Chapter 48: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not – Avoiding Suspicion
Dong Ling’s heart was in turmoil, blood rushing to her head, making her feel a little dizzy from lack of oxygen.
She forced herself to calm down. Even without the previous unread messages, she knew Song Mingzhi wouldn’t call her that for no reason, let alone after seeing those few words “unread messages.”
Maybe it was a typo. Dong Ling’s fingers trembled slightly as she clicked on the message notification, entered the app, and seeing the messages displayed, she breathed a long sigh of relief.
Song Mingzhi: Sorry about the accidental like, I didn’t notice, I just agreed with that comment.
Song Mingzhi: I didn’t see the words in the brackets, I only realized it later.
It was just a line break, Dong Ling comforted herself. She didn’t delve into whether this was consistent with Song Mingzhi’s typing habits, or whether Song Mingzhi knew about the “Song Zhong” CP, worried about making things even more uncontrollable.
[Dong Ling]: It’s okay, the PR team is already handling it.
[Dong Ling]: hhhh, it’s better to use an alternate account online, it’s safer.
Dong Ling always used her main account for online activities because no one knew it was her. She rarely posted anything that could reveal her identity, and whether she accidentally liked something or not, no one would notice.
Song Mingzhi: I know, I’ll be careful next time.
Song Mingzhi: By the way, a friend gave me some high-quality Wagyu beef, come over for dinner tomorrow night.
Thinking of Song Mingzhi’s house, Dong Ling felt a tingling sensation, as if tiny needles were pricking her heart.
[Dong Ling]: Not sure if I’ll be free tomorrow night qaq
Dong Ling admitted, she was being cowardly, just thinking about that alcohol-fueled kiss that night made her body uncomfortably hot.
Song Mingzhi: It’s okay, another day is fine, after all, I received your thoughtful gesture, I have to thank you properly.
Reading these words, Dong Ling couldn’t help but picture Song Mingzhi’s expression and her gentle, lake-like eyes.
Dong Ling wondered absentmindedly, did Song Mingzhi remember that night?
As Dong Ling hesitated, more words appeared on the screen.
Song Mingzhi: Are you trying to avoid suspicion?
Song Mingzhi: If those online discussions are making you uncomfortable, it’s okay to avoid suspicion, I hope it didn’t affect you.
Dong Ling replied without hesitation, feeling a little anxious.
[Dong Ling]: It didn’t affect me, it’s you who’s being affected, those malicious speculations are all because of me.
[Dong Ling]: Why avoid suspicion? We have nothing to hide, don’t mind those groundless accusations, as long as we understand each other, that’s enough.
Song Mingzhi: Yes, it’s my honor to be your muse, I’ll work hard not to disappoint you.
Seeing Song Mingzhi’s words, Dong Ling felt no awkwardness at all.
Her relationship with Song Mingzhi was open and honest, not some kind of shady transaction. Song Mingzhi had already been targeted several times because of her, and she was still being so considerate.
Why avoid suspicion? She didn’t want to distance herself from Song Mingzhi either, they were good friends, weren’t they?
[Dong Ling]: Then tomorrow afternoon.
Seeing this message, Song Mingzhi relaxed.
Was this what Ji Yiling meant by giving her a sense of security?
Although she didn’t know what Dong Ling was afraid of, it was good that she wasn’t afraid anymore. Since she was worried about their relationship changing, then it was fine to let her think it hadn’t changed yet.
Humans were good at self-deception, sometimes unwilling to delve deeper. This interesting mentality reminded Song Mingzhi of the boiling frog analogy, but she didn’t know who, between her and Dong Ling, was the frog.
The sun rose and set, and it was the next day.
Before going to Song Mingzhi’s house this time, Dong Ling specifically instructed 021 several times.
[Don’t let me get drunk, no, don’t let me drink at all, remember to remind me.]
021: [Yes, ma’am, guaranteed to complete the mission!]
But Song Mingzhi didn’t prepare any alcohol today, and Dong Ling, after being given countless cups of buckwheat tea, left Song Mingzhi’s house with satisfaction.
When leaving, Song Mingzhi stood at the door to see her off. She was wearing a light purple dress today, like a blooming lilac, elegant and quiet, looking delicate and harmless.
Dong Ling suddenly recalled the pressure of those lips on her neck, and for a moment, she thought it was an illusion.
Song Mingzhi’s expression was so natural, as if nothing had happened.
Dong Ling waved to her with a smile and got into her sports car.
021 asked: [Girl, why aren’t you happy?]
Dong Ling stepped on the gas pedal, the wind ruffling her hair.
She replied, a little puzzled: [I am happy.]
021 said “Oh,” and didn’t ask further.
Sometimes, it couldn’t understand humans, clearly smiling, yet their joy levels were low.
But sometimes humans couldn’t understand themselves either, sometimes they weren’t happy, yet they thought they were.
Dong Ling returned to the company and continued investigating the person behind this incident.
The online discussions were lively for two days and then subsided. Song Mingzhi, who was innocently targeted, unexpectedly gained more fans, her fanbase larger than before, but the number of CP fans also increased significantly. Or rather, most of the fans fighting for Song Mingzhi, and even most of her fans in general, were “Song Zhong” CP fans.
This was quite remarkable, after all, Song Mingzhi was probably one of the few artists in the industry whose solo fans and CP fans could coexist harmoniously.
Dong Ling didn’t have time to worry about the growing number of CP fans, because the person behind this not only didn’t restrain themselves, but became even more aggressive.
Song Mingzhi’s endorsement was snatched away, and even a movie role she was confirmed for was taken by someone else.
“Snatching a role…” Dong Ling chuckled, her expression cold, “She’s not even worthy.”
Dong Ling didn’t know if this was the irresistible force of the plot, but the person causing trouble for Song Mingzhi was Zhu Shini, the cannon fodder who caused trouble for the female lead in the original novel.
Even though Song Mingzhi’s current career path was different from before, and they had no interaction whatsoever, Zhu Shini still managed to target her.
Dong Ling looked through the information Yuki compiled, her expression increasingly mocking.
Just like in the original novel, Zhu Shini didn’t rely on her own abilities to sabotage Song Mingzhi, but on a wealthy sugar daddy. She was currently favored, and her sugar daddy practically granted her every wish, not only using his power and influence to snatch the endorsement, but also spending a fortune to get her the movie role.
Except for the specific endorsement and movie being different, everything else was practically the same.
If, in the original novel, Zhu Shini’s motive was jealousy of Song Mingzhi’s talent and popularity, then what was her motive this time?
Dong Ling quickly figured it out, and after learning the reason, she was speechless for a long time.
“It’s actually because of this… no wonder those promotional posts were all introducing it.”
Dong Ling looked at the “Eye of Emira” in its box, she didn’t expect this incident to be caused by it.
She remembered that at the exhibition, Zhu Shini lingered in front of this gem for a long time, it was all foreshadowing.
“It seems you’re truly dazzling.”
When Song Mingzhi found out, she was also speechless for a moment, the reason for this hostility was actually an unattainable jewel.
“Don’t worry about those lost resources, I’ll have Zuo Zhen arrange better ones for you.”
This didn’t mean she would let it go, Dong Ling couldn’t possibly swallow this anger. Zhu Shini’s sugar daddy was still the same person from the original novel, she didn’t need to investigate further to know who it was, which made it even easier to act.
She would make Zhu Shini spit out what she snatched, but she wouldn’t give those things to Song Mingzhi, she had to give Song Mingzhi better ones.
Song Mingzhi nodded, full of trust in Dong Ling.
She still planned to let Dong Ling vent her anger first, and then make her own move when the time was right.
She didn’t like people snatching things from her.
Dong Ling, seeing Song Mingzhi’s expression, felt refreshed and happy.
As long as she was around, no one could bully Song Mingzhi.
After returning, Dong Ling started to take action. She wasn’t targeting Zhu Shini, but the sugar daddy behind Zhu Shini. Without him, Zhu Shini couldn’t cause any real trouble.
Song Mingzhi wasn’t idle either. Since the movie role was snatched away, she didn’t even bother looking at the script. She found out about a party Zhu Shini was attending and got an invitation.
She specifically wore the “Eye of Emira” to the party, watching Zhu Shini’s envious and jealous expression, a smug smile on her face.
Song Mingzhi would never have done such a thing in the past, arguing with someone not on the same level was beneath her.
But now, Song Mingzhi not only did it, but she also enjoyed it, this was a gift from Dong Ling, something others couldn’t get even if they wanted it.
“It’s a pity, a missed opportunity is a missed opportunity, you’ll never catch up if you’re a step behind.”
Looking at Zhu Shini’s gaze fixated on the gem, Song Mingzhi’s words were pointed, and seeing Zhu Shini’s increasingly resentful expression, the corners of her lips curved upwards.
Zhu Shini had put in a lot of effort for this coveted gem, even turning down many jobs, using all her means just to please her sugar daddy, but unexpectedly, after he agreed, she was told that the gem had already been reserved and sold.
How could she not be resentful? If the owner of the gem was a true celebrity, it would be fine, but how could a newcomer deserve it?
“What are you so smug about? These things can be snatched away.”
Zhu Shini was referring to the resources she snatched from Song Mingzhi, she could snatch them once, she could snatch them again, she said this with a twisted sense of satisfaction.
Song Mingzhi looked surprised: “Setting aside whether you can snatch them away, Miss Zhu, do you really think you’re worthy?”
Song Mingzhi’s expression didn’t change much, her performance not exaggerated, as if she had truly heard something surprising, just a simple question, not disdain, but it was precisely this performance that made her contempt even more prominent.
“How much more noble do you think you are? We’re all the same, who are you to look down on me? What do you think you are?”
They were in a secluded corner, Zhu Shini didn’t even bother pretending, she hated fake arrogance the most, they were all selling themselves, who was looking down on whom?
Zhu Shini didn’t believe that Song Mingzhi and that Dong Ling were innocent, maybe she even had other backers, it was just that her methods were more sophisticated, managing to climb so high as a newcomer.
Song Mingzhi said with a subtle expression: “You’re wrong, we’re really not the same.”
Zhu Shini used her body as a bargaining chip in exchange for those benefits, while she hadn’t even touched her sugar daddy’s bed, how could they be the same?
Zhu Shini’s face darkened, she heard the disdain in Song Mingzhi’s tone, right?
Damn it, what was she so smug about?
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