching as she went into the bedroom.
Was she waiting for me?
Xu Jinnan smiled faintly, opening the cupboard and seeing a package of mango-flavored cream bread.
—
The next day was the first day of filming for Shen Shu’s new drama.
Tong Jia arrived at 7 a.m. to pick her up. Shen Shu glanced at the closed guest room door, then, just as she was about to leave, Xu Jinnan emerged.
“Shu Shu.”
Shen Shu turned around.
“Good luck,” Xu Jinnan said. “Don’t worry about anything. I’ve got your back.”
—
Shen Shu sat in the van, her first scene mostly outdoors, at a traditional house in the suburbs, the first meeting between the female lead and the second female lead.
She, as the third female lead, would encounter them during their meeting.
The first scene of the love triangle.
While it seemed clichéd at first glance, it was actually a well-written workplace drama about a woman overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
The script was good.
Unlike her previous experience, Shen Shu wasn’t nervous. Instead of reading the script, she closed her eyes and relaxed during the drive.
Suddenly, Tong Jia said, “Slow down, Shu Shu. Look.”
Shen Shu opened her eyes, following Tong Jia’s gaze to a large LED screen across from Wanhe Plaza, a new addition.
Just then, the screen lit up.
It was her face.
One of her promotional photos for the drama, her expression cool and elegant, her makeup subtle, her nude-colored, sequined dress shimmering in the bright light. People stopped to take pictures.
Tong Jia smiled. “Surprise! Do you like it?”
Shen Shu stared at the screen, a mixture of surprise, excitement, and gratitude washing over her.
She took a picture with her phone, then turned to Tong Jia, a smile playing on her lips. “When did the studio become so wealthy?” It was a prime location in the city center, a significant expense.
Tong Jia’s smile was enigmatic. “There’s more. Billboards, bus stops, TV commercials, everywhere. And to avoid jealousy, it’s not just you. We got something for the other leads too.”
“Was it that… fan?”
Tong Jia paused, and Xinxin, sitting in the front, chuckled. “Shu Shu, you sound like a lovesick teenager.”
“You’re right,” Tong Jia said, looking at Shen Shu. “Sometimes, I forget she’s not the younger one.”
Xinxin: “Me too!”
Tong Jia turned back to Shen Shu. “Yes, it was her. My choice for moderator, not bad, right? A true fan…” she said, a hint of wistfulness in her voice.
“Yes, she’s amazing,” Shen Shu agreed.
—
As they approached the studio, about a dozen fans were waiting at the entrance, wearing matching T-shirts with Shen Shu’s chibi character on them, holding light boards.
The scene was comparable to Xia Chun’s fan greeting, even the merchandise of similar quality.
And since Xia Chun had defended Shen Shu online, the two fan bases were on good terms.
Tan Jie’s fans were fewer in number, and a few of them, having attacked Shen Shu online before, rolled their eyes as Shen Shu’s van arrived.
They thought Tan Jie shouldn’t have apologized!
Shen Shu had the driver stop at the entrance, rolling down the window to greet her fans. “Thank you for coming! You don’t have to wait for me. Go home early and be careful,” she said.
“Shu Shu!!!”
“Okay, we’ll leave now!”
“Remember to drink plenty of water, Shu Bao!”
“I will. I’m going in now,” Shen Shu said.
“Good luck, Shu Shu!”
“Fighting!”
Shen Shu smiled faintly, nodding. “Thank you.”
The window closed, and the van drove into the studio.
Her fans cheered excitedly.
“I’m going to faint! Oh my god!”
“Help me…”
“She’s so beautiful!”
Xia Chun’s fans, standing nearby, also smiled. “Wow, she’s even more stunning in person! Is this considered marrying young?”
“Totally! I can’t handle this much beauty.”
Just then, Xia Chun’s car arrived. She rolled down the window, waved, and thanked her fans before driving in.
Then, Tan Jie’s van arrived.
“Jie Jie!!!”
Tan Jie, hearing her fans’ cheers, rolled down the window, smiled, and thanked them as well.
As the window closed, her smile faded.
“Why are there so few people?” she asked.
“Two of your biggest fans couldn’t make it, and a few others who usually come with them didn’t come either,” her agent explained.
Tan Jie didn’t reply.
“I’ll remind them next time,” her agent added.
“Okay.”
—
Meanwhile, Xu Jinnan, after dealing with some urgent matters and delegating tasks to her team, finally left for the hospital.
The morning sky was overcast, the clouds thick and heavy in places, the sun breaking through in others.
It was difficult to tell if it would be a good day or not.
But the autumn air was crisp and cool. October 1st. A good day for Shen Shu, she thought.
She touched the small box in her bag, wondering what Professor Qin would say.
—
At the hospital, Professor Qin asked about her recent health, then ordered a routine check-up.
After that, Xu Jinnan gave him the box. He placed it on a silver tray and carefully took out a small sample with tweezers.
His expression changed as he examined it. “I’ll run some tests first. If this is what I think it is, it’s not good,” he said, his voice serious.
Xu Jinnan, sensing his concern, simply nodded.
She would find out the truth today, one way or another.
The tests would take two hours, and Professor Qin, remembering her request, personally took the sample to the lab.
While waiting, Xu Jinnan saw Shen Shu’s Weibo post.
Thank you everyone for your support. You’re the best.
The accompanying photos showed the LED screen and the two custom-made fan shirts Tong Jia had received.
Xu Jinnan liked and reposted the post, adding a comment: You go, superstar!
After her blood test, she rested in Professor Qin’s office. Two hours later, he returned, his face grim.
He closed the door behind him. “Miss Xu, where did you get this?”
“Tell me what it is first.”
“Remember that incident in Rongcheng? This powder is the same as the drug you were exposed to, except that was a diluted version, and this is concentrated.”
Xu Jinnan’s eyes widened. “I only inhaled a small amount, and I was incapacitated. What would happen with a concentrated dose?”
Professor Qin frowned, then sat down opposite her, his voice grave. “Let me put it this way, this amount is enough to kill hundreds of people.”
Leave a Reply