Chapter 47: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not – Doesn’t Want to Be Responsible
In the end, Song Mingzhi accepted the necklace.
[Task complete, main storyline progress +3%, current progress 48%.]
Hearing the mechanical voice in her mind, Dong Ling smiled.
Song Mingzhi sensed her joy, and touching the dazzling gem, felt even more unable to understand Dong Ling’s thoughts.
Song Mingzhi didn’t have much relationship experience, so after thinking about it, she went to consult the relationship expert by her side, Miss Ji Yiling.
Ji Yiling, although hadn’t been in many relationships herself, had a whole set of theories about analyzing relationships, and could be called a relationship guru.
They were very close, and Song Mingzhi wasn’t the type to gossip about other people’s relationships, so she didn’t use the “I have a friend” opening, but asked directly.
“You’re saying, someone who likes you keeps flirting with you, but doesn’t want to take it further?”
Ji Yiling, truly a relationship expert, summarized it concisely and pointed out the problem directly.
“Is she playing with you?”
Ji Yiling said, touching her chin, that person sounded like a player, even Song Mingzhi could be fooled, she must be quite skilled.
Song Mingzhi denied: “She’s not that kind of person.”
Song Mingzhi knew Dong Ling wasn’t playing games, she could sense the sincerity in their interactions.
“Every time I advise someone to break up because their partner seems problematic, they always say that,” Ji Yiling wasn’t saying that the person Song Mingzhi mentioned was definitely problematic, but stating a common occurrence, then she said, “Are there any other specifics? Otherwise, it’s hard to analyze.”
“She just gave me a diamond necklace.”
“Wow, quite generous, is it an apology gift because you tested each other yesterday and then acted as if nothing happened today, and she’s worried you’re unhappy?”
Song Mingzhi’s expression was unreadable: “Perhaps.”
“Giving jewelry is naturally to please someone. Is she a player? Should you investigate and see if she has any other girlfriends, international or online?”
Song Mingzhi thought carefully and said: “She does have a potential fiancé, but he’s still in the hospital.”
Ji Yiling nodded, then suddenly reacted: “A male fiancé? But the person flirting with you is a woman?”
Ji Yiling said with a shocked expression: “It’s not that CEO Dong who’s so good to you and insists on promoting you, is it?”
Song Mingzhi nodded, Ji Yiling would find out sooner or later anyway, it didn’t matter if she knew now.
“I knew it, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, she has ulterior motives, that’s why she’s so attentive to you, and now she’s playing hard to get, she might just be playing around, don’t fall for it.”
Ji Yiling reminded her worriedly, afraid her friend would fall into a trap.
Although she knew Song Mingzhi wasn’t a naive little sheep, always the one setting traps for others, relationships were different, even the smartest people could stumble in love, Ji Yiling didn’t want Song Mingzhi to get hurt.
“She’s not playing around, it’s just… I can’t figure it out.”
If Song Mingzhi could figure it out, she wouldn’t have come to Ji Yiling.
“That’s true, after all, if she was just playing around, the cost is too high.”
Ji Yiling thought about what Dong Ling had done for Song Mingzhi, if it was just a transaction, the terms should have been clear from the beginning, it had been almost a year, and their relationship hadn’t progressed.
If it was courtship, it didn’t seem like it either, if she was worried that Song Mingzhi was straight and wouldn’t accept her, now she knew Song Mingzhi wasn’t.
Ji Yiling also fell into contemplation, why?
Song Mingzhi’s lips curved slightly hearing these words, thinking of the contract she signed, Dong Ling was practically throwing money and resources at her without asking for anything in return.
“If it weren’t for your response, just looking at CEO Dong’s actions, it wouldn’t seem like she’s playing with you, but rather simping for you.”
Ji Yiling mumbled, these actions were truly those of a simp.
Song Mingzhi was distracted by the last sentence.
The tip of her tongue touched the roof of her mouth, the image of Dong Ling overwhelmed, so inexperienced she forgot to breathe, soft and delicate, appeared in her mind.
Someone like that, how could she have any experience playing with people’s feelings?
Ji Yiling’s imagination ran wild: “Could she be related to your biological parents, specifically sent to give you things?”
“Impossible.”
Song Mingzhi didn’t think a rich heiress from Beihai had any connection to her biological parents’ family, if she did, why wouldn’t she be honest and tell her? And Dong Ling had never mentioned her parents, if Dong Ling really was as Ji Yiling speculated, she would have mentioned it.
But Ji Yiling’s words made her think that Dong Ling really did seem to be throwing herself and her resources at her.
But before she could figure anything out, her thoughts were interrupted by Ji Yiling’s words.
“Speaking of which, your movie is quite popular, you’ve gained some fame, has anyone contacted you?”
Song Mingzhi shook her head: “Probably not at that level yet, but some people from Jingzhou have contacted me.”
“They’re offering very generous terms.”
Song Mingzhi’s lips curved into an ambiguous smile, her tone sarcastic.
Ji Yiling laughed heartily: “The more relaxed they are, the better, I’m waiting to see their expressions when they realize they haven’t achieved anything.”
They didn’t talk further and finished their meal quietly. While washing the dishes, Ji Yiling suddenly exclaimed.
“Lao Song, I’ve figured it out!”
“Figured what out?”
“I’ve figured out what your little CEO Dong might be up to. You said she’s not playing with you, then is there a possibility that she genuinely likes you, wants to be with you, but also doesn’t want to be with you?”
Song Mingzhi looked puzzled: “Why? Explain.”
“I know someone like that, not the avoidant attachment type, but purely afraid of the relationship changing, afraid that love will turn into familial affection, burdened by trivial matters, also afraid of seeing the other person’s flaws, afraid of being tied down and restricted, so they like the ambiguous stage, but not a formal relationship.”
Ji Yiling started the dishwasher, walked over to Song Mingzhi, and the more she spoke, the more she felt this was a possibility.
“You know those people who are afraid of marriage, right? The kind who have been in a long-term relationship but don’t want to get married, because that means a change in the relationship, taking on responsibilities, and so on. The person I know is like that, but instead of being afraid of marriage, she’s afraid of relationships.”
Song Mingzhi summarized: “So… still doesn’t want to be responsible?”
“Not entirely, maybe she just lacks a sense of security, or maybe that’s just her personality… Anyway, keep observing.”
Ji Yiling trusted Song Mingzhi’s judgment, which was why she said that. And she also hoped Dong Ling was truly as Song Mingzhi described. It would be nice for Song Mingzhi, who was usually so emotionally unavailable, to finally settle down.
Song Mingzhi nodded, she had always been a very patient person.
At an awards ceremony in early June, Song Mingzhi, wearing a gown and the diamond necklace Dong Ling gave her, attended the event.
Zuo Zhen didn’t buy any trending topics boasting about Song Mingzhi outshining others, but in the best and worst dressed lists circulating online, Song Mingzhi was always among the best dressed.
Dong Ling had to accompany her mother to her uncle’s birthday party and couldn’t see Song Mingzhi in her gown in person, but she still saved a high-definition picture and admired it, leaning against the railing.
She knew the Eye of Emira would suit Song Mingzhi, and it did.
Noble and elegant, a perfect match.
Dong Ling, lost in thought, recalled Song Mingzhi’s disheveled appearance that day, and her eyes unconsciously lowered.
“What are you looking at?”
Dong Tang saw his sister standing alone and came over to greet her.
His eyesight was good, even though Dong Ling quickly turned off her phone screen, he still saw half of the woman’s face and recognized who it was.
Dong Ling shook her head: “Nothing.”
Dong Tang thought his little sister had grown up and had her own secrets now. He patted Dong Ling’s shoulder with a slightly melancholic tone: “Ling Ling, don’t worry too much, I’ll support you no matter what decision you make.”
Dong Ling looked at him, puzzled: “Brother, you’re talking as if I’m about to go fight a war in Syria.”
“Brother, are you okay?”
Why was he suddenly so sentimental, as if he was seriously ill?
“I’m fine, Uncle’s guests have arrived, let’s go say hello.”
Dong Tang’s face was expressionless, Dong Ling didn’t understand his complex emotions at all.
Dong Ling took Dong Tang’s arm and walked over, looking at her uncle’s guest.
“This is Mr. Wen Qian, a distinguished guest from Jingzhou, a talented and promising young man.”
Her uncle introduced him with a smile. Dong Ling nodded to Wen Qian and greeted him politely.
Dong Ling looked at Wen Qian’s face, feeling a vague sense of familiarity, but it was fleeting, in her memory, they had never met.
Strange.
Wen Qian also nodded politely, as if meeting for the first time. In fact, this was indeed their first official meeting, but Wen Qian already knew her.
When news of his senior sister appeared in the entertainment section, Wen Qian was quite surprised. When Song Mingzhi was caught in that scandal, Wen Qian almost couldn’t help but clarify things for her, but Song Mingzhi stopped him. Wen Qian had been following the situation and naturally knew about the Canghai CEO’s video.
He came from Jingzhou this time not only for business, but also to ask Song Mingzhi for help with a project, which was also part of Song Mingzhi’s plan. That day, when he took Song Mingzhi home, he saw Dong Ling’s figure from afar when leaving.
Dong Ling met Wen Qian’s gaze, a slight puzzlement in her eyes, Wen Qian smiled apologetically and looked away.
Dong Ling quickly forgot about this, she had other things to deal with.
The company had expanded rapidly, and had signed quite a few artists, but compared to other companies, the number was still small. But Dong Ling wasn’t in a hurry, she focused on quality over quantity, investing heavily in the early stages.
Looking at the young girls dancing in the training room, Dong Ling suddenly thought of the girl named Zhong Zhong, who looked a bit like Song Mingzhi.
She had already told the person in charge to keep Zhong Zhong for her, she would offer a higher price than others.
That was her determination.
Whether this girl was a passerby, a villain, or part of the protagonist’s camp, to avoid any threat to Song Mingzhi, she had to keep her firmly under her control.
“CEO Dong, someone is buying negative press about Mingzhi again.”
Zuo Zhen knocked on the door and reported with a troubled expression.
“Who is it this time?”
Dong Ling was alert and subconsciously thought of Xuan Du, but immediately dismissed the idea.
Xuan Du wouldn’t do the same thing twice, and with He Diesheng around now, Xuan Du didn’t have the time to bother her, she was probably busy scheming how to get rid of He Diesheng.
“We’re still investigating.”
Zuo Zhen sent the information to Dong Ling, who opened it on her computer, her expression darkening slightly.
The first thing that appeared on the webpage was a picture.
This picture was familiar to Dong Ling, she had even saved it.
The beginning of the post praised Song Mingzhi’s appearance, it didn’t seem like negative press at all, more like a promotional post, then the topic turned to the diamond necklace.
First, it asked everyone to guess the price of the necklace, then it started introducing its origin, its place of origin, its quality, the designer, the craftsman, and so on… in detail.
The language was witty and elegant, and it also mentioned other celebrities who owned similar pieces, making people want to read further.
Finally, the price of 70 million was revealed, and the writer expressed surprise that Song Mingzhi, with her current status, could already afford to wear such a piece.
This was just the beginning, the subsequent best and worst dressed lists also started making snide remarks, attributing most of Song Mingzhi’s stunning appearance to the Eye of Emira.
Unlike Xuan Du’s direct and malicious slander, this time, the person behind it was more insidious, seemingly praising Song Mingzhi, but actually putting down other actresses who attended the same event.
Faced with the 70 million diamond, some fans’ comments were also very unpleasant.
For example, saying that Song Mingzhi’s box office earnings and salary were worth that much, that buying a diamond necklace was nothing to her, and mocking other celebrities for being unpopular and not making enough money.
This sparked another discussion on the issue of high salaries in the entertainment industry, which then led to Song Mingzhi’s acting skills being questioned.
Admittedly, Song Mingzhi’s acting skills were good, but not yet masterful, but for a newcomer with no background, she was already outstanding.
Then there were those disguised as fans, using acting skills as a comparison, putting down several popular actors, practically trying to provoke public anger.
Dong Ling didn’t believe these were all genuine fans, she was well aware of the tricks used in fandom culture, like haters disguising themselves as fans to spread negativity.
These excessive praises pushed Song Mingzhi to an extreme online. Those who disagreed or genuinely felt that Song Mingzhi couldn’t afford it were constantly attacked by these “fans.”
The previous accusations resurfaced. Although most people didn’t believe that the sugar daddy behind Song Mingzhi was the greasy middle-aged man in the photoshopped picture, they still believed she had someone backing her.
Someone even made a spreadsheet listing Song Mingzhi’s resources, and someone else edited clips from the variety show Song Mingzhi participated in, criticizing her for lacking a sense of variety, being unprofessional, and not taking her job seriously.
In short, it was a complete mess.
It fermented to this extent in less than a day, it was impossible without a large number of paid trolls.
Compared to the previous direct and reckless accusations, this time, the insinuations, provocations, and attempts to stir up conflict were much more sophisticated. Dong Ling guessed that it was someone within the industry, but when did Song Mingzhi offend someone in the industry?
“The anti-fan group has already identified many fake fan accounts, but the public’s impression has been severely damaged. The PR department has already stepped in, it seems they want to shift the focus to brand collaborations, but the origin of the diamond has already been exposed, CEO Dong, we now…”
Dong Ling tapped the table and said: “I gave her that necklace.”
Zuo Zhen nodded without replying, she had already guessed, wasn’t it normal for a CEO to give her girlfriend a necklace?
“Do we need to issue a clarification like last time?”
“No,” Dong Ling shook her head, her eyes cold, “Since everyone likes digging for information and analyzing everything, let’s satisfy their curiosity.”
“Speed things up, find out who is behind this.”
Dong Ling didn’t like playing the same game twice, she would deal with her opponents using their own methods.
Admittedly, some of the analyses were correct, Song Mingzhi definitely had someone backing her, otherwise her resources wouldn’t be this good, and she wouldn’t be able to wear a 70 million diamond necklace and custom-made gown to an awards ceremony.
That person behind Song Mingzhi was her, it was clear and simple, and she had never hidden her intention to promote Song Mingzhi, how could these people conjure up a fictional sugar daddy?
Before Zuo Zhen left, Dong Ling asked: “Does Mingzhi know?”
Zuo Zhen turned around and said: “I’ve already asked Xiao Tan to inform her, so she knows what’s happening and doesn’t take action herself.”
Zuo Zhen didn’t think Song Mingzhi would handle it herself, or be flustered by these things. She had managed many artists, and Song Mingzhi was the calmest one.
Dong Ling nodded, looking at Song Mingzhi’s name on the screen, but didn’t click on it.
After informing Chen Shang Shang, Dong Ling had someone post online.
A few hours later, a post appeared. Because it was posted around 8 or 9 pm, the prime time for netizens to consume gossip, it quickly garnered many replies and reposts.
@ThisHateHasNothingToDoWithWindOrRain: Regarding the 70 million diamond and a certain sugar daddy behind the scenes.
I’ve been watching this drama unfold, and even I, a passerby, am curious. Let’s analyze this, wasn’t this diamond given by the real sugar daddy, CEO Dong?
According to a certain post, the gem came from the Chen family, and those in the know are aware that the exhibition that day was hosted by the Chen family’s daughter, a real socialite. Look up Canghai Entertainment’s shareholders online, and you’ll find that the Chen family’s daughter is also a shareholder, they’re close friends.
The most valuable gem at the exhibition that day was auctioned off, many people asked about this, but it was said to be reserved and sold, it was most likely reserved by CEO Dong, just ask around and you’ll know.
Disperse, nothing to see here.
This post included pictures from the exhibition that night and a picture of Chen Shang Shang’s shareholding information, and was even confirmed by a well-known rich second-generation heiress in the entertainment industry, solidifying its authenticity.
With the influx of paid comments, public opinion gradually turned.
Dong Ling breathed a sigh of relief, and just as she recovered, Zuo Zhen hurriedly called, asking if she should remove the trending hashtags.
“CEO Dong, Mingzhi accidentally liked a post, she unliked it, but it was screenshotted, and it’s trending, should we remove it?”
Dong Ling quickly checked the liked post, saw the ID and felt numb, and felt even more numb after reading the content.
@PleaseSendMeOffToMyGrave: It’s so strange, CEO Dong has already clearly stated that she is Song Jie’s sugar daddy, and also Song Jie’s wife, who else would she promote but Song Jie? Why don’t you people believe it, always making up rumors? The truth is right in front of you, what’s there to discuss?
“Have them suppress the trending topic for now.”
Dong Ling knew that if the topic suddenly disappeared, netizens would quickly become suspicious, it was better to reduce its popularity, and it would naturally die down later.
Dong Ling hung up the phone, and seeing the notification pop up on her screen, her stomach suddenly clenched.
[3 unread messages]
[Song Mingzhi]: Wife
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