Chapter 77
Zuo Bian and Qin Ai both changed their clothes. Their previous outfits were wrinkled, and although they looked good, they weren’t practical for everyday wear.
They went to a newly opened restaurant nearby for dinner. Zuo Bian noticed the waiter looking at her and Qin Ai with a particularly bright gaze, and she felt a bit puzzled.
After the waiter left, she mentioned it to 555.
555, who had been censored for a while, replied weakly, 【Well, of course. You and Qin Ai are celebrities now, everyone is talking about you online.】
‘Hmm? Is it because of our engagement?’
【Yes, but there’s something else.】555 briefly explained the situation with Ma Songxue.
Zuo Bian vaguely remembered Ma Songxue. Someone had mentioned her during the drama’s press conference, but at that time, Zuo Bian didn’t know who she was. Later, she had forgotten about it.
By the time 555 finished explaining, the food had arrived.
Zuo Bian had expended a lot of energy throughout the day, so she ate a lot for dinner.
Qin Ai picked up some food for Zuo Bian, smiling. “Eat more.”
Zuo Bian focused on her food, a bit embarrassed to look at Qin Ai.
This was their first time being alone outside. Although she knew the door was closed and no one would come in, she was still nervous. But it felt good. Thinking this, she stole a glance at Qin Ai, their eyes meeting.
Qin Ai smiled at her and leaned closer. “What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”
It was just a simple question, but Qin Ai was so close.
Zuo Bian shook her head quickly, afraid of missing out on her dinner.
“There’s nothing. Qin Ai, try this soup, it’s delicious.” Zuo Bian ladled a bowl of soup for Qin Ai.
Qin Ai finally moved back, giving Zuo Bian a reprieve. She picked up the bowl and slowly sipped the soup.
After dinner, they decided to take a walk to aid digestion.
Zuo Bian didn’t know any modern exercises, but she was a fast learner. Qin Ai chose badminton, a relatively simple sport, and taught her how to play. She stood behind Zuo Bian, wrapping her arms around her, her hand guiding Zuo Bian’s.
This made 555 anxious, afraid of being censored again.
Fortunately, nothing happened. Zuo Bian quickly learned how to play and started a match with Qin Ai.
She was still a beginner, so her technique was a bit clumsy. Qin Ai deliberately went easy on her, hitting the shuttlecock in a way that was easy for Zuo Bian to return.
555 asked Zuo Bian, 【Host, aren’t you curious about what people are saying online? You’re still playing badminton with Qin Ai.】
Zuo Bian swung her racket, effortlessly returning the shuttlecock. She replied to 555 in her mind, ‘I’m a little curious, but not that much. I can check it out when I get home tonight.’
【Okay. Actually, I want to go home. Little Frog hasn’t been coming out with you lately, I’m bored.】
555’s words made Zuo Bian realize that Little Frog hadn’t been throwing tantrums and demanding to go out with her. It preferred to stay at home.
The reason was simple: It could watch TV at home. Little Frog was obsessed with dramas and would watch them all day.
‘Little Frog has become a bit of a homebody.’ Zuo Bian jumped and returned the shuttlecock. Qin Ai’s game had become more aggressive.
Soon, Zuo Bian couldn’t focus on talking to 555 anymore. She had to concentrate on the game.
She enjoyed playing badminton, but time flew by quickly. Before they knew it, it was already 9 p.m.
By the time Zuo Bian got home, it was almost 10 p.m. Finally, she had time to check the news online.
In this age of rapid information dissemination, public opinion could shift 360 degrees within half a day. By the time Zuo Bian caught up on the drama, everything had settled down, the situation resolved.
With 555’s guidance, she read through the entire ordeal, her reaction a mixture of amusement and surprise.
【Host, you can’t let Ma Songxue off the hook so easily. She tried to manipulate public opinion, made people curse you, and played the victim? Who doesn’t know how to play the victim? Host, you should act pitiful too!】
Although Zuo Bian didn’t care much about the misunderstandings, no one liked being unfairly criticized.
So she thought for a moment and posted a Weibo message.
@ZuoBian: Thank you for all the blessings, and thank you to those who questioned me. I was a bit sad at first because people misunderstood me… I don’t blame Miss Ma, she just made a mistake. As the old saying goes, “It’s never too late to mend.”
【Amazing!】If 555 had thumbs, it would be giving Zuo Bian a thumbs-up.
Ma Songxue was playing dead, ignoring everyone who tagged her and refusing to apologize.
Zuo Bian’s message implied that it was okay to make mistakes as long as you learned from them. But Ma Songxue was refusing to acknowledge her mistake and was being shameless.
This Weibo post subtly guided public opinion, and more and more people started criticizing Ma Songxue. With pressure from the Qin family and the Zuo family, many brands that had previously collaborated with Ma Songxue terminated their contracts.
If Ma Songxue had still harbored a glimmer of hope before, now her heart was filled with panic.
She didn’t understand how things had spiraled out of control. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. What had caused this?
Even now, she still didn’t realize what she had done wrong.
【Ma Songxue, come out and apologize! Stop playing dead! Are you going to use the “moving house” excuse again?】
【What’s the “moving house” excuse?】
【It’s when someone disappears and pretends to be dead after causing trouble, then reappears and claims they were moving and too busy to check their phone. This excuse is ridiculous. What young person doesn’t check their phone these days? Even if they don’t, wouldn’t their friends and family call them to inform them about such a big issue? It’s just a way to deceive their naive fans. Remember, Ma Songxue is a celebrity. She even posted on Weibo at noon, which means she definitely checks her phone. So why isn’t she responding now? Can’t she see the trending topics?】
【It’s obvious, she’s guilty. The official team already clarified that Zuo Bian was the only actress considered for the female lead role from the beginning, but she still posted that inflammatory Weibo message. Her intentions were clear.】
【Ma Songxue, you’re shameless! Is your face made of brick?】
【I already thought Ma Songxue was a scheming bitch before, and now it’s confirmed. It’s a good thing I never became her fan, or I would be one of those trying to whitewash her now.】
Some fans were blinded by their emotions, even though they vaguely knew that Ma Songxue was wrong, they still defended her, as if she was their sacred ground. They needed to believe that she was pure and innocent for their own peace of mind.
Unfortunately, all the evidence was right there. Ma Songxue had indeed used Zuo Bian to promote herself and had tried to bring her down.
Although this kind of thing was common in the entertainment industry, Ma Songxue had no backing and had made enemies.
Many celebrities spoke up, taking sides and urging Ma Songxue to apologize.
It was common to side with the powerful and abandon the weak. Ma Songxue was backed into a corner, she had no choice but to apologize.
She was holed up in a dark room, the faint light from her phone screen illuminating her face.
She hadn’t eaten or drunk anything all day, her eyes glued to the screen, watching the situation unfold. It seemed like she had no choice but to apologize, and even that might be too late.
The issue had been fermenting for so long, but she hadn’t responded. If she apologized now, wouldn’t people think she was only doing it because she had no other choice?
As Ma Songxue hesitated, Lu Letian and Chang Wensi posted on Weibo.
These two were the daughter of the Chang family and the son of Starlight Entertainment, powerful figures in the entertainment industry who could say whatever they wanted.
@ChangWensi: Some people just like to play games, it’s so boring. I can’t stand those who scheme behind people’s backs and then refuse to admit it. They’re like rats in the sewer.
Chang Wensi was known for her bluntness. Everyone knew she was a firecracker who said what she thought. Those who liked her found her straightforwardness and honesty endearing.
Her fans and the general public found her Weibo post refreshing. Many people commented.
【As expected of my idol, so badass! This is how it should be done!】
【So when is Ma Songxue going to apologize?】
Lu Letian reposted Chang Wensi’s Weibo post with a simple comment: +1.
Of course, his repost led to a small wave of fans shipping LuSi (Lu Letian and Chang Wensi).
In the end, under pressure from public opinion, Ma Songxue was forced to issue an apology.
According to her explanation, she had been too busy with work recently. She had fallen asleep after posting on Weibo at noon and had just woken up to find the situation spiraling out of control.
And she hadn’t done it intentionally. Her agent had told her that she had a chance to star in “Ascending to Immortality,” and she had misunderstood her agent’s meaning, which was why she had done those things.
Her apology was insincere, and she even tried to whitewash herself.
Unfortunately, no one was fooled. Her clumsy lies were easily seen through.
But Ma Songxue was determined to stick to her story. As long as she hadn’t done anything too terrible, some of her fans would remain loyal. As long as she wasn’t completely finished, there was still a chance for her to make a comeback.
Zuo Bian went to take a shower after posting on Weibo. When she came back, she saw Ma Songxue’s apology.
【Oh my god, look at that statement. It’s so fake. She’s trying to clear her name with a few fabricated sentences. How delusional.】
Zuo Bian didn’t read it carefully. She had learned a bit about the entertainment industry and knew that Ma Songxue couldn’t make any waves anymore.
Ma Songxue had done all those things because she wanted to be famous, and now she couldn’t. That was the biggest punishment for her.
Zuo Bian closed Weibo, planning to have a video call with Qin Ai before going to bed. She didn’t care about the online drama, letting others fight it out.
555 sighed internally. Its host was really suitable for being a celebrity. Caring too much about online comments would inevitably affect one’s emotions, but its host didn’t have to worry about that because she was too busy being in love.
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